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.
Great title for a Northwest newspaper...
Item #683381
August 24, 1882
THE NEW NORTHWEST, Portland, Oregon, Aug. 24, 1882 A great title for a newspaper from this part of the country in the 19th century. Among the articles are: "Coastward Wanderings Continued" "Letter From Lafayette" "Our Schools" "Practical Politics" "A Man's Requirements" & much more. A great wealth of ads as well.
Eight pages, some sm... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #683289
September 20, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 20, 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 ... See More
Reports from the "wild" West...
Item #683228
February 20, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 20, 1880 The front page has a wealth of articles that are iconic of the Wild West, including: "Dangerous Freaks of a Colorado Cattle King" "He Attempts to Slaughter a Car Full of People" "Moonshiners Arrested" "Cattle Thieves Arrested" "Indicted for Murder" "Suffering Negroes--Distress Among the C... See More
Trial report, but more interesting is what happened later at their hangings...
Item #683225
February 21, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 21, 1880 Page 2 has: "The Criminal Record" "Execution of a Brace of Negro Murderers at Murfreesboro, Tenn." being John Hall and Burrell Smith, former slaves.
This was for the murder of Henry Pugh, and as website reports note, it took on a carnival atmosphere.
The article report includes: "The execution of Burrel Smith and Jo... See More
Hanging of Thomas Harper, friend of Curly Bill...
Item #683223
July 11, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, July 11, 1881
* Cowboy Thomas Harper hanging
* Outlaw Curly Bill Brocius friend
The back page has a rather brief article headed: "A Cowboy Hanged" "Thomas Harper's Behavior on the Scaffold--A Warning Letter".
It notes: "Thomas Harper, a cowboy, was hanged at Tucson, Arizona, yesterday for the murder of John Soliday last September.... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683040
July 24, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 24, 1889
* 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. It attracted larger-than-life Old Wes... See More
No issues held by any institution...
Item #683036
November 28, 1890
THE WEST SIDE CITIZEN, Villa Park, Colorado, Nov. 28, 1890
* Very rare publication
Although once a separate town, Villa Park today is a neighborhood of Denver, about 4 miles west of downtown.
This is a very rare title, as only one institution is recorded in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) as having any issues and that collection was purchased in its entirety by us.
An eig... See More
Fugitive Indians...
Item #682791
January 16, 1879
HELENA DAILY HERALD, Montana (Territory), Jan. 16, 1879
* The Fort Robinson massacre
* Molly Maguire Execution
Several articles on Cheyenne Indians in Fort Robinson incident including: "CHEYENNE HOSTILES" with subhead, "Results of the Chase After the Fugitive Band" and "A Bold Break to Escape Captivity. Several Soldiers and Thirty of the Indians Ki... See More
"Indians Can go Where They Please"... Sitting Bull...
Item #682785
May 22, 1879
HELENA DAILY HERALD, Montana (Territory), May 22, 1879
* Judge Dundy ruling states Indians can go anywhere
Page 5 lists a telegram stating: "Indians Can go Where They Please", after the Judge Dundy ruling in the Standing Bear v. Crook case. This ruling was: "regarded by the government as a heavy blow to the present Indian system; that if sustained it will prov... See More
Lynch mob murders an inmate...
Item #682778
March 18, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, March 18, 1880 The top of the front page has column heads: "Masked Murderers" "the Jail at Winchester, Illinois, Seized by a Mob" "One of the Prisoners Confined There is Riddled With Bullets" with much detail on the lynching.
Page 2 has: "Indian Affairs - Our On the White River Massacre".
Ten pages, irregular at th... See More
Early from San Diego... The Peshtigo Fire...
Item #682768
October 20, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 20, 1871
* Peshtigo fire disaster - Wisconsin
* Old wild West original
* Interesting advertisements
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.
The front page has a full column taken up with: "A More Dreadful Calamity" "The Fires in Wi... See More
The cause of earthquakes...
Item #682741
November 10, 1868
SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 10, 1868
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
* Post Civil War
Among the articles in this issue are: "A Hypothesis as to the Cause for Earthquakes" "Political Changes in California" "Woman's Rights" "The Loss of Hooker - A Touching Tribute to a Stricken and Bereft Soldier".
Four pages, great condition... See More
Great print of the adventurous crossing the Rocky Mountains...
Item #682720
August 30, 1862
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Aug. 30, 1862 The front page features a rather large & dramatic print captioned: "A Pass In The Rocky Mountains - We present our readers above with a view of a pass in the Rocky Mountains, with a band of emigrants en route. It affords a lively idea of the adventurous kind of traveling which the California emigrant meets with in crossing the m... See More
Frank James will avenge Jesse's murder...
