WILD BILL FROM THE WILD WEST

This photo shows James Butler Hickok or popularly known as “Wild Bill”, who was a folk hero in the Old West. He was a prominent man due to his jack-of-all-trades ability. He was a soldier, lawman, showman, actor, gunfighter, and professional gambler. He spied for the Union Army during the American Civil War and took part in numerous shoot-outs.

While playing poker in Dakota, he was shot from behind by an unsuccessful gambler. His tragic demise became famous as he was holding a poker combination of two pairs – two black aces and eights – now credited as the “dead man’s hand.”