USA > Colorado > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 78
USA > Nevada > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 78
USA > Wyoming > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 78
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The successor of Thayer in the executive office was John W. Hoyt, a popular man and able officer." He
42 Wyom. Territorial Affairs, MS., 4. The territorial officers during Thay- er's administration were: Scc., George W. French; marshal, W. F. Sweesy; dist atty, E. P. Johnson; surv .- gen., E. C. David; treas., A. R. Converse; auditor, S. W. Downey; collector, E. P. Snow; supt of schools, John Slauglı- ter; justices supreme court, J. W. Fisher, W. W. Peck, J. B. Blair; U. S. commiss'r, J. W. Bruner; register U. S. land-office, G. R. Thomas; receiver public moneys, I. C. Whipple; librarian, John Slaughter. Wyom. Sess. Laws, 1877, iv. John Slaughter, who filled several offices in the early days of the territory, and who in 1884 was still librarian, was born in Va in 1809, re- moving to Ohio in infancy. He came to Cheyenne in 1867 from Denver, with the founders of the Wyoming capital, and for want of something else to do, kept a restaurant, and then went into lumber dealing, buying his stock in Denver. He was city marshal and magistrate under the provisional government, Corlett's Founding of Cheyenne, MS., 4, and was appointed jus- tice of the peace by Gov. Campbell until there was an election, and held the office until 1880, less one or two years. His Life in Colo and Wyoming, MS., refers briefly to early society, business, prices, etc. in Cheyenne.
43 Byers' Centennial State, MS., 34.
44 Wyom. House Jour., 1877, 19; Mess. Gov. Hayes, 1877, 13.
45 Wyom. Sess. Laws, 1877, 138-9.
46 The other territorial officers were: A. Worth Spates, secretary; J. B. Lewer, chicf justice; J. B. Blair and William Ware Peck, associate justices; C. H. Layman, U. S. dist atty: Gustave Schnitger, U. S. marshal; E. C. David, surv .- gen .; E. P. Snow, U. S. collector; I. C. Whipple, receiver of public money; E. W, Mann, register of land-office; S. W. Downey, delegate
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travelled over the territory to inform himself of its resources, and wrote a report for the interior depart- ment, which was printed by congress for circulation. He also advocated the construction of a wagon road to the Yellowstone park. The survey of the boundary of Wyoming was begun during the first half ofhis term, having been authorized by the 45th congress in com- pliance with a joint appeal from delegate Corlett and the delegate from Montana.47 The reappointment of Hoyt was desired, and asked for by a joint resolution of the legislature of 1882.48 He was succeeded how- ever at the end of four years by William Hale, who appointed him to the congenial work of commissioner to bring the resources of Wyoming before the Denver expositions of 1882 and 1883, which was so executed as to surprise all beholders." Hale proved a popular to congress; J. S. Nason, auditor; F. E. Warren, treas .; J. Slaughter, librarian and supt public instruc'n; E. Nagle, J. H. Finbrock, Thos. Lank- tree, penitentiary commissioners; H. B. Rumsey, fish commissioner. Session Laws Wyoming, 1879.
4 U. S. H. Ex. Doc., no. 1, pt 5, p. 52, vol. iii., 42 cong., 2 sess .; Porter's The West Census of 1880, 419.
48 Wyom. Sess. Laws, 1882, 221. The territorial officers during Hoyt's term were: Sec., E. S. N. Morgan; auditor, Jesse Knight; treas., F. E. Warren; surv .- gen., E. C. David; U. S. collector, E. P. Snow; receivers of public moneys, William M. Garvy and E. S. Crocker; registers of land-offices, E. W. Mann and Charles H. Priest; justices of supreme court, James B. Sener, J. B. Blair, and S. C. Parks; U. S. dist atty, M. C. Brown.
49 From Albany were 3,000 pounds of black magnetic iron ore from Iron mountain; graphite from Sybille creek; sulphate of magnesia from Rock creek; kaolin from near Laramie City; blocks of soda from Laramie plains,. which formed a monument 12 feet high; copper, gold, and silver ores from Cummins City, Douglas Creek, Centennial, Spring Cañon, Laramie Peak, Blue Grass, Tie Siding, and Diamond Peak; building stones from several localities; timber from the Laramie range and the forests beyond Cummins; and specimen iron rail and merchant iron from the rolling-mills of the rail- way company at Laramie.
