Seth Bullock Reappointed

Sunday, December 27, 2009

The White House announced the reappointment of Seth Bullock as U. S. Marshal for South Dakota on this date 100 years ago. Bullock is best known for his role as Sheriff of Deadwood, Dakota Territory during the 1870s. It was during this time that he met Theodore Roosevelt, then deputy sheriff of Medora. The two quickly formed a friendship that would last the rest of their days. Roosevelt later claimed that Bullock was “…a true westerner, the finest type of frontiersman.” In 1898, Bullock volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War under Roosevelt, and rode alongside the President during his inaugural parade in 1905. Roosevelt soon appointed Bullock to the post of U. S. Marshal, an office that Bullock served admirably. So, it came as no surprise when Congress affirmed his reappointment in 1909. The Fargo Forum wrote that the reappointment stood as “…a recognition of what Bullock has done as well as a compliment to the former President.”

Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job

Sources:
The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. Monday (Evening ed.), December 27, 1909:p. 1.