When most people think of Deadwood, South Dakota, they conjure up thoughts of the old west, gold prospectors, outlaws, and gunfights. It's known as being the place where Wild Bill met his ultimate fate, holding the Deadman's Hand of aces and eights. History is all over the streets and surrounding hillsides. Mount Moriah Cemetery sits on one of these hills above the city.
Mount Moriah is both a cemetery and a history lesson. Deadwood's "Big Four" are all buried here: Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Preacher Smith, and Potato Creek Johnny. If you spend any time in Deadwood you will run across references to these four famous Mount Moriah residents.
But there's another resident of Mount Moriah who has close ties with history. Jan Mollar enlisted in the 7th U.S. Cavalry on January 15, 1872, in Chicago, Illinois. He listed his previous occupation as laborer. He was discharged on January 15, 1877, upon expiration of service, as a corporal of excellent character. On pension records he is listed as Jan Moller and elsewhere as John Muller, James Muller, or James Mullen. His gravestone at Mount Moriah lists his name as Jan Mollar.
While living in Deadwood in 1927, he resided at 63 Stewart Street (People live there today so if you visit, please respect their privacy). He was wounded in the right thigh during the siege on the hilltop on June 25, 1876. He was later transported to Fort Abraham Lincoln on the steamer Far West. He died on February 23, 1928, and was buried at Mount Moriah in Deadwood, South Dakota.
When you walk through the front gate at Mount Moriah, look up to your right and you will see Mollar's grave. Most visitors, and indeed even the Mount Moriah employees, know nothing of Jan Mollar and his link to one of the most famous battles in American history.
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| Front gates at Mount Moriah. Mollar's grave is up on right. |
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| Mollar grave. |
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| Mollar grave. |
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| Former Mollar residence at 63 Stewart Street, Deadwood, SD. |
So many of these connections fly under the radar. They've been a big part of the little bit of LBH and Civil War research that I've done. He definitely wasn't part of the bus tour we took in Deadwood, but the others were. Thanks for bringing his connection and others to the forefront.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kinds words. I was disheartened a couple years ago when I asked about Mollar at the visitor center at Mt. Moriah. No one had any idea he was a Little Big Horn veteran. There's certainly lots or history in that cemetery in addition to Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. Thanks again!
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