Elmer Chatfield & Della Chatfield

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield
3rd of 9 children of Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington
Born: Jun 8 or 12, 1863, Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado
Died: Sep 20, 1962 (age 99), Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming; old age, head shingles
Buried: Sep 24, 1962, Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming
Occupation: Cattle/sheep rancher, horse dealer, farmer
Married: Sep 18, 1892, Della “Dell” Chatfield (his first cousin), Ogden, Weber Co., Utah
Five daughters: Helen Layle Chatfield, Marion Hortense Chatfield, Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield, Audrey Ella Chatfield, Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Chatfield

Della “Dell” Chatfield
1st of 9 children of Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield, Sr. & Mary Elizabeth Morrow
Born: Jan 4, 1872, Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Nebraska
Died: Oct 31, 1919 (age 47), Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming; cancer
Buried: Nov 4, 1872, Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming
Occupation: Singer: sang with the Central City Opera in Central City, Colorado; contralto with Chicago Opera Company
Married: Sep 18, 1892, Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (her first cousin), Ogden, Weber Co., Utah
Five daughters: Helen Layle Chatfield, Marion Hortense Chatfield, Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield, Audrey Ella Chatfield, Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Chatfield

1. Helen Layle Chatfield
Born: Feb 15, 1894, Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Died: Dec 26, 1975 (age 81), Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas; respiratory arrest, arteriosclerosis, congestive failure
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Married: Jul 5, 1926, Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg (a widower), Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
One stepdaughter from Rudy: Ruth Geraldine Hornburg
Two children: Walter Jerald Hornburg, Marian Norma Hornburg

2. Marion Hortense Chatfield
Born: Feb 25, 1896, Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Died: Jun 18, 1980 (age 84), Angwin, Napa Co., California; cancer, congestive heart failure
Buried: St. Helena Cemetery in Angwin, Napa Co., California
Married: 1934, William Perry Tarter, Rock Springs, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming
Three children: Helen Marie Tarter, Margaret Eloise Tarter, Clark Delmer Tarter

3. Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield
Born: Oct 18, 1898, Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Died: Mar 30, 1981 (age 81), San Marcos, San Diego Co., California; heart attack
Buried: Eternal Hills Cemetery in Oceanside, San Diego Co., California
Married: Apr 11, 1920, Fred Chester Sproul, Manderson, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Three children: Elmer Chatfield Sproul, Fred Chester “Freddie” Sproul, Jr., Beverly Ann Sproul

4. Audrey Ella Chatfield
Born: Nov 27, 1900, Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Died: Jan 31, 2000 (age 99), near Jackson, Teton Co., Wyoming; stroke
Cremated: Remains in Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming
Occupation: Ranch cook, worked with husband cooking for seismograph oil drilling crews
Married: Feb 26, 1927, Joseph Anthony “Joe” Bodan, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Three children: Barbara Lee Bodan, Emerson Ellsworth Bodan, Nancy Dolores Bodan

5. Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Chatfield
Born: Dec 18, 1905, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Died: May 26, 1990 (age 84), Fairfield, Solano Co., California; complications from diabetes
Buried: St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery in Fairfield, Solano Co., California
Married: Jan 28, 1928, Forest Wayne “Frosty” Rosenberry, Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming
Two children: Charlotte Dell Rosenberry, Billy Wayne Rosenberry

**********
Timeline and Records

 

Nine children of Isaac Willard Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington:
1. Ella Clara Chatfield
1859 – 1948 (m. Josiah Appleton “Joe” Small)
2. Clark W. Charles Chatfield
1861 – 1861
3. Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield
1863 – 1962 (m. Della Chatfield, his 1st cousin)
4. Phil Van Wert Chatfield
1865 – 1883
5. Jacqueline Chatfield
1867 – 1963 (m. Frederick William “Fred” Adams)
6. Charles Henry Chatfield
1870 – 1942 (m. Nellie Belle Chamberlin)
7. Myrtle Lovina Chatfield
1873 – 1877
8. Grace Chatfield
1874 – 1874
9. Calla Mabel Chatfield
1878 – 1958 (m. Burtis Thayer Joslin)

Nine children of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr. & Mary Elizabeth Morrow:
1. Della Chatfield
1872 – 1919 (m. Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield, her 1st cousin)
2. Ora Lovina Chatfield
1873 – 1936 (m. Charles Elliott Shaw)
3. Clark Samuel Chatfield, Jr.
1876 – 1944 (m1. Ida Emeline Hyatt; m2. Madge Rosa)
4. Arthur William Chatfield
1878 – 1959 (m. Ada B. Miller)
5. Willard James Chatfield
1880 – 1900
6. Mabel Clair Chatfield
1883 – 1960 (m. George Reuben Sawyer)
7. Jacquelin(e) Chatfield
1886 – 1964 (m. James Frederick “Jim” Mallon)
8. Levi Tomlinson “Lee” Chatfield
1889 – 1949 (m. Martha W. Banning)
9. Marjorie Emma Chatfield
1893 – 1983 (m. John Chatfield “Jack” Tuck)

**********

On May 23, 1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, was the first man killed in the Union army after cutting down the Rebel flag flying over the Alexandria Hotel, giving the North its first martyr.
“Souvenir hunters carved up the staircase on which Ellsworth died. Flags flew at half-staff across the North. The body lay in state at the East Room of the White House, then in City Hall at New York, where a volunteer unit was instantly formed—Ellsworth’s Avengers.”
Source: The Civil War, by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burn and Ken Burns, 1990

Jun 8 or 12, 1863: Birth of Elmer Ellsworth “E.E.” “Chatty” Chatfield, 3rd of 9 children of Isaac Willard Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in a homestead tent near Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado
Note: Various records, including his diary, state Elmer was born Jun 08, 1863 but his father’s pension record states he was born Jun 12, 1863. Elmer claimed he never really knew, and thought it not all that important. It’s also not clear if his middle name is Ellsworth or Eugene. With his father and two uncles having served in the Civil War, it is quite possible that Elmer was named after the Civil War martyr, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. His daughter Audrey named her son Emerson Ellsworth, lending credence to a middle name of Ellsworth. Elmer simply went by E.E.

Aug 1, 1870: Colorado Territorial Census, Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac: age 34, farmer, value of real estate $6,000, value of personal property $4,550, born Ohio
Eliza: age 28, keeping house, born Iowa
Ella: age 11, at home, born Kansas, attending school
Elmer: age 7, at home, born Colorado
Vanwert: age 5, at home, born Colorado
Jane: age 2, at home, born Colorado (Jacqueline)

Jan 4, 1872: Birth of Della “Dell” Chatfield, 1st of 9 living children of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr. & Mary Elizabeth Morrow and future wife of Elmer Chatfield, in Tecumseh, Johnson Co., Nebraska.

Aug 1, 1876: Colorado is admitted to the Union as the 38th state

Jun 3, 1880: Federal Census, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, I.W.: age 43, born Ohio, father born Connecticut, mother born Vermont, merchant
Eliza: age 37, wife, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, keeping house (age 40)
Ella S.: age 21, daughter, born Kansas, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Elmer E.: age 17, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa, handling horses
Phil Vanwest: age 14, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Van Wert)
Jacqueline: age 12, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Charles H.: age 9, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Callie: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Note: four other lodgers also live in household, one a bookkeeper, the others working as grain merchants

Jun 11, 1880: Federal Census for Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, C.S.: age 39, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio
Marey: age 29, wife, housekeeping, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois (Mary)
Ida: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Della: age 8, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Ora: age 7, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Clark S.: age 8, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (age 3)
Arthur: age 1, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: The following are also listed as living in the same household:
L.C. Howell, age 32, farmer, born West Virginia
G.R. Baker, age 23, farmer, born West Virginia
R.M. Baker, age 31, dentist, born West Virginia

Mar 7, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Elmer Chatfield, Louie Price, Anna Skinner, Bertha Dell, Morton Jones and Arthur Kennedy pass into the collegiate preparatory.
Note: Article referring to Brinker Collegiate Preparatory Institute

Jun 1882: Elmer Chatfield (age 19) enters Brinker Collegiate Preparatory Institute in Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

Jun 12, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
NEWS: DENVER.
Elmer Chatfield passes into the collegiate preparatory.

Jul 1, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
The family of C.S. Chatfield arrived this week. They have taken up their residence on Hyman avenue.
Note: The family had formerly been living in Littleton, Arapahoe, Colorado: Clark Samuel Chatfield, age 41 and wife Mary (Morrow) Chatfield, age 31, and their children: Ida, age 15, Della, age 10, Ora, age 9, Clark Jr., age 5, Arthur, age 3

1882: History of Leadville and Lake County:
Isaac Chatfield maintained a home near Denver (probably in Littleton) and his wife often stayed in Denver. His daughter and son, Jacqueline and Elmer, were both attending the Brinker Collegiate Institute in Denver. Daughter Ella was also making frequent trips to and from Denver, probably to visit her mother and siblings. Isaac W. Chatfield was also going to Denver at least once every month on the Denver and South Park Railroad, usually on business. His daughter, Ella was very active singing in the Leadville Methodist Church choir as a soprano.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado by Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996
Note: Jacqueline is age 15, Elmer 19, and Ella 23

1883/1884: Elmer moves to Dodge City, Kansas to punch cattle for the Wilsons who are large livestock dealers, trailing 2,500 head of cattle up the old Chisholm Trail

Jun 1, 1885: State Census for Eagle Co., Colorado: (preprinted Jun 1, 1885)
Chatfield, C.P.: age 44, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio (Clark Samuel)
M.E.: age 35, wife, housekeeper, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois (Mary Elizabeth Chatfield)
Ida: age 18, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Della: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Ora: age 12, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Clark S.: age 9, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Arthur: age 8, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Willard: age 4, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Mable: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: Census year begins Jun 1, 1884 and ends May 31, 1885, so not known actual date census was taken.

Oct 17, 1885: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
PERSONAL MENTION.
Elmer Chatfield visited Aspen Saturday on business.

Oct 17, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Among the Ranchers.
EMMA FLAT
Within a scope of three miles of Emma postoffice, at the mouth of Sopris creek, is a fine stretch of farming land, lying on both sides of the Roaring Fork river, that is well called by the residents the garden spot of the Roaring Fork valley. Here is the largest group of ranches anywhere in this part of the state, …
The next ranch is that of C.S. Chatfield, who keeps the Interval house, a popular stopping place on the Glenwood road. Mr. Chatfield has a field of 75 acres of Oats, and has cut 25 tons of hay—a crop worth $4,000.
Adjoining and back of this ranch Mr. Elmer Chatfield has a pretty meadow as any one could wish for‚ apparently as level as a house floor, but with sufficient fall for irrigating purposes. He cut about 50 tons of hay, and 10 acres of oats that are an extraordinary yield, thought to go 60 bushels to the acre. His crop is worth $2,500.
Opposite the interval house is the Emma hotel and postoffice.

Oct 31, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The Republican convention made good choice of men for the office of road overseers of the various water districts, in the persons of W.H.H. Cope for the Aspen district, Cal. Miller for Ashcroft, Elmer E. Chatfield for Rock Creek, Benedict Bourg for Woody, and Walt. Borom for Sopris Creek. We are personally acquainted with these gentlemen, and they are for the most part team owners and directly interested in having good roads in their respective districts. You cannot do better than to elect them to office.

1886: Elmer Chatfield (age 23) establishes a ranch at Sopris Creek near Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado

Jan 9, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Grain in the Valley.
We have been unable previous to this late day, to secure a report of the grain crop of the valley. These figures represent machine measure, which is fully 20 per cent less than weight measure.
ROARING FORK & ROCK CREEK VALLEYS.
… E.E. Chatfield…………………544 BUSHELS….

1885/1886: Two Brothers and Friends: A Chatfield History & Genealogy:
Isaac did not remain long in Denver. After engaging in a few cattle deals and purchasing range land in Rio Blanco County, he moved the family to Aspen in September of 1885. Here he became partners in a wholesale/retail mercantile business with his brother Clark S. Chatfield, who had established the firm in 1882. (Clark may have been the compelling force behind Isaac’s decision to move to Aspen). The store became known as the Chatfield Brothers Grocery and Isaac’s oldest son, Elmer, became a regular employee of the firm.
By early 1886 Isaac seems to have obtained sole ownership of the Chatfield Brothers Grocery, for on Jan 30th of that year, the Rocky Mountain Sun noted, “I.W. Chatfield has sold his business to the Theodore Blohm Merchandise County”. From that point onward his major occupation seems to have been cattle raising, for local newspapers made frequent mention of his visits to his ranches on Willow and Yellow Creeks in Rio Blanco County. During this same period his son, Elmer, now 23, also entered into the cattle business.
Source: Two Brothers and Friends: A Chatfield History & Genealogy:, Volume IV, (pg 112), Copyright 1990 by Harry E. Chatfield & Chatfield Western Publications. Box 5703, Security, Colorado, 80931

Mar 20, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Local and Personal.
John Sellinghouse, of Emma, was in town this week. Mr. Sellinghouse has been appointed by the commissioners as road overseer in the place of Elmer Chatfield who failed to qualify.

May 1, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Personals and Locals.
The ranchers about Emma are very busy plowing and sowing. Mr. Elmer Chatfield will break about 100 acres for oats.

Jul 3, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Miss Ella Chatfield will spend the summer at Elmer’s ranch on Sopris creek.
Note: Elmer’s sister, Ella, is age 27

Jul 24, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Society Notes.
Misses Ella Chatfield and Edith White have returned to town from a visit to Elmer Chatfield’s ranch at Emma.

Jul 24, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
There was a large number of our ranchmen friends in Aspen this week attending upon the case of Geo. W. Gillespie vs Elmer Chatfield.

Jul 31, 1886: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
District Court.
404—G.W. Gillespie vs Elmer Chatfield, the ditch case. The trial was continued and concluded, and the court found for defendant and that plaintiff pay costs.

Jul 31, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
In the case of G.W. Gillespie vs Elmer Chatfield, damages to crops by filling up a ditch, jury decided in favor of the defendant.

1889 thru 1896: Elmer’s father, I.W. Chatfield, has a ranch in Emma and is also listed as residing in Basalt, Colorado

Residents of Basalt as listed in Basalt, Colorado Midland Town:
Chatfield: C.S. and wife; Arthur, Clark, Mable, Marjorie, Levi, Willard, Ora, Jacqueline
Chatfield: I.W., Elizah, Charles, Elmer, Jacqueline, Callia
Mallon: Jim, Jacqueline (Chatfield)
Note: C.S. is Clark Samuel, the brother of I.W.; Jim Mallon is the husband of Clark’s daughter, Jacqueline Chatfield

Oct 4, 1888: The Daily Herald, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Co., New Mexico (pg 1):

Oct 4, 1888: Fairplay Flume, Fairplay, Park Co., Colorado (pg 2):
STATE NEWS.
A special from Grand Junction to the Denver Republican says Elmer E. Chatfield, a son of I.W. Chatfield, arrived there Monday morning after an exciting and successful chase after horse thieves. The horses were stolen on the night of Sept. 14, and Mr. Chatfield started immediately from Aspen in pursuit and succeeded in capturing his horses and the thieves near Green river, Utah. The young man followed the thieves entirely alone, traveling day and night, and made the capture without any assistance. He was in one of the most dangerous parts of Utah Territory, where, had his mission been known, his life would have been worth but little. For perseverance and pluck the like as not been performed in Colorado.

Jan 3, 1889: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Etchings From Emma.
Emma, Col, Jan. 3, ‘89
Mr. Elmer Chatfield has returned from his trip to remain on his father’s ranch during the winter.

Feb 19, 1889: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Etchings From Emma.
Emma, Col, Feb. 18, ‘89
A visit of your correspondent to the ranch of I.W. Chatfield convinced her that nothing was wanting in the line of agriculture. Fine stock, and abundance of hay and necessary machinery and farming impliments (sic).
Elmer Chatfield feels proud of his charge.

Apr 12, 1889: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
THE DAY’S DIARY
Hon. I.W. Chatfield arrived from Denver and departed for his ranch in Emma yesterday. He has been invited to deliver an address in Denver on Arbor day. He says they are to have a big celebration there on that occasion. Mr. Chatfield and his son Elmer will farm on an extensive scale this summer. They will cut sixty acres of Alfalfa, and they are now making arrangements to sow forty acres of oats, and about twenty-five acres of corn. Last year from eight acres Mr. Chatfield raised 400 bushels of good corn.
Note: Isaac Willard Chatfield is age 52, Elmer 25

Sep 27, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Elmer Chatfield raised 26 acres of white corn on the Emma ranch, says the Aspen times. The yield is about 40 bushels per acre. Samples of corn are on exhibition at the Chamber of Commerce.

