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Newspaper
Cheyenne Weekly Leader
Location
Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States of America
Date
Mar 29, 1877
Page
8
A March 29 1877 report notes a rich copper lode discovered at Castle Creek in the Black Hills with assays showing high value. The item mixes local humor and crime notes, including train changes and a murder rumor tied to Persimmon Bill, plus weather and social anecdotes.
Southern Pacific engineers tapped artesian water eight teen miles from Indian Wells. The well reached ninety feet, delivering a steady flow to power engines and workers, with trains expected to run to the Colorado River by late next month. New stations Walters and Dos Palmas opened at 613 and 631 miles from Frisco, the latter on the 8th. The Yuma division Indian Wells station will be renamed India.
The Deadwood City postmaster appointment in the Black Hills provoked a clash at the Post Office Department. R O Adams of Omaha faced protests from Rosewater of the Omaha Bee over alleged ties to ex Senator Witchcock and criminal charges. Tyner delayed Adams’s commission pending testimony on Saunders Nebraska Senator’s objections.
A citizen uses extreme hospitality to trap a tramp breakfast guest. The host orders the man inside forces him to sit at table and eat a feast while threatening death if any bite remains. The tramp, fearing poison, finishes reluctantly and escapes, vowing he won’t breakfast there again.
Reports from Deadwood recount a bold stage robbery near Whitewood canyon 24 miles from Deadwood. Driver Johnny Slaughter killed, passenger Walter Iler wounded. five masked attackers fled. Sheriff offers 500 reward. father of the murdered boy, J N Slaughter, travels to Deadwood for burial.
General orders commend Lieut J F Cummings of the Third Cavalry and a citizen volunteer group for capturing a hostile village on Grow creek Dakota about 50 miles north of Deadwood City. Special praise is given to Mr Bradley and the detachment for energy, courage, and service. Also lauded is Sergeant C A Bessey and Privates Taggart Leonard and Featherall for their conduct against a larger force near Elkhorn creek Wyoming January 13.
A Chicago dispatch notes Spotted Tail volunteers to visit Crazy Horse and other hostile camps to urge surrender and return to the reservation. The government offers no aid beyond allowing the mission. Sheridan says no parleys will delay the planned campaign, supplies are being rushed for an upcoming offensive.
Red Cloud Agency dispatches that Spotted Tail has contacted authorities and plans to complete his peace mission with hostiles. Delays were caused by harsh weather and worn horses, delaying progress toward the assignment.
A telegram from Denver reports W. Maxwell and his sixteen year old son, both stock men formerly of Stuart Iowa, were killed in Colfax county New Mexico on Friday. The suspected murderer, a negro, was captured at Trinidad Colorado. Robbery is the probable motive as Maxwell was believed to carry money. Both bodies were found Sunday with gunshot wounds to the head.
The Cheyenne and Black Hills Stage Co. announces daily departures from this city with six-horse coaches carrying eighteen passengers. Service promises fast horses, easy coaches, first-class eating stations, and a fixed two day journey to Deadwood.
Dispatch from Fort Fetterman says General Mackenzie ordered arrest of thieves after 80 to 90 ponies were stolen from Red Cloud Agency. Pursuit recovered all but two ponies near the post. a man named William F Hall was arrested with two ponies. Ponies returned to the Indians. Fort Fetterman wires a new North Platte river cable and ferry repair.
The Mountain Meadows region is described as a cursed, barren wasteland scarred by storms. A spring near the emigrant camp runs dirty and shallow while Cedar City residents linked to 1857 massacres are said to have vanished or fled. Local figures Haight Higbee and Stewart are cited as targets of dwindling interest as lingering vengeance and Indian alliances with Lee shape the mood.
A well known firm member hurries to the shop at 7 am claiming three partners and only two chairs. The rival trader quips about sales, but the man explains the need to reach the store early to avoid the last man standing all day.
A group of young men plans an overland camping trip to California by wagon. They will purchase a first class outfit and travel via Cheyenne and Salt Lake City, taking a leisurely pace to hunt and fish. Stops include Carson City and Virginia City Nevada, with visits to Yosemite Big Trees and San Francisco. They will proceed south toward Los Angeles as fall approaches.
General Crook cites Spotted Tail as the senior Indian figure handling communications with bands. Reports say he hopes to farm ten thousand to fifteen thousand Indians, though his progress is a ten foot square squash patch. Sheridan notes annuity distributions are now fair, unlike past thefts by corrupt agents. A Cheyenne chief recalls Mackenzie’s defeats, harsh winter, and hunger. Crazy Horse is near Powder River with about 120 lodges, awaiting a Powwow outcome. A party from Kansas City plans to proceed to the Black Hills with mining and prospecting gear, led by Lt. A. L. Carpenter.
Word from Deadwood confirms actress Fanny Garrettson, once engaged here last summer, died by suicide three weeks ago by cutting her throat.
The Denver Pacific reveals a new timetable effective Sunday at 6 30 a m. The express train arrives at 12 30 a m and departs 2 30 a m with Denver arrival 7 30 a m and departure 7 30 p m. The freight service runs Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a m to 7 05 p m and Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays 7 a m to 4 20 p m.
The article A Trip to the Black Hills attributed to L Puttyhead Richardson is accused of untruths and dullness. The piece is criticized as the first of its kind on the topic and said to be written by a questionable author, with the reviewer labeling Richardson a dead beat.
A packed house marked the Forresters final night in the Magic City. The satire Satan in Paris and the farce Rival Doctors received high praise, pleasing a public eager for top quality entertainment. Manager Mc Daniels is praised for bringing the troupe, which will return soon to Cheyenne.
A Deadwood letter disputes a Mullin claim about the Varnes murder. It states Hartgrave shot Varnes after a January dispute, without warning, while Varnes spoke with Elliott. The letter accuses Mullin of adoption and says Hartgrave remains at large, with local officials cited as sources.
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