James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, a pioneer of the Great Plains, was born here on May 27, 1837, and was assassinated at Deadwood on August 2, 1876. During the Civil War he served his country as a scout and a spy in the western states to preserve the Union. On the frontier he also served as an express messenger and an upholder of law and order, contributing largely to making the West a safe place for women and children. His sterling courage was always at the service of right and justice.