Local notes and rumors from Cheyenne in 1877
The weekly issue collects gossip and market talk from Cheyenne Wyoming. It notes Black Hills trade stockpiles, few county jail prisoners, potential moves by the Laramie Chronicle, and a grand double wedding among German society. It also jokes about fashion, housing demand, and local tempers while listing weather hints and a mix of satire.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Black Hills
Uncle Samuel
Simon Durlacher
Laramie
Dobbins
J. H. Nicholls
Sitting Bull
Connecticut
Desperate Fight Near Red Cloud and Hat Creek
Report describes a brutal clash between two men killed recently near Red Cloud and Hat Creek. Deserters from a band are blamed for the murders after guns and ponies were seized at Red Cloud. Citations warn freighters to beware of hostile bands for months to come.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Red Cloud
Hat Creek
Dillon
Crook
Mackenzie
Elegant Bar Ornament From a Coralized Skull
A reminiscence recalls a July incident south of Custer where four men were killed during a hay gathering. One Indian survivor reportedly fled, but a later prospecting party found a skeleton, its skull taken as a bar ornament by a saloon owner, grinning beside bottles behind the mirror.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Custer
Resurrected Body Story Sparks Farewell to Vandalism
An absurd tale spread last night that James Gordon Bennett was found frozen in a Union Pacific snow drift near Omaha. A New York observer vouched for identity, a Milwaukee claimant argued over ears, pistols flashed, and the “cadaver” rose declaring himself Sergeant Bates with a Bunker Hill banner, only to be tossed before an engine as rioters cried Sic semper tyrannis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Gordon Bennett
Union Pacific
Omaha
New York
Milwaukee
Bunker Hill
Bates
Burglary at Buford Targets Foreman’s House
Last Tuesday January 16th burglars broke into Chris Quigley’s Buford station home, gutting the house and stealing a gold watch and clothing worth about three hundred dollars. Entry was made by breaking a lower sash. a fire poker was used to force trunks and chests. Two men Cronan and Kennedy, recently employed by Quigley, are suspected. telegraph descriptions sent to officers who expect capture.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chris, Quigley
U. P
Buford Station
Cronan
Kennedy
Quigley
Reduction in Rates by the A. P. Telegraph Company
On and after Monday January twenty second 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 Pittsburgh Toledo Washington Wheeling Albany Baltimore Boston and Buffalo 150 to Indianapolis Milwaukee Peoria and St. Louis 125
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Davenport
Kansas City
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus
Detroit
Louisville
New York City
Philadelphia
Pittsburg
Toledo
Washington
Wheeling
Albany
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Indianapolis
Milwaukee
Peoria
St. Louis
Crowing Chinaman Incidentoken Disputes Fight at Fort Russell
A Cheyenne Chinaman attacked a Fort Russell cavalryman in a morning scrimmage. The soldier was severely beaten and fled the scene. The assailant strutted away muttering a boastful phrase.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort Russell
Meyers Vision of Washington Civil Group and Black Hills Promise
The piece discusses the Black Hills name origin and prospecting lore. Major T M Newson argues about gold deposits defying geology with several theories. The author predicts rapid growth, rail access, and cultural change, imagining a boomtown future with miners prospering.
El Dorado Territory Proposed and Local Quartz Find
Dr C W Meyer travels to Washington to urge setting aside eighty thousand square miles for a new El Dorado territory spanning from the 43rd to 47th parallels and 102nd to 107th meridians. If unsuccessful, a land swap with Wyoming is proposed to aid Hills citizens facing court witness travel. Also reported is Henry Wroman's quartz discovery on the Red Cloud toll road with twelve workers, reddish ore carrying visible gold, a twelve foot shaft, and a fifteen foot vein width.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. W. Meyer
Washington
the Hills
EL Dorado
Dakota
Wyoming Territory
Wyoming
Yankton
Henry Wroman
Red Cloud Toll Road
Homan
Iie
Gold Lode Strikes Reported Near Hayward and Iron Creek Junction
Lode struck on northern and southern slopes with 600 pounds taken from Custer by Mr. Homan to Omaha for smelting. A vein at Iron Creek and South Battle shows rich quartz, discovered by two colored men from Deadwood. Hayward area reports a new gold lode with free gold in a white rock, similar to Centennial ore, and miners guard claims as over twenty eight miles are claimed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Homan
Custer
Omaha
Iron Creek
South Battle
Deadwood
Hayward
Laramie
Miners' & Mechanics' banker Mr Jas Woods tours Black Hills
The interview notes Mr Jas Woods, cashier of the Miners' and Mechanics' Bank of Deadwood City, is in Cheyenne on business for the bank and oversees mule train freighting between Cheyenne and Deadwood. He is praised as a solid Black Hills figure with strong confidence in the mining country's bright future.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jas
M. Woods
Miners’ & Mechanics’ Bank
Deadwood City
Woods
Cheyenne
Deadwood
Black Hills
How Colorado Cattle Suffer in Harsh Winter
