<img src="/images/cathead_civilwar.gif" alt="Newspapers from The Old West" />
Early from Salinas, California...
Item #722563
October 02, 1880
THE MONTEREY DEMOCRAT, Salinas City, Monterey County, California, Oct. 2, 1880 An early title from the county seat of Monterey County, just south of San Francisco. Very typical of newspapers from the era with a nice mix of news of the day and advertisements, some illustrated.
Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' notes only 3 institutions have any holdings of this title.... See More
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
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 #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
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
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
The Tin Cup, from Virginia City, Colorado...
Item #707798
June 10, 1882
THE TIN CUP RECORD, Virginia City, Gunnison County, Colorado, June 10, 1882 A very rare newspaper as Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) lists only one institution as having any issues of this title and that holding was recently purchased by us.
No others are recorded in any American institution. This was also the only newspaper every published in Virginia City, Colorado, before the... See More
A different title from Tombstone, Arizona...
Item #707359
August 23, 1889
TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, Aug. 23, 1889 We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is just the second time we have seen this title. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
Various mining-related items as well as regional & national news reports. The back page features a rather large "Arizona Mail & Stage Co... See More
Supreme Court acts on the "Ironclad Oath" required of ex-Confederates...
Item #707353
January 16, 1867
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Jan. 16, 1867 Page 3 has two reports concerning the controversial "Ironclad Oath" which essentially prevented political activity of ex-Confederates soldiers & supporters by requiring all voters & officials to swear they had never supported the Confederacy.
A case arose in Missouri involving a Catholic priest who was indicted for preaching without t... See More
Regarding John D. Lee's confession on the Mountain Meadows Massacre...
Item #707351
April 11, 1877
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, April 11, 1877 Among the front page articles: "The Mormons--John D. Lee's Last Confession" which mentions in part: "...in regard to the last confession of John D. Lee, the Mountain Meadows murderer...The affiant also says that in the confession as published by Howard, several important facts stated by Lee, implicating Brigham Young, were om... 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
Nice masthead in this early Utah newspaper...
Item #707160
January 14, 1873
THE OGDEN JUNCTION, Utah, Jan. 14, 1873 The masthead includes prints of two trains coming together, signifying the celebration at nearby Promontory Point of the joining of the East and West Coast by railroad. This issue is from 23 years before Utah statehood.
Four pages, archivally rejoined at the spine with repair at the bottom of the spine, not close to any text, some dirtiness at a front... 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 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. Today it i... 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 #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 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
When silver was king...
Item #707063
May 04, 1878
LYON COUNTY TIMES, Silver City, Nevada, May 4, 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 houses
... See More
Early from the wine country of California...
Item #706994
April 25, 1874
THE NAPA REPORTER, Napa City, California, April 25, 1874 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 ranches.
A typical mix of news of the day and... See More
From the territory of Washington...
Item #706680
March 31, 1881
WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT, Pomeroy, Columbia County, Washington Territory, March 31, 1881
* Very rare old West publication
A volume one issue from this small town in Southeastern Washington, published 8 years before statehood. Various news and ads of the day.
Gregory notes that only 2 institutions have any holdings of this title. This is just one of 2 or 3 issues remaining in our invent... See More
The Big Springs, Union Pacific Railroad robbery...
Item #706230
September 29, 1877
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 29, 1877
* Union Pacific Big Springs robbery
* Old West outlaw - train robber Sam Bass
The front page has over a full column taken up with reports of the Big Springs train robbery of the Union Pacific Railroad, with heads including: "Daring Detectives" "How the Western Train Robbers Were Hunted Down" "The Leader Identified in Sp... See More
Great front page early print of Yosemite Valley... The Chicago Fire...
Item #706199
November 01, 1871
THE CUB, San Francisco, California, November, 1871
* Yosemite Valley engraving - illustration
* Sierra Nevada Mountains - California
* The Great Chicago Fire disaster
A curious little newspaper which features an engraving of a bear cub in the masthead. A semi-monthly paper with a great front-page print of: "Yosemite Valley" with a related article. Nice to have this early illustr... See More
Rare Old West isssue.....
Item #706023
June 18, 1876
THE SALT LAKE DAILY HERALD, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 18, 1876
* Rare Old West publication
* Mormons - Utah territory
This 4 page newspaper has news of the day with several interesting advertisements. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get a issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights... See More
Earliest San Diego newspaper to be had?
Item #706020
July 27, 1872
THE WEEKLY WORLD, San Diego, California, July 27, 1872
* Very rare from Southern California
* Short-lived publication
Perhaps the earliest San Diego newspaper you will find, as this is the volume one, number one issue.
The front page begins with the "Valedictory" in which the publisher details the purpose of and plans for the new newspaper.
Complete in 4 pages,... See More
From the Arizona Territory...
Item #706019
April 03, 1875
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, April 3, 1875
* Very rare old Western publication
Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads including: "Letter from Col. Hodge--Arizona's Development & Prosperity--Good Advice..." "The Native Races of the Pacific States... See More
Terrific and very descriptive article on the Capitol...
Item #705996
March 20, 1867
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, March 20, 1867
* United States Capitol building
Page 7 has a very lengthy--nearly two columns--article headed: "Life In Washington" "The Capitol--It's Architecture & Decorations--The Rotunda Paintings--Miss Ream's Statues and Busts--The Passages and the Speaker's Room--Leutze's Fresco--Hall of Representatives".
The... See More
Features an engraving of the mining town of Salida, Colorado...
Item #705992
May 13, 1882
MOUNTAIN MAIL, Salida, Colorado, May 13, 1882
* Very rare old West title
* Town view illustration
Printed in the masthead is: "Colorado Produces Millions of Silver, and Silver Is King." A very rare title, as there are no institutions noted in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) which have any holdings of this title. The holdings of the only one listed (Kansas S... See More
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