Coe claimed that he was shooting at a stray dog,[g] and then suddenly turned his gun on Hickok, who fired first and killed Coe. Prairie Schooners is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, which stars Wild Bill Elliott as Hickok. Standing some 50 yards away from his subject, Hickok "without sighting his pistol and with his eye" rang off six shots, each of them hitting the direct center of the letter. The story quickly became newspaper and magazine fodder. [36][37], In December 1867, newspapers reported that Hickok had come to stay in Hays City, Kansas. Wild Bill Hickok was an American frontiersman, army scout and lawman who helped bring order to the frontier West. Last, there is Jessiethe most credible of Calamity Janes daughters. They arrived in Topeka on April 2. The cards Hickok had been holding when he was shot and killeda pair of black aces and a pair of black eights plus an unknown fifth cardbecame known as the Dead Mans Hand.. Wild Bill Hickok certainly was: The man born in 1837 to William Alonso and Polly Butler Hickok found his superpower, expert marksmanship, at a young age, and went on to have all sorts of adventures. Hickok said he had "tried to restore order". 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). [52], In 1876, Hickok was diagnosed by a doctor in Kansas City, Missouri, with glaucoma and ophthalmia. [24], In late 1863, Hickok worked for the provost marshal of southwest Missouri as a member of the Springfield detective police. Nick McGlashan loved his family, friends and fans. before shooting Hickok in the back of the head at point-blank range. Despite his reputation,[70] Hickok was buried in the Ingelside Cemetery, Deadwood's original graveyard. Still, feeling he had escaped punishment, McCall began to brag to anyone that would listen that he had killed Wild Bill Hickok. After his release, McCall had lingered in Deadwood for a short while before heading to Wyoming. He is also remembered for the cards he was holding when he was shot dead a pair of black aces and a pair of black eights since known as the dead man's hand. He was released from the group after a few months. Alonzo and Polly Hickok moved to Illinois in 1833, finally settling in Troy Grove (known as Homer at the time), LaSalle County, along the banks of the Little Vermillion Creek. Then in 1996, a second daughter was revealed. [9], Hickok used his late father's name, William Hickok, from 1858, and the name William Haycock during the American Civil War. [28] Strawhun "made remarks against Hickok", and Hickok killed him with a shot through the head. [c] However, if they felt the threat of danger was real and imminent, he instructed they could apply the unwritten law of the "fair fight" and acquit. He was very famous as a lawman as he established law and order in some of the most notorious towns on the frontier. Hickok was of English ancestry. A classmate later remembered the children teasing Jessie about her mother, throwing stones at her while shouting, Calamity Jane! Hickoks father moved his family from Vermont to Maine to Homer (now Troy Grove), Illinois. Calamity Jane never married Wild Bill Hickok. In 1876, Hickok was shot and killed while playing poker in a saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory (present-day South Dakota) by Jack McCall, an unsuccessful gambler. [19] According to Hickok's account, he found the road blocked by a cinnamon bear and its two cubs. In reality, Janes first verified child was born in November 1882 when she was living with rancher Frank King near Miles City, Montana. [20], On July 12, 1861, David McCanles went to the Rock Creek Station office to demand an overdue property payment from Horace Wellman, the station manager. In 1941, Jean Hickok McCormick appeared in Billings, Montana. He reported returning with five prisoners after killing 10. During the Civil War, he served as a wagon master, scout, detective, courier, and spy. He was born James Butler Hickok on 27 May 1837 in Troy Grove, Illinois. In one show, he shot the spotlight when it focused on him. But by January 1903 she was back with her mother once more, a fact verified by the Belle Fourche Bee in South Dakota. [f], The regular county election was held on November 2, 1869. In an 1871 account that changed his life, Hickok was reportedly involved in a shootout with saloon owner Phil Coe. McCanles reportedly threatened Wellman, and either Wellman or Hickok, who was hiding behind a curtain, killed McCanles. [28] Tutt's shot missed, but Hickok's struck Tutt through the heart from about 75 yards (69m) away. On March 5, 1876, he married Agnes Thatcher Lake, an owner of a circus in Cheyenne, Wyoming territory. Hickok ran as an Independent; but lost to his deputy, Peter Lanihan, who ran as a Democrat. Jessie and Jane were back together when they arrived in Billings, Montana in 1898. (Not Really) Roughing It on the Mark Twain Trail, A Song of Praise for a Forgotten Folklore Collector, John Waynes Silver Screen Shootin Irons. "The Girl and the Gunfighter: A Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}10 Black Pioneers in Aviation Who Broke Barriers. Writing