05/19/2026
39LA3000-1991.05 / Cat.: 131 Clovers Imperial Mange Medicine,
Happy Tuesday everyone! Today, while going through the archaeological collection from the 1990-1992 Main Street Restoration, archives volunteers came across this bottle. After a double take (and a little research), this is what we found out.
"The H. Clay Glover Company was founded in 1876 by its namesake, Dr. Henry Clay Glover (1845-1914), in New York City. Dr. Glover was a veterinary surgeon (V.S.) who patented, formulated, produced, and sold one of the most extensive U.S. patented lines of veterinary medicines primarily for dogs and other animals. He gained initial and long-term success with his popular Glover’s Dog Mange Cure and was the recipient of the Medal of Superiority by the American Institute of New York. Glover’s Mange Cure was a product formulated as a result of a partnership between Charles B. Mathis (1844-1929), a Toms River druggist, and Dr. Glover. They decided to work together to develop a cure for mange disease. Mathis formulated the successful treatment which was eventually sold worldwide. It was marketed as Glover’s Imperial Mange Cure (later Remedy) and sold for 50 cents per bottle. The two partners agreed to market and sell the product in New York City. Glover incorporated his company in Manhattan, N.Y. but prepared the remedy in the small downtown village of Toms River, N.J.”
https://hiddenhistorytrail.com/h-glover-mange-factory-at-9-robbins-street/
According to the Museum of American History, Glovers Imperial Mange Medicine had both human and animal applications based on the original paper label on the bottle. One of these uses was for dandruff.
“FOR THE HUMAN SCALP- When us of Glover’s Imperial Mange Medicine is indicated for diseases of the scalp, or loss of hair from the HUMAN HEAD, massage Glover’s gently into the scalp every other day, then shampoo with Glover’s Imperial Medicated Soap.”
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_714812
This bottle and numerous other hair tonic bottles were recovered along Lee Street, near the location of the Al Breeding’s barber shop, (see photograph from the Haas scrapbook, “Deadwood”.)
Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!