Here's what the NY Times says:
"In addition to opening the entire site to all readers, The Times will also make available its archives from 1987 to the present without charge, as well as those from 1851 to 1922, which are in the public domain."

Searchable articles from the 19th century?!?!?! That's the good stuff!

I looked for "deadwood" between 1870 and 1880 and found this great article from Aug 1, 1877:

query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html

"There is not much law or order in Deadwood. Courts have just been established, and the city is policed; but the Police happen to be in league with the gamblers, who rule the town, and so criminals are apt to go unwhipped of justice. The saloon men refuse to pay their licenses, $100, and defy the law. Claim jumpers and town-lot jumpers have things pretty much their own way. The streets are in a filthy condition, and there is much sickness. Taking it all in all, Deadwood can be best described as a disorderly, sickly, sinful city."