NEW PICTURE BOOKS

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Interested in information regarding the beautiful art you see displayed at the Library.  Take a few minutes to browse the small book of photographs JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY ART WORK.  All of the art displayed  at the Library  has been donated to us.  We are pleased to showcase the work of our area artists and craftsmen.

Photographs, of the progress of the two recently painted murals in our downtown area, were taken over the past two summers.   MORE THAN A ONE HORSE TOWN will soon be joined by A CREEK RUNS THROUGH IT.  What a treasure "our" three area artists have provided for our area and the people who visit our community.  

Megan Herald, has done a fine job putting these compilations together and preparing them to be submitted to the publisher.  We encourage you to sit and review these at the Library.  They are single issue publications and are part of the local history collection and NOT available for checking out to take to your home.

LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

After several years of inactivity, the local historical society has renewed their Charter with the WYOMING STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY and is planning exciting activities for the upcoming year.   A meeting was held at the Johnson County Library in Buffalo and Officers were elected.  A group carpooled from Buffalo  to Kaycee and toured THE HOOFPRINTS OF THE PAST MUSEUM as their first gathering.  Patty Myers and Sylvia Bruner attended the State Society meeting representing the newly established Society.  Anyone wishing to join or receive more information are encourage to contact Patty Myers at 307-684-9381 Sylvia Bruner at the GATCHELL MUSEUM 307-684-9331 or Connie or Nancy at the Johnson County Library 307-684-5546.

The local Society was established in the early 1920s before there was a State Society.  It flourished for many years and then became dormant.  After Jim Gatchell's death in 1954, the idea of a local Museum to display and care for his extensive collection provided the push to reconvene the local Society to serve as the primary support group for the proposed venture.  On August 16, 1954 an organizational meeting was held in the Johnson County Courthouse and the first meeting of the group was held on August 10, 1954, and there were 57 people present,  representing 29 local organizations.  Plans were formulated to assist in raising the funds and following the necessary procedures to build the museum.

In the following years, many interesting programs were presented.  And for many years the group hosted an annual trek to county historical sites, with guides and speakers.  In the 1980s the group published booklets on the Cattle War and the Forts of the county,  Both were written  by Patty Myers and illustrated by Judy Sutherland.    In 1992, the local group hosted  over 200 people for a 3 day weekend, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Cattle War.  A symposium was held on Friday at the county High School auditorium.  The group, with guides,  traveled to some of the related sites by bus on Saturday.  A light brunch was served at the Harold Jarrard Park in Kaycee,  with introductions and brief remarks.  The buses returned to the TA Ranch where they toured the battle site and enjoyed lunch under the towering cottonwoods in the shadow of the TA barn, complete with bullet holes! The buses returned to Buffalo, stopping at Willow Grove Cemetery at the graves of Nate Champion and Nick Ray.  Then on to the Veterans Home of Wyoming-formerly Fort McKinney, which was home to the troops who went out to "end" the war at the TA.  A banquet was held that night at the CROSSROADS INN.  The local Society had published a bibliography to be sold at the trek.  WITH WINCHESTERS AND DETERMINED HEARTS contained over 350 entries of material which has been written regarding the incident in 1892.  One of the last projects for the Society was to host the State Society's annual Convention.  This was held under the direction of Pres. Robert Springer in the late 1990s.

Membership in the Historical Society provides you with the quarterly publication of the State Society, ANNALS OF WYOMING, featuring articles of historical interest as well as book reviews.  Local meetings are a good way to learn about the history of our area.  Please consider joining.  Watch for notices in the BUFFALO BULLETIN.  Meetings are free and open to the public, membership is encouraged but NOT required.  See you there!

