Wild Bill Hickok – Gunslinger, Lawman & Poker Player

Wild Bill Hickok is a true legend of the Old Wild West, and that is why we have dedicated this article to him. Even though there is a lot to be said, we have briefly presented Wild Bill’s story. We mentioned his greatest adventures and the notorious Wild Bill Hickok Dead Man’s Hand.

Our article follows the life of one of the great names lived during the last days of the Wild West. Read on to find out how James Butler Hickok became Wild Bill Hickok by facing perils in dangerous locations like the frontier, Deadwood, and more. You can read about his showbiz experience with Buffalo Bill and the reason for Wild Bill Hickok’s death. Here are the sections of this article, and don’t forget to check the Q&A section at the end.

Who is Wild Bill Hickok?

Many books, movies, and articles are written about the Wild West legend, Wild Bill. He is most frequently known for the Wild Bill Hickok “Dead Man’s Hand” – the poker cards he held in his time of dying. But besides this, Wild Bill Hickok has had an amazing life where he proved to be a skilful expert shooter, scout, lawman, entertainer, and ladies lover. Here is more about Wild Bill:

Some of the Wild Bill Hickok facts you may read in this article may seem unbelievable and completely made-up, but they are fairly true. For the modern person, it might be difficult to imagine what the Old Wild West’s entertainments were by watching the professional gamblers today. We will do our best to help you experience the past and find out more about our hero before we tell you about the Wild Bill Hickok death.

James Butler Hickok – Early Life & Career

James Butler Hickok was born on 27th May 1837 in Homer (present-day Troy Grove), LaSalle County, Illinois. His father, William Alonzo, and his mother, Polly Butler Hickok, were abolitionists, which led to his father being killed when James was only 14 years old. This heartbreak did not stop him from continuing the abolitionists’ mission.

People had harsh and different lives in the Old Wild West than us. Even though James was extremely young, he had to work and master marksmanship and hunting from an early age. Barely turned 18, he moved and joined the antislavery forces in Kansas lead by General James Lane’s Free State. He was later elected constable of Monticello Township in Johnson County, Kansas.

From James Butler Hickok to Wild Bill Hickok

James B. Hickok’s life took an interesting turn when he started working as a stagecoach driver for the Pony Express and Overland Express.

This is where he met William Frederick Cody, who later became known as Buffalo Bill. Their friendship grew, and soon, the pair was well-known as people not to be messed with.

The years in travel allowed James to gain confidence and more experience in marksmanship, gambling, and encounters with ladies. Today, according to the laws, the legal gambling age in US is 21, but back then, cards were a fun way to pass the time and make a fistful of dollars.

During the Civil War, Hickok became a teamster and a spy for the Union Army. His endeavours during the war are not public knowledge, but it is clear that this is when he received the nickname “Wild Bill” . Hickok was discharged in 1865, and this is when his path as a gunslinger began. His fame in the show business and legendary adventures with other famous Wild West outlaws and gamblers are yet to come.

The Legend of Wild Bill

The popularity of an excellent marksman and gambler was gained way before the Wild Bill Hickok Deadwood adventures. Wild Bill’s life has been an inspiration for many fictional characters in poker movies, books, and stories. If you wonder which stories are real and which are all fiction of ingenious writers, we will help you. In this section of the article, we describe the proven facts that make Wild bill great.

Deadly Injured Wild Bill Killed 3-100 Men Singlehandedly!

Wild Bill’s notoriety as a gunfighter first spread in July 1861 with the McCanles’ Massacre in Rock Creek, Nebraska. An argument over a land purchase made Hickok face the brothers David and William McCanles and several farmhands.

The argument grew into a stand-out, and despite being severely injured, Wild Bill coolly shot and killed three of the men who were trying to kill him. Soon, the news spread in newspapers and magazines, and the number of Hickok’s opponents exponentially grew until, in 1967, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine reported that Hickok had killed 10 men.

