Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629

"The Jubilee at Jacktown" by William G. Patten opens this issue of Beadle and Adams' dime novel (August 13, 1889). The story concerns rival Colorado mining camps—Jacktown and prosperous Jasper City—competing for prominence. When a beautiful young woman named Luona Howard (called "Laughing Lu") arrives at Jacktown, the townspeople celebrate her as their saving attraction. Jasper City's residents raid the camp and abduct her, spurring Jacktown's citizens to seek a champion to defeat Jasper City's sporting champions: marksman Saul Spot, wrestler "Hickory Jimmy" Carnes, and card player High Card Harry. A ragged stranger named Erastus Wagg ("the woolly-headed man") volunteers, demonstrating surprising strength when he crushes Judge Blowbugle's hand during a handshake.