James Butler Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois, on May 27, 1837. He is better known as Wild Bill Hickok. Wild Bill was most famous for his lethal gun skills, but he was also known for his professional gambling, being a town marshal and even trying his hand at show business.As a boy in rural Illinois, James became recognized as an outstanding marksman with the pistol. His parents, Abner and Eunice Hickok, were very religious people. They would make James wear a stiff, uncomfortable suit to church on Sundays. This caused a huge fight every week at the Hickok home. James was not close with his parents. His father believed him to be a dreamer with unreachable dreams. Nevertheless, James did his choirs so to keep the family happy.For many years Alonzo operated a station on the Underground Railroad. James and his two brothers and two sisters would often help with the work. It was during this time that James began to develop his courage that would be seen in his later years. Upon James eighteenth birthday he decided to migrate to Monticello, Kansas. Here he took a job driving a stagecoach on the Santa Fe and Oregon trails. During this time James got to use his marksmanship often. He became well known for his courage and sharp shooting while making his trips. This is the period in time that some people believe he became known as Wild Bill. It is not known were the Bill came from, but Wild Bill did not do anything to correct it.After Wild Bill had a little altercation with a bear while working with the couch business, he decided to get into something else. While he was healing, his name was starting to get around as a very tough individual. After full recovery, Wild Bill applied for, and was given the position of constable in a small Nebraska town. Most of the time Wild Bill was dealing with the normal drunks around the town, but every once and awhile the town would have its real desperadoes. The McCanles outlaw gang ...
