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.
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
March 03, 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
Early newspaper from 1873 Los Angeles...
Item #702230
January 16, 1873
EVENING EXPRESS, Los Angeles, California, Jan. 16, 1873
* Rare Old West title
* Many advertisements
* 19th century era original
A very early newspaper from this now-famous city on the West Coast. News of the day and a wealth of ads.
Four pages, never bound, minor margin wear, nice condition.
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
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
Terrific pictorial issue on the death of Jesse James...
Item #699928
April 22, 1882
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER, New York, April 22, 1882 This famous title produced many issues with some very desirable illustrations, but this issue, with the entire front page taken up with a portrait of the notorious outlaw Jesse James, is arguably the most coveted.
The caption beneath the full front page illustration reads: "Missouri--Jesse James, the Notorious Desperado... 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
The slave trade while Kansas was bleeding... Pike's Peak - Boom or Bust (?)
Item #698452
June 14, 1859
THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Huron County, Ohio, June 14, 1859
* Pike's Peak - Gold "Boom" or "Bust"?
* Selling Kansan slaves to southern states
Page 2 has a troubling article, "GREELEY MEETS A SLAVE DEALER", which tells of a man thanking Horace Greeley for his efforts to see Kansas and Missouri become free of slaves. The man goes on to state that he himsel... 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
The Mormon/Utah War... The Kansas problem...
Item #698406
December 29, 1857
THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Huron County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1857
* The Mormon/Utah War
* Brigham Young's sermon of defiance
* Give the President a piece of his mind
The front page has the bold single column heading: "THE MORMONS WAR", with subheadings: "Their Prophet Defies the Powers that be, in the name of Israel's God!", and "The Priest and People cry Ame... See More
Attack by Mormon gang... The Great Chicago Fire of 1857...
Item #698403
October 27, 1857
THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1857
* Mormon gang attacks traveler (?)
* Brigham Young mentioned
* Great fire in Chicago
Page 2 has: "The Mormons", which is an article describing a letter from a W. P. Landon who tells of being attacked by a gang of Mormons in Salt Lake City, which necessitated his fleeing to Placerville, California, leaving his wife and chi... See More
How to make a wine market in California...
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
On the killing of Jesse James...
Item #697885
April 05, 1882
WORCESTER DAILY SPY, Massachusetts, April 5, 1882 The top of the last column on the front page is headed: "The Dead Train Robber" which is a report concerning the death of the infamous Jesse James.
It begins: "At the coroner's inquest Mrs. Samuels, mother of Jesse James, testified that it was her son Jesse. Considerable excitement was created by her denunciation of the tr... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #697875
February 27, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, Feb. 27, 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: "Loss By Indians--Claims for Depredations by Indians..." "Local Mining Affairs" "Pueblo Viejo Valley" "Texas and Pacific Bill" and more.
Four pages,... See More
Very first issue of a California title which existed just five months...
Item #697764
November 09, 1871
GRASS VALLEY REPUBLICAN, Nevada County, California, Nov. 9, 1871 This is the volume 1, number 1 issue. The very first published.
Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at Gold Hill in October, 1850 and population grew around the mine. When a post office was established in 1851, it was
... See More
A fine report of the White River Massacre...
Item #697735
October 29, 1879
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Oct. 29, 1879 Over half of the first column of the front page has: "The White River Massacre" :safety of Mrs. Meeker and the Women and Children of the Agency--Details of the Tragedy".
This was the White River Massacre, also known as the Meeker Massacre. This was part of a series of conflicts that began when the Utes attacked an Indian age... See More
From Nebraska... A train robber captured...
Item #697718
March 13, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 13, 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
Death of Cochise, the Apache Indian chief...
Item #697384
June 15, 1874
NEW YORK HERALD, June 15, 1874
* Tribal Chief Cochise death (1st report)
* Chiricahua Apaches - Indians
Page 7 has a report on the death of Cochise with column heads: "COCHISE DEAD" "The Famous Apache Chief Departs for the 'Happy Hunting Ground'" "The Defunct Chief" with details.
On the same page is a very brief item headed: "Fatal Shooting ... See More
How to make a wine market in California...
Item #697337
July 27, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 27, 1868 A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well. Page 2 has an article: "California Wine--How to Make a Market" which obviously worked out well.
Four pages, a very large size newspaper, never bound nor trimmed, some wear at fold junctures, minor margin tears. The folder size noted is for ... See More
A "cute" little Colorado Springs newspaper...
Item #697108
January 15, 1892
THE EDGEWOOD SUN, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jan. 15 1892 I wouldn't use the term "cute" to describe many newspapers but I think it fits here.