Carbon co. sent coal, iron, asbestos, copper, gold, and silver ores from -Seminoe and Ferris mountains, soda, petroleum, and a bushel of moss agates from the Sweetwater section; iron and iron paint from Rawlins; building stones from the hills near Rawlins; coal from Carbon mines; copper and sil- ver ores from Grand Encampment and other creeks heading in the moun- tains west of the Platte; native quicklime from Platte valley; mineral waters from the Warm springs and Sulphur springs near Rawlins; and bundles of grain and grasses from the valley of the upper Platte.
Crook co. sent coal, petroleum, and salt from the section about Jenny Stockade and Inyan Kora.
Laramie co. sent a four-horse load of copper ores from Running Water mines, Rawhide Buttes, Muskrat Cañon, Hartville, and Copperopolis; copper and gold ores from the Laramie range back of Cheyenne, mica, micaceous iron paint, and plumbago from near Whalen cañon; building stone from Crow
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executive, being devoted to the promotion of the material interests of the territory, of which he wrote an excellent report to the secretary of the interior.51 His death occurred in January 1885, and he was suc- ceeded in 1885 by F. E. Warren, a pioneer legislator and successful business man of Wyoming, and conse- quently an executive acceptable to the people who were assured of a sympathizing administration.52
ereek and the Laramie range; coal from the Shawnee; and numerous birds and fur-bearing animals from Cheyenne collections.
Sweetwater and Uinta counties were partially represented only by some small lots of fine ores, a huge block of coal from Rock Springs, curious fos- sils from the same place, bundles of grain and grasses from the ranchos in Lander valley being sent by the former; and sulphur ore, manufactured sulphur, petroleum, eoal, charcoal, rare fossils from Fossil forest, scientific collections from Fort Bridger, samples of Angora wool and skins, bundles of alfalfa, and other agricultural products being furnished by the latter. From Yellowstone park were sent sulphur, obsidian, amethysts, agates, and other precious stones. Owing to want of railroad transportation, and to the lini- ited time and means at command, the exhibit, fine as it was for so young a territory, fell far short of what it would have been with more time, and county appropriations for the purpose, Mess. Gov. Hale, 1884, 158-60.
One of the most interesting exhibits was of the native grasses, over 100 varieties being classified and shown in pareels. In Stone's General View of Colorado, MS., 9, he refers to this exhibit, and gives some interesting facts. The buffalo grass grows on the plains; next to the mountains the gramma grass, which has a small seed on it, with the head growing at right angles to the stalk. It grows no more than 6 inches high where it is not irrigated, but when water is furnished it, will grow to a height of two feet. It fattens animals like grain, and is superior to blue grass on account of the seed. On the mountains grows the bunch grass, of which I have made frequent inen- tion. Between these three principal species are many varieties, as stated by Mr Stow, all except the buneh grass bearing a seed on the side, and all very nutritious. Thus is Wyoming made the great catt > pasture of the United States, if not the world.
50 Wyom. Sess. Laws, 1884, 187. The territo al officers during Hale's administration were: Sec., E. S. N. Morgan; auditor, P. L. Smith; dept; auditor, C. W. Stewart; treas., F. E. Warren; sur. - gen., E. C. David; receiver of publie moneys, W. S. Hurlburt and E. S. Crocker; registers of land office, E. W. Mann, and Charles H. Priest; U. S, collector, James S. Wolfe; dept. collectors, H. S. Oliver, and J. W. Dykins; judges of supreme court, John C. Perry, J. B. Blair, and Samuel C. Parks; U. S. district attorney, J. A. Riner; U. S. marshal, Gustave Schnitger; superintendent of public instruction, and territorial librarian, John Slaughter; penitentiary commrs, Luke Marrin, Frank M. Foote and James M. Tisdel; fish eommr. Otto Gramın; stenograplier, Robert C. Morris; eommrs to revise and arrange the statutes of Wyoming territory, W. W. Corlett, Isaae P. Caldwell, and Clarence D. Clark.
51 Rept Gov. Wyom., 1883. Contains geographical, mineral, topographi- eal, meteorologieal, live stock, agricultural, questions of public polity, and miscellaneous information.
