Pioneering on the Cheyenne River: Part 7, Biographies, continued

BIOGRAPHIES

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALBERT E. DeGERING

I was born at North Platte, Neb., August 16, 1884, and the following spring came with my mother to Eastern Wyoming, traveling by stage leaving Cheyenne, to join my father, who was working for the Italic H cattle ranch on Laramie River at the mouth of the Chug. I came to Lusk in 1897 and stayed with the 0. P. Goodwin family that summer. For several years following I worked for different ranchers, including three years for Ed Wilson on Mule Creek, and running cattle in partnership with Tom Wilson for three years. During this time I worked with the following roundup wagons: Shorty West, MW, Upton Pool, SU, 21, Indian Creek Pool and Charley Hitshew.

I moved to my homestead on Alum Creek in 1908, and after running cattle there for four years I sold it to Henry Metzger.

In July, 1913, I married Ethel Boner, who in 1902 came to Wyoming with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Boner, from Chadron, Neb. We made our home on Coyote Creek, where we have lived ever since and built up our present ranch, running both cattle and sheep.

Milton was the first of our seven children. He received his degree in civil engineering at the University of Wyoming and served four years in the Army, two years of that time being spent overseas with the 1872nd Engineers Avia­tion Battalion in New Guinea, Philippines and Japan. He received his release with the rank of captain and at present is working for the Bureau of Reclama­tion in Billings.

Virginia graduated from Wyoming University with a BA degree in Educa­tion, taught six years, and is now living in Laramie with her small son and husband, Edward C. Bryant, who is an assistant professor at the University. During the past year the three lived in Hawaii, where Ed had been stationed with the Army.

Esther took a two-year course in education at Wyoming University, taught two years, and has since been in Denver as a Civil Service employee at Fitzsimmons.

Kenneth, at the end of his junior year in High School, passed away as the result of a ruptured appendix.

Leonard is attending Wyoming University as a Sophomore, and John is in his last year of elementary school.

A. B. GALBREATH

"Doc" Galbreath was a native of Greenfield, Iowa. He became a resident of what is now Niobrara County in 1902. Soon after the turn of the century, he located on Lance Creek, three miles west of the ULA ranch, where he was engaged in the livestock business. He continued to reside on this ranch for a number of years, then sold his holdings to Lawrence Johnson and pur­chased a farm near Crawford, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath were the parents of three sons, Frank, Fred and Lon.

Frank Galbreath was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Galbreath. He homesteaded on Lance Creek, two miles north of Greasewood Creek, where he and Mrs. Galbreath established their home. A few years after locating on Lance Creek, Frank operated the first store in this part of the county. He also was postmaster of the Warren postoffice, and devoted his attention to stockraising. Due to ill health he sold his holdings to his brother Lon, and moved to Lusk, where he died in 1910.

Fred Galbreath was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Galbreath. He homesteaded on Lance Creek, about four miles from the present site of Bright postoffice. Here he was engaged in the livestock business. He resided here for about 15 years, then sold his ranch to Lawrence Johnson and located on a farm near Crawford, Neb.

Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath were the parents of four children-Winnie (Mrs. August Buchholz), Ada (Mrs. Clyde Zimmerman), Leo and Earl.

Lon, the last of the three Galbreath brothers, purchased his brother Frank's ranch on Lance Creek. He ran the store until he disposed of the stock of merchandise, then devoted his attention to livestock. He sold his ranch to Elmer Brown and moved to Lusk. He resided there a few years, then located in Colorado, where he operates a filling station and cabin camp.

ROBERT RUMNEY

Robert Rumney was born in Yorkshire, England, on August 26, 1859. Mr. Rumney was married to Mary Greenwood, a native of Yorkshire. They were the parents of five sons-Edward, Joseph, Pierson, Robert and Walter. Mr. Rumney came to America on June 5, 1908. He obtained employment with several ranchers, and in 1910 he homesteaded one mile southwest of the 9 9 9 on Lance Creek, where he was engaged in the livestock business.

