Description
Carving a dusty path the riders journey through the historically preserved town of DeadWood, where legends lived and died. Story is told that the Sheriff tried to tame the town but the outlaw spirit never died. Today it is the starting point for the annual legend III Legend Ride, which ends in Buffalo Chip.
As they glide along on their custom hogs, the history of the town unfolds. Rich in natural beauty, and wildlife, South Dakota’s Black Hills was the back drop to a whole world of gunslingers, gold miners, and desperados. Along the path is the infamous Bullock Hotel built in 1895, said to still be haunted, and the Fairmont one of the most enduring landmarks on main street.
Depicted in this painting is Red Cloud, one of the most important Lakota leaders of the nineteenth century, along with a Crazy horse memorial in far background. One of Deadwood’s most colorful caricatures can be seen in the painting, Potato Creek Johnny panning for gold with his sluice boxes and rusty pans.
Gambling also played an important role in the creation of the town, leaving a few residents six feet under, in Mt Moriah Cemetery. Characters like Wild Bill (James Butler) Hickok, undoubtedly Deadwood’s most famous resident. Legend has it that he poured his whiskey with his left hand, leaving his right free for sudden action. Buried below Hickok is Jack McCall his killer. Bill was holding Aces and Eights, which to this day is known as “the dead man’s hand.”
The biggest temptation of all for outlaws, was the treasure-laden stage coaches such as the Cheyenne Stage Coach, built in 1863. The Black Hills boom was in full swing back then with prosperity at its fullest height, but alas the country was filled with some of the most noted bandits of that time.
Legend Rider III is a most welcomed addition to the series of commemorative paintings for the annual rally. “Motor” Marc once again incorporates the legend of the land with it’s historic icons and the raw power of today’s riders. This limited edition work-of-art is sure to please the historian in all of us.
Legend Rider 75th Anniversary Edition
Side by side view of the Legend Rider Series
(click to view full size)
