Cowboy Shootout

Cowboy Shootout

About 1.8 miles east of here, via the section line road, is the likely site of a shootout in 1876 between two trail drovers. As reminisced by C. F. Colcord, a drover of the era, two cowboys in the outfit just ahead of his had a dispute during breakfast. They were separated and sent to their positions with the herd. Both were pointers, or lead riders, each riding and opposite sides of the herd. Later, they were seen to stop and argue while the herd passed between them. As the last of the cattle passed, they both drew their pistols and fired at one another simultaneously. Both fell dead and were buried in a single grave along the west side side of the trail.

(Image: Drawn by and used with permission of Tim Holden)

Oklahoma '07 Centennial