THE LAMOREAUX FAMILY:A Family That Will Always Be Wyoming’s History

Christina ShattoHIST 4055

Archival Research MethodsMay 9, 2014

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People across the United States, and possibly the world, have been envious of

the bucking horse and rider that adorn the Wyoming license plates. There are many

theories as to who the rider is. One of the theories is that it is a man named Albert

“Stub” Farlow. Stub Farlow’s story does not begin with the bucking horse nor does it

end with it. This paper’s aim is to explain who Stub Farlow was, including who his family

was, their importance in history and the history of the famous bucking bronc on the

Wyoming License Plate.

Family HistoryLamoreaux Family

This story begins with the marriage of Woman Dress and Jules Lamoreaux in

1862 in Fort Laramie or O’Neill, Nebraska.1 Woman Dress was the sister to Gall, a

major Sioux War Chief in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. “According to Lamoreaux

family history, Woman Dress was born in either 1845 or 1846.” 2 Jules was born in 1836

at Hyacinthe, Quebec. 3 He came to Fort Laramie in the early 1860s,4 where he met

Woman Dress. He most likely came for the fur trade, and “family history states he had

“a store at Fort Laramie.”” 5

The couple headed for South Pass from Fort Laramie in 1868. The wagon

company consisted of “12 wagons, 17 men and three women.” 6 People accompanying

the family included, H.B. McCumber; Wordon P. Noble; Frank Ecoggey, his wife Julia,

1 Halstead, Philippina. Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux: A Family History and A Comparison to Mètis Studies (Laramie: University of Wyoming, 1997), p.11.2 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.11.3 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.11. Source cites Ralph and Wanda Leseberg, unpublished genealogy file4 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.11.5 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.11.. Source cites Dick Lamoreaux History, Lamoreaux Files, Pioneer Museum, Lander, WY.6 Farlow, Edward. Wind River Adventures (Glendo: High PlainsPress, 1998), p. 51. This account in the book is quoted as coming from Wordon P. Noble (W.P. Noble) and Farlow’s wife Lizzie is noted as remembering being shoved back unto the bottom of the wagon while trying to catch a peak of what was happening.

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their daughter; Joseph Bissonette and his Sioux wife; Charles Lajeunesse, his

Shoshone wife, and their daughter, Louisa, who was married to William Boyd; Mitch

Lijeunesse (Johnny Seminoe); Noel Lijeunesse; and a few other children.7 The

Lamoreaux family brought their daughter Elizabeth “Lizzie” who was four and her two

year old brother Dick.8 Jules was commanding one wagon, with four yoke of oxen and

two hitched wagons. Woman Dress was driving a Murphy Wagon, pulled by Indian

ponies with Lizzie and Dick riding along.9 Woman Dress was also pregnant with a third

child.10

The wagon party had a few close call with some small Native American War

Parties (Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe), but they were never seriously attacked.11

The group travelled slowly as the grass was short. 12 At Split Rock the groups luck with

the Indians changed. The group found themselves surrounded by a large war party that

began to attack them. 13 As the war party attacked Woman Dress recognized the voices

of the attackers as being Sioux warriors. With her children down in the bottom of the

wagon she began to protect her family.

…coming out of the circled wagons, she began shouting to them in Sioux at the top of her lungs and going towards the Indians waving her blanket as she did so. As the Indians recognized her they ceased firing and shouted to her that they would come and talk to her if the white men would not fire at them.14

7 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p. 12.8 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 51.9 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p. 13.10 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 53. This is an inference as Woman Dress has a son at the end of the journey, which would mean she would have had to be with child at the time this incident happened. 11 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p. 12.12 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 52.13 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p. 13.14 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 52.

