RIP, on Aug 2nd

[Griff]

of 1876,

"Wild Bill" Hickok, one of the greatest gunfighters of the American West, is murdered in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Born in Illinois in 1837, James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok first gained notoriety as a gunfighter in 1861 when he coolly shot three men who were trying to kill him. A highly sensationalized account of the gunfight appeared six years later in the popular periodical Harper's New Monthly Magazine, sparking Hickok's rise to national fame. Other articles and books followed, and though his prowess was often exaggerated, Hickok did earn his reputation with a string of impressive gunfights.

After accidentally killing his deputy during an 1871 shootout in Abilene, Texas, Hickok never fought another gun battle. For the next several years he lived off his famous reputation, appearing as himself in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show. Occasionally, he worked as guide for wealthy hunters. His renowned eyesight began to fail, and for a time he was reduced to wandering the West trying to make a living as a gambler. Several times he was arrested for vagrancy.

In the spring of 1876, Hickok arrived in the Black Hills mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota. There he became a regular at the poker tables of the No. 10 Saloon, eking out a meager existence as a card player. On this day in 1876, Hickok was playing cards with his back to the saloon door. At 4:15 in the afternoon, a young gunslinger named Jack McCall walked into the saloon, approached Hickok from behind, and shot him in the back of the head. Hickok died immediately. McCall tried to shoot others in the crowd, but amazingly, all of the remaining cartridges in his pistol were duds. McCall was later tried, convicted, and hanged.

Hickok was only 39 years old when he died. The most famous gunfighter in the history of the West died with his Smith & Wesson revolver in his holster, never having seen his murderer. According to legend, Hickok held a pair of black aces and black eights when he died, a combination that has since been known as the Dead Man's Hand.

Just an FYI detail from "The History Channel."

[Paladin]

Thanks for the post.

[plowboy 45]

Built this a few years back

[plowboy 45]

My dagone photography ain't 2 good
Sorry

[ollogger]

I've been in that saloon a few times myself but never encountered any trouble


Brad

[Ray Newman]

"I've been in that saloon a few times myself but never encountered any trouble."
--olloger

That because people knew with whom they were dealing with.

Anyway, I also heard and read that Wild Bill favoured the Colt Navy cap and ball revolvers and that he carried them when he was shot. Wonder if anyone knows for sure.

Quick question though, does anyone know if Wild Bill's Colt Navy revolvers still retained their original cap and ball configuration, or were they converted to cartridges?

[Malamute]

Well, I was going to post pictures of Hickoks Navy Colts, but I'm getting a notice they are too wide or something of that sort. The settings on my photobucket album are set lower than that, so it shouldn't be a problem. Don't know why they wont post. They are in standard percussion form, and one has a small dovetailed front sight, the other the standard factory sight.


I believe there may be other Navy Colts attributed to Hickok. It doesn't necessarily mean any aren't authentic. I also believe there is more than one account of people presenting him with engraved guns as presents. He was known to own Smith& Wesson revolvers also, as well as I believe an 1860 army and a Dragoon Colt.

[FWiedner]

What game was he playing that only needed four cards?

[gamekeeper]

What game was he playing that only needed four cards?

I think there is some doubt on the fith card.

[AJMD429]

My dagone photography ain't 2 good
Sorry

Well, the one you took of Wild Bill looks pretty good...

[rangerider7]

Thanks! RR7

[Streetstar]

He evidently did a lot of livin' in 39 years

[plowboy 45]

Doc
That's one of those post cards
I've heard it was the queen of hearts but no-one knows
So I left out the 5th card