Let's Talk Wyoming
A podcast about Wyoming and everything we talk about including the weather, politics, energy & agriculture, sports & everything else effecting our state.
Let's Talk Wyoming
From Raging Wildfires to Wyoming's First Female Doctor
We'd like to start today's show with the honoring of America, with the playing of the National Anthem, with our upcoming Memorial Day. Thank you, good morning and welcome to let's Talk Wyoming. I'm Mark Hamilton, your host. Today. We'll be taking a look at our weather, and boy, our weather has been really hot and dry and fire season here in the state of Wyoming. And then we'll talk about some travel here locally and finally we'll talk about the first woman doctor here in the state of Wyoming. Thanks for joining us and hope you enjoyed the pod Taking a look at Wyoming weather here on the 19th day of August.
Speaker 1:Been a while since we've been on about our weather, taking a little bit of a sabbatical, doing some other things, but needed to get back on Just a rough time. Right now here in Wyoming, up in the Bighorn Basin, we are in the midst of a major fire that is burning to the east of us. It's up over 100,000 acres, 200,000 acres. It's just growing immensely. The conditions are just perfect. We've had a lot of warm weather, of course, earlier in the spring. I mention always that we get these early wet springs and boy everything grows, and the one thing that really grows out in the Badlands out here is cheatgrass, and if you've ever seen cheatgrass, it looks kind of cool when it's green, but when it dries up, boy, I'll tell you what it's a fire starter. So about a week ago we've had some issues around. We had some fires earlier, a month previously, when lightning went through and started some small fires that got under control. But this fire that started last Wednesday was from a lightning strike and it was east up of Buffalo Creek country, to east of Thermop, about 14 miles out in that country, and that is just really ranch country out there. You get into the Badlands and you're into some varying type of terrain. But the fire started and boy, it blew up and off it went and at this point they really just have no answer for it. Today we're up at about 98 degrees and hot. Not much wind blowing at the present time, but we've had just crazy winds that have been blowing from every direction but straight. We've had these conditions. The humidity is at about 10 percent and they just have been really working on this fire.
Speaker 1:They're just really at this time trying to, you know, protect structures. The main structures would be ranchers and the people who live in that area, their homesteads and outbuildings and such and it's really sad it's going to have a major impact, like these fires always do in our country. These people here that ranch, a lot of them graze a lot of that ground in the winter months. It's all gone and well, I'll tell you, it's a little disheartening. We've had smoke. From where I live, right up Buffalo Creek I can see and that fire. It is pretty dormant and then all of a sudden it lights up and gets going again with some more wind and boy, the smoke clouds are just just crazy. There isn't any type of community issues, I think, if this continues on and wants to continue moving south and a little bit east.
Speaker 1:The next town that they would even come close to getting into was over at Lycite, wyoming, lycite, the Los Cabin area. Now, of course I worked over in that country for a lot of years at Lysite. I know the town. If you got a fire there it might be pretty bad. In the town of Lysite Really don't have a lot of water available for firefighting and that country. I know that sheetgrass would be bad and conditions are going to be not very good. So I know they're probably preparing, because you just never know how quick this is going to happen. Also when you get into that country over there now you're starting to get into some gas field, one of the larger gas fields in the state it used to be. Now it's in the tail ends of life. But there's also the bighorn wells in that country that are sour wells that go over to the Los Cabin gas plant and are processed, and most of those facilities are set up with a lot of buffer zones around them for this type of activity. So I don't see any big problems for this type of activity. So I don't see any big problems. Might be a tank or two that could be a potential, but unless something just would, some type of pipeline rupture would happen about the same time that the fire was going through or such. I think that you could have a major issue there.
Speaker 1:Now when you get into same with Lost Cabin. The old Oakey Mansion is there and if it gets into Lost Cabin it wouldn't take much to take Lost Cabin down either, a few days away before it gets there. But these next few days are just going to be brutal. We're supposed to hit 100 tomorrow. Then I see a little bit of a cool down later in the weekend, but this may be the year that a big snowfall may be the way to get these things out, similar to the fires years ago in Yellowstone that burned and burned and burned and burned Actually I did a pod on that the snow finally put the fires out similar to what happened across the mountain over in that Sheridan country.
