Wild Bill Hickok: A Gunfighter Too Fast For His Own Good
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- čas přidán 22. 03. 2022
- In the annals of Old West gunfighters, almost everyone agrees that Wild Bill Hickok was head and shoulders above the rest. After all, he almost single-handedly created the town taming lawman who was quicker on the draw than anyone else. But was he too quick for his own good? Let's take a look at the evidence and determine once and for all what the truth is.
Bob Boze Bell is known as America's Western Storyteller. He is an artist, author, writer and serves as executive editor of True West magazine. Bell is a popular, sought-after figure in television documentaries about the Old West, appearing as an expert in dozens of Wild West history shows. Bell won an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the PBS special, Outrageous Arizona, a zany look at the state's centennial, that he also wrote and helped direct. As an author, Bell has brought to life Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok in his best-selling Illustrated Life and Times series. His books Classic Gunfights I, II and III are must-reads about the most important Old West gunfights. Bell’s Bad Men is now in its fourth printing, while his illustrated autobiography, The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road, gives personal insight into the passions that have driven him on his lifelong quest to interpret the history of the American West for audiences around the world.
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Thank you for this informative story of Wild Bill Hickock. My great grandfather James Evans was a friend of his and served as an Indian scout with him. He was also there to witness the shooting of his friend in Deadwood. My great grandfather died in 1959 at 103 yrs. I'm sure my uncles can remember some interesting stories of his frontier days.
Wow
I’d like to hear more, if you would. I remember hearing that someone would kept a pistol on their leg & another one under their arm for when they were sitting down in a bar, in case someone came in to do something.
I’m utterly flabbergasted as to how some people live such a long life and others die at such younger and unexpected ages.
Amazing if those stories by people who know these frontiers men. Thanks for your little insight.
I love EVERYTHING about the OLD WEST.. Thanks for the information
I read somewhere that Elizabeth Custer once described Hickok as being the most perfect specimen of male physique, handsome, and a perfect gentleman. Her exact words were extremely complimentary to his physical appearance. I'm sure he came in second only to her Autie!❤
Wild Bill's story is one of the most fascinating stories from the history of the old west. Thanks Bob!
But can he beat Doc Holliday
Wild Bill un-American? That is seriously messed up.
Thanks for these simple, powerful presentations. You breathe life into a time we would all be better for remembering.
Wild Bill Hickok's hair was fashionable at the time in the West. It was called "the plainsman look". He had been a Pony Express rider with Buffalo Bill (long hair) who hunted buffalo for the railroad workers and told them where they should build their towns, including Hays, Kansas in 1867. Hickock was the city Marshall. Custer (known for his long hair) commanded Fort Hays. In those days real men wore their hair long so they were more easily identified from further distance. It was also an open to Indians saying "if you want to scalp me and take my long pretty hair, just try and take it". Long hair in that time was the look of a badass, not a priss.
The reason the Seventh Cavalry couldn't find Wild Bill was that A) he had previously been their scout, and B) he went to the cemetery and literally dug his own grave and sat in it, prepared to use it as a fox hole for three days by which time the Seventh had give up looking for him.
A lot of men tried to kill Wild Bill. Once, two men hiding behind barrels on either side of the street Wild Bill was walking down opened up. Hickock pulled both his pistols and fired simultaneously, killing both his would be assassins, the only time it was ever done. Another man realized that Wild Bill carried pistols which most people aren't accurate more than about 50 feet. Wild Bill didn't notice him until the first Winchester bullet zipped past him from 6 blocks away. Another bullet cut past as Hickock stood in the street calmly aiming. One shot. 6 blocks. One kill. Hickock wins.
He is the only famous person ever killed in a saloon or playing poker. Hickock couldn't sit facing the door, nor could he see the door in a mirror. Shot dead from behind holding a winning hand. Eights and aces. When asked why he did it, the murderer said "I wanted to become famous as the man who killed Wild Bill". When asked why he hadn't walked up and challenged Wild Bill face to face, he responded :"I wanted to be famous for killing Wild Bill, not for being killed by him".
Read many books about Wild Bill. He is a personal hero of mine. The thing I liked the most, is ALL accounts say he was Not a Bully or a bragger. Wild Bill
didn't "seek out" trouble. He just lived as best he could in a violent time and place in history. One of the books on Wild Bill, that I liked the most,(whose title escapes me), had a scene where Bill's sister's husband owned a Hardware store back East, and offered Bill half partnership of the store, if Bill stayed and "settled down" . The story goes that Bill thanked his sister and her husband for the generous offer. Bill said he "would sleep on it ". When the sister woke the next morning, Bill was in his "buckskins" sitting on the porch. She had her answer, and minutes later, she hear his horse leave.and Bill rode off into history. thank you for your very insightful video.
