Luke at age 23, stands 5'7" and weighs 145lbs. It is 1877, Luke and partner T.J.have been trading whiskey with the Indians. Luke spends some time dealing cards at the Saratoga Saloon in Dodge City for Chalk Beeson & William Harris.

Though this photo has not been dated it first appeared in True West magazine in January 1998. Luke appears to be in his mid 20's. From age 23 to age 29 Luke's whiskey business is closed down when he is arrested by the Army. He escapes and heads to Denver with partner T.J. and turns to gambling full time. In 1879 Luke shoots local Leadville bully Brown in the face. Brown lives and leaves town. By spring of 1879 Luke is managing the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. Later that year he is back in Leadville running games. Luke begins freelancing and often works the same towns as Bat Masterson; Denver, Cheyenne and Deadwood. Luke must go broke in the summer of 1880 because the Federal Census shows he is living in Buena Vista Co., Colorado and working as a clerk in a liquor store. By the winter he is again in Leadville when Wyatt Earp wires him about a job in Tombstone. Luke accepts the offer and heads for Tombstone.

Luke is working at the Oriental Saloon along with Bat and Doc Holliday. On Feburary 25, 1881 Charlie Storms draws down on Luke and loses. Luke leaves Tombstone mid month and goes back to Leadville. In August of that year Luke gets word that the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City is for sale. Luke travels to Dodge where he rooms at the Great Western House. Once the cattle season ends Luke travels east to Kansas City then Chicago and finally New York. Some believe this is when he marries Hettie.