“DEADWOOD DICK”

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 221, 14 June 1930, Page 9

“DEADWOOD DICK”

Not Figure From Fiction DEATH REAL CHARACTER The news which has just reached New 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 merely the creation of a fertile imagination. . . "Deadwood Dick’s” original name was Richard Bullock, from which the common abbreviation for Richard, preceded by the name of his town, Deadwood, gave rise to the title by which he will ever be remembered. The town of Deadwood is in the Black Hills, of South Dakota, and lies in a narrow canyon 4530 feet above sea level. In 1875 the discovery of gold in the neighbourhood was announced. The United States Government then bought the land from the Sioux Indians, and in 1877 it was opened for settlement Deadwood Gulch became the centre of the rush which followed. “Dick” was one of the shotgun guard that protected the early shipments of gold which were carried on the stage coaches. Associated with him were many men whose names—or, rather, nicknames —have been handed down by writers of Wild 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 end of a cigarette, without a single accident, is still alive, and the pair kept up a correspondence until recently. “Diamond Dick” no longer sends the Redskins rolling in the dust; no longer shoots at pennies to thrill audiences with wonder. His present occupation is far less exciting. He is a fully qualified physician. His townspeople received the surprise of their lives when the local post of the American Legion, holding a parade, announced that the original “Diamond Dick” would figure in the display. Excitement ran high for days beforehand. The town could talk of nothing else. At last the great day came, and they saw their hero riding a broncho —the family physician, Dr. Richard J. Tanner. Deadwood celebrates its colourful past once a year, then it holds a pageant in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by steep hills. President Coolidge attended the 1927 carnival, being inducted into full membership of the Oglala Sioux, and “Deadwood Dick” once more mounted a horse and rode in the parade. ‘Deadwood Dick* is a great friend of mine,” said “Diamond Dick.” "He is still living around Deadwood, and is one of the finest, gentlest men that you could meet.” And now “Deadwood Dick” is dead. But he will live long in the minds of untold thousands as one of the most fearless men of the Wild West.