Life, death and the 1850s presented in living history at the Trails Center
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CASPER, Wyo. - “Company I and the Lobo Mess” will recreate an 1850s military and civilian encampment Saturday, August 11 through Sunday, August 12 at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. This program is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s mission to connect communities to public lands and to America’s natural and cultural heritage.
Local military living historians will pair with Eagle Scouts from Nebraska and students from Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins to present life on the Oregon Trail. According to the club’s instructor, Kurt Knierim, “The Lobo Mess” gives 15 to 20 presentations per year, and is excited to return to the NHTIC.
“They are committed to the club and are amazingly involved given how many other activities they are involved in,” Knierim said of his students. “This event was a hit last year and the students that participated have really spoken highly of it.”
Westward migration had been in full swing for decades, and the frontier was as wild as ever. As the papers proclaimed “Go West, young man,” relationships between Native American tribes and pioneers were in near constant flux. Tensions were also strained between the settlers of the territorial lands.
A candlelight tour on Saturday August 11 will reflect on a particular incident laden with several efforts to establish a lasting peace through treaty negotiations did little to quell the problem. An Indian War erupted along the Bozeman Trail in north and central Wyoming and concluded in 1868 with the abandonment of the hated military forts along that route.
A highlight of the weekend will be a special evening “Candlelight Tour” on Saturday, August 11. Relive the emotions of Fanny Kelly’s capture by the Oglala Sioux. While traveling to find riches in the goldfields, Kelly and her companions were overtaken west of Douglas, Wyoming after peace efforts failed to dissuade their attackers. During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to observe first-person scenarios that depict the story of the wagon-train after it made it safely to Deer Creek Station.
Visitors to the evening event are encouraged to be prepared to be outdoors and to dress accordingly. Tours are scheduled at 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations are required in advance.
Living historians will be on duty Saturday, August 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 from 8 a.m. to midday. These events are free and open to the public.
For more information and to register for the evening tour, contact Shawn Wade at 307-261-7790.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.