The Dora Hand Story
Legend has it James “Spike” Kenedy was just as much as a victim as the woman he killed in cold blood.
Though all agree Dora Hand was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was not Spike’s intended target, there is some disagreement as to why mayor James “Dog” Kelley was Spike’s target. Some speculate that Spike tried to kill Dog because Dog was his rival in love for Dora. That would have been more than ironic – ending up killing the object of his adoration rather than winning her. For whatever reason there was bad blood between Kenedy and Kelley. Things got out of hand in the summer of 1878 when Dog threw Spike out of his saloon. Spike vowed to bring vengeance upon Dog. He left for Kansas City to obtain the fastest horse money could buy. |
This was the same summer Mrs. Hand arrived from St. Louis to perform in Dodge’s variety theaters. She was separated from her husband, Theodore, and sang under the name Fannie Keenan. Her and a friend, Fannie Garrettson stayed together and performed at the Comique along with headliners Foy and Thompson.
At the end of the summer the Comique closed down and Dora left for St. Louis. But she returned to Dodge City before the end of September in order to file divorce proceedings against her husband. This return was an unfortunate move on Dora’s part.
At the end of the summer the Comique closed down and Dora left for St. Louis. But she returned to Dodge City before the end of September in order to file divorce proceedings against her husband. This return was an unfortunate move on Dora’s part.
Her friend, Garrettson, was still in town, working in Dog Kelley’s Saloon and was staying at Dog’s house. On the night of Oct. 3 Fannie and Dora retired to Kelley’s home. Dog was at Fort Dodge seeking medical treatment. This was the night Spike decided to make his move against Dog. He had no idea that Kelley wasn’t home and that Dora was at the house. Early on the morning of the 4th, Spike rode up to Kelley’s house and fired four shots into the building. Three bullets passed harmlessly through the structure, but one passed through Garrettson’s nightclothes, through the wall and into a sleeping Dora Hand killing her instantly. Though unharmed, Garrettson was very shaken and within days left Dodge City never to return.
Immediately after the shooting, Spike tore out of town on his fast horse, but was implicated by a witness. Dodge City lawmen formed a posse that afternoon consisting of Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett, Wyatt Earp, William Duffey, Bill Tilghman and others.
They caught up with Spike the next day, seriously wounding him and killing his horse. At this point Spike believed he had killed the mayor and was shocked, maybe even saddened, to learn that Dora had been his victim.
As a testament to her popularity, one of the biggest funerals in Dodge City’s history was held for the 34 year old Dora Hand.
Spike recovered from his wounds and the case was dismissed at a hearing held in Sheriff Masterson’s office. Nobody is sure why he was acquitted. Some say it was lack of witnesses, while others say he was let go because the killing was an “accident” as Dora was not his intended target.
It was probably Spike’s father’s influence that freed him. Miflin Kenedy was a well known and rich cattle baron who brought a lot of business to Dodge. Some say after this whole affair was over there was little talk about Dora Hand and the injustice granted her memory. The leaders of Dodge City did not want to offend the powerful Kenedy family who herded thousands of cattle into this area.
As for Dora herself, some argue she was a prostitute. After all, most women entertainers in early Dodge provided more than song and dance, and Dora was in the process of divorcing her husband – something unheard of in those days. But others paint her as a kind and generous spirit with a beautiful voice. She did sing in church during her short time in Dodge City, and she often gave gifts of food, toys and candy to those less fortunate families in the area. Fannie Keenan, better known as Dora Hand, was probably somewhere between a soiled dove and a saint. By everyone’s account she was liked, if not loved, and left this earth much earlier than she should have through the most bizarre set of circumstances.
Immediately after the shooting, Spike tore out of town on his fast horse, but was implicated by a witness. Dodge City lawmen formed a posse that afternoon consisting of Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett, Wyatt Earp, William Duffey, Bill Tilghman and others.
They caught up with Spike the next day, seriously wounding him and killing his horse. At this point Spike believed he had killed the mayor and was shocked, maybe even saddened, to learn that Dora had been his victim.
As a testament to her popularity, one of the biggest funerals in Dodge City’s history was held for the 34 year old Dora Hand.
Spike recovered from his wounds and the case was dismissed at a hearing held in Sheriff Masterson’s office. Nobody is sure why he was acquitted. Some say it was lack of witnesses, while others say he was let go because the killing was an “accident” as Dora was not his intended target.
It was probably Spike’s father’s influence that freed him. Miflin Kenedy was a well known and rich cattle baron who brought a lot of business to Dodge. Some say after this whole affair was over there was little talk about Dora Hand and the injustice granted her memory. The leaders of Dodge City did not want to offend the powerful Kenedy family who herded thousands of cattle into this area.
