In 1874 Bill engaged in a battle with a tribe of Indians under
Black-Kettle, in which he received a severe wound from a spear thrust
through his thigh. Being very much disabled he paid a visit to his
aged mother and relatives at Troy Grove, Illinois, where he remained
some weeks and until the wound healed. Before returning west he went
to Chicago to see his old friend, Heman Baldwin, and while there the
two entered the St. James Hotel bar to play a game of billiards. While
being thus engaged seven Chicago roughs began bantering him on account
of the buckskin clothes he wore and challenged him for a prize fight.
Bill replied to them that he was not a fighting man, and that he was
at that time still suffering from a newly healed wound. They continued
their insults, and finally told him that he had to fight or acknowledge
that he was a coward and his reported exploits bogus. Bill’s courage
came to the surface quickly enough, and drawing his two pistols--both
of which were presents to him from Vice-President Wilson--the fight
began, one man against seven. The pistols were used as “billys,” and
in a few seconds the seven roughs were stretched upon the floor and
completely at Bill’s mercy. The injuries they received consisted of
severe scalp wounds, the marks from which will be carried through life.