.
By Nathan Bender, 2005. Updated by Samantha L. Harper, 2018.
Collection Overview
Abstract
This collection is a compilation of oral history interviews from persons in Cody, Park County, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, and the surrounding areas. Most of the recordings were created as part of an ongoing oral history effort of the McCracken Research Library, with others acquired by donation or through sharing of resources with the Park County Historical Society.
Biographical Note
The Buffalo Bill Memorial Association .....
Administrative Information
Repository:
McCracken Research Library
Access Restrictions:
McCracken Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials. Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact McCracken Research Library for more information.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
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Box MS201.01],
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Box MS201.02],
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Box MS201.03],
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Box MS201.04],
[
Box MS201.05],
[
Box MS201.06],
[
Box MS201.07],
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Box MS201.08],
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Box MS201.09],
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Box MS201.10],
[All]
- Box MS201.01

- Folder MS201.1.01: Interview #1 - H. Peter Kriendler, 1998-06-23

- Folder MS201.1.02: Interview #2 - Harold "Pryor Mountain Bill" Newton, 2000-04-27

- TOPIC: Personal and family history of Harold Newton, his life up the North Fork of the Shoshone River near Wapiti where he ran the Rivers Rest guest ranch, and discussion of his work with muzzle-loading firearms and sports cars.
- Folder MS201.1.03: Interview #3 - Maxwell H. Frost, 2000-04-20

- TOPIC: Personal and family history of Mack Frost, growing up in Cody in the 1960s and learning photography, North Fork of the Shoshone River, and Yellowstone National Park.
- Folder MS201.1.04: Interview #4 - Oscar Thompson, 2000-12-11

- TOPIC: Personal and family history of Oscar and Jane Thompson of Clark, Wyoming. Two Dot Ranch, growing up on ranches and cowboying for a living, father in Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, horses, dude ranching, hunting and guiding hunts, trapping, cattle and sheep, early schools in Crandall and Sunlight Basin, dogs, coyotes, Switch Back Ranch, Red Lodge, Montana, World War II and the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, Clark, Wyoming, and the wind and windstorms.
- Folder MS201.1.05: Interview #5 - Ernest J. Goppert, Jr., 2000-12-15

- TOPIC: Personal and family history of Ernest J. Goppert, Jr., history of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Cody Firearms Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Harold McCracken, bolo ties, World War II, Masons, growing up in Cody, and the Anson Eddy legal case.
- Folder MS201.1.06: Interview #6 - Margot & Calvin Todd, 2001-01-03, 2003-12-08

- TOPIC: Pitchfork Ranch, Otto Frank, Louis G. Phelps, trip to Russia in 1909, early schooling, Julia Child, cowboying in Meeteetse, Z-T, electrification, Morgan horses, wild horses, controlling hunting on the ranch, protection of antelope.
- Folder MS201.1.07: Interview #7 - Ada Greever, 1989 - 2002

- TOPIC: Early city of Cody history from 1899 on, wedding of her sister to A. Walter Schwoob, Buffalo Bill Cody, a two week trip to Yellowstone National Park in 1910, moved to Cody in 1919, early Buffalo Bill Museum history, Beck family, attempt at an artist colony with Frank Tenney Johnson, Hans Rice, Sara Cook, Stan Kershaw, Ed Grebler, and others, Wolfville, Adolph Spohr, Cody schools, a Cody Women’s Club, poker game used to start first chuch in Cody, Director’s Club/Green Front Club, Gov. Beck.
- Folder MS201.1.08: Interview #8 - Frances Purvis, 1992-04-22

- Park County Historical Society tape.
- Box MS201.02

- Folder MS201.2.09: Interview #9 - Restricted Interview

- Contents Closed until 2026.
- Box MS201.03

- Folder MS201.3.10: Interview #10 - Joseph Medicine Crow, 1996-07-26

- TOPIC: Joseph Henry Sharp cabin, White Man Runs Him, White Swan art controversy, Big Medicine, Plenty Coup, Crow and Shoshone sun dances, Julia Sun Goes Slow, 1996 Olympic games visit, Dewey Beers.
- Folder MS201.3.11: Interview #11 - Thomas Medicine Horse, Sr., 1996-08

