USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume I > Part 66
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"There was rather an amusing incident at the Frontier celebration which did not appear on the bills. R. S. Van Tassell, the old pioneer, was upon the stage which was about to be held up by the alleged road agents. Just before the shooting began he slipped rather speedily toward the boot, with the evident intention of getting off. A companion grabbed him by the arm and asked what
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"FRONTIER DAYS," AT CHEYENNE, IN JULY, 1917
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
was the matter. Van Tassell replied that he had just thought of something. There were six cayuses on that stage, and while the driver might be able to handle them all right on a straight track without any excitement going on, he was in doubt about the ability of the jehu and slipped on down over the boot."
Mr. Van Tassell's doubts were without foundation. Although the stage was stopped and the passengers were relieved of their "valuables," Dave Creath man- aged to hold the six cayuses under control, and after the robbery drove on, pre- sumably to the next relay station to report the affair to the Overland officials.
Then the vigilantes, under the leadership of Pete Bergersen, captured the original Bill Root and "strung him up." The victim afterward confessed that he was not anxious to have the ceremony repeated. Everything was quite realistic and thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd.
The first Frontier Days celebration was such a pronounced success that a permanent organization was formed to conduct such exhibitions annually. What Mardi Gras day is to New Orleans, the Frontier Days festivities are to Chey- enne. Other cities have followed the example and in 1917 scenes of frontier life, in which trappers, miners, hunters, Indians, stage drivers, etc., took part were reproduced in twenty western cities. While the first celebration in 1897 was a one-day affair, subsequent celebrations have covered three or four days and are now conducted at Frontier Park. The committee of 1918 is composed of John J. McInery, president ; T. Joe Cahill, secretary ; Albert Cronland, Robert B. Davidson and Robert N. LaFontaine, directors. The twenty-second annual Fron- tier Days celebration was held July 24-27, 1918.
POEMS ON WYOMING
Wyoming, in common with the other states of the Union, has been the sub- ject of numerous rhymes, two of which are here reproduced as characteristic representations of the West and its people. The first, by an unknown author, throbs with true situations and the poet was evidently alert to conditions as they existed in early days, traces of which still linger in certain sections of the state. This poem was recited by Miss Edith Lehman at the Memorial Day exercises at the Catholic Convent in Cheyenne, May 30, 1918, and was received with a hearty round of applause. The second poem, by Arthur Chapman, of Denver, de- scribes the beauties of the West and many of the traits of the western people. It has been widely quoted, but is worth reading again.
OLD WYOMING
Take me back to old Wyoming, Where there's plenty room and air; Where there's cottonwood and pine trees, Greasewood and the prickly pear ; Where there ain't no pomp and glitter, Where a shilling's called a "bit,"
Where at night the magpies twitter,
Where the Injun fights were fit.
54
FIRST ENGINE ARRIVING
IN CHEYENNE 1867
Copyright by Doubleday-Foster Photo Printing Co.
"FRONTIER DAYS," AT CHEYENNE, IN JULY, 1917
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
Take me back where land is plenty, Where there's rattlesnakes and ticks; Where a stack of "wheats" cost twenty, Where they don't sell gilded bricks. Where the swift Big Horn River An' the winding North Platte Wends through canyon an' Bad Lands, Where the long horn grows fat.
Take me where there ain't no subways, Nor no forty-second shacks; Where they shy at automobiles, Dudes, plug hats an' three-rail tracks ; Where the old sun-tanned prospector Dreams of wealth and pans his dirt; Where the sleepy night-herd puncher Sings to steers and plies the quirt.
Take me where there's diamond hitches, Ropes an' brands an' ca'tridge belts ; Where the boys wear chaps for britches, Flannel shirts and Stetson felts. Land of alkali an' cattle ! Land of sage brush an' gold! Take me back to dear Wyoming, Let me die there when I'm old.
WHERE THE WEST BEGINS
By Arthur Chapman.
Out where the handclasp's a little stronger ; Out where a smile dwells a little longer- That's where the West begins.
Out where the sun's a little brighter, Where the snow that falls is a trifle whiter, Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter- That's where the West begins.
Out where the skies are a trifle bluer ; Out where friendship's a little truer- That's where the West begins.
Out where a fresher breeze is blowing, Where there is laughter in every streamlet flowing, Where there is more of reaping and less of sowing- That's where the West begins.
