James Middleton Riley (AKA "Doc Middleton") was born in Bastrop County, Texas, although his death certificate erroneously states he was born in Mississippi. Apparently, Doc got into some trouble in Texas as a youth, so he joined a cattle drive and headed to Nebraska.
In Sidney, Nebraska at a local saloon Doc got into an argument with a soldier. The soldier knocked Doc down with a blow to the face. Doc jumped back up only to be knocked down again, so he drew his revolver and shot the soldier in the belly. In the bitter cold of January he jumped on the next stage coach without his coat, J.E. North, a brother of the famous Pawnee Scout commanders, gave Doc a buffalo robe to keep warm. Consequently, when Doc began his horse stealing career, the North herds never lost one horse.
In the sandhills of Nebraska, Doc had organized a group of ruffians called "the ponyboys" and turned horse thieving into a business. This group of ruffians included Kid Wade, Curly Grimes, Jack Nolan and briefly Luke Short. Doc always claimed he stole horses from the "Indians" on the reservation in South Dakota or U.S Government stock. The Native Americans became angry at losing their horses and retaliated by stealing horses from local ranches in Nebraska. The uproar to stop these "ponyboys" began and a $1,000 reward was place on Doc's head.
Doc had made a number of friends among some ranchers, he knew the sandhills area well and had several elaborate hideouts, not excluding underground hideouts. Doc took to the sandhills to elude capture. The Department of Justice brought in a special agent named William Llewellyn whose sole task was capturing the illusive Doc Middleton.
Llewellyn obtained a "pardon" for Doc Middleton from the Governor. When word reached Doc, he agreed to meet with Llewellyn. Riding to town, Llewellyn with some of his men and Doc with his "ponyboys" were traveling through the rain. Unknown to the Doc and the ponyboys was another lawman waiting in ambush. Doc sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. One lawman was severely wounded, two of Doc's men were killed, and Doc was wounded in the back. Doc fell from his horse and crawled to the bushes where he was eventually captured.
Doc was taken to Wyoming, tried and convicted of Grand Larceny. He was placed in a Nebraska prison on September 18, 1879 and released on June, 18 1883. After prison he began his career as a bartender and as an expert gambler. He also made a small living off his reputation as an outlaw and horse thief.
In his later years, Doc opened a saloon tent in Douglas, WY. His bootleg brew drew characters of all kinds. Problems began to arise between patrons and Doc was not able to squash trouble. In one incident, two drunken patrons fought with one receiving a knife wound. The local law enforcement investigated, charged Doc with dispensing liquor without a license and threw him in jail. In jail he contracted an illness. Some say it was erysipelas, a type of severe skin rash and others say it was consumption. Doc Middleton died on December 13, 1913.
Participated in America's longest horse race began in Chadron, Nebraska, June 13, 1893. The 1,000 mile race ended June 27 in Chicago at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The race apparently was the idea of Chadron jokester John G. Maher. Seven of nine riders finished, some traveling up to ninety miles a day. Nebraska badman "Doc" Middleton was an entrant. John Berry won, riding Sandy and Poison, but was disqualified for having prior knowledge of the route. Chadron officials declared Joe Gillespie the winner.∼James M. Riley, alias David "Doc" Middleton--one alias amonst a dozen more, but the one that has stuck--was born in Mississippi, spent much of his life in Texas and Nebraska, and did not come to Douglas, Wyoming until 1913, at the age of 62. Regarded as one of the last of the "men of the Old West," he had already appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and was one of the annual attractions at the city of Cheyenne's Frontier Show. In 1893, he was the favorite in a 1,000 mile horse race, which began in far western Nebraska and ended at the Chicago World's Fair. Horse troubles, however, forced him out somewhere in the middle of Iowa, and he had to settle for a $75 consolation prize.
Middleton has been called "the luckiest outlaw," since, despite being implicated in numerous murders, thefts, and cattle rustlings, he served time for only a single murder conviction--until his Douglas debut. Upon his arrival, Middleton opened a saloon in Orin, a nearby village, but was soon convicted of selling alcohol illegally. While imprisoned in the county jail, he contracted erysipelas (a usually benign skin disease) and was quarantined in the city's "pest house," a three-room bungalow located next to the new Douglas Park Cemetery. He died of pneumonia while an inmate of the house, and was buried at county expense.
