Dusty Trails Editorial; Those Who Eat the Dust

Three of my recent short stories, "A Fiendish Crime, The Luke Short 

Incident and The Ten Eycke Chronicles, The Return To Tombstone"

I will heading out to Fort Dodge Iowa for a book signing in the next few minutes. I'm very proud of this fact, because I created this opportunity on my own. Over the last year or so, I've been in touch with a lot of people in the "Old West" hobby, and one of the common things I hear from my contacts (and I have quite a few now), is that there's a pervasive attitude in the air that seems to have damaged the "Old West' genre. I have witnessed part of this myself, but I remain undeterred, because I know and understand very clearly that I am my own advocate. And I'm not the only one who feels this way. There are others. There is in fact another website called  frontiertales.com   that gives writers from the Old West genre a place to submit articles for publications online. So there isn't a monopoly, There in fact at least three. One is still in print, and the others are digital, (with the exception of my publications and news letters, And possible future magazine). So its with this in mind, that I'd like to invite other Writers, Collectors, Photographers etc. To reach out to me at my email gene9156@yahoo.com if you wish to contribute, We welcome your submissions. We unfortunately cannot pay, and truthfully, at this point, there is no real pay in writing. I believe those days are dead and gone, buried in Boot Hill Cemetery, Yes its sad. But now its up to us to make it a labor of love.

Gene Stevens

Editor Central States Lawman and Outlaws Historic Assc.

Jedidiah Smith

       Jedidiah Smith Killed!

From History 

Edited by G.C. Stevens

On May 27, 1831, Smith was riding alone when a hunting party of Comanche Native Americans attacked and killed him.

Jedediah Smith, one of the nation’s most important trapper-explorers, is killed by Comanche tribesman on the Santa Fe Trail. Smith’s role in exploring the Far West was not fully realized until modern scholars examined the records of his far-ranging journeys. As with all of the mountain men, Smith ventured west as a practical businessman working for eastern fur companies. His goal was to find new territories to trap beaver and otter and make trading contacts with Native Americans. Nonetheless, beginning in 1822 when he made his first expedition with the fur trader William Ashley, Smith’s travels provided information on western geography and potential trails that were invaluable to later pioneers. Smith’s most important accomplishment was his rediscovery in 1824 of the South Pass, an easy route across the Rocky Mountains in modern-day western Wyoming. 

The first Anglo-Americans to cross the pass were fur traders returning east from a Pacific Coast trading post in 1812, yet the news of their discovery was never publicized. Smith, by contrast, established the South Pass as a well-known and heavily traveled route for fur trappers. A few decades later, it became a part of the Oregon Trail and greatly reduced the obstacles faced by wagon trains heading to Oregon and California. Despite having opened many new territories for future pioneers, Smith had little to show for his years of dangerous efforts. In 1830, he returned to St. Louis, determined to go into the mercantile business and draft detailed maps of the country he had explored. Before he could get started, however, an associate convinced him to take a supply of goods to Santa Fe, New Mexico. With a party of 83 men, Smith left St. Louis in early 1831 and headed south along the Cimarron River, a region known to be nearly devoid of potable water. Despite his years of wilderness experience, Smith was apparently overconfident in his ability to find water and did not take adequate supplies from St. Louis. By mid-May, the party’s water supplies were almost exhausted, and the men started separating each day to search for waterholes. On May 27, 1831, Smith was riding alone when a hunting party of Comanche Native Americans attacked and killed him. 

Posted online 

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-jedediahsmith/

John Wayne Drawing by Stan Petersen

 

While attending the John Wayne Birthday celebration in Winterset Iowa. 

I met a local artist, Stan Petersen who gave me a print of one of his drawings.

John Wayne in Cavalry uniform, from the Cavalry Trilogy.

