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Bat Masterson: The First Dreamer
Nearly 100 years since his death, Bat Masterson still holds great influence. Remembered by many for his adventures in America’s Old West - buffalo hunter, scout, gunfighter, and even lawman as Dodge City sheriff. Others remember his fame and respect as a sportswriter in New York City later in life. However, Bat Masterson left a legacy that is much more intricate. Masterson loved an underdog. And his real legacy was how he fought for them. After the days of the Old West were over, he laid down his gun and picked up his pen. So great was his writing that he was vastly respected for his opinions on many topics of the day, including politics, war, and crime.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2019
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5 people want to read
About the author
Fred Rosen
43 books60 followersAmerican true crime author and former columnist for the Arts and Leisure Section of The New York Times.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
Rosen's published works in the genre include Lobster Boy, There But For the Grace: Survivors of the 20th Century’s Infamous Serial Killers and When Satan Wore a Cross.
He is also the winner of Library Journal’s Best Reference Source 2005 award for The Historical Atlas of American Crime, and has written many other works of historical non-fiction including Cremation in America, Contract Warriors and Gold!.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2019
An absolutely fabulous read! I was only somewhat familiar with this particular American legend before, so I found this account to be incredibly educational. The author did a great job of telling Bat Masterson’s story from his early days of moving around America with the rest of the Masterson family to the day he parted this world with pen in hand and all his major happenings in between. His legacy was one that still impacts folk today almost 100 years after his death. No writer can ask for more.
"Bat Masterson: The First Dreamer” will appeal to many readers. Highly recommend to fans of American western stories, biographies, and history, as well as true crime fans since Bat’s part in aftereffects of The Crime of the Century is included.
"Bat Masterson: The First Dreamer” will appeal to many readers. Highly recommend to fans of American western stories, biographies, and history, as well as true crime fans since Bat’s part in aftereffects of The Crime of the Century is included.
December 29, 2020
So this will be a belated review. I actually read this book for the first time in February. I’m not certain why I didn’t write a review then. As we all know, 2020 has been a strange and awful year. It ended not much differently than it began — only it then took the life of the author of this book, my former journalism professor and friend, Mr. Fred Rosen. (Not from COVID, but a massive stroke). Anyway, this review will not pretend to be unbiased or neutral, though it would hardly be an honest assessment unless I mentioned a flaw or two.
From the opening pages, Fred’s enthusiasm and passion for the subject — William Barclay “Bat” Masterson — yes, THAT Bat Masterson, is quite evident. And yes, Bat was a real historical figure of the Old West and not just a name and character in a TV Western. I admit to not knowing much about this aspect of American history or even Bat himself before reading this book. Others who come to this already knowing a lot about Masterson might not find as much here of new interest, but for a novice such as myself, this was a great introduction.
Fred covers a lot of ground in this book, not unlike the variety of scenes and settings that made up Masterson’s life. It starts out across the border in Quebec, Canada, at Bat Masterson’s place of birth. It moves to Upstate New York in the mid-1800s, as Masterson and his parents, including seven siblings, are forced to relocate in order to make a better life for themselves. Fred can’t help editorialize just a bit here, not only by drawing parallels with the modern-day “Dreamers,” but also placing emphasis on that timeless reason why so many seek to “start over” in the United States.
Masterson spends a few years growing up on the family farm, before striking out on his own and, along with his older brother, Ed, begin hunting buffalo on the Great Plains. They start at the very bottom of the ranks, quite literally. They don’t have enough funds to purchase rifles or other supplies to do the actual shooting. Instead they begin in the ignominious post of “stinkers” — those who harvested the valuable hides and tongues of the buffalos. Over a few seasons they rise in the ranks, eventually becoming the actual hunters. Fred implies it’s during these years on the Plains that Bat develops and hones his skills with rifles and pistols, becoming a skilled shot.
Although Masterson and his brother have a brief period of making good money, it soon becomes apparent they will have to change occupations as the number of buffalo decrease dramatically due to over hunting. With few options open to skilled shooters, the brothers get involved with helping the US government in its objective to control the various Native American tribes inhabiting the region.
