Found a newspaper article on Beer City. Most versions of the story of "Brushy" Bush end the story with Pussy Cat Nell shot gunning Bush from a second story window, the townspeople emptying their guns into the body, and what was left being buried somewhere at the end of one of the streets.
Several of Harry Chrisman's books tell this story and I see that "No Heroes Were There (Beer City)", by Kenneth A. Butler was in the Oklahombres Journal Vol. III # 4 (Summer 1992

This story tends to contradict some of these books.

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Woodsdale Sentinel
August 2, 1889

A Paris, Texas, dispatch dated July 3, says: John Brennan, a white man, had an examination before U. S. Commissioner Kirkpatrick today for the murder of Amos Bush, also white, at Beer City, No Man's Land, last May, and was committed without bail to await the action of the federal grand jury.
Bush was from Dodge City, and was killed by a vigilance committee, one of which was Brennan. Seventy-four Winchester and pistol shots were fired into Bush's body.
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This is the first I've ever heard of anyone being in trouble over the killing.

Most accounts give Bush's name as Lewis Bush.

I do know of a "John Brennan" who is also from Dodge City. The Brennans (brothers, I think), were part of a group of Dodge City toughs that hired out to various towns during the Kansas county seat wars.

The Ulysses Town Company imported several noted gun men and some outlaws "to protect the security of the ballot" at the county seat elections. Among the men were Bat Masterson, Luke Short, Ed Prather, Jim Brennan, John Brennan, Mat Brennan, Jim Drury, Bill Wells, Ed Short and others.

I think this "Jim Brennan" is the "James Brennan" who murdered Col. Samuel Wood at Hugoton.

Most all of the people at Beer City were from Dodge City. Dodge was beginning to hurt because of the railroads moving west and the new Rock Island road that went through Liberal on across No Man's Land. Beer City was about three miles south of the tracks at Liberal and about three miles from Tyrone where the cowtown boom had recently made it larger than Dodge.
The whole town was set up as recreation for the cowboys.

I took some pictures at Beer City a few weeks ago. It never quite died out as some of the stories say. It still caters to the same sort of crowd. There are probably 200 plus people living there even though it's not officially a town and doesn't even show up on most maps.
To see it use Google maps and go to the location by dragging the map south of Liberal. After you cross the state line turn on the satellite or hybrid view. You will see it on Hi-way 83 - 270, on the angle just before the curve where the road goes back straight south.

12, I, too, wondered about the Chrisman account. Doesn't seem reasonable someone wouldn't have been held accountable. I found this the other day, but didn't make the Brennon name connection until your post:
Fort Smith Elevator, July 12, 1889, p. 3: Mr. Joe McNally, a deputy marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, is in the city attending U. S. court at this place. Just before starting here he had finished a successful trip through that section of country designated as “No Man’s Land,” during which trip he succeeded in capturing one John Brennon and Bill Whitney, two desperate characters charged with foul murders, the former being of a good family from southern Texas and immensely rich, and could give any bond, but unfortunately for him his case is not of a bailable nature. He (McNally) holds writs for a number of desperate characters, all of whom he claims will soon be placed within reach of the law and justice. Joe is of a venturesome turn and knows how to go about “placing” them there.

I found another article on the matter. So far nothing matches with the stories by either Ken Butler or Harry Chrisman. So far there is nothing about "Pussy Cat Nell" shotgunning anyone from a second story window.

I'm going to Liberal soon to see if any of the more local papers say anything different but I suspect this is another case of "never let the truth stand in the way of a good story".


Hugoton Hermes
June 21, 1889

ARRESTED FOR MURDER.
Brennen and Shoemaker Arrested
for Murder Committed In No
Man's Land Last July.

Sam Dunn, deputy sheriff of this county and city marshal of Liberal, informed us, Wednesday, that government officers had started a series of investigation of the many crimes committed in the famous Neutral Strip during the past several mouths, which to date, had resulted in the arrest of John Brennen for the killing of Amos Bush, and Geo. Shoemaker for the killing of a man named Myers.

Both of these killing happened in Beer City, which is located on the north border of No Man's Land, three miles south of Liberal. The name fully implies the charactor of the place. There were eight to ten saloons, a number of gambling houses and several bawdy houses to represent the business Industries of the Strip city. At that time it was a question if the United States had jurisdiction over that territory and only subsequent events and crimes committed have raised the question. The directors of Beer City had formed a kind of an organization which they pretended was to regulate the city, and had accordingly called an election for the city officers.
This was during the gala clays immediately after the completion of the Rock Island into Seward county and when speculators, thieves, toughs and politicians were vastly in the majority.

