Campbell County Observer by C.C. Observer

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The Campbell County Observer Volume 1 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 23

www.campbellcountyobserver.com

$1.00

July 1 - 8, 2011

ZZZ FDPSEHOOFRXQW\REVHUYHU QHW Week care!â&#x20AC;? of April 15 - 22, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x153;If it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to do with Campbell County, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.â&#x20AC;? Nathan Hale, before being hanged by the British, September 22, 1776

Photographed by Justin Hillius

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unhappy it is, though, to reďŹ&#x201A;ect that a brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sword has been sheathed in a brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breast and that the once-happy plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?â&#x20AC;? - George Washington in a letter to a friend

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health Buddiesâ&#x20AC;? Support for Medicaid Clients

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Going On for the Campbell Co. Centennial Fourth of July?

- Kids Games, Sampson Field

Aging and Disabilities Conference for Cheyenne

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.â&#x20AC;? - Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776 Aging and Disabilities Conference Set for Reform, Reverse Mortgages, and the Cheyenne Aging/Mental Health/Development With a theme of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Powering toward the Disabilities Panel. future,â&#x20AC;? the 2011 Wyoming United for A pre-conference session the morning Aging and Disabilities conference will be of May 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. will cover held May 3-5 in Cheyenne. emergency preparedness. A postThe conference, hosted by the Wyoming conference session on May 5 from Department of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aging Division, 12:30 to 5 p.m. will cover emergency will be held at the Little America Hotel and preparedness training in detail. Resort. Conference sessions will cover The conference registration fee is $150 a variety of topics related to the human before April 24 and $175 after April 25. VHUYLFHV Ă&#x20AC;HOGV RI DJLQJ PHQWDO KHDOWK Online registration is available at http:// and substance abuse, and disabilities, guest.event.com/d/ldqb91/1Q. For including developmental disabilities. more information about attending the The keynote/banquet speaker will be Dr. conference please call the Aging Division Walter Bortz. Bortz is one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 1-800-442-2766 or send an email to PRVW GLVWLQJXLVKHG VFLHQWLĂ&#x20AC;F H[SHUWV RQ wyaging@health.wyo.gov. aging and is a clinical associate professor The conference is sponsored in part by the of medicine at Stanford University. Wyoming Department of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mental Additional session topics include the Health and Substance Abuse Services Wyoming Aging and Disabilities Resource Division, the Wyoming Department Center, Green House Living, Accessing of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Development Disabilities 66, 66', %HQHĂ&#x20AC;WV 'HYHORSPHQWDO Division, and AARP. Disabilities Panel: Shifting to SelfContact: Kim Deti â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang sepaDirection Care Plans, Multicultural Aging, Phone: 307-777-6420 rately.â&#x20AC;? - Benjamin Franklin, (attributed) at the signing of the DecMedication Use and Abuse, Healthcare www.campbellcountyobserver.net

laration of Independence, July 4, 1776

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What I like about Campbell County is the Sky. <RXÂˇOO QHYHU Ă&#x20AC;QG RQH EHWWHU GXULQJ WKH ZHDWKHU

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Contact: Kim Deti Wyoming Department of Health, will staff Phone: 307-777-6420 the project. These nurses will monitor â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health Buddiesâ&#x20AC;? to Support Wyoming information submitted by patients and Medicaid Clients FDQ Ă DJ FOLHQWV IRU IROORZ XS LI WKH\ Certain selected Wyoming EqualityCare detect potential problems or increased (Medicaid) clients are beginning to symptoms of concern. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Depending on use â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health Buddyâ&#x20AC;? devices for a cost- the case and the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, they effective connection to enhanced may call that patient to discuss their medical care as part of a new Wyoming condition or they may help ensure the Department of Health effort. patient visits a doctor,â&#x20AC;? Bush said. The new Healthy Together Health â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Health Buddy system has been used Buddy Project, designed especially for for a number of years in other programs the Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid) such as the Department of Veterans program, will connect certain clients to $IIDLUV ZLWK WHUULĂ&#x20AC;F UHVXOWV Âľ %XVK VDLG medical professionals who will directly â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been proven to reduce the number monitor their health status using tele- of hospitalizations and costs associated health technology. with managing chronic illnesses.â&#x20AC;? The Health Buddy is a small, easy-to- Bush noted the initial project is limited to use device that is placed in a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100 patients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because we are interested home and is attached to a phone line. in better patient care and cost avoidance The system asks patients a series of through improved prevention, we are individualized and interactive questions. focusing on cases with the highest rate â&#x20AC;&#x153;For patients, it basically involves logging of expense and use,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope in to a computer over the phone line so to expand the program should we see the that you can answer important questions good results we expect.â&#x20AC;? every day about yourfoundation health condition,â&#x20AC;? Health Buddybut effort part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fear is the of mostThe governments; it isisso sordid said Dr. James Bush, Medicaid medical Healthy Together program offered to all and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predirector with the Wyoming Department Wyoming EqualityCare clients at no cost. dominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will notbybe of Health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The system also allows for The program, which is operated APS likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on sharing important data such as blood Healthcare, provides one-on-one support it.â&#x20AC;? -readings John Adams, on Government, pressure or sugarThoughts levels.â&#x20AC;? from a nurse, 1776 educational materials â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example, we know Medicaid clients to encourage the self-management of who have experienced heart failure are health and help in coordinating care frequently candidates for expensive among multiple providers. Healthy hospital readmission. This is both costly Together also provides EqualityCare WR RXU SURJUDP DQG GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW IRU WKH SDWLHQW clients with information on weight loss, to endure so we want to help them smoking cessation and how to adopt avoid future hospital stays or complex healthy lifestyles. For more information procedures,â&#x20AC;? Bush said. on Healthy Together please contact APS - Chalk ItatUp - 6-10 Volunteer â&#x20AC;&#x153;With thisa.m.program, we Fireman can setPancake up a Healthcare 1-888-545-1710 extension - Mud North Side Bicentennial Feed, 106 Rohan Ave.in a heart patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7089 Health Buddy device or Volleyball, visit www.WYHealthyTogether. Park - 7 a.m.Universal Athleticâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Using Service the Fire- com. home,â&#x20AC;? Bush continued. - 12:30 p.m.- Strong Man/Woman Chalcracker 4 Mile Run/Walk, Bicentennial SocHealth Buddy, the patient can answer The Health Buddy devices are provided lenge, Softball Field 3 cer Fields daily questions about medications and by -Robert Bosch Water Healthcare Inc., Oba 1 p.m.- Fireman Fight, Wacky - 10 a.m.- Parade, 2nd Street to Osborne potential symptoms such as shortness of leading provider of innovative tele-health stacle Course, Goat-roper Field Ave. breath or weight gain.â&#x20AC;? For KQOL more information, please - 1-3 p.m.105.3 Hosts the Boogie - 11:30 a.m.- Registration for Activities, Bi- systems. $36 +HDOWKFDUH QXUVHV DQG FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG FDVH contact Edie DeVine Machine Band, Northatof415-365-8543 Concessions or centennial Park 10 p.m.- Fireworks Display Begins @ - 12 p.m.- under Free Hot Feed Begins managers, a Dog contract with the visit- www.bosch-telehealth.com.

In last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter to the editor, the editor answered with a great reci he would like to point out that he Â˛ -RUGDQ 6ROHL pe. However, accidently told everyone to put tobacco in the eggs, not tobasco. Please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put tobacco in the eggs; we do not think it will taste good.

Camplex, Music By KQOL 105.3

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Community Wizard of Oz presented at 18th annual performing arts workshop Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road. The song is still stuck in my head. But that is how well all of the performers were. There were ages ranging from munchkins to lions acting and singing for the 18th annual performing arts workshop. Produced by the Cam-plex and the CCSD, directed by Bruce Barr, the play brought you through two acts. The ﬁrst introduces the main characters including a very convincing wicked witch of the west, played by Samantha Nutting, a great sounding Dorothy, played by Sammie Jacob, and of course the three partners. The Lion, played by Michael Quinn, had that same funny cowardliness of the movie. The scarecrow, played by Colin Davis, looked the part and moved around the stage with conﬁdence. The tin man, played by Tony Campese, had the rusty movements down. The munchkins sang together with clarity and all the dancers provided

a graceful addition to the play. The good witch of the North, played by Eliza Cotton, was very unique to watch. She looked, moved and spoke just like the Good witch we are used too. The kids acted their hearts out. I am so proud of them,” said Jaymi Gilmour. “They worked so hard for weeks, and it paid off. They were so wonderful.” Four year old Bevan Evenson, who came to watch the show, said of it “I love the show, mostly when they are dancing. I don’t like the witch though, she scares me.” Of course, my Uncle Tim should have been here. He once told all of us cousins, and now my children, that the whole world was black and white. He said that the world did not turn to color until the movie Wizard of Oz came out. After the play, my son looked at me and said “It’s good that the movie came out ﬁrst. I don’t want to watch the whole play in black and white.”

