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. That rifle shot, supposedly downhill on a windy day and reportedly at over 750 yards, helped cement Hickok's legend as a master of weapons. The watch had great sentimental value to Hickok, so he asked Tutt not to wear it in public. Hickok had only three deputies and himself, to control upwards of five thousand rowdy citizens. [2][28] It is also recorded that when Hardin's cousin Mannen Clements was jailed for the killing of two cowboys, Hickok, at Hardin's request, arranged for his escape.[29]. No one was allowed to get too near. Abilene's town gun laws did not allow this type of activity. Hickok ordered him to be arrested for firing a pistol within the city limits. In 1861 he was involved in a deadly shoot-out with the McCanles Gang at the Rock Creek Station after 40-year-old David McCanles, his 12-year-old son (William) Monroe McCanles, and two farmhands, James Woods and James Gordon, called at the station's office to demand payment of an overdue second installment on the property, an event that is still the subject of much debate. 2 Army revolver belonged to Wild Bill Hickok, and may have been on his person when the legendary gunslinger was shot and killed in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Aug. 2 . He further claimed that Hickok, as a result, had two guns cocked and pointed at him. On April 15th 1871 he was sworn in as Marshal at a salary of $150 dollars a month. Thank you Steve and Gary! "[49], Hickok and Phil Coe, a saloon owner and acquaintance of Hardin's, had a dispute that resulted in a shootout. The records show that Hickok, master gunfighter, killer of men, scout of the wilderness, eagerly chased bullfrogs all day long with a small girl! Hickok has remained one of the most popular and iconic figures of the American Old West, and is still frequently depicted in popular culture, including literature, film, and television. Wild Bill Hickok - Single Episodes | Old Time Radio Show | Audio. Hickok and Brinks were charged with murder but found not guilty. McLintock used a cane to tap the body, face, and head, finding no soft tissue anywhere. 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. In through the back door walked a cowardly little man named "Jack McCall". "The Custer-Hickok Shootout in Hays City. Instinctively, he liked them and they liked him. And the family remained in complete safety while the cow herd, and the cowboys, passed by the ranch. [68], As I write the closing lines of this brief sketch, word reaches me that the slayer of Wild Bill has been rearrested by the United State [sic?] For confirmation that Hickok was employed as a U.S. Army scout fighting Indians in Kansas in the summer of 1867, see Ames, George Augustus, Russell, Majors and Waddell freight company, List of cultural depictions of Wild Bill Hickok, "How many men did Wild Bill Hickok actually kill? http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=hickok&GSfn=james Death of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok a Burial of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, "Wild Bill", "Wild Bill Hickok", "Hickock", Deadwood, Lawrence, South Dakota, United States, Abolitionist, facilitator of the Underground Railroad, Lawman, Gunfighter, Gambler, U.S. The bullet hit Hickok in the back of the head, killing him instantly. According to Hickok biographer Joseph G. Rosa, the Hickok family still has a tintype photo of Hannah in their possession. shot Tutt to prevent the threatened impending injury [then] the jury will acquit.". He seemed to have respect for Hickok's abilities and replied, "If Bill needs killing, why don't you kill him yourself? [citation needed], Buffalo Bill claimed that he encountered Hickok disguised as a Confederate officer in Missouri in 1864. She claimed to be the daughter of Calamity Jane. Play Audio. This was the last time Hickok was ever involved in a gunfight; the accidental death of Deputy Williams was an event that haunted Hickok for the remainder of his life. Under the name "Wild Bill Hitchcock" [sic], the article recounted the "hundreds" of men whom Hickok had personally killed and other exaggerated exploits. [citation needed] Although he was just 39, his marksmanship and health were apparently in decline, and he had been arrested several times for vagrancy,[53] despite earning a good income from gambling and displays of showmanship only a few years earlier. Hardin was in town under his assumed name Wesley Clemmons, but was better known to the townspeople by the alias "Little Arkansas". According to Hardin's biography Hickok came to disarm Hardin one day, for violation of the gun carry laws enacted in Abilene. [60] McCall then entered the saloon, walked up behind Hickok, drew his Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army .45-caliber revolver, and shouted, "Damn you! If the deceased and defendant engaged in a fight or conflict willingly on the part of each, and the defendant killed the deceased, he is guilty of the offense charged, although the deceased may have fired the first shot. Jesse James suffered from it. [8] On March 22, 1858, he was elected as one of the first four constables of Monticello Township, Kansas. Present-day gravesite Utter supervised the move and noted that while perfectly preserved, Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed. Wild Bill Hickok was an American folk hero. Since no official action was taken by the Army, against Hickok, it must be assumed that he acted in self-defense. At 19, Hickok was elected constable of Monticello Township. Pard, we will meet again in the happy hunting ground to part no more. "[46] Hoping to intimidate Hickok, Coe allegedly stated that he could "kill a crow on the wing". This offended both Tutt and Tutt's mother who also didn't like Union people. This assignment would eventually bring about an incident, that would bring Hickok to the attention of the West, the nation, and the world. Hickok invented the practice of "posting" men out of town. Dismounting, he approached the bear and fired a shot into its head, but the bullet ricocheted off its skull, infuriating it. [15] He grew a moustache following the McCanles incident, and in 1861 began calling himself "Wild Bill".