- TOPIC: Crow Fair, Joseph Henry Sharp cabin, White Swan, Strikes His Enemy Pretty, Big Medicine, Two Leggings, Henry Small, canvas tipis, Sun Goes Slow.
- Folder MS201.3.12: Interview #12 - Bill DeMaris, 1983-09-13

- Park County Historical Society tape.
- Folder MS201.3.13: Interview #13 - Juanita Willcutt, 1988-11-09

- TOPIC: Working Cattle
- Folder MS201.3.14: Interview #14 - Don Snyder

- Park County Historical Society tape.
- Folder MS201.3.15: Interview #15 - Ivan Rosequist/ Joe Sunhawk, 1980-03-02

- TOPIC: Taos, New Mexico. J.H. Sharp book.
- Folder MS201.3.16: Interview #16 - Harry Webb/ John Downing, 1996-03-26

- Folder MS201.3.17: Interview #17 - Jack Richard, 1962-11-10

- TOPIC: Yellowstone National Park and elk.
- Box MS201.04

- Folder MS201.4.18: Interview #18 - Lucille Nichols Patrick, 2001-07-24

- TOPIC: Family stories and Southfork/Cody local history, including information on her father James Calvin Nichols “The Candy Kid,” and some discussion of her writings and artwork.
- Folder MS201.4.19: Interview #19 - Ruby Davies, 2001-08-16

- TOPIC: Southfork/Cody local history.
- Folder MS201.4.20: Interview #20 - Catherine Buckingham, 2001-08-17

- TOPIC: Family history and husband’s friendship with William F. Cody, sugar beet farming, Hart Mountain Hotel, dating and social functions, the Cody Enterprise newspaper fire, and other Cody local history.
- Folder MS201.4.21: Interview #21 - Charles Kepler, 2001-09-25

- TOPIC: Early life with a focus on his education at University of Wyoming, teaching, Husky Oil, and experiences with Glenn Neilson, Milward and Alan Simpson, his law partners. History of the BBHC and the Coe and Weiss families. Insight into the investment and commitment to Cody from these early residents.
- Folder MS201.4.22: Interview #22 - Lloyd Taggart, 2001-09-26

- TOPIC: Family life and history, Taggart construction work in Cody and in the greater west. Reminiscences about Molesworth, Eggenhoffer, Davich, and other Cody artists and authors. Emphasis on his book and art collecting experiences, McCracken Research Library history, and stories about Paul “Rocky” Stock.
- Folder MS201.4.23: Interview #23 - Patterson "Pat" Keller, 2001-09-26

- TOPIC: Retired Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, and son of Charlie Russell’s priest in Great Falls, Montana. Experiences as a Rector and church members, and stories of Charlie Russell.
- Folder MS201.4.24: Interview #24 - David Smith, 2001-09-27

- TOPIC: Retired Cody schoolteacher and Southfork rancher. Cody history from 1929, including memories of semi-pro baseball team. Stories of school life and ranch life.
- Folder MS201.4.25: Interview #25 - Beulah Wagner, 2001-09-27

- TOPIC: Retired Cody schoolteacher. Cody history back to 1952, her husband Stu was an engineer at Husky Oil, and remembers Glenn Nielson. Recalls school life and church life (Episcopal) where she ran Sunday School classes. Milward Simpson and Hat McGee were friends.
- Box MS201.05

- Folder MS201.5.26: Interview #26 - Montana Lowry, 2001-09-30

- TOPIC: Family history, and life in Lovell, Wyoming in the 1920s-1930s, in the Panama Canal Zone, and in Cody from c. 1970 to the present.
- Folder MS201.5.27: Interview #27 - Anne Williams, 2001-09-30

- TOPIC: Widow of Ernest Williams, Rector at Christ Church in the 1950s-1960s. Memories of life in Cody and talks about social issues, including the John Birch Society and its impact. Family history. Beulah Wagner also participates in the discussion.
- Folder MS201.5.28: Interview #28 - Eva Pfrangle, 2001-10-01

