The Wild West is often romanticized as a world of dusty saloons, high-stakes poker games, and legendary gunslingers who lived fast and died young. While much has been written about their skills with a revolver, their gambling habits, and their exploits on the frontier, one often-overlooked aspect is what they smoked. Did Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, or Doc Holliday enjoy a pipe? Or were cigars and chewing tobacco the preferred indulgences of the gunslinging elite?
Let’s step back into the smoky saloons and lawless towns of the Old West to explore the smoking habits of some of its most famous figures.
Wild Bill Hickok: The Gambler and His Cigar
James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was one of the most famous gunfighters and lawmen of the Old West. He made his name as a scout, a Union soldier, a lawman in Kansas, and a professional gambler. But what about his smoking habits?
Wild Bill was known to favor cigars, often seen chewing on one at the poker table or between gunfights. While there is no solid evidence that he smoked a pipe, he was rarely without a cigar—perhaps a reflection of his affinity for the finer things in life. Unlike some of his rougher counterparts, Hickok enjoyed dressing sharply and maintaining a polished image, and a cigar was the perfect accessory for the well-dressed gunfighter.
Hickok’s final moments were just as legendary as his life. On August 2, 1876, in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, Hickok sat at a poker table with his back to the door—a mistake he rarely made. A drifter named Jack McCall walked in and shot Hickok in the back of the head. The cards in his hand—two black aces and two black eights—became known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.” Whether or not a cigar sat in an ashtray beside his final hand remains unknown, but it's likely that if he had lived to tell the tale, he would have enjoyed one afterward.
Wyatt Earp: The Cigar-Smoking Lawman
If there was one man who embodied the spirit of the Old West, it was Wyatt Earp. Famous for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt spent much of his life as a lawman, gambler, and businessman.
Unlike Hickok, who was known for a certain flamboyance, Earp was more reserved. However, he shared at least one vice with Wild Bill—a love for cigars. There are multiple accounts of Wyatt Earp enjoying cigars, both in the saloons of Dodge City and in his later years in California.
One famous story tells of Earp’s time in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. He and his wife, Josephine, ran a saloon in Nome, and Earp was frequently seen smoking cigars while discussing business or settling disputes. Even as he grew older, living in California in the early 20th century, he continued to enjoy a good cigar.
While there are no confirmed reports of Earp smoking a pipe, he was certainly known for his fondness for tobacco.
Doc Holliday: The Pipe-Smoking Dentist
If there was one famous gunslinger who definitely enjoyed a pipe, it was John Henry “Doc” Holliday. A Southern gentleman-turned-gambler and gunfighter, Doc was known for his sharp wit, deadly aim, and frail health due to tuberculosis.
Unlike Hickok and Earp, who were partial to cigars, Holliday was a pipe smoker. His roots as a well-educated dentist from Georgia likely played a role in his preference for the pipe, a common indulgence among gentlemen of the time.
One particularly famous account describes Doc sitting in a saloon, pipe in hand, while delivering one of his many legendary lines:
"I’m your huckleberry."
This cool, measured demeanor defined Holliday’s persona, and a pipe seemed to fit his character perfectly. Given his health issues, it’s possible he smoked milder tobaccos or even herbal blends rather than stronger varieties.
Even in his final days, as he succumbed to tuberculosis in a Colorado sanitarium, it is said that he smoked his pipe between coughing fits. His last words—"This is funny"—reportedly spoken while staring at his bare feet, suggest that even at the end, he retained his sharp sense of humor and Southern charm.
Other Notable Figures and Their Smoking Habits
Bat Masterson – Cigar Aficionado
A close friend of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson was another legendary lawman and gambler. He spent his later years as a sports writer in New York City, where he continued to enjoy fine cigars. Unlike some of his frontier counterparts, Masterson was a man of refinement, and his choice of tobacco reflected that.
Jesse James – Chewing Tobacco and Cigars
The infamous outlaw Jesse James was said to favor chewing tobacco, a common habit among those who lived life on the move. However, there are also accounts of James enjoying a cigar when the opportunity arose. Given his time spent robbing banks and trains, he likely didn't have much time to sit back and enjoy a long smoke.
Billy the Kid – Smoker or Non-Smoker?
Despite his notoriety, little evidence exists that Billy the Kid was a smoker. Some accounts suggest that he chewed tobacco, while others claim he occasionally enjoyed a cigar. However, no strong records exist of him being a pipe smoker.
The Smoking Culture of the Old West
In the 1800s, tobacco was an essential part of frontier life. Whether in the form of cigars, chewing tobacco, or pipes, smoking was a common habit among cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen alike.
Types of Tobacco Popular in the Wild West:
- Cigars – Preferred by gamblers, businessmen, and wealthier men.
- Pipes – More common among older men, intellectuals, and European immigrants.
- Chewing Tobacco – The most common form of tobacco, favored by cowboys, outlaws, and frontiersmen.
- Cigarettes – Not as common until the late 19th century, but some men rolled their own from pipe tobacco.
Tobacco use was as much about social status as it was about habit. Gamblers like Hickok and Earp enjoyed cigars as a sign of sophistication, while hard-riding outlaws like Jesse James chewed tobacco for convenience. Meanwhile, men like Doc Holliday preferred the contemplative nature of pipe smoking, perhaps using it as a way to calm his nerves before a gunfight.
Final Thoughts: Smoke and Gunpowder
The smoking habits of the Old West’s most famous figures tell us a lot about their personalities. Hickok and Earp’s cigars fit their larger-than-life images, while Doc Holliday’s pipe reflected his Southern roots and gentlemanly demeanor.
While the West was wild and unpredictable, one thing was certain—whether lawman or outlaw, a good smoke was always close at hand.
So next time you pack your pipe or light a cigar, take a moment to reflect on the legends who once did the same, their smoke mingling with the dust of the frontier.
What’s your favorite Old West figure? Do you think Doc Holliday would have smoked a Virginia flake, or would Hickok have enjoyed a Latakia-heavy English blend? Let’s discuss in the comments!
🔥 Keep your powder dry and your ember lit! 🔥
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