USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume I > Part 50
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
Until this time the paper had been republican. After the sale, a stock company was organized and from 1890 until 1918 the publication has been issued by the Boomerang Publishing Company. There have been numerous changes in man- agement, but the policy of the paper has been consistently democratic. In 1915 the daily edition was suspended, but was resumed in the fall of 1916.
THE LARAMIE REPUBLICAN
The "Laramie Republican," now issued daily and semi-weekly, was first pub- lished August 14, 1890 by Thomas L. McKee and W. E. Chaplin. The republicans of the county had offered a bonus of $1,500 to acceptable individuals who would establish a republican paper in Laramie and continue its publication until after the campaign of 1890. The firm of McKee & Chaplin undertook to fill the contract and carried it through successfully. In the latter part of 1891 J. C. McRae pur- chased McKee's interest and the firm of Chaplin and McRae operated the plant for two years. T. L. McKee returned to the partnership about 1895, and in 1896 F. D. Spafford became a member of the firm. In the spring of 1898 James Mathison bought the McKee interest and since that time Mathison, W. E. Chaplin and Frank Spafford have jointly owned the Republican. From the very begin- ning this paper has been republican in politics and has won an enviable reputation in the journalistic field of Wyoming.
OTHER WYOMING PUBLICATIONS
In the fall of 1882 Charles L. Rauner and Charles F. Wilson established a daily paper in Laramie which they called the Missing Link. As a daily it did not survive long, and as a semi-weekly it was issued just a few months.
In 1891 ex-Governor John W. Hoyt, who had been president of the University of Wyoming just previous to that time, conceived the idea that Wyoming needed a paper built upon the style of Harper's Weekly. Accordingly, he established the Wyoming Journal, a weekly publication. This venture quickly came to an end.
About 1906 a paper was established at Centennial, Albany County, by the owners of the Laramie, Hahn's Peak & Pacific Railroad. It was operated as a weekly publication under the name of the Centennial Post until about 1915.
The first newspaper in Uinta County was the Evanston Age, established October 10, 1872.
A newspaper called the Sweetwater Miner was started at Fort Bridger in February. 1868, by Warren & Hastings. This paper, which was active in pro- moting immigration to this region, was afterward removed to Bryan.
The South Pass News was started in 1868 by N. A. Baker, sold to E. A. Slack. and moved to Laramie.
The first paper in Johnson County was the Buffalo Echo, owned by a stock company, with T. V. McCandlish as editor.
"BILL" NYE
In connection with the newspaper history of Wyoming. it is fitting that some- thing more in detail should be said of Edgar Wilson, "Bill" Nye, who was editor
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of the Laramie Boomerang for over a year and who became in later years one of the foremost humorists and lecturers in the United States.
"Bill" Nye was born in Shirley, Me., August 25, 1850, and his death occurred near Asheville, N. C., February 22, 1896. While Nye was yet a young man, his parents removed to Hudson, Wis. When twenty-six years of age, Nye came to Wyoming, became identified with the Sentinel at Laramie and then became editor of the Boomerang. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and was also elected to the Wyoming Legislature. He filled the position of postmaster and justice of the peace in Laramie, the character of the last-named office being one of honor, if not lucrative. Nye wrote of this as follows :
"I was elected justice of peace in 1877. It was really pathetic to see the little miserable booth where I sat and waited with numb fingers for business. But I did not see pathos which then clung to every cobweb and darkened the rattling casement. Possibly I did not know enough. I forgot to say the office was not a salaried one, but solely dependent upon fees. So while I was called Judge Nye, and frequently mentioned in the papers with consideration, I was out of coal half of the time, and once could not mail my letters for three weeks, because I did not have the necessary postage."
Nye's newspaper office, while he was editor of the Boomerang, was over a livery barn at the corner of Garfield and Third streets. Over the entrance was the sign: "TWIST THE TAIL OF THE GRAY MULE AND TAKE THE ELEVATOR !"
Nye made his home with Judge J. H. Hayford when he first came to Laramie. and here he met Miss Fannie Smith, who later became his bride. Several chil- dren were born to this union and were means of great happiness to Nye, who always loved children. He fostered the youth of Laramie during his residence there, gave gifts to the high school graduates, and to the graduates of Wyoming University in the early days he sent a gold medal. Nye's first opportunity to make a name for himself occurred when the New York World became familiar with his writings and offered him $150 per week to work for that paper. He then moved to New York, stayed a few years, then went upon the platform for a lecture bureau, speaking in the various cities of the country. He and James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier bard, also traveled together for a number of years. After his travels were over. Nye wrote column matter for the American Press Association, and his witty articles became familiar in the households throughout the country. Among his longer written works may be mentioned: "Forty Liars," 1883; "Remarks," 1886; "Fun, Wit and Humor," 1889; the latter in conjunction with James Whitcomb Riley: "Comic History of the United States," 1894; "Comic History of England," 1896; and "Baled Hay, Etc."
