LOOKING BACK September 1876 Last Monday, Sept. 25, was an eventful day in the history of Deadwood City. The first quartz mill ever shipped to the Black Hills arrived and passed through our city to its destination near Gayville. The first regular coach of the first regularly established stageline to the Hills arrived that day and brought the first lady passenger in the person of Mrs. R. B. Fay. We record these three events because they may be of importance to the future historians of the Black Hills.. September 1877 Madame Lake Hickok, the widow of the late Wild Bill, accompanied by Charles Dalton (Buckskin Charley) and wife, and George Carson, arrived in the city late on Friday evening. On Saturday the widow visited Bill’s grave, and proposes, as soon as it is definitely settled that the graveyard will not be disturbed, to erect a fenced monument to his memory, in which kind action Buffalo Bill, Texas Jack, and Buckskin Charley will assist her. Madame Hickok, when she leaves here will proceed to Havana, Cuba, via Cincinnati and New York, in company with her daughter, whither they will take two young horses the Madame has trained this summer, at Cheyenne, for the circus ring. September 1877 Two soiled doves last night came very nearly having a big pow wow because the one had cut the other out of her darling, but no fight ensued because apparently one was afraid, and the other did not dare. September 1879 The irrepressible Ruggles, of the Oyster Bay, is in full blast again on Upper Sherman Street. He is the only restaurant man who burned out who is on his pins again. His place is open day and night, as usual. Go see him. The fire has not ruffled his temper a bit. He is just as happy as a big sun flower. September 1889 A "sea of fire" destroyed grass and timber south and east of Boulder Park. Hundreds of men fought the wind swept fire without success. Many homes were burned and also the Jeffries saw mill. Galena was threatened. October 1892 The Bodega Café has changed hands. A. Sprando, the new proprietor, the well known restaurateur of Rapid, assuming charge last evening. This café, which has always borne the name of being the best in the city, will lose none of its prestige under the new management. September 1881 Sol Star was removed from office as Postmaster of Deadwood on the charge of "complicity with star route carrier (contractor) "in arranging arbitrary arrival of mails." Star was probably not guilty, but was a victim of a sinister plot. J. A. Harding was appointed postmaster in his place. May 1889 Sol Star was elected mayor of Deadwood for the sixth time. |