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.
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #707187
September 26, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 26, 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
Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #706025
October 12, 1872
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Oct. 12, 1872 From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Typical news items of the day with a great wealth of ads. Page 2 has: "Death of William H. Seward" and "Indian Affairs in Nevada" among ot... See More
Rare Old West isssue.....
Item #706023
June 18, 1876
THE SALT LAKE DAILY HERALD, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 18, 1876
* Rare Old West title
* Mormon/Utah territory
This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were oft... See More
From near Lake Tahoe in 1873 - of Donner Party fame...
Item #705384
December 20, 1873
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Dec. 20, 1873 From this town (Truckee) at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Typical news items of the day with a great wealth of ads.
Four pages, minor binding indents at the spine, nice condition.... See More
Move the Mormon capital to Fillmore City?
Item #705271
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.
The fight for women's rights... On the death of President Fillmore... Indian troubles...
Item #705094
March 11, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, March 11, 1874 The front page includes: "Woman's Rights" "The Cause In Boston--Another Blow From the City Solicitor" which concerns the rights of women to serve on the local school board.
Page 3 has: "The Challis-Woodhull Libel" which concerns the trial of Victoria Woodhull, Tennie Claflin & James Blood for libeling Luther Challis in the... See More
Shot down in a saloon... Founder of gold in California...
Item #705007
September 22, 1884
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 22, 1884
* James W. Marshall - California gold fame
This title always had a wealth of typically Western-themed reports as well as ads.
Page 2 has: "Slain In A Saloon" "A Grandson of Henry Clay Shot by a Louisville Alderman" "Shot Through the Heart--Drunken Ruffians--A Rancher Killed--A Texan Murderer Arrested in Georgia" as... See More
The first newspaper published in Modesto, California...
Item #704341
March 11, 1881
STANISLAUS COUNTY WEEKLY NEWS, Modesto, California, March 11, 1881
* Rare Old West publication
An early newspaper from this city in North-central California which when it began in 1868 was the first newspaper in Modesto. In 1881 the population of the town was less than 1000.
Various news events of the day, local, regional and national, with a wealth of advertising.
Four pages, large ... See More
Great Tombstone newspaper printed 3 months before the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
Item #704222
July 26, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, July 26, 1881 Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in popular culture. This issue was printed exactly 3 months pr... See More
Billy the Kid, Pat Garett, Virgil & Wyatt Earp, Frank Stilwell, Johnny Behan...
Item #704204
August 10, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, August 10, 1881
* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in ... See More
Criminal career of Texas outlaw Sam Bass comes to an end...
Item #704164
July 22, 1878
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, July 22, 1878 The top of page 7 has column heads: "THE JIG IS UP" "Sam Bass and His Gang Come to Grief" "A Running Fight With the Texas Desperadoes" "Their Attempt to Rob to Bank at Round Rock" "Barnes Shot Dead & His Chief Mortally Wounded" "Two of the Pursuing Party Also Bite the Dust".
Thi... See More
Founding the Lick Observatory... Property values in Northern California...
Item #702558
March 01, 1876
WELDON & LEONARD'S REAL ESTATE CIRCULAR & PRICE LIST, San Francisco, California, March 1, 1876
* Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton founding
The ftpg. has: "Another Monument" which begins: "When James Lick executed his deed of gift, donating his immense property to various benevolent & scientific societies of this state, he provided that $750,000 should be ... See More
San Jose California... Woodhull, Claflin & Col. Blood trial...
Item #702556
May 24, 1871
SAN JOSE DAILY PATRIOT, California, May 24, 1871
* Rare Old West title from the Santa Clara Valley
* Victoria Woodhull, Colonel James Harvey Blood, Tennie Claflin scandal
In 1850 San Jose became just the 2nd incorporated city in California (Sacramento was first) & was on the Butterfield mail route. The ftpg. is mostly ads with news items & more ads inside, many of which ... See More
The Apache War in Arizona...
Item #702035
November 08, 1879
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Nov. 8, 1879
* Apache Wars in the Southwest
* United States Army
The front page has: "The Apache War", with subhead "Victorious Band Overtaken and Whipped in Mexico by Major Morrow's Command" - being a derailed report from Tucson.