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The wagon party and the Sioux warriors stopped fighting and gathered together. It is

said, that when Woman Dress stepped out of her murphy wagon and was waving her

blanket, she said, “I am Woman Dress, sister to your Chief Gall. Beware lest you harm

me. I have my children here. Go away or you will rue it.”15

Woman Dress then negotiated safe passage for the wagon train and the train

arrived at the Sweetwater Mining District after 50 days of travel.16 W.P. Noble insists

that they arrived at South Pass on April 27, 1868.17 Woman Dress gave birth to a son,

which was named Willow, however he would also be known as Will, Bill, William, or

Smiling Fox. 18 In 1868 Jules opened a store in Atlantic City which he operated for

nearly a decade when he decided to get into the cattle industry (1874). He moved to the

Lander Valley and being married to Woman Dress was allowed to let his cattle roam on

the Wind River Indian Reservation.19

Jules and Woman Dress continued their lives in the Lander Valley. Jules

became a successful cattle man and eventually became the second mayor of Lander,

Wyoming. Woman Dress died in 1908. Jules lived a few short years without her and

died in 1914.20

The story of Woman Dress and her saving the wagon party is significant to

history, because it is not often that one hears of a Native American woman saving a

wagon train. The more impressive thing is that Woman Dress is the sister to Gall, the

War Chief that helped massacre Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Not only was her

saving the wagon train important, but her heritage helped Jules when he went into the 15 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.12.16 Halstead, Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux, p.13.17 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 53.18 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 13. 19 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 59.20 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 51. This is a footnote explaining who Jules and Woman Dress were.

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cattle business. The freedom to graze his livestock on reservation land meant that his

stock had more pasture land to graze from. Jules also contributed to history in that, he

brought trade goods and his family.

E.J Farlow Family

Lizzie Lamoreaux was a very beautiful young lady and was well liked by the

people of Lander. This was proven the night of the Christmas Eve Church fair. The goal

for the congregation was to erect a church for the Catholic priest Father Mariarty.21 The

competition was between Lizzie and Ella McCarty22. Ella was Irish and related to the

O’Briens, the Crowleys, and W.P. Noble. 23 At stake was a beautiful ladies watch. The

men’s popularity contest was won by Ike Bowman and brought in $40.24 The contest

began, a vote cost 10 cents per vote.25 The popularity contest “split the town into 2

sections --- the Moccasin Band and the Irish Brigade. W.P. Noble led the Irish vote and

Jules led the Indian vote. They were the biggest cattlemen in the valley.”26 The voting

was to close at midnight and at around eleven Ella was ahead 500 votes. “The

Moccasin Band immediately became active and just before the voting closed, entered a

block of six thousand votes, thus insuring the success of their candidate, Lizzie

Lamoreaux.”27 Lizzie’s prized watch brought in $1,250.28 According to Beach, Lizzie

was still very proud of the watch she had won, even 46 years later.29

21 Beach, Cora May. “Mrs. Edward J. Farlow.” In Women of Wyoming (Casper: S.E. Boyer & Co., 1927), p. 4.22 Farlow’s footnotes mention that other accounts refer to this young lady as Molly.23 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 75.24 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 75. The source says that the men’s prize was a gold handled cane. 25 Both Farlow and Beach confirm the cost was 10 cents per vote. 26 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 7527 Beach, “Mrs. Edward J. Farlow,” p.5.28Beach, “Mrs. Edward J. Farlow,” p.5. Farlow’s memoir listed the winnings at $1,185. Either way the winnings were quite notable. 29 Beach, “Mrs. Edward J. Farlow,” p.5.

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In the crowd there was a young gentleman name Edward J. Farlow. E.J. Farlow

was born in Iowa in 1861. He had come from a poor family and left home in 1876 to

explore the west, which is how he landed in Lander, WY.30 He was not very active in the

voting, but he made comment he would marry either one that won the watch,31 at least

that is one of the stories. The other story goes on to say that Farlow had met Lizzie

before and she was not impressed by him. He mentions in his memoir that this was the

first time he had met his future wife and that roughly a year later he went to the

Christmas Eve fair and saw her agin.32 Both stories could be correct. He may have met

her previously and he may have gone to the fair. Incidentally, she was the girl that won.

After the two were acquainted, Farlow began working for Jules Lamoreaux.

