Raiding Deadwood's Bad Lands: Its Illegal History of Prostitution and Gambling

The history of Deadwood is intimately tied to the town's Bad Lands. Named for the trees downed by a forest fire, Deadwood was the site of one of the last great American gold rushes. The town gained notoriety as the place where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered. Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried at Deadwood's Mount Moriah Cemetery. Although both characters were the subjects of dime novels and Hollywood films, their stories are largely fictitious. In the town of Deadwood's case, however, truth is truly stranger and certainly more interesting than fiction. In Raiding Deadwood's Bad Lands, Michael Trump meticulously details why Deadwood has been called South Dakota's playground since the state was founded in 1889. He explores the numerous attempts over the years to rid the community of houses of prostitution, gambling halls, and saloons. Trump examines how Deadwood's economy has always been inextricably tied to the acceptance and promotion of vice. Even when the brothels finally were closed in 1980, it only took nine years for the Deadwood business community to revive legalized gambling in the historic town. Michael Trump, Esquire, is a native of the American West. He cultivated his inherent interest in his homeland by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree in history. Subsequently, he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree. Mr. Trump owns and operates Trump Law Office and makes his home in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. He is an articulate and interesting speaker whose talks are always well-attended and entertaining.