Oct 26, 1889: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Precinct delegations were then instructed to present their own candidates for precinct officers, and the following nominations were made…
The following central committee was ratified:
Emma—Elmer Chatfield

Nov 8, 1889: Montana is admitted to the Union as the 41th state

Nov 10, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 3):
PITKIN COUNTY RETURNS
ASPEN.
EMMA—The first precinct report was brought in by E.E. Chatfield.
The rest of the state ticket the republicans received 18 and democrats 27; Chatfield 33, Hooper 12, …

Dec 14, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Horse Thief Captured.
Sheriff White received a dispatch Thursday from the sheriff of Mesa county asking him if he still wanted James Cooper. Our sheriff replied that he wanted him and wanted him bad. In a short time word was received that the man was under arrest and awaiting the action of the Pitkin county authorities.
This is the man who, about a year ago, stole a pair of horses belonging to Elmer Chatfield. He was traced by that young man into Utah and captured at Moab. Mr. Chatfield’s exploit was a somewhat remarkable one and created no little comment at the time among those who were acquainted with him. The horses were stolen from his ranch near Emma and as soon as he discovered his losses he set out in pursuit. He soon got track of them, finding that they were apparently being run across the country by a band of desparate, organized horse thieves, operating between the Paradox valley and Utah.
After a hard chase he came up with the stock at Moab and arrested the man Cooper, who, he found, had taken them. The thief was placed in charge of a constable while Elmer went off to get one of the horses that had been sold. While he was gone the constable let the man escape and he had never since been heard of until the message was received from Grand Junction yesterday. Cooper is under indictment in this county for the crime, and his trial will no doubt come up at the next term of the district court.
The capture is one that will greatly interest all who have stock in the valley, as a great many of the ranchmen have suffered severely at the hands of the gang which Copper was a member. They are all tough, desperate men and constitute one of the worst bands of thieves that has ever operated in western Colorado. Sheriff White will send a man immediately to secure the prisoner.

Dec 14, 1889: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
LOCAL MISCELLANEY.
About a year ago Elmer Chatfield had some horses stolen from his ranch. He had an exciting chase after the thief who was captured afterwards in Utah, but who escaped. Sheriff White yesterday received a telegram from the sheriff of Mesa county announcing the capture of Jim Cooper who is now in jail at Grand Junction. The sheriff will send a man there to bring Cooper to Aspen.

Jan 20, 1890: Aspen Weekly Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The Sentenced Horsethief.
James Cooper, convicted of stealing horses, was on Saturday morning sentenced to five years at hard labor, at Canon City.
The felony for which Cooper will serve a term in the pen occurred about a year ago. Cooper stole two horses, valued at $400, from the ranch of Elmer Chatfield, located a few miles down the Roaring Fork. He took the horses to Utah, where he traded. Young Chatfield had followed him and caused his arrest. Cooper escaped from the Utah officials. Meantime a true bill had been found against him by the grand jury of this county.
For some time all trace of Cooper seemed to be lost. Finally, about two months ago he was captured near Grand Junction and brought here.
In his testimony Cooper stated that he had been a tie chopper and his only motive in stealing was to get enough money to see his wife, who is in the east.

Mar 6, 1890: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
DAY’S DIARY.
Miss Jacqueline Chatfield, Miss Ora Chatfield, Charles Chatfield and Elmer Chatfield formed a merry party on the Rio Grande going down to their ranch at Emma.
Note: Jacqueline is age 23, Ora (a cousin) is age 16, Charles is 19, and Elmer 26

Pictured: Jacqueline, Ora, Charles, Elmer. Ora is the daughter of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Isaac’s brother.

Jul 10, 1890: Wyoming becomes the 44th state to join the Union

Aug 23, 1890: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Judges of Election.
At the meeting of the board of county commissioner Tuesday, judges of election and polling places were selected as follows:
Precinct No. 5 Emma—Postoffice; Elmer Chatfield, Benjamin F. Prewitt, A. Naehe. Sr., judges.

Jan 21, 1891: Avalanche, Carbondale, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The Carbondale Gun Club.
The Carbondale Gun Club was duly organized by election of the following officers… the following are the list of members: E.E. Chatfield, …
Regular shooting grounds will be on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The shooting grounds will be selected by the trustees during the present week and it is hoped that everything will be in readiness for the regular shoot to take place of Saturday, January 31st.
A meeting of the club will be held in the room adjoining the back on Monday evening next at 8 o’clock. All members are earnestly requested to be in attendence for the further transaction of important business.

Feb 14, 1891: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Elmer Chatfield is up from his ranch spying out some of Aspen’s pretty girls.

Mar 4, 1891: Avalanche, Carbondale, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 1):
BLOODED STOCK.
Yesterday there arrived in Glenwood a car load of the finest thoroughbred Durham cows ever brought in the country. They are for the stock ranch of Elma (sic Elmer) E. Chatfield and they have a pedigree straight from “Jubilee King” and “Cruikshank.” I.W. Chatfield who had charge of the stock showed the reporter a book of a hundred pages that contained the history of the stock and he assured him that they were the finest creatures he had seen for a long time. Added to the fine stock of Herefords that Mr. Elma (Elmer) Chatfield now has on his ranch, this will place him ahead in blooded stock. A visit to his place will repay any lover of fine thoroughbreds.

Mar 11, Mar 25 & Apr 29, 1891: Avalanche, Carbondale, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 3):
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
Land Office at Glenwood Springs, }
Colorado, March 17, 1891 }
Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the Register and Receiver at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on April 30, 1891, at 10 o’clock a m, viz:
ELMER E. CHATFIELD,
of Emma, Colo., on his P.D.S. No. 181 Ute series, for the NW ¼, SW ¼, sec. 13. NE ¼, SE ¼, and S1/2, SE, ½, sec. 14, now described as lots, 10, 111, and 16, sec. 13, and lots 9 and 10, sec. 14, Tp 8, S R 87, W 6 PM.
He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of, said land, viz:
Vincent Vanoni, C.S. Chatfield, August F. Naefe, G.H. Gillespie, all of Emma, Colo.
G.D. THAYER, Register.

Jul 4, 1891: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
DAY’S DIARY
Elmer Chatfield was a passenger on the outgoing Denver & Rio Grande train yesterday morning.

Jul 13, 1891: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.
A pleasant party consisting of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Schilling, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Schilling, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Small, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Adams, spent Sunday at the ranch of Elmer Chatfield at Emma in fishing and making hay.

Pictured: Bert Schilling, Josiah Small, Fred Adams, Elmer Chatfield (Elmer is Ella and Jacqueline’s brother, living in Emma, Co.)
Note: Before their marriages, Fred Adams, Josiah Small and Bert Schilling roomed together

Aug 8, 1891: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
County Commissioners
After listening to complaints all of last week, the boards were in good condition when they met Monday morning, to proceed with a vim, as was evidenced from the large number of bills which they passed. The work regarding the changes made necessary by the new law, has all been completed, and the following persons were selected to act as judges of election in their respective districts at the coming political contest, Nov. 3rd:
11—Price Sloss, Elmer Chatfield, A.F. Allison

Sep 15, 1892: Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Weber Co., Utah:
County Clerk Ledwidge yesterday issued marriage licenses to Elmer F. Chatfield, aged 29 and Miss Della Chatfield, aged 20, both of Emma

Sep 18, 1892: Marriage of Elmer E. Chatfield & Della Chatfield, first cousins, in Ogden, Weber Co., Utah. Elmer (age 29) is the son of Isaac Willard Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington. Della (age 20) is the daughter of Clark Samuel Chatfield (Isaac’s brother) & Mary Elizabeth Morrow. According to their marriage record (#313658, Weber Co., Utah), both were Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado residents. They most likely married in Utah as the family may have disapproved of their union.

1893: Elmer sells the ranch just outside of Aspen in Colorado and buys a ranch on Spring Creek right outside of Ten Sleep (at the foot of the Big Horns) in Wyoming, where he runs about 500 head of cattle. Just above Elmer’s ranch is the ranch of Charles Elliot Shaw, husband of Ora Chatfield, Della’s sister. Note: Ten Sleep is located in the Big Horn Basin west of the Big Horn Mountains, about 27-28 miles east of Worland, Wyoming. By Indian reckoning, Ten Sleep, established in 1882, was ten sleeps away from Fort Laramie. Present-day Worland was founded in 1906; before that it was only a stage stop on the west side of the Big Horn River. The 1909 Tensleep raid (aka Spring Creek raid) occurred where Spring Creek emptied into the Nowood.

Feb 15, 1894: Birth of Helen Layle Chatfield, 1st of 5 children of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado

Feb 25, 1896: Birth of Marion Hortense Chatfield, 2nd of 5 children of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

1896: Creation of Big Horn County, Wyoming
Originally Wyoming was divided into 5 counties running from the southern border to the northern border. I have been told they were set up that way so each county could have a piece of the Union Pacific RR on their tax rolls. Not much other property available.
Source: Dec 12, 2008, email from Warren Bower to Catherine Sevenau

Wyoming History
In the late 1860s, the Union Pacific Railroad began stitching Wyoming to the rest of the country, and the population increased dramatically. By the 1870s, the Native Americans had been confined to reservations, which opened lands for the new settlers. Cattle ranchers began arriving in Wyoming (many of them having driven herds north from Texas), and they were later joined by sheep herders. Bitter and violent range wars ensued between the two groups, though cattle became the more vital business in the long run.

Talk of statehood for Wyoming began as early as 1869 after the organization of Wyoming Territory in that year. The road to statehood, however, did not begin until 1888 when the Territorial Assembly sent Congress a petition for admission into the Union. Bills were introduced in both houses of Congress, but did not pass. 

Though no legislation passed Congress enabling Wyoming to follow the steps that lead to statehood, Governor Francis E. Warren and others decided to continue as if an “enabling act” had passed. On Jul 8, 1889, Wyoming Territory held an election of delegates to Wyoming’s one and only Constitutional Convention. Forty-nine men gathered in Cheyenne during Sep 1889, and wrote the constitution. The voters approved the document Nov 5, 1889, by a vote of 6,272 to 1,923. Carved from sections of Dakota, Utah, and Idaho territories, Wyoming Territory came into existence by act of Congress on Jul 25, 1868. The territorial government was formally inaugurated May 19, 1869.

At the time of its organization, Wyoming had already been divided into four counties: Laramie, established Jan 9, 1867; Carter (later Sweetwater), established Dec 27, 1867; Carbon and Albany, Dec 16, 1868. These counties extended from the northern to the southern boundaries of the territory. Upon the organization of Wyoming Territory, a portion of Utah and Idaho, extending from Montana (including Yellowstone Park) to the Wyoming-Utah boundary, was annexed and named Uinta County. As the territory and later the state became settled, the following counties were carved from the original five until there are now twenty-three counties in Wyoming
Source: www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/state-history/wyoming.html

Grass Was Gold, by Paul Frison:
Looking forward to realizing their dreams of a bright new future for their families, these settlers were thankful to find a generous water supply, luscious pastures, with plenty of timber for dirt-roofed cabins, corrals, fences, and fuel. Merry streams, dancing their carefree course to the Big Horn River, formed beautiful valleys where game and fish abounded. Short and inexpensive irrigation ditches were soon employed to convey water for growing gardens and such forage crops as were deemed necessary for their survival.
Every family coming into the basin country brought with them one or more milk cows or soon acquired one, thus we find every family had some cattle, while a few had herds that numbered into the hundreds. While the east side of the Big Horn Basin was dominated by cattle people, it is true that there were also some who preferred sheep.
(Included in the) family names and location of the taxpaying settlers who represented the scope of the inhabitants in the area lying east of the Big Horn River who were cattlemen:
Paint Rock–Mrs. S.W. Hyatt (related to Ida Hyatt, the first wife of C.S. Chatfield, Jr., Della’s brother)
Spring Creek–Elmer Chatfield
Otter Creek–Charles Elliott Shaw (married to Ora Shaw, daughter of C.S. Chatfield, Sr.)
No Wood River (Lower)–George Sawyer (married to Mabel Sawyer, daughter of C.S. Chatfield, Sr.)

History of the Ten Sleep Valley:
Between 1880-1883 numerous eastern and foreign investors began companies within the region, an example of which was the Bighorn Cattle Company, funded by English capital. W.P. Noble became the first to run cattle in the Ten Sleep area when he drove a sizable herd of 8000 head into the region; an event that eventually led to the formation of the Bay State Cattle Company. W.P. Noble sold his herd to Plunkett and his London based associates in 1883 for $153,000. This is about $2.75 million in today’s money.
The Bay State Livestock Co. was at one time the largest cattle company in Wyoming. These beginnings marked the beginning of the open range stock raising pattern in the Bighorn Basin which was dominant until the disastrous blizzards of 1886-1887. The blizzards brought unprecedented losses to the valley. This awful calamity, coupled with the arrival of the homesteader and sheepman, was the beginning of the end of the cattle monarchs.
As more settlers came into the area the need for a school was apparent. The first school in the area was held in a trapper’s dugout in 1880-1881. The Wild Game Laws were enacted around the same years. As early as 1885 irrigated farmland, a few schools, post offices and meeting places for churches were scattered throughout the Ten Sleep Country. The Big Horn National Forest was established in 1887. The first post office in Ten Sleep was established in 1889, one year before Wyoming achieved statehood in 1890.
Between 1886-1893 the influx of settlers along the major Bighorn Basin water courses restricted open range by fencing. Settlers mixed raising cattle with agriculture and began a trend towards the establishment of small owner-operator homesteads integrating ranching and farming, like that of Frank Ainsworths, who lived at Big Trails, south of Ten Sleep. During the same period came the expansion of raising sheep. When W.P. Noble established his spread along the Upper No Wood in the early 1890s, he had 9000 sheep as opposed to 8000 cattle. Operations like Noble and Bragg were augmented by other sheepmen who were in fact small owner-operators contending for their share of the open range.


The first hotel was opened in 1900 called “The Porty Lewis Hotel”. It stood for some 80 years on 1st street. The first church was built in 1904 by the Methodists. It was called by many “the community church”, where all faiths were welcome. That same year the Ten Sleep Range District was formed. The superb range conditions in the Basin continued to encourage the booming sheep industry. The sage of the region provided ample feed for the sheep throughout the winter and the market’s demand was sufficiently profitable. By the turn of the century many cattlemen faced with declining profits started switching to sheep.
The Climax of the Johnson County Wars (Cattlemen vs. Sheepmen)
 and the Spring Creek Raid:
In the late 1800s and early 1900s cattlemen of the Big Horn Basin, which was then part of Johnson County, dominated the open range and set up boundaries or “deadlines” where sheep were forbidden to cross or graze. In late March of 1909, Joe Allemand, a French sheep man, his nephew, Jules Lazier and Joe Emge, a cattleman turned sheepman left Worland, Wyoming headed for Spring Creek, southeast of Ten Sleep, with 5,000 sheep. On the evening of April 2, 1909, seven masked riders raided the sheep camp, setting fire and killing both men and sheep.
Public reaction to the brutal and tragic act left no doubt that the violence on Wyoming’s open range would no longer be tolerated.
Source: TEN SLEEP COUNTY HISTORY, www.tensleepwy.com

A Vast Amount of Trouble: Spring Creek stretches to the southeast, and three or four miles upstream (behind the Chatfield ranch) sit bluffs peppered with cedar. Behind these are the Big Horn Mountains, rising there to about 8,000 feet. In early April they still have winter snow on them, and toward evening the spring sun hits that snow and paints it yellow and red. In the valley, bright green grass is just starting, meadowlarks are singing, and phlox are blooming.
Source: A Vast Amount of Trouble: A History of the Spring Creek Raid, by John W. Davis, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, 2005 (pg 47)

Sep 09, 1897, Wyoming Derrick, Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming:
I.W. Chatfield and wife and Elmer E. Chatfield, of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, were in Casper the last of the week.

Sep 27, 1897, Semi-Weekly Boomerang, Laramie, Laramie Co., Wyoming:
and Oct 6, 1897, Big Horn River Pilot, Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming:
Denver Republican.
I.W. Chatfield returned to Denver a few days since from the Big Horn country in Wyoming, where he and his sons are engaged in the cattle business, and where he has been since last April. He came all the way in a buggy, by way of Casper and on to Laramie, making the trip in this way for the purpose of gaining a comprehensive idea of the character of the country, and as a result of his observations is enthusiastic over the future of Wyoming.

The West is so big,” said Mr. Chatfield,” and the distances so great between points with the names of which we are familiar that it is difficult for anyone to form a correct idea even of a neighboring state without a personal investigation. There is a very common opinion among Colorado people that Wyoming is a country of vast stretches of desert land, with a few fertile but narrow valleys and a scarcity of water, limited mining possibilities and few resources of importance other than sheep or cattle raising.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. The country has agricultural possibilities greater than anything that we can as yet foresee in Colorado; its mines are numerous and rich and only lack transportation facilities to bring them into prominence, and its cattle ranges are not excelled in the entire West. The supply of water is far greater than anything that we can count on with certainty in Colorado.

BIG HORN RIVER.
“Take the Big Horn river for instance. To most Colorado people the name carries the suggestion of a river about the size of the La Grande in San Luis Park. The river at its head where it debouches from the canons of the Big Horn mountains is larger and carries more water than the Gaand river at its widest part. It is a magnificent stream and with capital for the construction of ditches would redeem a vast amount of the finest agricultural land. All of the streams in the state carry good bodies of water and are never dry, the total volume of water in the state being capable of irrigating a much larger area of land than we can hope for in this state.

