Pat Desmond
Encyclopedia
Pat Desmond was a lawman
and gunman of the American Old West
. He was listed as one of the twelve most underestimated gunmen of the Old West in the book "Deadly Dozen", written by author
Robert K. DeArment.
, Ireland
, and descended from a long line of noblemen from South Munster
, Ireland
. His father had been imprisoned along with another relative, an Earl of Desmond
, and his property confiscated by the English
. In 1864, at the age of 22, Desmond emigrated to the United States. While working in mining camps in the US, he became a member of a revolutionary group called the Fenian Brotherhood
, intent on overthrowing the English control in Ireland. The group was victorious in the 1866 Battle of Ridgeway
, but ultimately the movement faltered when the United States intervened. Desmond was part of a force led by Fenian General
John O'Neil
that invaded Canada
from Buffalo, New York
. Pursued by a US force led by George G. Meade, the Fenian's were chased down and captured.
Desmond left for Chicago, Illinois following his release, and began working for the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company. By 1869, Desmond was working construction in Kansas
. A few months later he had arrived in Kit Carson, Colorado
, a town that had almost overnight exploded into a population of over 1,500 people. Desmond was appointed town constable, after which he hired Tom "Bear River" Smith
as his deputy, and together the two made a name for themselves due to their abilities and controlling the town and its crime rate. By 1870, Smith had gone on to become the Marshal
of Abilene, Kansas
, where he would ultimately be killed in a gunfight, after which he was replaced by Wild Bill Hickok
.
, then later a saloon in Georgetown, Colorado
. He went back to work for the railroad, and by 1872 he had married and settled in Pueblo, Colorado
. Not long afterward he began working as a deputy for the Pueblo County, Colorado
Sheriffs Office. He quickly developed a dangerous reputation, due mostly to his tendency to never back away from a fight. Those who remembered him often indicated that he almost welcomed a fight. This also led to his having a reputation for police brutality
.
On December 6, 1877, Desmond arrested Robert Schalme, wanted for the murder
of a butcher
. Jailing Schalme in Georgetown, a mob shortly thereafter broke into the local jail and lynch
ed him. Desmond would later act as the hangman
in the execution of murderer Victor Nunez. In June 1879, Desmond assisted Ford County, Kansas
Sheriff
Bat Masterson
in apprehending a Dodge City, Kansas
escapee. That same month he found himself in the middle of the Royal Gorge War, fought between the workers for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and the Santa Fe Railroad, over right of way. On June 11, 1879, Desmond led fifty men in taking over a telegraph office. Several men on both sides were killed during this time. Noted gunmen Ben Thompson
and Doc Holliday
were among the fifty led by Desmond.
Desmond and county sheriff Henley Price were arrested for the assault, and charged with numerous counts of murder. However, the charges were soon dismissed. By now, the newspaper
South Pueblo News was hailing Desmond as the "best thief catcher in all the Pueblos". On June 28, 1881, Desmond captured an outlaw
believed to be named Henry W. Burton, for a stagecoach
robbery, quickly discovering that Burton was also wanted for two armed robberies in Arkansas
. On July 1, 1881, Desmond boarded a train bound for Denver, Colorado
, to transport Burton into the custody of Federal authorities.
When the train slowed while climbing a steep grade near Castle Rock, Colorado
, Burton took advantage of the trains slow speed and jumped off. Desmond immediately pursued him, with both men running into the forest. Desmond fired three rounds, creasing Burton's head with one shot, knocking him to the ground. Upon reaching Denver, Desmond learned that his suspect was actually Hamilton "Ham" White, the most wanted stagecoach robber in the nation, with an outstanding reward on him for $1,200.
where several African American
men and women complained that a local police officer, John T. "Jack" O'Connor had abused them. Desmond located O'Connor, who was intoxicated, and the two became involved in an argument witnessed by Patrolman Rube Gutshall. Desmond fired O'Connor on the spot, enraging the latter. When Desmond went to remove O'Connor's badge, O'Connor punched him in the face, knocking Desmond down to the ground. O'Connor then went for his gun, and Desmond responded by drawing his own.
