Some correspondences and dispatches from early Deadwood.

Many issues of the first months of the Deadwood newspapers are no longer around. In this entry I will look at stories from Deadwood as related in other newspapers, some of which reprinted articles from the Deadwood Pioneer. 

Previous entries in my series regarding news stories from early Deadwood:

#I  Introduction. Deadwood, the Series and Contemporary News Accounts.
#II Sheriff Seth Bullock in Old Deadwood Newspapers.
#III Seth Bullock on the Trail of Stagecoach Robbers.
#IV 1876 in Deadwood.
#V Seth Bullock and the Stolen Election.

For today, I will focus on Montana newspapers. The gold strike in the Black Hills drew many from Montana and the newspapers reported on it and printed stories from Deadwood. Helena, Montana is 527 miles from Deadwood, as Google flies. Bozeman, Montana is 430 miles away and Deer Lodge, Montana, 552 miles distant.

Many early stories dealt with how wonderful or how terrible it was to head to the Black Hills of the Dakotas to look for gold. 

Deadwood, circa 1876.

Avant Courier [Bozeman, MT], July 14, 1876, p. 3.

THE BLACK HILLS

The Independent and Madisonian, which claim to be NEWSpapers, have frequently charged the COURIER with publishing sensational reports regarding the richness of the Black Hills, and by such publications tending to depopulate the Territory [Montana]. In this matter we have done nothing but what we regarded as our duty as the publisher of a newspaper, and what should be expected from us as an impartial journalist by those who subscribe for and read the paper. We have given publicity to both favorable and unfavorable accounts from the Hills, eschewing both extremes, and leaving the reader to judge the merits of the mines. Unlike those papers, we have manufactured no false reports to encourage or deter men from going there. We are governed in all matters of this kind by the principle that is is the province of a newspaper to publish the news.

The question of depopulating the Territory never occurred to us and if it had, it would have been immediately dismissed. The fact has been demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that it will be many years hence before we can get a railroad, and we regard the opening of the Black Hills as the quickest and surest of bringing prosperity to our Territory. It will no doubt be the means of settling forever the vexed Indian question, and while we are called upon early in the action to deplore the loss of the gallant Custer and his brave command, it can only be accepted as one of the results of war, and it were better to sustain the loss of a few hundred men in a decisive action against the Indians, than to have the frontier settlements of the West constantly harrassed [sic] for years by these savages, who have counted their annual crop of scalps, taken from pioneer settlers, by the hundred for the last decade or so, besides the wholesale plunder of the defenceless settlements. It will open to settlement the rich and extensive territory between the Eastern and Western settlements of the New North-west, and open to travel the overland routes from Montana to Cheyenne and Bismarck, and the population we have lost by the exodus to the Black Hills will be augmented twenty-fold by the influx of immigrants to our Territory within the next two years, over the newly opened country. 

Helena [MT] Daily Herald, July 24, 1876, p. 3.

NEWS FROM THE HILLS.

Trying to Organize a Party of 1,000 for the Big Horn and Wind River Countries.

Doc. Harding, of Radersburg, on a business visit here last week, was interviewed by a HERALD reporter Saturday in reference to late Black Hills news said to have been received by him. The Doc stated that he had a letter from John Hildebrand, dated at Deadwood, June 24, in which the prospects of the writer were cheerfully dwelt upon. John thought he had a promising claim in the gulch, and was employing nine men. With the week's clean-up he reported himself $400 "ahead of the country."

Hundreds of miners, pilgrims, and others, he states, are in the Hills, unable to obtain property or even work. Efforts were then making to form a prospecting party, 1,000 strong, armed and equipped for the undertaking, to go into the Big Horn and Wind River countries, and give those regions a thorough inspection. It was believed extensive and paying mines would be discovered in the sections named. It is evident that the time approaches when a strong column of adventurous men, disappointed in their expectations and ventures, will move in organized shape out of the Black Hills and into the reputed but comparatively unexplored gold sections of Eastern Montana.

The Hills, according to the best authorities, are already overrun, with not one in a score basking in the smiles of fickle fortune. We look for Montana to regain, before the year ends, more than she has lost by the irrational excitement growing out of the gold discoveries in the Black Hills.

Two items of interest in the Helena [Montana] Weekly, July 27, 1876, p. 7.

--The steamer Carroll arrived at Bismarck on the 17 inst., with 2,000 sacks of silver ore. Seth Bullock, Sol Star, and Rev. Harris were among the passengers. The Carroll, loaded with troops and supplies for Terry's command, and left for the Yellowstone on the 21st.

[The first leg of Bullock and Star's trip to Deadwood took place using a steamship down the Missouri River.]

--Al. Merrick, an old Montana typo, and a mighty good one, is editorially at the head of the Pioneer, published at Deadwood. He is associated with a Mr. Gardner in the ownership of the paper, a tastily printed, twenty column quarto sheet, published every Saturday morning. Success.

Montana papers, at times, published letters from former residents who had resettled to Deadwood. 

Helena Weekly, August 10, 1876, p. 3.

THE BLACK HILLS

Interesting Letter from a Helenaite

His Views of the New El Dorado.

DEADWOOD CITY, July 19, 1876

FRIEND TED: -- I have been here ten days, but up to the present time have not succeeded in getting into any business. Of all the motley crowds ever seen in a new camp, this beats them all. Men that were lost to sight and almost to memory, turn up here. Of course, a country with no greater extent of mines than this has yet developed, cannot furnish all with occupation, consequently everything is fearfully over done [sic]. Most of our Montana people are too late. All the good diggings and eligible town locations are in the hands of men who know their value. The mining region of this section is confined to about six miles, and the town (Deadwood) is situated about in the center. The country is claimed to a much larger extent for mining purposes, but I think (and I have done nothing but travel around since I came here) this space will cover all that has yet been developed, including side gulches and hill diggings. 

There are a number of very rich claims worked here. The amount of money taken out of one claim, owned by Wheeler and two other Montanians, is said to be enormous. All their hands are Montana men, Alex DeLong among the rest, who claims that is the best piece of ground that he ever saw. This claim pays the best wages on the creek -- $5 for day hands and $5.50 for night. The owners are prudent men and spend nothing, and this is the rule with the principal claim owners. Money does not circulate as it used to in a Montana gulch that was paying well.

Among the old Montanians doing business here are Red Clark, who has a livery and sale stable; Billy Plater, who has a few saddle horses and a hay corral. Boggy has a large stable built, but is doing nothing.

