Historical Details

Rasmusen, Louise McAnulty (Mrs. O.M.)

Courtesy of Our Heritage: Niobrarans and Neighbors, 02/08/2021

LOUISE MCANULTY RASMUSEN (MRS. 0. M.)

She was born at Scotia, Nebr. in 1890, the daughter of George and Lillie Moore McAnulty, who were pioneers of 1873 in the North Loup Valley of Central Nebraska.        

She finished high school at Scotia, then attended G. I. Baptist College and Wesleyan University at Lincoln, studying piano and voice.

She married Otto M. Rasmusen in 1910. They lived at Scotia until 1913, then came to Wyoming where they purchased land from Richards and Comstock, then owners of the 77 Ranch and that company also had extensive interests in ranching in Nebraska.  They made Manville their home until moving to Torrington.

She was active in the Methodist Church, where music was a great interest, and was Past Regent of the Daughters of the Ameri­can Revolution, Past President of Legion Auxiliary, Past Matron and Charter Member of Mariposa Chapter Order of the Eastern Star at Manville. Was a member of the Eastern Star at Scotia, Nebr. in 1910 and various community clubs.

She is a member of the Descendants of the Mayflower in Wyoming.

She gave many old family possessions to old Fort Laramie in memory of her father who was stationed there in the l870's, an Indian fighter in Generals Crook's command.

She is much interested in the Historical Society of both Fort Laramie and Lusk.

The following lines were penned some years ago by Mrs. Rasmusen, a tribute to the old Store in Manville, The Manville Supply.

THE MANVILLE SUPPLY 

With fond recollections of "The Man­ ville Supply", that store and Postoffice in Manville, where folks came for miles a­ round, over prairie trails, for ranch supplies, the old hometown paper, and eager­ly looked for letters from "back East". It is no more, but sometimes when we pause there where it stood, a symbol of friendly helpfulness in a new country, that old hitch-rail seems to line up just south of the old store.

Black's team was there, Spaugh's "Cheyenne Cart", 

And Willson's white-topped buggy, Card's men were in for ranch supplies From their place on the Muddy.

The riders all came into town With cold their faces tingled,

But all was smiles and glad hello, Their spurs with music jingled.

As on that old board-walk they stepped And hailed their friends in pleasant greeting,

The trail's deep snow and cold was forgotten When friend joined friend in happy meeting.

The wind on snow made faces glow,  As time went on those faces peeled When Spring had come in May or June,

Most all that sunburn would be healed.

All gathered at the store for mail, With fair exchange of views-

"How good the cattle looked right now, And were they losing any ewes?"

And running thru the talk always Was heard a wistful tone begin-­ The snow was going off at last? And were there any signs of Spring?

Oh, yes, on Little Lightening creek out north

Robin Red Breast had been seen, And down on Middle Creek at last The grass was getting plenty green.

The Spring was fair in this range country. The air was sweet with rare perfume

Of flowers growing o'ver hill and valley, The familiar sagebrush all in bloom

Tho' many years have fled away,

Old friends are filed in mem'ry's book. When we turn those pages o'ver

And greet faces seen in that old store.

And those gone on to that far country, Where all immortal hopes begin,

May find their valley's bright with flowers And peaceful rest in soul's eternal spring. --L. M. Rasmusen


Images & Attachments

There are no attachments for this record.

Related/Linked Records

Record Type Name
Obituary Rasmusen, Otto (09/19/1887 - 10/01/1978) View Record
Obituary Rasmusen, Louise (03/12/1890 - 03/16/1973) View Record