A NEW WALK BRIDGE

In 1975, the local Bicentennial Committee proposed building a HERITAGE MALL across Clear Creek immediately to the east of the Main Street bridge in downtown Buffalo.  The Johnson County Cowbelles and the Woolgrowers Auxilary raised funds by  having area ranchers' brands burnt on the structure.  The cost was $20. for one brand, $50.00 for 3 brands, with each additional brand costing $10.  By January of 1976 they had raised $1,920 and they extended the deadline until the end of January, to ensure that everyone got a chance to have their brand displayed.  The estimated cost of construction was $40,000, but with volunteer labor and materials the project was completed for about one-half  that amount.  Harvey Crowe and Gale Money served as "volunteer" engineers and donations of labor and materials were received from Reeves Concrete, Buckingham Lumber, Knepper Electric, Green Construction, and Ross Construction.  The mall featured flower boxes, benches, and a display sign board in the middle.  The following inscription was on the sign.

BUFFALO HERITAGE

July 4, 1976 

This Bicentennial Mall is a perpetual remembrance of the resolute pioneers who followed their inspired vision with faith, determination and divine guidance to preserve the liberties fought for and won by our colonial ancestors; to insure the permanence of the constitutional government; to build homes and establish an environment based on moral precept.

History is made not only by great men but by all men.  The parts played by some in building this community may have been small, but none was without significance.  Let us then remember, with profound appreciation the contribution of the unnamed, unknown, and unsung, without whose courage and dedication our forbears could not have laid the foundations of the life in which we, their descendants, now find our challenge and opportunity.  As we build for the future, may we be guided by the lessons of history and the precepts handed down by our forebears so that we may ever remain "one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all".

As part of the Clear Creek project the walk bridge over Clear Creek in down town Buffalo was replaced in the summer of 2013.

MURALS

North of Clear Creek on the east side of Main Street.

So it begins with a fresh surface applied.

Then the base coat is applied.

And so it begins.

History in the making!

   We tend to think that history is just "what happened a long time ago".  But someday, the events of today and yesterday and tomorrow will be "history"!  To see what went on in Buffalo, Johnson County, WY over this past weekend look at this:

sherifflongmire.blogspot.com

Our local author in residence, Craig Johnson has written 9 BESTSELLERS!   A & E has shown two seasons of the program LONGMIRE based on Johnson's novels.  Many of the cast of that TV program and Craig and his wife, Judy spent the weekend here in Buffalo, WY  aka Durant, Absaroka County, Wyoming.  It was a beautiful weekend, sunny and warm, and  a good time was had by all!

The Johnson County Library opened at 1 P.M. on Sunday to host a book signing for Craig.  He has spoken here several times in the past and always draws a good crowd.  Sunday was no exception.. Over 150 people stood in line to buy books and get autographs and visit with Craig.  Later Robert Taylor aka Sheriff Longmire showed up and graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs.

The library collection boasts numerous copies of the Longmire books, and now we have the DVD of the first season of the TV program.  Our copy of the recent issue of COWBOYS AND INDIANS Aug/Sept 2013 is on display in our locked bookcase-Sorry!! -will no longer circulate-now has autographs all over the cover!!

A new chapter has been written in the history books of our area!

INVASION MOMENTO

There is a family story of the history of this black Hills gold ring.  The owner says it was given to his Greatgrandfather in 1892 at the Cheyenne Social Club.  The man was one of the hired men recruited from Texas to ride into Johnson County with the Invaders.  The man passed away shortly after returning to Texas and the ring has remained in the family.  The present owner and his family attended the Wyoming State Historical Trek in 1992, which visited the sites of the 1892 Johnson County Cattle War.

WYOMING STATE FLAG

At Johnson County Library

The Wyoming State D.A.R. sponsored a contest in the spring of 1916 to design a Wyoming State flag.  The prize was to be $20.  Verna Keays, of Buffalo had just graduated from the ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO.  Her Father encouraged Verna  to enter the contest.  There were 37 entries received.  The group voted on the entries at their yearly conference held in Sheridan that Autumn. Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, a professor at the University of Wyoming, served at the State Regent for the D.A.R.  She called Verna and told her that her entry had been chosen and invited her to attend the conference and accept her prize.

The first six flags were produced by the George Lauterer Company of Chicago.  They were made of pure silk, with the bison and State Seal were hand painted.

