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.
No holdings of this title in any American institution...
Item #720643
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
Danish-language newspaper from 1907 Utah...
Item #720274
May 02, 1885
BIKUBEN, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2, 1907
* Danish language publication
* Church of Latter-Day Saints
* Mormons - Mormonism - LDS
Here is a quite unusual and scarce newspaper from Utah, printed entirely in the Danish language.
There was a large number of Scandinavian emigrants that settled Utah in the last half of the 19th century, and while most were Mormon, many were ... See More
Jesse James' first railroad robbery...
Item #719766
July 23, 1873
NEW YORK HERALD, July 23, 1873
* Jesse James-Younger Gang
* Rock Island Pacific Railroad
* First train robbery in American West
The top of page 7 has column heads on the first train robbery by Jesse James and the James Gang, although the men were not identified at the time of this report.
They include: "A DREADFUL CRIME" "Bushwackers Overthrow & Rob a Train ... See More
19th century San Diego, California...
Item #719556
March 27, 1874
THE WORLD, San Diego, California, March 27, 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.
Complete with all 4 pages in nice condition.... See More
On a California lynching by the Committee of Vigilance, wth a print...
Item #719062
November 15, 1851
ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Nov. 15, 1851 Pages 3 and 4 contain an article on a famous case involving the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance, headed: "Californian Lynchings". Included as well is a print captioned: "Lynching In San Francisco".
In 1851, San Francisco was a city in chaos, its population swelling due to the Gold Rush and its streets rife with crime a... See More
Coal miner troubles... Stagecoach robbery...
Item #718081
January 17, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 17, 1874
* Arkansas stagecoach robbery - holdup
* Jesse James & Younger gang ? - outlaws
The front page includes: "Stage Robbery by Masked Highwaymen" being a brief report from Little Rock, Arkansas. Through research, this particular robbery may have been one of the very first stagecoach holdups by the famous Jesse James-Young Gang.
Also on t... See More
From 1898 Territorial New Mexico...
Item #717660
February 19, 1898
LAS VEGAS DAILY OPTIC, New Mexico (Territory), Feb. 19, 1898
* Very early for this state
An uncommon territorial newspaper from 14 years before statehood
Four pages, large folio size, edge tears & some edge chipping, very fragile & must be handled very carefully.
AI notes: The city is known for its rich history, with over 900 historic buildings, including Victorian homes, O... See More
Rare American magazine edited by Thomas Paine...
Item #716892
February 01, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1775 This is a very rare magazine, published only from January, 1775 thru July, 1776, containing the Declaration of Independence in its final issue.
It was the only American magazine to print the Declaration, in fact it was the only American magazine ever printed in 1776. In the entirely of the Revolutionary War only two American magazine t... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #715883
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
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #715704
September 23, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 23, 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
Death of Cochise, the Apache Indian chief...
Item #715703
June 15, 1874
NEW YORK TIMES, June 15, 1874
* Tribal Chief Cochise death (1st report)
* Chiricahua Apaches - Indians
The very bottom of the front page has a very brief and discrete report headed: "Death Of The Indian Chief Cochise" with the text reading simply: "Cochise, the famous Apache chief, died on the 9th of June." (see)
Eight pages, light toning at the margins, should be... See More
President Arthur on the polygamy issue in Utah... The bandit Frank James...
Item #714454
December 05, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCAT, Dec. 5, 1883
* Mormons and polygamy
* President Chester A. Arthur
* Outlaw Frank James trial
Over half of the front page and page of pg. 2 are taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of Chester A. Arthur. Near the end he addresses: "The Mormon Question", noting: "...I fear that i... See More
Early newspaper from Oregon...
Item #712765
July 03, 1875
THE OREGON STATE JOURNAL, Eugene City, July 3, 1875
* Rare Old West publication
Today Eugene is the second largest city in Oregon. A typical newspaper of the day with news, interesting tidbits, and a wealth of advertisements. Page 2 has: "Emigration From Kansas To Oregon" and a long list of: "Oregon Items"
Four pages, never bound, very wide margins, very nice condi... See More
Mormon women protest the Cullom Bill...
Item #712750
February 02, 1879
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 2, 1870 This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Most of the front page is taken up with a report headed: "Indignation Meetings in the Settlements", beginning: "Determined not to be behind their sisters in this city in their loyalty to the cause of truth, the ladies in various settlements throughout the Ter... See More
Mormon women protest the Cullom Bill...