I have very little hope that this letter will ever reach its destination. We appear to be cut off from all communications with the outside world, and all kinds of wild rumors reach us concerning Indians. Whether we shall be kept penned up here, with no chance to prospect the country, remains to be determined.

Under the existing circumstances, I would not advise any one who has employment elsewhere to come here at present.

Yours truly,
H. HEALEY.

[Also in the same paper, same day, a news article reprinted from the Black Hills Pioneer that chiefly talks of flora and fauna:]

Black Hills News.

We have the Black Hills Pioneer for July 22. Among its local news items of the week are the following:

Beautiful wild flowers fragrant as the rose are found in the Black Hills.

The sap of the box elder, which grows in great abundance here, is quite saccharine. We have sampled box elder molases [sic] made in the Hills last spring, and find it very palatable.

There is an incessant cracking of rifles and revolvers in the camp--shooting mark, of course. Save your ammunition boys, until things become a little more pacific in regards to the Indian question.

The mountain rat has a bush tail, broad upright ears, with head configured like that of a mouse, grows as big as an eastern black squirrel, and, next to the magpies and Sioux Indians with letters of endorsement from post-traders, is the most impudent and audacious creature that lives. We give the description so our pilgrim friends will know what kind of an animal it is when they see one.

Whoever thinks it is an easy matter to go out in the midst of a thousand different rumors on the same subject and get the exact facts for publication, would find out how badly they were mistaken were they to try the experiment. The reported massacre of the Dunn party, on the Pierre route, was at first narrated to us by so many different parties, and with such a string of little details, that is seemed impossible that it could be false; but now we have good reason to believe there is not a word of truth in it.

In the Black Hills are  found bright green snakes -- just as pretty as it possible for any snake to be. We never before saw or heard of such reptiles; think they have not been found elsewhere in the United States. There are different kinds of the same species, some having orange-colored bellies, while the remainder is green. The probability is that they are not venomous, as rattlesnakes are not found in the Hills, though they abound in the foot-hills. These green snakes attain about the size of the common garter-snake, and do not seem tenacious of life, a slight blow usually being followed by instant death.

Helena Weekly Herald, August 24, 1876, p. 8.

From the Daily Herald of August 22.

Arrived in the Black Hills.

The Helena party, composed in part of Seth Bullock, Sol Star and Doc. Carter, arrived safely at their destination -- Deadwood City. Carter bought a large, new building, 28 x 40 feet, shingle roof, wainscoted inside and handsomely painted, for the moderate sum of $1,400. Bullock & Star and McPherson & Miller secured and jointly occupy a building suitable for their wants, and opened up merchandising. Carter writes to Dan. Floweree that kinds of business is greatly overdone, and that a large number of idle people are scattered in the several towns along Deadwood, unable to get work and without visible means of support.

Hildebrand, Sutherland, and several other Montanians, have very rich claims, and are taking out big money. The majority of the diggings opened are wages and below. A large amount of ground along the gulch is still unopened. Jim Matkins has a good piece of property in a mining ditch. Carter thinks the camp promises to be a fair one, from all the information he could gain in the few days he had been there.

The following letter from Seth Bullock was printed in several papers, including in my source: 

Helena Weekly Herald, October 12, 1876, p. 13.

THE BLACK HILLS.

Letter from Seth Bullock.
Mr. Charles Warren, of Butte, received the following letter recently from the ex-Sheriff of Lewis and Clarke, familiarly known as "Bishop Bullock:"

DEADWOOD, Sept. 8, 1876.

"I arrived here August 3d, and found a 'red hot' mining town, situated at a point where Deadwood empties into Whitewood. The gulches are very rich; claims are all taken, and sold at high figures. Deadwood is the best gulch so far as known. Claims are 300 feet up and down, and extend from hill top across -- about as large as a ranch. The country is overdone, or rather men have come here too fast for the amount of work that can be done in one summer. A great many are here idle and broke. The Indians will not permit a man to go out side of the gulch, so that very little prospecting can be done. Crowds arrive and leave daily. Most all the travel is by way of Cheyenne. Fare is all the way from ten to thirty-five dollars; time from five to thirty days. Business of all kinds are represented. Langrishe has a theatre here, and two dance houses boom nightly. We have no law and no order, and no prospect of either. Several murders have been committed and nothing done. A night herd runs the streets at night, and whoop and shoot until morning.

"Nebraska farmers peddle flour, bacon and groceries from claim to claim, which makes the grocery trade dull.

"Denne is here. 'Sid Osborne' left for Montana a few days ago on biz. The country is full of Montanians. Chess Trais and 106 others arrived to-day. Tell your friends not to come here this fall--that is, those who come to work or prospect. I cannot advise you to come; on the contrary, I think you are doing better than you could here. Board here is $10 per week, flour $8 per hundred, bacon 20 cents per pound, etc., whisky 25 cents a drink. The Hills are too near the "genial influences" for times to be here as they were in Montana in '49 without other diggings are found. Two years will take the cream of this country. I don't believe it is any better for farming than Montana. We have a little more rain here, and as many grasshoppers. Sol Star is here and doing fair. I am satisfied to remain for a while. I shall go east this winter if you do. We have no regular mail. A coach is expected here daily. Let me hear from you with the Montana news. Your friend."

SETH BULLOCK.

Next up: Ten Surprises I Encountered When Researching Deadwood.

Seth Bullock and the Stolen Election.

In response to the Deadwood movie being released on HBO on May 31, I have been posting newspaper stories from the early years of Deadwood. Here are links to parts #I, #II, #III, and #IV. 

Today I will look at the disputed election of 1878. 

Seth Bullock had been appointed Lawrence County sheriff in 1877. By court order, the office required an election, and in November, 1878 Bullock was the nominee for the Republican party ticket. His opponent was John Manning, Democrat, then sheriff of Lead City. The Democratic party in Lawrence County at that time was known for being corrupt.

As noted before, the Black Hills Daily Pioneer championed Bullock's candidacy, "Seth Bullock's long experience in discharging the duties of the office, both in Montana and Dakota, render him entirely competent and equal to any emergency," and portrayed Manning as a coward. "The sheriff [Manning] in person pursued according to our gentleman who witnessed the whole proceeding, in a manner best calculated to aid the escape of the robbers." (Black Hills Daily Pioneer, October 27, 1878, p. 4.)

In an election day article as to "How they [the candidates] feel about now, the Pioneer said with customary pomposity and lack of clarity, "Seth Bullock's vote will take the mote from evil eyes whose planning will only seem to turn the beam away from Johnny Manning." The paper predicted, "Bullock's majority will surprise the minority."

The loser?

