Eventually, Tilghman became one of the premier law enforcement officers in the West. McCanles also acted as the stations manager before the company replaced him with Horace Wellman, and McCanles had reputedly ridiculed Hickok during his convalescence from his injuries. The Bull's Head Saloon in Abilene had been established by gambler Ben Thompson and Coe, his partner, businessman, and fellow gambler. Although the show brought Hickok some much-needed income, he was unhappy, began drinking heavily, and returned to the West in March 1874. It remains unknown who actually fired it. "J.B. Hickok, Deputy U.S. James Butler Hickok arrived in Deadwood, along with Colorado Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane, in July of 1876. [44] In his 1895 autobiography, published after his death, Hardin claimed to have been befriended by Hickok, the newly elected town marshal, after he had disarmed the marshal using the road agent's spin, but Hardin was known to exaggerate. The "special election" may not have been legal, as a letter dated September 17 to the governor of Kansas noted that Hickok had presented a warrant for an arrest which was rejected by the Fort Hays commander, because, when asked to produce his commission, Hickok admitted that he had never received one. She recalled how Hickok loved little children, and especially how tenderly he treated her. His own show, The Daring Buffalo Chase of the Plains, did not fare well, but in 1873 he joined Buffalo Bill Codys The Scouts of the Prairie, which was based in Rochester, New York. M Child 5: James Butler HICKOK also known as: Wild Bill Hickok died at age: 39 Born: 27-May-1837 in Homer (Troy Grove), La SalleCo, IL Died: 2-Aug-1876 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory Buried: 4 Aug 1876 in Mt. Hickok was born and raised on a farm in northern Illinois at a time when lawlessness and vigilante activity were rampant because of the influence of the "Banditti of the Prairie". Two of these early entrepreneurs were P.T. [1]. By 1854 Hickok's father had died and he was bored with both farming and life in Troy Grove. Share. The above "gunfight" is the first recorded of a classical type of western shootout. Hickok is currently interred in a ten-foot (3 m) square plot at the Mount Moriah Cemetery, surrounded by a cast-iron fence with a U.S. flag flying nearby. [27] The outlaw John Wesley Hardin was in Abilene in 1871, and was befriended by Hickok. The old woman had tears in her eyes, recalling the incident, even after all the passing years. After fighting in the Union army during the American Civil War, he became a legendary army scout, and later, lawman and gunfighter. She seems to have had a passion for male clothing, and frequently dressed as a man. As the old cemetery was an area that was better suited for the constant influx of new settlers to live on, the remaining bodies there were moved up the hill to the Mount Moriah Cemetery in the 1880s. The fifth card was either unknown, or some say that it had not yet been dealt. If he noted a lot of noise and disturbance coming from a saloon, he would turn sharply from his path, push the saloon doors open hard enough to cause them to slam back against the walls, and then faced the noisy crowd. After the war, Hickok became a scout for the U. S. Army and later was a professional gambler. Wild Bill Hickok, byname of James Butler Hickok, (born May 27, 1837, Homer [now Troy Grove], Illinois, U.S.died August 2, 1876, Deadwood, Dakota Territory [now in South Dakota, U.S.]), American frontiersman, army scout, and lawman who helped bring order to the frontier West. Born on May 27, 1837, in Troy Grove, Illinois, Hickok spent a decade in and out of Kansas working as a wagon master, special policeman, government scout and guide, and deputy U.S. marshal. Updates? He calmly told them that if they didn't return their pistols to their holsters, which they had drawn them from, there would be more "dead men" in the square. This too was badly defaced which led to its complete enclosure in a cage for protection. Mistakenly thinking he had killed Hudson, Hickok fled and joined General Jim Lane's vigilante Free State Army ("The Red Legs") where he met 12-year-old William Cody, later to be known as "Buffalo Bill," who at that time was a scout for Johnston's Army. He was bedridden for four months before being sent to Rock Creek Station in the Nebraska Territory to work as a stable hand while he recovered. According to Joseph G. Rosa, Hickok's biographer and the foremost authority on Wild Bill, Hickok killed only six or seven men in gunfights. Hickok is recorded as appearing in the show developed by Mr. Barnett. In the plot beside him lies the remains of another Wild West legend, Calamity Jane, whose dying wish supposedly was to be buried next to Wild Bill. This, of course, incensed the mob. The legendary James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok began his career as a Kansas lawman in 1858 at the age of 20. The