Desmond fired twice, hitting O'Connor with both rounds, in the left thigh. O'Connor fired three times, missing all three times. Gutshall, Deputy Dave Abrams, and Pinkerton Detective Bill Richardson then wrestled O'Connor into custody. For unknown reasons, no charges were ever filed against O'Connor, and in addition to firing O'Connor, Desmond suspended Gutshall alleging that the latter failed to back him up in the affair. This led to a bitter feud between the police department and the sheriff's office, and eventually the city council fired Desmond over the affair, and reinstated Gutshall and O'Connor. Henry Jameson was appointed as City Marshal to replace Desmond.
Desmond had ample support from citizen groups following this incident to run for the office of mayor
, but he declined. He began drinking often, and in the months following the incident he became involved in numerous saloon brawls. In April 1882, his 8-year-old daughter Mamie died from diphtheria
, which was ravaging Pueblo. Two weeks later, his 2-year-old son died from the same thing, further driving Desmond into despair. Two other sons were stricken with diphtheria, and hovered near death but survived. His wife, Annie, severely depressed over the loss of their two children, and extremely unhappy due to Desmond's increased drinking and her unhappiness at being in Pueblo all together, took their two remaining sons and moved to Peoria, Illinois
. Desmond followed her there, and brought them back to Pueblo. The couple attempted to save the marriage, but divorced in November, 1882.
On February 9, 1883, Desmond became involved in an argument with city police officer R.A. Caldwell, partly due to Caldwell's dislike of Desmond's detective agency, and partly over a local woman that both men had been involved with romantically. When Desmond was not looking, Caldwell hit him over the head with his pistol, causing the pistol to discharge and crease Desmond's head. Desmond recovered his senses partially, and staggered down the street. Recovering a few minutes later, Desmond took a pistol from a friend and returned in search of Caldwell. When the two men saw one another they both began firing.
One of Desmond's shots hit Caldwell in the shoulder, whereas Caldwell missed with every shot. When both had emptied their pistols, Caldwell ran to Desmond and again hit him over the head with his pistol. Marshal Jameson arrived shortly thereafter and took both men into custody. Two bystanders, George Wilson and Frank Howard, had been wounded by stray bullets. Charges were never filed against Caldwell, and charges against Desmond were later dismissed.
On January 2, 1884, Desmond's livery stable caught fire. Thirteen horses died in the fire, including a prized stallion. Desmond opted to not return to the livery business, and instead opened a saloon, called Star. His detective agency languished, and eventually died out. He served again as a deputy sheriff, and as a constable, thus remaining in law enforcement. By 1885 he had remarried, to a woman named Eva, and although he continued to find himself involved in numerous bar brawls, the couple seemingly had a solid marriage.
On December 19, 1888, Desmond became involved in an argument with a man named Frank Owenby, who owed Desmond money. The incident took place inside the A.C. Daniel's Drug Store, and the pharmacist present that day became concerned that it would become violent, and called the local police by way of police whistle. Jack O'Connor, the officer with whom Desmond had been involved in a gunfight six years prior, responded along with two other officers, Johnny Burke and Danny O'Kelly. The officers were able to calm the situation, and Desmond left.
However, half an hour later Desmond returned, obviously believing that Owenby would no longer be there, and in the company of his wife Eva. The two again argued, and Desmond advanced toward Owenby, unarmed except for a walking cane. Owenby drew a .38 caliber pistol and shot Desmond twice, wounding him, with Eva Desmond immediately jumping between the two men causing Owenby to stop shooting. Officers Caldwell and O'Kelly responded, arresting Owenby and calling for medical assistance for Desmond. Desmond recovered, and eventually the charges against Owenby were dropped short of a fine. Owenby would later brag of the shooting, and would eventually claim that he had killed Desmond that day, omitting the fact that Desmond was not only unarmed, but in fact did not die at all.
