An Extraordinary Discovery...A Forgotten Historical Archive...A True Deadwood Story...Presented by Melrose Treasures Estate Sales | Los Angeles

The journey of discovery begins in Deadwood, South Dakota. The year is 1877. Nearly 150 years later, just when you think you've seen everything after nearly 20 years in the estate sale business... something completely unexpected happens . I received a call from the great-grandson of a prominent Deadwood family who had inherited his family's estate and wanted to sell several items, including jewelry and antique pocket watches. As I looked through the collection, something unexpected caught my eye—an antique Native American peace pipe displayed inside a cabinet.Curious, I asked about it. The great-grandson smiled and said, "Well... let me introduce you to Judge John H. Burns. "At that moment, I had no idea that one simple question would lead me down a fascinating historical rabbit hole—and ultimately to the acquisition of an extraordinary archive documenting the life of Judge John H. Burns of Deadwood, South Dakota, known throughout the Black Hills as "The Indian Judge. "Over the coming weeks, we'll follow the remarkable life of Judge John H. Burns—from his arrival in Deadwood, to the opening of his law office, his work with the Deadwood Pioneer, his reputation throughout the Black Hills as "The Indian Judge," and the remarkable documents and artifacts that have survived nearly 150 years. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this historical series, where we uncover the true story behind his arrival in Deadwood and his rise.

Note: For serious collectors and institutions, this extraordinary historical archive is actively being prepared for a global public bidding event presented by Melrose Treasures Auction. Bidding will take place exclusively via our LiveAuctioneers catalog in a few weeks. To receive an alert the moment the official auction catalog goes live, please use our site's Sign Up form or contact us directly at (310) 461-8611.