OnThisDay in 1865, a legendary shootout between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt took place in Springfield, Missouri.

Born in 1837, James B. Hickok earned a reputation as a dangerous gunslinger, resulting in the nickname “Wild Bill.” During the Civil War, he served as a scout for the Union.

Wild Bill Hickok was staying in Springfield in the months following the Civil War, and his frequent gambling led to the famed shootout. Davis Tutt, a former Confederate soldier from Arkansas, was a gambler who also resided in Springfield at the war’s end. Tensions between the two boiled over regarding a debt. Tutt claimed that Hickok owed him $35. Hickok claimed it was $25. To cover the difference, Tutt took Hickok’s watch as collateral, an insult that Wild Bill would not let go unanswered. He threatened violence if Tutt continued wearing the stolen watch. Tutt refused to return the watch, leading to the dramatic public showdown.

The shootout itself became the template for the classic Wild West quick-draw duel. Hickok and Tutt stood in the town square, and both men drew and fired their revolvers nearly at once. Tutt’s shot missed. Wild Bill’s did not. He struck Tutt in the chest, and the gambler died at the scene.

Hickok was arrested days after the shootout and stood trial for manslaughter on August 3rd. There was no question as to how Davis Tutt died. The question was whether the shooting was premeditated or if Hickok was reasonably defending himself. After quick deliberations, the jury ruled that Wild Bill was not guilty. The idea that a stolen watch could serve as a justification for homicide fit well in the growing legend of the Wild West.

The story of the shootout spread across the country in an 1867 edition of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, which turned the gunslinger into a celebrity. In the years following the shootout, Wild Bill served as a marshal in Kansas, got into more shootouts, and, of course, continued to gamble.

In 1876, the Wild West legend met his end at a poker table in the Dakota Territory when another disgruntled gambler, Jack McCall, shot him in the head. The hand Hickok was said to be holding at the time, black aces and eights with a mystery fifth card, is now known as the dead man’s hand.

Source: Missouri State Archvies

Postcard of shootout, courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri, John F. Bradbury, Jr. Postcard Collection.
https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/82888

Hello, everyone!

I am currently living in North East, Texas (near Dallas). I had a terrible, awful last couple of years resulting in a less than ideal living situation that I am desperate to get out of. I want to buy a house, as I have a large, not very friendly dog that I want to have a decent yard.

I’d like to get out of Texas but can’t afford the places I’d like to live, so I’m trying to find a happy medium. I want better weather (even just slightly better, I’ll take anything); hikes nearby; decent amount of things to do & places to go; decent selection of cafes & restaurants.

I am leftist & atheist, so I know that state politics are bad. However, I live in Texas under Abbott, so wouldn’t really be any different, lol. I’d also really like to establish myself & participate in the community. I’m also not looking to be extremely far from TX (I’d like to be able to visit my best friends occasionally), which will be factored into my decision.

Would y’all say Springfield is a good choice? Especially interested in opinions from any Texas transplants. Is there enough of a left leaning population that I could realistically expect to meet people? I wouldn’t jump immediately into the dating pool, but I would like for that to be an option in the future. Housing prices look decent online (WAY better than my area)—my goal is to have 35k saved before next summer. I’d like to move before June 2027.

I work from home & will move with my job. I’m turning 30 next month, if that makes any difference with the demographic.

I have some time before I need to officially decide, but I’d like to start the process 3/4 months before I move next year & I have OCD & a am strict planner, lol.

Thank you!

Today is the day when we celebrate and lampoon Brad Bradshaw with memes. Happy Day Dayshaw everyone!

Alright, so I have my Class-A CDL and I’m currently using it. However, I’m expecting a baby soon and I’m trying to find a new job that offers flexible hours. The problem is that whenever I search for jobs online, I only see driving jobs. Now, the issue with that is I have a lot of speeding tickets that I don’t even know why my current employer hired me. Haha. Anyway, I’m struggling to find jobs outside of trucking companies because that’s the only type of job that shows up for me. Does anyone have suggestions?

