Heard on the Historical Trail

Home , Sheep Wars

Published for members of the Wyoming State Historical Society Nov-Dec 2016 Volume 63, Number 10 Heard AMENDING AMERICA on the Celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights Wyoming Humanities is de- ration with state Humanities Historical lighted to announce that they have Councils. As the permanent arranged for placement of at least home of the original Bill of Trail one Bill of Rights exhibit from Rights, the National Archives the National Archives to be on launched a groundbreaking na- Chapters across the state have or display in every county in Wyo- tional initiative to explore the will soon elect new officers. ming for the 225th Anniversary of power of the Bill of Rights and Please make sure that Society the Bill of our enduring sys- headquarters has contact infor- Rights. tem of government. mation so the directory can be up- The Part of the national dated. kiosks will initiative —- in ad- Members and guests of the Platte be on dis- dition to exhibits, County Historical Society re- play at li- educational and cently enjoyed a program present- braries and programming ef- ed by WSHS/PCHS member Neil museums forts—The Bill of Waring about the Civilian Con- across the Rights and You servation Corps work at Guernsey state begin- allows for an easy State Park. If you haven’t visited ning De- way to present key GSP in recent years put on your cember information about list of things to do. Another op- 15th the Bill of Rights portunity led them to the historic through and its impact. wagons collected by Doug Kafka. February Through partner- The Weston County Historical 28. “The ships, the Archives Society enjoyed a program titled Bill of plans to distribute “A Pilot’s Story: A Dream Come Rights and up to 2,000 units True,” by John and Kathy Gaston. You” spot- across all 50 states. The history of the Freeland lights one Cemetery near the Bates Hole re- of the most For more infor- gion west of Casper was presented remarkable periods in American mation on the initiative, visit by Ardelle Martin to members of history. The exhibit contains sim- www.archives.gov/amending- the Natrona County Historical So- ple messages conveying the im- america, or contact Sheila Bricher ciety recently. On December 8th portance of the Bill of Rights, its -Wade via e-mail at Shei- they’ll enjoy their joint Christmas history and implementation, and [email protected]. Her phone program with members of OCTA. its impact today. number is 721-9243. This project is brought to us by (see page 7 for locations) (Continued on page 3) the National Archives in collabo-

Wyoming History News Nov-Dec 2016

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE throughout the state,” she says.

Tamsen Hert, President, SE Rep. From the The National History Day 460-3135 [email protected] program is a yearlong education Doug Cubbison, 1st VP, NW Rep. President. . . program that culminates in a na- 472-1857 [email protected] tional contest every June. Wyo- Jessica Clark, 2nd VP, At Large ming History Day, administered 382-1864 [email protected] Carl Hallberg, Secretary, At Large We wanted by the American Heritage Center, 778-8577 [email protected] you to get to occurs every year in April. Histo- Lisa Thalken, Treasurer, At Large know our new ry Day engages students in grades [email protected] State History 6-12 in the process of discovery 797-2493 Leslie Waggener, At Large Day Coordina- and interpretation of historical Jonita Sommers, SW Rep tor a little bet- topics. Students produce dramatic Sylvia Bruner, NE Rep. ter. I am performances, imaginative exhib- 684-9331 [email protected] pleased to in- its, multimedia documentaries Rick Robbins, At Large, 331-3024 troduce you to and research papers based on re- [email protected] Jessica Flock, search related to an annual theme. Executive Secretary and Editor a member of the Society for sev- These projects are then evaluated Linda Fabian, 322-3014 eral years. at local, state and national compe- Jessica Flock, a Wyoming titions. All correspondence, membership educator with a long association In 2016, over 700 students issues and questions should be addressed to: with teacher training and humani- from schools around the state par- ties programming in the state, has ticipated in Wyoming History Wyoming State Historical Society been appointed state coordinator Day. The program has wide sup- Linda Fabian, Executive Secretary for Wyoming History Day. The port throughout the state, includ- P. O. Box 247 program, based at the University ing Wyoming students and teach- Wheatland, WY 82201 of Wyoming’s American Heritage ers, the American Heritage Cen- Preferably via e-mail to Center, is an affiliate of the Na- ter, the Wyoming State Historical [email protected] tional History Day program. Society, the Wyoming Depart- Flock has served since ment of State Parks and Cultural 2012 as the Wyoming workshop Resources, the John P. Ellbogen facilitator for the Teaching with Foundation and community busi- The Wyoming State Histor- Primary Resources program affil- nesses including Taco John’s, ical Society, a non-profit, iated with the Library of Con- which sponsors an award for a membership driven organ- gress via the University of North- student competing in the Wyo- ization, encourages the ern Colorado. She has extensive ming History Day program. study of Wyoming history. experience as an educator, work- Flock’s office is in the We believe to study the shop presenter and business own- American Heritage Center. She past is to understand the er, and she has been an active part may be reached at present and prepare for of the education and heritage [email protected] or (307) communities around the state via 766-2300. the future. Our vision is to presentations with the Wyoming Thank you all for the insure that Wyoming’s Humanities Council and service work you’ve done throughout the past remains accessible to with the Laramie Main Street Al- past year. On behalf of myself present and future genera- liance. and the Executive Committee we tions. Flock brings a passion and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving enthusiasm for history, geography and Merry Christmas! and social studies to this new role. “I welcome the opportunity Tamsen