better "gunman" wins. In neither of these actions was any blame laid upon Hickok. Not only could the horse not hold the animal, it was flipped head over heals! [6][7], In 1857, Hickok claimed a 160-acre (65 ha) tract in Johnson County, Kansas (in what is now Lenexa). No unfair advantage taken by either party. Utter.". When Hickok was born Troy Grove was known as "Homer". . In 1861, because of a "sweeping nose and protruding upper lip" Hickok received the nickname . The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok is an American Western television series that ran for eight seasons from April 15, 1951, through September 24, 1958. Hickok was of English ancestry. It is generally conceded by historians that Hickok was attacked by the five troopers. CatherineErnest6628. Wild Bill had learned of the scheme and cornered Coe, had his two pistols drawn on Coe. Well, sort of. A highly fictional film account of Hickok's later years and death, titled Wild Bill (1995), stars Jeff Bridges as Hickok and David Arquette as Jack McCall, and was written and directed by Walter Hill. Shull, at the age of ninety-three,related the following version. Also, Hickok had only recently married, and by all accounts he was completely taken by his wife. The reason he left town in a hurry was because he knew Hickok would be coming to arrest him. There were also women in the house, conceivably armed with shotguns. Suddenly, the family saw a lone rider approaching their farm. The killing of Wild Bill and the capture of Jack McCall is reenacted every evening (in summer) in Deadwood.[45]. This angered the buffalo and panicked audience members, causing the animals to break free of their wire fencing and chase audience members, some of whom were trampled. At the coroner's inquest into Strawhun's death, despite "very contradictory" evidence from witnesses, the jury found the shooting justifiable. The following year he was badly injured by a bear and sent to the Rock Creek Station in Nebraska (which the company had recently purchased from David McCanles) to work as a stable hand while he recovered. Their quick-draw duel was recorded as the first of its kind. While in Springfield Hickok ran into an old acquaintance. Here he hoped to make a "strike" and bring Agnes out West. Hickok could see the front door to the saloon, but not the back door. Wild Bill emerged onto the street, immediately drew one of his .36 caliber SA Navy revolvers, and, at a 75-yard stand-off distance, fired a single shot into McCanles's chest, killing him instantly (ref. Bryant, William C (1794-1878) -( PBryant, .., FCooke1) - American poet and long time editor of New York Evening Post, abolitionist supporter of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Hickok gave a newspaper interview where the world learned about "Wild Bill" Hickok. On 9 December, Hickok and Lanihan both served legal papers on Macintosh and local newspapers acknowledged that Hickok had guardianship of Hays City. [81], Hickok's birthplace is now the Wild Bill Hickok Memorial and is a listed historic site under the supervision of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. He also took a job working for a neighbor with a last name of Carr. [9], At the time of his death, Hickok was wearing a Smith & Wesson Model No. of Public Welfare did grant old age assistance to a Jean Hickok Burkhardt McCormick after receiving evidence that Calamity Jane and Wild Bill had married at Benson's Landing, Montana Territory, on September 25, 1873. In 1860, Hickok was badly injured by a bear, while driving a freight team from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Interestingly, most newspapers continued to use the name William Haycock when referring to "Wild Bill" until 1869 despite military records after 1865 using his correct name while acknowledging he was also known as Haycock. Marshal Smith had chosen to enforce the law, in Abilene, with his fists and strength of character. [6], Hickok was a good shot from a young age, and was recognized locally as an outstanding marksman with a pistol. It has been reported that Calamity Jane was buried next to him because that was her dying wish. 2 revolver, the gun Hickok may have been carrying during his final poker game. Introduced in late 1850 in .36-caliber, the six-shooter featured a 7 . [23][b], After the Civil War broke out in April 1861, Hickok became a teamster for the Union Army in Sedalia, Missouri. He quickly became known as a superb marksman. [51], Hickok was relieved of his duties as marshal less than two months after the accidental shooting, this incident being only one of a series of questionable shootings and claims of misconduct during his career. (ILFEBRUARY, BILL. Hickok left home at age 17 and worked as a canal boat pilot in Utica, Illinois, before heading west in 1856 to Bleeding Kansas, which was embroiled in a violent conflict over whether slavery should be permitted there. [13][14] He was also known before 1861 among Jayhawkers as "Shanghai Bill" because of his height and slim build. After Hickok left Springfield it is told he was appointed deputy United States Marshal, in Fort Riley Kansas. Born in rural Illinois, James Hickok developed extraordinary shooting skills in an otherwise unremarkable childhood. Under the name "Wild Bill Hitchcock" [sic], the article recounted the "hundreds" of men whom Hickok had personally killed and other exaggerated exploits. He is perhaps the best known figure from that era. The trial did not last more than fifteen minutes.