In the summer of 1889, Desmond and his wife Eva had moved to Ogden, Utah
, opening the Ogden River Resort. There, on the night of July 18, 1889, Desmond and Jack Williams, both drunk, became involved in an argument. Williams was much younger than Desmond, and quickly began getting the best of him during a fist fight. Seeing this, Eva Desmond ran forward and thrust a pistol into Desmond's hand. Desmond pushed the pistol into Williams' chest, but as he fired someone grabbed his arm causing the shot to go high, creasing Williams in the head. Patrons wrestled the pistol from Desmond, but he and Williams continued to fight. Eventually Desmond collapsed from fatigue, and the affair ended. No charges were ever filed against either man.
Closing the resort, again the couple moved, but later returned to Ogden. By that time, a feud over money owed to him by former employee Tom Todd had gotten out of control. Todd had a reputation also as a brawler, and had spent time in jail in Pueblo for shooting and wounding businessman Bert Reynolds. Desmond and Todd became involved in an argument over the affair one night inside the Bear Saloon, and Desmond drew his pistol. However, Todd was unarmed, and the saloon owner, Gus Vogus, was an old friend to Desmond and was able to calm the situation and allow Todd to leave.
On the night of February 28, 1890, Desmond met Todd and another man, Tom O'Neil, inside the Little King Saloon. The three men had drinks, and seemingly by later accounts seemed to be getting along fine. They left, moving down the street to the Capital Saloon, where they continued drinking. Shortly after their arrival, Todd saw bartender W.P. Collier secretly pass something to Desmond, which Desmond then placed into his pocket. Desmond then, in an obvious attempt to goad Todd into a fight, removed a handkerchief and some white gloves from Todd's coat pocket. Todd demanded the property back, and versions conflict as to what exactly happened next. Todd claimed Desmond pulled a pistol, but witnesses said that never happened.
Witness and musician E.T. Roach stated that shots rang out, and he saw Desmond holding his shoulder, at which point more shots sounded. Desmond fell over onto the floor, at which point Todd leisurely strode over and shot more shots into Desmond's prone body. A gun was found on Desmond's person, in his pocket, but in his hand he held only a cigar. Todd was arrested and charged with murder, yet he claimed self defense. Desmond's wife Eva returned her husband's body to Pueblo, where he was buried. His estate was worth $75,000 at the time of his death, leaving his widow and children financially secure. Tom Todd was convicted of manslaughter
, and sentenced to five years in prison. After his release, he shot and killed another man in Arapahoe County, Colorado
, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He escaped from jail, and disappeared.
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
and gunman of the American Old West
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
. He was listed as one of the twelve most underestimated gunmen of the Old West in the book "Deadly Dozen", written by author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
Robert K. DeArment.
Early life
Desmond was born in County CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and descended from a long line of noblemen from South Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His father had been imprisoned along with another relative, an Earl of Desmond
Earl of Desmond
The title of Earl of Desmond has been held historically by lords in Ireland, first as a title outside of the peerage system and later as part of the Peerage of Ireland....
, and his property confiscated by the English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
. In 1864, at the age of 22, Desmond emigrated to the United States. While working in mining camps in the US, he became a member of a revolutionary group called the Fenian Brotherhood
Fenian Brotherhood
The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish republican organization founded in the United States in 1858 by John O'Mahony and Michael Doheny. It was a precursor to Clan na Gael, a sister organization to the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Members were commonly known as "Fenians"...
, intent on overthrowing the English control in Ireland. The group was victorious in the 1866 Battle of Ridgeway
Battle of Ridgeway
The Battle of Ridgeway was fought in the vicinity of the town of Fort Erie across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY near the village of Ridgeway, Canada West, currently Ontario, Canada on June 2, 1866, between Canadian troops and an irregular army of Irish-American invaders, the Fenians...
, but ultimately the movement faltered when the United States intervened. Desmond was part of a force led by Fenian General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
John O'Neil
John O'Neill (Fenian)
General John O'Neill was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood .He was born in Ireland, moved to the US, and served in the Union Army in the Civil War....
that invaded Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Pursued by a US force led by George G. Meade, the Fenian's were chased down and captured.
Desmond left for Chicago, Illinois following his release, and began working for the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company. By 1869, Desmond was working construction in Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. A few months later he had arrived in Kit Carson, Colorado
Kit Carson, Colorado
The historic Town of Kit Carson is a Statutory Town in Cheyenne County, Colorado, United States. The population was 253 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kit Carson is located at ....