Bush was proprietor of a saloon in the city and at the election was defeated for mayor. After the election, Bush, who was public spirited after his fashion, stated his intention of "starting a bone yard" within the incorporate limits and accordingly made a traveling arsenal of himself and proceeded to round up the town in approved western style. The citizens of the plate were in a panic through fear of visiting the "bone pile." The newly appointed marshal got under cover—some said lie got entirely under the bed—and refused to attempt to arrest the man. Bush fired several shots at parties who asked him to keep quiet. A meeting was held and Bush was ordered to keep quiet or leave town, but he refused to do either. Shortly afterwards a dozen shots were fired and Bush fell to the ground riddled with shot and bullets. The inquest showed that eight bullets and twenty-three shot had taken effect. The burial of the victim was considered an end of the matter until the recent arrest of Brennen, in Oklahoma, has again revived public interest in the matter.
The. killing of Myers was entirely of a different character of crime. Myers was a painter, and offensive only by continual - loafing about the saloons. One night they agreed to scare Myers out of town. Accordingly -they proceeded to where Myers had retired and commenced discharging their revolvers. Myers started on a run from tile building whereat 'the party fired their guns in the direction -of the fleeing, man, one shot struck Myers resulting in his death.

The citizens of the place turned out en masse to idle victim's ,funeral and a pine slab was placed over his grave stating that he had met his death accidentally by the hands of his friends.

The action of the government is watched with considerable curiosity by the people of this part of the state as it is likely more arrests of an important character will follow.

I was checking into he geneaology of both Amos Bush and any Lewis Bush (so far no US Presidents). I did find this on a Bush family forum.
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MURDER OF AMOS H BUSH, Liberal, MO
Posted by: XXXX X XXXXX Date: May 04, 2001 at 07:52:51
of 8386

Seeking info on Amos H Bush who was murdered
by desparados in Liberal, MO, 6-3-1888.
---------
I did reply but its a pretty old post.

Meanwhile I have found that there was a Lewis Bush but he was not livng at the right time. In fact he may have known Harry Chrisman which may help explain the name confusion.

Lewis Woodberry BUSH Pedigree
Male Family

Event(s):
Birth: 05 FEB 1908 Benton, Beaver, Oklahoma
Christening:
Death: 10 SEP 1974 Bristow, Creek, Oklahoma
Burial: 13 SEP 1974 Bristow City Cemetery

Marriages:
Spouse: Mabry Stout
Marriage: 14 DEC 1945 Independence, Montgomery, Kansas
-----------
Social Security Index
Louis BUSH
Birth Date: 5 Feb 1908
Death Date: Sep 1974
Social Security Number: 446-05-1040
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Oklahoma

Death Residence Localities
ZIP Code: 74010
Localities: Bristow, Creek, Oklahoma
Edna, Creek, Oklahoma
Newby, Creek, Oklahoma
Tuskegee, Creek, Oklahoma
-----------------------------

I also have found that Amos was probably known to the lawmen of the area. Here is a story from the Ashland, Kansas paper.

Clark County Clipper, July 22, 1886

KILLED BY SHERIFF

Tuesday evening about 6 o'clock our quiet little city was greatly excited by the killing of Clinton Richey by Sheriff Sughrue. Although done by an officer of the law in doing what he supposed to be his duty, it adds another to the many dark stains on the record of our fair county.

