History Of Basin (Continued) Pg. 2

In November 1896, Basin won the election for county seat by a mere 44 votes, and became Big Horn Countys county seat, effective in the new year. Thats why history considers Col. Pickett to be the father of Big Horn County. There were only 33 voters living on the town site at the time of the election. With the help of the Herald, the Big Horn Basin was getting more publicity, and was soon considered the banana belt of Wyoming. That all changed after the winter of 1898-1899 when, in January, a big blizzard blew in, and temperatures dropped to -50 F. for several weeks. People started to realize how difficult life could be in Wyoming. Thankfully, a general store had been built before winter set in, but it still took a long time to get a supply wagon up to Billings and back. To file a land claim, record a deed, or get a marriage license, residents had to walk, take a horse or wagon. Until 1897, Lander in Fremont County was the county seat for people living in Big Horn west of the Big Horn River, and Buffalo in Johnson County was the county seat for the land to the east side of the Big Horn River. Basin grew fast in its first few years, but the population since has not really increased or decreased drastically. One way of getting across rivers other than by floating or making a bridge is by a ferry. Cable Ferries were popular on the Big Horn River even when Basin was just getting settled. A.G. Rupp had a ferry business three miles south of Manderson at a town called Welling, which he named after his son. Rupp was also the postmaster, corral owner, and he operated a store. Butch Cassidy was a customer at A.Gs store and he paid with a twenty-dollar bill after the Wilcox robbery. In 1902 when Basin City was officially incorporated, the government dropped the city part of the name, and Basin has stuck and that is what we still use today. There was no means of communication except for mail back then, but when the Heralds first issue came out August 24, 1896, Basin City was starting to gain a little popularity. The paper was no doubt a big attraction for Basin City. One of Big Horn Countys most tragic events was in 1903, when two men accused of murder were not being prosecuted enough in the eyes of some citizens and they broke in and killed the two men and the jailer. Also in 1903, two civil war cannons from Battery B of the National Guard were brought to Basin. They were used for drill and training of American troops. 1907 was the year when Oil and Natural Gas was discovered in the area across the river from Basin, called Torchlight. Torchlight consists of hills and sagebrush that is on BLM land, and it is used today for animal habitat, four-wheeling, and fireworks displays. Wyoming is well known for the large percentage of its population that is well educated, and Basin City was no exception. In 1906 a two story building on 4th Street was built, and it was there that lodges met, militia held meetings, court, and dances were held. A couple years later in 1910, Basin was developing with full speed ahead. Buildings included the Basin Hospital, Markham Hotel, the Catholic Church, Carnegie Library, a grade school, and many new two-story houses. Canals were also being dug at the time, and, in 1918 a county courthouse was built. The governor, in 1922, ordered the two Civil War cannons that had been brought to Basin earlier destroyed. Luckily for history, a few Civil War veterans fought for them saying that they were a memorial to the Civil War, and that they should stay in remembrance of those who gave their lives for our country. During World War I, about 12,000 men went to war from Wyoming a rate well above the national average. Ten percent of Washakie County joined the services, and the Wyoming National Guard became a part of the 41st Division in France in December 1917. Basin also created a home Guard unit.