Deadwood Free Press Vol 2 Issue 12

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 12

March 27, 1878

Vol. 2 Issue 10

March 13, 1878

Deadwood Elects Its Finest to Office

From left to right: Mayor Clay Kungler, Miss Grey Bedlam, Deputy Mayor Starbuck Shippe, Doctor Keli Randt and new Sheriff Bram Ansar.

Deadwood voters appointed several fine individuals to elected office. Seen here from left to right are Mayor Clay Kungler, who announced the results, as well as returning council member Miss Grey Bedlam, Deputy Mayor Starbuck Shippe, Doctor Keli Randt and new Sheriff Bram Ansar. Missing from the picture is the top vote-getter, Mr. Harold Leonard, who was ill after bringing food to a starving family in the hills. The person who lost the race was Patrick Yedmore of the Deadwood Miners Union. Mr. Yedmore was heard to express concern about how a man representing the largest group in town could lose the election. This appeared to be sour grapes, said your editor, Neil Streeter, who is a town council member and one of the board of canvassers overseeing the extremely honest election. Mr. Streeter strenuously denied reports that he was seen burning ballots on election night. “To think I would do that so anyone could see it is just an insult to my intelligence,” Streeter said. “Not that I would do it anyways.” Note to typesetter, Mrs. M, kindly remove part about me burning ballots. Not funny.

Council to Address Expanded Jail, Lawmen's Hall, Public Safety and Public Health The Deadwood Town Council will meet Saturday at noon in Town Hall to discuss matters of public health, the general state of law in the town, and proposals from the new sheriff in regards to construction and safety. The new sheriff, formerly acting marshal, Bram Ansar, ran on a platform of standardizing firearms among lawpeople and changing configuration the provision of law. This is his letter to the council about the latter:

Ladies and gentlemen of the Town council. Might I put forward a proposal to you for a restructure in the organisation and layouts of the resources of the Deadwood Marshal’s Office and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dept., located in Deadwood, Dakota Terr. Currently, We have the Town Jail, which is a small stone building located on Sherman Street, and Lawman’s Hall, Funded by the council, located on Lee Street. Currently, due to the expensive upkeep of Lawman’s hall, Treasurer Mr N. Streeter had had to lease out a few rooms to rent to the public. However, I feel that the Lawmn’s Hall building does not need to be used by our Departments, and could be sold or rented

out completely, raising extra income for the council and town. The current use, apart form the previously mentioned renting, is for a room for lawmen to sleep. My proposal is to extend the Jailhouse by one story, to make a two story building on Sherman St. This means that we could move some of the furniture, desks, and other administrative items upstairs, as well as providing a bunk room for the lawmen to sleep in. this could also give us more space for an extra cell or two, which would be handy with the overcrowding due to the backlog of court cases at present. I understand if this request is not possible at this time, or at all, but I believe this would be the best way forward, for the Town, the Council, and the Sheriff’s and Marshals departments. Thank you for your time, Signed, Sheriff Ansar A lively discussion is likely. Lawmen’s Hall was to provide subsidized housing for lawmen, as an incentive for lawmen to work for the town... but few stay there at present. Mr. Ansar is correct that the building was opened to the general public for rent, but not so much to raise money as to provide a simple place to stay for the very new in town. However, since then, several other Continued on page 2 1

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 12

March 27, 1878

Letters to the Editor Editor, Your paper has crossed the line and is only fit for the Gentlemen’s Room in the local library! Imagine my dismay this morning as I sipped on my morning coffee and turned to page three of your paper. There, as plain as day, was the mostly naked body of an upstairs girl in an advertisement for a new brothel in town. Then directly under that advertisement were the very large “eyes” of Miss Shawnee. To what level has your paper stooped? Perhaps you think you will sell more papers, and perhaps you will. Though I observed one of your paper boys giving sneak peeks to his friends later in the day. I put forth that it isn’t news in this case that you are selling. I immediately burned your paper. It isn’t even fit to reuse in the outhouse. I shall not patronize such filth. I do hope that you clean up your act. Charleston Capra Deadwood

