It's an old Wild West custom.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Emrich, Duncan, 1908-1977
Format:	Book
Language:	English
Published:	New York : Vanguard Press, [1949]
Series:	American customs series.
Subjects:	Frontier and pioneer life > West (U.S.) West (U.S.) > Social life and customs.

by Emrich, Duncan, 1908-1977
Published 1951

Book