thousand—Amoretti hired, among others, Butch Cassidy. Amoretti and Cassidy would become good friends during the ensuing years.
At about the same time Cassidy went to work for the EA outfit, Amoretti hired another young man named Al Hainer (sometimes spelled Hainey). As with Elzy Lay, Butch and Al became good friends and, at one point, in 1891 or 1892, they decided to file together for a homestead at Horse Creek near the Wind River in Fremont County. Here, the two friends constructed a log cabin on the banks of the creek and gradually established a fine herd of horses.
While Cassidy and Hainer were living on the homestead, Deputy Sheriff Bob Caverly noted that the two men were often seen selling horses but were never known to purchase any. Suspecting they were stealing their stock, Caverly kept an eye on the newcomers. In spite of his efforts, he was never able to prove anything.
Because of his gregarious ways and his obvious and occasionally marketable skills with livestock, Butch became well known to most of the Wind River area ranchers and residents. Popular with the neighbors, he was often invited to dances and other gatherings at various homes throughout the region. As in Brown’s Park, Butch grew to like his neighbors and proved himself to be a good neighbor as well.
During the extremely cold and brutal winter of 1892–1893, ranching in the Wind River region came to a near standstill. To compound the problems, a severe flu epidemic spread across the region, striking down normally strong and healthy men and rendering them bedridden. On those occasions when Butch heard of a neighbor who was too sick to work, he would travel to the ranch and perform necessary chores, generally remaining until the sickness passed and the rancher was able to return to his work.
John and Margaret Simpson were Cassidy’s neighbors. Margaret often treated sick neighbors with her concoctions of herbal medicines. When the weather was so bad that Margaret was unable to deliver her medicines, Butch carried them to those who needed them the worst. Margaret Simpson once stated that Butch Cassidy “saved more than one life” as a result of his efforts. According to Lula Parker Betenson, “When [Butch] was around, the water buckets were always full and the wood box running over.”
While Butch proved himself a valuable member of the Wind River community, he continued to ride with the Wild Bunch as well as rustle cattle and steal horses from the wealthy and powerful.
Wyoming resident Ada Calvert was a young girl when Butch Cassidy lived in that part of the country. She once recalled that he was a boisterous sort of lad but always good-natured and good-humored. She also stated that, when members of the Wild Bunch got out of control, it was always Butch who talked to them and set them straight.
Once, near Baggs, Wyoming, located close to the Colorado border, Butch and the Wild Bunch stole thirty horses belonging to Kirk Calvert, Ada’s father. One of Ada’s brothers started to raise a posse to go after the horse thieves, but Calvert talked them out of it. Months later, Calvert received payment for the horses from Butch Cassidy.
While working and rustling his way around Wyoming and Colorado, the always charming Butch Cassidy remained a favorite of the young girls. He loved to dance and court the women. According to all accounts he always remained a gentleman, always courteous and always considerate.
A woman named Dora Lamorreaux was very close to Cassidy during this time. Those who knew the couple were convinced the two were quite serious about one another, and most believed they intended to marry. Rarely were they seen apart except when Cassidy was performing his chores. During his free time, the two often went horseback riding, dancing, and even to church. Lamorreaux characterized Cassidy as a “gentleman.”
Apparently unable to find comfort with just one woman, Cassidy also courted and became good friends with the half-Indian Mary
At about the same time Cassidy went to work for the EA outfit, Amoretti hired another young man named Al Hainer (sometimes spelled Hainey). As with Elzy Lay, Butch and Al became good friends and, at one point, in 1891 or 1892, they decided to file together for a homestead at Horse Creek near the Wind River in Fremont County. Here, the two friends constructed a log cabin on the banks of the creek and gradually established a fine herd of horses.
While Cassidy and Hainer were living on the homestead, Deputy Sheriff Bob Caverly noted that the two men were often seen selling horses but were never known to purchase any. Suspecting they were stealing their stock, Caverly kept an eye on the newcomers. In spite of his efforts, he was never able to prove anything.
Because of his gregarious ways and his obvious and occasionally marketable skills with livestock, Butch became well known to most of the Wind River area ranchers and residents. Popular with the neighbors, he was often invited to dances and other gatherings at various homes throughout the region. As in Brown’s Park, Butch grew to like his neighbors and proved himself to be a good neighbor as well.
During the extremely cold and brutal winter of 1892–1893, ranching in the Wind River region came to a near standstill. To compound the problems, a severe flu epidemic spread across the region, striking down normally strong and healthy men and rendering them bedridden. On those occasions when Butch heard of a neighbor who was too sick to work, he would travel to the ranch and perform necessary chores, generally remaining until the sickness passed and the rancher was able to return to his work.
John and Margaret Simpson were Cassidy’s neighbors. Margaret often treated sick neighbors with her concoctions of herbal medicines. When the weather was so bad that Margaret was unable to deliver her medicines, Butch carried them to those who needed them the worst. Margaret Simpson once stated that Butch Cassidy “saved more than one life” as a result of his efforts. According to Lula Parker Betenson, “When [Butch] was around, the water buckets were always full and the wood box running over.”
While Butch proved himself a valuable member of the Wind River community, he continued to ride with the Wild Bunch as well as rustle cattle and steal horses from the wealthy and powerful.
Wyoming resident Ada Calvert was a young girl when Butch Cassidy lived in that part of the country. She once recalled that he was a boisterous sort of lad but always good-natured and good-humored. She also stated that, when members of the Wild Bunch got out of control, it was always Butch who talked to them and set them straight.
Once, near Baggs, Wyoming, located close to the Colorado border, Butch and the Wild Bunch stole thirty horses belonging to Kirk Calvert, Ada’s father. One of Ada’s brothers started to raise a posse to go after the horse thieves, but Calvert talked them out of it. Months later, Calvert received payment for the horses from Butch Cassidy.
While working and rustling his way around Wyoming and Colorado, the always charming Butch Cassidy remained a favorite of the young girls. He loved to dance and court the women. According to all accounts he always remained a gentleman, always courteous and always considerate.
A woman named Dora Lamorreaux was very close to Cassidy during this time. Those who knew the couple were convinced the two were quite serious about one another, and most believed they intended to marry. Rarely were they seen apart except when Cassidy was performing his chores. During his free time, the two often went horseback riding, dancing, and even to church. Lamorreaux characterized Cassidy as a “gentleman.”
Apparently unable to find comfort with just one woman, Cassidy also courted and became good friends with the half-Indian Mary
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