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.

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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.

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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. 

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