(307) 674-2178
Check Availability
Sheridan Inn Hotel in Sheridan, WY
  • Home
  • About
    • About Historic Sheridan Inn
    • Friends of the Sheridan Inn
    • Reviews
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Resources
  • Hotel
    • Rooms
    • Hotel Amenities
    • Mountain Lodge
  • Weddings
  • Events
    • Event Venue
    • Calendar of Events
    • Gallery
  • Contact
Click to Enlarge

The James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok Room

Room 212

James Butler Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois, on May 27, 1837. As a boy in rural Illinois, young James was inordinately interested in guns and became recognized locally as an outstanding marksman with a pistol. When young James reached his eighteenth birthday, he took his leave and migrated to Monticello, Kansas to become a stagecoach driver on the Santa Fe and Oregon trails. Young James had many violent episodes with highwaymen of every creed hoping to prey on the wealthy passengers inside the coach. This challenged Hickok’s marksman skills, and put them to a profitable use. He began to develop a quick temper paired with belligerence, which earned him the nickname “Wild Bill.” The reason he was called Bill is lost in time.

Wild Bill HickokIn 1872, Hickok joined Buffalo Bill’s “Grand Buffalo Hunt” staged at Niagara Falls. Cody himself had already been in show business for a decade staging plays known as “border dramas.” Wild Bill was better known for his days in law enforcement in Nebraska. One of his most famous rivals was the McCanles gang, who were known for train robbery, bank robbery, murder, cattle rustling, and horse theft.

Legend has it that Wild Bill Hickok lured the gang to a saloon with promises of exotic pleasures and popped up from behind the bar with a grin on his face and both guns blazing. Wild Bill confronted the entire McCanles gang single-handedly, killing Jeb McCanles and two of his men, taking the rest as prisoners. His legend spread and any discrepancies with the truth were never corrected.

Hickok moved around during the Civil War and continued gambling, which resulted in more legendary shoot-outs and duels. Eventually, he became a US Marshall in Hays and Abilene, Kansas, before moving on to Deadwood, South Dakota. There were many saloons and gambling opportunities in between. Once in Deadwood, Wild Bill met Calamity Jane, and their friendship was perhaps as legendary as their exploits. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was in Nebraska seeking new recruits for its repertoire of performers, and a scout had been sent to inquire if Wild Bill had an interest in joining the show as a sharpshooter. Absolutely, Wild bill said, and he accepted the job. Unfortunately, this didn’t last for very long. Since he still had a taste for a “medicinal” bottle of spirits each day, his performance in the Wild West Show was dismal on his better days. He was soon fired, again.

212 James Butler Wild Bill Hickok Bathroom 212WildBillHickok

Share This Page

    Room Amenities

    The James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok room is a suite that features 1 Queen size bed, a single lavatory, & a tub with hand shower.
    All rooms have wired and wireless internet & individual heat/ac.

    Book This Room

    Texas Jack Room
    Alexander Majors Room
    CHECK AVAILABILITY

    Rooms Menu

    • Alexander Majors Room
    • Annie Oakley Room
    • Bill Pickett Room
    • Black Elk Room
    • Broncho Billy Room
    • Buffalo Bill Room
    • Colonel Prentiss Ingraham Room
    • Death Valley Scotty Room
    • Frank “White Beaver” Powell Room
    • Grand Duke Alexis Room
    • Lillian Frances Smith Room
    • Miss Kate Arnold Room
    • Nate Salsbury Room
    • Ned Buntline Room
    • Queen Victoria Room
    • Robert Summers Yellowtail Room
    • Rough Riders Room
    • Sitting Bull Room
    • Teddy Roosevelt Room
    • Texas Jack Room
    • The Esquivel Brothers Room
    • Wild Bill Hickok Room
    Read our reviews on Trip Advisor
    Historic Sheridan Inn

    Sheridan Inn Hotel Reviews

    • 5 star review  What an awesome place to stay, not only a part of history but rooms are beautifully designed. The breakfast was very tasty, staff know the meaning of hospitality. WE WILL RETURN

      Google Logo
      thumb Robin Faulkner-Raabe
    • 5 star review  This place was AMAZING! Lots of history here. Jodi was very helpful in showing us around and made some delicious cookies that evening! We will be back someday! Great experience and a must for history buffs!

      Google Logo
      thumb George Allen
    • 5 star review  Awesome history. The fit and finish on this hotel was better than the newer ones I stay in. The customer service was outstanding!

      Google Logo
      thumb Trevor Smith
    • 4 star review  We met friends here for dinner. The food and service were good. Lovely atmosphere indoors and outdoors both. Enjoyed.

      Google Logo
      thumb Cole Warner
    FacebookGoogle+

    Copyright ©2022 Sheridan Inn | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

    Sheridan Inn • 856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801 | (307) 674-2178

    Copyright © 2022 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in