to energize and encourage stu- Visit www.wyshs.org and “like” dents and teachers to participate (Article courtesy of UW us on Facebook in Wyoming History Day, and to Communications Office) make a positive impact on the lives of students and teachers 2

Wyoming History News Nov-Dec 2016

(Heard on the Trail continued from page 1) Communities around the state WSHS member and author Bill are busy developing plans to cele- Sniffin will be their special brate the 2017 Eclipse event. To guest. find out what State Parks and Cul- Messenger’s Old West Museum tural Resources are doing, and in Cheyenne was the focus of the how you can get a prime viewing Laramie County Historical So- area, visit www.wyoparks.org. ciety’s fall meeting. In Novem- Don’t dally! There are four ven- THE EXCHANGE ber WSHS member and author ues located in prime viewing are- Bill Sniffin will be there guest. as and SPCR will only take camp- AMERICAN NORTH WEST: David For every chapter he visits, Bill ing reservations up to February 1. Sedley, a British educator and self- returns a percentage of the pro- One of the nice things about admitted “Americophile,” is in the plan- ceeds from the sale of his books ning stages of developing detailed histor- some of the Society’s projects are ical and cultural tours from the UK of the back to the chapter! the comments we receive. This American North West, with the emphasis WSHS/Albany County Histori- one, in relation to the Top Ten on Native American and pioneer history. cal Society member Kim Viner Artifact program, came from Deb- To date, he has 8 full itineraries, six of presented information about M. C. orah Kubota. “I am the grand- which, to a greater or lesser extent, in- Brown in September, and last volve sites in Wyoming. These include: daughter of Mr. Azeka, who Homesteaders Museum, Torrington, month the ACHS members en- carved the haiku rock while at the Grattan Fight Monument, Lingle, West- joyed a program hosted by the Heart Mountain Camp. His ern History Center, Lingle, Oregon Cameron Green and RJ Lara daughter (my mother) Miyeko Trails Historic Byway, Ft Laramie who were among those who trav- Azeka Kubota, now 94 years old, NHS, Oregon Trail Ruts, Guernsey - eled to Cambodia to study the Register Cliff, Rifle Pit Hill Monu- and the rest of his family are ment, Horseshoe Creek, Glendo, Fort country’s museums and cultural grateful for the prominent recog- Fetterman, Ayers Natural Bridge Park, heritage. nition that the Society has be- Mary Hurley grave + Kelly Larimer mas- Congratulations to WSHS mem- stowed upon his art and its poign- sacre monument, west of Doug- ber Ann Redman of Cheyenne for ant history.” A result of that was las, Casper - National Historic Trails being selected 2016 Woman of Interpretative Center (Battle of Platte being able to send Deborah the Station. Townsend Wagon Train Fight), Distinction by the Wyoming Top Ten poster and some other Reshaw's Bridge (Evansville), Bessemer Women’s Council for Women’s materials. She then, in turn, Bend/Red Buttes Crossing, Independ- Issues. joined the Society! The hand- ence Rock, Kaycee, Hoofprints of the The Sheridan County Historical carved stone was picked as num- Past Museum, site of Dull Knife Fight. Society recently welcomed Teapot Dome, KC Ranch, TA ber four by those who voted. The Ranch, Hole in the Wall hideout, Buffalo Northern Cheyenne Chief Phillip poem on the rock (pictured be- - Jim Gatchell Museum, Occidental Ho- Whiteman, Jr. who presented a low) reads: “Mountain peak at my tel, Ft Phil Kearney + Fetterman massa- program about Northern Chey- shoulder, thousand barracks, un- cre + Wagon Box Fight + Peno Creek enne history and culture. der an autumn moon” Fight, Ranchester. Battle of Tongue WSHS members Cindy Brown River/Sawyer's Fight, Medicine Wheel, Lovell, Pryor Mnt Wild Mustang Cen- and Barbara Bogart were guests ter, Willwood (Heart Mnt WWII Inter- of the Campbell County Historical pretative Center), Cody, and Yellow- Society where they hosted a Photo: Cour- stone NP. presentation titled “Oral History tesy of Heart He requests contacts with potential 101.” If others are interested in Mountain guides/historians/archaeologists/ Interpretive educators/Native American elders who sponsoring such a workshop Center might bring to life the histories of much please contact Cindy at 777-7036 of the above. He is specifically thinking or [email protected]. about people who might give talks on Hot Springs Historical Society Red Cloud's War, the Bozeman and Ore- members enjoyed a presentation gon Trails, and the Johnson County War. In addition, he would be keen to experi- by WSHS/HSHS member and au- ence Shoshone and Arapaho culture, and thor, Lea Schoenewald who pre- would welcome any contacts within the sented histories of several down- tribes. Please email David at town buildings in Thermopolis. [email protected].