"Perishing gloomily,
Spurred by contumely,
Poor, weak humanity,
Tripped by insanity,
    This is his fate;
With hands crossed humbly,
As if praying dumbly,
    The crushed candidate."

(Black Hills Daily Pioneer, November 5, 1878, p. 4.)

1884 Map of the Lawrence County region surrounding Deadwood. Sturgis is to the east.

The preliminary results of the election were reported in the Black Hills Daily Pioneer, November 7th, pages 3 and 4.

At that time the election stood at Seth Bullock 1874 and John Manning 1941 with some ballots outstanding from Deadwood Precinct. Several oddities appeared in the precinct by precinct breakdown.

Partial returns from Galena showed Bullock losing 55 to 62. The final returns had Bullock losing 35 to 62, with 20 of Bullock's votes gone.

Partial returns from Rochford precinct showed Bullock leading by 45 votes. The final returns had Bullock winning, 31 to 22.
 
According to he paper, in South Deadwood, all of the votes were counted with the exception of "172 scratched republican tickets. "

And from the Sturgis City Precinct: John Manning 73, Seth Bullock 0.

Sturgis City, had been around for two years. It was originally named "Scoop City" for scooping up all of the business from nearby Fort Meade. Not only did Bullock fail to garner a vote, the voters were also unanimous for other Democratic candidates. The reports (mentioned below) painted this as corruption.

The final tabulations were presented in the November 9th edition of the Black Hills Pioneer. Seth Bullock 2446, John Manning 2485, with Manning winning by 39 votes.

Yankton, about 400 miles from Deadwood, was at that time the capitol of the Dakota Territories. They noted the claims of cheating.

Daily press and Dakotaian, Wednesday, November 13, 1878, Yankton, SD, p. 2:

STURGIS PRECINCT FRAUDS.

Deadwood Times 7th.

If half the reports are true regarding the repeating, stuffing and illegal voting at Sturgis, that precinct will be counted out. It is said soldiers and transcient [sic] bullwhackers voted there as though they had been born on the spot forty years ago, and that some of the rounders voted early, often and late as though they had a license to do so.

Sandy, the Sturgis hack driver between Deadwood and that city says he saw one man cast three ballots within one hour, and can swear to it. Other parties, whose names we did not learn, report seeing the same thing done by other villains in that camp, and there is probably no doubt as to the truth of the existence of this demoralized condition of affairs at Sturgis on last Tuesday.

Seth Bullock was elected sheriff on Tuesday by the legal and qualified voters of Lawrence county, and the republican party should see to it that he is not defrauded out of his office by fraudulent and illegal votes. The election at Sturgis City was a swindle and faror, [sic] and there is enough evidence of a positive and direct and unquestioned character to throw the vote of that precinct out.

The severest penalties of the law should be applied and an example made of that precinct that will teach repeaters and illegal voters a lesson that will deter them hereafter from interfering to prevent the free and legal choice by the people of their county officials.


-----

Back in Lawrence County, the Republican party requested a recount.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Tuesday, November 12, 1878, p. 1:

A Recount Asked For.

During the progress of the official canvass of election returns, yesterday, B.C. Wheeler, Esq., presented a petition asking a recount of the votes cast in Central, Golden Gate, and Lead precincts. Also a petition accompanied by four affidavits praying that the precinct of Sturgis city be thrown out.

------
The request was denied. Later that month, Bullock visited Yankton.

Daily press and Dakotaian, Saturday, November 23, 1878, Yankton, SD, p. 5:

Seth Bullock, of Deadwood, arrived last night from the Hills, and will remain for a few days. In reply to enquiries upon the subject, Mr. Bullock confirms our previous conclusions that the republican county and legislative tickets in Lawrence county were defeated by fraudulent proceedings on election day.

------

Manning would be defeated in 1880 and would win a second term as Lawrence County sheriff in 1882. Seth Bullock never again ran for office. 

Next entry: Some correspondences and dispatches from early Deadwood.

1876 in Deadwood

With the coming of the movie, Deadwood, I have been posting newspapers stories from the 1870s concerning the personalities who appeared in history and on the television show. Here are links to parts #I, #II, and #III.

I'll continue to do this in this post, focusing now on the first monts of the Black Hills Pioneer. The Black Hills Pioneer (soon to be called the Black Hills Daily Pioneer and Weekly Pioneer) was started by A.W. Merrick, played in the series by actor Jeffery Jones, famous as the Austria-Hungarian emperor in Amadeus ("too many notes"), and as the principal in Ferris Buehler's Day Off. Joining A.W. Merrick in historical Deadwood (and not featured in the series) was W.A. Laughlin.

A.W. Merrick, 1925

The first issue  of their newspaper was published on June 8, 1876. The price of a single issue was set at 25 cents, with five dollars for an annual subscription.

Black Hills Pioneer, Thursday June 8, 1876, p. 1.

SALUTATORY

To all who see this paper, we wish to say that it is published under many difficulties, and that it is not what we intend to make it. It is an enterprise that has not a parallel in the United States, and still we hope to overcome all the untoward circumstances that surround us.

Our material to print this paper was transported in the depth of winter, almost 400 miles, and brought through and into a hostile Indian country, and in the first settlements made we have set up presses and set the type for this number of our paper.

As other enterprising men have done, we came here not to try the gulches or leads for gold, but to give to those who have work in hand the very latest news. We shall do everything in our power to bring the country of the Black Hills into civilization and to replace the nomads of the plains by a people of enterprise and determination, sufficient to make the great wilderness from Nebraska and Wyoming to the British Possessions the home of a happy and prosperous people.

In all our statements in regard to the mines or the agricultural or grazing advantages of the country, we shall say only what we know to be true, and our readers, wherever they may be, may rest assured that nothing will be given the tinge of romance.

We have come to stay, and we shall devote our entire time to the paper, and hope to make it acceptable to those who wish to learn what there is in the country.

Without great hopes, without unreasonable expectations, we push our craft into deep water, hoping for a fair voyage, but we do not believe that we shall avoid many of the ills incident to a profession that is not known to be always in a calm. With many troubles not incident to publishers in older communities, we intend to overcome them all; and finally, when this wild country shall become a state of the Union, we shall have the proud satisfaction of knowing that we have done our part in the mighty progress of empire.

[Same page, another article]

WHAT THEY SAY OF US

The Black Hills, if reports be true, comprise a favored region, teeming with the riches that men lust for. The most captivating tales are told of the nuggets that are nestling in the noks [sic] and crevices of that seemingly veritable El Dorado. No wonder, then that mechanics want to leave their shops, merchants their stores, lawyers and doctors their practice, and typesetters their cases and hie to the nugget-patches.

