East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-07-02

had a brother older and celebrated as
a brave, courageous man, a wagon
master who became renowned by
"holding his own" in dealing with
the bandits and rogues of the day. so
fearless as to be known in the trade
as "Wild Bill" Hickock. Taking
james with him early in life, he tu-
tored him so effectively that he
echpsed him in daring performances.
adventures and escapades to such a
degree that the title wild Bill was
transferred to the younger brother
and has left him thus known forever
In the history of the west.
"Wild Bill" and / grew up on the
plains together and were in the Nor
mon war, which took place In 1857.
working for the government freight
ars who were hauling supplies for
Albert sydney Johnston's army.
which Rad been sent against the
Mormon. The train that we were
with was burned by the Mormons on
Hams Fork, about 100 miles east of
Salt Lake city. After the burning of
our train we returned TO the Mis-
souri, river, a distance of 1909 miles
We walked and. being armed. killed
game and by strategic instincts avoid
ed danger. "Bill" was a little older
than /.
l was i mere boy at the Zine, and
ne was very kind, assisting me in
many ways. In 1859 and 1860 we
were both riding pony express. It
was while riding pony express that
'Wild Bill was forced into 4 fight
with the desperate gang that was led
by Jake" McCandles. In that fight
"Bill' killed eight men and mortally
wounded one other. The fight is eX-
plotted in detail in an article by a
United States officer in Harper's
| Magazine printed In 1867. 1t was the
greatest single handed fight ever
made t. my knowledge. This COM
bat gave "Bill'' wonderful repu-
tation and caused him to get into
mary rows which he never would
have been obliged 10 take part in
had he not had the reputation of be E
ing a man killer.
when he civil war began he join
ed tn" uaicu forces. not as n regular
|
as Pleasanton, Blunt and atlers as a
| spy sometimes being with the south
ern army and gaining valuable infor
nation for the union army. Ddring
the civil war he ran many dangerous
| risks and was obliged, as a matter OF
protection, to kill great many men.
He was regarded as a dead shot
with the revolver, and always pre-
ferred the revolver to the rifle. 1t
was during the civil war, while at
Springfield, Mo-, and while he was
a spy and scout for General Mcneil
| cf the United States army that he
| fought his celebrated duel with
Dave" Tuttle, in which duel he kill
ed his opponent.
After the civil war he naturally
| irifted back on the frontier and was
scout under Generals Hancock.
Custer and others. At times he acted
as city marshal for several of the
| towns Oil the frontier. This was real
ly more dangerous work than hunt
| ing Indians. One of the most des-
shall of Abilene. Kan, was when he
killed "Phil" Cole and three other
| men.
Many desperate conflicts were
forced upon him by gun fighters who
had become notorious. Their ambi-
ticn was to kill "Wild Bill" but these
men generally died with their boots
on AT the hands of "Bin."
"Rilr' killed at least 40 men, but
have never known of an instance
where ne provoked the fight or where
he dida't give the man fair chance
and an opportunity to kill him IL he
| could.
"Bill" was finally killed in a sa-
loon In Deadwood, S. D., in August
1876. He was shot In the back of
the head by man named Jack
Mccall who was afraid to meet
"Bill" face to face. "Bill" had be-
friended the man. but Mccall was
hired by others who wished him ere.
moved" Mccall was tried convicted
and hanged. "Wiid Bill now lies
buried in the Deadwood cemetery
His name will always live in a roman.
tic history stranger than fiction.
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