John Wayne from Ft Apache

John Wayne's 2024 Birthday Celebration, Winterset Iowa; By G.C. Stevens

John Wayne Birthplace Museum, Winterset Iowa

Photo from a post card in the Authors collection

                                Marion Robert Morrison May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979, 

                                              professionally known as John Wayne  

Nicknamed "the Duke", John Wayne was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood's Golden Age, especially in Western and war movies. His career flourished from the silent era of the 1920s through the American New Wave, as he appeared in a total of 179 film and television productions. He was among the top box-office draws for three decades and appeared with many other important Hollywood stars of his era. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Wayne as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema. -Wikipedia

I've always said that Iowa is the gateway to the American West. It was the place where Jesse James committed the first train robbery in the west, the land of the Mormon trail, the home of a young Wyatt Earp, his family and his bigger than life father Nicholas Earp. But no other town in Iowa Exemplifies Iowa as wild west state like Winterset Iowa, which is the hometown of John Wyane's Birthplace and the museum dedicated to his life.. Every year the John Wayne Birthplace museum holds a series of events over the Memorial day weekend to remember John Wayne and his contributions to the people of the United States. I visited the celebration on Saturday and toured the museum, John Wyane's Birth home and viewed a small documentary about John Wyanes's movie Career. I was also very honored to have met Michael Blake who is not only an author but a well known Hollywood makeup artist Michael F. Blake - Author (michaelfblake.com)  Who was at the museum signing his book "The Cavalry Trilogy, John Ford. John Wayne, and the Making of three Classic Westerns.

The event included a reception, book signings, John Wayne movies shown at the local theater, a dinner, auction and much more. The Museum has an extensive collection of John Wayne movie memorabilia, and personal items that belonged to the Duke. The house where John Wyane was born had guided tours, and is a well kept version of the original home. The structure is original, but the contents and furniture of the home are comprised of many donated, but period correct items that give the home a very realistic and original feel for the early 20th century. The staff there are very well read and informative about the home and its background.  The museum has a great gift shop, theater and interpretive signs, dioramas, (My favorite was the 54mm scale Alamo that they had on display) and original items. During the event, there were multiple period horse drawn wagons on site, including a working and staffed chuck wagon. The outside grounds are adorned with statutes of John Wayne, and plaques on the ground all around the main museum that commemorate each movie that John Wayne acted in, from his first to his last movie. The plaques compliment the collection that the museum has in its possession.

I thought,  I'd add this message from the John Wayne Birthplace that was posted on social media;

It is always a somber day when we have to admit that our yearly celebration of John Wayne has come and gone. For all those who made their way to the birthplace of our beloved Duke, we want to thank you for sharing these special days with us. For all of the volunteers, performers, and speakers, we offer you a tip of the hat for making this such a memorable experience. But, have no fear. We are already planning an even bigger party for the Duke next year. 

In the meantime, keep an eye on this page, and don’t forget the immortal words of John Wayne: “We must always look to the future. Tomorrow - the time that gives a man just one more chance - is one of the many things that I feel are wonderful in life…But I think tomorrow is the most important thing. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives, and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.”  

See you next year! 

#JohnWayne #happybirthdayduke

Four of the many plaques that surround the 

John Wyane Birthplace Museum

Photo by The Author

A panoramic photo of a scene from the Alamo

Photo by the Author.

Cavalry Uniform worn by John Wayne 

Photo by the Author

Display Figure of John Wayne photo by the Author

John Wyane on the set

John Waynes birthplace 

Michael Blakes Book "The Cavalry Trilogy"

Chatting with Michael Blake, Photo by Vicki Stevens

Michael Blake and I, Photo by Vicki Stevens

Other various photos all by the Author

John Henry "Doc" Holliday, D.D.S. August 14, 1851 - November 8, 1887 Arrives in Dodge City

 

                                                      Photo from the Authors collection

                                      John Henry "Doc" Holliday, D.D.S.

