Card, Edith May McLaughlin Personal History

EDITH MAY MCLAUGHLIN CARD

by Julia C. Tebbs

Edith May McLaughlin Card came to Wyoming from Illinois in June 1885 on an emigrant train of covered wagons, with her parents Charles and Julia McLaughlin. This was just prior to the construction of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad into Central Wyoming. Their first camp was near the old Silver Cliff Mine which was adjacent to the town of Lusk. They moved on until they were a short distance from the present town of Glenrock. There were no railroads and few wire fences or horses. Great herds of deer and buffalo were to be seen, as well as quantities of other wild game. During the summer of 1885 they were camped near Glenrock and suddenly were startled by the appearance of a band of 500 Indians who pitched camp nearby but did no harm.

The McLaughlins settled on a claim on Cottonwood Creek and they were often visit­ ed by at least 20 cowboys who kept them from any loneliness in their new surroundings.

There were many deeds of kindness and hospitality as memories of those early days.  It is here where Harry (nicknamed Rosy) Card met Edith and they were married April 25, 1888. They homesteaded on land near the town of Lost Springs in Converse County, later moving to Manville. There in future years the house stood almost hidden by beautiful trees and artistic flower beds everywhere.

Mrs. Card, always ready to be a good neighbor and friend, went to help many a sick child or person and many times there would not have been flowers for a funeral unless a beautiful wreath was made from Mrs. Card's lovely plants and flowers.

She worked arduously in the Methodist church, Eastern Star and was an Officer of the Grand Chapter of O.E.S. of Wyoming.

Mrs. Card had four children; Nathaniel Forrest of Denver, Colo. now deceased, Ira May Cosby of Long Beach, Calif., now de­ ceased, Julia Almira Tebbs of Casper, Wyo., and Alma Estella Tebbs of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Mrs. Card spent her last years in Cheyenne near her children.  She passed away Dec. 5, 1960 and was laid to rest be­side her husband Harry.

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