The Wild West
The term "wild west" conjures many things in the mind—criminal outlaws like Billy the Kid or Jesse James, the California Gold Rush, or the folklore associated with the American frontier. We welcome you to browse our Wild West newspaper inventory or learn more about American Wild West newspapers at our main Wild West page.The Wild West
The term "wild west" conjures many things in the mind—criminal outlaws like Billy the Kid or Jesse James, the California Gold Rush, or the folklore associated with the American frontier. We welcome you to browse our Wild West newspaper inventory or learn more about American <a href="http://www.rarenewspapers.com/entry/wild_west">Wild West newspapers</a> at our main Wild West page.
Just four years after the California Gold Rush began...
Item #684538
May 04, 1853
SAN FRANCISCO DAILY HERALD, California, May 4, 1853
* Early and rare from California
* During the gold rush
A very early newspaper from California, just four years after the start of the famous California Gold Rush of 1849.
Various news of the day & a great wealth of ads, many of the ads relating to land sale and mining-related concerns.
Four pages, good condition.... See More
Journey from Salem to Gervais...
Item #684510
July 27, 1874
SALEM DAILY RECORD, Oregon, July 27, 1874
* Rare publication
* Old West era
A volume one issue of this newspaper from the capital of Oregon.
Page 3 has nearly a full column article on: "The Gervais Excursion" telling of a travel from Salem to the town of Gervais, about a 14 mile journey. A nice, early travelogue.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, great condition.... See More
Second issue of a short-lived newspaper...
Item #684498
January 07, 1882
CALIFORNIA POLITICAL RECORD, San Francisco, Jan. 14, 1882 This is the volume 1, number 2 issue of a newspaper which lasted just 2 1/2 years. Nice patriotic engraving in the masthead. The front page has a print of William H. Bodfish captioned: "Honest But Queer" and page 3 has a print of; "Old Honesty - Maurice C. Blake, Mayor of San Francisco"
Four pages, a few minor mar... See More
Gateway to the gold fields...
Item #684497
May 28, 1875
MARYSVILLE WEEKLY APPEAL, California, May 28, 1875
* Rare Old West publication
In the days of the California Gold Rush, Marysville was a stopping point for riverboats from Sacramento and San Francisco that carried miners on their way to the digging grounds. A sign on the roadside as one enters Marysville carries the slogan: "Gateway to The Gold Fields." At that time it was on... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #684317
October 15, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 15, 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 w... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #684312
October 06, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 6, 1871 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.
The front page has: "Arizona - Gen. Crook at Fort Whipple" with several reports.
Four pages, 12 by 18 inches, printed on high-quality newsprint, very nice condition.
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #684311
October 05, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 5, 1871 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.
The front page has a column taken up with: "A Trip in the Mountains" which mentions the town of Julian and many others.
Also on the front page: "Arizona Correspondence--Letter from Tucson--A... See More
Ad for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show... John Philip Sousa...
Item #683890
May 22, 1898
THE PROVIDENCE SUNDAY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, May 22, 1898 The back page has a nice, illustrated advertisement for "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show with a small likeness of Buffalo Bill.
Complete in ten pages, various chipping at the margins, various margin tears, partially loose at the spine. Should be handled carefully.
Much on the slave trade with Liberia...
Item #683834
September 18, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 18, 1858 Page 3 has three-quarters of a column taken up with: "Liberia And The Slave Trade". Included is a lengthy letter regarding how slaves are procured. Keep in mind that the importation of slaves had been outlawed in the U.S. since 1808.
Four pages, small archival mend at the top margin, nice condition. Folder size no... See More
The Fraser River gold rush...
Item #683833
September 17, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 1858
* Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
* British Columbia River
Page 3 has over half a column taken up with: "The Fraser River Gold Regions", the latest gold rush, this one in British Columbia. Considerable detail.
Four pages, nice condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.... See More
The "so called" captain of the slave ship Echo...
Item #683832
September 16, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 1858 Page 3 has an article: "Capt. Townsend of the Slaver" which begins: "Capt. Townsend, so called, of the slaver Echo, was brought before the U.S. Commissioner...It was distinctly proved that the Echo attempted to escape before her character was suspected...There were found on board 318 African negroes..." w... See More
Reflecting on the laws regarding the slave trade...
Item #683830
September 03, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 3, 1858 Page 3 has an article: "Laws Relating to the Slave Trade" which is in reaction to the recently captured slave ship Echo. Keep in mind that the importing of slaves has been outlawed in the U.S. since 1808.
Four pages, great condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
The slaves captured on board the slave ship Echo...
