Choosing Sections for UW’s Land Grant: Surveyor F. O. Sawin’s Project, 1886
In February 1882, Congress passed a law to grant federal government “lands to Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming for University purposes.” It passed just as the four-year appointment of Wyoming’s territorial governor, Dr. John Hoyt, was ending. Hoyt originated the idea that federal land grants for universities shouldn’t be restricted only to states. Students in the territories would profit from higher education, he told Congress as he lobbied for such a law over his term.[1]
The act gave Wyoming 72 sections (46,080 acres of land) to be selected from vacant federal government lands within the boundaries of Wyoming. It was the foundation for the University of Wyoming. Indeed, as Hoyt (later UW’s first president) described it, “were it not for the money they thought they could make from the land grants, the legislature never would have approved of a university.”[2]
The next territorial governor, Francis E. Warren, (also the first local person to be appointed by the President as Wyoming territorial governor) was charged with getting the process moving. The selections had to be from each of the existing counties (seven of them–the original five Laramie, Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater, Uinta, plus the new ones, Crook and Johnson).
Of course, these lands had nothing to do with the actual physical location of the university buildings in Laramie. That land had been given by the City of Laramie to the territorial government in exchange for the legislature designating the university to be at Laramie. The site once had been the city cemetery and, later, city park.
Frank O. Sawin, born in Hiawatha, Kansas, in 1838, came to Wyoming in 1872 after working as a surveyor in Colorado and serving terms in both the Kansas and Colorado legislatures. [3]
The territory was young–only four years old–when he began working for pioneer Laramie attorney and land developer Stephen Downey. He surveyed in the north part of Wyoming in 1882 and, later, in Bates Hole and Shirley Basin. In 1883, he surveyed around Fort Fetterman and in November, laid out the route for the Sybille Road from Bosler to Wheatland.
The legislature authorized the land grant selections for the university in 1886.[4] Warren chose Sawin to travel around Wyoming and “nominate” tracts he thought would make for good university property.[5]
Sawin was appointed in March and approved in April.[6] From May-November 1886, he carried out the university surveys.[7] In May, he went to southwestern Wyoming; in July to the Big Horn Basin where he chose lands southwest of what would become present-day Cody. The following month he picked some sections south of present-day Glenrock. In October, he made selections of 13 sections near Saratoga. Others were made south of present Sheridan and a couple chosen from lands north of what is now Rock River. [8]
What would turn out to be the most controversial selections were sections in southeastern Wyoming—southwest of Cheyenne—which would give federal sections to the University that were surrounded by Union Pacific land grant “checkerboard” sections. Territorial Gov. Warren suggested those lands, saying he knew they would be very valuable at some point.
How did Sawin do in making his selections?
The land near Cody turned out to be OK for grazing and timber, but otherwise not exceptional. Likewise for the land south of Sheridan and near Saratoga. A quarter century later, his selection south of Glenrock turned out to be a homerun. The University oil well came in as a gusher in 1916 and proceeds from university’s share of the Big Muddy oilfield helped UW build the Half Acre Gym and the library (now the Aven Nelson Building) in the early 1920s when universities surrounding us were badly strapped for funds due to drought and low agricultural prices. Oil also came in but in lesser quantity near Rock River about the same time.[9]
The only very bad selection turned out to be the one Gov. Warren suggested southwest of Cheyenne. Warren had not informed Sawin that he held the leases to the UP sections surrounding Sawin’s selections. A decade later, Warren, then a U. S. Senator, pressured the UW trustees to sell those sections to him for laughably low prices. But that’s another story.
What happened to Sawin after he contributed so importantly to UW’s future? He did some surveying, but then he tried gold-mining in the Snowies near Gold Hill.[10]
The 57-year-old began suffering from the health problems that commonly plagued long-time surveyors in those days—the results of having to sleep outside and work long hours regardless of the weather.
