Buffalo Wyoming

We leave Cody Wyoming on Sunday, September 2, 2012 travel

 east to Buffalo Wyoming.

Leaving Cody WY and following our

navigators on 9/2/2012 

Highway 14-16-20 to Buffalo WY

Jim Gatchell Museum

Opened initially in 1900 as a drugstore, Mr. Gatchell

received gifts from indian tribes and other memorabilia

over the next 50 years. When he died in 1954 his family

donated his collection to which is now a dedicated museum in Buffalo.

Nate Champion, a key figure in the Johnson County War

which occurred in April 1892

It was a war between large cattle ranch owners and smaller ranchers.Champion

was a small rancher who was one of the first ranchers attacked. During

the standoff Champion was killed but during the gunfight, he wrote in a journal

the last few minutes of his life.

Nate Champion wrote in his journal

the night he died..

 

Boys, I feel pretty lonesome just now. I wish there was someone here with me so we could watch all sides at once." he wrote. The last journal entry read: "Well, they have just got through shelling the house like hell. I heard them splitting wood. I guess they are going to fire the house tonight. I think I will make a break when night comes, if alive. Shooting again. It's not night yet. The house is all fired. Goodbye, boys, if I never see you again."

 

Nate Champion is on the far left white horse.

 

Nate Champion was gunned down by four men firing simultaneously, hit by 28 bullets. The invaders later pinned a note on Champion's bullet-riddled chest that read "Cattle Thieves Beware". They also carefully removed entries from the diary which named some of the attackers.

One of the men who participated in the siege was famous He was gunned down by four men firing simultaneously, hit by 28 bullets. The invaders later pinned a note on Champion's bullet-riddled chest that read "Cattle Thieves Beware". They also carefully removed entries from the diary which named some of the attackers.

Occidental Hotel Barber Shop at

Buffalo WY

 

 

Betty and Judy in Buffalo visitiing

Margo's Pottery in the background

 

 

 

In the area near Buffalo Wyoming was

Fort McKinney. It was created 1877-1894

initially as a reaction to the defeat of

Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

The fort was occupied by Buffalo Soldiers, a Black

army unit of the 9th Cavalry. They were ordered

to quell the Johnson County War and the fort ultimately

closed in 1894 as the Indian Wars came to a close.

 

We leave Buffalo Wyoming and travel

to our next stop at Hill City South Dakota.

Our stay will be at the Rafter J Bar Ranch Resort.

It is close to many areas such as Mt Rushmore, Jewel Cave,

Crazy Horse Memorial and many more we will highlight in our

visit to the area.