Middleton's grave remained unmarked for more than 50 years. Not until 1976 did one of his descendants place the stone tablet that marks the site today.
In Sidney, Nebraska at a local saloon Doc got into an argument with a soldier. The soldier knocked Doc down with a blow to the face. Doc jumped back up only to be knocked down again, so he drew his revolver and shot the soldier in the belly. In the bitter cold of January he jumped on the next stage coach without his coat, J.E. North, a brother of the famous Pawnee Scout commanders, gave Doc a buffalo robe to keep warm. Consequently, when Doc began his horse stealing career, the North herds never lost one horse.
In the sandhills of Nebraska, Doc had organized a group of ruffians called "the ponyboys" and turned horse thieving into a business. This group of ruffians included Kid Wade, Curly Grimes, Jack Nolan and briefly Luke Short. Doc always claimed he stole horses from the "Indians" on the reservation in South Dakota or U.S Government stock. The Native Americans became angry at losing their horses and retaliated by stealing horses from local ranches in Nebraska. The uproar to stop these "ponyboys" began and a $1,000 reward was place on Doc's head.
Doc had made a number of friends among some ranchers, he knew the sandhills area well and had several elaborate hideouts, not excluding underground hideouts. Doc took to the sandhills to elude capture. The Department of Justice brought in a special agent named William Llewellyn whose sole task was capturing the illusive Doc Middleton.
Llewellyn obtained a "pardon" for Doc Middleton from the Governor. When word reached Doc, he agreed to meet with Llewellyn. Riding to town, Llewellyn with some of his men and Doc with his "ponyboys" were traveling through the rain. Unknown to the Doc and the ponyboys was another lawman waiting in ambush. Doc sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. One lawman was severely wounded, two of Doc's men were killed, and Doc was wounded in the back. Doc fell from his horse and crawled to the bushes where he was eventually captured.
Doc was taken to Wyoming, tried and convicted of Grand Larceny. He was placed in a Nebraska prison on September 18, 1879 and released on June, 18 1883. After prison he began his career as a bartender and as an expert gambler. He also made a small living off his reputation as an outlaw and horse thief.
In his later years, Doc opened a saloon tent in Douglas, WY. His bootleg brew drew characters of all kinds. Problems began to arise between patrons and Doc was not able to squash trouble. In one incident, two drunken patrons fought with one receiving a knife wound. The local law enforcement investigated, charged Doc with dispensing liquor without a license and threw him in jail. In jail he contracted an illness. Some say it was erysipelas, a type of severe skin rash and others say it was consumption. Doc Middleton died on December 13, 1913.
Participated in America's longest horse race began in Chadron, Nebraska, June 13, 1893. The 1,000 mile race ended June 27 in Chicago at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The race apparently was the idea of Chadron jokester John G. Maher. Seven of nine riders finished, some traveling up to ninety miles a day. Nebraska badman "Doc" Middleton was an entrant. John Berry won, riding Sandy and Poison, but was disqualified for having prior knowledge of the route. Chadron officials declared Joe Gillespie the winner.∼James M. Riley, alias David "Doc" Middleton--one alias amonst a dozen more, but the one that has stuck--was born in Mississippi, spent much of his life in Texas and Nebraska, and did not come to Douglas, Wyoming until 1913, at the age of 62. Regarded as one of the last of the "men of the Old West," he had already appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and was one of the annual attractions at the city of Cheyenne's Frontier Show. In 1893, he was the favorite in a 1,000 mile horse race, which began in far western Nebraska and ended at the Chicago World's Fair. Horse troubles, however, forced him out somewhere in the middle of Iowa, and he had to settle for a $75 consolation prize.
Middleton has been called "the luckiest outlaw," since, despite being implicated in numerous murders, thefts, and cattle rustlings, he served time for only a single murder conviction--until his Douglas debut. Upon his arrival, Middleton opened a saloon in Orin, a nearby village, but was soon convicted of selling alcohol illegally. While imprisoned in the county jail, he contracted erysipelas (a usually benign skin disease) and was quarantined in the city's "pest house," a three-room bungalow located next to the new Douglas Park Cemetery. He died of pneumonia while an inmate of the house, and was buried at county expense.
Middleton's grave remained unmarked for more than 50 years. Not until 1976 did one of his descendants place the stone tablet that marks the site today.