Item #712749
January 19, 1879
THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 19, 1870 This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Included is the lengthy: "Governor's Message" reading much like a state-of-the-state address, signed by the acting govrernor, S. A. Mann.
But the most notable contgent is much reporting on the: "Great Indignation Meeting - Of the Ladies of Salt Lak... See More
This town was founded during the California Gold Rush...
Item #712737
August 06, 1881
THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, August. 6, 1881
* 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 For... See More
Frank James, El Paso, Yellowstone, burglars...
Item #712624
August 20, 1883
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Aug. 20, 1883 The front page has: "Criminal Calendar - Additional Particulars of the Tragedy at Estancia Ranchm NB.M. - Frank James Trial--A Gang of Burglars Broken Up--Free Fight at a Picnic--The Daily Record".
Inside includes: "El Paso's Ways - The Peculiarities of a Now Thriving Frontier Town--A Place where Border Ruffian and B... See More
A Croatian-American newspaper from Montana...
Item #712360
August 25, 1900
SRPSKO JEDINSTVO, "The First And the Only Slavonian Weekly In Montana", Aug. 25, 1900
* Extremely rare publication
* In Slavic and English Languages
Little is known about this unusual newspaper other than the Library of Congress noting this very issue, volume 3, numb er 16, August 25, 1900. Their information is likely based upon this very newspaper. This title is not... See More
Westward expansion confronts the Native American tribes...
Item #712324
August 21, 1867
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Aug. 21, 1867 The years following the Civil War were years of expansion west, causing the inevitable conflict with the Native American tribes. Such reports were not uncommon in period newspapers. This is one such issue.
The front page has: "The Indian War" with some nice accounts taking about one-third of a column.
Eight pages, staining to the front page ... See More
From 1883 Nebraska...
Item #711304
March 17, 1883
THE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS, Nebraska, March 17, 1883
* Home of the Cornhuskers
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 ... See More
An early 1873 wine country newspaper...
Item #710865
October 15, 1873
THE NAPA REGISTER, Napa City, California, Oct. 15, 1873
* Rare old West publication
* From the 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 lu... See More
San Francisco, after the Civil War...
Item #710041
June 01, 1867
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, June 1, 1867 The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July. It became the first successful newspaper in California, lasting un... See More
In the "...interests of the pioneers of California..."
Item #710033
August 02, 1879
THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, Aug. 2, 1879 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 of a detailed mining scene. The front page has part 8 of a continuing series: ... See More
Territorial Oklahoma...
Item #709985
March 06, 1903
THE RECORD, Moore, Oklahoma, March 6, 1903 This is actually a "territorial" newspaper, as Oklahoma did not become a state until 1907, one of only 3 of the contiguous 48 to join the union in the 20th century (New Mexico & Arizona the other two).
This newspaper apparently only lasted a year, with no institutional holdings outside of Oklahoma.
The front page has the text of a Pr... See More
On the future of Southern California... San Diego harbor...
Item #709975
November 11, 1879
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Nov. 11, 1879 The front page has two reports which are interesting to read some 140 years later: "The Future of Southern California" which notes near the beginning: "It has been customary in some quarters to underrate the southern counties of California. It has been urged that they are dried up regions...".
Also: "San Diego Harbor&qu... See More
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877...
Item #709966
July 24, 1877
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, July 24, 1877 Over three columns of the front page are taken up with a fine account of the Pittsburgh Railroad Strike of 1877, part of the larger Great Railroad Strike which resulted in over 100 deaths including women & children. The incidents followed repeated reductions in wages and sometimes increases in workload by railroad companies, during a period ... See More
The first newspaper published in Modesto, California...
Item #709964
October 14, 1881
STANISLAUS COUNTY WEEKLY NEWS, Modesto, California, Oct. 14, 1881 An early newspaper from this city in North-central California which when it began in 1868 was the first newspaper in Modesto. In 1881 the population of the town was less than 1000.
Various news events of the day, local, regional and national, with a wealth of advertising.
Page 2 has a report: "The Apache" which inc... See More
Red Bluff, California....
Item #709883
March 18, 1876
THE DAILY PEOPLE'S CAUSE, Red Bluff, California, March 18, 1876 An interesting title from Northern California. Quite scarce as well, as we only have 3 issues. Various news of the day both local & national, with a wealth of advertisements as well.
Four pages, very nice condition.
Death of President Garfield... Old West newspaper...
