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.
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
California is not all it's cracked up to be...
Item #686979
April 19, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 19, 1849
* California gold rush
* Hardships for 49ers
Page 3 has: "Return of Californians" which has two accounts, one beginning: "It is just beginning to be discovered that this going to California is not the holyday business it is generally represented to be...".
Four pages, very nice condition.... See More
Much on the California gold...
Item #686978
April 18, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 18, 1849 Most of the front page is taken up with the: "Speech of Mr. Palfrey On the Bill Creating a Territorial Government for Upper California" in the House of Rep.
Page 2 has: "Advice to California Emigrants" which has some fine content. Also on page 2 is: "Letters From Panama" taking over 2 columns with r... See More
Col. Fremont's disastrous fourth expedition...
Item #686977
April 16, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1849
* John C. Fremont
* Fatal 4th expedition
Page 2 has nearly two columns headed: "Col. Fremont & His Party - Further & Final Accounts" 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 p... See More
On the death of Jesse James...
Item #686842
April 05, 1882
THE EVENING TELEGRAPH, Philadelphia, April 5, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James assassination
Page 4 has a great editorial concerning the recent (killed 2 days prior) death of Jesse James which includes: "It is somewhat of a shock to the moral sense...to ear the frank statement of the Governor of Missouri that the deliberate murder of the outlaw James was the result of an understanding be... See More
Four very early issues from San Diego...
Item #686065
September 23, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
A lot of four issues which are 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 advertisement... See More
The trial of Frank James coming to an end...
Item #685737
September 02, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Sept. 2, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin trial ending
Page 4 has most of a column headed: "NEARING THE END" "Th Trial of Frank James at Gallatin Drawing to a Close" "Testimony All In and Arguments to Begin Monday" "The Court's Order Concerning Instructions t the Jury--Mrs. Hite's To... See More
Extolling the virtues of California...
Item #685736
January 13, 1884
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 13, 1884 Almost the first two columns of page 9 are taken up with a great article extolling the virtues of California, headed; "CALIFORNIA'S PROSPERITY" "A Glance at the State's Growth in the Past Year" "Rapid Increase of San Francisco in Wealth and Trade--All Industries Prosperous Except gold Mining--Some Hints to Settlers--A B... See More
From Nevada City, California...
Item #684838
December 20, 1879
NEVADA DAILY TRANSCRIPT, Nevada City, California, Sept. 13, 1879
* Rare Old west publication
This town (formerly known as Deer Creek Dry Diggins) was the most important mining town in California in the 1850's. It is situated close to the Nevada border a bit northwest of Lake Tahoe. The historic district today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Four pages... See More
Fire at the famous San Quentin prison...
Item #684830
March 02, 1876
SAN RAFAEL HERALD, California, March 2, 1876 An uncommon title from this city in the North Bay area of San Francisco Bay.
A typical newspaper of the day with a wealth of local news and a wealth of advertisements as well. Page 3 has a lengthy report headed: "SAN QUENTIN" "Disastrous Fire at the State Prison" "The Workshops Completely Destroyed' 'Server loss t... See More
From 1880 San Rafael, California...
Item #684821
December 25, 1880
MARIN COUNTY TOCSIN, San Rafael, California, Dec. 25, 1880
* Rare old West publication
An uncommon title from the Bay Area, just north of San Francisco. A typical newspaper of the day with a variety of local, regional, and national reports, plus a great wealth of advertisements, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, news agent's stamp in the top margin, rag... See More
Marysville: gateway to the gold fields...
Item #684819
July 27, 1872
MARYSVILLE DAILY STANDARD, California, July 27, 1872
* Rare Old West publication
In the days of the California Gold Rush, Marysville was a stopping point for riverboats from Sacramento and San Francisco that carried miners on their way to the digging grounds. A sign on the roadside as one enters Marysville carries the slogan: "Gateway to The Gold Fields." At that time it was one of... See More
Rare title from Oregon...
Item #684659
October 12, 1880
THE WEEKLY TIMES, The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon, Oct. 12, 1880
* Rare old West publication
This is the volume 1, number 25 issue of a title which is quite rare, as Gregory (Union Lit of American Newspapers) notes that it only lasted less than 1 1/2 years, and only the Bancroft Library has an incomplete file. No other institutional holdings are noted.
Four pages, never-trimmed margi... See More
Early from the state capital... old West...