[16][17]. Of course there was not a shred of evidence or documentation to verify this outlandish claim. He joined a Quaker group that was involved in the business of assisting escaped slaves. They pull their guns and shoot. B. Hickock [sic] killed by the assassin Jack McCall in Deadwood, Black Hills, August 2, 1876. "[56], Martha Jane Cannary, known popularly as Calamity Jane, claimed in her autobiography that she was married to Hickok and had divorced him so he could be free to marry Agnes Lake, but no records that support her account have been found. Wild Bill Hickok's Smith & Wesson Model No. . Mulvey wheeled his horse around to face those who might shoot him from behind, and before he realized he had been fooled, Hickok shot him through the temple. At the conclusion of the incident a woman's voice was heard to shout, "good for you Wild Bill"! The problem with this recollection" of Hardin's is that there is absolutely no evidence it ever happened. Before the internment,however, some of her "friends" conceived the plan to bury her next to Wild Bill. His nickname of Wild Bill has inspired similar nicknames for men known for their daring in various fields. Lorenzo Butler Hickok spoke with McCall after the trial, and said McCall showed no remorse. Rosa conjectures that Wellman had far more of a motive to kill McCanles, a belief supported by McCanles' son's own account. Hickok's brother, Lorenzo Butler Hickok, traveled from Illinois to attend the retrial and spoke to McCall after the trial, noting that he showed no remorse. He noted the sound was similar to tapping a brick wall and believed the remains to now weigh more than 400 lb (181 kg). Coe had been the business partner of known gunman Ben Thompson, with whom he co-owned the Bulls Head Saloon. In 1857, Hickok claimed a 160-acre (65 ha) tract in Johnson County, Kansas (in what is now the city of Lenexa),[4] where, on March 22 in 1858, he was elected as one of the first four constables of Monticello Township, Kansas. [74] He wore his revolvers butt-forward in a belt or sash (when wearing city clothes or buckskins, respectively), and seldom used holsters; he drew the pistols using a "reverse", "twist", or cavalry draw, as would a cavalryman. On July 21, 1865, in the town square of Springfield, Missouri, Hickok killed Davis Tutt, Jr. in a "quick draw" duel. Marjorie "Betty Crocker" Child, "Wild Bill" Hickok, John Bartlett, Johnny Carson, George Mortimer . Just as he pulled the trigger one of the policemen rushed around the corner between Coe and the pistols and both balls entered his body, killing him instantly. Gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok (Jeff Bridges) travels the frontier, gaining fame and enemies in roughly equal measure. The man, Dave Tutt, had been on the Confederate side during the war. [14] He then instructed them that they could apply the unwritten law of the "fair fight" and acquit. Eventually, Hickok tired of all the show business stuff and left for the West he so loved. In another portion of the "diary" McCormick claimed Calamity had wed Hickok aboard a steamship named the "Madagascar", by it's captain named "O'Neil". Fairchilds & Wild Bill Hickok By Bruce Clark July 29, 2004 at 05:06:38. He was holding two pairs: black aces and black eights (although there is some dispute as to the suit of one of the aces, diamond vs. spade) as his "up cards", which has since become widely known as the "dead man's hand". On this occasion however, his friends teased him about his habit and wouldn't let him sit with his back to the wall. At the time, shooting stray dogs within city limits was legal, and a 50-cent bounty was paid by the city for each one shot. [10], Hickok 1869. [61], Hickok died instantly. Wild Bill Hickok aired from 1 April 1951 until 31 December 1954 over the Mutual Broadcasting System on radio and then made the move to television from 1955 to 1958. A monument has since been built there. He usually kept his back to walls, and avoided open doorways and windows. On October 5, 1871, Hickok was standing off a crowd during a street brawl when Coe fired two shots. Inside were several local thugs playing pool, and when they saw the long haired frontiersman come in they thought they would have some sport with him. This was likely exacerbated by the fact that there was a long-standing dispute over Hickok's girlfriend, Susannah Moore. [4]. I will be." His gunfighting skills eventually earned him the nickname "Wild Bill". 