Item #683829
September 02, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 2, 1858 Page 3 has a report concerning one of the more infamous slave ships of the era: the Echo: "The Captured Africans". The photos show portion of the detailed article.
Page 3 also has: "The Captured Slaver and Her Cargo" which is interesting editorial commentary taking fully 1 1/2 columns, with considerable d... See More
Captured slave ship... Installation of a Jewish rabbi...
Item #683828
September 01, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 1, 1858 Page 3 has: "The Slaver At Charleston" which begins: "A slave brig, called the Echo, arrived at this port yesterday..." and also notes: "...Lieut. Maffitt very kindly writes us that the Dolphin captured this vessel, which he terms an American slaver, after a long chase...off the north coast of Cu... See More
No issues held by any institution...
Item #683695
December 19, 1890
THE WEST SIDE CITIZEN, Villa Park, Colorado, Dec. 19, 1890 Although once a separate town, Villa Park today is a neighborhood of Denver, about 4 miles west of downtown.
This is a very rare title, as only one institution is recorded in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) as having any issues and that collection was purchased in its entirety by us.
An eight page newspaper with various... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683689
May 23, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) May 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 ther... See More
Move the Mormon capital to Fillmore City?
Item #683652
November 22, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 22, 1858 Page 3 includes: "Salt Lake Correspondence" which has various news reports from Utah. One item of discussion is whether the seat of government should be in Fillmore City.
Four pages, small, discrete archival mends in the margins, nice condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Mormon women are leaving Utah...
Item #683651
September 14, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 14, 1858 The bottom of page 3 has: "Mormon Women Leaving Utah" noting in part: "...that several Mormon trains had left Fort Scott on their way to the States...numbering 300, were chiefly women, English and Scotch, and the principal topic of their conversation throughout was the absurdity of Mormonism and its principles. The... See More
Lengthy article on Thomas Edison...
Item #683382
August 24, 1878
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 24, 1878 Page 2 has over a full column taken up with: "TOM EDISON" "The Great Electrician Among the Wires in the Western Union Offices" "A Great Invention by Which an Army Can Annihilate Its Enemy" "What He Thinks About Sun-Stroke and Its Causes".
Twelve pages, very nice condition.
Great title for a Northwest newspaper...
Item #683381
August 24, 1882
THE NEW NORTHWEST, Portland, Oregon, Aug. 24, 1882 A great title for a newspaper from this part of the country in the 19th century. Among the articles are: "Coastward Wanderings Continued" "Letter From Lafayette" "Our Schools" "Practical Politics" "A Man's Requirements" & much more. A great wealth of ads as well.
Eight pages, some sm... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #683289
September 20, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 20, 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 ... See More
Ad for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show... John Philip Sousa...
Item #683268
August 31, 1894
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, Aug. 31, 1894
* Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show advertisement
Page 11 has a nice, illustrated advertisement for "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show with a small likeness of Buffalo Bill. Just above it is an ad for "Sousa's Band" being the famed John Philip Sousa.
Complete in 12 pages, lightly browned, some small margin tears, binding i... See More
Reports from the "wild" West...
Item #683228
February 20, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 20, 1880 The front page has a wealth of articles that are iconic of the Wild West, including: "Dangerous Freaks of a Colorado Cattle King" "He Attempts to Slaughter a Car Full of People" "Moonshiners Arrested" "Cattle Thieves Arrested" "Indicted for Murder" "Suffering Negroes--Distress Among the C... See More
Trial report, but more interesting is what happened later at their hangings...
Item #683225
February 21, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 21, 1880 Page 2 has: "The Criminal Record" "Execution of a Brace of Negro Murderers at Murfreesboro, Tenn." being John Hall and Burrell Smith, former slaves.
This was for the murder of Henry Pugh, and as website reports note, it took on a carnival atmosphere.
The article report includes: "The execution of Burrel Smith and Jo... See More
Murder myster resolved: it was his son...
Item #683224
February 04, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 4, 1880
* A professional butcher slaughters his family
* John L. Soper - Kearney, Clay County, Missouri
The top of the front page has a column headed: "Criminal Matters" Theories as to the Recent Assassination Near Kearney, Mo."
The assassination of farmer John Soper was an interesting case. They had opinions on who the killer w... See More
Hanging of Thomas Harper, friend of Curly Bill...
Item #683223
July 11, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, July 11, 1881
* Cowboy Thomas Harper hanging
* Outlaw Curly Bill Brocius friend
The back page has a rather brief article headed: "A Cowboy Hanged" "Thomas Harper's Behavior on the Scaffold--A Warning Letter".
It notes: "Thomas Harper, a cowboy, was hanged at Tucson, Arizona, yesterday for the murder of John Soliday last September.... See More
Jesse James spotted in Springfield, Missouri...
