The Davis Tutt & Wild Bill Hickok Duel - Springfield, MO 1865

Missouri Mayhem - Join us as we explore the extraordinary life of Wild Bill Hickok — from his early days in Illinois to legendary gunfights in Kansas and South Dakota. Discover the stories behind his rise to fame, his notorious duel, and the mysterious circumstances of his death.

Primary Sources & Historical Records

• Greene County Circuit Court Records: The original 1865 court proceedings for State of Missouri vs. William Hickok and the coroner's inquest report for Davis Tutt are preserved at the Greene County Archives. These documents include eyewitness testimonies and jury instructions.
• Harper’s New Monthly Magazine(1867): George Ward Nichols’ article, "Wild Bill," was the first major account of the duel. While highly sensationalized, it transformed Hickok into a national legend.
• Missouri Weekly Patriot(July 27, 1865): One of the first local newspaper reports published just six days after the shooting.
• History of Greene County, Missouri(1883): An early regional history by the Western Historical Company that details the killing of "David" Tutt.