Hall of Fame induction ceremony held

On August 24 at the Hot Springs County Historical Museum, committee member Ray Shaffer announced that the 2024 inductees of the Hall of Fame. The five plaques will be displayed in the HSC Courthouse.

Shaffer said, "The purpose of the Hall of Fame is and was established by our Hot Springs County Commissioners and under the influence of Dick Hall at that time, a local historian here. They organized an ad hoc committee to recognize people from our community, both present and past, who've been influential in developing who and what we are in our place in history. It's been a labor of love for me to be on this committee, because I'm kind of the history buff around here and to understand the place some of these folks have had in our part of our community is interesting. Today, we're going to induct these members into our Hall of Fame."

John Dwight Woodruff

If any man can be called a true pioneer of Wyoming and Hot Springs County, J. D. Woodruff surely fills the bill. Coming as a lad of 19 years old to Wyoming Territory for health reasons, he quickly established himself as a trapper, Indian fighter and Army scout.

In 1871, as the first white man to build a cabin structure in the Big Horn Basin on what became known as the M- (Embar) Ranch, he established the first cattle and sheep ranching operation in the area. A historical monument marks that site today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Later, as a successful businessman, husband and father, Woodruff established himself as a man for all occasions. He served two terms as Senator in the Wyoming legislature and, in 1922, was overwhelmingly elected as a Representative for Fremont County, a tribute to his character. During his lifetime, he rubbed elbows with everyone from Chief Washakie, General Crook, General Sheridan, and Governor B.B. Brooks, to fellow mountain men, stockmen, and miners.

He was always tough, but fair and expected the same from others. Quick of temper, but mellowed with wit and humor, he gained the respect and admiration of all who knew him. 

In 1883, he married Miss Josephine Doty, a Wyoming school teacher, and together raised three sons. They later adopted a daughter and showered her with their love and affection, too.

J.D. Woodruff passed in 1925 in Shoshoni, Wyoming. He, wife Josephine, and son, Fred, are interred in Ogden, Utah.

General George M. Sliney

George Sliney, born August 29, 1852, in Ireland, immigrated to the USA at age 16, and moved to Wyoming with the U.S. 5th Cavalry in 1876 with his wife Marie. Col. Sliney campaigned with "Buffalo" Bill Cody and General George Crook through the 1870' in the Indian Wars.

In 1883, the Sliney family settled a ranch on Owl Creek where they raised high quality Hereford cattle. In 1903, Sliney sold the ranch, and the family moved to Thermopolis where he was a prominent banker, mayor, merchant, justice of the peace, and businessman. He helped found the Wyoming Trust Company, First National Banks of Thermopolis and Worland, and was Superintendent of the State Reserve, and American Express Line.

In his first term as mayor, in 1910, Sliney worked with Burlington Railroad to get the tracks laid through Thermopolis, resulting in a massive party known as "Railroad Days."

During World War I, General Sliney served as Wyoming National Guard Fuel Administrator, where he ensured the coal mines produced their quota for the war effort. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Mason, and Modern Woodsman.

General Sliney died April 26, 1929, and is buried in Monument Hill Cemetery at Thermopolis.

Charles M. Smith

Charles M. Smith was born in 1890 in White Sulfur Springs, Montana. He attended Montana schools and in 1919, received his degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Michigan where he excelled as an athlete in track.

Charles served in the U.S. Air Force during WWI, was honorably discharged in 1919 and came to Thermopolis, where he established the Smith Construction Company. He initially constructed homes and business buildings, but later branched out to bridge building and irrigation projects.

He established the Wyoming Chapter of Associated General Contractors, serving as their president. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Wyoming and was also selected by U.W. as Outstanding Businessman of the Year.

Charles served as president of First National Bank, the Gottsche Foundation, and as Hot Springs County Senator for two terms, 1937-1949.

He was a life member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, V.F.W., Masons, Shriner, Lions International, & American Legion.

After the passing of his first wife, Ruth McCready Smith, he remarried Avis Curtin Burbank in 1853. Charles was a successful businessman, faithful church member, civil servant, honored citizen, philanthropist, and family man.

Charles passed away in 1982 and is interred in Thermopolis.

Don & Glenna Tippets

In 1947 the University of Wyoming sent Don Tippets to Thermopolis as the Hot Springs County Agricultural Agent. In his 21 years as the County Agent (1947-1969) Don was instrumental in improving the agricultural base of Hot Springs County, working closely with the REA, 4-H Clubs, and the Farm Bureau Federation.

Don was also instrumental in developing the H Diamond W Youth Camp, the 4-H camp, located at the head of Grass Creek. The camp has continued to be used by 4-H youth as well as other organizations and families of the area. Don served as Chairman of several national committees of County Agents Association and received many awards from service organizations.

Glenna was hired by the State of Wyoming Department of Family Services as a child social worker. Glenna participated in many community organizations, including the Thermopolis Women's Club, Gift of the Waters Pageant, Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, and assisted in numerous charity drives for Red Cross, Heart, and Cancer. She, like her husband, was awarded many outstanding service awards. One of Glenna's highlights was receiving the Community Golden Shovel Award for her beautiful yard. 

Don & Glenna were married in the fall of 1937 and raised five children in Thermopolis - Tamara, Elivs, Hap, Melene, and Jeryl. Their lives were filled with service to their community, working closely together in advancing the agricultural programs in Hot Springs County. They were known for raising a large garden and cultivated a beautiful yard with many trees & flowers.

Don passed away on May 31, 1977 at age 69. Glenna passed on November 27, 2015. Both are interred in Thermopolis.

Robert "Bob" L. Brown

Robert "Bob" Brown was born December 27, 1925 in Thermopolis. He attended local schools, and graduated from Hot Springs County High in 1943. He was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in both the European and Pacific Theaters during WWII.

Returning home, he soon met and married Jeralyn "Jerry" Dodge in 1945. To this union was born Mike and Bobbi. He was deployed to the Korean Conflict in 1950 with the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, receiving a unit citation, combat infantry badge, and a Purple Heart for his service.

For the next 44 years, Bob worked for the United States Postal Service, many of those years serving as Postmaster in Thermopolis. In 2020, the Thermopolis Post Office was renamed the Robert L. Brown Post Office Building in his honor by order of the U.S. Senate.

He was always a public servant, serving on many boards of his church and community organization. Bob passed away September 11, 202 and is interred near his wife of 70 years in Thermopolis.