Wild Bill Hickok threatens the friends of Davis Tutt after defeating
Tutt in a duel.

In what may be the first true western showdown on this day in 1865, Wild Bill Hickok shoots Dave Tutt dead in the market square of Springfield, Missouri.

Hollywood movies and dime novels notwithstanding, the classic western showdown–also called a walkdown–happened only rarely in the American
West. Rather than coolly confronting each other on a dusty street in a deadly
game of quick draw, most men began shooting at each other in drunken
brawls or spontaneous arguments. Ambushes and cowardly attacks were
far more common than noble showdowns.

The first story of the shootout was detailed in an article in Harper’s Magazine
in 1867, making Hickok a household name and folk hero.

James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok (1837-1876)

Davis “Dave” Tutt was born during
1836 in Yellville, Arkansas.

CAMILLE
BOHANNON

The first major battle of the U.S. Civil War began. It was the Battle
of Bull Run at Manassas Junction, VA. The Confederates won the
battle. Union forces endured a loss of 3,000 men killed, wounded,
or missing in action while the Confederates suffered 2,000
casualties.