University of Wyoming
Hilliard Samuel Ridgley (also spelled Ridgely) (1864-1937) was a prominent member of the Wyoming State Bar. After practicing law in Nebraska, Ridgley moved to Cody, Wyoming, in the early 1900s where he was William F. Cody's personal representative and attorney for a number of years. Upon the Burlington Northern Railroad building from Frannie, Wyoming, south through the Big Horn Basin, he moved to Basin, the county seat, where he built up a large and lucrative practice. He was appointed U.S. District Attorney (1911-1914) for the district of Wyoming by U.S. President William Howard Taft and moved to Cheyenne to take the position. In 1914, Ridgley was the Republican candidate for Wyoming governor against Democratic nominee, John B. Kendrick. Ridgleywas defeated by a small majority. At the close of the campaign, Ridgley withdrew from active politics and resumed practicing law in Cheyenne.
The collection consists primarily of legal documents from Big Horn County, Wyoming (1902-1917). Many of the items concern the Shoshone Irrigation Company, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Westbridger Mining and Development Company, Winona Gold-Copper Mining and Milling Company, Taylor-Halstead Canal Company, and the town of Cody, Wyoming. Published material includes issues of Wyoming newspapers (1914) from Basin, Cheyenne, Kemmerer, Laramie, Cody and Cheyenne. There are rulebooks for the Basin Literary Club, constitution and bylaws of the Big Horn County Wool Growers Association of Meeteese, the constitution of the Cody Club, and the Collins Land Company of Helena, Montana. Miscellaneous items include "A Chronology of the History and Achievements of the Republican Party" (1908) compliments of Francis E. Warren, "History of the Lost Soldier Oil Field," map of Wyoming, a route chart for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (signed by William F. Cody), and speeches by H.S. Ridgley. The collection also contains 20 pieces correspondence and 3 telegrams (1908-1922).
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by Hilliard S. Ridgeley at the date of processing.
This material was received from H.S. (“Sin”) Ridgely in 1977.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
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