DUDE RANCH FOUNDER HOWARD EATON CANNOT PAY FOR A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP.

(Wyoming) Eaton, Howard. Eaton, hailing from Pittsburgh, began giving Yellowstone tours in the 1880s after it became the country’s first National Park.  Howard and his brothers then created the first “dude ranch” in Medora, North Dakota.  In 1904, they moved their operations to its present location in Wolf, Wyoming.

Howard Eaton wrote on a note-card embossed with the symbol of “Eatons Ranch Wolf, Wyoming”: 

“Your favor of the 14th ult. chased me to the Ranch – to Yellowstone Park – New Orleans and back to Park, where it finally caught me.  I regret exceedingly that I cannot spare the money now.  We have a large debt on our Ranch as we had almost nothing when we started, having been cleaned out by Indians, bad weather, low prices on stock for several years, and many other things.  If business goes on as at present, a few years longer we will be free.  I’d gladly pay up in full and be a Life Member, but at present cannot do so.  I’m much interested in every form of protection for Game, Fish, etc. and in all conservation projects, and as I pay a little to each of these objects and also my dues in Masonic and Elk Lodges the combined amount totals up about all I can now spare.  I leave 7th inst. for Penna with 100 Elk – hope to visit New York soon after 20th inst. and to see you then.  Mr. Alexander, Col. Holmes, Mr. Arthur and all the La Com. asked about you.  I met Mr. Bigelow and wife of Harvard – he was down to inspect the Sage Foundation Land.  Hoping to see you soon, and regretting my poverty, I am

Yours truly 

Howard Eaton”

ALS. 2pg. 6” x 4”. February 6, 1915. Gardiner, Montana.  An autograph letter signed “Howard Eaton” to Mr. Pearson. Light wear but overall in vg cond.