Bulls, Bravado, and Bourbon: Dodge City's Independence Day

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Step back in time to July 4, 1884, when Dodge City, Kansas staged one of the most audacious spectacles ever seen on American frontier soil – a genuine Mexican bullfight. As the cattle trade slowed and prosperity waned, former Mayor A.B. Webster hatched a plan that would either save the town's economy or cement its reputation for lawlessness.

The Great Bullfight of 1884 represents the fascinating collision of American frontier spirit with Spanish tradition. Within days, Webster raised $10,000 from local merchants desperate for economic revival. In less than two months, they transformed 40 acres into an arena capable of seating 2,500 spectators. When faced with legal opposition, Webster's response became legendary: "Hell. Dodge City ain't in the United States."

The story unfolds like a frontier drama – five flamboyantly dressed Mexican matadors facing off against carefully selected ferocious longhorn bulls, thousands of spectators filling the stands, reporters from major newspapers documenting every moment, and special excursion trains bringing visitors from across the country. The pinnacle came when matador Gregorio Gallardo confronted "the meanest bull in the West" in a breathtaking display of courage that still echoes through Dodge City's history. What followed was a night of wild celebration, keeping the Marshal and his deputies scrambling to maintain order as the town enjoyed its last hurrah before settling into quiet small-town life.

Join us for this remarkable tale of American ingenuity, defiance, and spectacle that changed Dodge City forever. Subscribe to Wild West Podcast for more fascinating stories from the American frontier, and share your thoughts at [e-mail] – we value your input and may feature your comments in future episodes.

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"Edward Masterson and the Texas Cowboys," penned by Michael King, takes readers on an exhilarating ride through the American West, focusing on the lively and gritty cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas. This thrilling dime novel plunges into the action-packed year of Ed Masterson's life as a lawman, set against the backdrop of the chaotic cattle trade, filled with fierce conflicts, shifting loyalties, and rampant lawlessness. You can order the book on Amazon.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:13):
The Wild West Podcast proudly presents the Great
Bullfight of 1884.
This unique Americancelebration occurred in Dodge
City, kansas, on July 4th 1884.
This unique Americancelebration occurred in Dodge
City, kansas, on July 4, 1884.
The story, written and producedby Mike King, relays the facts
behind that first Spanishbullfight ever held on American

(00:35):
soil.
Hundreds of visitors came fromthe east to witness a fight
between man and beast On thismagical day.
The town was crowded withsightseers from all over the
West.
The bullfighters from Mexicoprovided a most explicit display
of bravery, entering the arenaaccompanied by citizens in
joyous laughter, all drinkingand enjoying the sport of

(00:58):
bullfighting.
This is a time when, once again, god City excelled in all of
her notorieties, holding anevent long to be remembered in
this country.
Before settling down to atypical small-town life, dodge

(01:20):
wanted to have one lastextravagant and scandalous event
.
What could be more outrageousthan a bullfight?
Former Mayor AB Webstersuggested holding a Mexican
bullfight to celebrate the 4thof July and bring Dodge back
into the national spotlight.
Webster later claimed he didn'tknow how he came up with the

(01:40):
idea.
But as soon as Webster did, helooked into the laws and,
finding none against it, pursuedthe idea with all his might.
Most of the businessmen thoughtWebster's idea a good one.
It would rescue businessessuffering from slowing down of
the cattle trade.
Also, dodge had always been asporting town and a bullfight

(02:01):
certainly would be differentfrom the usual parade races,
prize fights and hose cart teamcompetition.
The Dodge City Democrat wroteof the event on June 28, 1884.
A number of so-called good andmoral people of the city have

(02:22):
attempted to convey theimpression that there will be no
bullfight.
The reports were started by thesame class of fanatical
agitators who are eternallyopposing every enterprise
calculated to advertise Dodgeand promote its growth and
prosperity.
It is the same class of men whofor years have done nothing but
howl and kick, at the same timegrow wealthy and fat.

(02:45):
Webster collected $10,000 fromthe merchants in two days to pay
for the festivities.
The investors formed the DodgeCity Driving Park and Fair
Association and elected Ham Bellas president and Webster as
general manager.
Webster started immediatelymaking arrangements.