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Wyoming History Calendar November 11—Nationwide. Veterans Day. Cel- December 8-Casper. Natrona County Historical ebrate your veterans, past, present and future! Society and OCTA’s annual Christmas dinner. November 12—Casper—WSHS Executive Com- January 10-Cheyenne. 64th Legislature will con- mittee Quarterly Meeting, National Historic Trails vene at noon. Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. For details e-mail January 11-Cheyenne. Governor Mead’s State [email protected]. of the State message. 10:00 a.m. November 18-Cheyenne. “Tinsel Through Time,” Historic Governors’ Mansion. Call 777-7878. Note: Area Code for all Wyoming phone numbers is 307

Wyoming History News welcomes information about events of interest to the general membership and others. Information should be sent at least a month in advance and should reach the WHN editor by the 15th. Send items to Editor, Wyoming History News, P. O. Box 247, Wheatland, WY 82201.

Preserve Wyoming Conference 2016 Each year the Society, in cooperation with the Wyoming State Historic Preserva- tion Office, hosts an auction at the Preserve Wyoming Conference. Proceeds of the auction are distributed to applicants in an effort to make it more affordable to attend. This year the highly anticipated event was held in Rock Springs, and auction proceeds from

previous years helped us send sixteen people to the event. Among them were thirteen students from WSHS Executive Committee board member, and professor, Dr. Jessica Clark’s history classes. Savannah McCauley, a student in the Honors Wyoming History Class and a member of Sweet Memories: Historical Research at WWCC, sent us this note: “Being able to attend the Preserve Wyoming conference this fall was an incredible privilege. I was inspired by the true passion that preservationists have for their jobs, and how much re- taining the heritage of the past meant to them on a personal level. I was able to learn about the operation of Wyoming Main Street programs, at a depth that most students never have the opportunity to see. I learned for the first time that preservation is not just about restoring old buildings, but rather about maintaining the history and identity of communities, and I came to understand its real importance is in our modern, fast paced society. Being able to walk around those old buildings and experience the sights that we were talking about left a lasting impression that I will remember, and I learned that preservation is an imperative part of the fight to keep main streets the cultural hubs that they have always been.” We so appreciate everyone who participates in the auction (whether it is by donat- ing items or purchasing items) so that the Society can continue to provide these travel stipends.