52 The prompt action of Gov. Warren on the occasion of the Rock Springs riot is worthy of all praise, though at the time his measures were freely erit- icised by political demagogues. The following is a brief account of the affair. In August 1885, the officers of the Union Pacific railroad imported a large number of Chinese laborers, to be employed in the company's coal HIST. NEV. 48
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The successor of Governor Warren was Thomas Moonlight,58 an appointee of President Cleveland, who
mines at Evanston, Rock Springs, Carbon, and other points on the road, the object being to liave at hand laborers enough, in case of a strike among the miners. Soon the European miners evinced a jealous hatred of the Asiatics, accusing them of usurping places in the mines which gave them an advan- tage in the matter of wages; but there seems to have been no real ground for the charge, race prejudice and jealousy being the cause of the animosity. The former demanded that the Chinese should be sent away, to which de- mand the railroad company returned a refusal. They then organized to drive out the Chinese. On the 2d of Sept., 200 men at Rock Springs at- tacked them with firearms, driving them into the hills, killing and wound- ing about 50, and destroying all their property. Of 400 Chinamen not one was permitted to remain. The sick and the wounded who fell amidst the shanties were consumed in a conflagration, which was started by the infuri- ated mob, the wives of the miners assisting in the fiendish massacre. Fifty houses belonging to the railroad company were destroyed along with the Chinese dwellings. On being notified of what had taken place, Gov. War- ren at once telegraphed to Gen. Howard, in command of the department of the Platte, asking for military protection, and riding over to Fort Russell secured the promise of a sufficient force pending the general's answer. As more serious reports reached him he proceeded by special train to Rock Springs, and telegraphed to the secretary of war, and finally to the president. After much delay the troops arrived, barely in time to prevent a repetition of the massacre, and thus by his urgent appeals and at his own personal risk the governor prevented further destruction of life and property.
Francis Emroy Warren is a native of Hinsdale, Mass, where he was born on the 20th of June, 1844, his ancestry being traced in direct line to the War- rens who landed in that state soon after the advent of the pilgrim fathers. After serving during the civil war in the 49th Mass volunteers, being pres- ent at Plains Store, Donaldsonville, and Port Hudson, in 1868 Mr. Warren settled at Cheyenne, where he took charge of the house-furnishing store of A. R. Converse. An excellent salesman, hard-working, economical, and thoroughly reliable, he was soon afterward admitted into partnership, and in 1877 purchased the entire concern, which a few years later was incorpo- rated in the F. E. Warren Mercantile company. In 1873 he first engaged in stock-raising, and is now the principal owner in the Warren Live-stock company, by far the largest corporation of the kind in Wyoming. Its prop- erty includes from 70,000 to 80,000 sleep, and about 3,000 liead of cattle, with nearly as many horses, and more than 250,000 acres of land, extending in one unbroken range on either side of the Union Pacific. Elsewhere, not only in Wyoming, but in all the adjoining states and territories, he is largely interested in lands and live-stock. By him were erected some of the most substantial buildings in Cheyenne, and at a time when the future of the city was by no means assured. He is also the guiding spirit in several of her leading enterprises, and in a word there is no man who has contributed more to the prosperity of Wyoming, and especially of Wyoming's metropolis.
53 The secretary of the territory under Moonlight's administration was Samuel D. Shannon; chief justice, William L. Maginnis; associate justices, Jacob B. Blair and Samuel F. Corn; U. S. atty, Anthony C. Campbell; U. S. marshal, Thomas J. Carr; sur .- gen., Jolin C. Thompson, U. S. revenue col., James F. Benedict; dept do., Mr Stitzer; regr of Cheyenne land office, Edgar S. Wilson; do, of Evanston office, Edwin D. Steele; receiver of public moneys at Cheyenne. William M. Garrard; do, at Evanston, William T. Shaffer; special agent of land office, Henry B. Fry and E. N. Bonfils. The officers elected by the people and appointed by the governor were: Delegate to congress, Joseph M. Carey; atty-gen., Hugo Donzelmann; audi -.. tor, Mortimer N. Grant; dept do, Charles W. Stewart; treasr, William P. .. .. Gannett; dept do, Jacob D. Freeborn; insurance commr, Joseph B. Adams; librarian and supt public instruction, John Slaughter; fish commr, Otto
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was sworn into office January 24, 1887, and who made several suggestions to the legislature which met in January 1888 touching the election law," the grand jury system,5 salaries and taxation. That taxes should increase with the erection of the public build- ings required by the territory was unavoidable, and the bonded debt of Wyoming in 1888 amounted to $230,000, of which $200,000 had twenty-five years to run, and $30,000 thirty-five years, all at six per cent. There was a balance in the treasury in Decem- ber 1887 of over $51,000.56 Whatever tendency to extravagance the ambition of the young common- wealth might lead to was likely to be checked by the congressional act of 1886 prohibiting the passage of
Gramm; coal mine inspector, P. J. Quealy; geologist and mining engineer, Louis D. Ricketts; veterinarian, James D. Hopkins; stenographer, Robert C. Morris, private sec. to the gov., Nellie E. Moonlight; penitentiary eom- missioners, Luke Murrin, Frank M. Foote, John C. Dyer; pharmacy commrs, E. D. Woodruff, A. Richard Troxell, Fred P. Shannon; revised statutes cominrs, Isaae P. Caldwell, J. W. Blaek, Willis Van Devanter; university land commr, F. O. Sawin.
