Phil Coe

Phillip Houston "Phil" Coe (July 13, 1839 Gonzales, Texas – October 9, 1871 Abilene, Kansas), was a soldier, Old West gambler, and businessman from Texas. He became the business partner of gunfighter Ben Thompson in Abilene, Kansas, with whom he opened the Bull's Head Saloon. He was killed by marshal "Wild Bill" Hickok in a street brawl.

Early life Phillip Houston Coe was born July 17, 1839 to Phillp Haddox and Elizabeth (Parker) Coe in Gonzales, Texas, one of the earliest settlements west of the Colorado River and was the fourth of 9 children.

Military career Phillip Coe was enrolled on March 24, 1862 at Belmont (Gonzales Co. Texas) by William L. Foster and 3 days and 53 miles later was mustered in at San Antonio, Texas by E.W. Stevens at age 22. A roster of Company F, 2nd. Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles (Confederate Texas Troops) showed him as Lieutenant with a commission date of September 21, 1862. Coe was transferred on December 11, 1862 to William G. Tobin's Company F of Colonel C.L. Pyron's Regiment with a rank of Private. The sole document bearing Coe's signature was a pay voucher showing he received $100 for one month's service from March 31, 1863 to April 30, 1863: This document acknowledged payment from W.M. Wilby, Assistant Quartermaster, Confederate States of America and signed "P.H. Coe 1st Leut co (F). 2 T M R [2nd. Texas Mounted Rifles]." It is possible Phillip Coe fought under Emperor Maximillian of Mexico as a soldier-of-fortune with his friend Ben Thompson after his service in the Confederate Texas Troops, but no records can confirm so.

Post-war After the war, Coe traveled through Texas. During his travels, he befriended gunfighter Bill Longley and Ben Thompson, the latter of whom he had served with in Mexico. He then settled in Salina, Kansas, where he became a saloon owner and gambler. In May 1871, Coe became Ben Thompson's business partner in Abilene, managing the Bull's Head Saloon.

On October 5, 1871, Coe shot Hickok twice following a street brawl, missing both shots. Hickok fired back, shooting Coe in the stomach. However, Hickok also mistakenly shot and killed his deputy, Mike Williams, who was running to his aid. Williams was due to return to Kansas City that night.

Phil Coe remained in the town for several days before dying on October 9, 1871. He was Hickok's last known killing. Coe's body was taken to Brenham, Texas, to relatives of his. He was buried there in Prairie Lea Cemetery.