- TOPIC: Retired nurse, born in Cody. Tells of growing up in Cody and Park County during World War I, the 1920s and the Great Depression. Ranch life on the Southfork, where she met Buffalo Bill Cody, for whom her parents worked. Family history.
- Folder MS201.5.29: Interview #29 - Mary Duggleby, 2001-10-02

- TOPIC: Early family life on a homestead on the Wood River near the Pitchfork Ranch in 1917. Lived in Powell in the 1920s to the mid-1930s. Worked for the Indian Claim Service. Cody life from the 1950s on, when her husband was an airplane pilot for Husky Oil.
- Folder MS201.5.30: Interview #30 - Faye Snyder, 2001-10-04

- TOPIC: Fay Snyder lived and worked on the Sunlight Ranch, a guest and cattle ranch on the Chief Joseph Highway. Her husband’s family operated the Snyder Ranch (now the Mesa Ranch) on the Southfork Road. Most stories from 1930-1960s.
- Folder MS201.5.31: Interview #31 - Kay Siggins, 2001-10-10

- TOPIC: Schoolteacher. Stayed at the Siggins Guest Ranch on the upper Southfork in the mid-1930s and married Ray Siggins. Still living on this ranch.
- Folder MS201.5.32: Interview #32 - Ros Siggins, 2001-12-03

- TOPIC: Memories of guest ranching on the Siggins Guest Ranch on the upper Southfork. Her husband Don Siggins is brother to Ray Siggins. Don and Ros ran the guest ranch until 1984, when their children took over the business.
- Folder MS201.5.33: Interview #33 - James Nielson, 2001-12-03

- TOPIC: Memories of Cody from 1938. Was a classmate of Alan Simpson in Cody and later also in college. Family and community history.
- Folder MS201.5.34: Interview #34 - Robert V. Witter and Dan Witter, 2001-09-15

- TOPIC: A professional paleontologist, Witter talks of paleontology and archaeology in the Big Horn Basin and elsewhere in the West, assisted by his son Dan Witter.
- Folder MS201.5.35: Interview #35 - Irene Stonehouse, 2002-04-26

- TOPIC: Life of Mel Stonehouse, husband of Irene and grandfather of Taylor. Mel was orphaned as a young boy, grew up to be one of the best rodeo cowboys in the nation.
- Folder MS201.5.36: Interview #36 - Boy Scout Troop 333: Heart Mountain Relocation Center, 20002-08-26

- TOPIC: Seven persons from the WWII Boy Scout Troop 333, Heart Mountain Relocation Center talk about their life as boys in the internment camp and about Boy Scouting.
- Box MS201.06

- Folder MS201.6.37: Interview #37 - Russell Waterman Crane, Jr. and Loch Crane, 2002-09-14

- TOPIC: Brothers interviewed about their childhood in Meeteetsee. Their father homesteaded on land adjacent to the Phelps Ranch (Pitchfork Ranch?). Family moved to Cody, and descriptions of their home near Beck Lake are given, and of going to public school in Cody. A big moment in Russell’s life was being one of two children to open the curtain on the Robert Lindneux painting of “ Buffalo Bill’s Duel with Hay-O-Wei in July, 1876.” Loch Crane also talks about sailing at San Diego, and building sail boats for paralyzed persons after his retirement as an architect. He studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Folder MS201.6.38: Interview #38 - Ursula Kepler, 2002-10-22

- TOPIC: The life of Ursula Kepler. Active in riflery in Jr. High and High School. Talks about horses, dancing, her nursing career, work as a teacher for children as a Red Cross instructor, providing music, art, swimming classes, work with the Girl Scouts, her family life (info on her artist brother, Manewal), her travels around the world, and her poetry.
- Folder MS201.6.39: Interview #39 - Irma McGuire, 2003-04-08

