Remembering Al Swearingen: Fund for Grave Markers

Oskaloosa’s own Al Swearingen was born west of town on the family stock farm in what was then known as “Six Mile Prairie,” out beyond today’s West High Avenue. He left town at an early age, following his older brother to the Colorado gold strike and then out further west through gold camps in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, finally arriving in Deadwood in 1876 where he settled for twenty-three years.

Al, using an assumed name, was found dead near a set of railroad tracks in West Denver on November 15, 1904, and returned to Oskaloosa, Iowa where he was buried in an unmarked grave, forgotten for a century.

David Milch, intrigued by the legend of the lawless town, created the HBO series “Deadwood,” which premiered in 2004 and featured Al Swearengen as the proprietor of the Gem Saloon. The acclaimed series ran for three years with a follow-up movie in 2019. Ian McShane won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Al after the first season.

Ellis Albert Swearingen, my great-great granduncle, was buried in Forest Cemetery 120 years ago this week. His grave is still unmarked, and the funds raised with this appeal will be used to purchase and place grave markers for Al and Lem, his twin brother (buried next to Al).

It is expected that the project will be completed before the twins' 180th birthday in July 2025. Any excess funds will be used to mark the other three graves in the Swearingen plot (Lem's family) as well as provide a marker for Nettie Swearingen, Al's second wife.