Wild Bill Hickok was one of the most famous figures in the Wild West, but there is one thing that has long been debated about him: Was he moon blind? The term “moon blindness” refers to a condition where a person has impaired vision in bright light, and this has been attributed to Hickok since the 1800s. In this article, we will explore the evidence surrounding this claim and determine whether Hickok was indeed moon blind.
Wild Bill Hickok’s Vision
Wild Bill Hickok was born in 1837 in Illinois and is best known for his gunfighting and gambling skills. He was a lawman in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, and his reputation as a gunslinger earned him a place in the American folklore. While Hickok was known to be a crack shot, it was reported that he had poor vision. According to some sources, he was almost blind in one eye due to a childhood accident.
Investigating the Moon Blindness Myth
The myth of Hickok being moon blind originated in 1876 when he was killed by Jack McCall. At the time, it was widely reported that Hickok was unable to see clearly in bright light and had to cover his eyes with a handkerchief or hat to shield his eyes from the sun. This led to the belief that he was moon blind, or had impaired vision in bright light.
However, there is no clear evidence to support this claim. Hickok himself never mentioned his vision problems, and there is no record of him seeking medical treatment for his eyes. Furthermore, there is no medical evidence that he suffered from moon blindness, which is a rare condition. Therefore, it is likely that Hickok did not suffer from this condition.
In conclusion, there is no clear evidence to support the claim that Wild Bill Hickok was moon blind. While it is possible that he had poor vision due to a childhood accident, there is no proof that he suffered from moon blindness. Therefore, this myth is likely just that – a myth.