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.
Outlaw Dick Liddil released on bond... School for cowboys...
Item #648227
November 03, 1882
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 3, 1882 Page 2 has a somewhat brief article headed: "Dick Liddell [Liddil] Released on Bond" noting in part: "...the case of Dick Liddel, on trial for conspiracy in connection with the Mussel Shoals robbery, committed by Frank and Jesse James and Bill Ryan..." with more (see). Page 5 has: "Taught To Be Cowboys" "The Practical ... See More
The trial of Frank James coming to an end...
Item #648220
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
How the Texas Rangers clean out desperadoes...
Item #648219
September 03, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 3, 1883
* 19th century Texas Rangers
Page 2 has a nice article headed: "The Texan Rangers" "How They Clean Out Desperadoes in the Lone Star State" which is very descriptive of the Texas Rangers. Page 3 has: "The Grand Avenue Out Bat and Out Field the Black Stockings" with the box score as well.
Ten Pages, very nice conditio... See More
Final moments in the Frank James robbery/murder trial...
Item #648214
September 04, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 4, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
Page 2 has nearly a full column headed: "Criminal Calendar" "Instructions of the Judge in the Frank James Trial" "Stage Robbers Hanged--Shot by an Ex-Convict--Outraged and Killed--Other Criminal News". This reports the closing events of the notable ... See More
The trial of Frank James...
Item #648213
September 05, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 5, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
Page 4 has nearly a full column of text headed: "Battling For The Bandit" "Mr. Phillips' Appeal to the Jury on Behalf of Frank James" "Why He Appears as Counsel for Defendant--Mr. Glover's Address--The Arguments to Close Today". This was the... See More
Frank James in the court room...
Item #648196
January 25, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 25, 1883 The first two columns on page 5 are headed: "The Bandit At The Bar" "Frank James as He Appeared in the Kansas City Court Room" and more (see). One of the subheads: "Prospects of Acquittal of the Charge of Complicity in the Blue Cut Robbery".
Twelve pages, bit irregular at the blank spine, nice condition.
Dick Liddil, the notorious train robber...
Item #648195
January 27, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 27, 1883 The top of pg. 5 has column heads: "Chronicles Of Crime" "The Case of Dick Liddle [Liddil], the Train Robber, in Court" "...Blood-Thirsty Women--Frank James' Custodian--Drugged to Death...". Page 2 has: "Gallow's Scenes" plus there are many other crime-related articles.
Twelve pages, nice condition.... See More
The outlaw Frank James...
Item #648178
August 25, 1884
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 25, 1884
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James Gang fame'
* Boonville, Missouri
Page 4 has half a column headed: "FRANK JAMES" "His Admirers at Boonville Present Him with a Purse" "How Ray County People Regard the James Family and the Mormons as Inducements to Immigration" .
Ten pages, nice condition.... See More
Jesse James was murdered?
Item #648174
November 04, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 4, 1879
* Jesse James killed ?
* Outlaw - train robber
The last column of the ftpg. is taken up with a very interesting, although erroneous, report of the death of Jesse James with heads: "A CORPSE AT LAST" "The Bandit King Slain In His Saddle" "Jesse James Killed By a former Friend" "The Assassin Escapes After a Runni... See More
Is Jesse James "Dead or Alive"?
Item #648173
November 05, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 5, 1879
* Jesse James killed ?
* Outlaw - train robber
A column at the top of pg. 4 has reports disputing whether Jesse James had been murdered or not: "DEAD OR ALIVE?" "In Either Event Jesse James Foils the detectives" "The Search for the Stiff Continued Without Success" 'His Alleged Assassin Frightened Out of His Wits&... See More
Love the heading: 'dead as a door nail'...
Item #648167
December 03, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Dec. 3, 1879 The front page has a column headed: "DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL" "The Four Murder of Marshal Culver Near Cameron" Shot from His Horse While Chasing Two Desperadoes" "The Assassins Subsequently Captured & Locked Up".
Eight pages, very small water stain near at the heading, nice condition.
A note signed by Jesse James, and much more...
Item #648165
December 30, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Dec. 30, 1879 The back page has a column headed: "Jesse James Heard From" "Strange Communication from the Missouri Outlaw to the New York Superintendent of Police--Record of a Notorious Gang of Outlaws". The article takes over half a column while the letter Jesse James is very brief & signed in type: Jesse James. Rare to find any printed item... See More
Outlaw Frank James surrenders himself to authorities...
Item #648071
October 06, 1882
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Oct. 6, 1882
* Jesse James Gang
* Frank surrenders
Close to half of page 6 is taken up with very detailed accounts of: "FRANK JAMES" "The Missouri Bandit In the Hands of the Law" "He Decides to Surrender & Give Himself Up To the State Authorities" with more. Included is a quite lengthy letter by him to the governor--taking a ... See More
Great report on the surrender of outlaw Frank James...
