Watch sparked the West's first public gunfight

This isn't a military quip, but a tale about a shoot out.

It was July 1865. Wild Bill Hickock stood calmly in the center of the town square in Springfield, Missouri. He had a pair of Colt Navy revolvers resting on each side of his hips. Their ivory handles were turned forward.

About 75 yards away, stood the gambling man, Davis K. Tutt who had just stepped out of the old courthouse after paying a fine. The two men stared at each other. Tutt pulled out a gold watch to check the time, one he had been given by Hickock for collateral until a gambling debt was settled. The debate was, was it $25 or $35.

It was the very watch Hickock had warned him not to display, but Tutt did it anyway. Hickock yelled to him, "Don't you cross the square with my watch."

Tutt slipped the watch back into his pocket and stared at Hickock. They faced each other, neither man was the type to back down from a challenge. For a few seconds. nothing happened, then they both went for their guns.

Neither fired wildly, they took time to aim, Tutt was a famous shot, but he missed, the bullet going over Hickock's head. Hickock didn't miss, his bullet going through Tutt's heart. Tutt yelled out, "Boys, I'm killed" before he collapsed and fell dead.

This was the first recorded street gunfight in the West. This is from a book, "Legends and Lies" by Bill O'Reilly.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran and business owner in Priest River.