In1883 while working for him, one of Farlow’s saddle horses went missing and was

discovered at a Shoshone Indian Village. He and Smiling Fox (Willow, Lizzie’s brother)

went to gather the recently found horse. Farlow went to put his loop on his horse and

take the horse away when My Cat Johnny came out to protect his horse. An altercation

broke out between the two over the possession of the horse. They decided to take the

matter back to the agency. The pathway became lined with Shoshone Indians at the call

of My Cat Johnny. They met the Agent, Dr. Irwin and discovered that the horse had

been stolen from My Cat Johnny and that the bill of sale that Farlow had was for a

stolen horse. It was decided that the horse should remain with My Cat Johnny. The

dispute was settled, but it continued to weigh on Farlow’s mind, until he decided to

apologize for the altercation. He was directed to Chief Washakie and at the end of the

30 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 11-15.31 Beach, “Mrs. Edward J. Farlow,” p.5. 32 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 73.

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discussion Farlow had become a son of Washakie and Washakie’s son Dick was his

brother.33

The connection that Farlow made with the Shoshone Indians and the connection

he made when he married Lizzie are greatly important as they brought more security to

both the Shoshone people and Farlow. When the Shoshone and Arapahos were placed

together on the reservation and part of the reservation was to be signed over to the

whites it was Farlow that the Indians trusted.

During the negotiations the white men tried to explain how much money they

were offering, for the trade of almost a million acres. The Indians would receive

$400,000. The government tried to explain it by how many squaws it would take and by

how many horses it would take to carry that much money.34 The number was too high

for the Indians to understand, but sounded like enough to be set. So they planned to

agree. Before Chief Lone Bear signed the treaty he asked Farlow his opinion, Farlow

had none, but it peaked the interest of the U.S. Indian Inspector, James McLaughlin.

McLaughlin approached Farlow and said,35 “Mr. Farlow, I have seen these Indians ask

you a couple of times what you thought of the treaty. They seem to have great faith in

your judgment and you have refused to answer. I myself would like to hear your

opinion.” 36 Farlow’s reply would shape the treaty that would soon be re-drafted. His

changing words were,

“ Well, Mr. Laughlin, since you have asked me for my opinion I feel free to give it. I have refrained from expressing myself for I might have changed the opinion of some of the Indians and this is my opinion. The government sends its shrewdest and ablest and most experienced diplomats out here

33 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs.59-63.34 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 166.35 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 165-166.36 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 167.

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to treat with these Indians. They are clearly outclassed in that respect. You have been trying to show these Indians how much money $400,000 is and it is beyond them and they think it is enough. I will say this. You are offering these Indians this money for an empire. If this body of land belonged to a party of white men you could not buy it for four million dollars.” 37

This opposition quickly caused the U.S. Government to rewrite the treaty.38 Had Farlow

not been there who knows what would have happened to the Wind River Indian

Reservation. Farlow’s connection with the Indians served the Indians in a way that

money could not buy, and helped the Indians gain some bargaining room to protect their

livelihoods.

Along with helping the Indians with their negotiations, Farlow started a Wild West

Show in 1894. Farlow mentioned it would have been the first Wild West show that he

knows of. 39 He presented this Wild West Show in Lander, using the Indians as

showmen. He had a few struggles with instructing both parties as to how to act, but in

the end he got the program running.40 Farlow states that in 1908 Charles Irwin from

Cheyenne brought up running and bucking horses for the Wild West celebration.41

These Wild West shows were a family event as Farlow’s sons helped with the events of

the celebrations.42 These Wild West shows would move throughout Wyoming and

Colorado for a few years and eventually landed the Indians in the motion pictures.

In September of 1922, Colonel Tim McCoy contacted his friend E. J. Farlow to

request his help,

37 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 167.38 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 167.39 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 169.40 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 169. 41 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 169. In the About the Author notes in the book, the question of Irwin stealing many of the Ideas and using them for Cheyenne Frontier Days, which would explain why in Lander they call the rodeo the Granddaddy of Them All and Cheyenne Frontier Days is known as the Daddy of Them All. 42 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 169-171.

