“DEADWOOD DICK”

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1930, Page 8

“DEADWOOD DICK”

NOT FIG ni l': FROM FICTION. DEATH REAL CHARACTER. Tlie news which lias just reached Few Zealand that the real “Deadwood "Dick” had died was perhaps the first Intimation to many people that the Indian shooting hero of their youth is not merelv the creation of a 'fertile

imagination. “Deadwood Dick’s” original name

was Richard Bullock, from which the. common abbreviation for Richard pro-

■cried by the name of his town, Deadwood, gave rise to the title by which he will ever he remembered. The town of Deadwood is in the Took Hills, of South Dakota and lies : n a narrow canyon 4530 feet above sea level. Tn 18"5 the discovery of cold in the neighbourhood was announced. Tl.n United States Government then ’•might the land from the Sioux !nd‘ors. and in 137“ it ws ooened for settlement. Deadwood Gulch becarn--the centre of the rush which followed

"Dick” was one of the shotgun guard that protected the early shipments o r

-okl whiclr were carried on the stage coaches. Associated with him were mi"V men whose names—or, rather n i'knames —have b'*en hand'd down b' writers of Wiki Western “thrillers.” “Diamond Dick” one of his most notable companions, who for a score of years spent his time shooting pennies held between the fingers of an assistant, and shooting ashes from the 'md'of a- cigarette without a single ae blent is still alive, and the pair kep‘ up a. eorresoond.’-nce until recent! > “Diamond D ; '-k” no longer sends the Redskins rolling in the- dust; no long nr shoots at pennies to thrill audiences with wonder. His present occupation *x far less exciting. He is a fully qmli"ed physicion. His townspeople re '■rived the surprise of their lives whet Hie local post of the American Legion holding a parade announced that tinoriginal “Diamond Dick” would figure in the display. Excitement ran high for days beforehand. The town . conic talk of nothing else. • At last tingreat day came, and they saw their la i-o riding a broncho-—the family pby ‘•naan, Dr. Richard -L Tanner. Deadwood celebrates its colourfu* past once a year, then it holds a png e,int in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by steep hills. President Oo]idge attended the 1P27 carnival, bein'” inducted into full membership of the Oglala Sioux, and “Deadwood Dick” once more mounted a horse and rode in the parade.

“ ‘Deadwood Dirk’ is a groat friend rif mine.” said “Diamond Dick.” “He ' : s still living around Doadwood, and is one of the finest, gentlest men that vou rmdd meet.”

And now “Deadwood Diek” is dead, 'tit he will live long in the minds, of untold thousands as one of the most fearless men of the Wild West.