Mr. Rumney died at the home of his son Walter in Greeley, Colo., in January of 1929. Walter is a veteran of World War I, having served five years with the AEF. He used his preemption right to acquire from the gov­ernment a section of land in the Alkali area. In 1920 he was married to Celeste Watson, a teacher in the district schools. In 1926 they sold their holdings to Jess Yeager and moved to Greeley, Colo., where Mr. Rumney is engaged in the transport business. Mr. and Mrs. Rumney are the parents of two children, Donald and Helen (Mrs. Harvey Self). Donald is a veteran of World War II, having enlisted in ·the Navy at Denver Colo. in 1942. He was at various training schools on the West Coast, was a year on overseas duty. He was on the mine sweeper Black Douglas. He received his discharge in 1945. He was married after his discharge.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RAY DeGERING

I, Ray DeGering, was born at North Platte, Neb., on May 15, 1900, and was brought to Wyoming when my mother returned about two months later. My parents had been here for a long time. My father, H. L. DeGering, came to Wyoming in 1879, and my mother, Charlotte Smith, in 1883.

I came to the Lance Creek country in February of 1904, attended school in the winter and worked through the summers. I worked for a good many ranchers, breaking horses and punching cows. I worked with the T7, the 21, the 77, the MW and the Indian Creek Pool roundups. I broke horses for the Hogg Brothers for three summers-broke many thoroughbred horses for them, as they were the first to bring race horses to this part of the State. One of the first thoroughbreds they had was shipped from Kentucky-a sorrel by the name of Richgale. I think he was one of the greatest horses of all time.

I was married to Linnie Peterson, a school teacher from Omaha, Neb., on July 22, 1914. We have three children-Margaret McCullough, living at Moorcroft, Wyo.; Doris Thoelcke, in Klamath Falls, Ore., and Donal De­ Gering, at home. All three are married, Margaret having one son, Doris two and Donal no children. We have three grandchildren.

Donal DeGering enlisted in the Air Force on September 20, 1941, before war was declared. He was stationed at Lowry Field, where he attended school, becoming an AC pilot and Norden bombsight instructor. He was placed in a mobile training unit, traveling from base to base and also spending eight months in the European theatre of war. He had a staff sergeant rating, had his good conduct ribbon, three battle stars, one stripe for three years' service, one for overseas. He was in the Air Force five years and one month.

HENRICK HANSON

Henrick Hanson was born in Utah in 1876, and was educated in the schools of his native State. When he was 21 years of age, and having reached man's estate, he decided to go to Wyoming.

In the spring of 1898, he started working for the W. D. McKeon Co., one of the largest sheep outfits in the western part of the State. The sheep wintered in the Red Desert, and in the summer were trailed to the mountains of Wyoming and Idaho. Later Henrick was appointed foreman and was employed in that capacity until 1908.

In 1905 McKeon established his ranch (7L) on the Cheyenne River. Thev drove their sheep across the plains (24 bands and 24 wagons) from their winter home to the Cheyenne River, which meant many months of weary travel. En route one of the herders accidentally let one band drift into the rough gorges of Hell's Half Acre and delayed the trek four or five days while they recovered them from the depths of this freak of nature. 

In 1908, Henrick married Roxie Freel, daughter of Jess Freel, a Weston County pioneer, who came to Wyoming in 1880.

Mr. Hanson filed on a homestead on the Cheyenne River, about five miles south of the AU7, and as time went on purchased other land joining it, with the result it is one of the best hay ranches on the Upper Cheyenne River. Here the Roxson postoffice was established, Mrs. Hanson being appointed postmistress, and also the first store-the Roxson Mercantile-was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Hanson.

During Mr. Hanson's time among us he held many an important position. He was appointed State sheep inspector, which position he held for a number of years. His first entry into political activity was in 1934, when he was elected State Representative from Niobrara County and re-elected in 1936. He was chosen candidate for State Senator on the Republican ticket and won the election.

In March, 1936, Mrs. Hanson died at Hot Springs and was buried at Newcastle. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson were the parents of three children-Floyd, Olive and Glenn. Floyd is a Naturopath specialist, ably performing the duties of his chosen profession for a large circle of patients in and around Lusk. Olive married Leslie ZumBrunnen and they are the parents of two children, Katherine and Melvin; their ranch is six miles from the Hat Creek. store; Glen married Phyllis Austin, daughter of Roscoe Austin, State Senator from Weston County. They are the parents of two children. Neil and Carolyn.Glenn lives on the home ranch, where he is prosperously engaged as a raiser of Registered white-face cattle.

In 1941, Mr. Hanson purchased a ranch near Great Falls, Montana, and moved there soon after, where he still resides.

