Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok

(1837 - 1876)

— The Law in Hays Kansas in 1869 —

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 12, 2016

1. James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok Marker

Inscription.
When Ellis County's elected officials failed in mid-1869 to maintain law and order, the "Better Class of Citizens" hired well-known gunfighter James Butler Hickok to act as "Sheriff". Sam Strawhun and Bill Mulvey resisted Hickok and were soon buried on Hays City's Boot Hill. "Wild Bill" lost the 1869 election to his own deputy and fled the area in 1870 after killing John Kyle and wounding Jeremiah Lonergan, both 7th Cavalrymen, in a barroom brawl. He was assassinated at Deadwood, S.D., in 1876.

Pete Felten, Sculptor
Our 100th anniversary gift to the residents of Hays and Ellis County, April 29, 1989
First National Bank
now
Emprise Bank, N.A.
Hays, Kansas

Erected 1989 by Emprise Bank.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is April 29, 1989.

Location. 38° 52.286′ N, 99° 19.835′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 10th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pioneer Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Otero & Sellar's Warehouse (within shouting

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distance of this marker); “Dog” Kelley’s Faro House (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Joyce’s Court (within shouting distance of this marker); Ed Goddard’s Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tommy Drum's Saloon (about 300 feet away); Kate Coffey’s Saloon (about 300 feet away); Waters and Murray’s Saloon (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

Also see . . .
1. Wild Bill Hickok. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 20, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Peter Felten. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok image. Click for full size.

via Biography, unknown

2. James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 12, 2016

3. James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok Statue and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 26, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 3, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.