Richard Irving Dodge, co-founder of Dodge City, Kansas
By Richard H. Dodge Family Association
Doge City, Kansas, was co-founded by Colonel Richard Irving Dodge while he was commanding officer at Fort Dodge, in the summer of 1872.  He encouraged several of his junior officers to buy town lots and was a charter member in the Dodge City Town.  He was replaced as the Fort's commander in October, 1973.\

A martial law treat for Dodge City was telegraphed to the Governor of  Kansas by Colonel Dodge after his personal servant was shot to death and mutilated by drunken gunmen. His action became the first force of law and order to come to Dodge City - a year after its founding. In subsequent years U. S. Marshall Bat Masterson was brought into the city to keep the peace. The source of the lawlessness originated around Dodge  City being the end destination for cattle drives there this was the only place where a railroad extended from the east. Here, the cowboys would celebrate and spend their pay on wine, women, and song and shoot holes in whatever they pleased. Many of these cowboys and companions ended up in Boot Hill Cemetery.

Richard Irving Dodge was a graduate of West Point on July 1, 1848.  He was an author and a soldier. He served through the Civil War and subsequent Indian wars on the frontier passing through grades of promotion to Colonel in the regular army.

Richard Irving Dodge 7 (James6, Richard 5, Samuel 4, Samuel 3, William 2, Tristram 1) was born May 19, 1827 in Huntsville, NC and apparently as still living in 1904. He married May 24, 1836, Memphis Tennessee to Susan Williams. There children were:  Frederick Paulding Dodge born West Point, N>YU. Jan 27, 1859 and became a noted actor under the name of Frederick Paulding.

1. Dodge City:  Up Through a Century in Story and Pictures by Frederic R. young, pub. By Boot Hill Museum, Inc. 1972.
2. 2. Charter of the Dodge City Town Company of Ford County, State of Kansas.
3. 3. Cowboy Capital of the World, the Saga of Dodge City, by Samuel Carter III. Doubleday and Company, Inc., Garden City, New Jersey
4. 4. Dodge City Public Library, a brochure entitled "Boot Hill Facts Book", by Dodge City, 606 First aAvenue, Dodge City, Kansas 67801  
5. 5. Dodge Genealogy Descendents of Trustram Dodge by Theron Royal Woodwoard, Chicafo, 1904, page 91