Shaffers, Jones named to Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame

You can see it in a person's eyes when they are passionate about something. You can hear it in their voice and you can see it in their work when they are doing what they love. It's something a person spends a lifetime working towards and passes on to the next generation; and in the cowboy state, it's that cowboy way of life that so many live for and the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) is preserving.  

2014 marked the first year for WCHF inductees, and recently 2015 Honorees were chosen. Nominations were submitted online between January 1 and March 31, organized and voted on by county, and then submitted to the state board for review. Hot Springs County is a part of Region 8 and had three honorees chosen:  Ed "Eddie" and Peggy Shaffer and Dennis "Denny" Jones.  

Ed and Peggy Shaffer started their ranching career together on the Mill Iron Ranch in 1967 and a year later the couple moved their growing family

to the HD Ranch on Owl Creek. In 1977 Ed became ranch manager in charge of looking after 800 cows and 600 yearlings; but by 1989 his job grew as the HD expanded to over 80,000 acres putting Eddie in charge of 2000 cows and 1800 yearlings. Ed and Peggy worked the ranch together as a team, riding and working cows together, but when it came to cooking, Peggy fed everyone well.  

The HD sold in 2000 to Frank Robbins and Ed and Peggy managed the ranch for one more year before retiring and moving to Thermopolis. The couple spent 33 years working on the ranch.  

Dennis Jones began his ranching career as a small child on his family's ranch. After school, Dennis joined the Navy and upon his return in 1954 he and his brother leased the family ranch and cattle from their father.  

For three years, Dennis and wife Caroline ran the Northern Cheyenne Steer Enterprise in Lame Deer, MT where they ran over 4,000 yearlings. In 1974, Dennis moved his family back to

Thermopolis and ran the family ranch until 2005 when he sold it to his daughter and son-in-law Jack and Ellen Baird.  

Over the years, Dennis was active in rodeo, served as bank director, and was a member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. He continues to be active on the ranch when he can and enjoys sharing his experiences with friends and family.  

The men and women that commit their lives to the ranch don't do it for the money. They do it because they love it. They love the culture, the lifestyle, and, of course, the horses and the cattle.

"[The cowboy lifestyle] is a culture. A good honest culture," said Eddie Shaffer with a nod and a smile. When asking about his feelings about being inducted in the WCHF he said proudly, "Oh, it's a great honor." His wife Peggy passed in 2012 but his eyes glistened and he added, "Peggy would have liked it a lot."

Ellen Baird described her father Denny's reaction to the news of being honored as very proud and so surprised. Traditional cowboy methods have been important to Denny and his family. Baird described a few of their traditions, "We still use a wood fire for branding. It' a natural resource on the ranch. We have an abundant supply of dead trees and we never use propane. That's because of Denny. Also, all of our ropers still throw an overhand. Dad was an artist at overhanding."

The cowboy legacy that these individuals are leaving is what the WCHF is trying to preserve. The next generation that holds the same sparkle in their eye when it comes to riding horses and chasing cows will be able to look up to their family, friends, and these honorees that helped pave and preserve the way. The advice they are leaving for the younger generation is simple.

"Be honest, hard working, and you'll make it," said Ellen Baird on the advice Denny Jones gave.

"They've gotta get on a good ranch and learn the ways. It's something you just don't go out there and learn in a week," said Ed Shaffer.