The cast included (left to right) Tony Campese as Tinman, Colin Davis as Scarecrow, Samantha Jacob as Dorothy, Michael Quinn as Lion, and Samantha Nutting as Wicked With (in background).

Toto: Bridger Love, Scarecrow: Colin Davis, Dorothy: Samantha Jacob Tinman: Tony Campese, Lion: Michael Quinn, Glinda: Eliza Cotton, Dorothy: Samantha Jacob, Toto: Bridger Love

Trees: Shelby Durham, Abigail Schumacher

Dorothy: Samantha Jacob, Munchkin Coroner: Savannah Walker, Munchkins: Omari Jackson and Mollie Taylor

Toto: Bridger Love, Dorothy: Samantha Jacob, Aunt Em: Lora Sherrod, Uncle Henry: Chandler Lobstein

Patriot Publishing is a small publishing business starting up right here in Wyoming. We not only publish the Campbell County Observer and calendars, but anything in print. We will soon also have a monthly publication that we think you will enjoy. If you have a book and can’t get a major company to publish you, we are a new and American-owned publisher that may print your work. Please feel free to contact us at anytime with your idea.

Dorothy: Samantha Jacob, Lion: Michael Quinn, Scarecrow: Colin Davis

Community It’s not a crime for a man to fish and golf all summer long However, we’ve heard that wives are gathering at the capital to pass a law to that effect! So come see us. We’ll send you home with the gift that keeps you legal, and lets her know you’re thinking of her even as you’re sinking another birdie putt.

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Rick McElroy BBQ’s for the First National Bank and Basin Radio’s fundraiser for Red Cross.

Red Cross BBQ

The Red Cross, sponsored by the Basin Radio Network and First National Bank (RC Ranch) held a BBQ on Wednesday holding a fundraiser for the families of the destroyed homes in North Dakota. Along the Souris (or Mouse) river around Minot ND, serious ﬂooding has destroyed homes recently. “People were coming in

showing pictures of friends and families houses, and we thought we could help,” said State Representative and First National Bank employee Gregg Blikre. “There are lots of people here in Campbell County with ties in North Dakota.” There were burgers and dogs served with all the trimmings, which drew a consistently large crowd.

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Basin Radio announced on all stations the event and asked people to come down, give a donation, and get something to eat. You can continue donating to the Red Cross through the Basin Radio Stations and both locations of First National Bank throughout the weekend. At the BBQ, $5,024.37 was raised.

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Freedom of the Press By Sue Sharp, Facilitator/Mediator they used to say before the digital age. Earlier the representative of the Cheyenne paper had summarized, very professionally and effectively, a featured ﬁve part series on energy as part of her introduction. Although I had not read it, I knew in my heart she believed it was fair and unbiased. A member of the audience who was not present during her presentation brought the series up as an example of not telling the whole story and putting energy in a negative light. She handled it beautifully and said they really tried to stay balanced. She explained the paper was contemplating hiring an energy reporter. Another energy representative brought up the example of being “dinged” in a newspaper story on an inspection because a comma was missing on a required sign. “That makes news? Do your research. The permits are on-line”, she said. The dictionary deﬁnes Freedom of Speech as the freedom to speak freely without censorship and refers not only to verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. The Editor of the CCO pointed out it was his right to print positive stories about energy as long as it was truthful. It sent a shudder through the panelists to hear that someone could have a newspaper and print what they wanted without the pressures of employment by a paper. A few comments about that not being journalism caused me to ask Nick DeLaat, “So you admit to being biased?” He answered, “Yes, I own my own newspaper; nobody can tell me what to print.” He also mentioned that sometimes

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2011 Energy Expo Panel Discussions

When Senator Jennings called to ask me to facilitate a panel discussion on Media and Energy in WY he said it was a good way for me to get exposure as a mediator. He was not wrong. It was also an opportunity for the media to gain exposure about their opinions on the role media plays in the energy industry. The question asked was, what role does the media play in reporting on the energy industry and what is their responsibility to the public? Panelists included the editor/owner of this paper, The Campbell County Observer, and representatives from The Cheyenne Tribune Eagle, The Casper Star Tribune and an online newspaper Wyoﬁle. As soon as panelists introduced themselves and went quickly through their presentations, the topic was soon challenged by members of the energy industry in the audience who begged to differ with the majority claiming to be fair and balanced. Only one stood out, Nick DeLaat. He declared his right to be personally biased towards the energy industry. Nick said he worked in the industry and is grateful for what they do for the community and for their employee’s safety. The discomfort among panel members was noticeable. As a disclaimer, in my past life I was a health care media and energy community relations representative in Campbell County as well as a coal industry lobbyist. I noticed the energy shift and tension build. It was exciting! Thoughtful, meaningful civil discourse was welcomed to this panel discussion. It was all out on the table. Audience members were empowered to challenge the folks that “buy ink by the barrel” as

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although his mission is to print what is good about Campbell County, including dance recitals and other hometown cultural and family feel good events, he sometimes receives calls tipping him off to stories that might be coming up because the caller trusts him. There were glances back and forth and follow up opinions about trusting the media both from panelists and the audience. One young reporter in the room, asked, “How do we get that?” Maybe this was a lesson for all of us. The First Amendment, Freedom of Speech is not to be messed with. All the text books and journalism do’s and don’ts in the world cannot replace honesty and trust. Could this mean that further honest public discussion and even discourse between the media and energy is long overdue? The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When a small church pickets military funerals we reluctantly give them their rights. My husband, a Viet Nam Veteran reminds me these are the same rights men and women have bravely died for in this country and on foreign soils. The lesson is not to be taken lightly. Sometimes, I think the very thing America stands for, freedom of speech, will be the same thing that will take us down. Then I remember where I am and what the lesson really is. I recently heard a politician say, “let’s hold our heads high in the energy industry. We create good jobs and in America there’s more than enough energy to make us self-reliant.” I wonder if anyone wrote it down.

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Campbell County Observer Will Have Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Need an apprasial? Give me a call!

On Wednesday July 13th at the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, the Campbell County Observer will have its opening ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 12:45 in the afternoon. If you would like to meet the owners and staff of the Counties new local newspaper, the ceremony is open to the public.

Jeff @ 307-682-7864 Veteran Owned Business 3

Community Weekly Trivia Question Who was the First President of our Country? A. Patrick Henery B. Ben Franklin C. George Washington D. John Hanson Flip to page11 for the answer

Joke of the week

Campbell County Fire Department, along with family members, tests hoses for durability outside of Conestoga in Sleepy Hollow. This is an annual test in which pressures are applied to all hoses, ranging from 250psi to 400psi depending on the hose.

City Ofﬁces will be closed July 4 City ofﬁces will be closed July 4th in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. The city’s Solid Waste Division will not pick up trash on Monday, July 4th and will run double routes on Tuesday, July 5th. If your trash pickup day is Monday, do not put out your rollout on Monday, but please wait until Tuesday and place your rollouts, recycling and yard waste container at the curb by 7 a.m. The regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5th in the Gillette City Council Chambers due to the Monday holiday. There are many events taking place on Monday, July 4th:

7 a.m. - Universal Athletics Firecracker 4 mile run/walk at Bicentennial Soccer Fields 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. - Volunteer Fireman Pancake Feed at 106 Rohan Avenue 10 a.m. - 4th of July Parade from 2nd Street to Osborne Avenue 11:30 a.m. - Registration for Activities at Bicentennial Park on Warlow Drive Noon - Free Hot Dog Feed Begins Kids Games Begin (Sampson Field) Chalk it up Begins Mud Volleyball Begins (North side of Bicentennial Park) 12:30 p.m. - Strong Man/Woman

Challenge Begins (Softball Field 3) 1 p.m. - Fireman Water Fights Begin Wacky Obstacle Course (Goatroper Field) 1 - 3 p.m. - KOOL 105.3 hosts The Boogie Machine Band at Bicentennial Park (north of the Concession building) 10 p.m. - Fireworks Display begins at CAM-PLEX The Gillette Police Department would like to remind the public that ﬁreworks are not permitted within City Limits - the Police Department would also like to remind the public to Drive Sober, It’s Worth It.

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Gillette Police seek input for federal grant The Gillette Police Department needs your assistance. Public input sought for federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Gillette Police Department needs public input on how to use federal funds to improve or enhance the criminal justice system in Gillette.

