Dueling was generally outlawed by the time of the classic era of the "Wild West". When duels did occur, they were usually at designated times and places removed from the community to avoid law enforcement. The threat of one of the duels inspired Samuel Clemens to flee Virginia City, Nevada in May 1864 after taking the name "Mark Twain".

The idea of two gunfighters facing off on main street is really a convention of Hollywood and was not the norm. Recently I have been transcribing the diaries of journalist Al Doten who recorded his life in detail beginning in 1849 until his death shortly after the turn of the century. On March 2, 1866, he recorded the following:

At 5 PM Ben Ballou was shot in Pat Mulcahy’s saloon – (the Capitol saloon) on C Street – shot in forehead just over left eye with derringer – He & Billy had bit of a spat on sidewalk & Ben struck Billy – He then ran into saloon – Billy after him & shot him – @His boots were pulled off at once like Tom Peasley’s, that he “might not die in them” & he was laid on counter – had best of surgery, but remained perfectly insensible till 12 at night when he died – Sheppard was arrested as soon as he shot, & taken to jail – considerable excitement among firemen as Ben was Asst Foreman of No 3 – He died at their Engine house – Benjamin W Ballou about 29 ½ yrs...

This was typical of the altercations one finds in primary sources. Billy Sheppard (a popular local) was subsequently acquitted; Doten records on March 26, 1866:

Billy Sheppards trial concluded – Evening Judge Mesick gave his charge – I was there – crowded room & much feeling – Jury went out at 8 & in 10 minutes, on first ballot gave verdict of not guilty – this was suppressed for an hour on acc’t of crowd, at expiration of which time Judge on hand & verdict given in – Billy discharged, took Jury & about 200 friends down to International & treated – much rejoicing...