I have seen three variations of the well-known “Dodge City Peace Commission” photo, one with the top-right corner torn off, another with W.F. Petillon, a political friend of Luke Short’s, and still another with an aged Bill Tilghman in that corner. Which “version” is correct, if any?
Tommy Phillips
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The correct version of the Dodge City Peace Commission of 1883 has W.F. Petillon on the top row, far right. In the original, it looks like some of the boys in the front row forgot to clean their boots, while Charlie Bassett and Neil Brown are enjoying their stogies. Edited versions have Petillon erased from the photo, while some others insert Bill Tilghman. Who says the camera doesn’t lie?
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