However, Wild Bill did have to do some marshalling when shots were heard near the Alamo Saloon on October 5, 1871. Discovering that it was a man named Phil Coe who had shot at a dog that had tried to bite him, Wild Bill explained to Coe that firearms were not allowed in the city.

But, for whatever reasons, all hell broke loose and Coe sent a bullet Hickok's way. Bill returned the fire and shot Coe twice in the stomach. Suddenly, Hickok heard footsteps coming up behind him and turning swiftly; he fired again and killed Deputy Mike Williams. Coe died three days later. (See more - Hickok-Coe Gunfight)

By this time, Abilene had had enough. The city fathers told the Texans there could be no more cattle drives through their town and two months later, dismissed Hickok as city marshal. It was the last big year for Abilene, as more than 40,000 head of cattle were shipped out by rail. New railheads were by then built to Newton, Wichita and Ellsworth, becoming the favored shipping points.

During its four year reign, over 3 million head of cattle were driven up the Chisholm Trail and shipped from Abilene. With the cowboys gone, the town quieted down into a peaceful, law-abiding community.

Later, Abilene could make another claim to fame when future President Dwight D. Eisenhower's family moved there from Denison, Texas in 1892. Eisenhower attended both elementary and high school in the city and always called it "home." When he died, it became his final resting place, along with his wife, Mamie, and one son.

By 1910, Abilene had moved on and boasted a population of 4,118. Its location at the junction of the Union Pacific, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads made it an important shipping point, and large quantities of grain and  livestock were annually exported. By this time, the city had also diversified, having a number of manufacturers including flour mills, creameries, foundries, an organ factory, planing mills, cigar, carriage and ice factories, and more.

Today, the City of Abilene is a diversified agricultural community boasting a population of some 6,500 people. It remains the county seat of Dickinson County.

The city provides a number of museums and attractions featuring its rich history including the Eisenhower Center, consisting of a Visitors Center, Presidential Museum, Research Library, and the original Eisenhower family home; the Dickinson County Historical Museum, which features life on the plains during the westward expansion period; the C.W. Parker Carousel, a 1900 National Landmark; American Indian Art Center dedicated to promoting native American artists in the region, and more.