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“Dad, I have the biggest Indian proposition I know of and I want you to help me. They want five hundred Indians to make the movie The Covered Wagon and we have been turned down by the agent at Fort Hall in Idaho. You can handle this if anyone can.”43

Farlow was able to talk to Agent Donner and gather some Arapahoe and Shoshone

Indians despite some were working on the roads, the ditch, and they had yet to have

planted the crops.44 During the production of the movie Tim McCoy and other directors

asked for Farlow’s advice on difficult scenes.45

The movie was a success and the producers asked Farlow to bring the Indians

to Hollywood for the prologues. The Indians were not too impressed with Hollywood and

Farlow’s son Jules went to gather the Indians to bring them back to Lander. The movie’s

success grew so much that the Famous Players Lasky Company wanted the movie to

be opened in London.46 The producers asked for a price, and Farlow came up with the

price of $200 a week for him and all expenses plus 5.00 a day for each Indian. The

producers agreed.47

Farlow was met with opposition when trying to gather the Indians for the trip to

Europe. He contacted the Arapahos. Chief Yellow Calf was very uneasy with the idea

that the Arapahoe Indians would be on a boat for many days. He had heard that Buffalo

Bill’s group had thrown a dead Sioux overboard. He finished in signing, “no Arapaho

would ever be thrown in the big water if he could help it.”48 Farlow used a number of

tactics to convince the Arapahos to come along, including saying,

I was going across the big water and was going to leave my wife and family home; that I was not going into any danger. that I was going to take

43 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 183.44 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 183.45 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 184-187.46 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 188.47 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 188- 189. 48 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 192.

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some Indians with me --- Maybe Sioux, maybe Shoshone, maybe Arapaho--- but I had come to the Arapahos first as they were my best friends and I had known them the longest.

Farlow convinces a few of the Arapaho to go with him. The Arapahos that went with him

had a number of experiences. They saw monkeys, which one Arapaho signed was half

white and half dog. They experienced shopping at a Macy’s store, escalators, and

subways. All of this before they had even left the United States.49 The boat ride was

uneventful, minus Farlow and a few of the Indians becoming very sea sick and the boat

not reaching the harbor in the expected time.50

The show in London was a success and it included twenty-seven Indians, Tim

McCoy and Farlow, which at first concerned the manager.51 Not only did the Indians get

to see the sights of London, they also got to see the sights of Europe.52 The Indians left

Europe to return to the reservation on March 1, 1924.53 Farlow notes that,

In the last twenty years I have had the Indians off the reservation twenty- seven times. There were never less than eight Indians and sometimes as many as 150. I have had them to Denver twice, in Fort Collins, in Casper, in Rawlins, Salt Lake, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cheyenne, Hollywood, Omaha, Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, London and Paris, And I have never lost an Indian or had one seriously sick.

E.J. Farlow may have married the beautiful Lizzie Lamoreaux, been friends with

both the Shoshone and Arapaho nations, but he also did something that was so

wonderful. He brought the Indians out of the reservation and gave them a chance to

earn money that would help support themselves. He gave them life experiences that

only a few people have ever known. The Native American’s trust that they instilled in

him, gave the Native Americans a voice. Farlow was adopted into the Arapaho Tribe on 49 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 193-196.50 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 199-200.51 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 201. 52 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 202-206.53 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 207.

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June, 21, 1931 and given the name of Red Eagle.54 The Wyoming State Journal is

quoted in Farlows book as saying,

“Red Eagle was a noted warrior and leader of the tribe before the time of Black Coal and Sharp Nose. His memory has been carried down to the present tribesmen in tradition and story for he was brave and wise, always kind but fearless and exemplified in his life all the ideals of Indian manhood. Farlow has been known as Nish ki ah, the whip, meaning a fast worker, a driver, a giver of inspiration, a leader, a man who gets things done and done quickly. Others call him Naw te Neh Baa e, Sioux old man.”55

The statement shows more than what one person can say about E.J. Farlow. He was

very honored by the people of the Lander Valley.

Stub Farlow

Albert Jerome “Stub” Farlow was the son of E.J. and Lizzie Farlow. He was born

on February 2, 1886.56 He followed in his father’s footsteps and was a cowboy. His 1940

census lists his occupation as Livestock57 and in the 1930 census as a Dude Rancher.58

These census records also show an interesting change of race, in the 1930 census

Stub was listed as being Sioux59 and in the 1940 census he was listed as white. This

change of race seems odd, but it could be explained by the census taker.