THOMAS J. WILSON

Thomas J. Wilson was born in Gentry County, Missouri, on June 22, 1878, the son of Thomas J. and Eleanor Meyers Wilson. He came with his parents to Dawes County, Neb., in April of 1884, with what was known as the Sweat Colony.

In 1900 he came to Mule Creek, now in Niobrara County, and filed on a homestead. He was married to Grace Glenn, on February 3, 1901. She, too, was one of Northwest Nebraska's pioneers. Grace Glenn Wilson was born in Johnstown, N. Y., on November 7, 1882, the daughter of George A. and Dorothy Ripton Glenn.

The Wilsons lived on their homestead until 1909, when they sold and moved to Nebraska. They returned to Niobrara County, after living in Nebraska three years, and filed an additional homestead on Alkali Creek, and as time went on increased their holdings and now have one of the best­ stocked ranches in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Morris are the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Eleanor Morris Whitael, and Mrs. Lucille Morris Redfern. Mr. and Mrs. Redfern have one daughter, Janet Rae Redfern, who was six years old on April 30, 1947. She is attending school at the same location her great-grandfather, Tom Wilson, attended more than 60 years ago. The old log schoolhouse has been torn down and a beautiful school building erected on the same grounds. Mr. and Mrs. Morris moved from Niobrara County to Chadron, Neb., when their daughters were ready for high school. They both finished high school and college at the Nebraska State Teachers' College at Chadron.

LEONARD SEDGWICK

Leonard Sedgwick, a native of Kettlewell, England, came to the United States with his parents in 1887, and came to Cheyenne, Wyo. When Len was 19 years old he went to the Klondike and took up a mining claim. He stayed until he was 21. He walked both in and out and was among the 42 who were the latest to ever walk out in the fall. They were told they would never make it, but they only lost one, and that mainly because he would not obey orders.

He later settled on the Red Desert, north of Rock Springs, Wyo., and ran sheep for a few years. Then he moved to southwest of Sterling, Colo., on the South Platte River, until he and his brother Andy bought out the 0. E. Shay ranch on the Cheyenne River, in what is now Niobrara County. He came here in 1908, later taking up a homestead joining his ranch on the east. This homestead was purchased by Charles Nightingale, who owned it until 1946, when he sold it to T. A. Jackson.

Len was married to Myrtle Finch of Greeley, Colo., and they have one son, Clarence, who is married and working in Civil Service in San Diego, Calif.

Mr. Sedgwick died many years ago from the effects of his trip to Klondike, where he made his fortune and lost his health.

ANTHONY W. SEDGWICK

Anthony W. (Andy) Sedgwick was born on May 7, 1882, at Kettlewell; England, and came to the United States with his parents in the fall of 1887. on the ship "City of Chicago" of the White Star line. They came directly to Cheyenne, Wyo., and went to the home of his uncle, Anthony Wilkinson, whose ranch was 12 miles northeast of Cheyenne. Later they moved to Colorado.

On the last day of the year 1908, he and his family moved to the 0. E. Shay ranch on the Cheyenne River, in what is now Niobrara County. Chris Christensen, who was then working in a livery barn in Edgemont, hauled them out to the ranch. This ranch was then the home of the Dale postoffice, which was later discontinued.

Andy was married to Pauline Lena Thompson, daughter of the old freighter, Henry Thompson. To this union were born four children-Leonard and Ida being born in Colorado, and Pauline and Francis born at the Cheyenne River ranch. The trusty country nurse, Mary F. Baltzley, was in attendance at both births.

Leonard, who lives at the ranch near his father, was married to Helen Petty, and they have three children-Clara, Francis and Leonard. Ida was married to Everett Smith and she and her four children-Dorothy, Marjorie, Joan· and Raymond-reside in Lusk. Dorothy is married to Roy Leeling, Marjorie to Edmund Hollon and Joan to Robert Wade. Pauline was married to James Marchant. They have one son, Anthony, and live on the land holdings of her brother, Leonard, on Alkali Creek in Weston County. Francis has a ranch on Mush .Creek in Weston County. He is married to Violet Donaldson and they have one daughter, Rhonda.

Mr. Sedgwick lost his faithful wife in 1920 from blood poisoning. He kept his young children with him at the ranch and was both mother and father to them from then on. He still resides at the ranch, where he and his son are engaged in the sheep and cattle business.

