1931 Old Waldorf Bar Days by Albert Stevens Crockett

OldWaldorf Bar Days and other things mining men usually discussed at such gatherings. Not a little egocentric hero-worship was voiced, but the talk was mostly of what other fellows had done; of "bad men" and shootings. And Master– son's name was mentioned as having saved the expense of a lot of hangings by using his six-shooter. Plunkett dissented. He was emphatic about it. "I tell you what," he said, "that fellow, Bat Master– son, has killed more innocent men in his day than any– body else in the United States!" Whe.ther the statement was immediately challenged or not, is not recorded. Masterson had good friends in that group. A little later, one of them made an excuse and left the room. He knew where Bat was, and he got into a hansom and ordered the driver to go there, lick– ety-split. And he gave a news-hot version ofwhat Plunk– ett had said. Hardly half an hour after the statement had been made, Masterson in person dramatically appeared a t the main door of the Barroom. One of the men at the table caught sight of him and jumped up. The others, follow– ing his gaze, turned. Two or three right hands went to hips. Bat, after halting long enough to achieve sensational effect, strode straight across to the group. He stopped at the side of his detractor's chair. "Plunkett," he said,""l hear you have been talking bad about me." With the words, he suddenly dug his hand between Colonel Dick's neck and collar, shut his fist, and made as if to pull the other out of his chair. Plunkett was conciliatory. "Sit down, Bat," he said; [ 90]