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
Out where the world is in the making, Where fewer hearts with despair are aching- That's where the West begins. Where there is more of singing and less of sighing, Where there is more of giving and less of buying, And a man makes friends without half trying- That's where the West begins.
WYOMING
(The Wyoming State Song.)
Words by Charles E. W'inter. Music by Earle R. Clemens.
In the far and mighty West Where the crimson sun seeks rest There's a growing splendid state that lies above On the breast of this great land Where the massive Rockies stand, There's Wyoming young and strong, the state I love.
Chorus Wyoming, Wyoming, Land of the sunlight clear,
Wyoming, Wyoming, Land that we hold so dear, Wyoming, Wyoming, Precious art thou and thine, Wyoming, Wyoming, Beloved state of mine.
In the flowers wild and sweet, Colors rare and perfumes meet. There's the columbine so pure, the daisy, too, Wild the rose and red it springs, With the button and its rings- Thou art loyal for they're red and white and blue.
Where thy peaks with crowned head Rising till the sky they wed Sit like snow queens ruling wood and plain 'Neath thy granite bases deep, 'Neath thy bosom's broadened sweep Lie the riches they have gained and brought thee fame.
Other treasure dost thou hold : Men and women thou dost mould. True and earnest are the lives that thou dost raise. Strength thy children thou dost teach, Nature's truth thou giv'st to each, Free and noble are thy workings and thy ways.
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
In the nation's banner free There's one star that has for me A pure radiance and a splendor like the sun. Mine it is, Wyoming's star, Home it leads me near or far ---- Oh, Wyoming, all my heart and love, you've won.
Chorus. Wyoming, Wyoming, Land of the sunlight clear, Wyoming, Wyoming, Land that we hold so dear, Wyoming, Wyoming. Precious art thou and thine, Wyoming, Wyoming, Beloved state of mine.
HISTORY OF ORGANIZED LABOR IN WYOMING
By Harry W. Fox, President State Federation of Labor.
A history of Wyoming would not be complete without a review of the organi- zations of workingmen and the not inconsiderable part they have played in the development of our resources. During the early 'Sos the Knights of Labor, then at the crest of its growth, became a power in the affairs of the state. While it was strongest in the coal camps of Almy, Rock Springs and Carbon, it had also a large membership among other branches of labor.
Among those active in its counsels, later actively identified with business affairs of the state can be mentioned Will Reid, now registrar of the United States Land Office, in Cheyenne; Thomas Sneddon, superintendent of the Dia- mond Coke and Coal Company, with mines at Diamondville, Oakley and Glencoe in the western part of the state; Ed Blacker, father of George Blacker, present coal mine inspector for the Southern district as well as the father of Robert Hotchkiss, now coal mine inspector for the Northern district.
Others active in its counsels were Matt Muir, now a coal operator in Rock Springs : Charles Argesheimer of Cheyenne; Mathew Morrow of Evanston and a host of others. It was this organization that laid the foundation for the benef- icent features of the fundamental law of Wyoming. Then there were the local unions of printers at Rawlins, Laramie and Cheyenne, the latter chartered in 1880 and still operating under its original grant. William Reid, still living in Cheyenne and a member of the Typographical Union since the late 50's, was a charter member of the Cheyenne local as was also Hon. W. E. Chaplin, present editor of the Laramie Republican and one of the leading citizens of Wyoming. This organization, though small in membership has played an important part in molding public opinion. At this writing the organization has charters in Cheyenne, Laramie, Rock Springs, Casper and Sheridan. The original locals at Laramie and Rawlins were disbanded and the present ones are of more recent date.
After the disbanding of the Knights of Labor. some of the coal miners of Western Wyoming affiliated with the Western Federation of Miners, but this movement was not general and the industry was practically unorganized so far as the state was concerned till the formation of a local of the United Mine Workers at Dietz, Sheridan County, in April, 1903. In the fall of that year
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
and the spring of 1904 the miners of Monarch and Carneyville were organized through the efforts of the Dietz officials. In 1907, through the efforts of a com- mittee, of which Thomas P. Fahey. now a prominent attorney of Cheyenne, was a member, the organization was planted in the southern field and today this organization, with a membership of over 7.000 is 100 per cent strong and works under contractural agreement with every coal operator in Wyoming.