Item #709875
September 23, 1881
STANISLAUS COUNTY WEEKLY NEWS, Modesto, California, Sept. 23, 1881 An early newspaper from this city in North-central California which when it began in 1868 was the first newspaper in Modesto. In 1881 the population of the town was less than 1000.
Various news events of the day, local, regional and national, with a wealth of advertising.
Page 2 begins with a report headed: "The Presid... See More
Tombstone maintains its reputation...
Item #709872
September 12, 1879
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Sept. 12, 1879 The front page has: "Arizona Items" which has reports from Tombstone, noting in part: "The Tombstone section is keeping hip ts reputation in cutting & shooting...Thos. Bridge, who was stabbed on August 10th while playing a game of cards in Clark & Miffin's saloon, died...A shooting scrape took place...in a restaurant.... See More
From this famous mining town in Nevada...
Item #708591
November 16, 1872
THE DAILY STATE REGISTER, Carson City, Nevada, Nov. 16, 1872 Situated just east of Lake Tahoe at the western "elbow" of the state, this issue from its heyday during the mining era has various news, ads, and notices on the front page, with much news on page 2.
Carson City is named for the famed mountain man Kit Carson & is about 30 miles south of Reno. It originated as a stopover for ... See More
Virginia City: home of the Comstock Lode...
Item #707888
August 19, 1872
VIRGINIA EVENING CHRONICLE, Virginia [City], Nevada, Aug. 19, 1872 Virginia City is one of America's largest historic landmarks. Some say Virginia City's rich gold and silver mines financed the Civil War.
Now rich in history, Virginia City and the Comstock Lode still maintain the flavor of the wild but very prosperous mining days, when Mark Twain roamed the streets (he wrote for thi... See More
When Denver was booming but was still the Old West...
Item #707864
September 16, 1881
DAILY DENVER TIMES, Colorado, Sept. 16, 1881 The Denver area, part of the Territory of Kansas, was sparsely settled until the late 1850s. In July, 1858, a small placer deposit yielded about 20 troy ounces of gold, the first significant gold discovery in the Rocky Mountain region.
News spread rapidly and by spring of 1859 teams of thousands of gold seekers arrived and the Pike's Peak Gol... See More
When Denver was booming but was still the Old West...
Item #707859
September 07, 1881
DAILY DENVER TIMES, Colorado, Sept. 7, 1881 The Denver area, part of the Territory of Kansas, was sparsely settled until the late 1850s. In July, 1858, a small placer deposit yielded about 20 troy ounces of gold, the first significant gold discovery in the Rocky Mountain region.
News spread rapidly and by spring of 1859 teams of thousands of gold seekers arrived and the Pike's Peak Gold... See More
From Hollister, California...
Item #707851
September 20, 1895
THE SAN BENITO ADVANCE, Hollister, California, Sept. 20, 1895 This city of 41,000 is in the Monterey Bay area. The town wasn't founded until 1868 by William W. Hollister on the grounds of the former Mexican land-grant Rancho San Justo. At the time, Hollister was within Monterey County but since then San Benito County was carved from it.
Various news items of the day with some nice,... See More
Early from the 'Inland Empire' of California...
Item #707768
December 27, 1880
THE DAILY TIMES, San Bernardino, California, Dec. 27, 1880 An early newspaper from what is now known as the 'Inland Empire' in Southern California. Typical news and ads of the day from when it was still the Wild West.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, nice condition.
Nice title from the "Northwest"...
Item #707674
January 26, 1882
THE NEW NORTHWEST, Portland, Oregon, Jan. 26, 1882 A great title for a newspaper from this part of the country in the 19th century.
Among the articles: "Women's Legal Rights" "The Woman's College" "John Brown and Fred Douglass" "Desertion & Bigamy" partially concerns the Mormon issue; 'Woman's Cause In The South" and more.
Ei... See More
One of the earliest 17th century newspapers you will find...
Item #707334
December 22, 1635
GAZETTE, Paris, France, Dec. 22, 1635
* Earliest newspaper in your collection ?
This title was the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 1631 by Théophraste Renaudot but with influential backing by the powerful Cardinal de Richelieu. All the text is in French with the first letter in the title containing embellishments. An ornate letter begins the fi... See More
Still printing over 160 years later...
Item #707184
February 05, 1874
THE DAILY BEE, Sacramento, California, Feb. 5, 1874 This is one of the more successful and long-running newspapers on the West Coast, having begun in 1857 and still publishing today.
Typical news & ads of the day, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, great condition.
