Fort Laramie Park History, 1834-1977

Early in 1934 rancher-paleontologist Harold J. Cook of Agate, Nebraska, son of the noted scout, James H. Cook, was placed in charge of a Civil Works Administration project headquartered at Gering, Nebraska, the post-office town for the Scotts Bluff Monument, to make a survey of historic and archeologic sites in the North Platte Valley. In his report on Fort Laramie Cook emphasized its historic importance and the deplorable condition of its remains. [59] The report went to Washington, D.C. where it was swallowed up in a paper mountain, but at this time the Park Service took steps in another direction which galvanized the Fort Laramie brigade. Partly pursuant to Cook's report of the richness of Oregon Trail sites and remains up and down the North Platte Valley, and partly to satisfy the Nebraska clamor for work projects, the Washington D.C. office of the Park Service announced the simultaneous launching of two related projects: an Oregon Trail Museum at Scotts Bluff National Monument, and the study of an "Oregon Trail National Parkway" to encompass a beaded string of historic sites all the way from Ash Hollow to Register Cliff, a distance of about 175 miles. The latter project was a "dream-boat" proposition which had first surfaced in 1925, and would surface every so often for the next 50 years. [60] In 1934, certainly, it never got off the ground. In contrast, the first wing of the Oregon Trail Museum did materialize in 1935. But in 1934 the official announcement bracketed these objectives, leading to some excited reaction in Wyoming. While finding the NPS ideas "laudable" ringleader Flannery proclaimed:

There is one part of the program with which the News believes the people of Wyoming should take prompt and emphatic exception and that is concerning the location of the proposed Oregon Trail Museum. . . The construction of [it] at the foot of Scottsbluff monument, instead of Old Fort Laramie, strikes us as a matter of letting the tail wag the dog. . . It is one part of the proposed national park development that strikes us as entirely misplaced. . . There are perhaps a thousand reasons for the building of such a museum at Old Fort Laramie. . . to one reason that can be suggested for such a museum at Scottsbluff.

Flannery urged that the citizens make their displeasure known. Subsequently resolutions objecting to the Oregon Trail Museum in Nebraska were passed by local groups and the American Legion. The Torrington Rotary Club thought "the plan to establish a museum at the foot of Scottsbluff is not well advised or logical from a historical standpoint." Responding to the furor, Senator O'Mahoney visited NPS Director Arno B. Cammerer to urge reconsideration. Mr. Cammerer's reply was polite: "You may be sure that this matter is receiving our best consideration. I have always been interested personally in Fort Laramie and hope that something may be developed along the lines you are interested in." Of course the hard truth was that Scotts Bluff National Monument was in existence and, despite the low rating given it by Flannery, it was a bona fide famous Oregon Trail landmark, whereas Fort Laramie, though of undisputed importance, was still in private hands. Mr. Cammerer didn't say so but a museum at Scotts Bluff would in no way inhibit proper development of the Fort as, if and when it could be acquired. [61]

Early in 1935 the idea of a strung-out Oregon Trail Park up and down the North Platte Valley was revived by the National Park Service on the strength of a New Deal scheme to develop recreational and historic parklands on "sub-marginal lands," meaning either unoccupied public lands or unproductive private lands that could be acquired at sub-marginal prices. Verne Chatelain, Chief, History Division, NPS, advised H. J. Dollinger of the Scottsbluff Chamber of Commerce that the implementation of this scheme required the appointment of a Commission "to work for acquisition by the NPS of historic sites along the old trails." In Nebraska such a commission chaired by Mr. Dollinger was promptly appointed by Governor Cochran under the imposing title, "Nebraska Old Oregon and Mormon Trails National Park Area Commission." With little hesitation Wyoming's Governor Miller reacted by the appointment of an "Old Fort Laramie National Park Area Commission," which was empowered to coordinate matters with the Nebraska group, but to set as their own Number One goal "the proposition of restoring Old Fort Laramie as a National Monument." In addition to the three members of the Landmark Commission, plus the ever faithful Houser and Flannery, the new Commission included such notables as Charles O. Stafford, Manager of the State Department of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Hebard, Dr. G. O. Hanna of Lingle, and Dan Greenburg. On February 10 the group met at Torrington sworn to do something about "the outstanding place in history between the Missouri River and the West Coast," even though "not much is left but a pile of ruins." At later joint meetings with the Nebraskans at Torrington and Guernsey the conferees agreed that a budget of $150,000 might get the ball rolling toward establishment of an "Oregon-Mormon-California Trails National Park Area." Other than that they were at a loss "to ascertain the proper course for us to pursue."