A.W. Merrick and W.A. Laughlin, two well known Denverites, have, after due refletion [sic] decided to start a newspaper in the Black Hills. Their choice of location will not be made, however, until after the several aspiring cities and camps in the gold belt have been carefully inspected. The outfit consisting of a power press, and type enough for a daily, if needed, and a tip-top job office, has already been shipped, and will be followed, or, rather, preceded by Mr. Laughlin who goes "to prepare the way." The material embraces such an assortment as will enable the proprietor to do all the printing in that region for years to come. These gentlemen have capacity, experience, and understanding, which, if rightly directed at the outset must lead on to fortune and the founding of, as its proposed name signified, The Pioneer newspaper of the new treasure-land.

Mr. Merrick took a hand in founding the Corinne Journal, and was afterward publisher of the Reporter, but has been of late years pursuing his old calling of typesetting at News office case. Mr. Laughlin, in order to embark in this scheme, was obliged to give up the foremanship of the Farmer office. Both proprietors are first-class workmen. We have thus noticed their undertaking at length because they are deserving of a good send-off -- Denver News.

A skin game is a swindle. This was one of the few news articles in the first edition that was unrelated to the newspaper itself.

EASTERN (HAM)SKIN GAME

We wore an air of sainty simplicity. His manner was unassuming. He came from the eastern states, and was anxious to dispose of some first class hams. He knew what they were, for he had cured them himself, (a fact which is undisputed). He went to a local merchant and engaged the attention of the manager, who bought the hams, weighed out the dust, and wished the stranger God speed as he departed. That merchant has now on hand a hogshead nearly full of stuffed, or saw dust hams.

-----

On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was shot to death by the cowardly killer Jack McCall. McCall was tried and acquitted as told in the following article.

Black Hills Pioneer, Thursday August 10, 1876, p. 1

HICKOK'S ASSASSIN ECQUITTED; [sic] WILD BILL IS BURIED

On Tuesday Wild Bill Hickok was buried by citizens of Deadwood, who, although they had known him but a few days, were shocked and grieved by his brutal assassination by Jack McCall, the cowardly killer who was set free by a drunken and irresponsible group of men assembled as a jury for his trial.

Probably Hickok was the only man we have yet had in our midst who had the courage and other qualifications to bring some semblance of order to the lawless element of our camp. The fact that he was killed by one of the sorriest specimens of humanity to be found in the Hills is significant. This editor feels that the true reason for this cowardly killing is to be found in that fact.

The facts of the killing are as follows: Hickok was in the Saloon No. 10 engaged in a pocker [sic] game with three other men. For some unexplained reason he was not sitting with his back to the wall. This has been his ruel [sic] for many years, since his career of law enforcement had developed a long list of men who swore they would shoot him at the first opportunity.

After they had been playing for some time, among the men in the saloon, Jack McCall appeared and approached the table from a point behind Hickok. No one paid any attention to him and when he was directly behind Hickok's chair, McCall drew his gun and shot Hickok in the back of his head. In the confusion which followed he made his escape out the front door and down our Main Street, disappearing in the backs of the store buildings across the street. He was found a short time later and the trial immediately originated with he [sic] disgraceful ending which we have noted.
---

Some other atmospheric items are included in that day's paper.

Main Street is having a series of new walks. If lumber can be found it may be that we can walk with dry boots from one end of the town to the other. Bullwrackers, take notice -- keep your bulls off the sidewalks. Deadwood is becoming a real city.

----
A box of good Havanas were found by the robbers on the stage Tuesday night.

----
Fatty was so drunk on Saturday evening that set on the side of the road while the newsboys played leap-frog over him. He had just consciousness enough to say, "Down you grap-backs!"

Up next: Seth Bullock and the Stolen Election.

Seth Bullock on the Trail of Stagecoach Robbers.

In my prior two posts (#I and #II), I looked at the historical personae that correspond to the fictional characters who appear in the television show Deadwood and then presented  accounts of their deeds from contemporary newspapers. While saloon owner Swearengen was a tough SOB, Sheriff Bullock was described as tough and uncorruptable.

This shows the Black Hills area surrounding Deadwood. Deadwood and Lead City are highlighted. The state border with Wyoming (YO) is on the left. This map is from 1886.

John Manning, a minor character on the television show, led the caravan of settlers that brought Seth Bullock to Deadwood. In 1878, Manning was sheriff of Lead City, several miles southwest of Deadwood. In 1878, Manning ran against Bullock for Lawrence county sheriff. A.W. Merrick and the Black Hills Daily Pioneer were clearly in favor of Bullock as they show in the story of a gang who waylaid the local milkman.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Sunday October 27, 1878, p. 4.

Manning and Bullock After Road Agents.

It is no doubt not altogether banished from the minds of our readers, the puerile chase of Sheriff Manning after the cutthroats that but a short time ago bound the milkman Anderson to a tree, about eight miles from this city, robbed him of what money he possessed, ransacked his house, took his horses, and made good their escape. The sheriff in person pursued according to our gentleman who witnessed the whole proceeding, in a manner best calculated to aid the escape of the robbers. He left Deadwood with a flourish of trumpets and clang of arms, and at Rapid city disclosed his entire plan of action to a person at the hotel in the hearing of one of the very men he was looking for. Sheriff Manning claims he was within two miles of his game, but was given away by a ranchman, and the party escaped. On the other hand, the ranchman says he informed the officers where the robber's camp was, and offered to conduct Manning to the place, but the latter would not go. The ranchman then offered to go if accompanied by a soldier, of whom the sheriff had fourteen, and was again refused. He then dared the sheriff to follow him alone, to be again ignored, and to-day the outlaws are free.

Contrasted with this conduct is the cautious, brave manner in which Seth Bullock hunted down such game one year ago, as well as the course adopted in the late pursuit. Caution, discretion and bravery were called into use, with success. To-day the people of the Black Hills owe Seth Bullock a debt of gratitude for ridding the highway of robbers, capturing five, and securing nearly all the property lost.
---

A month before this, the Deadwood to Cheyenne stage was robbed and the Black Hills Pioneer breathlessly followed Bullock and his posses' pursuit of the pilfering perpetrators.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Sunday September 29, 1878, p. 3.

$5,000 Reward.

The Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Company offer the above reward for the arrest and conviction of all of the highwaymen who robbed the "Treasure Coach" of said company on the 26th inst., at Canyon Springs, and the recovery of all treasure taken from said coach, amounting to $25,000; or $500 apiece will be paid for the arrest and conviction of each of said highwaymen, and $2,500 for the recovery of the treasure taken, or pro rata for any portion of the same recovered.

