the first account was published around 1882 by s. c. jenkins and s. j. alexander, who had arrived at the ranch within two hours of the shootout taking place and before the bodies were removed. according to them, david mccanles' brother james was a southern sympathizer and had tried to persuade hickok to join him and turn over the stage company's stock. after hickok's refusal, james threatened to kill him. later that afternoon, david and three others arrived with the intention of carrying out the threat.