Thanks so much for the informative story on Wild Bill. My wife, me and the kids visited Deadwood sevaral years ago. Very interesting place. I love the history of the old west. Thanks Terry Greenway.
It does bother me to see so many say that Wild Bill had a feminine voice. I have even seen articles where they say that Buffalo Bill fired him from his Wild West Show because of his feminine voice. That is simply not true or otherwise he wouldn't have hired him in the first place and neither would have anyone else. Thank you for setting the facts straight on him.
Buffalo Bill hired Wild Bill but Wild Bill did not enjoy acting nor did he follow the script. Once in a scene they were drinking "whiskey" which was actually tea, Hickok spit it out and said "hey, this isn't the real stuff" or something to that effect....got laughs but Cody supposedly not happy about it. Hickok on another occasion shot out a spotlight during another occasion, supposedly because he had a headache from drinking and the light was bothering him.
they knew each other for around 20 years.......they met in mid 1850's when Cody was still a teenager and stayed friends, in was in1873 he was released from Cody's show
He was most certainly a great Classic dresser. So much experience. What a sense of humour he possessed. What a pity his life ended by a lowdown dirty critter. Love your exceptional story telling. You are so enjoyable, thank you.
Hey Bob don't know if you will see this but I am a fan. thanks for keeping this history alive.
Thanks man!
More importantly; we gotta keep Boze alive as well - what would we do without him!
Hey Wild Snapper, I not only saw this but I am respoinding. Oh, the joys of technology. . .
@@bobbell7213 thanks for all that you do Bob. Big fan of the books and show. Also really love the maps in the books. I live in las Vegas and it nice to be able to find and see several historic places over the weekends. And your maps in your books make those trips that much more interesting. Thanks again
Wild Bill was one of my childhood heroes. As a fourth-grader, I read a biography of him, which captivated me to the point that I read it straight through, never going to meals or sleeping 'til it was done. (My mother, it must be said, wasn't so much indulgent as she was enthusiastic about reading.) A remarkable man living in remarkable times. Thanks for the video!
I just can't get enough of the old west stories. Please keep them coming. You are a great historian!!
As always another great historical story that can only be told by Bob Boze Bell! Thank you Bob for your great storytelling!
Thanks Bob. I could listen to you all day. I met you in Denver at the auction for the Billy the Kid tin type. Your humor and knowledge of the old west is priceless.
Thank you for doing the research and presenting this video.
I'm an Australian, however, many of my friends are Americans that have come to live here.
The family are cattle Ranchers, here in Australia.
My best friend has an American Father, that I got on with very well.
Their family , back in the U.S were real "Wild West" folks.
My friend's grand father was a "Trail Boss"; that's to say , he was in charge of droving huge mobs of cattle over great distances.
As a much younger man, I've lived in Australia's outback, working from one remote rural property to another for a living.
I learned a lot during those years, and managed to save my money,(there was no where to spend it)
Back to Wild Bill's story; Back in the 1800's, hand guns were very expensive, so, contrary to folklore,
not many folks had Revolvers.
The cowboys and trail bosses lived a very harsh life, with very few things , that we consider "essentials".
Btw, I don't have long flowing hair, like Wild Bill.
As an Australian l want to thank you for your marvellous stories of the West.
You should come visit us, plenty of German and Austrian tourists come here to Arizona
October is the best time, it wont be so hot.
bob,i am on the old womans channel,but i have followed you for many many years.you are probably the most respected writer of true west articles of our generation,at least in my eyes. keep'em coming thripple b. ty santee
I love these stories. I was raised with the TV shows, Roy Roger's, Wyatt Earp, Gene Autry......and as kids, all of us had our six shooters, and played these characters. Thank you for the research, and sharing these great stories.
Bob B. I love your stories and have been a wild west enthusiasts my whole life and amateur frontier and civil war historian, reenacted, God bless sir
Thanks for the informative and entertaining historical snippet on one of my personal favorite Old West personalities.