CHEYENNE & B.H. STAGE Co.
Deadwood, Sept. 27, 1878   87tf
---

The chase played out over the next week.

First, in that same day's paper:

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Sunday September 29, 1878, p. 4.

ON THE TRAIL

The Robbers Making Toward Rapid.

They Purchase an Outfit on Slate Creek, Paying Two Hundred Fifty Dollars.

The following dispatch was received last evening by Mr. J. T. Gilmer, one of the proprietors of the Cheyenne & Blacks Hills stage line:

    CUSTER CITY, D.T., Sept. 28.

We have struck what we think is the trail at Hill City. Ward is there now. The robbers purchased a wagon yesterday, and are making towards Rapid. We take the trail again at daylight.

They have a dead-axle wagon, two ponies, one gray with bald face, the other dun or roan. They bought the outfit at Slate creek.

Notify all along the Sidney line, and order fresh stock for us at Rapid. Send Davis or May to meet us at Rockerville or Rapid. Our stock is run down. The robbers paid two hundred and fifty dollars for their outfit, half in dust.

BULLOCK.
---

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Wednesday October 2, 1878, p. 4.

THE PURSUIT

The Robbers Only Twenty Miles Ahead at Last Accounts.

Deputy Sheriff Smith, of Pennington county, arrived on last evening's Sidney coach. He says a squad of soldiers, arrived at Rapid City as witnesses, report meeting a wagon Sunday evening containing two men, one driving, the other lying upon the bottom of the vehicle with a rifle resting across his breast. About twenty miles nearer Rapid the soldiers encountered the Seth Bullock party. This was at six o'clock Monday morning and eighteen miles from Rapid, where the party camped the night before. The team was being driven rapidly, a portion of the time in the road and at other times over the bluffs and across the prairie toward Pierre. The pursuers are, it is thought not more than twenty miles behind their game and a full day in which to catch up. It is said that the only chance for escape is by appropriating one of the many boats at the crossing of the Cheyenne river and sail down it. It runs so fast the no horse could keep pace. The citizen upon the trail number at least twenty and all well armed. [Another report said the posse was fifteen.]

The horses found near Slate creek arrived in town last evening, and word was sent to S.M. Booth, Custer [city], as one of the animals is thought to be his.

The Scott Davis party, which are giving chase in the direction of Fort Fetterman, have with them McHenry, alias Burroughs, and they have informed him that he must place them on the right trail or swing. [They captured one of the perpetrators McHenry and, if he didn't cooperate, he would be hanged.]

It is thought that the branch of the gang carrying the stolen gold, a bulk of over one hundred pounds, are going in that direction, and it is stated that they stole a mule from a ranch and packed the plunder upon it, in presence of the lady living at the ranch, departing westward.
---

Meanwhile, Sheriff Manning, who was not a part of the posses, had problems of his own.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Wednesday October 2, 1878, p. 4.

ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE SHERIFF MANNING.

A Narrow Escape from Death on the Lead City Road.

Sheriff Manning was in Lead City yesterday, gathering points relative to a case (the nature of which is required to be kept secret) until quite late in the afternoon, when he started upon his return, selecting the road down Gold Run. At a point soon after entering the woods a shot was fired which caused his horse, probably from fright, to stumble. Scarcely had he jerked the animal to his feet when a second report was heard, the bullet passing into the saddle in front on the left side. The sheriff thinks a pistol was used and that the shooter was but a few feet distant. It is thought the attempt was made by one of the parties against whom the sheriff had been endeavoring to obtain evidence and having succeeded too well, as the culprit probably thought he undertook to put the officer out of the way. Mr. Harlow, of Rapid, was on the road about one half mile below, walking toward Lead, when Manning came flying down the thoroughfare and insisted that Mr. Harlou [sic] should proceed no further.

---
With the appearance of a female conspirator, the plot thickens.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Thursday October 3, 1878, p. 3.

THE PURSUIT
Tony Pastor and Lew Hagar Captured.

Seth Bullock only eight hours behind his game.

The Cheyenne coach last evening brought in Deputy Sheriff Noah Siever and J.J. Argue, and Tony Pastor and Lew Hagar, who were arrested by the former at the ranch of the latter, on Cheyenne river, sixty miles below the crossing. The information of suspicion against them has not been made public. The officers proceeded to the ranch Monday night, and effected the arrest of Hagar, and in the morning, when Pastor came for his breakfast captured him. The twain protested they were strangers to each other, but a man who was with Siever knew better, and Tony had to accept the alternative.

Tony Pastor is a hard case and no stranger to Deadwood police courts. Our readers will remember his arrest about one year ago for horse stealing, and his appearance before Justice Burke, who granted a change of venue to Hayward, in Custer county, which resulted in his discharge. When arrested at that time he had $114 in greenbacks and a terrifying assortment of knives and pistols upon his person.

Quite a prominent woman in the road agent circle, Mrs. Ogden, who has a ranch and log cabin four miles from the stockade, Tuesday packed her earthly possessions and returned to Spearfish, her former place of residence. It is altogether probably that the citizens of the Cheyenne river valley invited the old lady to change her haunts, as it is alleged she has harbored the worst possible classes for the past year. It is also asserted that Burroughs, the captured robber, is her husband, but lawful o [sic] unlawful is not ascertained. An incident in connection with these two worthies may be worthy of note: Burroughs was arrested at her place in the afternoon and taken to the stockade, and in the evening the old lady came rushing up, out of breath and wild with terror, because two masked men had robbed her, and requested that the messengers return to the cabin with her. They of course refused to accede, and she remained until quite late. Before she had departed, however, her son, a chip off the old block, rode to the stockade, but was stopped by a hostler, who, cocking his rifle, commanded the youth to a halt. Both struck out for home a few moments later. It was conjectured she was endeavoring to release Burroughs. A daughter of the dame, a woman of ill-repute, visited her a few days before she packed up and left for Spearfish.

The Bullock party were heard from last evening by means of the Indian interpreter, Fielding, who arrived at Rapid City yesterday. He was interviewed there by Capt. Williard. He reported having met the dead-axle wagon at Pinau Springs, and the Bullock party eight miles behind. The stock attached to the vehicle was about exhausted, while the pursuers are yet well mounted. After leaving the Springs no hiding place occurs, the road thence to For Pierre leading across an open prairie, leaving scarcely a shadow of a chance for escape, and probably ere this the wagon and its occupants are in the camp of the pursuers.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Friday October 4, 1878, p. 4.