Item #684650
January 29, 1879
SACRAMENTO DAILY RECORD-UNION, California, Jan. 29, 1879
* Wild old West
* Rare publication
Various news of the day from this northern California town, the capital of California.
The news and advertisements found within these pages provide an interesting perspective of life in California from just 30 years after the Gold Rush.
Complete in four pages, nice condition. Folder size not... See More
From 'Deer Creek Dry Diggins'...
Item #684643
April 23, 1870
WEEKLY NATIONAL GAZETTE, Nevada, California, April. 23, 1870
* Rare old West publication
* Gold mining town
This town (formerly known as Deer Creek Dry Diggins) was the most important mining town in California in the 1850's. It is situated close to the Nevada border a bit northwest of Lake Tahoe. The historic district today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
... See More
Early newspaper from San Diego...
Item #684600
March 12, 1875
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, March 12, 1875
* Rare & early from Southern California
An early newspaper from San Diego with the entire front page taken up with ads, several illustrated. Various news of the day inside and even more advertisements.
Four pages, archival strengthening at the irregular spine, good condition.... See More
Rare title from the mining area of Northern California...
Item #684598
April 16, 1880
GEORGETOWN GAZETTE, El Dorado County, California, April 16, 1880
* 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. This is the volume 1, number 2 issue.
Less than 1000 people reside there today but in its heyday of the 1850's & 1860's the ... See More
Very rare newspaper from Lakeport, California...
Item #684597
March 11, 1871
THE LAKEPORT AVALANCHE, California, March 11, 1871
* Rare Old West publication
A quite rare title from this town 125 miles north of Sacramento. Former names include Forbestown, Rocky Point, Stony Point, Tuckertown, and Kaci-Badon.This is the volume 1, number 2 issue.
The content within is somewhat secondary to the rarity of the title itself, but there is some interesting readi... See More
Once famous gold mining town...
Item #684595
April 16, 1870
WEEKLY CALAVERAS CHRONICLE, Mokelumne Hill, California, April 16, 1870
* Rare Old West title
* Mark Twain fame
* Gold mining town
An uncommon title from this county made famous by Mark Twain.
Mokelumne Hill was one of the richest gold mining towns in California. Founded in 1848, the placers were so rich that the miners risked starvation rather than head to Stockton to repleni... See More
From the Bay area...
Item #684594
April 05, 1878
THE CONTRA COSTA GAZETTE, Pacheco, California, May 20 1871
* Rare Old West publication
An early newspaper from northern California, just east of San Francisco on the bay. It published in Pacheco until 1873 when it was removed to Martinez, California.
Complete in 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, great condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
... See More
The famous "cowtown" of the Old West...
Item #684590
March 07, 1882
LEAVENWORTH DAILY STANDARD, Kansas, March 7, 1882
* Rare Midwest publication
A famous "cowtown" from the Old West, and the site of Fort Leavenworth, built in 1827. It became known in American history for its role as a key supply base in the settlement of the American West.
Among front page articles are: "Robbery At Lawrence" "Refugee Jews Getting Employm... See More
From 1881 Portland, Oregon...
Item #684588
October 08, 1881
THE WEEKLY OREGONIAN, Portland, Oct. 8, 1881
* Rare old West publication
A wide range of various local reports, many crime-related. A wealth of advertising as well.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, subscriber's label on the front page, minor margin wear, good condition.... See More
From the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas...
Item #684585
January 17, 1874
FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 17, 1874
* Rare old West publication
* Many interesting advertisements
This town in Northern California was formally named "Boston Ravine" and then "Centerville". It began as a mining town, situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Northeastern Calif. This is the volume 1, number 2 issu... See More
Portland, Oregon, from 1880...
Item #684542
November 03, 1880
MORNING OREGONIAN, Portland, Nov. 3, 1880
* Rare publication
* Wild old West era
An early issue from Portland, filled with various local and regional news reports of the day along with a wide range of advertisements.
Four pages, large folio size, some archival mends, minor margin wear. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.... See More
Newspaper from San Francisco Bay: the second issue...
Item #684541
April 06, 1881
THE WEST END NEWS, Alameda, California, April 6, 1881
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
Alameda is essentially an island in San Francisco Bay, adjacent to Oakland. This is the volume 1, number 2 issue containing various news items and a wealth of ads. This title would soon change its name to: "The Alemeda Weekly News".
Four pages, lightly toned, nice co... See More
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Full Contact Information