Item #648064
October 07, 1882
ST. LOUIS GLOBE DEMOCRAT, Oct. 7, 1882
* Jesse James Gang
* Frank surrenders
Nearly half of the front page has much detail on the surrender of outlaw Frank James, headed: "BEHIND THE BARS" "Frank James an Inmate of the Jackson County Jail" "The Killing of Whicher, the Detective, in 1874, the Cause of His Incarceration" "Intense Excitement Manifested ... See More
From the Old West... Early Colorado...
Item #648011
May 11, 1882
GUNNISON DAILY REVIEW, Gunnision, Colorado, May 11, 1882
* Rare Old West title
* Volume 1 issue
An uncommon title from this boom mining town in the southwestern quadrant of Colorado, tucked in a valley amidst the Rocky Mountains. Gunnison boomed in the late 1870's and early 1880's and was once the home of Wyatt Earp and "Texas Jack". Today there are some 5500 r... See More
Overland Mail initiates the first transcontinental mail service to San Francisco...
Item #647687
October 10, 1858
NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 10, 1858
* First transcontinental mail service success
* Arrives at San Francisco, California
Page 4 has a report noting the very first transcontinental mail service to San Francisco, with: "Very Late From California" "Arrival of the First Overland Mail" "Short Trip Across the Plains" with several dispatches. See the hyperlink for fu... See More
From Territorial New Mexico...
Item #647424
January 06, 1893
LAS VEGAS DAILY OPTIC, New Mexico (Territory), Jan. 6, 1893
* Very early for this state
An uncommon territorial newspaper from 19 years before statehood. The fist column has: "THE CATTLEMEN IN COURT" "The Wyoming Cattlemen Must Lay Aside Their Fire-Arms While in Cheyenne" "Dead-Lock In Colorado" and more.
Four pages, large folio size, archivally rejoined ... See More
The Modoc Indian War, and the massacre...
Item #647421
June 10, 1873
ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, New York, June 10, 1873 The top of the ftpg. has column heads on the Modoc Indian War, with: "THE MODOCS" "A Cruel Massacre" "A Train of Prisoners Attacked by Oregon Volunteers" "Little John, Tehee Jack, Pony Mooch and Others Killed". Page 3 has an interesting article: "Abraham Lincoln's Duel--Forgotten Inci... See More
Territorial Arizona...
Item #647418
October 22, 1899
ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, Oct. 22, 1899
* Rare old West title
A complete four page issue of this territorial newspapers, as Arizona did not became a state until 13 years later. Various news & ads of the day with the ftpg. having: "Gold Strike in Texas" "New Use For Copper" "Reliable News Meager" "Germany On The War" and more. Subscription l... See More
Early Los Angeles...
Item #647240
May 07, 1873
EVENING EXPRESS, Los Angeles, California, May 7, 1873 An early issue from this now-huge West Coast city containing various news of the day & a great wealth of ads.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, small edge tears, otherwise in very good condition.
The Custer Massacre, and more...
Item #646919
July 15, 1876
THE VENTURA SIGNAL, San Buenaventura, Ventura County, California, July 15, 1876
* General George Custer massacre
* Battle of Little Big Horn
* Rare Old West title
The front page has: "The Situation Grave" which concerns the recent Custer Massacre, beginning: "It is agreed on all hands that there must now be an Indian war, till hostile Indians of the Northwest have been... See More
The outlaw "Doc" Middleton...
Item #646884
August 11, 1879
NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 11, 1879
* Doc Middleton described
* James M. Riley - David C.
* Outlaw & horse thief
The top of page 2 has an interesting & lengthy article headed: "MIDDLETON, THE OUTLAW" "Something About The Bandit of the Niobrara" "How He Became A Robber & A Murderer--Incidents In His Career". The article takes three-quarters of a col... See More
Classic stagecoach robbery in the Old West...
Item #646763
October 02, 1875
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Oct. 2, 1875 Page 3 has most of a column taken up with: "Were They The James Boys? "Two Men Stop a Texas Express Wagon & Rob It of a Large Amount of Money". The article is very detailed and is a terrific account of a stage coach robbery (see), but this robbery was apparently not the work of Jesse & Frank James.
Twelve pages, nice condition.... See More
Sam Bass gang member is hanged...
Item #646723
May 17, 1879
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, May 17, 1879 Page 6 has column heads: "SURE TO MEET SAM" "The Scaffold Awaiting a Member of the Bass Gang" "Henri Stewart, the Half-Breed, Convicted of Murder". See the web for more on the notorious Sam Bass gang of outlaws.
Twelve pages, nice condition.... See More
Sighting of Frank James, brother of Jesse...