“Bill Hickok was regarded as the deadliest pistol shot alive as well as being a man of great courage. The truth of certain stories of Bill’s achievements may have been open to debate, but he had earned the respect paid to him.” – Wyatt Earp say about Wild Bill Hickok

Such high regards given by Wyatt Earp, another famous gunslinger and lawman, are signs of respect and clear admiration. The story of that time when Hickok shot 6 bullets at a letter “O” with the size of a man’s heart, standing 50 yards away, supports his excellent marksmanship fame. Earp was not wrong in his evaluation of Hickok’s kill score. It is calculated that in his entire lifetime , Hickok had killed more than 100 men during his lifetime, but this number could be higher.

Wild Bill Hickok vs Davis Tutt

When we speak of life in the Old Wild West, many people forget that where there are people, there is entertainment. The most visited locations in a town were the saloon, local barber, store, and of course, the church on Sunday. Out of all those places the saloons were the most entertaining places where people can see a cabaret, get lucky in love, get a drink, or play games like poker, dice, Brag, Three-card-monte, and even Classic Roulette.

Knowing this, it is not hard to believe that the quarrel between Hickok and Davis Tutt might have started in the Springfield, Missouri’s saloon and moved outside. What is known is that in July 1865, the town square became the place where old friends became enemies. The two men faced each other, and by the time Tutt reached for his gun, Wild Bill had already drawn and fired his weapon. The bullet split the air crossing 75 yards, and killed Davis Tutt on the spot.

Hickok – the Wild Bears Killer

Those of you who have watched The Revenant (2015), or The Edge (1996) may have an idea how difficult it is to kill a bear. That seemed not to be a hard task for Wild Bill because the word is that he killed a wild bear with nothing but his bare hands and a bowie knife. That story is completely possible, considering his long travels in the wilderness. The flaw is that there are no reports of Hickok being hurt during the fight with the bear, which is unlikely even for the best hunters.

Wild Bill’s Frontier Justice & A Deadly Mistake in Abilene

One of the most hear-breaking Wild Bill Hickok facts is the story about the end of his lawman career. After the Civil War, Hickok moved to Kansas in April 1871 and became sheriff (Hays City) and marshal (Abilene) at the same time. We remind you that those were the days when the government was yet to create modern legislation, and way before the strict US gambling laws, underage drinking, or other rules we have today.

Hickok had to use his gun to stop trouble-makers, and in return, he was paid $150 per month and one-fourth of all bounties and arrest fees he made. This may not seem like much, but at that time, both Hays City and Abilene had become gathering places for outlaws and lawless men. Hickok had a lot of work to do, so he appointed deputies in both towns.

The tragedy stroke when Hickok was in a shootout with Phil Coe, the Abilene’s saloon owner. The whole melee was short, and bullets flew all over the place. In the commotion, Hickok noticed that someone was moving towards him. Wild Bill’s instincts moved his hand faster than his mind and fired at his deputy Mike Williams. The two shots hit the target, and the deputy fell dead on the floor. This mistake was so devastating that Hickok left the law service to pursue other ventures.

Wild Bill & Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show

Haunted by the murder of deputy Mike Williams, Wild Bill abandoned the gun battles for the rest of his life. But what employment could a man with killer instincts, polished by professional experience as a gunman and lawman, could get in the Wild West? The answer is surprisingly easy and yet, absolutely logical – join the show business. Thinking of showbiz in the vast field of the US leads the thoughts to Native American casinos. Once again, we remind you that today’s entertainments are far from the fun in the Old Wild West.

Hickok tried to create a Wild West show, but this venture failed. Not long after, his old friend William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody invited Wild Bill to join “Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show”. Hickok showed his gunfighter skills during the following years alongside other legends like Annie Oakley, Texas Jack Omohundro, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, and more than 1200 other performers. The sweet life continued until Wild Bill Hickok’s death, which we will describe in the next part of the article.

