Wyoming Trivia (Renamed) (Afton: electricity, hot water, dry)

[Claim Jumper]

With territorial status, there came a need for a facility to house convicted felons. In 1869, the territorial legislature approved the construction of a prison. The federal government approved funding the following year and two years later the 42 cell facility opened with Deputy United States Marshal Nathaniel. K. Boswell as first warden. Until then convicted felons were housed at the Detroit House of Corrections. Unfortunately, the opening of the new prison did not solve the problem, since the expense of the Laramie facility was greater than shipping the inmates out of the Territory. The Prison charged as much as a $1.00 per day for each prisoner, while after 1878 Nebraska agreed to house inmates in its State Penitentiary for only forty cents. During the period 1882 to 1887 Illinois agreed to house the prisoners for free. Thus, during the period from 1882 to 1887 most inmates went off to Joliet. Indeed, a federal inspection of the Laramie facility in 1884 found only 10 inmates, some of whom were permitted to go into town on Saturday night.

[Poletop]

As noted above, Nathaniel K. Boswell, served as the first warden of the Wyoming Territorial Prison. However, I am looking for the first warden to be appointed by the state of Wyoming to the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

[CptnRn]

Big Horn County sheriff Felix Alston was appointed as the facility's first warden.

In 1911, conditions in the Wyoming State Penitentiary came front and center when the Democrats nominated as their candidate for governor progressive Republican J. M. Carey. Carey campaigned on a platform of an eight-hour day for women and children, good roads, the Australian (secret) ballot and termination of Otto Gramm's contract for the operation of the prison. Judge Carey believed that outdoor work for the inmates would be healthier than confinement to the dank conditions within the prison. With Carey's victory, Gramm's contract ended and the State took over operation of the prison with former Big Horn County sheriff Felix Alston being appointed as the facility's first warden.

Wyoming Territorial Prison: Laramie, Wyoming. The Territorial Prison is the best preserved of the prisons of the old west. Built in 1872 it was restored and renovated by the efforts of the citizens of Laramie. There were at least 12 woman housed here and more than 1,000 men, the most famous of which was Butch Cassidy. Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site (http://www.wyomingterritorialpark.com/ - broken link)

Wyoming State Penitentary: Rawlins, Wyoming. The eighty year history of Wyoming’s first state penitentiary, now known as the Wyoming Frontier Prison, is as colorful and elaborate as the plot of a classic western movie. The cornerstone of the prison was laid in 1888, but due to funding issues and Wyoming’s notorious weather, the doors wouldn’t open for thirteen years. In December of 1901, the prison opened and consisted of only 104 cells (Cell Block A), no electricity or running water, and very inadequate heating. WYOMING FRONTIER PRISON HISTORY

[Poletop]

That was who I was looking for CptRn...

Felix Alston served the Wyoming State Penitentiary warden from April 1911 to March 1919. He earned a stellar reputation in law enforcement as the sheriff of Bighorn County. He was elected to oversee range disputes between cattlemen and sheepherders and led the investigation to track down and arrest seven men responsible for the murders in the range battle known as the Spring Creek Raid.
Alston was the first Warden to be appointed by the State of Wyoming. Previous wardens were appointed by the lessee of the prison and the mission was to make money using prison labor. After Alston took office in 1911, he set about to reform penitentiary conditions. He brought books into the system, helped educate the prisoners, and added a regimen of physical fitness and recreational activities including football, track, and baseball. He was credited with transforming the prison from a harsh penitentiary to a house of corrections.
Below is a section of a book titled “Playing for Time: The Death Row Inmates”
http://books.google.com/books?id=N8IpuMFELsIC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=felix+al ston+warden&source=bl&ots=6S62fN-tPB&sig=8x0bTHdWohEn8HQM2aNbNxKDkWE&hl=en&ei=U0r5S-DTBIzaNueEmYQI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnu m=2&ved=0CBcQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q&f=false

[CptnRn]

What was the third largest city in Wyoming in 1942 to 1945? What was unusual about this place?

[CptnRn]

Hint: It is located near the fastest mountain on earth.

[Poletop]

The heart mountain Relocation Center opened on August 11, 1942 when internees began arriving by train from the Pomona, California, Santa Anita, California, and Portland, Oregon assembly centers. By January 1, 1943, the camp reached its maximum population of 10,767 internees. This made the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, at the time, the third largest community in Wyoming. The center closed on November 10, 1945, when the last of the internees were allowed to return to their West Coast homes. Today little remains to remind us of how the U.S. Constitution failed its citizens more than 60 years ago in the shadow of Heart Mountain.

[Poletop]

I believe that I have the right answer, and I will be away from the computer until tomorrow afternoon. So, here is my next question.....

November 29th is a state holiday in Wyoming. What is this day known as?

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Poletop

The heart mountain Relocation Center opened on August 11, 1942 when internees began arriving by train from the Pomona, California, Santa Anita, California, and Portland, Oregon assembly centers. By January 1, 1943, the camp reached its maximum population of 10,767 internees. This made the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, at the time, the third largest community in Wyoming. The center closed on November 10, 1945, when the last of the internees were allowed to return to their West Coast homes. Today little remains to remind us of how the U.S. Constitution failed its citizens more than 60 years ago in the shadow of Heart Mountain.

Yes, you are correct.

Heart Mountain - Wyoming Ghost Town

The Heart Mountain Japanese Relocation Center, 1942-1945 was home to more then 10,000 residents, making it Wyomings 3rd largest city at the time. There was a hospital, churches, fire station and a movie theatre. The people cold work in the local fields to earn money and were granted passes into town (Cody). At the end of WWII residents left heart mountain making it a ghost town.

Welcome to the Homepage of the Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation

Heart Mountain Relocation Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Back to Poletop's next question:

November 29th is a state holiday in Wyoming. What is this day known as?

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Poletop

I believe that I have the right answer, and I will be away from the computer until tomorrow afternoon. So, here is my next question.....

November 29th is a state holiday in Wyoming. What is this day known as?

Would it be?

Square Dance Day


When : Always November 29

Here's a chance to get out and "Dosey Do" with your partner. It's Square Dance Day!

English, Irish, and Scottish settlers brought square dancing to the U.S. As it evolved in the U.S., a caller was added to help dancers stay in step. It remains popular among southern and western rural areas, and with senior citizens.

Couples square dance in circles or square formations. It's lively and quick, and lots of fun.

Square Dancing is both fun, and great exercise. Medical sites and journals speaks to its health benefits for people of all ages.

The origin of Square Dance Day is unknown. Our research did not uncover the roots. But, don't miss the opportunity today to "Swing your partner" to the lively beat!