William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton – Shell Game Con Man

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Shell Game

William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton was a gambler and conman in the American West that focused his time on operating a shell game.

Hailing from Chenango County, New York, “Lucky Bill” Thornton headed to California in 1849 when gold was discovered. Joining a wagon train, he operated a shell game among the other travelers, and by the time they reached the Golden State, many pioneers had given up their hard-earned savings to the conman. In Sacramento, he continued the ruse, making as much as $24,000 in the first two months. Thornton was also an avid gambler, addicted to the game of Faro, in which he was not so proficient. He often lost his shell game profits at the Faro table, causing him to “hustle” even more with his con game.

In 1853, he moved to Nevada, where he established a ranch in the Carson Valley. He also built a sawmill and operated a toll road. By this time, Thornton had a family and primarily lived and respectable life. However, he continued to gamble, and many of those who chose to participate were soon left with empty pockets. But, for Thornton, his luck would run out. In June 1858, he and several others were arrested for killing a Frenchman in Honey Lake. After a conviction by a “mock court,” he was hanged on June 18, 1858.

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated December 2022.

Also See:

Adventures of the American West

Scoundrels in American History

Other Frontier Characters

Outlaws & Scoundrels Photo Gallery