Laramie History

Wilcox Train Robbery Baggage Car & Safe

Train robbers –possibly Butch Cassidy and his “Wild Bunch” –boarded an Overland Flyer train near Wilcox, Wyoming, blew up this safe and escaped with thousands of dollars! The Wilcox train robbery occurred at 1:00 a.m. on June 2, 1899, near Wilcox, Wyoming, outside of Laramie. Masked men boarded the Overland Flyer, forced it to a … Continue reading Wilcox Train Robbery Baggage Car & Safe

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Lynching of Con Wager, Asa Moore & Ned Wilson

Con Wager, Asa Moore & Ned Wilson were lynched in 1868 by the “Committee of Vigilance.” The three had intimidated many ranchers to sign over the deeds to their ranches. Asa “Ace” Moore, Con Wagner (a.k.a. Con Moore), and an individual known as “Big Ned” or “Big Ed” Bernard were hanged in 1868 for their … Continue reading Lynching of Con Wager, Asa Moore & Ned Wilson

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Early Day Wyoming Lottery & Swindles

There’s nothing worse than buying a ticket for a fake lottery! In 1875, a man named William Pattee began a phony lottery-by-mail operation aptly named the “Wyoming Lottery.” Everybody loved it…but nobody won! After Congress made it a felony to swindle the public through the United States mail, Pattee came up with new schemes. The Laramie … Continue reading Early Day Wyoming Lottery & Swindles

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Otto Gramm — Millionaire, Politician, Dastardly Contractor

On the surface, Otto Gramm was a respected businessman and prominent citizen in Laramie, as well as a public servant. In 1870, he purchased Dr. Finfrock’s, a successful drug store in Laramie. In 1880, he added a soda fountain, which became a longtime fixture in the Laramie community. Gramm later opened the first bottling company in Laramie. A … Continue reading Otto Gramm — Millionaire, Politician, Dastardly Contractor

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