James Butler Hickok
(May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876)

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok  was a legendary figure in the Wild West. He is perhaps the best known figure from that era. After fighting in the Union army during the  Civil War, he became a legendary army scout, and later, lawman and gunfighter.

Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois on May 27, 1837. He left his father's farm in 1855 to be a stage coach driver on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. His gunfighting skills led to his nickname, "Wild Bill".

Buffalo Bill

Some accounts of Hickok report him as taking part in Buffalo Bill's Wild West; however, that production was not in existence prior to 1882, well after Hickok's death. Nonetheless, Hickok was reported by some to have appeared with Buffalo Bill in 1873 in a stage play titled "Scouts of the Plains".

More stories about
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok

• Civil War and Scouting

• Death (Pair Aces and a Pair of Eights)

• "Dime novel" fame

• Early Years as a Lawman, "Posting" Men Out of Town

• Later Career as a Lawman/Gunfighter

• Wagon Train Venture and Calamity Jane