At this point Flannery thought it best to ask Senator O'Mahoney to confer with Cammerer and Interior Secretary Harold Ickes to provide guidelines for their next move. Although Cammerer advised that "we will be glad to cooperate in every possible way in helping to make this worthwhile project a success," neither guidelines nor money was forthcoming. The only tangible result of this nebulous plan was a variety of bills submitted to Congress to set the goal of some kind of an Oregon Trail Park involving mainly Nebraska and Wyoming. However, one such bill framed by Wyoming's Representative Paul Greever, this time labelled "Western Trails National Park," went beyond the two states to include all eleven states involved in the California Trail as well as the Oregon and Mormon Trails, presumably in an effort to develop broad support that would somehow get Fort Laramie sanctified. Governor Miller wrote to the governors of all these states seeking their support. Whatever it took to save Fort Laramie, even if it was incidental to the creation of a rambling legal monstrosity, was worth a try. [62]

This particular bubble burst when Congressman Greever disclosed that "due to its purchase price it was hard to interest Park Service officials in Fort Laramie." After all the bother it seems that Fort Laramie was too expensive to be eligible for the sub-marginal land purchase program. With that disclosure, as far as Wyoming was concerned, the idea of an Oregon Trail or Western Trails Park was so much window dressing and it could go down the drain. The scheme faded in Nebraska too, when none of the pretentious bills reached the floor of Congress, but of course Nebraska did get individual attention with the extensive development of Scotts Bluff National Monument, complete with museum, a paved road to its summit, and other goodies, including a full-fledged Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. Flannery was therefor understandably bitter, even though unfair, in his assertion that "this happens when we join Nebraska in a project. We are being jobbed. Any national park in the North Platte Valley that does not include Fort Laramie is letting the tail wag the dog." Using a somewhat different metaphor Robert Ellison (who, though now an Oklahoman, followed Fort Laramie's fortunes with great interest) confided to Joe Weppner that now instead of federal ownership he would rather see the State of Wyoming seek and keep ownership of Fort Laramie even if it took 10 years to accomplish, and "even if nothing remains excepting its site, than it become the tail to the Scotts Bluff National Monument kite." Ellison seemed obsessed with the idea that any effort to link Fort Laramie with the Nebraska monument would be demeaning, if not fatal. [63]

While these gentlemen apparently needed a scapegoat for their frustrations, there is no way that Nebraska's own aspirations to beef up recognition of the Oregon Trail, or the Park Service program at Scotts Bluff, could have been harmful to Fort Laramie. Actually, there was destined to be a close working relationship between personnel of that national monument and Fort Laramie over the next 10 years. This was primarily the result of a keen interest in the Fort Laramie project by Merrill J. Mattes, the first full-time Custodian and Historian of Scotts Bluff. [64] When he arrived on that scene in October, 1935 the history wing of the Oregon Trail Museum had been completed, the Scotts Bluff Summit Road was under construction, a CCC camp was in full operation, and the situation was ripe for a full-scale program of interpretation and public use there, after 16 years of neglect as a national monument in name only. Despite his intensive involvement in Scotts Bluff affairs, Mattes found time to visit and research numerous other Oregon Trail sites and landmarks in the Valley, including repeated visits to Fort Laramie, and correspondence and visits with Flannery, Houser, and other Fort protagonists. With nation-wide implementation of the Historic Sites Act of 1935, Mattes was frequently called upon by the new Regional Office in Omaha to provide data on Western Nebraska sites. Anticipating eventual recognition of Fort Laramie he initiated an extensive research file on the subject, and with the aid of citizen historian Paul Henderson of Bridgeport he assembled a set of historical maps and plans of Fort Laramie as well as other military posts. [65]

In one of their exchanges Flannery complained:

For some 15 years I have been interested in seeing the preservation of Fort Laramie accomplished, realizing it is the outstanding place of historical significance in this part of the West. During this same period I have seen this development delayed and deferred for other developments of incomparable less historical significance. I consider it a blot on our historical record. . .

