Wild Bill Hickok

Date of Birth: May 27, 1837

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: August 2, 1876

Biography

James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok was born on May 27, 1837, in Homer (now Troy Grove), Illinois. He was a legendary figure of the American Old West, known for his skills as a gunfighter, lawman, and gambler. Hickok’s early life was marked by his involvement in the anti-slavery movement and his service as a scout during the Civil War. Post-war, he gained fame as a lawman in the frontier towns of Kansas, such as Hays and Abilene. His reputation for quick reflexes and deadly accuracy with a gun earned him the moniker “Wild Bill.” Hickok’s life was filled with dramatic encounters and duels, and he became a national celebrity through sensationalized newspaper reports and dime novels. He spent his later years traveling and performing in Wild West shows. Hickok’s life came to a sudden end when he was shot from behind while playing poker in Deadwood, South Dakota, on August 2, 1876. He was 39 years old.

5 Interesting Facts about Wild Bill Hickok

1. Wild Bill Hickok was shot while holding a poker hand of aces and eights, which became known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.”

2. He served as a Union scout and spy during the American Civil War.

3. Hickok was known for his flamboyant style, often wearing a pair of Colt revolvers with ivory grips.

4. He was friends with other famous Western figures such as Calamity Jane and Buffalo Bill Cody.

5. Hickok was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wild Bill Hickok

1. “I would rather have died than lived after my name became a byword.”

2. “My dearly beloved, if I am to die today and never see the sweet face of you again, I want you to know that I am no great man and am lucky to have the love of you.”

3. “The whole truth is generally the ally of virtue; a half-truth is always the ally of some vice.”

4. “I never killed a man that didn’t need killing.”

5. “I am not afraid to die; I would just as soon be killed as not.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Wild Bill Hickok’s highest net worth is difficult to estimate in modern terms, but he was relatively well-off due to his earnings from gambling, law enforcement, and performances in Wild West shows. His exact net worth at the time of his death is unclear, but he was not considered wealthy by contemporary standards.

Children

Wild Bill Hickok did not have any known children. He married Agnes Thatcher Lake, a circus proprietor, on March 5, 1876, but they did not have any children together.