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Deadwood adds items to historic collection

By Tim Velder, Lawrence County Journal

The Deadwood City archives recently gained some old and unique additions with the auction purchase in mid-August.

The city approved a $9,500 purchase of four main parts of the recent Old West Auction Aug. 17 at the Deadwood Pavilion.

Among the items are a 1920 proclamation from the Roosevelt Memorial Society that was presented to the widow of Seth Bullock, shortly after his death in September 1919.

Another item is a carved stone statue of historic Deadwood saloon owner Mike Russell by J.H. Riordan who also carved Wild Bill Hickok’s original head stone statue.

There is also a rare ladies bronc riding belt buckle from the Days of ‘76.

Another collection of papers contains the indictment and death warrant, and jury documents related to the 1897 Deadwood murder case against Charles Brown.

Charles Brown was hanged July 14, 1897 for killing a woman during a robbery.

Deadwood Historic Preservation Officer Kevin Kuchenbecker told city commissioners Tuesday night that he is pleased to have kept the items in Deadwood. “It is one of the most complete collections (on the Brown case),” Kuchenbecker said.

The file also includes a photo of the hanging, which was a commonly held practice in those days.

In other business Tuesday, the commission went through initial budget numbers for 2009, and delayed final passage until later this month.

General fund spending, which covers areas such as general government, public safety, public works, development and debt reduction, is down slightly for 2009. The budget shows a decrease of more than $4,234.

The historic preservation budget is projected to be $7.18 million for 2009. Nearly $1 million is being set aside for work at St. Ambrose Cemetery.

Hills Materials will pave the Sherman Street parking lot this month at a cost of $42,784.

The city will hire Winter and Company consultants to rewrite the city’s guidelines for building design in commercial and residential districts in Deadwood.

The 1991 rules will be used as a template, but adjustments will need to be made, Kuchenbecker said.

Deadwood City Archivist Mike Runge will serve on the South Dakota Historical Records Advisory Board.