Harper’s Weekly, New York
October 28, 1876
This history-packed illustrated newspaper contains a superb half-page detailed sketch of Deadwood, the legendary mining town established in 1876 to serve the prospectors hunting the rich new gold finds in the Black Hills of present-day South Dakota. The producers of the hit HBO Series, DEADWOOD, actually used this sketch to ensure the authenticity of their setting. The sketch is mesmerizing to me after viewing the TV series.
Titled, “THE INDIAN WAR,” another superb illustration shows a cavalry encampment with a sick soldier being carried away.
There is an incredible full-page Thomas Nast political cartoon showing the Republican Elephant trampling the Democratic Presidential Candidates! This MUST be seen and can be framed by itself. Another Nast cartoon is the entire centerfold showing a Black man in the South holding a gun, the caption reading: “HE WANTS A CHANCE, TOO.” Finally, one more sought-after Nast cartoon on the front page shows Samuel Tilden, the Democratic candidate, hugging the notorious “Boss” Tweed. One caption reads, “Just in Time to Stuff the Ballot Boxes and Count the Votes.”
16 pp., complete and in outstanding condition. There is simply too much to list here.
Helena Weekly Herald, Montana Territory
Thursday, November 12, 1874
In a thrilling full-column report titled: “THE INDIAN MURDERS,” we’re treated to an eyewitness letter with details on the “butchery” of two white men trading in whiskey. They were told to ride three miles below the Indian camp. “Then the whiskey-trading and drink commenced. It is a well-known fact that an Indian when drunk will, upon the least provocation, kill his best friend, much less a white man trading whisky.” The Indians said one of the traders hit Iron Crow on the head with his revolver, and shortly therafter, the Indian shot and killed the trader. “The other Indians then joined in the butchery and killed Mitchell.” The lengthy report is just not to be missed!
Also, an exciting article is headed, “Another Party Turned Back from the Black Hills.” Apparently, Indians were everywhere “and sometimes the reds made it rather unpleasant for the boys” surrounding them so as to “compel the party to throw themselves into a defensive position. While Mr. Stone’s party were at Niobrara….runners came in from Red Cloud’s camp and reported about 3,000 wariors concentrated at that camp, with nearly double that number at Spotted Tail’s Agency,” etc.
Other articles and news briefs tell of gold and silver finds, banks that gladly accept silver ores, and great Wild West ads. Eight pages, all printed on high quality stock, and absolutely packed with Wild West news, ads, and commentary. One of my very favorite titles be sure! This is truly history “as it happened!”
The Olympia Transcript, Washington Territory
Saturday, May 1, 1869
Here is a very scarce Washington Territorial newspaper from Olympia, the first capital of the Territory. The front page has a lengthy report supporting government aid for the new railroads connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific. Just nine days after this paper was published, the Union Pacific met the Central Pacific at Promontory Point where the last spike (“The Golden Spike”) was laid and the two engines met, thus further opening up the West to settlement and gold prospecting.
“WRETCHEDNESS OF MORMON WOMEN” IS AN INDICTMENT ON POLYGAMY AND THE PLIGHT OF MORMON WIVES AND CHILDREN. In part, “These women never have known what it is to love or to be loved. They know only sacrifice. They are slaves–in bondage to the church and to the devil at the same time. They are ground into powder between two mighty millstones–the upper one a religious idea, the lower one the lewdness and lust of hard-hearted men.”
“A River Under the Rocky Mountains”is a front page story concerning an expert whose travels in North and South America, and into both the Andes and Rocky Mountains, and his study of ocean currents, led him to write about “….the discovery of a river under the Rocky Mountains many times larger than the Mississippi, its course nearly twice the Mississippi’s length, and gliding through the clean and vast rocky cellars of the upheaved mountains without the loss by alluvial absorptions and solar evaporations which diminish valley rivers, it takes along in its course the sinking streams and lakes of the mountains of Mexico, and with them, perhaps by a hundred mouths in its deep bed, debouches unseen into the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.” This article is a must read!
Four large pages, wide margins, and in very fine condition. I bought this originally to try to complete a set of 19th century newspapers from every state and territory. Anyone want to attempt this worthy feat–call me!
