Do you guys recall our sketch on Wild Bill's sunset? Well interesting I found a reference by a an old timer who was in deadwood during the period where he distinctly mentions that Jim Levy had gained a reputation there and that he had killed multiple men. Then he goes on to state that only Wild Bill exceeded his stature at the time Hickok was there. Recall how the good town's business leaders (read whorehouses, gambling dens, and gin swilling joint owners) had feared Wild Bill getting elected or appointed law officer of the town? Remember how they wanted to "get rid off him"?"Tim Brady and Johnny Varnes, two leaders of the Deadwood underworld, initiated a plot to kill Hickok so he wouldn't be appointed marshal.and Charlie Storms, two noted gunmen, were offered the job but turned it down. Had they known about Hickok's bad eyesight, they might well have accepted."Levy had come into world in Dublin, Ireland in the year 1842. And as a young man, come to America with his family in 1856.Jim Levy ended up in Pinoche, Nevada and was there like many, digging for silver. Each day the miners would go into town for a few cold beers and whatever else they could run across. Jim had gone to the Midnight Star Saloon for a couple of beers and as the evening wore on, he stepped outside for a smoke. It was May 30, 1871. He was sitting there as one can imagine, maybe rubbing his brow and contemplating the morning when he heard yelling in the street! A tussle or worse. . .Two coarse looking men were cursing at each other and gunplay was next."Jim was sitting on the front stoop of the Midnight Star Saloon when Michael Casey shot Tom Gasson. He was wounded badly. Gasson lay on his death bed a week before finally passing away. Before he died, he bequeathed $5,000 to any man who would avenge his killing. It was a lot of money. . ."A coroner's inquest was held and Casey steadfastly maintained that it was a case of self-defense. However, as a witness to affray, Levey was called in to testify. He made it clear that Casey had fired the first shot and it wasn't due to being quicker on the draw.legendsofamerica.com:"Afterwards, Casey tracked down Levy at a local store and challenged the unarmed miner to a gunfight. Accepting the challenge, Levy rushed off to obtain a weapon and returned a short while later. In the alley behind the store, the two squared off. Levy called to Casey, then opened fire, grazing Casey’s skull with his bullet. When Casey dived at Levy, Jim fired again, hitting his opponent in the neck. As the wounded man began to fall, Levy hit him over the head with his revolver. In the meantime, a cohort of Casey’s shot Levy in the jaw before running away. Though terribly disfigured and losing several teeth, Levy survived and was arrested for Casey’s murder. However, he was acquitted and released. He also collected on Gasson’s deathbed bequest of $5,000."Pinoche, NevadaIt was shortly or immediately after this that Jim decided mining was not his way to fame and fortune but that, just maybe, gambling and "regulating" (selling his gun) just might be.Mr. Levy began to move about the west. He haunted the mining camps, cowtowns and on occasion the growing cities. It was during period of regulating that his reputation grew, and grew, and grew. In decade, beginning with his killing of Casey, he is said to have survived 16 gunfights. As I stated above, I believe it. One contemporary newspaper, the Leader, referred to him as a "pistoliferous gambler", in its account of the coming 1877 gunfight. There still exist records of him being accused and acquitted of murders during this period. (In 1873, he was charged with the murder of Thomas Ryan, but managed to beat the charge.) We will focus on the Charlie Harrison-Jim Levy gunfight of March 9, 1877, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.Next. . .