A Song, a Hat and a Christmas Murder

The true story of the baddest man in American myth

On that particular Christmas night in 1895, Bill Curtis’ North St. Louis saloon was open. A man named William Lyons was there, arguing with his friend, a carriage driver named Lee Shelton. Whatever Lyons was saying must’ve been pretty upsetting because Shelton’s reaction was to crush Lyons’ hat — a grave insult in those days. Lyons, seeking immediate vengeance, snatched the hat from Shelton’s head. Shelton drew his gun, pistol-whipping Lyons on his head. Lyons rushed Shelton, who fired his gun into Lyons’ belly.

Lyons died from the wound and Shelton went on trial.