Wild Bill’s Poker Games & The Dead Man’s Hand

Even though Wild Bill was suffering from glaucoma, he continued his travels in the company of Calamity Jane. The pair often drunk and smoked or chewed tobacco while winning on the poker tables of the towns they visited. If it is hard for you to imagine this type of life, you can watch Tombstone (1993), Maverick (1994), or the TV series Deadwood and you will get the idea. Speaking of outlaws’ dens, it is time to tell you about the Wild Bill Hickok Deadwood, South Dakota’s last days.

The Dead Man’s Hand

It is fair to say that at the end of his life, Hickok had developed a gambling addiction out of necessity to make money. This necessity set the stage for his last moments on Earth. While in Deadwood, Wild Bill frequently played at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon.

On 1st August 1876, Hickok won a high stakes poker game against the young drifter, Jack McCall, and several other men. Wild Bill gave Jack money to buy food and recommended McCall to cover his losses before making new debts.

Jack McCall’s pride pushed him to seek revenge, and on 2nd August 1876, at 4:15 p.m., he returned to the saloon. He saw Hickok playing poker and approached him from behind. McCall pulled out his Colt .45 revolver and shouting: “Take that!” he shot Wild Bill in the back of the head.

Hickok died on the spot, but this was when the greatest legend about him was born. Since he was playing poker when he died, his hand was still holding a pair of black Aces and a pair of black 8s. Since that day, this combination of cards remained in history as Wild Bill Hickok’s Dead Man’s Hand.

And Justice for All…

The Wild Bill Hickok death was followed by a speedy trial where Jack McCall claimed that Hickok killed his brother, so the young man was found not guilty by a “miners’ court”. Jack left for Wyoming, and not a month later, he was already bragging that he had killed Wild Bill Hickok.

McCall didn’t know that the US marshals present on his trial followed him and arrested him on 29th August 1876, in Laramie. Jack McCall was extradited to Yankton, South Dakota, where he faced trial for the second time for the murder of Wild Bill. The reason was that the first trial was held in Deadwood, an Indian Territory at that time, and therefore McCall’s acquittal was deemed invalid.

Jack McCall’s second trial began on 4th December 1876. The jury needed only two days to find McCall guilty, and the death sentence was read on 3rd January 1877. Jack McCall was hanged by the neck for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok on 1st March 1877.

Wild Bill Hickock Grave

The Wild Bill Hickok facts show that he is remembered even today. His memorial statue and grave in Deadwood, South Dakota, is visited by tourists, historians, and Old Wild West fans. They can see the graves of many outlaws and law enforcement officers who found their end in this town. Next to Wild Bill, you will see the Calamity Jane’s grave under the name Martha Jane Canary. Her final wish of resting next to her pal was fulfilled after she died on 1st August 1903 (aged 51).

If you check the archives and the Wild Bill Hickock letters, you will find the last letter he sent to his wife, was received by her on 3rd August 1876, a day after his death. Here is what he wrote:

“Agnes Darling, if such should be we never meet again while firing my last shot, I will gently breathe the name of my wife—Agnes—and with wishes, even for my enemies, I will take the plunge and try to swim to the other shore.”

Wild Bill Hickok in Pop Culture

The Wild Bill Hickok Deadwood death is the stunning end to an incredible life. That is why there is no wonder why Wild Bill’s life and adventures inspire us even today. If you are looking to learn more about him, then we have prepared a list of sources with Wild Bill’s perils:

The Wild Bill Hickok “Dead Man’s Hand” can often be drawn when you play at the best online casinos in the USA for 2024 or any brick and mortar casino. If you get it, don’t worry because the two pairs of Aces and eights can bring great prizes if followed by an Ace, 8, or another high court card.

Wild Bill Hickok Q&A

Wild Bill Hickok’s story is incredible and borderline unbelievable, but that’s what makes it so fascinating. We gave you details about the story, and now you can find answers to popular questions about Wild Bill. If you haven’t read the article yet, follow the links to the relevant sections to learn more about this Old Wild West legend.

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