“The cattle ranges are wide and covered with luxuriant grass, and there is very little of what may be termed desert land, though the Carey desert land law has caused the impression to prevail that the bulk of the land in the state is of that character. Large tracts of land have been bought from the government under this act, which with the water that can be easily procured can be made to produce magnificent crops.

“There is nothing lacking but capital to put these enterprises under way, and if we may judge from the history of our own state the time will come when the cattle business, now the leading industry of Wyoming, will be compelled to take second place to agriculture. Just now the main drawback to the development of the agricultural resources of the state is the attitude of the cattlemen. Most of the big herds are owned by powerful syndicates of Eastern capital, which not only have titles to vast tracts of land, but practically control the open range, making it very difficult for a small cattle man to come out even in his struggle for a portion of the government range.

SMALL HERDS SHUT OUT.
“The man who goes there with a few head of cows to make a living for his family has a hard time of it. The range is likely to be invaded at any time by a herd of sheep, and when they have passed over it he has no feed left, the sheep not leaving enough grass to keep a milch cow. The only thing left for him to do is to sell out or to move to another range where it will not be easy for the sheep to follow him. The only chance for the development of the state is the distribution of the water over the land, when every farmer will have a small bunch of cattle on the range which he can feed in winter. There will still be a vast amount of range left for the big herds, and the state will be greatly benefitted by the change.

“The mining interests of Wyoming are large, but have not been developed to any great extent on account of their distance from the railroads and the low price of silver. Most of those that have been developed are silver-lead mines, and the nearest point at which shipments can be made is Billings, Mont, 150 miles away from the nearest mine in Wyoming, so that with silver as low as 60 cents it is impossible to do any work. The ore is all of very good grade and with railroad facilities the mines could he made to pay well, but there is little hope of the building of railroads unless there is a very decided advance in silver; and therefore it is not likely that there will be a very large mining interest in the state for some time to come. I understand that some very good gold districts have been discovered in the southeastern part of the state, but if silver was anywhere near what it should be the silver and lead mines would be productive, and Wyoming would assume a very important position in the list of mining states.

“I am very firmly persuaded that Wyoming has a great future before it. The present conditions are against any very rapid development, but even now it is growing rapidly, and when the conditions change, as they certainly will, with its great resources of oil, coal, copper, lead, silver, iron, cattle and agriculture it will become one of the most prosperous of our Western states.”

Note: Elmer’s brother, Charles Henry Chatfield has a 2nd child, Leo Willard Chatfield, who is born in Ten Sleep on Oct 23, 1897

Apr 25, 1898: History of Tensleep County:
Ten Sleep Ranches
Alex Cunningham deeds land near Ten Sleep to Elmer Chatfield

Aug 3, 1898: Excerpt of letter from Eliza Chatfield to her daughter Jacqueline Adams:
Dear Jacqueline
Charles and your father was up in the mountains looking after the cattel & killed two deer so we have fresh meat and (it) is good. We sent word for Elmer to come and get all he wanted. He has not come yet. Think he will be here today. Poor Della don’t go anywhere. She looks well & the children are well and Elmer is working very hard.
Write soon to Mother
E. Chatfield
Note: Letter is written to Elmer’s sister, Jacqueline. Isaac and Eliza Chatfield are in Wyoming near their son Elmer, who is ranching in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming.

Aug 31, 1898: Marriage of Ora Lovina Chatfield & Charles “Elliot” Shaw, Buffalo, Johnson Co., Wyoming. Ora is a sister of Della Chatfield.

Oct 18, 1898: Birth of Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield, 3rd of 5 children of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co. Wyoming

Nov 22, 1898: Letter from Elmer Chatfield to Mary (Mollie) Chatfield, (Della’s mother, his aunt):
Buffalo, Wyoming, Nov 22, 1898
My Dear Mother–
Dell started this letter so I will finish it.
Aunt Mollie, you do not know how near I came to killing Dell and the Babies day before yesterday, while coming down that infernal hill to Buffalo.
I had my sheep wagon & Dell & the Babies were back on the brd (buckboard). In the first place I rough locked the wagon and then chained a big pine tree to the hind end and started, when about ½ the way down my wagon started to push my horses and I could see they could not hold it. So away we went as I come to the turn my wagon slued off and we run about 25 yds on the edge of the road & then over we went down the mountain. When I came to I was laying under the wagon box with the corner of the box resting on my head. I knew where I was in a minute & the first thing I thought of was Dell & the Babies. I hollered to Dell but not a sound did I get except from Toady Bull a little girl Dell had with her to help take care of the children who said, “for God sakes Mr. Chatfield get me out.”
Well now mind you I was pinned underneath the wagon box but there was a little space in front by the dashboard so I undertook to crawl out but my over coat & clothes was to bulky to let me out so I had to work my coat off & I can safely say for once I crawled through an auger hole.
When I got out and took in the surroundings my horses was about 30 feet away and entirely loose from the wagon & wagon bottom side up & the wheels & running gear on top the box.
I hollered again to Dell but not a sound. If there is a man in the world suffered as I did that minute God pity him.
When I undertook to turn that wagon over it was impossible. My only salvation was to cut them out so at it I went. The first slash I came very near cutting Toady’s head. I got her out all O.K. & then kept cutting & digging at last I struck Dell all covered up in the bedding & hay. I asked her if she was hurt & where the children was. She says I am not hurt & Helen is right here by me & the Baby is under me. I got the Baby out first & then Helen. Dell says “My God what will we do I am afraid poor little Marion is dead”.
Well I pulled Dell out & started for Marion. As last I found her entirely wrapped up in one on the Feather Beds and not a scratch. I don’t think I ever was quite as happy as when they were all loaded safe & sound.
A Mr. Kinney happened along at the time & rendered me a great deal of assistance & so ends the first chapter.
All send love. Dell is taking care of the Baby and can’t write.
Your Nephew,
Elmer
P.S. Tell old Art to come up and we will have good hunt in the Bad Lands.

Note: Elmer (age 34), Della (age 25), Helen (4 yrs, 9 mo), Marion (2 yrs, 9 mo), Sevilla (1 mo); Old Art is Arthur, Dell’s younger brother. Unable to identify anyone in the photo, though assuming the woman is Della.

Comment from Terril Mills regarding the above letter:
I have talked to trekkers in recent years who have come down the hill from the Big Horns to Buffalo referred to by Elmer Chatfield. They were out moving sheep or out doing hardcore family modern-day recreation of the past in a wagon or buckboard. I believe the hill is called “The Slip” located on one side of Crazy Woman Canyon coming out of the Big Horn Mountains south of Buffalo. It is probably named for what they did, which was to slip all the way down the hill with their hind wheels “rough locked.” They lock the back wheels by putting a pole through the spokes and rotating them until the pole locks tight against the back of the wagon, probably the heavier sheep wagons. For extra drag they chained on a log to serve as a sort of anchor or deadweight behind the buckboard or supply wagon. This road was one of the few ways to get off the Big Horn mountains and perhaps the shortest path across, and the spot where the wagon went over is a terrible spot. As Elmer states, it sounds like he was driving the sheep wagon with the buckboard hooked on behind, possibly with four horses pulling. This was a common practice to go in tandem when moving sheep camp. Today, a road passes close to the slip going up through Crazy Woman Canyon and into the Big Horns. It is now a fenced livestock driveway.

Dec 3, 1898: Buffalo Voice, Buffalo, Johnson Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Elmer Chatfield and family returned to their home across the mountains last Tuesday.

Circa 1898/99: Elmer Chatfield with draft horses and work crew:
The man in the center of above photo (standing with child) is Elmer (see enlarged picture below), holding probably his daughter Helen (born 1894). The other child on the first horse may be his daughter Marion, born 1896. That would date this picture to be about 1898/99.

Photos: Elmer is wearing same hat in photo with the string of fish, identified as ”Uncle Elmer.”

Apr 27, 1899: Marriage of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Jr. & Ida Emeline Hyatt, in Hyattville, Big Horn Co., Wyoming. Clark is a younger brother of Della Chatfield.

Jul 21, 1899: Rifle Reveille, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL NEWS
Ex-cattle inspector, Chas. Chatfield has just driven a bunch of cattle from Wyoming to Piceance. He has bought the Dan Taylor ranch, on Black Sulphur creek, and will locate there permanently. His father, ex-senator I.W. Chatfield, of Denver, is over from Denver and accompanied Charley to this city yesterday.

Jul 29, 1899: The Meeker Herald, Meeker, Rio Blanco Co., Colorado (pg 4):

Jun 8, 1900: Federal Census for Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, C.S.: head, born Jan 1839, age 61, married 30 years, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, merchandise store (Della’s father)
Mary E.: wife, born Sep 1841, age 58, married 30 years, 10 children 8 living, (born 1849) born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois
Arthur: son, born Aug 1878, age 21, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois, R.R. (railroad) laborer
Mabel: daughter, born Oct 1883, age 16, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois, Book Keeper
Jacqueline: daughter, born Feb 1886, age 14, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Levi: son, born Sep 1888, age 11, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Margaret: daughter, born Nov 1893, age 6, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: Mary Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield states she had 10 children, 8 living: (Ida was not her birth child) Infant died after Jul 1870, Willard died May 1900, Clark, Della, and Ora are no longer living in the household. All offspring not present, but accounted for.

Jun 15, 1900: Federal Census for Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield, Elmer: Head, born Jun 1863, age 36, married 7 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, farmer, 82 farm animals
Note: 3 others listed in household, 2 farm laborers and a housekeeper
Note: Della (5 months pregnant with their 4th child, Audrey) and their daughters, Helen, Marion, and Sevilla are not listed as they are visiting Dell’s mother and father in Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado. They must have been in transit between the two census takings.

Jun 23, 1900: Basalt Journal, Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado (pg 3):
LOCAL NEWS.
Mrs. E.E. Chatfield, a guest of Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Chatfield, returned to her home in Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, on Wednesday, after a visit of several weeks at Basalt.
Note: Mrs. E.E. Chatfield (Della) is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C.S. Chatfield, i.e. Clark Samuel Chatfield & Mary Elizabeth Morrow

Circa 1900: Elmer Chatfield working on Big Horn Canal in Wyoming; note at bottom: C&S Contract, Big Horn Canal:

Nov 27, 1900: Birth of Audrey Ella Chatfield, 4th of 5 children of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Jul 3, 1902: Homestead Patent (12 Stat.392) for Elmer Chatfield:
Patentee: ELMER E. CHATFIELD
State: WYOMING
Acres: 160
Issue Date: 7/3/1902
U.S. Reservations: Yes
Authority: May 20,1862, Homestead Entry Original
N1/2SW 21/ 46-N 87-W no 6th PM WY Washakie
SWSW 21/ 46-N 87-W no 6th PM WY Washakie
NWSE 21/ 46-N 87-W no 6th PM WY Washakie
Source: BLM records, Accession/Serial #WYWYAA 016574

Dec 25, 1902, Marriage of Mabel Clair Chatfield (age 19) & George Reuben Sawyer (age 31) in Otter Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming. Her older sister Della (married to their cousin Elmer Chatfield in 1893) and Ora (married to Charles Elliott Shaw in 1898) are residing in the nearby town of Cedar in the Big Horns.

1903: Progressive Men of Wyoming:
ELMER E. CHATFIELD
Elmer E. Chatfield, one of the prosperous and progressive stockmen and farmers of Bighorn county, is a native of Colorado, where he was born on June 8, 1863. His parents were Isaac W. and Eliza Harrington Chatfield, the former a native of Illinois, and the latter of Missouri. When but a small boy he sold papers in Denver, working eagerly and industriously, cherishing always the expectation of some day being a man of consequence and standing in his community, ever bending his energies to that result.
Meanwhile, his father was rising into prominence as a cattleman, and he now occupies a leading place in the great cattle industry, having his headquarters at Denver. He has also been prominent in other lines, having served as the mayor of Aspen, Colo., and later as a member of the State Senate. In all the lines of his activity he has exhibited superior capacity and borne himself in a masterly manner.
This characteristic his son inherits, being equal to every emergency that confronts him, making the best of his situation all the time. He came to Wyoming in 1894, bought the ranch on which he now lives, and at once engaged earnestly in the stock business. His ranch comprises 520 acres of fine land, it is well-improved as to buildings, complete in equipment for its purposes, skillfully cultivated in such parts as are put into crops. He owns 400 Shorthorn cattle of superior quality and a band of fine graded horses. Notwithstanding his exacting and extensive duties on the ranch and in his cattle business, Mr. Chatfield finds time to aid in the development of the community and in securing the conveniences of modern life for its people. He was one of the projectors of the telephone line into Tensleep, being now the treasurer of the local company.
He was united in marriage with Miss Della Chatfield, a native of Nebraska, the nuptials being solemnized at Ogden, Utah, on September 18, 1892. They have four children. Helen, Marian, Savilla (Sevilla) and Andrew (Audrey), whose father is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, whose influence has always been given on the side of progress and improvement in his community, and whose life has ever been an example and an incitement to others. He is modest in assumption, but tenacious of conviction, possessing a clearness of vision, firmness of purpose, generosity of feeling and a commendable public spirit.
Source: Progressive Men of the State of Wyoming, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, 1903 (pgs 777 & 778)

1905: As They Were Told:
A granddaughter recalled the following: “When Charley (Charles Joseph Chatfield, b.1895) was ten years old in 1905, the family packed everything in four big wagons and moved from Colorado to Casper, Wyoming. It was at Casper that her grandfather and his brother, Elmer, rented horses to work on the Cody Dam, which the government built for irrigating.” 
Note: The Cody Dam, now known as the Buffalo Bill Dam, brought irrigation and settlers to Bighorn Basin. When finished, it was the world’s tallest concrete arch dam. Charley is the son of Charles Henry Chatfield, Elmer’s younger brother.

Nov 23, 1905: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
The erection of the John Unclebach residence in the northern part of Basin is progressing slowly owing to adverse circumstances. The John Bonier dwelling in the same vicinity is completed, and Elmer Chatfield, with his family, is occupying it.

Dec 18, 1905: Birth of Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Cordelia Chatfield, 5th of 5 children of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Dec 21, 1905: Wyoming Tribune, Cheyenne, Wyoming (pg 2):
TENSLEEP NEWS
Ten Sleep, Wyo., Dec 20. Clarence Waln returned Thursday from Basin, He expects to go over to Garland this week where he will freight between Garland and Basin for a few months. Ed. Cole will go also with a freight team for Elmer Chatfield.

Jan 18, 1906: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Chatfield, prominent residents on Spring Creek in the southern part of the state, who are spending the winter in Basin for the purpose of educating their children, are both confined to their home, being seriously ill.

Feb 1, 1906: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
We are more than pleased to chronicle the fact that Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Chatfield, who have been seriously ill at their home in Basin for the past month, are now able to be up and around, although still confined to the house.

Mar 6, 1906: Death of Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield, Sr. (age 68), father of Della Chatfield, of Bright’s disease and acute uremia. Clark is a resident of Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado but dies in Princeton, Colusa Co., California while staying for several months with his daughter Jacquelin (Chatfield) Mallon. Clark is buried in the Princeton cemetery in Princeton, California.

May 17, 1906: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Elmer Chatfield is down from his Spring creek ranch. He lays stock is in good condition in that section, and feed on the range is growing rapidly, and will be very plentiful. During Mr. Chatfield’s sickness in Basin last winter he lost two good work horses from spinal meningitis up at his ranch.

May 17, 1906: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Lewis Jacobs makes homestead entry into land on sec 14 T 46 R 87 witnessed by Frank Owens, Robert Waln, Joseph Allemand and Elmer Chatfield, all of Rome.
Note: Allemand is one of the three Joes killed in the Spring Creek raid in April 1909.

