Cambridge Township in Onsted in Lenawee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wild Bill Hickok
Born in Illinois in 1837, James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok first gained notoriety as a gunfighter in 1861 when he coolly shot three men who were trying to kill him. A highly sensationalized account of the gunfight appeared six years later in the popular periodical "Harper's New Monthly Magazine," sparking Hickok's rise to national fame other articles and books followed, and though his prowess was often exaggerated, Hickok did earn-his reputation with a string of impressive gunfights. After accidentally killing his deputy during an 1871 shootout in Abilene, Texas, Hickok never fought another gun battle. For the next several years he lived off his famous reputation, appearing as himself in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Occasionally, he worked as guide for wealthy hunters. His renowned eyesight began to fail, and for a time he was reduced to wandering the west trying to make a living as a gambler. Several times he was arrested for vagrancy. In the spring of 1876, Hickok arrived in the Black Hills mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota. There he became a regular at the poker tables of the No. 10 Saloon, eking out a meager existence as a card player. On August 2nd in 1876, Hickok was playing cards with his back to the saloon door. At 4:15 in the afternoon, a young gunslinger named Jack McCall walked into the saloon, approached Hickok from behind, and shot him in the back of the head. Hickok died immediately. McCall tried to shoot others in the crowd, but amazingly, all of the remaining cartridges in his pistol were duds. McCall was later tried, convicted, and hanged.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is August 2, 1837.
Location. 42° 3.459′ N, 84° 8.043′ W. Marker is in Onsted, Michigan, in Lenawee County. It is in Cambridge Township. Marker can be reached from U.S. 12, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7203 US-12, Onsted MI 49265, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Doc Holliday (here, next to this marker); George Armstrong Custer (a few steps from this marker); Bill Pickett (a few steps from this marker); Wyatt Earp (a few steps from this marker); Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bill (a few steps from this marker); Geronimo (within shouting distance of this marker); Calamity Jane (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Onsted.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.