54 The legislature at its 6th biennial session in 1879, changed the time of holding the general election to Tuesday next after the first Monday in Nov 1880, and every two years thereafter. All county officers entered upon the duties of their office on the first Monday in January next following their election; but the time of convening the legislature was on the second Tues- day in Jan. 1882, and every second year thereafter. This arrangement brought the election of members of the legislature 14 months before the meeting of that body, was inconvenient, and was altered by recommendation of Gov. Moonlight.
55 The difference between federal and territorial salaries was slight, but county officers had opportunities by reason of additional fees to greatly aug- ment their salaries above what the federal and territorial officers received. This state of affairs furnished the temptation, and also the means, to the ineumbent of an important place to keep himself in offiee by corruption. Mess. Gov. Moonlight, 1888.
56 Among the funds in the treasury was the 'stock indemnity fund,' of $11, 124.24. This might puzzle the reader not eonversant with the interests of a eattle growing region. A veterinarian is reekoned as a public officer in Wyoming, and so are pharmacy commissioners. The spread of pleuro- pneumonia and other diseases among the cattle on the ranges requires the utmost care at times to prevent, and when other remedies fail the infected cattle are killed to prevent the further spread of the contagion. In this con- tingency the territory pays a certain amount of indemnity to the owners of the slaughtered cattle. The law providing compensation for cattle and horses destroyed, was enacted in 1882. In six years from 1882 to 1887 inclusive, the horses and mnules condemned numbered 248, valued at $22,021. - 92, for whieli the territory paid $15,200.13, or two-thirds their value. All the cattle driven into the territory had to be inspected. The salary paid the veterinarian was $2,500, to which the Stock Growers' association added as much more. Gov. Mess., 1888, 15.
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special laws in the territories, and limiting their indebtedness.
The political history of Wyoming, fortunately for its happiness, is unmarked by any striking events. It has cost the general government little except for military service, the appropriations for the govern- ment not exceeding $34,000 annually, including the legislative expenses. Its county affairs, in some instances in its earlier period, were not well managed by the commissioners, but the evil was removed by the election of competent men who soon brought about a prosperous condition, aided by wise legisla- tion. 57 Indeed, of all the younger commonwealths.
57 The legislature of 1871 was composed of councilmen John Fosher, F. H. Harrison, W. R. Steele, S. F. Nuckolls, W. W. Corlett, Norman Potter, J. E. Gates, S. W. Downey, and E. W. Bennett, 9; Nuckolls president; repre- sentatives, C. E. Castle, H. G. Nickerson, Gibson Clark, Ben Sheeks, E. L. Pease, T. J. Dayton, Ora Haley, Duncan Blair, William L. Kuykendall, M. C. Brown, C. C. Wilson, John C. Friend, and John Talbot, 13; Sheeks, speaker.
The legislature of 1873 was composed of councilmen S. W. Downey, J. H. Ellis, A. Eurgens, J. C. Friend, P. Mckay, E. L. Pease, T. W. Quinn, F. E. Warren, I. C. Whipple, 9; Warren, president; representatives, N. L, Andrews, H. Conley, A. E. Farley, J. E. Ferris, H. Haas, W. H. Holliday, J. Joslin, V. R. King, C. A. Phipps, G. W. Ritter, C. L. Tisdale, F. S. Whitney, and S. H. Wilkerson, 13; Wilkerson speaker.
