Richard Bullock
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Bullock was a Cornishman
who once sang in a Methodist choir and later became a legendary figure of the Wild West Cowboy
era. His quick-shooting deeds working on the Deadwood
stage gained him the nickname
"Deadwood Dick
".
where his father, Captain John Bullock, became the manager of a local clay-works. He and his brother shared many common traits: each very strong, ardent Free Methodists, and great sporting shooters—-a skill that brought him many trophies.
In his mid-twenties, Bullock immigrated
to America. He began working in the Black Hills
of South Dakota
first as a miner, and then as a bullion-guard for the Homestake Mine
, which at that time was owned by Senator George Hearst
, father of William Randolph Hearst
. A bullion guard is somebody who protects gold shipments being transported by stagecoach
. Around the age of 35, Bullock began to achieve fame. It is claimed that Bullock had a part in the death of Black Hills
outlaw Cornelius Donahue
(also known as "Lame Johnny"), although some sources dispute this. In later years Bullock was a stock broker
in Lead
, South Dakota
. He died at Thorncroft Sanatorium
, Glendale, California
, in 1921 at the age of 73.
Cornish people
The Cornish are a people associated with Cornwall, a county and Duchy in the south-west of the United Kingdom that is seen in some respects as distinct from England, having more in common with the other Celtic parts of the United Kingdom such as Wales, as well as with other Celtic nations in Europe...
who once sang in a Methodist choir and later became a legendary figure of the Wild West Cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
era. His quick-shooting deeds working on the Deadwood
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a city in South Dakota, United States, and the county seat of Lawrence County. It is named for the dead trees found in its gulch. The population was 1,270 according to a 2010 census...
stage gained him the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
"Deadwood Dick
Deadwood Dick
Deadwood Dick is a fictional character who appears in a series of stories, or "dime novels", published between 1877 and 1897 by Edward Lytton Wheeler...
".
Biography
Early in life Bullock's family moved to nearby hamlet of RetewRetew
Retew was a village near St Austell in Cornwall that was demolished in the early 1960s when the nearby Wheal Remfrey china clay quarry and waste heaps were expanded....
where his father, Captain John Bullock, became the manager of a local clay-works. He and his brother shared many common traits: each very strong, ardent Free Methodists, and great sporting shooters—-a skill that brought him many trophies.
In his mid-twenties, Bullock immigrated
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
to America. He began working in the Black Hills
Black Hills
The Black Hills are a small, isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota and extending into Wyoming, USA. Set off from the main body of the Rocky Mountains, the region is something of a geological anomaly—accurately described as an "island of...
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
first as a miner, and then as a bullion-guard for the Homestake Mine
Homestake Mine (South Dakota)
The Homestake Mine was a deep underground gold mine located in Lead, South Dakota. Until it closed in 2002 it was the largest and deepest gold mine in North America, producing more than 40 million ounces of gold. The Homestake Mine is famous in scientific circles for being the site at which the...
, which at that time was owned by Senator George Hearst
George Hearst
George Hearst was a wealthy American businessman and United States Senator, and the father of newspaperman William Randolph Hearst.-Early life and education:...
, father of William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
. A bullion guard is somebody who protects gold shipments being transported by stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
. Around the age of 35, Bullock began to achieve fame. It is claimed that Bullock had a part in the death of Black Hills
Black Hills
The Black Hills are a small, isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota and extending into Wyoming, USA. Set off from the main body of the Rocky Mountains, the region is something of a geological anomaly—accurately described as an "island of...
outlaw Cornelius Donahue
Cornelius Donahue
Cornelius Donahue alias "Lame Johnny", born in Philadelphia about 1850, died 1878Cattle rustler, horse thief and general Wild West Outlaw from the Black Hills of South Dakota...
(also known as "Lame Johnny"), although some sources dispute this. In later years Bullock was a stock broker
Stock broker
A stock broker or stockbroker is a regulated professional broker who buys and sells shares and other securities through market makers or Agency Only Firms on behalf of investors...
in Lead
Lead, South Dakota
Lead is a city in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 3,124 at the 2010 census. Lead is located in western South Dakota, in the Black Hills near the Wyoming state line.-History:...
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He died at Thorncroft Sanatorium
Sanatorium
A sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, most typically associated with treatment of tuberculosis before antibiotics...
, Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
, in 1921 at the age of 73.