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Newspaper
Cheyenne Weekly Leader
Location
Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States of America
Date
Jan 25, 1877
Page
14
Cheyenne weekly notes heavy Black Hills prep and a small jail count of ten. Rumors claim Durlacher may move to town and Laramie Chronicle could shift to evening Democratic daily. Lots for sale, fashion chatter, weddings, weather hints, party talk, and various small notices fill the frontier column.
Reports recount a fierce clash between two groups at a cabin between Red Cloud and Hat Creek. Soldiers or deserters killed six band members, with Dillon mortally wounded yet firing bravely. Desperation follows as Crook and Mackenzie forces lose guns and ponies, while freighters fear incursions by hostile natives for months.
A group reports finding a skeleton of an Indian killed near Custer last July after a party failed to locate other remains. A saloon owner took the skull as a bar ornament, leaving the body unburied and the event shrouded in mystery.
A rumor states James Gordon Bennett’s body was found in a snow drift near Omaha and identified by a New York observer. A Milwaukee claimant challenged the identity, pistols flashed, then the figure revived with a star spangled banner and hair-raising claim as Sergeant Bates. Train crews attacked the body and cast it under a passing engine. Sic semper tyrannis.
The Buford burglary on January 16 broke into the home of Chris Quigley, a U P section foreman, gutting the residence and stealing a gold watch and clothes worth about three hundred dollars. Two recently employed men Cronan and Kennedy are suspected as the thieves, with telegraph descriptions circulated and officers hopeful of quick capture.
On and after Monday January 22 the rate for ten word messages to Chicago Davenport Ta and Kansas City Mo will be one dollar to Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Detroit Louisville New York Philadelphia Pittsburg Toledo Washington Wheeling Albany Baltimore Boston and Buffalo 1 50 to Indianapolis Milwaukee Peoria and St Louis 1 25
Yesterday morning a Cheyenne Chinaman tackled a Fort Russell cavalryman in a sudden scuffle. The soldier was severely beaten and fled, while the attacker strutted away and taunted that he beat the Crooked man much.
The text describes the Black Hills called Pah Sapha Paw hie Sapha by Indians and quotes Maj. T. M. Newson on gold deposits. It predicts rapid settlement, telegraph and railroad access, and a transformative future with growth, culture, and wealth for residents, including the Indian populace, over the next decade.
Dr. C W Meyer travels to Washington urging a new El Dorado territory from 43 to 47 lat and 102 to 107 long, or a Dakota boundary transfer to Wyoming. He cites court witness travel harms near Yankton and advocates relief for Hills residents. Also reports Henry Wroman discovering quartz near Red Cloud toll road with free gold and a vein twelve to fifteen feet wide.
Lode has been struck on both northern and southern slopes with 600 pounds of quartz taken from Custer by Homan who will ship to Omaha for smelting. A claim offers to weigh gold dust worth 2000 dollars. A rich vein crops out where Iron creek meets South Battle, found by two colored men from Deadwood. A promising gold lode lies about a mile from Hayward. Over twenty eight miles of ground have been taken up.
Mr. Jas and M. Woods of the Miners' and Mechanics' Bank in Deadwood City discussed banking business in Cheyenne. Woods also oversees supplying shipments and organizing a large mule train for freighting between Cheyenne and Deadwood. He is regarded as a solid Black Hills figure with strong faith in the mining country’s future.
Report from near Fort Morgan and the South Platte describes cattle in worse condition above the fort where snow blocks feed. Western cattlemen warn this may be the harshest winter for the stock, with ice from repeated snowfalls preventing grazing and many cattle killed by railroad cars.
A playful Deadwood directory names notable residents by quirky traits. It lists Tom Short as the shortest, Frank Abt as aptest, Graves as gravest, So Star as brightest, Judge White as head, Judge Miller as floor of the flock, Doc Carter as top teamster, Gardner as florist, John Nye as nearest neighbor, Tonn as heaviest, Iler as greasiest, Wagner as merriest, Parrot as talkiest, Doc Mire as muddiest, Bill Gross and Taylor figures in humorous measures, plus Ammerman Johnny Mann Carl Mannall mentioned among others.
A San Francisco Chronicle correspondent portrays Denver fashionable society as a blend of genteel and unscrupulous figures. Gamblers, horse-jockeys, questionable politicians, skilled professionals, and prosperous miners mingle on equal terms. Noted examples include former U S Marshal Shaffenburg jailed for swindling and Walter A Stewart, a forger in New York Tombs.
Dr and Mrs P W Wright once escaped creditors by moving through Colorado. They were expelled from a Denver hotel after runs of several months board left the proprietor unpaid and alarmed local citizens.
Col. Miles reports Baldwin led three companies of Fifth Infantry in a defeat near Red Water on December 18. Sitting Bull camp of 122 lodges was driven south of the Yellowstone, its village burned, 60 horses and much property taken. five Sioux chiefs slain by Crow scouts. a harsh Montana winter noted with a 40 below reading.
Opinion condemns government pony exchanges with Indians, accusing the army of capturing or Indians surrendering ponies then selling them to benefit thieves. Authors urge fair reimbursement to ranchers from sale proceeds, likening to Hayes vs Tilden negotiations.
Military leaders argue that scarce forage forces shifting troops to the U P railroad line where hay and grain are abundant and cheap. Critics say cavalry should stay to counter Indian raiding in the Chug valley and protect settlers, keeping Gen. Crook prepared for action and not recalled to rear stations.
Denver papers accuse Dr Mayer Marix alias Count Nesselrode alias Baron De Kalb of medical malpractice and lascivious conduct. He has practiced in the city for years and awaits trial on an abortion indictment though a telegram later reports his sudden death possibly by his own hand after the indictment.
Montana news notes a five foot wide silver lode near Butte hailed as potentially the richest in the region, while crop yields lag with poor No. 1 wheat and oats. Tribes Piegans Bloods and Blackfeet trade robes and furs for cattle, signaling barter’s role in the season. The Bozeman Avant Courier reports mourning for editor Captain Joseph Wright who died in Bozeman on December 29.
City Council meeting at City Hall with Mayor Fisk and aldermen. reports include Walter C. Brown vs City of Cheyenne verdict of one cent, appeal to Supreme Court. bids for city printing 1877 rejected. Treasurer salary set at 500 dollars. engineer for steamer Durant appointed Deasy. various bills approved. A juror recruitment notice proposes contempt penalties.
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