September 23, 1919—Seth Bullock, 70, a Canadian emigrant, died on his ranch in South Dakota, concluding a life devoted to politics, conservation, law enforcement, the military, and settling the American West—not unlike his great and good longtime friend, Theodore Roosevelt.
If you’re an HBO devotee, then you came across Bullock as one of the featured characters on the now-departed series Deadwood. As I mentioned in a prior post about the reburial of Wild Bill Hickok, I couldn’t cotton to the show’s incessant profanity (a little bit goes a long way), so I can’t say how accurate the series is.
But one thing I can say: Seth Bullock and wife Martha hold their own fascination, quite apart from the show. The two contributed mightily to their community, their region, and their country:
* Politics. Seth served in the territorial senate of Montana in his early 20s.
* Conservation. While in that capacity, he helped create the first U.S. National Park, Yellowstone. The resolution he introduced, after exploring that territory on horseback, was adopted by the legislature.
* Law enforcement. Within 24 hours after Bullock arrived in Deadwood, South Dakota, in search of opportunities to expand his hardware business, Hickok was shot to death. The governor’s appointment of Bullock was crucial in curbing the wild ways of miners, hookers, drunks, gamblers, and others. And Bullock didn’t need some measly six-shooter to maintain law and order: his grandson confirmed that Seth’s eyes could “outstare a mad cobra or a rogue elephant.”
* Business. Once his hardware business burned to the ground in 1894, Bullock built a hotel (named after him) on the same site. It’s still in operation.
* Military. Inspired by T.R.’s example, Bullock became a Rough Rider in his late 40s. Though he never saw combat, he became known as “Captain” for the rest of his life.
* Culture. Martha Bullock, a schoolteacher when she met and fell in love with Seth, went on to establish a ladies’ literary group that helped to found Deadwood’s public library.
Bullock met Teddy Roosevelt in 1884, when the latter, serving as a deputy sheriff from North Dakota, was transporting a horse thief for trial. Later, at T.R.’s 1905 inaugural parade, Bullock organized 50 cowboys (including future Hollywood cowboy Tom Mix) who created quite a stir by their presence.
T.R. appointed his old friend U.S. Marshal for South Dakota. On July 4, 1919, a little more than six months after Roosevelt died suddenly, his Bullock helped erect a monument to his old friend—the first in the nation.
If you’re an HBO devotee, then you came across Bullock as one of the featured characters on the now-departed series Deadwood. As I mentioned in a prior post about the reburial of Wild Bill Hickok, I couldn’t cotton to the show’s incessant profanity (a little bit goes a long way), so I can’t say how accurate the series is.
But one thing I can say: Seth Bullock and wife Martha hold their own fascination, quite apart from the show. The two contributed mightily to their community, their region, and their country:
* Politics. Seth served in the territorial senate of Montana in his early 20s.
* Conservation. While in that capacity, he helped create the first U.S. National Park, Yellowstone. The resolution he introduced, after exploring that territory on horseback, was adopted by the legislature.
* Law enforcement. Within 24 hours after Bullock arrived in Deadwood, South Dakota, in search of opportunities to expand his hardware business, Hickok was shot to death. The governor’s appointment of Bullock was crucial in curbing the wild ways of miners, hookers, drunks, gamblers, and others. And Bullock didn’t need some measly six-shooter to maintain law and order: his grandson confirmed that Seth’s eyes could “outstare a mad cobra or a rogue elephant.”
* Business. Once his hardware business burned to the ground in 1894, Bullock built a hotel (named after him) on the same site. It’s still in operation.
* Military. Inspired by T.R.’s example, Bullock became a Rough Rider in his late 40s. Though he never saw combat, he became known as “Captain” for the rest of his life.
* Culture. Martha Bullock, a schoolteacher when she met and fell in love with Seth, went on to establish a ladies’ literary group that helped to found Deadwood’s public library.
Bullock met Teddy Roosevelt in 1884, when the latter, serving as a deputy sheriff from North Dakota, was transporting a horse thief for trial. Later, at T.R.’s 1905 inaugural parade, Bullock organized 50 cowboys (including future Hollywood cowboy Tom Mix) who created quite a stir by their presence.
T.R. appointed his old friend U.S. Marshal for South Dakota. On July 4, 1919, a little more than six months after Roosevelt died suddenly, his Bullock helped erect a monument to his old friend—the first in the nation.
A new biography about Seth Bullock was just published by the South Dakota State Historical Society Press. It is the real, full description of Bullock's life and is really quite good. Seth Bullock book
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