From this famous mining town in Nevada...
Item #707139
November 15, 1879
THE DAILY NEVADA TRIBUNE, Carson City, Nevada, Oct. 25, 1879 Coin collectors are very familiar with this town for the mint which produced the much-desired gold & silver coins that bear the "C.C." mint mark.
Named for explorer Kit Carson, this city is just east of Lake Tahoe at the western "elbow" of the state, this issue is from its heyday during the mining era. Toda... See More
When silver was king...
Item #707128
June 22, 1878
LYON COUNTY TIMES, Silver City, Nevada, June 22, 1878 Wikipedia offers much information on this early mining town:
Silver City was established in 1859, named for the silver deposits discovered in the area. Through this narrow gorge thousands of travelers passed on their way to the silver mines of the Comstock Lode.
By 1861, the town had four hotels, multiple saloons and boarding hous
... See More
From this famous mining town in Nevada...
Item #707085
October 30, 1879
THE NEVADA TRIBUNE, Carson City, Nevada, Oct. 30, 1879
* Rare Old West publication
Coin collectors are very familiar with this town for the mint which produced the much-desired gold & silver coins that bear the "C.C." mint mark.
Named for explorer Kit Carson, this city is just east of Lake Tahoe at the western "elbow" of the state, this issue is from its heyday... See More
The special 'New Year's Edition' with 22 pages...
Item #707083
January 18, 1881
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Denver, Colorado, New Year's Edition, January, 1881 This was Colorado's first newspaper, having begun in 1859, its first issue appearing 20 minutes ahead of its competitor, the 'Cherry Creek Pioneer'. During the 1870's with the arrival of the railroad & discovery of silver Denver's population boomed from 4,759 in 1870 to over 35,000 in 1... See More
During Denver's heyday...
Item #707082
January 18, 1881
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Denver, Colorado, Jan. 18, 1881 This was Colorado's first newspaper, having begun in 1859, its first issue appearing 20 minutes ahead of its competitor, the 'Cherry Creek Pioneer'. During the 1870's with the arrival of the railroad & discovery of silver Denver's population boomed from 4,759 in 1870 to over 35,000 in 1880. This issue was prin... See More
From the San Joaquin Valley of California...
Item #707070
January 03, 1880
TULARE WEEKLY TIMES, Visalia, California, Jan. 3, 1880 From this Tulare County city in the agriculturally-rich San Joaquin Valley of Central California. News of the day with several interesting advertisements.
Complete in 8 pages, some margin wear, several creases near the margins, good condition.
A gold mining camp in California...
Item #707066
November 14, 1885
THE PLACER HERALD, Auburn, Placer County, California, Nov. 14, 1885 Placer mining in the Auburn area was very good, with the camp first becoming known as the North Fork Dry Diggings, later changed to Woods Dry Diggings. The area soon developed into a mining camp, and it was officially named Auburn in 1849.
In 1851 Auburn was chosen as the seat of Placer County. Gold mining operations moved ... See More
A gold mining camp in California...
Item #707065
October 25, 1885
THE PLACER HERALD, Auburn, Placer County, California, Oct. 10, 1885 Placer mining in the Auburn area was very good, with the camp first becoming known as the North Fork Dry Diggings, later changed to Woods Dry Diggings. The area soon developed into a mining camp, and it was officially named Auburn in 1849.
In 1851 Auburn was chosen as the seat of Placer County. Gold mining operations moved ... See More
A gold mining camp in California...
Item #707064
September 12, 1885
THE PLACER HERALD, Auburn, Placer County, California, Sept. 12, 1885
* Rare Old West publication
Placer mining in the Auburn area was very good, with the camp first becoming known as the North Fork Dry Diggings, later changed to Woods Dry Diggings. The area soon developed into a mining camp, and it was officially named Auburn in 1849.
In 1851 Auburn was chosen as the seat of Pla... See More
When silver was king...
Item #707063
May 04, 1878
LYON COUNTY TIMES, Silver City, Nevada, May 4, 1878
* Wild Old West ghost town
* Famous mining town
Silver City was established in 1859, named for the silver deposits discovered in the area. Through this narrow gorge thousands of travelers passed on their way to the silver mines of the Comstock Lode.
By 1861, the town had four hotels, multiple saloons and boarding houses, and a
... See More
Early from the wine country of California...
Item #706994
April 25, 1874
THE NAPA REPORTER, Napa City, California, April 25, 1874
* 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 & cat... See More
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