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

Judge Joyce’s Court

Hays City, Kansas

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

1. Judge Joyce’s Court Marker

Inscription. Marcellus E. Joyce, Union spy during the Civil War and well-known journalist of this day, presided from 1867 to 1868 as justice of the peace for most of the western Kansas. “Chief Justice” Joyce legends unanimously suggest that he frequently made bizarre interpretations of the law. When W.A. "Medicine Bill" Comstock, noted frontier scout, pleaded guilty to a murder charge in 1868, Joyce reportedly said he was a fool for admitting it and discharged him for lack of evidence. During the controversial period in 1869, when J.B. "Wild Bill" Hickok served as Ellis County Sheriff, Joyce again acted as Justice of the Peace and presided at the inquest over Sam Strawhim who Hickok killed on September 27, 1869. Joyce's courthouse stood on this site.

Erected by City of Hays Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 38° 52.312′ N, 99° 19.867′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. It is on West 10th Street west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 West 10th Street, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: “Dog” Kelley’s Faro House (here, next to this marker); Ed Goddard’s Saloon (a few steps from this marker); The Pioneer Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Tommy Drum's Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Kate Coffey’s Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Waters and Murray’s Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); R. W. Evans’ Grocery Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Otero & Sellar's Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

Former location of Judge Joyce’s Courthouse. (Now a law firm) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

2. Former location of Judge Joyce’s Courthouse. (Now a law firm)

Marker is the one on the left side.

Wild Bill Hickok image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Wild Bill Hickok

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 701 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.