ON THE TRAIL.

Good News from Seth Bullock's Party --- The Villains Are Still Being Pursued and, by This Time, Are Probably Captured.

From Seth Bullock, who went on the trail of the road agents that robbed the Cheyenne treasure coach at Canon Springs station, we obtain the following:

The robber's trail was struck at Newton City and bore in the direction of Rapid City. After ascertaining that the robbers would go near that point, word was sent to Col. Ed Cook to organize a party of determine men and make an attempt to capture them, if possible, before they reached the Cheyenne river, and also to secure fresh horses for him upon his arrival there so as to have no delay in following up the trail.

Unfortunately, when Bullock's party reached Rapid, all the available fresh stock in the neighborhood had been secured and taken off with Cook's party, thereby placing him in the awkward dilemma of either proceeding on their already tired horses or giving up the chase. He finally concluded to continue upon the trail and try, if possible to come up with the thieves before their horses became useless.

After traveling some distance, they came up with Cook's party, who it seems, had lost the trail. After a short hunt the trail was discovered, when the entire party, now increased to a good sized squad under the leadership of Cook, started again on the hunt. As the road agents were urging their stock to the utmost, they kept well ahead of the pursuers, who, upon their utterly fagged stock, saw that it would be almost impossible to overhaul them, secured a good mule team, and leaving their stock to recuperate, made a run during the night, expecting to pass the road agents in the darkness, and waite [sic] for them to come up on the following morning, when they could easily be captured.

This plan would have succeeded most likely, had it been properly stuck to, but during the night ride they passed the robber camp nearer than they expected, and the neighing of one of the horses in their camp, which was but a short distance from the road, betrayed their whereabout to the pursuers, who immediately halted and held a consultation as to the best mode of securing their game. Cook, who the leader, decided to scout around the camp, and if possible hit upon some means to secure them, if they were the party he was seeking.

After a short absence he returned with the information that they were the men he was after, and proposed a plan to secure them. His suggestions not meeting with general favor, Bullock made a proposition to the effect that it would be better to surround their camp and kill their horses, thus placing them on foot and in the power of the officers. Cook overruled his suggestions and decided to place the men at various points around their camp and wait until morning. This was done.

In the morning when they came to look for the robbers neither hide nor hair of them or their horses was visible, they having slid out during the night. As soon as this fact was sufficiently elucidated to the leader he ordered the party to repair to the nearest station and procure fresh stock to continue the chase. Six horses were all that could be obtained for the party.

Those who had luckily secured the fresh horses continued the chase, while Messrs. Bullock, Beaman and Steele returned to their jaded horses and struck out for home. Mr. Bullock is confident that ere this the robbers have been captured and that they are the men who are implicated in the coach robbery.

On their return to Rapid, a man was arrested there and placed in the Pennington county jail, who answers exactly the description of one of the outlaws.

It is to be hoped that the party have been successful and their object attain, of ridding the country of one of the worst and most desperate gangs of outlaws that have ever infected it.
----
Although this sounds like Cook usurped Bullock in running down the stage coach robbers, a follow-up report on October 12 said that Bullock captured a wagon that the perpetrators had abandoned and that the gold was found nearby, although not by Bullock. No mention was made of how the reward was split.

The South Dakota portion of the Dakota Territories, 1876. The Black Hills are at the far left. Deadwood is not yet named. The Sioux land from the treaty of 1868 makes up the left two-thirds of the area of this map, an impressive tract until the buffalo were slaughtered, the tribes were starved and the land taken away.

Up Next: 1876 in Deadwood.

Sheriff Seth Bullock in old Deadwood Newspapers

In yesterday's post, I looked at the historical figures who correspond to the characters in the HBO series, Deadwood. I also presented some news articles regarding the real Al Swearengen.

Today, I will focus on Sheriff Seth Bullock. Bullock was a somewhat famous character of his time and there are about ten times as many articles in which he appears than does Swearengen.

Seth Bullock had that Eastwood-type stare. (Photo from 1893)

Bismarck Tribune, Wednesday, July 19, 1876, p. 5.

OFF FOR DEADWOOD

A Party of Two Hundred and Fifty and One Hundred Team Leave for the Hills.

The largest party which has ever left Bismarck for the Black Hills crossed the river Saturday and Monday and took up its line of march Wednesday morning for the land of golden nuggets. The party consists of one hundred wagons of which we have an account and several of which we have not, and about two hundred and fifty men, the names of whom we give below, so far as we could obtain them. The wagons are all heavily loaded ranging from twenty-five hundred to forty-five hundred lbs.; the men are well-armed and woe be unto any party of less than a thousand Indians that should attempt to test their mettle.

[cutting out some lists of names]

Manning's party of fifteen Montanians should be added to this and a party of ninety-six Montanians who arrived by the Carroll Monday afternoon. Among this party we notice ex-sheriff Bullock, of Helena, Mr. Star, former Receiver of the U.S. Land Office at Helena, Mr. Carter and other prominent citizens. Bullock & Star will establish themselves at Crook City handling crockery, etc., principally. Mr. Carter will establish a wholesale liquor house. Sheriff Bullock says these Montanians have not taken any stock in newspaper reports but are satisfied as to the value of the Black Hills mines from the report of men they know and in whom they have confidence. Mr. Bullock says a party of one hundred or more will arrive from Montana enroute for the Black Hills of the Key West. He says not all are leaving Montana but large numbers are going to the Hills.

This ad began running in the Bismarck Tribune from July 26, 1876 and continued for eleven months. Star received first billing.

Bismarck Daily Tribune, Friday, Aug 17, 1877, p. 2.


This article paints a nice contemporary picture of the Black Hills and its people, including Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock.

BLACK HILLS

A final Clean up -- Personal and Other Paragraphs -- Politicians and Other Characters in the Hills -- Newspapers, Hotels, etc.

Editorial Correspondence.

CROOK CITY, Aug. 11 -- In my last [sic] I tried to give something of an idea of the country between Bismarck and the Hills, something of Crook City and its surroundings together with such points of interest as were suggested while preparing hurriedly my communications. In my first letter I undertook to give an idea of the mines. I shall now 

"WORK THE TAILINGS,"
as they say in the mines, and clean up for the present my Black Hills work, referring for the first time to my notebook, which is full of all sorts of memorandums.
 
THE CLIMATE
of the Hills is delightful. The days are warm but not oppressive, in summer, while the nights are cool. In winter the snow is not deep and the gulches are partially protected from the heavy winds by the hills and timber.

