August 14, 2006 Bonus Blog
My good friend Jim Hatzell, who collects pith helmets, weighs in on the name (plus Deadwood):

"The term 'pith helmet' refers to the plant substance used to line the early models used by the British Army way back when. They were manufactured in India. The later day versions were made with cork! You were correct about all the different styles available through the years.....(another name for them was 'Bombay Bowlers'). I have a large collection of them myself.

"Some can be seen on my website www.fiddlersgreenstudio.com

"Go to the gallery and click on 'Adventure'.

"I watched Deadwood last night and I forgive a lot of plot points, loose characterizations, exaggerated action sequences, etc. and even the rough language, but there is no excuse for things such as having Sheriff Bulloch away in the town of Sturgis.....which did not exist until after the 7th Cavalry relocated to the Black Hills and established Fort Meade. The town that was established outside of the fort's environs was first called 'Scooptown' by the soldiers....and later named Sturgis after the acting commanding officer. I believe the series is still on year 1877 due to the Earp's being there and the fact that the town did not burn yet!

"There was also a reference to the town of Rapid City....which at the time was known by the moniker 'Haycamp'. Little details like that are so easy to catch if they had a fact checker go over the script after it was written. Other simple mistakes.....you cannot ride a horse from 'Custer City' to Deadwood in one day. (Not on the same horse anyway.) A few seasons back when General Crook came through town one of his Cavalry Troops lament 'They ate my mare.' (The US Cavalry only rode geldings)"
—Jim Hatzell

"If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them see."
—?Henry David Thoreau