GRAND TETON A Tale of Dough Gods, Bear Grease, Cantaloupe, and Sucker Oil: Marymere/Pinetree/Mae-Lou/AMK Ranch

On July 15, 1977, the University of Wyoming-National Park Service Research Center was privileged to relocate to the facilities of the Berol AMK Ranch which the National Park Service had recently acquired in Grand Teton National Park. In the course of preparing a historical account of the Jackson Hole Research Station, predecessor of the Research Center, my wife and I became acquainted with W. C. 'Slim' Lawrence through his significant contributions to that publication. Consequently, it was a natural extension to begin accumulating historical information on the Research Center's new home. We quickly realized that the historical character of the AMK property was very complex and yet, it was a very important element in the history of the northern portion of Jackson Hole. Also, by coincidence our publication celebrates the centennial anniversaries of John D. Sargent's first visit to Jackson Hole and the establishment of the University of Wyoming.

One of the most unusual aspects of the ranch's evolution was the long term association of Slim Lawrence and his wife with that property and its owners. In addition, Slim was well-known across Wyoming from his early ranching activities, organization affiliations and most importantly, his deep interest in and personal efforts to preserve various segments of Jackson Hole's and Wyoming's history.

Following numerous discussions between the three of us, it was decided that we should jointly undertake writing a historical narrative on the Sargent-Johnson-Berol property. Also, such a project was to include biographical information on both Verba and Slim Lawrence. Verba's faithful diary entries for nearly 37 years were of immense value with respect to their lives on this property. Besides Slim's verbal contribution to this work, his unfailing enthusiasm and his providing access to his files and photographic collections were major elements in the success of this research.

Throughout our working with Slim's personal collection materials, they were entirely housed in his home on the AMK. This proved to be an important facet of the research since Slim's presence contributed greatly toward quicker clarification and verification, as well as greater accuracy.

With Slim's subsequent departure from his home, we understand that his personal collection materials have been relocated. Some or all of those items we utilized may be in the Jackson Hole Museum; but currently, we have not verified their location. Consequently, our references to those items simply credit the "W.C. Lawrence Coll., Moran, WY (Jackson Hole Museum)."

Copies of all of the references cited will be stored in the American Heritage Center, Archives Division, University of Wyoming, along with other pertinent material and photographs not used in this account. An attempt was made to thoroughly document all information with reference citations, thus sometimes sacrificing readability and flow of the narrative.

From the earliest homestead efforts to the present, the people associated with the property have been the subjects of numerous articles and books. Unfortunately, some of the written material has been inaccurate and quoted repeatedly as fact. This is understandable because of the personalities of the people involved with the property and their complex lives, and in early times, the lack of adequate communications. Also, there was a lack of documentary institutional data to verify conflicting accounts. In those cases, it became a matter of choosing the information perceived by the authors as being the most accurate.

Many individuals over a broad section of the country provided kind, patient and very helpful assistance. We are most grateful to all of them. In addition, the following individuals merit special recognition for their particularly valuable assistance and generous contributions: Barbara Titus and Robert Barton, grandchildren of John D. Sargent; Hartley Crane, Machias, Maine; Charles Leonard, Betty Clayton and Bruce Crawford, Miller School; Gayle Pryor, widow of William Johnson's nephew; Kenneth Berol, Naples, Florida; Marion Allen, Shingletown, California; Ben Sheffield Jr., Quartzsite, Arizona; Bruce and Cheryl Adams, Jackson, Wyoming; Marilyn Jonak, Shelley, Idaho; and Elise Untermyer, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

We are particularly grateful to Professor Emeritus T. A. Larson and Publications Editor Debra Beck for their critical and helpful reviews of the manuscript; to Norman E. Roberts and the staff of the University's Publications and Graphic Arts Services for their valuable assistance; and to Karen Noland, Research Center Secretary, for her patience, prompt and accurate reproduction of the various drafts of our manuscript and her valuable assistance with the multitude of other tasks associated with completion of the publication.

Kenneth L. Diem
Director
University of Wyoming National Park Service
Research Center

September 3, 1986