# Women of the West/Wyoming

Women of Wyoming
By Cora M. Beach (Author and Historian)
The territory of Wyoming was the pioneer commonwealth in the enfranchising of women and the right to hold office incident thereto. This privilege was conferred upon Wyoming women by the first territorial legislature, December 10, 1869. Esther Morris, a Wyoming woman, was directly responsible for the introduction of the bill granting women equal political rights with male citizens. She is known as the Mother of Woman Suffrage. The first general election in which women voted after the passing of this law, was in the fall of 1870. Thus, when Wyoming was admitted to the union in 1890, the constitution of the state embodied the same provision.
In April, 1870, Wyoming women served on both grand and petit juries at Laramie, and later, as petit jurors in other localities of the territory. There was intense excitement and interest when this first jury convened in Laramie and the material facts were telegraphed all over the world by the Associated Press. Later, the general opinion of the Bench and Bar and a majority of the citizens was that the law passed three days prior to that of "female suffrage," which provided that "male citizens" should compose the jury, could not be interpreted to require jury service of women, or that the right to hold office carried with it the right to sit in trial juries. The law has never been amended and the question never directly decided by the Wyoming Supreme Court, Wyoming women having apparently been satisfied for more than fifty years to let the tedious duty of jury service devolve upon their men.
From the passage of the equal suffrage law in 1869, women have been active in the public service of their various communities and in the affairs of the state. They assumed the responsibility of the ballot as a matter of course, along with the duties of their homes, and although the number having sought public office is comparatively small, yet those who have been elected or appointed to office, have almost without exception, fulfilled the duties required of them in a competent, dignified and womanly manner.
To Esther Morris, also, belongs the distinction of being Wyoming's first woman in public office. She was appointed ​Justice of the Peace at South Pass City, February 14, 1870. This was the first time in the history of the world that any woman had held judicial office. During her administration, she tried seventy cases, none of which were ever taken to a higher court. A lawyer practicing in her court said, "Although her decisions were by no means popular, they were regarded as just."
Likewise, the first woman in the world to serve as bailiff of a court was Mary Symons-Boies-Atkinson, of Laramie, who served in this capacity during the entire sessions of the grand and petit juries at Laramie in 1870.
Wyoming also claims the honor of having the first woman voter in a general election—Mrs. Eliza A. Swain, "a gentle, white-haired housewife, Quakerish in appearance", who was a great favorite in the town of Laramie. She was en route to a neighbor's for yeast and stopped in early at the polls. Those in charge thought that because of her interest, her age and her early arrival that it would be a great honor to bestow on her, should they allow her to be the first voter. The opinion being unanimous, the polls were opened earlier than the hour set and she cast the first ballot. Those interested afterwards made investigation while there were still living many persons who had participated in the elections throughout the territory and the evidence secured confirmed the statements of the Laramie election officials.
The record of Wyoming women in public office is a splendid one—in many instances they have been the first to serve in their individual offices in the United States, and in this connection, we mention Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman Governor of Wyoming as well as of the United States.
Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain west has been termed "the last frontier", so the women of Wyoming can well be termed "pioneers", as many of the generation that settled the country and helped to make it safe from the depredations of the Indians and outlaws, still live there, and the memory of many more is fresh in the minds of the people of Wyoming, who have ever given to their women full credit for their part in making it one of the most progressive of our states, "Out Where the West Begins.'"
Politician or Diplomatist? By Grace Raymond Hebard (University of Wyoming)
The peaceful operation and the universal recognition of the XIX Amendment of our Constitution no longer commands the attention of the public. The hectic days of platform oratory are of the past. Universal suffrage has successfully met the challenge and women have adjusted themselves to the right of franchise more universally and intelligently than the most sanguine of supporters of woman suffrage had dared to hope.
Yet in face of these facts, it might be of interest to hear of the initial event, be it of a politican or diplomatist, that gave to the women of the Territory of Wyoming the right to vote, for it was in that territory at its first legislature in 1869 that unlimited franchise came to the women of Wyoming.
