Page One Volume Two, Issue 8 March 6, 1878

Festive Miner’s Dance turns to Madness; Death

Follows Lack of Booze Just as Winter Follows Fall

Businessman Lockmort Mortlock uses Pumper Truck of his Own Invention to Quell flames on
Main Street as old timbers were set alight by rioters.
man caused several drunken miners to cease their dancing and riot.
Several miners threw rocks into buildings where they either believed
the owners might be hoarding whiskey, or where they just felt like
throwing rocks.
One miner known only as Whistle Pete broke apart a chair to use as
a weapon in the Gem, and was brought down by lawmen Bram
Ansar, Badger Bagley and Cheyenne Wylder.
This 'Whistle Pete' died after the scuffle, not due to anything the
lawmen or a doctor did but due to a pre-existing nasal problem,
according to anonymous but thoroughly reliable sources.
Deadwood Miners Union Secretary Patrick Yedmore said that

A miner known about town as 'Silas' draws a gun upon Dr.

The miner's dance held last week would have been reported as a
huge success and was, up to the point when miners lost control when
a shortage of whiskey was reported. Mayhem resulted, shooting
and small fires broke out about town until order was brought back to
reign by local lawmen and righteous citizens.
The underlying condition is that with passes closed due to weather,
no large supplies of whiskey are getting through. The weekend's
chaos erupted when one of the oldest miners broke into the peaceful
dance shouting that someone was holding a stock of whiskey. The
reported unidentified hoarder was gunned down in the street by
parties unknown, leading to an escalation of tensions and then
fighting.
At one point, fighting erupted between the elder gentleman, whose
fate was unreported, and lawmen. The 'bringing down' of the elder
miners themselves had nothing to do with the start of the riot, and
blamed unknown parties for trying to create tensions between miners understand each other better and work better together," Yedmore
who had been drinking at the dance.
Keli Randt, ordering her to save his buddy, miner Whistle
Pete, injured in the melee. Silas dropped his gun as Silas
respected the doctor's efforts once being informed the
man's condition was mortal, but mostly as he realized this
was a different 'Pete' who he didn't actually care much
about.
"We were blessed with a lot of security from the town's lawmen,
which just goes to show they Stand with the Working Man. None of
the mining companies interests dared confront peaceful miners and
dancing ladies openly," Yedmore said. "I guess we was naive as we
didn't think someone was gonna try to sabotage us from within."
Yedmore said he had decided to run for town council in order to
better represent the needs of miners. "I myself have no interest in
personal advancement, but it's clear the town and the miners need to
said.
 Page Two
Editorial
.Editorial - Mrs. Morigi.. In the absence of both
of our editors*, I am stepping in to do my best.
One must step forward and ask, what is it
about whiskey that draws out the madness in
men? No comment need be made on
dancing and music, which are unnecessary to
bring one closer to the Lord, which would be,
should any care to sit in quiet and reflect, the
true reason for being upon this earth. That
and helping one another.
One saw little of that during the insanity
that prevailed last week, as inflamed by
liquors or lack thereof, usually calm and
orderly citizens poured from the Miner's
Hall into the streets and performed all
manner of unGodly acts.
This writer, admittedly, heard very little,
ensconced safely within the walls of the
Deadwood Free Press office, locked in
weaponless and yet fearless as she sat
hearing screams and calls that sounded more
like those of wild animals than those of men
and women. It is not the practice of this
writer to condemn or judge, but to raise
queries lovingly, urging others to reflect in
moments of silence in which they might come
to consideration.
And so, dear citizens of Deadwood, the
first query would be, have you gone
completely daft? The second would be, have
you allowed the love of alcohol to overcome
your love of fellow man? The third would
be, what do you teach your children when
your run drunken down the streets because
there is a temporary shortage of this fluid ?
(see the child’s drawing by Addie Rau, who
encountered this bloodfest upon her return
after visiting her Pa for some time). The
fourth would be, do you condemn the
redskin for his conduct under the influence
of such, and yet forgive yourself and your
neighbor? Reflect, dear friends, reflect.
