My great grandfather worked for the Union Pacific Railroad 
building stations all across the west. He was one of the first union 
carpenters in Cheyenne, Wyoming and built several homes in the 
area.
Here is a letter from a great grandpa describing a little 
excitement:
The Occidental Hotel
Thomas G. Smith
Proprietor


Buffalo, Wyoming, Nov. 22 , 1898
My Dear Mother:--
Dru started this leter so I will finish it.
Aunt Molly, you do not know how near I came killing Dru and the 
Babies Day before yesterday while coming down that infernal hill 
to Buffalo.
I had my sheep wagon and Dru, the Babies were back on the 
bed. In the first place I rough locked the wagon and then chained 
a big pine tree to the hind end and started. When about 1/2 the 
way down my wagon started to push my horses and I see they 
could not hold it . So away we went as I came to the turn, my 
wagon slued off and we run about 25 yds on the edge of the road 
& then over we went down the mountain. When I come too, I was 
laying in under the wagon box with the corner of the box resting 
on my head. I knew where I was in a minute, & the first thing I 
thought of was Dru & the Babies. I hollered to Dru, but not a 
sound did I get except from Toady Bull, a little girl Dru had with 
her to help take care of the childern, who said,
For God sake, Mr. Chatfield, get me out!

Well now, mind you, I was pinned underneath the wagon box, but 
there was a little space in front by the dash board. So, I undertook 
to crawl out, but my overcoat & clothes was too bulky to let me 
out, so I had to work my coat off and I can safely say for once I 
crawled through an Auger hole.
When I got out and took in the surrounding, my horses was about 
30 feet away entirely loose from the wagon & wagon bottom side 
up & the wheels & running gear on top the box.
I hollered again to Dru but not a sound. If there is a man in the 
world suffered as I did that minute, God pity him.
Well, I undertook to turn that wagon over. It was impossible. My 
only salvation was to cut them out. So at it I went. The first slash I 
came very near to cutting ToadyÕs head. I got her out OK & then 
kept cutting & digging. At last I struck Dru, all covered up in the 
bedding & hay. I asked her if she was hurt & where the children 
was. She says,
I am not hurt & Helene is right here by me & the baby is under 
me!
I got the Baby out first & then Helen.
Dru says,
My God what will we do. I am afraid por little Marion is dead.
Well, I pulled Dru out & started for Marion. At last I found her 
entirely wrapped up in one of the feather beds and not a scratch. I 
do not think I ever was quite as happy as when they were all 
loaded safe and sound.
A Mr. Kinney happened along at the time & rendered me a great 
deal of assistance & so ends the first chapter.
All send love. Dru is taking care of the Baby and cannot write.

Your Nephew
Elmer
P.S. Tell old Art to come up and we will have a good hunt in the 
Bad Lands.