Morning Appeal, Carson City, Nevada
March 31, 1880
This is the only issue of this date in existence, and one that was printed at the very time the famous Carson City Mint was producing superb Morgan Silver Dollars for us coin collectors (I’ve owned a few 1880-CC dollars myself)! I must tell you though–this newspaper is far scarcer than the silver dollars, yet sells for much less–go figure. Someday though….
An old Comstock Lode veteran prospector is interviewed about the area for continuing gold and silver finds. The report, in part, “What do you think of the prospect in the Union Con.?” “I think that it is going to be a great mine….And the Sierra Nevada?….Sierra Nevada has two good chances–one near the south line and the other away up under the old Jewish cemebery….”
Among the many fascinating Wild West ads is one for “WELLS, FARGO & CO., BANKERS, EXCHANGE AND ESPRES OFFICE, CARSON CITY, NEVADA. BUY AND SELL MINING STOCKS.” This newspaper is like a “time machine” of the early West.
This one-of-a-kind Western newspaper is four pages in length and in really excellent condition still printed on high quality, durable newsprint. You can pick this up and read it for days (I have)! Remember, unique coins and stamps and some other collectibles bring from four – seven(!) figures on the markets. Simply put, this and many other issues on our website and in inventory are true historical collectible investments.
Harper’s Weekly, New York
August 12, 1876
This super issue of the popular illustrated newspaper contains a full front page sketch (see scan) of two intrepid men with their backpacks and digging equipment examining a recent find. An accompanying article begins, “STRUCK IT RICH.” The prospector forms a characteristic feature of life in the mining regions of the far West. He is the real pioneer in the wilderness, the first element in the civilization of the West.” I think you’ll find the report utterly fascinating, as I did.
“AN INDIAN TOILET.” There is also a huge, full page illustration of an Indian Chief having his hair braided in his tepee by his squaw with his ceremonial clothes and artifacts around him. It’s simply mesmerizing and can be framed by itself. Other sketches include two large Thomas Nast political cartoons (highly prized in their own right), and a sketch of the yacht, “Mohawk,” which apparently sank off New York harbor. There are more antique prints and stories in this amazing original issue, but I’ll let you discover these for yourself.
20 pages, complete and in excellent condition. One of my favorite issues of Harper’s Weekly.
The Cincinnati Daily Gazette, Cincinnati, Ohio
Monday, September 30, 1869
A front page report titled: “THE POWELL EXPEDITION. What it Saw and Did,” is the synopsis of a conversation with Major Powell who had just returned from his Colorado River adventure. In part, “The walls of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado have a granite base, the floor of the river being granite, and they are surmounted by marble cliffs…This canyon extends to Spanish Valley, about forty miles from the mouth of the Virgen, and the party were upward of three weeks in traveling it.”
Major Powell had a theory that the Colorado River preceded the canyons that surround it, and theorized that the river cut them as the plateau rose. This idea was proposed in 1869 when precious little was known about the geology of the area. Powell’s Grand Canyon expedition set out with discovery in mind, and has become a topic of great interest and conversation for Grand Canyon visitors over the years. (I’ve explored the Canyon twice, and hope to return before too long–it’s just breathtaking)! A portion of the IMAX video recreates the Powell Expedition.
Four very large pages, chock full with news both national and local, great ads (some illustrated), and all from Cincinnati in 1869. You’ll read this one night after night! Reports about the Powell Expedition and the early exploration of the Grand Canyon are not common–this is the first one I’ve ever owned!
The Phoenix Herald, Arizona Territory
July 9, 1879
Page three has bold single-column headlines: “LATEST ARIZONA NEWS. A Double Murder at Tombstone.” By a letter via Tucson headlined: “Another Murder at Tombstone,” comes a report “….that John Hicks was shot and killed and his brother was mortally wounded on last Sunday night. The writer says that the shooting was done by Levy McCormick and a man named Jackson, but the coroner’s jury found that death was caused by a shot fired by some one unknown.” (This was just over two years before the famous “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” showing that there had been quite a number of murders in Tombstone already)
In mining news, there I see a report of “an egg of pure gold, worth $106, which was produced from 500 pounds of ore rock.” Another item states that “Rich ore has been struck in the Golden Reef min, Globe (Ariz.).
