Legendary Western Sheriff and US Marshal Seth Bullock, Correspondence and Related Documents

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American History: Premier Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 22, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-22 10:00:00 2018-06-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Premier Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-premier-auction-3268
Cowan’s American History: Premier Auction, scheduled for June 22, 2018 is comprised of early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Late Indian Wars, World War I and II and beyond. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description

  Lot of 24 items includes 17 letters as well as ephemera from the early history of Deadwood and the Dakota Territory. All but two of the letters date from 1877-1879, a critical period in the transformation of Deadwood from a lawless frontier town to a more settled mining community.

  Legendary western lawman Seth Bullock (1849-1919) was born in Canada but made a name for himself in the American West. Known popularly as Deadwood’s Sheriff and a US Marshall, Bullock was also a prominent community leader and entrepreneur whose business interests spanned mining, ranching, rail, and farming. This collection primarily contains letters written to Bullock while he served as the Sheriff of Deadwood and as a Deputy US Marshal for the Dakota Territory. Content generally relates to territorial political appointments and law enforcement, including one letter related to Bullock’s lengthy pursuit of the infamous outlaw Robert “Little Reddy” McKimie. The letters demonstrate that while Bullock was no doubt a capable lawman, he was also well-connected and politically savvy. The ephemera in the collection spans multiple decades and features several unique items from the earliest days of Deadwood including an 1876 Deadwood Theatre broadside and a business card from Seth Bullock and Sol Star’s famed Deadwood merchant business.

  A young Seth Bullock left Canada ca 1867 and headed to Montana. Within years of his arrival there he was elected to serve in the Territorial Senate and established a hardware business with his good friend Solomon “Sol” Star. In 1873, Bullock was elected Sheriff of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, thereby starting his rise to fame as a lawman. By the summer of 1876, however, Bullock and Star were looking for a new opportunity, and they saw it in the Black Hills boomtown known as Deadwood. After sending his wife and young daughter to Michigan, Bullock and Star headed to the Dakota Territory. On or near August 1, 1876, the duo arrived in Deadwood and wasted no time establishing their new business known as “Office of Star and Bullock, Auctioneers and Commission Merchants.”

  The murder of Wild Bill Hickock in a Deadwood saloon on August 2, 1876, resulted in the hasty appointment of Isaac Brown as Deadwood’s Sheriff. Brown’s term was short-lived, however, as he was killed in an ambush weeks later on August 20, 1876. In March 1877, Bullock was officially appointed as the 1st Sheriff of the newly formed Lawrence County (which included Deadwood) by John Pennington, Governor of Dakota Territory. While generations of western lore paints Bullock as the beloved frontier lawman, the situation was in fact more complicated and more politically fraught than that. Bullock would lose the November 1877 election for Sheriff to John Manning, and then remained in office until the end of December 1877 despite Manning assuming the office of Sheriff independently after the November election. Deadwood had in effect then two Sheriffs for a brief period in in November and December 1877. Still, after departing as Deadwood Sheriff, Bullock’s time in law enforcement was not over. In September of 1877, while still serving as Deadwood’s Sheriff, he was appointed as one of five Deputy US Marshals for the Dakota Territory, a position which he remained in after stepping down as Deadwood’s Sheriff.

  With the first letter in the lot dating to March 1877, just days prior to Bullock’s appointment as Sheriff, and fourteen additional letters in the collection dated 1877-1879, this collection is a fascinating window into this complex political landscape that affected both law enforcement and governance in the Dakota Territory. Many prominent Territory officials are represented in this collection including Territorial Governor John Pennington, Secretary of the Dakota Territory George Hand, Assistant US Attorney Dakota Territory John Gamble, and the Sixth Governor of the Dakota Territory William Howard. Correspondence highlights include the following letters:

  Hand, George H. (1837-1891). Civil War veteran, US Attorney for the Dakota Territory, Secretary of the Dakota territory. ALS as Secretary of Dakota Territory, “Geo. H. Hand,” 1p, 8.5 x 11 in., “Yankton, Dakota.” March 13, 1877. Addressed to "Seth Bullock Esq" the letter introduces Bullock to Mr. Charles E. Hanrahan who had recently been appointed Probate Judge of Lawrence County. Hand notes that it is necessary to have a Probate Judge to administer the oath to officers, and “This will prevent delay so far as the qualification of yourself & other officers are concerned.” Just four days later Bullock was appointed by the territorial governor as the 1^st Sheriff of Lawrence County.

