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The Moment the Old West Shootout Was Born
How “Wild Bill” Hickok created a cinematic archetype, 150 years later.
By A.J. McCarthy
“Wild Bill” Hickok is a legend of the Old West. With an origin story that includes a stint as a Union army spy, a knife fight with a bear, the famous poker-related death, and that unmistakable mustache, his life was an amalgam of Western movie tropes come alive.
And in some cases, he not only lived out those iconic John Wayne moments—he created them. Among Hickok’s many contributions to Old West lore, arguably none is more important or iconic than how he made his name: the quick-draw shootout.
On July 21, 1865—150 years ago today—Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in the center of Springfield, Missouri in the first example of the type of Old West showdown that defines the era on the big screen. The video above will tell you more than you needed to know about the day that Hickok’s lightning-quick revolver saved a life, took a life, and created a cinematic trope.
http://www.slate.com/articles/video/video/2015/07/wild_bill_hickok_and_davis_tutt_the_history_of_the_first_quick_draw_shootout.html
https://www.springfieldmo.gov/1839/Wild-Bill-Hickoks-Shootout-on-the-Square
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok_%E2%80%93_Davis_Tutt_shootout
@ col mikel COL Mikel J. Burroughs @ ltc stephen LTC Stephen C. @ ltc stephen LTC Stephen F. @ ltc frank LTC (Join to see) @ ltc john LTC John Mohor @ maj william Maj William W. "Bill" Price @ capt marty Maj Marty Hogan @ smsgt doc SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas @ tsgt joe TSgt Joe C. @ ssgt larry SSgt (Join to see) @ sra christopher SrA Christopher Wright @ msg andrew MSG Andrew White @ sgt david SGT (Join to see) @ sgt david SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth @ sp5 mark SP5 Mark Kuzinski @ sp5 robert SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey @ po3 tom PO3 Tom Howard Alan K. Cynthia Croft
How “Wild Bill” Hickok created a cinematic archetype, 150 years later.
By A.J. McCarthy
“Wild Bill” Hickok is a legend of the Old West. With an origin story that includes a stint as a Union army spy, a knife fight with a bear, the famous poker-related death, and that unmistakable mustache, his life was an amalgam of Western movie tropes come alive.
And in some cases, he not only lived out those iconic John Wayne moments—he created them. Among Hickok’s many contributions to Old West lore, arguably none is more important or iconic than how he made his name: the quick-draw shootout.
On July 21, 1865—150 years ago today—Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in the center of Springfield, Missouri in the first example of the type of Old West showdown that defines the era on the big screen. The video above will tell you more than you needed to know about the day that Hickok’s lightning-quick revolver saved a life, took a life, and created a cinematic trope.
http://www.slate.com/articles/video/video/2015/07/wild_bill_hickok_and_davis_tutt_the_history_of_the_first_quick_draw_shootout.html
https://www.springfieldmo.gov/1839/Wild-Bill-Hickoks-Shootout-on-the-Square
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok_%E2%80%93_Davis_Tutt_shootout
@ col mikel COL Mikel J. Burroughs @ ltc stephen LTC Stephen C. @ ltc stephen LTC Stephen F. @ ltc frank LTC (Join to see) @ ltc john LTC John Mohor @ maj william Maj William W. "Bill" Price @ capt marty Maj Marty Hogan @ smsgt doc SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas @ tsgt joe TSgt Joe C. @ ssgt larry SSgt (Join to see) @ sra christopher SrA Christopher Wright @ msg andrew MSG Andrew White @ sgt david SGT (Join to see) @ sgt david SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth @ sp5 mark SP5 Mark Kuzinski @ sp5 robert SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey @ po3 tom PO3 Tom Howard Alan K. Cynthia Croft
Firearms and Guns
Gambling
American History
Old West
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Of course we realize that during the Civil War there may well have been thousands of quick draw killings which were never reported in newspapers because killing was so common.
In any event thanks for sharing a well-done and intriguing account of the tawdry tale of Union veteran Bill Hickok who shot and killed confederate veteran Davis Tut SGT John " Mac " McConnell
I am not surprised that Bill Hickok shot and killed Davis Tut with a pistol at 75 years. During the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of men learned to fire while being shot at and bombarded with artillery in the midst of smoke and exploding ground and body parts.
Most were better shots with rifles including the recently introduced repeating rifles like Spencer's; but enough were adept at killing with a pistol or revolver at range.
I did a review of many weapons and 75 yards seems to be the upper effective range for many pistols and revolvers including the Colt Army Model 1860.
Images: Variety of Civil War handguns including a Pepperbox (top) and on the far right a Model Colt .36 navy Revolver; 7-shot wonder spencer; Civil War Rifles, Muskets and Pistols
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
In any event thanks for sharing a well-done and intriguing account of the tawdry tale of Union veteran Bill Hickok who shot and killed confederate veteran Davis Tut SGT John " Mac " McConnell
I am not surprised that Bill Hickok shot and killed Davis Tut with a pistol at 75 years. During the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of men learned to fire while being shot at and bombarded with artillery in the midst of smoke and exploding ground and body parts.
Most were better shots with rifles including the recently introduced repeating rifles like Spencer's; but enough were adept at killing with a pistol or revolver at range.
I did a review of many weapons and 75 yards seems to be the upper effective range for many pistols and revolvers including the Colt Army Model 1860.
Images: Variety of Civil War handguns including a Pepperbox (top) and on the far right a Model Colt .36 navy Revolver; 7-shot wonder spencer; Civil War Rifles, Muskets and Pistols
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CPT Gabe Snell 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT Michael Thorin SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley
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It was my understanding that Davis Tutt drew first and fired at Wild Bill, his shot going wide. Wild Bill drew his revolver with practiced style and patience, aimed and fired once hitting Davis in the chest. So a quick draw gun fight? Hardly so. Those that watched it said it was a calm Hickok who drew and fired that day as if he was on the range practicing. It became a fast draw gun fight due to the penny dreadfuls published in the day.
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SGT John " Mac " McConnell
Not to mention time and who tells the story. I am sure as many times the story has been changed to meet someone or some criteria of the penny and dime store. But, it does or would make a great movie. Thanks SFC Jim Ruether
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WOW they shot rom 75 yards and Hickok managed to hit his opponent, I am impressed. That's an awesome shot for a pistol of that era. Thanks SGT John " Mac " McConnell
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SGT John " Mac " McConnell
My pleasure LTC (Join to see) . Make me wonder how much of this story was exaggerated....
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Capt Seid Waddell
LTC (Join to see), SGT John " Mac " McConnell, a bullet has got to go somewhere - sometimes even where it is aimed.
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