Preacher Smith Of Deadwood

MILDRED FIELDER

Publication: Published by Centennial Distributors, 1981, Deadwood, South Dakota, 1091

First edition. 8vo. Pictorial blue wrappers, 24 pp., acknowledgments, illustrated from photographs.

Biography of the first preacher of any denomination in the gold camps of the Black Hills. A Methodist preacher and Civil War veteran originally from Connecticut, Smith (1827-1876) began preaching in the Black Hills in May, 1876. Just three months later, he was murdered while walking from Deadwood to preach. "He had not been robbed, causing his death to be generally attributed to Indians, although some still believed he was killed by thieves. Another theory, however, held that he was murdered by a person or persons representing the saloons, brothels, casinos, and other 'vice dens' of Deadwood, who feared that his preaching would cut into their income" (wiki). The erection of a statue to Preacher Smith was erected in Deadwood in 1914.. Minor offsetting to the front cover else a fine copy.