Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Walsh’s Gambling Hall

Hays City, Kansas

By Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

1. Walsh’s Gambling Hall Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Paddy Walsh killed Charles Blunt, an ex-policeman from Leavenworth, in a barroom fight in Ellsworth on September 25, 1867. By November he was in Hays City, located on South Fort Street. Within nine months it was reported that Walsh had shot and killed Jim Gannam. He later opened a saloon and gambling hall on this site and made it his second contribution to Boot Hill on July 4, 1873, when he shot and killed D. W. Gann at Cy Goddard's Dance Hall.

Erected by City of Hays Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1873.

Location. 38° 52.329′ N, 99° 19.907′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is on West 10th Street west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Located on a wall that encloses the AT&T building parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: West 10th Street, 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. R. W. Evans’ Grocery Store (a few steps from this marker); The Perry House

Walsh’s Gambling Hall Marker on wall of AT&T parking lot. (On right) image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

2. Walsh’s Gambling Hall Marker on wall of AT&T parking lot. (On right)

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(a few steps from this marker); Waters and Murray’s Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Kate Coffey’s Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Cy Goddard’s Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Kansas Pacific Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Tommy Drum's Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); White's Barber Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

Also see . . . Ellis County Historical Museum story about Paddy Walsh. Quote from link: The Hays City Sentinel reported the following day that Walsh had been “righteously disgusted with a town that would drag a fellow into court for killing a man now and then.” (Submitted on August 1, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.