The City of Gillette is eligible to receive a federal grant in the amount of $10,612. This grant from the U.S. Department of Justice is intended to provide support to local governments in their efforts to prevent and control crime and improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

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If you have suggestions regarding the use of these funds to improve or enhance the criminal justice system in Gillette, please contact the ofﬁce of the Deputy Chief of Police at 686-5294 or email gillettepd@ci.gillette.wy.us. Comments will be accepted until July 15, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

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and has many advantages. It provides an opportunity for employees to communicate with one another better; it provides an opportunity to share documents; it is going to save the state of Wyoming over a million dollars per year; it is going to provide better security and better storage capacity and ultimately it will allow us to do our jobs better because we now have a better tool.” The Governor and State CIO Waters thanked state employees for their work to move to a new email platform. Waters said, “Once again we are leading the world in how we innovate. We are a small state by population but we are moving forward very well.” The President of En-

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Wyoming is the ﬁrst state in the country to “Go Google”

Commemorating another Wyoming first, Governor Matt Mead, State Chief Information Officer, Flint Waters and the President of Enterprise at Google, David Girouard, announced today that all 10,000 of Wyoming’s state employees have now migrated to Google Apps for Government. This puts all of the employees on a single email platform for the first time. Previously the state used more than 13 different platforms. “As all of you know, one of my top priorities is moving technology forward in Wyoming,” Governor Mead said this morning. He also said the agreement with Google Apps is exciting. “This is cloud based computing

Once, in the 1820’s, a little boy called Sam was playing in the yard behind his house. During his pretend ﬁghting game, he knocked over the outhouse. Now, Sam was upset and worried that he would get into trouble so he ran into the woods and did not come out until after it got dark. When he arrived back home, his pappy was waiting for him. He asked suspiciously, “Son, did you knock over the outhouse this afternoon?” “No, pappy,” Sam lied. “Well, let me tell you a story,” said the father. “Once, not that long ago, Mr. Washington received a shiny new axe from his father. Excited, he tried it out on a tree, swiftly cutting it down. But as he looked at the tree, with dismay he realized it was his mother’s favorite cherry tree,” his pappy paused.” just like you, he ran into the woods. When he returned, his pappy asked, ‘George, did you cut down the cherry tree?’ Mr. Washington answered with, ‘Father, I cannot tell a lie. I did indeed chop down the tree.’ Then his father said, ‘Well, since you were honest with me, you are spared from punishment. I hope you have learned your lesson, though.’ So,” the Sam’s father asked again,” did you knock down the outhouse?” “Pappy, I cannot tell a lie anymore.” said the little boy. “I did indeed knock down the outhouse.” Then his father spanked Sam boy red, white, and blue. The boy whimpered, “Pappy, I told you the truth! Why did you spank me?” Pappy answered, “That’s because George Washington’s father wasn’t in the tree when he chopped it down!”

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terprise at Google, David Girouard, came to Cheyenne to mark this occasion. “Wyoming likes to be first and that is a great message to us,” Girouard said. “This is the first state-wide implementation of Google Apps, so it’s something we’re very excited to partner with Wyoming on.” He also said he was heartened to hear that the Governor’s Office wanted to be on the leading edge of this implementation. Governor Mead and his staff were in the first wave of employees to move to Google Apps. Governor Mead ended this event by saying that he will always look for ways for state government to operate more effectively and efficiently.

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Readers on the Road

We are launching something fun called “Readers on the road.” Take a picture of you, your friends, or your family holding an Issue of the Campbell County Observer, submit it with the names of the people in the picture and where the picture was taken, and submit it in to us. Have Fun!!

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Community

Veteran of the Month

Singer Nicole Madison (above) performed at the Donkey Creek Festival.

By Sandra Boehler

Photo by Clark Sandars

Donkey Creek Festival Paul Young, President of Gillette College, sat in the front row on Saturday afternoon enjoying the great music coming from the stage. “Terri Anderson had the idea in 2005 and we have been going ever since.” The Donkey Creek Festival started off back then off of a back porch, with around 55-60 people attending. Now, it has grown well into the hundreds, venders, food,

wine tasting, booths, and the best part…three days of great jazz. Families sat around quietly while a light Montreal jazz 3-some played out of the American Songbook of Standards. Lead singer Nicole Madison’s voice was moving, causing people to dance and listen intently as she had the perfect sound for the music. “I love it!” she said after her performance. “Learning the mu-

sic and knowing the writers is most important.” With a smile on her face, she then added that “it’s all about love. I love the music, what it represents, and the people I sing too.” At the festival, there was plenty of venders including rustic furniture, artists, and jewelry. Food included Pokeys BBQ, Indian Taco’s, and Fresh Lemonade. The Headliner this year was Matt Costa, singer and

songwriter. Many other bands were included for the three day event including the Big Horn Big Band, who has been with the festival since the beginning. So, next year if you want great jazz and a weekend of relaxing fun for the family, “Come out to the festival for the best jazz you will hear this side of the Mississippi,” said Steve Oakley of the Big Horn Big Band.

Wyoming one of four states able to keep promises to retirees By Bill McCarthy, Cowboy State Free Press Wyoming is one of four states capable of covering health-care and pension promises to retired state-employees without incurring debt. The Chicago-based Institute for Truth in Accounting announced today completion of a study of all 50 states’ assets and liabilities, including pension and retirement health-care obligations. The study determined that six states carried a burden of more than $20,000 for each taxpayer in the state. Those are Connecticut – $41,200, Illinois – $26,800, Hawaii – $25,000, Kentucky -$23,800, Massachusetts – $20,100 and New Jersey – $34,600. The “taxpayer burden” represents the money needed to pay commitments the state has accumulated divided by the state’s taxpayers. Wyoming has promised to pay more than $3 billion in pension and healthcare beneﬁts to retirees. Unlike most states, the difference between Wyoming’s assets – less capital and restricted assets – and all its obligations on-and-off the balance sheet exceed the state’s obligations. Wyoming’s liquid assets exceed the obligations by $15,100 per taxpayer,

the non-partisan, non-profit Institute reported. The full report will include a more complete picture of each state, said Nancy Mathieson, operations director at the Institute. That will be available in the near future. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced each state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and chief executive of the Institute, in a statement. “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.” The study found four states – Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming – have assets available to pay their debt and obligations related to pension and retirees’ health care. The study reviewed each state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to offset assets against liabilities. Employee compensation packages include retirement benefits. Those benefits are earned each pay period and should be included in the current budget as a portion of current employee compensation costs. Most states handle many benefits on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. That

hides the costs of the beneﬁts from current budgets, pushing them into future budgets. “Though 49 of the 50 states have constitutional or legal requirements to balance budgets, most states employ a variety of ﬁnancial maneuvers to circumvent this requirement,” said Roger Nelson, chairman of Institute for Truth in Accounting and former vice chairman of Ernst & Young. “The largest of these maneuvers is related to employee compensation.”

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” - Clarence Darrow

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Gillette Police remind residents that ﬁreworks are not allowed in City Limits

Reminder from the Gillette Police Department - Fireworks are not allowed within City Limits This includes firecrackers, Roman candles, sky rockets, torpedoes and other combustible fireworks. Posted Date: 6/24/2011 8:30 AM The City of Gillette’s Police Department would like to remind the public that fireworks are not allowed within City Limits. Per City Code: §14-9. Fireworks--Discharging, etc. Except as provided in 14-11, no per-

builds an air base along with an airport at Phan Rang. During his stay they encountered some sniper ﬁre but was fairly safe in his area. Jerry returned to the United States and was discharged at San Francisco California. Jerry recalls his return home was neither an easy nor welcoming experience. Like so many servicemen and women of that era, they were confronted with the protestors. How sad to experience this kind of treatment from American citizens that you have spent your life defending. Jerry is a member of the American Legion along with the American Legion Drill Team and also a Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs. He is very active as a legion member. He spends countless hours helping with functions, cooking and any of the many events that are held at the Legion. Jerry is, not only as a great man but as an “AMERICAN SOLDIER”.

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Owners of the Campbell County Observer (right) dance to a slow version of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

Jerry Stouffer served in the United States Army from 1960-1966. Jerry was twenty-two years old when he was drafted to serve his country. He did his basic training at Fort Riley in Kansas. He was then sent to Ford Ord in California. From there, he was transferred to Fort Belvoir in Virginia, then onto Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, then to Fort Bliss in Texas. He served thirteen months in Korea with a Hawk missile battalion, during peace time where his group was helping do security during his stay. He was sent back to Fort Leonard Wood where Jerry decided to reenlist in the army. His next stop was Fort Eustis in Virginia, and once again back to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. He did temporary duty at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin then was back to Fort Leonard Wood before he was shipped out to Vietnam. Jerry served fourteen months from 1965-1966 in Vietnam. He was with a construction engineer department that

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son shall discharge, explode or fire or cause to be discharged, exploded or fired within the city any firecracker, Roman candle, sky rocket, torpedo or other combustible fireworks or other like explosives. Please be considerate of your neighbors and avoid setting off fireworks in City Limits. For more information contact the Gillette Police Department at (307) 682-5155.