THE WATER
is generally good but much of it is impregnated with mineral. Most of the streams are used for mining purposes, and the water, of course, is muddy and unfit for other purposes. Water can be obtained at almost any point by digging or drifting into the hill sides.
 
SOCIETY
is mixed and you will find occasionly [sic] a high toned citizen tripping the light fantastic in the hurdy gurdy with Can Can Dolly, Calamity Jane or some other "character" in the Hills as a partner. Can Can Dolly, by the way, is a good looking woman of about twenty. "I saw her but a moment." Having proposed to "kick your hat off for the drinks," a fellow six foot four accepted the wager and she was engaged in that pleasant pastime.
 
CALAMITY JANE
is married now and was living comfortably on a ranche with her husband, but the fire fiend came and destroyed their all and Jane returned to the Hills and, now, like the ballet girl Prentice, speaks of in the Louisville Journal, she waltzes on one leg and polkas on the other (in the hurdy gurdy dances) and between the two she gets her living. Jane is not very bad and has many interesting features. Left in a Mormon camp without father or mother when a mere child like Topsey, she "growed just like the corn." Her associates having been rough she has been rough. But I never met a person more readily brought to tears by kind words or gentle reproof for evil deeds. At first a waif in a Mormon camp, then she passed through the mining excitements in the west, now a prostitute, now striving to mend her ways, then a scout wearing men's clothes for General Crook, then the lioness of the hills, afterward a devoted wife, then forced by circumstances to return to her old mode of life because she knew no other, she deserves kind words rather than reproach. The Hills are full of
 
CHARACTERS,
male as well as female. The female gambler and the male prostitute. The innocent boys and the gentlemanly road agent. The man who would cut your throat for a few dollars or the gentlemanly fellow would roap [sic] you into bunko or other games and call it a square thing to whack up with you from your own means, and yet law and order prevails and life and property is secure to those who attend to their own legitimate business.
 
MORE MURDERS
occurred in the town of Bismarck during the first two years of its existence than has occurred in all the towns of the Black Hills.
Speaking of the characters in the Hills we must not forget
 
THE POLITICIANS
We find them of every grade. The brilliant and wealthy Spencer, U.S. Senator, from Alabama has taken up his abode here, and though he still retains his position in the Senate, we will be greatly surprised if he does not figure largely in the politics of Dakota a few years hence. The brilliant Burleigh is also here, and while he is now paying strict attention to business, his friends will surely urge him for public position. Clagget of Montana, the silver-tongued orator of the West, Steel of Wyoming, and other ex-members of Congress, are on the ground. Deadwood has sixty odd lawyers and several doctors, some of whom are known to hanker for glory in the political field. The Governor, unwisely we think, filled all of the county offices in the Hills from outside polititians [sic] with one exception,

SETH BULLOCK
sheriff at Deadwood, and though his appointees were good men, Bullock is probably the only one of them who will be sustained by the people, or who will stand any chance for re-election. Bullock is a good one. He has the nerve and experience, is above reproach, and personally popular, no better man could be found in the whole territory for the position he occupies. Seth does not deserve to be classed among the politicians, however, but among the business men of the Hills, for he is old bnsiness [sic] whereever [sic] you find him, whether in the discharge of official duties or as an active go-ahead merchant.

[The above article goes on at length to include several more profiles of Deadwood personalities, including newspaperman A. W. Merrick.]

Black Hills Daily Times, Friday, November 23, 1877, p. 2.

[When the owner of a mine refused to pay his workers their wages, the miners seized the mine and began a stand-off. The protestors claimed that they loaded the mine with explosives. Bullock, with the backing of the U.S. Military, sought to put an end to the situation.]

Keets War Ended

About 9 o'clo k [sic] last night, the last of the miners who had forcible possession of the Keets mine, came out and surrender to Sheriff Bullock and men, conveyed to the jail in Deadwood and locked up, to await the action of the proper authorities.
The sheriff is deserving of much credit for the lenient and masterly manner in which he handled the difficult. That the majesty of the law must be sustained at all hazard, is the unqualified opinion of all sound thinking men, although their [sic] is a sympathetic feeling existing strongly in favor of the miners being paid their hard earned wages. Still, the community at large, do not countenance any unlawful means to procur [sic] the same. Our report er went early this morning to the Keets mine. Through the kindness of Mr. Thompson, one of the guards, procured access to the mine, in company with a guide, each taking a candle. They made a thorough examination, as it had been reported that the mine had been charged preparitory [sic] to being blow up. Nothing was found  which indicated such intention. At the entrance, the bottom of the tunnel was covered with water, which produced a wet, mushy, and obnoxious smell, which pervade the whole cavern. These men had lived in for seventeen days. The amount of provisions found, was two cans of coffee and about two hundred weight of flour; no butter, meat or wood.
There were eight men in the mine yesterday afternoon, of which number Messrs. J. Jenkins, W. H. Maxwell, and R. H. Hocks came out yesterday afternoon, and S. Long, T. Butler, W. Dobson, A. G. McCarty, P. Lynch, emerged last night at nine p.m. The whole party were lodged in jail, and will have a hearing before Justice Dawson to-morrow morning.
The mine is now in possession of the owners and work was begun under their orders this morning. Lieutenant Edgerly and his command have departed for the scene of Indian hostilities.

Black Hills Weekly Pioneer, November 2, 1878, p. 1.

[Reelection time for Bullock.]

SHERIFF OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

The time is fast approaching when the official canvass of votes will again decide whether Seth Bullock or John Manning shall hold the important office of sheriff. Comparisons are always odious, and we shall therefore avoid them during this campaign; but we desire to call the attention of the voters who are about to cast their ballots in the coming election to some of the many reasons why Seth Bullock should receive their votes: In the first place, Mr. Bullock's qualifications for the office are patent to all, as his former incumbency has given every one an opportunity of judging for himself. As an officer of strict integrity, unvarying attention to business, and the impartial discharge of his official duties, Seth Bullock stands the peer of any man in a similar position in any community. This office is the most important one in this county, and should be filled by a man of cool and determined nerve, of good judgment, and unbiassed [sic] opinions. Where can a man be found who possesses the above quality in a more perfect degree than Seth Bullock? His long experience in discharging the duties of the office, both in Montana and Dakota, render him entirely competent and equal to any emergency. He is most undoubtedly the right man in the right place when in that official capacity, and should he meet with that success he deserves, will make good his promise that the power and majesty of the law shall become a terror to evil doers in Lawrence County.

Bismarck Tribune, Saturday, August 23, 1879, p. 5.

[Sometimes Bullock was up against stone-cold fowl.]