, a town that had almost overnight exploded into a population of over 1,500 people. Desmond was appointed town constable, after which he hired Tom "Bear River" Smith
Thomas J. Smith
Thomas James Smith, known as Tom "Bear River" Smith , was a town marshal of Old West cattle town Abilene, Kansas, who was killed and decapitated in the line of duty.-Early life:...
as his deputy, and together the two made a name for themselves due to their abilities and controlling the town and its crime rate. By 1870, Smith had gone on to become the Marshal
Marshal
Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf...
of Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene is a city in and the county seat of Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,844.-History:...
, where he would ultimately be killed in a gunfight, after which he was replaced by Wild Bill Hickok
Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler Hickok , better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a folk hero of the American Old West. His skills as a gunfighter and scout, along with his reputation as a lawman, provided the basis for his fame, although some of his exploits are fictionalized.Hickok came to the West as a stagecoach...
.
Life on the frontier
Desmond left Kit Carson and owned a restaurant in Golden, ColoradoGolden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
, then later a saloon in Georgetown, Colorado
Georgetown, Colorado
The historic town of Georgetown is a Territorial Charter Municipality that is the county seat of Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The former silver mining camp along Clear Creek in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains was established in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush...
. He went back to work for the railroad, and by 1872 he had married and settled in Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
. Not long afterward he began working as a deputy for the Pueblo County, Colorado
Pueblo County, Colorado
Pueblo County is the tenth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the historic city of Pueblo which took its name from the Spanish language word meaning "town" or "village". The United States Census Bureau estimates that the...
Sheriffs Office. He quickly developed a dangerous reputation, due mostly to his tendency to never back away from a fight. Those who remembered him often indicated that he almost welcomed a fight. This also led to his having a reputation for police brutality
Police brutality
Police brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer....
.
On December 6, 1877, Desmond arrested Robert Schalme, wanted for the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of a butcher
Butcher
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat or any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments...
. Jailing Schalme in Georgetown, a mob shortly thereafter broke into the local jail and lynch
Lynching
Lynching is an extrajudicial execution carried out by a mob, often by hanging, but also by burning at the stake or shooting, in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a population of people. It is related to other means of social control that...
ed him. Desmond would later act as the hangman
Hangman
Hangman may refer to:* Hangman, an executioner who carries out a death sentence by hanging* Hangman , a game of guessing a word or phrase one letter at a timeIn literature:* Hangman , an enemy of Batman...
in the execution of murderer Victor Nunez. In June 1879, Desmond assisted Ford County, Kansas
Ford County, Kansas
Ford County is a county located in southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 33,848. The Dodge City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Ford County. Its county seat and most populous city is Dodge City. The county is named in...
Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a figure of the American Old West known as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Marshal and Army scout, avid fisherman, gambler, frontier lawman, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph...
in apprehending a Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
escapee. That same month he found himself in the middle of the Royal Gorge War, fought between the workers for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and the Santa Fe Railroad, over right of way. On June 11, 1879, Desmond led fifty men in taking over a telegraph office. Several men on both sides were killed during this time. Noted gunmen Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson was a gunman, gambler, and sometime lawman of the Old West. He was a contemporary of Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill Cody, Doc Holliday, John Wesley Hardin and James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickock, some of whom considered him a trusted friend, others an enemy.Ben Thompson had a colorful career,...
and Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was an American gambler, gunfighter and dentist of the American Old West, who is usually remembered for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
were among the fifty led by Desmond.
Desmond and county sheriff Henley Price were arrested for the assault, and charged with numerous counts of murder. However, the charges were soon dismissed. By now, the newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
South Pueblo News was hailing Desmond as the "best thief catcher in all the Pueblos". On June 28, 1881, Desmond captured an outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
believed to be named Henry W. Burton, for a stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
robbery, quickly discovering that Burton was also wanted for two armed robberies in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. On July 1, 1881, Desmond boarded a train bound for Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, to transport Burton into the custody of Federal authorities.
When the train slowed while climbing a steep grade near Castle Rock, Colorado
Castle Rock, Colorado
The Town of Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States and is named for the prominent castle tower-shaped butte near the center of town. It is part of Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor and is located roughly 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of...