Item #646721
February 04, 1880
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Feb. 4, 1880 The ftpg. has a short article headed: "Frank James" which reports a local sighting of him (see).
Eight pages, good condition.
Jesse James' horses...
Item #646613
April 12, 1882
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, April 12, 1882
* re. Jesse James death
The top of page 8 has column heads: "JESSE JAMES' HORSES" "The Bay and the Roan Which Participated in the Outlaw's Last Raids Reach St. Louis" "Their Present Owner's Intentions..." with a subhead: "Jesse James' Souvenirs". The article takes over a full column and is... See More
President's expedition to the Yellowstone...
Item #646566
August 13, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 13, 1883
* President Chester A. Arthur
* Yellowstone National Park tour
* Military expedition
Page 2 has column heads: "LIFE ON THE PLAINS" "President Arthur on His Trip to the Yellowstone" "Viewing the Western Wonderland from the Saddle--Senator Best as an Angler" and beneath this article is: "Scenes in Wyoming"... See More
James Gang outlaw talks on the witness stand in the Frank James murder trial...
Item #646565
August 26, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 26, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
The top of pg. 2 has column heads: "Giving Away The Gang" "Dick Liddell [Liddil] on the Witness Stand at Gallatin" "Full Details of His Connection with the James Boys" "How the Winston Train Robbery was Planned & Executed" and more. Th... See More
Early Phoenix, Arizona...
Item #646421
October 06, 1887
ARIZONA GAZETTE, Phoenix, Oct. 6, 1887
* Very rare issue from the Arizona Territory
This is an extremely early and uncommon newspaper from Arizona Territory (it wasn't a state until 1912). Filled with various news of the day both local and national, and a wealth of ads--most very "Western" looking and many illustrated.
The front page has almost a full column of: "Lo... See More
Nineteenth century title from territorial New Mexico...
Item #646404
May 31, 1884
ALBUQUERQUE MORNING JOURNAL, New Mexico, May 31, 1884
* New Mexico Territory
Very rare to find 19th century newspapers from Albuquerque, and this issue is dated 28 years before New Mexico would become a state. This is a 4 page newspaper with local, regional and national news, topical reports and ads.
A large folio size newspaper, never bound nor trimmed, printed on high-qu... See More
Funeral of Jesse James & other particulars...
Item #646395
April 07, 1882
THE DAILY MEMPHIS AVALANCHE, Tennessee, April 7, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James
* Death - funeral
* Rare title
The top of a middle column on the front page has notable heads: "JESSE JAMES", "The Remains of a Missouri Bandit Lying in State", "Crowds of People Visit the Place to Look at the Body", "The Funeral Services & the Procession to the Grave&quo... See More
Jesse James comes to his own defense: lengthy letter signed by him...
Item #646388
July 20, 1875
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 20, 1875 Not only does this issue contain the very first mention of notorious outlaw Jesse James in the venerable Times, but the report is almost entirely taken up by an excellent letter signed by him in type: Jesse James. This is the first I have seen in print a letter signed by the outlaw. He takes great pains to exonerate himself for several crimes of which he was... See More
New Orleans... Texas cowboys... New Mexico...
Item #646347
December 01, 1883
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 1, 1883 Full ftpg. shows: "The Evacuation Day Centennial---Grand Marine Procession Passing Up the East River" showing the Brooklyn Bridge. Prints inside include: "Texas--Types of the Cowboys of the Plains" "Louisiana--Sketches in & About New Orleans"; great doublpg. centerfold shows view of the grand parade cele... See More
Jesse James' brother was seen in the area...
Item #646293
July 19, 1880
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, July 19, 1880
* Frank James
* Outlaws - train robbers
* Clay County, Missouri
The middle column of the ftpg. has: "Frank James" which concerns reports of his recent arrival in the vicinity, perhaps to visit his mother. Also: "Hanged by Her Insane Mother" "An Obstinate Truant" "A Monster Narrowly Escapes Lynching" and m... See More
Much on the Modoc Indian War...
Item #646076
April 30, 1873
ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, New York, April 30, 1873 The top of the ftpg. has nice column heads on the Modoc Indian War with: "ANOTHER BATTLE" "A Detachment of Troops Caught In a Trap" "Galling Cross Fire from the Modocs" "A Complete Rout" "19 Men Killed" "Gallant Conduct of Captain Thomas" "He Dies a Brave Soldier"... See More
On the death of Jesse James...
Item #646010
April 06, 1882
DAILY MEMPHIS AVALANCHE, Tennessee, April 6, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James killed
* Robert & Charles Ford
The front page has an uncommonly nice report concerning the death of the notorious Jesse James, taking about half a column with very nice heads: "THE DEAD BANDIT" "Removing the Remains of Jesse James to the Grave" "The Ford Boys Becoming Anxious as to Thei... See More
Jesse James and the Rock Island Railroad robbery...