During the early days of the operation of the Union Pacific Railway into the West there came to Wyoming, from Peru, Illinois, a mother with husband and three sons. Wyoming was then largely an unknown and untried western frontier. The frontier woman's destination, South Pass City, was to be reached only by stage after leaving the railroad. To this gold mining camp situated in the thin fringe of civilization in the early days of the year 1869, came Esther Hobart Morris, bringing with her a breath of freedom, democracy and equality, her inspiration largely based on the eloquent and forceful appeals made by Susan B. Anthony for "equal sufrage." These convincing appeals had been heard and absorbed by Mrs. Morris after hearing Mrs. Anthony in New York and Illinois.
Into this remote mining camp of South Pass, hundreds of miles removed from railroads, surrounded by the crafty redmen, the highway robber, and the howling wolves and crying coyotes, came "the mother of woman suffrage for Wyoming." Mrs. Morris had an original style and out of the common order of conversational speech. Her son once said that his mother's abundant store of genial wit carried her through many a trying situation; she had courage to do what would have been easier to avoid; she scorned the static position adopted by the average woman; she was dynamic; she talked plain Anglo-Saxon—so easy of understanding.
In this typical mining camp were a handful of those people who enjoyed and relished conversation around the ​snapping pine-knot open fire of the log cabin of Mrs. Morris, discussions and debates on questions that gave to Mrs. Morris the inspiration that grew from a dream into a reality, that of the franchise of women.
In September, 1869, there was to be held in the mountain city of South Pass an election for members to the Territorial Legislature. A few days prior to this election, Mrs. Morris gave a dinner at her home, the table filled with wild game and relishes personally prepared. To this feast were bidden forty men and women. Among these guests were Captain William Bright from Maryland and Captain Herman G. Nickerson, opposing officers in the Civil War, and both candidates for the same legislative position in the Territorial Senate. After the repast, while lingering around the unemptied table, Mrs. Morris arose, confessing to the strategy of the gathering. "There are present," she ventured to state, "two opposing candidates for the first legislature of our new Territory, one of whom is soon to be elected, and we desire here and now to receive from them a public pledge that whosoever is elected will introduce and work for the passage of an act conferring upon the women of our new Territory the right of suffrage."
Both of the candidates solemnly pledged themselves to the request, receiving the applause of all present. There were no Republicans elected anywhere in new Wyoming at the first election, the Democrat, Colonel Bright, being the choice of the people.
True to his promise, William Bright introduced a bill in the Legislature in October, 1869, a bill which became a law on December 10th, granting to Wyoming women "equal sufrage," a right which has continued to them from that date to the present day. Thus Wyoming became the first state or commonwealth in the world to grant to women unrestricted franchise.
Was the toothsome dinner the psychological cause of the final result, or was the ultimate outcome of the appeal for suffrage due to the eloquence of the hostess? Was Mrs. Morris a diplomat or a politician?
The Women of Tacoma
By Alice D. Engley Beek (Painter, Writer and Lecturer)
When I came to live in the State of Washington, it was after a youth spent in New England and many years of study in Europe. I turned my face to the West with the spirit of ​the pioneer—a heritage, perhaps, from my Mayflower ancestors. Just what primitive conditions I expected to await me, is still vague in my mind. I found a state that was young and undeveloped, it is true, but struggling to attain high ideals—many of which have been realized.
The women of Washington are largely cosmopolitan, as most of them were born and educated in other sections of the country. They are progressive women, interested in a wide range of subjects and always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. Foremost in their minds is the home, the care and development of their children and the betterment of civic and political conditions. Appreciation for educational advancement is shown by their activity in literary and civic clubs and by their interest in the trend of current events. This is true of all parts of the state, I believe.
My own city, Tacoma, has many gifted women, some occupying important professional positions—others doing creditable creative work. The interest in music and dramatic art is most enthusiastic. Musical organizations and our Drama League do much to stimulate both. We are privileged to hear many of the world's great musicians and lecturers.
While observing with pride the progress of my state in allied fields of endeavor, I consider myself more ably qualified to write upon the subject of painting; and it is here where we particularly realize our limitations. Seattle, with her greater size and wealth, has more to offer. In a young city, the struggle for material existence is too urgent—too absorbing—to allow for much development of the ideal. In the founding of all nations and cities, the necessities have come first, only followed by the refinements when the constructional period was past. Tacoma could be no exception. We have imbibed of the beauties of art from older nations and from other cities; but what of our children, brought up and educated in this new part of our country?