Wyoming History News Nov-Dec 2016

Welcome New Members and Thank You Donors

At Large Grand Encampment Museum, Encampment A time to consider… Deborah Kubota, Whittier, CA Lockhart Cattle Co., Jackson The Wyoming Historical Foundation was cre- Albany County Historical Society ated in 1967 to support the work of the Wyoming State Historical Society. The Foundation is a 501 R. J. Lara, Laramie (c) 3 nonprofit corporation. Your donations to the

Foundation support: Sheridan County Historical Society  Wyoming History Day, a national academic Vaughn Creswell, Sheridan competition for students in grades 6-12.

 Homsher Research Grants that provide financial

assistance for Wyoming history research pro- Wyoming Historical Foundation jects. (The long-term endowment)  Historical Society Awards Program that recog- Jeff and Charlene Busk, Gillette nizes individuals and organizations that pre- Joe and Linda Fabian, Wheatland serve Wyoming history. Ray Robb, Lusk  Special Projects such as the Schwiering Print project and the David Paulley History in Art Project.  Julia Yelvington Adams Memorial Publications Fund the provides resources necessary to assist authors in publishing books.  WyoHistory.Org, the Society’s on-line encyclo- pedia that features original articles based on Have you moved recently? Please let the Society Wyoming’s eclectic legacy. know your new address. E-mail headquarters at [email protected]. In 2009 the Foundation and the Society es- tablished an endowment to assure the long-term sustainability of the Society. It is managed for us by the Wyoming Community Foundation. Your donations can be sent to the Wyoming Historical Foundation. P. O. Box 247, Wheatland, WY 82201. We sincerely appreciate each and every contribution. Please note that anything you contrib- ute above and beyond your annual membership fee also goes directly to the endowment. You can also designate a specific program (above) to where you might like your donations to go. Unspecified gifts always go direct to the endowment. Current foundation board members include Robert Melonuk, Fort Laramie; Rick Ewig, Chey- enne; David Kathka, Loveland, CO; Charlene Busk, Gillette, Pinky Ellis, Casper, John Waggener, Laramie and Joe Fabian, Wheatland. For details call 307-322-3014 or [email protected].

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HOMSHER RESEARCH GRANT 1990s many thousands of dollars have been com- mitted to assisting individuals with research that OPPORTUNITY results in our continuing education about Wyoming history. You may be familiar with the Society’s Homsher Research Grant, or you may have noticed [Editor’s Note: The deadline for applications is the last day of in previous issues of Wyoming History News that February, 2017. Application forms will be available soon]. people from around the United States are awarded money to conduct research projects that relate to Wyoming history. This grant is a wonderful opportunity for researchers. Designed specifically to assist with funding for the research stage of your project, Homsher grants up to $1500 are awarded. We all know that the beginning stage of a project can often be the most difficult. Explaining the purpose of what you plan to do and justifying the cost to drive around the country accessing archives can be challenging. Applying for the Homsher Research Enjoy the glitter, lights and decor that dress grant is a fairly simple process. Explain what your the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion dur- project is, how you intend to spend your budgeted ing the “Tinsel Through Time: Remember funding, and describe the benefit the public will re- When” Opening Reception, November 18th from ceive by the completion of your project. Show us 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. how your project interprets an aspect of Wyoming’s The Historic Governors’ Mansion in Chey- history and let us know how your project is differ- enne has partnered with the Cheyenne Botanic ent than any others that cover the same topic. Gardens, the Wall Family, the estate of Iva Then, at the end of your project, submit a final re- Bixby, and many more to feature family collec- port! tions and decor through the ages. From cookie Last year the committee decided to pursue jars to Santas, holiday villages to salt shakers, an online application system, which we will use that this exhibit will be part of the magical evening as for the 2017 granting year. We also agreed to stick you stroll through the décor and holiday tradi- to the requirement that Homsher fund recipients tions of the Victorian era up to the groovy 1960s. submit their final reports in a timely manner. And, Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride around the due to the never ending story of limited funds, the Mansion from S&V Carriages throughout the committee has also tightened our budgeted dollars evening and then warm up inside the Mansion to grant. We believe that this will make the process with carolers, entertainment, and refreshments in even more competitive and we are excited to award the sunroom. funding to quality applications. The deadline for “This is a wonderful way to experience holi- applying is the last day of February, and applicants day traditions from the past,” says Superinten- will be notified of the results by the first of June. dent Christina Bird. “The lights, decoration and For further information visit www.wyshs.org, or family collections in the rooms will transport you contact Linda Fabian via e-mail to [email protected] a bygone era and get you in the holiday spirit.” or Homsher Committee Chair, Doug Cubbison, at The exhibit runs November 19 through De- [email protected]. cember 23, Wednesday through Saturday, 9 am In previous years recipients have utilized to 5 pm and December 24 from 9 am to noon. their funds in a variety of ways. The Jim Gatchell Please call 777-7878 for more information or go Memorial Museum used their grant to put the fin- online at wyospcr.state.wy.us for a full calendar ishing touches on research for the autobiography of of Holiday events at the Wyoming Historic Gov- Senator George H. Cross. Another recipient was ernors’ Mansion! Andrew Guilliford from Durango, Colorado whose project is titled “The Wooly West: Understanding the Cattle and Sheep Wars in Wyoming and Colo- rado.” Since the inception of the project in the