Four pages, some archival strengthening at the margins, a bit fragile but in nice condition.
... See More
A notable Proclamation by Brigham Young...
Item #700917
April 30, 1853
DESERET NEWS, Great Salt Lake City, U.T. (Utah Territory), April 30, 1853 An early issue of the first newspaper in Utah, having begun in 1850. This is the volume 3, number 12 issue.
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of the: "Life Of Joseph Smith".
Page 3 has: "TERRITORY OF UTAH - PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR" which is signed by him in type: Brigham... See More
Is Jesse James dead or alive?
Item #700277
November 08, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 8, 1879
* Outlaw Jesse James
* False death report
Page 4 has: "The United Bandits" which is a follow-up to a report that Jesse James had been killed. One bit notes: "...has before, fully satisfied that a struggle had taken place...No traces of blood could be seen, however & nothing was learned of the disposition of the remains of the ... See More
Great masthead from Oakland in 1884...
Item #700268
July 19, 1884
OAKLAND WEEKLY TRIBUNE, California, July 19, 1884 See the photos for the nice engraving in the masthead, which features a great view of the skyline of Oakland--at that time!
Various news of the day and a wealth of ads. Single-column headings include: ""The Scollard Trial", "For His Life - The Preliminary Struggle om Behalf of George T. Lynch", "Pacific Gro... See More
Early from San Diego... Mormons to be arrested: Brigham Young heads south...
Item #699257
November 02, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 2, 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: "UTAH" with subheads: "Another Arrest--Prominent Mormons Still at Large--Brigham Goes South".
The report notes: "The wife of Wm. Clayton, who is suing for divor... See More
Sitting Bull surrenders...
Item #699131
July 21, 1881
THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, July 21, 1881 The front page has: "Sitting Bull Surrenders" "The Troublesome Chief Finally Gives Up & Submits to the United States Officers" with the report noting: "...Sitting Bull & about 200 people arrived at exactly 12 o'clock today & surrendered arms & ponies to Major Brotherton. No speeches have yet... See More
Issue number one of this San Diego title...
Item #699124
July 25, 1872
DAILY SAN DIEGO WORLD, California, July 25, 1872 This is the earliest of this San Diego title to be found, being the volume one, number one issue. This title only existed through 1877.
Page 2 begins with the "Salutatory" in which the published details the purpose of the new publishing enterprise. Page 2 also includes a notice supporting: "For President, Horace Greeley, ... See More
From Nashville, shortly after the Civil War...
Item #699123
February 08, 1867
DAILY PRESS AND TIMES, Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 8, 1867 Formatted much like a typical newspaper of the day with local, regional and national news and a great wealth of advertisements.
Among the page 2 articles are: "The First Response of the Colored Republicans of Tennessee" "Wise & Patriotic Declaration of Faith" "The Johnson Organs on the Passage of the Colo... See More
From Nebraska...
Item #699085
March 19, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 19, 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, an... See More
Apostle Wilford Woodruff's Sermon - Salt Lake City pre-Utah Statehood 1882 Newspaper...
Item #699039
December 18, 1882
DESERET EVENING NEWS, Salt Lake City, (Utah Territory), June 10, 1882
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Wilford Woodruff sermon
The front page has 4 1/2 columns dedicated to: "Discourse by Apostle Wilford Woodruff Delivered In The Tabernacle, May 14th, 1882". The topics include: "Liberty of Conscience", "Man Accountable to God", "The Fall of Adam an... See More
Early Arizona newspaper...
Item #699022
July 09, 1887
PRESCOTT MORNING COURIER, Arizona (Territory), July 9, 1887 From 25 years before Arizona would become a state. Articles include: "The Opium Habit" "Lynching in Oregon" "Two Men Killed by Caving Earth" and more.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, new agent's stamp in the masthead, tape at the inside spine, good condition.
A boom & bust mining town in Colorado...
Item #699018
December 11, 1885
WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Dec. 11, 1885 An interesting newspaper from a fascinating town which went through two boom & bust periods.
