Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
You Now Stand On The Original Boot Hill
Between 1867 and 1874 more than eighty persons were buried here. Dozens of them had died "with their boots on" as victims of knife, gun, or rope. Since the days when Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and Calamity Jane lived in Hays City, the bodies of sheriffs, state representatives, and other slain citizens have rested here alongside those of murderers, horsethieves, and loose women. Sheriff Hickok himself sent Bill Mulvey and Sam Strawhim to this hill in 1869. Others buried here include
Postmaster Jim Hare George Clinton Pony Donovan
Cornelius Doyle Ed Estes D. W. Gann Jim Gannam
G. Gunn Charlie Harris Jim Hayes Jack Hill
Deputy U.S. Marshal Joe N. Weiss Sheriff Tom Gannon
Sheriff Pete Lanahan Ed Hoge Bob Louden Billy Mark
Jack McGee Bob McGrady John Robinson Mike Ryan
Miss Lou Sherwood Jessie MacIntosh
About half the bodies still lie here. The others have been moved to Mt. Allen Cemetery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 38° 52.712′ N, 99° 19.663′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of Fort Street and 18th Street, on the right when traveling north on Fort Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Boot Hill Cemetery Park, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Joseph Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Volga Germans (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Joseph Parochial School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.4 miles away); Walker Army Air Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Col. Wm. F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gospel Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.
Also see . . .
1. Boot Hill Cemetery Photo at Kansas Memory. (Submitted on July 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Boot Hill Cemetery, Hays KS. (Submitted on July 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.