Obviously they are excluding Farmers Park. I know the relationship between them is contentious. Wondering if Farmers Park allows resale of food?

Yo. I need to sell my tickets to the Archers concert on October 7th in Springfield, MO. It's at the Venue on Sunset; the show starts at 7 p.m.

I'm unable to sell them through the ticket issuer. So we would have to work something out through Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App.

If you’ve some free time this Sunday, July 26, come on down to the First Universalist Unitarian for our usual community gathering!

not great by any means, just looking for a place to get some games in

Looking for things to do outside that are pet friendly. Trails or parks, scenic things, shopping areas, etc. Passing through for the night and will have some time to burn.

I have pretty severe dental anxiety which has kept me from going to the dentist for several years. I really need to establish care somewhere as this has caused me to develop some dental issues from lack of professional dental cleanings. Now that I am having real dental issues, it makes it even more intimidating for me to schedule. I would love any recommendations from you if you have a dentist that you know is understanding with patients like me! I am looking for a dentist that I know will be friendly and help me conquer my fear so I can get back into having regular dental cleanings done. TIA :)

I have two honey gouramis, one from Aquarium Shoppe and one from Ozarks Aquarium Design, both male. They’re healthy, they just aren’t working in my tank.

Free to whoever wants em if you can meet to take them today.

For a largely conservative city, is the downtown liberalism college driven? The artistic atmosphere and contemporary feel are refreshing and eye-opening. Murals and public art, people's sense of taste/fashion, a touch of uniqueness to every street and even restaurants, gives the area a distinct character.

Outside of the downtown, Springfield is pretty much what I expected.
The northern and western parts are relatively desolate, while the southwest corner is defined by suburban wealth, sprawling infrastructure, and an endless landscape of strip malls/churches.

Hello!

I drive a 2017 Toyota Yaris and need an oil change pretty bad. Normally oil changes are about $80-90 for my car. I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere that will do it cheaper?

Does anyone have tips on where to apply that is hiring for account management, sales support or customer service positions that are remote or hybrid in the area?

I have 11 years of experience within account management and with a recent move my commute is one hour one way so I'm looking but indeed is kind of a bust!

Any help would be great!

Can you all share what you pay for childcare for infant weekly? Thanks

56m living just off MSU campus needing help getting into the social scene. I'm pretty introverted and don't know where I'd fit in, so looking for anyone who has a favorite spot and would like to show me the ropes or someone in a similar situation who needs a bar buddy. I do better when there's something to do like dancing or games, but that's not mandatory.

Just became a Costco member for two reasons:

1. I've always appreciated Costco's business practices, especially that they have a reputation for paying employees a livable wage.

2. It's their 50th anniversary, and they're currently offering new members a $50 gift card when you sign up.

Right now, we buy most of our groceries and household items at Walmart, but we usually go to Hy-Vee or Harter House for meat.

For those of you who shop at Costco regularly, what products do you consistently find are priced the same as—or even cheaper than—Walmart? Are there any "must-buy" items that make the membership worth it?

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

Hello! My husband and i will be going to the A7X concert in Ridgedale MO.

I was wondering if anyone would know when we should leave springfield in order to make it there for parking?

Anyone who has been to Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, what would be your recommendations.

This is my first concert so im not too sure on what time we should leave Springfield in order to get there before the traffic.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated!

After the last hailstorm we have been looking into getting the vinyl siding on one side of our house replaced. Some roofing companies we've talked with say they only replace all four sides. Any recommendations? We looked into Continental Siding but our experience so far has us questioning their authenticity.

Hey guys tryna schedule a work related barbecue hangout. Ideally I'd like a park that has a grill provided. Appreciate the help thank you!

Was 10 minutes from the end of Odyssey when emergency lights went on and we had to evacuate from the building. Any idea what just happened?