Item #646009
July 18, 1881
SPRINGFIELD DAILY REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, July 18, 1881 An uncommonly nice account of this infamous train robbery by the James Gang with page 5 column heads: "The Express Train Robbery" "The Jesse James Gang" "Invade A Train, Murder the Conductor and a Passenger and Rob a Safe". This was the Rock Island Railroad robbery.
Although well known as being committe... See More
From Utah, nine years before statehood...
Item #645949
January 19, 1881
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah (Territory), Jan. 19, 1881
* Mormons - Mormonism
A notable newspaper from this Mormon community with a wide range of content both local & national. Complete in 8 pages, but it was never bound nor trimmed so it folds out to one large sheet. Great condition.
Mormon property to be disposed of... Classic train robbery...
Item #645564
June 11, 1890
MEMPHIS APPEAL, Tennessee, June 11, 1890 Near the bottom of the ftpg. is: "After The Mormons" "Senator Edmunds Introduces a Bill Disposing of the Church Property" and next to it an article: "Through The Switch" "Robbers Throw a Train From the Track, Go Through the Express Safe and Escape", ending with: "...A posse of men...went in pursuit of the b... See More
Early San Jose...
Item #645183
March 03, 1871
SAN JOSE DAILY PATRIOT, California, 1871
* Rare Old West title
* Santa Clara Valley
In 1850 San Jose became just the 2nd incorporated city in California (Sacramento was first) & was on the Butterfield mail route. The ftpg. is mostly ads with news items & more ads inside, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin tears, good condition.... See More
Its history tied to the California Gold Rush...
Item #644261
November 05, 1868
SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, November 5, 1868 Although known to all as the current capital of California, this city got its start thanks to the protection of Sutter's Fort, which was established by John Sutter in 1839. During the California Gold Rush, Sacramento was a major distribution point, a commercial and agricultural center, and a terminus for wagon trains, stagecoaches, riv... See More
Very rare title from Western Colorado...
Item #644008
April 08, 1898
SEMI-WEEKLY STAR, Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, April 8, 1898
* Very rare title
A nice & very rare newspaper from this town in Western Colorado along the Colorado River. Although Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) records a "Grand Junction Star" there is no record of "the Semi-Weekly Star".
Various news items and advertisements.
Four pages, a... See More
A detailed account of the killing of Jesse James...
Item #643744
April 07, 1882
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, April 7, 1882 Page 12 has an uncommonly lengthy report headed: "The Killing Of Jesse James" which takes over three-quarters of a column. There are 3 separate reports datelined April 4, 5 & 6 (see).
Sixteen pages, many tears at the margins with some chipping as well, partially loose at the spine. Fortunately the Jesse James article is unaffected by... See More
From Arizona 19 years before statehood...
Item #643462
October 03, 1893
ARIZONA DAILY GAZETTE, Phoenix, Oct. 3, 1893
* Rare old West title
* Maricopa County
This issue is from the Arizona Territory, 19 years before it joined the Union. The ftpg. has: "Three Men Wounded" "A Desperate Shooting Affray in Oakland" "Two Innocent Men are Killed in the Melee" and "Dynamite in New Mexico" and pg. 2 has: "Witches In Mot... See More
The train robbers were captured... One is a woman...
Item #643275
November 16, 1893
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE, Nebraska, Nov. 16, 1893 The top of the front page has a nice account headed: "TRAIN ROBBERS CAPTURED" "One of Them Proves to Have Been a Girl in Men's Clothes" "Illinois Bandits Landed In Jail" "Three Men Who Held Up the Evansville Express & Shot the Brakeman Are Safely Behind Bars at Lincoln, Ill." The articles takes three... See More
Lengthy article on Thomas Edison...
Item #643168
August 24, 1878
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 24, 1878
* Thomas Alva Edison
Page 2 has over a full column taken up with: "TOM EDISON" "The Great Electrician Among the Wires in the Western Union Offices" "A Great Invention by Which an Army Can Annihilate Its Enemy" "What He Thinks About Sun-Stroke and Its Causes".
Complete in 12 pages, very nice condition.... See More
Rare and very early from the "Alaska Territory"...
Item #642988
June 04, 1887
THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, June 4, 1887
* Very rare Alaska Territorial issue
Rarely are newspapers from Alaska found from before the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 when interest grew dramatically. This newspaper pre-dates the gold rush by ten years.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day, being four pages of small folio size (measures 13 by 20 in.)... See More
First of this title we have had from the Washington Territory...
Item #642987
July 13, 1883
DEMOCRATIC STATE JOURNAL, Dayton, Columbia County, Washington (Territory), July 13, 1883
* Rare Old West title
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
Great title for a Northwest newspaper...
Item #642584
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
Bank robbery, then robbers caught... Broadside...
Item #639609
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
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