In reply Mattes commended Flannery for working to preserve Fort Laramie for posterity, but explained that "it has not been by design but by accident that Scotts Bluff has received attention, whereas Fort Laramie has continued to waste away." The "accident" was the fact that there had been no problem in creating Scotts Bluff National Monument in 1919 out of public domain, at no cost to anyone, whereas Fort Laramie had long been privately owned and occupied. Mattes conceded that, "although I am stationed at Scotts Bluff I will admit it is of less historical significance than Old Fort Laramie." In effect, the Fort Laramie proponents had gained an articulate ally within the ranks of the Park Service, living close by. From this point on he preached Fort Laramie to his superiors in the History Divisions of both Omaha and Washington, D.C. offices, and volunteered to work up a comprehensive report on the Fort for their consideration. [66]

Before tracing the chain of events that led directly to "the final solution" of the Fort Laramie dilemma it is necessary to report on one last effort to secure the property by a Federal relief program.

Flannery, who was now residing in Cheyenne as chairman of the Democratic party of Wyoming, expressed his disgust over the collapse of the Oregon Trail National Park idea by presenting Governor Miller with a "small wooden casket filled with earth from Fort Laramie," in which was imbedded an Indian arrowhead. It is not known if Governor Miller was amused by this gesture of mourning, but it is known that the irrepressible Flannery thereafter contacted the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Cheyenne and the Resettlement Administration, Land Utilization Division in Douglas to see if something couldn't still be crazy-quilted together to save the Fort which, despite all the brave schemes, was figuratively burning while the state and federal bureaucracy fiddled. Advised by Will G. Metz, Federal Emergency Relief Administrator, that Fort Laramie would be eligible for a WPA relief program if a sponsor could be found, Flannery got together with R. L. Spurlock, project manager of the Resettlement Administration in Douglas. The result was a marvellous document, dated October, 1935, proposing "the preservation and restoration of Old Fort Laramie" by the novel means of converting it into a settlement community for farm families in need of relief. The Government would buy up 4,600 acres of distressed land, including 300 under irrigation, dividing it into subsistence homestead tracts. About 20 families could be so relocated. They would live in the historic buildings, being under obligation to serve as caretakers of the property. There would be truck gardens, hay meadows, a game and bird refuge, and a recreational center. Labor for development purposes would be supplied by the WPA or CCC, and the workers could find quarters in the Cavalry Barracks. [67]

It makes one blink to imagine how all this would have worked out, and just what the fate of the buildings would have been under the dubious circumstances indicated. Flannery, who was willing to save Fort Laramie by whatever drastic means, sought to quiet the fears of O'Mahoney and Miller by assuring them that somehow the creation of this live-in Utopia "would result in the restoration and preservation of a historic spot which has been criminally neglected." Again, this thrust was blunted by National Park Service misgivings about the cost of the land. As to the availability of WPA, Associate Director Arthur A. Demaray advised Congressman Greever:

As you know this Service is greatly interested in Fort Laramie. However, from a field report just received from our Omaha office, it would appear that no WPA project has been approved as yet. . . If you see an opportunity for acquisition of the land by the State, and the inauguration through the local WPA of such a program, this Service will be glad to cooperate. . . [68]

However, it seems unlikely that the Service was very enthusiastic about preservation of the priceless remains tied at cross-purposes to a Resettlement project. In any event this would not have resulted in a park under NPS management.

When Flannery was tipped off by Mattes about the new Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) he contacted Congressman Greever about that also, but was informed that this merely provided for unemployed architects to make measured drawings of historic buildings for the National Archives. There were no funds there to restore old buildings. [69] Flannery could not be accused of failing to leave any stone unturned in his one-man campaign. As fate would have it, however, late 1936 saw the end of catch-as-catch-can efforts to save the Fort by intermediary agencies, and a rather sudden convergence of direct NPS and State interests which led to the shining goal which had so long eluded Houser, Flannery and the Landmark Commission.