                                     August 14, 1851 - November 8, 1887

                                            Arrives in Dodge City

(from Doc Holliday: A Family Portrait, by Karen Holliday Tanner, 1998)

Courtesy of the Kansas Heritage Group

...Upon arrival at their destination, the trail bosses doled out the accumulated pay to the restless cowboys, who wasted no time heading into Dodge City with their new wealth burning holes in their pockets. they were seeking whiskey, women, and, of course, the excitement of the gaming tables. Always keeping a watchful eye for new areas of opportunity, the young Doc Holliday was also lured to theses same gaming tables.Prior to leaving Fort Griffin, Texas, Wyatt S. Earp had told his new friend John Henry about the activity of Dodge City. Doc asked many questions and obviously liked Wyatt's responses. When Doc was faced with the need to leave Texas, Dodge City beckoned. After traveling northward, he and Kate [Haroney, a.k.a., "Big Nose": Kate] arrived in Dodge in the spring of 1878.

John Henry secured a room for them at the Dodge House. Located on the northwest corner of Railroad and Front Streets, it was considered the finest hostelry in the city, containing fifty rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. It also had facilities for buying, selling, and boarding horses, the "best billiard parlor in the city," and a "first class laundry." Maintaining his reputation, John Henry continued to dress immaculately, each day wearing a freshly laundered, starched, and ironed shirt, usually pastel in color. He customarily finished off his attire with a cravat held in place by his diamond stickpin and a gray coat. Once again, Doc established a dental practice that helped him maintain his sense of professionalism, which remained an important part of his self-image. The town was very much in need of his services.

Professional men were at a premium in Dodge City. There were three doctors in town but only one of them, Dr. Thomas L. McCarty, actually had attended a medical college and had a degree. Occasionally, when the heavy workload caused by the arriving cowboys became to great, the doctors were assisted by William S. Tremain, M.D., post surgeon at the nearby Fort Dodge. Because of the rapid growth of the town, the three local doctors were forced to do more than just try to heal the sick and wounded. McCarty served as the town coroner, and one of the others specialized in diseased animals as well as people. All three doctors practiced dentistry when needed. Now, with the arrival of J.H. Holliday, D.D.S., Dr. McCarty shared with the newcomer the distinction of being the only two men in town who could legitimately call themselves doctor. Coincidentally, they both had received their professional education in Philadelphia. Tom McCarty, twenty-nine years old, was only two years older than John Henry and had come west to Dodge City in 1872, the year before Doc had left Atlanta. Their similar educational backgrounds and their proximity in age made it very comfortable for Dr. McCarty to refer dental patients to John Henry. McCarty was an influential man in the community.

Living in the Dodge House, Doc was able to practice both of his trades -- dentistry during the day and playing cards at night. The dodge House gained local notoriety for the dances that it regularly held and was considered to be the social center for many community activities. Though it also had gaming, Doc frequented many of the other establishments as well. Among the regular patrons of the many sporting houses were members of the local law enforcement clique. It was in these places that Doc became acquainted with the sheriff and marshals of the areas -- including the Masterson brothers, Ed, Bat, and Jim.

John Henry and the Mastersons were often seen at the gaming tables befriending cowboys with newly filled pockets. Doc easily helped them to empty those pockets while, at the same time, he developed a lasting relationship with many of the local peace officers. The springtime brought increased activity to the citizens of Dodge as they geared up for the anticipated arrival of the estimated thirteen hundred cowboys. John Henry decided to capitalize on the potential and remain in town through the summer of 1878. On June 28 the Dodge City Times carried the following announcement:

DENTISTRY: J. H. Holliday, Dentist, very respectfully offers his professional services to the citizens of Dodge City and surrounding county during the summer. Office at Room No. 24, Dodge House. Where satisfaction is not given money will be refunded. In the fall of 1878, Doc's health problems were causing him increasingly greater concern, so he and Kate left Dodge City bound for Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, on the Santa Fe Trail, well known as a haven for people with tuberculosis.

Was Jesse James Robin Hood?

