Published for members of the Wyoming State Historical Society November-December 2012 Volume 59, Number 10 Heard Simpson Family to present “John Brown’s Body” on the Spontaneous Theater Produc- entire Pete Simpson family who Historical tions, a company created by take the parts of the characters in WSHS members Pete and Lynne the story: a northern and southern Trail Simpson 40 years ago, will pre- soldier and their loved ones, sent the American literary classic, president Lincoln, General Lee, WSHS member Denice Wheeler “John Brown’s Body” at various and others. This one-time event from Evanston was a special guest locations across the state. The features the entire family (below of the Platte County Library re- epic poem by Stephen Vincent left to right) Pete Simpson, Jr., cently where she discussed her Benet won the Pulitzer prize for Maggie Simpson-Crabaugh, new book “The Lonely Life: literature in 1929, and was pro- Lynne Simpson, Pete Simpson, Basque Sheepherders in Wyo- duced for the theater in 1953. it Sr., and Milward Simpson. As ming.” Along with co-author Lila tells stories about the Civil War the case of “John Brown’s Body” Bond, the pair interviewed sheep- from John Brown’s raid of they represent 205 years of pro- herders, ranchers and others to Harper’s Ferry to the Battle of fessional experience. The presen- share the memories and back- Gettysburg near the end of the tation will be performed in Cody ground on the Basque. For details conflict. The year 1862 was the on 11/13/12; Casper 11/14/12; call Denice at 789-3655. bloodiest for the north but was Cheyenne 11/15/12 and Laramie Congratulations to the Wyo- also the year Lincoln issued the 11/16/12. Each production will ming Pioneer Museum on the re- emancipation proclamation. In be accompanied by a local choir. cent acquisition of a sculpture by the readers’ theater production For specific details please go to Jerry Palen. “Runnin’ with the these events are intermingled with www.johnbrownsbody.org or call Big Boys” is a larger than life intimate and moving stories of 307-889-1206. bronze featuring two antelope and soldiers and their sweethearts and a jack rabbit. The piece was in- families, making a stalled on the grounds of the mu- pageant of history ( S p e c i a l seum this past fall. thanks to Anne expressed in beautiful Dramko for The Albany County Historical language and song. the informa- Society continues to feature strong The country has been tion and to programs of local interest each Dewey Van- commemorating the derhoff for the month (the third Tuesday). No- 150th anniversary of photo) vember’s program will focus on America’s Civil War historic preservation and energy since last year. The development in Wyoming. production stars the (continued on page 3) Wyoming History News November-December 2012 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE already printed or soon to be Rick Ewig, President, SE Rep, From the printed, including one on 766-6385,[email protected] Cheyenne Frontier Days Tamsen Hert, 1stVP, At Large, President. 460-3135, [email protected] which has been submitted by Lynn Houze, 2nd VP, NW Rep, Linda Fabian and Starley 527-7120, [email protected] Charlene Busk, Secretary, Dear friends, Talbott . I also have a per- At Large, 685-6997, [email protected] Some sonal interest in these publi- Joe Fabian, Treasurer, At-Large, of you may cations, since Tamsen Hert 331-2586, [email protected] Russ Tanner, SW Rep, 382-5765 not be aware and I just completed work on [email protected] that in the last a book about the University Sylvia Bruner, NE Rep, 684-9331 [email protected] few years many books have of Wyoming, which will be Carl Hallberg, At Large, 778-8577 been written about various on sale in early December. [email protected] Wyoming communities and Jeremy Johnston, who just Pam Thompson, At-Large, 896-6101 [email protected] some historic sites. These went off the WSHS execu- photographic histories are tive committee, wrote the Executive Secretary and Editor Linda Fabian, 322-3014 being done by Arcadia Pub- book about Powell, and Lynn [email protected] lishing in South Caro- Houze, just elected to the ex- lina. Arcadia contracts with ecutive committee, wrote All correspondence, membership issues and questions local authors who tell the two books about Cody. should be addressed to: stories of their towns and cit- Many (if not most) of the Wyoming State Historical Society Linda Fabian, Executive Secretary ies in 128 pages, along with books have been written by P. O. Box 247 up to 200 historic photo- members of the Wyoming Wheatland, WY 82201 graphs. State Historical Society and/ All parts of the state are or its chapters. This says represented. They