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 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.
A proposed bill meant to "crush out" polygamy in the Utah Territory...
Item #691795
February 28, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 28, 1874
* Mormonism - polygamy ? - Mormons
The front page begins with a half-column article: "Execution of The Laws In Utah - A Bill Reported from the Committee on Territories--Severe Provisions Against the 'Peculiar Institution' ".
One bit near the beginning mentions: "...There would seem to be little more needed than this bill to crush o... See More
Tombstone Epitaph shortly after the gunfight at the OK Corral...
Item #691509
December 04, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, Dec. 4, 1881
* Best Old West title to be had
* Post 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 po... See More
Nice report on the Bill Cook gang...
Item #691354
October 24, 1894
THE BETHLEHEM TIMES, Pennsylvania, Oct. 24, 1894
* Bill Cook Gang
The top of page 2 has column heads: "MANY OUTLAWS LOOSE" "The Cook Gang Doing Wholesale Robbery in the West" "Aquia Creek Booty Recovered" plus various subheads. The text takes over a full column. The great article begins: "The latest performance in the grand carnival of crime which is... See More
With a small broadside "leaflet" issue...
Item #691353
March 05, 1892
THE MERCURY, Coronado, San Diego County, California, March 5, 1892
* Uncommon title
* Hotel del Coronado fame
A very rare newspaper from this island community in San Diego Bay, famous for the Hotel del Coronado which is its prime feature. Indeed, a pg. 2 item notes: "A visit to San Diego without seeing the Hotel Del Coronado would be like going to Washington without seeing ... See More
Rare title from Salida, Colorado...
Item #690896
June 03, 1882
MOUNTAIN MAIL, Salida, Colorado, June 3, 1882
* Very rare Old West publication
Printed in the masthead is: "Colorado Produces Millions of Silver, and Silver Is King." A very rare title, as there are no institutions noted in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) which have any holdings of this title. The holdings of the only one listed (Kansas St. Hist. Soc.) were recent... See More
Early from Vallejo, California...
Item #690693
July 15, 1871
THE SOLANO DEMOCRAT, Vallejo, California, July 15, 1871
* Rare Old West publication
Vallejo is named after Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the famed California general and statesman. The city was founded in 1851 on General Vallejo's Rancho Suscol to serve as the capital city of California, which it served as from 1852 to 1853, when the Californian government moved to neighboring Benicia... See More
Early newspaper from the Napa Valley...
Item #690691
September 23, 1887
ST. HELENA STAR, Napa County, California, Oct. 9, 1874
* Rare old West publication
This is a small town north of the San Francisco Bay area, and this is the third issue published: the volume 1, number 3 issue.
Page 2 has: "Our Valley Home" with subheads including: "Beautiful Town" "Napa Valley" "Supremacy of Beauty" "Soil & Climate&quo... See More
Early newspaper from Portland, Oregon...
Item #690690
August 12, 1874
DAILY EVENING NEWS, Portland, Oregon, Aug. 12, 1874
* Rare publication
* Wild Old West era
An early newspaper from Portland with a wide range of news reports, various tidbits, and a wealth of ads. Page 2 has: "An Indian War" and "General Hardie on the Modoc War" among other items.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
Published by the Odd-Fellow organization...
Item #690689
January 30, 1875
PACIFIC ODD-FELLOW, San Francisco, Jan. 30, 1875
* Independent Order of Odd Fellows
* Rare Old West publication
This is the volume 2, number 5 issue. Although focused on the fraternal organization of this name, they consider themselves a "family journal". An unusual & ornate masthead.
This title is not listed in Gregory's 'Union List of Newspapers'.
Eight pages,... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #690673
July 07, 1886
BLACK HILLS DAILY TIMES, Deadwood, Dakota, July 7, 1886 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 "heyday" of the Wild West. Some of the most celebrated names of the Old West passed through De... See More
A rare title from the Dakota Territory...