Six pages & measuring just 5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches, it has advertisements, promotional & news tidbits, and various witticisms. A volume one issue of a little paper that lasted for just 2 1/2 years. Toned but in good conditio... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #697094
October 24, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 24, 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.
All 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 ... See More
From Nebraska... A train robber captured...
Item #696864
March 12, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 12, 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
Very graphic masthead... Great article on the Bear Flag Revolt...
Item #696863
May 31, 1879
THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, May 31, 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 the territory of Washington...
Item #696849
March 03, 1881
WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT, Pomeroy, Columbia County, Washington Territory, March 3, 1881
* Very rare old West publication
A volume one issue from this small town in Southeastern Washington, published 8 years before statehood. Various news and ads of the day.
Gregory notes that only 2 institutions have any holdings of this title. This is just one of 2 or 3 issues remaining in our invento... See More
Rev. J.W.C. Pennington letter - purchase of a slave...
Item #696770
June 02, 1854
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, June 2, 1854 Page 3 provides an exchange of letters between Rev. Dr. J. W. C. Pennington, Jacob Grove, and Stephen Pennington. The content relates to the purchase of a slave and is quite interesting.
Other reports include: "Southern Views on Foreign Emigration", "Alexander Hamilton on the Powers of the Government", "Arrival of the Asia&qu... See More
Making a living lecturing on the outlaw Jesse James...
Item #696652
June 07, 1882
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, June 7, 1882 Keeping in mind that Jesse James was killed in nearby St. Joseph just 2 months previous, page 4 has an article: "The James Lecture". The article talks of the ethics of making a living by speaking about Jesse James, and including members of James' family as part of the presentation. One bit notes: "...That the widow should se... See More
Col. Fremont's disastrous fourth expedition...
Item #696647
March 29, 1849
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 29, 1849
* John C. Fremont
* Fatal 4th expedition
The top of the front page has a nicer account headed: "Col. Fremont--A Distressing Report" which is concerning his fateful fourth expedition in the West during which his party was caught in a snowstorm in Colorado causing loss of ten of his men & 130 of his pack mules. Near... See More
Latest news from the Gold Rush...
Item #696645
August 10, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 10, 1849
* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners
Page 3 has a variety of reports under: "From California" which has the latest reports concerning the Gold Rush, a few bits noting: "...Gold is plenty, large quantities being brought every day from the placers...The quantity was thought inexhaustible...The healt... See More
Work of the 'Hole In The Wall Gang' with rare mention of 'Butch Cassidy' (well, almost)...
Item #696633
August 31, 1900
THE BETHLEHEM TIMES, Pennsylvania, Aug. 31, 1900 The top of page 3 has column heads: "BANDITS GOT $100,000" "Thrilling Hold Up of Union Pacific Express Train" "Money Belonged to Uncle Sam" "it Was En Route for Manila to Pay American Soldiers--Famous Outlaw Band the Robbers--Now Fighting Desperately to Escape".
The report is datelined from "Table ... See More
The Apaches and the Sioux...
Item #696616
August 19, 1880
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Tennessee, Aug. 19, 1880 Among the front page articles are: "Crime & Criminals" "Oklahoma - Arrival of Captain L. D. Payne at Fort Smith Under Rest" "After the Apaches" "Hostile Sioux Surrendered" and much more.
Four pages, large folio size, good condition. The folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #696445
October 22, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 22, 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
From the year it became a state...
Item #695899
August 23, 1912
TUCUMCARI SUN, New Mexico. Aug. 23, 1912
* Rare Southwest publication
A quite uncommon title from this small New Mexico town in Eastern New Mexico, great to have from the year New Mexico became a state.
The front page has a photo of the county court house and jail.
Tucumcari, located on the old Route 66, has an interesting history and has been mentioned often in popular culture (Rai... See More
Uncommon title from the very top of California...
Item #695602
April 30, 1892
SCOTT VALLEY NEWS, Fort Jones, California, April 30, 1892
* Rare old West publication
* Siskiyou County
This small town has a population of just 839 and is located at the very top of California. It was once a military outpost--hence the name--protecting the various mining communities in the vicinity. It appears to be just the second issue of this title we have offered in our 47 years.... See More
Utah, pre-statehood...
Item #695599
December 18, 1872
DESERET EVENING NEWS, Salt Lake City, (Utah Territory), Dec. 18, 1872
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Pre Statehood
Various news of the day from the capital of the Mormons, and from 24 years before Utah would become a state. A great wealth of ads as well.
Sixteen pages, 11 by 16 pages, just as it came off the press so never bound nor trimmed & folding out to one large sheet, great cond... See More
Famous title from San Francisco...
Item #695598
August 31, 1878
DAILY EVENING POST, San Francisco, California, Aug. 31, 1878
* Old West publication
A typical newspaper of the day from this famous city.
