The smiles of Dora Hand, some pioneers recalled, caused more revolver fights than those of any other woman in the West. A popular singer in Dodge City, Kansas, the beautiful woman was shot and killed in 1878 by a cowhand named James “Spike” Kenedy. A posse was quickly organized to chase the killer down and bring him to justice. Among the members of the posse were Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett and Bill Tilghman. When they apprehended Kenedy, he was tried for the murder, but acquitted. Legend has it Hand was the only woman to be buried at Boot Hill.
– Courtesy Kansas Heritage Center, Dodge City –
In 1886, soiled dove Bessie Colvin left Alice Abbott’s house of prostitution in El Paso, Texas, to go work for Etta Clark. After following her to Clark’s place across the street, Abbott punched the madam in the face. The angry Clark returned with a gun and shot Abbott in the groin. El Pasoans sided with Clark, perhaps because the tiny woman shooting the 200-pound Abbott caused some to chuckle; on May 12, a jury found Clark not guilty on grounds of self-defense.
– Courtesy Robert G. McCubbin Collection –
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