If you are at one of your kid’s events and think it should be published, write an article, submit pictures with captions, and send it in to: OpenArticles@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Community Sports Bar hosts fundraising event for ABATE Motorcycle Club On Wednesday June 22nd, the Sports Bar hosted another fundraising event. This event, which changes every Wednesday, was for the A.B.A.T.E. Motorcycle Club. “The money goes into the general fund which will be paying for our Toy Store,” Said Mike Argue, President. The Toys go to the Council of Community Service which, for families that qualify, gives kids the Christmas

Wings of Freedom Tour comes to Gillette

Commissioner Shoeber ofﬁcially announced at the veterans breakfast on Tuesday that the Wings of Freedom Tour will be comming to Gillette. The Collings Foundation, who puts the tour on, is presenting a North American P-51 Mustang, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, and the

Famous Consolidated B-24 Liberator, which was the plane the Mr. Shoeberts father flew in Italy during WWII. For $425.00 you can fly in one of the aircraft, any one of your choosing. All WWII veterans fly free. The event will take place at the Campbell

County Airport. There will be tours where you can walk all the way through the planes. Come in and take in a ﬂying expirience in a WWII aircraft. Times of the Tour below. July 5th-12pm-5pm July 6,7-9am-5pm

that their parents cannot afford, are coming on hard times, or are away (i.e. military). Last year, there were 6 truckloads of toys brought to around 800 kids. “There are a lot of good local groups out there,” said Mike Argue. “If you have any questions, ask. Whether you ride or drive, come support your local A.B.A.T.E. charity.” The Sports bar hosts a charity or fundraiser every Wednesday night.

WyARNG hosts monthly memorial for veterans in June A state-wide effort to help bring closure to families who lost a veteran began last June with monthly memorial services conducted by the Wyoming Army National Guard’s Honor Guard Team, in partnership with the Wyoming Veterans Commission. The next ceremony will be held in Casper, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery, June 30, at noon, with participation from the Natrona County United Veterans Council, other individual veterans, and the Wyoming Army National Guard Honor Guard. The public is encouraged to attend. The goal is to provide military honors to a larger number of deserving Wyo-

ming veterans. The service opens with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, the reading of the names of the Wyoming veterans who died during the month, a rifle volley, and the playing of “Taps” with the folding of the U.S. flag. The Wyoming Army National Guard provides free military honors for veterans’ individual services; however, some veterans, for one reason or another, never receive the honors due. Veterans’ organizations interested participating in future services should contact the Wyoming Army National Guard’s military funeral honors office at 307-772-5136.

What’s Going On In Government? Monday, July 4

- INDEPENDENCE DAY

Tuesday, July 5

- Mayor’s Art Council Meeting, 5-6 p.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall - City Council Workshop, 6:30- 7 p.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall - City Council Pre-meeting,

Josh Herman and Sierra Oliveri play “ﬁnd a beat” at Cam-plex. The 20 and 25 year old musicians hand out at Cam-plex during most weekends perfecting their drum skills.

7- 7:30 p.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall - City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall

Wednesday, July 6

- Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board, 5 p.m., George Amos Memorial Bldg.

The Campbell County Observer Staff

Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Nicholas De Laat - Owner/Editor NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com Keary Speer - Editor KearySpeer@CampbellCountyObserver.com Jenna Flanery - Layout/Design Owen Clark - Ad Design OwenClark@CampbellCountyObserver.com Ken McCoy - Distribution Manager Pattie Ladd - What’s Going On PattieLadd@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Writers

Sandra Boehler (Charities/Fundraisers/Veterans Events) SandraBoehler@CampbellCountyObserver.com Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com Elizabeth Albin (Wright) ElizabethAlbin@campbellcountyobserver.com Lin Stephens LinStephens@CampbellCountyObserver.com Josh Uzarski (Science) JoshuaUzarski@CampbellCountyObserver.com Ken De Laat (About Nothing) KennethDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Where is this picture taken? See answer on Page 7 6

“Juice” (Political Cartoonist) Juice@CampbellCountyObserver.com Jeff Morrison (Local History Contributor) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com

Community

Donkey Creek Car Show a Hit

The Car show at the Donkey Creek festival, sponsored by Campbell County Classics and the Texas Trail Cruisers, drew a consistent crowd throughout the day on Saturday. Claude Baman was the organizer. This was the 2nd year of the show. Below are some of the cars that were included. Black 46’WC Dodge with a 216 ci. engine owned by Eldon Peyrot 1927 Ford Roadster with a 355 Chevy engine (142 blower) 1955 Chevy Bel Air with a 402 big block owned by Rich Rogers 1929 Model A Ford owned by John Guthmiller Jr.

CCMH Chief Executive Ofﬁcer authors book on Board Governance Campbell County Memorial Hospital CEO Robert Morasko has co-authored a book on board governance entitled “Unlocking the Secrets to Better Board Governance”. The book is now available in paperback or e-reader. The description on Amazon.com describes the new book as “… a treasure chest of knowledge that accelerates the learning cycle for any-

one seeking to understand what it takes for a board of directors to govern most effectively for the owners they represent. Through a practical, no nonsense approach, the authors reveal the best-practices that are all too often overlooked by governing boards.” Bob’s brother Jerry Morakso, CEO of Avita Health Systems in Galion, OH and Ruth Ann Watry, Asst. Pro-

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” - Clarence Darrow “There! His Majesty can now read my name without glasses. And he can double the reward on my head!” - John Hancock after signing his name in large letters on the Declaration of Independence “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!” - Patrick Henry in 1774 after the Boston Tea Party. “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” - Patrick Henry

fessor of Political Science at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, are the other co-authors. As a result of working for and with a number of different boards, Mr. Morasko and his co-authors sought to improve the success of the facilities where they worked by developing a more basic, less complicated and easier to un-

“One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.” - Joe Garagiola “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” - Tom Paine “Unhappy it is, though, to reﬂect that a brother’s sword has been sheathed in a brother’s breast and that the once-happy plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?” - George Washington in a letter to a friend “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” - Nathan Hale’s last words before being hanged by British

derstand system for board governance. “It’s very gratifying to have a book published,” said Mr. Morakso. “It was a long process, about ﬁve years, but I’m proud to have contributed something relevant to my profession. I hope some of our regional boards will take the opportunity to read it.”

Answer: City Hall

“That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” - Thomas Jefferson, 1774

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Business

Adriano’s Italian Restaurant It has been a long time since I have had two of my favorite things. The ﬁrst, which is spending a quiet dinner alone with my wife, we haven’t been out to a dinner together since 2007 without our kids, and authentic Italian food. On Saturday, I did both, much to my enjoyment. The time with my wife was great, actually being able to have a decent conversation while relaxing about anything else. Now, I know that when you go to Olive Garden that they claim to be Italian, they are not. There are not too many places in the United States outside of Detroit, Boston, N.Y., and Chicago, but we have one right here in Gillette. When I was in the Navy, I was stationed at N.A.S. Sigonella, in Sicily. While there for 3 years I traveled, ate, drank the best wine in the world, and made many friends. While trying to learn the language, I got adopted in by a Sicilian family whom did not speak a word of English. I learned the languages (Sicilian and Italian) and experienced much about the culture around me. Food was a big part of that culture. Italians take a pride in cooking like I have never seen, but since have adopted. They are the best when picking out quality for their ingredients including meats, vegetables, and herbs. Yes, we do have a true authentic Italian restaurant here in Gillette. Adriano, the owner and head cook, takes special time with everything. He brings the Ital-

ian food to life, and does it with passion. An immigrant from Italy, could you think of anyone else suited for the restaurant? We asked Adranio what he wanted to feed us instead of ordering ourselves, which is always a good choice because then you will get the best that day. After a glass of white wine and a carafe’ of Chianti for me, the sampler platter was brought out. It was full of food and almost a meal in itself. Candice, my wife, said of the grilled garlic shrimp on toast that it is “to die for.” She loved the perfect bite of zingy garlic that she loves, and expected this to be her favorite dish. She was wrong. She then raved about the calamari, which she said “you know how most restaurants don’t have good breading and the calamari is really rubbery?” The calamari at Adriono’s is far from. The calamari is cooked to a perfect tenderness complemented with the right breading. Next, we had a bowl of Pasta Fagioli. This was just as good, with the smell of oregano emanating around your head while you eat. The broth was a perfect mix of the ingredients to bring out the ﬂavor justly. Finally, we had 4 dishes. My wife had the Carbonara tortellini and the Putanesca linguini. The Putanesca was so good that you could watch her slowly enjoying it, every taste at a time. “It is a little spicy but not peppery or hot spicy, but sweet spicy. I have never had anything like it.” She then went on

to the Carbonara to which was so good that she exclaimed that she was “very sad that she couldn’t ﬁnish it.” She did though; as she made sure we were bringing it home. “The kids are not getting any of this!” she said. I had the Veal Calabrese and the Chicken Adriano. The chicken was complemented with a great tasting cream sauce and my favorite meat topping mushrooms. I could not stop eating it. The veal brought me back to a day when a few service brothers of mine and I were eating at a restaurant on the coast of the Mediterranean eating this dish, watching the sea, sitting below a castle, and on our way to a 3000 year old amphitheater. The plate was so good that I could almost smell the salt of the water right then and there. The cuts of veal are cut just like they are supposed to be and cooked to perfection. The rest, well, I’ll let you order. There are images of Italy on the television, great music in the atmosphere, and a full house. The waitresses are kind and professional, and Adriano himself comes out of the kitchen every half hour to talk to the customers in his heavy Italian accent. He makes sure your food is good. That is the pride of the owner of the new restaurant in town. If you want authentic Italian, don’t go to olive garden, go to Adriano’s. Believe me when I say that you will keep coming back!

