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.
The type of soldier Custer was...
Item #668316
July 28, 1876
THE WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, July 28, 1876
* Post George Armstrong Custer massacre
Page 2 has nearly half a column article: "The Sort of A Soldier That Custer Was" which is essentially a lengthy letter of congratulations signed by: G. A. Custer from April 9, 1865 to his soldiers of the 3rd Cavalry at Appomattox Court House, the day of Lee's surr... See More
A eulogy-like article on the Custer massacre...
Item #668315
July 21, 1876
THE WHEELING DAILY INTELLIGENCER, West Virginia, July 21, 1876
* re. Custer's Massacre
* Brigham Young - Mormons
Page 3 has a column headed: "Custar's Attack on the Sioux" which reads much like a eulogy.
Bits include: "on the banks of the Little Big Horn...sleep to-day the flower of the American army...Custar [sic] in his brave but disastrous charge..." wi... See More
Rare title from Sundance, Wyoming...
Item #668045
October 07, 1892
THE SUNDANCE GAZETTE, Wyoming, Oct. 7, 1892
* Very rare Old West publication
We were fortunate to fine just three issues of this quite rare newspaper from the Northeast corner of Wyoming. The first we have seen. The first we have seen. Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" notes only one institution has this title, it having just a single issue from 1884.
By the ... See More
Very early California, death of Henry Clay, a notable duel...
Item #668038
August 03, 1852
PLACER TIMES & TRANSCRIPT, San Francisco, California, Aug. 3, 1852 Certainly one of the earlier newspaper we have offered from California, during the midst of the Gold Rush.
And page 2 has two notable reports, one being the death of Henry Clay in two articles, both headed: "Death of Henry Clay" with black borders.
There is also a nice account of a: "Fatal Duel--Death of ... See More
A rare title from the Dakota Territory...
Item #668031
April 02, 1884
THE INTER STATE, Gary, Dakota, April 2, 1884
* Very rare publication
* Deuel County, South Dakota
A very rare territorial newspaper from that 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
The Grattan Indian massacre...
Item #667747
September 11, 1854
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, September 11, 1854
* Grattan Massacre (1st report)
* United States Army
* Lakota Sioux Indians
The front page has an article headed: "Important from Fort Laramie--An Entire Detachment of United States Troops Massacred by the Indians" Early, 1st report coverage on what was known as the "Grattan Massacre". This was the opening engagement of the... See More
Early and rare newspaper from 1871 Tucson...
Item #667173
October 28, 1871
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), October 28, 1871
* Very rare title
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona, published 41 years before Arizona would become a state. Our records indicate this is the earliest date of this title we have offered in memory, the previous earliest dated 1874.
Inside has: "The Apache War" "Colyer's Canad... See More
Execution of noted outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez...
Item #666831
March 20, 1875
ST. LOUIS DAILY GLOBE, March 20, 1875
* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit
A great issue as the first column of the front page is mostly taken up with: "TIBURCIO VASQUEZ" "The Noted California Bandit Executed at San Jose" "His Splendid Nerve Maintained Him to the Last" "History of His Life and Blood... See More
From Alhambra, California...
Item #666576
April 25, 1890
ALHAMBRA REVIEW, California, April 25, 1890
* Very rare publication
This is the volume 1, number 24 issue of this scarce title from Los Angeles County. According to Gregory it only lasted about a year.
A four page issue of tabloid size mostly taken up with local tidbits and a wealth of advertisements. Minor fold wear, good condition.
Criminal career of Texas outlaw Sam Bass comes to an end...
Item #666450
July 21, 1878
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, July 21, 1878
* Death of Sam Bass (1ST REPORT)
* American train robber & outlaw
The top of the front page 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 ... See More
Very rare Territorial title...
Item #666433
May 26, 1899
THE BLAND HERALD, Bland, New Mexico, May 26, 1899
* Very rare Territory issue
* Ghost town
It is extremely rare to find 19th century New Mexico newspapers, and this issue is 13 years before statehood. A very rare from this small mining town with front page item: "Latest Mining News--Information Regarding Mining and Milling Operations in the Cochiti--The Golden Cochiti--Mining Ite... See More
Rare title from the far north of California...
Item #666324
December 13, 1879
SHASTA COUNTRY RECORD, Millville, California, Dec. 13, 1879
* Rare Old West publication
A quite rare title from this small town in the far north of California. Various news of the day both local & regional, with a great wealth of ads.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, minor tears at margins, good condition.... See More
Early and rare newspaper from Tucson...
