Scatter Brained

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S C A T T E R B R A I N E D
06
 Famous (Real) Duels
We tend to side with Mark Twain when it comes to duels. “I 
thoroughly disapprove of duels,” he wrote in his 
Autobiogra-
phy.
 “I consider them unwise, and I know they are dangerous. 
Also, sinful. If a man should challenge me, I would take him 
kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet 
retired spot and kill him.” Th
  roughout history, however, oth-
ers have lacked Twain’s wisdom.
WILD BILL HICKOK VERSUS DAVIS TUTT
In the Red Corner:
 Wild Bill Hickok (1837–1876), legendary 
resident of the Wild West
In the Blue Corner:
 Davis Tutt. Th
  ere’s a reason you’ve never 
heard of him.
The Feud:
 On July 21, 1865, Tutt and Hickok settled a poker 
disagreement with the fi rst known quick-draw duel in the 
American West.
The Fallout:
 Like we said, there’s a reason you never heard of 
Tutt. He shot fi rst and missed. Hickok shot second and 
didn’t.