Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is common in the Cowboy State. Energy companies use this technique to access hard-to-reach oil and natural gas deposits. While modern fracking uses mixtures of sand, water, and various chemicals, a proposed project in the early 1970s sought to use something else...atomic weapons. Project Wagon Wheel was one of several proposals for using atomic fission devices for mining and civil engineering projects. Join Jeremy and John as they explore the background of an attempt at nuclear fracking and how the people of Sublette County, Wyoming, successfully pushed back against it.

Episode Resources:
Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1962.

Eisenhower, Dwight D. Atoms for Peace. New York: Harper &
Brothers, 1953.

"The Wagon Wheel Project." WyoHistory.org. Accessed August 4,
2024. https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/wagon-wheel-
project

"Project Plowshare: The Peaceful Use of Nuclear Explosives.";
Atomic Energy Commission Report. 1977.

"Project Plowshare." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified July 30, 2024.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Plowshare.

"Nuclear Explosions for the National Economy." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified June 28, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Explosions_for_the_National_
Economy.

United States Atomic Energy Commission. "Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for the Proposed Wagon Wheel Project."
Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1972.

"Wyoming Votes Down Nuclear Project."The Los Angeles Times, November 8, 1972.

"Nuclear Testing for Gas Extraction Faces Local Opposition." The Des Moines Register, October 15, 1972.

The Atomic Age: From Destruction to Peace. Directed by John Smith. National Geographic, 2020.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

In 1919, the United States Army organized a road trip across the United States that few people know about today. Several hundred soldiers, including a young Dwight Eisenhower, took trucks, cars, motorcycles, and a custom-built wrecker called the "Militor" from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco. The convoy crossed 14 states during their 62-day journey across the Lincoln Highway. Their route brought them across southern Wyoming. Join Jeremy and John as they explore this little-known road trip from the dawn of the motor age.

Episode References:
Davies, Pete. American Road: The Story of an Epic Transcontinental Journey at the Dawn of the Motor Age. New York: Holt, 2002.

Eisenhower, Dwight. Memorandum from Ltc Dwight D. Eisenhower to Chief, Motor Transport Corps. National Archives (November 4 1919). https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/1919-convoy/1919-11-03-dde-to-chief.pdf.

Jackson, E.R. Report on First Transcontinental Motor Convoy. National Archives (Washington: October 31 1919). https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/1919-convoy/report-jackson-to-moody.pdf.

The Lincoln Highway Association. The Complete Official Road Guide of the the Lincoln Highway. Detroit: The Lincoln Highway Association, 1916.

US Army. Daily Log of the First Transcontinental Motor Convoy, Washington, Dc to San Francisco, Cal., July 7 to Sept. 6th, 1919. Washington: War Department, 1919.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

John and Jeremy return for the second part of the Tale of Big Nose George. Part two starts in the aftermath of Dutch Charley's final ride. They look at George's activities following the Elk Mountain Murders, ending with his trial, botched escape, and hanging in Rawlins. John and Jeremy also share the events culminating in a pair of shoes made from George's tanned hide.

This episode describes several violent murders. The content is not suitable for all ages. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode References:
Miller, Mark E. Big Nose George: His Troublesome Trail. Glendo, WY: High Plains Press, 2022. 

Van Pelt, Lori. “Big Nose George: A Grisly Frontier Tale.” Big Nose George: A Grisly Frontier Tale, November 15, 2014. https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/big-nose-george-grisly-frontier-tale. 

Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://wyomingnewspapers.org/. 

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly at [email protected] or through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

Murders, Vigilante Justice, and an odd pair of shoes. John and Jeremy begin the tale of one of Wyoming's most infamous outlaws, Big Nose George Parrot. In the first of a two-part series, our hosts explore how a botched train robbery in the summer of 1878 began a chain of increasingly violent and macabre events in Southern Wyoming. Part one of the tale explores the infamous Elk Mountain Murders and how the search for justice ended with the hanging of "road agent" Dutch Charley in Carbon, Wyoming.

This episode describes several violent murders. The content is not suitable for all ages. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode References:
Miller, Mark E. Big Nose George: His Troublesome Trail. Glendo, WY: High Plains Press, 2022. 

Van Pelt, Lori. “Big Nose George: A Grisly Frontier Tale.” Big Nose George: A Grisly Frontier Tale, November 15, 2014. https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/big-nose-george-grisly-frontier-tale. 

Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://wyomingnewspapers.org/. 

