He sometimes meets up with his friend and occasional lover, Calamity Jane. Although the true version of how, or when, Hickok acquired the sobriquet may never be known, it is known that in this area of the country, during this time period, James Butler Hickok began being known as "Wild Bill Hickok"! Together, they would produce their first child, Oliver Hickok, who was born in May 1830. CatherineErnest6628. William died in 1645 leaving a widow and 2 young sons, Samuel and Joseph. According to Historynet, his father, William Alonzo Hickock, and mother, Polly Butler Hickock, had met and married in Vermont in 1827, and moved to Troy Grove in 1833.There, they opened a general store, called the Green Mountain House (presumably a nod to their home, the Green Mountain State), which did well at . Hickok told Williams to stay where he was, and then took off in the direction of the gunshot. This was a good sized family for the frontier, and reflects the character and strength of the family. [32] There is another account of the Coe shootout. Hickok was winning, which irritated Tutt, and words were exchanged. On this fateful day Wild Bill violated one of his own cardinal rules and was sitting with his back to a door. [28] Strawhun "made remarks against Hickok", and Hickok killed him with a shot through the head. In actuality, this kind of thing very rarely occurred, and the true life Western storieslike Wild Bill Hickok being shot in the back while playing cardstell a much more gruesome and less gallant tale. Here he met a 12 year old boy named Bill Tilghman. Citizens warned Mulvey to behave, because Hickok was sheriff. Hickok came to the West as a stagecoach driver, then became a lawman in the frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska. He told Clemmons (Hardin) to stay out of trouble in Abilene and asked him to hand over his guns, and Hardin complied. Theophilus Little, mayor of Abilene and owner of the town's lumberyard, recorded his time in Abilene by writing in a notebook that was recently given to the Abilene Historical Society. He afterward resumed using his given name, James Hickok. The fifth card is debated, or, as some say, had been discarded and its replacement had not yet been dealt. ), 18721886. Due to his "sweeping nose and protruding upper lip," Hickok was nicknamed "Duck Bill." At the conclusion of the incident a woman's voice was heard to shout, "good for you Wild Bill"! 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. Hickok lost his re-election bid to his deputy. One night while wandering around New York City he came into a pool room. The movie The Plainsman (1936), starring Gary Cooper as Hickok, features the alleged romance between Calamity Jane and him as its main plot line. The charge was later reduced to manslaughter. Military records after 1865 list him as Hickok, but note that he was also known as Haycock. Hickok was offered the position of Marshal after the previous one,Tom Smith, was killed in the line of duty. The game was interrupted by Hickok getting shot. The ship and the captain supposedly were in the "Cunard" steamship line. 10 in Deadwood, in the Black Hills, Dakota Territory. So ended Wild Bill's first attempt at "show business". 24 Aug 1832 d. 21 Aug 1907 Married: 5 Mar 1876 . [67], After bragging about killing Hickok, McCall was rearrested. This too was badly defaced which led to its complete enclosure in a cage for protection. 21:28. The local newspaper wrote, "Hays city is under the guardian care of Wild Bill, is quiet, and doing well". On several other occasions, Hickok confronted and killed several men while fighting alone. Sometime toward the end of 1867 records show that Hickok was in Hays City Kansas, working as a deputy U.S. My ancestor Amanda came from Samuel's line and "Wild Bill" came from Joseph's line. This gave all the advantage to the buffalo. Among his legendary exploits, he reportedly killed a bear in hand-to-hand combat armed with only a bowie knife. [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]. Since no official action was taken by the Army, against Hickok, it must be assumed that he acted in self-defense. After honeymooning back east, Hickok returned to the West. Coming from a family with a history in the early Americas, with his great-grandfather having fought in the start of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, James Butler Hickok was a fierce frontiersman with a reputation of fairness . Many years after Hickok's death, a famous gunman named John Wesley Hardin wrote an autobiography. In 1641 he married Elizabeth Cole who was born abt. The told them that the June ordinance concerning firearms was still in effect, and that they should give up their guns and leave town. On April 15th 1871 he was sworn in as Marshal at a salary of $150 dollars a month. His motive was never really known, but some folks thought the criminal element in Deadwood feared the famous lawman and decided to eliminate him. But Coe "reckoned without his host." 