Julesburg the Wicked Town

Julesburg had plenty of legends of its own wickedness.  Dating back to Jules Reni, the French Canadian trapper and founder, he reportedly poured a barrel of whiskey into a barrel of flour and called it whiskey bread :)

Julesburg was said to "never put a lid" on reckless, violent behavior of its citizens, and so it became the Black Hills choice for evil doings.

By 1876, 75,000 gold seekers were searching for gold in the Black Hills.  As newspapers of that period claimed, if you wanted to find your way to the gold diggings, just follow the campfire circles.

Interestingly enough, not all pioneers journeying into the Black Hills during the 1860s to 1870s were prospectors.  Many were simple homesteaders who perhaps preferred a cooler climate than the Plains...or maybe took a wrong turn!

Many came looking for ranches - building the familiar sod houses of the Plains in the beginning, cellars and finally log cabins.  Like their southern equals, those who settled the Black Hills were tough, determined and willing to sacrifice to carve a home for their families.

Next time...The Sioux Confederacy