Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Chalkley M. Beeson

The life of Chalkley Beeson bridged the gap between the old west and the more modern great plains. Leaving his home in Iowa in 1868 as a boy of 19, he traveled to Colorado and lived an adventurous life in what was then still the “wild west.”

In 1872 the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia came to the territory to hunt buffalo. Beeson was hired by General George Custer who was the Duke’s escort to be one of party guides. Having worked on threshing crews in eastern Colorado, he had become very familiar with the migration of the herds in that part of the country.

Beeson finally settled down in Dodge City, Kansas about 1875. He was able to buy up quite a bit of land as the old ranches in the area were broken up and became prosperous in the cattle business. He built a beautiful home for his family just south of Dodge City.

Chalkley was twice sheriff of Ford County in some of it’s stormiest days. He had a reputation of always getting his man even if he had to bring him back in a coffin.

As the nation entered the twentieth century and the State of Kansas became more settled, Chalkley Beeson decided to run for the legislature. He was elected Ford County state representative in 1903 and served until 1908.
Beeson was a great lover of music and a fine violinist. He organized a group called the Cowboy Band of Dodge City soon after he arrived in Kansas that played all over the country. Later, he formed Beeson’s Orchestra with his two sons as members that was equally as famous.

Source:
“A Royal Buffalo Hunt,” Transactions of the Kansas Historical Society 1907-1908, Kansas Historical Collection, V 10, Edited by George W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, 574-575.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.