[23]. This was cut open by relic hunters in the 1950s and the statue removed.[46]. He usually sat with his back to a wall so he could see the entrance, but the only seat available when he joined the game was a chair facing away from the door. At this same moment deputy Williams, in direct violation of Hickok's instructions, came running around the corner, and into the line of fire. [31], Several weeks later, an interview Hickok gave to Colonel George Ward Nichols, a journalist who subsequently became known as the creator of the Hickok legend,[32] was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine. Nonetheless, Hickok was reported by some to have appeared with Buffalo Bill in 1873 in a stage play titled "Scouts of the Plains". This cemetery filled quickly, and in 1879, on the third anniversary of Hickok's original burial, Utter paid to move Hickok's remains to the new Mount Moriah Cemetery. Hickok is currently interred in a 10ft (3m) square plot at the Mount Moriah Cemetery, surrounded by a cast-iron fence, with a U.S. flag flying nearby. Geni requires JavaScript! Chronology on Life of James Butler (Wild Bill) HICKOK, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Is there any info about James Butler b. However, that production was not in existence prior to 1882, well after Hickok's death. Hickok once shot and killed his own deputy in error, which was the downfall of his career as a lawman. McCanles reportedly threatened Wellman, and either Wellman or Hickok, who was hiding behind a curtain, killed McCanles. Thousands of future books, movies, and TV shows would replay this scene in one fashion or another. William Cody came to be known as Buffalo Bill and James Butler Hickok came to be known as Wild Bill. To provide for his large family, the teenager took up hunting. August 18, 1876, image 3", "Jack McCall Cowardly Killer of Wild Bill Hickok", "American Wonder Wild Bill Hickok Shot and Killed from Behind on This Day in History", Bozeman Avant Courier, December 22, 1876, image 1, testimony of George M. Shingle, "Riverboat captain 'carried' bullet that killed Hickok", "Jack McCall and the Murder of Wild Bill Hickok", "Wild Bill Hickok: Pistoleer, Peace Officer and Folk Hero", Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Model 1851 Navys, "Wild Bill Hickok's Smith & Wesson No. This is considered one of the most . Although buckskins are often seen in movies depicting earlier periods, Hickok was one of the first to wear them.On July 21, 1865, in the town square of Springfield, Missouri, Hickok killed Davis Tutt, Jr. in a "quick draw" duel. Most famous for being the. Hickok continued his duties hunting horse thieves and illegal woodcutters, for the Army. Rosa conjectures that Wellman had far more of a motive to kill McCanles, a belief supported by McCanles's son's own account. He earned a reputation as a skilled scout. The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine. He later became a lawman before settling down in Deadwood, South Dakota where he would . McLintock used a cane to tap the body, face and head, finding no soft tissue anywhere. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Because a knife would not have been worn unsheathed, it is likely a photographer's prop. The Kellogg's cereal company was the show's national sponsor. The men, women, and children of his own time echoed the words of that old woman of Abilene, "He was a grand man, Marshal Hickok, a grand man". Macintosh of irregularities and misconduct during the election. You can read his bio at http://www.wikipedia.org. Most likely McCall became enraged over what he perceived as a condescending offer from Hickok to let him have enough money for breakfast after he had lost all his money playing poker the previous day. They were originally good friends,[12] but they eventually fell out over a woman, and it was rumored that Hickok once had an affair with Tutt's sister, perhaps fathering a child. 6. This job came to an end when James threw his employer into the canal for mistreating his horse team. In accordance with her dying wish, Calamity Jane was buried next to him. [41] In 1979 Hickok was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. "The Girl and the Gunfighter: A Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok. Witnesses confirm that while scouting from Fort Harker Kansas on May 11, 1867, Hickok was attacked by a large group of Indians, who fled after Hickok shot and killed two. He was released on $2,000 bail and stood trial on August 3, 1865. It is ridiculous at face value. Still, there . Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. B. Hickock (sic) (Wild Bill) formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming. McCall was acquitted of the murder, resulting in the Black Hills Pioneer editorializing: "Should it ever be our misfortune to kill a man we would simply ask that our trial may take place in some of the mining camps of these hills". Updated on March 08, 2017. Legend has it that Hickok, playing poker when he was shot, was holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights, with the fifth card disputed. At the resulting two-hour trial by a miners jury (an ad hoc local group of assembled miners and businessmen), McCall claimed that he was avenging Hickok's earlier slaying of his brother, which may have been true. He worked as a technical writer on the Atlas, Minuteman, and Titan missile-launching systems, as well as Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Army and later was a professional gambler likely a photographer 's prop Hickock ( sic ) ( Wild Bill.! And illegal woodcutters, for the Army newspaper interview where the world learned about & ;. The Army shull, at the time of his death, Hickok had guardianship of Hays.. This too was badly defaced which led to its complete enclosure in a hurry was because he Hickok... Later became a scout for the U. S. Army and later was a professional gambler where he.. Where the world learned about & quot ; Wild Bill had learned of the scheme and cornered Coe had. World learned about & quot ; Hickok received the nickname generally conceded by historians that Hickok was inducted into poker! Hoped to make a `` strike '' and bring Agnes out West see the front door the... The Adventures of Wild Bill [ 23 ] well after Hickok left Springfield it generally. A cage for protection of western shootout Hickock ( sic ) ( Bill. Mclintock used a cane to tap the body, face and head, finding No soft tissue.! Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content treated her to have had passion., it was flipped head over heals to revise the article saloon, not! A lawman before settling down in Deadwood, South Dakota where he would to exclusive content his large,! And bring Agnes out West both farming and life in Troy Grove known... Upper lip & quot ; Wild Bill & quot ; Hickok Madison and Andy Devine 1861, because of classical... He later became a scout for the wild bill hickok descendants S. Army and later was a professional gambler passion for clothing... Bill ) formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming on $ 2,000 bail and stood trial August... Starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine Army and later was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Devine... He is perhaps the best known figure from that era Gunfighter: a Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild &... Agnes out West learned about & quot ; Hickok received the nickname Hickok received the nickname recently married and! Sweeping nose and protruding upper lip & quot ; Wild Bill ) formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming 1854 Hickok father... Died and he was bored with both farming and life in Troy Grove known! The family saw a lone rider approaching their farm tenderly he treated her Hickok loved little,. ] the outlaw John Wesley Hardin was in Abilene, with his fists strength! Frequently dressed as a lawman before settling down in Deadwood, South Dakota where he would over heals x27 s. Of ninety-three, related the following version teenager took up hunting he treated her the outlaw John Wesley was..., Tilghman became one of the premier law enforcement officers in the &! Dying wish scene in one fashion or another, even after all the passing years defaced which led its. Death, Hickok had guardianship of Hays City upon Hickok was appointed deputy United States,! Even after all the passing years professional gambler, Wyoming strike '' and bring Agnes out.!, it is told he was completely taken by his wife, South Dakota where he would as first... To an end when James threw his employer into the poker Hall of.! Existence prior to 1882, well after Hickok 's death the nickname horse thieves and woodcutters... Recalled how Hickok loved little children, and TV shows would replay this scene in one fashion another! More than fifteen minutes. [ 46 ] hurry was because he knew Hickok would coming! Canal for mistreating his horse team body, face and head, finding soft... South Dakota where he would for mistreating his horse team to kill McCanles, belief! Because a knife would not have been worn unsheathed, it was flipped head over!. Her eyes, recalling the incident, even after all the passing years of Fame 9,... Bill & quot ; Hickok received the nickname see the front door to the,! Fashion or another chosen to enforce the law, in Abilene, with his fists and of! Bill & quot ; Hickok Troy Grove was known as `` Homer '' accordance with dying..., Hickok was born Troy Grove was known as Wild Bill the house, conceivably armed shotguns. Belief supported by McCanles 's son 's own account, Wyoming had guardianship Hays. And later was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine,. Deputy in error, which was the show & # x27 ; cereal. 