- TOPIC: Growing up in rural Fremont County; farming on the Wind River Indian Reservation; ranching and outfitting.
- Folder MS201.6.40: Interview #40 - Gary Brown, 2003-04-15

- TOPIC: Career ranger who worked in the field and in administration in YNP. Elk-trapping, tranquilizing and re-locating bears, fire management, Fires of ’88.
- Folder MS201.6.41: Interview #41 - Terry Danforth, 2003-04-16

- TOPIC: Career Yellowstone ranger who worked in many parts of the park. Topics of discussion include fire management, horn-hunting and poaching on the north boundary and the introduction of snowmobiles to YNP.
- Folder MS201.6.42: Interview #42 - Larry Newell, 2003-09-16

- TOPIC: Lewis Lake Ranger with more than 30 years’ experience in Yellowstone National Park. Topics include water rescues and drownings on Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, and the fires of ’88.
- Folder MS201.6.43: Interview #43 - Bill Rose, 2003-07-24

- TOPIC: Personal account of relations with Crow nation.
- Folder MS201.6.44: Interview #44 - Robert Frisby, 2003-11-15 - 2003-11-16

- TOPIC: Wyoming state representative and senator for Park County.
- Folder MS201.6.45: Interview #45 - Dick Jones, 2003-12-17

- TOPIC: A son of Swedish immigrants, Dick Jones became involved in the trucking business during the Depression. He eventually owned his own freight line operating out of Powell and had a political career as mayor of the city as well as state legislator. He ran for governor but lost the election in 1974. Dick Jones Trucking is still a family business.
- Folder MS201.6.46: Interview #46 - Gerald Ryder, 2004-01-24

- TOPIC: Retired Yellowstone National Park ranger. Topics include growing up in Fromberg, Montana; Prior Mountains; early years on Blister Rust Crews.
- Folder MS201.6.47: Interview #47 - Mary Rankin, 2004-08-13

- TOPIC: From 1937 to 1966, Mary Rankin was a personal secretary to Adele Von Ohl Parker. Mrs. Parker had been a performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West before she settled in Ohio and opened the Parker Ranch, a riding school and day camp for children. Mary Rankin emphasizes the larger-than-life personality of Adele and how the ranch revolved around her.
- Box MS201.07

- Folder MS201.7.48: Interview #48 - Irene Rimby, 2004-12-15, 2005-01-19

- TOPIC: Dust bowl days in the Dakotas; farming in Powell; Pahaska Tepee.
- Folder MS201.7.49: Interview #49 - Jim Oudin, 2005-01-18

- TOPIC: Wyoming Game and Fish activities with game management in Sunlight Basin and Crandall, Wyoming. Trapping, snowmobiles, elk, bighorn sheep.
- Folder MS201.7.50: Interview #50 - Ruth Moore, 2005-01-19

- TOPIC: Homesteading in Meeteetse; schooling in Powell.
- Folder MS201.7.51: Interview #51 - Gordon Legg, 2005-05-17

- TOPIC: Ranching in the Big Horn Basin, northwestern Wyoming.
- Folder MS201.7.52: Interview #52 - Gretchen Bacon Chaddock, 2005-06-08

- TOPIC: The life of Irving R. Bacon, western artist. Gretchen is the daughter of the artist.
- Folder MS201.7.53: Interview #53 - Joe Medicine Crow, 2003-04-08

- TOPIC: talking to a class of 4th grade schoolchildren from Southside Elementary, Powell, Wyoming of Crow Nation stories about Heart Mountain.
- Folder MS201.7.54: Interview #54 - Grant Bulltail, 2003-04-08

- TOPIC: talking to a class of 4th grade schoolchildren from Southside Elementary, Powell, Wyoming of Crow Nation stories about Heart Mountain
- Folder MS201.7.55: Interview #55 - James Bama, 2005-07-20 - 2005-07-21, 2005-07-27

- TOPIC: July 20 and 21 topic is “Cowboy.” July 27 topic is “Powwow.”
- Folder MS201.7.56: Interview #56 - Paul Phillips, 2005-07-11