Deadwood still has its lovely days let us
come back to this (see photograph this page)
*Mrs. Kanto is away on family matters, Mr. Streeter seems
to have taken ill this week
Little Addie Rau tries to make sense of the
madness with her drawing
DWP - Volume Two, Issue 8 March 6, 1878
Letters to the Editor
To The Editor The Grand Central Hotel haired doctor woman come in and clapped a
Deadwood City, Dakota Territory rag over his nose and mouth. She Said it were
Fear Not. That is the message that I wish to Dear Deputy Wylder,
medicines but it warn’t, He stopped movin
send to my fellow citizens of Deadwood. So I believe it is possible that we may be
and died and started Smellin’ up the place
many of us walk on eggshells around certain having a misunderstanding concerning
businessmen of the town. Men who have recent incidents. Certainly, it is hard for me soon as he did it. Poor Pete had no chance
built their reputations on intimidation. to believe that a man sworn to uphold the law after what she done with that rag.
These men, who will remain nameless, and protect citizens would actually wish me People in this town’s gonna burn in hell for
own shops and other above the board the harm and insult that I believe I have what they done. I ain't going to no Lawman
businesses, yet their true monies are made in suffered in your presence, and assume I must
on who will jus break a chair over mah head
unsavory dealings. They try to quiet persons be in error.
who oppose them through threats, coercion, Consequently, I would be willing to meet and send me to that doc.
and yes even physical harm. They mark their with you and discuss our possible I ain’t slept a whole night since for worry
victims with a brand, a scar that must be misunderstanding at your earliest she’s standin over me with her big bottle of
carried for the rest of one’s life – and when convenience, assuming it was mutually poison. People in this town just all a bunch a
that does not work, they shoot their victim in agreeable.
sick bastards is all and better not go to doctors
the back of the head and leave the body for Should you agree to this meeting, it
dead by the river. or else they'll end up like poor dead Pete.
would be agreeable to me for you to have a
Well, citizens, they cannot shoot us all! I don’t write good so Budgy is writin for me.
witness or friend accompany you, as I assume
Why do we give these men control? And He said to put in the part bout the
it would be agreeable to you for me to be
make no mistake, fellow citizens, we hold constitution, but it was his idea if it stupid.
some of the blame for making these monsters accompanied as well.
P.S. don’t be getting no idears about the first
of men. It is our fear and our loathing that It is preferable to me that neither of us
line since it just what people said an I don’t
gives them power. carry arms or weapons of any kind at this
know you well enough for endearments.
I am just as responsible. My lips were proposed meeting, and that it be held upon
Signed Anonymous
sealed for the sake of vanity. Forgive me,
neutral territory.
citizens and hear my cry that it will not (as dictated to Mr.
happen again! We should condemn these I do hope you give this due consideration
Budgy Lewiston
men for the thieves and hoodlums that they as an honest try at possibly settling our
are and claim the town of Deadwood for the ongoing differences.
hard working, honest and righteous Dear Mr.Streeter,
I anxiously await your prompt response.
individuals. I write to call upon the Council and the good
Very truly,
Sincerely, people of this budding town to right the
Mrs. Charleston Capra Slade Mrs. Cookie Portocarrero
wrong perpetrated by our unwise predecessors
P.S. Should my body be found lifeless, and pass Deadwood Temperance Act before
please note that it was not by my own hand. the dark angel descends to lift this God given
drought.
Dear Mister Editor
Editor's note, Mrs. Morigi please make up a How can we deny divine providence! Who
I know’d what I see’d.
fake name for CC, we don't want her dead.
else could cause the blizzard that sealed the
And please this time remember not to get in On God’s day last that thar fuckin doctor and
passes and make sure every booze hall in
such a hurry you set the editor's note. Getting Lawman killed fat Peter during the riots just
embarrassing town to almost simultaneously run out of its
like they’d shot Him. Pete didn’t deserve
poisonous vapors near the same hour.
nuthin like it and was just seeing about his
Typesetter’s Note: John 8:32 Who are we to defy it this holy message.
rights.
Eradicate this petulance and win favor and
It’s set down in the Constitutin that every
fame as the unique and purest town in the
man is supposed to pursue happiness and Old
west by passing a temperance act for the town
Petey was just pursuing whiskey like them
or Deadwood will suffer the catastrophes of
old men way back
Deadwood Free Press
Editor and Publisher:
Neil Streeter Job.
((Poohneil Streeter)) told Americans to do in the first place.