Complete in 8 pages, never bound nor trimmed so it folds out to one large sheet. The folder size noted is for the issue folded in half. Nice condition.
First of this title we have offered...
Item #695597
March 05, 1881
SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE, California, March 5, 1881
* Very rare publication
Our records indicate this is the first of this title we have offered in our 47 years, having come from the private collection.
San Luis Obispo is on the California Central Coast, about midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. A typical newspaper of the day with a great wealth of local advertisements among... See More
Uncommon title from this California gold rush town...
Item #695590
October 16, 1875
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Oct. 16, 1875 A rare issue from this town in Northwest California.
Weaverville is a historic California Gold Rush town. Located at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville ... See More
Mining camp newspaper from over 100 years after its boom...
Item #695585
February 23, 1905
THE GOLDFIELD REVIEW, Columbia, Goldfield Mining District, Nevada, Feb. 23, 1905 This is the first of this title we've discovered. It is the volume 1, number 18 issue.
Goldfield was the scene of the biggest gold bonanza in the United States since the Alaskan Gold Rush.
At the peak of the boom in 1905-10, Goldfield was Nevada's second largest city. The editor of the Goldfield N
... See More
Goldfield was the scene of the biggest gold bonanza in the United States since the Alaskan Gold Rush.
At the peak of the boom in 1905-10, Goldfield was Nevada's second largest city. The editor of the Goldfield N
From Wyoming, with 78 cattle brands...
Item #695044
August 09, 1905
THE PINEDALE ROUNDUP, Pinedale, Wyoming, Aug. 9,1905
* Very rare publication
* Sublette County
* Cattle brands - prints
Certainly a great title from the Wild West, as Wyoming was at the time. This appears to be the first of this title we have offered.
The focus is on farming and cattle raising, as the front page has illustrations of 78 cattle brands, and the owners of the brands. Th... See More
Death of the President, as reported out West...
Item #693196
September 21, 1881
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Sept. 21, 1881
* President James A. Garfield assassination death
This was the very first newspaper to publish in Utah, having begun in 1850.
Page 8 has all columns black-bordered and a report: "Death Of President Garfield" and also: "Full Particulars".
Complete in 16 pages, never bound nor trimmed so it folds out... See More
This town was founded during the California Gold Rush...
Item #692665
December 14, 1878
THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, Dec. 14, 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 ... See More
Early from Salinas, California...
Item #692535
December 25, 1880
THE MONTEREY DEMOCRAT, Salinas City, Monterey County, California, Dec. 25, 1880 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... See More
Early from Salinas, California...
Item #692534
October 16, 1880
THE MONTEREY DEMOCRAT, Salinas City, Monterey County, California, Oct. 16, 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. The top of page 2 has a notice supporting: "Winfield Scott Hancock&qu... See More
From Nebraska during the Wild West era...
Item #692526
March 10, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 10, 1883
* Rare publication
* Lancaster County
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... See More
From Nebraska during the Wild West era...
Item #692524
March 24, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 24, 1883
* Rare publication
* Lancaster County
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... See More
The 'Black Jack' Ketchum Gang robs a train...
Item #692518
September 09, 1897
HELENA WEEKLY HERALD, Montana, Sept. 9, 1897
* Tom Edward 'Black Jack' Ketchum gang
* Twin Mountain - New Mexico train robbery
The top of the front page has a report headed: "TRAIN ROBBED" "Two Masked Robbers Hold up Passenger Train Near Twin Mountain, Colorado" "The Brutally Use Express Messenger and Force Him to Open the Safe" "Supposed to... See More
Lengthy & descriptive on early California...
Item #692465
August 03, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 1849 Page 2 has a simply terrific & very lengthy letter on California, taking nearly two columns it is headed: "A Mexican View Of California" "California Seen by a Mexican--Description of the Country--Its Physical, Agricultural, Commercial, and Mineralogical Characteristics".
This is perhaps the best description... See More
An ad for the O.K. Corral... In a Tombstone newspaper...
Item #692358
April 30, 1886
THE DAILY TOMBSTONE, Pima County, Arizona, April 30, '86 (1886)
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
* Rare advertisement of the famed livery stable
This may well be the consummate "Old West town" much romanticized in movies and television shows, perhaps most famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral involving Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang. I would almost suggest that this titl... See More
From 1872 Red Bluff, California...
Item #692306
January 20, 1872
THE SENTINEL, Red Bluff, California, Jan. 20, 1872
* Rare Old west title
This is from 4 years before the city would be incorporated. Located in Northern California, there is much news of the day both local & national. Many advertisements as well.
Complete in 4 pages, nice condition.
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