Jun 14, 1906: Wyoming Tribune, Cheyenne, Wyoming (pg 2):
Hyattville News
Ed Cole passed through here yesterday with a load of household goods for Mr. Adams, of Basin, who is moving to Elmer Chatfield’s ranch on Spring creek. Mr. Adams is a brother-in-law of Mr. Chatfield and will farm part of the latter’s ranch and raise some fine horses.
Note: Mr. Adams (Frederick William “Fred” Adams) is the husband of Elmer’s younger sister, Jacqueline (Chatfield) Adams

circa Aug 1906: young Chatfield cousins, Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Handwritten on back of picture: “Uncle Elmer’s ranch above Tensleep”

Note: Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (m. Della), Charles Henry Chatfield (m. Nellie), and Jacquelin Chatfield (m. Fred Adams) are siblings; pictured are 13 of their combined children (ages approximate): Helen, Marion Chatfield, Charles, Sevilla, Marion Adams, Leo, Howard, Roy, Kathryn, Nella May, family dog, Audrey holding two babies, Gordon and/or Constance
Helen Layle Chatfield: born Feb 15, 1894 (age 12), daughter of Elmer & Della
Marion Hortense Chatfield: born Feb 25, 1896 (age 10), daughter of Elmer & Della
Charles Joseph Chatfield: born Nov 18, 1895 (age 9) son of Charles & Nellie
Sevilla Maude Chatfield: born Oct 18, 1898 (age 7), daughter of Elmer & Della
Marion Jacqueline Adams: born Apr 24, 1898 (age 8), daughter of Jacquelin & Fred
Leo Willard Chatfield: born Oct 23, 1897 (age 8), son of Charles & Nellie
Howard Francis Chatfield: born Jun 13, 1899 (age 7), son of Charles & Nellie
Roy Elmer Chatfield: born Mar 20, 1901 (age 5), son of Charles & Nellie
Kathryn “Kate” Adams: born Jan 31, 1903 (age 3), daughter of Jacquelin & Fred
Nella Mae Chatfield: born Mar 11, 1903 (age 3), daughter of Charles & Nellie
in front: black dog
Audrey Ella Chatfield: born Nov 27, 1900 (age 5), daughter of Elmer & Della
2 babies (note: assuming Gordon is on left and Constance is on right):
Gordon Gregory Chatfield: born Dec 20, 1905 (8 mo), son of Charles & Nellie
Constance Cordelia Chatfield: born Dec 18, 1905 (8 mo), daughter of Elmer & Della

Cattlemen vs. Sheepmen:
By 1909, much had changed in Wyoming. The relentless pace of settlement meant that the day of the Cattle King was gone. A very few remained, but their importance was greatly diminished.
The most profound change in the Big Horn Basin though, was not the fading of the cattle barons but the coming of the farmer. After 1900, huge irrigation projects created hundreds of farms and new towns. The little ranch towns around the rim of the Basin, such as Ten Sleep, Hyattville, and Meeteetse, were eclipsed by these new agricultural communities in the dry center of the Basin. The Hanover and Big Horn Canals produced Worland, the Garland Canal was responsible for Powell, and the Sidon and Elk canals were the genesis of Lovell. Towns such as Cody and Basin were greatly enlarged by the irrigation projects around them.
One thing that had not changed was the administration of the public lands by the federal government. There were no regulations and no restrictions except for those on outright sale of land. The fundamental problems associated with grazing on the public domain remained, and so did the fundamental sources of conflict. The only difference was that it was no longer big cattlemen against small cattlemen—it was all cattlemen against all sheepmen. The sheep and cattle wars, which had avoided Wyoming for so many years, had arrived with a vengeance.
Through early 1909, there had been at least six killings in Wyoming in over twenty-nine incidents related to the conflict. More than 18,000 sheep had been slaughtered; they were shot, burned, or clubbed to death, driven over cliffs, dynamited, or poisoned. Sheepwagons had been burned and wrecked, and dogs were shot, clubbed to death, or burned. This carnage—which is almost certainly understated, occurred in the vast majority of cases when cowboys raided sheep camps.
Source: A Vast Amount of Trouble: A History of the Spring Creek Raid, by John W. Davis, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, 2005 (pg 9). Basin, Wyoming

1909 Basin, Wyoming:
Basin was a neat, quiet little town of about 1,000 people. In many ways it was remarkably progressive, with “splendid” water and sewerage systems, a nascent electric system, and a natural gas plant. The town’s systems were going to be severely tested, however, because as the first of the Spring Creek raid trials began, Basin had exploded to twice its normal population.
Source: A Vast Amount of Trouble: A History of the Spring Creek Raid, by John W. Davis, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, 2005 (pg 147)

Apr 2, 1909: The Spring Creek Raid: The Lasr Murderous Sheep raid in the Big Horn Basin:
On April 2, 1909, seven cowmen attacked a sheep camp near Spring Creek, just south of Ten Sleep, Wyo., in the southern Big Horn Basin. The raiders killed three men—roasting two in their burning sheep wagon and shooting the third—kidnapped two others, killed sheep dogs and dozens of sheep and destroyed thousands of dollars of personal property. It was the deadliest sheep raid in Wyoming history.

Sheep raids had plagued Wyoming since the late 1890s, by which time sheep outnumbered cattle on Wyoming ranges. By 1909, at least six men had been killed, thousands of sheep had been slaughtered and many thousands of dollars of property destroyed, and yet there had not been a single conviction for a crime committed during a sheep raid.

Cattlemen were first to arrive in the Big Horn Basin, trailing in huge herds of cattle in 1879. They insisted their early arrival established a prior claim to the grass on the government land where their herds grazed. But the law said otherwise. Under federal land law in the early 1900s, both sheepmen and cattlemen had equal rights to the resources of public land. It was first come, first served, and neither group could claim any right of continuing use.

But it’s no surprise, given the rising numbers of sheep on the range in those years, that cattlemen were feeling pressure. Sheep already outnumbered cattle in Wyoming by the early 1890s; in 1894 there were 1.7 million sheep in Wyoming and 675,000 cattle. By 1909, the state’s peak year for sheep, there were more than six million sheep, and only 675,000 cattle.

The response of the cattlemen was to use violence to enforce their claims of precedence, wreaking terrible damage upon sheepmen and their property in the process. As the violence worsened, sheepmen determined to put a stop to the cattlemen’s vigilante behavior. In 1905, Wyoming sheep raisers formed the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, which made crucial contributions to the 1909 prosecution of the men who carried out the Spring Creek Raid.

Big Horn County, where Spring Creek was located, used money forwarded by the association to hire attorneys, cover the costs of trial and pay for essential actions such as concealing witnesses for their own protection and for the protection of the case. And the sheepmen contributed the services of their crack range detective, Joe LeFors, by then well known for his role in the conviction of Tom Horn, the notorious range detective executed for murder in 1903.

Big Horn County officials began an aggressive investigation of the Spring Creek Raid and quickly developed a list of suspects. A grand jury followed, forcing 100 people to testify in Basin City, the county seat. The testimony established solid evidence showing the complicity of seven men, all of whom were charged with murder and arson. After the arrests and jailing of these defendants, two of them turned state’s evidence, opening the secrets of the raiders to the prosecutors. The prosecution, it seemed, had put together an almost invincible case.

The two ranchers, two cowboys and a former cowboy waiting in the Big Horn County jail–George Saban, Milton Alexander, Tommy Dixon, Herb Brink and Ed Eaton–were confident that the cases against them would not even go to trial, and they would soon be released. All knew the dismal Wyoming history of the prosecution of sheep raiders. They also knew of other disastrous attempts to prosecute men engaged in extralegal activities. Those included the abortive attempt to bring to justice the invaders in the 1892 Johnson County War, wherein the governor of Wyoming was a secret supporter of big cattlemen. That case never came to trial, as Johnson County prosecutors were unable to seat 12 acceptable jurors.

The men jailed in Big Horn County were personally aware of the unsuccessful prosecution of the perpetrators of a July 1903 raid on the county jail in which two prisoners and a deputy sheriff were killed. That conflict was led by George Saban, the same man who was one of the leaders of the Spring Creek Raid. The 1903 case against him and his confederates had collapsed in an atmosphere of intimidation.

After the Spring Creek Raid, a few Wyoming cattlemen collected a large pool of money to fund the legal expenses of the five defendants. Though there were not many private lawyers in the Big Horn Basin at the time, nearly all were retained by the raiders’ supporters. “Bear” George McClellan and other prominent politicians also supported the raiders, as did area newspapers including the Worland Grit and the Basin Republican. These newspapers harshly criticized virtually every aspect of the prosecution. But things had changed in the Big Horn Basin in just a few short years, and all the attempts to frighten witnesses, intimidate judicial authorities and frustrate the selection of a jury failed.

Seven men planned a sheep raid, and then rode to Spring Creek from the south during the early evening of April 2, 1909. Saban and Brink went to a group of wagons, and laid siege to one sheep wagon that had three men inside. The two raiders started firing into the wagon. There was silence from the sheep wagon. Brink then pulled some sagebrush, placed it under the wagon and lit it. The fire soon blazed up. Two of the sheepmen were either dead or disabled and did not come out of the wagon. Joe Allemand survived, although apparently wounded. Allemand staggered from the wagon and walked slowly away from it with his hands raised. Brink shot him dead, saying, “It’s a hell of a time of night to come out with your hands up.”

The jury convicted Brink of first-degree murder and sentenced him to hang. After this development, his fellow raiders stampeded to make separate deals with the prosecution. Brink’s death sentence was commuted, but five of the seven Spring Creek raiders were sentenced to serve prison terms. The two who testified for the prosecution were provided immunity.

The convictions from the Spring Creek Raid put a stop to the mayhem committed in Wyoming against sheepmen. After 1909, there were only two minor raids in the entire state, and no one was injured in either. One of the prosecutors, Will Metz, summarized the meaning of the verdicts by saying, “It is significant of the beginning of a new era, of a period where lawlessness in any form will be no more tolerated [in Wyoming] than in the more densely settled communities of the east.”
Source: Wyoming History.org, John W. Davis, Nov 8, 2014

Apr 24, 1909: Rawlins Republican, (pg 1):
Elmer Chatfield, a ranchman living near Spring Creek received a letter a few days ago, supposed to be from the men responsible for the raid on the Emge and Allemand sheep camp a short time ago, to the effect that he must leave the country. Chatfield was formerly a cattleman but at present is interested in sheep.
another article same page:
A note left in one of Sheriff Alston’s pockets in a mysterious manner warns the sheriff to quit hunting for the Tensleep raiders and hints at disaster for him if he persists. This note was slipped into the sheriff’s pocket by somebody in town. Alston refuses to be frightened.
Judge Parmalee of the district court probably will he petitioned to call a grand jury to investigate the evidence secured by Sheriff Alton’s in his investigation of the Tensleep raid. It is reported that other sheepmen of the Tensleep district have received notices that they must get out or meet the fate of Allemand, Emge and Lazier.

Apr 30, 1909: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield have moved to Mr. Joslin’s new ranch north of town.

circa 1909: A rare photo (tintype) of Della; seated at right is her mother, Mary (Morrow) Chatfield. Audrey (presumably) is about age 8 or 9:

Aug 20, 1909: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
Elmer Chatfield was down from Tensleep this week with Mrs. Allemand, attending to business connected with the Allemand estate.

Oct 22, 1909: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
George Saban Charges Illegality In Drawing Panel-Arguments Being Made
… The bulk of their evidence showed that the preparation of the jury list had been practically all done by Linton and Alston…
STORY OF THE CRIME
On the night of April 9, 1900, near the mouth of Spring creek, a small stream which empties into the Nowood river about 7 miles from Tensleep post office, in Big Horn county, Wyo., Joe Emge, Joe Allemand and Jules Lazier were attacked by parties unknown and all three were killed.
The bodies of Emge and Lazier were found near their sheep wagon, burned to a crisp. Their sheep wagons had been riddled with bullets and set fire to and burned. Emge’s and Lazier’s bodies were discovered to be charred; practically nothing but the trunks remained. Allemand’s remains were found some distance from those of his dead companions, with wounds in his abdomen and throat. Someone had cut the telephone wires, so that news of the crime was delayed in transmission. The morning following the perpetration of the crime the authorities received word of it and acted promptly…
Note:  Chas. E Shaw, a brother-in-law of Elmer Chatfield married to his sister Ora, is called to testify in the Spring Creek Raid trial of George Saban, Milton A. Alexander, Herbert Brink, Ed Eaton, Thomas Dixon, William Keyes and Charles Farris. Saban made an objection as to how the jury pool was made. C.E. Shaw as county treasurer had some involvement in that. County officials are subpoenaed to testify.

Oct 23, 1909: Powell Tribune (pg 1):
Under the statutes the Jury commissioners are designated as the chairman of the board of county commissioners, the county clerk and the county treasurer. The defense seeks to show that the list was compiled by Chairman Linton and Sheriff Felix Alston, and that other members of the jury commission had no part in the selection.
Charles E. Shaw, county treasurer, testified that he was present in his office one Sunday, the exact date of which he could not recall but it was in the latter part of January or the first week in February, when Messrs. Linton and Alston were engaged in making out the list. He said that he participated in the work only for a few moments, and that on the Monday following the task was continued in the sheriff’s office, and that there he had practically no share whatever in the selection.
Further examined Mr. Shaw said that Mr. Linton had the assessor’s roll for 1908 in front of him, and that Mr. Alston was sitting at a typewriter taking the names down at the chairman’s dictation. Mr. Shaw admitted his signature on the certification of the Jury list, but was not allowed to answer a question from counsel for the prosecution as to whether or not he believed he had been remiss in his duty in so certifying when he had given the scant attention he confessed to the actual work of selection.
Note: This is in regards to the selection of a jury for the spring creek raid murders.

The Spring Creek Raid:
Although the Big Horn Basin escaped the violence of the Indian wars and the conflicts between cattle barons and small ranchers, the final range war—between sheep and cattle ranchers—climaxed in the Ten Sleep area in 1909. Conflict had been brewing for two decades over which domestic animals had the right to graze on Wyoming’s vast stretches of public land. Cattle ranchers insisted that they had arrived first, that sheep cropped the grass so short that they ruined the rangeland, and that sheep were inherently despicable animals.
In many regions cattlemen established “dead lines” which sheep crossed at the risk of their lives. Sheep ranching however, was a highly profitable business, and the promise of money encouraged many men to take the risk. During this conflict approximately 10,000 sheep were shot, dynamited, driven off cliffs, or attacked by dogs; and at least sixteen sheepherders were murdered.
When Joe Emge, a Ten Sleep area cattleman who had publicly expressed his hatred of sheep and had even built an illegal fence to keep sheep off of public range, turned traitor by selling his cattle and going into partnership with a well-known sheep rancher, he earned the contempt and hatred of the area cattlemen. In April of 1909 Emge boldly moved his sheep across a dead line, and his camp was raided that night by five men wearing gunny sack masks. They killed Emge, his partner, and a sheepherder, then cremated their bodies in their wagon and shot many of the sheep.
While the murders were being investigated, one cattle rancher who testified before a grand jury was shortly thereafter found dead. Eventually, however, all five raiders—several of them prominent ranchers—were identified and convicted. Although some Wyoming cattlemen retain their dislike of sheep, the Ten Sleep incident was more or less the end of the violence, with later conflicts between cattle and sheep interests being settled in a more civilized fashion.
Source: Tastes and Tours of Wyoming: Wyoming Homestay and Outdoor Adventures, Karle Stenle Pellatz www.wyomingbnb-ranchrec.com/Tastes.html

Feb 18, 1910: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Elmer Chatfield, of Spring creek, and J.B. Baker bought a bunch of sheep on Shell creek last week.

Feb 25, 1910: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
Spring Creek News
Elmer Chatfield made a business trip to Basin and Shell recently. While on Shell he purchased the Cropsey sheep. Elmer is a hustler and has and ideal sheep ranch. We predict success for him in his new venture. We understand he has an option on another band.
Mesdames Chatfield and Baker were visiting at the Jacobe ranch Sunday.

May 9, 1910: Federal Census for Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield, Elmer E.: Head, age 47, married 1 for 17 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, stock grower on range
Della: wife, age 36, married 1 for 17 years, 5 children born, 5 children living, born Nebraska, father born Illinois, mother born Missouri
Helen L.: daughter, age 16, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Marion H.: daughter, age 14, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Sevilla M.: daughter, age 11, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Audrey E.: daughter, age 9, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Constance C.: daughter, age 4, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska

Circa 1910 Postcard: Elmer & Dell’s five daughters at their ranch near Ten Sleep: Audrey, Marion, Helen, Sevilla, Constance “Babe”:

Circa 1910 Postcard taken at same time; four older daughters Marion, Helen, Sevilla, Audrey:

Aug 19, 1910: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 9):
Miss Helen Chatfield, daughter of Elmer Chatfield of Tensleep, is assisting at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Burtis T. Joslin.

Jan 12, 1911: Letter excerpt from Eliza Chatfield (age 71) to her granddaughter Katherine “Kate” (nearly age 8):
Denver January 12, 1911
My Dear little Katherine and all,
We will stay here for a few months. I will come with Aunt Calla. We received a letter from Elmer yesterday. He said he was getting to be a full fledged sheep man. He has two sheep men I mean herders paying them ninety five a month. He says it keeps him a humping to keep everything moving. They (are) all well. You may hear from Elmer after but I thought let you know the little I know in regard to them.
As ever your loving mother E. Chatfield.
What do you hear from Charleys folks.
Mother
Note: Eliza Chatfield is Elmer’s mother, staying with his sister Ella (Chatfield) Small in Burbank, California; Katherine “Kate” is the daughter of Fred Adams & Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams.

Jun 2, 1911: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 7):
Mrs. F.W. Adams and the children came in on Saturday of last week from their home in Forsythe, Mont. They were accompanied by Mrs. Adams’ father, Mr. I.W. Chatfield, and her brother, Mr. Charles Chatfield, who come from Sanders, Mont. On Tuesday Mr. Elmer Chatfield came down from his ranch near Rome. They are called by the serious illness of the wife and mother, Mrs. I.W. Chatfield. It is likely that Mrs. Adams will take the Shaw cottage for the summer.