The article describes severe Colorado winter conditions with light snow south of Fort Morgan while cattle above the fort struggle to reach feed. Experts warn this could be the hardest winter for stock, ice formed by successive snowfalls traps cattle, wild animals gather near settlements, and many cattle are killed along railroad embankments.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Old Fort Morgan
South Platte
Colorado
Deadwood Directory Personalities and Nicknames
A playful Deadwood directory lists notable residents by traits. It names Tom Short as the shortest man, Frank Abt as apt, Graves as most serious, So Star as brightest, Judge White as gravest, Judge Miller as floor of the flock, Doc Carter as top teamster, Gardner as florist, John Nye as nearest neighbor, Ton(n) as heaviest, Iler as greasiest, Wagner as merriest, Parrot as talkiest, Doc Mire as muddiest, Bill Gross and friend Taylor via odd measurements, plus Ammerman and Johnny Mann among others.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Deadwood
Tom Short
Frank Abt
Graves
Judge Whitehead
Judge Miller
Doc
Carter
Gardner
John Nye
Ton
Ile
Parrot
Doc Mire
Bill Gross
Taylor
Ammerman
Johnny Mann
Carl Mann
Denver Society described as mix of breeding and vice
San Francisco Chronicle correspondent portrays Denver society as a blend of genteel and unscrupulous figures. Gamblers, jockeys, renegade politicians, rich miners, and professionals mingle on equal footing, with wealth granting entry to the circle. Marshal Shaffenburg and forger Walter A. Stewart are cited as examples.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco Chronicle
Denver
United States
Marshal Shaffenburg
Walter A. Stewart
New York Tombs
Wrights Banned From Denver Hotel After Debts Mount
Dr and Mrs P W Wright once thieving travelers who bilked hotelkeepers and locals last summer rode on to Colorado where they moved about until a Denver hotel evicted them for several months of unpaid board.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
P. W. Wright
Colorado
Denver
Baldwin's Brush With Sitting Bull in Montana
Col Miles reports Baldwin led three infantry companies to engage Sitting Bull near Red Water in December. The camp of 122 lodges was captured and burned, with 60 horses and ponies seized. Five Sioux chiefs were killed by Crow scouts. temperature hit 40 below zero as the force marched 500 miles in harsh winter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Miles
Sitting Bull
Red Water
Fifth Infantry
Lieut
Baldwin
Missouri
Muscle Shell
Dry Fork
Snyder
Wolf Point
Yellowstone
Montana
Not the Fair Thing in Indian Pony Trade
A critique blasts U.S. treatment of ponies captured from Indians. The writer claims soldiers seize and Indians resell our best horses, with proceeds funding thieves while ranchers lose stock and seek fair reimbursement from sales profits. It argues for equal restitution similar to Hayes vs Tilden.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Uncle Sam
Hayes
Tilden
Forage Scarcity Spurs Cavalry Redeployment to U P Lines
The writer argues that cavalry were moved from front campaigns to the U P railroad line where hay and grain are abundant. They claim better hay can be bought for 13.50 per ton, and suggest stationing cavalry in the Chug valley to deter Indian raids. The piece insists Crook’s force should remain ready in Nebraska rather than recall troops, and condemns sending the best units to rear stations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U. P
Omaha
Nebraska
Chug Valley
Crook
Denver Doctor Mayer Marix Charged With Abortion
Denver officials publish allegations that physician Mayer Marix also known as Count Nesselrode and Baron De Kalb led a licentious life and harmed patients for four to five years. A later telegram reports his death by self harm after he was indicted for abortion in Denver.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Denver
Mayer- Marix
Count’ Nesselrode
Baron de Kalb
Marix
M. Mayer- Marix
Evening Times
Silver Lode Near Butte Spurs Montana Mining Hopes
In the Missouri Valley wheat yields were poor and oats only two thirds. A five foot wide silver lode near Butte promises to be the richest in the region. Tribes like the Piegans Bloods and Blackfeet trade robes for cattle, signaling barter's role this season. The Bozeman Avant Courier reports the death of editor in chief Capt. Joseph Wright in Bozeman on December 29.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Missouri Valley
Butte
Bozeman Avant Courier
City Council Meeting Highlights and Courtroom Incident
City Council met at City Hall with Mayor Fisk and aldermen present. The Walter C. Brown damages suit was carried to the Supreme Court after a verdict of one cent. Engineer appointment for the steamer Durant chosen Deasy on the third ballot. Various bills approved and paid. The night featured a humorous courtroom incident where Patrick McGraham asleep caused a contempt citation. A notice on juror conduct warns penalties for attempting jury manipulation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fisk
Ryan
Gueck
Leighton
Walter C. Brown
City of
Cheyenne
Street
Supreme Court
H. Glafcke
E. A. Slack
Durant
Ballot
J. P., Julian
J. Deasy
Deasy
T. M. Fisher
Geo. B. Stimpson
DeMaineville & Brisbin
Finance Committee
District Court
Sexton Thorpe
Sexton
Patrick McGraham
Patrick
McGraham
Also Mentioned on This Page
Carey Block
Wagner
Laramie City
Lorena
Evanston Age
Evanston
Col. D. R. Anthony
The
Leavenworth Times
Rocky Mountain News
Capitol
Big Town City
Blackfoot
Denver Pacific
Red Cloud Agency
Sidney
Buford
A. & P. Telegraph Company
Meyer
Maj
T. M. Newson
Webfoot Mining Co
Bea
Deadwood Directory
Denver Society
City Councilings
Larg
Salla
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