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

Fisticuffs and politics? Politics in Wyoming can be heated at times but is usually sedate.  But not always... Join Jeremy and John as they chat about the wildest day in the history of the Wyoming Legislature. This red-letter day in 1913 during the 12th Wyoming Legislature included a riot on the floor of the Wyoming House of Representatives. List in as our intrepid historians explore the events that led to the legendary riot, some insights into the Wyoming legislative process, and why there is no "official" record of it ever happening...

Episode References:
Nickerson, Gregory, "Fistfight on the House Floor,"  Blog. Wyoming Historical Society, May 22, 2023, https://www.wyohistory.org/blog/fistfights-house-floor.

"Riot and Pandemonium Rule When Pratt Denies Roll-Call." Cheyenne State Leader (Cheyenne, Wyoming), 1913, 2.

"Speaker Pratt's Ignorance About the House Rules." Cheyenne State Leader (Cheyenne, Wyoming), 1913.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

John & Jeremy are back after a short hiatus. On this episode, we're heading to Sheridan and Campbell Counties for a murder. In 1928, a man walked into Sheridan and confessed to killing his father-in-law. The story spread across Wyoming in a matter of days, especially when the trial began shortly afterward. We have changed some of the names in this story since family members still reside in Northern Wyoming.

**Notice** This episode contains adult subject matter regarding murder and sexual assault. It might not be suitable for everyone. Listener discretion is advised.

References
Georgen, Cynde, "The Killing of Charlie O.." Trail End Guides, Inc., January 6, 2014, https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/52eea935-cebe-4546-8f11-ef0918f6e138/downloads/The%20Killing%20of%20Charlie%20O.pdf?ver=1699555369475.

"Homesteader to Be Tried for Murder." Casper Daily Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), January 20 1928.

"Ranch Killing Investigated." Casper Daily Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), January 19 1928. 

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

On the morning of July 26, 1865, Lieutenant Caspar Collins and Commissary Sergeant Amos Custard rode into the history books during the Battles of Platte Bridge Station and Red Buttes. These small battles left an indelible mark on the history of Central Wyoming and especially the City of Casper, Wyoming.

 Join Jeremy and John as they explore these important battles...and how the City of Casper got its name thanks in part to a typographical error.

Chapter Markers
Introduction - 00:00
US Expansion On the Great Plains - 02:40
History of Platte Bridge Station - 07:36
Sand Creek Massacre - 11:54
Battle of Platte Bridge Station - 14:01
Between the Battles - 25:40
Battle of Red Buttes - 28:45
Aftermath & Discussion - 31:27

Episode References
"The Battle of Platte Bridge Station and Red Buttes." Wyoming Historical Society, 2014, accessed January 7, 2024, https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/battles-platte-bridge-station-and-red-buttes.

McDermott, John D. Circle of Fire: The Indian War of 1865. Kindle ed. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2003.

"Fort Caspar Museum Faq." City of Casper, 2014, accessed January 17, 2024, https://www.fortcasparwyoming.com/f_a_qs.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.

Spirit Mountain Cave, located west of Cody, Wyoming, has an interesting story. Discovered in the early 1900s, it became the state's second National Monument in 1909. Largely ignored by the Federal Government, the cave became an issue for Cody-area residents who sought local control over the site. Their desires became a reality in 1954. However, local boosters' and concessionaries' dreams and ambitions never came to fruition, and the cave reverted back to federal control in the late 1970s.

Join Jeremy Yates and John Woodward as they explore the history of Spirit Mountain Cave and the former Shoshone Cavern National Monument.

Episode Resources
"Antiquities Act of 1906." National Park Service, Updated March 30, 2023, 2023, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/antiquities-act.htm#:~:text=An%20Act%20for%20the%20Preservation,scientific%20interest%20on%20federal%20lands.

"Cedar Mountain." PeakBagger.com, 2004, accessed December 27, 2023, https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=17308.

Roberts, Phil. Cody Cave: National Monuments and the Politics of Public Lands in the 20th Century West. Laramie, Wyoming: Skyline Press, 2012.

"Shoshone Cavern, Wyoming's Only Delisted National Monument." WyoHistory.Org, Wyoming Historical Society, 2015, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/shoshone-cavern-wyomings-only-delisted-national-monument.

Thanks for tuning into Buffalo Tales and exploring the tracks across Wyoming's past. You can contact us directly through our Facebook page, Buffalo Tales.