 

Jess James, From the authors collection

Story by G.C. Stevens (c) 2024

Frank and Jesse James were products of their environment. They were sent out into the woods by their parents to forage for berries, truffles, rutabagas, and roots of all sorts. Put yourself in their place...you'da been mean too!

When Jesse James was a lad he killed many-a man. He robbed the Glendale train

And the people they did say for many miles away. It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave

But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave

It was on a Saturday night if I remember right when they robbed that Glendale train

It was one of the Younger boys who gathered in the spoils and he carried Jesse's monies away

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave

But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave

He was standin' on a chair just a-dustin' pictures there. He thought he heard a noise (Yeah, what did he do?)

When he turned his head around, why that bullet smacked him down and it laid poor Jesse on the floor

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave

But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave

Jesse robbed from the poor and he gave to the rich. He never did a friendly thing

And when his best friend died he was right there by her side and he lifted off her golden wedding ring

Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave

But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave

-Jesse James as sung by the Kingston Trio

Historians far and wide have proclaimed Jesse James to be an outlaw and scoundrel... Murderous rebel scum. Some historians also say that Jesse never helped anyone.  So what do we know about Jesse James? For one thing, he was the son of a preacher, he was raised on the James Farm which is 3 miles east of Kearny Missouri. It was there that for a time, the James family held status within their community. Their Father was Rev. Robert Salle James (July 17, 1818 – August 18, 1850) who was an American Baptist minister and one of the founders of William Jewell College in 1849 in Liberty, Missouri. Rev. James  was a noted revivalist.  In April 1850, James left his family for California to visit his brother Drury Woodson James, who had already relocated to the state. He also planned to prospect for gold and preach to the crowds of goldminers during the California gold rush. Shortly after arriving in California in August 1850, he contracted cholera and died on August 18, 1850, in the Hangtown Gold Camp, later known as Placerville. He was buried there in an unmarked grave. His remains were never located.

Bleeding Kansas, Bloody Kansas, or the Border Wars as it was called, was a series of violent civil confrontations in Kansas Territory, and western Missouri, between 1854 - 1859. It was fueled by political and ideological debate over the legality of slavery in the proposed state of Kansas. The conflict was characterized by years of political intrigue, raids, assaults, and murders in an area conflict within the Kansas Territory and neighboring Missouri by pro slavery "border ruffians" and raids carried out by antislavery "free-staters". The conflict centered on the question of whether Kansas, when gaining statehood, would join the Union as a slave state or a free state.The vicious border wars would give way to the more widespread civil war. A war which would tear the country apart for four years.

Frank and Jesse James 

from the authors collection

Jesse James was spawned of that Civil War as a Quantrill Raider, and his fast gun-hand can be attributed to the new Navy Colts cap and ball pistols which set a faster pace in combat.  But it is also speculated that Jesse and Frank were spies, secret operatives and covert soldiers. This author also believes that there is ample evidence to support this theory. 

The end of the war was devastating for the south and Missouri had suffered a very strong divide within the state, which resulted a very difficult transition back to prosperity. Jesse and his brother Frank were caught in the crossfire of a post war world. There are indeed many crimes and incidents surrounding Jesse James and his family. There is in fact so much war and post war information on Jesse, that volumes have been written about it. But then we come to the statements or claims about Jesse James being evil incarnate, are they claims true? Facts tell us that this is probably true. Jesse and his gang surely robbed banks, trains and murdered more than a few people along they way. This can't be disputed. There are however other stories that tell a different tale about Jesse and Frank. It must also be mentioned, that despite what some people might say about Jesse and company, they seemed to have the support of most of the people in their community, and some of them were the neighbors of the James. family.

