A Troubled Law Officer

Wild Bill Hickok’s time in Abilene was tough.

April 15, 1871. Wild Bill Hickok becomes marshal of Abilene, Kansas. He replaces Bear River Tom Smith, who was murdered some months before. Hickok’s tenure is tumultuous. He befriends young Texas gunslinger John Wesley Hardin–but fails to arrest Wes when he shoots and kills a man for snoring. In October, Hickok has a confrontation with gambler/saloon owner Phil Coe. The two go for their guns and Coe is mortally wounded. Wild Bill then mistakenly guns down his friend, Special Deputy Mike Williams, who is running to help. Wild Bill is relieved of his duty less than two months later. It’s the last lawman job of his life.