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.
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
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.
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
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
Fascinating & horrific report of a family's capture, & the father's escape...
Item #694606
March 20, 1877
THE DAILY MEMPHIS AVALANCHE, Tennessee, March 20, 1877 The front page has half a column taken up with a fascinating report: "Stranger Than Fiction" "The Story of a Beggar's Capture by the Indians and Escape". A few bits include: "...in the spring of 1875 with his wife and family he left for the Black Hills...wended their way across the plains & over the lones... 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
Famed poet Walt Whitman is near death (or so they thought)...
Item #694576
October 27, 1891
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Oct. 27, 1891 The front page has a half column report headed: "WALT WHITMAN DYING" "The 'Good Gray Poet' is Fast Approaching Dissolution" "Stricken With Paralysis" "It is Slowly Nearing the Heart and the End May Come at Any Moment--The Poet Has Chosen the Spot Where His Body Is to Lie".
Actua... See More
A daring train robbery: take them 'dead or alive'...
Item #694575
September 02, 1891
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 2, 1891
* Cotopaxi train robbery - Colorado
* Denver & Rio Grande railroad
* Royal Gorge - Arkansas River
The front page has a half column report headed: "DARING TRAIN ROBBERS" "Seven Masked Men Stop an Express and Overpower the Messenger" "They Get Off With $3,600" "The Fight Was Likely While... See More
Frederick Douglass is resigning as ambassador to Hayti...
Item #694574
August 11, 1891
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Aug. 11, 1891
* Frederick Douglass resignation
* Ambassador to Haiti - Hayti
* Abolitionist - social reformer
The top of page 3 has a print of: "Frederick Douglass" and a report headed: "Ministerial Changes" "Fred Douglass Resigns--Shannon Minister to Costa Rica--Grubb Coming Home".
The report i... See More
Dalton Gang robs its last train...
Item #694573
July 16, 1892
THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1892 The front page has a half column report headed: "DARING TRAIN ROBBERS" "They Whipped a Sheriff's Posse and Stole Over $50,000" "The Dalton Gang Did It" "When the Train Stopped a Pitcher Battle Took Place--The Robbers Threatened to Dynamite the Express Messenger and He Opened His Doors".
O... See More
Death of the President, as reported out West...
Item #693196
September 21, 1881
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Sept. 21, 1881
* President James A. Garfield assassination death
This was the very first newspaper to publish in Utah, having begun in 1850.
Page 8 has all columns black-bordered and a report: "Death Of President Garfield" and also: "Full Particulars".
Complete in 16 pages, never bound nor trimmed so it folds out... 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.
Prelude to the Lincoln County War... Mormons vs. the Navajos...
Item #691800
February 04, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 4, 1874 The front page includes: "Troubles In New Mexico and Colorado" being a report from Denver concerning the troubles in Lincoln County. This was a prelude to the Lincoln County War in 1878, in which Billy the Kid was involved.
The report also mentions: "...the Navajo Indians and Mormons who live near the north-west boundary are at war. The Morons hav... See More
Indian troubles... The Jewish right of burial...
Item #691799
February 12, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 12, 1874 The front page includes: "Indian Hostilities" "A Lieutenant & a Corporal Murdered--An Acting Agent Shot--The Bodies Mutilated--Other Hostile Demonstrations" being a report from Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. Also: "Further Particulars of the Recent Murders".
Page 3 has one-third of a column headed: "The Jewish Right of Buria... See More
Indian issues, reported on the front page...
Item #691798
February 14, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 14, 1874 The front page begins with 1 1/2 columns on: "CONGRESS" "The Modocs and Oregon Settlers" and also on the front page a full column on: "THE INDIAN TROUBLE" with subheads: "Opinion in the Interior Department--Spotted Tail's Complains--Why He Is Off His Reservation--The Trouble With the Sioux--The Wood Party Not Attacked--Troo... 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
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Williamsport, PA 17701
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Full Contact Information