Item #683221
January 30, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Jan. 30, 1880
* Outlaw Jesse James spotted ?
* Springfield, Missouri
The front page has a column with heads: "The Criminal Record" "Rumored Appearances of Jesse James at Springfield, Mo." "The Outlaw Said to Have Been Identified at a Hotel" "Jesse James at Springfield, Mo." with the report beginning: "Qu... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683040
July 24, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 24, 1889
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
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 Wes... See More
No issues held by any institution...
Item #683036
November 28, 1890
THE WEST SIDE CITIZEN, Villa Park, Colorado, Nov. 28, 1890
* Very rare publication
Although once a separate town, Villa Park today is a neighborhood of Denver, about 4 miles west of downtown.
This is a very rare title, as only one institution is recorded in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) as having any issues and that collection was purchased in its entirety by us.
An eig... See More
Early San Francisco with a wealth of local news & ads...
Item #682884
September 01, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Sept. 1, 1868
* Rare old West title
A large size newspaper of six pages with a wealth of both local news events and local advertisements. Never bound nor trimmed, 3 folds with minor wear at a fold juncture & with a few discrete archival mends at folds.
Early California from just 19 years after the Gold Rush. Folder size noted is for the issue ... See More
Adolph Sutro, of Comstock Lode fame...
Item #682862
October 31, 1893
POLITICAL RECORD, San Francisco, California, Oct. 31, 1894
* Adolph Sutro - mayor of San Francisco
* Virginia City, Nevada Comstock Lode fame
True to its title, this issue is filled with political reports including images of 19 politicians. Also of interest is a back page print captioned: "Our Sutro", being Adolph Sutro who was running for mayor of San Francisco. He would wi... See More
Fugitive Indians...
Item #682791
January 16, 1879
HELENA DAILY HERALD, Montana (Territory), January 16, 1879
* The Fort Robinson massacre
* Molly Maguire Execution
Several articles on Cheyenne Indians in Fort Robinson incident including: "CHEYENNE HOSTILES" with subhead, "Results of the Chase After the Fugitive Band" and "A Bold Break to Escape Captivity. Several Soldiers and Thirty of the Indians... See More
"Indians Can go Where They Please"... Sitting Bull...
Item #682785
May 22, 1879
HELENA DAILY HERALD, Montana (Territory), May 22, 1879
* Judge Dundy ruling states Indians can go anywhere
Page 5 lists a telegram stating: "Indians Can go Where They Please", after the Judge Dundy ruling in the Standing Bear v. Crook case. This ruling was: "regarded by the government as a heavy blow to the present Indian system; that if sustained it will prov... See More
Lynch mob murders an inmate...
Item #682778
March 18, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, March 18, 1880 The top of the front page has column heads: "Masked Murderers" "the Jail at Winchester, Illinois, Seized by a Mob" "One of the Prisoners Confined There is Riddled With Bullets" with much detail on the lynching.
Page 2 has: "Indian Affairs - Our On the White River Massacre".
Ten pages, irregular at th... See More
Early from San Diego... The Peshtigo Fire...
Item #682768
October 20, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 20, 1871
* Peshtigo fire disaster - Wisconsin
* Old wild West original
* Interesting advertisements
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.
The front page has a full column taken up with: "A More Dreadful Calamity" "The Fires in Wi... See More
The cause of earthquakes...
Item #682741
November 10, 1868
SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 10, 1868
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
* Post Civil War
Among the articles in this issue are: "A Hypothesis as to the Cause for Earthquakes" "Political Changes in California" "Woman's Rights" "The Loss of Hooker - A Touching Tribute to a Stricken and Bereft Soldier".
Four pages, great condition... See More
Great print of the adventurous crossing the Rocky Mountains...
Item #682720
August 30, 1862
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Aug. 30, 1862 The front page features a rather large & dramatic print captioned: "A Pass In The Rocky Mountains - We present our readers above with a view of a pass in the Rocky Mountains, with a band of emigrants en route. It affords a lively idea of the adventurous kind of traveling which the California emigrant meets with in crossing the m... See More
On New Mexico statehood, in a New Mexican newspaper...
Item #682719
January 19, 1912
TUCUMCARI SUN, New Mexico. Jan. 19, 1912
* New Mexico Statehood
* Joins the Union
A quite uncommon title from this small New Mexico town in Eastern New Mexico, and great to have not only from the year New Mexico became a state, but this issue makes the formal announcement of statehood.
The front page has 2 column heads: "NEW MEXICO IS NOW A FULL-FLEDGED STATE" "Govern... See More
Frank James will avenge Jesse's murder...