Associate Publisher: Signed Louisa Mae Busybody
Lola Kanto Petey was obeying and doing nothing but
((Lolaraine McGinnis))
Reporters:
what was for him seekin happiness bye
Addison Leigh
Roving Reporter (Anonymous)
Guest Reporter, D.A. Kuhr throwin a rock. Then that lawman come in
((Diogenes Kuhr))
Typesetter and mashed his Head in with a chair. Then
S. Morigi
since he warn’t dead enough yet, that yella
dD
 Page Three
Poetry with Meaning for our Times
"I'll Marry No Man If He
Drinks" (1866)
As sung by little Effie Parkhurst, with great
applause, at the Temperance Meetings in
New York and Brooklyn.
Words by Dexter Smith
Music by Mrs. Effie A. Parkhurst, 1836-1918
(aka Mrs. Druer)
Horace Waters, No. 481 Broadway
I know I may be an old maid,
May live and may die all forlorn
Of that I am not much afraid,
For that I suppose I was born,
But one thing I know well enough,
No matter what any one thinks,
Although you may call it all stuff,
I’ll marry no man if he drinks,
I’ll marry no man if he drinks.
I see my friends wed every day,
To husbands so good and so kind,
They make “splendid matches” they say,
I think that their wives must be blind;
For Harry and Alfred are men
Who stagger and groan like a Sphinx,
And so I repeat it again,
I’ll marry no man if he drinks!
I’ll marry no man if he drinks!
No matter how poor I may be,
No drunkard’s home e’er can be mine;
Cold water’s the one draught for me,
I never will drink of the wine;
And maidens be cautious and wise,
No matter what ‘Miss Grundy’ thinks,
Old topers and tipplers despise,
And marry no man if he drinks!
And marry no man if he drinks!
DWP - Volume Two, Issue 8
"Father'sa Drunkard and
Mother Is Dead" (1866)
Words by Stella, of Washington
Music by Mrs. E. A. Parkhurst
One dismal, stormy night in winter, a little
girl--
barefooted and miserably clad-- leaned
shivering
against a large tree near the President's
House.
'Sissie,' said a passing stranger, 'why don't
you go home?'
She raised her pale face, and with tears
dimming
her sweet blue eyes, answered mournfully:
'I have no home. Father's a Drunkard, and
Motheris Dead.'
Out in the gloomy night, sadly I roam,
I have no Mother dear, no pleasant home;
Nobody cares for me-- no one would cry
Even if poor little Bessie should die.
Barefoot and tried, I've wander'd all day,
Asking for work-- but I'm too small they
say;
On the damp ground I must now lay my
head
'Father's a Drunkard, and Mother is dead!'
CHORUS [sung after each verse]
Mother, oh! why did you leave me alone,
With no one to love me, no friends and no
home?
Dark is the night, and the storm rages wild,
God pity Bessie, the Drunkard's lone child!
We were so happy till Father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun;
Mother grew paler, and wept ev'ry day,
Baby and I were hungry to play.
Slowly they faded, and one Summer's night associated saloon. Current examples of these
Found their dear faces all silent and white; include Shuckahrdt and Ludwig’s Black Hills
Then with big tears slowly dropping, I said:
'Father's a Drunkard, and Mother is dead!'
Oh! if the 'Temp'rance me' only could find
Poor, wretched Father, and talk very kind- in this region include the Lead City, Star, and
- Lion breweries. Another example that seems
If they would stop him from drinking--
why, then
I should be so very happy again!
Is it too late? 'men of Temp’rance, please
try,
Or poor little Bessie may soon starve and
die.
All the day long I've been begging for bread
-
'Father's a Drunkard, and Mother is dead!'
March 6, 1878
Local Liquor Production
shipping. These spirits, however, are of
by D.A. Kuhr course subject to the excise tax, which seem to
The residents of this district come from
have become permanent since the late War,
and as a consequence, clever and thrifty
many different locales and backgrounds--it
individuals in various part of the country who
would take many pages to catalog of our
have continued longstanding traditions of
multiple races, faiths, political and spiritual
home production of whisky, find themselves
philosophies, social and economic classes, and
in a state of illegality. This is true of folks in
numerous nations of origin. Yet there is one
the Black Hills, just like many other areas of
shared characteristic that crosses all lines, one
the county.
