We may have a new candidate for the Grafters Club, and it’s been a long time.
Friday, October 30, 1885 was a fine day for a horse race in Dodge City. A large crowd was in attendance, with money to burn, and the judges were top notch – a Mr. Blonger (who we will assume was Sam, the horseman of the family, and known to be living in Dodge that year), Bat Masterson, and a Mr. Kelley.
Context clearly suggests this is James “Dog” Kelley, former mayor of Dodge and the man who brought Wyatt Earp to town in 1877 to bring the town some much needed law and order.
Kelley was an avid dog racer, and apparently he kept a pet bear that ended up being served for Christmas dinner in 1883.