I just acquired one of Calamity Jane's pistols! Opening an old west museum
great video! I love to learn everything I can about Wild Bill. In my opinion, he's the most fascinating person in the old west. I am researching everything I can about him and his life and plan to be a traveling nomad in a few years when I retire and the first thing I want to do is go to Deadwood. I'd also like to travel to the places he stayed and see museum's etc. When I wrote my book, Kite's Creek, I included him as the marshal of Hays City where my story takes place. I found it interesting that in "Deadwood", the series on HBO that Wild Bill said his dad called him "Kite" as a kid. If that is, indeed, true, it's a remarkable coincidence with the title of my book which I named after my best friend, whose last name is Kite.
Mr. Bob Bell, one of the very few historians, I KNOW, will give, only what he believes is true, from his owm due diligence, or, someone he trusts! Many Thanks Sir!
The Buffalo Bill museum in Golden Colorado has a lock of Wild Bill's hair on display.
Thanks for keeping the old West alive
It is interesting that Wild Bill carried two Ivory handled .36 caliber Colt 1851 Navy black powder, cap & ball pistols that have the ballistics of a modern .380, and still was known as a town tamer, and deadly gun man. Hollywood shows with two .45 caliber Colt SAA's, which weren't made until 1873, and was only issued to the US army for the first two to three years.
In terms of muzzle energy the guns of that period were a lot lower than what we see today, in those times a .36 Colt Navy was considered plenty of gun for a "belt gun" something you would actually carry on your belt.
It is known that Wild Bill also used and carried a .44 cap and ball at various times but I cannot recall if it was a Colt or Remington etc.
Regardless there is a saying when it comes to shooting, "it's the indian not the arrow" and good aim means a lot more than having a powerful cartridge.
How about a story on Bucky O'neil, I was just in Prescott this past weekend and thought of him because of his statue there. I think in the history of the west, especially Arizona, he doesn't get his due. Thanks Bob, I really enjoy your presentations.
I second that! And damn that one Spanish bullet that got him! Sheriff O'Neil was the very definition of "fearless"!
The Blevins shootout would be a good one
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your book " The Illustrated Life And Times Of Wild Bill Hickok, The First Gunfighter." I absolutely love this book. The illustrations are marvelous and it's great to get " the real story." I remember watching " The Real West" on the History channel years ago and I always appreciated your knowledge and input. I'm a big fan of Wild Bill and Bob Boze Bell!!!
Thanks for the detailed commentary on Wild Bill. I always enjoy hearing the more personal stories of these legendary figures.
My favorite old west character.
Great story, Bob. Great color to an American icon. It seems to me, that someone coming up behind him in the "heat of battle" would always be considered an adversary and delt with as such. Just survival.
I love all the stories about all there characters. I just love history. Thank you for sharing your love of the old west with us.
Thanks Bob. Always enjoy these 30 minute, (or some times less), trips back into history, and the factual events, (as best can be known), of famous and infamous western individuals and historical events. Enough cannot be said about their educational value as well. Keep em coming. And Thanks again.
Living in SW MO very near Springfield, MO, I was hoping for a comment or two about Wild Bill's gunfight with Davis Tutt on the square in Springfield, MO, which is credited with influencing the Hollywood's version of Old West gunfights in TV and in movies. However, I understand that not every facet of his life can be covered. For those interested, there is a plaque on the Springfield town square memorializing this historic gunfight.
If people today know of Wild Bill, its two events; his death and the classic shootout in Springfield. But that fight certainly doesn`t support his thesis "to fast for his own good".
He did a video about it 9 months ago.
You are my absolute favorite western historian! Thank you for your passion if bringing the "True west" to us!
Hickok always fascinated me. From his early days through the Civil War, to his post-Civil War, he was is own man. His fights truly are legendary. No one could match his six shooter prowess.
Thanks for the story Bob. I will listen to as many as you want to tell. Great tales told by one who knows how.
How about more of Dangerous Dan Tucker? One of the greatest gunfighters that existed(?)
I really liked the part about the "greatest strength is also your greatest weakness". That sounds too accurate here.
Thank you for taking the time to put together all these tidbits into a comprehensive and interesting story!! Well done!
Many years ago I was in Deadwood,SD, can remember seeing Wild Bills head stone and I think Calamity Jane was next to him, since then I've been fascinated by him, thank you for such a nice channel and keep up the good work !!
Bob you are a wonderful story teller. You keep it interesting. Thank you so much.
Thanks for the many stories you bring to light. I am always impressed by the amount of study you have done on the topics you cover.