form of recreation and release that appeals to
the vast majority--other than those of the Whole there are no major legal distilleries
temperance persuasion. That is, of course, in our region, there are numerous clandestine
social tippling: the enthusiasm for a sociable operations. Two major local “moonshine”
drink, whether it be a sturdy German lager, operations have been taken out of production
an aromatic cordial, or good old honest rye in our area just recently--the first of these
whiskey. Most of our population has an being one in Spruce Gulch near Deadwood,
affection for bending an elbow within a social which was closed by authorities in March
context. And of course an essential element 1877, and another that was on the slopes of
of that process is the liquor itself. Terry Peak. Nonetheless, a number of other-
-perhaps many other--clandestine distilling
While a large percentage of the copious
operations continue to function in our region.
and widely variegated libations consumed by
our population must be imported from the There are advantages to this type of
world beyond the Black Hills, almost since activity over conventional legal distilling. In
the beginning of the gold boom in this region, addition to the avoidance of taxation,
there has been local production of alcoholic production may be carried out on a small scale
potables. This is not surprising, considering with relatively minimal equipment.
the costs and periodic difficulty of Furthermore, there is not a long aging
transportation of good into our vicinity, process… … … . Continued, Page 4
particularly of beverages such as beer, ale and
porter, which presents a challenge in shipping
due to its larger volume and the need to reach
market in a state of relative freshness.
Consequently, local breweries appeared
early on, the first on record in Deadwood
being the Spring Creek Brewery of Mr. L.S.
Parkhurst, which commenced operation in
June 1876. Parkhurst’s brewery is still in
operation at present along with a number of
others both in deadwood itself and in the
immediate surrounding environs.
Typically, many of these are modest
operations , serving only to supply an
Brewery (which supplies the beer needs of the
Senate Saloon), and the combination saloon
and brewery of E.A.A. Brown.
Other breweries currently producing beer
to be prospering is the Central City Brewery,
started in 1877 by Henry Rosencrantz and
Dan Warner. They presently focus on
supplying the beer for the Central Saloon in
Deadwood, but they have hopes of expanding
that client base to other establishments over
time. Mr. Rosencrantz has expressed
intentions of expanding their operations and
within four to five years having the capability
of producing and distributing upwards of 25
barrels per day (a full beer barrel containing
just a bit over 31 gallons).
Ardent spirits on the other hand, can be
imported profitably, and unlike beer, do not
deteriorate in drinkability with time and
exposure to variations in temperature during
 Page Four
In and About Town
By Roving Reporter
As Mrs. Kanto is absent and Mr. Streeter very busy this week,
acting Editor Mrs. Morigi has edited the In and About Town
Section as many have complained of it's content.
Territorial Marshal Meriwether Runningbear visits hotel/restaurant/bordello under construction on China Alley
Deadwood, bringing with him a young girl who he claims to be (see disgusting contest notation further on this page).
the daughter of a friend. The young woman, Astrid Tatham,
well versed in many ways, has apparently been hired on at the
Bella Union by Miss Wilder to assist in servicing local lawmen.
Miss Jemima Josephina and Mister Silas Acker publicly had
words in the Gem last week during which the paternity of
infant Earl was questioned. Reportedly Mister Martin Ramer
of the Gem has been named, though has not necessarily
accepted. One should not judge a child by its paternity or
legitimacy.
Despite the shortage of food in town, several women have
been seen who have managed to prevent themselves from
starving to the point in which their garments have needed
enlargement. (names deleted by Mrs. Morigi) Mrs. Traci
Munster swooned last week at the Bella, no doubt due to
excitement over her upcoming nuptials.
Mr. Kanto has disappeared. He is somewhere in St. Louis.
Mrs. Kanto has gone after, swearing to this reporter that he
has not run off with another woman. But one knows, men will
be men. She meets his brothers in St Louis, leaving her
children under care of the orphanage.
The orphanage is overflowing with children - the newest
abandoned infant, a girl, has been named Rokuette by Miss
Vita, who says she has identified the mother, but refuses to
share the woman’s identity, only saying she’s a longtime
Deadwood inhabitant, a buxom blonde who returned from
Texas the very day the infant was left. Coincidence? We
think not. Also, the Widow HannahLouise Shinn has left her
babe, Edna Rose, there as she is presently employed as a
housekeeper to pay off a sizeable debt left by her husband. Son
Jonathon is left to fend for himself at the home on Wall Street.
As yet the name of Mrs. Shinn’s employer has not been
revealed, nor has it been made public as to whether said
employer purchased her debt from the lender or was himself
the lender.
