Wild Bill Hickok vs. The 7th Cavalry Hickok Almost Gets an Earful July 17, 1870 Deputy U.S. Marshal James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok...
Hays in an Uproar
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Gunfighter
A Political Dispute
Billy Bailey lost more than the vote… Billy Bailey wandered into Newton, Kansas (photo) in 1871, probably at the end of a cattle drive. He had a...
Fake News on Doc Holliday
Papers said he died in a Texas gunfight. It’s a lesser-known gunfight in the life of Doc Holliday. He was gambling in the West Texas town of...
How did Bob Ford, the killer of Jesse James die?
Soon after Bob Ford shot Jesse James at Jesse’s home In St. Joseph, Missouri public opinion turned against Bob and Charlie Ford. Bob was seen as a...
How Common was the Cross Draw?
The cross draw was popular among cowboys of the Old West so their pistols wouldn’t get in the way of their work around the ranch. It was also easier...
The Colt Single Action Revolver
Although many other makes used, the Colt single-action six-shooter was the weapon of choice for most gunfighters. In his hands it was both a tool of...
What Goes Around, Comes Around
A Wichita hardcase learned the hard way about the danger of gunfights. Billy Anderson is best remembered for being permanently—and...
Whats in a Name?
Having a catchy “gunfighter” name was almost a sure way to immortality. Henry McCarty might never have become famous as “Henry the Kid.” Nor would...
Taming the Rowdy
Gunman Joe Lowe had an ignominious end. Rowdy Joe Lowe came by his nickname honestly, by being a hellraiser, a gunfighter and a saloon owner in...
Ben Thompson Kills a Theater Owner – Take 1 A shooting in Austin foreshadowed a later event in San Antonio.
Gunfighter Ben Thompson is well-known for killing Jack Harris, owner of San Antonio’s Vaudeville Theater in 1882—mostly because it led to Thompson’s...
The Luck of the Irish
GAMBLER JOHNNY MURPHY WAS THE FACE OF AN ICONIC WESTERN PHOTO. Eight months after the murder of notorious Irish gunfighter James Leavy in front of...
A Man Of Many Hats Frank Reid was a teacher, engineer, bartender—and gunfighter.
Frank Reid had a varied life and career. A Union soldier during the Civil War, he was trained as an engineer before becoming a teacher in Oregon. ...