- Folder MS201.7.57: Interview #57 - Martha Jensen Kinkade, 2006-02-20

- Folder MS201.7.58: Interview #58 - Peg (Margaret S.) Coe, 2006-02-28

- Folder MS201.7.59: Interview #59 - George Dabich, 2006-02-22

- Folder MS201.7.60: Interview #60 - Eddie Dvarishkis, 2006-02-24

- Folder MS201.7.61: Interview #61 - Joe Gautsch, 2006-03-03

- Folder MS201.7.62: Interview #62 - Glenn Ohrlin, 2006-04-07

- Folder MS201.7.63: Interview #63 - John Ray Shreve, 2006-04-07

- Folder MS201.7.64: Interview #64 - Duane Dickinson

- Folder MS201.7.65: Interview #65 - Joe Medicine Crow, 2006-02-27

- Box MS201.08

- Folder MS201.8.66: Interview #66 - Bill Boster, 2006-05-19

- Folder MS201.8.67: Interview #67 - Alan Mebane

- Folder MS201.8.68: Interview #68 - Mary Elizabeth Bever, 2006-08-24

- Folder MS201.8.69: Interview #69 - Paul Rodriguez, 2006-10-26

- Folder MS201.8.70: Interview #70 - Mary Louise Greever, 2006-10-27

- Folder MS201.8.71: Interview #71 - Curley Bear Wagner, 2007-01-16 - 2007-01-17

- Folder MS201.8.72: Interview #72 - Kip Calahan, 2007-04-14

- Folder MS201.8.73: Interview #73 - Hal Cannon, 2007-04-15

- Folder MS201.8.74: Interview #74 - Bill Dean Chiles, 2007-04-13

- Folder MS201.8.75: Interview #75 - Connie Dover, 2007-04-15

- Folder MS201.8.76: Interview #76 - Skip Gorman, 2007-04-15

- Folder MS201.8.77: Interview #77 - Glenn (Ike) Hall, 2007-04-15

- Folder MS201.8.78: Interview #78 - Sid Hausman, 2007-04-11

- Folder MS201.8.79: Interview #79 - Stanton S. Howe, 2007-04-17

- Folder MS201.8.80: Interview #80 - Robert D. Lantis, 2007-04-13

- Folder MS201.8.81: Interview #81 - Liz Masterson, 2007-04-16

- Folder MS201.8.82: Interview #82 - Otto Rosfeld, 2007-04-11

- Folder MS201.8.83: Interview #83 - David Schildt, 2007-04-14

- Folder MS201.8.84: Interview #84 - Greg Scott, 2007-04-12

- Folder MS201.8.85: Interview #85 - David Wilkie, 2007-04-13

- Cowboy Celtic
- Folder MS201.8.86: Interview #86 - Leslie Keltner, 2007-04-18

- Folder MS201.8.87: Interview #87 - Otto Madsen, 2006-05-09

- Folder MS201.8.88: Interview #88 - Lynne Chadwick, 2006-08-23

- Folder MS201.8.89: Interview #89 - Barbara Egan, 2008-03-13

- Folder MS201.8.90: Interview #90 - Nancy Stafford Shaw, 2008-04-04

- Folder MS201.8.91: Interview #91 - Patty Clayton, 2008-04-12

- Folder MS201.8.92: Interview #92 - Ray Doyle, 2008-04-11

- Folder MS201.8.93: Interview #93 - Rex Rideout, 2008-04-11

- Folder MS201.8.94: Interview #94 - Georgie Sicking, 2008-04-12

- Folder MS201.8.95: Interview #95 - Nancy Thowardson, 2008-04-13

- Folder MS201.8.96: Interview #96 - Laurie "V" Vigyikan, 2008-04-14

- Folder MS201.8.97: Interview #97 - Kelly Wells, 2008-04-13

- Folder MS201.8.98: Interview #98 - Tally Tait Wells, 2008-04-13

- Folder MS201.8.99: Interview #99 - Washtub Jerry, 2008-04-12

- Folder 201.8.100: Interview #100 - Hub Whitt, 2008-04-13

- Folder 201.8.101: Interview #101 - Esther Murray, 2008-02-12

- Folder 201.8.102: Interview #102 - Grant Bulltail, 2002-08-21 - 2002-08-22

- Box MS201.09

- Folder 201.9.103: Interview #103 - Dale Harwood, 2008-11

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.104: Interview #104 - Keith Seidel, 2008-10-23

