William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton – Shell Game Con Man
The American West, a land of opportunity and hardship, attracted individuals from all walks of life, some seeking fortune through honest labor, others through less scrupulous means. Among the latter was William B. Thornton, better known as "Lucky Bill," a gambler and conman whose name became synonymous with the shell game. His story is a fascinating glimpse into the darker side of the Gold Rush era and the lengths some would go to for financial gain.
William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton’s origins can be traced back to Chenango County, New York. Born into what was likely a modest background, the allure of quick riches proved too strong to resist. The discovery of gold in California in 1849 acted as a siren song, drawing him westward with the promise of untold wealth. Like thousands of others, he packed his bags and joined a wagon train heading towards the Golden State, but unlike most, his intentions weren’t focused on panning for gold.
Instead, "Lucky Bill" Thornton saw the journey itself as an opportunity. Recognizing the vulnerability and desperation of his fellow travelers, many of whom had poured their life savings into the arduous trek, he began to ply his trade: the shell game. This classic confidence trick, also known as the thimblerig, involved hiding a small ball under one of three shells (or thimbles) and rapidly shuffling them around. Unsuspecting participants would bet on which shell concealed the ball, invariably losing their money to Thornton’s deft manipulation and sleight of hand. The William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton was good at the game.
By the time the wagon train reached California, many pioneers were significantly lighter in their wallets, victims of Thornton’s deceptive skills. He arrived in Sacramento with a considerable sum, accumulated through the misfortune of others. In the bustling, chaotic environment of the Gold Rush city, he continued his ruse, preying on hopefuls and naive newcomers eager to strike it rich. It is estimated that William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton raked in as much as $24,000 in his first two months in Sacramento, a staggering amount of money at the time.
The shell game, a seemingly simple trick, relied on a combination of misdirection, speed, and psychological manipulation. The conman would often allow the mark to win a few small bets initially, building their confidence and enticing them to wager larger sums. The shuffling of the shells was performed with incredible speed and dexterity, making it almost impossible for the untrained eye to follow the ball. Furthermore, accomplices, known as "shills," would often be present in the crowd, pretending to be fellow gamblers and winning large sums to further encourage the mark to participate. William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton likely employed these tactics to maximize his profits.
However, "Lucky Bill" Thornton’s gambling activities weren’t limited to the shell game. He was also an avid, though less skilled, player of Faro, a popular card game in the saloons and gambling halls of the West. Unlike the shell game, where he held a distinct advantage, Faro was a game of chance and skill, and Thornton’s luck often ran dry at the Faro table. In fact, he frequently lost his shell game profits in these high-stakes games, forcing him to "hustle" even harder with his con game to replenish his coffers. This cycle of winning and losing, of taking advantage of others only to be taken advantage of himself, paints a complex picture of the man behind the moniker. The story of William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton is full of ups and downs.
In 1853, Thornton decided to try his hand at something more legitimate, or at least, something that appeared more legitimate. He moved to Nevada, establishing a ranch in the Carson Valley. He also invested in a sawmill and operated a toll road, seemingly settling down and embracing a more respectable life. By this time, Thornton had a family, further suggesting a desire to leave his shady past behind. However, the lure of gambling proved too strong to resist, and he continued to frequent the gambling establishments in the area. While he may have presented a respectable facade, his penchant for exploiting others remained. Many who dared to gamble with him soon found their pockets emptied, a testament to his enduring conman skills.
Despite his attempts at a more conventional life, Thornton’s past eventually caught up with him. In June 1858, he and several others were arrested in connection with the killing of a Frenchman in Honey Lake. The circumstances surrounding the killing remain somewhat unclear, but the incident likely involved a dispute over gambling debts or some other illicit activity. The legal proceedings that followed were far from just. In the lawless environment of the frontier, justice was often dispensed by vigilante groups or "mock courts," lacking any semblance of due process.
Thornton and his co-defendants were subjected to such a "mock court," where they were swiftly convicted of the crime. The trial was likely influenced by Thornton’s reputation as a conman and gambler, and his past misdeeds undoubtedly prejudiced the jury against him. On June 18, 1858, William B. "Lucky Bill" Thornton was hanged for his alleged crime. His demise marked the end of a life marked by deception, gambling, and ultimately, violence.
The story of William B. "Lucky Bill" Thornton serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the perils of greed and the consequences of a life lived outside the bounds of the law. While he may have initially found success through his shell game cons, his ill-gotten gains ultimately led to his downfall. He is a reminder that the pursuit of quick riches can often lead to a dead end. The life of William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton was marked by both fortune and misfortune.
His legacy, however, is not one of admiration or respect, but rather one of notoriety. He is remembered as a symbol of the darker aspects of the American West, a time and place where morality was often sacrificed in the pursuit of wealth and power. While the shell game may seem like a harmless trick, it represents a broader pattern of exploitation and deception that was prevalent during the Gold Rush era. The tale of William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton continues to fascinate those interested in the history of the American West.
The story of "Lucky Bill" Thornton offers a valuable insight into the social and economic dynamics of the Gold Rush era. It highlights the vulnerability of those seeking fortune and the ease with which they could be exploited by unscrupulous individuals. It also underscores the importance of ethical behavior and the long-term consequences of dishonest actions. The rise and fall of William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton is a reminder that true success is not measured by material wealth, but by integrity and character.