Speaker 1:Up above there. The fires they had last year was something similar to that with the issues they had and people were always keeping an eye on that that didn't want that fire to get into Ranchester or into Sheridan. For sure it doesn't take much to get into ranchester or into sheridan. For sure it doesn't take much to get into these communities and get houses going. So it's, it's just been one of those years and I don't know if fall can't get here early enough and some rain and some conditions to change. And I know the fire teams have been working. They have slurry planes out and they've also been dropping water. They make the trip around over to Boyson Reservoir and get water and are not putting it on. But it's some really rough terrain out there and boy, there is a lot of country out there that it could just burn and burn. So as long as the directions don't change much.
Speaker 1:The biggest people that are impacted right now are the local ranchers and people living in that area, which are mainly the ranches, and of course they all have animals. So we hope that they're able to get these animals moved and in a safe location. I'm sure there's sheep out there with Hendry's and I know neighbors over here have sheep and I'm sure they're up in that country Copper Mountain and such so there's a few sheep bands over there, a lot of cattle. Keep our thoughts and prayers out for those people. Also, for all the people fighting the fires.
Speaker 1:All the comments have been just how quickly these fires will take off. They'll put up a fire line to try to stop it and the wind will come up and that will roll right across there, across that bare ground and over to the next cheatgrass or dry grass or whatever else is out there fueling it, and away it goes. So it is scary out there and you've got to be really careful. Luckily nobody's been hurt at this point, but again, we have people from around the country and I know they've declared it a disaster. The governor was here in Thermopolis and talked about the issues that we're facing and so at the same time there's a fire burning up just outside of Matizzi, wyoming.
Speaker 1:Similar type of situation and I saw reports this morning of a couple fires up in the Dubois country getting started off and these storms come blowing through and they're not a, I think. Yesterday it rained about a drop in about three spots and then it was gone. A lot of wind, a lot of lightning Every time a lightning strike comes to the ground. Wind, a lot of lightning. Every time a lightning strike comes to the ground, brand doesn't set another fire. Tough time. Right now Everybody is really On pins and needles.
Speaker 1:Last week when this started, emergency response kind of sent out an incorrect warning. It came out that needed to evacuate Thermopolis, the town, and it just had started the night before. And boy it got people going. It started a real panic and people were on Facebook and asking questions. It wasn't even close to coming into Thermopolis or having a problem. They just got the wording wrong on it. The area was in an area out to the east of Thermopolis, about 14 miles in that country, out on Kirby Creek and in those areas Black Mountain Road and up Buffalo Creek. But everybody was ready to turn off the lights and leave town.
Speaker 1:So it's hard to get a few thousand people out of town, especially when it's for no reason. But it's always important when you have these emergencies that you have really good communication. In my years in the oil and gas business we always knock on wood, didn't have to go to have any type of issues or major emergency response issues. We have some small ones, a well issue and a couple fires and stuff localized fires at well locations, but nothing like this. And you learn. Number one is the communication and you always want to keep people safe. That is the big thing. You know, we can replace a house or a barn or all these other pieces of equipment, but you can't replace family members.
Speaker 1:Tough time here, with the weather Wyoming and it's across the state. Colorado is facing the same thing. They're getting a lot of fires. Just one of those years that we had all that rain and moisture and then it quits. And of course, this isn't the first time this has happened. So people are like, oh, this is something new. No, this has happened. This has happened quite a bit. Keep our thoughts and prayers and we can get this fire put out. We'll just pray for a nice, nice rainstorm or let's have a maybe an early snowfall. Nice wet snow would be fine, but I think the first opportunity we could have for any type of snow that would do anything would be October One year. I think the first opportunity we could have for any type of snow that would do anything would be October One year. I think it was the first week of October we got really a major wet snowstorm, got 8 to 10 inches of snow here in Hot Springs County, and so that's what we need this year. So pray for Hot Springs County, pray for the people of Washakie and Fremont County where that fire is going. Let's pray for the people of washki and fremont county where that fire is going, and pray for all the people across this state of wyoming, across the west and all these areas that are facing all these hardships isn't just fire, it's been some floods and hurricanes and everything else. So it's been a tough year for a lot of people, but we know the good Lord will provide for us always.
