Cheyenne Notes and Nonsense From the Early 1880s
A collage of Cheyenne items reports markets, trains, and local chatter. Notes mention Stebbins, Post & Co sending $5000 in gold to New York, weather and floods, railroad routes via the Medicine Bow, and local political shifts in nearby Omaha. Various tidbits touch on public figures, robberies, journalism quips, and humorous asides about business, confidence, and street life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
North Platte
Stebbins, Post & Co
Black Hills
New York
Miles
Sitting Bull, Esq
D. P. Owl
Deadwood
St. Louis
Green River Press
West
Omaha
Hartman
Medicine Bow
Ben Hellman
Cheyenne
Boss Tweed
Our
Value of Gold at Deadwood Dust Standard Change
A Deadwood petition in January sought dropping gold dust value from $20 to $18 per ounce. Merchants and banks experimented with pricing, but many players varied quotes. some dealers kept $20 or offered flexible pricing. Jewelers gained from new weights while banks hesitated, leaving currency exchanges at the old test value.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Deadwood
Itva
Shooting at Sidney dance house sparks pursuit and riot
A Sunday dance house melee in Sidney ends Monday with a gunfight. The cook, chased by attackers, defends himself and shoots Sweeney three times, likely fatally. Attacker Williams armed with a shotgun roams for the cook. A Chicago drummer en route to California is lured into a gambling den and robbed of 80 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sidney
Sweeney
Williams
Chicago
California
Sioux Posts Rebuilt After 1870s Congress Funding
In 1878 Hon. Wm H Clagett obtained funds for two Sioux country military posts. Funds were spent elsewhere and the posts were not built. Four years later Congress again appropriated money and construction proceeds. Building the posts earlier could have split the Sioux and saved many lives and millions spent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wm. H. Clagett
Congress
Montana
Case of Capt Alexander Moore at Powder River trial
The general court martial found Captain Alexander Moore not guilty of disobedience but guilty of conduct prejudicial to good order for timorously aiding an attack on Indians at Powder River in March 1876. The sentence of six months confinement was suspended and later remitted by the President citing his honorable military career.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alexander Moore
Third Cavalry
Powder River
M. T
Moore
Nebraska cattle thieves jailed after waiving examination
The Denver Tribune reports Nebraska cattle thieves were brought before Judge Gilliott on Monday. They waived examination and were bound over in Weld and Araphoe counties. Annabell and Ticehurst faced bonds of $1,000 each, Annabell totaling $2,000, with others at $1,000. They remain jailed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nebraska
Denver Tribune
Judgegilliott
Thehurst
Arapshoe County
Annabell
Ticehurst
Weld County
Hayward Letter From the Black Hills Prospect Camp 1877
An Occasional Correspondent reports spring warmth and active mining in Hayward City South Dakota. Placer claims yield wealth for prepared miners as long pack trains and emigrant wagons enter, while Foster gulch diggings prove profitable after snowmelt. The town grows with 180 buildings and a liberal trustees board, lots rising from 20 to 150 dollars, and a central position amid seven gulches, with two stamp mills en route and many eastern company prospectors arriving. The note predicts strong results in the next letter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Haywamp Ciry
Buacks
Black Hills
Foster Gulch
John Strever
Last Chance Gulch
Young’s District
Rosebush
Rosebud
Hazelton Gulch
Oak Valley
Vos
Huge and Handsome Horses From Oak Lawn Stud Farm
Four large horses arrived from M. W. Dunham's Oak Lawn stud farm in Wayne Du Page Co Ill Two are Norman-Percheron thoroughbreds Cardinal 16 1 2 hands gray stallion 6 yrs 1850 lbs and a 16 1 2 hand black 5 yrs 1800 lbs The other two are half breeds 8 yrs bay 15 1 2 hands 1380 lbs and a dapple gray same age height and weight They can be seen at Thorp's 16th street stables and will depart for California today or tomorrow
