W.P. Ricketts papers, 1887-1949
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Ricketts, W.P. (William Pendleton), 1859-
- Title
- W.P. Ricketts papers
- Dates
- 1887-1949 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 0.45 cubic ft. (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 02888
- Summary
- Papers of a prosperous and prominent cattleman in Campbelll County, Wyoming.
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
William Pendleton Ricketts (1859-1942) was a prosperous and prominent Wyoming cattleman. He was raised in Missouri, where his father taught in country schools. In 1875, Ricketts came to Wyoming where he was employed as a ranch hand by the Seawright Brothers Cattle Company, operating north of Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1886, he went to work for the North American Cattle Company as foreman; when in 1888 that company consolidated with the Western Union Beef Company, Ricketts worked as general superintendent for Wyoming and Montana. After the closing of the Western Union Beef Company in 1898, he purchased their holdings and equipment and established the Sunnyside Ranch, which was located north of Gillette, Wyoming. In 1911, Ricketts served a term in the Wyoming Legislature, and was the first chairman of the Campbell County [Wyoming] Commissioners. He authored the book 50 Years in the Saddle published by Star Publishing Company of Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1942.
Content Description
The collection contains four items of correspondence from friends (1942-1943); a market letter from the American Live Stock and Loan Company regarding the cattle industry (1919); Cow Country bulletins by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (1942-1943); newsletters of the John Clay and Company Live Stock Commission Service of Omaha, Nebraska (1942-1943); one issue of The Cattlemen magazine (August 1943); twenty-eight newspaper clippings about Wyoming history and the cattle industry (1887-1949), five photographs showing branding and vaccinating on Rickett’s Sunnyside Ranch and Ricketts’ wife and friends as well as ranch workers (1926 and undated), six western poems by various authors, some in newspapers others freehand (1921, 1924 and undated), and a speech by Ricketts about ranch life in late 19th century Wyoming (1933). There is also a manuscript of the first chapter of Rickett’s unpublished book “Trail Boss,” which appears to be an autobiographical.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Untitled
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
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Description: Link to Container List (PDF)
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Cattle trade -- Wyoming.
- Cowboys -- Wyoming.
- Ranch life -- Wyoming.
- Ranches -- Wyoming.
Geographical Names
- Campbell County (Wyo.)
- Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918.
- Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.
- Wyoming -- History -- To 1889.