"BILL PARLOW"
Another Wyoming journalist and writer whose reputation extended far beyond the borders of the state was Merris Clark Barrow, who wrote under the pseudo- nym of "Bill Barlow." So well did he become known by this pseudonym that many of his nearest acquaintances were ignorant of his real name.
Merris C. Barrow was born at Canton, Pa .. October 4. 1857, a son of Rev. Robert C. and Helen (Harding) Barrow. In 1863 his parents removed to
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Nebraska, where he learned the printer's trade, and in 1876 he leased the Tecumseh (Neb.) Chieftain. A little later he received the appointment of postal clerk, and in 1879 was transferred to Wyoming, with headquarters at Laramie. In that same year he quit the postal service to become city editor of the Laramie Daily Times. When "Bill" Nye started the Laramie Boomerang in March, 1881, Mr. Barrow accepted the position of city editor, and when Mr. Nye retired from the paper in 1883, Mr. Barrow became managing editor. In September, 1884, he went to Rawlins to take the editorial management of the Rawlins Tribune, and early in 1886 he removed to Douglas, where he established the Budget, the first number of which appeared on June 6, 1886, three months before the rail- road was completed to the town.
When the United States land office was established at Douglas, Mr. Barrow was appointed its first receiver by President Harrison. He was removed by President Cleveland in 1894, but in June, 1897, he was reappointed by President McKinley and continued in office under the Roosevelt administration. Mr. Bar- row was one of the delegates from Converse County to the constitutional con- vention of 1889; was mayor of Douglas for two terms; was chief clerk of the House of Representatives in the legislative sessions of 1894 and 1896; was a past master of the Douglas Masonic Lodge, a Knight Templar, and a member of the Shrine.
Shortly after locating at Douglas he began the publication of a little monthly magazine called Sagebrush Philosophy, which soon had a circulation that extended to all parts of the Union. His writings scintillated with wit, philosophy and optimism, and his vocabulary was both extensive and unique. Sagebrush Phi- losophy was built up on his personality and when his death occurred on October 9, 1910, it was realized that no one could continue the publication of the magazine, so its last number was issued in November following his death.
WYOMING NEWSPAPERS IN 1918
In Wyoming at the present time there are ninety-three newspapers and period- icals published, comprising seven dailies, seven semi-weeklies and four monthlies. Twenty of these newspapers are published at county seat towns. The following comprehensive table will show the identity of each paper in the state and all pertinent facts concerning same :
Afton-Star Valley Independent ; established 1903; independent weekly, pub- lished by C. F. Settle.
Arminto-The Flockmaster ; established 1915; independent weekly, published by J. E, Hanway.
Baggs-Big Horn Rustler ; established 1889; democratic weekly, published by A. W. Coons. Republican : established 1905; republican weekly, published by Lou Blatsley.
Big Piney-The Examiner; established 1911; independent weekly, published by G. W. Hopkins, Jr.
Buffalo-The Bulletin ; established 1891 ; republican weekly, published by F. E. Lucas. Mid-west Farmer : established 1914 : monthly. The Voice : established 1883; democratic weekly, published by H. M. White.
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Burns-Golden Prairie Herald; established 1908; nonpartisan weekly, pub- lished by L. E. Fenwick.
Carpenter-The News; established 1913; weekly, published by S. G. Clower.
Casper-Natrona County Tribune; established 1891 ; republican weekly, pub- lished by J. E. Hanway. The Press; established 1914; progressive daily, pub- lished by P. M. Cropper.
Cheyenne-State Leader ; established 1867; democratic daily, published by Meredith Davis. Wyoming Labor Journal ; established 1910; monthly, published by James Burkley. Wyoming Stockman-Farmer ; established 1895 ; monthly, pub- lished by W. C. Deming. Wyoming Tribune ; established 1895; republican daily, published by W. C. Deming.
Chugwater-The Record; established 1914; independent weekly, published by A. R. Bastian.
Cody-North Wyoming Herald; established 1907; republican weekly, pub- lished by Newton & Shaw. Park County Enterprise ; established 1899: demo- cratic semi-weekly, published by W. J. Watkins and L. M. Prill.