It is, of course, not for us to judge but only to make
commentary. And though we do not personally believe the
Good Book to be the final word, it is a source of wisdom,
therefore, we gently suggest the lender would do well to read
Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:35-37; Psalm 15:5; Proverbs 28:8;
Ezekiel 18:13;Luke 6:34:36; Matthew 6:24. Would the lender
be averse to the Word, then Shakespeare has to offer, from
Hamlet, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses
both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of
husbandry.”
Miss Coodnank’s son is reported to be visiting this week.
How lovely for her. A new lawyer, Blake Loopen, has shown
DWP - Volume Two, Issue 8
up in town also, reported to be a frugal one, so much so that
ladies dining with him or shopkeepers are urged to watch lest
they be left with the bill as, reportedly, was Miss Addison
Leigh.
At the Bella Union, a new dancer has been flaunting her
style, but do not grow accustomed to her shocking gyrations.
Miss Merzidotes Horsley, claims to be merely biding her time
until a better position, perhaps even Madam, opens at the
Upcoming Election
Information
The filing period has ended for the upcoming election, and
many fine candidates have stepped forward.
The candidates for town council include two incumbents
Grey Bedlam, businesswoman and noble lady, and Deputy
Mayor Starbuck Shippe, whose business interests include the
Phoenix Saloon and Hotel, as well as Dr. Keli Randt,
physician in town, and Patrick Yedmore, secretary of the
 Register to Vote—March 8th—15th
 Town Hall Meeting 7 p.m. March 10th
 Candidates Hosting Before St. Patrick’s
Day Crawl, March 15th
 Election March 20—22
Register to Vote Ahead of Time!
New Hotel Under Construction In China Alley
What's' its name? You decide!
Deadwood capitalist Mr. Caed Aldwych, renowned While this distinguished businessman is the judge,
for his good works and ceaseless efforts for the entrants are asked to submit names to the Deadwood
booming of the growing town, is offering now only a
new entertainment venue for the community but also
a contest.
Rising from a part of the old Chinatown is a grand
new entertainment saloon and hotel for drinking,
gambling, rooming, or otherwise just going upstairs
and reading vigorously with a new friend.
Mr. Aldwych has announced a contest in which
March 6, 1878
Deadwood Miners Union.
Candidates for sheriff include two current lawmen, Bram
Ansar and Cheyenne Wylder.
Businesspeople and others are welcome to invite any or all
candidates to receptions at which they should buy everyone
drinks. At noon on Sunday, March 15, the Deadwood Free
Press and Bella Union will host candidates before the St.
Patrick's Day Pub Crawl.
The election itself will be held March 20 to 22.
You must be registered to vote if you have not voted in
Deadwood before—must be over 18, live in Deadwood 2 weeks
and a US citizen. Females and coloreds may vote.
Local Liquor Production, continued from Page 3
Depending on the recipe being used, the “mash” (in traditional
country whisky, often a simple mixture of malted corn, corn meal and
warm water) need ferment only for three to seven days--and once the
fermented mixture or “wash” is distilled, it may be consumed
immediately.
The return on the materials that go into the process is not bad either: a
10 or eleven gallon batch of mash will generally produce something in
the range of a little over two gallons of distilled potable.
Some faint-hearted city folk may have concerns about being poisoned
or going blind from drinking “white mule,” but there are ways of
telling if what you are about to ingest will do significant damage. A
careful backwoods distiller will pour off the first few and last few
ounces of a batch as those parts of the run typically seem to contain
most of the impurities. A good set-up will include additional elements
in which impurities maybe drawn off, such the piece known as the
“thumper” barrel. The thumper also has the advantage of increasing
alcoholic content of the final product.
When offered ‘shine, the prudent purchaser may try such tests as
setting a small amount of the liquid alight--if it burns with a blue
flame it is probably of good alcoholic content and relatively free of
impurities. If the flame is yellow, that suggests that the batch is
contaminated and would be best used as cleaning solvent. A red flame
is indicative of a concoction that should only be served to your mother-
in-law.
The ultimate test of course is to just see if the man who made it is
willing to drink some before he gives you any. If he shows no ill
effects or any signs of trepidation, one might wish to consider another
source.
someone can name the new building. The deadline to
submit a name is Friday March 13 at 7 p.m. SL.
Free Press so that the publishable ideas may be shared
to celebrate the cleverness of our community.
Entries may be left in the mailbox at the doorway
of the Deadwood Free Press, located on Lee next to
the Bella Union, or placed in the hand of editor and
publisher Neil Streeter. ((Poohneil Streeter))