James Middleton Riley (AKA "Doc Middleton") was born in Bastrop County, Texas, although his death certificate erroneously states he was born in Mississippi. Apparently, Doc got into some trouble in Texas as a youth, so he joined a cattle drive and headed to Nebraska.
In Sidney, Nebraska at a local saloon Doc got into an argument with a soldier. The soldier knocked Doc down with a blow to the face. Doc jumped back up only to be knocked down again, so he drew his revolver and shot the soldier in the belly. In the bitter cold of January he jumped on the next stage coach without his coat, J.E. North, a brother of the famous Pawnee Scout commanders, gave Doc a buffalo robe to keep warm. Consequently, when Doc began his horse stealing career, the North herds never lost one horse.
In the sandhills of Nebraska, Doc had organized a group of ruffians called "the ponyboys" and turned horse thieving into a business. This group of ruffians included Kid Wade, Curly Grimes, Jack Nolan and briefly Luke Short. Doc always claimed he stole horses from the "Indians" on the reservation in South Dakota or U.S Government stock. The Native Americans became angry at losing their horses and retaliated by stealing horses from local ranches in Nebraska. The uproar to stop these "ponyboys" began and a $1,000 reward was place on Doc's head.
Doc had made a number of friends among some ranchers, he knew the sandhills area well and had several elaborate hideouts, not excluding underground hideouts. Doc took to the sandhills to elude capture. The Department of Justice brought in a special agent named William Llewellyn whose sole task was capturing the illusive Doc Middleton.
Llewellyn obtained a "pardon" for Doc Middleton from the Governor. When word reached Doc, he agreed to meet with Llewellyn. Riding to town, Llewellyn with some of his men and Doc with his "ponyboys" were traveling through the rain. Unknown to the Doc and the ponyboys was another lawman waiting in ambush. Doc sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. One lawman was severely wounded, two of Doc's men were killed, and Doc was wounded in the back. Doc fell from his horse and crawled to the bushes where he was eventually captured.
Doc was taken to Wyoming, tried and convicted of Grand Larceny. He was placed in a Nebraska prison on September 18, 1879 and released on June, 18 1883. After prison he began his career as a bartender and as an expert gambler. He also made a small living off his reputation as an outlaw and horse thief.
In his later years, Doc opened a saloon tent in Douglas, WY. His bootleg brew drew characters of all kinds. Problems began to arise between patrons and Doc was not able to squash trouble. In one incident, two drunken patrons fought with one receiving a knife wound. The local law enforcement investigated, charged Doc with dispensing liquor without a license and threw him in jail. In jail he contracted an illness. Some say it was erysipelas, a type of severe skin rash and others say it was consumption. Doc Middleton died on December 13, 1913.
Participated in America's longest horse race began in Chadron, Nebraska, June 13, 1893. The 1,000 mile race ended June 27 in Chicago at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The race apparently was the idea of Chadron jokester John G. Maher. Seven of nine riders finished, some traveling up to ninety miles a day. Nebraska badman "Doc" Middleton was an entrant. John Berry won, riding Sandy and Poison, but was disqualified for having prior knowledge of the route. Chadron officials declared Joe Gillespie the winner.∼James M. Riley, alias David "Doc" Middleton--one alias amonst a dozen more, but the one that has stuck--was born in Mississippi, spent much of his life in Texas and Nebraska, and did not come to Douglas, Wyoming until 1913, at the age of 62. Regarded as one of the last of the "men of the Old West," he had already appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and was one of the annual attractions at the city of Cheyenne's Frontier Show. In 1893, he was the favorite in a 1,000 mile horse race, which began in far western Nebraska and ended at the Chicago World's Fair. Horse troubles, however, forced him out somewhere in the middle of Iowa, and he had to settle for a $75 consolation prize.
Middleton has been called "the luckiest outlaw," since, despite being implicated in numerous murders, thefts, and cattle rustlings, he served time for only a single murder conviction--until his Douglas debut. Upon his arrival, Middleton opened a saloon in Orin, a nearby village, but was soon convicted of selling alcohol illegally. While imprisoned in the county jail, he contracted erysipelas (a usually benign skin disease) and was quarantined in the city's "pest house," a three-room bungalow located next to the new Douglas Park Cemetery. He died of pneumonia while an inmate of the house, and was buried at county expense.
