This Day In History

21 July: FIRST WILD WEST SHOWDOWN.

Okay, so in most cases it probably wasn’t that. We’re not sure ‘Your Mum’ jibes were around in the Wild West, but if they were then we’re claiming to have had that knowledge first.

In the case of Hickok and Tutt though, the pair were originally friends who finally went their separate ways after falling out over women. No surprises there then.

The two were dedicated gamblers, and after a particularly bad game for Tutt, Kickok had rinsed him of all his dosh. Tutt, having stepped away from the table, reminded Kickok that he was owed money from a horse trade. Bill had no issues with paying back the moolah (now he was essentially swimming in it), which he did without hesitation. Tutt was unappeased. He went on to say that Kickok owed him 35 dollars from a past poker game. Bill disagreed. Davis then grabbed one of Bill’s most prized possessions, his Waltham Repeater gold pocket watch. Kickok warned Tutt not to wear the watch in public. This conversation apparently followed;

Tutt: I intend on wearing it first thing in the morning!

Hickok: If you do, I'll shoot you. I'm warning you here and now not to come across that town square with it on.

Tutt: Yeah? Your mum’s so fat she jumped up in the air and got stuck!

Alright so we made that last bit up. Anyway, obviously Tutt went across the square, and not wanting to appear a coward Hickok made good on his word and called out Tutt shortly before 6pm. Both men faced each other sideways in the dueling position and hesitated briefly. Then Tutt reached for his pistol. Hickok drew his gun and steadied it on his opposite forearm. The two men fired a single shot each at essentially the same time, the reports combining as one. Tutt missed, but Hickok's bullet struck Tutt in the left side between the fifth and seventh ribs. Tutt called out, "Boys, I'm killed", ran onto the porch of the local courthouse and back to the street, where he collapsed and died.

Wild Bill was later arrested and tried for murder. That charge was later reduced to manslaughter and eventually he was found not guilty.

Hickok later went on to make the “Dead man’s hand” famous in the poker world, after being assassinated whilst holding it. The “Dead Man’s Hand” is widely regarded as a two-pair hand of aces and eights, both of the black suits.

If you play poker and you get this hand, watch your back!