Martha Bullock – A Pillar of Deadwood Society
The story of the American West is often painted with broad strokes of rugged individualism, lawlessness, and the pursuit of fortune. However, beneath the surface of these popular narratives lies a more nuanced reality, one shaped by the contributions of individuals who sought to establish communities, foster culture, and bring a sense of civilization to the burgeoning frontier. Among these unsung heroes, Martha Bullock stands as a shining example, a woman whose unwavering dedication and commitment helped transform the rough-and-tumble mining camp of Deadwood, South Dakota, into a place where families could thrive and culture could flourish.
Born Marguerite Eccles in September 1849 in Ohio, Martha Bullock’s early life was marked by frequent relocations. Her parents, James and Margaret Eccles, moved the family, which eventually included six children, across state lines, from Ohio to Pennsylvania, and even into Canada and Michigan. This itinerant upbringing may have instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resilience, qualities that would serve her well in the years to come. It was in Tecumseh, Michigan, while working as a school teacher, that Martha’s life would take a pivotal turn.
There, she encountered Seth Bullock, a charismatic and ambitious man who would become her husband and partner in shaping the destiny of Deadwood. Their connection was immediate and profound, leading to their marriage in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1874. Seth, who had been elected sheriff of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, the year before, was not only a lawman but also a man of entrepreneurial spirit, working as an auctioneer and partnering with Sol Star in a hardware business.
In 1876, the Bullocks welcomed their first child, a daughter named Margaret, affectionately known as "Madge." This same year marked a turning point for Seth and Sol, as they recognized the immense potential of the booming mining camp of Deadwood in the Dakota Territory. Recognizing the inherent dangers and lawlessness of Deadwood, Seth made the difficult decision to send Martha Bullock and their infant daughter back to her parents’ home in Michigan, ensuring their safety while he and Sol ventured into the unknown.
Loaded with essential supplies – Dutch ovens, fry pans, chamber pots, dynamite, axes, rope, picks, shovels, and a myriad of other hardware items – Bullock and Star arrived in Deadwood on August 1, 1876. They initially established their hardware store in a simple tent, a testament to the town’s rapid growth and lack of established infrastructure. However, their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work soon paid off, allowing them to purchase a lot and erect a more permanent false-front building to house their burgeoning business. Seth’s reputation for integrity and fairness also led to his appointment as the Lawrence County Sheriff in March 1877, further solidifying his role in bringing order to the chaotic frontier town.
With Deadwood becoming increasingly stable and secure under Seth’s leadership, he sent for his family. In July 1878, Martha Bullock and young Madge arrived in Deadwood aboard the Cheyenne Stage, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Bullock family and for the town itself. The Bullocks would expand their family in Deadwood, welcoming a second daughter, Florence, and a son, Stanley.
Martha Bullock wasted no time in establishing herself as a vital member of the Deadwood community. She recognized the need to bring culture, education, and a sense of refinement to the predominantly male, often boisterous, population of the mining camp. Her arrival signaled a shift towards building a more sustainable and civilized society, one that could support families and foster a sense of belonging.
The Bullocks’ commitment to family extended beyond their own children. In May 1881, they took in Seth’s seven-year-old nephew, Douglas Kislingbury. Douglas’s father, Lieutenant Frederick F. Kislingbury, had married Seth’s sister Agnes in 1867, and they had Douglas around 1874. Following Agnes’s death in 1878, Lieutenant Kislingbury remarried another of Seth’s sisters the following year, but she, too, passed away. In 1881, when Lieutenant Kislingbury was assigned to the ill-fated Greeley Expedition to the high Arctic, Douglas was entrusted to the care of Seth and Martha. Tragically, Lieutenant Kislingbury did not survive the expedition. In 1885, Seth returned young Douglas to family members in New York, demonstrating the Bullocks’ dedication to family and their commitment to providing a stable and loving home for those in need.
Perhaps one of Martha Bullock’s most significant contributions to Deadwood was her role in founding the Round Table Club, a ladies’ literary group. Serving as its president, Martha fostered a space for intellectual discussion, cultural enrichment, and community engagement. In 1895, the Round Table Club spearheaded the establishment of the Deadwood Public Library, a testament to their belief in the power of education and access to knowledge. The Round Table Club stands as the oldest surviving cultural club in the region, a lasting legacy of Martha’s vision and dedication.
Beyond the Round Table Club, Martha Bullock was actively involved in various church activities, community events, and cultural initiatives. She understood the importance of building a strong social fabric and worked tirelessly to promote a sense of unity and shared purpose within the diverse Deadwood community. Her presence was a stabilizing force, a reminder of the values of family, education, and community service.
Seth Bullock passed away from cancer in September 1919 at his ranch in Belle Fourche. Martha continued to live for another two decades, passing away in March 1939. They are buried together at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, their final resting place overlooking the town they helped shape.
Martha Bullock’s story is a reminder that the history of the American West is not solely defined by gunfights and gold rushes. It is also a story of resilience, community building, and the transformative power of individuals who dedicated themselves to creating a better future. Martha Bullock was one of those individuals, a pillar of Deadwood society whose contributions continue to resonate today. Her legacy lives on in the cultural institutions she helped establish, in the stories of the families she supported, and in the enduring spirit of Deadwood itself.