Chunk Colbert
Encyclopedia
Chunk Colbert was an Old West gunman, known for having been killed by noted gunfighter Clay Allison
.
From West Texas
, Colbert had earned a reputation as a "gunfighter". He is said to have killed seven men in Texas, New Mexico
, and Colorado
. However, the only confirmed killing is that Charles Morris in Cimarron, New Mexico
, a man he believed was involved romantically with his wife.
On January 7, 1874, Colbert and Allison entered the Clifton House
, an Inn in Colfax County, New Mexico
. They had finished a friendly quarter-mile horse race. Nevertheless, there was distrust between the men, since Allison was said to have mistreated Colbert's uncle, Zachary Colbert, a ferryman who had tried to overcharge Allison's family when they crossed the Brazos River. In the middle of their meal, Colbert suddenly tried to draw his revolver. Fortunately for Allison, the barrel stuck the table. Allison quickly drew and fired, strikinging Colbert in the head. Asked why he had accepted a dinner invitation from someone likely try to kill him, Allison replied: "Because I didn't want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach".
Colbert was buried in an unmarked grave
behind the Clifton House.
Clay Allison
Clay Allison was a Texas cattle rancher and gunfighter. He is one of the best known historic figures of the American Old West.-Early life:...
.
From West Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Colbert had earned a reputation as a "gunfighter". He is said to have killed seven men in Texas, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. However, the only confirmed killing is that Charles Morris in Cimarron, New Mexico
Cimarron, New Mexico
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 917 people, 382 households, and 255 families residing in the village. The population density was 479.5 people per square mile . There were 449 housing units at an average density of 234.8 per square mile...
, a man he believed was involved romantically with his wife.
On January 7, 1874, Colbert and Allison entered the Clifton House
Clifton House
Clifton House is a historic building located at 473 Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.During the autumn of 1777, Washington's Continental Army spent six weeks camped at nearby Whitemarsh...
, an Inn in Colfax County, New Mexico
Colfax County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*83.8% White*0.5% Black*1.5% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*10.1% Other races*47.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. They had finished a friendly quarter-mile horse race. Nevertheless, there was distrust between the men, since Allison was said to have mistreated Colbert's uncle, Zachary Colbert, a ferryman who had tried to overcharge Allison's family when they crossed the Brazos River. In the middle of their meal, Colbert suddenly tried to draw his revolver. Fortunately for Allison, the barrel stuck the table. Allison quickly drew and fired, strikinging Colbert in the head. Asked why he had accepted a dinner invitation from someone likely try to kill him, Allison replied: "Because I didn't want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach".
Colbert was buried in an unmarked grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
behind the Clifton House.