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(WEST--SOUTH DAKOTA.) Manuscript by-laws and incorporation of the Friend-in-Need Mining Company of Deadwood. 59 manuscript pages (8 of them blank). 4to, original 1/4 calf, moderate wear; one leaf detached, other leaves removed prior to use. Deadwood, SD, January to April 1879
The Friend-in-Need Mining Company was established in the fabled frontier town of Deadwood on 31 December 1878. This volume begins with transcripts of the company's original articles of incorporation and stockholder list, and its "certificate of corporate existence." Pages 21 to 49 are devoted to the company by-laws, which are followed by the original signatures of the officers and stockholders dated 8 February 1879. It concludes with a 14 February 1879 amendment to the by-laws over 7 signatures, minutes of a 15 April meeting (marked "error--enlisted in wrong book"), and one final certification of the amendments over the signatures of three directors.
The company's founding president was Edwin A. Curley (1834-1899), a prolific journalist and author of western guides, most notably "Glittering Gold: The True Story of the Black Hills," published shortly after his arrival in Deadwood in 1876. He and his wife Julia were the majority stockholders of the Friend-in-Need. Much of this volume is written in Julia's hand, with the later sections in Edwin's hand. He signs the volume 4 times, with Julia's signature appearing twice. Other signers include directors A.S. Stewart and A.H. Simonton, plus stockholders Thomas H. Russell (one of the very earliest mining pioneers to the area in 1874), H.L. Dickinson, D.P. Burnham (Deadwood's first bookseller), and W.L. Chadwick.
Few substantial Deadwood manuscripts have survived which predate the September 1879 fire which destroyed most of the town. We can find only one other mention of this company in the historical record: the 13 February 1880 Yankton Press noted simply that that "Lawrence County has a 'Friend in need mining co.'"
