History of Sorts

Mart Duggan (November 10, 1848 – April 9, 1888) was a legendary gunfighter of the American Old West. Though largely forgotten today, he was once one of the most feared lawmen of his time. Author Robert K. DeArment, in his book Deadly Dozen, ranks Duggan as one of the most underrated gunmen of the Old West. Despite standing only 5’ 5” tall, Duggan’s reputation for fearlessness and quick reflexes earned him respect and notoriety. He was best known for his tenure as marshal of Leadville, Colorado, where he reportedly killed at least seven men while maintaining law and order in the chaotic mining town.

Born Martin J. Duggan in Limerick, Ireland, he immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in the Irish slums of New York City. At age 14, amidst the turmoil of the New York Draft Riots in 1863, Duggan left the city and ventured west.

He drifted through Colorado’s mining camps, working as a miner and mule skinner. During this period, he reportedly participated in skirmishes with Native Americans, though details remain murky. By 1876, Duggan had transitioned to a new role as a bouncer at the Occidental Dance Hall & Saloon in Georgetown, Colorado. It was there that his reputation for handling trouble decisively began to take shape.

One notable incident solidified Duggan’s fearless demeanor. He disarmed a drunken patron brandishing a pistol, striking the man with his own weapon. When the man challenged Duggan to a formal gunfight, Duggan accepted. The two faced off outside, drawing a crowd of spectators. Duggan’s speed proved decisive; he fired three shots, killing the man instantly. The shooting was ruled self-defense, further cementing Duggan’s standing as a formidable and just enforcer.

In the spring of 1878, Duggan arrived in Leadville, Colorado, a booming mining town teeming with violence. Initially mistaken for a notorious outlaw due to his surname, Duggan quickly distinguished himself as a man of action. When Leadville’s newly appointed marshal, T. H. Harrison, fled town after just two days, and his successor, George O’Connor, was murdered by his own deputy, Mayor Horace Tabor turned to Duggan. Duggan accepted the role and immediately began cleaning up the town.

Duggan’s approach was unorthodox but effective. He fired corrupt deputies and even ousted a lenient magistrate at gunpoint, personally appointing a replacement. Though his methods were illegal, they garnered support from Leadville’s residents desperate for order. Duggan faced constant threats but held his ground, killing two men in saloon altercations during his tenure. One incident highlighted his courage: when a lynch mob sought to hang am African American miner named John Elkins, Duggan confronted the mob with revolvers in hand and dispersed them single-handedly.

Miners John Elkins, and Charlie Hines clashed over a pot during a heated poker game.

A scuffle broke out, leading Elkins to stab Hines with a knife before fleeing the scene. Duggan’s deputies acted swiftly, apprehending Elkins without resistance. As word spread that Hines was near death, tensions in the town flared, fueled by racial animosity, and a lynch mob of over 100 men formed, marching toward the jail. Duggan confronted the mob with unflinching resolve, revolvers cocked in both hands, declaring he would shoot the first man to take another step. His defiant stance forced the mob to disperse. Fortunately, Hines survived his injuries, and upon investigation, Elkins was determined to have acted in self-defense. Following his release, Elkins wisely left town

Despite his successes, Duggan’s tenure as marshal was tumultuous. In 1879, he was briefly dismissed after a drinking spree but was reinstated when his absence plunged the town back into chaos. That same year, Duggan arrested Jim Bush, a powerful local figure, for murder, defying public pressure and transporting Bush to Denver for trial to prevent mob violence. By April 1880, Leadville was under control, and Duggan declined reappointment, preferring a quieter life.

Duggan’s later years were marked by a mix of heroism and misfortune. In 1880, he shot and killed Louis Lamb during a heated argument, a death that tarnished his reputation. Although cleared of wrongdoing, Duggan’s popularity waned, and his livery business failed. He moved to Douglass City, Colorado, where he worked as a deputy and bartender. In one notable episode, Duggan tracked down a conman who had swindled dance hall girls, forcing him to return the money and buying drinks for all present with the remaining funds.

By 1887, Duggan returned to Leadville as a patrolman, but the town had evolved, and his hard-edged tactics were no longer welcome. After a controversial arrest and fine, Duggan resigned and began drinking heavily. On April 9, 1888, after an argument with two gamblers, Duggan was shot in the back of the head by an unknown assailant as he left the Texas House saloon. Mortally wounded, he staggered to a nearby drugstore, where he refused to name his killer before dying later that morning.

Duggan’s death shocked Leadville. While his killer was never conclusively identified, many believed George Evans, a known adversary, was responsible. Despite his flaws, Duggan was mourned as a brave and decisive lawman who brought order to one of the Wild West’s most unruly towns. His funeral drew a large crowd, a testament to the enduring respect he commanded. Duggan’s legacy as a fearless enforcer and flawed hero remains an integral part of Leadville’s storied past.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mart_Duggan

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11786917/martin-j.-duggan

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3759/speakers/1cedea03-bffc-40e8-808f-c8423f6daeda

Mart Duggan, Not a Believer in Regulations, Ruled Rowdy Leadville With an Iron Hand

https://www.newstalk.com/documentary-and-drama-on-newstalk/cloud-city-1505392

Martin Duggan: Leadville’s Fearless Marshal