Deadwood Free Press Vol 2 Issue 18

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

Lawman Kills Self, Burns Here and Who Knows Elsewhere Last week, former Deputy Cheyanne Wylder was found dead on the floor of his Lee Street home, bleeding profusely, with a self-inflicted bullet through his brain. Foul play is not suspected. Wylder left a suicide note addressed to his wife and was well known to be despondent over his dismissal from the ranks of lawmen. Wylder, who once aspired to the Sheriff position, was summarily dismissed two weeks ago for dereliction of duty that resulted in the false imprisonment and beating of an innocent man in his presence. In spite of his troubles, the law community expressed shock over the pointlessness and manner of Wylder’s death, and noted the disturbance of mind he exhibited in recent violent incidents where Wylder baited and threatened his former colleagues. Many also recall how loudly and often Wylder proclaimed his innocence after his dismissal. Tragically, any chance of appeal was ended with that bullet and

his blood. After a dignified wake at the Wylder home, mourners were led not to Mount Moriah, but instead to a pile of stacked timber and bear grease behind the Whitewood Saloon. Men, women and children alike then watched the disturbing sight of Wylder’s splayed corpse lit on fire with a torch and melted to ash in imitation of an exotic Hindu funeral rite. The inspiration for the paganism is unclear, but has made Wylder an oddity and Deadwood the talk of mining communities throughout the Black Hills. Most reject the notion of Wylder as a closet hindu, but consider his disposal either an expression of supreme self hatred or the act of an extremely angry spouse. After the service, attendees retired to the nearest saloon for a stiff double. Mrs. Wylder did not immolate herself on the funeral pyre and continues to reside in town.

The Widow Wylder watches as the body of former lawman Chey Wylder is burned. We are told some view this as a reasonable way to send a spirit skyward, but we assume that on the resurrection the man will appear as smoke. Odd, but spectacular.

Job Openings The Phoenix Hotel on Sherman and -- help maintain a safe environment for Wall Streets is currently seeking quali- hotel guests, visitors and staff. -- dispense with troublemakers, diffuse fied ladies and gentlemen for the following tense situations and keep tabs on persons employment opportunities: of interest who may represent or express a Concierge: Pleasant young ladies are threat against the hotel building, guests, sought for this position, which includes the visitors and staff. following duties, as needed: Performers: -- Piano players, musicians -- welcoming guests and assisting them in registering and getting them settled and other performance artists provide in. music for dancing, and entertain in stage -- cleaning rooms shows. -- taking orders and serving food and drink Prospective applicants are encouraged to -- arranging for tours of the town and contact Phoenix co-owners Astolat Dufaux surrounding areas, hunting parties, doctor and Ernst Osterham at the hotel, located at visits, etc. the corner of Sherman and Wall Streets. Security: Confident men are sought to:

Town Council Meets Sunday The Deadwood Town Council is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Sunday to discuss a number of pressing matters. Among them will be a request to build a dock along the riverbank by the Phoenix Hotel. “We’d like to have a nice outside area, with a small, in that eddy right in front, just open up a view of the river” stated owner Astolat Dufaux. Town Councilman Neil Streeter announced general support of the notion: “We need to take better advantage of our rivers.” There may also be discussion about school ... or the lack of school ... and lack of a schoolteacher. Rumors are that there may also be discussion of the bank, but no confirmation of these reports was possible. 1

