fires in dry conditions

Bradley Matthew Iiams March 27, 1948 – Dec. 6, 2020

Bradley Matthew Iiams, a life-long rancher of Lander passed away on Dec. 6 at Promise Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah as the sun was setting.

Brad was born March 27, 1948 in Lander to LeRoy Iiams and Marie (Campbell) Alexander. He was named after Marie’s grandfather David Bradley and LeRoy’s uncle Matt. He was born and raised on the pioneer Iiams Ranch located on Table Mountain and where the Wyoming Life Resource Center now sits.

When Brad was four years old, his dad bought a small Farmall tractor, and he learned to rake hay. From then on, he worked in the hayfields with his dad and his brother Samuel.

They ran about 200 head of cattle and 500 head of sheep on the outside permits of Beaver in McGraw Flatts, Government Draw, Strawberry Creek and Twin Creek. The Iiams Family sold milk and cream in Lander from their dairy cows. Brad truly disliked milking those cows and drinking milk.

During his school years, Brad was active in the local 4-H and FFA, winning many state awards for both. He was also a high school state champion wrestler. He graduated from the Lander Vocational High School in 1966, and he earned a scholarship to Denver Tech.

Brad’s time in Denver was cut short when his dad passed away on May 9, 1967. Brad returned home from Denver and operated the Iiams Ranch with his mother until 1971.

Brad married the love of his life, Susan Martin of Lander, on March 29, 1972 in the First United Methodist Church of Lander. In 1972, Brad and Susan purchased the Iiams Ranch from his mother. Brad and Susan were active cattle ranchers through the years, but their focus was always the hay and pasture.

Brad and Susan later built a rental trailer home park at the lower Iiams Ranch. Brad did backhoe work digging for neighboring farmers and ranchers, always lending a helping hand.

He was a very active member and shareholder with the North Lateral Ditch, Parker McBride Ditch and Nicole-Table Ditch Companies. He was one of the first Table Mountain ranchers to install underground water irrigation sprinklers.

Brad and Susan’s first child Jamie Alina was born on Feb. 1, 1979, and Field Tyrel was born May 14, 1981. On the day Field was born, Brad shouted throughout the Lander Hospital, “It’s a boy!” Brad loved his children with all his heart. He was so proud of them and all of their accomplishments.

Brad was a very wellknown musician throughout Wyoming. He formed the Iiams Band, which was later called the The Silver Express Band and played almost every Friday and Saturday night, standing on the stage with his guitar and his band members singing the country and old-time rock-n-roll tunes.

After the large Iiams Ranch barn was built in the 1940s, the family hosted several community barn dances and everyone who lived in Fremont County attended the “Iiams Barn Dances.” The Iiams barn dances had quite a clientele from around the state from Casper, to Farson and to Cody.

Brad and Susan continued the historic barn dances with Brad’s band playing the music. They held the last Iiams barn dance in 1981 with over 300 people in attendance.

Brad and Susan designed and built a beautiful two-story log home where the old Iiams Ranch pioneer home was located. They were the first to purchase logs from Wyoming Wood Products in Lander, and Brad was the first to tell them the saw was not cutting square.

Brad completed the filing on the Iron Spring and piped it into their home by hand and with his backhoe. Building the house was one of Brad’s proudest accomplishments. He would always say, “Look at this beautiful house.” Brad and Susan remained in the house together until he passed.

Susan, Jamie, Field, LeeAnn, Xane and Reece continue to live on the Iiams Ranch to this day, working the land with pride and honor, just as Brad had. One of Brad’s greatest joys was helping his son build his own shop and house and seeing Jamie become a first-generation college graduate.

Holding his grandsons Xane Bradley and Reece Jerome in his arms was one of Brad’s most cherished moments. He loved both his grandsons. Brad loved a good, homecooked meal, playing his music, driving his tractor and most of all his family. He will be missed dearly.

Brad was preceded in death by his father LeRoy Iiams; his brother Samuel Iiams; grandparents Roy and Christine Iiams and Morris and Gladys Alexander; aunts Emily Iiams Hedges, Betty Iiams Hornecker and Charlotte Alexander and uncles Barney Alexander and Albert Hornecker.

Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years Susan Iiams; daughter Jamie Iiams; son Field (LeeAnn) Iiams; grandsons Xane Bradley and Reece Jerome Iiams; his mother Marie Alexander Campbell; Wainwright Gustin, who has always been like a father to Brad; brother-in-law Jay Martin; step-brother Colin (Sandy) Campbell; nephew Robby Martin; niece Jennifer Martin, great-niece Annabelle Martin; great-nephews Bodhi and Monte Ranelle; niece Krista (Cole) Nethercott and their children; niece Colleen (Jake) Conilogue and their children and numerous other cousins, family and friends.

A service was held Dec. 19 with a tractorwagon procession from the Iiams Family homestead to the Mount Hope Cemetery. Condolence flowers, cards and/or memorial donations to Xane and Reece Iiams College Fund may be mailed or delivered to the Iiams Family at 28 Iiams Road, Lander, WY 82520. Condolence flowers and/ or cards for Brad’s mom may be mailed or delivered to Marie Campbell at 150 Caring Way, Lander, WY 82520.

Despite lifted bans, individuals should practice winter wildfire safety

Although fire bans have During the Dec. 14 epi- is a La Niña in place, so summer, fall and now into been lifted across Wyoming sode, Atkinson sat down with we haven’t received a lot winter months, there is still “As we look at conditions across the country, and several other western states, warmer winter temperatures and lack of recent moisture and snowpack KSU State Fire Management Officer Mark Neely, who points out the heightened potential for winter wildfires of moisture, and it may or may not come in the future. Because of this, a lot of fuels have dried out and have gone an abundance of fuel materials. “Currently, there are a lot of what we call 1,000-hour all of the elements are there for winter wildfire outbreaks.” – Eric Atkinson, Kansas State University means individuals and rec- as the dry weather pattern is into their dormant season, fuels. These are large logs reationalists need to remain expected to continue. but they aren’t snow packed and fuels that have spent the out.” viduals can do to reduce the aware of wildfire safety. Contributing factors down,” Neely says. “Instead, past six months drying out Additionally, Neely risk of wildfires this winter.

“As we look at condi- Neely notes there are a they are standing upright, because they didn’t receive notes areas with low relative “Being a landowner tions across the country, all few factors contributing to which allows more oxygen adequate amounts of mois- humidity are more apt to see and a recreationalist has its of the elements are there for the heightened potential for into the fuels. This can eas- ture,” he explains. “Not only winter wildfires than areas responsibilities,” he states. winter wildfire outbreaks,” wildfires this winter. ily be ignited by a big wind are they readily available to with higher relative humid- Neely notes warmer noted Eric Atkinson, host of First are the dry, drought event and start a large fire.” start catching fire, they also ity. temperatures may result in Kansas State University’s conditions caused by the cur- Neely also notes, despite produce more heat, burn for Mitigating wildfire risk more people spending their (KSU) Agriculture Today rent La Niña weather event. dry conditions persisting a longer period of time and According to Neely, winter months recreating podcast. “The reality is, there in the West throughout the take a lot more effort to put there are a few things indi- outdoors, and he encourages them to recreate with the same wildfire awareness Over 50 presentations set for UW they would during the summer.

Extension’s online conference this January In regards to landowners, Neely encourages individuals to clean leaves out of their gutters and flower• UW Extension’s Agriculture and Horticulture team is hosting an online convention Jan. 4-15. beds. “Be sure to look around houses, outbuildings, shops, • Pre-recorded presentations, live interaction with convention presenters via bullpen sessions, and barns, propane tanks, firemuch more will be available. wood piles, etc. for any flammable material that can hold an ember and ignite,” • Topics span the range of agricultural and horticultural interests: from soils he says. “There is also some value in knocking down any to pest management, native plants to backyard chickens, risk manage- heavier fuel loads around ment analytics to managing cattle in drought conditions, toxic plants the house, such as brush, bushes, weeds, etc. Individto minimizing livestock losses during wildfires and blizzards, uals should keep tall grass water resource management, and a crop and livestock market around the edges of their property mowed down and outlook. free of trash.” Neely continues, “The more individuals practicing • See facebook.com/UWAGHORT for details on how to participate, fire awareness, the more the a schedule of events, and more details for the over 50 presenta- entire community will benefit.” tions scheduled. Hannah Bugas is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send com• Click here to REGISTER to reserve your spot! ments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Beecher (Ed) Strube July 13, 1933 ~ Dec. 16, 2020

Beecher “Ed” Strube was born in Hat Creek on July 13, 1933 to Beecher J. Strube and Helen (Cook) Strube. He weighed just over three pounds, and his mother carried him in a shoebox.