Speaker 1:The other chance I wanted to share, trying to get up and around in the state of Wyoming, made our first trip over to Kerwin. Kerwin is the old gold ghost town outside of Matizzi, wyoming. It's up at 9,200 foot elevation and in that area about a mile from Kirwan is where Amelia Earhart had started on her cabin. Of course it was never completed. Took the trip up to the local museum in Matizzi. It had an outing in Matizzizi and everybody trekked up there. Everybody trekked up in their four-wheel drive trucks. It's pretty rocky the last 10 miles there You've got to go pretty slow and have some clearance and you do a couple. You do go across the Wood River and I tell you in the spring you wouldn't want to try to go across there. You may not find the other side, but with the water down this time of year you can make it through there. So it is a really cool trip.
Speaker 1:The ghost town has been abandoned for many, many years. Back in the early late 1800s that they had started mining up there for the gold they said there were about 200 people that lived there and at its height and they did didn't turn out too well. They never did really hit what you call the mother load and it finally just closed up. The company came back in in the 50s, early 60s I think it was, and tried to open it again, but no luck. So had a beautiful day up there. The weather was nice and a good company and everyone enjoyed the trip Also got a chance to go up to South Pass City.
Speaker 1:If you're going through, go up to South Pass City. Now, if you're going through Wyoming, up on South Pass, you take the road from Lander, wyoming. If you're heading south across to Farson, I think that's US-28. Right up on top of South Pass you'll see a sign for the old historic site. It's a mile or two off the road and I've driven by there.
Speaker 1:Being a born and raised Wyoming, I don't know how many times I've driven by there, but I'm always in a hurry, I'm going somewhere, coming home from something, not with time to go be a tourist. But my wife and I had went to Lander, had lunch on a Saturday and then I said let's go up and we'll take a look and see what's up there. It was well worth the trip. The state of Wyoming has put money into the South Pass City to keep the old city maintained and functional and you have a nice walk through there and they've done a really good job with it. I think it's really important for us to keep our history and those type of things up for people to view, and so I went and that was a pretty good little walk through that area About an hour hour and a half getting through there, and then we made a trip back down to Atlantic City and out of there and back over to Hot Springs County.
Speaker 1:But South Pass City if you get a chance it's well worth it to run over there. But most tourists are pretty much in a hurry. They're headed to Yellowstone or Jackson or somewhere in between, but never a time. But it is a good trip and a good day trip to go up and take in the sights. So Kirwan, at Kirwan, you just don't want to get off the road and make sure you know where you're going. Go during the day and make sure you check on weather conditions and such. But good time to go up there this time of year to Kerwin, and maybe you could hit a little gold. And that was the same with South Pass City. It was a mining town and all I can tell you those miners were some tough dudes. They um, they're all all underground mining and um, now at South Pass they had some luck with their mining up there. But I guess maybe you can make a run at reopening the mine and hit it rich, getting in the gold market right now.
Speaker 1:And finally, talking about Wyoming sports, it's that time of year, summer's over. We're getting to that point. High schools are going to be back in action, schools are opening up. High school football, volleyball, all the other fall sports will be starting here at the end of the month. So that's good news for a lot of us sports fans across the state of Wyoming. Also, the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Cowboy Football Team, will be opening up at the end of the month of August. So we're back into that sports time of the year. A lot of good things happening, a lot of opportunities for a lot of people to support your local sports teams, also support the University of Wyoming, and it's just kind of a great time coming up. So, wyoming sports we'll keep on top of that as we get into the heat of the action.
Speaker 1:Today we're going to take a look at Lillian Heath, wyoming's first female physician, and packed a pistol by Lori Van Pelt. This is from wildhistoryorg. Her figure was a perfect 36, and she modeled clothes for a fine department store. But Lillian Heath, wyoming's first female physician, dressed like a boy and carried a pistol in the pocket of her jacket to protect herself when she was out on calls at night. Heath hung her shingle at her parents' home in Rollins, wyoming, and began her medical practice in 1893. She was 27 years old. Her skills ran the gamut from delivering babies, treating bullet wounds and amputating limbs to helping perform plastic surgery before that medical specialty was even named.
Speaker 1:Heath's abilities were not universally accepted, however. Some people at the time did not believe females should be medical doctors. As a result, she endured some haughty treatment herself. Men folks received me cordially. Women were just as chatty as they could be, dr Heath recalled in a 1961 oral interview taped by Helen Hubert for the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming. One woman wanted Heath to treat her, but because the doctor was a female, the patient refused to pay. Dr Heath had to tell her to find another physician. Even Lillian Heath's own mother, carista Hunter Heath, didn't think her daughter should attend medical school.