Item #682717
April 06, 1882
THE MORNING NEWS, Wilmington, Delaware, April 6, 1882
* Jesse James Killed by Ford Brothers
* Brother Frank to avenge his killing ?
The top of the front page has a column headed: "Jesse James's Death" "A Certainty that His Brother Frank Will Avenge the Murder".
A few bits from the report note: "...both identified the remains of Jesse James...The remains h... See More
Early and rare newspaper from Tucson...
Item #682489
January 16, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), Jan. 16, 1875
* Very rare Old West publication
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona published 37 years before Arizona would become a state.
Among the articles: "The Killing of William Moore" "Improvements About Town" "Local Mining Operations" "Chiracahua Apaches" &quo... See More
Rare title from this once-booming silver mining town...
Item #682485
October 31, 1891
PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE, Austin, Nevada, Oct. 31, 1891
* Very rare old West publication
A rare title from this small town at the very center of Nevada, at an elevation of 6575 feet. It was a booming silver mining area in the 1800's when the population exceeded 10,000. Today the population is 192. This newspaper lasted less than 2 years and only two institutions have any issues.
Four... See More
Various crime-related reports, including from Tombstone...
Item #682482
October 29, 1881
THE WEEKLY OREGONIAN, Portland, Oct. 29, 1881
* Rare Old West publication
A wealth of crime-related reports are found within, including a back page report from Tombstone, Arizona, on a prison escape. In a few days would be the report of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, some archival strengthening at the spine, nice condition.... See More
From the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas...
Item #682481
January 24, 1874
FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 24, 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 3 issu... See More
First issue of this Napa, California newspaper...
Item #682469
April 03, 1884
THE NAPA JOURNAL, Napa, California, April 3, 1884
* Rare Old West publication
* Wine country
This is the first issue published, the volume 1, number 1 issue. Page 2 begins with: "Our Introduction" in which the publisher states the format of the newspaper. Much reporting from California & other news as well.
Four pages, various chipping at th3e margins, some margin tears... See More
The rare "steamer edition" from 1868...
Item #682464
August 29, 1868
THE ALTA CALIFORNIA - For Circulation In The Atlantic Started, Europe And South America, San Francisco, Aug. 29, 1868 At the top of the first column is: "Steamer Alta California" noting that it is: "...issued trial-monthly on the sailing of each steamer for Panama. It has the largest circulation of any Steamer paper on the Pacific Coast."
A very rare & early ne... See More
The battle of Fort Apache...
Item #682456
September 05, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Sept. 5, 1881
* Battle of Fort Apache
* Indian massacre ?
* Eugene Asa Carr
The front page has most of a column taken up with what is known as the Battle of Fort Apache, which occurred in eastern Arizona Territory on September 1.
The top of a column is headed: "THE APACHE MASSACRE" "Confirmations of the Disaster To General Carr's Command&q... See More
'Notorious desperadoes lynched in Texas...
Item #682454
August 24, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Aug. 24, 1881
* Orange TX Texas
* Lawlessness - lynchings
Top of the front page has column heads: "EIGHT MEN LYNCHED" "Notorious Desperadoes Summarily Disposed Of In Texas" "An Exasperated Community Compelled to Take the Law in Their Own Hands--A Story of Crime and Punishment".
An uncommonly lengthy & very detailed account of... See More
Rare title from Bisbee, Arizona: shootout at Wilson Ranch...
Item #682346
April 16, 1899
THE WEEKLY ORB, Bisbee, Arizona, April 16, 1899
* Rare publication
A territorial newspaper as Arizona didn't join the Union until 1912.
Page 2 has two-thirds of a column taken up with a detailed account of the shootout at Wilson Ranch, headed: "Cold Blooded" at which the Halderman brothers killed two officers. The front page has: "The Pursuit" concerning: &quo... See More
Details of a lynching in New Mexico...
Item #682307
February 10, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 10, 1880 The front page has a report headed: "Triple Lynching Affair" from Las Vegas, New Mexico, noting in part: "The cow boys...implicated in the shooting of Carson...were dragged from their cells this morning by a mob of 75 armed men...victims were dragged to the central plaza & ropes were thrown over the beams...West was hauled ... See More
First of this title we have offered...
Item #682304
August 05, 1897
CANON CITY RECORD, Canon City, Colorado, Aug. 5, 1897
* Very rare publication
A scarce title, the first we have offered. The format is typical of the day with a various of local and regional reports, and a wealth of advertising.
Four pages, printed on high-quality newsprint in a pinkish tone, very nice condition.
Photo of the Rocky Mountains in the masthead...
Item #682279
July 14, 1911
MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, July 14, 1911
* Rare from the Rocky Mountains
One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
Page 3 has part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
The volume one, number 2 issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on glossy stock new... See More
Case of the Black Donnellys horror...