WILLIAM N. GLASBY

William N. Glasby was born on April 29, 1865, at Nebraska City, Neb., where he grew to manhood. In 1885 he came to the tent town of Hay Springs and filed on a homestead on the Niobrara River. His homestead joined that of Jules Sandoz.

He soon became tired of the Far West and relinquished his homestead and went to Shenandoah, Iowa. On May 7, 1889, he was married to Clara Mae Cooksey of Shenandoah, eldest daughter of Henry H. and Mary Jane Cooksey. Mr. and Mrs. Glasby came to Edgemont, So. Dak., in 1898, and later moved to their homestead on Alkali Creek, just north of the Cheyenne River in Wyoming. They were the parents of eight children. Everett, the eldest son, enlisted in World War I and saw service in France, in the Rainbow Division, for 22 months. He was gassed and never regained his health, and passed away June 5, 1944.

Neva Jane Glasby was born May 29, 1894. 5he was married to Charles A. Simmons, veteran of World War I. They are the parents of two children­ Norma, a graduate of Colorado State College, and now a stenographer in Denver, and Charles A., Jr., who is in Edgemont, So. Oak., with his mother, his father having passed away on March 25, 1944.

Norman C. Glasby was born November 18, 1896. When the call for men came for World War I, he enlisted in the Navy and stayed in for 12 years He was a first-class engineer when he came home and decided not to return to the' Navy. He still lives in Niobrara County.

William N. Glasby, Jr., was born July 11, 1902. He has always lived in this country, and for several years has been employed by the Highway Department. At the present time he is stationed at Sundance, Wyo. He is married and has two small children.

Gladys M., Alberta E., and Albert E., all grew up on their father's ranch in the Cheyenne River community, and all have property in Niobrara County. 

Gladys now lives at Sheridan, Wyo., and Alberta on Alkali Creek with Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wilson. Albert has a ranch on Lance Creek and is married to Florence Bedell.

John C. Glasby was born on February 23, 1918, and attended the grade school in his district. He spent four years at Chadron, Neb., attending Chadron State College. He came home and was with his parents when he was inducted into the Army in World War II. He left Lusk, Wyo., February 24, 1942, and served in Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. After training in the States he was sent to England and to Normandy on D-Day and gave his life for his country on July 15, 1944. .

Mr. Glasby passed away March 24, 1943, at Edgemont, So. Dak., and Mrs. Glasby on May 11, 1944.

FRANCIS M. BONER AND SONS

(By Ethel M. Boner DeGering)

Francis M. Boner was born in California, May 8, 1857. His father made three trips by covered wagon from the Middle East to California between the years 1849 and 1857. His family returned the same year of bis birth to Missouri, where he grew to manhood. At the age of 21 he was married to Susan Emily Cogdill of Stansberry, his home town. Later with his wife and two small sons, Jess and Frank, they went to Chadron, Neb., where at that time there was no railroad and not many people. Some of the oldest trees on the streets there now were planted by Mr. Boner. They settled ten miles southeast of Chadron on Bordeaux Creek, where for many years he raised horses and sheep. He had brought sheep with him from Missouri.

The country was soon settled up and for miles around, and as Mr. Boner was handy with the saw and hammer, there were not many new homes which he did not help to build. Here many hardships were endured during the dry summers and hard winters.

I can remember my mother telling of one morning in January when the day dawned bright and beautiful, but a dark cloud soon appeared in the north, traveling fast. The country was soon in the grip of the terrible storm of 1886. There were also Indians to fear. The Indian scare of 1891 was one well remembered. The schoolhouse was fortified so people could gather there for safety, but the Indians were stopped before they got that far.

In the year 1902 there were now ten children in the Boner family, so the parents decided to move on into Wyoming, where there was land that the boys could file on, so in the spring of 1902, with two covered wagons and other equipment, the family started for Wyoming, trailing a bunch of sheep, some horses and cows. Just before crossing the Nebraska line another girl was born, Norma Ann, so there were now seven boys and four girls-Jess, Frank, Harry, Walter, Myrtle, Ethel, Nellie, Roy, Harvey, Jasper and Nora.

Thirty-five miles northeast of Lusk, Dad filed on the land where the Harry Boner home now is located. The boys, as they became of age, filed on land near the home. Harvey served in World War I, being overseas part of the time.