Speaker 1:But her father, william, encouraged Lillian. He came to Wyoming from Wisconsin as a railroad locomotive painter In Rollins. He was always the first to volunteer to assist Dr McGee, the Wyoming Union Pacific physician and surgeon who made frequent stops in the frontier town. William often shared the stories of these medical adventures with his daughter, fostering her fascination with the topic. It was not very long before I was head over heels about medicine, she said. Dr McGehee trained Lillian for five years as a nurse and assistant. With his recommendation and her father's help, she attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Iowa. The academic term ran from October through March during cool weather, in order to keep fresh the cadavers the students practice on. According to Doug Attenberg of the Lee County Iowa Historical Society, after completing the required three years of study, lillian earned her medical degree. Although Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman accepted to medical school before in 1849, lillian's graduating class of 22 students in 1893 included just three women. Lillian was reportedly the only woman to attend the 1895 Convention of the American Medical Association in Denver, colorado.
Speaker 1:As an assistant to Dr McGahee, lillian helped perform plastic surgery before that medical practice was named a specialty. Heath administered anesthetics to a sheepherder who had shot himself in the face and attempted suicide. She helped with more than 30 surgeries required to rebuild the man's destroyed face. Mcgahee inserted silver tubes to create nostrils and transplanted skin from the man's forehead to create a new nose. Heath later recalled that the sheepherder's jawbone grew back by itself. Miraculously in these pre-antibiotic days, the man escaped the infection. Even so Heath remembered that after all he'd been through he was still resentful of being alive and he didn't like his new nose.
Speaker 1:Heath learned to be a perfect anesthesiologist. He explained that other doctors in the area thought highly of her ability. At first, whiskey was used and she had to estimate the amount of a dosage. Eventually, medical advances made chloroform and later ether, the anesthetic of choice. Ether, she said, was harder to use.
Speaker 1:Dr McGehee was cautious about using new medications until he knew they were safe. She said medications used during these days included every old-time remedy anyone ever heard of. She said Drugs such as morphine, cocaine and opioids were used and codeine was just coming into use. Alcohol was favored as a skin antiseptic because it was the only thing found to be effective and lasting, he said. Also it left no bad after effects.
Speaker 1:In 1881, the notorious outlaw Big George Parrott was lynched in Rollins for the murder of a Carbon County Sheriff's Deputy, robert Whittlefield, because no one came forward to claim the body. Dr John Osborne, another Rollins physician, who later served two years as the Wyoming governor, made a medical bag and a pair of shoes from the dead man's skin. The shoes are displayed today at the Carbon County Museum in Rollins along with a portion of Parrot's skull. Mcgahee planned to study the criminal brain to try to discern what physical differences might have made him go bad. The doctor saw Parrot's skullcap in half and gave the top part to their teenage protege, lillian. She kept it and used it as a flowerpot. Osborne pickled his body in alcohol and used it for dissection purposes until the final burial in the alley back of his house. He said in Hubert's taped interview I kept the Bennett skull top here for a long time as a memento of my training days.
Speaker 1:When Heath began her practice there were only a couple of other doctors in the area. She said that there had never had an overplus of doctors until just now and that when she first began it was nip and tuck. For a while. Most people who needed help came to her house, but when necessary she took a wagon or saddled and rode her sorrel horse 30 or 40 miles to tend those who were injured or ill. Dr Heath practiced medicine for about 15 years, although she kept her license current for most of her life.
Speaker 1:She married Lou J Nelson in 1898 and they lived in Rollins for most of their married life. Lillian modeled clothes for Denver's Daniel and Fisher Department Store. In the late 1890s she joined the Rollins Bicycling Club. She continued to be keenly interested in the medical field even after she retired and she toured the Denver hospitals when she was 89. Lillian Heath Nelson died in 1962 at the age of 96. Although she treated a number of patients who suffered bullet wounds during her career, she never needed to use the .32 caliber revolver she carried in her jacket pocket when she made calls at night. Outstanding story again from wildhistoryorg Lillian Heath Nelson, one of the pioneers here in the state of Wyoming, our first female physician. Thanks for joining us today and we hope you enjoy our podcast. As per the Code of the West, we ride for the brand and we ride for Wyoming. We'll be right back. We are the champions, thank you.
