Historic Newspapers: The Wild West

LOVELAND REPORTER, Colorado, Feb. 19, 1891  

* Rare Larimer County publication 
* Death f William T. Sherman w/ print

This paper was founded in 1880, only a few years after Loveland itself was established along the Colorado Central Railroad in 1877. As a frontier newspaper, it served a rapidly growing agricultural community in Northern Colorado and chronicled the development of Larimer County during the territorial and early statehood years.
Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" notes that…

COMMERCIAL HERALD & MARKET REVIEW, San Francisco, Jan. 29, 1880  The focus of this newspaper seems to be on the mining industry, not surprising given the era. The issue is mostly taken up with advertisements and notices.
Four pages, minimal margin wear, good condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.

THE CONTRA COSTA GAZETTE, Martinez, California, April 24, 1875  An early newspaper from Northern California, just east of San Francisco on the bay. It published in Pacheco until 1873 when it was removed to Martinez.
this is a quite scarce title, as only a few scattered issues are held by institutions outside of the California State Library. The Bancrsoft Library holdings were deaccessioned many years ago, from which this issue came.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, a news…

GUNNISON REVIEW-PRESS, Colorado, March 11, 1884 

* Rare Old West publication
* Woodstock, Colorado avalanche 
* Gunnison County ghost town 

An uncommon title from this boom mining town in the southwestern quadrant of Colorado tucked in a valley amidst the Rocky Mountains. Gunnison boomed in the late 1870's and early 1880's and was once the home of Wyatt Earp and "Texas Jack". Today there are some 5500 residents of Gunnison.
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "ANOTHER AVALANCHE !"…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 15, 1884  Page 3 has a classic article  from the Old West with over half a column taken up with: "DIED WITH HIS BOOTS ON" "Tragic Incidents in the Life of a Typical Nebraska Cowboy". Within the article is a great report noting; "...At another time he was throwing dice with Buffalo Bill in Dave Perry's saloon in North Platte when some dispute arose between them...The party stepped to the bar & took beer. When Buffalo Bill had drank his beer, instead of setting the…

NEW YORK TIMES, Rotogravure section only, April 7, 1935 

* Adolph Hitler & Hermann Goering
* German - Nazi air force revealed

 This rotogravure section has a front page pictorial regarding the newly acquired air force in Germany, with 4 photos of Hitler and 2 of Goering.
The complete ten page rotogravure section only, light toning, minor irregularity at the spine, good condition.

Background: The April 7, 1935, New York Times Rotogravure feature capturing Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering alongside…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 26, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have but scattered 19th century issues of this…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 7, 1879 

* Zerelda Samuel interview 
* Mother of Jesse & Frank James 
* Notorious Missouri outlaws 

 The top of pg. 2 has column heads: "RIDDLED BY RANGERS" "A Pitched Battle in Which Two Robbers Were Killed" "The Aged Mother of the James Boys Interviews". The interview with Jesse James' mother takes almost a full column.
Eight pages, slightly irregular at the spine, very nice condition.

Background: The November 1879 media campaign by Zerelda Samuel—mother of the…

THE SUN, New York, Dec. 21, 1879  

* Jesse James Gang w/ Frank

Page 7 contains a wonderful, lengthy, and very detailed article with several column heads: "THE JAMES BOYS OF TEXAS" "A Visit to the Home of the Elder Of the Terrible Brothers" "The Visitor's Grim Reception at the Pistol's Mouth--'Hold Up Your Hand!'--A Desperate Fight with Palacta's Thieves".
It is prefaced with: " 'The Life and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James' is the title of a new work of about 400 pages by the Hon. J. A.…

THE MONTEREY DEMOCRAT, Salinas City, Monterey County, California, Oct. 2, 1880  

* Rare publication
* Old Wild West

An early title from the county seat of Monterey County, just south of San Francisco. Very typical of newspapers from the era with a nice mix of news of the day and advertisements, some illustrated.
Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' notes only 3 institutions have any holdings of this title.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, news agent's stamp in an upper…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [Arizona Territory] July 3, 1875  Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads. The back page has a full column: "Letter From Col. Hodge - Description of the Country About San Carlos and on the Way to Camp Apache".
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, some minor margin tears, good condition.

