His uncle, Lyman S. Kidder (1842–1867), became an officer in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States) and served under George Custer.
He took several jobs in between, including working as a cowboy, miner, and lawman in Nogales, Arizona until he was hired by the Rangers in 1903.
Arizona Ranger Captain Tom Rynning would later claim that he never saw any man faster with a gun on a quick draw.
Kidder, Rankin, Sparks and Old had all received commissions from Mexican General Luis Emeterio Torres (1844–1935), Governor of Sonora, authorizing them to enter into Mexico if need be in pursuit of outlaws.
Kidder had numerous other clashes with gunrunners on the border, leading to intelligence reports that he was to be targeted by outlaws in the gunrunning business.
In the fall of 1907, Kidder and a Benson, Arizona Constable fought and captured one bandit and dispersed several others who were smuggling arms and gunpowder.
Reportedly the police beat Kidder as they dragged him about fifty yards toward the local jail where he was hit on the head with a pistol, resulting in a skull fracture.
To prevent an international incident, General Torres intervened and ordered Kidder's body returned to the Americans.