Item #690671
November 14, 1883
THE INTER STATE, Gary, Dakota, Nov. 14, 1883
* Very rare publication
* Deuel County, South Dakota
A very rare railroad town, territorial newspaper from what is present-day South Dakota, six 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 po... See More
Early from Oakland...
Item #690669
October 13, 1869
OAKLAND DAILY TRANSCRIPT, California, Oct. 13, 1869
* Rare Old West publication
Quite early from this city across the bay from San Francisco. It was not incorporated as a city until 1852. News of the day and a great wealth of ads, with page 2 including: "The Negro Vote in the South" and: "Assaulting Chinamen" and more.
Four pages, minor binding indents at the blank... See More
Early Bakersfield newspaper...
Item #690554
November 24, 1881
KERN COUNTY WEEKLY RECORD, Bakersfield, California, Nov. 24, 1881
* Rare wild old West publication
It is a rarity for us to find 19th century newspapers from the southern half of California. In 1880, Bakersfield had a population of just 801 with 250 of Chinese descent. The current population is over 400,000.
Complete in four pages, various news and curious tidbits of the
... See More
* Rare wild old West publication
It is a rarity for us to find 19th century newspapers from the southern half of California. In 1880, Bakersfield had a population of just 801 with 250 of Chinese descent. The current population is over 400,000.
Complete in four pages, various news and curious tidbits of the
Rare and very early from the "Alaska Territory"...
Item #690553
July 31, 1886
THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, July 31, 1886
* 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 over ten years. This is the volume one, number 39 issue of this title.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day,... See More
From the Mormon capital...
Item #690552
December 07, 1881
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 7, 1881
* Mormons - Mormonism
This is from 15 years before Utah would become a state. Nearly a full page of: "Remarks by Prest. George Q. Cannon". Other items include: "War Incidents - Bravery of General Kane's Bucktails" "Marvelous Adventures of a Legislator Among Indians" "A Desperado Arrested -... See More
What the death of Jesse James has meant to the "romance" of Western outlaws...
Item #690436
May 07, 1883
NEW YORK TIMES, May 7, 1883 Page 4 has a lengthy & interesting editorial headed: "The Growing Crop of Bandits" which begins: "The death of Jesse James and the disintegration and overthrow of his band of distinguished robbers were very naturally regarded by railway travelers & bankers as events of great importance..." with much more on the career of Jesse James and... See More
First of this title we have offered...
Item #690308
March 07, 1901
THE FARMINGTON HUSTLER, New Mexico, March 7, 1901
* Rare territorial issue
* San Juan County
A quite scarce title, in fact the first we have discovered. This lasted but two years before merging with the Times to become the "Farmington Times-Hustler". "Union List Of Serials" notes that no institution in the country has any issues from this year.
Farmington is... See More
Brigham Young's Proclamation of martial law... Much more Mormon reporting...
Item #690286
November 18, 1857
NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 18, 1857
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Governor Brigham Young
* Proclamation of martial law
* Utah War declaration
Page 6 contains one of the more historic documents in Mormon history, with the report headed: "The Mormon War" which has a report from military officers on the situation: "...confirming the destruction of the supply trains...".
This ... See More
Report of the death of Jesse James...
Item #690277
April 05, 1882
BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, April 5, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James assassination
Page 2 has a brief & quite inconspicuous report reading: "Great satisfaction is expressed in western Missouri over the shooting of Jesse James, the noted bandit. It is said that the shooting was the result of an agreement between Ford and Governor Crittenden to the effect that James was either to be ca... See More
Unrecorded issue from Colorado...
Item #690238
August 21, 1880
THE SOUTHWEST, Animas City, Colorado, Aug. 21, 1880
* Very rare old West publication
* La Plata County - Durango
A quite rare title that printed in this town before moving to their new location of Durango in September. Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' does not even have a listing for this title in Animas City. This is the volume 1, number 44 issue.
Various ar... See More
Rare title from Prescott, Arizona Territory...
