The Murder of Wild Bill Hickok - Deadwood, SD
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 44° 22.626 W 103° 43.814
13T E 601155 N 4914541
On August 2, 1876 marked the date that Jack McCall murdered "Wild Bill" Hickok.
Waymark Code: WM6NNV
Location: South Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 06/27/2009
Views: 44
"Wild Bill" Hickok was a notorious man. He rode on the Pony Express. He was a lawman in several jurisdictions. However, people probably know him best as a gunslinger and a card player.
In 1876, after the Black Hills gold rush was in full swing, "Wild Bill" set off to win his fortune. When evenings came around, he headed off to the saloon where he played poker.
To say "Wild Bill" was paranoid would be an understatement. He always sat in the saloons with his back to the wall so that no one could sneak up behind him. On the night of August 2nd, "Wild Bill" would not get his seat, and consequently would not leave with his life.
"Wild Bill" entered into Saloon No. 10 only to find that his favorite seat was taken. He asked for his seat, but was refused, and the call of the game was too much for him to pass up. After playing for some time, Jack McCall entered into the saloon, seeing "Wild Bill," he went behind him, shooting him in the back of the head.
A trial was held in Deadwood, in which he was aquitted. But that was not the last the law had to say. He was later arrested and tried again, this time in Yankton, the capitol of Dakota Territory. The government claimed that the first trial was in Indian Territory and was illegitament. In this trial, Jack McCall was found guilty and sentenced to hang.
Jack McCall was hung on March 1, 1877. His body burried, but moved sometime later. When re-examining the body, it was found that the noose was still around his neck.
Every night in the summer, re-enactments are performed here at the Saloon No. 10. The performance is appropriate to audiences of all ages.
Date of crime: 08/02/1876
Public access allowed: yes
Fee required: no
Web site: [Web Link]
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