Beadle's Dime Library No. 170

# Museum Catalog Note

This issue of Beadle & Adams' pulp magazine (Vol. XIV, No. 170, January 25, 1882) features the serialized western story "Sweet William, the Trapper Detective; or, The Chief of the Crimson Clan" by Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

The narrative opens at a religious gathering where a self-styled prophet named Joseph Smith invokes divine proof of his legitimacy. A mysterious skeptic from the crowd delivers two withering critiques denouncing Smith as a fraud, destabilizing his credulous congregation. When Smith demands the doubter reveal himself, a dark mass falls from above, striking the prophet down.

The second chapter, titled "All for Love," shifts focus to Leo Friend, a young man preparing to propose to Belle Gladden, daughter of a Smith believer. Leo rides toward the gathering, troubled by his rival Gerald Evans. The chapter concludes with an ambush: two dark figures suddenly block the road ahead, demanding Leo surrender his weapons.

The story blends frontier adventure with religious satire and melodramatic plotting.