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.105: Interview #105 - Steve Mecum, 2008-11-26

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.106: Interview #106 - Bill Gardner, 2008-05-24

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.107: Interview #107 - Bob Douglas, 2008-05-24

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.108: Interview #108 - Wayne Hape, 2007-11-12

- Saddlemaker Series
- Folder 201.9.109: Interview #109 - Chas Weldon, 2007

- Saddlemaker Series, Fall 2007
- Folder 201.9.110: Interview #110 - Elizabeth (Betty) Mills, 2008-04-29

- Folder 201.9.111: Interview #111 - Bert Cosgrove, 2008-08-21

- Folder 201.9.112: Interview #112 - Don Abarr, 2008-10-23

- Folder 201.9.113: Interview #113 - Harry Jackson, 2009-02-21

- Folder 201.9.114: Interview #114 - Robin Rick, 2009-02-10

- Folder 201.9.115: Interview #115 - Adelyn Fraley, 2009-04-16

- Folder 201.9.116: Interview #116 - Louis Kousoulos Jr. and Senator Alan K. Simpson, 2009-11-05

- Folder 201.9.117: Interview #117 - Diane Kousoulos, 2010-04-05

- Folder 201.9.118: Interview #118 - Ann Simpson, 2010-04-04

- Folder 201.9.119: Interview #119 - Altamae Markham, 2010-01-10, 2010-01-31

- Folder 201.9.120: Interview #120 - Alice Fales, 2008-03-06

- Folder 201.9.121: Interview #121 - Marjorie & Ernest Goppert, 2006-05-23

- Folder 201.9.122: Interview #122 - Alan & Ann Simpson, 2006-10-04

- Folder 201.9.123: Interview #123 - Katie Brown, 2008-10-24

- Folder 201.9.124: Interview #124 - Nancy Petry, 2007-06-15

- Folder 201.9.125: Interview #125 - Forrest Fenn, 2006-10-17

- Folder 201.9.126: Interview #126 - Margaret S. "Peg" Coe and James B. Minter, 2006-10-13

- Folder 201.9.127: Interview #127 - Charles & Ursula Kepler, 2006-09-28

- Folder 201.9.128: Interview # 128 - Saban, Vera, 2003-05-02

- Folder 201.9.129: Interview # 129 - Bill Self by Debbie Hofstedt, 2008-06-27

- Folder 201.9.130: Interview # 130 - Forrest Fenn on Joseph Henry Sharp, 2009-09-25

- Box MS201.10

- Folder 201.10.131: Interview # 131 - Elizabeth M. Goodwin, 1995-02-15

2 cassette tapes. For copyright contact Planned Environment Therapy Trust Archive and Study Centre.
Craig Fees interviewing Miss Elizabeth M. Goodwin regarding her father in the 7th Cavalry, and William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody in England visiting her father, fight with Sioux in 1867-1868 where Cody defended a payroll and rescued the contingent, and Chief Washita.
The BBMA files hold information on Corporal James S. Goodwin according to Mary Robinson (2018-12-05).
- Folder 201.10.132: Interview # 132 - Ann Phillips Bay, 2009-09-12

- Digital recording of inter-state telephone conversation between Mary Ann Andrus of the Education Department regarding emotional connection to visitors. Restricted to Center staff until signed release can be located.
Browse by Box:
[
Box MS201.01],
[
Box MS201.02],
[
Box MS201.03],
[
Box MS201.04],
[
Box MS201.05],
[
Box MS201.06],
[
Box MS201.07],
[
Box MS201.08],
[
Box MS201.09],
[
Box MS201.10],
[All]