Page 72 - All About History - Issue 12-14

WYATT EARP’S WILD WEST

1837-1876 1859-1881
Wild Bill Hickok – real name James Butler Hickok – was the best The gunslinger – real name William
sharpshooter and gunfighter of his day. Famously, Hickok was involved H Bonney – killed many men during
in the first-ever recorded quick-draw duel, with him gunning his short lifetime, with many saying it
down a gambler called Davis Tutt Jr in the town was 21, one kill for each year of his life.
square of Springfield, Missouri. Hickok is also Often depicted as a bloodthirsty raving
recorded as shooting an outlaw called David killer of a man, surviving testimony from
McCanles with a single bullet from 69 metres people who knew him said in reality he
(225 feet) away – a remarkable achievement just repeatedly ended up on the wrong side
with pistols of that time. of the tracks, killing other men who were
KILLS: 36 worse than himself. Regardless, due to his
excellent marksmanship and wily nature,
Did he ride off into the sunset? Hickok Billy became infamous across the USA,
was shot through the back of the head by something only exacerbated by a daring
gambler Jack McCall while playing five- escape from jail and years spent on the run.
card draw at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon in KILLS: 15-26
Deadwood, Dakota Territory.
Did he ride off into the sunset? Bonney
was shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett
on 14 July 1881.

1854-1884
Fisher was a celebrated gunslinger, racking
up double-digit kills by the age of 30. He was
known to carry twin ivory-handled pistols and
1853-1895 to dress in bright-coloured clothes. His most
Hardin had his first kill registered at the tender age of 15 and his life memorable trait, though, was his brutality
consisted of a series of run-ins with outlaws and lawmen alike. While in combat. The most famous example of
Hardin was known as a good shot, it was his cunning in combat that this was in his fight with a rival bunch of
earned him a deadly reputation, often killing men after confrontations Mexican cowboys, clubbing one to death with
in cold-blooded, unseen ways. His most famous kill was Sheriff John a branding iron, outdrawing and shooting
Helms on 1 August 1873. Hardin was eventually captured and spent 17 another and then executing the remaining two.
years in Huntsville Prison before being released on 17 February 1894.
KILLS: 27-42 KILLS: 14
Did he ride off into the sunset? Hardin was shot through the Did he ride off into the sunset? Fisher was
shot 13 times at a theatre in San Antonio,
back of the head in the Acme Saloon, Texas, by lawman John Texas, in a revenge killing.
Selman Sr on 19 August 1895.

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