On the first of October I retired my ”Ask the Marshall,” column and “True West Blogs.” It is a sad day for me but, to quote James Michener’s French...
A Fond Farewell to True West
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Wild Bill Hickok
The Death of a Legend
Wild Bill Hickok cashes in his chips. August 2, 1876. Wild Bill Hickok is playing poker in Nuttall and Mann's Saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory....
Killer Kids of the Civil War
Close to a half million boys under the age of 18 were involved in both the Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. Some historians...
Wild Bill’s Shining Moment
The gunfight with Davis Tutt brings fame. July 21, 1865. Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt face off in the Springfield, Missouri town square. The...
A Wild Affray for Hickok
Wild Bill gets out of a sticky situation. July 17, 1870--A saloon in Hays City, KS. Wild Bill Hickok is attacked by two soldiers of the 7th Cavalry,...
The Truth About Tom Carson
The Abilene hardcase was less than the legends. June 14, 1871. Abilene, Kansas Marshal Wild Bill Hickok hires Tom Carson as a deputy. There are a...
A Last Badge for Wild Bill
Hickok becomes an Abilene lawman. April 15, 1871. Wild Bill Hickok becomes marshal of Abilene, Kansas. His tenure is tumultuous. He befriends young...
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,...
The Classic Gunfight
Wild Bill versus Davis Tutt. It’s reputed to be the first (and one of the only) Hollywood-style gunfight in the Old West. On July 21st, 1865, Wild...
The Dead Man’s Hand?
What cards did Wild Bill hold when he was shot? On August 2nd, 1876, Jack McCall walked into the Nuttal and Mann's No. 10 Saloon in Deadwood, Dakota...
Justice Served
Ten U.S. Marshals and Deputy U.S. Marshals who defined the legendary West All Illustrations by Bob Boze Bell and All Images Courtesy True West...
Hays in an Uproar
Wild Bill Hickok vs. The 7th Cavalry Hickok Almost Gets an Earful July 17, 1870 Deputy U.S. Marshal James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok...