McCanles Massacre

The McCanles Massacre refers to a violent shootout that occurred at the Rock Creek Station in Nebraska on July 12, 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War. This event contributed significantly to the legend of Wild Bill Hickok, an American frontiersman and lawman.1

There are conflicting accounts of the massacre. One version, popularized by Harper's New Monthly Magazine, depicts Hickok acting alone to defend himself against David McCanles and his gang. However, later historical accounts suggest a more complex scenario where Hickok, along with other station employees, acted in self-defense against McCanles, who was demanding payment for the station property. Hickok and another employee were charged with murder but acquitted, with the verdict being self-defense. The incident is believed to have been influenced by a dispute over payment and possibly a romantic rivalry.1