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 James-Younger gang rob a train...
Item #698731
July 23, 1881
LIBERAL SENTINEL, Middletown, New York, July 23, 1881
* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
Page 2 has a report noting: "A gang of outlaws, supposed to be the James gang, on Friday night captured a train on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific road...robbed the conductor & a passenger..." and a bit more.
The next page has a much more det... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #698720
March 06, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, March 6, 1875
* Very rare old Western publication
Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles including: "Removal of the Chiricahuas" "Local; Mining Affairs" "Arizona Railway System" "Rich Ores in Pima County" &q... 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
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
* First issue of a very rare old West publication
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.
... 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
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
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
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.
Existed for just 3 years in Sonoma County...
Item #695591
February 08, 1879
CLOVERDALE NEWS, Sonoma County, California, Feb. 8, 1879
* Very rare old West publication
* San Francisco Bay Area
A rare weekly newspaper that existed for just 3 years, this being a volume3 issue. Gregory notes only one American institution has any holdings of this title. This is the first we have offered in our 47 years.
Cloverdale is a city in the wine region of Sonoma County. I... See More
Uncommon title from this California gold rush town...
Item #695590
October 16, 1875
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Oct. 16, 1875
* Rare old West publication
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... See More
From Anaheim, long before Disneyland...
Item #695588
February 23, 1878
ANAHEIM WEEKLY GAZETTE, California, Feb. 23, 1878
* Very rare old West publication
* Orange County - home of Disneyland
Although now famous as the home of Disneyland, this town in Orange County was settled by Germans and there remains a German influence in the city, founded in 1857, including a few items in this issue.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, news agent's stamp at th... See More
From the heart of the Sonoma County wine region...
Item #695587
November 22, 1877
HEALDSBURG ENTERPRISE, Sonoma County, California, Nov. 22, 1877
* Rare old West publication
A rare title from this idyllic town along the Russian River, in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country of Northern California.
The front page has a very lengthy article on the city of Healdsburg, headed: "Healdsburg" "A Pleasant and Prosperous City of Sonoma County" &q... 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
* Rare ghost town publication
* Suburb of Goldfield
* Gold mining hey day era
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
... See More
* Rare ghost town publication
* Suburb of Goldfield
* Gold mining hey day era
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
Uncommon from Northern California...
Item #695584
July 11, 1883
SEMI-WEEKLY TOCSIN, Red Bluff, California, July 11, 1883
* Rare Old West publication
From Northern California, mid-way between Sacramento and the Oregon border.
* Rare Old West publication
From Northern California, mid-way between Sacramento and the Oregon border.
Red Bluff was originally known as Leodocia, but was renamed to Covertsburg in 1853. It got its current name in 1854. Located at the head of navigation on the Sacramento River the town flourished in the mid to late 19th cen
... See More
Corvallis, Oregon...
Item #695579
March 06, 1885
THE CORVALLIS GAZETTE, Oregon, March 6, 1885
* Rare old West publication
An uncommon title from this Western Oregon city. Among the articles: "A Bright Outlook for the Pacific Coast" "The Boundary Line Between British Columbia and Alaska" "In The Little Rockies" "Excitement In Rochester" "Jumping On Moving Trains" and more.
Eight page... See More
Articles on the Comstock Lode mines...
Item #695578
July 06, 1875
DAILY STOCK REPORT, San Francisco, July 6, 1875 Although there is stock-related content, there is also much about mining.
Articles include: "Scarcity of Water at Gold Hill and Virginia (City)" "A Visit to the Mahogany Mine" "Owners Visiting Mines" and: "Sketches of Early Days in Virginia City".
Four pages, nice condition.
From Mendocino County in Northern California...
Item #695574
June 28, 1879
MENDOCINO DEMOCRAT, Ukiah, California, June 28, 1879
* Rare Old West publication
A quite rare title from this little community sitting on the scenic cliffs overlooking the Pacific north of San Francisco, now a popular tourist town and artist's community. It is also the fictional "Cabot Cove" of the popular television series "Murder, She Wrote". In recent years i... See More
Early newspaper from San Jose...
Item #695569
January 18, 1880
DAILY MORNING TIMES, San Jose, California, Jan. 18, 1880
* Rare old West publication
This is a volume 2 issue of this newspaper that existed under this title for about 6 years. Gregory notes only two institutions have any holdings of this newspaper.
Eight pagers, never bound nor trimmed, news agent's stamp above the masthead, great condition.... See More
Much on the Comstock Lode mines...
Item #695568
January 10, 1879
WEEKLY STOCK REPORT, San Francisco, Jan. 10, 1879
* Rare financial mining mines publication
* Comstock Lode - Virginia City, Nevada
Contrary to what the title would suggest, much of the content is about mining, and more specifically the famous Comstock Lode.
Articles include: "The Comstock" "Latest Official Mining News for the Week Ending Jan. 2, 1879" which take... See More
Classic Old West train robbery report on the front page...
Item #694580
September 26, 1893
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 26, 1893 The front page has two-thirds of a column headed: "TRAIN ROBBERS SHOT" "They Held Up a rain Full of Armed Detectives" "Two Killed Three Captured" "The Train Was A Dummy Sent Out in Expectation of an Attempt at Robbery--All of the Rob beers Residents of St. Joseph, Mo."
The article is quite d... See More
The historic Oklahoma Land Rush...
Item #694579
September 18, 1893
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 18, 1893
* Oklahoma land rush
* Boomers and Sooners
* Cherokee Strip
The front page has 1 1/3 columns headed: "IT WAS A MAD SCRAMBLE" "Wild Rush of Boomers Into the Cherokee Strip" "A Number of Persons Killed" " 'Sooners' Get the Corner Lots in Perry--Between Noon and Twilight 100,000 Clai... See More
Classic train robbery report on the front page...
Item #694578
September 13, 1893
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 13, 1893
One-third of the front page and a bit of page 2 have column heads: "MASKED BANDITS HOLD UP A TRAIN" " Lake Shore Express Robbed of a Vast Sum of Money in Indiana" "The Engineer Shot" "Terrible Midnight Experience of Many Passengers" "Car Blown Up with Dynamite" and several mo... See More
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