Oregon Trail in Wyoming (Jackson, Lander: mineral rights, leasing, purchase)

[WyoMama]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

I didn't know there had been a high suicide rate among the women. I can understand how the life would drive them insane - guess I thought them would kill their SO for getting them into that mess!! HA HA HA

I would be dead meat if I had to cut & chop my own firewood!

LOL!!!! Is easy when you picture certain ppl's heads on the top of the logs you are splitting!!!!!!!

[Little pony]

My great grandma was on the trail. On the way her baby sister was stolen by the indians in a raid on the wagon train. Her last name was Swan. Has anyone ever seen it printed in the rock?

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Little pony

My great grandma was on the trail. On the way her baby sister was stolen by the indians in a raid on the wagon train. Her last name was Swan. Has anyone ever seen it printed in the rock?

Which rock are you referring to exactly? I do not recognize the name and I have spent quite a bit of time at most signature sites. There is a book called In Tar and Paint and Stone by Levida Hileman - she has spent many a year researching the names on Independence Rock - where the people were from, where they went, etc. It is extremely informative and a good read. Amazon Books has it online...I recommend it highly.

[Little pony]

thanks highland. I will look up the book. I am not sure of her exact route that she took. This is a part of our history we are trying to trace. This book should help.

[HighlandLady]

A 'bump' of sorts for this thread...
This isn't an advertisement, but more information on the different Historic Trails and Sites in Wyoming and what is being/can be done for preservation. I am thrilled to see something such as this.
Alliance for Historic Wyoming - Home

[Clay Lady]

HighlandLady you are a great resource!

I have been collecting a lot of info about the Historic Trails in WY that I plan to use in a school program. I feel that it is a lack of knowledge of history that leads people to disrespect their environment and each other.

[Froggie Legs]

I know that playing the computerized game "Oregon Trail" helped me gain interest in it as a child, and later I passed that game (updated versions are quite detailed) onto my own daughter. When we lived in Lander we'd often make the journey to South Pass city and to the nearby trails. If I can get them scanned in I'll post some of the pictures here. I agree that not enough history has been taught.

[Clay Lady]

I didn't know there was an "Oregon Trail" game. I'll have to look for a copy. I believe you learn best when you are relaxed and having fun.

[Froggie Legs]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

I didn't know there was an "Oregon Trail" game. I'll have to look for a copy. I believe you learn best when you are relaxed and having fun.

yes... the newest version has the best graphics/details...especially when it comes to shopping for supplies or hunting on the trail. It's full of a variety of historical sites to learn a little more about as well.

Froggie

[HighlandLady]

I just received an email from Alliance for Historical Wyoming and here is a 'snippet'...might be a good endeavour for the preservation of the Oregon Trail and its many cutoffs...along with many other historic Trails that run through the state:

The Congress is returning next week for a lame duck session and there is some important legislation on tap in the Senate, S. 3213, the Omnibus Public Lands Bill. This bill will do a number of things that are close to Wyomingites' hearts, including permanent protection of the Wyoming Range as initially advocated in the Senate by the late Sen. Craig Thomas and then picked up on by Sen. John Barrasso.


Equally important for AHW, this bill includes legislation that historic trails advocates have been working on for the better part of a decade. This section of the bill would authorize the study of additional routes and cutoffs to be added to the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express National Historic Trails Act to determine if any of these alternate routes/cutoffs qualify for National Historic Trails protection. This is especially important in Wyoming where we have a number of these routes, including the Overland and Cherokee Trails.


If you would like more information on this bill, you can go to http://Thomas.loc.gov and in the box marked "search bill text," simply put in S. 3213 and then click on "bill number" and search. This will bring up a summary, short title and table of contents for the bill. Clicking on any of the listed titles will give you the language related to that section of the bill.


If this bill makes it through the Senate, we will then need to quickly turn our attention to the House of Representatives and encourage them to also pass the Omnibus Public Lands Bill. If we cannot get this through both the Senate and House during the lame duck session, the bill will die and we will need to start from scratch once again.


Since time is short, we are asking you to do several things. First and foremost, contact your Senators and ask them to please support this bill. It is best to call their DC offices or send them a fax.
Sen. Mike Enzi: ph: 202-224-3424; fax: 202-228-0359; toll-free: 888-250-1879
Sen. John Barrasso: ph: 202-224-6441; fax: 202-224-1724; toll-free: 866-235-9553


It would also be great if you could drop a quick letter to the editor (Casper Star-Tribune: letters@casperstartribune.net) expressing your support. And, as usual, please forward this email to any of your friends who would support this bill but may not be on our mailing list.


Thank you for your quick attention to this urgent matter.