, 1922-10-17

anu lAC AAdllCI was IClcII-u
proposition was put before IL
tended remarks, interesting from
every standpoint. and resolutions piaS
ing the members OF the chamber oa
record as heartily approving the pro
ject were adopted by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Mokier said .hs. the "Natrona
county Pioneer Association. through
i,s membership and the citizens of
casper in 1911. when the town had a
population Of less than 5000. subscrib-
ed more than 1880 for the erec'
lion OF the Pioneer monument which
d, located in the Northwestern Rail
wa,, company's little park, a short
distance north from the passenger
.ntlon. Thousands OF emigrant
wagons passed over this site from 1912
TO 1859.
The beard of county coranission-
ers. in former years. in conjunction
with the Wyoming Oregon Trail com
mission, and "A few citizens Of Cas-
Der, have erected a number OF granite
markers along h old Oregon Trail
In this county. The national govern
ment has set aside as a payk about
SOC acres OF land which comprises tina,
w4erd formation OF land which was
originally and appropriately named
the Devils Kitchen. but il now known
a. Helrs Half Acre. The Masonic
lodge has had cemented into Inde'
pendence Rock a bronze tablet IN com
memoration of the pioneer Masons
who Travelled over the old trail and
helped TO bull- up IN empire in the
Far West. and Henry D. Schoon;
maker has had a similar tablet i'm
bodied in this historic rock in mem
orv of the pioneers who biazed the
way, and who were compelled TO fight
hostile Indians through all this por'
ton Of the country. that you and /
and the coming generations might
live and prosper in this grand and
glorious country. The Casper Cham
Der OF Commerce will endeavor TO
have the state Of Wyoming acquire
ownership OF this rock at the coming
session of,the legislature, that IL may
be properly preserved as tho most
Important historical spot along that
2.o0o-miie trail, which is now and al
ways will be OF great historical in
terest &c the people OF the whole
United States.
But there Is one interesting histor'
teal spot in Natrona county that
should be of great oncern - tho citi
gems of Casper that is unmarked aud
it's location is known to but n very
snsall percentage of our people /
refer TO the place whore Cd Fort Cas-
rer was located. This old fort was
stationed about one anil one half miles
west from the city of Casper on the
south bank Of the Norta Platter river.
II was here tina. most Of the emf
grants forded the riv,r on their west
crn journey. There wns also a ford
across the river about three miles
east. where Evansville is located and
the Texas company is building It's re
finery. Each of these fords. from
1913 until 1s47. were sometimes called
Camp Platte, but in 1s47. when Brig
ham Young bui.ded RATS and ferrisd
his teams. wagons and goods across
the river at the point where the old
fort afterwards was located. 1t was
known and recognized by the United
States government as Mormon Ferry,
brigham Young and his msn were
from June ~ until 18th in crossing
the river. Nine Mormons were dele
gated TO remain here and assist the
emigrants to cross the river. and they
remained several months until the
next company of Saints arrived and
then proceeded on their journey with
them. On July 20, 1858. Companies
D and E. Fourth artiller%, which was
a part Of the second column of the
Utah expedition, occupied this point
for the purpose of keeping open the
communication with Salt Lake City
and TO aid in the prompt forwarding
OF supplies. On the above date was
the first time the government sta
toned soldiers here. We were hav-
ing a little trouble with the Nor