This month we feature people who led very different lives.

A senator for the territories

Preston Plumb of Ohio, Kansas and, briefly, Wyoming was forthright, honest, tireless and fair. He founded an abolitionist newspaper. He smuggled rifles into Bleeding Kansas. As an army officer he served on the Kansas border and the Wyoming frontier. And as a U.S. senator, with great skill and persistence, he championed the interests of the West. Read more in Johanna Wickman’s article, “Preston B. Plumb: Senator of the West.”

An eager coal promoter

Sam Gebo, a brilliant capitalist and con man, developed coal mines in Montana, Alberta and Wyoming in the early 1900s. His methods, however, were fraudulent; he and seven of his partners were charged with crimes. But a new system of leasing federal coal grew out of the controversy—a system still in place today. Read more in Lea Cavalli Schoenewald’s article, “Sam Gebo and the Leasing of Federal Coal.”

Latest from the Blog

Wyoming’s Bony Back Pocket
From territorial times through early statehood, the area was hard to get to and attracted ne’er do wells like the Wild Bunch.

The Lester Hunt Lesson
This 70th anniversary of Senator Lester Callaway Hunt’s death is an historic opportunity for us to remember the lessons of his life and death and a nation divided.

From Juneteenth to the 4th of July—A Time to Get Inspired and Be Involved!
Civic Season encourages everyone to better understand our past and inspires us to shape our future. Each generation has strived to bring our founding ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity to life. Now, it is our turn!

Upcoming Events around Wyoming

For July calendar events, visit the Wyoming Historical Society’s website. If you know of upcoming history-related events in Wyoming, send a note to editor@wyohistory.org.

View the Calendar