Cokeville-The Register : established 1911 ; weekly, published by L. E. Shields. Colony-The Coyote; established 1911; weekly, published by C. W. Shepard.
Cowley-The Progress; established 1906; republican weekly, published by E. Vaterlaus.
Dwyer-The Herald : established 1916; weekly.
Douglas-Budget and Converse County Review : established 1886; democratic weekly, published by T. F. Doyle. The Enterprise ; established 1906; republican weekly, published by Douglas Enterprise Company.
Elk Mountain-The Republican ; established 1916; republican weekly.
Evanston-Wyoming Press; established 1896; republican weekly, published by J. T. Booth. Wyoming Times; established 1908 : republican weekly, published by George Ewer, Jr.
Glenrock-The Gazette : established 191 -; weekly, published by C. C. Hixon. Garland-The Courier; established 1910; independent weekly, published by B. C. Peterson.
Gillette-Campbell County Record ; established 1914; republican weekly, pub- lished by Joseph Hare. The News ; established 1904 : democratic weekly, published by Ricketts & Moore.
Green River-The Star ; independent weekly, published by O. O. Davis. The Sun; established 1913; weekly.
Greybull-Wyoming Standard ; established 1903; weekly, published by J. A. Dickey.
Guernsey-The Uplift ; established 1910; weekly. Gazette; established 1899; republican weekly, published by G. O. Houser.
Hillsdale-The Review ; established 1916: weekly.
Hudson-The Miner; established 1907; republican weekly, published by L. Davidson.
Hulett-Inter-Mountain Globe: established 1907: republican weekly, pub- lished by P. W. Yeoman. Wyoming Blade : established 1911 ; democratic weekly. published by P. W. Yeoman.
Jackson-Jackson Hole Courier ; established 1909: weekly, published by Rich- ard Winger.
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Jay Em-The News; established 1916.
Kemmerer-The Republican : established 1913; republican weekly, published by L. G. Baker. The Camera; established 1898; republican weekly, published by R. R. Rose.
Kaycee-Independent ; established 1916; published by F. E. Lucas.
Keeline-Record; established 1916.
Lander-Wind River Mountaineer; established 1881; democratic weekly, published by H. J. Wendt. Wyoming State Journal; established 1887; republican weekly, published by A. H. Maxwell.
Laramie-Boomerang ; established 1881 ; democratic daily, published by Boom- erang Publishing Company. Republican : established 1890 ; republican daily, pub- lished by W. E. Chaplin. Wyoming State Journal; established 1904: monthly, published by Teachers' Association. Wyoming Student ; established 1897 ; pub- lished by University students.
Lost Springs-The Times; established 1914; republican weekly, published by B. F. & H. C. Buffington.
Lovell-The Chronicle; established 1906; independent weekly, published by R. Leedom.
Lusk-Herald; established 1886; democratic weekly, published by G. C. & A. H. Forsythe. Standard; established 1910; republican weekly, published by J. H. Slater.
Lyman-Badger Valley Enterprise ; established 1912 ; independent weekly, pub- lished by Melvin Rollins.
Manville-Niobrara County News; established 1911 ; republican weekly, pub- lished by L. T. Tebbs.
Meeteetse-News : established 1896; independent weekly, published by R. T. Baird.
Moorcroft-Democrat ; established 1913; democratic weekly, published by Charles H. McKee.
Newcastle-News-Journal : established 1889; republican weekly, published by WV. O. Carleton. Pythian Review : established 1913 ; monthly, published by W. O. Carleton. Weston County Gazette; established 1911; democratic weekly, pub- lished by D. G. Gates.
Pine Bluffs-Post; established 1908; independent weekly, published by MI. R. Hemphill.
Pinedale-The Roundup: established 1904: republican weekly, published by C. F. Patterson.
Powell-Leader : established 1910; republican weekly, published by R. C. Peterson. Tribune : weekly, A. S. Morse.
Rawlins-Republican ; established 1879; republican weekly, published by R. A. Alcorn.
Riverton-Chronicle : established 1911 ; weekly, published by W. H. J. Bowery. Review : established 1907 ; democratic weekly, published by A. F. & H. C. Duntsch.
Rock Springs-Advisor-News; established 1912; democratic weekly, pub- lished by G. D. Morris. The Miner ; established 1881 : republican weekly, published by F. B. Crumbly. The Rocket; established 1907; independent weekly, pub- lished by Cora B. Wanamaker.
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Saratoga-The Sun; established 1891; republican weekly, published by R. I. Martin.
