Hello readers and welcome back to Pale Horse Revelations. where we explore significant people, places, and events in Old West history. While I make no promises, don't be surprised if some of these places, people, or events find their way into future Pale Rider adventures.
There is perhaps no idea more synonymous with the Old West than the gunfight. Two men facing each other in the dusty street over some insult, real or imagined. The man with the fastest draw and surest aim declared the winner.
While we romanticize such images in our literature and films about the Old West, we all know that the reality was much different. Such encounters were rare at best. Given this fact, one might wonder how the myth of the gunfight came to be in the first place. In today's edition of Pale Horse Revelations, we're going to ponder that question together by examining the encounter from which the myth was born.
It shouldn't be surprising that the gunfight that started it all involved the man who is, arguably, considered by many as the most famous gunfighter in history, Wild Bill Hickok. While much of his later life is shrouded in myth and legend, his encounter with Dave Tutt in the streets of Springfield, Missouri on July 21, 1865, is where the legend began.
The dual between the two men was the conclusion of a simmering feud that had been building for some time. The two men, both gamblers, had once been friends despite serving on opposite sides during the Civil War. Their falling out, like many before and since, involved a woman (or two). Rumors began to circulate that Hickok had fathered an illegitimate child with Tutt's sister. At the same time, Tutt was seen spending time with Hickok's love interest, Susanna Moore. Hickok began refusing to play in any card game that Tutt was involved in. Tutt retaliated by supporting other card players with advice and money in an attempt to bankrupt Hickok.
Things came to a head over a $35.00 debt and a pocket watch. One night Hickock was playing poker against several other local gamblers at the Lyon House Hotel. Tutt stood nearby loaning money as needed and offering advice on how to beat Hickok. Despite Tutt's efforts Hickok was faring well in the high stakes game having won $200 (almost $4,000 today) of Tutt's money.
Tutt decided this was a good time to bring up a $40 debt Hickok allegedly owed him. Hickok merely shrugged and handed the money over. Unappeased, Tutt next claimed that Hickok owed him another $35 from a past poker game. This time Hickok objected, claiming the amount was only $25 and that he had a receipt in his pocket to prove it.
As the two argued over the $10 difference Tutt decided to humiliate Hickok by grabbing his pocket watch from where it lay on the table. This gold pocket watch was one of Hickok's most prized possessions and though he didn't know it yet, Tutt had just made a fatal mistake. Tutt added further fuel to the fire by stating loudly that he would keep the pocket watch as collateral until the full debt had been paid. Such a demand implied that Tutt considered Hickok an insolvent gambler trying to avoid paying his debts. Hickok couldn't let this go without ruining his career as a gambler in Springfield.
But Hickock would have to bide his time as the hotel was filled with armed Tutt supporters who wouldn't hesitate to gun him down. So, all Hickok could do that night was demand that Tutt put the watch back. Tutt merely grinned and walked away. Over the next several days, Tutt's friends repeatedly mocked Hickok about the watch. Their goal was to goad Hickok to draw in anger so that the group could gun him down. Hickok's patience reached its bounds when a group of Tutt's friends announced that Tutt planned to wear the watch in the middle of town square the next day. Hickok made it clear that if Tutt should do so, he would pay for the offense with his life.
Although Tutt had humiliated Hickok, he had just been backed into a corner. If he failed to make good on his very public boast, he would be sending the message that he was afraid of Hickok. Such cowardice would end his career in Springfield. Thus, Tutt arrived in the town square at 10am with Hickok's watch hanging openly for all to see. Word of this reached Hickok in less than an hour's time.
The two men meet in the square to discuss the terms of the watch's return. Tutt now, however, demanded $45 for its return. Hickok, meanwhile, insisted that the amount owed was only $25. Though they could not come to an agreement over the watch, both insisted they did not want to fight. They left together to go have a drink, but Tutt soon returned alone still wearing the watch.
Around 6:00 p. m. that evening Hickok calmly approached the square, his Colt Navy in his hand. The townspeople scattered in fear, leaving Tutt alone in the northwestern corner of the square. Hickok stopped about 75 yards from Tutt, cocked his pistol, holstered it on his hip, and called out a final warning. Tutt didn't answer, standing silently with his had resting on the grip of his pistol.
The two men faced each other sideways in a traditional dueling position. After a brief hesitation Tutt reached for his gun. Hickok drew his own pistol, steadying it across his opposite forearm. Each man fired a single shot, almost simultaneously. Tutt missed. Hickok did not. His bullet struck Tutt in the left side between the fifth and seventh ribs. Tutt collapsed in the street and died.
Hickok was arrested two days later, charged with murder. The charges were later reduced to manslaughter and Hickok made bail. The trial started on August 3rd and lasted three days. Hickok, who claimed self-defense was acquitted of all charges.
This is one of the very few recorded instances of the one-on-one quick-draw duel in Old West history. The details of the shootout were reported in an 1867 article in Harper's Magazine. The article made Hickok a household name and eventual folk hero. But it also captured the imagination of thousands turning this rare occurrence into the most persistent and iconic myth of the Old West.
This brings us to the end of another edition of Pale Horse Revelations. I hope you found it to be both interesting and entertaining. As usual, I have tried to provide some interesting historical information while trying not to bog the casual reader down with too much detail. I encourage anyone interested in learning more to dig in and do a little research of their own.
As a reminder, I would love to hear your suggestions for topics to focus on in future editions of Pale Horse Revelations. If there's a particular location, person, or event that you would like to know more about, please let me know. Just fill out the Contact form found on the "Contact the Author" page of this website and indicate your desired topic in the message box at the bottom of the form. I look forward to hearing from you all.
Please be sure to check back next week for the next installment of Pale Horse Revelations and thank you for your continued interest and support
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