, Burton took advantage of the trains slow speed and jumped off. Desmond immediately pursued him, with both men running into the forest. Desmond fired three rounds, creasing Burton's head with one shot, knocking him to the ground. Upon reaching Denver, Desmond learned that his suspect was actually Hamilton "Ham" White, the most wanted stagecoach robber in the nation, with an outstanding reward on him for $1,200.
O'Connor/Desmond gunfight
Back in Pueblo, on February 11, 1882, Desmond was summoned to Union StationUnion Depot (Pueblo, Colorado)
Pueblo Union Depot is the historic railroad station in Pueblo, Colorado. It was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style in 1889-1890 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.-History:...
where several African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
men and women complained that a local police officer, John T. "Jack" O'Connor had abused them. Desmond located O'Connor, who was intoxicated, and the two became involved in an argument witnessed by Patrolman Rube Gutshall. Desmond fired O'Connor on the spot, enraging the latter. When Desmond went to remove O'Connor's badge, O'Connor punched him in the face, knocking Desmond down to the ground. O'Connor then went for his gun, and Desmond responded by drawing his own.
Desmond fired twice, hitting O'Connor with both rounds, in the left thigh. O'Connor fired three times, missing all three times. Gutshall, Deputy Dave Abrams, and Pinkerton Detective Bill Richardson then wrestled O'Connor into custody. For unknown reasons, no charges were ever filed against O'Connor, and in addition to firing O'Connor, Desmond suspended Gutshall alleging that the latter failed to back him up in the affair. This led to a bitter feud between the police department and the sheriff's office, and eventually the city council fired Desmond over the affair, and reinstated Gutshall and O'Connor. Henry Jameson was appointed as City Marshal to replace Desmond.
Desmond had ample support from citizen groups following this incident to run for the office of mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, but he declined. He began drinking often, and in the months following the incident he became involved in numerous saloon brawls. In April 1882, his 8-year-old daughter Mamie died from diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
, which was ravaging Pueblo. Two weeks later, his 2-year-old son died from the same thing, further driving Desmond into despair. Two other sons were stricken with diphtheria, and hovered near death but survived. His wife, Annie, severely depressed over the loss of their two children, and extremely unhappy due to Desmond's increased drinking and her unhappiness at being in Pueblo all together, took their two remaining sons and moved to Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. Desmond followed her there, and brought them back to Pueblo. The couple attempted to save the marriage, but divorced in November, 1882.
Detective agency and after
Desmond sold off his properties, making in excess of $15,000, and started the Southern Colorado Detective Agency, in association with the Rocky Mountain Detective Agency. He hired several former officers who had supported him during the earlier feud with the police department officials and the city, including Bill Richardson. He then began working as an independent force inside the town, something that was fiercely opposed by Marshal Henry Jameson and his department. Over the next few months, however, the detective agency made more arrests than the city police department, capturing several noted thieves and one murderer. This further led to discontent between Desmond and the police. In May 1883, Desmond captured noted horse thief Joe Ward, which led to a fight between Desmond and several local supporters of Ward.On February 9, 1883, Desmond became involved in an argument with city police officer R.A. Caldwell, partly due to Caldwell's dislike of Desmond's detective agency, and partly over a local woman that both men had been involved with romantically. When Desmond was not looking, Caldwell hit him over the head with his pistol, causing the pistol to discharge and crease Desmond's head. Desmond recovered his senses partially, and staggered down the street. Recovering a few minutes later, Desmond took a pistol from a friend and returned in search of Caldwell. When the two men saw one another they both began firing.
One of Desmond's shots hit Caldwell in the shoulder, whereas Caldwell missed with every shot. When both had emptied their pistols, Caldwell ran to Desmond and again hit him over the head with his pistol. Marshal Jameson arrived shortly thereafter and took both men into custody. Two bystanders, George Wilson and Frank Howard, had been wounded by stray bullets. Charges were never filed against Caldwell, and charges against Desmond were later dismissed.
