Samuel Fields – Shakespearian Orator of Deadwood, South Dakota
The rugged landscape of the American West in the late 19th century was a melting pot of ambition, opportunity, and often, stark injustice. Amidst the throngs of prospectors, entrepreneurs, and adventurers who flocked to boomtowns like Deadwood, South Dakota, following the discovery of gold, a unique figure emerged: Samuel Fields. This African American man, born into freedom and a veteran of the Union Army, carved out a distinctive place for himself in the turbulent society of Deadwood, earning the moniker "Shakespearian Orator" for his eloquent and theatrical pronouncements. His story, often obscured by the mists of time and the prejudices of the era, offers a glimpse into the complexities of life in the Wild West and the enduring power of personality in the face of adversity.
Born around 1849 in Louisiana, Samuel Fields entered the world a free man, a relative rarity for African Americans in the pre-Civil War South. His early life remains largely undocumented, but at the tender age of 15, in 1864, he enlisted in the Union Army, serving as a private in Company F of the 114th Infantry Regiment. This act alone speaks volumes about his character – a young man, still a boy in many respects, willingly stepping into the fray of a nation torn apart by conflict. After receiving an honorable discharge, Samuel Fields returned to Louisiana, where he toiled as a farm laborer, likely experiencing the hardships and limitations faced by many African Americans in the Reconstruction South.
The lure of gold, however, proved too strong to resist. When news of the gold rush in Deadwood, South Dakota, reached Louisiana, Samuel Fields joined the masses heading west, seeking his fortune in the Black Hills. His arrival in Deadwood in 1876 marked the beginning of a colorful and often controversial chapter in his life. He quickly gained notoriety, not only for being a Black man in a predominantly white community, but also for his flamboyant personality and his claim of having been a general in the Union Army. Whether this claim was entirely true or an embellishment designed to command respect is a matter of speculation, but it undoubtedly contributed to his larger-than-life persona.
The Deadwood newspapers, eager to fill their pages with captivating stories, seized upon Samuel Fields as a subject of interest. They described him with a mix of fascination and condescension, using terms like "irrepressible," "duplicatory," and "candescent." He was often referred to by racially charged nicknames, including "Ni**er General," "General Fields," and "General Darkey." While these epithets reflected the pervasive racism of the time, Fields seemingly remained unfazed, even adopting the term "sly-coon" for himself, perhaps as a way to reclaim the derogatory language and turn it into a badge of defiance.
Despite the prejudice he faced, Samuel Fields became an active member of Deadwood’s African-American community, which, even more so than the Chinese population, represented a distinct minority. He frequently spoke at "Colored Citizens Meetings" and even ventured into the realm of city politics. It was his eloquence and theatrical flair that earned him his most enduring nickname: "The Shakespearian Darkey." His speeches, delivered with passion and a command of language that belied his humble origins, captivated audiences, even if they were sometimes tinged with mockery or disbelief.
The local newspapers, always seeking sensational stories, often took Fields’ words out of context, exaggerating or twisting them to create more entertaining narratives. A prime example of this occurred in June 1881 when Fields correctly identified a tornado that touched down in Deadwood Gulch as a cyclone. The Deadwood Times, in a sarcastic tone, referred to it as a "Sly-Coon" observation, further cementing that nickname in the public’s perception of him. While the newspapers occasionally reported on legitimate news involving Fields, they often focused on trivial or even demeaning events, such as "The Shakespearian Darkey attacked by snowballs" or "Wonder what bar the darkey cleaned up this morning?" These snippets offer a stark reminder of the casual racism that permeated everyday life in Deadwood.
Samuel Fields’s life in Deadwood was not without its darker moments. In April 1878, he found himself embroiled in a murder case when Bill Gay shot and killed Lloyd Forbes, who was allegedly having an affair with Gay’s wife. Fields was arrested as an accomplice, accused of carrying a note between the lovers that had been intercepted by Gay. Gay, a prominent citizen after whom the nearby camp of Gayville was named, claimed the killing was accidental, arguing that he only intended to pistol-whip Forbes and the gun discharged unintentionally.
Fields was jailed for several weeks, ostensibly for his own protection. While he was eventually released, Gay was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to prison. Despite being exonerated, the association with the murder left a stain on Fields’ reputation, and some in Deadwood believed he should be forced to leave. Adding to his troubles, he was arrested in July for allegedly stealing from "Lola’s Place." In August, following the murder of Deadwood’s first public school teacher, Minnie Callison, rumors circulated that Fields had been seen outside her room the night of the crime. Footprints found in her yard matched Fields’ shoe size, further fueling suspicion. Minnie’s husband, John Callison, was convinced of Fields’ guilt, leading to his arrest on August 20, 1878. Although he was later released, the shadow of suspicion lingered.
Despite these accusations, Samuel Fields also demonstrated acts of compassion. In December 1878, newspapers reported that he had prevented a woman named Annie Simms from committing suicide, suggesting a more nuanced and complex character than the caricatured portrayal often presented in the media.
In 1879, Fields’ name was put forward for the position of Justice in Deadwood. By November, he was back on the soapbox, honing his "Shakespearian" oratory skills in an attempt to win over voters. However, his alleged "criminal" past continued to haunt him, and he was often heckled and egged by the audience. While he did not win the election, his political ambitions remained undeterred. In 1883, he sought to fill the vacant position of coroner and even served in the role temporarily.
During his time in Deadwood, Samuel Fields worked various jobs, including porter and waiter at the Merchants, Wentworth, and International Hotels. By 1889, he had moved on to Omaha, Nebraska. However, a year later, he resurfaced in South Dakota, working as a bellhop in Rapid City. After this, his trail disappears from the historical record, leaving his final years shrouded in mystery.
The story of Samuel Fields, the "Shakespearian Orator of Deadwood," is a testament to the resilience and complexity of the human spirit in the face of adversity. He was a man of contradictions, a figure both admired and ridiculed, embraced and ostracized. His life, though fragmented and incomplete in our understanding, offers a valuable window into the social dynamics of the Wild West, the challenges faced by African Americans in a racially charged environment, and the enduring power of personality and eloquence to leave a lasting mark on history.