On Aug. 9, 1892, he traveled from his cabin at Gold Hill along part of a road he had surveyed to the ranch of A. J. Bullock near Pass Creek (northeast of Saratoga), where his wife had a job teaching in a country school.[11] After saying goodbye to his eight-year-old daughter, he wandered off and sat down leaning against a hay stack. There, he put a pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. His daughter found the body.[12]
Coroner’s jurors concluded the cause of the suicide was a combination of poor health and financial reverses. His work as a prospector and former legislator in Kansas and Colorado were noted in his obituary, but his selections of land for the UW land grants were not mentioned. Even today, his important early-day contributions to UW’s history barely earn a footnote in the university’s history.
1 The Congress passed the Morrill Act in 1862 giving federal lands to universities (“land grant” institutions). In 1881, Congress passed a supplement to the Morrill Act that provided for 72 sections to be given to establish universities in the territories of Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Idaho, and Wyoming, the final titles to be presented to them at statehood. Morrill Land Grant bill (1862), Congressional Globe, 37th Congress, 2d Session, July 2, 1862, passed Senate 32-7; House, 91-25. See also Allan Nevins, Origins of the Land-Grant College and State University. (D.C: GPO, 1962). Also, Earle D. Ross, Democracy’s College. (Ames: Iowa State Univ., 1942).
2 Territorial Gov. John A. Campbell wrote to the Rev. D. J. Pierce of New York City, on May 22, 1872: “A school of high character such as could be [formed] under the auspices of any of our religious societies could most [definitely] to be a success at Laramie City. I know of no place in the whole country where the great object of the [unclear word] can be more successfully accomplished. Especially should it be a place for the education of any youth with a tendency to pulmonary disease.” He also wrote of the elevation, the “easy access” along the transcontinental railroad. It would be, he said, “always in its favor as an educational town.” Campbell to Pierce, Campbell Letterpress Book, Box 2, p. 36, May 22, 1872. Wyoming State Archives.
3 1860 US Census of Kansas: F. O. Sawin listed at Hamlin post office, Brown, Kansas territory. Birth date given as “about 1835.” F. O. was 25; wife L. M. Sawin was 22; child M. O. was 5 months. 1880 US Census of Colorado: Franklin O. Sawin, b. abt 1879, Colorado, listed in Livermore, Larimer Co., Colorado. Son of Marcellus L. and Clara J. Sawin. Marcellus born in Illinois; Clara in Mass. Apparently, nephew of F. O.
4 Warren wrote to L. Q. C. Lamar, Sec’y of the Interior, on July 17, 1886, acknowledging the secretary’s letter appointing Sawin: “I have…notified Mr. Sawin that he can now enter upon the discharge of his duties.” (Warren Letterpress book, p. 196). A week later, on July 24, 1886, Warren wrote to Sawin, addressing the letter to him in Buffalo, Wyo. “I have not received from Judge Carey nor the department, definite information as to the subdivisions the university lands can be selected in.” He promised he would inform Sawin when that information arrived. Warren Letterpress book, p. 215, Warren First Term Papers, RG 1.06, Box 1, Wyoming State Archives.
5 On March 11, 1886, the eight legislators representing Albany County wrote to Warren requesting that Sawin be appointed as “commissioner” to select university lands. They also recommended three men to the building commission (Donnellan, Grant, and M. C. Brown); and Finfrock, Hayford, Ivinson, Marsh, Hoyt for “Laramie” trustees; and Aughey as appointment at large. Warren responded the next day by letter, noting Sawin’s appointment. Warren to legislative assembly, March 12, 1886, Appointment Records, Warren papers, Wyoming State Archives.
6 On April 13, 1886, Warren wrote to Lamar, pointing out that the legislature had passed authorization for the governor to appoint the selector, Warren chose Sawin, but he was not selecting the land yet because Warren believed that even though Sawin’s appointment had been approved by the legislature, he needed confirmation by the Secretary of the Interior. (Warren Letterpress book, April 13, 1886, p. 153). On June 23, 1886, Lamar wrote to Warren, confirming Sawin’s appointment. He pointed out that the selections would be made in accordance with the “act of Feb. 18, 1881” and the commission was notified. Appointment Records file, Warren Papers, First Term, Wyoming State Archives.