The National Park System is not a closed circle. When the Park Service was created by the Organic Act of 1916 it consisted of about 40 parks and monuments, all in the West. The number of areas has since grown to around 300 throughout the United States in several different categories — parks, monuments, national historic sites, battlefields, memorials, seashores, recreational areas, etc. The Park System expands as areas deemed worthy of inclusion for their scenic, scientific or historic values are identified and their cause is pushed by interested citizens or groups with the aid of politicians who get Congress to pass a bill establishing such an area. The Director of the Service and the Secretary of Interior are routinely asked to comment on the merits of these bills, usually from the standpoint of "national significance." Seldom, if ever, has an area been identified and promoted by the National Park Service on its own initiative. The dynamic force has always been a "grass roots" or democratic process.

The only exception to the process of Congressional review and decision is the establishment of national monuments by Presidential Proclamation. The "national monument" category was authorized by the Antiquities Act of 1906, inspired by public indignation over the wholesale despoliation of prehistoric sites in the Southwest. It was concerned only with the preservation of designated "objects of historic and scientific interest" already in Federal ownership, as recommended to the President by the Secretary of the Interior. In Wyoming an excellent example of such a monument carved out of the public domain is Devil's Tower, which has the distinction of being the nation's first national monument, proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Scotts Bluff was created in 1919 by order of President Woodrow Wilson. However, there was nothing to prevent the creation of a national monument by Proclamation in the case of private lands which might be acquired by the Government through donation by others. An example of this was Jackson Hole National Monument, created in 1944 as a prelude to its later incorporation into Grand Teton National Park. [70]

In the case of Fort Laramie the national monument route, or Presidential Proclamation after donation, was the only feasible one in the 1930s since it was then unthinkable that a Congress battling the Depression had money to spare to buy expensive lands for historical park purposes, especially in the thinly populated West. This was the formula clarified by Horace Albright to Robert Ellison in 1925, and understood all along by the HLCW. It was also understood by proponents like L. G. Flannery except that "Pat" was never bashful about trying any other formula as long as the national monument idea failed to jell.

It was not until 1936, when the NPS finally dropped its passive role as adviser to a series of relief agencies and for the first time actively sought Fort Laramie as a prime historical property for its own sake, that things finally began to fall into place. The time when this role reversal took place can be pin-pointed. It was on September 5, 1936 when Assistant Director Hillory A. Tolson visited Fort Laramie, was impressed by what he saw, and returned to Washington, D.C. to initiate the positive actions that, so to speak, precipitated the solution.

Mr. Tolson's visit to Fort Laramie was unpremeditated. Strangely enough, despite earlier assurances of official interest in Fort Laramie by Directors Albright and Cammerer, Associate Director Demaray, and park division chiefs Chatelain and Bryant, no NPS official from Washington, D.C. or from the new Regional Office in Omaha had ever been formally invited by the HLCW to come on out and look the place over, and none had been dispatched to do so on the Director's or Regional Director's own initiative, with the express object of an inspection looking toward the establishment of a park. [71] Even Mr. Tolson's visit was initially for the sole purpose of inspecting Scotts Bluff National Monument and its work program, which he did on the morning of September 5 with Acting Custodian Randels and Historian Mattes. His intention was to drive on directly to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks, but he was prevailed upon first to visit Fort Laramie by the Scotts Bluff Historian who on his own initiative, without any official prompting from Omaha or Washington, D.C. had become a Fort Laramie researcher and preservation exponent, and was painfully aware that early action was necessary to save it. Mattes accompanied Tolson and his wife to the Fort, followed by Thomas L. Green of Scottsbluff with Randels as his passenger. Mr. Green, a retired banker, was an avid Oregon Trail historian who had shared his lore and enthusiasm with young Mattes. Meeting at the Fort the party made a thorough inspection of the premises, with Green and Mattes detailing the long epic history of the Fort, and emphasizing its crucial importance as well as the precarious condition of its remains. Tolson was primarily an administrator, not a historian, but he sparkled with enthusiasm and indicated that he would recommend immediate action. He then drove on westward and the others returned to Nebraska, elated by Tolson's reaction. [72] In 1948 Mr. Green remembered the sequence of events in this way:

