Mike McCluskie (?-1871) was a little-known gambler and occasional lawman from Ohio, who was the instigator of the Gunfight at Hide Park, which took place on August 19, 1871, in Newton, Kansas.
Born and raised in Ohio, he made his way down into Kansas by way of employment with the Santa Fe Railroad, as a Night Policeman.
He became the unofficial guardian of a young teenage man named James Riley, who was often seen in his presence, and who would eventually become the deciding factor in the gunfight.
The incident began with an argument between local lawman, Billy Bailey, and McCluskie, who had been employed as a policeman for the elections.
The two men began arguing on August 11, 1871, over local politics on election day in the "Red Front Saloon", located in downtown Newton.
McCluskie fled town to avoid arrest, but was only away for a few days before returning, after receiving information that the shooting would most likely be deemed self defense, despite the fact that Bailey never produced a weapon.
On August 19, 1871, McCluskie entered Newton and went to gamble at "Tuttles Dance Hall", located in an area of town called Hide Park.
Hugh Anderson, the son of a wealthy Bell County, Texas cattle rancher, also entered, and approached McCluskie, calling him a coward and threatening his life.
Kearns, Garrett, and Wilkerson also began firing, perhaps to keep the crowd back, and may have shot McCluskie in the leg.