HISTORY · HISTORICAL MARKER
Beebe General Store
Ellsworth, Kansas
· Historical Plaza Walking Tour Stop 13
History
6
Directly across South Main Street, a double building housed the general store owned by Jerome Beebe, who sold groceries, wines and liquor, and reapers and plows. The events of Sunday, August 15, 1873, led up to the shoot-out that killed Sheriff Whitney. Just as the sheriff seemed to have the situation defused, "Happy Jack" Morco came charging down the street from the west with both guns drawn. Ben Thompson opened fire from the front of Brennan's Saloon (12) with his Henry rifle. The shot hit the door jam as Happy Jack dived into Beebe's Store. Five days later, Ellsworth lawman Ed Crawford shot an unarmed Texan, Cad Pierce, in the side. Pierce ran into Beebe's store where Crawford again shot him and beat him to death. Crawford was fired from the police force and was killed by an unknown cowboy at Lizzy Palmer's Dance Hall several blocks southeast of here in Nauchville on November 2, 1873.
FIND IT
Ellsworth, Kansas
CITY · 22 STOPSExplore Ellsworth, Kansas
Hear every story as you drive
4.8 Stars · 800+ Ratings
© 2026 MainEngine