We will not deal with the trials and vicissitudes that marked the early days of this organization but will rather point with pride to its enviable standing at the present writing. By its business-like direction it has become a force of good to the state. Formerly joined with Montana as District 22, its officers have been as follows: First president, Mike Purcell, now operators commissioner for Mon- tana ; second president, John Morton, now living in Gebo and retaining an active connection with the organization; third president, Thomas Gibson, now directors department of safety, U. P. Mines; fourth president, Arthur G. Morgan, fifth, W. W. Gildroy, and the present executive, Martin Cahill, of Rock Springs. The various vice presidents have been Edwin Gildroy, Arthur G. Morgan, Mathew Morrow and George Young, the present incumbent and one of the state senators from his district.
The secretaries have been William Murray, who served for a brief time, and James Morgan, the present secretary who has continuously and acceptably filled the office for almost the entire period of the organization. In 1910 the miners of Montana were accorded a separate charter and District 22 was con- fined to Wyoming, with Thomas Gibson as president, Arthur Morgan as vice- president and James Morgan as secretary.
Other crafts evincing an interest in the organization, a charter was applied for, for a group of locals as a State Federation of Labor in 1909 and since that year the state has become the best organized numerically of any state in the Union. The first president of the state organization was James Buckley, now editor of the Labor Journal, who gave way in 1914 to William W. Gildroy, who in turn was succeeded by the present president, Harry W. Fox. As secretary the federa- tion has been served by James Morgan, C. H. Mckinstry, A. W. Sandberg and William A. James the present incumbent.
Since the formation of the State Federation there has been a noticeable improvement in the standards of wages and working conditions as well as the enactment of progressive laws for the protection of the wage earner. It was through the efforts of these organizations that the compensation law. shorter work day law for women, the labor commissioner law and other equally progres- sive measures have been placed on the statute books of Wyoming. As an indi- cation of the high standing in which the organized workers of Wyoming are held we might mention that Thomas P. Fahey, then international board mem- ber of the mine workers, was the democratic candidate for Congress in 1912 and while defeated he made a splendid race. State Senator Young served two terms in the lower house before his elevation to the Senate and at the last ses- sion of the Legislature there were eight members of labor organizations sitting as law makers.
The progress that has been made by labor in Wyoming has been due to the intelligent direction of its guiding spirits and to this fact can also be laid the chief responsibility for our freedom from industrial turmoil that affects other
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
states. Working in harmony with their employers in all lines of effort organized labor of the state will continue to wield an influence for good and will implant on our statute books other far reaching statutes. In common with their asso- ciates in other states organized labor of Wyoming has taken an active part in all patriotic endeavors and has been a large contributor to patriotic funds as well as investing liberally in liberty bonds. One local of miners has invested $16,000 in the bonds while numerous others have given as liberally as their finances allow. The most of the locals have sick and other benefits while the district of mine workers pays a funeral benefit to its members under certain conditions.
The personnel of the labor movement feel justly proud of their record of achievement. In 1914 the mine workers erected their present home in Chey- enne in which are housed the offices of the mine workers, the State Federation of Labor and the modern printing plant of the Wyoming Labor Journal, owned by, and published in the interest of organized labor of Wyoming.
CHAPTER XXXV
STATISTICS AND CHRONOLOGY
FIRST ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GREAT WEST-WYOMING FIFTY YEARS OLD- CENSUS REPORTS FROM 1870 TO 1915-POPULATION BY COUNTIES-FAULTS OF THE STATE CENSUS-IN THE CITIES-PUBLIC OFFICIALS-LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS-CHRONOLOGY-SUMMARY OF LEADING EVENTS IN WYOMING HISTORY.
In the early years of the Nineteenth Century nearly all the published maps of the United States showed the country between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains as the "Great American Desert." People generally accepted the statements of the geographers and for almost half a century after the Louisiana purchase was made in 1803, very little attention was paid to the Great West. The discovery of gold in California was the greatest factor in opening the eyes of the residents of the states east of the Mississippi River to the re- sources and possibilities of the region hitherto designated as the Great Desert. Returning "forty-niners" gave glowing accounts of their journey across the plains. Sometimes these narratives were embellished with something more than the "naked truth," but they agreed in all the essential particulars and contradicted the desert theory which had so long been prevalent. From these returned argonauts many people received their first impressions that the West was habitable, to say the least.
