in his first major fistfight during his stay in Denver. When he saw a gentleman publicly strike a woman, Allen challenged the assailant to a no-holds-barred confrontation. Afterwards, Allen lectured the attacker for an hour and a half on the evils of domestic violence. A man known as the "Terror of the Gulch" attempted to steal Tom Allen's sluice water. As a result, Allen attempted to settle the matter diplomatically. This option ultimately failed and Allen offered to solve the dispute either "according to the rules of the ring" or through "rough-and-tumble." The Terror chose the latter, which allowed for the use of fighting techniques such as eye-gouging, biting, stomping, and head butting. A crowd emerged as Allen demonstrated the dynamics of "rough-and-tumble." In the end, the "Terror of the Gulch" was beaten and left the area. Explorer Many merchants in Denver employed Allen and two of his land co-claimants, Jack Menzies and David Thompson, to explore the Colorado River. This expedition took place eight years before the explorations of Major John Wesley Powell. Unfortunately, Allen and his associates were captured by the Native American Utes after only into their expedition. When one of the tribesmen pulled Allen's ear, Allen punched the Ute and made him fall to the ground. Afterwards, Allen told the chief in Spanish that the Utes were cowards and that he could defeat the tribe's best warrior. Unfortunately, there is no confirmation as to whether the chief fulfilled Allen's request or was merely amused by Allen's bravado. Overall, Allen and his land co-claimants were set free. He returned to Leavenworth. Civil War During the American Civil War, Allen enlisted in the Union Army as a scout in the eastern states. He served with St. Clair and "Red Clark", riding through Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. In 1863, he was in Leavenworth, Kansas when the town was occupied by a group of paramilitary units known as the Jayhawkers. Two police officers were shot and the town marshal was forced to leave. Upon the urgent request of the authorities, Allen decided to become chief of police. Allen faced the Jayhawkers using his "rough-and-tumble" techniques. In thirty days, he restored order to Leavenworth and afterwards relinquished his position. Junction City marshal After the war and until 1871, he came to Junction City and had contracts to supply meat to the military and railroad construction crews. In 1871, he