Former Montana marshal Seth Bullock starts a hardware business for miners, and the arrival of Wild Bill Hickok creates a stir. Meanwhile, a corrupt saloon owner brokers a land claim for a wealthy New Yorker.

Calamity Jane helps Doc protect a young girl who survived a recent massacre. New Yorker Brom Garret realizes he may not be cut out for prospecting. Dan mulls over a difficult order from Al Swearengen.

Believing he's been duped, Brom Garret threatens to call the Pinkertons on Swearengen. Star and Bullock finally reach a deal on their hardware-store property. A new gambling outfit arrives from Chicago.

Alma asks Hickok to investigate the tragic fallout of her husband's gold claim purchase. McCall plots revenge after being humiliated at poker. Charlie Utter departs camp for Cheyenne. Doc Cochran makes a house call to the Bella Union.

The town buries its most famous casualty while the man responsible is tried in Swearengen's saloon. Trixie helps a widowed Alma care for an orphan. Doc warns of an impending epidemic.

Bullock's form of vigilante justice meets resistance from the locals. The town fathers band together to fight an epidemic. Farnum reluctantly agrees to keep an eye on Alma and Trixie. Swearengen adds journalist to his colorful résumé.

A much-needed vaccine arrives in Deadwood. There are rumblings of a treaty with the Sioux. Swearengen is reluctant to accept advice from Farnum while Trixie is away. Alma reconsiders her plans for her gold claim. Stubbs learns an important lesson from Tolliver.

Swearengen makes an effort to set up an informal government. Anna and Bullock discuss Ellsworth. Jane receives a job offer from Utter. Tolliver agrees to let Stubbs strike out on her own.

Swearengen receives a double dose of irritation when a drug supply is stolen and bad news arrives from a nearby town. Rev. Smith is an unlikely customer at the Gem. Merrick hatches an idea for Deadwood's first club.

Adams helps Swearengen out of a jam. Jewel seeks out Doc for treatment. Leon and Eddie go back to work for Cy. Alma's father arrives from New York. The camp's choice for a sheriff doesn't please Bullock.

In the first-season finale, Farnum and Tolliver take advantage of the arrival of a U.S. Army general. Adams teaches Clagett a thing or two about loyalty. Bullock reacts when Alma's father states his intentions regarding her claim.