  Pennington, John L. (1829-1900). Publisher, politician, and the fifth Governor of Dakota Territory. ALS as Governor of Dakota Territory, “John L. Pennington, Governor,” 2pp, 8.5 x 11 in, “Yankton, Dakota.” August 27, 1877. Addressed to Seth Bullock who was at the time serving as Pennington’s appointee to the position of Sheriff of Lawrence County. Letter describes the circumstances surrounding a bill "In Relation to the Smith case" which Pennington is forwarding on to Bullock for payment. The bill, from the North Western Telegraph Co. in the amount of $45.34, is dated March 31, 1877, and is also included with the letter.

  Gamble, John R. (1848-1891). District Attorney, Assistant US Attorney Dakota Territory, member of Territorial Legislature. ALS as Assistant US Attorney Dakota Territory, “J. R. Gamble,” 2pp., 8.5 x 11 in. September 24, 1877. Addressed to "Seth Bullock, Dep US Marshal." Regarding liquor licenses and endeavoring to cover up sales.

  Bullock, Seth (1849-1919). Frontier businessman and legendary lawmen. Letter contains 1st page only (no signature) but content identifies author as Bullock. Written while he served as Deadwood Sheriff. 1p, 8 x 10 in., “Deadwood Dakota Territory.” December 1, 1877. Addressed "To His Excellency R. B. Hayes President." Bullock writes on behalf of Governor Pennington attesting to “…the faithful manner in which he has cooperated with me in enforcing law and order in that portion of our territory. The result is seen in the almost total absence of lawlessness so frequently an element in frontier towns.”

  Marshall, J.R. ALS, 1p, 8 x 10 in., “Cincinnati,” February 26, 1878. Addressed to "Seth Bullock/Tecumseh, Mich." Relating to the search and capture of Robert “Little Reddy” McKimie, an ex-member of the Sam Bass gang, who murdered Deadwood stage coach driver Johnny Slaughter on March 25, 1877. Bullock was visiting his wife’s family in Michigan at the time this letter was written but was still serving as Deputy US Marshal. Bullock tracked McKimie through four states until McKinnie was finally captured in Ohio and arrested by Bullock in Jan 1878. McKimie was placed in jail only to escape on Feb 11, 1878. Bullock returned to Ohio with a posse which included US Marshals Lyle and James Doggett but they failed to locate McKimie. This historic letter appears to be the report that alerted Bullock of McKimie’s whereabouts following his escape: “Your man McKimie is ‘holed’ near Chillicothe [OH]. He is stopping with a man named Rockhold who was with him in Texas. He is badly shot….When you was after him the last time you were within a mile of him. He was hid in the cabin of a poor devil near the caves, and the bloody clothes from his wounds thrown into a gorge led to the discovery.”

  Howard, William A. (1813-1880). Politician and Sixth Governor of the Dakota Territory. ALS while as Governor of Dakota Territory, “Wm. A. Howard Governor,” 1p, 8 x 10.5 in., Yankton, D.T. June 6, 1878. Addressed to Seth Bullock. Howard having only recently assumed the office pledges his attention to various matters including distribution of arms and his support for an undisclosed appointment that Bullock is seeking for himself. With original cover "Executive Office Dakota Territory."

  Pennington, John L. (1829-1900). Publisher, politician, and the fifth Governor of Dakota Territory. ALS written after departed as Governor of Dakota Territory, “John L. Pennington,” 1p, 8 x 10 in, “Yankton, Dakota.” August 8, 1878. Addressed to Seth Bullock discussing an appointment. Included is original cover addressed to Bullock in Deadwood.