Tuesday morning warrants were sworn out before Squire Beaty for the arrest of Amos Bush, Clinton Richey and William Jones, of this city, charged with selling liquor in violation of the state prohibition law. The warrants were placed in the hands of Sheriff Sughrue, who after deputizing City Marshall Conway as an assistant, proceeded to arrest all three of the parties. Squire Beaty fixed their bonds at $500 each. Amos Bush and William Jones gave bond and were released. Richey, when asked by the sheriff if he wanted to give bail said he wanted to see Amos Bush, Hez Frost and others, and accompanied by the sheriff went to Bush's billiard hall. They walked through and out on to a small porch at the back upon which opened a door to a small back room. Richey went into the room and shut the door leaving the sheriff on the outside talking to George Jinkins, from the D Cross ranch. The shed room has a window on the east, and out of this Richey jumped and ran north around the rear of the State Bank and through the building occupied by Johnson & Gould, closely pursued by Sheriff Sughrue, who was calling "halt," and "Stop that man." After passing through on to Main street. Richey turned south and ran down in front of the State Bank and billiard hall, the sheriff still pursued and called "Stop, or I'll kill you," and shot just as Richey turned around the billiard hall, without hitting him. Richey ran on to the rear and south of the hall where his horse was hitched and untying him was attempting to get on when Shurgue turned the front and fired the fatal shot. The ball (a 45 caliber) entered the back cutting the left shoulder blade and came out just above the collar bone, cutting the jugular vein. The horse then jerked loose and Richey clapped both hands on his breast and walked back to the back door of the building and after being helped up inside fell and died in a few minutes without speaking. The deceased was about 24 years of age, and a quiet unassuming man. He came here about the first of May.

Coroner Taylor impaneled the following jury, viz: A. Hughes, H. Endicott, O. P. Cooper, Theo. Nolf, D. F. Bert, and W. A. Griffin. The jury elicited the above facts and after examining fourteen witnesses and then consulting for about six hours, returned the verdict: "Clinton Richey came to his death from a shot from a pistol in the hands of Michael Sughrue, sheriff."

Immediately after the shooting Sughrue gave himself up to Squire Beaty who released him on his own recognizance.

Richey's mother lives in Pittsburg, Crawford county, this state, and he also has some relatives in Green county, Ill. John Glenn and other friends here telegraphed to both places and not hearing, yesterday afternoon buried the body neatly and nicely in the city cemetery. Rev. C. R. Robinson conducted appropriate funeral exercises.
----------------------------
It may be that Lewis is related to Amos but I have found no record of it.
Benton would have made a good center of operations for a bootlegging operation being about equal distance from Beer City and Ashland.

When the Cimarron Territory was proposed, the Provisional Terriorial Council created seven counties, the eastern most being Benton County with Benton as the county seat. It was located at Section 1, Township 3N, Range 26E on the west side of Mexico Creek about two miles from where it joins the Beaver River. This is east of Beaver, south of Clark County, Kansas, about 8 1/2 mile south of Knowles, southwest of Gate, and about three miles northwest of clear Lake. There is a Evans Chambers Lake about a mile south which I doubt was there when Benton existed.
Benton had the earliest recorded rodeo in Oklahoma in the mid 1880's. This probably had to do with the nearby XIT ranch. Benton also had a newspaper, The Benton County Banner, which was started in 1888.

Just to muddy the water, I have found an Amos G. Bush in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Amos G Bush born - May 19 1849 ded - Oct 9 1940 married Jan 1 1895

his wife Etta A M Hall Aug 26 1868 - July 5 1918
and a Catherine A Bush 1820 1907 are there also.
His son Everett E, wife Mildred V, and daughter Ann are in Beaver Cemetery.
Clear Lake cemetery is about 3 miles from Benton. Amos Bush is a rare name worldwide so this is likely the right guy, but he obviously wasn't murdered back in 1889.

I have pretty much got all the information on the story that there is. I have come up with a new angle and I paid a visit to the No Man's Land Museum at Goodwell, just west of Guymon. The staff is very know legible on the subject.
I now know that Bush was out on bail in connection with a killing. I know the name of his business partner a very prominent name.
I know that a doctor, whose name I have, was called from Liberal A makeshift inquest was held with witnesses being called and verdict of justifiable homicide.
The doctor acting as coroner performed a post mortem and was in possession of the fatal bullet.
The body was shipped to his wife and child by the mortuary. I have independent confirmation of his and his wife's grave and I hope to have a photo of this grave soon.
A second man was being held for the Paris. TX authorities but broke out of jail.
I'm sill working on Bush’s past and I'm leaning more and more in favor of the Amos H. Bush thought to have been killed in Liberal, MO. If this turns out, the story could be very big because this Amos Bush's grandfather is John Prescott Bush and a member of the same family as a couple of well known presidents.
As soon as I tie up some of these loose ends I will try to send in a story for the journal.

Congradulations! You have really put in the work. I've learned a heck of a lot already about an area little explored by "mainland" Oklahoma dwellers. Thank you and looking forward to seeing the finished product.