It was because we realized just what the lack of this refining influence might mean to their future, that the women of the Aloha Club, Tacoma, have for nearly twenty years appropriated a generous part of their annual budget to the cause of art appreciation in our schools. The pupils do not know how to study pictures without guidance; therefore, art talks illustrated by reproductions or slides, have always formed a part of the Aloha art exhibits.
The first picture in any of our city schools was given by an Aloha member, and in the beginning, many originals and reproductions were presented to schools by the club. This ​movement was given even greater impetus by teachers and pupils, and thru their untiring efforts, these gifts were made the nucleus around which many notable collections were gathered. The Stadium High School of Tacoma now owns pictures valued at ten thousand dollars. Visitors to our city have greatly admired so enterprising an achievement. Two Aloha collections are constantly being circulated in the schools.
Thus, we are endeavoring to make up to our children for what they now lack; while we rejoice in the rich heritage that is theirs, as future citizens of this great and glorious Northwest. Here, where Nature and Opportunity go hand in hand to make life worth living, we feel that their future is secure.
The Western Woman—Her Opportunity By Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhardt) (President of Mills College)
A new country gives freely the blessing of opportunity to the pioneers who venture to build there a new civilization. The dead hand of worn-out methods of work and lifeless traditions does not of itself stretch across wide seas or high mountains. A new country makes possible new experiments and fresh undertakings, encourages initiation and individuality of expression in men and women alike.
The chance to develop freely and fairly has belonged to the California woman from the day the first covered wagon deposited her and her little belongings at the new mining claim, or on the just-registered quarter section of land. Her opportunity has meant a busy and varied life; it has meant hard work in the house, on the farm, and in the shop. But these tasks gave her muscle and confidence. They gave the men of the West also confidence in her ability and pride in her achievement, and as California built up its institutions, California women worked side by side with the men of the state.
As public schools were opened, girls as pupils were welcome from the first as well as boys. When the colleges were founded, an institution for women was one of the first to be organized. When the State University came into being, women students soon had their places, and today half the students of college and university age in the state are women. Women teachers are found in educational institutions of every type.
​Earlier than most states, California admitted women to her colleges of medicine and law, with the result that these professions have their quota of distinguished women.
The inspiration of a new land drew women into the fields of art. In astonishing numbers singers, painters, writers of talent interpreted the new world in color and verse, in prose story, and in song.
When the participation of women in government became a subject of discussion in America, years before the Federal Constitution added the Nineteenth Amendment, California had granted suffrage to women, and women prepared for the task sat in the state legislature and worked among the supervisors of city and county government.
The achievement of California women remains a noble example and incentive to the girlhood of today. In this era where food, clothing, and shelter are more economically and excellently prepared outside the individual home, girlhood has the greatest leisure as well as opportunity to use mind and hand for a life of wide usefulness and unselfish happiness.
WYOMING
BEACH, Cora M. (Mrs. Alfred Holmes), born August 3, 1878, in West Oxford, Ontario, daughter of James Emerson and Sarah Ann Nunn Brown, former resident of Michigan, living in Wyoming for twenty-one years. Married to Alfred Holmes Beach. Children: Alfred Holmes, Jr., Ann Harriet, Stewart Middleton, John E., Mary Elizabeth, James Hatten. Genealogist and Historian. Before marriage, a graduate nurse and hospital superintendent. Organizing State Secretary for American Legion Auxiliary for Wyoming and 1st National Executive Committeewoman for same organization. Author: "Women of Wyoming" (1927.) State Director, Children American Revolution; State Chairman and member of National Committee, D. A. R., for Genealogical and Historical Research. Member: O. E. S., American Legion Auxiliary, D. A. R. Home: Lusk, Wyoming.
BELLAMY, Mary Godat (Mrs.) born in Richwoods, Missouri, daughter of Charles Augustus and Catherine H. Godat. Married to Charles Bellamy. Children: Benjamin Charles, Fulton Dodd. Interested in civic and Women's Clubs affairs; one of the delegates from Wyoming to Washington, D. C. Convention, 1917, which was held for the purpose of securing National suffrage for women. Served on committee to notify Woodrow Wilson of nomination. First woman elected to Wyoming State Legislature; served on several important committees. Former County School Superintendent. Owner of Graphite mine; Director, Kritni Oil Co. Several times Delegate to State and National Democratic Conventions. Member: Laramie Woman's Club, Wyoming Fed. of Women's Clubs. American Legion Auxiliary. Address: Box 438, Laramie, Wyoming.