Item #666229
October 17, 1874
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), October 17, 1874
* Very rare publication
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona, and by best accounts this is our very last issue of this title, published 38 years before Arizona would become a state.
The front page is taken up with a mix of news items and advertisements, with page 2 having: "James E. Ro... See More
Early farming newspaper from California...
Item #666179
June 22, 1854
THE CALIFORNIA FARMER, San Francisco June 22, 1854
* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining era
* Nice decorative masthead
This is quite early for a California newspaper. A nice engraving in the masthead with much of the content having a farming theme, although there are other items as well. This is a volume 1 issue.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, 12 by 18 inches, staining at the ... See More
Newspaper from the ghost town of Crystal, Colorado...
Item #665949
November 10, 1888
CRYSTAL RIVER CURRENT, Crystal, Colorado, Nov. 10, 1888
* Very rare Colorado ghost town publication
* Abandoned 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 the sum... See More
The rare "steamer edition" of an early California newspaper...
Item #665945
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
Nice report on the transcontinental railroad... Celebrations at Promontory Point, Utah...
Item #665883
May 12, 1869
NEW YORK HERALD, May 12, 1869
* Completing the Transcontinental railroad
* Last spike driven at Promontory Point
Page 7 has very nice reporting on the historic joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads at Promontory Point, Utah, with the ceremonies of the driving in of the final, golden spike signifying the completion of joining the East & West.
Th
... See More
* Completing the Transcontinental railroad
* Last spike driven at Promontory Point
Page 7 has very nice reporting on the historic joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads at Promontory Point, Utah, with the ceremonies of the driving in of the final, golden spike signifying the completion of joining the East & West.
Th
From Arroyo Grande, California...
Item #665744
November 17, 1888
ARROYO GRANDE HERALD, San Luis Obispo County, California, Nov. 17, 1888
* Rare Old West publication
This is the first newspaper we have found from Arroyo Grande, in fact it is the only 19th century newspaper to publish in the town. This is the vol. 2, number 5 issue. Records indicate that only the Bancroft Library at Berkley has any holdings of this title.
Four pages with typical news... See More
A Colorado newspaper printed eleven years before statehood...
Item #665726
September 15, 1865
THE DAILY DENVER GAZETTE, Colorado, Sept. 15, 1865
* Very rare & early territory publication
* Post Civil War reconstruction era
This is actually a territorial newspaper as Colorado did not become a state until 1876, eleven years after this issue was published. And this is a volume one issue.
Outside of several issues of the Rocky Mountain News we have offered--which was Colorado... See More
George A. Custer on trial for leaving his command...
Item #665655
September 04, 1867
NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 4, 1867
* General George Armstrong Custer
The middle of the ftpg. has a small report headed: "The Trial of Major-Gen. Custar [sic]" which includes: "...Custar has been ordered to Fort Leavenworth for trial...on his return to Fort Wallace...Custar...left his command at Wallace & proceeded to Harker as fast as jaded horse-flesh would bear him. The... See More
Creating the Territory of California...
Item #665457
December 08, 1846
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 1846 Page 2 has a very early report: "From California" which is quite historic on the creation of the state of California: "The Proclamation of Commodore Stockton, the governor of California" in which he makes the very significant statement: "...do hereby make known to all men that, having by right of conquest t... See More
Polygamy on trial...
Item #665136
October 13, 1871
SALT LAKE DAILY TRIBUNE & UTAH MINING GAZETTE, U.T. (Utah Territory), Oct. 13, 1871
* Brigham Young - Mormons leader
* Polygamy - adultery trial
Page 2 has a notable article: "Polygamy On Trial" "Territory of Utah...The People of the U.S. in the Territory of Utah vs. Brigham Young, Sr..." "Opinion of Chief Justice McKean".
This report takes over a fu... See More
Short-lived labor newspaper with much on the Paris Commune...
Item #664773
March 15, 1884
TRUTH, San Francisco, California, March 15, 1884
* Rare publication
During its brief life (1882-1884), "Truth" published local, national, and international labor news, along with a wide range of radical literature.
The ftpg. has a print of: "Delescluse - The Tancred of the Commune" being the famous Paris Commune. The balance of the ftpg. is concerning the Commune, ... See More
1872 Portland, Oregon.....
Item #664771
January 10, 1879
MORNING OREGONIAN, Portland, Jan. 10, 1879
* Rare title
* Old West era
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 often seen on a regular basis... See More
Jesse James & the Rock Island Railroad train robbery...
Item #664685
July 17, 1881
NEW YORK TIMES, July 17, 1881
* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
Page 2 contains one of the better reports we have seen of the infamous Rock Island Railroad train robbery by Jesse James and his gang. While most reports are little more than a paragraph or two, this report takes two-thirds of a column and includes several accounts and much detail--pho... See More
One of the earliest San Diego newspapers to be found...
Item #664677
August 10, 1872
THE WEEKLY WORLD, San Diego, California, Aug. 10, 1872
* Very rare from Southern California
This is the volume one, number three issue of this title, making it one of the earliest newspapers from San Diego we have offered.
Page 2 has an ad supporting: "For President, Horace Greeley..." (see). Various articles are headed: "Arizona City" "Indians Love Music"... See More
From Territorial Arizona...
Item #664666
December 07, 1889
MOHAVE COUNTY MINER, Kingman, Arizona, Dec. 7, 1889
* Very rare title from the Arizona Territory
A very rare and early newspaper from the Arizona Territory, 23 years before it would become a state. Various news of the day with a great deal of fascinating, brief tidbits which provide a glimpse of life in the Old West during the 1880's A wealth of ads as well, some of which are illus... See More
Very rare title... Early scenes from the Old West...
Item #664627
September 17, 1881
THE GREAT WEST, Denver, Colorado, Sept. 17, 1881
* Very rare Old West title
Certainly a great name for a newspaper from the Old West. The front page has a: "View of Main Street, Gunnison City" which would have to be one of the earliest prints of the town to be found in any periodical. Other prints on the ftpg. are: "Parlin's" being a ranch; and "A Western G... See More
Rare and very early from the "Alaska Territory"...
Item #664597
July 17, 1886
THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, July 17, 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 37 issue of this title.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day,... See More
Trouble with Apache Indians...
Item #664423
November 21, 1885
MORNING TRIBUNE, Altoona, Pennsylvania, Nov. 21, 1885 The top of the ftpg. has a column headed: "THE APACHE WAY" "A Cattle Raiser Delivers Himself of His Grievances" "He Tells of How the Bad Indians Murder the Settlers, Steal the Horses & Destroy Property--The Soldiers Too Slow to Catch Them", all taking three-quarters of a column.
Four pages, good conditio... See More
Very scarce newspaper from Central Colorado...
Item #664249
December 29, 1883
THE SUN, Gunnison, Colorado, Dec. 29, 1883 This would seem to be an unrecorded title as Union List of Serials notes a "Sun" newspaper beginning in Sept., 1893 and lasting just one year. But I suspect the listing is in error and should have noted an n1883 beginning as this is the vol. 1 number 14 issue. In any case very rare as only one institution has any issues of this title recor... See More
Early from Stockton, California...
Item #664217
September 12, 1878
DAILY EVENING HERALD, Stockton, California, Sept. 12, 1878
* Wild Old West
* Rare title
A wide range of content including a ftpg. item: "He Killed it in Self-Defense" and pg. 3: "Sierra Nevada - A Calm Survey of the Present Situation".
Four pages, very nice, clean condition.... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #664216
June 19, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, June 19, 1875
* Very rare title
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" datelined at Camp Grant; "Mining Summary" "The Tucson Public Schools" "Telegraphic News" and... See More
Early Arizona newspaper...
Item #664203
July 09, 1887
PRESCOTT MORNING COURIER, Arizona (Territory), July 9, 1887
* Very rare title
* 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, good cond... See More
Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #664157
January 30, 1875
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Jan. 30, 1875
* Wild Old West
* 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, some ink stains, never bound nor trimmed, good condition.... See More
From Eureka, California...
Item #664130
December 17, 1873
THE WEST COAST SIGNAL, Eureka, California, Dec. 17, 1873
* Rare Old West title
From this town in Northern California just south of the Oregon border. It was once a lumbering town & today the entire city is a state historic landmark with its many Victorian homes, etc.
A typical newspaper of the day with varied news reports & a great wealth of advertisements.
Four pages, somewh... See More
Very early from San Diego...
Item #663807
June 03, 1873
THE WORLD, San Diego, California, June 3, 1873
* Rare Old West title
A very early issue from this now-famous Southern California city, this issue published when the population was just 2,300.
The ftpg. has some reports on the Modoc Indian War with: "...Surrender of Modocs--Approaching Wind up of Captain Jack". Page 3 has a report on a: "Dash To Julian", east of San... See More
News from Northern California...
Item #663805
September 11, 1878
DAILY EVENING HERALD, Stockton, California, Sept. 11, 1878
* Rare Old West title
* Yellow fever epidemic
The ftpg. and pg. 3 have reports concerning the Memphis Yellow Fever Epidemic. An interesting ftpg. report: "A Kentucky Bear--Mr. Wilson's Struggle for Life With a Bear in Rowan County".
Four pages, very nice condition.... See More
Death of the President James A. Garfield...
Item #663510
September 21, 1881
THE DESERT NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 21, 1881
* President James A. Garfield
* Assassination death (1st report)
* 19th century era original
From 15 years before Utah statehood. Page 8 has all columns black-bordered due to the: "Death Of President Garfield" (see), being an early report without many details. The front page has: "Willful Murder" "Attempt to Sh... See More
Butte, Montana, newspaper from 7 years before statehood...
Item #663248
February 16, 1882
THE DAILY MINER, Butte, Montana, Feb.16, 1882 An 8 page issue of a newspaper which is quite scarce, with a wide variety of news items, social items, advertisements, etc. A wealth of Western-style ads with many of a mining focus as well.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, bit of foxing at folds, minor wear at the margins.
Terrific account of the legendary life of Wild Bill Hickok...
Item #663169
August 25, 1876
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Aug. 25, 1876
* "Wild Bill" Hickok biography
* American old West folk hero
Page 2 has perhaps the finest obituaries we have seen on the death of Western legend Wild Bill Hickok.
Fully 1 1/2 columns contain all the details, with the top of a column headed: "WILD BILL" "A Tribune to the Memory of James B. Hickock" "Reminiscences... See More
Early San Diego...
Item #663062
June 01, 1877
SAN DIEGO NEWS, California, June 1, 1877 This is a volume one issue from this now-famous Southern California city. Various news reports of the day and a great wealth of advertisements.
Four pages, a portion from the spine causes some text loss, plus a few smaller bits from the spine margin as well. Somewhat fragile & must be handled carefully.
A boom & bust mining town in Colorado...
Item #663060
December 11, 1885
WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Dec. 11, 1885
* Very rare Old West title
* 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 thru 1944 corp... See More
First transcontinental excursion from coast to coast...
Item #662918
TRANS-CONTINENTAL -- a complete reprint collection of all 12 issues of this fascinating newspaper.The newspaper titled "Trans-Continental" was a stroke of historical genius in the mind of its editor, W. R. Steele. On May 24, 1870 over 130 passengers boarded a beautiful eight car Pullman train built under special orders of George M. Pullman specifically for this trip, the first chartere... See More
From the Arizona Territory: 37 years before statehood...
Item #662666
July 03, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [Arizona Territory] July 3, 1875
* Very rare title
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. The back page has a full column: "Letter From Col. Hodge - Description of the Country About San Carlos and on the Way to Camp Apache".
Fou... See More
Huge image of "Buffalo Bill" Cody...
Item #662567
September 11, 1875
NEW YORK SATURDAY JOURNAL, Sept. 11, 1875 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 Scout, Guide, and Hunter-Author." The story takes most of page 2 and is continued in a later issue.
Some crude repairs to t... See More
Short-lived labor newspaper...
Item #662359
February 23, 1884
TRUTH, San Francisco, California, Feb. 23, 1884 During its brief life (1882-1884), "Truth" published local, national, and international labor news, along with a wide range of radical literature.
The ftpg. has: "William Morris" "What the Poet, Artist, Decorator and Socialist Has to Say" "He Writes A 'Fable' for the People"
Four pages, archival... See More
Civil War map of Port Hudson, Louisiana...
Item #662263
February 11, 1863
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 11, 1863
* Port Hudson, Louisiana map
* Lebanon TN Tennessee
* Sabine Pass - Galveston TX Texas
The front page is dominated by a Civil War map titled: "Situation Of Port Hudson" which shows the vicinity as well, from Baton Rouge to the south, to St. Francisville & Bayou Sara to the north. Many one column war-related heads as well including: "... See More
Great Tombstone newspaper printed 3 months before the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
Item #662244
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
From Arizona 19 years before statehood...
Item #662213
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
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.
History's Newsstand Blog
- The April (2021) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…
- Master Wordsmiths Often 1st Shared Their Treasures in Newspapers…
- Flawed Greatness…
- Inspiration from Days Gone by…
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
