James Masterson

James Masterson, also known as Jim Masterson, (September 18, 1855 – March 31, 1895) was a lawman of the American West and the youngest brother of gunfighters and lawmen Bat Masterson and Ed Masterson.

Lawman career

James Masterson, regardless of not achieving the fame that his brother Bat achieved, was probably involved in more shootouts than his brother ever was. Bat Masterson's fame, mostly attributed to his association with Wyatt Earp, Luke Short, and others, was built on his being a gunfighter. Although historically he receives little notoriety, James Masterson was well known in the Kansas and Oklahoma areas as a formidable gunman, and an extremely capable lawman.

After working on the western frontier as a buffalo hunter with his brothers, he returned to Kansas. He and Ben Springer were the co-owners of the successful Lady Gay Dance Hall and Saloon in Dodge City, which employed the popular singer Dora Hand.

Masterson became the assistant marshal in Dodge City in June 1878. At that time Charlie Bassett was the Marshal, having replaced Jim's brother Ed Masterson, who was killed in the line of duty two months earlier. Wyatt Earp was a Deputy Marshal under Bassett at that same time, along with Earp's brother James. In the summer of 1878, a cowboy named George Hoy opened fire on the Comique Variety Hall, outside of which stood Masterson and Wyatt Earp. Earp had been involved in an altercation with Hoy previously. Both Earp and Masterson returned fire, and Hoy was shot from his horse by one bullet that severely injured his arm. Hoy died a month later, and Earp always claimed to have fired the shot that ultimately killed Hoy. However, that was never confirmed, and it is entirely possible that the shot was actually fired by Jim Masterson. Masterson, however, never disputed Earp's claim, and simply didn't comment.