HSC Hall of Fame inductees honored

Hot Springs County celebrated five of its unique and great individuals by inducting them into the Hot Springs County Hall of Fame. Each of the inductees were recognized for contributions to improve and make Hot Springs County the place it is today.

The inductees were county historian Dorothy Milek, the first woman senator in Wyoming Dora McGarth, pioneer of medicine in Hot Springs County Dr. Dana Carter, the former president of Empire Oil Co. John Herring Sr. and World Champion Bronc Rider and founder of the Wyo Quarter Horse Ranch Sale Bill Smith.

Over food and libations, family member and friends celebrated the newest members of the Hall of Fame. Each member brought something special to Hot Springs County.

Emcee Dick Hall guided the ceremony with humor and appreciation. Members of the Hall of Fame committee introduced the inductees. Many of the introductions had antidotal stories and reflected fond memories from family member and friends.

Committee member John Lumley spoke on behalf of Dr. Dana Carter. Lumley boasted on the accomplishments of Dr. Carter, such as performing the first caesarean in the state in a little log cabin in Basin. Dr. Carter was a true pioneer doctor traveling on horseback or in a horse and buggy to take care of his patients.

Another posthumous inductee was Dora McGarth. Committee member Dick Hall explained that having the first woman to serve in the Wyoming Senate in 1930 from our community is a great honor, and to induct her into the Hall of Fame is a great pleasure.

The largest turn out of family members was for Dorothy Milek. She was introduced by her son Bob Milek Jr. who told the audience what it was like living with the county historian. If he found himself in trouble his mother would remind him to straighten up or else he would turn out like a less than favorable member of the community, which drew laughter from the audience. Dorothy accepted her honor with a speech to the audience.

Veterinarian and friend Dr. Bill Williams introduced inductee Bill Smith. Dr. Williams spoke of how he met Smith and how Smith taught him a thing or two about horses. Smith stood at the podium and spoke of a different time, a time of traveling on thin highways to get to the next rodeo. In the end Bill Smith said, "Don't ever take this award for granted. It is a honor and I am honored."

Inductee John Herrin Sr. was represented by his son John Herrin Jr. Herring Jr. spoke of his father fondly. It was his father's love of baseball that gave our community the baseball fields. His father was a man that when he saw a need in the community he found a way to fill that need.

The banquet was wrapped up with the new inductees wondering through the audience visiting as people congratulated them.