On January 2, 1884, Desmond's livery stable caught fire. Thirteen horses died in the fire, including a prized stallion. Desmond opted to not return to the livery business, and instead opened a saloon, called Star. His detective agency languished, and eventually died out. He served again as a deputy sheriff, and as a constable, thus remaining in law enforcement. By 1885 he had remarried, to a woman named Eva, and although he continued to find himself involved in numerous bar brawls, the couple seemingly had a solid marriage.
On December 19, 1888, Desmond became involved in an argument with a man named Frank Owenby, who owed Desmond money. The incident took place inside the A.C. Daniel's Drug Store, and the pharmacist present that day became concerned that it would become violent, and called the local police by way of police whistle. Jack O'Connor, the officer with whom Desmond had been involved in a gunfight six years prior, responded along with two other officers, Johnny Burke and Danny O'Kelly. The officers were able to calm the situation, and Desmond left.
However, half an hour later Desmond returned, obviously believing that Owenby would no longer be there, and in the company of his wife Eva. The two again argued, and Desmond advanced toward Owenby, unarmed except for a walking cane. Owenby drew a .38 caliber pistol and shot Desmond twice, wounding him, with Eva Desmond immediately jumping between the two men causing Owenby to stop shooting. Officers Caldwell and O'Kelly responded, arresting Owenby and calling for medical assistance for Desmond. Desmond recovered, and eventually the charges against Owenby were dropped short of a fine. Owenby would later brag of the shooting, and would eventually claim that he had killed Desmond that day, omitting the fact that Desmond was not only unarmed, but in fact did not die at all.
In the summer of 1889, Desmond and his wife Eva had moved to Ogden, Utah
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
, opening the Ogden River Resort. There, on the night of July 18, 1889, Desmond and Jack Williams, both drunk, became involved in an argument. Williams was much younger than Desmond, and quickly began getting the best of him during a fist fight. Seeing this, Eva Desmond ran forward and thrust a pistol into Desmond's hand. Desmond pushed the pistol into Williams' chest, but as he fired someone grabbed his arm causing the shot to go high, creasing Williams in the head. Patrons wrestled the pistol from Desmond, but he and Williams continued to fight. Eventually Desmond collapsed from fatigue, and the affair ended. No charges were ever filed against either man.
Closing the resort, again the couple moved, but later returned to Ogden. By that time, a feud over money owed to him by former employee Tom Todd had gotten out of control. Todd had a reputation also as a brawler, and had spent time in jail in Pueblo for shooting and wounding businessman Bert Reynolds. Desmond and Todd became involved in an argument over the affair one night inside the Bear Saloon, and Desmond drew his pistol. However, Todd was unarmed, and the saloon owner, Gus Vogus, was an old friend to Desmond and was able to calm the situation and allow Todd to leave.
On the night of February 28, 1890, Desmond met Todd and another man, Tom O'Neil, inside the Little King Saloon. The three men had drinks, and seemingly by later accounts seemed to be getting along fine. They left, moving down the street to the Capital Saloon, where they continued drinking. Shortly after their arrival, Todd saw bartender W.P. Collier secretly pass something to Desmond, which Desmond then placed into his pocket. Desmond then, in an obvious attempt to goad Todd into a fight, removed a handkerchief and some white gloves from Todd's coat pocket. Todd demanded the property back, and versions conflict as to what exactly happened next. Todd claimed Desmond pulled a pistol, but witnesses said that never happened.
Witness and musician E.T. Roach stated that shots rang out, and he saw Desmond holding his shoulder, at which point more shots sounded. Desmond fell over onto the floor, at which point Todd leisurely strode over and shot more shots into Desmond's prone body. A gun was found on Desmond's person, in his pocket, but in his hand he held only a cigar. Todd was arrested and charged with murder, yet he claimed self defense. Desmond's wife Eva returned her husband's body to Pueblo, where he was buried. His estate was worth $75,000 at the time of his death, leaving his widow and children financially secure. Tom Todd was convicted of manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
, and sentenced to five years in prison. After his release, he shot and killed another man in Arapahoe County, Colorado
Arapahoe County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 608 people per square mile . There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 245 per square mile...
, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He escaped from jail, and disappeared.