Here again Fred takes a little narrative liberty and says “The one thing William Bartholomiew displayed throughout his lifetime was a social conscience. If he had known he was essentially killing the Indians with every bullet from his Sharps rifle, he might have stopped and found another way to make a living.” Although historical record in the form of Bat’s later sports articles do confirm Bat never used racial slurs when referring to minorities, it’s a bit of a stretch to assert Masterson felt one way or the other about taking part in the war against Native tribes. It’s more probable he shared some of the narrow views of the day regarding Native Americans, and not likely a humane one.
But there is no disputing that the time spent on the Plains paved the way for Bat, and by extension his elder brother Ed, to make the transition into law enforcement in Dodge City, Colorado. Fred excels here at painting a vivid portrait of the frontier town, its population and more notable events, including a pivotal moment when Bat’s barmaid lady friend actually saves his life by taking a bullet for him following a gambling dispute. Bat and Ed rub elbows with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. They settle disputes, wrangle a few law breakers, try their best to see to fair justice...and Bat soon develops an erroneous reputation for killing.
Fred brilliantly points out that although Masterson was alleged to have killed more than 28 men, in actual fact it was only three (discounting any Native Americans). The gunfighter image was a result of Old West romanticism and Dime Novel spin, much of it invented by reporters and writers on the East coast who had never been to any location out West, or even met Bat Masterson.
Eventually the “frontier life” also sees its sunset and Bat reinvents himself again by becoming involved in the world of professional boxing. He also meets and marries his wife, Emma Moulton, who had an interesting life herself before meeting Masterson, including touring across the country juggling and working with “Indian clubs” or huge pins. Boxing leads Bat into his final career change — that of a sports columnist for the New York Daily Telegraph. In this capacity Masterson is witness to many “fights of the century” and even the first “trial of the century.” The latter refers to the trial of Chester Gillette, accused of murdering his girlfriend Molly on Big Moose Lake in the Adirondack region of New York.
All through the narrative, Fred makes a point of bringing up the various U.S Censuses that Masterson replied to, each answered with incorrect or fabricated information. Why? Each time the political environment in the nation was decidedly anti-immigrant, particularly illegal immigration. It is asserted that Masterson valued his reputation and loved the United States too much to ever admit to his true origins, even going so far as to turn down a Federal Marshall post, offered by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt, because Masterson knew this would require an extensive investigation into his past — and a confirmation hearing by the U.S Senate.
Here again Fred may be editorializing, but it’s likely Masterson wanted to avoid deportation— particularly after marrying Emma.
As I came to the closing chapters, and Bat’s abrupt death at age 67 while sitting at his desk writing his final boxing column, it seemed striking to me that Fred should also have died so suddenly, and at the same age as his subject.
Therefore, I close with these lines, originally written for the NY Times when Masterson died but which also seem to describe Fred Rosen, too.
“His death was a strangely quiet closing to a strangely active career. It was the loss of a friend and one of the most indomitable characters this land has ever seen. He was a 100 percent, 24 karat real man, always stretching out his hand to some down and outer. He had a great sense of humor, a marvelous fund of reminiscence and was one of the most entertaining companions we have ever known...”
From the opening pages, Fred’s enthusiasm and passion for the subject — William Barclay “Bat” Masterson — yes, THAT Bat Masterson, is quite evident. And yes, Bat was a real historical figure of the Old West and not just a name and character in a TV Western. I admit to not knowing much about this aspect of American history or even Bat himself before reading this book. Others who come to this already knowing a lot about Masterson might not find as much here of new interest, but for a novice such as myself, this was a great introduction.
Fred covers a lot of ground in this book, not unlike the variety of scenes and settings that made up Masterson’s life. It starts out across the border in Quebec, Canada, at Bat Masterson’s place of birth. It moves to Upstate New York in the mid-1800s, as Masterson and his parents, including seven siblings, are forced to relocate in order to make a better life for themselves. Fred can’t help editorialize just a bit here, not only by drawing parallels with the modern-day “Dreamers,” but also placing emphasis on that timeless reason why so many seek to “start over” in the United States.
Masterson spends a few years growing up on the family farm, before striking out on his own and, along with his older brother, Ed, begin hunting buffalo on the Great Plains. They start at the very bottom of the ranks, quite literally. They don’t have enough funds to purchase rifles or other supplies to do the actual shooting. Instead they begin in the ignominious post of “stinkers” — those who harvested the valuable hides and tongues of the buffalos. Over a few seasons they rise in the ranks, eventually becoming the actual hunters. Fred implies it’s during these years on the Plains that Bat develops and hones his skills with rifles and pistols, becoming a skilled shot.
