Description

Sitting Bull Trading Post, 1976. Facsimile of vol. 1, no. 2-4 of the Frontier Scout, originally published by Winegar & Goodwin, prefaced by several articles including related historical information and a map. According to the preface, this is the only complete collection of all copies (as of 1976). 14 pages, In acceptable+ condition. Newspaper style issue is browned with age and has a 1" tear on the bottom of the front page and several other smaller nicks and tears along the edges. Note to previous owner and telephone number in ink at top of first page. Otherwise pare are unmarked. [From "Frontier Scout Published" pages 1-2] The proud product of two enterprising infantrymen, Robert Winegar and Ira F. Goodwin, of Company I, 30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the FRONTIER SCOUT was printed at Fort Union, Dakota Territory, in July and August of 1864. One writer believed that the "moving spirit" behind the mini-sized tabloid was John Buchanan, founder of THE VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA, POST. Buchanan, the informant said, came up the river with the 30th Wisconsin and was at Fort Union on June 15, 1864. It is probable, then, that the press was shipped by Buchanan. The Montana paper was founded later, on August 27, 1864. Originally enlisted to fight the Rebels in the Civil War, the 30th Wisconsin found itself instead posted to the High Missouri to watch over the stores and goods of the Northwestern Indian Expedition and to protect Fort Union and the Assiniboine Indians from the depredations of the Sioux. Trader Charles Larpenteur bemoaned the lack of interesting news matter: "It is a pitty that they have not more to keep them busy for they appear to be quite competent for the publication." News was short, the editor admitted, because no steamboats had arrived from below. When the boats did start coming there was seemingly no end to the parade. Four got in on the 27th alone, loaded with stores for General Alfred Sully. Not a single paid ad appears in any of the four issues in existence. Since the American Fur Company held an iron-fisted monopoly on all of the Indian and white business conducted at Fort Union it is highly unlikely that any advertising was necessary. Why were there only five issues? The 30th Wisconsin was stationed at Fort Union until the spring of 1865. The following spring the press turned up at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, where at least fourteen editions of another FRONTIER SCOUT were put out by Captain E. G. Adams, editor, and Lieutenant C. H. Champney, publisher. The spelling and the grammar are surprisingly good. From the temper of the paper it is evident that the publishers enjoyed their work. It can only be a guess that the happy little FRONTIER SCOUT died of acute revenue and-or newsprint starvation. IN THIS ISSUE! Rare replicas of all known issues of the FRONTIER SCOUT, published at Fort Union, Dakota Territory, July-August 1864. The first newspaper on the Upper Missouri. The only complete collection of all copies!