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

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 wildwestpodcast@gmail.com – we value your input and may feature your comments in future episodes.

Chapters

• 0:13 The Great Bullfight Introduction
• 1:16 Planning the Scandalous Event
• 4:10 Town Buzzing with Anticipation
• 5:27 The July 4th Spectacle
• 6:33 The Aftermath
• 7:52 Podcast Sign-off and Resources

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:13

The Wild West Podcast proudly presents the Great Bullfight of 1884. This unique American celebration occurred in Dodge City, kansas, on July 4th 1884. This unique American celebration occurred in Dodge City, kansas, on July 4, 1884. The story, written and produced by Mike King, relays the facts behind that first Spanish bullfight ever held on American soil. Hundreds of visitors came from the east to witness a fight between man and beast On this magical day. The town was crowded with sightseers from all over the West. The bullfighters from Mexico provided a most explicit display of bravery, entering the arena accompanied by citizens in joyous laughter, all drinking and enjoying the sport of bullfighting. This is a time when, once again, god City excelled in all of her notorieties, holding an event long to be remembered in this country.

Speaker 1: 1:16

Before settling down to a typical small-town life, dodge wanted to have one last extravagant and scandalous event. What could be more outrageous than a bullfight? Former Mayor AB Webster suggested holding a Mexican bullfight to celebrate the 4th of July and bring Dodge back into the national spotlight. Webster later claimed he didn't know how he came up with the idea. But as soon as Webster did, he looked into the laws and, finding none against it, pursued the idea with all his might. Most of the businessmen thought Webster's idea a good one. It would rescue businesses suffering from slowing down of the cattle trade. Also, dodge had always been a sporting town and a bullfight certainly would be different from the usual parade races, prize fights and hose cart team competition. The Dodge City Democrat wrote of the event on June 28, 1884. A number of so-called good and moral people of the city have attempted to convey the impression that there will be no bullfight. The reports were started by the same class of fanatical agitators who are eternally opposing every enterprise calculated to advertise Dodge and promote its growth and prosperity. It is the same class of men who for years have done nothing but howl and kick, at the same time grow wealthy and fat. Webster collected $10,000 from the merchants in two days to pay for the festivities. The investors formed the Dodge City Driving Park and Fair Association and elected Ham Bell as president and Webster as general manager.

Speaker 1: 3:03

Webster started immediately making arrangements. He contacted WK Moore, an attorney in Mexico who would secure the Matadors. Dw Doc Barton, who had driven the first trail herd to Dodge, agreed to scout the ranges and select the most ferocious longhorn bulls. With his extensive knowledge of cattle, barton spent days on the range, carefully observing and selecting the bulls that would provide the most thrilling and authentic bullfight experience. The association bought 40 acres of land at the city's west edge With a sense of urgency and commitment. They put up high wooden fences, planted trees, built corrals, chutes, a half-mile racetrack and an amphitheater that would sit 2,500 spectators all in less than two months. The speed and efficiency of the preparations was a testament to the town's unwavering determination to make the bullfight a reality, showcasing their resilience and commitment.

Speaker 1: 4:10

As the news stories began to circulate, the determination of the Dodge City officials became evident. Reporters from New York, chicago, st Louis, san Francisco, denver and a dozen country newspapers booked rooms in the local hotels. The Santa Fe Railroad announced it would run excursion trains from the east and the west to bring spectators to the Dodge City Bullfight. Despite protests from groups concerned with the prevention of cruelty to animals and rumors that state authorities would stop the fight, the officials remained resolute. Governor Glick even expressed his interest in attending if the fight were held. Two days earlier, townspeople at the time claimed that Webster received a telegram from the United States attorney saying that bullfighting was against the law in the United States to which the ex-mayor retorted Hell. Dodge City ain't in the United States. The bold and determined response highlighted the town's defiance in the face of potential legal issues.

Speaker 1: 5:08

As the days before the fight dwindled, barton rounded up the bulls and drove them into the new pens. The five bullfighters arrived with Attorney Moore, their sponsor. The town was buzzing with anticipation, taking on a festive air as the event drew closer, filling the air with a palpable sense of excitement and energy. On July 4, 1884, the town was alive with the excitement of the Mexican bullfight. The dusty streets, the weathered clapboard houses and the rowdy saloons all contributed to the allure of this wild western town. The arrival of the Mexican bullfighters added an exotic touch and the preparations for the bullfight were a spectacle in their own right. The bullfight held the entire town in its grip. Thousands of spectators, including cowboys, ladies and children, filled the stands, eager for the thrilling spectacle. The matadors, adorned in flamboyant costumes, showcased their skills against the fierce bulls. The pinnacle of the event was the face-off between the slender Mexican matador, gregorio Gallardo, and the meanest bull in the West. The memory of this epic encounter, with its breathtaking display of courage and skill, the memory of this epic encounter with its breathtaking display of courage and skill, still reverberates today among the citizens of Dodge City, connecting them to their rich history.

Speaker 1: 6:33

After the thrilling bullfight, dodge City became even more unforgettable. The wild night that followed was filled with fights and gunplay, keeping the Marshal and his deputies busy trying to maintain order. The marshal, a seasoned lawman with a reputation for fairness and quick action, and his deputies, a group of brave men who had seen their fair share of gunfights, were constantly on the move, breaking up fights and apprehending troublemakers. Despite the chaos, the town remained excited, the air crackling with the night's energy. Yet, like all good things, the excitement eventually died down. The influx of visitors, while a boon for the local economy, also brought with it a wave of lawlessness and disorder. Having spent their money and nursed their hangovers, the Cowhands left town. The painted ladies who had been a colorful presence during the bullfight and the revelry that followed, also departed. The dust settled and the town returned to its usual quiet state In all its glory. The bullfight had left a lasting mark on Dodge City, a mark that would change the town's history forever.

Speaker 1: 7:52

We here at Wild West Podcast would like to wish you all a very happy Independence Day this 4th of July, to all of our American friends and any listeners that we have across the world. We hope you have a blessed and exciting week. Wild West Podcast is looking forward to many new future, very exciting episodes coming up and we welcome the opportunity to share them with you. Thanks and God bless. That's it for now. Remember to check out our Wild West podcast shows on iTunes or wildwestpodcastbuzzsproutcom. You can also catch us on Facebook at facebookcom slash wildwestpodcast or on our YouTube channel at Wild West Podcast, mike King YouTube. So make sure you subscribe to our shows listed at the end of the description text of this podcast to receive notifications on all new episodes. Thanks for listening to our podcast and make sure you check out the Western Cattle Trail Association website at westerncattletrailassociationcom. If you have any comments or want to add to our series, please write us at wildwestpodcast at gmailcom. We value your input and will share your thoughts as they apply in future episodes.