                             JESSE JAMES WAS MY NEIGHBOR

                                           By Homer Croy

                                                                       1949                                                                                                 The following story appeared in "Jesse James ,The Best writings on the Notorious                                                                 Outlaw and His Gang . Edited by Harold Dellinger

One of the marked characteristics of Jesse James was his humor. He like to play pranks; rarely did he go through a robbery without saying something that had an element of humor. A good illustration of this is something that happened in the foothills of the Ozarks. One day the James-Youngers were taking a back road when noon came upon them. It was their custom to go to a farmhouse and get the wife to prepare a meal for them. And they always paid well. (I have not been able to find a single instance where they rode away without paying, or offering to pay.) They came to a humble cabin, and one of the group went to the door to ask the question. A woman answered "Haloo," a bit startled to see the mounted men. She didn't know whether she could cook the meal or not, she said, as there wasn't much to eat in the cabin. But she was finally prevailed upon. She watched the men dismount and seat themselves in the yard to wait till the meal was ready. As the men waited they were more and more impressed by the poverty of the cabin and by the hard struggle the woman had to live. Then they noticed that that the woman was weeping, And asked her if she was frightened? She said she wasn't, but that seeing the men in her cabin made her think of her husband. It developed that her husband was dead and that she was having to face her hardships alone. The men were appreciative of this and, glancing at each other decided to be liberal with her. Sensing this friendly sympathy, the woman choked up; She tried to hide her emotions but she was so wrought up that she was unsuccessful. .

Jesse said, :"Won't you tell us what's the matter?" 

The woman hesitated, but at last the trouble came out. The cabin and her small farm were mortgaged to a heartless skinflint who had been pressing her for money. He warned her that if she did not have the mortgage money ready when he arrived, he would take her property. "He's coming today," She said again, beginning to weep. At last dinner was ready and the men sat down, Jesse, for the most part ate in silence, now and the glancing at the poor widow in her humble surroundings, finally he said, "How much do you owe this man?"  Eight hundred dollars"... Jesse ate a few moments. "When did you say he was coming?" "This afternoon, about four." Jesse took a few more bites. "What does he look like?" She told him "How will he be traveling?" "In a democrat wagon, driving one horse." At the end of the meal Jesse pushed back in his chair. "What road does he usually take ?" The woman told him. "It just so happens," said Jesse, "I have that much money with me and I'm going to loan it to you." 

The Woman looked at him with amazement. Was he joking? He wasn't. "You remind me of my mother said Jesse. "I want to do something for you" The woman began to weep again, "I'll work my fingers to the bone, I don't know when I can pay you back" She cried. Jesse patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry about that. "I'll stop by sometime, then if you have it, you can pay back." The woman sobbed at her guests generosity. "Now you want to do this in a business like way." said Jesse. "He sounds like a hard man to deal with, so you to ought protect yourself." The gentleman here "Indicating Frank James.. "Will write out a receipt. Then you copy it in ink in your own handwriting. Before you pay with the money, make the man sign the receipt. Thats the proper way to conduct business, He'd make you do the same. And don't tell him anyone has been here." Now, will you do what I say?"  "yes sir she cried, and said to Jesse, I think your wonderful."  "I wouldn't say that," answered Jesse. He's a very kind hearted man" Explained Frank. Finally the men mounted their horses. In the door window stood the woman and waved goodbye to them.                                                                                                                                

That afternoon the skinflint called on the woman, signed the receipt and left. After he had driven about three miles away from her cabin on the way home, an unfortunate incident occurred. Suddenly three mounted men popped out of the timber; One seized the horses bridal an all leveled cruel looking weapons at him. The man chanced to have $800... But not for long. The horseman appropriated it, then whipped up his horse and sent it spinning down the road, leaving the mortgage holder, alone and on foot with the problem of catching his horse as best he could.                                                                                  Then, Three men rode away, No one knew where they went.

Photo by Leah McCarty  

 

 

Investigating the Jesse James 1873 Train Robbery Site in Adair Iowa.

 

I visited the site of the first train robbery in the west. It's the subject of my book, "A Fiendish Crime". I added some additional pictures that I located in the book "A Pictorial History of The Wild West" which was published in 1955. And pictures of the monument. 