Jun 12, 1911: Death of Eliza Ann (Harrington) Chatfield (age 71), mother of Elmer Chatfield, in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming, of uterine cancer. She was staying with her daughter Calla (Chatfield) Joslin. Eliza is buried in the Basin Cemetery in Basin, Wyoming.

Jun 16, 1911: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
DEATH OF AGED LADY.
Chatfield Passed Away Last Monday Night.
Mrs. Eliza A. Chatfield, wife of I.W. Chatfield, died in this city Monday night after a lingering illness. The funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. C.E. Shaw on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock, and were under the auspices of the Christian Scientists, Mrs. J.J. Marshall first reader, being in charge.
Elizabeth A. Harrington was born in Fairfield, Iowa December 23, 1839 and was married to I.W. Chatfield in Havana, Ill., May 20, 1858. Mrs. Chatfield had quite a war record, having served at the battles of Donaldson and Shilo as nurse where she was finally overcome by sickness and was taken to Saint Louis to recover. Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield crossed the plains in 1864, driving an ox team, and took up a homestead near Florence, Colorado. In 1870 they removed to Denver, where they lived until a couple of years ago when they moved to Basin.
Deceased is survived by her husband and five children, Mrs. F.W Adams of Forsythe, Mont.; Elmer E. Chatfield, of Tensleep; Chas. Chatfield of Sanders. Mont.; Mrs. J.A Small of Coalinga, Cal.; and Mrs. B.T. Joslin of this city. And also by her niece, Mrs. C.E. Shaw of this city.
Mrs. Chatfield was a lady of deep religious convictions, and although for some time she had been deeply afflicted, her faith has been supreme. Her many noble qualities and engaging personality endeared her to a large circle of friends who will offer sincere condolence to the grief stricken family.

Oct 14, 1911: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
E.E. Chatfield of Tensleep rode over here Thursday. He reports the range very dry but the feed pretty fair.

Dec 29, 1911: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 9):
Mr. Elmer Chatfield returned on Friday from Omaha, where he had been with a shipment of sheep. At Billings he was joined by his two daughters, Misses Helen and Marion, who accompanied him as far as Basin, where he remained until the next day, while they proceeded to the ranch above Tensleep.

Jan 26, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 7):
A letter received this week from Mr. I.W. Chatfield, who is now at Denver, states that he is now gathering up a number of high-grade Jerseys and Holsteins and that he expects to ship a carload of these fine dairy cows to Basin about the middle of February, for sale to the farmers of this section. Mr. Chatfield is an energetic old gentleman, full of push and enterprise, and we are pleased to see him working along lines which are sure to be helpful to the people of this section.
Mr. Higby says that his experience with the dairy cow proposition convinces him that if someone should bring in ten carloads of cows at this time they would all be sold within a few days, and we hope that Mr. Chatfield will find a ready market for his animals.
Note: I.W. Chatfield is the father of Elmer

Mar 13, 1912: Letter from Milo Mills to his brother Boyd, friends of the Chatfield sisters:
Ten Sleep, Wyoming
March 3^rd, 1912
My dear brother,
I was over to “Chattie’s” Sunday P.M. and Sunday night tell 12:20 but did not get to be alone with H.P. over two or three minutes at a time. Great isn’t it. A fellow has a dandy time over there and the old folks treat me dandy but I don’t think that there will be any developments of serious character for chances are something you never get. You know you said in your letter for me to put it off till I come home. I don’t think that you need worry about this for I have just about made up my mind that it is foolishness to advance to far in the game. Helen and Marion (Chatfield) were here today. They were sure sweet looking. We have been having lots of fun down here lately. It would take too much time to tell you all about it in a letter so will wait till I get home and then I will admit nothing. Most of it has been jobbing each other. Van’s have been doing most of it. When I went to Chattie’s Sunday I couldn’t find my saddle. The kids had hidden it so that I pounced onto Lewis’s saddle. I certainly liked Lewis. We clicked together on most everything. Lewis is going to try and take Sevilla from Harold Friday night at the dance. I believe that he will make it stick alright too. Harold stood back and Lewis took the lead when us kids were all over at Chattie’s. Two weeks ago last Sunday Helen and Sevilla will be on the ranch with the old man next summer alone part of the time.

Write as soon as you can and tell me all the news. I am your brother, Milo Mills, Ten Sleep, Wyoming.
Note: The envelope was addressed to Boyd C. Mills, Fort Logan, Colo. in care of Army Y.M.C.A from Milo Mills, Ten Sleep, Wyoming

Mar 15, 1912: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 10):
E.E. Chatfield arrived Tuesday with a carload of Jersey dairy cows which he purchased in Colorado.

Apr 30, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 10):
Mr. I.W. Chatfield left on Tuesday for Tensleep, where he will visit for a while at the home of his son, Elmer.

May 3, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Mr. Chatfield from the head of Canon Creek brought in a load of sheep pelts which he marketed in Basin.

May 31, 1912: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 10):
I.W. Chatfield of Otter creek was in town a short time last Tuesday.

May 24, 1912: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 3):
Manderson News
Percy A. Spence of eastern Nebraska, arrived here last Saturday and spent several days in town. He was on his way to Elmer Chatfield’s ranch, where he intends to spend the summer.

Feb 21, 1913: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 8):
Mr. Elmer Chatfield of Tensleep was a Basin visitor the latter part of last week.

1914: Elmer and Della sell the Spring Creek ranch to the Taylor brothers and move to Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming.

Mar 14, 1914: Mortgage Records for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (Bk 1, pg 66):
Elmer E. and Della Chatfield take a mortgage from A.R. Yeoman. Property is located at south one-half (S1/2) of Sec. 9, T 48 N., Range 92 West of 6th P.M. Transaction includes water rights and improvements.

Apr 17, 1914: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Last week Elmer Chatfield sold his ranch on Spring Creek to the Taylor Brothers of Cody and they have sheared a number of their sheep here and are moving them over to the range in that part of the country. Mr. Chatfield will move his family to Worland having purchased the tract of land known as the Yoeman ranch situated about twelve miles north of town. It is Mr. Chatfield’s intent to improve this property and put it in first class shape and when this is done it will make one of the finest ranches in this part of the state. We welcome Mr. Chatfield to this part of the country and wish him every success in his new undertaking.

May 8, 1914: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
L.E. Laird drove over to Tensleep last Saturday in his Buick car, taking Dave Taylor and family over to their new home on Spring Creek. Mr. Laird returned home Sunday evening, accompanied by Elmer Chatfield, who purchased a new Buick car from Mr. Laird and says that it is the only car for this county.

Jul 24, 1914: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 8):
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Chatfield and the children drove down in the auto on Friday morning from their home on the Upper Nowood and remained to see the circus.

Oct 9, 1914: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 2):
Elmer Chatfield has the well drillers at his place.

Oct 16, 1914: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 8):
Mr. Elmer Chatfield of Worland was a Basin visitor on Saturday last and The Rustler was pleased to receive a pleasant call.

Nov 9, 1914: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
E.E. Chatfield of Tensleep rode over here Thursday. He reports the range very dry but the feed pretty fair.

Nov 27, 1914: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Chatfield and their children came down from Worland and were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. B.T. Joslin.

1914 through 1921: B.T. Joslin, Elmer’s brother-in-law, is an abstractor of lands and makes farm loans out of Big Horn Basin, Wyoming. Between these years he loans money several to Elmer and Della taking mortgages on their properties in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming.

Feb 12, 1915: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
Mrs. Harry Sweeney, who has been at the J.L. VanBuskirk home for some time suffering with a broken ankle, was able to leave for her home near Tensleep last Saturday. Elmer Chatfield took her over in his car.

Apr 9, 1915: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
“GOOD ROADS DAY” IS SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14th, 1914
Wednesday, April 14th (next Wednesday) was chosen as the day for this campaign of work. The president then appointed a committee of three, consisting of Robert Steele, Dr. W.V. Gage and W.O. Johnston, to arrange with the automobile owners to be on hand at 8 o’clock in the morning, Wednesday, April 14th, with a number of men to go out and work. That is, each autoist is wanted to pick his own men to compose his party— but be sure each one has a shovel…
Below we print a list of automobile owners, and we feel confident they will all be on hand on next Wednesday morning before 8 o’clock:
Note: The list includes 28 owners of cars including E.E. Chatfield.

From Terril Mills: “My father is Boyd Sawyer Mills, my grandfather is Milo Benjamin Mills and his brother is Boyd Chester Mills. Their parents are Thomas Sherman Mills and Drucilla Fitzgerald. Dru or Drusa in the following letters is my great grandmother. Here are some letters that mention Chatfield. These letters reminded me how close our families were. The girls are referred to as the Chattie girls. Not sure what that meant. Ha Ha!”

Apr 29, 1915: Letter from a friend of the Chatfield family, Mother Fiscus to Boyd C. Mills:
April 29th, 1915
W.S. Fiscus General Merchandise
Ten Sleep, Wyoming
Dear Boyd,
Rec’d your letter this evening. Had hoped to hear you were entirely well by this time. Sorry you have been feeling so badly. I met with an accident Monday, and have not been able to do much since. It is almost as funny as the fat man and the cow but of course you wouldn’t laugh when I tell you. I was up on the refrigerator washing the walls and went to step on the little table and it tipped over and the edge almost mashed two of my fingers. Had to get medicine from the doctor. Thought they were broken. And Walter has had to wash dishes. I am still cleaning house. Am fixing the room Charlie had in white making furniture and all white. I think it will look fine when I get it finished. Charlie went to Worland to press clothes but he only lasted a little over a week. Came back last night and went to herding sheep for Chatfield. Spent the evening with your Irene instead of his Maudie. There has been no more fights as all the main ones have left town. We have our garden all planted. Looks very much like rain tonight. We certainly need it. Walter has been away nearly all day. We were alone one whole week. Guess this is all the news I know and must go to the house. Hope you will get real well by the next time we hear from you. Kindest regards to all. Mother Fiscus

Sep 17, 1915: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
Mr. Elmer Chatfield of Worland drove his car down yesterday, accompanied by Mr. R.D. Mein of that place.

Oct 1, 1915: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 8):
Elmer Chatfield of Worland was in town during the week. He had been over to Shoshoni in his car and came back by way of the Cottonwood Pass and found some snow and the roads in very bad condition because of the heavy rains, but he came through with no serious mishap.

Apr 7, 1916: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
Misses Helen and Marion Chatfield who have been attending the Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Neb., for the past year, returned home last Thursday. They say there is no place like good old Wyoming.
Note: Daughters of Elmer and Della Chatfield

Oct 13, 1916: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
County commissioners meet and set election judges. For Dist. No. 4 Precinct No. 2 Geo. W. Morrow, E.E. Chatfield, P.L. Case are set as judges at the Durkee School house.

Dec 23, 1916: Mortgage Records for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (Bk 1, pg 265):
Release of mortgage for Elmer E. and Della Chatfield.

Apr 20, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
County commissioners set election judges and for Precinct No. 2 Dist. No. 4 R.D. Mein, T.S. Rhodes and E.E. Chatfield are appointed at Durkee School House.

Jun 28, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 10) and:
Jul 5, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 9) and:
Jul 12, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 7) and:
Jul 19, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 7):
District court cases include Joseph S. McMurtry Plaintiff, vs. A.R. Yeoman, John F. Roe, Corrie A. Roe, his wife; Alti Pendegraft, Sheriff of Washakie county, Elmer R. Chatfield, Della Chatfield, his wife; B T. Joslin, Loser Hanover Canal Association, a corporation. For the purpose of establishing his right and title to land in Sec.9 T 48 R 92 containing 320 acres.

Jul 5, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 12):
WASHAKIE COUNTY SUBSCRIBERS TO THE RED CROSS FUND include Chatfield & McCarthy as donors.

Sep 20, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Judge Metz is in town this week holding the fall season of the district court. There is very little of importance on the docket. Tuesday the McMurty case versus Chatfield was up for hearing.

Oct 18, 1917: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
The first of this week John Brown delivered 500 head of lambs to Mr. E.B. Wilson and Elmer Chatfield sold the same gentleman 900 head of old ewes. The bunch will be fed on the Wilson ranch, east of town, during the winter months and be in first class condition for the market about the later part of March or the first of April.

Apr 25, 1918: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
The dance Saturday evening at Tensleep, under the direction of Paul Frison, who got busy in the game of raising money for the third liberty loan and war savings stamps, proved a big success. All who attended had a most enjoyable time. Six thousand five hundred dollars was raised in Liberty Bonds. Those attending from here were C.W. Erwin, Ed Conant, Rev. LeFebre, Dr. Green and Porter Lamb in the former’s car; L.E. Laird, Lee Doherty, Misses Fern Laird and Sevilla Chatfield in Laird’s car; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Chatfield and two daughters and G. Muirhead

May 2, 1918: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
RED CROSS DRIVE MAY 6 TO SHOW WORLD THAT WASKAKIE COUNTY IS MADE UP OF TRUE AMERICANS.
Note: representative for the drive at Durkee is Elmer Chatfield and R.D. Mein

May 16, 1918: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Note: Red Cross drive has committees and on the solicitations committee is J.W. Pulliam with R.D. Mein and Elmer Chatfield all of Durkee.

Jul 11, 1918: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 7):
County commissioners appoint election judges for Dist. 4 precinct 2 at the Durkee School house. E.E. Chatfield, A.A. Ilg and R.D. Mein.

Oct 16, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Drucilla “Drusa” Mills to her son Boyd:
Oct. 16^th, 1918
My dear sweet boy,
We received a nice long letter from you last night and as usual tickled to pieces to hear from you but so sorry you were sick. I do hope you don’t get that fluenza and pneumonia. Take real good care of yourself, honey. Milo and Charlie haven’t gotten entirely over their sickness yet…

I was so glad the Chattie girls and Fern Laird were at the train to tell you good bye. Well Boyd I guess I have written all I can think of this time. Take good care of yourself. What is your girl’s name? I think it is Adelice Shubert but am not sure. If you get sick have her write me how you are. I hope this finds you well.
Lovingly mother, Mrs. Drusa Mills

Nov 5, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Milo Mills to his brother Boyd:
Ten Sleep,
Wyo., Nov 5, 1918
Dear Brother: (Boyd C. Mills)
While am not busy this afternoon I will attempt to write a line or so. I am at the Brower Ranch today and it is snowing like the dickens. Roy is here with me. I have been gone from home a week now riding for horses and cows…

How are you making it in camp now and do you know what you are going to be put at yet? I think I will be riding for about ten days yet before I go home. I suppose you know that I got deferred till Jan. 15^th. Gee aren’t the war news good these days? Do all your girls write to you. My little montana wife came very near dying with the flu. I haven’t seen or heard any thing of the Chattie girls since you left. I expect some of them are down with the flu. I’ve been awfully worried about them. Say you don’t want to let that little thing of yours in Roggen get sick for you know she has been such a comfort to you. Gee I hope you get some job you like in the army. Well must close and if there is anything you want let us know.
Sincerely Your Bro. (Milo Mills)

Oct 24, 1918: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Note: Fourth Liberty loan reaches the target and E.E. Chatfield buys $500 Liberty loan.

Nov 12, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Milo Mills to his brother Boyd:
Ten Sleep, Wyo.
Nov. 12^th, 1918
4:30 p.m.
Mr. Boyd C. Mills,
Dear Brother:-
Will write you a line to let you know how every thing goes. Dad called me up yesterday morning and told me that mother wanted me to come home and that she was very sick so I made a quick ride from Jack Rebideaux’s to Ten Sleep. Believe me I had just got the outside riding done and had landed at Jacks to do up the Buttes when I found out that mother was real sick. You know when I left she wasn’t feeling so very well but that she would soon get better but instead she just kept getting worse each day until she just got completely down and out.

When I got here and went in the room where she was I was dumbfounded. I have seen her sick lots of times but I never saw her look like that. Boyd, I’ll tell you it scared me she was so pale and yellow. But she seemed to be happier as soon as I was with her. She didn’t get any better however. The phone line to Worland was out of whack and we weren’t able to get Dr. Grey here till about 8:30 this morning. Agnes and I sat up with her last night and mother told me that she did wish she could live till the war was over and you were home so that we could all be together again…

I guess all the women in Ten Sleep have been in to see her today. Mrs. Van and Mrs. Chatfield were here all day and helped me with her. I will stay up with her again tonight. Thank God I am here to look after her. I don’t believe she would ever pull through if we were both gone. Today she slept quite a bit and I believe she is a little better tonight. We are going to do every thing in our power to pull her through and as soon as her bowel’s begin to act vigilantly again…
Well I will close for now and write again tomorrow nite.
Lovingly, your brother Milo M.
Note: Milo and Boyd’s mother, Drucilla Mills, died on Wednesday, December 4th. The notice was published a week later along with 12 other deaths, mostly from flu. She however died from breast cancer.