size, making it all to simple to “accidentally” check the box above or below and unfairly robbing the voter of his true choice? Additionally, one must question what was behind the decision to write names out in letters in the first place? How arrogant and intimidating to assume all voters have had benefit or intelligence to learn reading? As long as he is not a lunatic, all men have that right to vote that no one should take it from him! I must say, having ladies run for office was really quite clever. Whoever worked this election knew what they were doing. What man is going to check the box of a “Harold” or “Bart” when he can fill in that of a “Mable” or “Millicent,” hoping to make time? I was not born yesterday, and neither will the people of Deadwood be played a fool. It’s time to bring in the heavy guns Mr. Editor. Does the Council not know that in this age of progress, Machines have been invented, using stylus and punching mechanism on card board voting cards that can automate the voting process and insure total, absolute accuracy! Editor, It’s about time Deadwood joined the Firstly, may I apolgize for leaving so 19th Century! Honest Citizen soon after the election results on Friday. Deadwood Dr. Kristen needed my assitence at the infirmary. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. You will not regret your vote. I have some plans to discuss with the council shortly which I hope if put in place will be a step towards improving the welfare, health and maybe the happiness of this town and its people. For two weeks starting 13 April I will be offering a free check up to anyone interested. I particularly want to see any miners, law men/women and saloon girls as well as the general public. This will be so I can get a file set up for you all and we can discuss any concerns, questions you may have, and such. Please contact me to make an appoint- Continued from page 1 ment. If anyone has any suggestions for the boarding facilities have either opened or Infirmary or any improvements that can been remodeled. So there is only one renter be made, feel free to suggest them. in the building now, Streeter said, paying Thank you again. $10 a week while the council is paying $280 Dr K Randt a month in rent for the building. For that matter, Streeter is investigating because he thinks the renter may be a lawman, and so Editor, may be entitled to a refund. That would How does a mining man like Patrick mean the council is getting no money Yedmore, one who stands with the working return on the building. man, lose an election for Town Council in “I hope my fellow council members a town full of miners? Impossible! Mr. either say they think Lawmen’s Hall is Patrick Yedmore was clearly robbed! worth this subsidy for its encouragement Abnormalities in Deadwood’s voting to new citizens, or else have better ideas for system abound! For starters, why are the building,” Streeter said. check boxes are all ridiculously the same At press deadline we also received word from a businessperson seeking something that maybe the council can decide on, what to do about large shrubbery:

Council to Address Expanded Jail, Lawmen's Hall, Public Safety and Public Health, cont.

Editor and Publisher Neil Streeter Associate Publisher Lola Kanto Reporters Addison Leigh Contributing Writer D.A. Kuhr Typesetter S. Morigi 2

March 27, 1878 To: Town Council of Deadwood From: Ms. Charleston Capra Dear Council: I am petitioning you to have the tree in front of 31 Wall Street removed. I will gladly assume the costs. The tree has become overgrown, is a hazard and blocks visibility and an entry way to my busines. Thank you for your time and attention to the matter. Sincerely, Charleston Capra

Editorial Learning from Failure I recently had the pleasure of chatting with a student of our Late Great President Lincoln, Miss Daisyblue Hefferman, and was reminded of an aspect of the great man’s story barely remembered. We all honor the man and think of his as great. That’s especially true for those of us with the honor of being Republicans before it was popular or trendy. We can remember when not all our candidates were of Lincoln’s caliber. But even Lincoln knew failure. Can this be so? Yes. And it is a reminder to us. I see people start businesses and close them. I rush to remind you this is no disgrace. Simply pick yourself up and try again. It was in 1832 that Mr. Lincoln became a candidate for Illinois General Assembly. He lost the election. He and another man bought a store in New Salem. They both signed promissory notes for the enormous sum of $1,200. But the community languished. His partner died. The store failed a year, later, leaving the surviving partner in debt. He was hauled into debtor’s court.

