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.
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
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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"
Bat Masterson;
Bat Masterson Claimed that he was a direct witness of the shooting,
This claim is most likely correct.
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
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