The tiny three-pounder grew to be quite an athlete and went on to set records in high school athletics in Lusk. He played football at the University of Wyoming, and was particularly proud of winning the Ugly Man on Campus Award in 1952. Ed died of natural causes on Dec. 16.

In 1963, Ed married Donna Golden. They had three children and later divorced but remained friends. Ed was a wellknown teacher, coach, ref-

Specialist Derek Scasta.

“Barton is regularly sought after by ranchers and federal agencies, specifically the U.S. Forest

Service and the Bureau of Land Management to mediate and provide expert input on controversial subjects. He has been very serious about improving as a practitioner and teacher, as well as creating tools and curriculum to deliver for issues not necessarily easy or comfortable to address.”

Certificates of Appreciation for their time and effort in putting together the 2020 SRM annual meeting were awarded to Justin Derner, Jason

Brengle, Jason Pindell, Martin Curry, Joe

Budd, Michelle Buzalsky, Blaine Horn, Windy

Kelley, Marji Patz, Mae

Smith, Thad Barrett,

Chuck Butterfield, Julie

Elliott, Jake Powell, Will

Rose, Kasey Dollerschell,

Jessica Crowder and

Brenda Schladweilder. Student awards

In the extemporaneous speaking event, Kenneth Raymond of Sheridan College placed first with his speech on the topic, “Are all native range plants the same?”

The plant identification contest presented awards in two categoeree, active community leader and a big brother. He was a friend, confidant, father and grandfather.

Ed received a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a Master of Science in botany and zoology from the University of Wyoming. Ed, also known as “Strube” or “Coach,” began his teaching career in 1957 at Dean Morgan Junior High. He taught at Kelly Walsh High School from 1968 to 1992.

Strube, along with his famous sidekick Dana Van Burgh, developed a Summer Field Science Course in 1963 using the great outdoors as the classroom. In 1973, Terry Logue joined them. In 1983, the trio received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, presented by the National Science Teaching Association.

Though Strube retired from the classroom in 1992, he couldn’t retire from the outdoors or the yellow school bus. In June of 2013, the famous trio celebrated the 50th Reunion of Summer Field Science.

Ed received the Kathleen Hemry Award for ries – student and Pro-Am, where students are paired with a range management professional. Colby Tadra of Sheridan College placed first, followed by Courtney Geck of Northwest College in second and Amanda Bayles, also from Northwest College in third in the student section.

In the Pro-Am category, Tadra and Thad Berrett of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in Buffalo placed first, followed by the team of Bayles and Corey Farnsworth of the USFS in Utah in second, and the duo of Geck and Bree Burton of Y2 Consultants in third.

“The 2020 Undergraduate Range Management Exam was modified to accommodate the virtual meeting and the pandemic,” said Contest Chair Justin Derner. “It moved from a traditional multiple choice question test for students to scenario-based questions focusing on applied aspects of rangeland management.”

The two questions students had to answer and discuss with a panel of experts were based on drought management strategies and outcome-based grazing.

WySRM would like to thank Sage Askin, Shannon and Melinda Sims, Neils Hansen and Cheryl Newberry for their onoutstanding teaching and community work in 1979, and was presented the Outstanding District Biology Teacher Award in 1982. In 1989, he received the State of Wyoming Biology Teacher of the Year Award.

Strube coached the Kelly Walsh High School golf team for several years. He received the Golf Coach of the Year Award for the Eastern Conference in 1987. Strube was head football coach at Kelly Walsh from 1968 to 1970. Within these few years, he was privileged to be the first head coach to beat cross-town rival Natrona County High School in the Oil Bowl in 1969.

During this time, he established the Beecher Strube Award to honor a high school senior athlete who demonstrated leadership, positive attitude, dedication and citizenship, both on and off the gridiron. The award still recognizes the effort and spirit of those football players who otherwise might go unnoticed. Ed was thrilled, when in 2016, his grandson Joel Strube received the-ground knowledge and expertise during the contest. The Sheridan College Range Club team consisting of James Argeris, Kenneth Raymond and Creed Carlson submitted the winning answers.

UW graduate students completing their masters and PhD presented their research during the WySRM meeting Nov. 3. In the masters student division, Hannah Kuhns of the UW Ecosystem Science and Management Department (ESM) placed first with her presentation on integrated management of leafy spurge in a riparian ecosystem and Courtney Buchanan, also of ESM, placed second with her presentation on understanding relationships between microbiome, diet and body condition in free roaming horses.

