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July 28, 2010 1:49 PM
Deadwood History
Sprague gives Native American perspective on Little Bighorn battle
Deadwood--Donovin Sprague has revealed some new ideas about the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, from a family perspective. His great, great grandfather High Backbone or “Hump” fought at the battle. A larger-than-expected audience converged on the Adams Museum in Deadwood to hear Sprague speak about his perspective on the battle. » read more
City’s bet on a rebirth pays off
It was, in a way, a sacrifice. When fire broke out on Deadwood’s Main Street on a frigid December night in 1987, it consumed a handful of businesses and destroyed two historic buildings. The Syndicate Fire, as it was called, burned down the 99-year-old Syndicate Building and the neighboring structure that housed F. » read more
Irish immigrant found that Deadwood keeps him young
If Bill Walsh’s life story weren’t real, you’d swear it was made up. He has often said there were five honorable professions for Irish immigrants — policeman, politician, bartender, priest and attorney — and he’s held three of them. A Mitchell native, Walsh spent 11 years as a Catholic priest in eastern South Dakota before leaving the priesthood in the 1970s. » read more
Deadwood’s supporting cast almost too unique to be real
Steve Agan smiles as he recounts the time he nearly had to toss one of his blackjack customers out of Durty Nelly’s in the basement of the Historic Franklin Hotel in Deadwood. It’s not that he wanted to, necessarily, Agan said. It was more that he would have had to if the belligerent drunk would have continued to verbally abuse the dealers. » read more
Celebrating the wager that won
Monday, Nov. 2, was anniversary day in Deadwood as city officials and gaming promoters gathered to commemorate 20 years of legalized gaming for historic preservation. Under a glorious autumn sky, Deadwood mayor Francis Toscana read a proclamation marking the start of gaming Nov. » read more
Bryant tells story of Deadwood historic figure Henrico Livingstone
Adams Museum research associate Jerry Bryant told what he knows and what he thinks he knows about one of Deadwood’s more colorful and mystifying female characters during a recent speech at the Adams House. Bryant told the story of Henrico Livingstone, a mining claim owner at Deadwood’s inception. Livingtsone came to the United States in the 1840s, being born on the ship coming to America from England. » read more
ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER
Madame Henrico’s Diary Spring 1877 My dear mother, may God rest her soul, always used to say that “you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Not wanting to waste good advice, I have puzzled over exactly what was her meaning. With all due respect I just may have discovered that in certain circumstances vinegar may be quite useful indeed when added to the honey. » read more
Deadwood's saga of Black Gold
Much of Deadwood’s rich history is still very much alive for those of us who call the Gulch our home, and for those of you who pay us a visit. The natural beauty that surrounds us frames a colorful past of gambling and whiskey, gold mining and brothels, lawmen and badmen. But even with the valiant efforts of the community, led by our able Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, so much has been lost. » read more
Deadwood's Oldest Church Tribute To Early Settlers
Deadwood's Oldest Church Tribute To Early Settlers By: Lois Miller Although St. John's Episcopal church in Deadwood stands as a tribute to the valiant efforts of an early day pioneer, Mrs. » read more
No More in Need of Gold
No More in Need of Gold By: David Soma, Deadwood Alive DEADWOOD— “…And snow is falling fast The tall pines sigh, howl and moan, Responsive to the blast, The shades of night are gathered ‘round; The fire is burning low, I sit and watch the dying coals, And think of long ago.” The Reverend Henry Weston Smith, 1876 We are immersed in a seago, like a fish in water. » read more
Deadwood oldtimer stayed out of jail
Deadwood oldtimer stayed out of jail By: Lois Miller DEADWOOD n Interviewing John Lee of Deadwood, trying to capture his personality, is like a lively battle of barbs and repartee. This pioneer is one of those rare individuals whose humor is still keenly alert even though he has just passed his 85th birthday. » read more
A Deadwood Waif
A Deadwood Waif By Jerry L. Bryant, RPA DEADWOOD—The fascinating history of Deadwood and the surrounding Black Hills has generated a multitude of legends, controversies, myths, and outright lies. One of the most perplexing of these controversies concerns gunfights and violent deaths in Deadwood. » read more
Historic Deadwood Store Served Hopeful Prospectors
Historic Deadwood Store Served Hopeful Prospectors By: By Lois Miller "That stock: of groceries ain't goin' on this wagon train," snapped the wagon boss, for such men food had to be hard-boiled in 1876 in order to get their outfits through. A pair of six shooters hung at his side. “Don’t pay any attention to that,” said the young said the young man named Connors. » read more
Divine forgiveness at the end of a double-barreled shotgun
Divine forgiveness at the end of a double-barreled shotgun By: David Soma, Deadwood Alive Obscurity - often the gift that history bestows upon the lives and daily existence of those people who lived it. Living history is an opportunity to revive the historical record and bring to life those whose words and actions were instrumental in shaping the world as we know it. Since history is largely compiled by the people who conveniently honor themselves, a far more accurate picture of a bygone era can be drawn by resurrecting those characters whose colorful lives spoke for themselves and who it might be more convenient for the chroniclers to forget. » read more
The Spirits of Deadwood's History
The Spirits of Deadwood's History One generation of historians follows another in the process certain truths are clarified and new myths are born. And sometimes history has to be restrained from taking the dizzying plunge into legend. But in Deadwood legends soar to ever-present heights of living history. » read more