That Cow Business? Did Merritt Horrell rustle cattle or a woman?

Rancher Pink Higgins walked into the Lampasas, Texas’ Gem Saloon on January 22, 1877. He approached Merritt Horrell, reportedly said something about settling “that cow business” and pumped four bullets into him. Horrell, unarmed, died on the floor. Reportedly, Higgins was angry that Horrell had gotten away with stealing one of his calves.

But some contemporary sources say Horrell may have been having an affair with Mrs. Pink Higgins—and the “cow business” dealt with her, not the four-legged beast. In any case, Higgins was never tried in the killing, which started off the Horrell-Higgins Feud.