(03:05):
He contacted WK Moore, anattorney in Mexico who would
secure the Matadors.
Dw Doc Barton, who had driventhe first trail herd to Dodge,
agreed to scout the ranges andselect the most ferocious
longhorn bulls.
With his extensive knowledge ofcattle, barton spent days on
the range, carefully observingand selecting the bulls that

(03:28):
would provide the most thrillingand authentic bullfight
experience.
The association bought 40 acresof land at the city's west edge
With a sense of urgency andcommitment.
They put up high wooden fences,planted trees, built corrals,
chutes, a half-mile racetrackand an amphitheater that would

(03:48):
sit 2,500 spectators all in lessthan two months.
The speed and efficiency of thepreparations was a testament to
the town's unwaveringdetermination to make the
bullfight a reality, showcasingtheir resilience and commitment.

(04:10):
As the news stories began tocirculate, the determination of
the Dodge City officials becameevident.
Reporters from New York,chicago, st Louis, san Francisco
, denver and a dozen countrynewspapers booked rooms in the
local hotels.
The Santa Fe Railroad announcedit would run excursion trains
from the east and the west tobring spectators to the Dodge
City Bullfight.
Despite protests from groupsconcerned with the prevention of

(04:33):
cruelty to animals and rumorsthat state authorities would
stop the fight, the officialsremained resolute.
Governor Glick even expressedhis interest in attending if the
fight were held.
Two days earlier, townspeopleat the time claimed that Webster
received a telegram from theUnited States attorney saying

(04:53):
that bullfighting was againstthe law in the United States to
which the ex-mayor retorted Hell.
Dodge City ain't in the UnitedStates.
The bold and determinedresponse highlighted the town's
defiance in the face ofpotential legal issues.
As the days before the fightdwindled, barton rounded up the
bulls and drove them into thenew pens.
The five bullfighters arrivedwith Attorney Moore, their

(05:16):
sponsor.
The town was buzzing withanticipation, taking on a
festive air as the event drewcloser, filling the air with a
palpable sense of excitement andenergy.
On July 4, 1884, the town wasalive with the excitement of the
Mexican bullfight.
The dusty streets, theweathered clapboard houses and

(05:38):
the rowdy saloons allcontributed to the allure of
this wild western town.
The arrival of the Mexicanbullfighters added an exotic
touch and the preparations forthe bullfight were a spectacle
in their own right.
The bullfight held the entiretown in its grip.
Thousands of spectators,including cowboys, ladies and

(05:59):
children, filled the stands,eager for the thrilling
spectacle.
The matadors, adorned inflamboyant costumes, showcased
their skills against the fiercebulls.
The pinnacle of the event wasthe face-off between the slender
Mexican matador, gregorioGallardo, and the meanest bull
in the West.
The memory of this epicencounter, with its breathtaking

(06:22):
display of courage and skill,the memory of this epic
encounter with its breathtakingdisplay of courage and skill,
still reverberates today amongthe citizens of Dodge City,
connecting them to their richhistory.
After the thrilling bullfight,dodge City became even more
unforgettable.
The wild night that followedwas filled with fights and
gunplay, keeping the Marshal andhis deputies busy trying to

(06:45):
maintain order.
The marshal, a seasoned lawmanwith a reputation for fairness
and quick action, and hisdeputies, a group of brave men
who had seen their fair share ofgunfights, were constantly on
the move, breaking up fights andapprehending troublemakers.
Despite the chaos, the townremained excited, the air
crackling with the night'senergy.
Yet, like all good things, theexcitement eventually died down.

(07:14):
The influx of visitors, while aboon for the local economy,
also brought with it a wave oflawlessness and disorder.
Having spent their money andnursed their hangovers, the
Cowhands left town.
The painted ladies who had beena colorful presence during the
bullfight and the revelry thatfollowed, also departed.
The dust settled and the townreturned to its usual quiet

(07:37):
state In all its glory.
The bullfight had left alasting mark on Dodge City, a
mark that would change thetown's history forever.
We here at Wild West Podcastwould like to wish you all a
very happy Independence Day this4th of July, to all of our

(07:58):
American friends and anylisteners that we have across
the world.
We hope you have a blessed andexciting week.
Wild West Podcast is lookingforward to many new future, very
exciting episodes coming up andwe welcome the opportunity to
share them with you.
Thanks and God bless.
That's it for now.

(08:25):
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(08:45):
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(09:06):
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