Dec 11, 1918: Mortgage Records for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (Bk 3, pg 116):
Elmer E. and Della Chatfield take a mortgage for $14,500 at an annual rate of 10% for about 320 acres.

Mar 4, 1919: Mortgage Records for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (Bk 3, pg 297):
Elmer E. and Della Chatfield mortgage SE1/4 of Sec. 8, T. 48 N., R. 92 W of 6th P.M., about 80 acres. Transaction includes water rights, head gates, flumes, laterals, and improvements.

May 29, 1919: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
County commissioners meet and appoint a Board of Trustees of Washakie County High School District as elected May 5, 1919… Fred Truesdale, George Taylor, Elmer Chatfield, C.A. Sheldon, H.A. Gilbreath and Eric Carlson.

Jul 3, 1919: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Last Thursday evening an interesting meeting, for the purpose of fighting the grasshoppers and other pests, was held in Worland and was attended by all the farmers residing in this section of the valley. The situation reached the alarming stage and many were getting discouraged at having crops destroyed by the hoppers and web worms and were ready to throw up their hands. After the meeting all felt better land departed with the determination to go after these things, and save their crops this year and prepare to rid the country of them in the future.
(note: A meeting is organized and areas are established and people appointed in those areas included is Hampton ranch to Chatfield ranch, C.H. Hampton; Chatfield ranch to county line, F.E. Reed. This is north of Worland.)
While Worland and Washakie county are probably suffering considerable from the hopper need not feel alone in our affliction for from daily accounts we see in the papers and dispatches from all parts of the country the same trouble prevails in other parts.

Late Sep 1919: Della is in ill health and Elmer takes her for diagnosis to the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. The doctors tell them she has cancer and there is nothing they can do.

Oct 2, 1919: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 10):
YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBOR
Mrs. Elmer Chatfield returned home this week from Rochester, Minnesota, where she had gone for medical treatment at the Mayo hospital.

Oct 15, 1919: Mortgage Records for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (Bk 3, pg 409 & 435):
Elmer E. and Della Chatfield take a mortgage for $20,000.
Elmer E. and Della Chatfield take a mortgage for $1,650; includes buildings and improvements.

Oct 31, 1919: Death of Della Chatfield (age 47), wife of Elmer and 1st child of Clark S. Chatfield and Mary Elizabeth Morrow, on Halloween night, from cancer, at her home in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming. Her four older daughters are in their 20s, the youngest, Babe, is 14.
Note: Some family recollect Dell died from breast cancer—others thought her death was caused by uterine or ovarian cancer

Nov 1, 1919: Western Union Telegram from Elmer Chatfield to his brother-in-law, Fred Adams:

Nov 4, 1919: Della is buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming
Note: Della’s headstone is engraved in error. She was born in 1872 and died in 1919.

Nov 6, 1919: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Della B. Chatfield, wife of Elmer E Chatfield, a well known stockman and farmer of this section, died at their home north of the City last Friday evening. She had just recently returned from the hospital at Rochester, Minn. and the community held hope the end was not so near. Besides her husband she leaves five daughters, Helen, Marion, Sevilla, Audrey and Babe all residing at home. Funeral services were held at the home last Monday afternoon, the services being in charge of the Rev. William Gorst.

Nov 6, 1919: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
We wish to express our deep appreciation to our many friends and neighbors for the many acts of kindness extended to us during the illness and death of our beloved wife and mother. Mr. Elmer Chatfield and family.

Jan 24-26, 1920: Federal Census for Election Precinct 4, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield, Elmer E.: Head, age 56, widow, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, farmer
Helen L.: daughter, age 25, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Marion H.: daughter, age 23, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Sevilla M.: daughter, age 21, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Audrey E.: daughter, age 19, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Constance C.: daughter, age 15, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska

Photo circa Spring of 1920: standing are Marjorie (Chatfield) Tuck (abt age 27), her mother Mary (Morrow) Chatfield (abt age 70), older cousin Elmer Chatfield (abt age 56, smoking pipe) and Isaac W. Chatfield’s wife Sarah (Wisenor) Chatfield (abt age 62). Front row: Tom Tuck (husband of Marjorie, abt age 40, kneeling), and Jack Tuck (Marjorie & Tom’s son, abt age 3 yrs, 3 mos, born Dec 1916); kneeling at right is Marjorie’s uncle and Elmer’s father, Isaac W. Chatfield (abt age 84). At this time the Tucks live in Princeton, Colusa Co., California. The mother Mary (Morrow) Chatfield lives in Oakland, Alameda Co., California, Isaac and Sarah live in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California, and Elmer, lives in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming. Assuming this photo was taken in California and as Isaac was an orchardist, this may have been on his San Jose property. Elmer’s wife Della Chatfield died Oct 31, 1919 in Worland, and Elmer may have gone to California some months later to visit family.

Apr 11, 1920, Marriage of Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield & Fred Chester Sproul, in Manderson, Big Horn Co., Wyoming. Sevilla (age 21) is the 3rd child of Elmer & Della Chatfield. Fred (age 22) is a banker at a small country bank in Manderson.

Apr 15, 1920: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
SURPRISE THEIR MANY FRIENDS
The many friends of Fred Chester Sprout and Sevilla Chatfield were given a surprise this week when they learned that the young couple were married. The ceremony was performed in Manderson on Sunday, April the eleventh.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. E.E. Chatfield and has a wide acquaintance over the entire basin country having lived in this section of the state from childhood. Mr. Sproul has lived in the basin country for a number of years and during that time won a host of friends. The Grit joins with their many friends in wishing them a long, happy wedded life. They will continue to make their home in Washakie county.

Apr 16, 1920: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 2):
Miss Sevilla Shirley Chatfield, of Worland, Wyoming, and Mr. Fred Chester Sproul, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, were united in marriage by the Rev. C.J. Hazen, of Basin, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. H. Burritt, at Manderson at the hour of midnight on Saturday last week, the bride choosing the date of Sunday, April 11, for her wedding day. The ring ceremony was used. This wedding was performed in the presence of relatives and a few friends after which a very enjoyable time of dancing was had until the wee small hours of morning.
Miss Sevilla Chatfield is the estimable daughter of Mr. Elmer Chatfield of Worland. Miss Chatfield graduated from high school at that place after which she taught the Durkee school through the winter months.
Mr. Fred Sproul is the son of Mr. Sproul of Cheyenne, Wyo., and a well accomplished young man, having been assistant cashier in the Stockgrowers Bank at Worland, also of the Manderson State Bank at Manderson. This very estimable young couple will be at home to their many friends at the ranch home of the bride’s father between Manderson and Worland.

Oct 7, 1920: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Raising of sugar beets along with sheep and cattle feeding seem to be the coming industries of the Big Horn river valley and from the indications just now this will be one of the greatest years in the feeding business in the history of this section of the state. When the fall weather begins to appear the farmers of the valley start to look around and investigate just what to do with their crops of alfalfa, beet tops and other foliage of the farm and have found that it pays to feed the stock on the land which puts the soil in excellent condition for the planting of the crop in the spring. This fall the following ranchers will feed lambs on their farms and purchased as follows: A.G. Johnson, 2,500, purchased from C.L. Brome, E.E. Chatfield and Clarence…
The beet tops on these farms will supply ample feed until on up into the winter months, when the farmers will begin throwing alfalfa and corn into the lambs, putting them in shape for the market.

Mar 31, 1921: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
From Worland, Wyoming, to Denver in thirty-one hours is the record set by a train of sheep and cattle which arrived at the yards Sunday afternoon. The train of twenty-four cars, left Worland at 6:15 p.m. Saturday and reached Denver at 1 p.m. the following day. This time could have been shaded materially had it not been for several delays on account of hot boxes.
The shippers were highly pleased with the splendid run and general treatment received from the railroads. Some said that they had never had quicker and more satisfactory service m their many years of stock raising.
“Denver is the logical market for every stockraiser in the state of Wyoming.” said E.E. Chatfied, one of the shippers, “and if we continue to receive such service as was enjoyed on this trip I feel sure that Denver will receive larger shipments.”
Among the Worland shippers was Charles Wells, who sold a load of cows at $6.25 and a drove of steers at $8.00. George McClellan, another Worland stockman, prefers Denver, and sold one load of cows at $5.25 another load at $4 and his best load at $6.00.
J.N. Miller topped the market with his cows, receiving $6.75 for the best. Several other loads went at $6.00.
E.E. Chatfield, A.G. Johnson and Floyd Muncell brought in sheep.

Jun 2, 1921: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
Notice of Delinquent Tax Sale: E.E. Chatfield in School District 5 S1/2 Sec. 9 T 48 R 92 Total of $1080.10.

Jun 16, 1921: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
Notice of Delinquent Tax Sale: E.E. Chatfield in School District 5 S1/2 Sec. 9 T 48 R 92 Total of $1080.10.

Jun 23, 1921: The Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
Notice of Delinquent Tax Sale: E.E. Chatfield in School District 5 S1/2 Sec. 9 T 48 R 92 Total of $1080.10.

Elmer Chatfield History, by Beverly (Sproul) Kelly:
Not until 1939 when Elmer (with his son-in-law Fred Sproul, daughter Sevilla and their daughter Beverly, age 13) drove to Arizona to visit his sisters Ella and Jacqueline—two old widows living near Jacqueline’s two daughters in Globe and Superior—did they re-unite. They had not seen one another in over 40 years and Ella had her eyes-lids taped open with adhesive tape just to see. (Grandpa had shrunk in stature of maybe 5’9″ or less, and in greeting him, Aunt Ella was so tiny she laid her head on his chest and sighed, “Oh, El.”)

Elmer, the eldest son of the I.W. Chatfield’s who were early Colorado pioneers, had little formal schooling besides his attendance at the Brinker Institute in Denver, and it was more of a cultural teaching center. But he learned the ranching-farming operations from his father, also the mercantile business. He has a fascinating history of successes and failures. As a teen-ager, he clerked in Chatfield Bros. Wholesale/Mercantile in Leadville where he met prospectors and other pioneer families. There, he was exposed to the buying and selling of mining stocks. By 1886 he had acquired acreage at Emma (Pitkin Co., Colorado) and bought cattle from Texas to stock it.

Little is known of the years before his marriage, though he was able to finance the purchase of a ranch in the Big Horns on Spring Creek in 1893. In 1895, he, Della, and daughter Helen began the trek north by covered wagon. Life on that mountain before the turn of the century was a primitive existence—miles to the nearest neighbors, water was hauled from the creek for household use, cutting and chopping wood was hard labor, there were only wood burning ranges and pot-bellied stoves. Transportation was team and wagon or saddle horse. Twice a year Elmer made the trip to Casper with the supply wagons for food staples, clothing, leather goods, and tools.

But the family, by now five daughters, defied those hardships and remained on that ranch until 1914. Elmer sold out to Taylor Bros. (Dave and George) and bought acreage north of Worland to establish a farming/livestock operation.

This is the house Elmer built there on the county line. It was furnished with genuine leather throughout.

Elmer never looked a day different at age 99—maybe the moustache got grayer. He sported a goatee in his earlier years. And he was balding early in his life span, but because he always wore a hat, most people didn’t notice. Shaving was a problem because of the deep scars on either side of his chin. He had been kicked by an unruly horse and both sides of his jaw were broken—his chin hung slack against his Adam’s apple. How it was remedied is not known—probably wired together same as today.

Around 1905 he suffered a bout of erysipelas in the scalp area so severe the vesicles had to be lanced. Those scars were forever visible. It could have contributed to his balding early. And those squinty eyes were caused by black powder burns. He and his playmates were experimenting with it when it exploded in his face. He was blind for a time; eventually he did recover his eyesight, but his eyelids forever drooped.
Source: “Family History and Genealogy” by Beverly (Sproul) Kelly, written mid 1990s. Beverly is a great-granddaughter of I.W. & Eliza Chatfield, granddaughter of Elmer & Della Chatfield, and daughter of Sevilla Chatfield & Fred Sproul.

Sep 20, 2003: Letter from Gordon Clemens to Beverly (Sproul) Kelly:
Dear Cousin Beverly,
A few weeks ago on our trip to Worland and Ten Sleep, Wyoming, we found a few items which may interest you. I am enclosing an article about the old Chatfield Cabin located near Ten Sleep. It is now an historical archaeological site located on Girl Scout National Center West property. The librarian in Ten Sleep is a girl scout leader and she often takes her girl scouts on trips to visit the Chatfield cabin so she was very familiar with it. The research showed that the cabin belonged to Elmer & Della Chatfield but they never lived in it. The American Girl Scout Organization bought the cabin and all the land near it for their National Center West in 1969.
We found that the Elmer Chatfield property was located on what is now known at Broken Back Ranch near Ten Sleep Buttes. Elmer got the land from Alex Cunningham by deed on April 25, 1898.
Elmer had many other parcels of land so the land on Broken Back may only be one of his properties and not where he lived. He had a large ranch near Worland as well as the property near Ten Sleep.
I am also sending you a photocopy of a picture you sent me a few years ago and I hope I can get a better copy for my Isaac Chatfield book (now about 200 pages long!). I am sending you a photo of Isaac W. Chatfield with his second wife (Sarah Jane Chatfield) which I am sure you may not have seen. Also enclosed is a picture of Isaac taken about 1910.
Perhaps you can fill me in on some information about your children.
Thanks. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your cousin, Gordon Clemens
Carmel, Calif
Note: Letter refers to the following courthouse research done by the Caves and Cabins research team:

Courthouse Research on the Cabin of Elmer Chatfield:
On July 29th a Caves and Cabins research team went to Worland, Wyoming, via a camp van to try and discover any previous deeds or records concerning “Chatfield’s Cabin” located at township 47, range 87, and section 36.
The County courthouse provided us with mortgage deeds, release of mortgage deeds, and homesteading records.
The mortgage deed revealed the name of his wife (Della) the name of the person who gave the mortgage (usually B.T. Joslin), the amount (adding up to at least 100,000 dollars), and the dates (as early as 1914 and as late as 1921).
We found out that his family consisted of him, his wife (Della) and at least four daughters.
The following is an appendix of our finds:
Appendix
1. Source – Mortgage records Book 1, pg 66. Elmer E. and Della Chatfield took out a mortgage from A.R. Yeoman on 4-1-14. Property mortgaged was located at south one-half (S1/2) of Sec. 9, T 48 N., Range 92 West of 6th P.M. Also mortgaged were water rights and improvements.
2. Source – Mortgage Records, Book 3, pg 116. Elmer E. and Della Chatfield took out a mortgage for $14,500 at an annual rate of 10% on December 11, 1918. He purchased approximately 320 acres.
3. Source – Mortgage Records, Book 3, pg. 297. Elmer E. and Della Chatfield mortgaged SE1/4 of Sec. 8, T. 48 N., R. 92 W of 6th P.M. The land was about 80 acres. This transaction included water rights, head gates, flumes, laterals, and improvements. This occurred on March 4, 1919.
4. Source- Mortgage Records, Book 3, pg. 409. Elmer E. and Della Chatfield mortgaged for $20,000. We are not sure why Elmer Chatfield needed so much money. We also do not know what Mr. Chatfield used all this money for.
5. Source – Mortgage Records, Book 3, pg. 435. Ironically Elmer E. and Della Chatfield took out two mortgages the same day. This mortgage was for the sum of $1,650 dollars. The mortgage included buildings and improvements. It was made Oct 15, 1919.
6. Source – Comparison of deeds according to a deed dated November 29, 1919 that Della Chatfield was still alive but a deed dated June 1920 reported that Elmer was a widower.
7. Source – Mortgage releases, Book 1, pg. 265. Dec 23, 1916 was the date of the Chatfield’s first mortgage release. As far as we know Elmer Chatfield repaid all his debts and was a respected member of society.
8. Source – Paul Frison. Paul Frison informed us that the last time he saw Elmer E. Chatfield was 1947 or early 1948.
Note: B.T. Joslin is Burtis Thayer Joslin, who married Elmer’s youngest sister, Calla Chatfield, Feb 15, 1908
Note: I am unsure that these figures are correct, as the supposed $100,000 made in loans by Burtis would be a staggering sum for that time, valued at over $1,158,000 in today’s Consumer Price Index dollars. This seems unlikely.

Excerpts of various letters from Beverly (Sproul) Kelly, granddaughter of Elmer Chatfield:
Talent-wise, many ancestors were accomplished musicians. Grandpa Elmer’s sisters Ella and Jacqueline sang in Denver churches and music circles. Calla taught piano. Grandmother Della was a contralto with the Chicago opera at the time of her marriage. Mother’s youngest sister was a vocal soloist at church and social functions. Audrey played the piano totally by ear. Ray Sawyer was a professional night-club pianist.

