Legends of America
Intending
to restore order, one of the first things the new lawmen did was to
initiate a "Deadline” north of the railroad yards on Front Street to
keep the commercial part of the city quiet. On the north side, the city
passed an ordinance that guns could not be worn or carried. On the south
side of the "deadline”, those who supported the lawlessness continued
to operate as usual, with a host of saloons, brothels, and frequent gunfights. The expression "Red Light District” was coined in Dodge City
when the train masters took their red caboose lanterns with them when
they visited the town’s brothels. The gun-toting rule was in effect
around the clock and anyone wearing a gun was immediately jailed. Soon, Dodge City jail was filled.