Updated 05/13/2024; I reached out to the Adair Iowa County Engineers office and this is additional information on the old structure at the location. This is great information. But Still not disappointing because it is very likely the exact location of the 1873 train robbery courtesy of Nick Kauffman, P.E. Adair County Engineer; 

"We have an old set of plans for a RR relocation in that area.  The plans are dated 1954.  They show the RR being relocated south of the old alignment.  It listed the bridge as a 3 span bridge.  There is another set of plans from around 1915 that shows the Turkey Creek crossing as a single span bridge. I believe this would be the same location as the original bridge, or at least it’s plausible.  The piling and remaining structure is not likely parts of the original structure.  It would not be likely that timber would survive intact that long.  I don’t know if wood from that period would have been treated with any preservative.  It appears that several replacements took place in the 1900s, so it’s more likely that what you see is a little more modern than something from the 1800s, although I do believe it is the same location"

                                                         Maps Courtesy of the. 

                                                     Adair Iowa County Engineer

 The old plans (in blueprint) have Turkey Creek labeled.  The realignment plans don’t show the creek crossing, but there is a bridge labeled as “Br. 4193”.  The older plans show “Bridge No 4201”.  They are referencing mile posts.  Mile posts are measured along the length of the track centerline, so a realignment will change the location of the creek crossing.  There are several other references in these plans that indicate that this is the same creek crossing.

         -  Nick Kauffman, P.E. Adair County Engineer

The train that plunged into the creek on that fateful day was

highly likely to have been a 4-4-0 engines. The history states that

the cab was splintered. 

                                              The remains of a train trestle. Photo by the author

Kansas city news

Jesse's mother and his wife

Jesse James stated, the

 "The two Youngers and Arthur McCoy were present at the robbery"

Photo courtesy of Emory Cantey

Additional photo credits, The Adair News and

 A Pictorial History of the Wild West published in 1955

Jesse James, An expert Horseman; By G.C. Stevens

  

Jack Malone was a thoroughbred horse 

and the sire of Jim Malone, who was bought 

by the famed rebel and outlaw Jesse James.

Did Jesse James purchase a horse called 

Jim Malone in Tennessee?  

The story of Jim Malone was handed down to me by a descendant of Jesse James, Patrick Meguiar who is a lifelong resident of Tennessee, and resides in Portland Tennesse. He also is a local historian and collector of antiquities. I became acquainted with Patrick through social media and we found that we both have a love of history. It is well known fact that Jesse James was and expert horseman, and that he had an infinity for fast horses. According to Meguiar, Jesse James used an alias in Tennessee, the name he mainly used, J. D. Howard. The name of Mr. Howard, appears in multiple narratives. And was also the name used when he resided on the hill overlooking St. Joseph Missouri. And either just before leaving Tennessee to go back to Missouri for the final time, Jesse James used the alias Thomas Howard.

Meguiar believes that he (Jesse James) also went by the name John Davis Howard while in Middle Tennessee.                                                                                                                                                  

 Jim Malone was purchased in 1879. This information appears as a note on the bottom of page 217 in the Yeatman book Jesse James was racing Jim Malone in 1880 and 1881. Basically, my family taught Jesse Woodson James how to train and race Thoroughbred horses. Jesse was interested in how to get a horse to run as very fast. We can look back and know Jesse James had an ulterior motive to have the fastest horse. My 3rd great uncle, Will Martin probably was his teacher to properly train horses. 

This story makes sense because, in the post war years, Jesse James would be known for having well bread horses in possession. 

   

Mrs, Dycus has a picture on the wall at the spot where hung the one that Jesse James was dusting when he was shot. She said that the one Jesse was dusting was a likeness of "skyrocket" his favorite horse. Jesse dearly loved horses.

The Rise and Fall of Jesse James, by Robertus Love

From Jesse James 

The Best Writings on the Notorious Outlaw and His Gang

It had been rumored that an underground tunnel or hiding place existed at the house, 

but nothing of the sort was found. The family seemed to be not at the least concerned during the search.