Grandpa played the piano, but the zither was his instrument. He chorded on the piano; as well, played the harmonica. He knew all the dance steps including the schottische. And he could dance a fair soft-shoe, even into his 90s if he had a cabinet or a piece of furniture he could hang on to. (His knees weren’t too sturdy even though he hoofed four miles a day.) Too, he was a square dance caller in his younger years. He sang some, talking through part of a refrain. One remembered lyric went, “You be the peaches and I’ll be the cream, Oh, what a wonderful dream!” His favorite hymns were “In the Garden” and “Rock of Ages”. Whistle? He could take the top of your head off with a shrill tongue-against-his-front-teeth-rush of air. But he whistled melodies too.

He had small feet and if I asked him what size, he’d say, “I really wear a 7, but an 8 feels so good, I buy a 9.” In describing excruciating pain he’d say, “Hurt? Why it hurts so bad it hurt my relatives.” And whenever he left for any extended stay with Mother or her sisters his last farewell was, “If I don’t get back, the mule’s yours!” He did not use profanity—never, never took the Lord’s name in vain. He was a regular Bible reader—his diary entries marked only the days he did not open the Good Book. In his later years, Revelations became his most studied.

Grandpa told me his mother Eliza was a Southern Sympathizer and that if I.W. wanted to ruffle her feathers, he’d come into the house singing “We’ll hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree, oh we’ll ……” to the tune of “John Brown’s Body” and Grandpa said the fur would fly. Too, Grandpa’s favorite foods were fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, country gravy and mustard or dandelion greens.

Della and Elmer were first cousins so no doubt traveled to Utah to marry. I always had the feeling that disapproval of that close union was the reason they left Colorado to ranch in the Big Horns of Wyoming. Della was apparently raised in a genteel household for she knew nothing of outdoor life. She never milked a cow nor drove a team of horses. In Grandpa’s vernacular, she was ‘chief cook and bottle-washer’, as well the laundress, seamstress, and general household engineer.

Of the five daughters, Mother (Sevilla, the middle child) was the outdoors woman. She helped with the livestock, farming and gardening, and irrigation. She could harness a team of horses fast as any man and operated the side-delivery rake during haying season. One day during first or second cutting at dinner time (noon at the ranch) Babe at age 6 (maybe) wanted to go out to the field and ride back with Mother on the rake. Mother pulled her up onto the seat in front of her and Babe wanted to take the reins and Mother handed them over to her (the team needed no reining back to the ranch yard). Instead of handing them back to Mother once back in the barn area, she just threw the reins up and away. The team was so spooked it snorted wildly and raced round and round through the ranch yard releasing the rake and Babe fell of right under it. (The rattle and clanging of a run-a-way team is panic time.) When Mother finally got control of the horses, that rake had delivered Babe right out the side like a roll of alfalfa with only a bruise or two. Then Mother looked up at the kitchen door there stood Della with a little stick (maybe two feet long) waving it in distress. Mother said that was always her reaction to major crises. What she was going to do with that little stick, no one knew.

Another story Mother told on herself and Della: Mother was a horsewoman, had her own little mare and often rode the mountainside with the dog at heel. On one excursion the dog spotted a skunk and chased it into a small hollow in hot pursuit. After the first spray, he backed out, then dived right back in. After the second spray—dog, mare, and Mother really skunk-stunk, so headed back to their ranch house, reeking. Della just set out the vinegar jug, ordered them to the watering trough, and not to come to the door til they had unstunk themselves. It probably took days for the dog to be rid of the stench; the mare was turned into the corral, but Mother was banished from the main house til that malodorous stench faded.

This story is on Elmer: Mother and Audrey were down in the watermelon patch plugging melons for ripeness. When Gramps spotted them he ordered them out of the patch and Mother stood up and smarted off with, “Who’s talking?” Gramps responded, “I’ll show you who’s talking!” He beat her with a section of a double-tree (now that compares to a baseball bat) and she never got over the incident. In later years I asked Audrey if she remembered it and she said, “Oh yes, but that’s not all of the story. The skunks had been in the patch and he had poisoned several melons in hopes of salvaging the rest.” Better to be abused a bit than dead.

Gramps could be a devil. One extremely cold winter at the old ranch in Manderson, he brought in the axe from the woodpile and tried to get me to lick the blade and I, maybe 5 years old, had no idea what would happen. Mother was furious. “Dad, I can’t believe you do such a thing as this!” and he just chuckled.

Grandma Della was a caregiver during the flu epidemic of 1918. Worland was extremely hard hit. Schools were closed, as well as many businesses. Della delivered pots of soup to sick families, helped care for children who couldn’t care for themselves. Her own children were abed except for Mother, so she went along with her mother to offer help. After three weeks of self-quarantine the town began to function again—the schools re-opened and a celebration dance was planned. Mother’s sisters had recovered and were excited to attend. Mother had just come down with that flu and put to bed. She begged and begged to go too. Della told her no—no way. Finally she relented (annoyed by her pleas) and Mother got up, then collapsed at the side of the bed. Della must have been a compassionate and wise woman. She never got the flu. If Grandpa ever came down with it, Mother never said. But Della was in ill health. Grandpa took her to Mayo’s for diagnosis and treatment—cancer and beyond treatment. She died on Halloween in 1919 at age 47.

Mar 25, 1921: Wyoming State Tribune, Cheyenne, Cheyenne Co., Wyoming (pg 4):
Worland Live Stock Makes Record Trip
DENVER, March 24. — From Worland, Wyoming, to Denver in thirty-one hours is the record set by a train of sheep and cattle which arrived at the yards. The train of twenty-four cars left Worland at 6:15 p.m. and reached Denver at 1 p.m. the following day. This time could have been shaded materially had it not been for several delays on account of hot boxes.
“Denver is the logical market for every stock raiser in the State of Wyoming,’ said E.E. Chatfield, one of the shippers, “and if we continue to receive such service as was enjoyed on this trip I feel sure that Denver will receive larger shipments.”
Among the Worland shippers was Charles Wells, who sold a load of cows at $6.25 and a drove of steers at $3. George McClellan, another Worland stockman prefers Denver and sold one load of cows for $5.25, and another load at $4, and his best load at $6.
“The railroads are paying their share of the bill resulting from the combined efforts of all nations as much property and as many lives as possible.”—Daniel Willard, president, B. and O. railroad.

Jun 14, 1921: Death of Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 84), father of Elmer Chatfield, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California, of arteriosclerosis. Isaac is buried in the Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Apr 3, 1922: Death of Mary “Molly” Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield (age 72), mother of Della and aunt of Elmer, in Oakland, Alameda Co., California, of chronic nephritis. Mary is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.
Note: Nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys.

As They Were Told:
Mary Elizabeth Morrow (wife of Clark Samuel Chatfield Sr.) was a Christian Scientist and a practicing midwife, riding on horseback in rural Wyoming to deliver the babies, often in severe weather, trading her birthing services for chickens. At times she was paid $5. —Kathy Fabris, great-granddaughter-in-law of Mary Morrow

Nov 17, 1922, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
CHATFIELD RETURNS
Mr. Elmer Chatfield, who had been ill for several days, is out again and we are all glad to have a talk with on his recent visit to Mexico. Mr. Chatfield says the good old U.S.A. looks lots the best.

1923-24: Elmer Chatfield loses his ranch due to the flooding of the Big Horn River. Everything was gone, including the wagons with the turkey’s roosting in them, all floating away. In late 1923 or early 1924 Elmer and his daughters Helen, Marion, and Audrey move to Texas. He farms river-bottom land between Harlingen and Brownsville, Cameron County. His youngest daughter, Connstance “Babe”, stays behind in Basin, Wyoming (with beekeepers) to work for her room and board and finish high school. Sevilla is married and living in Manderson, Wyoming.

Letter from Beverly (Sproul) Kelly (Elmer’s granddaughter):
Grandpa went down to the Rio Grande valley to grow cotton. The river-bottom land just below the ranch north of Worland had been flooded out in 1921 or 1922 and he was desperate to start over somewhere. He took the whole family (Helen, Marion, and Audrey) except for Babe who had not finished high school, and Dad, Mother (Sevilla), Elmer and Freddie who had moved back into the banking business. He made arrangements in Basin to work for Babe’s room and board while she was going to school. When she finished her senior year in Basin, she went on to Texas, too. How she got there, I don’t know, probably by rail, but there was no family member attending her graduation and it was always a sad memory to her. Dad, Mother, and family did not join the clan until January of 1925.

In doing the math, Gramps must have had two good years because the flood did not destroy the crop til harvest time, 1925. Dad knew there were too many mouths to feed on no income, so hi-tailed it back to the Big Horn Basin to get enough money together to send for Mother (Sevilla), the boys, and me. It took five months of punching cows and ranching chores to earn enough to pay for our train fares back to Wyoming. Dad had never seen me (I hadn’t been born ’til after he left), and he picked me up to hold me over his head and Mother said I took one look into that cavernous mouth and ‘screamed bloody murder’. I got used to it eventually, I guess. —Beverly (Sproul) Kelly.

Jul 5, 1926: Marriage of Helen Layle Chatfield & Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg, a widower with a young daughter, in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Note: Helen, age 32, is the 1st child of Elmer and Della Chatfield. Rudy is age 42

Photo: Rudy, his daughter Geraldine & wife Helen (Chatfield) Hornburg
Circa 1926, Texas Note: On the back is written by Helen: “The Hornburg family taken one Sunday on our way to Rio Grande City. This isn’t so good of Rudy I don’t think.”

Feb 26, 1927: Marriage of Audrey Ella Chatfield & Joseph Anthony Bodan in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Note: Audrey (age 26) is the 4th child of Elmer and Della Chatfield. Joe is age 29.

Jan 28, 1928: Marriage of Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Chatfield & Forest Wayne “Frosty” Rosenberry in Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming
Note: Constance, age 22, is the 5th and youngest child of Elmer and Della Chatfield; Frosty is age 21

Sep 1, 1929: The Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas (pg 20):

Note: Mrs. R.O. Hornberg (Helen Laye (Chatfield) Hornburg), was visiting her father Elmer and her sisters in Wyoming. The two daughters with her were Ruth and Marian. She and her husband Rudy had a son, Walter Jerald Hornburg, born May 14, 1927, who may have died at birth in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas, but before Jul 1929 (according to this article).

Mar 16, 1930: Casper Star-Tribune, Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming (pg 17):

Apr 4, 1930: Federal Census for Election District 10, Johnson Co., Wyoming:
Bodan, Louis: head, owns, age 68, widowed, first married at age 29, born Italy, father born Italy, mother born Italy, immigrated 1882, farmer
Joe: son, age 32, married, married at age 29, born Wyoming, father born Italy, mother born Italy, farmer
Audrey E.: daughter-in-law, age 29, married at age 26, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Colorado
Barbara L.: granddaughter, age 2, born Wyoming, father born Wyoming, mother born Wyoming

Apr 10, 1930: Federal Census for Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
Rosenberry, Forest: head, rents, $14 per mo, age 23, married at age 21, born Illinois, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Illinois, laborer at odd jobs
Constance: wife, age 24, married at 22, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Colorado
Charlotte D.: daughter, 1 yr 6 mo, born Wyoming, father born Illinois, mother born Wyoming

1934: Marriage of Marion Hortense Chatfield & William Perry Tarter in Rock Springs, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming
Note: Marion (age 38) is the 2nd child of Elmer & Della Chatfield. William Tarter is 27, 11 years younger than Marion

As I Was Told:
1934: When his daughter Marion married, Elmer was kind of at sea. During spring he stayed on the Montgomery ranch in Manderson, Wyoming. He worked on the ranch with sheep and always had a potato patch. He rotated between three of his daughters, Audrey Bodan (in Wyoming), Constance Rosenberry (in Nevada and Utah) and Sevilla Sproul (in California, New Mexico and Colorado). —Beverly (Sproul) Kelly, granddaughter of Elmer Chatfield.

Colorized version of photo:

Jan 1, 1940: Diary of Elmer Chatfield:

Apr 4, 1940: Federal Census for Hyattville, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Name: Elmer E Chatfield
Respondent: Yes
Age: 76
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1864
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Colorado
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Hyattville, Big Horn, Wyoming
Street: Medicine Lodge
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Big Horn, Wyoming
Residence in 1935: Rural, Big Horn, Wyoming
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Occupation: Camp Tender
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 1
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 900
Income Other Sources: Yes
Household Members: 1

Dec 29, 1944, Letter from Elmer (age 81) to his grandchildren, Elmer & Beverly:
Bozeman Dec 29th
Dear Elmer & Bev,
Your Xmas gifts came. Oh, many thanks.
I just wonder what kind weather you are having there.
We have had 10 to 19 degrees below for a week. Moderating today.
Bozeman is a busy beautiful town of 10,000.
Recd cards from all the girls Calif. Poor old Clark passed on a few days ago. He was a grand old pal & has suffered a long time.
How is the water softener business & how are you getting along with your school Bev.
All the folks here are well. Children all in a good school.
Have to ans’ Sevilla’s letter.
Write whenever you can to your loving Gramps.
Elmer.

Note: Clark is Clark Samuel Chatfield. Jr., Elmer’s cousin and the brother of Della. Clark was born in 1876 and died Nov 22, 1944 (age 68), in Colusa, Colusa Co., California of edema.

Worland Lumber Company Calendar
Aug 1946: “AN OLD TIMER STILL RIDES”
Picture was featured in the Washakie Bays Booklet in August of 1946, and was the Worland Lumber Company’s calendar photo that year. It was taken at the Harry Taylor ranch.

Aug 1947: Photo: Elmer Sproul, Sevilla, Fred Sproul, Connie Rosenberry, father Elmer Chatfield, Alberta Lee Hallam, George Kelly in San Antonio, Texas

Sep 2, 1952: Casper Star-Tribune, Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming (pg 6):

1953: Albuquerque, New Mexico newspaper, Off the Beaten Path, by Howard Bryan:
A 90-year-old cowboy who rode the Chisholm Trail, fought Indians in Colorado and got mixed up in a few range wars in Wyoming in his time is living in Albuquerque this winter.

He is Elmer Chatfield, who comes here each winter to avoid the cold weather at his home in Worland, Wyo., in the Big Horn Basin. He is staying here at the home of his son-in-law, Fred Sproul Sr.

In spite of his advanced years, Mr. Chatfield is an active man who gets around a lot and likes to talk. Few men of 90 are as active both physically and mentally as this pioneer of the old West. “I’d be as good as ever if I just had a new set of running gear,” he laughs, slapping his legs which occasionally give out.

Mr. Chatfield was born June 8, 1863, in a homesteader’s tent on the site of present Florence, Colo. His father, Isaac Chatfield, was a Union veteran of the Civil War who fought with Gen. Grant at Ft. Donelson. He was mustered out of the Army before the war was over and headed west behind a span of horses to take up a homestead.

“There was a big windstorm the night I was born,” Chatfield said, “And they tell me that a tent pole blew down and hit me on the head shortly after my arrival.”

Chatfield grew up in Denver, then a small town, and earned extra money as a boy helping to fold the small issues of the Rocky Mountain News more than 70 years ago. The family moved to Leadville in 1878, where the elder Chatfield was elected mayor. A few years later, Chatfield went to the frontier settlement of Dodge City, Kansas, where his uncle and aunt operated a wholesale grocery. While there he got a job as a cowpuncher for the Wilson Brothers of Denver, who were big cowmen in those days.

“I helped trail 2500 head of cattle up the old Chisholm Trial for the Wilsons in 1883 and 1884,” the pioneer recalled. “The famous trail was just a track that was beat out so you could follow it, with water holes at intervals.” Chatfield remembers Dodge City as a “plenty rough” town with plenty of gunfights.

“I’ve often seen cowboys ride their horses right through the swinging doors into Dodge City bars for a drink.” He said, “One fellow there had a toll bridge with a pole across it which he let up when you paid your toll so you could pass. Well, when he would see a bunch of cowboys riding for the bridge shooting their guns in the air, he would just ‘up’ that pole in a hurry and let them pass free.” Chatfield said he was a good friend of Bat Masterson, the famous frontier marshal who was then city marshal at Dodge. While there he also saw the first bullfight ever held in this country, he added.

Later, Chatfield went to Aspen, Colo., where he ranched, prospected and operated a grocery store. It was during this period that the Ute Indians broke off their reservation and began to cause trouble near Meeker, Colo.

“I joined up with Sheriff Kendall who had a posse called the Kendall Rough Riders,” he said. “After some fighting, and with the help of the militia, we managed to round up the tribe and send a few Indians to the penitentiary.”

Chatfield recalls having a little tough luck with a silver claim at Aspen. He had worked it back about 50 feet when a man named J.C. Johnson offered him $8000 for it. Upon recommendation of a banker, Chatfield decided to sell as he had not yet struck any silver in paying quantities. “Johnson struck a big vein just after I sold the claim to him.” He said. “Within a few weeks he sold half interest in it for $25,000. 

Chatfield went to Wyoming in 1893, where he was to remain the next 60 years raising sheep and cattle in the Big Horn Basin. There were three big cow outfits in the basin when he first arrived—the Two Bar, the Bar X and the Bay State. Chatfield said that big trouble started when some of the smaller cowmen began branding unbranded calves on the range. This resulted in what was known as the Johnson County raid.