Item #690236
April 09, 1880
WEEKLY ARIZONA DEMOCRAT, Prescott, April 9, 1880
* Very rare old West publication
* Chief Victorio - Apaches Indians
A quite rare title, in fact this may be the first of this title we have ever offered. It lasted but 6 months under this title, this being volume 1 number 12.
The front pager has: "A Big Cattle Drive" and a report concerning the chase of the Apaches under Vict... See More
Santa Barbara...
Item #690140
July 20, 1875
THE DAILY NEWS, Santa Barbara, California, July 20, 1875
* Rare Old West publication
Uncommon from this famous town, and a volume 1 issue. Various news & ads of the day, four pages, great condition. "#88" inked in the upper corner.
Ad for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show... John Philip Sousa...
Item #689785
September 01, 1894
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, Sept. 1, 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, toning, minor binding indents at the spine, good co... See More
Very graphic masthead... Great article on the Bear Flag Revolt...
Item #689717
May 24, 1879
THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, May 24, 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
Rare mention of Kit Carson...
Item #689679
September 04, 1863
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE, Sept. 4, 1863
* Kit Carson fights the Navajo Indians
Page 5 has a brief but notable report headed: "Victory of Kit Carson Over the Indians" about the defeat of a group of: " ...Navajoe Indians beyond fort Canby..." by part of the 1st New-Mexican Regiment led by Kit Carson.
Quite rare to see a report mentioning this famous Old West scout and explor... See More
Jesse James & the Rock Island Railroad robbery...
Item #689667
July 19, 1881
BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, July 19, 1881
* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
* Winston, Daviess County, Missouri
Page 2 begins with a quite lengthy account of what was the infamous Rock Island Railroad robbery by the James Gang.
It is headed: "The Great Train Robbery" and begins: "Charles Murray...was the messenger of the U.S. Expres... See More
Early from the wine country of California...
Item #689652
November 15, 1873
THE NAPA REGISTER, Napa City, California, Nov. 15, 1873
* Rare old West publication
* From the wine country
Although in the heart of the wine region, for which this city is famous today, its beginnings were centered more on the California Gold Rush of 1849. This city became a refuge for miners during the first severe winter of mining & later became an important center for lumber &... See More
Early San Francisco...
Item #689649
August 01, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Aug. 1, 1868
* Rare old West publication
A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well. The front page has: "Letter From Monterey - Condition of the Town - Rural & Aquatic Beauties - Old Settlers - Mineral Resources of the Country - Fisheries & Other Things".
Four pages, a very large si... See More
Early and rare newspaper from Tucson...
Item #689615
November 21, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, (Arizona Territory), Nov. 21, 1875
* Very rare publication
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona published 37 years before Arizona would become a state.
Among the articles: "Arizona Indian Affairs" "Local Mining Affairs" "Growing 'Cheeky' If Not Rich" "Mohave Items" and more.
Four pag... See More
On Billy the Kid's death in almost a "hometown" newspaper...
Item #689457
July 23, 1881
THE LAS VEGAS DAILY OPTIC, New Mexico, July 23, 1881
* Outlaw Billy the Kid shot dead
* Pat Garrett - Old West lawman
* In a area publication, very rare
This was essentially the "backyard" of the famed outlaw Billy the Kid, so it is significant that there are two articles concerning his recent death (killed by Pat Garrett on July 14 in nearby Fort Sumner, New Mexico).
The... See More
Capture of the outlaw Frank James...
Item #689266
October 15, 1876
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Oct. 15, 1876
* Jesse James Gang
* Outlaw Frank captured
The top of page 4 has column heads including: "FRANK JAMES" "The Notorious Outlaw in the St. Louis Calaboose" "The Police of This City Effect the Capture in a Creditable Manner" "Frank Denies His Identity as a James boy--But He is Certainly the Northfield Robber Wounde... See More
Very early from San Diego...