Another interesting inconsistency is the draft cards between Stub and his brother

Jules. Stub was listed as a Sioux60 and Jules was listed as white61. This is odd

considering both have the same bloodlines. On Jules’ draft card the signature of

54 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, pgs. 230-231.55 Farlow, Wind River Adventures, p. 231-232.56 Stub Headsone, Sandy Bachmeyer, August, 6, 2011, findagrave.com.57 1940 census, April 29, 1940, ancestery.com58 1930 census, April 9, 1930, ancestery.com59 1930 census, April 9, 1930, ancestery.com60 Albert Draft Card, September 12, 1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com 61 Jules Draft Card, September 12,1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com

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registration was that of another Farlow.62 Whereas Stub’s was signed by someone

completely unrelated.63 The two signed up on the same day, so this seems fascinating

being the two had different races. Whatever the reason, people of Lander remember

Jules Farlow as “a very distinguished looking Indian.”64 Stub Farlow is also remembered

in Lander, WY as being a good old cowboy.

Stub Farlow as mentioned earlier worked in the Wild West shows, possibly where

he got his start riding rough stock in rodeos. Not only did Stub ride rough stock, but he

also roped. In 1920 at Frontier Days in Cheyenne, WY, Stub calf roped at 1:15.65 It is

said he got his roping lessons by standing on the porch roping firewood from the

woodpile to bring in for the home’s stoves.66 He also participated in the cowpony races

around the state.67 One newspaper article form 1987, retraces one of Stub’s rodeos. It

states,

In 1913 he became truly a one man show at the War Bonnet Stampede in Idaho Falls, Idaho by winning first in the bronc riding, first in the steer roping, first in the five-day relay races, best wild horse racer, winning the famous War Bonnet race and was named all-around champion cowboy. 68

One of the saddles that Stub won was described as being made of “the finest heavy

oak-tanned leather, full-stamped, is silver mounted and has angora saddle pockets.”69

This all leads to where Stub Farlow’s importance is found.

62 Jules Draft Card, September 12,1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com63 Albert Draft Card, September 12, 1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com64 Discussion with Dan Shatto about Jules Farlow, who he remembers from when he was younger. 65 “Yesterday’s Results,” Cheyenne State Leader, July 30, 1920, p. 1. http://pluto.wyo.gov.66 “Lander Cowboy is Rider on Plates”, Lander Paper, December 26, 1935, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander. 67 “Today’s Program,” Cheyenne State Leader, August 21, 1913, p. 1. http://pluto.wyo.gov/68 Mathisen, Jean A.,“’Stub’ Farlow has a valid claim to fame,” Lander Journal, July, 8, 1987, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont Pioneers Museum, Lander.69 “”Stub” Farlow Takes All Prizes Worth While,” Wind River Mountaineer, September 19, 1913, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Museum, Lander.

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In 1934, Stub was appointed superintendent at Beaver Dick Lake. His family and

the other families lived in the cabins surrounding the lake. On about a weekly basis they

would receive vegetables and meat deliveries from Mr. McKay. One day Mr. McKay

commented on the cowboy hat that Stub would change into at the end of the day when

he took off the job’s regulation hat. McKay asked Stub if he had ever worked with much

stock, Stub modestly said he had done a little in the past. Mr. McKay said he had some

of the best bucking horses and one was the very best.70 This horse was “particular, fast,

and an extremely crooked bucker (Deadman) that bucked off seventeen men straight.”71

Stub asked if anyone had ever rode that horse and McKay replied, “Yes Sir, there was

an Injun from Lander, came over to the War Bonnet Roundup at Idaho Falls and rode

him.”72 McKay said he had a picture of the horse and rider and would bring the picture

the next trip. The next week Mr. McKay brought the picture. While he was reaching into

his truck to get the picture, Stub handed him a copy of the same picture. Perplexed, Mr.

