"LAVOYE'S 1800 RESIDENTS TO RELOCATE"

COURT ORDER SAYS WYOMING BOOM TOWN NO LONGER EXISTS

Lavoye, Wyoming (JFK+50) On April 17, 1925, Associated Press reports that the residents of Lavoye*, an old boom town located in Wyoming, are preparing to move following a court order that ends the town's existence.

The Ohio Oil Company holds a government lease on the land where the town has been located since the oil rush of 1920.  The 1800 townspeople are "held as trespassing" on OOC's property and, therefore, must relocate.

The town is to be reestablished 3 1/2 miles south of its current location.

*Lavoye is located in Natrona County, Wyoming, within the Salt Creek Oil Fields near Salt Creek Camp.  It was established on Jan 22 1923 & named after its 1st settler.  While many old buildings remain today, there are no residents.  A 4-wheel drive is recommended to access this location.

SOURCE

"Old Boom Town Prepares to Move After Order by Court to Quit Site," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 17, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Wyoming Sign

by Kent Kanouse

www.flickr.com/

"LARGEST STATURE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE"

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PRIZE TURKEY EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 20, 1924, The Evening Star reports "the prize turkey of the Rocky Mountain region is en route to Washington...to compete for the honor of being the chief dish on the White House table Christmas day."

The Star says this turkey is from the Riverton reclamation project in Wyoming and Representative John Winter* (R-Wyoming) has announced that the reclamation project adjoins the lands of the Arapaho who are renowned for turkeys of "the largest stature in the Western Hemisphere."

*John Winter was born in Cody, Wyoming & educated at the University of Wyoming & became a rancher & Wyoming outfitter & guide.  JW represented House District #28 in the 67th legislature.

SOURCES

"Legislation Profile:  House District 28:  Rep. John Winter," State of Wyoming, 67th Legislature, www.wyoleg.gov/

"Mountain Gobbler Coming to Vie for White House Honor," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 20, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Domesticated Turkey

Russian Federation

Photo by Skas (2016)

"COLOSSAL RAID ON VALUABLE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY"

TEAPOT OIL RESERVE BEING DRAINED BY PRIVATE OPERATORS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 22, 1923, the Associated Press reports that the Wyoming naval oil reserve, Teapot Dome*, "is being drained so heavily by adjacent private operators that it will produce far less oil than originally predicted."

The reserve, leased last year to Harry F. Sinclair**, is being investigated by the Senate public lands committee.  Geologists Frederick G. Clapp and James O. Lewis of New York, working in behalf of the committee, report that only 26 million of the original 135 million barrels remain.

The Senate inquiry was initiated by Senator Robert LaFollette (R-Wisconsin) who "assaulted the Sinclair lease as a colossal raid on valuable government property."

*Teapot Dome Oil Field was designated National Petroleum Reserve #3 in 1915 as part of a program to ensure the US Navy would have ample fuel reserves in an emergency.

**Henry Ford Sinclair (1876-1956) was born in Benwood, West Virginia & founded the Sinclair Oil Company.  He was educated at the University of Kansas. HFS was implicated in the Teapot Dome Scandal & served 6 months in prison. 

SOURCE

"Teapot Dome Oil Four-Fifths Gone Experts Disclose," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 22, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

 Teapot Rock

Natrona County, Wyoming

Library of Congress

www.picryl.com/