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.
Very early from San Diego, and with good content...
Item #704620
October 12, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 12, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
Not just a very early newspaper from San Diego (a vol. 2 issue) but with nice content as well, as the front page has column-wide heads: "CHICAGO" "The Latest News--Extent of the Burnt District--The Entire Northern Division Swept Clean--The People Camped on the Prairie".
In... See More
Apaches on the war-path...
Item #704573
June 05, 1867
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, June 5, 1867
* Rare old West publication
The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July. It became the first successful n... 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
A rare title from the Dakota Territory...
Item #704232
April 02, 1884
THE INTER STATE, Gary, Dakota, April 2, 1884
* Very rare publication
* Deuel County, South Dakota
A very rare territorial newspaper from what is present-day South Dakota, five years before statehood. They refer to themselves as the "Gate City of Dakota" as it is situated at the eastern border of the Territory, very close to Minnesota. At the 2010 census the population of Gar... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #704229
June 20, 1882
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood City, Black Hills, Nov. 24, 1878
* 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.
This issue is from the "hey... 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
* 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... 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
Early report on Jedediah Smith's explorations in the West...
Item #702738
November 03, 1827
NATIONAL GAZETTE & LITERARY REGISTER, Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1827 This is one of the desired reports collectors seek in early newspapers, being an early mention of a then-obscure name that would become well-known years later.
Page 2 has over three-quarters of a column taken up with a report of Jedediah Smith, an American transcontinental pioneer, frontiersman, hunter, trapper, author, ca... See More
The Indians out West... General Crook to General Sherman...
Item #702677
July 18, 1876
THE SALT LAKE DAILY TRIBUNE, Salt Lake City, July 18, 1876 The front page has a letter signed by General: Geo. F. Crook to General Sherman concerning the situation with the Indians, with mention of the camp on the Little Horn.
Some of the heads & subheads include: "Custer's Presentment" "The Indian War" "The Sioux Have Three Fighting Men to Crook's One&q... 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
Rare mining town newspaper from Northern California...
Item #702011
April 05, 1877
DUTCH FLAT FORUM, Dutch Flat, Placer County, California, April 5, 1877
* Rare old West publication
Dutch Flat is located mid-way between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, near Interstate Highway 80. Famous for its hydraulic mines, from which many tons of gold were taken, for its lumber industry, its role in creating the Central Pacific Railroad, and for its large Chinese community, Dutc... See More
From a small mining town in Northern California...
Item #702006
May 15, 1880
AMADOR DISPATCH, Jackson, California, May 15, 1880
* Rare old West publication
Jackson was founded in 1848 at a year-round spring, settled by American pioneers and then gold-seekers upon its discovery at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. It was also a convenient stopping place on the road from Sacramento to the southern mines.
Among the articles: "A Leadville Marriage&quo... See More
Early from San Diego... Lily Langtry...
Item #701256
December 22, 1881
THE SUN, San Diego, California, Dec. 22, 1881 This is a volume 1 issue of this early newspaper from San Diego. Page 2 has an item beginning: "Mrs. Langtry, the celebrated beauty of London...". This is the famed actress Lily Langtry, who the next year would tour America.
The back page has: "Our Sister Republic - The Mexican Annexation Scheme and its Possibility".
Fo... See More
From the capital of Oregon in 1877...
Item #701016
February 16, 1877
WEEKLY OREGON STATESMAN, Salem, Feb. 16, 1877
* Rare Old West publication
From the capital of Oregon, this issue has various reports from across the country.
Complete in 8 pages, never bound nor trimmed, toning to a back leaf margin, news agent's stamp in the masthead, good condition.... See More
A newspaper focused on the mining industry...
Item #700921
January 13, 1871
COMMERCIAL HERALD & MARKET REVIEW, San Francisco, Jan. 13, 1871
* Rare old West publication
* California mining industry
The focus of this newspaper seems to be on the mining industry, as some of the articles on just the front page include: "Improved Condition of the Miners as a Class" "The Labor Question" "The Blatchley Rock Drill" "Spread of ... See More
Brigham Young's state-of-the-union address...
