5 worst gunslingers in Fort Wayne history (couldn’t hit a barn, literally)

The Wild West may have been far from Fort Wayne, but in the 1800s, the city still had its share of “gunslingers.” Unfortunately, most of them were terrible at it.

“Sideways” Sam McCutcheon
Known for holding his pistol at a 90-degree angle “for style.” Accidentally shot his own hat off 17 times. You can still see the hat at the Fort Wayne Historical Museum.

Mildred “Close Enough” Parsons
Claimed to be the best shot in Allen County. She once tried to hit a target and killed a watermelon two stalls over at the farmer’s market. The produce delivery people still share the story of time old Delivery Dan Dawkins was wheeling in some blocks of cheese and she filled them full of lead. They sold them anyway and birthed a new crop of dental students down at the college.

Albert “Reloadin’” Jenkins
Spent so much time reloading that duels often ended before he fired a shot. Famous for asking his opponent to “hold this bullet a second.” He was so slow he finally invented a system of carrying 8 fully loaded pistols on his gun belt. The leathermaker invented some heavy duty suspenders to keep the whole contraption from falling on the floor.

Billy “Eyes Closed” Trumble
Insisted he shot better with his eyes shut. Never hit anything but once scared a raccoon into moving counties. Then there was the time he scared a bee’s nest by tripping over the bench in front of the general store. They came at him something fierce so he jumped into a mud puddle with his eyes closed, pistols aimed skyward, picking off every bee mid-flight.

“No Aim” Amos Greeley
Couldn’t hit a stationary barn at three feet. Accidentally became a hero when he tried to shoot a can and spooked a runaway horse into stopping. He also was renowned for his speed because he didn’t waste time aiming. “Shoot first, then aim!” he regaled the ladies in town as he demonstrated his technique. The ladies were smart enough to be standing behind the saloon when he went to firing.