Triggs, J.H. | A rare imprint offering a frank history of Laramie in its turbulent days

Triggs, J.H.
History and Directory of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, Comprising a Brief History of Laramie City From Its First Settlement to the Present Time...Including a Minute Description of a Portion of the Mining Region of the Black Hills. Also a General and Business Directory of Laramie City. Laramie City: Daily Sentinel Print, 1875

8vo (229 x 140 mm). Publisher's lettered blue wrappers. Housed in a blue chemise and morocco backed slipcase.

First edition — "This exceedingly rare imprint gives a frank history of Laramie in its turbulent days and reign of violence" (Adams, Six-Guns).

"A history of the region from the day of first settlement in April of 1868. It has long been recognized by students of western history as probably the most honest, outspoken, and vivid account of the early and turbulent days. Laramie was famous for its disorder, crime, and rapid growth. Triggs describes the horde that first came in, as made up of one-fifth honest and daring men, the balance 'were gamblers, thieves, highwaymen, robbers, cut-throats, garroters, prostitutes, and their necessary companions.' The narrative describes the ensuing mass-meeting to form a government; its organization and collapse; the reign of violence; the formation of the Vigilance Committee and the hangings; its degeneration into a Reign of Vengeance; the final creation of legal government; the battles between the Vigilantes and the new police, and succeeding events, until finally the Territorial legislature in desperation, took away the citys charter, and put the community under the jurisdiction of the Federal courts" (Eberstadt 136:667).

Despite its violent and ugly beginnings, described in detail in the first few pages, Laramie by this time is represented as a well-ordered and prosperous city. This work includes in its latter part a fascinating "general directory" of the populace.

REFERENCE
Adams, Six-Guns 2239; Adams, Rampaging Herd 2332, Graff 4191; Howes 351; AII, Wyoming Imprints 23.

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.