Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 630

Deadwood Dick Jr. in No-Man's Land

E. L. Wheeler's serial novel, presented in Beadle and Adams Weekly, August 20, 1889. Set in the lawless "Neutral Strip" (No-Man's Land) bordering New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Indian Territory, the story opens in Beaver City during a violent storm. The Big Six—Jim Oaks, Pete McCann, Jeff Oliver, and others—are desperadoes drinking at Tim Hale's dug-out saloon, discussing their financial straits and a forthcoming gladiatorial contest. Golconda, a skilled half-Navajo fighter, has announced a competition where contestants pay fifty dollars for entry, competing in wrestling, boxing, and marksmanship with Singing Bird, a beautiful maiden of eighteen, as the prize for overall victory. Old Rocks, Golconda's father, remains silent. When renowned detective Deadwood Dick Jr. arrives at the saloon seeking to rescue the girl, Jim Oaks challenges him. Dick defeats Oaks decisively in a wrestling and boxing match, impressing the gang. The narrative establishes tensions around the contest scheduled for the next day and hints at mysterious motivations behind Golconda's arrangement.