CARTER, Flora Harden, (Mrs. C. L.), a native of Dixon, Illinois, daughter of D. G. and Mary Meese Harden, former resident of Nebraska, living in Wyoming for the last 21 years. Married to Charles Lincoln Carter. Children: Charles Hanna Carter. State chairman. International Relations Department in Wyoming Fed. of Women's Club. President of Sheridan Woman's Club. Very active in social and civic affairs. For many years a teacher and principal in the elementary schools of Sheridan. Member: Sheridan Woman's Club, American Legion Auxiliary. Home: 631 S. Jefferson St., (P. 0. Box 536). Sheridan, Wyoming. ​DOWNEY, June E., (Miss), born in Laramie, Wyoming, July 13, 1875. Professor, Psychology, University of Wyoming. Writer of numerous articles in psychological journals, American Journal of Psychology, Psychological Review, Journal of Applied Psychology. Main topics of research: Dextrality and Its Implications, Will-Temperament Testing, Psychology of Handwriting, Literary Esthetics. Author: "The Heavenly Dykes," "Graphology and the Psychology of Handwriting," "Will-Temperament and Its Testing," "Plots and Personalities" (with E. E. Slosson), "The Kingdom of the Mind." Member: Sigma Xi, American Psychological Ass'n. Home: 1003 Grand Ave., Laramie, Wyo.
GAY, Dale Pickett (Mrs. Guy J.), born in Rockford, Iowa, June 25, 1891, daughter of John Robert and Sarah C. Pickett, a resident of Wyoming for seventeen years. Married to Guy J. Gay. Children: Geraldine, Genevieve, Betty Ann, Helen Eileen. Clubwoman. President of Wyoming Federation of Women's Clubs; active in all club work; interested in Red Cross work and Child Health Conferences. Member: Wyoming Federation of Women's Clubs, Casper Departmental Club, Casper Woman's Club, D. A. R., O. E. S. (Past Matron). Home: 612 South Park Street, Casper, Wyoming.
HEBARD, Grace Raymond, Dr., born in Clinton, Iowa, July 2, 1861, resident of Wyoming for 45 years. Instructor, University of Wyoming. Member of Advisory Board of Wyoming State Historical Department and Health Ass'n., head of Dept. of Political Economy and Sociology, University of Wyoming. Member: State Fed. Women's Clubs, Pi Beta Phi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Gamma Mu, American Ass'n. of University Women, American Ass'n. of University Professors, Rune Thorn Chapter of American Quill Club, American Ass'n. Advancement of Science, Wyoming Bar Ass'n., D. A. R., Colonial Dames, Wyoming Professional and Business Women's Club. Home: 318 So. 10 St., Laramie, Wyoming.
HILL, Evelyn Corthell, (Mrs. John A.), born in Laramie, Wyoming, May 4, 1886, daughter of Nellis Eugene and Eleanor Corthell, a native resident of Wyoming. Married to John Arthur Hill. Children: Robert Morris, John Marshall, Ross Corthell, Nellis Eugene, Evelyn. Artist. Noted as landscape painter. Member: Laramie Women's Club, American Ass'n. of University Women. Home: 264 N. 9th Street, Laramie, Wyoming.
JOHNSON, E. Joy, (Mrs. L.), born in South Wales, in 1876, daughter of Rev. Joseph and Elizabeth Hancock, a resident of Wyoming for 40 years. Married to Lawrence Johnson. Children: Harleigh L., Ihla G., Avaley L. A graduate of Blackford School of Character. Writer. Has done Western poetry and prose on facts. Author: "Foreman of the J. A. 6." (Dedicated to the People of the West, with a preface by former Governor Bryant B. Brooks). Home: Lusk, Wyoming.
JOSENDAL, Bertha Imhof (Mrs. Oddmund), born in Chicago, Illinois, July 6, 1879, daughter of Adam Imhof and Wilhemina Dulm Imhof, a resident of Wyoming since 1903. Married to Oddmund Josendal. Children: E. Harold, Willa Gertrude, Christine, Louisa, Victor and Virgil (twins). Former school teacher. Very active in civic, church and club affairs. Corresponding Secretary, Wyoming Federation of Women's Clubs. Member: Casper Woman's Club, Woman's Departmental Club (former president), 0. E. S., Lincoln Republican Club. Home: 1016 South Center St., Casper, Wyoming.
