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One page ALS written by Dr. Richard "Diamond Dick" Tanner to the famous former scout Captain Luther North. Dated August 13th, 1931, and written from "Norfolk, Nebr."
Letter comes with original envelope (see link below). Diamond Dick writes a chatty personal letter, including complaining about the "avalanche of abuse" he received at an American Legion convention. Signed "Dick".
In fine condition with wear as shown in the scan. Great letter from one famous frontiersman to another! Real western history, you just don't see this material on the market anymore! Please see below for more information on Tanner and a scan of the cover, which is annotated by North as well.$195.00 plus shipping "Diamond Dick" Tanner
The life of Richard J. "Diamond Dick" Tanner (1869-1943) encompassed a noteworthy long-distance horseback ride, circus stardom as a crack shot, a medical career in Norfolk, and finally a reappearance as "the original Diamond Dick," when his claim to the title was challenged....
It is difficult to pinpoint Tanner's activities as a youth until his long-distance horseback ride from Lincoln, Nebraska, to New York City and then back across country in 1893. Profiting from the publicity generated by his feat, Tanner by 1894-95 was appearing in frontier shows as Denver Dick, a crack marksman. As Diamond Dick he performed in circuses from 1895 until 1905. He formed his own traveling show. His shooting act was impressive, but solid evidence that Tanner performed with Buffalo Bill's Wild West (as Tanner later claimed) is missing.
In 1905 Tanner entered Cotner College (then including Lincoln Medical College) and Nebraska Wesleyan University. He received the M.D. degree in 1909 and ceased using the name Diamond Dick. In 1910 he opened a medical practice in Norfolk and began promoting his medical lectures and herbal medications.
Dr. Tanner's new career was successful, but by the early 1920s he was longing to return to show business. His reemergence as Diamond Dick at the August 28, 1925, Pioneer Days Celebration in Norfolk was a publicity success...
The publicity generated by these events (as well as the ongoing popularity of Diamond Dick dime novels) allowed Tanner to build his celebrity. He invited a number of old frontier figures, including W. F. "Doc" Carver and Luther H. North, to appear with him in a Norfolk parade in mid-June 1927. The successful gathering was a validation of Tanner's identity as Diamond Dick. By the time of his death in 1943, Tanner was widely (if somewhat inaccurately) portrayed as a relic of the frontier."
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