BIKUBEN, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2, 1907

* Danish language publication 
* Church of Latter-Day Saints 
* Mormons - Mormonism - LDS

Here is a quite unusual and scarce newspaper from Utah, printed entirely in the Danish language. 
There was a large number of Scandinavian emigrants that settled Utah in the last half of the 19th century, and while most were Mormon, many were not, drawn to the employment opportunities in Utah mines, mills, and smelters. 
This publication features and…

ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Nov. 15, 1851  Pages 3 and 4 contain an article on a famous case involving the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance, headed: "Californian Lynchings". Included as well is a print captioned: "Lynching In San Francisco".
In 1851, San Francisco was a city in chaos, its population swelling due to the Gold Rush and its streets rife with crime and lawlessness. The official legal system was overwhelmed, often viewed as corrupt and incapable of maintaining order,…

NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 17, 1874  

* Arkansas stagecoach robbery - holdup
* Jesse James & Younger gang ? - outlaws

The front page includes: "Stage Robbery by Masked Highwaymen" being a brief report from Little Rock, Arkansas. Through research, this particular robbery may have been one of the very first stagecoach holdups by the famous Jesse James-Young Gang. 
Also on the front page: "The Coal Miners - Meeting in Wilkes Barre--The Delegates Adhere to the Demand for an Advance" reporting on…

LAS VEGAS DAILY OPTIC, New Mexico (Territory), Feb. 19, 1898 

* Very early for this state

An uncommon territorial newspaper from 14 years before statehood
Four pages, large folio size, edge tears & some edge chipping, very fragile & must be handled very carefully.

Background:The city is known for its rich history, with over 900 historic buildings, including Victorian homes, Old West saloons, and a Carnegie library. It has two main areas: Old Town, centered around the original Spanish…

THE PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1775 

* Pre American Revolutionary War 
* Thomas Paine - first time as editor 

This is a very rare magazine, published only from January, 1775 thru July, 1776, containing the Declaration of Independence in its final issue.
It was the only American magazine to print the Declaration, in fact it was the only American magazine ever printed in 1776. In the entirely of the Revolutionary War only two American magazine titles existed, they…

THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, Aug. 9, 1879  The masthead notes: "Devoted To The Interests Of The Pioneers of California And the Resources of the Golden State."
The masthead is one of the more graphic we have seen, featuring three vignettes: one of settlers traveling, one of a bear, and another of a detailed mining scene.  
The front page has part 8 of a continuing series: "Hoisting the American Flag at Monterey, Yerba Buena, Sonoma, Bodega, Sutter's Fort, San Jose and San Juan, by Order of…

THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 22, 1883  We seldom encounter Nebraska newspapers from during the Wild West era, but here is one. Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and this issue is dated from just 16 years after statehood.
Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' notes that the only institution holding any issues of this title is the Nebraska Historical Society, and they have none earlier than 1887.
Four pages, 12 1/2 by 17 inches, toning near the margins, small binding holes at…

THE STOCK EXCHANGE, San Francisco, California, May 26, 1875  The top of the back page has a great map headed: "Map And Description of the Comstock Lode & Adjoining Districts, Virginia City, Nevada." 
Also, this is the volume 1, number 1 issue, the very first published.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, several creases, various archival mends inside do not deter readability, minor margin wear, light foxing.

THE RECORD, Moore, Oklahoma, Feb. 6, 1903  This is actually a "territorial" newspaper, as Oklahoma did not become a state until 1907, one of only 3 of the contiguous 48 to join the union in the 20th century (New Mexico & Arizona the other two).
A volume 1 issue of a paper which apparently only lasted a year, with no institutional holdings outside of Oklahoma.
A small folio-size newspaper of 12 pages with local & national news, and a page 2 column headed: "Territory Topics". Very nice…

THE PEOPLE'S CAUSE, Red Bluff, California, March 11, 1876  An interesting title from Northern California. Quite scarce as well, as we only had 3 issues.
Red Bluff was originally known as Leodocia, but was renamed to Covertsburg in 1853. It got its current name in 1854. Located at the head of navigation on the Sacramento River the town flourished in the mid to late 19th century as a landing point for miners heading to the Trinity County gold fields.
Four pages, some stains, good condition.

VELASCO DAILY TIMES, Texas, Feb. 28, 1892  A rare title as it existed for less than six months.
Velasco was a town in Texas that was later annexed by the city of Freeport. Founded in 1831, Velasco is situated on the east side of the Brazos River four miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The town's early history is closely tied with the Battle of Velasco and the Texas Revolution.
Velasco was an important entry point for American settlers in Texas. In 1836 following the decisive Battle of San Jacinto,…

SAN DIEGO BULLETIN, California, Feb. 13, 1872  This is the first issue published of the daily paper, the volume 1, number 1 issue. It was preceded by almost 3 years by the weekly edition. It also was very short-lived, existing only thru July 23, 1872, with the weekly paper ceasing publication at the same time. Given this, it is rare to find any issues.
A very notable issue for any collection of Southern California newspapers.
Four pages, archivally rejoined at the blank spine, never-trimmed…

TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, Nov. 20, 1889  We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The front page has nearly 1 1/3 columns taken cup with: "The Wham Trial" " 'Frankie' Campbell Relates Her Experience With the Robbers".
This trial concerns the robbery of U.S. Army Paymaster Major Joseph Washington Wham & his military escort.
The ftpg. also has a nice…

THE DAILY PEOPLE'S CAUSE, Red Bluff, California, May 27, 1876  An interesting title from Northern California. Quite scarce as well, as we only have 3 issues. The front page has: "The Mormons & New Mexico" "How They Drink Beer in Munich". Much other news & a great wealth of ads.
Four pages, some tears at margins, generally good. Minor loss above the masthead.

