Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544

1887 · 16 pages

This issue presents the opening of a Western dime novel by Edward L. Wheeler, author of the "Deadwood Dick" series. "Cronger the Locator: A Tale of Sockdolager City" begins with an introduction to the Nevada mining town, which has posted notices forbidding "dudes" in plug hats and formal shirts—a policy enforced by mining-camp residents. Three notable arrivals at the Sandy Bar Hotel are introduced: Uncle Si Sloat, a Vermont farmer seeking detective assistance; Valentine Vidocq, a government detective (secretly Deadwood Dick, Jr.); and Hero Hicks, a repulsive four-foot dwarf. Vidocq gains local favor by defending a child flower-seller named Fern from Hicks's violence, defeating the dwarf in combat. The narrative then shifts as Sloat prepares to recount a mysterious case to Vidocq under the moonlight, establishing the story's central mystery.

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 1 of 16 — 1 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16