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. Despite his reputation,[70] Hickok was buried in the Ingelside Cemetery, Deadwood's original graveyard. It should not be quoted or retransmitted without a full citation to the author and website address, and should not be put into print without the author's express permission. True Story: Wild Bill Hickok, Sheriff Of Deadwood One of the most fascinating historical figures from the days of the American wild west is Wild Bill Hickok. Most are addressed to Adah F. Saunders (Mrs. Harry P.) Daily of Oberlin, Kansas. In September of 1867 Hickok was involved in one of his most famous shootouts. WILD BILL HICKOK. He enlisted as a civilian scout. Hickok's horse was called Black Nell, and he owned two Colt 1851 Navy Revolvers. Born in Troy Grove, near Ottawa, Illinois, he took part in the Kansas struggle preceding the Civil War, was a driver of the Butterfield stage line, and gained fame as a gunfighter. According to Hance, Lorenzo was known as "Tame Bill", and James as "Wild Bill". [62][63] Hickok may have told his friend Charlie Utter and others who were traveling with them that he thought he would be killed while in Deadwood. The story continued that McCanles invaded the Wellmans cabin and prepared to shoot Hickok, who acted faster and shot McCanles in the chest. They quibble over meaningless points, and judge him with the values of another time and another place. 10 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Without waiting to see the results of his shot, Hickok turned on his heel and faced an angry group of Tutt's friends, who had taken a position behind him. Although McCall accepted the money, he was apparently insulted. And, that he hadn't "gambled" in two years! It won the Best Song Oscar for "Secret Love", by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster . When he saw Hickok, he leveled his cocked rifle at him. B. Hickock killed by the assassin Jack McCall in Deadwood, Black Hills, August 2, 1876. This too was badly defaced which led to its complete enclosure in a cage for protection. In July, Hickok told a newspaper reporter that he had led several soldiers in pursuit of Indians who had killed four men near the fort on July 2. In fact she hardly even spoke of him. The 10th Regiment arrived at Fort Lyon in Colorado in October and remained there for the rest of 1868. 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. Furk Mus2017. The authorities did not consider this to be double jeopardy because at the time Deadwood was not recognized by the U.S. as a legitimately incorporated town (due to federal laws that made it illegal to settle on Indian land; many people did anyway). [5] William Hickok died in 1852, when James was 15. Wild Bill Hickok was born James Butler Hickok in Homer, Illinois on May 27, 1837. It is now time to deal with a myth that has plagued Hickok's memory and his legend. This tale of romance came to a sad end on August 2, 1876. Both men faced each other sideways in the dueling position and both fired almost simultaneously. Hickok warned the armed and dangerous man to cease causing trouble. Hickok then tried acting in Wild West shows, which were growing in popularity. AllisonYsamo7744. [40]:192, On July 17, 1870, Hickok was attacked by two troopers from the 7th U.S. Cavalry, Jeremiah Lonergan and John Kyle (sometimes spelled Kile),[42] in a saloon. Hickok came to the West as a stagecoach driver, then became a lawman in the frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska. According to the story, Hickok placed himself between the crowd and their intended victim. [18] On March 22, 1858, he was elected one of the first four constables of Monticello Township. [24], On July 17, 1870, also in Hays, he was involved in a gunfight with disorderly soldiers of the 7th U.S. Cavalry. In 1861, he became a town constable in Nebraska. The Codys were a farming family in Iowa but the death of Billy Cody's older brother sent the family to Kansas to start over. Four of the men on the self-appointed committee who planned Calamity's funeral (Albert Malter, Frank Ankeney, Jim Carson, and Anson Higby) later stated that, since Hickok had "absolutely no use" for Jane in this life, they decided to play a posthumous joke on him by laying her to rest by his side. Utter.". He then asked them some questions concerning the man he was tracking. Wild Bill Hickok was born in Homer, Illinois (name later changed to Troy Grove, Illinois) on May 27, 1837. Utter.". While Horace and Lorenzo took over the regular chores of running the family farm, young James took over the job of furnishing some of the food for the family. It was written by Michael Lanahan and directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. Hickok was offered the position of Marshal after the previous one,Tom Smith, was killed in the line of duty. Troy Grove was then, and is now a small clean agricultural community. Now, instead of her father being just a "cousin" of Hickok's, Hickok himself was her father! In the HBO show Deadwood (2004-2006), Wild Bill is played by Keith Carradine. Not a word was uttered.". There the familys small farm served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Hardin alleged that when his cousin, Mannen Clements, was jailed for the killing of two cowhands (Joe and Dolph Shadden) in July 1871, Hickokat Hardin's requestarranged for his escape. awaiting execution. Wild Bill Hickok next set his sights on Abilene, Kansas, where he served as the town's . This would be the first recorded time he assumed the office of a law enforcement officer. In my opinion, these would be the "cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat", in the "arena" of life, spoken of by Theodore Roosevelt. He was a well-known gambler and gunslinger, participating in many shootouts before coming to Deadwood. James Butler Hickok, a.k.a. [39] Three sheriffs had quit during the previous 18 months. When James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was born on 27 May 1837, in Troy Grove, LaSalle, Illinois, United States, his father, William Alonzo Hickok, was 35 and his mother, Pamelia "Polly" Butler, was 32. 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