Luke Short - Notoriety As A gunfighter

Notoriety As A gunfighter

Short then wandered through Dodge City, Kansas, where he became associated with Wyatt Earp and, again, Bat Masterson], among others. Shortly afterward he moved to Tombstone, Arizona, a boomtown full of dozens of saloons and gambling halls. He developed a habit of "dressing to the nines", which gave him the reputation of a dandy. By this time, through his experiences in various mining camps, Short had already developed a reputation as being good with a gun and a man of few words.

In June 1880, Wyatt Earp telegraphed Short, who was living in Leadville, Colorado, and offered him a job as a faro dealer. While in Tombstone, Short and professional gambler and gunfighter, Charlie Storms had a verbal altercation which was defused by Masterson, who knew both men. On February 28, 1881, outside the Oriental Saloon, Storms pulled a .45 caliber revolver on Short, but he was too slow, and Short shot him twice at point-blank range and killed him. The fight was at such close quarters that Short's muzzle flash set Storms's clothes on fire. Short was alleged to have then turned to Bat Masterson who was with him, and stated "You sure pick some of the damnedest friends, Bat." Short was arrested, but the shooting was determined to have been self-defense.

Short left Tombstone in April and returned to Leadville. Although friends with Earp, Short was not present at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral later that year.

In 1883, Short settled in Dodge City, where he purchased a half interest in the now famous Long Branch Saloon, partnered with friend W. H. Harris. This put him at odds with the mayor of Dodge City and his allies, who made attempts to run Short out of town as an "undesirable." In what became known as the Dodge City War, Luke's friends rallied a formidable force of gunfighters to support him, including Masterson, Earp, Doc Holliday, and Charlie Bassett. Faced with the threat of force, Short's opponents allowed him to return without a shot being fired. Later that year he sold his interest and moved south to Fort Worth, Texas.