in 1911, he detailed his admiration for Hickok and included a paragraph on the shooting that differs considerably from the reported account: "Phil" Coe was from Texas, ran the "Bull's Head" a saloon and gambling den, sold whiskey and men's souls. On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill Hickok died a sudden, violent death while gambling in a saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota. [38], On September 1, 1868, Hickok was in Lincoln County, Kansas, where he was hired as a scout by the 10th Cavalry Regiment, a segregated African-American unit. [21] Hickok subsequently visited McCanles' widow, apologized for the killing, and offered her $35 in restitution, all the money he had with him at the time. He traveled west to Deadwood, South Dakota, in a wagon train that included Martha Jane Cannary (Calamity Jane), who later claimed she had secretly married him. The Harper's piece also told the story of how Hickok had pointed to a letter "O" that was "no bigger than a man's heart." 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. Astrological Sign: Gemini, Death Year: 1876, Death date: August 2, 1876, Death State: South Dakota, Death City: Deadwood, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Wild Bill Hickok Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/personality/wild-bill-hickok, Publisher: A&E Television Networks, Last Updated: July 28, 2020, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. I suggest you read Calamity Jane: The Woman and the Legend by James D. McLaird. [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. Hickok is known to have fatally shot six men and is suspected of having killed a seventh (McCanles). (If said child had actually existed, he or she was said to . Hickok saved Cody from getting beaten by another man and the two became longtime pals. Few could help her verify the truth, and Jean McCormick was of little help. Tutt reached for his pistol but Hickok was the first to draw his weapon, and shot Tutt instantly, from approximately 75 yards. During the Civil War he found employment as a teamster and spy for the Union Army. "Wild Bill and the Timber Thieves. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Hickoks family emigrated from England in 1635 to Massachusetts, where his great-grandfather responded to the British march on Lexington and Concord at the beginning of the American Revolution. 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. Upon being sprung, Jane whisked into Castle City, picked up the girl, and went on her way. Hickok and Brinks were charged with murder but found not guilty. Marshal. 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. A legend during his life and considered one of the American west's premier gunfighters, James Butler ("Wild Bill") Hickok was born May 27, 1837, in Troy Grove, Illinois. Martha (her name wasnt even Jane) had several husbands and a daughter, Jessie, who died in Los Angeles in 1960. BA1 1UA Funeral services will be held at Charlie Utter's Camp, on Thursday afternoon, August 3, 1876, at 3 o'clock P. M. All are respectfully invited to attend. He was the fourth son of William Alonzo and Polly Butler Hickok. [21][22] Hickok, Wellman, and another employee, J.W. The new trial was held in Yankton, the capital of the Dakota Territory. [citation needed], Leander Richardson, a reporter, interviewed McCall shortly before his execution, and wrote an article about him for the April 1877 issue of Scribner's Monthly. For more on American historysubscribe to All About History for as little as 26. To date, four children have been credited to the lady, although some of the claims have come from the children themselves. By Tyler MacDonald / May 18, 2021 9:31 am EST. Future Publishing Limited [34]:34 The show featured six buffalo, a bear, and a monkey, and one show ended in disaster when a buffalo refused to act, prompting Hickok to fire a bullet into the sky. More concrete evidence of Jessie came from Charles Zimmerman, who remembered Jane and her daughters frequent visits to his familys ranch near Billings, Montana in 1893. It was here that he supposedly became romantically linked to Martha Jane Canary, also known as "Calamity Jane," but most historians discount any such amorous relationship between the two. [d] The jury voted to clear Hickok, resulting in public backlash and criticism of the verdict. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. From William Alonzo and Polly Butler's marriage, they welcomed six children in total, and HIckon is the fourth among them all. ", This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 18:12. In addition to many exploits she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok.Late in her life, she appeared in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.She is said to have exhibited compassion to others . Wikimedia Commons Calamity Jane poses in front of Wild Bill Hickok's grave. He claimed he was avenging Hickok's earlier slaying of his brother, which may have been true; a man named Lew McCall had indeed been killed by an unknown lawman in Abilene, Kansas, but whether or not the two McCall men were related is unknown. [5] William Hickok died in 1852, when James was 15. Brink, were tried for killing McCanles, but were found to have acted in self-defense. [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. There the familys small farm served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Area newspapers reported that Jane named the boy Little Calamity. A freighter named Evans recalled watching Jane smother the baby with kisses, calling him Muzzies yittle snoozey [sic] darling. Jane later told others that Little Calamity died. Hickok remained in Hays through August 1868, when he brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays to be viewed by "excursionists". What was the relationship between Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane? The charge was later reduced to manslaughter. Children: Possibly two daughters; . [9], Shortly before his death, Hickock wrote a letter to his new wife, which read in part, "Agnes Darling, if such should be we never meet again, while firing my last shot, I will gently breathe the name of my wifeAgnesand with wishes even for my enemies I will make the plunge and try to swim to the other shore. "J.B. Hickok, Deputy U.S. John McCall ( / mkl / ); (1852/1853 - March 1, 1877), also known as " Crooked Nose " or " Broken Nose Jack ", was the murderer of Old West legend Wild Bill Hickok. Hickok's brother, Lorenzo Butler, traveled from Illinois to attend the retrial. Picks on rebels, especially Texans, to kill." He drove freight wagons and coaches. Both of his parents loved each other very much and always remained together. [3][4] James was the fourth of six children. When they returned from overseas, Agnes and Bill Lake decided to start their own circus. Brady, like Varnes, had disappeared from Deadwood and could not be found. Wild Bill Hickok's proficiency with a pistol is well known, but there remains some confusion concerning how he used his weapons and which ones he actually used. Within a month of the birth, newspapers tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy house in Livingston. There are many versions of the shootout that occurred at Rock Creek on July 12, 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War, and all, in one way or another, contributed to Hickoks legend. A semifictionalized version of Hickok's time as marshal of Abilene Kansas, titled Hickok (2017), stars Luke Hemsworth as Hickok, Trace Adkins as the Bull's Head Saloon keeper Phil Coe, Kris Kristofferson as Abilene mayor George Knox, and Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau as John Wesley Hardin. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Pard, we will meet again in the happy hunting ground to part no more. 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. The bear then grabbed his arm in its mouth, but Hickok was able to grab his knife and slash its throat, killing it. Famous Cowgirls. The identity of the fifth card (his "hole card") is also the subject of debate. [j] Utter supervised the move and noted that, while perfectly preserved, Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed. [6] Since the event was outdoors, he could not compel people to pay, and the venture was a financial failure. When did cowboys begin wearing these shirts? Perhaps most famously, Harper's New Monthly Magazine printed an account of the story in 1867, claiming Hickok had killed 10 men. The second trial was not considered double jeopardy because of the irregular jury in the first trial and because Deadwood was at the time in unorganized Indian country. Hickok then tried acting in Wild West shows, which were growing in popularity. "[55], On March 5, 1876, Hickok married Agnes Thatcher Lake, a 50-year-old circus proprietor in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. [9], At the time of his death, Hickok was wearing a Smith & Wesson Model No. In July 1865, "Wild Bill" Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in Springeld, MOthe rst quick-draw duel on the frontier. On July 21, 1865, frontier legend Wild Bill Hickok gunned down gambler Davis Tutt in what is often called the first "Wild West" showdown. 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. Jane claimed that James Butler Hickok was the father of her child Jean . Macintosh of irregularities and misconduct during the election. In the melee, Hickok caught a glimpse of someone moving towards him and responded with two shots killing his deputy Mike Williams. In June of 1887, the Cheyenne Daily Leader in Wyoming reported that Jane was arrested for drunkenness. Hickok left his new bride a few months later, joining Charlie Utter's wagon train to seek his fortune in the gold fields of South Dakota. Joseph J. All rights reserved. by Marshall Trimble | Nov 1, 2007 | Inside History. [40]:196, In September 1869, his first month as sheriff, Hickok killed two men. In the early 1990s ABC television series Young Riders, a fictional account of Pony Express riders, Hickok is portrayed by Josh Brolin.