Chalkley Beeson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The references in this article would be clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking.

Chalkley McArtor Beeson
Chalkley Beeson, Dodge City, Kansas
Born	April 24, 1848(1848-04-24) Salem, Ohio, USA
Died	August 8, 1912 (aged 64) Dodge City, Kansas, USA
Other names	Chalk
Occupation	Hunting Party Guide Cattle Rancher Musician Saloon Owner Sheriff of Dodge City Ford County state representative (1903-1908)
Known for	Owner of Long Branch Saloon of "Gunsmoke" fame
Spouse	Ida Gause
Children	Otero Beeson Merritt Beeson

Chalkey McArtor Beeson (April 24th, 1848-August 8th, 1912), commonly known as Chalk Beeson, was a well known businessman, lawman, cattleman, saloon owner, manager and keeper of the Old West, best known as being one of the many owners of the famous Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas.

Originally from Ohio, Beeson was the seventh born child of Samual and Martha Beeson. The family moved to Iowa, and at 19 Beeson left home, moving to Denver, Colorado. He worked, for a time, as a guide to buffalo hunters, with his clients including Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, Phil Sheridan, and George Custer.

By the mid-1870s he was living in Dodge City, Kansas, becoming involved in many citizen organizations, and becoming wealthy in the cattle business. He married Ida Gause on July 17th, 1876. He later, in 1878, became an owner of the Long Branch Saloon with partner William Harris, which led to his becoming associated with noted lawmen, outlaws, and gunmen of the time, to include Luke Short, Wyatt Earp, Bat, Jim and Ed Masterson, Charlie Bassett and others. During this period he once helped to defuse a confrontation by convincing a group of cowboys led by noted gunman Clay Allison to leave town to prevent trouble. That incident was witnessed by well known Pinkerton Detective Charlie Siringo, who at the time was a young cowboy. Siringo later wrote an account of the event, discounting Wyatt Earp's claim, made years after Allison's death, that he had "backed Allison down".

Beeson served for two terms as the Ford County sheriff, serving from 1892 to 1896. His most notable accomplishment while serving as sheriff was when he and Deputy US Marshal Tom Hueston killed Doolin Dalton gang member Oliver "Ol" Yantis, on November 30th, 1892. Deputy Marshal Hueston was later killed during the Battle of Ingalls, a shootout between US Marshals and other members of the gang. Beeson was later twice elected to the State Legislature. He has been said to have been one of the most respected members of Dodge City during its wildest times. Beeson died on August 12th, 1912. His wife, Ida, lived until June 15th, 1928.