Wyoming has always had its fair share of characters. One of the favorite characters out of
Sheridan, Wyoming wasn’t a gunslinger, a cowboy, or a Wild West Show
performer. He was…a dentist. Yep, you read that right, Dr. William Frackelton,
D.D.S. left his mark on Wyoming and the West.
William Frackelton was born June 24, 1870, in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. Graduating from Northwestern
University , Chicago, Frackelton practiced in his home town before turning his
sights to the Wild West in 1893.
His first stop was in Casper, Wyoming, where he set out his
shingle that read: “Dr. Frackelton.
Graduate of the American College of Dental Surgery, Chicago post-graduate
school, licentiate of the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, formerly house
dentist to the Wisconsin state industrial school and the House of Good Shepherd
of Milwaukee. Now here, Casper. Prepared to do all dental work by the latest
and most approved scientific methods. Crown and bridge work my specialty. For
three years a specialist in this particular branch in Chicago. The latest
methods. Ten years’ experience. I have in my possession numerous testimonials
from people in all walks of life recommending my work. Consultation and
examination free.”
Soon after moving to Casper, Dr. Frackelton and an associate
hired a hall and put on a dance inviting all Casperites to whoop it up. One of
the party-goers was Poker Nell. Nell was known as a handsome woman whose
profession was poker and the lady only played for high stakes. The day after
the party, Poker Nell came to Dr. Frackelton’s office. She fished two large
diamonds from her purse, and commanded, “Put these in my front teeth.” Frackelton did the job, but always described
the encounter as the “oddest he had ever done.”
Doc Frackelton moved on to Sundance, Wyoming where he was
handed the greatest insult given in the West.
He was called a dude. He arrived in Sundance, in what he hoped would be
perceived as professional garb, to an empty town. The local banker, a renowned
pugilist was polishing off a few of the boys in the fire hall. The local bartender, Charlie Sackett, informed
Frackelton of the townsfolk’s’ whereabouts, but warned the doctor that the
banker didn’t care for dudes and the sheriff didn’t like dentists.
Frackelton made his
way to the fire hall and the banker, who had just knocked out a local cowboy,
spotted the dude and challenged him to a fight.
The dentist demurely declined, but when challenged again smiled and said
he would be glad to meet the banker the next morning for a bout. He failed to
mention that he had fought in Chicago under the name of Willie Riley to earn
his dental school tuition.
The banker spread the word that he intended to knock the tar
out of the dude. He collected bets and by the time of the bout, the whole town
attended to see their local hero knock out the new tooth carpenter. Irritated at the jeers of the crowds,
Frackelton gave Sackett his last $100 and bet he’d knockout the banker.
For two rounds, Frackelton played with his opponent. In the third round, the doctor asked, “Excuse
me, Mister, your shoe is untied. "It
was an old trick, but he fell for it and looked down--a fatal mistake. I
stepped in with a right to the solar plexus, a blow new at the time, and a left
to the button. Then I uppercut with a right. Down and out he went.
The crowd had never seen anything like it before. The
yelling ended quickly in a long silence. The referee began to count."
Dr. Frackelton collected his bets and cleared out quickly
expecting trouble. The sheriff visited later that night and invited Frackelton
to the saloon for drinks with the boys. He was hailed a hero and asked to set
up practice. He did for a time, but there wasn’t enough dental work in Sundance
and Frackelton moved to his new home at the foot of the Bighorns, Sheridan.
In Sheridan, he would treat another famed woman of the West,
Calamity Jane. The Army scout and habitué
of saloons and gambling joints brought her cavities to the new dentist. Her red
hair was streaked with gray, but there was still fire in her belly. While he was filling her cavities Jane, as
was her habit, “swore magnificently.”
Dr. Frackelton didn’t mind though and said, “her profanity was so
natural…slipping out the way other words might.”
Frackelton prospered in Sheridan in his practice and in
love. He met Bess during his second winter
in Sheridan. She was a tall hard riding, straight shooting Western girl. They
had a short courtship and remained happily married until Bess passed away in
1941.
Always looking for adventure, Dr. Frackelton travelled to
the gold fields of Alaska in 1897. He returned to Sheridan a year later and
resumed his practice remaining in Sheridan the rest of his life.
Dr. Frackelton was respected and loved throughout Sheridan,
the surrounding area and beyond. He was
adopted by the Crow as a tribal member. He often did dental work for members of
the surrounding tribes.
He is also responsible for saving Fort MacKenzie. Congress was discussing the possibility of
closing the fort. It happened that
President Taft was visiting Sheridan. Dr. Frackelton served as chairman of the
reception committee. He and his fellow
townspeople treated the president so well, Taft promised upon leaving anything
that Doc Frackelton wanted would be his.
