Jim Levy (gunfighter)

James H. Levy (1842 - June 5, 1882), or Leavy, was a Jewish gunfighter in the Old West. He is remembered today by Western historians for participating in at least two instances of a quick draw duel. In his time, Levy was one of the most notorious gunmen in the Old West known for challenging other gunmen to a duel. He is featured in the book Deadly Dozen, written by author Robert K. DeArment as one of the twelve most underrated gunmen of the 19th century West.

Historian Erik J. Wright notes that Levy's names was in fact spelled "Leavy" as it was spelled this way on a number of primary documents from his time in Nevada and Arizona.[1]

Early life

Jim Levy was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1842 of Jewish parents.[2] While he was young, his parents took him with them and immigrated to the United States. By 1871, Levy headed out West to Pioche, Nevada and worked as a miner. In May of that same year, Jim witnessed a gunfight between Michael Casey and Tom Gasson. Gasson was mortally wounded in the shootout, but before dying he promised a reward of $5,000 to anyone who can avenge his death.[3] During the investigation that followed, Casey stated he shot the man in self-defense, but soon after Levy testified against him, saying that it was Casey who shot first. This infuriated Casey and he hunted down Levy.

While many historians claim Leavy/Levy was of Jewish descent, no proof of this exists.[1]

Gunfights

First duel

Casey managed to track down Levy in a local store and wasted no time in challenging him to a duel.[2] Levy accepted his challenge, but excused himself first to get a firearm. The two decided to meet in an alleyway behind the store. After getting his gun, Levy called out to Casey and they finally squared off. Levy managed to shoot first, grazing Casey's skull, before firing again, this time hitting Casey in the neck. As the latter fell to the ground heavily wounded, Levy charged towards him and hit him in the head with his pistol. Unfortunately for Levy, a companion of Casey who was also in the alleyway, and he retaliated by shooting Levy in the jaw, forever disfiguring his face.[3]

Levy was soon after arrested but was later acquitted for self-defense. Levy then collected his bounty and resigned from his job as a miner. He traveled to Virginia City, Nevada; to Cheyenne, Wyoming; Deadwood, South Dakota; Leadville, Colorado; and Arizona—to Tombstone, and Tucson for the next 10 years,[2] now working as a professional gambler and gunman. In 1873, it was reported that he had another gunfight with a man named Thomas Ryan before leaving Nevada, but he was again acquitted. It is also estimated that during that time, Levy fought and survived over sixteen shootouts.

Second duel

In the night of March 9, 1877 in Shingle & Locke's Saloon in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Levy had an argument with another infamous gunfighter named Charlie Harrison over a game of cards. Levy was said to have insulted Harrison's background as an Irishman and the two decided to duke it out outside. After leaving the saloon, the two faced off in the streets with a group of onlookers watching them. Harrison already had a reputation as a deadly gunmen, and onlookers reported that they thought that Harrison would easily win the duel.[2]

The two then moved in front of the Senate Saloon before finally stopping at Eddy Street.[2] Both gunmen drew their pistols at the same time, and Harrison managed to shoot first but missed. Levy followed soon after but his bullet hits its mark, landing in Harrison's torso.[3] Harrison was then taken to a hotel to be treated, but would die from his wound a week later.[4] Levy faced charges due to the murder but he was never convicted or punished.

Third duel and death

Jim Levy, by 1882, has already built a reputation of having fought in at least 16 gunfights. In June 5, 1882, Levy had another argument with a faro dealer named John Murphy in Tucson, Arizona.[2] The two agreed to have a duel in the Mexican border, but after hearing of Levy's exploits as a gunfighter, Murphy decided to ambush Levy instead. Together with two of his friends, Murphy ambushed Levy as he was leaving the Palace Hotel, killing him. According to Wright, the three co-defendants in Leavy's murder later escaped from the Pima County Jail and were later recaptured. Murphy and Gibson were found in Fenner, California living under assumed names and retried for the murder before being found not guilty. Moyer was captured in Denver and sentenced to life in Yuma Territorial Prison, but was pardoned in 1888.

Murphy lived his life as a gambler in southern Arizona and is buried in Tucson. Gibson continued to work in mining and prospecting and died in Prescott, Arizona. Moyer, however, worked at periods as a hired gun and was involved in the notable Johnnie Mine fight in Nevada in 1895. He was last seen in Alaska around the turn of the twentieth century.[5]

Legacy

Although he is virtually unheard of today, Levy was one of the most notorious gunfighters of his time. Both Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp mentioned his name and his abilities.[2][3] Earp praised Levy for his practical approach in a gunfight, leaving out fast draw theatrics and opting for calm accuracy instead.

Jim Levy is included in a list of twelve most underrated and less-popular gunfighters in history, in the book Deadly Dozen by author Robert K. DeArment.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "James Leavy: 'Here is Our Game' | HistoryNet". www.historynet.com. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jim Levy - The Jewish Gunfighter
  3. 1 2 3 4 Thrapp, Dan L. Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography: G-O. University of Nebraska Press (August 1, 1991). p. 850. ISBN 978-0803294196
  4. ↑ Shoot-out (1877) Old West Gunfights - Page 2 Legends of America
  5. ↑ Wright, Erik (2015). Gamblers, Guns & Violence: Collected Works on Arizona Gambling Violence. Paragould, Arkansas.
  6. ↑ DeArment, Robert K. Deadly Dozen: Forgotten Gunfighters of the Old West, Volume 3. University of Oklahoma Press; First edition (March 15, 2010). p. 82. ISBN 978-0806140766
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