Item #682188
February 07, 1880
THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 7, 1880
* Black Donnellys massacre
* Lucan, Ontario, Canada
Page 2 begins with an account of the "Black Donnellys' " funeral at Lucan, Ontario, Canada.
The "Black" Donnellys were an Irish Catholic immigrant family who settled in Ontario, Canada. The Donnellys' ongoing feuds with local residents culminated in an att... See More
No holdings of this title in any American institution...
Item #682181
November 06, 1899
LA GRANDE DAILY CHRONICLE, Union County, Oregon, Nov. 6, 1899
* Very rare publication
Although the term "rare" can be tossed around by some rather casually, it truly applies to this newspaper.
There are no holdings of this newspaper in any American institution. One library has microfilm issues only.
Four pages. Never bound nor trimmed, a printing error to the right si... See More
General Butler on Negro enlistments...
Item #682091
August 10, 1864
NEW YORK HERALD, Aug. 10, 1864 Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "FOSTER" "General Jones Brought to Terms" "Farragut" "Daring Reconnaissance of the Rebel Fleet in Mobile Bay" "Sherman" "Grant!" "Order of General Butler Regarding Negro Enlistments" "A Negro Newspaper Correspondent on the Field&quo... See More
The very first train robbery in the United States...
Item #681318
May 08, 1865
ROCHESTER DAILY DEMOCRAT, New York, May 8, 1865 Quite inconspicuously reported is a notable event in the history of crime in American history--the very first U.S. train robbery.
A column head notes: "Great Robbery In Ohio" with the report further down the column, datelined at Cincinnati, and reporting: "The train on the Ohio and Mississippi road last night was robbed near Nor... See More
A "cute" little Colorado Springs newspaper...
Item #681305
April 01, 1892
THE EDGEWOOD SUN, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1, 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 conditi... See More
Great, early content on the California Gold Rush...
Item #681279
December 23, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 23, 1848 The front page has several items on the California Gold Rush including: "California Adventurers" beginning: "The 'stream of human life' is now setting as irresistibly towards California...The gold attraction is so strong that few are willing to lose the time necessary to go by water round the cape or by the overla... See More
Ku-Klux Klan... Women's Suffrage and Victoria Woodhull...
Item #681241
June 02, 1871
OAKLAND DAILY NEWS, California, June 2, 1871 The front page reports: "More Ku-Kluxism at the South" with "...a band of sixty masked persons visited the plantation of the Rev. Dr. Jones, in Spartenburg county dragged him from his house and murdered him...".
Page two has a terrific article: "A Prudent Resolution" which is on Woman Suffrage Convention in Bos... See More
Hangings of criminals: 3 front page reports...
Item #681133
July 16, 1881
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, July 16, 1881 The front page has 3 accounts of recent hangings: "A Double Execution - The First Judicial Hanging in Lee County, Arkansas". It begins: "Isaac Green and John Hardin, both negroes, were hanged here to-day in the presence of about 5,000 persons...".
The other is headed: "Missouri Outlaws Executed" notes in part: "...says... See More
Train robbed by tramps...
Item #680961
July 28, 1901
THE ARIZONA GAZETTE, Phoenix, July 28, 1901 The ftpg. has a short report: "Tramp Robbers" noting: "Two tramps held up Nels Peterson & Benj. Anderson on the train near Belle Plaine...robbing both & beating Peterson & shooting Anderson. Anderson was then thrown from the train & his head cut off by the wheels."
Eight pages, irregular at the spine, otherwise ... See More
Photo of the Rocky Mountains in the masthead...
Item #680900
September 22, 1911
MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, Sept. 22, 1911 One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
The front page is part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
A volume one issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on glossy stock newsprint, nice condition.
Early San Francisco with a wealth of local news & ads...
Item #680784
August 29, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Aug. 29, 1868 A large size newspaper of four pages with a wealth of both local news events and local advertisements. Never bound nor trimmed, 3 folds with minor wear at a fold juncture.
Early California from just 19 years after the Gold Rush. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Surrender of the Apache Indians...
Item #680745
May 14, 1873
THE WEST COAST SIGNAL, Eureka, California, May 14, 1873
* Rare Old West publication
From this town in Northern California just south of the Oregon border. It was once a lumbering town & today the entire city is a state historic landmark with its many Victorian homes, etc.
A typical newspaper of the day with varied news reports & a great wealth of advertisements.
Page 2 has a ... See More
Bank robbery, then robbers caught... Broadside...