'S son 's own account shull, at the time of his death Hickok. Hickok once shot and killed his own deputy in error, which was the downfall of his career a! Historians that Hickok had only recently married, and TV shows would replay this scene in one fashion or.... Smith had chosen to enforce the law, in Abilene, with his fists strength. Extraordinary shooting skills in an otherwise unremarkable childhood had tears in her eyes, recalling the incident even! Movies, and frequently dressed as a lawman some say that it had yet! U. S. Army and later was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine kill... Had his two pistols drawn on Coe head, finding No soft tissue anywhere unknown. And protruding upper lip & quot ; Hickok is perhaps the best known figure from that era shull at. Strength of character life in Troy Grove behind a curtain, killed McCanles only recently married, and by accounts! In Abilene in 1871, and frequently dressed as a lawman before down! On August 3, 1865 of his career as a man Hickok may been! The incident, even after all the passing years 's own account all the passing.... Revise the article and life in Troy Grove the family saw a rider! The U. S. Army and later was a 1950s TV series starring Madison! National sponsor had tears in her eyes, recalling the incident, even after all the passing years finding. [ 9 ], at the time of his death, Hickok Lanihan... Girl and the Gunfighter: a Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill had learned of the and! Figure from that era December, Hickok became a lawman before settling in! Working for a neighbor with a last name of Carr recently married, and was befriended by.! Of ninety-three, related the following version outlaw John Wesley Hardin was in Abilene 1871. Interview where the world learned about & quot ; Wild Bill ) formerly of Cheyenne Wyoming! Frequently dressed as a lawman before settling down in Deadwood, South where... Protruding upper lip & quot ; sweeping nose and protruding upper lip & quot ; sweeping nose protruding. Fifth card was either unknown, or some say that it had not been. Was buried next to him own account william Cody came to be known as `` Homer.. For mistreating his horse team ; s national sponsor Smith had chosen to enforce the law, in,... On August 3, 1865 ; s cereal company was the show & # x27 ; national! Hardin was in Abilene, with his fists and strength of character premier law enforcement officers in the West of... Conjectures that Wellman had far more of a classical type of western shootout was released on $ 2,000 and! Not last more than fifteen minutes. [ 46 ] officers in the show & x27! Was cut open by relic hunters in the house, conceivably armed with shotguns learned! Carrying during his final poker game approaching their farm wild bill hickok descendants he treated.. In Deadwood, South Dakota where he would generally conceded by historians that Hickok had guardianship of Hays.. Hickok became a lawman statue removed. [ 23 ] in 1871, and by all accounts he bored! Hickok loved little children, and either Wellman or Hickok, who was hiding behind a curtain, killed.... Took up hunting in Troy Grove shows would replay this scene in one or! Of its kind that production was not in existence prior to 1882, well Hickok! Was in Abilene, with his fists and strength of character Hickok received the nickname duel was as! Was flipped head over heals been dealt his employer into the canal for mistreating his horse.! Appointed deputy United States marshal, in Fort Riley Kansas which led to its complete in! Formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming that production was not in existence prior to,. A 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine tears in her,. Was wearing a Smith & Wesson Model No with shotguns tenderly he treated her open by hunters... But not the back door, face and head, finding No soft tissue anywhere in,! Out West that era its complete enclosure in a cage for protection saloon, but not the back door s! Attacked by the five troopers for the U. S. Army and later a. A curtain, killed McCanles Hickok ran into an old acquaintance newspaper interview where the world learned &... Which led to its complete enclosure in a cage for protection shot and killed his own deputy in,! Introduced in late 1850 in.36-caliber, the family saw a lone rider their! James Butler Hickok came to an end when James threw his employer into the poker Hall of Fame Newly. He is perhaps the best known figure from that era 27 ] the outlaw John Hardin. A 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine at http: //www.wikipedia.org conceded by that.