He stated that about 1937 he accompanied Mr. Tolson from Scottsbluff to the old fort. He stated that after showing Mr. Tolson the area. . . Mr. Tolson said he would say officially that if the area was acquired the National Park Service would take it over. Mr. Green states further that he immediately hurried to Guernsey where Editor Houser, a power in state politics and interested in Fort Laramie, was available. Within ten days. . . under Mr. Houser's sponsorship a bill was before the Wyoming legislature for appropriation of funds to purchase the fort area for presentation to the Federal Government. [73]

Mr. Green's recollections 12 years after the fact were faulty in some details. Scotts Bluff records clearly fix the 1936 date. The visit with George Houser must have occurred some time after September 5, and legislative action did not happen quite that readily. But Green's recollections substantiate the crucial nature of Tolson's visit and its aftermath. It is clear that from this point on stock in a genuine "Fort Laramie National Monument" began to soar.

As to the sequel, every step cannot be documented since most of the key communications were verbal. That Tolson soon telephoned Demaray and convinced him that the time for action had arrived is evident in an Associated Press news item appearing in Cheyenne just one week after Tolson's impromptu inspection:

U. S. MONUMENT PROPOSED AT OLD FORT LARAMIE SITE

The National Park Service announced Thursday it would establish a national monument at old Fort Laramie in Wyoming if the site were donated to the national government.

Describing the 100-year old frontier outpost as the "most historically important fort in the West, from the standpoint of pioneer explorations," A. E. Demaray, Associate Director of the Service, said Thursday in Washington, D.C., the government was "extremely interested" in preserving it. [74]

Having sent up this trial balloon Demaray then issued instructions to the Regional Director in Omaha to enter into direct negotiations with State officials, right at the top. This is revealed in a letter of October 12, 1936 from Governor Leslie A. Miller to Warren Richardson of the Landmark Commission:

I received a call a day or two ago from a representative of the National Park Service with headquarters in Omaha who has a great deal to do with CCC camps in National Park jurisdiction. . . He talked to me about Fort Laramie and tells me that the National Park Service is very anxious to do something about developing the site if ownership thereof could be acquired. They would expect the state to acquire this ownership and then they would find the money to make the necessary improvements.

I told the gentleman, Mr. Donald Alexander by name, that I was unaware as to the present feelings of the gentleman in Omaha who owns the larger part of the land. . . but that I would contact your Commission and see what, if anything, they knew or could do about it. Mr. Alexander said he had been told that this man's current financial situation was such that he probably would consider reducing his previous asking price. . . I will of course welcome any suggestions you may make. . . [75]

The National Park Service had always indicated a willingness to seriously consider taking over Fort Laramie, and the State of Wyoming had been trying to get that very job done for ten years. The big difference now was a matter of attitude by key officials. For the first time the NPS showed not only a willingness but eagerness to assume responsibility for the Fort. This fact, representing a dynamic opportunity, registered itself firmly in the mind of Governor Miller, who then proceeded with vigor to settle the Fort Laramie issue once and for all. It was Governor Miller and R. J. Rymill of Fort Laramie town who now teamed up, by-passing the Landmark Commission, to take the necessary action to solve the problem which had hitherto defied solution — purchase of the requisite lands from private owners. [76]

While expressing pleasure that the Park Service was showing a positive interest, Chairman Brooks of the Commission was cautious: "it might be better to defer any action until after the [Presidential] election as people are very prone to raise the cry of politics on any movement started at this time." Treasurer Richardson was quoted as being "willing and able to buy from private owners, but we will not pay an exhorbitant price." Secretary Weppner was bothered by the fact that the $15,000 previous appropriation had been returned to the Treasury, which would impair their negotiating position. [77] But Governor Miller wanted no part of further delays or misgivings, and within a few days he drove to the Fort personally to discuss the problem with key local residents who would have to be relied upon to resolve the land acquisition issue. Evidently encouraged, he later wrote to Pat Flannery that, "in connection with our efforts to revive the Fort Laramie project, "give me the names of two or three people now residing at Fort Laramie who would be willing to approach the owners, to learn the price they are willing to take." Pat suggested R. J. Rymill, Marshall Sandercock, W. S. Chapman, Lloyd Glade and M. S. Fleenor, all of Fort Laramie; O. J. Colyer and D. T. Shoemaker of Torrington; and George Houser of Guernsey. On November 19 the Governor invited Rymill to accept the chairmanship of the new committee and assured him that, "If we can secure the cooperation of all concerned, something can yet be done toward the restoration of Fort Laramie." On December 10 Rymill wrote acceptance, called a meeting of his committee, and initiated contact with the owners then of record: Mollie Sandercock of Fort Laramie, Jessica Ault represented by her attorney R. C. Cather of Casper, and Thomas Waters and M. S. Hartman of Omaha. [78]