After many meetings and discussions, a bill was introduced in the 14th meeting  of the Wyoming Senate by the late Honorable W.W. Daley of Rawlins, to make this the official state flag.  The bill passed and the flag was officially adopted the 31st day of January 1917.  At a joint meeting of the Wyoming Senate and House of Representatives, the flag was presented to Governor Robert D. Carey, February 16, 1919.  In 1920, folders were printed showing a picture of the new flag and giving its description.  These were given to ever school child in the State.

Keays explained the symbolism of the flag:

     The great seal is the heart of the flag and its placement on the side of a "Monarch of the Plains" represents the western custom of branding.

     The red border represents the Indian and the blood of the pioneers, who settled the land.

     White is "an emblem of purity and uprightness over Wyoming.

     Blue is for the Wyoming skies and the distant mountains.

     The combination of the colors is taken from "the greatest flag in the World, the Stars and Stripes".

One of the early framed flags hangs on the south wall of the Johnson County Library, in Buffalo, WY.  

One of the flags, complete with gold fringe, is part of the collection at the Jim Gatchell Museum, also in Buffalo, WY.

The Carbon County Museum, in Rawlins, has one, as well.

The Natrona County Library in Casper, WY has one  of the flags hanging beside a handmade prototype, on which the bison is facing the opposite direction.

Dr. Hebard reversed  the direction the bison was facing on the original design .

Several years later Verna Keays was married at her parents home in Buffalo, WY to Arthur C. Keyes.

SUGGS, WYOMING

Established in 1891, as a camp for workers constructing the Burlington railroad, Suggs took its name from the owner of the land, J.D. Suggs.  It had two streets, a few frame buildings and many framed and regular tents.  Records state there were 17 bars and a population estimated at 1500.  On June 12, 1892 a column of the 9th U.S. Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) moved into the area from fort Robinson, Nebraska, in anticipation of a Presidential declaration of martial law in the area.

On June 18, these soldiers and the citizens confronted each other in a battle, known as the "Suggs Affray", leaving one citizen and two soldiers dead.  The groups were separated and the disturbance hushed up to prevent it from becoming a major issue.  When the railroad was completed, the few residents and the United States Post Office moved across the river and a survey was submitted for a new town, Arvada.

SPANISH TRAIL

In 1841, Father Pierre Jean de Smet, a French Jesuit discovered the ruins of an old Jesuit mission in the big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.  The ruins were near the shore of a lake (now called De Smet) at the headwaters of Piney Creek, north of present day Buffalo.  This was found using a map prepared by the Jesuits in 1767, which he had located in their archives in Paris.  It contained accurate maps and sketches.  In 1865, General Patrick E. Conner reported the same ruins, as he led his Powder river Expedition.  In 1866, ruins and an old chimney, known locally as "Slade's Chimney" for the outlaw, who bragged of burying his gold near by.  Some records say the Spanish ventured 800 miles north of Sante Fe during the early 1600s.  Spanish artifacts have been found in numerous areas around Tensleep, dating from these early periods.  Pictographs have been researched by Dr. George Frison, UW anthropology Department.

ZINDEL

 William Zindel was a successful early Buffalo businessman.  Tall, heavy set, with a luxuriant black mustache, Zindel was always immaculate and flashy in his dress.  In 1894, he built a fashionable, Victorian style building on Main Street in Buffalo.  The first floor contained a barbershop and liquor establishment.  The second floor housed the ZINDEL HOTEL.  The building boasted steam heat, electric lights, hot and cold water, and a covered back stairway, which allowed "ladies" from Mag Jess's Emporium private access to the Hotel.  The saloon and hotel were kept spotless and were open 24 hours a day, y days a week, making them a popular stopping place for travelers.

The building is currently part of THE SPORTS LURE, where you can still view the pressed tin ceiling and the fancy scrolled decor installed by Zindel.

STEAMBOAT

While serving in France, during WWI, George Ostrum (of Sheridan) created a design for use by the WYOMING NATIONAL GUARD.   Ostrum was a member of the 115th Cavalry Regiment, known as the "Bucking Bronco Regiment". 

