James H Kelley

James H. "Dog" Kelley was the Dodge City, Kansas, mayor from 1877 to 1881. As mayor Kelley worked with well known lawmen in the Old West. His friend and entertainer, Dora Hand, was killed on October 4, 1878, in his home while he was out of town. In 1885 a fire destroyed the wood built Beatty and Kelley Restaurant. The fire also destroyed the Alahambra Saloon/Junction Saloon. Kelley died in September 1912 and is buried at the Fort Dodge Cemetery. He was a lover of animals, tamed an American black bear and called him Paddy. Kelley stood out in Dodge City as his rode a white horse and often wore white corduroy suit. He joined the Confederate States Army after the war, needing a job he joined the Union Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment under George Custer. As a parting gift, Custer gave Kelley one of his horses and 12 of his prized hunting greyhound dogs. Custer and his troops were later all killed on June 25, 1876.