The legislature of 1875 was composed of councilmen L. R. Bresnahen, W. L. Kuykendall, G. A. Learight, H. B. Kelly, Herman Haas, W. H. Hol- liday, S. L. Mills, C. W. Bramel, James Frances, James Calhoun, W. A. Johnson, O. North, and E. L. Pease, 13; Pease president; representatives, Charles M. Scribner, F. M. Foote, John E. Davis, John Nealon, A. H. Reel, N. Weeks, C. M. White, William Evans, J. K. Watson, Herman Kimme, N. L. Andrews, Thomas Green, Leonard Coates, L. Abrams, Michael Mur- phy, C. E. Castle, William McDonald, Thomas E. McLelland, Robert Smith, M. H. Murphy, A. E. Bradbury, Peter Hamma, George W. Ritter, A. S. Williams, C. A. Pieronnett, and W. M. Ward, 26; Andrews speaker.
The legislature of 1877 was composed of councilmen Herman Haas, Tim Dyer, J. N. Keller, A. H. Swan, G. A. Draper, W. H. Holliday, L. D. Pease, S. W. Downey, Lawrence Hays, Homer Merrill, F. F. Chiney, E. L. Pease, and Frederick Mertsheimer; E. L. Pease president. The following were the representatives: R. H. Homer, John Congdon, I. P. Caldwell, N. L. Andrews, N. F. Spicer, Charles Klingerman, George Ferris, James Ross, D. V. Whitney, John E. Davis, Peter Hamma, A. Ryan, D. C. Tracy, P. Mckay, R. F. Glover, J. F. Coad, H. H. Helphenstine, G. D. Foglesong, H. J. Gurney, B. F. Lowe, T. Kinney, J. McGlinchey, Charles Stone, R. H. Carter, M. Ferrell, J. H. Hoy, and J. M. Tisdal, 26; Andrews speaker.
The legislature of 1879 was composed of councilmen R. Homer, W. H. Holliday, P. L. Smith, R. M. Galbraith, Thomas Swan, H. Glafecke, A. H. Reel, M. E. Post, W. P. Noble, H. Garbonetti, L. G. Christie, 12; represen- tatives, H. G. Balch, Edwin Brazier, M. C. Johnson, H. L. Myrick, W. S. Phillips, N. G. Spicer, J. F. Crawford, George Ginnis, L. Johnson, J. Y. Skiles, Charles Couray, J. E. Davis, B. F. Deitrick, W. J. Harding, W. H.
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none have conducted their public affairs more care- fully or with better results. The levy for 1887, for territorial purposes, including the several building and bond-tax funds, was only 312. mills. 58 A law taxing railroad lands59 was enacted in 1886, and the first levy made in 1887. The valuation for assess-
Hilbard, W. C. Irvine, E. W. Mann, S. K. Sharpless, J. S. Taylor, P. P. Dickinson, A. C. Lathrop, Charles Rice, Charles McGhee, W. J. Hays, W. A. Harker, John McManus, Mark Murphy, 27.
The legislature of 1882 was composed of councilmen, Robert Galbraith, Ora Haley, I. P. Caldwell, Perry L. Smith, A. F. Harer, T. W. Quinn, W. W. Corlett, Thomas Sturgis, W. C. Irvine, A. H. Reel, W. A. Hocker, and H. A. ; Man, 12; Caldwell president; representatives, J. D. Fraser, W. C. Lane, C. W. Riner, H. Oelrichs, I. S. Bartlett, H. E. Beuchner, A. Gilchrist, W. J. Hardin, Morris Davis, James Adams, W. W. Alexander, George D. Deane, H. Thayer, J. S. Jones, E. W. Bennett, J. H. Kelly, E. N. Snyder, T. A. McCoy, F. H. Jones, P. J. Hines, A. E. Heald, A. G. Rex, P. J. Dawes, and L. C. Briggs, 24; Lane speaker.