Killed in Self Defense
 
[Deadwood Times.]

Seth Bullock, who returned to town the other day with a string of prairie chickens, said he kill them in self defense, that while crossing a secion of valley land a large covey of the savage birds attacked himself and dog, and he was obliged to handle his gun lively in self protection. Young prairie chickens are very ferocious in the Black Hills country, especially before the 15th of August, and those killed before that date are killed only in self defense.

Next up: Seth Bullock and the highwaymen.

Deadwood, The Series and the Contemporary News Accounts

The television series Deadwood ran from 2004-6 on HBO for thirty-six episodes.

A special movie which reunites much of the original cast which debuted on HBO on May 31, 2019. Set ten years after the events in the series, it will look at the fortunes of the various characters.

In this and subsequent posts, I will present old newspaper articles involving the historical characters in Deadwood.

The series Deadwood was known for several things:

1. Richly realized characters.
2. Brilliant acting and propulsive writing.
3. A crazy amount of things going on at any one moment.
4. Poetic swearing.
5. More swearing.
6. Swearengen.

Many of the prominent characters in Deadwood existed in real life.

Ellis Alfred "Al" Swearengen first ran an establishment called the Cricket Saloon and then opened a brothel/saloon/dance hall called the Gem Theater. He came to Deadwood with his wife, but they soon divorced. He married two more times. His name is spelled Swearingen in about half of the newspaper articles. No known photos.

Seth Bullock was a legendary lawman, who among other things, helped establish Yellowstone National Park. He began a hardware store with Sol Star, who was also featured in the series. Star later went into politics.

Seth Bullock

Sol Star

Ethan Bennet Farnum was the first mayor of Deadwood. Unlike the weaselly character in the series, he headed the school board, instituted the fire department, and served as Justice of the Peace and judge. He had a wife and three children.

E.B Farnum, middle, back row.

Martha Jane Canary, i.e., "Calamity Jane" achieved her fame in her later years as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. A notorious alcoholic she was usually portrayed by glamorous movie stars, including Doris Day in the film, Calamity Jane.

Calamity Jane, later years

Doris Day (r.i.p.) as Calamity Jane

James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok and his partner Charlie Utter appear in the series. Bullock arrived in Deadwood the day when Hickok was shot dead by Jack McCall.

Arapahoe Joe (left) and Charlie Utter (right) at the grave of Wild Bill.

Albert Walter Merrick published Deadwood's first paper, the Black Hills Weekly Pioneer which continues to this day.

A. W. Merrick, newsman

George Hearst, the founder of the Hearst family empire, was, in the 1870s, one of the wealthiest men in America from previous mining claims.

George Hearst

The Reverend Henry Weston Smith did die in the summer of the first year of Deadwood's existence. He did not have a brain tumor as did the character in the program. He was murdered.

Reverend Henry Weston Smith

Some characters in the series are wholly fictional including Alma Garret. Some are composites of historical personae such as Doc Cochran and Trixie, while others are loosely based on individuals with different names, including Joanie Stubbs and Cy Tolliver. Hearst did not have a psychotic geologist.

Background.

In July of 1874, General George Armstrong Custer, two years before his death, entered land deeded to the Lakota tribe and declared he had found gold. This led to a small invasion of gold-seekers. At first the U.S. Government worked to keep out the invaders, hoping to first negotiate a treaty with the Lakotas in September of 1875. The negotiations fell through and the government threw up their hands in regards to keeping out prospectors.

In late 1875, gold was discovered in the area near where Deadwood was founded. Further investigation found the gold to be in a rich supply. In January, 1876, forty claims were staked out.

In April, 1876, the city of Deadwood was founded out of the camps. Almost immediately the town swelled to 5,000 inhabitants.

On June 8, 1876, A.W. Merrick founded the Black Hills Weekly Pioneer. Also during that summer Swearengen opened his first saloon.

On June 25, 1876, the Lakota Sioux tribe defeated and killed General Custer and 268 of his soldiers.

On August 2, 1876 Seth Bullock and Sol Star arrived in town. That same day, Hickok was shot and killed.

On February 28, 1877, in the Manypenny Agreement, the Lakota Sioux officially lost the land. This was litigated until 1980 when the Supreme Court decided the Sioux had not been given just compensation. They refused a recalculated compensation, saying they wanted the land back.

On September 26, 1879 a fire broke out which destroyed 300 buildings including the Gem Saloon.


There are many excellent sites regarding Deadwood history.

Newspaper articles from Deadwood Pioneer.

The newspaper articles I've found from Deadwood in the 1870s jibe with the town as presented in the series. A sampling of Swearengen.


Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Tuesday June 25, 1878, p. 4.

Thomas Clark, a former miner in the Old Abe, last evening becoming abusive in the Gem dance hall, was thrown out by the proprietor, Al. Swearengen, and his head and face considerably bruised. Parties in the hall at the time say Clark went away and procured a pistol and told Swearengen to heel himself. A large pistol was found upon him. Swearengen gave his own recognizance for $250 to appear this morning.


Al Swearengen seemed to inevitably have the name Al spelled with a period, i.e., Al. Swearengen. Three days later, the above-mentioned case was dismissed.

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Friday, June 28, 1878, p. 4.

Justice Barker's Little Mill.

The case of assault against Al. Swearengen was dismissed, no prosecutor appearing.

Campbell and Darling, alleged crooked beef eaters, next toed the scratch and, the former was ruled off, no evidence appearing; but Dick Simmons ("Deaf Dick,") swore that Darling had told him he had burned up the hides and would shoot him if he blowed; hence, the judge bound him in the sum of five hundred dollars to appear at the district court.

Murray, the colored shootist, waived examination and Henry Walker and Lewis Curtis going his bond for one thousand dollars, he was released to appear before the district court.

(beef eater: moocher, in this case probably stole someone's cow.) (toed the scratch: stood before the judge)


Black Hills Daily Pioneer, Saturday, July 20, 1878, p. 4.

Al. Swearengen is building a place near [military] Camp Bare Butte.
Six nymphs de terpsichore will be taken out to-day, and more will follow if the boys in blue appreciate dancing.

A man playing at one of the faro games in Morton's club house yesterday became possessed of the idea some one had cheated him, and made a fuss, whereupon the dealer placed the business end of a six shooter at his ear. That settled the difficulty instanter.


Too bad they didn't have a headline: Nymphs of Terpsichore to Bare Butte.

More newspaper articles, part two.
Part three. 

Kelly Company, makers of metal detectors and all things for modern prospecting, have written an article regarding the Black Hills Gold Rush.