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 23, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have just scattered 19th century issues of this…

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, May 4, 1877  Among the front page articles: "Arizona" "Agent Clum Completely Successful in Hunting up the Renegade Apaches--Latest Sonora News". Clum is John Clum who would go on to publish the famous newspaper Tombstone Epitaph. and more.
Also on the front page is a lengthy article: "Death of Parson Brownlow" "A Sketch of His Private and Public Life".
Four pages, small binding holes at the blank spine, generally good condition. A bit fragile, so should be…

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Oct. 21, 1879  The top of the first column is headed: "The Indian War" "Present Situation of Affairs in Colorado" which has two reports, and this is followed by: "The Apache Outbreak in New Mexico".
Also on the front page are reports from the Tombstone Nugget, including: "The Mormon saw mill at the Huachucas is turning out from three to five thousand feet of lumber per day..." with a bit more.
Four pages, some archival strengthening near the margins & a bit…

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGNER, Sacramento, California, Aug. 14, 1852  Beyond being a campaign newspaper, which by nature was short-lived, existing only until the November election, this is also a very early newspaper of any kind for California.
This is the volume 1, number 2 issue of a title promoting the campaign of Franklin Pierce for President. The subscription notice on page 2 mentions it will publish weekly until the November election. It is not listed in Gregory.
Four pages, never bound nor…

ALPINE SIGNAL, Markleeville, California, July 4, 1879  A very rare title that lasted less than one year, and only one institution has scattered issues. This is a volume 1 issue.
This small town is located at the "elbow" of California on the Nevada border. The population in 2010 was 210. Page 2 articles include: "The Oakland Ku-Klux" "The Eaters of Morphine" & "A New Chinese Bill".
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, new agent's stamp above the masthead, very nice condition.

BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878  

* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame

This town would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This issue is from the "heyday" of the Wild West. Some of the most celebrated names of the Old West passed through Deadwood,…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 5, 1852  

* Very early Old West title (rare)
* California gold rush era
* Printed on "necessity paper"

This is a very early newspaper from California, just 14 months after statehood was achieved.
Page 1 contains news and ads, with almost the entirety of pages 2, 3 & 4 are taken up with advertisements. This reflects the tremendous growth of Northern California during the Gold Rush era.
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on brown…

SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 23, 1871 

* Rare & early from Southern California

Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.  All four pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and national reports. A great wealth of advertisements as well, several of which are illustrated.
Complete as a 4 page issue, 12 by 18 inches, printed on high-quality newsprint, some…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 15, 1874 

* Tribal Chief Cochise death (1st report)
* Chiricahua Apaches - Indians

The very bottom of the front page has a very brief and discrete report headed: "Death Of The Indian Chief Cochise" with the text reading simply: "Cochise, the famous Apache chief, died on the 9th of June." (see)
Eight pages, light toning at the margins, should be handled carefully.

THE LOWER LAKE BULLETIN, Lower Lake, California, March 9, 1889  Not only is this the first of this title we have offered, but it is a rarity in that it is printed on orange "necessity paper". Such paper is non-typical newsprint used when the normal supply of paper is not available, usually due to weather and transportation issues. And usually affected are smaller towns in remote areas where weather & transportation can be seasonal problems.
More of a burnt-orange in color, the quality is a bit…

KERENS ENTERPRISE, Texas, Aug. 29, 1889  An exceedingly rare newspaper, in fact this is the only issue recorded anywhere according to Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers". It notes that Kerens only had one newspaper through at least 1936, and this was it. It also notes that just one institution had any issues, and it (Bancroft Library) had just one issue. It has since been deaccessioned and it is this one being offered.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, a few minor archival mends at…

MIDLAND GAZETTE, Texas, Feb. 7, 1890  This is the volume 1, number 35 issue of a title we've never offered previously. Quite rare, as Gregory's "History & Bibliography of American Newspapers" notes only two institutions as having any issues, one of which deaccessioned their holdings. This issue is from that institution (Bancroft Library).
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, typical news & ads of the day, some minor margin tears, partial archival strengthening at the spine, good condition.

