Wild Bill Hickok
Known for being the fastest gunslinger in the Wild West, Wild Bill Hickok became a Legend. His love of poker ultimately was the death of him in Deadwood, SD.
When you think of the Wild West, Wild Bill Hickok is one name that always comes up. His death in Deadwood is one of the most iconic events that unfolded in its dark history. It became so famous that the hand of cards he was holding during his last poker game is now known as the dead man’s hand. Today in Deadwood there are many spots that tell stories of the old west, that have become popular places to visit if you happen to drive through.
Dead Man's Hand
March of 1874 Wild Bill Hickok left Buffalo Bill Cody’s traveling show, and headed back west. By now, Wild Bill’s reputation was well known. His stories of gunfights built his legend. Wild Bill traveled to Deadwood, South Dakota with Charlie Utter. He wanted to live a quiet, normal life mining for gold, but Wild Bill could not get rid of his old habits. Wild Bill love to drink liquor and gamble, which led him to the saloons of Deadwood.
Wild Bill, trying to make a living off poker, wasn’t doing so well. He barely enough to feed himself and keep dressed to live up to his legend. On the evening of August 1, 1876, Wild Bill was playing poker. Wild Bill had taken all of Jack McCall’s money. The next day Wild Bill returned to the saloon, but Charlie Rich was sitting in his seat. It is told that Wild Bill would only like to sit at the poker table with his back to the wall, so no one could sneak up on him. Wild Bill decided to sit with his back to the door and play poker. Jack McCall, drunk and angry, walked in the saloon and shot Wild Bill in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Wild Bill was holding two aces and two eights in his hand, which is now known as the dead man’s hand.
Wild Bill Hickok Today
Today in Deadwood there is a live reenactment of the killing of Wild Bill Hickok. Showing every day except Sundays in the summer months. The show is free and takes place downtown Deadwood. Starting at saloon number 10 and moves to the Masonic Temple for the trial. The death of Wild Bill Hickok is one of Deadwood’s most infamous events in history and adds to the legends of Deadwood and the Wild West.
Biography.com Editors. “Wild Bill Hickok Biography.” Biography.com/people/wild-bill-hickok-
40262#finalyears. A&E Television Networks. February 8, 2017. Web. Feb 27, 2017.
Weiser, Kathy. “Wild Bill Hickok & the Deadman’s Hand.” Legendsofamerica.com/we-
billhickok.html. n.p. January, 2016. Web. February 27, 2017.
“Deadwood-Where Wild Bill Hickok was shot.” Roadsideamerica.com/story/8798. n.p. n.d.
Web. February 27, 2017.
Known for being the fastest gunslinger in the Wild West, Wild Bill Hickok became a Legend. His love of poker ultimately was the death of him in Deadwood, SD.
When you think of the Wild West, Wild Bill Hickok is one name that always comes up. His death in Deadwood is one of the most iconic events that unfolded in its dark history. It became so famous that the hand of cards he was holding during his last poker game is now known as the dead man’s hand. Today in Deadwood there are many spots that tell stories of the old west, that have become popular places to visit if you happen to drive through.
Dead Man's Hand
March of 1874 Wild Bill Hickok left Buffalo Bill Cody’s traveling show, and headed back west. By now, Wild Bill’s reputation was well known. His stories of gunfights built his legend. Wild Bill traveled to Deadwood, South Dakota with Charlie Utter. He wanted to live a quiet, normal life mining for gold, but Wild Bill could not get rid of his old habits. Wild Bill love to drink liquor and gamble, which led him to the saloons of Deadwood.
Wild Bill, trying to make a living off poker, wasn’t doing so well. He barely enough to feed himself and keep dressed to live up to his legend. On the evening of August 1, 1876, Wild Bill was playing poker. Wild Bill had taken all of Jack McCall’s money. The next day Wild Bill returned to the saloon, but Charlie Rich was sitting in his seat. It is told that Wild Bill would only like to sit at the poker table with his back to the wall, so no one could sneak up on him. Wild Bill decided to sit with his back to the door and play poker. Jack McCall, drunk and angry, walked in the saloon and shot Wild Bill in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Wild Bill was holding two aces and two eights in his hand, which is now known as the dead man’s hand.
Wild Bill Hickok Today
Today in Deadwood there is a live reenactment of the killing of Wild Bill Hickok. Showing every day except Sundays in the summer months. The show is free and takes place downtown Deadwood. Starting at saloon number 10 and moves to the Masonic Temple for the trial. The death of Wild Bill Hickok is one of Deadwood’s most infamous events in history and adds to the legends of Deadwood and the Wild West.
Biography.com Editors. “Wild Bill Hickok Biography.” Biography.com/people/wild-bill-hickok-
40262#finalyears. A&E Television Networks. February 8, 2017. Web. Feb 27, 2017.
Weiser, Kathy. “Wild Bill Hickok & the Deadman’s Hand.” Legendsofamerica.com/we-
billhickok.html. n.p. January, 2016. Web. February 27, 2017.
“Deadwood-Where Wild Bill Hickok was shot.” Roadsideamerica.com/story/8798. n.p. n.d.
Web. February 27, 2017.