In the PhD division, Ryan Wilbur placed first with his talk titled “Prometheus’ Fire: Mixed methods approach to understanding the spread of pyrodiversity in ranching communities,” and Jake Hennig placed second with his presentation focused on the response of sage grouse habitat quality to feral horse use. the Beecher Strube Award for his contributions on the Kelly Walsh football team.

In 1990, Ed was inducted into the Wyoming Officials Hall of Fame, and in 1991, into the Wyoming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Throughout his career at Kelly Walsh, hundreds of students respected, confided in and counted on Mr. Strube. He had a strong shoulder for support, an ear for listening, a huge heart and enough optimism to help anyone through challenging times.

Ed served others for most of his life. While in the Army, he received a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. While in Korea for Christmas, Ed asked for and received many generous donations from the Lusk and Lance Creek communities. He played Santa Claus and distributed gifts to the Korean children.

In 1996, he received the JC Penney Award for Volunteerism. Also in that year, he was elected to the Natrona County Conservation Board and was the Honorary Parade Marshal for the Casper Christmas Parade.

Ed had the vision for the Lee McCune Braille Trail, which opened in 1975 on Casper Mountain, after visiting a Braille Trail in Colorado. Ed encouraged the Casper Mountain Lions Club to adopt the Braille Trail as its main ongoing community project. For over 40 years, Lions Club members, field science students and countless others worked on the Braille Trail.

In 1986, Dana Van Burgh worked with county officials to have the road to the Braille Trail named “Strube Loop.” In 1997, Ed was honored with the Knights of the Blind Award presented by the Lions of Wyoming Foundation for outstanding work with the Braille Trail. Ed was humbled and honored to have such recognition again in 2017 when he was inducted into the Wyoming Lions Club Hall of Fame.

Ed played many roles – a hunter, a fisherman, a card player – cribbage and poker were his favorites, a cowboy/rancher at heart and a great dancer, according to Jo. With an overwhelming number of extended family and true friends, “He never met a stranger” couldn’t be more appropriate. His door was always open for visitors.

One of Ed’s favorite roles was being a proud grandpa. He loved to attend activities in which his grandchildren were involved, and despite his busy schedule, he did his best to be at their various events.

Ed also enjoyed traveling with his long-time companion Jo Pierce. They made many fond memories taking trips in the U.S. and abroad. One of their favorite trips was to Australia and New Zealand with Ed’s sister Barb and her husband Bob.

Ed was preceded in death by his father Beecher J. Strube, his mother Helen (Cook) Strube, his brother Martin Strube and Mary Lou, a sister who died in infancy. He is survived by his sister Barbara (Bob) Yonts, his long-time companion Jo Pierce, his daughters Debbie (Guy) Ehlers and Devon Strube, and his son Beecher Jay (Cathy) Strube, as well as his grandchildren Abigail, Beecher, Joel and Sarah Strube.

The family will hold a graveside service in Lusk. A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Casper Mountain Lions Club for the Lee McCune Braille Trail, PO Box 2305, Casper, WY 82602, or the Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care, 441 Landmark Drive, Suite 330, Casper, WY 82609.

Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Avenue, Casper, WY 82601 is in charge of

WySRM continued from page 1

arrangements.

Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net. CATTLE COUNTRY VIDEO Winter Classic

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Sale will start at 10:00 am Central Time 9:00 am Mountain Time

Trotter Event Center - Ord, Nebraska Offering 12,962 head

7,731 hd Steers 4,673 hd Heifers 558 hd Bred Females

Sale Day Bid Line: (307) 575-5005 Broadcast Live Online on Cattle USA Bid Online @ www.cattleusa.com Preview Lots on www.cattlecountryvideo.com

BROADCAST LIVE ON CATTLE USA

Submit your events to: Editor, Wyoming Livestock Roundup, P.O. Box 850, Casper, WY, 82602, or e-mail to roundup@wylr.net.

Dec. 24-Jan. 1

Jan. 11-12

Jan. 13-14

Jan. 13-Feb. 3

Jan. 13-Feb. 3

Jan. 13-Feb. 3

Jan. 13-Feb. 3

Jan. 13-Feb. 3

Jan. 15-16

Jan. 28-29

Dec. 29-30

EVENTS

The Wyoming Livestock Roundup office will be closed. Ad deadline for the Dec. 26 and the Jan. 2, 2021 papers will be Monday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! University of Wyoming Extension’s Ag/Hort Conference, Online. For more information, visit bit.ly/ag-hort-2021-conference.

