A series where we take a #lookback at the stories and history of our community, brought to you by Mick Pryor, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.
Gus Morrow was one of the founding members of Riverton, and a dutiful contributor to the development and growth of Fremont County. Born in Canton, Missouri, on March 21, 1884, James “Gus” Morrow traveled to Wyoming for the opening of a new townsite in 1906. He arrived in Shoshoni on August 12th. The town of Shoshoni was only a year old, and was the end of the line for the North Western Railroad at the time. The town of Shoshoni had grown overnight in anticipation of the opening of the Wind River Reservation for the settlement of Riverton. A dark town, at the time Riverton was founded, Shoshoni had over 18 different saloons and several sporting houses. As the town was still new, most of the buildings there were tent homes. In fact, it was just the main street of Shoshoni that had permanent buildings erected, but only a few years later, half of them burned down in a fire.
When the Wind River Reservation was opened, the town of Riverton drew lots for property. Gus Morrow received lot #8, a location near where Murdoch’s is now. Gus originally began his life in Riverton as a homesteader. But, as the population of Riverton grew, he found a partner to do business with and began selling horses. Always an entrepreneur, when automobiles started becoming more popular in the area, he “shifted gears” and became involved in the auto business. Along with Boyd Hughes, Gus leased out the Riverton city garage in 1917 where they took over the machine shop there. At the shop, they made Buick cars and Jeffrey trucks. As most homes did not have private garages at this time, personally owned vehicles would be kept in the city garage.
Not only an entrepreneur, Gus Morrow was also very well respected and involved in local politics. Though he worked for the Democrats, he maintained friendly relations with republicans like Francis E. Warren. Because of the reputation he had earned, he was given the role of city clerk in 1914 to help with the elections. He was also appointed Deputy Sheriff in December, 1914, and began working out of Lander in January, 1915. He served as a deputy sheriff there for two years before he was made the deputy United States marshal for Riverton. In his later years, he continued to work in politics, working closely and remaining friends with Senator Joseph O’Mahoney. He was reported to know practically every political figure in Wyoming. He was even given a signed photograph from President John F. Kennedy in his later years.
Photo: Senator Joseph O’Mahoney (left) and Gus Morrow (right).
Author: Kevin Scannell
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
December 7, 11am at the Dubois Museum, “Christmas Open House”
December 7, 11am at the Dubois Museum, “Kids Corner: DIY Christmas Ornament” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
December 7, 2-4pm at the Riverton Museum, “Santa’s Workshop” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
December 7, 10-4pm at the Riverton Museum, “Christmas Open House”
December 14, 6-8pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Old Fashioned Christmas” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
December 21, 6-8pm at the Riverton Museum, “Ghosts of Christmas Past: Alma Law” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution to be used specifically for the benefit of the museum of your choosing by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.