Page one contains an article titled: “The Estate of Brigham Young,” discussing the infighting over the late Mormon leader’s possessions. Personally, I like reading the numerous advertisements for saloons, the railroad, Express Companies that shipped gold, silver and other commodities by stagecoach, and more.
Four pages, complete, and in simply excellent condition! Here is a unique opportunity to own a genuine newspaper from Phoenix when it was still a growing frontier town in the middle of outlaws, gunfights, Indian attacks, and a pioneer people struggling to survive in the Sonoran Desert (without air conditioning)!
Our research indicates this issue is one of only three surviving of this date. It won’t last long.
The Black Hills Weekly Pioneer, Deadwood City, Black Hills, Dakota Territory
Saturday, July 7, 1877. Volume 2, Number 3 issue. Probably unique.
Here is a second-year complete issue of the legendary Black Hills Pioneer from the first town established in the rich gold and silver mining region of what is now South Dakota. The front page has a headlined report running a full column on the findings in the surrounding mines: “BEAR GULCH. Rich Placer Diggings. One Thousand Men Sluicing.” Gold was listed at $18.00 per ounce back then, and the price was supported by the citizens of Deadwood and other surrounding towns. This issue is just chock full of gold mining stories, Indian attacks, murders, and mining claims! There’s even an article describing the Black Hills Territory, thoughts on Deadwood continuing to be an important mining town, a new Big Horn Expedition of U.S. soldiers against the Indians in the West, and too much more to list here. The people who put together the hit HBO Series “DEADWOOD,” actually used Deadwood Pioneers from The Mitchell Archives to create authenticity for the town and the times. Now one fortunate buyer can own one of these original Deadwood newspapers.
Four pages, complete. Old normal folds with a touch of wear in the form of several tiny holes, couple of marginal tape reinforcements, and just a few small stains. Nice margins. No one we know has any 1870s Deadwood newspapers for sale at any price.
Evening Express, Los Angeles, California
Wednesday, July 31, 1872
Here is an amazing newspaper–a Los Angeles issue from 1872 during the Wild West period of outlaws, train robberies, Indian attacks, gunfights and more. From the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Line I see a report of an “Indian raid near Laredo in which seventeen persons were killed and many ranches and stores plundered and stock driven to Mexico.” In other news, “A passenger train on the Kansas Pacific Railroad fell through a bridge over Coon creek. Five emigrants were killed and several employees wounded!” I love the intricate illustrated ads including the “PIONEER STAGE LINE,” a great ad for a dentist with a teeth sketch, and the “Exchange Livery and Feed Stable.” The paper was a strong supporter of Gen. U.S. Grant for President in the 1872 Election.
Folks, this was Los Angeles well before Hollywood, Beverly Hills and MGM studios! I guarantee you’ll be up nights reading and re-reading this issue and showing it to everyone you know! Four pages, complete, and in fine, well-preserved condition. According to my references, this is the only known issue of this date in existence! If it were a rare coin, we’d be talking five figures! Newspapers are still on the ground floor of major collectibles!
The Helena Independent, Helena, Montana
Thursday, October 6, 1892
Front page headlines scream: “WIPED OUT. The Dalton Gang of Murderous Outlaws Die With Their Boots on.” An almost two-column, action-packed account begins: “COFFEYVILLE, Kan., Oct. 5–The Dalton gang has been exterminated, wiped off the face of the earth. Caught like rats in a trap, they were to-day shot down, but not until four citizens of this place yielded up their lives in the work of extermination.”
Raised near Coffeyville, the Daltons and their cohorts were originally on the side of the law, but turned to crime in 1890 as they met more and more bandits. The notorious gang stole horses, robbed trains and banks, becoming the number one outlaw gang in the Wild West.
This historic issue also reports the death of poet Afred Lord Tennyson with a superb bust sketch. There are also reports of early baseball games, and really fascinating advertisements from the Wild West.
The issue is 8 pages, complete and in excellent condition, beautifully preserved. In fact, it’s about the nicest 1890s newspaper we’ve ever seen! This is the only issue on the Dalton Gang that’s been in inventory, and will prove to be a cornerstone for the finest Western Collection. Please don’t miss it! The report on the shootout in Coffeyville is as exciting a newspaper account as I’ve personally ever read!