Frackelton had been waiting for just such an opening and
pleaded with Taft to keep Fort MacKenzie alive. The President assured his host
it would be done. At the end of WWI, when Taft was Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, For MacKenzie became a soldiers’ hospital. Taft even sent Frackelton a
note reminding him that he was keeping his word.
Frackelton was president of the Wyoming Mutual Investment
Co. in 1913-1914, and he was also the first president of the Wyoming State
Board of Dental Examiners from 1905-1913. The “Sagebrush Dentist” passed away
while visiting family in Wisconsin. His remains were returned to Sheridan,
where he was buried next to Bess.
The doctor is still much loved and talked about in Sheridan
and his legacy lives on as not only a fine dentist, but a man of the West…no
longer a dude.
SOURCE:
Frackelton, William. Sagebrush Dentist. 1941.
If you’d like to read about some characters in Sheridan,
Wyoming based on characters in my own life who lived here, check out RIDIN’ FOR
A FALL! You'll fall for Kyle, Lena and the rest of the gang!
He’s the All American
Cowboy…
Kyle Allaway is riding tall as one-half of the greatest act
in Frank Perry’s Wild West Show. He’s
his own man far from Big Horn, Wyoming and the family who betrayed him driving
him from his fondest dream…well at least one of his dreams…
She’s the Sweetheart
of the West…
Lena Gowan is barely holding onto the reins. Tired of
constant travel, the applause of the crowd means nothing to her. She longs to
return to the ranch co-owned by the Gowan and Allaway families. To leave Kyle would mean walking away from
her dearest friend and heart’s desire.
Together they’ve been
a team since childhood…
When a surprise lands in Kyle’s arms, he’s forced to become
two things he swore he’d never be… a father to a child born outside of marriage
and Lena’s husband. His world continues
to tumble when he takes his new family to the one place he both loves and hates
… the A&G Ranch. As the world erupts
in the Great War, the Allaways and Gowans face a battle years in the making.
Kyle and Lena must hold tight to each other and fight internal questions and
doubts and external forces seeking their destruction, or risk a fall that will
knock them out of the saddle for good.
Sometimes the safest place to fall…is in love…
Kirsten Lynn is a Western and Military Historian. She worked six
years with a Navy non-profit and continues to contract with the Marine
Corps History Division for certain projects. Making her home where her
roots were sewn in Wyoming, Kirsten also works as a local historian. She
loves to use the history she has learned and add it to a great love
story. She writes stories about men of uncommon valor...women with
undaunted courage...love of unwavering devotion ...and romance with
unending sizzle. When she's not writing, she finds inspiration in day
trips through the Bighorn Mountains, binge reading and watching sappy
old movies, or sappy new movies. Housework can always wait. 
What an interesting post, Kirsten. Frackelton must have been quite a character. Nice to learn there were dental schools back then. I wasn't sure. Have a great weekend. Best wishes for megasales on your book.
ReplyDeleteThere are many stories of Dr. Frackelton, and each proves the man was a true character of the West. :) So glad you enjoyed the post, Caroline, and thanks so much for the good wishes.
DeleteGreat post. I loved learning about the good doctor of dentistry. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Echols w/a Zina Abbott
Thanks so much, Robyn, glad you enjoyed reading Dr. Frackelton's story!
DeleteI almost missed your post! Not that we're out celebrating Labor Day, since it's a hundred degrees out there..but because I've been writing, etc. Then I realized my SOTW day is tomorrow and tuned in.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea dentists had so many tools at his disposal that far back. And did he deaden any of these areas he worked on? It would be interesting to see his arsenal of dentist tools. I thought dentistry was usually performed by the barber in town. Did I get that right?
This doctor was a real character, the kind who is as interesting as a character in a novel.
Your new novel sounds wonderful...good luck and Congratulations on its release.
The tools he used were almost the same as dentists use today, Celia. Frackelton was a honest to goodness D.D.S. Sheridan was lucky to have him. Many Western towns did not. Not sure what, if anything, he used to deaden the area, but I'm assuming by the way Calamity Jane swore it didn't work that well. :) Thanks for stopping by!!
DeleteI really don't understand why a person would want to put diamonds in his teeth. My dentist had the same request from a man who came with his body guard while the diamond were inserted. Seems like that would just cause problems with teeth down the road.
ReplyDeleteGood save on Fort Mackenzie. I wonder if he and Taft remained friends.
I can't help but think about that shingle he hung out with all that info. Seems like it would have been a huge thing. LOL Frackleton seems like a very weird name.
Great post, Kirsten.
I suppose with a name like Poker Nell, diamonds in her teeth didn't seem that strange. I think she must have had other intricacies, as well. I thought all the information on the shingle was a bit excessive, too, but I guess it's all about advertising. Glad you enjoyed, Sarah!
DeleteThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine. Hollywood smile
ReplyDelete