Wyoming History News Nov-Dec 2016 Venues for The Bill of Rights and You! The Wyoming Humanities has identified the following locations who will host the  Teton County Board of County Com- exhibit “The Bill of Rights and You.” If missioners, Jackson you are interested in hosting the exhibit  Wyoming Humanities, Jackson please contact Sheila Bricher-Wade at  Uinta County Library, Evanston [email protected]. Her phone number is  Uinta County Library, Lyman 721-9243.  Uinta County Library, Mountain View  Albany County Library, Laramie  Washakie County Library, Worland  UW Coe Library/Union, Laramie  Weston County Museum, Newcastle  Big Horn County Library, Basin

 Campbell County Library, Gillette

 Carbon County Higher Education Cen- [Editor’s Note: The cover story and venues courtesy of ter and Rawlins Elementary Schools, The Wyoming Humanities and the National Archives] Rawlins

 Eastern Wyoming College, Douglas  Crook County Library, Sundance  CWC Intertribal Center, Riverton  Fort Washakie School Community Li- brary, Fort Washakie  Goshen County Library, Torrington  Eastern Wyoming College, Torrington  Hot Springs County Library, Thermopo- lis  Wyoming Supreme Court Law Library, Cheyenne  Wyoming State Library, Cheyenne  Wyoming State Archives and Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne  Natrona County, Casper  Community College Casper, Laramie  Niobrara County Library, Lusk  Park County Library, Cody  Park County Library, Powell  Park County Library, Meeteetse  Platte County Library, Wheatland  Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan  Sheridan Community College, Sheridan  Sublette County Library, Pinedale  White Mountain Library, Rock Springs  Community College Rock Springs, Laramie

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Non-Profit Organization Wyoming State Historical Society U.S. Postage P.O. Box 247 PAID Wheatland, WY 82201 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82201 Permit No. 71

Happy Holidays from the board Address Service Requested and staff of the WSHS!

2017 Calendar of Wyoming History

Pick up your 2017 calendar at one of the following locations:  Casper—Wind City Books and Natrona CHS  Cheyenne—Wyoming State Museum  Cody—Park CHS  Douglas—Converse CHS  Encampment—Grand Encampment Museum  Evanston—Uinta County Museum  Ft. Bridger—Ft. Bridger State Historic Site  Glendo– Glendo Historical Museum  Gillette—Rockpile Museum and Campbell CHS  Hanna-Hanna Basin Historical Society  Jackson-Jackson Hole Museum  Lander-Lander Pioneer Museum and Fremont CHS  Sheridan-Best Out West and Sheridan Museum  Rawlins– Carbon County Museum  Rock Springs—Rock Springs Historical Museum  Thermopolis-Hot Springs County Museum and Hot Springs CHS  Torrington—Goshen CHS  Wheatland-Wandering Hermit Bookstore and Platte County Library An adventurous tourist attempting to enter Grand  Call 322-3014 or [email protected] to order.

Teton National Park! (Courtesy AHC) Note: CHS = County Historical Society