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. The pattern of his life was hardening into the life long habit of interposing himself between the oppressed, and the oppressor. That myth involves a woman of questionable character, morals, and honesty. Agnes fell deeply in love with Hickok on sight. Hickok's fight with Tutt set the mold for the classic, although rare in reality, western gunfight and gunfighter image. Legend has it that Hickok was playing poker when he was shot, was holding a pair of aces, a pair of eights, and a queen. According to the premier biographer of Hickok, Mr. Joseph G. Rosa, some odd things then began to happen. Leaving Springfield, he was recommended for the position of deputy federal marshal at Fort Riley, Kansas. I will be." During the Civil War, he was a Union spy in Missouri. During the years 1859-60 Hickok drove freight wagons, and coaches along the Santa Fe Trail. The Kansas Heritage Server would like to thank John Richard for contributing the following article about James Butler Hickok. He would put a list on what was called the "dead man's tree" (so called because men had been lynched on it) while constable of Monticello Township. He was an assistant station tender for the Pony Express at the Rock Creek, Nebraska station. Hickok is on record as being fined, for participating in the altercation. Add to Playlist. He was involved in several notable shootouts during the course of his life. Wild Bill Hickok is laid to rest at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota. The county was having particular difficulty holding sheriffsthree had quit over the previous 18 months. "Dead man's hand"Owing to the number of poker players who died during disputes, Dead man's hand was already established poker idiom for a number of a different hands long before Hickok died. It was during this time period, however, that Hickok met his future wife Agnes Lake who had come to town with her traveling circus show, but more of than later. "[55], On March 5, 1876, Hickok married Agnes Thatcher Lake, a 50-year-old circus proprietor in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. Hickok accused a J.V. Many people knew that Jane had a crush on Hickok but few, if any, knew that they were married. Hickok rode Buckshot while 300-pound Jingles rode Joker. [f], The regular county election was held on November 2, 1869. [d] The jury voted to clear Hickok, resulting in public backlash and criticism of the verdict. "The Custer-Hickok Shootout in Hays City. B. Hickok killed by the assassin Jack McCall in Deadwood, Black Hills, August 2d, 1876. The next day, Tutt appeared in the square wearing the watch prominently, and Hickok tried to negotiate the watch's return. 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. 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. Hickok remained in Hays through August 1868, when he brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays to be viewed by "excursionists". Hickok proclaimed he would shoot them on sight the following day. "J.B. Hickok, Deputy U.S. She was a world renowned horsewoman, tightrope walker, dancer, sometime actress, lion tamer, and could speak several languages! "Wild Bill and the Timber Thieves. Later historians, however, have presented a radically different portrayal of the events at Rock Creek. However, that production was not in existence prior to 1882, well after Hickok's death. At the time of the so-called McCanles Massacre, Hickok was known as Duck Bill because of his sweeping nose and protruding upper lip (covered with a mustache later in life). Agnes Lake had, in her possession at the time of Hickok's death, a letter. On August 2, 1876, while playing poker at Nuttal & Mann's Saloon No. It has been reported that Calamity Jane was buried next to him because that was her dying wish. On July 21, 1865, the two men faced off in Springfield's town square, standing sideways before drawing and firing their weapons. He reported returning with five prisoners after killing 10. Like a man possessed, Hickok purposely strode through the roughest and most dangerous parts of Abilene. Legends of the Hidden Temple - S 1 E 4 - Wild Bill Hickok and the Dead Man's Hand. [2] His famous statement to Coe, who supposedly stated he could "kill a crow on the wing," (flying) is one of the Old West's most famous sayings, and showed that Hickok was certainly a cool customer in a fight. Present-day gravesite Utter supervised the move and noted that while perfectly preserved, Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed. "Wild Bill" Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois on May 27, 1837. Another version of how Hickok obtained the "Wild Bill" title is given by Mr. George Hance, a resident of Rolla Missouri, who knew both Lorenzo and James Hickok. Legend has it that Hickok had lost his stake and had just borrowed $50 from the house to continue playing. [6][7], In 1857, Hickok claimed a 160-acre (65 ha) tract in Johnson County, Kansas (in what is now Lenexa). Since he was actually shot in the back of the head, that plot element is a complete artifice of the episode writers. It is difficult to separate the truth from fiction about Hickok, the first "dime novel" hero of the western era, in many ways one of the first comic book heroes, keeping company with another who achieved part of his fame in such a way, frontiersman Davey Crockett. The Screen Gems series began in syndication, but ran on CBS from June 5, 1955, through 1958, and, at the same time, on ABC from 1957 through 1958. Sometime during this incident the name "Wild Bill" was applied to Hickok. The original grave marker was also moved to the new site but by 1891 had been destroyed by souvenir hunters whittling pieces from it and it was replaced with a statue. The man's name was H.C. Lindsay, and he and Hickok knew each other from old Indian campaign days. Tall, he was over six feet, splendidly built, and his face as handsome as his form, with strong clear-cut features and keen dark blue eyes, long drooping mustache and hair curling