Wild Bill Hickok (1837 – 1876) was an army scout, gunfighter, lawman and professional gambler of the American Old West. A “quick draw” duel between Hickok and Davis Tutt in 1865 is the earliest recorded duel of this kind. He is recorded to have killed at least twenty men in gunfights.
By 1876, Hickok’s eyesight was failing him and both his gunfighting and gumbling had suffered from this condition.He was killed while playing poker. Jack McCall, the shooter responsible, shot him from behind. Hickok was paranoid of exactly such an attack for years. His ideal position when sitting at saloons and gambling houses was with his back to one door while facing another. The day of his death, all such seets were taken by others and Hickok had to settle for a less safe position.
Hickok was an early protagonist of dime novels which both exploited and expanded his fame. Besides his well-recorded actions and their own imaginations, the writers could draw inspiration from various tall-tales Hickok narrated concerning his exploits. His friendship with Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane added two more sources for tall-tales. Jane even claimed to have married Hickok at some point. The lines between fact and fiction are bleary at best in his case.
Actor Guy Madison played Wild Bill Hickok in the television series, while Andy Devine played his sidekick.
Wild Bill Hickock Deputy Marshal’s Code of Conduct
- I will be brave, but never careless.
- I will obey my parents. They DO know best.
- I will be neat and clean at all times.
- I will be polite and courteous.
- I will protect the weak and help them.
- I will study hard.
- I will be kind to animals and care for them.
- I will respect my flag and my country.
I will attend my place of worship regularly.