The Duel of Mattie and Katie

Seems that Mattie had problems keeping Mr Cort, her escort, occupied, as she challenged Ms. Katie Fulton to a duel to decide who Mr Thompson "belonged to".

So one day on the banks of the Platte River at a resort known as the Olympic Gardens owned by the Denver Brewery , Mattie and Katie faced off in front of every no good Denver resident who turned out to watch - gamblers, dealers, con artists, pimps, bartenders (not a good reputation in the old west), and sports promoters.  All bets were placed. No doubt the town brewery had the brew flowing to add to the festivities
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The ladies armed with revolvers, marched to their respective positions amid the cheers from the crowds.  The guns blasted simultaneously and the spectators screamed in anticipation.  When the smoke cleared, it seems Mr. Cort Thompson, who was a spectator himself, had been shot behind the ear by Mattie.

The next day, the Rocky Mountain News ran a stern editorial calling on the Denver Brewery to prevent the repetition sporting events in the future.

Still Mattie and Katie's duel remains the only known duel between two women even fought on the frontier.  It makes one wonder if the duel was really just another opportunity to teach Mr. Thompson another lesson!

Next time...Big Nosed Kate Fisher