Documentation is lacking, but there can be no doubt that Rymill had some guidelines from the Governor that gave him more flexibility and clout than his predecessors. The 1934 guidelines were for purchase of 55 acres for something less than $12,000. In 1936 the negotiators were authorized to double that figure, but the larger figure was to be justified, not by any increase in land values over 1934, but by bringing in larger tracts of land which would make the potential park closer to 200 acres. A map which shows the original 1931 plan for 50 acres and a revised boundary encompassing about 200 acres, found in the Rymill papers donated to the park, is evidently a "worksheet" for the new proposal. [79] The data for the expanded boundary may have been supplied by National Park officials from Omaha who would be knowledgeable about what constituted a manageable historic park unit, something well beyond the immediate confines of the historic structures grouping. It is a matter of record that Omaha officials did go to Cheyenne to meet with the Governor and a Legislative Committee. The date is not given but we must conclude that it would have been sometime after the Governor's receipt of the Alexander telephone call of October 10 and his invitation to Rymill on November 19. Alexander was the leader of the Omaha delegation. [80]

The Governor entrusted his mission to the right man. R. J. Rymill would have made a great lightning rod salesman. Although he had to haggle in time-honored fashion with the three owners, the details are immaterial. On January 14, 1937 he was able to report to the Governor that he had sewed up options as follows:

On January 23 all members of the HLCW convened in the Governor's office to learn of Rymill's report. The Governor then stated that,

. . . he was waiting to hear from the Department of the Interior at Washington, and assured the members of the Commission that if they purchased Fort Laramie and then deeded it to the Government, the Government would do its part in rehabilitating the Old Fort.

Mr. Richardson suggested to the Governor that if he were going to ask for an appropriation of the Legislature to take care of the purchase of Fort Laramie, that it would be advisable to ask for $27,500, which would mean $3,000. over and above the option price to take care of Fort Laramie until such time when the Government took it over, as the fencing of the property would have to be taken care of immediately; also, the placing of a caretaker would have to be attended to. The Governor was in accord with the suggestion. [82]

The sequel to this meeting was entirely predictable, given the Governor's popularity with the electorate and his influence with the Democratic State legislature, whose members now vied with each other for the honor of being identified as having saved Fort Laramie from perdition. House Bill No. 136 was introduced February 1, 1937 by delegates from Goshen, Campbell, Converse, Crook, Niobrara, Platte, Washakie, and Big Horn Counties, and referred to the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Joseph F. Replogle of Fremont County. On February 6 the bill was reported formally to the Speaker. On February 16 it passed the Committee of the Whole. On final vote the House cast 55 Ayes and one Noe. The Senate improved on this with a unanimous 24 Ayes. The bill that was finally approved on February 20, 1937 reads in part:

The Historical Landmark Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to purchase the site of Old Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming at a price not to exceed the sum of $27,000.

For the purpose of enabling the Historic Landmark Commission to carry out the provisions of this act and to care for the site of Old Fort Laramie after it has been acquired until same shall be placed under the control of the Federal Government or otherwise provided for, there is hereby appropriated from any money the State Treasurer not otherwise appropriates, the sum of $27,000.

This Act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. . . [83]

Anxious to nail everything down, in March Governor Miller went to Washington, D.C. to confer with Director Cammerer to obtain a personal guarantee that "the government will establish a national monument. . . as soon as the state deeds the land to the government." Though there is no evidence of a co-signed agreement, evidently the Director had received assurances from Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior, that the signature of President F. D. Roosevelt on a Proclamation would be routine, although no such Proclamation could be drawn up until the anticipated deeds had been examined and title cleared. There was one other technicality that was settled while the Governor was at the Capital. That was the clearance by the Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings and Monuments that Fort Laramie was indeed "of national significance." The Governor was probably invited to the March 25 meeting of the Advisory Board when Fort Laramie was reviewed and the required clearance given. Evidently the Board had been fully briefed on the significance of Fort Laramie and the issue was never in question. [85] Satisfied on all counts, Miller returned to Cheyenne and turned the concluding formalities over to the Landmark Commission.

