Wesley´s memoirs

Wesley wrote his memoirs when he was in his 70's for which the family has been very thankful. Because his life spanned much of the century we are dealing with (1892-1973) the author has drawn on his accounts for much of this information. Most of the material attributed to him is in his book entitled, Early Days on the Laramie (1973).

NOTE: This book was not published. Copies were printed for the family and the Albany County Public Library, however.

Wes wrote about the East Side School: "The job of janitor in early Laramie was one of very hard work... Laramie's streets were not even graveled, nor was the school yard. When the weather was wet, there were literally buckets full of mud carried in to the halls and rooms by the many feet. If father had not had four boys to help with the sweeping and cleaning of this large building, it really would have been tough... I was the youngest and it was my job to scoop up the mud into a coal bucket and carry it out.

"At first the rooms were each heated by stoves and you can imagine the work it took to build fires and carry coal for those stoves... The main building was constructed without toilet facilities... In a few years a building was built west of the schoolhouse to house a steam plant and toilets... and later the school board finally had the school yard covered with Sherman gravel which was a great help in keeping the building clean. The shoemakers of the town did all right too."

Wes added, "Another thing that seems odd now, was how at times some teachers would send some of the bigger boys down to my father for correction. He had a way with boys and they always listened to him."

For two years, the family lived in the schoolhouse until Jacob could build a house. This house, a two-story structure still stands at 513 S. 10th Street in Laramie. The family lived on the ranch in the summertime, moving to Laramie during the winter months. They also moved their milk cows and some hay, feeding the animals in the barn behind the house when the weather was bad and driving them out to a "common" pasture on the east edge of town on the good days.

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