The Rock Creek Incident

The Rock Creek Incident

James Butler Hickok circa 1860s

The legend of James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok truly began with his gunfight against David Colbert McCanles at Rock Creek station, Nebraska.

McCanles, the original owner of the property, was involved in a longstanding feud with the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell. McCanles claimed the company was using his property without full reimbursement. On July 12, 1861, McCanles arrived at the station with several men to demand full payment. The company supervisor, Horace Wellman, was away, but Wellman’s wife, Hickok and others were inside the small building.

David C. McCanles, alleged leader of the McCanles Gang, in 1860

McCanles walked through the door and threatened Hickok, demanding that he step out from behind a curtain or he would come in after him. Hickok told him that if he tried it, there would be “one less son of a bitch in the world.” McCanles tore back the curtain and Wild Bill put a bullet in his chest. McCanles staggered out, told his son to run, and fell dead.

In the ensuing fight, Hickok wounded James Woods, who was finished off by Mrs. Wellman when she hacked him to death with a hoe. Hickok also wounded another man who was then killed by another employee.

Wild Bill was officially cleared of the murder of McCanles, and the incident was largely forgotten until 1867, when George W. Nichols penned a sensational “interview” with Hickok for Harper’s magazine. Titled “Wild Bill,” the article was a fantastic blend of pulp fiction with a smattering of truth, in which the dreaded McCanles “gang” grew to 10 members and tried to hang a local preacher before launching its ill-advised attack on Hickok.