Beadle's Pocket Library No. 337

This 1890 issue of Beadle and Adams presents the opening installment of "Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot; or, The Boss of Dead Line City" by T. C. Harbaugh. Set in Dead Line City, a rough mountain town on Colorado's southern border, the story concerns a mysterious insulting letter addressed to "the Ugliest Galoot in Dead Line." When the townspeople vow to hang whoever claims it, a daring stranger named Captain Clutch arrives, boldly claims the letter, writes his name on the post-office window with a diamond ring, and rides away. The appearance mystifies the locals, particularly Daisy Dave and the postmaster Clover Phil. Shortly after, Velvet Foot, a Comanche government detective investigating stage-route bandits, arrives in town. Dave recognizes that Velvet Foot knows Captain Clutch but refuses to reveal details, only stating that Clutch hates everyone in Dead Line.