The word “sport” had a slightly different meaning in the Old West. Back in the days of the Old West, professional gamblers were often called...
The Sporting Life
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Mark Boardman
The Whole Truth?
Questionable testimony at the OK Corral hearing. November 1, 1881. Billy Allen (real name: William A. Le Van) takes the stand at the OK Corral...
The Sheriff on the Stand
John Behan testifies in the OK Corral hearing. November 2, 1881. Cochise County Sheriff John Behan takes the stand in the OK Corral preliminary...
The Apache Kid Breaks Out
His whereabouts are unknown, even today. The Apache Kid and nine other prisoners (most Indian) are being transported from Globe, Arizona Territory,...
Shot from Behind
Yet John Allen got off in the killing of Frank Loving. Frank Loving and John Allen got into it over some gambling issues in Trinidad, Colorado. The...
Killers and Practical Jokes
John Tunstall’s murderers staged the death scene for a laugh. February 18, 1878. Rancher John Tunstall (photo) is shot and killed by a posse in...
Hickok Saw it Coming…Sort Of
Jack McCall didn’t totally surprise Wild Bill. The legend says that Jack McCall came up from behind an unaware Wild Bill Hickok (photo) and shot him...
From Disgrace to Doctor
George Goodfellow was kicked out of one career before becoming an international success in another. Of all the characters who graced the streets of...
Brooks vs. Earp?
A case of a shootout that never happened. The legend says that Morgan Earp and Billy Brooks (photo) got into a shootout in Butte, Montana in 1873....
Leaving Town
The McLaury brothers planned to get out of Tombstone… One of the ironies of the OK Corral shootout—participants/Cow-boys Frank and Tom McLaury...
Calling Doctor Holliday
Morgan Earp brought him to Tombstone—just in time for the gunfight. On October 21, 1881, Wyatt Earp sends brother Morgan (photo) to Tucson to bring...
An Accidental Shooting?
Barney Riggs’ first killing was unintentional…right? Barney Riggs was one of the most feared gunmen in the Old West. But his first shooting may—or...