Tap, tap.. tap..came the sound on my door . Seth, is that you? Nope, just Linda who forgot her key.
We’re holed up here in Deadwood Gulch at the Bullock Hotel fully expecting a visit from the owner, himself, before we leave..even though he’s been dead for nearly a hundred years.
It’s safe to say that there may not be a Deadwood today if it were not for ol’Seth Bullock. He was among the very first to settle here and worked as a gold miner, a hardware merchant, a farmer/rancher, a lawman and hotelier. He built this place in the early 1890’s and is one of the oldest buildings on Deadwood’s Main Street. It looks pretty much the same on the outside as it did when the doors first opened in 1895. Folks (mostly Bullock employees) like to say it was the finest hotel between Chicago and San Francisco. Oh, yeah..it’s haunted.
I brought the camera along in hopes of getting a photo of Seth roaming the halls but I’m usually not very lucky when it comes to his slot machines downstairs or capturing apparitions upstairs. I’ll let you know if I see or hear anything out-of-this-worldly.
Yes, the missus and I are on another vacation. No grass growing under our feet..although the yard at home hasn’t been mowed for so long its embarrassing. I swear I saw Arte Johnson in a German uniform peaking through the tall grass saying, “Verrry Interestink.” (Anyone under 40 is probably saying “what the heck is he talking about?” )
Anyway, this isn’t a real vacation, just a long weekend with our friends, the Graves, to try save the economy of Deadwood through generous donations made into brightly colored noisy coin operated devices located all over town.
A few of the casinos..Saloon Number 10 and the Gold Dust..were busy as could be on a Friday night..but a lot of others were dead as Wild Bill Hickok. In fact, several on the north end of Main street have given up the ghost and shut down.
I’d be very interested in reading any ghost stories you might be willing to share about staying here at the Bullock or any other eerie experiences you’ve had in this town that’s full of spirits..both liquid and ghostly.
Oh, and since this is a family friendly blog, please no stories about memorable encounters at places like Pam’s Purple Door.