| “ | Can you let me go to hell the way I want to?
— Wild Bill Hickok
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” |
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was a folk character of the American Old West. Although some of his exploits as reported at the time were fictionalized, his skills as a gunfighter and gambler, along with his reputation as a lawman, provided the basis for his enduring fame. Born and raised on a farm in rural Illinois, Hickok went west at age 18 as a fugitive from justice, first working as a stagecoach driver, then as a lawman in the frontier territories of Kansas and Nebraska. He fought and spied for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and gained publicity after the war as a scout, marksman, actor, hunter, and professional gambler. Hickok was involved in several notable shootouts.
A famous and well-recorded duel occurred on 21 July 1865. Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt quarrelled over cards and decided to have a gunfight. They arranged to walk towards each other at 6 p.m. When they were about 50 yards apart, both men drew their guns. Tutt fired first but missed. Hickok's shot hit Tutt in the heart. This was the first recorded example of two men taking part in a quick-draw duel. The following month Hickok was acquitted after pleading self-defense. Tutt was one of the estimated 20,000 men in the American West who were killed by gunshot between 1866 and 1900.
Battle vs. Doc Holliday (by 123chaseyoung)[]
Battle In a saloon ina small town in Nevada, Doc Holliday plays cards with three shadowy strangers in a game of poker. Doc has been noted as an extreme nihilist, a man fearing no death, and an expert gambler among others. But his playmate today was the notorious Wild Bill, who too carried an arsenal of skills in the game. Doc shuffles the cards, makes some few twist and twats. Before handing over the cards to to his opponents. As the time to see which one won the round. Doc gave a little nod, a pint of whiskey, and hands over the cards. He has won the game as everyone sees it. But two of the players, didn’t like their sudden fall to disgrace. They pulled out their pistols, and called Doc a big sick cheater. Doc didn’t like the hostility. As Hickok watch, Doc draws two pistols and singlehandedly killed his violators. Hickok gets up and draws his pistol, yelling “You son of a bich, put away your guns, you are under arrest.” But Doc didn’t mind the old man in the background. He draws his own pistol and fires at Hickok, who takes cover behind a bar. Hickok continues to fire with his two Colts. Doc takes cover in a table, and grabbing a double barrel shotgun. Fires at Hickok. His cover explodes, and he was wounded in the shoulder and was unprotected. As Doc loads, Hickok grabs his rifle and shoots Doc in the femur. Making him drop his shotgun. Hickok then attacks Doc and tries to slash him with his knife, but Doc grabs his own knife and wounds Hickok in the elbow with a thrust. Angry, Hickok continues to attack Doc, and a brutal melee ensuses. Hickok gets lucky and lands a slash on Doc’s lip, but Doc the punches Hickok and sends him away. Doc then drops his knife and demands, ‘Why should we gentlemen butcher each other like meat. We’re civilized aren’t we? Wy not finish this up like a man.” Doc then puts his hands near his holster. Hickok obliged and puts his hand near his hip as the two have one of the most sensational duel ever. Hickok on the other hand gets cocky, confidently, he draws his Colt, but a loud bang! Utters in before he can fire. He sees Doc with his pistol already drawn, he was hit in the heart, and Doc has him beat in a first draw. Doc winks and says, “Your’e a daisy if you have”. Hickok fells to the ground dead. Doc lights up a cigar and leaves smiling and silent. Winner: Doc Holliday
Expert's Opinion[]
Although Hickok has an advantage of being an experienced veteran of the Civil War, Doc won the day because of his better close range weapons, marksmanship, calmness under fire, and his faster draw. Not to mention Doc himself is no stranger in killing soldiers once.