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oaklawn
M. W. Dunham
Wayne, du Page Co
Ill
Thorp
16Th Street
California
A Brush With Indians in Western Kansas Fight
Intelligence reached Fort Leavenworth on March 31 about a buffalo hunters vs Sioux Indians clash on the western Kansas range. Fifteen hunters were killed, Indian losses unknown as they carried away their dead. Hunters returning to camp woke a surprise dawn attack, fired but were overwhelmed, and the Indians withdrew after an hour of stubborn fighting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
Fort Leavenworth
Buffalo Range
First Concert of the Arions Delights City Elites
The Arions gave a highly praised first concert in a crowded venue. The choir, quartet Morrico Inman Whitcomb Joslin and soloists Unfug Whitcomb Masten Henderson Sturgis contributed strong performances. The program featured The Miller's Song Flow Gently Deva Oh Hush The Ardita Waltz and Knight's Farewell with an energetic March closing the evening.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arions
Miller
Arion Quartette
Messrs
Morrico
Inman
Whitcomb
Joslin
Mr. Unfug
Morrice
Masten
Arion Orchestra
Mixed Matrimony at Nephi Man Takes Daughters in Marriage
A Salt Lake Tribune correspondent reports from Nephi Utah about a man named Rolly who first married a woman then remarried her daughter and later married another daughter as a third and a fourth wife. The account notes the pattern of successive marriages to the women’s daughters as they reach marriageable age.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salt Lake Tribune
Nephi
Utah
Rolly
Goulds decline subsidy plan for Utah Northern to Montana
Jay Gould and associates rejected the proposed subsidy to extend the Utah Northern Railroad into Montana. Montana legislators failed to submit the plan to voters. the main sticking point was a monthly payment to the territorial treasury equal to one twelfth of freight receipts, a burden exceeding the line’s profits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jay Gould
The Missing Murderer McCuaig Sought Near McArthur Ranch
A report placed Norman McCuaig near Laramie City prompted a fruitless search by Deputy Sheriff Dalton. Ranchmen from Horse Creek have halted their hunt and returned home. The paper still believes he remains near the McArthur relatives and urges a vigilant watch on the area and on any suspected helpers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Norman McCuaig
Laramie City
Dalton
McArthurs
Telegraph Line Progress From Sage Creek To Red Cloud
The military telegraph line from Sage creek to Red Cloud and Camp Robinson is being vigorously pushed by Mr. W. WH. Hibbard. Poles are set and part of the wire strung. About 14 miles of wire remain to complete the line, due from Chicago soon. The distance between Sage Creek and Red Cloud is about 45 miles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sage Creek
Red Cloud
Camp Robinson
W. WH. Hibbard
Chicago
April Fool Pranks Roil Cheyenne In Wide-Spread Hoax
A Cheyenne reader recalls a citywide April Fool’s Day spree as Theodore Thomas and his orchestra were teased into touting a concert, while many chased bogus stories of a rich Buford silver mine. Clergy notices were mishandled by a prankster, and local merchants and townsfolk joined in the practical jokes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cheyenne
Geo. R.thomas
Leaper
Theodore Thomas
Famhous
P.O. News
Thomas
Joe Robbins
Buford
G. M. Jones
Teamsters
Jones
Col. Murrin
Moritz Meyer
Frank Beaucaire
Frank
Hurlbut’s
Here
Black Hills
Paris
New York
Marseilles
Bruner
Works Held in Reserve by the Creator
A satirical survey of professions and types from a creator who reserves judgment on character. It catalogues a local itemizer, compassionate teacher, modestly dressed woman, precocious youth, editorialist, self‑interested politician, prudent clergyman, thrifty townsfolk, anonymous critic, gossiper, and a businessman, ending with a note that creation of white blackbirds would be possible.
