Seth Bullock – Finest Type of Frontiersman
"Seth Bullock is a true westerner, the finest type of frontiersman." – Teddy Roosevelt
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and untamed spirit, forged individuals of remarkable resilience and character. Among these figures stands Seth Bullock, a man whose life embodied the very essence of the frontier. He was a multifaceted individual: a businessman, politician, lawman, and rancher. His name is inextricably linked to the legendary town of Deadwood, South Dakota, where he played a pivotal role in shaping its destiny and establishing law and order in a region known for its wildness. This is the story of Seth Bullock, a testament to his courage, integrity, and enduring impact on the American West.
Born on July 23, 1849, in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, Seth Bullock‘s early life provided little indication of the adventurous path he would eventually tread. His parents, George Bullock, a retired British Major, and Agnes Findley Bullock, instilled in him a sense of discipline and a strong moral compass. The family relocated to Sandwich, Ontario, where George became involved in politics, exposing young Seth to the world of governance and public service.
Details surrounding Seth Bullock‘s boyhood remain somewhat sparse, but it is known that he frequently clashed with his father’s strict demeanor. The Major’s military-like approach to discipline and his unwavering political views likely contributed to the development of Seth’s own distinct "code of honor," a guiding principle that would define his actions throughout his life. At the age of sixteen, driven by a restless spirit and a desire for independence, Seth ran away from home, seeking refuge with his older sister in Montana. However, his newfound freedom was short-lived, as she promptly sent him back to his parents in Canada.
Undeterred by this setback, the allure of the West remained strong. As soon as he turned eighteen, Seth Bullock left home permanently. By 1867, at the age of twenty, he had returned to Montana, settling in Helena. Following in his father’s footsteps, he ventured into the realm of politics, running for the Territorial Legislature. Although he was initially defeated, his ambition and determination did not waver. He successfully secured a seat in the Territorial Senate, serving for two years from 1871 to 1872. During his time in the Senate, Bullock demonstrated his commitment to conservation and public welfare by playing a crucial role in the creation of Yellowstone, the first-ever United States National Park.
After his service in the Montana Territorial Senate, Bullock’s career took a turn toward law enforcement. In 1873, he was elected Sheriff of Lewis and Clark County, a position that allowed him to showcase his leadership abilities and his dedication to upholding the law. He quickly established himself as a formidable presence, not only acting as a lawman but also as an auctioneer and entrepreneur. Demonstrating his diverse talents and business acumen, he partnered with Sol Star to establish a hardware business.
In 1874, Bullock married Martha Eccles, his childhood sweetheart, in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, the burgeoning opportunities in Deadwood, South Dakota, soon beckoned. Recognizing the potential for their hardware business in the booming mining town, Bullock and Star decided to relocate. Prioritizing the safety and well-being of his family, Bullock sent his wife and newborn daughter back to her family home in Michigan while he and Star ventured into the unknown.
On August 1, 1876, Seth Bullock and Sol Star arrived in Deadwood with wagons laden with hardware goods, including picks, pans, shovels, dynamite, and cooking utensils. They immediately established their hardware store in a tent, catering to the needs of the bustling mining community. Soon, they acquired a lot and constructed a false-front building to house their expanding business, advertising furniture, wallpaper, lamps, and hardware.
By the time Bullock and Star arrived, Deadwood had already earned a reputation as a lawless and chaotic camp, teeming with miners, transients, gamblers, outlaws, and prostitutes. The day after their arrival, the legendary Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed by Jack McCall, an act of cowardice that ignited outrage throughout the camp. The demand for law enforcement in the ungoverned territory grew increasingly urgent.
Contrary to popular belief, Seth Bullock was not Deadwood’s first marshal. That title belongs to Isaac Brown, who was elected by the Miner’s Court after McCall’s trial on August 5, 1876. However, tragedy struck when Brown, along with the Reverend Smith and two other men, Charles Mason and Charles Holland, were ambushed and killed on August 20th while traveling between Crook City and Deadwood. The Miner’s Court reconvened and elected Con Stapleton to fill the vacant position.
In March 1877, Governor Pennington appointed Seth Bullock as the first Sheriff of the newly formed Lawrence County, which encompassed Deadwood. He also held the position of sheriff for the provisional government in what is now South Dakota. Undeterred by the county’s reputation for lawlessness and danger, Bullock wasted no time in appointing several fearless deputies to assist him in "cleaning up" the town. Through his unwavering commitment to justice and his strategic approach to law enforcement, Bullock gradually established order in the once-chaotic camp.
Remarkably, Bullock never killed a man during his tenure as Lawrence County Sheriff. According to his grandson, he possessed the ability to "outstare a mad cobra or a rogue elephant," a testament to his commanding presence and his ability to de-escalate tense situations before they erupted into violence.
As Deadwood became more stable, Bullock sent for his family. His wife, Martha, quickly became a pillar of the community, actively participating in various social and charitable endeavors. With more time on his hands, Seth devoted much of his energy to ranching and raising horses on a section of land he and Sol had purchased at the confluence of the Belle Fourche River and Redwater Creek. Bullock also explored mining ventures and remained active in politics, while simultaneously serving as Deputy United States Marshal.
In 1884, while escorting a horse thief named Crazy Steve into Deadwood for trial, Bullock had his first encounter with Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, then the Deputy Sheriff from Medora, North Dakota, shared coffee and beans with Bullock over the tailgate of a chuckwagon on the rangelands near Belle Fourche. The two men quickly forged a friendship that would endure throughout Bullock’s lifetime.
In the late 1880s, Bullock played a pivotal role in the development of the region’s infrastructure. He successfully persuaded the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad to build a line across his ranch, free of charge. The railroad arrived in 1890, and Bullock founded the town of Belle Fourche three miles northwest of Minnesela. To encourage growth and development, Bullock and Star offered free lots for any building moved from Minnesela. Belle Fourche soon surpassed Minnesela and became the county seat. Belle Fourche later became the largest livestock shipping point in the United States.
In 1894, a fire ravaged the hardware store in Deadwood. Bullock decided to construct Deadwood’s first hotel, building it over the original store and warehouse. The three-story, 64-room Bullock Hotel, costing $40,000, boasted steam heat and a bathroom on each floor. Completed in 1896, the Bullock Hotel quickly became the most sought-after luxury hotel of its time. This historic hotel still stands today, offering lodging and a 24-hour casino.
When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, Bullock volunteered as one of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and was named a Captain of Troop A in Grigsby’s Cowboy Regiment. However, the outfit never saw combat, remaining in a Louisiana training camp throughout the short war. Despite not seeing action, Bullock was thereafter referred to as "Captain."
When Theodore Roosevelt was elected president, Bullock organized a group of fifty cowboys, including Tom Mix, to ride in the President’s inaugural parade in 1905. Later that year, Roosevelt appointed Seth Bullock as the United States Marshal for South Dakota, a position he held for the next nine years.
The death of Theodore Roosevelt in January 1919 deeply affected Bullock. He enlisted the support of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers and erected a monument to the deceased president. Dedicated on July 4, 1919, it was the first monument to President Roosevelt in the country.
Just a few months later, Seth Bullock died of cancer on September 23, 1919, at his ranch near Belle Fourche. He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, alongside other prominent figures from Deadwood’s past, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The gravesite once faced toward Mount Roosevelt across the gulch, but the view is now obscured by decades of ponderosa pine growth.
Seth Bullock, a true frontiersman, left an indelible mark on the American West. His unwavering commitment to justice, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his dedication to public service made him a legendary figure in the history of Deadwood and South Dakota. His legacy continues to inspire those who admire the values of courage, integrity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