The legislature of 1884 was composed of councilmen W. H. Holladay, Robert Homer, John W. Gray, E. W. Bennett, Williamn Daley, A. T. Babitt, Philip Dater, F. E. Warren, W. C. Irvine, P. J. Hines, A. V. Quinn, E. S. Whittier, 12; Holliday president; representatives, O. D. Downey, L. D. Kennedy, C. H. Bussard, H. V. S. Grossbeck, Leroy Grant, L. Quealy, Hiram Allen, D. F. Dudley, W. H. Weaver, N. N. Craig, John F. Coad, Thomas Cahill, D. Miller, F. W. Schwartze, H. E. Teschemacher, J. H. Ford, A. Jackson, H. G. Nickerson, F. H. Jones, O. C. Smith, R. B. Seaton, and Charles Delaney, 22; Jones speaker.
The legislature of 1886 was composed of councilmen H. E. Teschemacher, Joseph Gainger, J. H. Ford, Leroy Grant, C. W. Wright, J. W. Blake, A. S. Peabody, William Daley, Joseph E. Cashin, Charles Delaney, A. T. Chalice, John McCormick, 12; Blake president; representatives, Addison Turrill, D. B. Dole, N. M. Knight, S. W. Downey, John A. Matthews, Frank Williams, E. W. Genter, J. S. Kerr, James Kime, A. D. Kelley, C. A. Guernsey, N. J. O'Brien, W. A. Robbins, Frank A. Miller, J. M. Tomp- kins, M. P. Keefe, Isaiah Whitehouse, R. B. Seaton, John L. Russell, Wil- liam Suminers, M. M. Jerome, George Mitchell, C. H. Bussey, J. M. Lob- ban, 24; Kerr speaker.
The legislature of 1888 was composed of councilmen C. P. Organ, John A. Riner, James W. Hammond, Charles A. Guernsey, W. H. Holliday, John H. Symons, P. L. Smith, Frank A. Hadsell, J. D. Loucks, Robert Smith, L. C. Bliss, G. W. Carleton, 12; Riner president; representatives, Willis Van Devanter, John Roberts, W. S. Weaver, Thomas B. Adams, Edward T. Duffy, F. W. Lafrentz, J. A. Johnston, Thomas Hooper, Leroy Grant, Howard Clugston, A. L. Sutherland, W. C. Sampson, L. D. Pease, Charles E. Blydenburgh, John M. Kuykendall, W. D. Carrier, Nat. Hunt- ington, J. C. Rummel, E. S. Murray, James I. Patton, J. B. Cummock, William Summers, O. E. Snyder, 24; Huntington speaker.
58 The assessed valuation of the several counties in 1887 was: Albany, $3,911,155.40; Carbon, $3,250,334.60; Crook, $1,811,357.50; Frémont. $1,993,000.00; Johnson, $3,348,421.29; Laramie, $9,040,008.38; Sweet- water, $1,511,666.03; Uinta, $1,386,294.70, equal to $26,252,238.70. Rept of Gov. Moonlight to Sec. Int.
59 A law was enacted in 1879 taxing the road-bed, superstructure, right of way, rolling stock, telegraph lines, etc., but not the land. Sess. Laws, 179, p. 13.
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ment placed upon 668 miles of road was $5,741,715.46, or less than $9,000 per mile; and upon 1,226 miles of telegrap lines a valuation of $95,660.76, or $78 per mile. The total assessed value of territorial property, including railroad property, was $32,089,613.
The legislature of 1888, acting upon the advice of the governor, reduced the salaries of county officers and changed the time of the election of members of the council and house of representatives. It also defined the powers of foreign railroads doing business in the territory. It provided for the erection of a normal school building at Sun Dance, and an agricul- tural college at Sheridan. That a municipality con- sisting of less than 100,000 inhabitants should take upon itself the support of all needful institutions, discharging its obligations with ease, is evidence of great resources. 60
Three new counties were authorized by legislative act in 1888; Converse, taken off the north of Lara- mie and Albany; Sheridan off the north of Johnson ; and Natrona off the north of Carbon. The first was named by the legislature of Wyoming in memory of the late A. R. Converse,60 formerly territorial treas- urer, and one of the leading citizens of Cheyenne.
The penitentiary not yet being completed in 1888, the 98 convicts belonging to the territory were still confined in Joliet and other eastern prisons. Among the trials, for all new countries must have some form of hardship, was the irruption into the territory about 1877 of organized bands of road agents, who for a number of years infested the highways, and attempted
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