[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 12041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRAIL END CENTENNIAL

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate the centennial 
of the Trail End State Historic Site in Sheridan, WY.
  John Benjamin Kendrick is one of Wyoming's most remarkable 
politicians. As an orphan in Texas, Kendrick faced many challenges 
growing up. He spent much of his childhood in poverty and eventually 
took a job trailing cattle as far north as Montana. Finally, near the 
Bighorn Mountains of northeastern Wyoming, Kendrick found his home.
  It was there that John Kendrick and his wife Eula began their family. 
The couple had two children, Rosa-Maye and Manville. After years on the 
family's OW Ranch outside of Sheridan, Kendrick decided to build an 
estate in town. It took 5 tedious years to complete the dream house. 
With superb workmanship, inspired decoration, and fine materials, the 
Kendrick family finally completed the building in 1913 and named their 
home the Trail End.
  Kendrick and his family were only able to spend a short period of 
time in the house. In 1914, Kendrick was elected Governor of Wyoming. 
During his term, Governor Kendrick was known for working with the State 
legislature to establish a State workmen's compensation system and a 
Statewide public utilities commission. He also championed many 
important causes, including women's suffrage and support for struggling 
farmers.
  Within 2 years, he was elected to the United States Senate. He was 
Wyoming's first Senator to be elected by popular vote under the 17th 
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. During his 17 years in the U.S. 
Senate, he focused on issues that are still important to Wyoming: 
Irrigation, land use, and the protection of natural resources. Kendrick 
served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Lands and Surveys. 
He was also a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and 
Forestry as well as the Senate Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation.
  Near the end of his third term, Kendrick announced his retirement and 
his intention to move home to Sheridan and his beloved Trail End. 
Sadly, at the age of 76 before his retirement commenced, he passed away 
in Sheridan surrounded by his family.
  Today, the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources 
is preserving Kendrick's heritage through the care of the Trail End 
State Historic Site, also known as the Kendrick Mansion. Visitors can 
tour the architectural gem which is completely furnished with the 
family's original furniture and personal items.
  Senator Kendrick was a staunch supporter of protecting Wyoming's 
history and landmarks, including the beauty of Yellowstone National 
Park and the Teton Mountain Range. I rise today to ask that we remember 
another piece of history--the magnificent house that the Kendrick 
family called home--the Trail End. Built by a self-made leader, 
visitors will forever be astonished by the beauty that John B. Kendrick 
brought to Sheridan, WY, and the entire Nation.

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