There were also hardships to contend with in Wyoming, being in a new location and a large family to care for. The mother and wife having come from a pioneer family, was one of the bravest and courageous of pioneer women. The parents did their own doctoring of the family until the children were grown.

Mother passed away in May of 1922 and Dad in October, 1945. The oldest brother, Jess, passed away in July, 1945.

Jess Boner, the eldest son, was born in Stansbury, Mo., on September 25, 1882. In 1903 he homesteaded at the head of Black Tail Creek, where he operated a stock ranch. He was married to Izetta Renswold, who was engaged as a school teacher near Hat Creek. They are the parents of three children-Edgar Jess, James Duane and Robert Francis. Jess died July 21, 1945, at Lusk, Wyo. Mrs. Boner and sons are continuing to operate the ranch. 

Harry K. Boner was born at Chadron, Neb., in 1886. He came to Wyoming in 1898, coming to the vicinity of his present home in 1902, where he homesteaded on Black Tail. He is now engaged in the sheep and cattle business. He was married in 1912 to Flora Virginia Pilster.

SAMUEL SEAMAN

Samuel Seaman was born in New York City and came to Wyoming at an early age. He took a job of punching cows at the Node ranch and worked there a number of years. In the early '90's he married Sarah McKenzie, who was born in Canada, and who made her home with her Grandfather Rogers, a pioneer of what is now Niobrara County, whose home was near Hat Creek, Wyo. .

The Seamans first settled at what is now known as the Seaman Buttes. Later on Mr. Seaman filed on a homestead on Old Woman Creek, about three miles south of the old FL ranch. Here he was engaged in the cattle business for many years. He later sold his ranch and purchased another place on Antelope Creek, south of Lusk, where they held extensive ranching interests and made their permanent home. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman were the parents of three children-Charles, Clem (deceased) and Jasper. Charles married Elizabeth Whitman and Jasper married Hazel Whitman. They are the parents of three children-Shirley, Olita and Julia. Charles and Jasper operate the home ranch.

0. J. HITCHCOCK

0. J. Hitchcock was born at Lincoln, Neb., in 1872, where he grew to manhood. On March 26, 1894, Mr. Hitchcock was married to Elizabeth Laaker at Lincoln, Neb. To this union one son, Arthur, was born. In 1905 the Hitchcocks came to Wyoming, locating on a homestead on Greasewood Creek. Later on they moved to Lance Creek, where they engaged in the ranching business for nearly 40 years, with the result that the ranch was improved until it is one of the best hay ranches on Lance Creek.

Mrs. Hitchcock passed away on December 23, 1939. Mr. Hitchcock lived on the ranch for several years, then moved to Lusk, where he purchased a comfortable home. Several years after his retirement he sold his ranch to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Glasby.

Arthur Hitchcock was married to Eva Beem, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.A. H. Beem. Their ranch is three miles northwest of Lusk. They are the parents of four daughters-Ruth (Mrs. Elmer Fleming), who resides in Lusk; Rose (Mrs. Ben Wolfe) whose address is Lusk. Fern (Mrs. Joe Wolfe) of Lance Creek; Ruby, who is employed at the Spencer Hospital.

SOLON E. CLARK

Solon E. Clark, son of Dr. Moses and Melissa Clark, was born in Iowa on April 23, 1866. He came to Wyoming when 19 years of age and hired out to a freight outfit. He worked for them for a few years and thern moved to the lively little frontier town of Lusk, where he conducted a blacksmith shop. Solon married Florence Thayer of Manville, Wyo. They were the parents of two children-Autumn (Anderson) of California and Glenn of Lusk, Wyo.

Near the beginning of the present century, Mr. Clark filed on a homestead on Old Woman Creek, and was engaged as a stockraiser and farmer. He received two pounds of certified alfalfa seed from U. S. Senator John B. Kendrick, and this was the first alfalfa raised in this section. The next year he was presented with more seed. In five years he had 15 acres of alfalfa, all from seed given to him by Senator Kendrick.

Mr. Clark was married again on May 12, 1930, to Mabel F. Staples of Gosper County, Neb. He lived on his original homestead until the time of his death in 1941.