As for Dora herself, some argue she was a prostitute. After all, most women entertainers in early Dodge provided more than song and dance, and Dora was in the process of divorcing her husband – something unheard of in those days. But others paint her as a kind and generous spirit with a beautiful voice. She did sing in church during her short time in Dodge City, and she often gave gifts of food, toys and candy to those less fortunate families in the area. Fannie Keenan, better known as Dora Hand, was probably somewhere between a soiled dove and a saint. By everyone’s account she was liked, if not loved, and left this earth much earlier than she should have through the most bizarre set of circumstances.
A Story of Many Varieties: The Death of Dora Hand
Imagine a place mired in tension, scandal, and the glamour of entertainment from the unbridled days of the Wild West. This was Dodge City, Kansas. The city, as depicted in our latest podcast episode, was more than just a backdrop for cowboy tales. It was a hotbed of rivalries, revenge, and resilience.
In this episode, we paint a vivid picture of Dodge City, focusing on the intense animosity between James Spike Kenedy and Mayor James Dog Kelly. Kenedy, a figure rooted in the Wild West history, and Kelly, the city's mayor, found themselves in a bitter feud. The stakes were high, insults were traded freely, and the sound of gunfire was not uncommon.
The tale takes a twist on July 26, 1876, when an incident resulted in the death of Dora Hand. This was no ordinary squabble between two individuals. The confrontation was steeped in the societal context of the time, the power dynamics at play, and the simmering tensions that underpinned everyday life in Dodge City.
We also explore the entertainment world provided by Dora Hand and Fanny Garretson. These two women brought glamour and allure to Dodge City, with performances at the Lady Gay Dance Hall and the Comique Theater. Despite the constant threat of violence, they offered a sense of escapism for the city's inhabitants, adding another layer to Dodge City's rich tapestry of history.
The Kenedy and Mayor Kelly feud is a testament to life’s raw and often brutal nature in the Wild West. Yet, it is only one facet of Dodge City's complex history. As we delve deeper, we uncover a tale of survival and resilience that has shaped the city's fabric.
The last part of the episode looks at the legacy of the Kenedys. From the illustrious life of Don Gregorio, Mifflin Kenedy's only surviving son, to the end of the Kenedy line with the death of Serita in 1961, we examine the family's deep-rooted connection to the Wild West.
Dodge City's history is a rich tapestry woven from tales of confrontation, revenge, and resilience. This episode invites listeners to journey back in time to a city that was both a product of its time and a player in shaping the narrative of the Wild West.
So, join us on this journey where the past collides with the present, and the echoes of gunfire, laughter from the dance halls, and tales of survival breathe life into the history of the Wild West. The story of Dodge City, of Kenedy and Kelly, is more than just a tale from the past; it reflects the indomitable spirit of the Wild West.
In this episode, we paint a vivid picture of Dodge City, focusing on the intense animosity between James Spike Kenedy and Mayor James Dog Kelly. Kenedy, a figure rooted in the Wild West history, and Kelly, the city's mayor, found themselves in a bitter feud. The stakes were high, insults were traded freely, and the sound of gunfire was not uncommon.
The tale takes a twist on July 26, 1876, when an incident resulted in the death of Dora Hand. This was no ordinary squabble between two individuals. The confrontation was steeped in the societal context of the time, the power dynamics at play, and the simmering tensions that underpinned everyday life in Dodge City.
We also explore the entertainment world provided by Dora Hand and Fanny Garretson. These two women brought glamour and allure to Dodge City, with performances at the Lady Gay Dance Hall and the Comique Theater. Despite the constant threat of violence, they offered a sense of escapism for the city's inhabitants, adding another layer to Dodge City's rich tapestry of history.
The Kenedy and Mayor Kelly feud is a testament to life’s raw and often brutal nature in the Wild West. Yet, it is only one facet of Dodge City's complex history. As we delve deeper, we uncover a tale of survival and resilience that has shaped the city's fabric.
The last part of the episode looks at the legacy of the Kenedys. From the illustrious life of Don Gregorio, Mifflin Kenedy's only surviving son, to the end of the Kenedy line with the death of Serita in 1961, we examine the family's deep-rooted connection to the Wild West.
Dodge City's history is a rich tapestry woven from tales of confrontation, revenge, and resilience. This episode invites listeners to journey back in time to a city that was both a product of its time and a player in shaping the narrative of the Wild West.
So, join us on this journey where the past collides with the present, and the echoes of gunfire, laughter from the dance halls, and tales of survival breathe life into the history of the Wild West. The story of Dodge City, of Kenedy and Kelly, is more than just a tale from the past; it reflects the indomitable spirit of the Wild West.