Item #700919
December 15, 1853
DESERET NEWS, Great Salt Lake City, U.T. (Utah Territory), Dec. 15, 1853
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Governor Brigham Young
* Territorial annual address
An early issue of the first newspaper in Utah, having begun in 1850. This is a volume 3 issue.
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of the: "Life Of Joseph Smith".
Most of page 2 is taken up with: &q... See More
A notable Proclamation by Brigham Young...
Item #700918
October 01, 1853
DESERET NEWS, Great Salt Lake City, U.T. (Utah Territory), Oct. 1, 1853
* Governor Brigham Young
An early issue of the first newspaper in Utah, having begun in 1850. This is the volume 3, number 18 issue.
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of the: "Life Of Joseph Smith".
Page 2 has: "TERRITORY OF UTAH - PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR" which is s... See More
The Modoc Indian War in California...
Item #700707
April 09, 1873
DAILY MORNING CALL, San Francisco, April 9, 1873
* Modoc War - Lava Beds
* Captain Jack fame
The top of the front page has a column headed: "THE MODOCS" "The Commissioners to make One More Effort to Effect a Peace" "Terms, 'Surrender, and Leave the Lava Bed'--Treachery Feared--Hostile Indians Treated Better than Three Who are Friendly--Proposal t... See More
The Modoc Indian War in California...
Item #700705
March 29, 1873
DAILY MORNING CALL, San Francisco, March 29, 1873
* Modoc War - Lava Beds
* Captain Jack fame
The top of the front page has a column headed: "THE MODOCS" "Another Reconnaissance by General Gilles--The Peace Commission Effecting Nothing--The Indians Ready to Make Peace if they Can Have Their Home on Lost River" with further subheads.
The Modoc War was an armed... 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
First federal prosecution for polygamy in Utah Territory... Brigham Young would be next...
Item #699255
November 04, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 4, 1871
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Thomas Sunderland Hawkins
* 1st convicted for polygamy in Utah
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 back page has a very significant report on Mormon history. The article is headed: "The Mormon Prosecut... See More
Early from San Diego... Great travelogue: Los Angeles to Anaheim...
Item #699253
November 09, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 9, 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.
The front page has a wonderful and very detailed travelogue-like depot headed: "FROM LOS ANGELES TO ANAHEIM" with subheads: "Off For Anaheim-... See More
Early from San Diego... Apaches to be moved to a reservation...
Item #699252
November 10, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 10, 1871
* Apache Indians of Arizona
* Early 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.
The front page has: "The Apache Indians" with subheads: "Gen, Schofield to Have Control of the Indians in Arizona--The Apaches ... See More
Sitting Bull surrenders...
Item #699131
July 21, 1881
THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, July 21, 1881
* Chief Sitting Bull surrenders
* Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux
* Indians chief - holy man
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... See More
Issue number one of this San Diego title...
Item #699124
July 25, 1872
DAILY SAN DIEGO WORLD, California, July 25, 1872
* Very rare from Southern California
* Early - volume 1 number 1 issue
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. ... 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
* Very rare publication
* Wild Old West
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, go... See More
A boom & bust mining town in Colorado...
Item #699018
December 11, 1885
WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Dec. 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 t... See More
1875 execution of the bandit Vasquez...
Item #699005
March 20, 1875
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, March 20, 1875
* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit
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 bandi... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #698836
May 22, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, May 22, 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 - The Chiricahua Reservation" "Gov. Safford's Recent Trip - A Flying Trip Through the Territory by the Governor..." Mining Matters &quo... 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
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 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
* Very rare publication
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 wel... 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
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
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
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.
An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
A special thank you goes out
to the staff of WGRC!
to the staff of WGRC!
History's Newsstand Blog
- November Newsletter (2025) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
- Who’s Who in Newspapers – John Wanamaker edition
- Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (October, 1775)…
- The reason I collected it: the Nuremberg trials…
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