Following the fur hunters and the gold seekers came the actual settlers. On July 25, 1918, fifty years had passed since Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, approved the bill creating the Territory of Wyoming. Two years after the passage of that bill the United States census reported a popula- tion of 9,118 in the new territory. The growth in population, as shown by sub- sequent enumerations, has been as follows :
0,118
1870
1880 20.789
1890 62,555
1900
92.531
1910
145.965
1915 (state census)
141,705
From this table it will be observed that the greatest proportionate increase in population durng any decade was between 1880 and 1890, when it was a little over 200 per cent, the increase during the preceding decade having been a little over 125 per cent. Only once in the history of the state does the census enumera-
637
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
tion show a decrease in the number of inhabitants between the census years. That was during the five years from 1910 to 1915, when the official figures show a loss of 4,260. For the sake of comparison, the returns of each census since the admission of the state in 1890 are given by counties in the following table :
County
1890
1900
1905
1910
1915
Albany
8,865
13,084
9,992
11,574
8,194
Bighorn
4,328
8,942
8,886
6,815
Campbell
2,316
Carbon
6,857
9,589
10,313
11,282
8,412
Converse
2,738
3,337
4,168
6,294
3,626
Crook
2,338
3,137
3,831
6,492
5,117
Fremont
2,463
5,357
5,363
11,822
9,633
Goshen
5,035
Hot Springs
3,191
Johnson
2,357
2,361
3,027
3,453
3,238
Laramie
16,777
20,18I
18,514
26,127
14,631
Lincoln
13,581
Natrona
1,094
1,785
2,442
4,766
5,398
Niobrara
3.488
Park
4,909
5,473
Platte
5,277
Sheridan
1,972
5,122
9,965
16,324
15,429
Sweetwater
4,941
8,455
7,163
11,575
10,642
Uinta
7,414
12,223
14,492
16,982
6,05I
Washakie
1,744
Weston
2,422
3,203
3,604
4,960
4,414
Total
62,555
92,531
101,816
145,965
141,705
There are several reasons why the state census of 1915 shows a decrease in population. First, the enumeration was made by the county assessors and their deputies, who received no extra compensation for the extra work. Then the time for beginning the census was fixed about sixty days after the time of be- ginning the assessment, so that much of the territory had to be gone over a sec- ond time. Second, the enumerator for the United States census is always given the authority to compel the answering of his questions. This power was not con- ferred on the assessors and no doubt many individuals disclaimed residence in the state in order to avoid paying poll tax. Third, in 1910 the soldiers at the military posts in the state were enumerated as part of the population, while in 1915 most of these soldiers, as well as a number of the Wyoming National Guard, were stationed on the Mexican border at the time the state census was taken and were not included in the enumeration. Fourth, the United States cen- sus of 1910 included the 519 inhabitants of the Yellowstone National Park, which were omitted from the state census of 1915.
By a careful analysis of the census reports of 1915, abundant evidence is found to show that the decrease in population is more apparent than real. In 1910 the total number of votes cast at the state election was 37,927, while in 1914 the number voting was 44,877. This increase of 6,950 votes would naturally
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
indicate a corresponding increase in the total population. The number of persons between the ages of ten and twenty years increased 2,479 during the five years from 1910 to 1915, the number of unmarried females increased 1,348, and there was a slight increase in persons over the age of sixty years. Had the same num- ber of soldiers been stationed at the military posts in 1915 as in 1910, and the members of the National Guard been at their homes, it is quite probable that the proportionate increase would have been shown in persons between the ages of twenty and sixty years, where all the apparent decrease occurs.
In this connection it might be well to offer a word of explanation regarding the decrease in population in certain counties, which on the surface seems to be unusual. It will be noticed that seven counties appear in the above table only in the census for 1915. The creation of those counties by the Legislature of 1911 drew upon the population of the counties from which their territory was taken. For example: In 1910 Uinta County reported a population of 16,982, and five years later only 6,051. This was due entirely to the organization of Lincoln County from the northern part of Uinta. In 1915 the combined popu- lation of the two counties was 19,632, an increase of 2,650 during the preceding five years in the territory comprising the two counties. A little examination of the table will disclose other similar cases.
