Missouri Fired First Shot in Western Quick Draw Lore
We’ve seen it dozens of times in movies and TV shows and maybe even played one out in a video game, but the first western quick draw showdown went down in Missouri, July 21 1865. 160 years ago.
Springfield Missouri
The modified duel went down in the Springfield town square between “Wild Bill” Hickok and Davis Tutt. The two were at odds over a gambling debt and a specific pocket watch that Hickok claimed Tutt took from him as collateral. Tutt was spotted wearing Hickok’s pocket watch which was viewed as over the line antagonism.
A gambling debt, pride, or flouting gentlemanly rules?
A warning was issued from Hickok about displaying the watch and Tutt persisted. That’s when the challenge was issued via Tutt placing his hand on his pistol. The legend has Tutt drawing first and Hickok responding by steadying his shooting arm across his opposite arm as the two fired practically at the same time. Tutt missed, Hickok was center body mass through the chest.
The distance between them was measured at 75 yards which seems like a long way to quick draw duel, but if you are a good shot and have good eye sight I guess that’s inconsequential.
Park Central Square in Springfield Missouri
Hickok was tried in court for manslaughter, but was acquitted as flaunting collateral for a gambling debt after agreeing not to was seen as justification. There is a plaque that maps out the locations of the two at Springfield’s Park Central Square.
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