In the summer of 1877, a photograph captured a moment of quiet reverence in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Colorado Charlie Utter, a loyal friend of the legendary Wild Bill Hickok, stood beside Arapaho Joe as they placed a headstone on Hickok’s original grave in Ingleside Cemetery. Taken just a year after Hickok’s shocking murder, this stark, evocative image immortalizes a frontier community’s grief and marks the beginning of Hickok’s transformation into a mythic icon of the Wild West. The photograph is not just a record of mourning but a testament to friendship and the enduring allure of the American frontier.
The Infamous Murder of Wild Bill Hickok
On August 2, 1876, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok was gunned down at age 39 in Deadwood’s Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon No. 10. While playing poker, he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall, a drifter seeking notoriety. The cards Hickok held—aces and eights, forever known as the “Dead Man’s Hand”—became a cornerstone of Western legend. Hickok, a famed gunslinger, scout, and lawman who had served in towns like Abilene and Hays City, was a towering figure in the Black Hills mining camp. His murder sent shockwaves through Deadwood, a rough-and-tumble town of prospectors, gamblers, and dreamers.
Charlie Utter, who had arrived with Hickok in a lively wagon train of entertainers, gamblers, and entrepreneurs in July 1876, was devastated by the loss. As Hickok’s close companion, Utter took it upon himself to ensure a dignified burial. He organized the funeral and laid his friend to rest in Ingleside Cemetery, a rugged hillside plot exposed to the harsh Black Hills elements and vulnerable to souvenir hunters eager to claim relics of the celebrated gunslinger.
The 1877 Photograph: A Moment of Remembrance
The 1877 photograph, likely taken by a traveling photographer whose name is lost to history, shows Charlie Utter and Arapaho Joe placing a headstone on Hickok’s grave. Utter, standing resolute on the right, embodies loyalty and determination, his act of erecting the marker a tribute to his fallen friend. Arapaho Joe, possibly a local guide or ally familiar with the region’s Native communities, assists in this solemn task. The headstone served a dual purpose: a heartfelt memorial to honor Hickok and a barrier against the grave robbers who threatened to desecrate the site. The image’s raw simplicity mirrors the frontier itself—a place where life was fleeting, and tributes were carved in stone against the odds.
Ingleside Cemetery, though fitting for a man of Hickok’s rugged reputation, was far from ideal. Exposed to wind, rain, and scavengers, it lacked the infrastructure to preserve the grave of a figure already becoming a legend. Yet, even in its brief time as Hickok’s resting place, the site drew admirers, hinting at the gunslinger’s rapid ascent into the mythology of the Wild West.
From Ingleside to Mount Moriah: A Lasting Legacy
By 1879, Deadwood’s leaders recognized the need for a more permanent resting place. Hickok’s remains were exhumed and moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery, a scenic site perched above the town with sweeping views of the Black Hills. A new, sturdier monument was erected, transforming the grave into a pilgrimage site for those captivated by frontier tales. Over time, two other legendary figures joined Hickok, creating a trio of Western icons:
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Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary), who died in 1903, requested burial beside Hickok. Known for her daring exploits as a scout and frontierswoman, her connection to Hickok—whether real or embellished—added to the site’s mystique.
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Potato Creek Johnny (John Perrett), a beloved prospector who struck gold in the Black Hills, was buried nearby in 1943, further enriching Deadwood’s storied history.
Together, these graves have made Mount Moriah a global destination, drawing historians, tourists, and Western enthusiasts to reflect on the frontier’s wild spirit.
A Snapshot of Friendship and Myth
The 1877 photograph of Charlie Utter and Arapaho Joe is more than a moment frozen in time—it’s a bridge between the gritty reality of the Old West and the myths that define it. Utter’s dedication ensured Hickok’s memory endured, even as the frontier faded into history. The image captures the rawness of a time when heroes were mortal, their legacies shaped by acts of loyalty like Utter’s.
Today, in 2025, Mount Moriah Cemetery remains a vibrant testament to Deadwood’s past, attracting thousands who seek to connect with the legends of Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny. The 1877 photograph stands as a powerful artifact, reminding us of the friendships, losses, and dreams that shaped the American West. It calls us to honor not only Wild Bill Hickok but also the countless others whose lives defined an era of untamed possibility.
