Jackson Hole Wyoming
January 24, 2023
Native Americans lived there for thousands of years. Mountain men, trappers and fur traders followed by “Bachelor settlers” prospectors, immigrants, runaways, and refuges from the law. The last of the old west, these people endured hardship but used the natural resources to make a living.
Rattlesnake Bites
January 17, 2023
Native Americans rounded up rattlesnakes, put them in a pen, then prodded them to strike a piece of liver to inject the venom. They pushed their arrow and lance tips into the liver to get the poison. There were many ideas how to treat snake bites, some worked, some didn’t. Today, getting to a hospital is the most important.
Native American Origins
January 10, 2023
The Native Americans all knew where they came from as these stories passed down from generations. There is a strong spiritual bond with the “Creator”, “The Master of Life”, the “Great Spirit” or “Wakan Tanka”. Most tribes believed their land was the center of the world and was a sacred place.
Lean John’s Ride
January 3, 2023
The fifty soldiers at Fort Hill in Los Angeles were surrounded by five hundred native Californians. Lean John was chosen to ride for help. A horse was shot out from under him, he still rode over 500 miles, in five days on ten horses. The fastest ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Gate 67
December 27, 2022
A Christmas Message.
Christmas Memories
December 20, 2022
Pioneer Christmas was a special occasion, trees were decorated with popcorn, pinecones and ribbons. All gifts were handmade, Christmas eve was spent going to church, Christmas day was a day of good food and spending time with family and friends.
Christmas in the Yukon
December 13, 2022
In 1894 Emilie Tremblay was living with her husband in a one room sod-roof cabin in the Yukon. As the only woman, she decided to make Christmas dinner for the local miners. Stuffed rabbit, roast caribou, beans, potatoes, sourdough bread and butter, with cake and plum pudding for dessert1. She remembers it as the best time she ever had.
Deadman's Bar
December 6, 2022
Three German prospectors claimed to have a good gold find on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They conned John Tonnar into funding the venture and being a partner. There were arguments, the three miners were found dead. Tonnar was suspected, arrested, but found innocent.
Island Park Gold Caches
November 29, 2022
Hidden in Targhee National Forest is stolen treasure, buried by the outlaws who usually came to a bad end. Jim Locket and his gang were all caught and paid the price after burying their loot. A young man buried his stolen treasure, but died at the end of a rope. Some has been found, but more lies undisturbed.
King Hill
November 22, 2022
Nellie Burgess drew on forty acres along the Snake River and called it the Rainbow Ranch. She planted a garden and trees, hauling water by bucket from the river. Along with the other homesteaders, they built a church and improved on their homes and ranches. It grew into the small Idaho community of King Hill.