In 1877, a poignant photograph captured a moment of solemn tribute in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Colorado Charlie Utter, a steadfast friend of the legendary Wild Bill Hickok, stood alongside Arapaho Joe as they placed a headstone on Hickok’s original grave in Ingleside Cemetery. This evocative image, taken just a year after Hickok’s infamous murder, encapsulates the raw grief and reverence of a frontier community for one of its most iconic figures. The photograph not only immortalizes a moment of mourning but also marks the beginning of Hickok’s transformation from a real-life gunslinger, lawman, and gambler into a mythic symbol of the Wild West.
The Murder That Shook Deadwood
On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill Hickok, born James Butler Hickok, was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall while playing poker at Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood. The hand he held—aces and eights, later dubbed the “Dead Man’s Hand”—became a lasting piece of Western lore. Hickok, renowned for his sharpshooting, quick-draw duels, and service as a lawman in towns like Abilene and Hays City, was a larger-than-life figure. His murder at age 39 sent shockwaves through the rough-and-tumble mining town, cementing his status as a frontier legend.
Charlie Utter, who had arrived in Deadwood with Hickok in a wagon train filled with gamblers, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, took the loss personally. As Hickok’s close friend and confidant, Utter ensured his burial was handled with dignity. He organized the funeral and laid Hickok to rest in Ingleside Cemetery, a rugged hillside site exposed to the harsh elements of the Black Hills and vulnerable to souvenir hunters eager to claim relics of the famous gunslinger.
The 1877 Photograph: A Tribute in Stone
The 1877 photograph, taken by an unknown photographer, captures Charlie Utter and Arapaho Joe placing a headstone at Hickok’s grave. Utter, standing at right, appears resolute, his commitment to honoring his friend evident in the act of erecting the marker. Arapaho Joe, a lesser-known figure but likely a local ally or guide, assists in this act of remembrance. The headstone was both a heartfelt tribute and a practical effort to protect Hickok’s memory from the desecration of grave robbers and relic seekers. The image, stark and unadorned, reflects the rawness of the frontier—a place where life was fleeting, and memorials were hard-won.
The Ingleside Cemetery, while a fitting resting place for a man of Hickok’s rugged reputation, was not ideal for long-term preservation. Exposed to weather and lacking proper oversight, it was ill-suited to safeguard the grave of a figure already becoming a legend. Yet, even in its short time, the site drew admirers, signaling Hickok’s rapid ascent into the pantheon of Western mythology.
The Move to Mount Moriah and a Growing Legend
By 1879, Deadwood’s leaders recognized the need for a more permanent resting place for Hickok. His remains were exhumed and relocated to Mount Moriah Cemetery, perched high above the town with sweeping views of the Black Hills. A new, more enduring monument was erected, and the site became a pilgrimage destination for those captivated by tales of the Old West. Over time, Hickok’s grave was joined by those of other frontier icons, forming a small constellation of legend:
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Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary), who died in 1903, requested to be buried beside Hickok. Her colorful life as a scout, frontierswoman, and self-proclaimed associate of Hickok added to the site’s allure, despite debates over the extent of their relationship.
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Potato Creek Johnny (John Perrett), a beloved prospector who struck gold in the Black Hills, was laid to rest nearby in 1943. His grave added another layer to Deadwood’s storied history.
Together, these graves have made Mount Moriah a global draw for visitors, historians, and enthusiasts of Western lore, preserving the legacy of the frontier in stone and memory.
A Lasting Symbol of the Wild West
The 1877 photograph of Charlie Utter and Arapaho Joe at Hickok’s original gravesite is more than a snapshot of mourning—it is a testament to friendship, loyalty, and the making of a legend. Utter’s dedication ensured that Hickok’s memory endured, even as the frontier gave way to modernity. The image captures a fleeting moment when the Old West was still alive, its heroes and hardships unpolished by the myth-making that would follow.
Today, in 2025, the graves at Mount Moriah continue to draw thousands, serving as a reminder of the wild, untamed spirit of Deadwood and the individuals who shaped its history. The photograph of Utter and Arapaho Joe stands as a powerful artifact, bridging the raw reality of the frontier with the enduring myths that define the American West. It calls us to remember not only Wild Bill Hickok but also the countless others whose lives and losses shaped a transformative era.