Texas A&M’s Virtual Equine Reproductive Management Short

Course, Online. For more information, visit animalscience.tamu.edu. 46th National Salers Show and Sale, Grand Island, Neb. For more information, visit salersusa.org. 2021 Montana and Wyoming Malt Barley and Sugarbeet Symposium, Online. For more information, visit mountainstateag.org. Wyoming Hemp Workshop, 9 a.m. Cheyenne, Laramie Community College, Pathfinder Building, 1400 E. College Dr., Room 409. For more information, visit bit.ly/wyo-hemp or contact Catherine Wissner at 307-633-4480. Wyoming Hemp Workshop, 9 a.m. Powell, Park County Fairgrounds, 655 E. Fifth. For more information, visit bit.ly/wyo-hemp or contact Jeremiah Vardiman at 307-754-8836 or jvardima@uwyo.edu. Wyoming Hemp Workshop, 9 a.m. Torrington, Goshen County Resource Center conference room, 4516 U.S. Hwy. 26/85. For more information, visit bit.ly/wyo-hemp or contact Brian Sebade at bsebade@uwyo.edu or Carrie Eberle at Carrie.Eberle@uwyo.edu. Wyoming Hemp Workshop, 9 a.m. Worland, Washakie County Extension Office, 1200 Culbertson St. For more information, visit bit.ly/wyo-hemp or contact Caitlin Youngquist at 307-347-3140 or cyoungqu@uwyo.edu. Wyoming Hemp Workshop, 9 a.m. Wheatland, Platte Valley Bank, 200 16th St. For more information, visit bit.ly/wyo-hemp or contact Leroy Jons at 307-322-3667 or cjons@uwyo.edu.

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers

Conference, Douglas. For more information, visit wyfb.org.

American Sheep Industry Association 2021 Virtual Convention,

Online. For more information, visit sheepusa.org.

SALES

Annual Holiday Cow Classic “America’s Premier Bred Female Sale”, Burwell Livestock Market, Burwell, Neb., 308-346-4257, burwelllivestock.com Diamond Ring Ranch Sale, Billings Livestock Commission Co., Billings, Mont., 406-232-5107, 406-861-5664, northernlivestockvideo.com Rafter T Angus Annual Bull Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307736-2415, 307-299-4569, raftertangus.com The Berry’s Herefords Annual Bull Sale, at the ranch, Cheyenne, 307634-5178, 307-630-7944, wherecowmenbuybulls.com Cattle Country Video Winter Classic, Trotter Event Center, Ord, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com Redland Angus Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-347-2270, 307-250-1548, redlandangus.com Ken Haas Angus 40th Annual Right Combination Bull Sale, at the ranch, LaGrange, 307-834-2356, kenhaasangus.com Little Goose Ranch 4th Annual Production Sale, Buffalo Livestock Auction, Buffalo, 307-751-2472, 307-751-1535, 307-751-6737, 307-751-5793, littlegooseranch.com Bullis Creek Ranch Spring Production Bull Sale, at the ranch, Wood Lake, Neb., 402-376-4465, bulliscreek.com

Marcy Cattle Company & Marcy Livestock Angus 60th Annual

Angus Bull Sale, Gordon Livestock Auction, Gordon, Neb., 308-6387587, 308-430-2005, marcycattlecompany.com

Big horn Basin Worland, WY LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC Sale Barn: 307-347-9201 Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781

Broadcasting and Online Bidding Available At lmaauctions.com.

Please visit to fill out an application and view auctions. Authorized Dealer Danny Vigil Northern Livestock Represenative WE HAVE NITROGEN TO FILL YOUR SEMEN TANKS

Dec. 31 Jan. 7 Jan. 11 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 28 Feb. 4 Feb. 8 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 25 • Upcoming Sales •

No Sale Weigh Up Special - All Class Cattle Monday Winter Special: Feeder Cattle Only All Class Cattle Bred Cow Special with All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat Weigh Up Special - All Class Cattle All Class Cattle Monday Winter Special: Feeder Cattle Only Weigh Up Special - All Class Cattle Bred Cow Special with All Class Cattle, Sheep & Goat Weigh Up Special - All Class Cattle If you would like to consign cattle, or have any questions please contact us. Office: 307-347-9201 or Danny Vigil: 307-388-0781 www.bighornbasinlivestock.com @bhblivestockauction on Facebook or Instagram

Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 – Winter Special: Feedlot Cattle Only

Nick & Karen Geis – 175 black steers & heifers, 600-675#, weaned Aug. 29, two rounds of shots • Brewster Ranch LP – 106 BWF/Black steers, 60 BWF/Black heifers, two rounds of shots, all natural, high elevation, weaned Sept. 10, bunk broke, poured • Jacobsen Ranch – 110 black/red heifers, 500#, weaned for 75 days, two rounds of shots • Marshall Shultz – 150 mixed black calves, 500-600#, two rounds of shots • Mark Hoyt – 80 heifers, 550-600#, weaned, two rounds of shots • Rice Ranch – 50 Red Angus heifers, 10 black heifers, 500-600#, two rounds of shots, weaned, high elevation • Tom Jackson – 45 mixed black calves, 550-650#, weaned, two rounds of shots • TD & Sons – 35 black heifers, 575-625#, two rounds of shots, weaned • Mark Brewster – 11 BWF/Black steers, 6 BWF/Black heifers, two rounds of shots, all natural, high elevation, weaned Sept. 10, bunk broke, poured • Dick Loeper – 13 black steers, 500-600#, weaned 45+ days, preconditioned, two rounds of shots • Andrea Woody – 8 BWF/Black steers, 1 BWF heifer, two rounds of shots, all natural, high elevation, weaned Sept. 10, bunk broke, poured

Jan. 30

Feb. 4

Feb. 4

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

Feb. 10

McConnell Angus Annual Bull & Female Sale, at the ranch, Dix, Neb., 308-235-5187, 308-230-0430, 970-215-3204, mcconnellangus.com 21 Angus 27th Annual Top Cut Bull Sale, at the ranch, New England, N.D., 701-579-4221. 21angus.com Bobcat Angus 16th Annual Production Sale, Western Livestock Auction, Great Falls, Mont., 406-937-5858, 406-788-3272, 406-788-3244, bobcatangus.com Ridder Hereford Ranch Annual Bull and Heifer Sale, at the ranch, Callaway, Neb., 308-836-4430, 402-450-0431, ridderranch.com K2 Red Angus Winter Bull & Female Sale, at the ranch, Wheatland, 307-331-2917, k2redangus.com Fawcett’s Elm Creek Ranch Annual Production Sale, at the ranch, Ree Heights, S.D., 605-870-0161, 605-870-6172, 605-943-5664, fawcettselmcreekranch.com G Bar H Genetics Angus Bull Sale, Torrington Livestock Market, Torrington, 307-837-2540, 307-837-2925, 307-837-2279 Durbin Creek Ranch 9th Annual Bull Sale, Big Horn Basin Livestock Auction, Worland, 307-867-2404, durbincreekranch.com

Father Time

An editorial in the Dec. 27, 1912 Star Valley Independent, entitled “Father Time,” proclaims:

Well, here he is again – Pa Time. He’s gray and bald, long past his prime, and on his shoulder one may see the same grass-cutting snickersnee. We snub him all the live-long year. His steady tread we do not hear. He’s not forgotten, just misplaced and feels himself quite gone to waste. As cold and bleak December dies a triumph grand before him lies. He knocks his hour-glass on the door, he enters and demands the floor.

“Once more,” he starts, “I come to warn.”

Here someone blows a loud tin horn, a cowbell shakes, a shot rings out, a whistle blows, bass voices shout, but Father Time, with upraised claw at last subdues the riot to awe.

“I come to warn you this new year must find you in your working gear, prepared to labor, grind and fight for what is best and what is right. My 12 months swiftly pass you by. How did you treat the last, O fle? Your years are numbered, small the span, make each one serve the best you can. It is the rule of this concern that damaged goods we can’t return.”

The noise resumes and all is gay, poor Father Time just limps away, nor does he limber up his pace when dollar watches dare a race. Although we pity this poor guy. Time’s changes we may not defy, and when he makes his yearly speech don’t let your ears bend out of reach.

The arrival of a new year – “Who knows what opportunity may come to us this year? Let us live in a great spirit, then we shall be ready for a great occasion.” – words of wisdom and illustration from Dec. 27, 1912 issue of the Star Valley Independent. Historical Reproductions by Perue.