You have presented facts that I was unaware of. Thanks for setting the record straight without all the fluff. I’m subscribed.
While I am thinking about it, there's a lady in Agua Dulce, Ca. that is a great grand daughter of Geronimo. Her father moved to Los Angeles in the heyday of westerns as the token Indian in many films. She has over 150 tin types of Geronimo that have never been seen. She said a lot of the artifacts in DWW were on loan from her when Costner made the film. I believe it would be worth looking into. I saw all of the artifacts. She's from White Mountain area of Arizona originally.
Fascinating story Bob! Thanks for always telling the truth about the days of "The Wild West."
Thank you Bob, excellent video. Those of us who love our history and have done deep dives into it, know we stand on the shoulders of giants. Tough, courageous and capable men rose to legendary status for good reason. From Washington, to Rogers Rangers, to Boone, Crocket, Kit Carson, Wild Bill, Earp, Holiday, Kid Antrem, and the greats of the era, all embody the qualities of the heroes I emulate and hope to live up to in some small way. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
God, I love history as you can't make this stuff up and make it as exciting as real life. I read my first book about "Wild Bill" Hickock when I was in the fifth grade. He set the bar high for all the legends of the west to follow. BTW, I sure like the illustrations...
Excellent presentation, as always! Can’t wait to hear what will be covered next!
I always enjoyed you on a true West moment. I just discovered your CZcams channel. Enjoying it thoroughly and I will share it with my brother and anyone else I can think of that is interested in the old West.
I have lived in Hays, Kansas for the past 11 years. Unfortunately, the town burned in the late 1800's and there are few buildings left from Wild Bill's time. There are historical markers where some of the events recounted in this fascinating video took place. Fort Hays (7th Cavalry outpost) is on the outskirts of town and is well-preserved and quite worth visiting. I subscribed and purchased Bob's book on Wild Bill.
Hi Bob! Been a while since I heard, or read, some of the great stories of the old west.
Best wishes for future success!
Bart Etzenhouser, past CSR on True West Magazine.
Hickok seems to be personified by the old expression…”the best thing about his stories is some of them are true…” Great show Mr. Bell. Looking forward to reading the book.
P.S. I agree completely with your comments about Joe Rosas.
I love history and a well told story. This was amazing.
These presentations are always interesting and well done.
Wild Bill wasn't quicker on the draw. He did have the unique ability to remain calm and focused in a gunfight. It's not who shoots first that counts. It's who shoots last that matters.
Wild Bill was a mixture of historical person , mythological figure and Rock star. The archetypal gunfighter hero . Sharing mythic qualities with Davy Crockett and the Alamo as is any important historical figure.
He had the "it" factor, looked the part and was very proficient with a six shooter.
I really like the video, I really like the take on Hickok’s life and exploits. I find I really learn new things by taking the time to sit and listen
Thanks so much for the video. Always have been a fan of the Old West and I especially like Wild Bill Hickok. Always enjoy the way you tell the history and events along with reminding us they were humans just like us.
Have always enjoyed your stories of western Icons Thank you Bob
Whenever I think about the Wild West, Hickock comes to mind. What a larger than life figure, even in his own day. What a tragic and unjust end for the great man.
Thanks for a good thumbnail sketch. His time as a scout/spy in the western sector of the civil war might make a good book by itself. The war waged in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma doesn’t get much coverage.
I just found this CZcams channel and love it very much. I am fascinated by history, especially the American West. I shall have to look at your books and the magazine as well, Thanks very much!
It is probable that Hickok was already experiencing some degradation of his vision at the time of the 1871 Phil Coe event. That might go some way to explaining why he shot his deputy and friend.
He was nearly blind, only 5 years later, when Jack McCall shot him dead from behind in Deadwood.
Love your videos about the old west, I think that description of the Phill Coe shooting was the best I have heard.
My only disappointment was I wish the video was longer.
Wild Bill Hickok (James Butler Hickok), General / Colonel George Armstrong Custer also had long hair as did Texas Jack Omohundro, Buffalo Bill Cody, Comodore Perry Owens and numerous others were known for growing their hair long as well as the native American warriors such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
I think most Indians wore their hair long?
Once again, great story. Thanks for bringing these shootist to life and showing that they were real people with flaws and strengths who lived the best way they knew how. Can't wait for more!
I read a book years ago about Wild Bill that suggested he had trouble with the men of the 7th because he was having a thing with Libby Custer and certain members of 7th were under unofficial orders to encourage Wild Bill to relocate.