McKay asked Stub where he got a copy.73 Stub replied, “Idaho Falls, I, was the Injun

that rode your horse.”74 The postscript on this story reads, “This is the horse that rides

your Wyoming License Plates.” 75

Stub Farlow is often thought to be the man on the License Plate. Lester C. Hunt

was the Secretary of State who originally had the idea to place the bucking horse on the

Wyoming License Plate. 76 “It occurred to me that a bucking horse on the license plate

70 Farlow, Stub. Surprise, n.d. Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.71 Farlow, Surprise, n.d.72 Farlow, Surprise, n.d.73 Farlow, Surprise, n.d.74 Farlow, Surprise, n.d.75 Farlow, Surprise, n.d.76 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953, Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming , here after cited as WSHD correspondence.

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would not highlight any particular locality or event since rodeos were common all over

the state.”77 Hunt recognized that Wyoming needed something special. He decided that

in order to be fair to all people, he would place the bucking horse on the license plate.

This license plate was met with constant approval of the people.

Percy W. Metz, a judge who wrote to Hunt, to compliment him on the making of

the plate wrote, “Cleverest and best things that the Secretary of State’s office has ever

done is the putting of the bucking bronco on the Wyoming automobile license plates.”78

Metz continues his letter with, “It might be of interest to you to know that a number of

Montana, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah people have applied for Wyoming licenses, for

the sole purpose of having this license plate with a bucking horse on it.”79 The letter also

pointed out that Arizona held a distinction for long having the best plates, as they had

copper plates.80 The Wyoming bucking horse plates were so unique that Metz was

confused as being the governor when visiting other states because he had plate

number one for his county.81

Hunt was asked a number of times how he got the bucking horse on the plate,

and he stated a number of times,

“I contacted Mr. True by telephone and asked him if he would mind coming to Wyoming, which he did one Sunday morning and I explained to him in detail what I had in mind. Mr. True said he would be glad to make such a drawing, and he returned the next Sunday morning with the drawing. Mr. True was paid $75.00 for the drawing.”82

Now Hunt continues in the letter that,

77 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.78 Percy W. Metz to Hunt Letter, Metz to Hunt, January 21, 1936, Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.79 Percy W. Metz to Hunt Letter, Metz to Hunt, January 21, 1936.80 Percy W. Metz to Hunt Letter, Metz to Hunt, January 21, 1936.81 Percy W. Metz to Hunt Letter, Metz to Hunt, January 21, 1936.82 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.

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…in the intervening years, been pleased that I had Mr. True do the drawing rather than use a photograph of a bucking horse, in that Mr. True, through his knowledge of art, understood what design could be stamped in steel and retain its identity at some distance. He therefor made the drawing with only one bridle rein, and only one front leg on the horse and with only one rider’s foot.83

Hunt’s recollection is very descriptive. The next part in the letter is even more

impressive, to the argument as to who is riding the bucking horse.

Your question with reference to Mr. Farlow is prompted by the fact that some time after the plate was in use, I gave a release to the effect that in originating & designing the plate, I had in mind “Stub” Farlow who was the most typical cowboy that is was my pleasure to know for the further reason that he was a personal friend of mine.84

This note from Hunt proves that he may not have used a picture of Stub Farlow, but he

did have Stub Farlow in mind when contacting Allen True. Hunt explains this by saying,

that he often hears in the media that it was a certain horse and Stub Farlow, but he

once again confirms that was not the case and that Stub was just Hunt’s thought of a

true cowboy.85 Hunt also explains that in his office there was the original drawing and a

small post card of Stub Farlow on top of a bucking horse. 86

Even though the drawing was modeled after the idea of Stub Farlow, Hunt wrote

to Jules Farlow while a monument was being erected stating that Jules should give a

speech. This speech was to include that Hunt came up with the idea, True did the

drawing, and that Stub Farlow was who Hunt had in mind when drawing up the plate.

Hunt also requested that Jules place an important message in quotes, that Stub Farlow

was “ the most typical cowboy I know. He represents all that is typical and symbolic of

83 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.84 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.85 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.86 Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953.

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the West.”87 Hunt follows with, “ the above quote I am sure was almost always the

language I used in any release or in any personal conversation.”88 This letter to Jules

supports the idea that Stub was a standup guy that Hunt had in mind when selecting

True’s drawings.

