James Butler Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois, in 1837. His father, played an active role in the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape from the Deep South. Hickok moved to Kansas in 1855 and at the age of 20 was elected constable of Monticello. In 1861 he was working as a wagon master in Montana. On July 12, 1861, Hickok opened fire on three unarmed men. David McCanles was killed and James Woods and James Gordon were seriously wounded and later died of their injuries. Because of his sweeping nose and protruding upper lip, Hickok was nicknamed "Duck Bill." In 1861, after growing a mustache following the McCanles incident, he began calling himself "Wild Bill." During the American Civil War Hickok was employed as a scout for the Union Army. After the war came to an end Hickok became a professional gambler in Springfield, Missouri. Also, for a brief time he served under General George A. Custer in his 7th Cavalry. Hickok's reputation as a gunfighter began when he killed David Tutt in the public square of Springfield on July 21, 1865. The two men had quarreled over cards and decided to have a gunfight. At 6pm Hickok and Tutt arranged to walk towards each other. When they were about 50 yards apart both men drew his gun. Tutt fired first but missed. Hickok's shot hit Tutt in the heart. This was the first recorded example of two men taking part in a quick-draw duel. The following month Hickok was acquitted after pleading self-defense. Hickok returned to his life as a gambler and in 1866 gave an interview to a journalist, George Ward Nichols about his exploits as a gunfighter. The article appeared in the February 1867 edition of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. In 1868 Hickok became sheriff of Hays City, Kansas. It was a rough town and Hickok was determined to use violence to keep the men under control. In August 1869 Hickok killed Bill Mulvey in a gunfight. The following month he shot Samuel Strawhun dead after he caused trouble in a saloon. The people of Hays City became concerned by Hickok's behavior and he was replaced by his deputy, Peter Lanihan. In April 1871, Hickok was employed as marshal of Abilene, Kansas. He was paid $150 a month plus a percentage of the fines. Hickok also received 50 cents for every unlicensed dog he shot. Hickok did not take his duties seriously and spent most of his time playing poker. In October 1871 he shot and killed two men, Phil Coe and a fellow officer, Mike Williams. This incident upset the city council and two months later Hickok lost his job. Hickok next toured with Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show in 1872 and 1873 before teaming up with Calamity Jane in Deadwood, Dakota. He also married Agnes Lake and for a time tried gold mining. On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was playing cards in a saloon in Deadwood. Hickok, as a precaution, usually sat with his back to the wall. The only seat available when he joined the poker game was a chair that put his back to a door. Twice he asked another player, Charles Rich, to change seats with him and on both occasions Rich refused. Jack McCall entered the establishment unnoticed. He walked to within a few feet of Wild Bill and then suddenly drew a pistol and fired. The bullet hit Hickok in the back of the head, killing him instantly. At the time of his death, Hickok was holding a pair of black aces and a pair of eights and this became known as "A Dead Man's Hand".
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