Sheridan-The Enterprise; established 1887; democratic semi-weekly, pub- lished by Randolph Leigh. The Post; established 1887 ; republican semi-weekly. published by Post Printing Company.
Shoshoni-Enterprise; established 1913; republican weekly, published by W. A. Lilly.
Sundance-Crook County Monitor ; established 1895; democratic weekly, pub- lished by Charles Woodall.
Thermopolis-Independent ; established 1906; independent weekly, published by L. I. Noble. Record; established 1901 ; weekly, published by L. J. & A. L. Duhig.
Torrington-Goshen County Journal; established 1907; republican weekly, published by James Johnston. Telegram; established 1907; republican weekly, published by James Johnston.
Upton-News-Letter ; established 1909; republican weekly, published by F. L. Young. Weston County Gazette; established 1911; weekly, published by G. F. Gosline.
Van Tassell-The Pioneer ; established 1912; democratic weekly, published by G. C. & A. H. Forsythe.
Wheatland-The Times; established 1902; democratic weekly, published by F. S. Drury. The World; established 1894: republican weekly, published by Frame & Richardson.
Worland-The Grit : established 1905 ; republican weekly, published by W. G. Johnston.
CHAPTER XXIX
BENCH AND BAR OF WYOMING
ORIGIN OF CIVIL LAW-PURPOSE OF THE COURTS-TENDENCY TO CRITICISE-THE LAWYER AS A CITIZEN-TERRITORIAL COURTS-MENTION OF EARLY JUDGES- UNDER THE CONSTITUTION-THE SUPREME COURT-DISTRICT COURTS-LIST OF JUDGES-MUNICIPAL COURTS-UNITED STATES COURTS-THE WYOMING BAR- CHARACTER SKETCHES OF EARLY LAWYERS-STATE BAR ASSOCIATION-A FEW NOTED CASES-THE RACE HORSE CASE.
Civil law made its appearance as soon as men began to realize that some system of rules was necessary for the protection of person and property, and at the same time not conflict with the common interest. The legislator and the lawyer were therefore among the earliest agents of the world's civilization. At first the laws were few and simple, and the methods of the primitive courts were no doubt crude as compared with the tribunals of the present. But as civilization progressed, as the occupations and interests of the people became more varied, as new lands were discovered and commerce began to carry the arts and ideas of one country to another, laws grew more complex and were arranged into codes. A fairly good history of any country might be compiled from its statutes and court decrees alone.
The law is a jealous profession. It demands of the judge on the bench and the attorney at the bar alike a careful, conscientious effort to secure the administra- tion of justice-"speedy and efficient, equitable and economical." Within recent years courts have been criticized for their delays, and much has been said in the columns of the public press about the need of judicial reform. Doubtless some of the criticisms have been well founded, but, unfortunately, many have con- demned the entire judiciary system because a few judges have failed to measure up to the proper standard, and the entire legal profession has been stigmatized as one of trickery because occasionally a lawyer has adopted the tactics of the shyster or pettifogger. In exercising the right of free speech and free press, it should be borne in mind that a large number of the greatest men in our national history were lawyers. John Marshall, one of the early chief justices of the United States Supreme Court, was a man whose memory is still revered by the American people, and his legal opinions are still quoted with respect and confidence by the mem- bers of his profession. Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe, who negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and gave to their country an empire in extent, were lawyers. Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Thomas H. Benton, Salmon P. Chase, Stephen A. Douglas, William M. Everts, Rufus Choate and a host of other eminent Americans wrote their names permanently upon history's pages through their knowledge and interpretation of the laws, and all were men
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of unquestioned loyalty and love of justice. And last, but not least, stands Abraham Lincoln, self-educated and self-reliant, whose consummate tact and statesmanship saved the Union from disruption.
"To establish justice" was written into the Federal Constitution by the founders of the American Republic as one of the primary and paramount pur- poses of government. These men also showed their wisdom in separating the functions of government into three departments-the legislative, the executive and the judicial-the first to enact, the second to execute and the third to interpret the nation's laws. States have copied this system, so that in every state there is a Legislature to pass laws, a supreme and subordinate courts to interpret them, and a governor as the chief executive officer to see that they are fairly and im- partially enforced.
TERRITORIAL COURTS
For many years the only legal authority exercised over the territory now comprising the State of Wyoming was that exercised by the United States courts. In the winter of 1867-68 the Dakota Legislature (Wyoming then being a part of that territory) passed an act providing that the chief justice should hold a session of the court at Cheyenne, but in July following Congress enacted a law authorizing the formation of a temporary government for the Territory of Wyo- ming.