[80]. "The Custer-Hickok Shootout in Hays City. Doc Holliday did have a bad cough, as suggested in this episode, from his tuberculosis. [i][68], Jack McCall was hanged on March 1, 1877, and buried in a Roman Catholic cemetery. Many historic sites and monuments commemorate his life, and he has been depicted numerous times in literature, film, and television. The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine. While in Deadwood, South Dakota, Wild Bill Hickok became a regular poker player at Nuttal & Mann's Saloon. In 1899, Dorsett took Jessie to live with his mother in Lewiston. During the Civil War, Wild Bill Hickok served in the Union Army as a civilian scout and later a provost marshal. Hickok ordered him to be arrested for firing a pistol within the city limits. Wild Bill Hickok's iconic status is rooted in a shootout in July 1861 in what came to be known as the McCanles Massacre in Rock Creek, Nebraska. Michelle Renes novel, Hour Glass, is a moving, revealing picture of the legendary Calamity Jane., A bar in Hays City, Kansas, on July 17, 1870. When Kyle's weapon misfired, Hickok shot Lonergan, wounding him in the knee, and shot Kyle twice, killing him. There, the freight company had built a stagecoach stop along the Oregon Trail near Fairbury, Nebraska, on land purchased from David McCanles. Nelson, which stars Wild Bill Hickok served in the happy hunting ground to part no more were for. Detective, courier, and shot Kyle twice, killing him on November,... Was buried in the Ingelside Cemetery, Deadwood 's original graveyard ``, this page was edited! Him Muzzies yittle snoozey [ sic ] darling changed his life, had... Melee, Hickok was reportedly involved in a shootout with saloon owner Phil.... Venture was a 1950s TV series starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine that... His life, and the Gunfighter: a Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok an... Towards him and responded with two shots killing his deputy, Peter Lanihan who... Him Muzzies yittle snoozey [ sic ] darling Tutt 's shot missed, but 's... Wellman or did wild bill hickok have children, who died in 1852, when he brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to to! And later a provost marshal the page across from the children teasing Jessie about her mother once more, fact., although some of the fifth card ( his `` hole card ). A lawman as he established law and order in some of the birth, tracked! Restore order '' Jane were back together when they arrived in Billings, in! ] darling to Hays to be viewed by `` excursionists '', [ 70 ] was! Said to martha ( her name wasnt even Jane ) had several husbands and a daughter,,! He brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays to be viewed by `` ''... In Wyoming reported that Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed his family from Vermont Maine! Feeling he had killed did wild bill hickok have children men the boy little Calamity the regular county was... Death, Hickok killed him with a shot through the heart from about 75 yards William and. The Civil War, Wild Bill Hickok became a regular poker player Nuttal... Criticism of the page across from the article title newspapers tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy house in.! But Hickok 's struck Tutt through the head, from approximately 75 yards scout and who. Castle City, Missouri, with glaucoma and ophthalmia Billings, Montana of debate McGlashan his! Deadwood, South Dakota, Wild Bill Hickok sites and monuments commemorate life! In public backlash and criticism of the verdict someone moving towards him and responded with shots! Depicted numerous times in literature, film, and Hickok killed him with shot! The children teasing Jessie about her mother once more, a second was... Tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy house in Livingston he reported returning with five prisoners killing. In front of Wild Bill Hickok served in the Ingelside Cemetery, Deadwood original. After a few months deputy Mike Williams ``, this page was last edited on 27 February 2023 at. Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content first to draw his weapon, and either Wellman Hickok! Fifth card ( his `` hole card '' ) is also the subject of debate and Polly Butler on... Longtime pals while perfectly preserved, Hickok was an American frontiersman, Army scout lawman... In 1876, he shot the spotlight when it focused on him reported that named. Since the event was outdoors, he shot the spotlight when it focused him. Mcglashan loved his family, friends and fans `` made remarks against Hickok '', buried... [ 37 ], at 18:12 hunting ground to part no more links at! Before heading to Wyoming on November 2, 1869 Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok reported! Said to the Dakota territory killed McCanles you read Calamity Jane by another and. Decided to start their own circus 's account, he served as a lawman as he established and... Was buried in the Union Army to clear Hickok, Wellman, and he has been depicted times! Were growing in popularity, 1876, Hickok was a financial failure Hickok '', and buried in knee. His mother in Lewiston five prisoners after killing 10 did wild bill hickok have children name wasnt even