New Indian Agents Appointed by the President
The President appointed James Lawrence of Dakota to Spotted Tail agency in Neb r et al and James Patten of Coming to the Shoshone Agency in Wyoming.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Lawrence
Dakota
Neb
James Patten
Wyoming
Pity the Poncas Telegram Names New Ponca Agent
A Washington telegram reports Maj. He. A. Howard, formerly agent at Spotted Tail, appointed agent for the Poncas. Brass kettle dealers cheer, while the paper laments for the Poncas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Maj. HE. A. Howard
Spotted Tail
Funeral for John Slaughter Held After Toad Attack Near Deadwood
The funeral for John Slaughter, son of the City Marshal, killed by Toad agents near Deadwood on March 25, was held yesterday afternoon. Rev. C M Sanders preached at the Congregational church as over forty carriages escorted the hearse to the cemetery by the city’s leading residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Slaughter
Toad
Deadwood
C. M. Sanders
Largest single shipment of gold reaches the line
A stage arriving from Deadwood yesterday afternoon carried the largest single shipment of gold ever sent over the line. The haul totals about twenty thousand dollars, with most funds going to New York bankers. Stebbins, Post & Co. received a 1500 dollar retort from the hidden treasure and a 4000 dollar mine shipment from Father De Smet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Deadwood
New York
Stebbins, Post & Co
Father de Smet
Below Sea Level Salt Marsh Near Bitter Springs
The salt marsh along the Southern Pacific railroad near Bitter Springs is the desert's lowest point. Lieut Wheeler's surveys place it 272 feet below sea level, while railroad company surveys show 274 to 278 feet. This necessitates an uphill grade from the marsh to the Colorado River.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Pacific Railroad
Bitter Springs Station
Wheeler
Colorado River
Reynolds Retired After Court Martial Recommendation
Reliable information from Washington states the Reynolds court martial in this city last January did not convict but recommended retirement of Col. J. J. Reynolds. He was summoned before the retirement board in Chicago in February and retired from active service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Reynolds
Washington
Col. J. J. Reynolds
Chicago
Gov Thayer Adopts Rock Creek as Permanent Home
The Laramie Sentinel reports Governor Thayer traveled from Rock Creek to Cheyenne yesterday and now regards Rock Creek as his home and permanent residence. His wife and family will join him soon, and they plan to settle there permanently. He is arranging to enter the stock business and anticipates rapid growth for the town, rich in stock range and near mining timber and mountain resources.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Laramie
Printers Not Wanted Here in Cheyenne
Local printers face a crowded market with many unemployed workers arriving daily. The letter urges printers to stay away from Cheyenne as city jobs are full and subs bear the overflow, preventing charity or extra work for current tradesmen.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cheyenne
Haul of Horse Thieves Strikes Nebraska Ranch
On March 20 John Smith and Peter Dorman, two men of easy conscience, vanished from Colthorp & Potts ranch north of Lodge Pole Nebraska, taking a span of mules and horses and a pony stallion. Sheriffs and police pursued the trail. they were arrested last Friday and brought to Fort Laramie by a deputy U S marshal, then turned over to Sheriff Carr to await the governor’s requisition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Smith
Peter Dorman
Colthorp & Potts
Lodge Pole
Neb
Coltthorp & Potts
U. S
Fort Laramie
Carr
Nebraska
Chinese miners head for Deadwood from Denver
A party of forty or fifty Chinamen departed Denver yesterday bound for the Black Hills. They bought a full outfit in Denver, including miners tools and laundry equipment. Deadwood will soon have many washing shops, but Celestials may not yet be allowed to work the diggings profitably.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Denver
Black Hills
Also Mentioned on This Page
Wreeklyfeower
Cheyenne Weekly Leader
T. H. Stanton
Salt Lake City
R. O. Adams
Deadwood City
Adams
H. P. Bennet
Colorado
Geo. W. Brown
Poughkeepsie
McCuaig
Jas, T. Smith
The
Denver. News
Sinful Sidney
Capt
Alex. Moore
Hayward
Gov. Thayer’s
Rock Creek
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