THE OVERTON RECORD, Texas, Oct. 31, 1889  Overton only had one newspaper thru 1936 and this was it. It is not known how long this title existed, but Gregory's Union List of American Newspapers notes only one institution having had any issues, and it had just two dates, both of which have been deaccessioned. This is one of them.
The top of the front page has an article with column heads: "SHOT AT BOB FORD" " 'Look Out, Bob, I'm Going to Kill You.' Said Cowboy Kurry" "But the Slayer of Jesse…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCAT, Dec. 5, 1883 

* Mormons and polygamy
* President Chester A. Arthur
* Outlaw Frank James trial

Over half of the front page and page of pg. 2 are taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of Chester  A. Arthur. Near the end he addresses: "The Mormon Question", noting: "...I fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All of the members of the Legislature are…

DAILY EVENING HERALD, Stockton, California, Nov. 22, 1870   

* Wild Old West
* Rare publication 

The city, founded in 1849, is named after Robert F. Stockton and it was the first community in California to have a name not of Spanish or Native American origin. During its early years, Stockton was known by several names including "Tuleburg" "Fat City" and "Mudville".
Built during the California Gold Rush, Stockton's seaport serves as a gateway to the Central Valley and beyond.
Four pages, nice…

RENO EVENING GAZETTE, Nevada, March 20, 1879  An early issue from this famous gambling city in Northern Nevada near Lake Tahoe.
Gold was discovered in nearby Virginia City in 1850 and a modest mining community developed, but the discovery of silver in 1859 at the Comstock Lode led to a mining rush, and thousands of emigrants left their homes bound for the West, hoping to find a fortune.
Various news of the day and a wealth of fine ads.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition.
 

THE DAILY BEE, Sacramento, California, July 13, 1874  This is one of the more successful and long-running newspapers on the West Coast, having begun in 1857 and is still publishing today.
Typical news & ads of the day, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, great condition.

THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 2, 1870  

* Mormons - Mormonism 
* Utah polygamy argument

This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Most of the front page is taken up with a report headed: "Indignation Meetings in the Settlements", beginning: "Determined not to be behind their sisters in this city in their loyalty to the cause of truth, the ladies in various settlements throughout the Territory have held mass meetings t protest against the infamous…

THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 19, 1870  This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Included is the lengthy: "Governor's Message" reading much like a state-of-the-state address, signed by the acting govrernor, S. A. Mann.
But the most notable contgent is much reporting on the: "Great Indignation Meeting - Of the Ladies of Salt Lake City to Protest Against the Passage of Cullom's Bill". This bill was the creation of Illinois Republican Shelby Cullom, chair…

THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, August. 6, 1881  

* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining town
* Sierra County

Downieville is a very small town at 3,000 ft. elevation in Northwestern California. It was founded in late 1849 during the California gold rush & was first known as "The Forks" for its location at the confluence of the Downie River and the North Fork of the Yuba River. It was soon renamed after Major William Downie, the town's founder, a Scotsman who led an…

SALT LAKE DAILY TRIBUNE & UTAH MINING GAZETTE, March 7, 1872 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Rare publication

The first 26 issues of this newspaper were titled "Mormon Tribune", followed by the "Salt Lake Tribune" then the above title from 1871.
Various news items of the day, mostly from the West. 
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, irregular at some margins does not affect any text, good condition.

Background: This 1872 issue of the Salt Lake Daily Tribune & Utah Mining Gazette captures a critical…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Aug. 20, 1883  The front page has: "Criminal Calendar - Additional Particulars of the Tragedy at Estancia Ranchm NB.M. - Frank James Trial--A Gang of Burglars Broken Up--Free Fight at a Picnic--The Daily Record".
Inside includes: "El Paso's Ways - The Peculiarities of a  Now Thriving Frontier Town--A Place where Border Ruffian and Banker Jostle Each Other--The Gambling Hells and Churches" which has much on early El Paso. Also: "Yellowstone Park -…

SRPSKO JEDINSTVO, "The First And the Only Slavonian Weekly In Montana", Aug. 25, 1900  

* Extremely rare publication
* In Slavic and English Languages 

Little is known about this unusual newspaper other than the Library of Congress noting this very issue, volume 3, numb er 16, August 25, 1900. Their information is likely based upon this very newspaper. This title is not listed in Gregory's "Union List of Newspapers".
The Montana Historical Society Newspaper Project refers to it as a…

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Aug. 21, 1867  The years following the Civil War were years of expansion west, causing the inevitable conflict with the Native American tribes. Such reports were not uncommon in period newspapers. This is one such issue.
The front page has: "The Indian War" with some nice accounts taking about one-third of a column.
Eight pages, staining to the front page (but not close to the mentioned content), otherwise nice condition.

THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 17, 1883  

* Home of the Cornhuskers 

We seldom encounter Nebraska newspapers from during the Wild West era, but here is one. Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and this issue is dated from just 16 years after statehood.
Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' notes that the only institution holding any issues of this title is the Nebraska Historical Society, and they have none earlier than 1887.
An extensive search of multiple reliable resources has…