- Narrator: One of the high spots of Wyatt Earp's career as Marshal of Wichita, Kansas, was his conflict with 'Shanghai' Pierce. Abel H. Pierce was a New England ship owner turned cattle baron. In 1875, Pierce was probably the richest and most influential and certainly the most vivid character in all the Western country. Shortly before he tangled with Wyatt Earp, Old Shanghai was a guest of honor at a remarkable ceremony.