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

Letters to the Editor Editor, The end of school is drawing near, and this has brought to my mind that the children of our community will have nothing but mischief to occupy them. I would encourage the Town Council to extend the school term through the summer months and extend the school day. This would have several very positive consequences. First, the children will get a better and more in-depth education as the school mistress will have more time to teach. She would not be limited to a few measly hours a day and only 9 months out of the year. She could have 10 or more hours a day, plus school 12 months a year. This could only be a help to her. The second consequence would be the children’s time would be occupied with little or no time for mischief making. We all know that a child’s hands and imagination are the devil’s playground: better to keep them busy studying and out of trouble. Now, some may protest that the children are needed to do chores and help with farming or ranching. To that I say, nonsense. The children of Deadwood for the most part do not engage in any productive activity that I have noticed, with a few notable exceptions and even they make time for school. Most of the children are running wild in the streets and it is rumored that some even are guilty of committing crimes. Let us be reasonable, Deadwood is not a farming community, this is a mining camp and children are not needed at home for chores during most of the day. An Intellectual Deadwood Editor, It has come to my attention that some in your town are expressing concern about the plunging necklines and, not incidentally, more revealed flesh that some of our Ladies are sporting. I must say that I am in favor of this new trend in fashion. Those who oppose this new fashion statement make inflammatory statements as to the low moral quality of the Ladies who wear them. These stalwarts of conservatism then claim that these low necklines will lead all of Deadwood into the gates of hell. Well, my dear Editor, I must take exception to this. First, I have seen some of the Ladies who are wearing these articles of clothing, and I can assure you that these women are among the leading citizens of our town: Women whose character is above reproach. Secondly, the one’s who

Editor and Publisher Neil Streeter Associate Publisher Lola Kanto Reporters Addison Leigh Contributing Writers Laurel Blackheart Mrs. Fine Lady Typesetter S. Morigi 2

claim we are on the path to perdition are in fact leading the way. Though I will not name names, I have seen some of the self same defenders of the faith climbing the stairs of the Bella Union. Will we allow these hypocrites to change a most enchanting change in women’s attire? I for one say NAY! One Tolerant Lead City Editor, I have heard that there is discussion to make school hours longer and even extending the school term to year round. That just cannot be. I need my entire family to help with the work that needs done in the summer. We have to plow the fields, plant the crops, tend the livestock, repair fences, on and on. Now, I know some of you big city types don’t think much about where the food you eat comes from. But let me tell you and your readers one thing for sure. If I have to do without the work my children provide, I will have to hire men to do it or I will not be able to grow as much and you will starve. That means, Mister Editor, that your bread, corn, beans and everything else will come much dearer. So you city folks have a choice as I see it. You all can go ahead an do something foolish like make my children go to school year round causing your groceries to cost more and be less plentiful. Or you can be sensible and leave things as they are and be able to afford to eat. A Farmer Outside Deadwood

Editorial Governor Well Met; His First Appointment Is Not We were pleased to learn that the president appointed a worthy man as governor, replacing a known drunkard. How sadly we learn this known drunkard has been appointed chief tax collector. President Hayes is to be thanked for replacing John L. Pennington, the alcohol on whose breath would arrive a half hour before the man. We hardly saw him anyway, for he clearly gamboled to the interests of Dakota outside the Black Hills, such as among his cronies in Yankton. True, Pennington was a good Republican warrior, but Lincoln himself would blanch at how Pennington made ‘Republican’ synonymous with ‘corruption’ in these parts. By all accounts, his replacement, William A. Howard, is a man of good character. Howard is also a humble man who pulled himself up by bootstraps. His first training was as a cabinet-maker, where he no doubt learned the importance of measurement, prudent work and exactitude. His advancement was gradual. He taught math at a University, then returned as a student to study law and become a lawyer. Howard has been an important man in Detroit, a fine American city. Howard has served in Congress for

Michigan and lost, and was later chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan during the great war. He has been on the Republican Central Committee, which of course explains how President Hayes knows the man to be of good character and service. But perhaps of chief interest to us is that he has most recently been land commissioner for the Northern Pacific Railway. There is surely no more important industry to us in the Black Hills. The arrival of rail would bring men and investment. The lack of rail will continue to relegate the Black Hills as a secondary destination. We hear reports he has been of ill health, and wish him better health. We hear he is good form for a man of 66. But Howard has named Pennington director of internal revenue. Republicans should help each other, but each other as Republicans, not the wayward sheep who disgrace the flock. This cannot be good. The governor should explain himself. And Pennington should crawl back with his old carpetbag to the South, where he may have men to reward him for past favors. He is not welcome in the Black Hills.