Thank you for this amazing bit of history, of this incredible man!
I love these posts. You Need to be on MORE. You should have a post a week. Short headline with a plug for the books & mag. I need a reminder so I can purchase books. My favorite is the Jesse James/Cole Younger story because of the Northfield Raid. I have friends & family in every town you mention. Cole on the bridge in Mankato is priceless. Plus my band played for Jesse James Days in Northfield. You're A. Okay for a Iowa kid. We're same age. Now you're near the stagecoach monument in Andy Devine's Hometown. Get a pic & post it. ..."Hey Wild Bill... wait for me!!". Thanks Bob.
Love your stories of the old west. Thanks
Always interesting, always informative. Thanks Bob.
Thanks for doing this, I am a True West subscriber and love hearing any of your knowledge related to the ole west and people associated with those times!
Abilene? I stood right in the area where the accidental killing occured...
All of Rosa’s books are great. But I love yours for the stories yes, but the illustrations add life.
I sincerely hope that you are lecturing at colleges and universities with all of your knowledge. Thanks for another outstanding video! Cheers from Alberta, Canada!
Great Stuff Bob. I always enjoy learning history from you.
I love that line; "Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness"
Yet, another GREAT story, Bob! We don't need the Louie L'Amour books, we have you, Sir!🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠
Interesting story on Wild Bill. Bob you are one of the top western historians. I am not a westerner being from Illinois. I found out from an old relative years ago that we have an ancestor who drove stagecoach up and down roads in western Illinois in the 1870s. Also had a relative who operated a wagon repair business in Indianapolis in the 1800s. So we do have some in our blood.
Wild Bill was born in Troy Grove, Illinois in LaSalle County.
@@davek5027 Thanks Dave. I didn't know that. I heard there was another old west figure born in Monmouth,Il too.
Hey Bob,
Thanks for another wonderful historical account of Wild Bill. My wife is a great great niece on her mother’s side of Colorado Charlie Utter, who we understand was a friend of Hickock’s. We have one book about Utter (Good Little Bad Man, by Janice Abrams Spring) and would love to know more about him and his relationship with WBH. Please point us towards any other references that you may know about. Thanks!
My mistake-author of Good Little Bad Man is Agnes Spring.
Hickok was a tough as nails no-nonsense lawman. What you said about him having a commanding presence is one hundred percent correct. Any lawman then had to be. There are few men nowadays that have the same temperament.
Sir,I try my darnest to never miss yer stories!Keep it up, it's never a wasted moment hearing from ya!
Thanks again Bob!
Thanks for the great video! I've always been fascinated with Wild Bill and was able to visit Deadwood last summer.
I can listen to your western tales all day.
Keep up the great work.
I really like history and old west history is my favorite. These videos are great for the history lessons.
Thanks, Bob Great story, listening to you talk about the history of the old West and the people is almost like you're talking with someone who was there. I would really enjoy meeting you on one of our trips to Kingman to visit friends, you just make the area more interesting.
Thank you Wild Bill is my favorite law man of the Wild West. Tragic figure and a good man.
Lovely - for a short era, it did throw up so many types of characters - cowboys, Indians, lawmen, townfolk, ranchers and even outlaws!
I have been in touch with you about Geronimo - recooked my 'faction' novel and hope to complete it soon!
Bob, this was great . . . always loved 'Wild Bill' . . . so happy I found the True West channel . . . loved the Wyatt Earp - OK Coral TW edition earlier this year.
Fantastic story telling and love it.
Just subscribed
Wild Bill was a true to life legend who had great strength.
Great stories well told... that's our Bob!
Splendid illustrations and paintings too. You have a gift!
Love your Wild West posts. I have been to Rock Creek Station several times and also to Troy Grove, Ill. Keep your posts coming!
Oh and I'm brand new at all this on line business to lol thanks again
A story about Porter Rockwell would be awesome
I read somewhere decades ago that Hickok would put on demonstrations of pistol marksmanship for the cowboys waiting for the saloons to open by firing with both pistols from the hip and bouncing a tin can down the street twenty paces ahead of him. The idea was to plant this image in the minds of the cowboys so that later if he came to tell them to settle down or arrest them for disorderly conduct, they wouldn't foolishly draw on him.
Great story, thank you - plz keep them coming.
So grateful to you for your scholarship and sharing, Bob!👊👏👏