Stub knew that Hunt had used him as the representation of the west as he writes

a letter to Opal in 1952. This letter includes information about his family and how they

came to the Lander Valley, which was discussed earlier in this paper. Stub also writes in

this letter, “Doc Hunt put the bucking emblem on the Wyoming license plates, and

published (them) in the State. It was a very nice gesture on his part, and I am grateful

for it. I never did go for publicity. I just like to be plain Stub, to everyone.”89 This would

explain why there is little about Stub Farlow claiming his fame as being the man on the

license plate.

Stub Farlow’s obituary stated that not only was Stub a rodeo cowboy, he worked

in the bank, drove school bus, was a stunt man, and a man of livestock. 90 His obituary

also states that his daughter worked for Mr. Hunt and was working for him in

Washington D.C. when Stub became sicker following an appendectomy. When she flew

home to be with him she was met by the Wyoming National Guard.91

His daughter working as one of Lester Hunt’s personal staff at the time of Stub

Farlow’s death is important because his obituary states “the man on the Wyoming

87 Hunt Letter to Jules Farlow, Hunt to Jules, March 15, 1954, Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.88 Hunt Letter to Jules Farlow, Hunt to Jules, March 15, 1954.89 Stub Letter to Opal, Stub to Opal, June 24, 1952, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.90 “Services Today for A.J. ‘Stub’ Farlow, Colorful Westerner,” Lander Journal, July 28, 1953, Tom Bell Collection, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander. 91“Services Today for A.J. ‘Stub’ Farlow, Colorful Westerner,” Lander Journal, July 28, 1953.

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license plates.”92 It can be contrived that if Hunt did not agree with the idea of Stub

Farlow being named the man on the license plate, then his daughter would have had

that removed.

Concluding Thoughts

The image on the Wyoming License Plate may not be a direct picture of Stub

Farlow, however it is his image that Lester Hunt had in mind when creating the

Wyoming License Plate. Stub’s family were true pioneers, which Stub recognizes when

writing his personal story, “My folks were real pioneers in Wyo.”93 Stub Farlow’s heritage

is one to be very proud of, from his grandfather’s business; his grandmother saving the

wagon train; his mother being most popular and bringing in over a thousand dollars for a

church fundraiser; his father becoming close friends with the Indians: helping them

negotiate their reservation, and showing them the world; and then having the bucking

horse and rider be placed on the plates with Stub Farlow in mind. I am sure that few

people would believe that the man on the license plate is made to represent a man

whose bloodlines were a quarter Sioux and the great nephew of Gall. The Wyoming

license plates have seen few changes, but they still continue to be an envy of people

around the world.

92 “Services Today for A.J. ‘Stub’ Farlow, Colorful Westerner,” Lander Journal, July 28, 1953, Tom Bell Collection, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.93 Stub Letter to Opal, Stub to Opal, June 24, 1952.

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Bibliography

1. 1930 census, April 9, 1930, ancestery.comThis primary source shows the 1930 census that shows Stub listed as a Sioux. It was used to compare the 1940 census.

2. 1940 census, April 29, 1940, ancestery.com

This primary source was helpful to look at the differences between the 1930 census and the 1940 census.

3. Albert Draft Card, September 12, 1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com

Albert (Stub) Farlow’s draft card was useful when looking as to what he was listed as when he filled out his draft card. It was used to compare his draft card to his brother Jule’s draft card. This primary source was helpful when trying to figure who Stub Farlow was.

4. Beach, Cora May. "Mrs. Edward J. Farlow." In Women of Wyoming, 2-5. Casper: S.E. Boyer & Co., 1927.

Beach's short story about Lizzie was very beneficial when trying to write the story of Edward Farlow and Lizzie. She must have known Lizzie as she wrote of how proud Lizzie was of her watch she had won. This story added a comparison to Edward Farlow's book.

5. Farlow, Edward J. Wind River Adventures. Glendo: High Plains Press, 1998.

This source was used as both a primary and a secondary source. When talking about the Lamoreaux family it was a secondary source. However, when writing about how he met Lizzie, his trips with the Indians, or other such memories, that was the primary source.

