Bat Masterson, short for Bartholemew William Barclay Masterson, was a professional gambler, U.S. army scout, saloonkeeper, lawman, and journalist whose reputation centered on his exploits in the American Old West, in the 19th Century. Though born in Canada to an Irish family, he grew up in the farms in New York and Kansas. He soon established himself as a quintessential buffalo hunter, and an Indian scout. He is famous for his escapades, and was involved in several shootouts when he was a sheriff. After his stints in Kansas, Texas, and Arizona, he went to Denver. He was very interested in prizefighting, and became an expert in the sport by attending every major match, betting on fighters, and earned his reputation as a gambler. After Denver, he moved to New York City. He was appointed the deputy U.S. marshal for the Southern District of New York by President Theodore Roosevelt, and he spent his final years here. He was popular throughout the country as a sports writer and a journalist, and his enigmatic reputation is vividly remembered even today.
