Lester Moore was an agent for Wells Fargo at the Tombstone station back in the late 1880s. He was 37 and had a promising career with his company.

Most of the customers who came to the Wells Fargo station were friendly enough folks. They were glad to receive packages from back East. A new package was kind of like Christmas.

This particular day, Stinkin’ Sam came to the station to claim a package. Don’t ask me how Stinkin’ Sam got his name. I can only guess. Most folks in Tombstone called him Stinky.

Anyway, Stinkin’ Sam arrived at the Wells Fargo station and demanded his package. Agent Moore reached under the counter and came up with a cardboard box which had been mangled quite a bit.

Stinkin’ Sam was furious. He came forth with a steady stream of epithets that must have blistered the paint at the freight station.

Lester Moore told Stinkin’ Sam he could refuse the package, but that was his only option. Stinkin’ Sam took two steps back saying, "Oh, there’s more I can do to you, Mister Wells Fargo."

With that, Stinkin’ Sam drew his .44-caliber pistol and fired four shots directly at Lester Moore. When Stinky’s pistol first appeared, Les reached under the counter and got hold of his Winchester, which proved no match for a hand gun. Moore got off one shot which penetrated Stinkin’ Sam’s stomach.

But all four slugs from the .44 found their mark in Lester Moore’s chest and he was dead before he hit the floor. Stinkin’ Sam was carried to Doc Wooley’s office where he died the following day.

Authorities blamed the shooting on Stinkin’ Sam for actually starting the gunfight. Moore was simply defending himself, hopelessly, as it turned out.

Lester Moore was buried on Boot Hill in the Town of Tombstone, according to Ben T. Traywick in his book, Tombstone’s Boot Hill . The ephitaph on Moore’s gravestone, famous in the Southwest, reads:

Here lies Lester Moore
Four slugs from a .44
No Les
No more