Although Masterson and his brother have a brief period of making good money, it soon becomes apparent they will have to change occupations as the number of buffalo decrease dramatically due to over hunting. With few options open to skilled shooters, the brothers get involved with helping the US government in its objective to control the various Native American tribes inhabiting the region.
Here again Fred takes a little narrative liberty and says “The one thing William Bartholomiew displayed throughout his lifetime was a social conscience. If he had known he was essentially killing the Indians with every bullet from his Sharps rifle, he might have stopped and found another way to make a living.” Although historical record in the form of Bat’s later sports articles do confirm Bat never used racial slurs when referring to minorities, it’s a bit of a stretch to assert Masterson felt one way or the other about taking part in the war against Native tribes. It’s more probable he shared some of the narrow views of the day regarding Native Americans, and not likely a humane one.
But there is no disputing that the time spent on the Plains paved the way for Bat, and by extension his elder brother Ed, to make the transition into law enforcement in Dodge City, Colorado. Fred excels here at painting a vivid portrait of the frontier town, its population and more notable events, including a pivotal moment when Bat’s barmaid lady friend actually saves his life by taking a bullet for him following a gambling dispute. Bat and Ed rub elbows with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. They settle disputes, wrangle a few law breakers, try their best to see to fair justice...and Bat soon develops an erroneous reputation for killing.
Fred brilliantly points out that although Masterson was alleged to have killed more than 28 men, in actual fact it was only three (discounting any Native Americans). The gunfighter image was a result of Old West romanticism and Dime Novel spin, much of it invented by reporters and writers on the East coast who had never been to any location out West, or even met Bat Masterson.
Eventually the “frontier life” also sees its sunset and Bat reinvents himself again by becoming involved in the world of professional boxing. He also meets and marries his wife, Emma Moulton, who had an interesting life herself before meeting Masterson, including touring across the country juggling and working with “Indian clubs” or huge pins. Boxing leads Bat into his final career change — that of a sports columnist for the New York Daily Telegraph. In this capacity Masterson is witness to many “fights of the century” and even the first “trial of the century.” The latter refers to the trial of Chester Gillette, accused of murdering his girlfriend Molly on Big Moose Lake in the Adirondack region of New York.
All through the narrative, Fred makes a point of bringing up the various U.S Censuses that Masterson replied to, each answered with incorrect or fabricated information. Why? Each time the political environment in the nation was decidedly anti-immigrant, particularly illegal immigration. It is asserted that Masterson valued his reputation and loved the United States too much to ever admit to his true origins, even going so far as to turn down a Federal Marshall post, offered by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt, because Masterson knew this would require an extensive investigation into his past — and a confirmation hearing by the U.S Senate.
Here again Fred may be editorializing, but it’s likely Masterson wanted to avoid deportation— particularly after marrying Emma.
As I came to the closing chapters, and Bat’s abrupt death at age 67 while sitting at his desk writing his final boxing column, it seemed striking to me that Fred should also have died so suddenly, and at the same age as his subject.
Therefore, I close with these lines, originally written for the NY Times when Masterson died but which also seem to describe Fred Rosen, too.
“His death was a strangely quiet closing to a strangely active career. It was the loss of a friend and one of the most indomitable characters this land has ever seen. He was a 100 percent, 24 karat real man, always stretching out his hand to some down and outer. He had a great sense of humor, a marvelous fund of reminiscence and was one of the most entertaining companions we have ever known...”
March 5, 2021
He wore a cane and derby hat
This appears to be a well researched book.Unfortunately that is really the only good thing I can say about it.I would have preferred a straight forward biography and history lesson to the preaching about dreamers. It does include some sad history of anti-immigration policy in this country. But more interesting,I think, is his influence on so many especially Damon Runyon. Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls) was modeled after him, something I did not know. If you want to learn more, you might look for a different book.
This appears to be a well researched book.Unfortunately that is really the only good thing I can say about it.I would have preferred a straight forward biography and history lesson to the preaching about dreamers. It does include some sad history of anti-immigration policy in this country. But more interesting,I think, is his influence on so many especially Damon Runyon. Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls) was modeled after him, something I did not know. If you want to learn more, you might look for a different book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews