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.
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.
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
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
Uncommon title from Vallejo, California...
Item #690694
December 27, 1873
THE PEOPLE'S INDEPENDENT, Vallejo, California, Dec. 27, 1873
* Rare Old West publication
A quite scarce newspaper from this town in the northern portion of the San Francisco Bay. It was named after Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the famed California general and statesman. He was a leading proponent of California's statehood and one of the first members of the California ... 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
A rare territorial newspaper... An Indian fight & a stagecoach robbery...
Item #690686
July 30, 1881
THE DILLON TRIBUNE, Beaverhead County, M.T. (Montana Territory), July 30, 1881
* Very rare publication
* Wild Old West era
A quite rare newspaper from the Territory of Montana, it not becoming a state until 1889. Thisis the volume 1, number 24 issue.
Dillon was founded in the Beaverhead Valley as a railroad town in 1880 by Union Pacific Railroad President Sidney Dillon. The town'... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #690673
July 07, 1886
BLACK HILLS DAILY TIMES, Deadwood, Dakota, July 7, 1886
* 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 "heyday"... 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
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
A "cute" little Colorado Springs newspaper...
Item #690550
April 09, 1892
THE EDGEWOOD SUN, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 9, 1892
* Rare publication
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.... 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
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
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.
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 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 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
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
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
First of this title we have had from the Washington Territory...
Item #688557
July 13, 1883
DEMOCRATIC STATE JOURNAL, Dayton, Columbia County, Washington (Territory), July 13, 1883
* Rare old West publication
This is a volume 1 issue of a title we have never had before from Washington, 6 years before it would become a state. "Union List of American Newspapers" notes that it lasted for just 2 years, with just 5 issues held by one institution and scattered issues by a... See More
A ghost town in New Mexico Territory...
Item #688551
March 17, 1911
THE CUERVO CLIPPER, Cuervo, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, March 17, 1911
* Rare ghost town publication
Essentially a ghost town today having been split by interstate 40, and from when New Mexico was still a territory as it did not gain statehood until 1912. The entire county has less than 4700 in population.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
Trial of Frank James in a Missouri newspaper...
Item #688364
August 21, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 21, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James... Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
* Nice to have on the front page of a Missouri newspaper
The top of the front page has column heads: "FRANK JAMES" "The Missouri Bandit Appears in Court at Gallatin" "The Trial Adjourned Until To-Morrow--Mrs. Hite on Hand--Great Interest in the Proceedi... See More
Descriptive article on a trip to Colorado... General Custer... Indian issues...
Item #688324
August 29, 1866
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Aug. 29, 1866 The conclusion of the Civil War brought with it an interest in expending west, so it would not seem unusual that articles that read like a 19th century travelogue would appear in newspapers of the day.
This issue has one on page 2, which was part of a larger series: "A Trip To Colorado--Mining & Mining Progress" with a dateline from Centr... See More
Early Phoenix...
Item #687623
August 30, 1901
THE ARIZONA GAZETTE, Phoenix, Aug. 30, 1901
* Rare old West title
* Maricopa County
A territorial newspaper as Arizona would not join the Union until eleven years later. At this time the population of Phoenix was just 5,500.
Various news reports and advertisements of the day.
Eight pages, various chipping at the margins, rejoined at the spine. Good condition but somewhat fragile &a... See More
Early Tucson... The San Francisco earthquake & fire...
Item #687622
April 24, 1906
ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, April 24, 1906
* San Francisco earthquake
* Rare territorial publication
A territorial newspaper as Arizona would not join the Union until 6 years later.
The banner headline announces: "Latest News From Ruined City" with related subheads on the San Francisco earthquake & fire.
Eight pages, various chipping at the margins, rejoined at the sp... See More
Early Tucson, from twelve years before statehood...
Item #687619
August 11, 1900
ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, Aug. 11, 1900
* Rare old West publication
* Turn of the 20th century
* Bob Fitzsimmons boxing victory
A territorial newspaper as Arizona did not join the Union until 12 years later.
The top of the front page has column heads: "FITZSIMMONS THE WINNER" "He Does the Trick Easily in the Sixth Round" with more on the Bob Fitzsimmons vs. ... See More
From perhaps the most famous town of the Old West...
Item #687598
July 14, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, July 14, 1881
* Best old West title to be had
* Virgil Earp report
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 popular cultu... See More
The California bandit is finally captured...
Item #687369
May 15, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, May 15, 1874
* Tiburcio Vasquez captured
* California bandido
* Los Angeles outlaw
The front page has a report of the capture of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was a Mexican bandit who was active in California from as early as 1857 until his capture. The Vasquez Rocks, the steep, sloped rocks about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, were one of his many hid... See More
Rare title from the mining area of Northern California...
Item #687268
September 19, 1901
GEORGETOWN GAZETTE, El Dorado County, California, Sept. 19, 1901
* Rare gold mining town publication
A very rare title from this now-historical site, the most northeastern town in California's Mother Lode mining territory near the Nevada border.
Less than 1000 people reside there today but in its heyday of the 1850's & 1860's the population exceeded 3000. Gold mining continu... See More
Very early from San Diego...
Item #687264
August 22, 1874
THE WORLD, San Diego, California, Aug. 22, 1874
* Rare Old West publication
A very early issue from this now-famous Southern California city, this issue published when the population was just 2,300.
Among the articles are: "Arizona" with several reports; "The Black Hills" "From Lower California" "All About San Diego" and much more.
Four pages, never ... See More
A different title from Tombstone, Arizona...
Item #687226
June 04, 1889
TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889
* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected from a mining town, including many legal notices co... See More
A British view of the California Gold Rush...
Item #686982
April 27, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 27, 1849 Beginning on the front page is a nearly 1 1/2 column article: "An Englishman's Views o the Gold Mines of California" which has great content.
This is followed (on page 2) with: "Portable Diet For the Gold Diggers" with some practical advice. Page 3 has: "From San Francisco" with gold-related rep... See More
The Bay of San Francisco, and the California gold...
Item #686981
April 25, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 25, 1849 Page 2 has nearly a full column on: "Bay of San Francisco & Dependent Country".
Page 3 has: "Overland Journey to California" "More California Gold" "Photography In A New Form" and: "A New California Enterprise".
Four pages, very nice condition.
Much on the California Gold Rush...
Item #686980
April 21, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 21, 1849 Page 2 has most of a column taken up with: "The Emigration to California" and: "The California Fever" and: "Government Expeditions to California" and: "More Overland California Companies". This is followed by most of a column headed: "The Mexican Route to California".
Then page 3... See More
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