White Pine began in 1880 as a fledgling mining camp just west of the Continental Divide, boomed in the mid-1880's then went bust by 1893. But in 1930 thru 1944 corporate mining resurrected in White Pine, only to go bust a... See More
Execution of the bandit Vasquez...
Item #699005
March 20, 1875
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, March 20, 1875 At the bottom of the front page is: Executions", an inconspicuous report headed: "Last of Vasquez--The Bandit Hanged At San Jose". The report, which describes the execution of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez., states in part: "The bandit Vasquez was executed to-day at San Jose. Not attempt was made at a rescue...Everything passed... See More
From Arizona 19 years before statehood...
Item #698773
May 02, 1893
ARIZONA DAILY GAZETTE, Phoenix, May 2, 1893
* Rare old West title
* Maricopa County
This issue is from the Arizona Territory, 19 years before it joined the Union. Varied news reports both local & national with a nice wealth of ads as well, many of which are illustrated.
The front page has: "Killed His Mother--The Act of a Young Man Crazed by Drink" and: "Her Skull... See More
The James-Younger gang rob a train...
Item #698731
July 23, 1881
LIBERAL SENTINEL, Middletown, New York, July 23, 1881
* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
Page 2 has a report noting: "A gang of outlaws, supposed to be the James gang, on Friday night captured a train on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific road...robbed the conductor & a passenger..." and a bit more.
The next page has a much more det... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #698720
March 06, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, March 6, 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 including: "Removal of the Chiricahuas" "Local; Mining Affairs" "Arizona Railway System" "Rich Ores in Pima County" "Another Mining Expedition" and mo... See More
On buying Alaska...
Item #698666
July 15, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 15,1868
* Rare old West publication
A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well.
Among the front page articles: "The Alaska Purchase" "Tramp To California" "Nevada--The Yellow Jacket Incident" "Murder & Lynching at Surprise Valley" "The Osage Land T... See More
Newspaper from the ghost town of Crystal, Colorado...
Item #698609
November 10, 1888
CRYSTAL RIVER CURRENT, Crystal, Colorado, Nov. 10, 1888
* Very rare old West ghost town publication
* Abandoned silver mining camp town
A rare newspaper from a bonafide ghost town.
Crystal was a mining camp established in 1881 & after several decades of robust existence, was all but abandoned by1917. Many buildings still stand in Crystal, but its few residents live there only in ... See More
Rare and very early from the "Alaska Territory"...
Item #698596
June 04, 1887
THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, June 4, 1887
* Very rare Alaska Territorial issue
Rarely are newspapers from Alaska found from before the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 when interest grew dramatically. This newspaper pre-dates the gold rush by ten years.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day, being four pages of small folio size (measures 13 by 20 in.)... See More
1877 Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #698592
October 27, 1877
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Oct. 27, 1877
* Wild Old West era
* Rare publication
From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
Early from Salem, Oregon ...
Item #698570
March 05, 1866
THE OREGON STATESMAN, Salem, March 5, 1866
* Rare old Northwest publication
* Post Civil War reconstruction era
This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements.
With newspapers west of the Mississippi being uncommon before 1900, here is an opportunity for an issue from the Old West when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were oft... See More
From 1879 Elko, Nevada... old West...
Item #698569
November 15, 1879
DAILY ELKO INDEPENDENT, Elko, Nevada, Nov. 15, 1879
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
Elko had a population of about 2000 during the late 19th century. Situated along the Humboldt River, it was along the route traveled by the ill-fated Donner Party and the many who ventured to the California hills in search of gold during the 1849 gold rush.
Completion of the Central Pacific Railroa... See More
Huge image of "Buffalo Bill" Cody...
Item #698564
September 11, 1875
NEW YORK SATURDAY JOURNAL, Sept. 11, 1875
* Rare Buffalo Bill illustration
* William Frederick Cody
* Soldier, hunter & showman
* American Old Wild West icon
The front page is dominated by a very large image of: "Hon. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill)", along with the beginning of a story by him titled: "Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, by Buffalo Bill, the Celebrated... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #698545
June 05, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, June 5, 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 including: "Letter from Col. Hodge" "Mining Summary" Ostrich Mine" "Territorial Prison" "Our First Law Suit" "Telegraphic News" "Minu... See More
Just our second offering from Aztec, New Mexico...