However a search of the barn turned up a very fine blooded mare that was said to belong to Jesse. The was presumably confiscated. 

Frank and Jesse James. The Story Behind the Legend

by Ted Yeatman

They shared a Confederate bond that lasted their lifetimes. They were related, but the Confederate bond was the true key why Jesse James leased the property of my great-great-grandparents. My great-grandmother was as close kin to Jesse James, but that side of the family were Union sympathizers and Jesse James had nothing to do with that side of the family. My great-grandparents were 2nd cousins and both were Jesse James 3rd cousins. He was close to the Confederate side and distanced with the Union side.

The Luke Short, Charley Storms Shooting; By Gene Stevens

 

Luke Short                       Charley Storms

                                              Courtesy Emory Cantey

                                          INTRODUCTION

                              The subject of this narrative might have died with

                                his boots on, for he had many chances, but he

                               didn't...

                             - Lawman Bat Masterson on Luke Short

Luke Short was Gambler and member of the Dodge City Peace commission during the famed “Saloon Wars” who moved to Leadville, Colorado, in 1879, Where he formed his reputation as a gambler and gun slinger. The famed Lawman Bat Masterson later wrote in his book “Famous Gunfighters of The Western Frontier” that Short had seriously wounded a man during a gambling dispute in Leadville. When Luke settled in Leadville Colorado and began a career of gambling, he became acquainted with wealthy socialites of higher class. And was thrown into a society of rich mine buyers, as well as mining promoters. It was the first place where he had ever seen a game of faro played, and he was fascinated.

Many a Cow-boy and gambler lost at the faro tables of the

gambling establishments in western towns

Photo from awesome.com

One day Luke ran afoul with a bad man with a gun in one of the camps (sic Bat Masterson), prominent gambling houses. The “bad man” himself who had a record of violence attempted to take some liberty with Luke Short during the faro game. Short told the man to keep his hands off his bets, there was a short exchanged of unpleasantries. The faro dealer was scared out of his wits and thought the “bad man” would fill Short full of holes. The dealer however underestimated short, as the “bad man” reached for his pistol, short was quicker on the draw and pulled his pistol in a flash and stuck it in the 'bad mans” face and pulled the trigger. Ther “bad man” did not die, and there was no arrest or trial. Such things happened in Leadville every day.                                                                                                                            

                                        The Gunfight with Charlie Storms

                                                Snuffing out a Gambler

Luke Short first met Wyatt Earp, William H. Harris, and Bat Masterson in Tombstone. Harris knew Short previous to this time, and had no problem convincing his partners to engage Earp as a faro dealer at the Oriental Saloon in Tombstone Arizona. On Friday, February 25, 1881, Short was acting as a lookout for the faro game, He was seated next to the dealer at a faro table in the Oriental, when he was involved in what became a well-known gunfight that was covered by several newspapers and remembered in Masterson book "

Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier" His antagonist, was Charlie Storms, who was also a fairly well known gambler. Bat Masterson, who was in Tombstone during this time, described what happened in a magazine article he wrote in 1907:

Storms did not know Short, and like the bad man in Leadville, had sized him up as an insignificant-looking fellow, whom he could slap in the face without expecting a return. Both were about to pull their pistols when I jumped between them and grabbed Storms, at the same time requesting Luke not to shoot, a request I knew he would respect if it was possible without endangering his own life too much. I had no trouble in getting Storms out of the house, as he knew me to be his friend ... I was just explaining to Luke that Storms was a very decent sort of man when, lo and behold!, there he stood before us, without saying a word, he took hold of Luke's arm and pulled him off the sidewalk, where he had been standing, at the same time pulling his pistol, a Colt's cut-off, 45 calibre, single action; but like the Leadvillian, he was too slow, although he succeeded in getting his pistol out. Luke stuck the muzzle of his pistol against Storm's heart and pulled the trigger. The bullet tore the heart asunder, and as he was falling, Luke shot him again. Storms was dead when he hit the ground.

