May 27, 2008
Wild Bill Hickok – James Butler Hickok – was born on May 27, 1837 in Troy Grove, Illinois.
Famous in movies, films and hundreds of newspaper articles – he is central to the legends of the Old West.
Newspapers serialized his story and pictured him fighting bears, outlaws and Confederate agents. Images by Van Ben.
Newspapers reported the high moments and the low ones – like the time he mistakenly killed a friend – Special Deputy Marshall Mike Williams.
(Aberdeen (SD) American – 10 Jan 1908).
They called him a hero and a coward (Columbus Daily Enquirer – 11 May 1899).
But the real coward was his killer Jack McCall who shot him – in the back – in 1876.
He was shot in the back and killed by Jack McCall in 1876 in Deadwood, SD. Image by Van Ben Dallas Morning News 27 May 1928.
GenealogyBank has over 3,400 newspapers packed with historical articles about the Old West right up to today. Give it a try right now.
Are you related to Wild Bill, or just fascinated by his lore?
I am 5th cousin twice removed from Wild Bill. Once I found out, I understood why I always preferred the chair facing the door! A wonderful and generous relative gave me one of the 300 copies of the Hickok Genealogy, compiled by Charles Nelson Hickok in 1938. Quite the family tree!