Fill In The Blanks

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Each ___?___ below represents the name of the gunfighter in question. Source for this and future such posts is Bill O'Neal's Encyclopedia of Western Gunfighters.  Big Hext can't play this game, 'cause he's alreadly seen most of these.

#1

July, 1872. Trinity City, Texas.
Visiting relatives near his boyhood home, ___?___ and a cousin engaged in a bowling match, which ___?___ intentionally lost.  A bystander named Sublett challenged him to a series of matches at five dollars per set.  After ___?___ won six games in a row, Sublett realized that he was being victimized, and he berated ___?___.  ___?__ forced Sublett to finish the game at gunpoint, then generously bought him a drink.

Sublett stomped out of the building, returned a few moments later with a shotgun, and discharged a blast at ___?___.  Struck in the side by buckshot, ___?___ drew his gun and staggered after Sublett, wounding the fleeing man in the back. Doctors dug out the buckshot, and friends carried ___?___ into hiding.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Was his first name John?

Slim

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Was his first name John?

Slim

So I've been told.

[Russ T Chambers]

Was his first name John?

Slim

So I've been told.

Thanks Slim.  The hint clinched it.  John Wesley Hardin?

[Silver Creek Slim]

You're welcome, Russ T. I had no idea so Mr. Google helped me. But, I didn't feel right giving the answer so I provided a hint.

Slim

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Definitely JWH.

Slim, you can't make me believe there's honor among posters to this thread - any thing goes.  You just couldn't spell his last name, right?   Guess you did do a good thing by providing a hint for poor old Russ T, who hardly ever gets one right by his own self (believe that and I got a bridge you might be interested in).

[Silver Creek Slim]

I am a moderator of this forum. I need to show some honor.  But, in the other fora, no holds barred. 

Slim

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

#2

1891, Coffeeville, Kansas.  ___?___ and a large number of other cowboys were having a beer just outside Coffeeville.  Two constables appeared and asked who owned the beer.  "Nobody owns it," replied   ___?___ , who was in charge of the party, "It's free.  Help yourselves."  One of the constables then announced, "It is against the law to drink beer in this state, and we are going to pour the beer out."    ___?___ angrily retorted, "if you pour our beer out, you're going to get hurt."

    The officers stubbornly began to roll one of the barrels over, and several cowboys drew their guns.  A general shootout followed and two lawmen were killed.  No one knew for sure who fired the fatal shots, but  ___?___ was afraid he would be blamed, and he fled, soon to join the Dalton gang.

[Qball]

Might it be Bill Doolin?

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Better watch out you mangy buncha broke down cowpokes, we got us a new answer guy in town, and he just give us the keerect answer - Bill Doolin

'Fore ya ask, Slim, Bill Doolin was NOT related to Tom Dooley (of "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley fame).

Nice goin, Qball.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

#3

April 5, 1879, Dodge City, Kansas.  A quarrel over a woman had grown between ___?___ and Levi Richardson, a twenty-eight-year-old freighter who had come to Kansas from his native Wisconsin.  Between 8:00 and 9:00 P.M. on a Saturday night Richardson was in the Long Branch standing by the stove.  He started to leave, but  ___?___ entered and took a seat at a gambling table.  Richardson followed him and sat down on the table, whereupon ___?___ stood up, and the two rivals began exchanging words.

   "You darn SOB," (edited by Hamp) said ___?___, "if you have anything to say about me why don't you come and say it to my face like a gentleman."

   "You wouldn't fight," sneered Richardson.

   "You try me and see!" retorted ___?___.

Richardson went for his pistol, and ___?___clawed for his.  Richardson fired first, and when ___?___ tried to shoot back, his gun misfired.  ___?___ ran behind a stove, with Richardson in pursuit.  Richardson fired twice more, and the crowd scampered for cover.  ___?___ then began to empty his gun methodically at his opponent.  Richardson was hit, but continued to trigger his .44 as he staggered back and fell against a table.

   Suddenly bystander William Duffey rushed forward and seized Richardson's weapon as the wounded man slumped to the floor.  Struck in the chest, side, and right arm, Richardson died within minutes; ___?___ suffered only a scratch on the hand.   

[Silver Creek Slim]

Doc Holliday?

Slim

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Doc Holliday?

Slim

Nope.

[Brazos Bucky Smith]

Bat Masterson?

BB

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Bat Masterson?

BB

Not quite as well known as old Bat.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Jim Masterson?

Slim

[Brazos Bucky Smith]

His brother, ah, oh darn, a brain fart at just the wrong time!  James?  Naw, that don't sound right.

BB

[Brazos Bucky Smith]

Slim, you is just too quick, you jumped in while I was a scratchin' my......... Oh head!


BB

[Silver Creek Slim]

Slim, you is just too quick, you jumped in while I was a scratchin' my......... Oh head!


BB

I don't know if it is right. 

Slim

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Slim, you is just too quick, you jumped in while I was a scratchin' my......... Oh head!


BB

I don't know if it is right. 

Slim

You both need to go back and do your homework.