Wild Bill Hickok, the prince of pistoleers

About this book

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876), was a folk hero of the Old West known for his life as a scout, lawman, gunslinger, gambler, showman, and actor, and for his involvement in many famous gunfights. He earned a great deal of fame, much of it by the outlandish and fabricated tales told and printed about him. Wild Bill was a fascinating personality to all who knew him. His friends never ceased to chant his praises as an honest man, an incredibly accurate pistol shot, and an individual who was without fear in the presence of danger. This is a good deal to say of any man, but it must be admitted that these encomiums have a solid basis of fact. In the opinion of the great marshals, peace officers, and fighting men of the West, Wild Bill was the greatest gun fighter and the most famous peace officer of the frontier. - Summary by Barry Eads and Frank Wilstach