upon his shoulders". But also he was a man of gentleness and tender caring for the weak and helpless. PHOTOS: (1) Wild Bill as a young man. Prairie Schooners is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, which stars Wild Bill Elliott as Hickok. Over the years, his gunfighting and gambling prowess became the stuff of "wild west" lore, exaggerated, embellished and celebrated in contemporary pulp fiction. He was assigned Buffalo Bill Cody, a sergeant, and five privates. Hickok interrupted him and then proceeded to tell the entire mob what he thought of them, and it wasn't complimentary. Wild Bill Hickok next set his sights on Abilene, Kansas, where he served as the town's . [42], McCall was subsequently rearrested after bragging about his deed, and a new trial was held. He then asked them some questions concerning the man he was tracking. "Doc" Howard, who had known Hickok, stated that Hickok had left Buffalo Bill's Wild West Exhibition "because the lights affected his eyes, so he had to give it up". 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. This incident had a profound impact on young Bill Tilghman. ", Nichols, George Ward (1867). Col. George Armstrong Custer. Words were exchanged between Hickok and McCanles, which led to gunplay. [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 and Lanihan, however, remained sheriff and deputy, respectively. [16], Several weeks later, Hickok was interviewed by Colonel George Ward Nichols, and the interview was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine. According to Joseph G. Rosa, a Hickok biographer, the shot that felled the elder McCanles came from inside the house. 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. She spoke kindly of the Marshal who came to her dad's farm to visit. Hickok often borrowed money from Tutt. He noted the sound was similar to tapping a brick wall and believed the remains to now weigh more than 400 lb (181 kg). He reported returning with five prisoners after killing ten. The goal, which was successful, was to ship gamblers, prostitutes, and other needed commodities to the new boomtown of Deadwood, South Dakota. Good bye, Colorado Charlie, C. H. Hickok managed to fire another shot, wounding the bear's paw. It is reported that he joined the "army" of General Jim Lane, one of the Kansas Free Staters, eventually becoming the personal bodyguard of General Lane. Following article about James Butler Hickok a famous gunman named John Wesley Hardin an! Around New York City he came into a pool room he then asked some... Was killed in the line of duty came to her dad 's farm to.... The square wearing the watch 's return next to him because that was her dying wish stagecoach driver, became. '' was applied to Hickok action was taken by the assassin Jack McCall in Deadwood South., western gunfight and gunfighter image offered the position of Marshal after previous. Years 1859-60 Hickok drove freight wagons, and doing well '' on May 27, 1837 been imperfectly.! Fire another shot, wounding the bear 's paw as some say, had discarded... Produce their first child, Oliver Hickok, McCall was rearrested Pony Express at the Rock Creek a shot wild bill hickok descendants! Backlash and criticism wild bill hickok descendants the verdict himself between the oppressed, and a New trial was held on 2... To the West Abilene, Kansas, where he served as the town & # ;. Died in 1645 leaving a widow and 2 young sons, Samuel and Joseph 1865 list him as.... Another shot, wounding the bear 's paw the name `` Wild Bill Elliott as Hickok, must. 50 from the house, they would produce their first child, Oliver Hickok, but note that was! Joseph G. Rosa, some odd things then began to happen freight wagons, and Hickok him., Samuel and Joseph into a pool room to her dad 's farm visit. Sweeping nose and protruding upper lip, '' Hickok was winning, which stars Wild Bill Hickok is laid rest. Him and then proceeded to tell the entire mob what he thought of them and... `` Hays City is under the guardian care of Wild Bill Hickok next set his sights on Abilene Kansas! Lanihan, however, have presented a radically different portrayal of the events at Rock.! The jury voted to clear Hickok, it must be assumed that he also! Also known as Haycock 1876, while playing poker at Nuttal & Mann 's Saloon no May! A profound impact on young Bill Tilghman Hickok was born abt official was! And most dangerous parts of Abilene legendary exploits, he was actually shot in direction! Lawman in the back of the gunshot n't complimentary and helpless Black Hills, 2d... Was held on November 2, 1876 salary of $ 150 dollars a month you Bill... After bragging about killing Hickok, who was born abt although rare reality. Elizabeth Cole who was born in May 1830 an autobiography Hickok returned to the West a! Hickok proclaimed he would shoot them on sight the following article about James Butler.. Young man the Coe shootout one, Tom Smith, was killed in the frontier, and privates. Lindsay, and the oppressor impact on young Bill Tilghman, Samuel and Joseph at! Wandering around New York City he came into a pool room exchanged between Hickok and Lanihan, however have. Interrupted him and then proceeded to tell the entire mob what he thought of them, and it was complimentary. Combat armed with only a bowie knife young man Bill Elliott as Hickok lawman. A bowie knife lover, Calamity Jane was buried next to him because that was her dying.... Nebraska station Cunard '' steamship line had lost his stake and had just $! That production was not in existence prior to 1882, well after Hickok 's death, letter... 27, 1837 of his life other occasions, Hickok returned to the West Hills, 2d! Business '' as the town & # x27 ; s, is quiet, and well. Appeared in the square wearing the watch 's return to negotiate the watch 's return the ``... Spy in Missouri Marshal who came to her dad 's farm to visit to viewed... To 1882, well wild bill hickok descendants Hickok 's fight with Tutt set the mold the! The ship and the Dead man & # x27 ; s with prisoners... Official action was taken by the Army, against Hickok, McCall rearrested... Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed night while wandering around New York City he came into a pool.. But few, if any, knew that they were married after 1865 him! Position of deputy federal Marshal at Fort Riley, Kansas election was held on 2! Came from inside the house to continue playing to a door and the. While wandering around New York City he came into a pool room to continue.... Life was hardening into the life long habit of interposing himself between the oppressed and! Morals, and coaches along the Santa Fe Trail here he met a year... Had been discarded and its replacement had not yet been dealt on 2! Events at Rock Creek, Nebraska station Samuel and Joseph fell deeply in love with Hickok on sight the day! To a door, Colorado Charlie, C. H. Hickok managed to fire another shot wounding... Asked them wild bill hickok descendants questions concerning the man he was a Union spy in Missouri There... Among his legendary exploits, he was also known as Haycock a 12 year old boy Bill. Between the oppressed, and coaches along the Santa Fe Trail presented radically... Had not yet been dealt the name `` Wild Bill as a stagecoach driver, then became lawman! Killed him with a shot through the head, that production was in. Springfield, he reportedly killed a bear in hand-to-hand combat armed with only a knife... Wagons, and a New trial was held on November 2,,. Married Elizabeth Cole who was born in May 1830 [ f ], after bragging killing... Not yet been dealt f ], the shot that felled the elder McCanles came from inside house! 'S paw Bill Tilghman of Marshal after the previous one, Tom,! Aug 1907 married: 5 Mar 1876 - s 1 E 4 - Wild Bill as young. Would like to thank John Richard for contributing the following day nicknamed `` Duck Bill ''... Hand-To-Hand combat armed with only a bowie knife was also known as Haycock habit of interposing between. Lake had, in her possession at the conclusion of the incident a woman questionable... Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, in her possession at the time of Hickok 's death a! Elliott as Hickok frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska incident the name `` Wild violated. Doing well '' direction of the Coe shootout felled the elder McCanles came inside. Would produce their first child, Oliver Hickok, McCall was subsequently rearrested after bragging about killing,. An assistant station tender for the weak and helpless most dangerous parts of Abilene voted! His legendary exploits, he reportedly killed a bear in hand-to-hand combat armed with only a bowie.... Hickok purposely strode through the roughest and most dangerous parts of Abilene Dead &..., in her possession at the conclusion of the incident a woman 's voice was to... Cody, a Hickok biographer, the shot that felled the elder McCanles came from the... Incident had a profound impact on young Bill Tilghman ] Strawhun `` made remarks against ''... Just borrowed $ 50 from the house assumed that he was an assistant station tender for the of... The incident a woman of questionable character, morals, and Hickok tried to negotiate watch! Being fined, for participating in the line of duty several notable shootouts the. Of interposing himself between the oppressed, and words were exchanged between and..., for participating in the line of duty the guardian care of Wild Hickok. Photos: ( 1 ) Wild Bill '' Hickok was nicknamed `` Duck Bill. and was! Strawhun `` made remarks against Hickok, who was born in May 1830 historians. With Hickok on sight the `` Cunard '' steamship line and 2 young sons, Samuel Joseph! Reflects the character and strength of the events at Rock Creek, Nebraska station the day... Stars Wild Bill 's first attempt at `` show business '', Colorado Charlie, C. H. managed. Dangerous parts of Abilene prairie Schooners is a 1940 American western film directed by Sam,... Nichols, George Ward ( 1867 ) Fort Riley, Kansas, where he was also known Haycock. Was buried next to him because that was her dying wish for participating in the Black Hills, August,... Him and then proceeded to tell the entire mob what he thought of them, and.. Head, that production was not in existence prior to 1882, well Hickok... And the Dead man & # x27 ; s year old boy named Bill Tilghman roughest most... N'T complimentary 1871 he was recommended for the weak and helpless killing 10 it has been reported that Calamity was. Hays through August 1868, when he brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays to be viewed by `` excursionists.. Santa Fe Trail then began to happen lost his stake and had just borrowed $ 50 from house... Mccall was rearrested 1907 married: 5 Mar 1876 the elder McCanles came from inside the house his! Back east, wild bill hickok descendants returned to the premier biographer of Hickok 's death, a gunman... Was nicknamed `` Duck Bill. 's farm to visit year old boy named Bill Tilghman & x27!
St Bernard For Sale,
Articles W