OK, I promise....

[Tap]

Interesting link on CY Carey.

http://userpages.aug.com/bdobson/nplatte3.html

Maybe the oldtimers weren't telling windies about 9 mos. of winter in the old days.

[Jinglebob]

Interesting website.

[JF Ranch]

Tap,

I like your appreciation of the history of your place. I too enjoy that aspect of where we live. Every part of the country has it's own unique history. Unfortunately much of it is lost.

You are fortunate that you know some of the events that happened there. I hope you take pictures and post them for us with what you know of these events. I think it would be very interesting.

Here in the Sandhills, the white man's history is more brief than nearly any other place due to the fact that it is what the name implies: sandy! It was avoided and considered uninhabitable until the later 1800's. Artifacts and other evidence of Indian inhabitation for centuries can still be found in blowouts. As I go about my daily work, I can't help but think about what all may have happened in this land for perhaps thousands of years.

I wish I could talk to my Grandfather who died in 1985 at 93 years of age. I have a million questions for him that I did not have back then. Unfortunately all of those early pioneers are gone and with them went their stories and personal history of our area.

[Grapevine]

Tap:

Grapevine = K. You are right, that ranch is rich in history!

It's true - that the Custer crew came through that area. Have you seen the wagon ruts on the south end of the big pasture? Getting in and out of there had to have been quite a trip!

Tipperary did die on the ranch. There are many pictures in the Tipperary books with the big horse standing in the corral with the buttes in the background.

My grandpa was at Iwo Gima. In fact, a few years back my family found tons of stuff - letters, pictures, etc. - that his mother had rec'd from her sons during war time. It was very interesting. And speaking of my grandpa... story has it that he bought the ranch and never saw it until he trailed his cows up there from Belle Fourche.

Yes, my dad is quite the story teller. He was friends with Chris LeDoux. My dad went to Sheridan College, Chris LeDoux went to Casper. The two traveled together to college, and then to pro rodeos. Next time you see my dad, ask him to tell you some of their stories... they are the best!

I hadn't heard about all the action that took place in the Pine Springs pasture in the day -- but I wouldn't be surprised at all. We found a lot of interesting things up in that area that led us to believe there were a lot of people through there.

And on the buffalo/jump off subject again, there are two attractions in the Black Hills where you can learn more and/or see a buffalo jump. Outside of Beulah, Wyo is the Vore Buffalo Jump. You can actually go to the drop off that looks a lot like TTB's pictures. Also, just outside of Deadwood is "Tatanka, Story of the Bison". http://www.storyofthebison.com/ The sculpture is the main feature and is quite a site!