George Goodell

George Goodell (1853–1934) was a gunfighter during the Old West. An associate and a contemporary of famed lawmen Bat and Ed Masterson, Goodell served in law enforcement for multiple cities and communities such as Dodge City, Trinidad, Leavenworth, and Nowata. Although nearly unknown today, historians regard Goodell as one of the most dangerous gunfighters of his day. McGraw denied the accusation, but came to a realization that Goodell had been feeding information about it to the reporter. McGraw then began posting in the papers himself, insulting Goodell and his wife, as well as challenging him to a fight.

Things went ahead on April 19, 1882. Goodell was standing on a wooden sidewalk in front of Jaffa's Opera House when McGraw approached him. The two went back and forth before McGraw slapped Goodell and attempted to draw his revolver. But Goodell managed to pull out his pistol faster and shot McGraw in the arm, disarming him. He then pumped three more shots at McGraw's abdomen as the lawman fell on the entrance of the establishment, yelling, "For God's sake, hand me my gun!" Although the shooting was ruled self-defense, Bat Masterson was forced to relieve Goodell of his badge. Law enforcement of the community was handled by the Fulsom clan, a Cherokee family consisting of John Fulsom, Johnson Fulsom, and Johnson Push Fulsom, with half-brothers William Fulsom and William Hickey serving as deputies. A small population of white settlers had grown in the area, and they requested for a white lawman. Goodell was chosen for the job, becoming Marshall of Nowata as well as Deputy Marshall of the Northern District of the Indian territory.

This did not sit well with the Fulsoms. Animosity brewed between the two, resulting in them threatening to ambush Goodell if he ever crossed them. Goodell ignored the threats and arrested Johnson Fulsom in November 1897 for drunkness. His family broke him out of jail. A month later Goodell tried to arrest William Hickey. The latter fought back, forcing Goodell to shoot, mortally wounding him. When Goodell and others took him to a store to get him treated, Johnson Fulsom arrived and confronted Goodell. Another gunfight ensued and Goodell killed Johnson.

Goodell surrendered afterwards and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was taken to a gaol in Columbus, Ohio. After serving three years of his sentence, President Theodore Roosevelt pardoned him in 1902.

Later life After his release, Goodell drifted into various law enforcement occupations, including guarding prisoners at the Bull Pen in Muskogee, Oklahoma, railroad policeman for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and claimed to have been a bodyguard for President Theodore Roosevelt in his 1904 campaigns. He remarried again to a woman named Ida but divorced again by 1922. Family members claimed that he died on March 23, 1928, in Los Angeles, California.