Wild Bill Hockok

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok Biography
by Chad Holloway of Predictem.com

James Butler Hickok was born on May 27, 1837 in Troy Grove, Illinois. Hickok, a legendary figure in American history and the Old West, was a notorious gunfighter, scout, sharpshooter, and lawman. Because of his sweeping nose and protruding upper lip, Hickok was nicknamed "Duck Bill." Eventually, and with a little coaxing by the man himself, he became known as "Wild Bill" Hickok. In 1865, Hickok solidified his reputation as a gunfighter and gambler when, during a dispute over poker, he shot and killed David Tutt. In 1871, Hickok became Marshal of Abilene and was paid a monthly salary of $150, plus a percentage of fines and fifty-cents for every unlicensed dog he shot; however, his responsibilities as a lawman were severely hampered due to the of the amount of time he spent gambling.

On August 2, 1876, Hickok entered Nuttal & Mann's Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood (which was on Indian land in the Black Hills of the Dakota Territory) to play poker. On this particular night, Hickok wasn't able to get his normal spot in the corner. He preferred to sit with his back to the wall in order to avoid sneak attacks, but was forced to sit with his back to the door instead. In the midst of the game, a man entered the saloon, put a .45-caliber revolver to Hickok's head, and shot him dead. The man was Jack McCall, and his motive for killing Hickok is not exactly clear. Some believe he was angry over what he perceived to be a condescending offer from Hickok to give him enough money for breakfast after McCall had lost all his money playing poker the day before.

During his trial, McCall claimed he was avenging his brother's death, though it was later determined that he didn't even have a brother. After being found not guilty at his first trial, McCall was re-tried after bragging of his deeds and was ultimately convicted and hanged. This particular incident gave birth to one of poker's most infamous hands. According to those who were there, when Hickok was killed, he was holding two pair, Aces and Eights (all black); as such, the hand has become known as the "Dead Man's Hand." The fifth card in Hickok's hand has been widely debated. The bartender at the saloon claimed it was a queen, others say it was the nine of diamonds (as portrayed on HBO's Deadwood where Hickok is played by Keith Caradine), but many believe the final card had not yet been dealt.

Hickok's contribution to poker has been well recognized. His exploits have been portrayed on both television and the big screen and have been captured in numerous publications and songs; for instance, in Bob Dylan's Rambling Gambling Willie, the lyrics exclaim: "It was late one evenin' during a poker game, A man lost all his money, he said Willie was to blame. He shot poor Willie through the head, which was a tragic fate, When Willie's cards fell on the floor, they were aces backed with eights." "Wild Bill" Hickok was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979.

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