If we were to rank the most legendary characters of the Old West, the man you see above would certainly be a contender for the top spot.
The resume of James “Wild Bill” Hickok is almost too long to contain in a single article. Anti-slavery guerrilla, gunfighter, lawman, gambler, and bear attack victim are all titles that equally apply to the remarkable Wild Bill.
Wild Bill Hickock
James Butler Hickok was born on May 27, 1837, in Illinois to William and Polly Hickok — farmers whose home also functioned as part of the Underground Railroad.
Although James was just 15 when his father died, he carried his abolitionist beliefs with him as he left Illinois in 1855 to join up with anti-slavery vigilantes in Kansas and assumed his father’s name.
“Bill” Hickok left Kansas in 1859 to join a stagecoach freight company.
Allegedly, while on the trail between Missouri and New Mexico, Hickock encountered a she-bear blocking the road. When Hickok fired at the bear’s head, the bullet ricocheted off its skull. The enraged animal attacked Hickok, who managed to slit its throat.
Now, historians doubt that this famed encounter actually occurred, but since Wild Bill liked to tell the story, who are we to exclude it?
Bill Hickok became Wild Bill in 1861 after shooting David McCanles. McCanles, who rented a cabin to the stagecoach company, regularly teased Hickok for his large upper-lip by calling him “Duck Bill.”
When McCanles came to the cabin to collect overdue rent, a fight broke out and Hickok killed him.
After a judge ruled he had acted in self-defense, Hickok grew a mustache to hide his lip and asked that people refer to him as “Wild Bill” instead of “Duck Bill.” I’d imagine that’s a request few would refuse.
Gunfighter & Gambler
After serving the Union in the Civil War, Wild Bill built his reputation as a notorious gunfighter and gambler.
In 1865, Hickok headed to Springfield, Missouri to gamble his military earnings. There, he quickly became known as an expert poker player and developed a rivalry with gambler Davis Tutt.
After several arguments, Hickok refused to gamble with Tutt, who continued to give advice and money to anyone betting against Wild Bill.
After Tutt stole Hickok’s prized golden watch, Hickok met him in the town square and killed him in one of the few quick-draw duels to actually occur in the Old West.
For the rest of his life, Hickok worked as a sheriff in several Kansas counties and continued to gamble and shoot his way out of fights.
Wild Bill’s Death
On August 1, 1876, Wild Bill found himself playing poker in Deadwood, Dakota Territory against a drunk named Jack McCall.
After defeating McCall, Hickok suggested the man stop gambling and offered to buy him breakfast.
The following day, McCall returned to the saloon and shot Hickok in the back of the head with a Colt 1873 Single Action Army.
Wild Bill was only 39 when he was killed, but his legendary life continues to shape our popular imagination of the American West.
This is a new style of article for Pew Pew Tactical; if you liked it — let us know in the comments! If you didn’t enjoy it…well phooey. To catch up on previous Pictures from History, click on over to our History Category.
15 Leave a Reply
Enjoyed it! Please post more.
Love the history of the old west .More article’s like that would be great .
I love Western history! Also, give Western/Great Basin archaeology a look. It is really cool what has happened in the Western part of the U. S. in the last ten to fifteen thousand years.
The more guns and history the better.
Would like more like this and more history, especially Revolutionary War related. Thanks!
What can I say that hasn't already been said. I love this part of Pew Pew's reviews.
Keep them coming.
Thanks! Would like to see more articles like this. Always liked the story of Bill Hickok. Even had a book about him as a kid.
Any relation to the famous John Hickock?
No, however he is actually the YouTuber "Hickock 45". Hasn't aged a bit !
Nice to get the real story of his death, not the BS from the movies
Great inclusion.
So much information about Wild Bill and his life I did not know. Thank you!!! Please do more articles like this. They are wonderful.
Loved the Wild Bill story, more please!
Really enjoy the picture from history articles. Varied, informative, entertaining. One of the first things I read on pewpew every week. AND- pewpew is the first website I go to after work on Friday. My favorite.
Thanks for reading!