range much about the members from Evanston in the south- themselves — each one un- The Wyoming State western corner to Cheyenne derstanding the value of sav- Historical Society’s in the southeast, Cody in the ing our state and community vision is to insure northwest, and Weston heritage! that Wyoming’s past County in the northeast. The Thanks to all the authors Weston County book, by who have contributed to the remains accessible to Mike Jording and Shelly Rit- history of their communities. present and future thaler has not yet been pub- generations. lished, but will be out in late Rick The Society’s mission November. Three of the his- is to educate, support toric sites covered are Fort [Editor’s note: Arcadia Publish- and foster the study Laramie, Fort Yellowstone, ing is also an active member of the Society and we appreciate and coal camps in Sweet- their efforts that result in these water County. Visit www.wyshs.org and wonderful books]. www.wyohistory.org There are thirty - four books about Wyoming 2 Wyoming History News November-December 2012 (Heard on the Trail continued from page 1) Congratulations to WSHS mem- The historic UP steam engine ber Elizabeth Byrd, retired educa- 844 is scheduled to be in Cheyenne tor and Laramie County legislator, The Exchange on November 8th. For a full who was recently named a distin- schedule search “Living Legend guished UW alumni. Also to the #844.” Steam Locomotive No. 844 family of the late Joe Meyer, long- is the last steam locomotive built time public service and most re- The Exchange for the UPRR. cent state treasurer. The Natrona County Historical Members and guests of the Wes- Order Now: The 2013 Cal- Society enjoyed a “spooky” pro- ton County Historical Society re- endar of Wyoming History is gram presented by Rachel cently enjoyed participating in the now available You can place McBride titled “Paranormal Inves- chapter’s annual Barn Tour. your orders by contacting Soci- tigating.” Rachel is part of a group The Campbell County Historical ety headquarters at 322-4237 or that investigates paranormal phe- Society continues hosting a num- [email protected]. nomena and works to document ber of great programs. In Decem- The Society will celebrate its that activity. ber Ann Turner from the local 60th anniversary in 2013 and The creature known as a ‘tribble’ newspaper will discuss the history several pictures in the calendar now has a name thanks to some of that paper and its role in the de- bring back many wonderful clever individuals who entered a velopment of Gillette and Camp- memories from past events. contest sponsored by the American bell County. For details call 682- History Books Available Heritage Center! You trekkies out 5723. While They Last: The there realize that a tribble is a Hearty congratulations to Campbell County Public Li- small creature from the Star Trek WSHS/Carbon County Historical brary has acquired some won- series. Not all of us knew that, or Society member John Farr for win- derful Wyoming books that are willing to admit it. Found in a ning the National BBQ News na- need a home. Selling the books collection of items donated by sci- tionwide meat “RUB” contest. will help raise funds for the Li- ence fiction publisher Forrest J. John’s chicken rub was named first brary Endowment Fund. For Ackerman, it was quickly decided in the nation and his beef rub came more information contact Patty that finding a name for the tribble in 2nd! Myers at [email protected]. would be a good way to help cele- Goshen County Historical Soci- 2013 History Day Theme: brate National Archives Month. ety members recently enjoyed a “Turning Points in History: There were more than 454 entries program about county post offices People, Ideas, Events.” For in total, but the most popular name presented by chapter president details visit the American Heri- chosen by the judges turned out to Robert Melonuk. Robert also an- tage Center website and click be “Furry Ackerman.” If you have nounced that the next annual meet- on the link “History Day.” a strong desire to know more ing of the WSHS will be hosted by Wyoming Cultural Trust please visit the AHC’s Facebook the Goshen County chapter in Sep- Fund: The revised WCTF page. (Photo on page 7). tember, 2013. grant application will be avail- The Sheridan County Histori- WSHS member Michael Kassel able on their website as of Janu- cal Society will host an unveiling was the presenter of a program for ary 1, 2013. For more informa- and dedication of their new “E. W. the Laramie County chapter. Mi- tion contact Renee Bovee at 777 Gollings” monument in front of chael is a curator at the Cheyenne -6312. the museum. A reception will fol- Frontier Days Old West Museum.