IN THE CITIES
In comparing the census reports of 1910 with those of 1915 one peculiar feature is noticed. While the decrease in the population of the entire state was 4,260, the decrease in the five largest cities of the state was sufficient to account for the whole retrogression, to wit :
Cities
1910
1915
Cheyenne
11,320
9,661
Sheridan
8,408
8,906
Laramie
8,237
4.962
Rock Springs
5.778
5.699
Rawlins
4.256
2.975
Totals
37,999
32,203
Sheridan is the only one of these five cities that showed a gain during the five years, while the aggregate decrease in the five was 5.796. Buffalo, Douglas, Green River, Lander, Newcastle and Thermopolis show an aggregate decrease of 1,570, making a total in the eleven principal cities of 7.366, when the fact is well established that in each of the five years new homes were built in all these cities and the bank deposits in all increased, in some instances more than two hundred per cent. In the face of all these conditions there are good grounds for the conclusion that the census of 1915 is not reliable.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
The only state officers elected by the people of Wyoming are the governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, superintendent of public instruc- tion and justices of the Supreme Court. A list of the justices is given in the
640
HISTORY OF WYOMING
chapter on the Bench and Bar, and the superintendents of public instruction are included in the chapter relating to education. Following is a list of the elective officers of the state and the corresponding officials during the territorial era, with the date each was appointed or elected, or the date when he entered upon the duties of his office :
Territorial Governors-John A. Campbell, April 7, 1869; John M. Thayer, February 10, 1875; John W. Hoyt, April 10, 1878: William Hale, August 3, 1882; Francis E. Warren, February 27, 1885; George W. Baxter, November 6, 1886; Thomas Moonlight, December 20, 1886; Francis E. Warren, March 27, 1889.
State Governors-Francis E. Warren, October 11, 1890; Amos W. Barber (acting), November 24, 1890; John E. Osborne, January 2, 1893; William A. Richards, January 7, 1895; De Forest Richards, January 2, 1899; Fenimore Chatterton (acting), April 28, 1903; Bryant B. Brooks, January 2, 1905; Joseph M. Carey, January 2, 1911 ; John B. Kendrick, January 4, 1915; Frank L. Houx (acting), February 26, 1915. The dates given in connection with the state gov- ernors are the dates of taking the oath of office, each serving until his successor was elected and qualified.
Territorial Secretaries-Edward M. Lee, April 7, 1869; Herman Glafcke, March 2, 1870; Jason B. Brown, March 24, 1873; George W. French, February 24, 1875; A. Worth Spates, February 24. 1879: Elliott S. N. Morgan, March 10, 1880 ; Samuel D. Shannon, April 9, 1887; John W. Meldrum, May 20, 1889.
Secretaries of State-Amos W. Barber, November 8, 1890: Charles W. Bur- dick, January 7, 1895; Fenimore Chatterton, January 2, 1899; William R. Schnit- ger, January 7. 1907; Frank L. Houx, January 2, 1911. The dates above are when each secretary took the oath of office. Amos W. Barber became acting gov- ernor when Governor Warren resigned to enter the United States Senate : Feni- more Chatterton became acting governor upon the death of Governor Richards; and Frank L. Houx when Governor Kendrick was elected United States senator.
Territorial Auditors-The exact date when each of the territorial auditors was appointed could not be ascertained. The years given are those when the name of the auditor first appears in the public records. Benjamin Gallagher, April 7, 1869: Orlando North, 1875; J. S. Nason, 1878; Jesse Knight, 1879; P. L. Smith, 1883; Mortimer N. Grant, 1886.
State Auditors-Charles W. Burdick, November 8. 1890; W. O. Owen, Jan- uary 7, 1895; LeRoy Grant, January 2, 1899: Robert B. Forsyth, January 2, 19II. LeRoy Grant served three terms and Robert Forsyth was reelected for a second term in 1914.
Territorial Treasurers-John W. Donnellan, December 21, 1869; Stephen W. Downey. October 26, 1872; Amasa R. Converse, December II. 1875: Francis E. Warren, September 30, 1876; Amasa R. Converse, December 15, 1877; Francis E. Warren, December 10, 1879: William P. Gannett, March 2. 1885; Luke Voorhees, March 31, 1888.
State Treasurers-Otto Gramm, November 7. 1890 : Henry G. Hay, January 7. 1895; George E. Abbott. January 2, 1899: Henry G. Hay. January 5. 1903 (resigned on September 19, 1903. and the same day William C. Irvine was appointed to the vacancy ) : William C. Irvine, January 2, 1905 : Edward Gillette, January 7, 1907 ; John L. Baird, January 2, 1911 ; Herman B. Gates, January 4. 1915.
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HISTORY OF WYOMING
ELEVATION OF CITIES AND MOUNTAINS
City
Feet
City
Feet
Alcova
6,000
Jackson Hole
6,820
Atlantic City
7,850
Jackson Lake 6,800
Buffalo
4,600
Kirwin
9,500
Basin
3,700
Lander
5,372
Battle
9,866
Laramie
7,153
Cambria
5,100
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