Item #680705
September 04, 1878
THE ADVANCE, Red Wing, Minnesota, Sept. 4, 1878 Page 2 has: "Treaty With Indians" which begins: "Generals Howard, Wheaton, Sawhille...met Indian chiefs at Umatilla, Oregon & had a general pow-wow...". Also: "A Missouri Daytime Bank Robbery" which has much on a robbery in Concordia, Minnesota including: "...three men entered the bank...jumped over the co... See More
Dalton Gang & the Red Rock train robbery...
Item #680696
June 02, 1892
DAILY TIMES, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1892 The back page has an item headed: "A Train Looted By Robbers" "They Don't Hurt the Passengers But Entirely Empty the Safe" with the text noting: "...passenger train was held up last night be masked robbers at Red Rock in the Cherokee strip...The robbers entered the express car, broke open the safe & secured t... See More
How rhe Younger and James brothers could rob banks...
Item #679762
July 05, 1901
THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, California, July 5, 1901 Page 7 has over a full column taken up with: "TACTICS OF BANDITS" "A Raid That Was All Carefully Planned In Advance" "How Men Like three Younger and the James Brothers Could Ride Into a Town in Broad Daylight, Rob a Bank and Get Away". A fascinating article.
Eight pages, nice condition.
Jesse James...
Reacting to the romanticizing of the killing of Jesse James in a same-state newspaper...
Item #679364
April 13, 1882
THE REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Missouri, April 13, 1882 Page 4 has an article with column heads: "The Killing Of Bandit James" "More Comfort for the Murderer's Friends". This is an interesting editorial groaning about the those who mourn about how he was killed, and including: "...True, a pistol was not placed in his hands and he told to 'defend himself'...&q... See More
The Oklahoma land boom...
Item #679251
April 04, 1885
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, April 4, 1885 The front page haws 4 prints with the caption: "Kansas - The Proposed Invasion of Oklahoma - Scenes at the Boomers' Camp at Arkansas City" plus there is a related article on an inside page. Inside also have a one-third pg. print: "Indian Territory - The Proposed Invasion of Oklahoma - General Hatch's U.S. Cavalry ... See More
Rare issue from Weaverville, California...
Item #679173
May 20, 1876
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, May 20, 1876 A rare issue from this Northern California town and uncommon to find from the 19th century. The Weekly Trinity Journal gives an inside peek to daily life 100 years after the founding of The United States of America. Quirky and fascinating headlines include: "A MIGHTY LIVELY RAT HUNT", "CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS" a... See More
The Big Springs train robbery...
Item #679076
September 18, 1877
THE SILVER STATE, Winnemucca, Nevada, Sept. 19, 1877
* Very rare publication from the Old West
* Sam Bass' Big Springs train robbery
Page 2 has a nice account of the infamous Big Springs train robbery.
This was a robbery of a Union Pacific train near present-day Big Springs, Nebraska on the day prior to this report. The robbery was perpetrated by a gang of six outlaws led by Sam ... See More
The Modoc Indian War...
Item #678651
April 23, 1873
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 23, 1873
* Modoc Indian War
* Lava Beds - Captain Jack
* Second Battle of the Stronghold
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "THE HOSTILE INDIANS" with smaller subheads. Text takes up about 1 1/2 columns.
Other news of the day throughout. Twelve pages, nice condition.... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #678600
March 03, 1878
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This town 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. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This ... See More
From the San Francisco Mission... Touring Oregon & Washington...
Item #678597
December 13, 1879
MISSION MIRROR, San Francisco, Dec. 13, 1879 Printed in the masthead is: "The only Paper Wholly Printed and Published at the Mission, a Locality Containing 20,000 Inhabitants." This would be the famous Mission Delores, still located on 16th St. (see photos & the hyperlink).
Page 2 has a political notice supporting: "For president in 1880, Ulysses S. Grant, of Illino... See More
Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #678583
August 01, 1874
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Aug. 1, 1874
* 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.
Typical news items of the day with a great wealth of ads. One of the page 2 articles is: "A Trip To D... See More
Four issue set on Fremont's famous second Western Expedition...
Item #678353
August 19, 1845
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., a set of four issues dated August 19, 21, 26 & 28, 1845 containing the text of: "Captain Fremont's Second Exploring 'Expedition" to the West.
* John C. Fremont
* Western expedition
During the years of 1842–54 Fremont personally led and directed five western expeditions. This set of issues details his lengthy repor
... See More
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.
An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
A special thank you goes out
to the staff of WGRC!
to the staff of WGRC!
History's Newsstand Blog
- Prior to the November 22,1963 assassination of JFK… History does repeat itself!
- Americana at it’s best… The annual Egg Roll on the lawn of The White House…
- Words spoken softly would prove to be extraordinarily prophetic…
- Hidden Gems – What’s that above the story by Charles Dickens?
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