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Public Pulse About Nothing By Ken DeLaat

Bold Republic Weekly Why the Fourth of July is so important By Glenn Woods

Throughout world history, most of the human population has not enjoyed freedom. From the earliest recorded periods of human history most people of the world have lived under the heels of a lord or king as servants. Very few have ever experienced the ability to shape their own lives and decide their own destiny. “Man is born free, yet he is everywhere in chains.” - Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) If you repeat this fact you will, in most cases, be met with a bit of surprise. In America, most everyone has known nothing but freedom; therefore, most Americans take their freedom for granted. The fact is that most of the rest of the world’s population, even today, lives under authoritarian regimes of one kind or another, and the number of free nations is shrinking, not growing. On January 13, 2011, Freedom House released its findings from the latest edition of Freedom in the World. The study is of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the survey’s findings, 2010 was the fifth consecutive year in which global freedom suffered a decline. If this is true then this would be the longest period of setbacks for freedom in the nearly 40-year history of the report. These declines threaten gains dating to the post–Cold War era in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the former Soviet bloc. The current struggle in the Middle East is against a string of dictators who have kept their people in poverty, uneducated, and under their boot heels for generations. The question here is whether it will be freedom that arises from “The Arab Spring” or just another form of dictatorship. Seeing these facts, it is not an un-

derstatement to say that America is a rare island of freedom in a world of slaves. There is good reason the celebrate the 4th of July, the freedom that was won for us by our founding fathers, and kept for us by those who bravely fought and died since then. Freedom has never been free, as the bumper sticker says. Our freedom came as it has always come; by brave people ﬁghting their oppressors in ﬁerce combat. “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Martin Luther King Jr. Once freedom is established it must be guarded, and not just from outside forces, but from those would rob it from us from within. The greatest threat to freedom does not always come from outside oppressors. Most often it comes from those inside who come to you with offerings and promises in exchange for liberties. “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” Thomas Paine “The law will never make men free, it is men that have to make the law free.” - Henry David Thoreau. There are always those who would threaten our freedom from without. As one current example, take a look at the words of the Islamic Fascist who abhors the very idea of Western freedom. Islamic Mullahs preach to their congregations against the freedom of thought and the right of citizens to vote. One famous sign held up by Islamic protesters in Europe reads, “Freedom Go To Hell.” But an even greater threat today is coming from within our own government, from those who are working to

take away from us our right to choose everything from our own healthcare provider, what sort of light bulb we use in our homes, and if we are allowed to buy our kids a “Happy Meal.” Believe it or not there are even towns that have banned July 4th fireworks for “environmental reasons.” More frightening are not the people who work, tirelessly it seems, to take our freedoms, but those who are too complacent to fight for them. How can some give in so easily, without a fight, to a few spineless unthinking politicians and bureaucrats yet at the same time say they honor, on the 4th of July, those who fought for and defended our freedoms with their very lives? “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” - Elmer Davis “America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality.” - Adlai Stevenson This July 4th, fill your belly with hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and beer. Enjoy the fireworks. (Be glad they have not been banned in Campbell County). Breathe in the free air and thank God that you are an American. --- Then, take a moment and remember that after this day is over you will once again be needed to defend the cause of freedom for yourself and future generations. We need you on the front lines for the cause of freedom, no matter if the enemy is abroad or at home. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” - Thomas Jefferson

To listen to Glenn Woods morning radio show tune in to 1270am KIML Gillette Monday through Friday from 6 - 10 a.m.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Have we lost our sense? While we celebrate the fourth of July we are losing the freedoms we obtained that day. Many people proclaim they want more liberty (that which has been taken away by government) yet want to create restrictions as it suites them. They want more freedom, yet they want to control others according to

All opinions in the Public Pulse section are not necessarily the opinions of the Campbell County Observer

their morals. They want their own say, but do not want to let others speak. I don’t understand this hypocritical thinking, but what can you do? Nothing because people will not listen to reason. Chris Stilard Editor: I do not believe that most people have lost their reason. I meet someone every day that has studied the constitution. I listen to someone every day who is interested in our history. I have had great conversations with people who are frustrated with the heading of our ship of Liberty and do not know how to help drive the boat. There are many things you can do, however, doing nothing will only serve one direction. Dear Editor, Happy 4th of July. I know that you are passionate about these holidays, and I love to see others passionate

about it too. I would like to talk about not being able to light off fireworks in the City. The fireworks celebration comes from the original celebration of lighting off muskets and cannons. It is our nation’s birthday. Let us celebrate it without more and more regulations. To regulate our nation’s birthday is deplorable. Morlene Dickinson Editor: Happy 4th to you. Yes, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the 4th of July are my favorite holidays. I have been proud to serve our nation and these holidays represent a cause greater than any of us. As far as the fireworks ban, if you petition the City Council to hear arguments from the public, you may see it lifted (no promises). The point of rejoicing this holiday is that we fought to have a Republic. We wanted representation. We now have it. The question is, will you exercise that right?

Fourth of July. Food, friends, family, fireworks, fun. Of all the holidays out there, this is the one that brings out the simmering celebratory side of all of us. It is not only the most precious of the summer holidays but it is generally accompanied by fairly good weather, involves time off from work, draws folks to water, and has an overabundance of focus on merriment for merriment’s sake. It grays the boundaries of just what illegal fireworks are defined as for a couple of days, thus allowing boys in men’s bodies to create noise and flare while risking fingers and eardrums. Sparklers, a distinctively seasonal product, make their way into the stores and are purchased allowing kids to participate in playing with fire-like objects for one day a year. Parades involving pomp, politicians, and patriotism abound as do potato saladpopulated picnics and outdoor parties where hot dogs and hamburgers dominate the menus. In the evenings, everyone has their favorite spot to witness fireworks while listening to those people who are compelled to bring up how expensive they are and what a waste it is just prior to oohing and awing over the dazzling displays. It is all about having a good time and for good reason. It is a birthday celebration. For everyone who calls this great country home, it is a commemoration of the time an unruly group of renegade British citizens decided it was time to create a new kind of nation, then set forth to do so. It is about freedom. It is about liberty. It is about a country that is by no means perfect, by no means always right and by no means always headed in the right direction, but for all its imperfections is ours. For every flaw in us there is a ton of things right about us. When I use this space to criticize our politicians or our governmental system I get folks who agree with some things I say and folks who dislike things I say (the ones who dislike tend to be more vehement for some reason) but, whether in agreement or not, the true beauty lies in the fact that I am allowed to do it. Like other citizens I am allowed to question authority, carp about governmental inadequacies, and tilt tirades toward leadership that looks ludicrous at times. Because we can. When we dislike someone in those roles enough we can dislodge them. Vote them out. Form our own party and run for office if we so desire. Ok, our freedom may be taking some major hits of late and there is a general disenchantment with the way things are heading sometimes but at the core of this whole thing we call our country is that, hard as it might be to accomplish, we have the power to change things if enough of us want it to happen and you just don’t get that everywhere. So celebrate. Eat a hot dog, play lawn games, light off a few fireworks, and reflect on the thoughts of people who have said it better than I could ever hope to. “Liberty is the possibility of doubting, the possibility of making a mistake, the possibility of searching and experimenting, the possibility of saying No to any authority-literary, artistic, philosophic, religious, social and even political.” Ignazio Silone “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”-JFK “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”Benjamin Franklin “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” -Albert Einstein “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” -Martin Luther King, Jr “The real democratic idea is, not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him” -Henry Ward Beecher “Better to starve free than be a fat slave”-Aesop “So, Two cheers for Democracy: one because it admits variety and two because it permits criticism” - E. M. Forster “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”-Elmer Davis “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”-Erma Bombeck “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower “This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. “Lyndon B. Johnson “That which distinguishes this day from all others is that then both orators and artillerymen shoot blank cartridges.”-John Burroughs “Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. “-Albert Camus “The United States is the only country with a known birthday.”-James G. Blaine “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. “-William Faulkner “How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy.”-Paul Sweeney “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”-Abraham Lincoln “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.”-Moshe Dayan “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”-William J. Clinton “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” -Gandhi “This land is your land; this land is my land From California, to the New York Island From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me.” Woody Guthrie Happy Birthday everyone.