“Some of the big outfits hired a bunch of Texas gunfighters and hauled them and their horses to Wyoming in a railroad car,” he said. “There was a lot of killing on both sides, and the militia had to break it up.”

One time, during a range war between the sheep and cattle ranchers, some cowmen ambushed three sheep ranchers at the mouth of Spring Creek (Wyoming), shot and killed them and burned their bodies in a wagon.

“I had been seen the night before with one of the cowmen who was involved in the massacre,” Chatfield said, “and they thought I was mixed up in it. U.S. Marshall Joe La Force came after me, and I spent two weeks talking to a grand jury before they turned me loose.”

During his long career in the West, the pioneer remembers coming down into New Mexico only once. That was more than 60 years ago, while he was working for the Wilson Brothers.

“I drifted south as far as old Ft. Union while looking for cattle to buy,” he said. “I don’t remember much about the fort—but I do remember that there were soldiers there at the time.”

Chatfield is anxious for winter to end so he can get back among his friends in the Big Horn Basin.

‘I’m just like an old, broken down saddle horse,” he laughs. “You take me out somewhere and turn me loose, and sooner or later I’ll find my way home again.”

As I Was Told:
Chattie kept diaries, and even had my birth in one. Sevilla got those when he passed. We had them stored in a trunk at our home. I have his glasses on top of the roll top desk that came from the office of Jim Montgomery at the Montgomery Ranch where Fred Sproul and Dad worked. What wonderful memories. He wasn’t related, but was like a true Grandpa to me, and he loved being with us. After my Dad bought his own farms just a mile away, Chattie still stayed with us much of the year.

I knew Sevilla and Audrey. Also Fred and Sevilla’s children. I knew Beverly (Sevilla’s daughter), Elmer’s granddaughter. Got Christmas cards from her every year. We were friends when they lived in Worland. Their son Freddie used to fly to see everyone at the ranch. As soon as we saw a plane circle, Dad would go out and flag him in to land on a dry hayfield. Elmer knew a lot about the Ten Sleep raid, but would never talk about it. He did talk about the building of the Big Horn Canal. He knew and read his Bible over and over. I’ll send you a picture of his glasses. —Dee Ann Thorne

Jun 1954: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
WORLAND, Wyo.—After a hectic career of Indian fighting, range warring and bullet-dodging on the Old Chisholm Trail, Elmer E. Chatfield – at 91- is getting his second wind. The grizzled, white-haired pioneer drew a deep breath and played back some of his experiences one day this month for a yard full of wide-eyed listeners.

The group, made up mostly of relatives, gathered at the home of Chatfield’s granddaughter, Mrs. George Kelly, to help celebrate his birthday. In addition to Mrs. Kelly, three other daughters were there: Mrs. Marion Tarter of Angwin, Calif., Mrs. Fred Sproul Sr. of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mrs. Forest Rosenberry of Scottie’s Castle, Neb.

Families of all four daughters swelled the group to a good sized audience for Chatfield’s yarns. Except for several winters in Albuquerque during recent years, Chatfield has lived in Wyoming the last 61 years. Most of that time he has spent raising sheep and cattle in the Big Horn Basin.

He was born in a homesteader’s tent on land that has since sprouted the town of Florence, Colo. His father, Isaac Chatfield, was a battle hardened Civil war veteran. Before the end of the conflict, he was mustered out and headed west to take up a homestead. Elmer Chatfield likes to tell about “a big windstorm the night I was born. I understand a pole blew down and hit me on the head shortly after my arrival.”

As a small boy growing up in frontier Denver, he earned extra money by folding copies of the Rocky Mountain News. Later the family moved to Leadville, where Elmer’s father was elected mayor.

His chance to run cattle on the Chisholm Trail came in 1883 and 1884 after moving to Dodge City, Kan., to work in his uncle’s grocery. Elmer landed a cow punching job with one of the large livestock dealers.

What was the old trail like? “Just a track beat out so you could follow it, with water holes here and there,” says Elmer. And Dodge City—it was every bit as tough as the books and movies say, to hear the old frontiersman tell it. “I’ve seen cowboys ride their horses right through the swinging doors into the bars. One fellow there had a toll bridge. He let it up when you paid your toll. “Sometimes a bunch of cowboys would ride for the ridge, firing their guns in the air. Well, sir, he would just lift that pole in a hurry and not worry about any toll.”

Chatfield recalls how, in the furious days of speculation in Colorado shortly before the turn of the century, fortunes were made or exploded with the flip of a coin. He once decided to take an $8,000 offer for a silver claim he had worked with almost no luck near Aspen. Within a few weeks afterward, the new owner had struck it rich and was selling a half interest for $25,000.

Chatfield came to the Big Horn Basin in 1893, and was virtually roped into the now famous Johnson County range war. The feud between big and little cattle raisers exploded, he says, when the latter started branding calves on the range. The big operators retaliated by importing bands of Texas gunfighters. Before the smoke cleared, Chatfield remembers grimly, a lot of folk—many of them innocent—were dead. 

Another range war between sheep and cattle ranchers almost cost Chatfield a prison term. An acquaintance of his was stabbed as one of a group of cattlemen ambushed three sheep men at the mouth of Spring Creek. Chatfield spent the next two weeks convincing a federal grand jury he had nothing to do with the ambush.

With his wife, the former Della Chatfield of Denver, he moved to the Worland valley in 1914. His five daughters are graduates of Washakie High School. Two nearby lakes were named for two of Chatfield’s daughters, Marian and Helen.

Chatfield retired from cattle running some years ago. He now spends much of his time raising potatoes.

Jun 1954: Northern Wyoming Daily News, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
Pioneer Honored
Elmer Chatfield, early day stockman and old timer of Worland and Manderson, was honored by his daughters with a family gathering and garden supper at the home of his grandchildren Mr. and Mrs. George W. Kelly on Sunday.
The affair celebrated his birthday which was June 8 when he was 91. His eldest daughter Helen, Mrs. Rudy Hornberg, Refugio, Tex. was unable to be here on account of family illness. The other daughters were here and included Mrs. Marian Tarter, Mrs. Fred Sproul (Sevilla), Mrs. Joe Bodan (Audrey) and Mrs. Forrest Rosenberry (Constance, known as Babe). All are former residents.
The family group included Mrs. Marian Tarter and daughter Margaret Tarter, Angwin, Cal.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sproul, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sproul, Jr., Steven, Sherri, David; Albuquerque, N.M.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bodan, Lander; Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Rosenberry, Scottie’s Castle, Nev., also Mr. and Mrs. George W. Kelly and daughter Kristin. Mrs. Kelly is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sproul.
Mrs. Bodan baked and decorated the birthday cake for her father. Bodans left for their home Sunday evening and Rosenberrys have gone to Jackson to spend the summer. Mrs. Tarter and daughter will remain for a week to visit at the Kelly home. Later this month, Mrs. Kelly and daughter Kristin will accompany her parents and the junior Sproul family back to Albuquerque for a visit.

Photo: Constance “Babe,” Sevilla, Elmer, Audrey, and Marian at Elmer’s 91st birthday party at his granddaughter Beverly Sproul’s house in Worland.

Aug 8, 1958: The Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co., Colorado:
Rex Allen, Pioneer Cowboy Share Spotlight at Rodeo
By GLENN URBAN
Rex Allen, the bonafide cowboy turned film hero, held about 10,000 people in his hands Thursday night at the Pike’s Peak or Bust rodeo while he sang, “He’s got the Whole World in His Hands.” Allen was a show stopper in a whopping big, fast moving and crowd-pleasing show replete with thrills, spills, humor and pageantry…
The senior citizen who added an extra touch to part of Allen’s act was Elmer Chatfield of Security, and a native of this region. Chatfield was born June 8, 1863 in Florence, and knew the early west when it was a hardy frontier. Allen set the stage for Chatfield’s appearance by singing the mournful funeral dirge of the dead cowboy of Laredo. He did it well and the crowd was as quiet as a kid sneaking into a melon patch. Then with all the lights out except for the two spot lights which played on Chatfield, Allen sang a medley of baleful songs of the early west — the cowboy versions of taps — and Chatfield rode slowly around the arena. By then the crowd was all Allen’s, and when he started singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd.

Photo: Cowboy turned movie star, Rex Allen, with Elmer (age 95) at the Pike’s Peak or Bust rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colorado:

As I Was Told:
Circa 1958: Elmer was encouraged to go to the Pioneer Home in Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming as his daughters concurred he could no longer care for himself. His first response was, “They are putting me away!” After six months you couldn’t get him to leave. He’d visit his granddaughter Beverly (Sproul) Kelly in Worland, which was about 30 miles away, and after two days he’d say, “I have to go back and get my mail,” and back he’d head. —Beverly (Sproul) Kelly

1961: 50th Anniversary of the founding of Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming

Jan 1, 1962: Letter from Elmer E. Chatfield (age 98) to daughter Sevilla and her husband:
Pioneer Home 1st and last—
Dear Sevilla & Fred.
The two Old Faithfuls, You and Audrey—letter came exactly on time. Your gift was OK but I had a big 15×18 desk pad. I think Dutch sent it. Fits on my desk. Has case on left side for pencils & pens.
Charlie Gattis and Nancy leave Las Vegas the 1st then on to the stock show, Charlie’s Mother is coming up to take care of the kids. Boy! She has my sympathy for they are terrors.
Today is wonderful just like Spring. Took a walk 6 blocks. Haven’t herd from Marion for some time. Nothing new.
My best to Mrs. Hurlbert
Dad

Sep 20, 1962: Death of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (age 99), suffering terribly from head shingles, at the Pioneer Home in Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming
Note: Shingles are an acute viral infection characterized by inflammation of the sensory ganglia of certain spinal or cranial nerves and the eruption of vesicles along the affected nerve path. Elmer was welcomed into this world with a the pain of a tent pole crashing onto his head at his birth, and departed with his poor head suffering even more.

Sep 22, 1962: obituary, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield Rites Set for Monday at Veile Chapel
Funeral services for prominent area livestockman Elmer E. Chatfield, 99, will be held at the Veile Chapel in Worland, with the Rev. R.F. Goff officiating.
Chatfield died Thursday at the Pioneer Home in Thermopolis.
He was born July 8, 1863, the son of Isaac W. and Eliza H. Chatfield in Florence, Colo., and grew up in and around Denver. In 1892 he married Della Chatfield and in 1893 moved to the Spring creek area. One of the Big Horn Basin’s real old time livestock men, he worked in the cattle business in the area until his retirement in the 1940’s. In 1883 and 1884, he worked with trail herd crews moving cattle from Abilene, Texas to Dodge City, Kansas and shortly before coming to Wyoming, he worked in and around the Colorado mining boom towns.
Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. R.O. Hornburg, Refugio, Texas, Mrs. Marian Tarter, Angwin, Calif., Mrs. Fred Sproul, Anaheim, Calif., Mrs. Joe Bodan, Lander, Mrs. Forest Rosenberry, Alamogordo, N.M., 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Sep 1962: obituary, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming obituary:
Rites Monday For Old-Time Livestockman
Funeral services were held Monday, Sep. 24, at the Viele chapel in Worland for well-known, 99-year-old Pioneer Home resident Elmer E. Chatfield.
Chatfield died Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Pioneer Home here.
He was born July 8, 1863, the son of Isaac W. and Eliza H. Chatfield in Florence, Colo., and grew up in and around Denver. In 1892 he married Della Chatfield and in 1893 moved to the Spring Creek area. One of the Big Horn Basin’s real old time livestockmen, he worked in the cattle business in the area until his retirement in the 1940s. In 1883 and 84, he worked with trail herd crews moving cattle from Abilene, Texas to Dodge City, Kans.
Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. R.O. Hornburg, Refugio, Tex.; Mrs. Marian Tarter, Angwin, Calif.; Mrs. Fred Sproul, Anaheim, Calif.; Mrs. Joe Bodan, Lander, Mrs. Forest Rosenberry, Alamogordo, N.M. an 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Sep 24, 1962: Burial of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield alongside his wife Della, in Riverview Memorial Gardens, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming.

Grass Was Gold by Paul Frison:
Elmer Chatfield, a well and favorably known rancher and livestock producer in Washakie County for many years, came into the Big Horn Basin in the year 1893 from the Roaring Fork River, a tributary of the Grand River, about twenty-five miles southwest of Aspen, Colorado. He located with his family on Spring Creek, twelve miles south of Ten Sleep, where they resided for many years.
One time I asked Chatfield about the last round-up by the original Cattle Kings in the east side of the Basin, as I was aware of his friendship with Clay Anderson, the first foreman for Henry Lovell in the year, 1879. Said Chatfield, “The last roundup made by the Cattle Kings that I know about was in 1894. I had been in the Basin previous to my bringing my family from Colorado. Clay Anderson was in charge. You must understand that this roundup was to gather the residue that had been missed before on previous roundups.
There were many brands represented in the cleanup — the M.L., the 2-Bar, the Shields, the Bar-X, and then there were strays that belonged on the west side of the Basin. Some of these outfits were out of existence, but the banks were still on their toes trying to cut down their losses. There was the 76 outfit on the east side of the mountain. They were interested in the Bar-X, but following the Johnson County War, they did not dare represent in person, as there was much feeling still alive. So Clay Anderson was elected to run this last roundup in the interests of all parties concerned, and Clay was a good man, very capable and honest.
“Upon leaving the Basin they camped near my place on Spring Creek, and Clay spent the night with us. He tried his best to talk me into buying the remnants that tallied about 1,600 head. He told me that he would sell them to me for a flat price of $21,000.00 and I could tally them out for count.
“I was to pay nothing down and have twenty-one years to pay for them, and a note drawing four percent interest. But, I decided not to take the gamble. I had 300 head of cattle, and decided I would be better off to just take my time and grow into a herd of cows.
“Clay Anderson took the herd over the mountain, and I never did hear just how he disposed of them, but I imagine he made a deal with some outfit near Buffalo.”
This story, then, represents the “LAST ROUNDUP” in the south end of the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, when the remnants of the great herds of the eighties owned by the Cattle Kings were gathered and taken out of the Basin.
Commenting on the (Johnson County War) on the situation in Basin during the session of the Grand Jury, Elmer Chatfield, now 97 years old (in 1949) — spry and nimble as a man of seventy and as alert mentally as one of sixty — expressed it this way:
“The town of Basin City was quite a sight, it was filled to capacity. You couldn’t get a bite to eat nor a place to sleep half of the time. The streets were jammed with people; mostly men who gathered in groups
— sheepmen, cattlemen, lawmen, lawyers, and just plain curiosity seekers.
“People were thicker than buzzards around a slaughter house. The atmosphere seemed electrified with tension, and to make it worse the State Militia had been sent in. These fellows were stationed at the entrance of the place where the Grand Jury sat, on the streets every place, with rifles and shining bayonets attached. The air tingled with tension.
“The range men with their wide hats, brims pulled low in front, six-shooters stuck in the waistband of their pants or in scabbards on their hip. Everyone glanced at everyone else from under their hat brim with apprehension, while attorneys criss-crossed the street, bare-headed with an armload of books or a handful of papers. I have witnessed a lot of quarrels and tense moments from Dodge City, Kansas, through Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, but I never saw a more tense atmosphere. If some trigger-happy guy had ever started something it could have been a catastrophe.”
Source: Grass Was Gold by Paul Frison, published Jan 1, 1970 (pgs 20, 21, 22, 32, 33, 109, 110)

Hand drawn map of Big Horn Basin, Wyoming

Source: Paul Frison’s book, Grass Was Gold
Note from Beverly Sproul Kelly, granddaughter of Elmer Chatfield: The map shows the rivers and creeks that flow off the Big Horns into the Basin. All ranches were on those creeks and identified as areas. They flowed into the Norwood River which flowed into the Big Horn at Manderson (our P.O. at the Montgomery Ranch). Hyattville is and was the P.O. for the Hyatt Ranch named for them. The town was on the confluence of the Norwood and Paint Rock. —Beverly (Sproul) Kelly

Note: Warner ranch at lower left; first school is two-story building; two grocery stores: Frison’s Mercantile is at right.
Note: Ten Sleep picture courtesy of Marcella Dorn (daughter of Paul Frison)

As I Was Told:
“I’ve known Paul Frison all my life. He lived right around the corner from me in Worland for many years when he retired to write. I saw him often and we’d chit-chat. I thought him a pipe-smoking old timer. Early on he owned and operated a small Mercantile in Ten Sleep.” —Beverly (Sproul) Kelly

Note: in 1901, Paul’s father, Jake Frison, followed Elmer to the Big Horns from the Roaring Fork in Colorado. Photos courtesy of Marcella Dorn, daughter of Paul Frison. Her father bought this store in 1919.

Note: Thank you to my cousin, Beverly (Sproul) Kelly, the daughter of Sevilla and granddaughter of Elmer Chatfield, and also to Wyoming man and fellow researcher, Terril Mills, who contributed greatly to this part of the Chatfield history with dozens of Wyoming newspaper articles, photos, and history of the area.

2019. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.