Killing of Ed Masterson

On the evening of April 9, 1878 Dodge City Marshal, Ed Masterson and Policeman Haywood were called to quell a disturbance at A.J. Peacock’s Saloon south of the tracks. Here Jack Wagner, Alf Walker and four other cowboys, having just arrived in town, were dancing and drinking. When the party became too rowdy, the law was summoned. The cowboys were carrying pistols contrary to city ordinance, and Ed Masterson asked Wagner, the most intoxicated, to surrender his weapon.