On May 19, 1869, Gov. John A. Campbell, the first territorial governor of Wyoming, issued his proclamation defining the three judicial districts, fixing the time and place of holding the first term of court in each district, and desig- nating the presiding judge therefor. The same day John H. Howe qualified as chief justice of the territory and W. T. Jones and John W. Kingman as associate justices. Under Governor Campbell's proclamation, Laramie County comprised the First Judicial District and Chief Justice Howe was directed to hold the first term of court at Cheyenne, beginning on May 25, 1869. The Second District was composed of Albany and Carbon counties and Associate Justice Jones was assigned to this district, with instructions to hold a term of court at Laramie on June 13, 1869. Carter County was designated as the Third District, with John M. Kingman as the presiding judge. He was directed to hold his first term of court at South Pass City on June 22, 1869. By this proclamation the legal machin- ery of Wyoming Territory was set in motion.
John H. Howe, the first chief justice of the territory, was born at Riga, Monroe County, N. Y., but before he had attained to his majority he went to Kingsville, Ohio, where he received a liberal education. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced in the Ohio courts for several years, in the meantime taking an acitve part in politics as a whig. In 1854 he removed to Kewanee, Ill., and a year or two later was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial District. In 1860 he joined the republican party and made a number of cam- paign speeches in support of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army and rose to the rank of brigadier-general. At the close of the war he returned to Kewanee and practiced his profession there until appointed chief justice for Wyoming on April 6, 1869.
Judge Howe was an able lawyer, but he is said to have been extremely irri-
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table and peevish at times, which had a tendency to render him unpopular with the attorneys who practiced in his court. This condition was doubtless due to the state of his health, but it nevertheless interfered with his judicial work. The first Territorial Legislature passed an act giving women the right to vote, hold office and serve on juries, which was approved by the Federal Government. Judge Howe upheld this law, which added in some degree to his unpopularity, and this, coupled with the dissatisfaction of the Wyoming people over having outsiders administer their affairs, led to his resignation after he had been on the bench about two and a half years. He was succeeded by Joseph W. Fisher in October, 1871, and then accepted a position as secretary to a commission appointed to adjust some dispute between the United States and Mexico. He died of tuberculosis while holding that office, being about fifty years of age at the time of his death.
William T. Jones, associate justice, was born at Corydon, Ind., February 20, 1842, and was therefore only a little more than twenty-seven years old when appointed associate justice for the Territory of Wyoming. He was educated at the Miami University (Ohio) and then studied law at Corydon, Ind. When the Civil war commenced in 1861, he enlisted as a lieutenant in the Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, was promoted captain of his company and later major of the regiment "for gallant and meritorious services on the field." Although a young man, Judge Jones was endowed with the "judicial mind." He was always calm and collected on the bench, and his rulings and decisions bore the stamp of absolute impartiality. Unfortunately, he was a man of somewhat intemperate habits, but this did not hinder him from winning popularity both with the practicing attorneys and the general public. Before he had completed his term as associate justice he was elected delegate to Congress and was succeeded on the bench by Joseph M. Carey.
The writer was unable to learn anything of the antecedents or early life of John M. Kingman. W. W. Corlett said of him, a short time after he retired from the bench in Wyoming, that he was an able lawyer, but a man of strong prejudices. He was sometimes charged with learning all he could about a case before it came to trial and forming an opinion before hearing the evidence. He was succeeded in 1872 by E. A. Thomas.
Joseph W. Fisher, who succeeded Judge Howe as chief justice of the Terri- torial Supreme Court, was born in Northumberland, Penn., October 16, 1814. His parents died when he was only a few years of age and he lived for several years with an uncle, attending the common school during the winter months and working on a farm the remainder of the year. When he was about fifteen years old he decided to shift for himself. From that time until he was twenty-one, he was variously employed as a farm hand, a clerk in a general store, and finally as the proprietor of a small tailor shop. During this period he occupied all his spare time in the study of law. He was admitted to practice in the courts of his native state when he was about twenty-eight years of age and soon afterward became interested in political matters. In 1848 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legisla- ture. At the beginning of the Civil war in 1861, he enlisted as captain and by successive promotions rose to be a brigadier-general. In 1871 he was appointed chief justice of Wyoming Territory by President Grant and remained on the bench until 1879, when he was succeeded by James B. Sener. Judge Fisher remained in Wyoming after he retired from the bench and continued in active practice until 1890. He died at Cheyenne on October 18, 1900.
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