Our Public Servant

Jo Rempter

Jo Rempfer is not necessarily the person you would like to see. If you do, you are in the emergency room of the Campbell County Memorial Hospital, and you or someone you know is hurt. However, you could not ask for a better person for the job. If you meet her, she has a kind voice with a love and understanding for humanity. “This is my 40th year as a nurse. I love my job, and I love helping people.” Starting school at N. State University, she originally went to college to become a cripple and mentally handicap children’s teacher. After her ﬁrst semester, she was frustrated by the fact that she had to take many courses that did not pertain to the job she was trying to get an education for. “I went home, and told my dad that I was not going back. He asked me what I was going to do. I didn’t know, so he told me that I had better ﬁgure it out.” Then her mom had the idea of nursing. Jo had been born by a mitten

hand, and “after 3 years of surgery I could use it for anything. This helped with my decision to help people. I had great care during the long months in the hospital as a 3-5 year old. I wanted to be a part of that.” She then signed up for the Sioux Valley Hospital School. “This made sense because you were learning to become a nurse right away.” Right now, her job as an RN is to organize triage, perform lab call backs, and organize patients. “If you are waiting in the emergency room, it is not on purpose. We know you are worried and in pain. But if there are people that need life or death emergency care, please be patient while we save a life. We will treat you as soon as possible. We want to. We wouldn’t be in this profession if we didn’t care.” Jo and her husband Jim spend their time either gold panning in South Dakota, or visiting Grandchildren in San Diego. Her oldest son is a nurse in the Navy, holding the rank of Lt. Colo-

nel, while her younger son, Andrew, works at buckskin mine. In four years, she plans on retiring. It will be hard though because she loves her job, and enjoys working with people. She is proud of the people she works with, stating with certainty, “I truly believe that we have an outstanding staff of nurses and doctors in emergency. They are the best I have worked with in 40 years.”

So, if you see Jo in the emergency room, remember: you are in good hands. If you see here outside of work, remember: you are in good company.

STINSON CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C.

Campbell Co. Fire Dept.

June 22, 2011

- At 4:17 a.m. to Dakota Court for an EMS assist. - At 12:29 p.m. to Independence Drive for an EMS assist. - At 1:03 p.m. to 4J Road for an EMS assist. - At 3:34 p.m. to West I90 for vehicle fire. Upon arrival the engine compartment was on fire. Firefighter extinguished the flames and kept the fire out of the passenger compartment. - At 8:31 p.m. to Emerson Avenue for a hit gas line. Owner had hit gas line with lawn mower. Upon arrival found a one inch gas line leaking. Evacuated the area and plugged the gas line. - At 9:08 p.m. to East Hwy 51 for an EMS assist.

June 23, 2011

- At 1:15 p.m. to 2501 Dogwood Avenue for an automatic fire alarm activation. CCFD was cancelled en route by the alarm monitoring company when it was determined there was no emergency. - At 1:20 p.m. to the intersection of Country Club Road and HWY 59 for a 2 vehicle collision. No one was injured in the crash and no fluids leaked from the involved vehicles. While CCFD was working at the first collision another 2 vehicle collision occurred in the opposite lane at the intersection of Country Club Road and HWY 59. One occupant of an involved vehicle was transported with injuries to CCMH-ER. CCFD contained fluids leaking from the involved vehicles. - At 4:50 p.m. to the intersection of HWY 14-16 and Echeta Road for an oil spill. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found approximately 10 gallons of oil spilled in the intersection

and west on Echeta Road for approximately 100 feet. CCFD applied Bio-Solve to the spill and City of Gillette Street Division employees applied sand to it. The sand will be removed on the morning of 6/24/11by the Street Division. - At 7:18 p.m. to Wrangler Road for an EMS assist. - At 10:55 p.m. to Prairieview Drive for a citizens assist.

June 24, 2011

- At 1:58 a.m. to 2201 West 4J Road for a structure fire. Initial reports were that a garage was on fire at the address but it was quickly determined that only a pole mounted transformer and the surrounding area were actually on fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival extinguished the transformer and grass fire. A vehicle, lilac bushes, and garage underneath the pole were damage by heat from the fire but did not actually burn. The cause was determined to be a malfunction in one of the pole mounted transformers and total damage was estimated at $4000. - At 1:18 p.m. to Camel Drive for an EMS assist. - At 2:30 p.m. to North Hwy 1416 for an EMS assist. - At 6:16 p.m. to Hwy 51 for a railroad tie fire. Upon arrival found that railroad personnel had extinguished fire. - At 7:16 p.m. to Blue Ave for an EMS assist.

- At 10:12 p.m. to Rock Road for an EMS assist

June 25, 2011

- At 12.04 a.m. to Yucca Court for an EMS assist. - At 11:07 AM to approximately 20 miles west of Gillette on Echeta Rd. for a 1 acre grass fire caused by a passing train. - At 11:47 AM to Echeta and Highway 14-16 for a report of a 4” natural gas line that was hit by a construction crew, the line was clamped as well as a 2” feeder line. Before crews could leave the scene a second 4” line was hit by an excavator, this line was also clamped by fire crews. - At 4:25 PM to Frisky Ct. for an EMS assist. - At 10:32 PM to Patrick Henry for a report of a possible structure fire, upon arrival it was determined to be a controlled burn. - At 11:47 Pm to Oregon for a vehicle vs. pedestrian, the pedestrian was transported to CCMH ED.

June 26, 2011

- At 6:26 AM to the 400 block of Butler Spaeth for an EMS assist. - At 3:13 p.m. to Grosventre Way for an EMS assist. - At 4:30 p.m. to 1013 E. Boxelder Rd for a cigarette receptacle that was on ﬁre and had been put out by bystanders. CCFD cooled the receptacle. The damage was contained to the receptacle.

To place a classiﬁed ad, email us at Classiﬁeds@CampbellCountyObserver.com Include name, phone, e-mail and physical address. For more information go to www.campbellcountyobserver.net

Dirt Road Work. Blading and Hauling.

Lowest Rates! Best Quality!

Call Bowman for your free quote! 307-660-2532

Are you paying $1,000 a month rent or more? Own a home for less than you rent! Come see us at

Home Team Associates

We give you the personal confidence of locally owned and locally operated.

(307) 687-7070 2800 S. 4J Road Gillette, WY 82718

Sports Report What’s Going On In Sports? Monday, July 4

Thursday, July 7

- INDEPENDENCE DAY

Tuesday, July 5

- Rustlers @ Hargens/Leisy Tourney, Gillette, TBA

- Roughriders @ Douglas, 5:30/7:30 p.m. - Rustlers @ Sheridan, 5/7 p.m.

Friday, July 8

- Roughriders @ Gopher Classic Tourney, Minneapolis, MN, TBA - Rustlers @ Hargens/Leisy Tourney, Gillette, TBA

Sports Question of the Week Should the all-star baseball game decide home advantage in the world series? “Yea, it gives them something to play for.” - Jose Diago

At Gillette Thunder Speedway, the races are on. The beautiful noise of horsepower, the crowd, and the technology come together in Campbell County’s own raceway. They race every Saturday night and the Campbell County Observer will soon start covering the event every week. Come on down and enjoy our County’s own races.

What’s Going On? Friday, July 1

- AVA- All Fired Up! 9-11:30 a.m., Pottery Class Fee $60, Call 682-9133 for more info. - Teen Open-Play Gaming, 1-4 p.m., CCPL - AVA- All Fired Up! 1-3:30 p.m., Pottery Class Fee $60, Call 682-9133 for more info. - Teen Summer ReadingAfrica, 2-4 p.m., CCPL - Open MIC Night, 7 p.m., Brother’s Coffee - AVA- Uncorked! 7 p.m., Fee $35, Must be 21 years of age to attend, Call 682-9133 for more info. - Mesa Drive @ Jakes Tavern

Saturday, July 2

- Trash to Trees, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Gillette College Tech. Center - Car Racing; CLMA/ WDRA, 7 p.m., Gillette Thunder Speedway - Mesa Drive @ Jakes Tavern

Sunday, July 3

- CCPL CLOSED

Monday, July 4

- INDEPENDENCE DAY - See Campbell Co. Centennial Fourth of July What’s Going On Section for List of Events

Tuesday, July 5

- AVA Miniature Art Show Starts July 5-29, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Call 682-9133 for more info. - Physician Recruitment & Retention, 12:15 p.m., CCMH - Wings of Freedom Tour, 2-5 p.m., Campbell Co. Airport, Walk-Thru Tours & Flight Experiences, (800)586-8924 or www.cfdn.org

- AVA Pint Size Picassos, All Day Event, 682-9133 or www.avacenter.org to register in advance

Thursday, July 7

- Wings of Freedom Tour, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Campbell Co. Airport, Walk-Thru Tours & Flight Experiences, (800)586-8924 or www.cfdn. org - AVA Pint Size Picassos, All Day Event, 682-9133 or www.avacenter.org to register in advance - 1-2-3 Webinar: Economic Gardening for Small Businesses, 2-3 p.m., Your Desktop, mike lamb@uwyo.edu for more info. & to register - Prenatal Series Classes Start, Call 688-2200 to Reg-

ister Free, CCMH - Coffee with Bob, 4 p.m., CCMH - AVA- Painting- Adult Beginners, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 6 week session till July 14, $125 (all supplies included) 682-9133 for more info. - CC Cowgirls/Cowboys, 6:30 p.m., Camplex Wrangler Arena

Friday, July 8

- AVA Tile Glazing, All Day Event, Call 682-9133 or www.avacenter.org to register in advance - Badger Horse @ Jakes Tavern - Couples Night, Gillette Golf Club, 5:30-6 p.m., 1800 Country Club Rd.

