The Calm Before Storms Bat Masterson tried to stop a gunfight…

Bat Masterson tried to get between Charlie Storms and Luke Short and stop a gunfight—and failed.

Storms and Short, both gamblers, got into an argument at Tombstone’s Oriental Saloon on the evening of February 25, 1881.  Storms was drunk. The two went outside where Masterson—a friend to both—stepped between them to cool things down. But Short pulled his pistol, held it to Storms’ chest, and fired twice.  Bat was startled as Storms dropped dead. Reportedly, Short said, “You sure pick some of the damnedest friends, Bat.”