New Technology Takes Deadwood by Storm, and Taste Buds Mr. Abraham of Needful Things caused plenty of bosoms to heave in his shop with the demonstration of the latest in cooking technology, a stove. Most of us men in the room didn’t know exactly what this thing does, but we do understand heaving bosoms ... vvand the heartfelt tug of a lady upon our sleeve asking for the latest in ovens. A man who enjoys porridge or pie is advised to comply. The new stove was demonstrated by Miss Estwee Vansant, the comely chef at The California renowned for both her meals and desserts. The stove arrives straight from the latest Sears and Roebuck catalog. “Ladies, this new oven is start of the art in cooking innovation. It heats up in no time, and it cooks food really fast, and you have better control of the temperature...!” she exclaimed, barely pausing for any breaths.

Of course, men also heat up in no time, and so we eagerly scanned the women for reaction. Miss Vansant explained, “You can raise and lower the grill inside to keep your food away or closer to the heat.” She and an assistant from the audience, the lovely Miss Addison Leigh, prepared a blueberry pie, while Dusty Gallagher assisted in preparation of dinnertime chicken. Audience members then descended for tasting. “Mmmm, that is good,” stated Miss Laurel Blackheart, librarian. Mayor Clay Kungler was asked when he thinks his wife will ask for this new oven. “Oh, likely long enough for me to travel home just so I can travel back with a wagon,” the wise man stated.

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

Hot News: Fine Smoking in Town Grand opening Saturday T here’s a new Tobacco shop opening in town this week: MacArthur’s Fine Tobacco shop at 20 Main Street next to Mortlocks, where the old farm store used to be. MacArthur’s carries a full range of cigarettes, cigars and loose leaf tobacco including Dixie Cigars, the cheapest of the cheap up to Pagoine Luminosa Blended Cigars, the finest hand rolled cigar from Cuba. To keep your breath respectable, MacArthur carries Black Jack Licorice Chewing Gum for after smoking to soothe the throat and freshen the mouth. Should you feel ill, Beeman’s Pepsin Gum cures Indigestion and Sea Sickness. Come on down to Macarthur’s Fine Tobaccos and Smoking lounge for for the Grand Opening at 1 p.m. on Saturday June 13. There will be a checkers Tournament

All work and no play will make you dull! There is pleasure to be had in Deadwood! Socialize frequently and support your local businesses. There is no reason to stay at home pining for company. Stop at the Grand or Phoenix for a tasty meal finished off with a confection from Justice Dusty’s new ice cream shop on Lee Street. Come by the Bella Union for Faro on Thursday Nights, The Gem for Boxing on Friday Nights, or the Whitewood Saloon anytime you need to taste

from 2 to 3 p.m. in the lounge. The winner will receive a fine Calabash Pipe! Miss Cheshire will be giving out a free cigar or cigarette to any customer who crosses the door frame. Your choice from her fine selection. Come enjoy the fine smells and company of friends at Macarthur’s Fine Tobacco Shop!

some of the best whisky in town. The Red Bird, the Number 10, the Pub, the California... The possibilities are endless!

Scenes from Around Town Dusty Gallagher opened his Irish pub to great enjoyment this past weekend with dancing and merriment and a magic show by our famous Guru, who appeared to pull his beating heart from his body.

Editor Neil Streeter fell from the balcony of the former Red Bird while attempting to rescue six children. Townspeople speedily cheered him and he rose shortly after simply nursing his leg, not having broken it.

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Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

Summer Stories The Bella Union Theater sponsored a story night in which folks shared poems and talks of the summer. Here are some of the poems presented:

My Ode to Summer Whiskey in Deadwood

One of the Kings, Richard XV

By Neil Streeter

Another Poem by That Shakespeare Fellow, as read by Clay Kungler

Our summer in Deadwood begins in heat, the friendly people walking in sunshine cannot be beat It may not always be easy to keep your tie neat, but don’t be like a sheep and bleat. You can make yourselves like a river otter, Build your home in the company of good folks here though it’s hotter Sure you can drink lemon and water, but I tell you with whiskey, fellas, really you ought-ter You can quench your thirst at many a place, to find good whiskey needs not a race The friend people offer conversation and good taste, offering their saloons as a happy home base. You can to the Number 10 and find Cat or Darcy, just ride right up and park your harse-y Their happy smiles make any man happy, just go there and drink till yer yappy There is of course the Whitewood where the cards may be playing, gamblers and fine folks are often waying The whiskey is served even if you are still walking, around their bar many a man is whiskey stalking. You can go to the Gem and find a whiskey or beer, you’ll find good ol’ Clay there dressing a deer Sure ladies, some of the fellows may stop and leer, but if they get too rude Clay will box their ear. Now everyone knows the Grand Central is not only for drinks but for staying, and some men and women clearly think it’s for laying Fortunately Mrs Dio tells em they better be respectable or they better go-theirwaying

Sonnet 18 As Read by Elisabeth Leitner, theater co-director of the Bella Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And oft’ is his gold complexion dimm’d; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance or nature’s changing cou rse untrimm’d: But thy eternal Summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou growest: So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

The summer sun is sinking low

There’s the fine Bella, where many a fella, Has met a lady friend and drank till they fell-a Longfellow, as read by Ernst Osterham Now it’s a theater where you can watch a reading like this, From what I hear sadly The summer sun is sinking low; you have to earn, not pay, for a kiss. Only the tree-tops redden and glow: Only the weathercock on the spire You can go to the Phoenix where the bird Of the neighboring church is a flame of always rises, drink until you see the sun fire; peering over the far horizes All is in shadow below. Get a room and sleep because this is a place where you can abide-ses, and the fine din- O beautiful, awful summer day, What hast thou given, what taken away? ners mean you eat long as you buys-es. Life and death, and love and hate, Now I couldn’t list them all, then there’s Homes made happy or desolate, Dusty’s Irish bar, the California, the Red Hearts made sad or gay! Bird, indeed, many a star Offers whiskey at their bar, Giving a warm On the road of life one mile-stone more! glow to the Deadwood summer ... and In the book of life one leaf turned o’er! Like a red seal is the setting sun there you are. On the good and the evil men have done, Naught can to-day restore! 4

Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York; And all the clouds that lowered upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths, Our bruisèd arms hung up for monuments, Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. As read by Widow Dio Kuhr Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front, I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs And now, instead of mounting barbèd of stone steeds Stand in the desert. Near them on the To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear: `My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’ Not hing b eside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away”.

Ozymandias, By Shelley

Deadwood Free Press Vol. 2 Issue 18

June 12, 1878

American Spiritualism: Reform Movement or a Realm of Chicanery? The recent presence of a highly regarded medium has ignited interest interest in the practice of Spiritualism, a belief system within which individuals who possess special skills or sensitivity can allegedly bring the living into direct communication with the dead. The question naturally arises, are such persons true mediums that can bridge the gulf between us and the eternal, or are they charlatans, deceiving and preying upon the hopeful? Such a question is perhaps beyond our ability to answer here, as it is after all, a issue of faith. The answer may certainly differ from practitioner to practitioner. But we can look at another question of why this movement has gained such steadfast and enthusiastic adherents in certain circles, particularly those among our upper and middle classes who also have an interest in reform a nd p ro g re s sive ideals. Our nation’s spiritualist movement does seem to have distinct connections to social, religious, and political reform. Spiritualism claims to be, through direct communication with those who have died, a scientific approach to questions of immortality and the divine. Before the War of the Rebellion, the movement had become popular among many of those who advocated free speech and the abolition of slavery. Afterwards it remained popular among those who extended their interest in abolition to a concern for the civil rights and advancement of the Colored population. Furthermore, as Spiritualists held that divine truth was accessible to any individual, female or male, it was taken up as an expression of religious reform--offering a means of breaking with the traditional highly structured and hierarchical nature of mainstream faiths. And as a belief system in which having a connection with the divine and the eternal was not under the control of the usual male hierarchies of family, church and politics, Spiritualism has come to hold substantial appeal to many of the female proponents of reform in issues such as women’s’ rights and free love (the right to marry for love and to divorce or leave an abusive or irresponsible spouse). A substantial number of the women leaders in these reform movements: abolition and the advancement of the Colored race, and women’s rights and free love, are also spiritualists. Spiritualism in modern times had its origins in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) and Franz Mesmer