Middleton's grave remained unmarked for more than 50 years. Not until 1976 did one of his descendants place the stone tablet that marks the site today.
In Sidney, Nebraska at a local saloon Doc got into an argument with a soldier. The soldier knocked Doc down with a blow to the face. Doc jumped back up only to be knocked down again, so he drew his revolver and shot the soldier in the belly. In the bitter cold of January he jumped on the next stage coach without his coat, J.E. North, a brother of the famous Pawnee Scout commanders, gave Doc a buffalo robe to keep warm. Consequently, when Doc began his horse stealing career, the North herds never lost one horse.
In the sandhills of Nebraska, Doc had organized a group of ruffians called "the ponyboys" and turned horse thieving into a business. This group of ruffians included Kid Wade, Curly Grimes, Jack Nolan and briefly Luke Short. Doc always claimed he stole horses from the "Indians" on the reservation in South Dakota or U.S Government stock. The Native Americans became angry at losing their horses and retaliated by stealing horses from local ranches in Nebraska. The uproar to stop these "ponyboys" began and a $1,000 reward was place on Doc's head.
Doc had made a number of friends among some ranchers, he knew the sandhills area well and had several elaborate hideouts, not excluding underground hideouts. Doc took to the sandhills to elude capture. The Department of Justice brought in a special agent named William Llewellyn whose sole task was capturing the illusive Doc Middleton.
Llewellyn obtained a "pardon" for Doc Middleton from the Governor. When word reached Doc, he agreed to meet with Llewellyn. Riding to town, Llewellyn with some of his men and Doc with his "ponyboys" were traveling through the rain. Unknown to the Doc and the ponyboys was another lawman waiting in ambush. Doc sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. One lawman was severely wounded, two of Doc's men were killed, and Doc was wounded in the back. Doc fell from his horse and crawled to the bushes where he was eventually captured.
Doc was taken to Wyoming, tried and convicted of Grand Larceny. He was placed in a Nebraska prison on September 18, 1879 and released on June, 18 1883. After prison he began his career as a bartender and as an expert gambler. He also made a small living off his reputation as an outlaw and horse thief.
In his later years, Doc opened a saloon tent in Douglas, WY. His bootleg brew drew characters of all kinds. Problems began to arise between patrons and Doc was not able to squash trouble. In one incident, two drunken patrons fought with one receiving a knife wound. The local law enforcement investigated, charged Doc with dispensing liquor without a license and threw him in jail. In jail he contracted an illness. Some say it was erysipelas, a type of severe skin rash and others say it was consumption. Doc Middleton died on December 13, 1913.
Participated in America's longest horse race began in Chadron, Nebraska, June 13, 1893. The 1,000 mile race ended June 27 in Chicago at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The race apparently was the idea of Chadron jokester John G. Maher. Seven of nine riders finished, some traveling up to ninety miles a day. Nebraska badman "Doc" Middleton was an entrant. John Berry won, riding Sandy and Poison, but was disqualified for having prior knowledge of the route. Chadron officials declared Joe Gillespie the winner.∼James M. Riley, alias David "Doc" Middleton--one alias amonst a dozen more, but the one that has stuck--was born in Mississippi, spent much of his life in Texas and Nebraska, and did not come to Douglas, Wyoming until 1913, at the age of 62. Regarded as one of the last of the "men of the Old West," he had already appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and was one of the annual attractions at the city of Cheyenne's Frontier Show. In 1893, he was the favorite in a 1,000 mile horse race, which began in far western Nebraska and ended at the Chicago World's Fair. Horse troubles, however, forced him out somewhere in the middle of Iowa, and he had to settle for a $75 consolation prize.
Middleton has been called "the luckiest outlaw," since, despite being implicated in numerous murders, thefts, and cattle rustlings, he served time for only a single murder conviction--until his Douglas debut. Upon his arrival, Middleton opened a saloon in Orin, a nearby village, but was soon convicted of selling alcohol illegally. While imprisoned in the county jail, he contracted erysipelas (a usually benign skin disease) and was quarantined in the city's "pest house," a three-room bungalow located next to the new Douglas Park Cemetery. He died of pneumonia while an inmate of the house, and was buried at county expense.
Middleton's grave remained unmarked for more than 50 years. Not until 1976 did one of his descendants place the stone tablet that marks the site today.
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