Item #698533
June 07, 1895
SAN JUAN COUNTY INDEX, Aztec, New Mexico, July 30 1909 Actually a territorial newspaper as New Mexico did not become a state until 1912. Although we've offered many other 19th century newspapers from New Mexico, this is just the second issue of this title and from this town in our 48 years.
Aztec is in the northwestern corner of the state. Very rare as well as the "Union List of Am... See More
New York elevated railroad...
Item #698446
September 07, 1878
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 7, 1878 The full front page is a print of: "The New York Elevated Railroad - View in Franklin Square."
Inside prints include a half page: "A Skirmish with an Unwelcome Intruder"; half page: "Locusts in South India - Driving Them From the Fields"; full page: "The Highlands of the Hudson, From Anthony's Nose, Look... See More
1859 Pike's Peak Gold Mining as a marketing ploy...
Item #698426
March 22, 1859
THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Huron County, Ohio, March 22, 1859
* Pike's Peak Gold Mining as an advertising hook
* Who should go to Pike's Peak
* Easier for negros in Massachusetts than foreigners (?)
The back page has a bold ad which appears to be seeking workers for the Pike Peak Gold Mines, but upon further inspection, the ad is actually for A. H. ROSE & CO's Store. However, ... See More
This town was founded during the California Gold Rush...
Item #698355
December 02, 1878
THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, Dec. 21, 1878
* 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 o... See More
A boom & bust mining town in Colorado...
Item #698352
September 11, 1885
WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Sept. 11, 1885
* Very rare Old West publication
* Ghost town - silver mining
An interesting newspaper from a fascinating town which went through two boom & bust periods.
White Pine began in 1880 as a fledgling mining camp just west of the Continental Divide, boomed in the mid-1880's then went bust by 1893. But in 1930... See More
Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #698345
March 24, 1875
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, March 24, 1875
* Wild Old West
* Uncommon publication
From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, some ink stains, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin teras, good condition.... See More
Great article on the Bear Flag Revolt...
Item #698195
June 14, 1879
THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, June 14, 1879
* Rare Old West publication
* Santa Clara Valley
* Nice masthead for display
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... See More
From Nebraska...
Item #698178
March 16, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 16, 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 th... See More
The rare "steamer edition" of an early California newspaper...
Item #698139
October 06, 1856
SAN FRANCISCO HERALD, California, Oct. 6, 1856 A very rare & early newspaper from California as this is the "San Francisco Herald For The Steamer" as noted at the top of pages 2-8, more commonly known as the "steamer edition". Such editions are much more rare than the "regular" editions.
Note that the masthead specifies what the market is for this edition: ... See More
Death of the President James A. Garfield...
Item #698079
September 21, 1881
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 21, 1881
* James A. Garfield death
* Rare Mormons publication
From 15 years before Utah statehood. Page 8 has all columns black-bordered due to the: "Death Of President Garfield", being an early report without many details. The front page has: "Willful Murder" "Attempt to Shoot" "The Park Shooting" ... See More
Very early Idaho newspaper, shortly after creation of the Idaho Territory...
Item #698048
November 12, 1864
IDAHO TRI-WEEKLY STATESMAN, Boise City, Nov. 12, 1864
* Very rare territorial title
* American Civil War era
A very early and rare newspaper from just 18 months after the Idaho Territory was created, and some 26 years before Idaho statehood.
This is the volume 1, number 48 issue. The front page is filled with ads with pages 2 & 3 containing various news of the day. Mostly ads on ... See More
One of our last...
Item #698046
September 15, 1879
DAILY ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, Sept. 15, 1879
* Very rare Old West publication
Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last. And it is a volume one issue in nice condition.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads. The front page is mostly taken up with ads although it does have a "Grand Jury Report". Page... See More
A man with 8 wives...
Item #697953
July 18, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 18, 1868 A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well.
Among the articles: "A Man With Eight Wives Who Does Not Live in Utah" "Lynch Law in Minnesota--Letter From Gov. Marshall" "Letter From Lake Tahoe" & more.
Four pages, a very large size newspaper, never bound nor tr... See More
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