6. Farlow, Stub. Surprise, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.

Stub's story is used as a primary source. In this short story Stub mentions that he is the man on the Wyoming License plate through the use of Mr. McKay, who owned a pony that Stub had ridden at one time.

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7. Halstead, Philippina Knapp. Jules and Woman Dress Lamoreaux: A Family History and a Comparison to Metis Studies. Laramie: University of Wyoming, 1997.

Halstead's book was a secondary source, but a wealth of information. It cited sources that I was incapable of finding. Some of her sources were from family members that had done copious amounts of research on their genealogies. Her book also supported the stories of Edward Farlow.

8. Hunt Letter to Jules Farlow, Hunt to Jules, March 15, 1954, Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

Hunt's letter to Jules as a primary source proves that not only did Hunt like Stub, but he also thought of Stub very highly. It is written to Jules in hopes that Jules will be at the unveiling of a monument and will say a few words about Stub. The letter also confirms what Hunt had said in the past about Stub.

9. Jules Draft Card, September 12,1918, Registration State: Wyoming; Registration County: Fremont; Roll: 1993072. Ancestery.com.

Jules' draft card was used as a primary source to look at the difference between Stub Farlow's and his.

10. “Lander Cowboy is Rider on Plates”, Lander Paper, December 26, 1935, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.

This is a secondary source that explains a few of Stub's early years. It was used to relay the message of how Stub grew up roping and rodeoing. It also states that Stub began rodeoing at aroung age 15.

11. Mathisen, Jean A.,“’Stub’ Farlow has a valid claim to fame,” Lander Journal, July, 8, 1987, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont Pioneers Museum, Lander.

Mathisen researched Stub and then wrote an article in the Lander Journal. This article talks about the War Bonnet Stampede that many people believe is where Hunt got his idea to use Stub.

12.Percy W. Metz to Hunt Letter, Metz to Hunt, January 21, 1936, , Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

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Metz wrote a letter to Hunt with great enthusiasm of the new Wyoming license plate. The praises that Metz writes bring forward the people's opinion from both in state and out of state. He mentions the past history of Arizona having the most decorative plateand was now surpassed by Wyoming's new license plate.

13.Response from Hunt to Wyoming State Historical Department( WSHD), Hunt to WSHD, August 24, 1953, Folder 4, Box2, Lester C. Hunt Papers, Collection 00270, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie.

This letter was in response to a letter from the Wyoming State Historical Department in request of the identity of the license plate rider. Hunt writes that Stub was the image he had in his mind, but Allen True was the man who actually drew the picture.

14. “Services Today for A.J. ‘Stub’ Farlow, Colorful Westerner,” Lander Journal, July 28, 1953, Tom Bell Collection, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.

This is the obituary of Stub Farlow. It provided information on the family and on who he was. He died after emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

15. “”Stub” Farlow Takes All Prizes Worth While,” Wind River Mountaineer, September 19, 1913, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Museum, Lander.

This is an article that ties the story of Mr. McKay to the idea of Stub Farlow being the man on the license Plate. It is a primary source. This lists his winnings at the at Idaho Falls. This lists his winnings of saddles and money.

16.Stub's Headstone, Sandy Bachmeyer, August, 6, 2011, findagrave.com.

Sandy Bachmeyer's photograph of Stub Farlow's headstone shows that he rests at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lander, Wyoming. It gives his date of birth, his death date, and the bucking horse.

17. Stub Letter to Opal, Stub to Opal, June 24, 1952, Tom Bell Papers, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander.

Stub's letter to Opal is a letter that describes who he is through the explanation of his family. He tells of his family and then at the end talks of who he is and his accomplishments. He also writes how he never went publicly about being the rider, because he like being Stub Farlow.

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18. “Today’s Program,” Cheyenne State Leader, August 21, 1913, p. 1. http://pluto.wyo.gov/

This newspaper article outline the events that would happen in that day's celebration. These events are before the big events in Idaho Falls.

19. “Yesterday’s Results,” Cheyenne State Leader, July 30, 1920, p. 1. http://pluto.wyo.gov.

This newspaper lists the winners of the events at the Cheyenne rodeo. It can be seen by his time Stub is starting to slow down. However, it did not stop him.