MARTIN, Minnie J. (Mrs.), born in Clarinda, Iowa, January 11, 1872, daughter of Wm. Edward and Amanda Davis Jackson, a resident of Wyoming for forty-eight years. Married to Lemuel E. Martin. Children: Lona E., Edward. Superintendent of State Girls Industrial School. Has been very active in American Legion Auxiliary affairs. Member: American Legion Auxiliary. Home: Sheridan, Wyoming.
MORTON, Katharine A. Ammon, (Mrs.), born in Brown County, Kansas, October 4, 1879, daughter of Andrew and Louella Bell Ammon. Married to Robert Alexander Morton. A graduate of Hiawatha High School, later a student at Northwestern University. State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Former teacher in the schools of Cheyenne. From 1917-18, served as the only woman member of the Wyoming State Council of National Defense, acting as secretary of the council; president, Wyoming State Fed. of Women's Clubs, 1913-17; in 1921, elected State President of the Wyoming State Teachers' Ass'n; interested in advancing the school system to a higher plane. Member: Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Cheyenne Woman's Club, Wyoming State Teachers' Ass'n. Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming.
ROSS, Nellie Tayloe, (Mrs.), born 1880, in St. Joseph, Missouri, daughter of James Wynns and Elizabeth Blair ​Green Tayloe. Ex-governor of Wyoming. Married to William Bradford Ross, attorney, who became governor of Wyoming in 1923, (died October 2, 1924); she succeeded her husband in office and served until January 1927. Children: James Ambrose, George Tayloe, (twins), Alfred Duff, (deceased). During her tenure of office she has demonstrated that a woman can assume the responsibilities of high executive office and discharge them in an able, vigorous and upright manner without any sacrifice of feminine dignity and charm. Home: Cheyenne, Wyoming.
SMITH, Anna B., (Mrs.) born in Fort Collins, Colorado, June 9, 1875, former resident of Colorado, living in Wyoming for the last 44 years. Children: Helen Frances, Douglas. Clerk, District Court, 4th Judicial Dist., Sheridan County, Wyoming. Former County Treasurer. Director, State Fed. of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. Member: Business and Professional Women's Club, also of national organization. Home: Cultra Apartments, Sheridan, Wyoming.
STONE, Elizabeth Arnold (Mrs. Chas.), born July 8, 1862, in Ashtabula, Ohio, daughter of Reverend F. L. and Mrs. Marie Ramsauer Arnold, a resident of Wyoming for fifty-seven years. Educator and writer. Former teacher in University of Wyoming Modern Language Department, later Regent of University of Wyoming. Active in civic and church work. Author: "Unita County, Its Place in History," "Songs of Bethlehem" and other poems and several songs, including Wyoming State Fed. Women's Clubs' prize song. Member: Ladies Literary, O. E. S. Home: 1049 Sage St., Evanston, Wyoming.
STONER, Ethel (Mrs. John H.), born August 27, 1876, in Bloomington, Idaho, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Shurey Huckvale, a resident of Wyoming for 28 years. Married to John Henry Stoner. Former mayor of Cokeville, elected 1922 upon a law enforcement platform. Former school teacher. Very active in public welfare work; organizer and first president of Good Citizen League. In 1920 alternate delegate from the United States to the Convention of the International Council of Women in Christiana, Norway. Home: Cokeville, Wyoming.
WILEY, Lizabeth (Miss), born in Posey County, Indiana, September 19, 1878. daughter of Wm. L. and Mary M. Williams Wiley, a former resident of St. Louis, Missouri, living in Wyoming for fourteen years. Real Estate and Insurance Agent. Active in civic affairs; Mayor of Town of Greybull for two terms; for three years acted as President of local Women's Club, Treasurer, Wyoming Federated Women's Clubs, Manager of manufacturing business for several years in St. Louis; active in retail business for past thirteen years. Member: Greybull Women's Club (Civic and Federated). Home: Box 621, Greybull, Wyoming.