Well, Bill [Bill Hickok] was a pretty good shot. But he could not shoot as quick as half a dozen men we all knew in those days, nor as straight either. But Bill was cool, and the men who he went up against were rattled, I guess. Bill beat them to it. He made up his mind to kill the other man before the other man had finished thinking.

I could never resist the call of the trail.

Major North has had for years complete power over these Indians and can do more with them than any man living.

My wife was delighted with the home I had given her amid the prairies of the far west.

The Free State men, myself among them, took it for granted that Missouri was a slave state.

I was persuaded now that I was destined to lead a life on the Plains.

My restless, roaming spirit would not allow me to remain at home very long.