Item #682717
April 06, 1882
THE MORNING NEWS, Wilmington, Delaware, April 6, 1882
* Jesse James Killed by Ford Brothers
* Brother Frank to avenge his killing ?
The top of the front page has a column headed: "Jesse James's Death" "A Certainty that His Brother Frank Will Avenge the Murder".
A few bits from the report note: "...both identified the remains of Jesse James...The remains h... See More
Rare title from this once-booming silver mining town...
Item #682485
October 31, 1891
PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE, Austin, Nevada, Oct. 31, 1891
* Very rare old West publication
A rare title from this small town at the very center of Nevada, at an elevation of 6575 feet. It was a booming silver mining area in the 1800's when the population exceeded 10,000. Today the population is 192. This newspaper lasted less than 2 years and only two institutions have any issues.
Four... See More
Various crime-related reports, including from Tombstone...
Item #682482
October 29, 1881
THE WEEKLY OREGONIAN, Portland, Oct. 29, 1881
* Rare Old West publication
A wealth of crime-related reports are found within, including a back page report from Tombstone, Arizona, on a prison escape. In a few days would be the report of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, some archival strengthening at the spine, nice condition.... See More
From the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas...
Item #682481
January 24, 1874
FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 24, 1874
* Rare old West publication
* Many interesting advertisements
This town in Northern California was formally named "Boston Ravine" and then "Centerville". It began as a mining town, situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Northeastern Calif. This is the volume 1, number 3 issu... See More
First issue of this Napa, California newspaper...
Item #682469
April 03, 1884
THE NAPA JOURNAL, Napa, California, April 3, 1884
* Rare Old West publication
* Wine country
This is the first issue published, the volume 1, number 1 issue. Page 2 begins with: "Our Introduction" in which the publisher states the format of the newspaper. Much reporting from California & other news as well.
Four pages, various chipping at th3e margins, some margin tears... See More
The rare "steamer edition" from 1868...
Item #682464
August 29, 1868
THE ALTA CALIFORNIA - For Circulation In The Atlantic Started, Europe And South America, San Francisco, Aug. 29, 1868 At the top of the first column is: "Steamer Alta California" noting that it is: "...issued trial-monthly on the sailing of each steamer for Panama. It has the largest circulation of any Steamer paper on the Pacific Coast."
A very rare & early ne... See More
The battle of Fort Apache...
Item #682456
September 05, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Sept. 5, 1881
* Battle of Fort Apache
* Indian massacre ?
* Eugene Asa Carr
The front page has most of a column taken up with what is known as the Battle of Fort Apache, which occurred in eastern Arizona Territory on September 1.
The top of a column is headed: "THE APACHE MASSACRE" "Confirmations of the Disaster To General Carr's Command&q... See More
'Notorious desperadoes lynched in Texas...
Item #682454
August 24, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Aug. 24, 1881
* Orange TX Texas
* Lawlessness - lynchings
Top of the front page has column heads: "EIGHT MEN LYNCHED" "Notorious Desperadoes Summarily Disposed Of In Texas" "An Exasperated Community Compelled to Take the Law in Their Own Hands--A Story of Crime and Punishment".
An uncommonly lengthy & very detailed account of... See More
Rare title from Bisbee, Arizona: shootout at Wilson Ranch...
Item #682346
April 16, 1899
THE WEEKLY ORB, Bisbee, Arizona, April 16, 1899
* Rare publication
A territorial newspaper as Arizona didn't join the Union until 1912.
Page 2 has two-thirds of a column taken up with a detailed account of the shootout at Wilson Ranch, headed: "Cold Blooded" at which the Halderman brothers killed two officers. The front page has: "The Pursuit" concerning: &quo... See More
Details of a lynching in New Mexico...
Item #682307
February 10, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 10, 1880 The front page has a report headed: "Triple Lynching Affair" from Las Vegas, New Mexico, noting in part: "The cow boys...implicated in the shooting of Carson...were dragged from their cells this morning by a mob of 75 armed men...victims were dragged to the central plaza & ropes were thrown over the beams...West was hauled ... See More
First of this title we have offered...
Item #682304
August 05, 1897
CANON CITY RECORD, Canon City, Colorado, Aug. 5, 1897
* Very rare publication
A scarce title, the first we have offered. The format is typical of the day with a various of local and regional reports, and a wealth of advertising.
Four pages, printed on high-quality newsprint in a pinkish tone, very nice condition.
Photo of the Rocky Mountains in the masthead...
Item #682279
July 14, 1911
MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, July 14, 1911
* Rare from the Rocky Mountains
One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
Page 3 has part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
The volume one, number 2 issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on glossy stock new... See More
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