Today In Wyoming's History: The grave of Alvah H. Unthank

Today In Wyoming's History: The grave of Alvah H. Unthank: 

The grave of Alvah H. Unthank

Alvah H. Unthank was a 19-year-old pioneer travelling the Oregon who died of Cholera at a spot near the Dave Johnson Power Plant outside Glendrock in July, 1850.  

One of many such tragic deaths on the trails.

 

Canadian National Indigenous Veterans Day

Today is Canadian National Indigenous Veterans Day.

Painted Bricks: James Reeb Mural, Casper Wyoming

Painted Bricks: James Reeb Mural, Casper Wyoming: 

James Reeb Mural, Casper Wyoming

This is the memorial to civil rights activist James Reeb in Casper Wyoming.  I should have taken this photograph when this mural was new, as its faded considerably since first painted, and it isn't even very old.

Given that, I'm taking the unusual step of posting it in full size here as well.

James Reeb was a Presbyterian minister in Casper when first ordained.  He lost is life when murdered by segregationist in Selma, Alabama, where he was attending civil rights demonstrations, in 1965.  The mural depicts scenes from his life, as well as honoring the Civil Rights movement.

Courthouses of the West: Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming. First "Woman Jury Memorial.

Courthouses of the West: Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming. First "Woman Jur...: 

Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming. First "Woman Jury" Memorial.

Memorial, MKTH photograph.

Accurate information on this event is actually fairly difficult to find.   The trial was the First Degree Murder trial of Andrew W. Howie.  The prosecutor, Albany County Attorney Stephen Downey, had only been in that role for a few months and objected to the women being seated as jurors, but was overruled by the Court, which held that as women had been granted the franchise in Wyoming, they also had the right to sit in juries.  Downey's objection was based on social convention, rather than the law.

Contrary to the way it is sometimes recounted, the jury was not all female, but half male and half female, with six women jurors.  It returned a verdict finding Mr. Howie guilty of manslaughter, which must have been included as a lessor offense in the charges.  The trial convinced Downey who in turn became a champion of women's suffrage.

This memorial is not at the Albany County Courthouse, but at the downtown railroad park.  Judicial proceedings in Laramie were originally held in a store at that location.

(Photo and reasearch by MKTH).

Hall County Texas World War Two, Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War Memorial.

Yesterday we featured the Hall County, Texas Civil War and World War One Memorial.  Today we have their memorials for the series of wars following the Great War.

Note how many names appear for the Second World War.

Again, MKTH photograph.

Civil War and World War One Memorial, Hall County (Memphis) Texas

The Hall County, Texas memorial in Memphis Texas was dedicated in 1924 in honor of the veterans of that county who had served in the Civil War, and World War One.  MKTH Photo.

Lex Anteinternet: Wars and Rumors of War, 2022. The Russo Ukrainian War Part 5. Ukrainian Snake Island Postage Stamp.

Lex Anteinternet: Wars and Rumors of War, 2022. The Russo Ukrainian ...: 

Yesterday was also the date of first issuance of a Ukrainian postage stamp dedicated to the men on Snake Island, depicting a border guard giving a Russian ship the middle finger salute.

National Vietnam Veteran's Day

Governor and Veterans Commission to Host Veterans Welcome Home Day Events

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. –  Governor Gordon and the Wyoming Veterans Commission have announced three celebrations around the state  for “Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day” on Saturday, March 26. During the 61st Legislative Session in 2011, the day of welcoming was codified in state law for March 30 of each year. This coincides with the date U.S. combat troops would have set foot on Wyoming soil after returning home from the Vietnam War in 1973.

All Wyoming Veterans, especially those from the Korean War, Vietnam War, and other Veterans who were not properly thanked upon their return home, are invited to attend and receive the welcome and thanks of a grateful state. Military, surviving spouses of Veterans, and family members are also welcome to attend.

The first ceremony begins at 8:30 am in Green River at American Legion Post 28, 38 North Center St.

A ceremony takes place at 11:30 am in Worland at American Legion Post 44, 129 S. 7th St.

The final ceremony of the day will commence at 3 pm in Gillette at the Campbell County Senior Center located at 701 Stocktrail Ave.

The ceremonies will include remarks by Governor Mark Gordon, Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, the Adjutant General of Wyoming and Veterans Commission Chairman Jake Jacobs, local officials and Veterans. Receiving lines will be formed so Wyoming residents can join the effort to thank our Veterans.

Wyoming communities are also encouraged to host their own celebrations to honor Wyoming Veterans who may not have been thanked for their service or welcomed home.

For additional information, contact the Wyoming Veterans Commission at (307) 777-8151.

-END-

 

A Cottonwood Memorial.

Even though I've been in City Park in Casper lots of times, I managed to have never noticed this memorial to James Cobb Barlow.

James A. Barlow Jr. was a noted Wyoming geologist.  He was the son of the elder James Barlow who was a homesteader first in Colorado and then later in Wyoming, but who had relocated to the East Coast prior to marrying.  James A. Barlow came to Wyoming to study geology, and had one of the first two Ph.D's from the University of Wyoming's geology department.  While I hadn't realized it, he obviously served as Mayor of Casper, Wyoming in 1965-66.