Storms' body was taken to the town undertaker, where a coroner's jury was convened in haste, and testimony was heard. The jury reached a verdict quickly stating that Storms died from three pistol wounds at the hands of Short, and that Short's actions were justifiable. Short was free to go, as no further legal action was taken.

                                                   Two Articles located on

                                                  Newspaperarchive.com

Phoenix AZ Herald

Case was discharged by Justice Wallace on grounds of self-defense

LUKE SHORTS TESTIMONY FROM THE DEADWOOD PIONEER NUGGET

March 13, 1881

The spring of 1881 found Luke Short in Tombstone Arizona, dealing faro in a house managed by Wyatt Earp.

-Bat Masterson

Luks Short testimony continued

Storms' body was taken to the undertaker, where the coroner's jury was convened and testimony was heard. The jury reached a verdict that Storms died from three pistol wounds at the hands of Short, and that Short's actions were justifiable. Short was free to go, as no further legal action was taken. 

Five days after Storms died, the Leadville Democrat wrote about the shooting. It said that

Storms approached Short and "catching him by the ear", demanded an apology. According to the account, Storms grabbed Short's ear with his left hand and his right hand contained a pistol aimed at Short. Short drew his weapon and shot Storms, who returned fire, but missed. Short then put two more bullets into "the sinking soul of Storms.

 On February 28, 1881, at the Oriental Hotel, gamblers Luke Short and Charlie Storms had a verbal altercation which was deescalated by Bat Masterson, who was also an acquaintance of Storms as well. Storms later returned to the scene and walked up, said nothing and pulled a gun, On Storms, a cut-off Colt .45 pistol, but Short was quicker. Short shot Storms twice before he hit the ground; the first shot fired was so close that it set fire to Storms' shirt. Short was said to have then turned to Bat Masterson and stated: "You sure pick some of the damnedest friends, Bat." Ben Sippy arrested Short, but the shooting was determined to have been made in self-defense.

Photo from the Authors Collection

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp would later say

that he helped to carry the body of Charlie

Storms back to the San Jose rooming house

where the now-deceased gambler and Lyons

had been staying, so that a post mortem could

be performed by Dr. Goodfellow.

-Peter Brand 2015

"The Killing of Charlie Storms by Luke Short"

Photo from the Authors collection

Bat Masterson;

Bat Masterson Claimed that he was a direct witness of the shooting, 

This claim is most likely correct.

Photo from the Authors collection

Luke Short

In the Spring of 1881, Luke Short was dealing Faro at the Oriental Saloon in Tombstone Arizona which was managed by Wyatt Earp. There was an incident between Luke Short and Charlie Storms over a gambling issue and guns came into play.. Bat Masterson was present and intervened in the disagreement and initially deescalated the situation. Masterson managed to cool things down, and escorted Storms to his room. Bat Masterson was friends with both Charlie Storms and Luke short. But Storms and Short didn't know one another. Masterson walked back over to Short and was trying to explain to Short that he thought Storms was a decent guy, when as Bat stated " When... lo and behold, there he stood before us." Storms said nothing but started to pull his pistol. Unfortunately Luke Short was faster, pulled his gun, stuck the muzzle of the gun to Storms heart, and pulled the trigger.

-Bat Masterson

He probably died instantly. Bat Masterson tells us in his book that Luke was given a quick hearing in front of a Magistrate and was quickly exonerated .Bat Masterson was present in Tombstone and attended the hearing

-Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier.

W.B. (Bat) Masterson

Photo of Charlie Storms from the

Cantey (Myers) Collection 

This unique image of Charlie Storm came in a group of personal items pertaining to Luke Short sold by his relatives. Luke Short and Charlie Storm were involved in a gun fight in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881. It may be the only known image of Storm.

A well known photo of the Dodge City Peace Commision.

                                                      Luke Short date unknown