The Old Settler’s Club of Sheridan and Johnson Counties

This small item appeared in The Sheridan Post, April 30, 1914

This monument still stands at the corner of Smith Street and North Brooks.

In October of 1902, the Old Settler’s Club held it’s first annual meeting in Sheridan. The old settlers, as the article below states, were Sheridan area residents who came to the area prior to 1882, built their homes and decided to settle here and start the town of Sheridan. Many of the names are familiar, as Sheridan streets retain the names of the Old Settlers.

The Enterprise, October 18, 1902 –The Old Settlers’ Club ‘ Enjoys Meeting. Addresses Made by J. D. Loucks, S. H. Hardin and Others. The first annual meeting held by the recently organized Old Settlers’ Club, composed of those coming to what is now Johnson and Sheridan counties in and prior to 1882, was held at the Sheridan Inn on Saturday afternoon, and as was predicted, was very largely attended, more than seventy-five being present; and proved most enjoyable to all. Here it was these early settlers recounted their past experiences, and in mind’s fancy were carried backward to the time when they boldly and fearlessly met the privations incident to their early settlement, At the banquet board was spread a feast of good things of life which were partaken of with that came hearty relish as in days long past, and which preceded the intellectual feast and the flow of sparkling humor.

As toastmaster, Mr. J. D, Loucks well filled the position, and in his address of welcome to Old Pioneer Friends— ln every life there are events which we look forward to with eagerness, and afterward remember with pleasure. This gathering together here, our first re-union, is one of them. One that will never be forgotten. To meet together, to shake hands as of old, and to look into each other’s faces as we are gathered around this table, is an event that shall go down in our lives as one of the bright spots that tend to make life worth living; and as I look into your faces, so full of earnestness, determination and friendship, I am reminded that the old settlers were never a class of small-souled, bloody-minded adventurers; short sighted, with no care beyond the needs of the present day; but the east gave of its best, readiest and strongest men and women for the work that lay before them—the home-making for themselves and future generations, That you have done this work well is evidenced by the beautiful homes, the thriving city and villages, the workshops, schools and churches.

Mandel-Loucks Cabin in Whitney Commons

You were never satisfied with anything but the best, and the presence have today of so many old settlers, is convincing that when you saw a good thing, you bad sense enough to stay with it. And then the work of home-making in nature’s wilderness is rich in many blessings.

It taught you self-reliance; it brought you face to face with the fundamentals of life. You learned to stand on both feet and to look, unabashed into the face of circumstances; you had command of yourselves and could grapple with any and all emergencies. I have heard it said “if you want to find out a person, just go camping with him a few days, and it would bring out all his traits;” and so, when you were thrown in the wilderness to make homes, it brought out all your resource, of which you had a reserve stock to draw from.

There also were hardships to endure, sickness, and sometimes death; but the old settlers were sympathetic, always ready to reach out a helping hand in the hour of distress; they had warm hearts beneath their rough exterior, and all those things only tended to knit the ties of friendship closer together and today, there is a union so strong no foe can break, no discord can mar, no hatred endanger, or jealously separate, but each one can grasp the other’s hand with a ‘God bless you, and peace be multiplied unto you,’ ‘With charity for all and malice toward none,’ we extend to you a hearty welcome, and may you live long to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

To this very feeling address Mr S. H. Harding made able response as follows: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Old Settlers’ Club: In responding to the toast assigned to me I find the subject to embrace a great deal of detail, which to attempt and do justice to, would take much more time than would be allotted to an after dinner speech; therefore I will only take up a few moments dealing with some generalities. I wish to say its one of the old timers, that this occasion is a great pleasure to me, and also that I am very proud to be among the number of bonafide settlers of this county. I hope it will be my privilege to attend many of our annual meetings.

We can, at least once a year, meet in these pleasant reunions and extract a great deal of pleasure in true sense of Auld Lang Syne,

l am proud of the grander results that the future has in store in the great up-building yet, to follow, the corner stone of which in fact was laid by the old settlers. In all this up-building, we must not overlook the important part that was assigned to our brave and gallant soldiers and scouts in making the frontier possible for settlement. All glory to them, say I,“I raise my voice in adulation of the old settlers, absent and present, and may we live long to enjoy the high order of civilization that surrounds us,” Owing to the unavoidable absence of a few members from whom responses to toasts were expected, others were substituted to fill their places. One of the toasts responded to was “The starting of the livestock industry” by L. H. Brooks, who spoke of the trials met with on every side and the difficulties that had to be overcome. He related experiences with the Indians and with the large game that over ran his claim.

Judge Hunter gave his version of “Batching”and in his dry humor proved the wit of the occasion, Carl Sackett spoke of the “Pioneer Boys’ while Mrs. Nellie Woods did full justice to the “Pioneer Girls,”

“Early Obstacles,” by Mr. T. J. Foster, was an interesting recital of adventures with noted characters and outlaws and the summary treatment received in the administration of justice. Mr. W. C. Dinwiddle was pressed into service and in a pleasing manner told “How We Got Here.”

Signage at the site of the O.P. Hanna cabin near Big Horn, one of the early Sheridan County settlers

All the toasts would prove most interesting to our readers, and our regret is we are unable to publish them all. At the conclusion of the banquet a business meeting was held at which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: U. H. Hardin, president; J. D. Loucks, vice-president; J, H. Burgess, secretary; L. H. Brooks treasurer; O. W. Skinner. K. M. Burkitt, and T. J. Foster executive committee.

Wyoming State Tribune, Cheyenne State Leader, August 14, 1927

Not sure if this was ever done, but it is interesting to think about.

The Old Settlers Club was a well-respected group in the town for many years, as we see in this campaign ad from Alice Rice for County commission.

Sheridan (Wyo.) Post-Enterprise, Sunday, November 4, 1923 – (This from a longer advertisement.) To the Voters of Sheridan ……I have lived in this vicinity since 1883 and am a member of the Old Settlers’ Club; of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and am a communicant of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. I own my own home and during seventeen years of widowhood have supported and educated my daughter. While I do not believe in women being too aggressive in the way of holding positions which rightfully belong to men, I believe that women, when freed by such circumstances as mine to earn a livelihood, have the right to aspire to the best positions obtainable provided they are equipped with sufficient experience to measure up to all requirements necessary to hold such positions. While I have not the slightest criticism to offer for any other candidate for commissioner, yet if the people of Sheridan believe my former experience fits me for taking the responsibility of this office, I shall most sincerely appreciate their support at the-election on Tuesday, November 6. Anna B. Smith.

When one sees the names Brooks, Loucks, Burkitt Street, and others, we can remember The Old Settlers Club that reminded people how the area was settled by men of vision who foresaw the future of Sheridan and the area.