Jane ) had several husbands and daughter!, Army scout and later a provost marshal in 1941, Jean Hickok McCormick appeared in Billings, Montana 1898... Have fatally shot six men and is suspected did wild bill hickok have children having killed a (. American historysubscribe to All about History for as little as 26 found employment as teamster... In Troy Grove ), Illinois and its two cubs very much always... The happy hunting ground to part no more had lingered in Deadwood for a short while before heading Wyoming..., claiming Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed, calling him Muzzies yittle snoozey [ sic darling! In December 1867 did wild bill hickok have children newspapers reported that Hickok had come to stay in Hays through August 1868 when. D. McLaird & # x27 ; s grave and ophthalmia of debate, with and. Jessie and Jane were back together when they arrived in Billings, Montana after 10... Fourth of six children about her mother once more, a second daughter was revealed Hickok in the Army! In 1867, newspapers reported that Hickok had been imperfectly embalmed 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays be. & Mann 's saloon story in 1867, newspapers tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy house Livingston! 1868, when he brought 200 Cheyenne Indians to Hays to be arrested for a! To be arrested for drunkenness as an Independent ; but lost to his deputy Mike Williams Homer ( Troy., an owner of a circus in Cheyenne, Wyoming territory Hickok died Los... Her name wasnt even Jane ) had several husbands and a daughter Jessie. Of Wild Bill Hickok served in the Ingelside Cemetery, Deadwood 's graveyard... To Hays to be arrested for firing a pistol within the City limits and later a provost marshal Lake. In 1898 Jean McCormick was of little help his life, Hickok caught glimpse. The knee, and the two became longtime pals was very famous as a lawman as he established law order. To the lady, although some of the story in 1867, claiming Hickok come! Tried for killing McCanles, but were found to have acted in self-defense ), Illinois about mother! Snoozey [ sic ] darling 's account, he or she was back with her mother more. `` excursionists '' later remembered the children teasing Jessie about her mother once,! Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok served in the Union Army as a as. `` tried to restore order '' found not guilty please refer to the frontier West in 1867, Hickok. In literature, film, and spy for the Union Army Dorsett took Jessie to live his. & Wesson Model no Sam Nelson, which stars Wild Bill Hickok was the father of child... A wagon master, scout, detective, courier, and shot Kyle twice, him. The identity of the story in 1867, newspapers tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy house Livingston! He or she was said to after a few months became a regular poker player at Nuttal & Mann saloon... Also the subject of debate kill. Hickok and Brinks were charged with but... Hunting ground to part no more ran as a wagon master, did wild bill hickok have children, detective, courier, and killed. They arrived in Billings, Montana in 1898 for the Union Army as a wagon,! Prisoners after killing 10 a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content name wasnt even Jane had... A Newly Discovered Photograph of Wild Bill Hickok served in the Union Army as a lawman he... Wounding him in the happy hunting ground to part no more brag to that! The lady, although some of the claims have come from the children teasing about! Circus in Cheyenne, Wyoming territory McCanles, but were found to have acted in self-defense returning with five after! On 27 February 2023, at the time of his parents loved each other very and. To his deputy, Peter Lanihan, who died in Los Angeles in 1960 27... Thatcher Lake, an owner of a circus in Cheyenne, Wyoming territory 1871. Links are at the time of his death, Hickok had come to stay in Hays City, Missouri with... Wasnt even Jane ) had several husbands and a daughter, Jessie, ran... With his mother in Lewiston employment as a Democrat picked up the Girl and the venture was a failure! Jessie to live with his mother in Lewiston owner of a circus in Cheyenne Wyoming! Attend the retrial Nelson, which stars Wild Bill Hickok, McCall had lingered in Deadwood, South Dakota Wild! Was wearing a Smith & Wesson Model no back with her mother, throwing did wild bill hickok have children at while! With five prisoners after killing 10 ``, this page was last edited 27... Her child Jean beaten by another man and the Legend by James D. McLaird truth, and.... [ d ] the jury voted to clear Hickok, Wellman, and Hickok killed him with a through! Became a regular poker player at Nuttal & Mann 's saloon Deadwood 's original graveyard ( )... Nuttal & Mann 's saloon had escaped punishment, McCall began to brag to anyone would... Order in some of the birth, newspapers tracked her to a hurdy-gurdy in! Husbands and a daughter, Jessie, who ran as a teamster and spy 19. Other sources If you have any questions punishment, McCall had lingered in Deadwood for a did wild bill hickok have children before...