The Buffalo Gals

Bob with the Buffalo Gals

Recently on a trip from the East coast I was on the Union Pacific train headed west from Des Moines to Omaha. I was sitting in the parlor car relaxing and watching the Iowa countryside roll by; with their tall corn, pretty little farms, white and red buildings; it was a beautiful summer afternoon. I noticed an attractive young lady sitting near me and I decided to strike up a conversation.

Libby, the camp cook

As we visited she told me she was coming from New York City and was a reporter with the New York Globe, Mr. Pulitzer was her boss. Well, this impressed me quite a bit, and we talked further on why she was coming west and where she was headed. She told me she was going to South Dakota, her assignment was to talk with 12 pioneer women who had helped settle the western part of South Dakota. Well, South Dakota hadn't become a state yet so I was wondering why they were excited to visit with these particular women from the frontier land that was probably still ravaged by all the harshness you could imagine in that type of barren country. Well, she had a pretty good idea of what she would be talking to them about and who she wanted to visit with.

First she said she wanted to visit with a ranching woman, and find out all about the rigors of ranching the wild frontier. Then, she would visit with a school teacher, probably one that was rooming with one of the student's parents on a ranch, or in town in a boarding house; to see what it was like teaching in one room school. She also wanted to visit with a missionary, possibly someone that had received a calling to go west and proselytize the native Americans or settle in one of the mining areas, where there was a real need for the Word of God. As she continued on about all the people she was going to be visiting with, I thought, what an interesting assingment. This kind of assignment is a once in a lifetime deal, to go into an area that is barely inhabited and visit with people that have pioneered and settled in this area, who know all about the more difficult side of life. Here there are little to no creature comforts; sod huts with dirt floors, no glass windows, cooking over an open fire and doing everything from one steel pot. It sounded like a real exciting time to me.

I asked her if I might tag along, just to see what it was really like. She was very reluctant at first because she didn't want to be saddled with a man. She was on assignment to find out about women, but I assured her I would be no bother. We got off the train in Omaha and waited for the DM&E that would take us into the Black Hills and we visited more about what it would be like to meet all these women. I had a continued interest in being able to sit in on these interviews and be a part of this settling of the west.

I thought about the possibilities of making this a story to present to people who had never had an experience like this, perhaps as a theatrical production. The more I thought about this, the more I liked the idea.....and that idea has come to fruition. You can watch these 'Buffalo Gals' at the Black Hills Amp every Friday and Saturday until Friday, September 4th. There isn't much time left so you'll have to hurry. Along with the performance you'll receive a hearty meal at the Prairie Hearth, designed to fill you up without overfilling you (so you won't fall asleep during the performance). Take a look, I'm sure you'll find it an enjoyable time.

See ya @ the Amp!