In the 1930s, Wyoming Secretary of State, Lester Hunt chose that symbol to appear on the State's license plates.  Over the years there have been several variations, some with the cowboy wearing a hat and some with it in his hand.  Hunt secured copyright for the symbol in 1936, but turned it over to the State in 1942.

There is currently a cooperative licensing agreement between the State of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming to protect and control the use of the bucking horse and rider trademark.

Who was the model ? you ask.  One story says it is Steamboat being ridden by Jake Maring, while another credits Deadman being ridden by A.J. (Stub) Farlow.

A NEW TAX WAS BORN!

In the early 1900s cars began to be seen in Wyoming.  In 1912 permit numbers were required for automobiles.  The "license plate" was often made by a local blacksmith, fashioned of leather and very primitive, it displayed the permit number, which was issued by the Secretary of State.  In 1913, the first metal plates were made, a medallion of the State Seal was placed on the small rectangular plate and could be removed and used as a belt buckle.  By 1915 the seal was embossed on the plate.  And in 1916 the porcelain plates appeared.  They were beautiful, durable and expensive.  The year appeared on the plates for the first time in 1918.  And in 1919 the State Seal disappeared and the plate said WYO, the date and the number.  In 1930 the county numbers were included on the plates.  And in 1936 the bucking horse was added-but only to the plates for cars=the truck plates did not show it. 

DEAD TRAIL

Charles Devoe and his wife were returning to their home on a warm day in June of 1886.  The couple heard a gunshot and upon investigation found a dead cowboy, known as Pushroot Jim.  They drove on to Buffalo ( nearly a two day trip) to report the shooting to the sheriff.  The Sheriff and the Coroner rode down and covered the body with rocks and pine boughs.  There was no formal investigation.  almost ten years later, George curry and the members of the Hole-in-the-Wall gang, gathered up the remains and buried them beneath a scrub cedar tree.  The trail, which is almost ten miles west of Kaycee, runs north-then west, then turns back south near Beaver Creek Falls, providing a way for early day travelers to avoid high water crossings.  After this murder, it became known as Dead Man's Trail. 

DEADLINE IN WYOMING

In the 1880s Wyoming was all open range.  The cattlemen claimed it and when sheepmen began to move in, conflicts arose.  A meeting of the two factions was held at the Johnson County Courthouse on February 1, 1908.  the end result was to plow a narrow furrow to mark a line , which the sheep would not be allowed to cross.  A contract to that effect was drafted and signed by both groups.  Richard Young and Ike Stotts were appointed to establish the line, and it was to be known as the DEADLINE.  A man by the name of Carrolton plowed the furrow over the Powder river prairie.  for a time the agreement was respected and conflicts avoided.  Eventually they arose once again.

LOCAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT @ COUNTY LIBRARY

The local history department is indexed by name and subject.  It contains family genealogies, oral history tapes and their transcripts, videos, DVDs, cemetery records, obituaries, and newspaper clippings, as well as books and photographs.  There is a substantial collection of Basque material. Questions about the history of our area - come and find the answers.

POST OFFICES IN JOHNSON COUNTY

The first two post offices were established in 1887, one at Powder River and one at Buffalo.  Over the next few years the number would grow to 40.  In 1900 there were only 14 left in the County.  By 1960 the number had fallen to the current four.

ALABAM'S SERVICE STATION

Ned Deloney came to Buffalo in the 1940s.  In 1942 he opened "soup-or-Service on Fort Street. Deloney painted black polka dots on his building and erected advertising signs on the highways leading into Buffalo.

A native of Alabama, his unique business became known simply as                                     ALABAM'S! In the late 1990s the famous landmark gave way to the paint brush and a local landmark changed forever.

ARTISTS

CRAZY WOMAN SQUARE

THE MURALS ARE FINISHED!

And now the building at Crazy woman Square is completed , too.

The landscaping is finished, new fences and lights.

What an added attraction to the downtown area.