(1734–1815), who explored the possibility that individuals could seek direct personal knowledge of the afterlife. Among the best known of those who combined ideas from Swedenborg and Mesmer was an American, Andrew Jackson Davis, who called his system the Harmonial Philosophy. Davis was a hypnotist, faith healer and clairvoyant from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., whose 1847 book, “The Principles of Nature, Her Divine Revelations, and a Voice to Mankind,” eventually became a primary work

guiding the Spiritualist movement in this century. Spiritualism gained greater notoriety on March 31, 1848, when mediums Kate and Margaret Fox of Hydesville, N.Y., reported that they had made contact with the spirit of a murdered peddler who communicated the sisters through rapping noises that were audible to onlookers. Amy and Isaac Post, Hicksite Quakers from Rochester, New York, and long-time friends of the Fox family, were convinced that Kate and Margaret were actually in contact with the dead, and introduced the young mediums to their circle of radical Quaker friends. This contributed to the spread of Spiritualism, at first among reform-minded Quakers, and then subsequently with others who were involved in progressive movements of the mid-nineteenth century. A large part of the appeal of spiritualism was its rejection of mainstream religions which emphasized the need for ministers and church hierarchies to connect with the divine on behalf of the mass of believers. Numbers of educated and intelligent people were drawn to Spiritualism as, unlike conventional religion, it allowed them to have a more direct and personal relationship with the divine. Reformers also were frustrated as the established churches did little to fight slavery and even less to advance the cause of women’s rights. Spiritualism gained an even greater number of adherents during

the war, when thousands of families lost love ones, and Spiritualism offered comfort and solace that traditional faiths were not providing. Women have been and remain particularly attracted to the movement, because it allows them to take on important roles as mediums and lecturers. In fact, Spiritualism provided one of the first forums in which American women could address mixed public audiences. One of the most popular lecturers on the subject prior to the War was Cora L. V. Scott. The presence on stage of this young and beautiful woman seemed to fascinate men, and her audiences were struck by the contrast between her girlish appearance and the eloquence with which she spoke of spiritual matters Another famous woman spiritualist was Achsa W. Sprague, who was born Nov. 17, 1827, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. At the age of 20, she became ill with rheumatic fever and credited her eventual recovery to intercession by spirits. An extremely popular trance lecturer who traveled around the United States until her death in 1861, Sprague also was an abolitionist and an advocate of women’s rights. But are all “trance lectures” and mediums genuine? Following the popularity achieved by the Fox sisters and other speakers and mediums, it was noted that demonstrations of mediumship (séances and automatic writing, for example) could be very profitable. In recent years, such presentations have become a common form of entertainment as well as spiritual catharsis. The Foxes made a good living from Spiritualism, and as others have followed their lead, showmanship has become an increasingly important element of public demonstrations of Spiritualism. Arguably the visible, audible, and tangible evidence of spirits being manifested in these events have escalated as mediums compete for paying audiences. In such circumstances, a certain degree of fraud is undoubtedly occurring. Nonetheless, many Americans continue to find comfort and meaning in the movement and its practices. So is this means of communicating with our dear departed a sham or a genuine metaphysical reality? Again, perhaps a final answer to that question must be left as a matter of personal faith. At the same time, proponents of other reform movements that once were closely associated with this version of religious reform, will most likely distance themselves from Spiritualism and the potential of being misjudged and rejected because of that former connection.

Obituary

Cheyenne Wylder, of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. In a fit of despondency over the loss of his job, Mr. Wylder put his own disappointments in life over the best interests of his wife and children. You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. Exodus 20:23. He is mourned by his wife Catriona Wylder who carries their unborn child, a grown son from a previous marriage and By D.A. Kuhr many friends. 5