CHRIST RUFFING

Christ Ruffing was born in Washington County, Wisconsin, on November 2, 1872. He came to Sioux County, Nebraska, in 1894 and worked for his brother Lewis on his ranch for a couple of years. Then he went to Edgemont. So. Dak., where he was engaged in the carpentry trade.

In 1897 he was a railway construction worker, being employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, working from Chadron, Neb., to Casper, Wyo. After the turn of the century he filed on a homestead on Old Woman Creek and engaged in stockraising and farming.

Mr. Ruffing was married in 1899 to Gertrude Marking of Sioux County. Nebraska, and shortly afterward they came to Wyoming, locating on their homestead. About 1910 they moved to Edgemont, So. Oak., so the children could attend school there. He then went into the real estate business with Jeff Hewitt, at which business they were very successful. From then until 1915 he commuted the 30 miles between the ranch and the town home, returning to the ranch that year permanently.

Mr. Ruffing has always taken an active part in community affairs, having served as county commissioner from 1930 to 1932, and for many years served on the local school board.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruffing were the parents of nine children-Monica (Mrs. C. A. Erny), who married an engineer of Alliance, Neb., to which union three children were born; Beatrice (Mrs. Harry Avenell), who operate a ranch on Moss Agate Creek; Luella (Mrs. Robert Himes), of California, who are the parents of one child; Henry was married to Sophia Grout, and they have two children, their ranch being on Old Woman Creek; Edward of Hyattville, Wyo., who married Irene Burkholder, they being the parents of three children; Jennings, who operates the Independent Refinery of Lusk, married to Bess Anstice, they being the parents of four children; Robert, a veteran of World War IT, who enlisted in the Navy and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, marrying after his discharge and now living in Hyattville, Wyo.; Albert, married Gertrude Wilson and they live on a ranch in Niobrara County and are the parents of two children; Thelma (Mrs. Nuxoll) is a trained nurse . and is practicing her profession at the Lusk Hospital.

FRANK ZERBST

Frank Zerbst was a native of Sioux County, Nebraska. When he came to what is now Niobrara County he worked for various ranch outfits until he established a ranch of his own in 1903. Frank was an active participant in the "Sheriff's battle with Indians on Lightning Creek." He proved in this battle that he could stand gunfire, as he stood in the open and never once took refuge, and when the smoke cleared away he was still a target for any Indian who wished to exchange opinions with him. One participant said he hardly understood Frank, whether he was brave or too badly frightened to take refuge. However, when they checked up there were several dead and wounded nearby, including Sheriff Miller of Weston County.

Mr. and Mrs. Zerbst sold their holdings on Lodge Pole Creek and they, with their three children, moved to Washington State, where he is prosper­ously engaged as a farmer and stockman. Kit Grieves is the present owner of this ranch. 

CHRIS CHRISTENSEN

Chris Christensen, a native of Heming, Denmark, was born on September 27, 1889. He came to the United States in the summer of 1907 with his uncle, Mike Christensen of Chadron, Neb., who was in Denmark for a visit. He stayed with them for some time, working around Chadron. His sister, Dagmar, age 5 years, came with them and lived with her aunt and uncle. In 1908 Chris came to Edgemont, So. Dak., where he worked at the livery stable for a short time. During this time he made many trips out to the different ranches, either bringing a doctor out or taking someone to town. These were cold, slow trips over snow-packed roads that were hard to find, and to ranches that were few and far between. In 1910 he filed on 160 acres on Alkali Creek, on both sides of the creek so as to hold the water. During that time the man who owned the water controlled the free range. He worked for and with Mr. McKean, owner of the 7L ranch, before he went to the Army and after he returned, for about 12 years. During the spring of 1912, in April, after a hard winter, the sheep were all worked, ready for lambing, when a blizzard came along. It was so bad that a rope had to be tied to the wagon so that a man going after wood or water could find his way back. During that blizzard about 8,000 sheep perished. Some were dug out of the snow and were still alive.

