July 14, 2013
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On a recent trip to South Dakota, we had the opportunity to walk the streets of Deadwood, a town with lots of old western history.
Wild Bill Hickok was fatally shot in the back of the head while playing poker at the site of the Old Saloon No. 10. Wild Bill usually sat with his back to the wall, but on this occasion the only seat available was back to the door. Jack McCall (alias Broken Nose Jack) walked into the saloon on August 2, 1876 and promptly shot Wild Bill from the back. He died instantly. McCall was arrested and tried, but for some reason was acquitted. He fled into Wyoming where he was again arrested and tried after bragging about his deed. He was found guilty, and hanged on March 1, 1877.
At the time of death, Wild Bill was holding two black aces and two black eights. The fifth card is unknown. The hand became known as "Dead Man's Hand"