Item #689257
October 13, 1870
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Oct. 13, 1870
* Rare & early from Southern California
Nearly a full front page has: "Southern California" "Discoveries in New Mexico" "State News" and a wealth of news and ads inside.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
A Napa newspaper extols the virtues of the Napa wine-growing region...
Item #689196
October 04, 1873
THE NAPA REGISTER, Napa City, California, Oct. 4, 1873
* Rare old West title
* Wine country
Although in the heart of the wine region, for which this city is famous today, its beginnings were centered more on the California Gold Rush of 1849. This city became a refuge for miners during the first severe winter of mining & later became an important center for lumber & cattle ranc... See More
Not found in any institution...
Item #689180
November 23, 1898
MOTHER LODE MAGNET, Jamestown, California, Nov. 23, 1898
* Very rare publication
What could be a better name for a mining town newspaper than this one?
Jamestown figured prominently in two gold rush eras, the first from 1848 to the early 1850's during the great rush precipitated by the gold at Sutter's Mill, and then again in the latter part of the 19th century when new ... See More
From the American Riviera...
Item #689073
September 10, 1883
DAILY INDEPENDENT, Santa Barbara, California, Sept. 10, 1883
* Rare Old West publication
A volume one issue from this famous West Coast city, known as the "American Riviera". Various news reports and a great wealth of advertisements, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, lightly toned, archivally rejoined at the spine, nice condition.... See More
From territorial Arizona (1879)...
Item #688946
October 06, 1879
DAILY ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, Oct.6, 1879
* Very rare Old West title
Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this is among our last. And it is a volume one issue from the Territory of Arizona as it did not become a state until 1912.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads with page 2 having an ad for the famous "Delmonico Re... See More
Death of Jesse James...
Item #688939
April 04, 1882
DAILY TIMES, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1882
* Jesse James assassination
* Robert & Charles Ford
* St. Joseph, Missouri
The back page has a rather inconspicuous report at the bottom of the first column: "Death of the Notorious Robber Jesse James". The report, which continues at the top of the next column, reads in full: "Jesse James, the notorious robber was shot... See More
Rare Johnny Ringo mention in a Tombstone Epitaph...
Item #688937
January 21, 1882
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, January 21, 1882
* Best old West title to be had
* Johnny Ringo mention
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 to... See More
From Territorial New Mexico...
Item #688927
January 06, 1893
LAS VEGAS DAILY OPTIC, New Mexico (Territory), Jan. 6, 1893
* Very early for this state
An uncommon territorial newspaper from 19 years before statehood. The fist column has: "THE CATTLEMEN IN COURT" "The Wyoming Cattlemen Must Lay Aside Their Fire-Arms While in Cheyenne" "Dead-Lock In Colorado" and more.
Four pages, large folio size, archivally rejoined ... See More
Early and rare newspaper from Tucson...
Item #688912
November 14, 1874
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), Nov. 14, 1874
* Very rare territorial publication
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona published 38 years before Arizona would become a state.
Among the articles: "The Indian Question" "Tonto Creek & Basin--Old Ruins" "Pima County Officers" and more.
Four pages, water stai... See More
Early San Francisco...
Item #688804
August 03, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Aug. 3, 1868 A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well.
Four pages, a very large size newspaper, never bound nor trimmed, nice condition. The folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Town was founded in the gold rush era...
Item #688710
September 22, 1881
GRASS VALLEY DAILY TIDINGS & FREE LANCE, California, Sept. 22, 1881
* Rare old West publication
* Many interesting advertisements
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 185... See More
Death of Jesse James...
Item #688562
April 08, 1882
THE TUOLUMNE INDEPENDENT, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, April 8, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James killed
* Robert & Charles Ford
Page 4 of this issue contains a very brief and inconspicuous report on the death of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. It reads in its entirety: "A report comes from Kansas City, Mo., that Jesse James, the notorious train robber, highwayman, et... See More
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