Gunman Barney Riggs (photo, seated center) was tending bar in Pecos, TX in October 1896 when two men approached and drew down. John Denson and Bill Earhart may have been acting on orders from “Killin” Jim Miller. Riggs and Miller were long-time enemies who each wanted the other dead.
Earhart winged Riggs, who then killed his assailant. Denson ran out of the saloon; Riggs killed him with a bullet to the back of the head.
Riggs surrendered and was acquitted in the case. Miller soon left the area; he wasn’t going to mess with Barney Riggs.
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