In the annals of the American West, few names resonate with the raw intensity and dramatic flair of Tom Nixon. Revered as one of the most prolific buffalo hunters of his era, Tom Nixon carved out a formidable reputation, not only for his unparalleled hunting prowess but also for his later tumultuous involvement in the social and political landscape of Dodge City, Kansas. His life, marked by extraordinary feats and bitter rivalries, encapsulates the untamed spirit of the frontier, making him a compelling figure whose story continues to captivate.
Thomas Clayton Nixon, born around 1837 in Georgia, eventually made his way westward, establishing roots in Kansas. He became an early pioneer of the burgeoning settlement of Dodge City, a town that would soon become synonymous with the Wild West. By the 1870s, Nixon had become a highly successful buffalo hunter and a burgeoning ranch owner. In a competitive field populated by legendary figures such as Bat Masterson and Bill Tilghman, Nixon distinguished himself, often outshining all but the iconic Buffalo Bill Cody in his hunting exploits. His remarkable skill was underscored by an astounding event in 1873, where he reportedly felled 120 buffalo in a mere 40 minutes, a spectacle witnessed by a crowd he had personally invited and positioned on a hill. That same year, Nixon set an almost unbelievable record, killing over 3,200 buffalo in just 35 days, a testament to his efficiency and dedication to the trade. Around 1870, he married Cornelia Caroline Houston, and their union produced a son, Howard Tracy Nixon.
From Hunter to Freighter: Adapting to a Changing Frontier
As the vast herds of buffalo dwindled by 1880, signaling the end of an era, Tom Nixon, like many frontiersmen, was compelled to adapt. The once-abundant buffalo were no longer prevalent, and the lucrative buffalo hide trade was replaced by a grim new industry: buffalo bones. Nixon transitioned his formidable organizational skills to freighting, taking charge of Charles Rath’s bull trains. These trains, once laden with valuable hides, now hauled thousands of pounds of bleached buffalo bones, which filled Rath’s yards in Dodge City, a stark visual representation of the ecological transformation sweeping the plains. This shift illustrated Nixon’s pragmatic nature and his ability to pivot in response to the changing economic realities of the West.
The Dodge City War: A Saloon Owner’s Stand
Nixon’s life took another dramatic turn in the spring of 1883, when Dodge City found itself embroiled in the infamous ‘Dodge City War’. This intense dispute pitted saloon owners loyal to former Mayor Alonzo B. Webster against Luke Short, the proprietor of the renowned Long Branch Saloon. Tom Nixon, by this time a saloon owner himself with his establishment, the Lady Gay, aligned firmly with Webster’s faction. As mayor, Webster had enacted ordinances designed to protect his own two saloons and those of his allies, while simultaneously imposing restrictive rules and heavy taxes on competing establishments. Nixon emerged as a leading figure in a vigilante group, determined to enforce Webster’s regulations and drive rival saloon owners out of town. His involvement in this conflict highlighted his willingness to engage in the cutthroat politics and fierce competition that characterized frontier towns.
The Escalating Feud with ‘Mysterious Dave’ Mather
The turbulent atmosphere in Dodge City was further complicated by the arrival of ‘Mysterious Dave’ Mather, a figure who had frequently frequented the town in previous years. Mather soon assumed the role of Dodge City’s Assistant Marshal. Although the initial ‘Dodge City War’ concluded without bloodshed, largely due to the show of force by Luke Short, who brought in influential allies like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, the underlying saloon disputes persisted. Ironically, after his victory, Luke Short relocated to Texas, leaving a vacuum that ensured the conflicts would continue to simmer.
Mather, seizing the opportunity, established his own business, the Opera House Saloon, with ambitious plans to transform it into a dance hall. However, due to its prominent downtown location, the city council objected to Mather’s initiative and swiftly passed an ordinance banning all dance houses. Crucially, this ordinance exempted only Tom Nixon’s Lady Gay, intensifying the already strained relations between Nixon and Mather. For months, the two men engaged in a fierce battle to undermine each other’s businesses. In 1884, the city government replaced ‘Mysterious Dave’ Mather with Tom Nixon as the Assistant Marshal, a move that brought their brewing feud to a dangerous boiling point. Mather’s resentment toward Nixon, understandably, reached new heights.
The Fatal Confrontation and Legacy
As Assistant Marshal under Bill Tilghman, Nixon collected a monthly salary of $100, which was funded by license fees from the city’s gamblers, prostitutes, madams, and pimps. With the Lady Gay remaining the sole dance hall in town, and Webster continuing to profit from his own saloons, Nixon seemed to be consolidating power and control over Dodge City’s vice economy. However, the tension between Nixon and Mather finally exploded on the night of July 18, 1884. As Mather stood on the front steps of the Opera House Saloon, Nixon confronted and shot him. Though Mather sustained powder burns to his face and his left hand was injured by flying splinters, he did not return fire and, remarkably, refused to press charges. It seemed Mather had his own, more definitive plans for retaliation.
Just three nights later, on July 21, at approximately 10 p.m., Tom Nixon was standing at the corner of First Avenue and Front Street, directly in front of the Opera House. He heard a voice call out from behind him, and as he turned, he saw Mather pointing a Colt .45 revolver. Within moments, Nixon was struck by four bullets, one piercing his heart, and he died before he hit the ground. Mather immediately surrendered to authorities. Despite witnesses testifying that Nixon never drew his pistol, Mather was acquitted on grounds of self-defense. Mather was later overheard remarking, “I ought to have killed him six months ago.” After the trial, Mather remained in Dodge City until the following year. On May 10, 1885, he and his brother Josiah became involved in another violent gunfight at the Junction Saloon, resulting in one man dead and several wounded, including Mather, who suffered a grazing bullet wound to the head. Both brothers were arrested but quickly made bail and departed Dodge City, leaving behind a complex legacy of violence and lawlessness.
Conclusion: A Complex Figure of the Old West
Tom Nixon’s life exemplifies the complex and often brutal realities of the American Old West. From his unparalleled success as a buffalo hunter to his strategic maneuvering as a saloon owner and later as a lawman in Dodge City, Nixon was a figure defined by his ambition and a willingness to confront danger. His dramatic end at the hands of ‘Mysterious Dave’ Mather sealed his place in the legendary, if sometimes violent, history of frontier towns. While his initial fame rested on his incredible hunting feats, his later involvement in the social and political skirmishes of Dodge City showcased a man deeply entangled in the evolving identity of the West, a period marked by both opportunity and lethal conflict.