Subscribe Now Mail this form, along with payment, to our office at 5105 Tarry St. Sleepy Hollow (Campbell County), WY 82718

12 Weeks - $12.00 26 Weeks - $25.00 52 Weeks - $50.00

Name Address Phone Number To Pay with a Credit/Debit Card, please call our office at (307) 670-8980 or visit our website at www.campbellcountyobserver.com

Classiﬁeds

Wednesday, July 6

- Wings of Freedom Tour, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Campbell Co. Airport, Walk-Thru Tours & Flight Experiences, (800)586-8924 or www.cfdn. org

“One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.” - Joe Garagiola

- LIMITED TIME ONLY Free Classiﬁed Ad - 10 words or less (Private ownership only - No businesses) For more details visit www.campbellcountyobserver.com - or - call (307) 670-8980

Pets

Homes for Sale

Apartments for Rent

Welsh Corgi Puppies. 3 females, and two males. 682-2598

Home for sale by owner in Western Way. Asking $239,000 for the 1,800 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home with an unﬁnished basement and a two car garage. Fully fenced, large landscaped yard with a sprinkler system. Home is within walking distance to the new recreation center and the new elementary school that is being built. Please contact me at 307-6701209 if you are interested.

1-5 bedroom units available for rent. Please contact Real Estate Systems of Gillette Inc at 307-682-0964 for all the updated details.

Help Wanted Cook needed at Lu La Bells. Motivated and Energetic. Days Only. Apply at Lu La bells. Local journalists wanted. Always wanted to try? Must be 16 yrs of age. Contact us at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com Advertising Sales for our weekly paper. Great commission rate, set your own hours. Contact us at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com

Weekly Trivia Answer John Hanson The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15, 1777. Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land). Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the Revolution and an extremely inﬂuential member of Congress.

Contributors wanted for weekly newspaper. Need a doctor, a Politician, a lawyer, and more to contribute an article a month. E-mail CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com for more information. Sports writers, event writers wanted. Gillette, Write, Recluse, Rozet. Call 670-8980.

Autos, Trucks and Vans 1981 Harley Davidson FXB-Sturgis, 1st dual-belt drive to commemorate Hill-Climb @ Sturgis, Jack-Pine Gypsies rally started in ‘41, 50th anniversary model. 12K on straight-up original paint, new Moetzler’s drivenby beefed Shovel, 102hp at wheel. Perfect in every aspect, serious inquiries only, loan is $15K and value of over 25K. Ben 680.7464, 3-other older bikes and this has to go to the right person! 2008 Hyundai Sonata LMTD, 40,000 mi. $13,500, Call 307-660-2532. ‘76 Electra-Glide would consider trade on Pan or Knuck if ya know of anyone, ‘81 sent it to LA-S&S, 11.5to1 and dual-plugged to run regular-gas, had burn-out time at Hog-Jam! Ben 680.7464.

Tri-level house for sale 4 bed 2 bath $209,000 (307) 670-1925.

Wanted to Buy I Buy Militaria. Swords, uniforms, bayonets, medals, guns/parts, ﬁeld gear. 682-7864 Newspaper vending machines. Contact us at: CampbellCountyObserver@gmail.com

Camping/Fishing Minnows, crawlers, leeches, ﬁshing tackle, boating and camping supplies. Fully furnished cabin rentals, 50 Amp Full Hookup RV sites 5 minutes from Keyhole Reservoir in Pine Haven. Empire Guesthouse & RV Park 307-756-3454. www.empireguesthouse.com

Campers & Motor Homes 1997 32ft. Class A Motor Home. Sleeps 6, Only 31,000 Miles. Asking $17,000. Call (307) 660-7520.

WILL PAY CASH FOR CAMPERS. Call Scott (307) 680-0854.

Large Private RV/Camper Lot for rent. Big yard, trees. All utilities available. $400 per month, $400 deposit. 1 year lease. Call (307) 660-1007.

Toy Parts & Accessories

Lost & Found

Stock pipes for Sportster. 500mi. Stock pices for Dyna Wide Glide. 1500mi. Email baxtersmom62@ gmail.com for info.

Personals Interested in founding a Sherlock Holmes Society in Gillette? Contact gillettesherlockians@gmail.com for info.

Home Appliances/ Furnishings Small washer. Needs new belt, $25. Email USSailorPatriot@gmail.com

FOUND: one large trampoline. Currently located at 5350B M&M circle. If yours, please pick up any day any time. If not yours, do not trespass.

Toys (ATV’s, Boats, etc.) Boat for Sale with trailer. Needs work. Call 670-8980 for info. 2006 Cabella’s “Lowes Sun Cruizer” 20 ft. Pontoon 95 HP Mercury Outboard Motor (less than 50 hrs). Good Condition. Call 680-2982 or 696-7512.

Sporting Goods Like new Horizon Elliptical. $300 obo. Call 299-7058 for more info.

Our Roots Frederick W. Benteen By Jeff Morrison June 25th marked the 135th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. It was both the greatest victory of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho in their war to maintain an ancient way of life and freedom to choose their own destiny, and the greatest defeat the United States military suffered during a half-century of armed conflict collectively referred to as the “Indian Wars”. One of the most interesting and controversial participants of the battle was Captain Frederick W. Benteen, who has been branded both a hero and a villain for his actions that day in 1876. Frederick Benteen was born on August 24th, 1834 in Petersburg, Virginia. His family later moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1849. On September 1, 1861, Benteen joined the Union army as a 1st Lieutenant in the 1st Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. This did not sit well with his father, Theodore Benteen, who was loyal to the Confederacy. He sent his son off to war with the admonition that he hoped Frederick would be killed by the first bullet, preferably fired by a relative. By August of 1862, Benteen, now a captain, captured several blockade running steamboats on the Mississippi. One such boat, the Fair Play, listed among its crew a chief engineer named Theodore C. Benteen. Most of the crew was released shortly after the boats capture, but Chief Engineer Benteen found himself cooling his heels in a federal prison camp until the war’s end. It is presumed that Captain Benteen had the imprisonment prolonged to keep his father out of harm’s way. Benteen fought in several major engagements during the Civil War, including: Westport, Pea Ridge, Vicksburg and Mine Creek. By war’s end he would achieve the brevetted rank of lieutenant colonel and command of the 10th Missouri Cavalry. After the war, Colonel Benteen served briefly as commander of the 138th Colored Volunteers, which was mustered out of service in 1866. He was then accepted into the regular army with the rank of captain, and assigned to the newly formed 7th Cavalry. He served in the 7th with distinction for the next 16 years. Benteen was well liked by his men, and held in high respect by his fellow officers. One of these was a young lieutenant named Hugh Scott, who would one day become the Army Chief of Staff. He wrote, “I found my model early in Captain Benteen, the idol of the Seventh Cavalry on the upper Missouri in 1877, who governed mainly by suggestion; in all the years I knew him, I never once heard him raise his voice to enforce his purpose.” In sharp contrast to this command style was Benteen’s new lieutenant colonel, George Armstrong Custer. Benteen formed an unfavorable opinion of the “Boy General” at their first meeting. That opinion continued to erode as time went on, even after Custer’s death in 1876. Benteen later admitted, “I am only too proud to say I despised him.” From Benteen’s perspective, Custer had a bad habit of doing the wrong thing. Some of Benteen’s troopers went across the river to buy groceries in town without permission and Custer