In fact, it would take the man more than a decade to pay his creditors. You might want to think on this if your business in Deadwood languishes or even goes under. Simply begin to pay your debts, and try again. Lincoln would later jokingly refer to this as his own personal “national debt.” Perhaps the episode helped build his character. If so, the episode helped save a nation. What a turnaround. Perhaps we are all in debt... to a debt.

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 12

March 27, 1878

Drink Up! There’s More to a Drink Than You Think Since before the War, many colorful and The Gin Sling interesting mixed drinks have been popuMix 1 teaspoon sugar, dissolved in a lar among America’s imbibing population. little water, with one jigger of Holland Even in on the western frontier, no self- Gin in a water glass. Fill the rest of the way with water, then respecting better quality bartender would eschew the study and practice of the fine stir. Grate a little nutmeg on top, and serve. art of “mixology,” unless he wished to disappoint and irritate his clientele. Even rough-and-ready, trail-worn cowpokes were not adverse to the consumption of elaborate sweetened concoctions, so long as they were potent. For the edification of our readers and to encourage a more creative approach to drinking, we are going to be printing, on a regular basis, recipes for “cocktails,” many of them derived from “Professor” Jerry Thomas’ 1862 publication How to Mix Drinks; or, The Bon Vivant’s Companion.

Add a slice of lemon if the customer so desires. The Mint Julep Cook one half cup of sugar and one half cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves, making a thin syrup. Place several fresh mint leaves in a container and pour the sugar syrup over them. Let cool, preferably in an ice box for at least 4 hours. Fill tumbler glasses with crushed ice. Add 3 parts of the cooled sugar water to 1 part Bourbon whiskey. A little water can be added particularly if the mix is too sweet for the customer’s taste. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. (makes about two drinks) By D.A. Kuhr

Popular Ladies Teahouse Reopens Miss September Blaisdale Kungler will be reopening her popular teahouse in a bigger location, on Main Street not far from the offices of Homestake Mining. The mayor’s wife reports it will be “... a refreshing and feminine oasis in the bleak landscape that is Deadwood. Ladies are welcome to sit and relax while enjoying a cup of tea and conversation with one another.” Gentlemen are not permitted in the tea room. (I gues s t hat means whiskey for us, fellas) The tea room is available for ladies only events. Suffrage meetings, bridal showers, etc. Editor’s note: Mrs. M, haha about suffrage, please take that out.

'Simply Fine' Women on Wall Street Mrs. Capra announces the grand opening of Simply Fine Things at 1 on Sunday. The business is located on Wall Street, across the street and down a few buildings from the Phoenix. The opening is to be catered by the mayor’s wife, Mrs. September Blaisdale Kungler, with fine teas and assorted refreshments. Your editor has not had the chance to yet visit the shop and knows nothing about it, but if we understand the meaning of the name of the store, and to look at its propreitor, we are sure the young women employed therein will be among the finest in town indeed. There’s no doubt the business will be popular among the gents.

Classifieds Men! Is your life disturbed by women’s complaints? Is she Irritable? Lethargic? Unstable? Gossipy? Argumentative? Shrill? Emotional? Lazy? Or Unpleasant? It’s not her, It’s you. Send away for your copy of Dr. Elston Sampsons’ Treatise “Appropriate Behavior of the Married Male” today for a better home life Tomorrow! Sackbus Publishing, Inc. 1409 Michigan Street Chicago, Illinois

Justice Rod Eun’s Hat Store Original Western & Cowboy hats of different styles and types, all are moderately priced. If you get a chance, please take a look see. Located in Newall General Store, near the last stage stop to Deadwood.

Spring is coming Someday For now, chase the cold away With a homecooked meal At the famous CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT For nourishing food just like Mother used to make

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