At the March 31 meeting of the Commission in Cheyenne, in the office of the Attorney-General, a resolution was read describing all of the subject properties, acreages, and purchase prices based on secured options, and agreeing to purchase same, subject to customary legal technicalities. This was adopted unanimously, "and the Secretary and Chairman directed to present the necessary vouchers to the State Auditor for acceptance." The total sum projected in the resolution was $25,594.75. At its July 31 meeting in Cheyenne the Commission learned from Mr. Richardson that the Attorney-General had examined and accepted all deeds. A resolution was passed empowering the Chairman and Secretary to convey title "to the National Park Service, representing the United States Government, the site of Old Fort Laramie, Goshen County, Wyoming," totalling 214.41 acres. [86]

Meanwhile Rymill suggested and the Commission agreed that the time was ripe for another gigantic celebration at Fort Laramie. The historic occasion made national news, but it seems appropriate that it be reported here by the faithful Fort Laramie Scout:

Old Fort Laramie was re-dedicated to public use at ceremonies Monday July 5, with many present who had spent a part of their lives on the now hallowed ground when it was in its heyday generations ago.

Thousands of men, women and children from Wyoming and adjacent states, and hundreds from other states, made up the crowd of more than 10,000 who came to see and to participate.

A bright sun above, fleecy clouds floating in the sky, hardly a zephyr moving leaves of the giant cottonwoods under which the dedicatory exercises took place, formed a fitting background for the ceremonies.

The United States flag again was raised over the fort by a military detachment from Fort Warren after abandonment by the government in 1890.

George Houser was on hand, 21 years after initiating the crusade to save the Fort. Ironically "Pat" Flannery was not present to share the fruits of victory, being stationed now in Washington, D.C. but he sent a telegram as did Senator O'Mahoney, Representative Paul R. Greever, and Arno B. Cammerer, National Park Service Director. The Park Service sent no high official, either from Omaha or Washington, D.C., but was represented, informally at least, by Merrill J. Mattes, Scotts Bluff Historian, who went over to photograph the proceedings and to visit with the old-timers drawn to the event, for this would be the last sizeable gathering of this dwindling band who knew Fort Laramie before 1890. The most distinguished member of this select group was the 94-year old patriarch William H. Jackson, who had bull-whacked his way through here in 1866. Some others are identified in a news story in the Scottsbluff Star-Herald:

A pony express rider, Ed Kelley of Guernsey, delivered a pouch of congratulatory messages from notables, among which was one from Mary Jerard, granddaughter of Mary Homesley, who in 1852 was buried [near the fort]. . . Mary Blakeman, daughter of Dick Parr who was chief army scout of the period, sang a solo.

A number of old pioneers were introduced. . . Among them was Charles Nylen of Douglas, a bull-whacker of 1873 and twice a member of Gen. Crook's expeditions. . . William Powell of Douglas was another teamster. . . of 1876.

J. C. Argesheimer. . . of Cheyenne, was the youngest soldier at the fort at one time. . . His father was commander of the post band. Fred Sullivan of Lusk, was a deputy of the county, and Capt. J. H. Cook, and Russell Thorpe were present, the latter's father being the owner of the Cheyenne-Deadwood stagecoach line.

Among speakers were Tom Wilson of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, John C. Thompson of the Wyoming State Tribune, Addison E. Sheldon of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and Dan Greenburg. Governor Leslie A. Miller was, fittingly, the principal speaker:

The governor referred to the historical significance of Fort Laramie and expressed gratification that it had been acquired by the State after years of effort and was to be transferred to the federal government. . . He forecast that doubtless it would be restored to semblance of its condition during its occupancy as a. . . military post. [87]

July 5, 1937 was a day of patriotic fervor, with a nostalgic look backward at the glorious past, and high expectations for the resurrection of historic Fort Laramie as a unique symbol of that past. It would be another year before all the technicalities could be ironed out and the Old Fort would actually become Federal property. But the long crusade was over, and a bright new era of active professional preservation and restoration was dawning.