Chris had his life savings invested in cattle which were run with the company of which Mr. McKean was president. On November 2, 1917, he entered World War I, serving in the 316th Ammunition train with the 91st Division in France as stable sergeant. He received his training at Camp Lewis, Washington, and went overseas by way of New York on the Olympic in July, returning on the Celtic in January. He was discharged at Camp Funston, Kansas, on February 24, 1919. He was disabled in France and spent several months in the hospital, being discharged with 40 per cent disability. That fall he went to the Pine Ridge reservation, where he acted as foreman for the Newcastle Land & Livestock Co. In 1921 the company was dissolved, due to losses and poor prices, and Mr. McKean moved to Lost Cabin. He then leased and operated the 7L ranch for six years. On June 2, 1924, he married Ann Trapp of Alpen, Mich., who taught Central School in 1923-24. She was born in Bolton, Mich., on November 13, 1900. She is a graduate of Alpena High School, receiving her normal training at Michigan State College. While on an educational sightseeing tour through the Rockies she accepted a contract for Central School. In 1927 the 7L ranch was offered for sale and they moved to a smaller ranch on Seven Mile, where they are still residing. They are engaged in the sheep and cattle business. They have three children-Fred, Jean and Russell. Fred was born on August 3, 1926, at Newcastle, Wyo., receiving the first ten years of his schooling on the Cheyenne River. He graduated with the class of '44 from Newcastle High, where he lettered in basketball and football in the "N" Club; he was on the Annual staff and in the Junior and Senior play; was a 4-H member for three years. acting as president, secretary and vice president; won first prize in team demonstrations in 1940, 1941 and 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in July of 1944 and was called to active service in January, 1945, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He took his basic training at Amarillo, Texas. All the boys (there were 18) attended school at Biloxi, Miss., Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Seattle, Wash., and at Chanute Field, Ill.; his first furlough was on November 19, 1946. He left home for Greensboro, North Carolina, on December 4, proceeded to New Orleans, La., and sailed for Puerto Rico on the "Cuba." Here he was promoted to corporal and flew with the plane that was assigned to him as flight engineer in the Antilles Air Command for twenty months, landing at Miami, Fla., by plane. He was discharged at Fort Sheridan, Ill., on August 8, 1946. He is now a student at the University of Wyoming in his second year of Forestry. He is an active member of the Beta Theta Alpha social and educational fraternity. ,

Jean was born on August 15, 1928. She finished the first ten years of her schooling on the Cheyenne River, riding a Shetland pony three miles the first year, at the age of five. The school had a new location every year. She graduated with the class of '44 at Newcastle, Wyo. She was co-editor of the Annual, played in the band both years, Sousaphone, Glee Club, sextette, Junior play, president of Spanish Club, Home Ec Club, and won a scholarship to Colorado Women's College. She was in 4-H work for three years, winning many prizes in foods and demonstrations; 4-H foods leader in '47; graduated from Colorado Woman's College in '46; was vice president of W.A.M., president of Foote Hall in '45-'46, vice president of Bit and Spur in '45-'46, and a member of Alchemists, Browsers, Chess Club, S.C.A., Pan-American, Delta Tau Kappa, Ski Club, Alpha Mu Gamma, international honorary language fraternity, Zeta Sigma Pi, Social Science. She is now a Senior at the University of Wyoming, where she is majoring in art. She is an active member of Epsilon Psi, honorary art fraternity, an active member of Pi Beta Phi, and assistant pledge supervisor, secretary of A.S.U.W. for '47-'48, representative of W.A.A., member of the Ski Club, and Riflery team, winning two letters. She was voted "Miss Niobrara" at the County Fair, placing third at the State Fair; art editor of the Wyoming for '48.

Russell was born August 4, 1930. He attended the Cheyenne River schools for nine years, making two grades one year. He graduated with the class of '47 from Newcastle. He joined the Newcastle Chapter of the Order of De­ Molay in March of '47, and held the office of chaplain. He lettered in football in '46, belonged to the "N" Club, second string in basketball, boxing, Annual staff, in the Senior play, boys' chorus and quartet, and was voted most popular boy in the Senior class. He was an active 4-H member of the Handy Helpers Club for seven years, holding all the different offices during that time and winning a 4-H scholarship of $200 in '47, first prize in the Deming tree contest in '47, the county medal for Forestry and Home Beautification, also the State prize, consisting of a 17-jewel watch, and the National Club Congress trip to Chicago. He is now a Freshman at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Agriculture, where he plans to major in animal production. He is a member of Beta Theta Alpha social fraternity.

Mrs. Pat Marchant started all three children in the first grade, Mrs. Sylvia Marchant gave them art and music lessons, and Mrs. Pauline Marchant organized the first 4-H Club in this community in the spring of 1940.

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