Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a U.S. Army scout,
lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in
the 19th and early 20th-century American Old West.
Bat Masterson is a name synonymous with fearlessness, gun
fighting, and lawmen. Sports connection? Masterson, notorious for his
connection to gambling and prize fights, wrote his first sports columns for
George’s Weekly, a Denver based newspaper. Because of his standing in the
boxing world, he started a promotion company with the sports editor of the
Denver Post, Otto Floto. To say the relationship and partnership ended poorly
wouldn’t be giving it justice. In addition to constantly trading barbs via
their respective columns, in July 1900, the two openly brawled in the streets,
which included Masterson beating Floto senseless with his cane. The
Masterson-Floto chapter ended with Floto employing a hired gun to “take care of”
Masterson, but nothing ever came of it as Masterson left Denver for New York in
May 1902.
He was last sighted in Denver at the Schotz Drug Store at the corner of Colfax Avenue & Broadway.
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