  Letter dated Aug 30, 1878, addressed "To His Excellency, Rutherford B. Hayes, President," regarding the Republican Convention which met in Yankton on August 22, 1878, and nominated for Representative to Congress Hon. Granville G. Bennett. Signed by multiple men including Seth Bullock. (Bennett was the judge who in 1876 indicted Jack McCall, Wild Bill Hickock’s murderer.)

  Hand, George H. (1837-1891). Civil War veteran, US Attorney for the Dakota Territory, Secretary of the Dakota territory. ALS as Secretary of Dakota Territory, “Geo. H. Hand,” 1p, 8.5 x 11 in., Yankton, Dakota Territory. November 28, 1878. Addressed to the Honorable U. S. Senator T. O. Howe introducing Seth Bullock as a personal friend and asking Howe to show him courtesy as a personal favor. With original cover.

  Pinkerton, Robert (1848-1907). Son of famed detective Allan Pinkerton and Co-Principal of Pinkerton National Detective Agency following his father’s death. ALS signed while superintendent at Pinkerton, “Robt. A. Pinkerton, Supt.” 3pp, 8 x 10.5 in., “New York.” March 13, 1879. Pinkerton writes to Bullock with details on a case.

  Pettigrew, Richard Franklin (1848-1926). Lawyer, surveyor, and politician who served as the first US Senator from South Dakota. TLS as US Senator, “R.F. Pettigrew,” 1p, 8 x 10 in., Washington, DC. January 23, 1894. Pettigrew discusses plans and locations for a potential fish hatchery “out in the hills” and writes of his admiration for Bullock: “I have always had a liking for you although our acquaintance has not been very great. I think you are a typical westerner, courageous and generous and these are elements which win a man’s friends upon the frontier.”

  Personal note written to "Sol Starr Esq" from US Marshal John B. Raymond on letterhead "Office of United States Marshal, Dakota Territory."

  An interesting array of ephemera accompanies the letters. Spanning 1876-1905, the ephemera is highlighted by several items from the earliest days of Deadwood and one item heralding a historic friendship. These items include:

  Deadwood Theatre, Black Hills broadside dated Aug 23 [1876], 4.75 x 12.75 in. Dumb Boy of the Pyrenees. Broadside goes on to say that "After the play a LADY and a GENTLEMAN of Deadwood will be UNITED IN MATRIMONY. The ceremony will be performed by JUDGE KUYKENDALL, being the FIRST MARRIAGE That has occurred in Deadwood." Indicates "J. S. Langrishe, Manager." “Jack” Langrishe was a famous actor and comedian, known as “The Comedian of the Frontier,” who arrived in Deadwood in July 1876 along with his wife. Langrishe staged his first production later that same month. Accounts typically indicate that Langrishe Theatre’s first production was “Trodden Down,” and not “Dumb Boy of the Pyrenees,” however, this broadside still represents one of the earliest known performances in Deadwood. The Deadwood Theatre, also known as the Langrishe Theatre or the McDaniel’s Theatre (after its builder), was the location of the trial of Jack McCall.

  County of Lawrence Territory of Dakota. $500 Bond payable to "Star & Bullock." July 1, 1879.

  Business card for "Star & Bullock, Storage and Commission Merchants, Corner Main and Hall Streets, Deadwood, D.T." Handwritten note on verso reads "Recd of Seth Bullock…Deadwood April 15^th/78…”

  Ca 1890s advertisement for the "Sol. Star" cigar honoring the legendary Deadwood entrepreneur and mayor.

  Ticket to "President’s Reviewing Stand" for the March 4, 1905, inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt. In 1884 Bullock met Roosevelt in a chance encounter while both served as frontier lawmen. Roosevelt and Bullock became close and lifelong friends.

  This rare archive provides a historically significant glimpse into the life and times of Seth Bullock. While Bullock’s fictional representation on the popular 2004-2006 HBO television series Deadwood may have generated renewed interest in the life and times of this legendary man, actual documents like the ones included in this collection yield far greater insight into the man and myth.

  Condition

  Some items show typical wear of age including toning and tears along fold lines, however, letters are all legible and in generally good condition.
  
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