How Did Wild Bill Hickok Die?

One of the most legendary figures in the Old West, Wild Bill Hickok has been the subject of stories, some exaggerated and many true, that began when he was still alive. His fame skyrocketed during his lifetime, and he was seen as the epitome of a rugged American, pioneering his way through life with determination and a trusty revolver.

He died on August 2, 1876, at the age of just 39. The manner of his death would only add to his status as an American legend. Here’s what happened.

James Butler Hickok, better known by his nickname of “Wild Bill Hickok,” was a man of many talents. First and foremost among these talents was that he was a sharpshooter—a skill that earned considerable respect in the United States at the time.

Needless to say, he knew his way around guns, and this led him to take on jobs that were on the more dangerous side of American life in the 19th century. He served as a scout in the Union Army, and after the Civil War, he was a sheriff and a marshal. Even before the war, he served in the Pony Express and got into a close-quarters struggle with a bear! This life of adventure and his penchant for gambling was a surefire way to draw dangerous attention. He made many enemies throughout his life.

Hickok’s Violent End

Hickok’s life came to an end when he was shot in the back of the head. This was a culmination of events involving drinking, gambling, and an angry man named Jack McCall.

On August 1, 1876, Hickok and McCall were drinking and gambling in Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon #10 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. McCall had been drinking heavily and lost several hands at the poker table. No longer able to support his place at the table, Hickok offered him money for breakfast and advised him to leave the game until he could cover his costs. McCall took the money but felt insulted.

The following day, Hickok was back at the saloon, participating in another poker game. He never sat with his back towards the door, but on this occasion, the only seat available was the one he should never have taken.

McCall entered the bar unnoticed by Hickok and ordered a drink. He took a few steps towards Hickok as if to look at the cards in his hand. Hickok still didn’t notice when McCall pulled out his revolver and fired into the back of Hickok’s head at point-blank range.

McCall shouted, “Damn you! Take that!” before attempting an escape through the back of the saloon. Hickok was dead, but McCall was apprehended as a result of a loose saddle foiling his escape attempt. He fell off the horse and was taken into custody.

At the time of his death, Hickok was purported to be holding a pair of black aces and a pair of black eights. Today, this combination is known as a “dead man’s hand.”

Jack McCall was put on trial for the murder of Hickok but was acquitted after claiming that his actions had been that of revenge. He stated that Hickok had killed his brother in Abilene. McCall was acquitted, and he left the territory for Wyoming.

This was a fateful mistake, as Wyoming Territory did not recognize the legal jurisdiction of the town of Deadwood. Neither did the Dakota Territory and after McCall continued to brag about having killed Hickok, the authorities in the Dakota Territory agreed to a retrial. This time, the charge of murder stuck. Jack McCall was hanged on March 1, 1877, at the age of 24.

Wild Bill Hickok was just 39 when he was killed. His legend, however, lived long after his death, and he has been revered as a gunslinging hero of the Wild West ever since.