Bill Hickok, Davis Tutt, and the First Quick-Draw Duels

In the tapestry of the Wild West’s enduring lore, the quick-draw duel stands as a quintessential image, etched into the annals of frontier history. The iconic scene of two adversaries, each walking away before abruptly wheeling around to draw their pistols, has become a staple of Western fiction. But where did this dramatic tradition begin? It’s said that one of the earliest recorded instances unfolded in 1865, igniting sparks between two men of the Wild West – Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt.

Ironically, Hickok and Tutt were once friends, but their camaraderie soured amid simmering disputes over unsettled debts. Their simmering enmity culminated in a fateful showdown on the streets of Springfield, Missouri. In a heartbeat, both men drew their weapons, with Tutt’s shot going awry while Hickok’s unerring aim sealed his adversary’s fate. Tutt’s life was extinguished, and Hickok, in a twist of fate, would later be acquitted of the fateful deed.