Dodge City War - The Long Branch Saloon

The Long Branch Saloon

Tensions built between the Mastersons and Webster and his allies over the next several months. What triggered the war was the purchase of a half interest in the Long Branch Saloon by a gambler and gunfighter named Luke Short in 1883. Short was a friend of the Mastersons and other gang members.

Webster hoped to drive Short out of the business and had several of the prostitutes who worked for the Long Branch arrested. Luke went to the jail to protest the matter but was confronted by city policeman, Louis C. Hartman, and there was an exchange of gunplay. Neither man was hurt but Short mistakenly believed he had killed the officer and barricaded himself in the Long Branch. When he learned that Hartman was unharmed Short submitted to arrest. He was sent out of town as an 'undesirable' several days later.