[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7065-S7066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICINE BOW, WYOMING

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the town of Medicine Bow, WY. The town eventually became 
the setting for the classic Western novel by Owen Wister, ``The 
Virginian.''
  Medicine Bow's history began decades before its incorporation on June 
26, 1909. The town's name originates from the mountains surrounding the 
area. American Indians would annually travel to the foot of the 
Medicine Bow Mountains to obtain wood that was excellent for arrows. 
According to the Native Americans, anything that is perfect for the 
purpose for which it is intended is called ``good medicine.''
  The Union Pacific Railroad routed tracks through the valley because 
the Medicine Bow River was an ideal place for a pumping station. Steam 
engines would pause to take on a load of water before roaring across 
the prairie to the east or over the mountains to the west. The railroad 
not only produced what is now known as the town of Medicine Bow, but it 
also created economic opportunities. Wyoming's booming cattle industry 
necessitated stock yards in Medicine Bow. The town became an important 
shipping center for cattle headed to the eastern market and a great 
place for cowboys to congregate after gathering their herds.
  The wood in the Medicine Bow forest was excellent not only for arrows 
but also for railroad ties. Every year, tie hacks cut hundreds of 
thousands of railroad ties and mining props from the mountains at the 
head of the river. The material was then floated down to a river boom, 
a mile from the Medicine Bow Station. These ties were pulled from the 
river and shipped to supply America's swiftly expanding railroad 
network.
  The tie hacks and the cowboys played a vital role in the development 
of Medicine Bow's untamed reputation. It was this reputation as one of 
the West's wildest towns that brought famous novelist Owen Wister to 
Medicine Bow. Following his stay in Medicine Bow, Wister authored the 
classic Western novel, ``The Virginian.'' In his novel, he mirrored 
more than just the setting of the town. His plot was a fictionalized 
story about the Johnson

[[Page S7066]]

County War in Wyoming, told from the cattle barons' point of view. Even 
Wister's famous line from the novel was not original. The phrase, 
``When you look at me smile,'' came from a local man named William 
Hines. His novel brought fame and recognition to Wyoming's culture and 
history. In 1913 the Virginian Hotel was built by August Grimm and 
named after Wister's novel. To this day, visitors from all over the 
world enjoy a nice meal and a comfortable night's sleep at the 
Virginian.
  The area surrounding Medicine Bow has long been host to several 
energy industries. Coal and uranium mines brought jobs to the area. 
Presently, wind turbines secure Medicine Bow's future and contribution 
to the America's energy market. Without a major interstate nearby, the 
Medicine Bow Valley has been able to secure and maintain its majestic 
western roots. Modernization may sweep through, but valleys like the 
Medicine Bow remind us of the Old West legacy.
  In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the town of Medicine Bow, 
I invite my colleagues to visit this historic place. I congratulate the 
citizens of Medicine Bow who steward this important piece of Wyoming's 
history and present it to visitors from all over the world.

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