Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars
On my recent trip to Wyoming a few months ago, I wrote about stopping to see the ranch once owned by my great great grandparents. You can read that post here. I mentioned in that blog post, that I had been most likely recorded by a security camera. So when I got home, I looked up the address of the current owner of the property and wrote a letter that mentioned why I had been knocking at the door of the abandoned house.
Nearly three months later, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from the current owner of the property. She informed me that she had gone to the court house and verified that my ancestors had owned the place from 1902 to 1914 and had purchased it for $450. She seemed happy that someone had thought enough of their ancestors to seek the homestead out. In short, I don't think my uninvited presence was an issue.
You were polite and accommodating with each other.
ReplyDeleteI think she went above and beyond though going to the courthouse and looking up the actual sale.
DeleteWow Ed. What a kind thing. And what a nice way to check a box.
ReplyDeleteIt was totally unexpected!
DeleteI like polite exchanges like these versus the craziness of some interactions.
ReplyDeleteI don't have too many crazy interactions but I pick and choose my interactions.
Delete$450! Of course that was a lot of money in those days.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it was.
DeleteGreat information! Nice of her to write you back!
ReplyDeleteVery nice and unexpected.
DeleteI love how that turned out and I love connections like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure there is much connection but I guess in the future if I'm back in the area, I might let the current owner know in case they might want to meet in person.
DeleteWow, so nice to read a good news story where the people involved are courteous, helpful, and respectful. That's pretty rare nowadays. Good for you, Ed, for taking the initiative.
ReplyDeleteLikely because I was respectful and didn't snoop around which I would have loved to do. But just being in the same spot was enough to let my imagination roam.
DeleteHow much land did one get for $450 in 1902.I glad she responded back.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the current owner, the $450 was for a quarter section or 160 acres. I’m sure that is quite small compared to the size of the ranch today.
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