6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Two ways to bid:
Price | Bid Increment |
---|---|
$0 | $25 |
$500 | $50 |
$1,000 | $100 |
$2,000 | $250 |
$5,000 | $500 |
$10,000 | $1,000 |
$20,000 | $2,500 |
$50,000 | $5,000 |
$100,000 | $10,000 |
Feb 21, 2017 - Feb 22, 2017
Cabinet card by Keller of Helena, MT, showing a half-length pose of the mustachioed messenger giving a confident glare. Printed paper label on verso reads in full:
J.X. BIEDLER [sic],
The Shot-Gun Messenger,
Who never threw up his hands, nor lost an
ounce of Gold Dust for Wells, Fargo & Co.,
nor for Gilmer, Salisbury & Co., while in
the discharge of his duties as a messenger
in charge of TREASURE BOXES.
A penciled note in the recto margin notes that Beidler (as his name is spelled in most sources) died January 22, 1890. In addition to his work for Wells Fargo he served as a US Marshal's deputy in Virginia City, MT, a federal customs agent in the territory, and a lieutenant colonel in the Montana territorial militia. His judge, jury, and executioner reputation was controversial among the miners and other residents of territorial Montana. In 1870, a group of 200 took out an advertisement warning him, "we…will give you no more time to prepare for death than the many men you have murdered…we shall live to see you buried beside the poor Chinamen you have murdered." (See http://stewardmagazine.com/Current_Issue/V.16-1.12.html.)
SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.