punished them as severely as if they had been outright deserters. Custer once asked Benteen for a loan of $100 and neglected to pay it back for over a year. Shortly after the death of one of Benteen’s children, Custer refused him a leave of absence to be with his wife who was gravely ill. Not that Benteen was without his faults. He had a knack for letting his opinion be known regardless of the consequences. And he had a strong opinion about literally everyone. He once slapped Major Marcus Reno in front of a group of officers and challenged him to a duel. The friction between Custer and Benteen came to a boil shortly after the battle of the Washita in present day Oklahoma. Sometime during the battle, Major Joel Elliot and 19 troopers separated from the rest of the command in pursuit of some fleeing Indians. Custer chose to withdraw after the capture of the Cheyenne village, leaving Elliot to his fate. The bodies of Major Elliot and his command were found several days later. Joel Elliot had served with Benteen during the Civil War and was his good friend. Later that year, an anonymous letter surfaced in the papers. It was a scathing rebuke of Custer and his indifference to the whereabouts of Elliot during the battle. Knowing that the letter had to have been written by an officer of the 7th, Custer was livid and summoned his officers to a meeting in which he challenged the officer to step forward to be horsewhipped. Benteen immediately stepped forward and claimed authorship. Custer was dumbfounded. He dismissed the other officers and told Benteen they would speak of the matter further. It was never mentioned again. Custer’s reluctance to revisit this issue may have been an attempt to bury the hatchet between them. If so, it speaks well for him. Unfortunately it just added to Benteen’s scorn. The officers of the 7th were already divided between those who were among Lt. Col. Custer’s “inner circle” and those who were ever destined to draw the worst details and duties in the regiment. Benteen’s notso-discreet loathing of the regimental commander just made that gulf wider. In 1874, Custer was ordered to lead a “scientific” expedition through the Black Hills, which was strictly off-limits to white men by treaty. Word was promptly leaked to the press about gold discovered on the expedition. The resulting stampede into the Black Hills by gold prospectors, coupled with systemic corruption of Indian agencies throughout the west, helped set the stage for the Sioux War of 1876 and the Little Big Horn. Captain Benteen, and the three-company “wing” of cavalry he commanded, did not participate in the opening round of the battle. Just prior to reaching the valley, Benteen was sent on what he would later call a “pointless” reconnaissance of the hills and ravines to the south. Custer then divided his force some more, giving Captain MacDougall command of the pack train and 130 men; Major Reno was given command of three companies, while Custer retained command of five companies - a little less than half the regiment.

Custer instructed Reno to cross the river, attack the front of the largest Indian village any white man had ever seen and Custer would support him with “the whole outfit”. The attack had barely begun when Custer rode north, taking his five companies with him. They would not live to see the sun set. After several miles, Benteen decided he’d tired his horses enough on his wild goose chase and turned north with the idea of catching back up to the rest of the regiment. He stopped to let the men water their mounts when they reached the creek they had been following all morning. Shortly after resuming their march, a rider came from Custer’s command with orders to hurry up the pack train. Benteen directed him rearward to the creek crossing where the pack animals had showed up just as they were leaving. A second rider, a trumpeter from Benteen’s own company H, showed up a few minutes later, bearing Custer’s last written command. “Benteen. Come on. Big village. Be quick, bring packs…” Captain Benteen rode on, but instead if finding Custer, he found a highly demoralized Major Reno and what was left his three companies, taking refuge on the high bluffs after a disastrous mauling by the angry inhabitants of the village they had attacked. Benteen decided to wait for the pack train and give assistance to Reno. That decision most likely save the lives of half the regiment and possibly sealed the fate of the other half. While Benteen effectively took command of the soldiers on the hill, Custer and his command were dying a few miles away. An attempt to ride in the direction of Custer’s advance was quickly repulsed by Indians and they were forced to dig in. And so began a two-day siege on the bluffs. The combined force of Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho numbered somewhere between 2,000 and 5,000, while the remnant of the 7th Cavalry numbered about 300. It was during dire situations like this where Captain Benteen was at his best. “…I think in desperate fighting Benteen is one of the bravest men I ever saw in a fight,” Scout George Herendeen later said in an interview. “I think Captain Benteen saved the fight on the hill.” William O. Taylor, another trooper who survived the ordeal recalled, “All this time Captain Benteen was in full view of the Indians, making no effort whatever to seek any shelter. You could see the bullets throwing up dust as they struck all around him while he, as calmly as if on parade, came down to our lines and, after his errand, returned in the same manner carrying in his hand a carbine, with which I observed him measuring the distance from his foot to a point where a bullet had just entered the ground in his front less than two feet away.” The next morning, Benteen led a charge down the hill to the river which took the Indians totally by surprise. This action cleared that part of the bluffs and allowed the soldiers to bring water to the wounded. Unable to dislodge the stubborn soldiers from their hill, the Indians broke camp and dispersed just

before the arrival of Generals Terry and Gibbon with the Montana Column. It was Captain Benteen who surveyed the aftermath of Custer’s “Last Stand” and identified the body of his long time nemesis. Benteen served six more years with the 7th, seeing action again the next summer at Canyon Creek, near Billings, during the Nez Pierce War. In 1882 he was promoted to major and transferred to the 9th Cavalry, one of the “Buffalo Soldier” regiments, an assignment he had reputedly turned down in 1866 to join the 7th Cavalry. During his service with the 9th, which lasted until 1887, he would be posted in Kansas, Utah and Fort McKinney, just outside present day Buffalo, Wyoming. The Little Big Horn continued to haunt Benteen to the end of his life, as it did most of the survivors of the battle. He became more belligerent toward his colleagues and insubordinate with his superiors. He drank more frequently. In 1887 he was suspended from the army for one year for drunkenness on duty and conduct unbecoming an officer. Shortly after his return to active duty he chose to retire due to poor health. He was brevetted with the rank of brigadier general in 1890 for gallantry in action at the Little Big Horn and Canyon Creek. He died in 1898. Frederick Benteen was considered one of the best military officers of the postCivil War/pre-World War I army. He was at his best when under fire, but during peace times he became his own worst enemy. He’s in good company. The same could be said of George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, Ulysses S. Grant and, ironically, George Armstrong Custer. The best summation of Benteen’s life he made himself in writing to a friend late in life. “I’ve been a loser in a way, all my life by rubbing a bit against the angles--or hair—of folks, instead of going with their whims; but I couldn’t go otherwise--’twould be against the grain of myself.”

Honey War By Mike Borda While we are all familiar with historic wars such as the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II, there have been plenty of lesser-known fights. One of these fights was a skirmish which would become known as the Honey War. The Honey War, officially a territorial dispute between Iowa and Missouri during 1837, began over state lines. The area in question was only a 9.5-mile piece of land, but it played a large factor in the history of these two states. Until 1837, the lines of these two states were largely unclear. Since the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, there had been numerous Native American treaties, giving portions of land to the local tribes. These treaties left the land to the United States without having been properly surveyed. That changed in 1816 when the government sent John C. Sullivan to survey the land and establish borders between the territories. However, Sullivan was vague in his descriptions of the boundaries, not noting specific landmarks, but instead general traits of the land. This would only add to the upcoming confusion. In 1837, the government of Missouri decided to resurvey the land yet again. At this time, Iowa was still a part of the Wisconsin Territory, and not yet and official state. When they learned of Missouri’s plan to resurvey the land, Wisconsin at first abstained from participation. But because they refused to participate, the surveyor, who was, naturally, from Missouri, decided then to not use the traditional boundary, but look for a new line which would also fit Sullivan’s vague description. He found one 9.5 miles into what was then Iowa’s land. Since the Missouri government had accepted the survey, they sent tax collectors into this “new” area of their state to begin collecting funds from the residents. This, naturally, did not sit well with the people residing in this disputed land. However, this is where the story becomes interesting. The Iowan residents, instead of paying the taxes, took up their pitchforks and other farm “weapons”, and chased away the collectors back to Missouri. However, on their way out of the men chopped down several honey bee trees, so that they could return with some type of payment if not actual money. This act led to the name of the dispute. In retaliation to the non-payment of the residents, the Governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs, sent the state militia to the disputed border. They were met with a mob of locals, who had already captured and jailed a Missouri county sheriff who had been in the area. According to descriptions found about the event, the Iowan mob was armed not with rifles and muskets, but with swords and old guns that had not been manufactured for centuries, possibly flintlocks and blunderbusses. However, in an act of restraint, none of the forces fired a shot. The governors of the two territories contacted the United States Congress, who drew a line in the middle of the disputed land and called it a truce. That line, like the others though, did not last long. When Iowa applied for statehood in 1849, they were admitted with the disputed land landing all in Missouri, a decision that was upheld in court. While we all know of the large wars, these smaller disputes and skirmishes make up a unique part of American history, and teach us how we became the country we are today.

“Unhappy it is, though, to reﬂect that a brother’s sword has been sheathed in a brother’s breast and that the once-happy plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?” -- George Washington in a letter to a friend

SUBSCRIPTION SELLING CONTEST Win a Disney Cruise!!! 1st Prize Disney Cruise!! 2nd Prize New Bike 3rd Prize 1 hour fun time at Mac & Roonie's Sell 100 or more subscriptions and receive $100 Sign up for the subscription contest on our website at www.campbellcountyobserver.net or call 307-670-8980 Sign-up between June 1st and June 30th Contest starts the day you sign-up and ends August 22, 2011

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Prizes will be awarded on August 27, 2011 DisneyCruise CruiseSales sailson onJanuary January26th, 26th,2011 2011 Disney