According to state legislator Doug Samuelson, the statue is of rancher and state representative James C. Hageman (1930-2006). Hageman represented the third generation of a family that supported agriculture in Wyoming beginning with his grandfather, James C. Shaw (1852-1943). Shaw, in the words William Chapin Deming, was a Texas cowboy "who made good in Wyoming." Shaw arrived in Wyoming from Texas in 1879 and worked in the 1879 Roundup. After six weeks he was let go on Christmas Day. Until spring came and he could obtain work, Shaw survived on wild game. He served as foundup foreman from 1884 to 1897. He became range manager for the Teschemacher and DeBillier Cattle company before Teschmacher and DeBillier fled to France following the Johnson County War. Shaw starting small formed his own cattle company and later served as treasurer for the State Fair, state representative, and as president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

Nothwithstanding Col. Kimball's pessimism referenced on the preceding page, Douglas became the permanent home of the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo. A Territorial Fair had been held in Cheyenne in the 1880's and an Industrial Exhibition held in Sheridan in 1903 and Casper in 1904.

In the Roundup Wagon race held on the first day of the Fair, Tom Bell's "Car Link" and James C. Shaw's "Q" outfits competed. The "Car Link" wagon was fastest around the track, but the race also included setting up the mess tent and lighting the stove. The "Q" wagpm got its stove lit first and thus won the contest. The Q was located near Orin in Converse County and the Car Link was located at Node to the east of Lusk.

J. C. Shaw Orin Junction, Wyo. Cattle left side and Shoulder Range, Antelope and Walker

Thomas Bell P. O. Lusk, Wyo. Cattle branded car link on any part of animal. Usual range, Running Water Divide

The first buildings at the State Fair cost $10,000 and garnered an attendance of 2,500. The Fair has been held continually ever since with the exception of two years during the Depression, one year when cancelled due to a polio epidemic, and the War years.

The 9th Cavalry participated in the Roman Races on both the first and second day of the 1910 Fair, gave examples of close order drill, and participated in the parade. The morning of the last day of the fair featured a baseball game between Douglas and Sunrise. A featured appearance at the fair was anticipated to be Goldie St. Clair, Champion woman bronco rider of the World. The following year, 1911, the 9th Cavalry took on Cheyenne's professional ball team, the Cheyenne Inidans.

Unfortunately as Mrs. St. Clair was giving an exhibition, her horse ran into a fence and fell, pinning Mrs. St. Clair beneath the horse. Her injuries, however, were minor.

Besides the roundup wagon races, Roman Races, and relay races were conducted. Perhaps the most anticipated event of the 1910 fair was the appearance of the Irwin Bros. horse Teddy Roosevelt in the bronco contest.

On Thursday, Gustaf E. "Gus" Nylen of Converse County attempted to ride Teddy Roosevelt. He was thrown. In rodeo circles, however, Nylen is famous as the cowboy who was thrown by Teddy Roosevelt at the 1910 Frontier Day rodeo. The photo of Nylen in mid-air made Ralph Doubleday famous. See photo Frontier Days.

Gus Nylen on Teddy Roosevelt "going up," Wyoming State Fair, 1910.

The next day, however, Carl Hildebrand rode Teddy Roosevelt, but "pulled leather" and was, thus, disqualifed. To "pull leather" is to grab the saddle horn or the saddle to prevent from being thrown. In any event, however, Hildebrand stuck to the horse and, according to Bill Barlow's Budget, won money on side bets. Hildebrand also come in third in Thursday's men's relay race. One of the more interesting events that Hildebrand particiipated in was three years later at the Industrial Exposition in Casper. There he won a race in which there were stops at various beer "stations." The wining prize was $20.00. It was kind of like a modern "5 K" "beer run" where the runners race from saloon to saloon, only it was on horse back.

Carl Hildebrand on Teddy Roosevelt, Wyoming State Fair, 1910.

Next page: State Fair continued.