True Life Tuesday: Clay Allison

I know that I say this a lot but this man's life story would make a great movie.

Robert Clay Allison was born September 2, 1841 in Waynesboro, Tennessee. He was the 4th of 9 children born to Jeremiah Scotland and Maria Ruth (nee Brown) Allison. His father was a Presbyterian minister who also ran a farm to support his family. Clay would help his father on the farm until he was 20 years old. 

On October 15, 1861 Clay enlisted in the Confederate Army. However, he was medically discharge 3 months later due to an old head injury he had. He eventually re-enlisted on September 22, 1862 and was under the command of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He was part of the regiment that surrendered to the Union army on May 4, 1865 in Gainesville, Alabama. After being held as POWs the regiment was released on May 10th.

After returning home Clay was involved in several violent confrontations. He soon moved to New Mexico with his brothers, Monroe and John, sister Mary and her husband Lewis. In New Mexico he was involved in more incidents and earned a reputation as gunfighter. He claimed to be the quickest draw but lost a quick draw contest to Mason Bowman. The two men became friends and Mason worked with him on his quick draw technique. 

In March 1877 he sold his ranch to his brother John. He eventually ended up in Hays City, Kansas where he worked as a cattle broker. There is a story of him having a confrontation with Wyatt Earp after the lawman mistreated some of his employees but there is no proof that this actually occurred. From 1880-1883 he ran a ranch with his brothers 12 miles north of Mobeetie, Texas. It is here that the most famous story about his allegedly happened. It was told that he was riding his horse drunk through the town wearing only his holster and revolver. 

Clay married America Medora McCulloch, known as Dora, on February 15, 1881. In 1883 he again sold his ranch and they moved to Pope's Wells about 50 miles northwest of Pecos, Texas. There the couple bought another ranch. The couple ended up having 2 daughters - Patti Dora born August 9, 1885 and Clay Pearl born February 10, 1888.

Clay died on July 1, 1887. He was hauling a wagon load of supplies when a sack of grain fell off the wagon. He attempted to catch the sack but he ended up falling off the wagon. One of the wheels rolled over him breaking his neck. He was buried the next day in the Pecos Cemetery. 

On August 28, 1975 his remains were re-interred in Pecos Park. A marker was placed near his grave stating "He never killed a man that did not need killing."