7 Warren had earlier correspondence with Sawin. On April 1, 1885, Warren wrote Sawin: “I have your letter of March 31st calling my attention to reported Indian uneasiness near Sheridan in Johnson County…Indians now peacefully included.” He added that the officers and troops at Fort McKinney near Buffalo were ready in case of trouble. The letter was sent to Sawin in Laramie. Warren Letterbook, 1885, pp. 40-41. Wyoming State Archives.
8 “Among the land selected and located by F. O. Sawin, for the University are 13 sections over on the Platte near the Warm Springs and on the line of the new railroad. It is most excellent land and the subsequent location of the railroad justifies Mr. Sawin’s foresight, and will make the land exceedingly valuable. It was fortunate for the future of the University that Sawin was appointed to select and locate its land grant. –Laramie Sentinel. Quoted in the Sundance Gazette, Dec. 4, 1886, p. 1, col. 1.
9 Report of the Territorial Governor to the Secretary of the Interior, 1886. (Washington: GPO, 1886), p. 15. “an agent of the territory is now engaged in making the selections…” Report was by Terr. Gov. Francis E. Warren.
Report of the Territorial Governor to the Secretary of the Interior, 1887. (Washington: GPO, 1887), pp. 48-49. Extensive discussion of the university lands. Governor indicated that it was his understanding that the process was continuing. but not very clear. Gov. Thomas Moonlight wrote the report.
Report of the Territorial Governor to the Secretary of the Interior, 1888. (Washington: GPO, 1888), p. 28. Moonlight complained that no formal transfer had been made of the selected lands, even though he was receiving numerous requests from individuals interested in leasing university lands.
10 See, for example: “Saratoga’s Citizen’s Will Back Their Judgment of Gold Hill Ores with Their Money,” Saratoga Sun, Dec. 10, 1891, p. 2, c. 3. (The article mentions earlier gold strikes and then a meeting at Gold Hill with respect to organizing a company to build a mill). “Lewis Johnson and F. O. Sawin were sent down to Rawlins yesterday, to examine and report on a stamp-mill belonging to the France estate, with a view as to its purchase if it was available.” …(Added was a line about transportation to the location): “The stage from Saratoga to Gold Hill now stops for dinner and changes horses at Grosse’s ranch at the mouth of Brush creek canon, near the Ten Mile house.” See, also: “F. O. Sawin came in Saturday from old Fort Halleck, where he has been doing some surveying.” Saratoga Sun, April 28, 1892, p. 2, c. 1; “F. O. Sawin was down from Gold Hill during the week.” Saratoga Sun, Feb. 18, 1892, p. 2, c. 1.; “F. O. Sawin is negotiating with Cheyenne people and expects to organize a company to work his French creek claims next spring. He expects to go to Cheyenne shortly.”; “Struck the Big Acme Lead” and “Gold Hill’s Rich Claim Further Verifies the Prophecy of its Apt Christening,” Saratoga Sun, Jan. 21, 1892, p. 2, c. 1.
11 “Mrs. F. O. Sawin left Saratoga Monday for Lake creek, where she has an engagement to teach a school in that district.” Saratoga Sun, May 5, 1892, p. 2, c. 1; “Mrs. F. O. Sawin has gone to Ft. Steele, preparatory to assuming her duties as teacher there.” Saratoga Sun, August 25, 1892, p. 1, c. 1.
12 “Suicide of F. O. Sawin,” Sheridan Post, Aug. 18, 1892, p. 5: “Surveyor F. O. Sawin committed suicide on Tuesday evening at the ranch of A. G. Bullock on Lake creek. Mr. Sawin has been at Gold Hill for some time, but came down in Tuesday’s stag to the Lake creek road, from which point he walked to the Bullock ranch, where his wife is teaching school. After greeting his wife he went outside the house with his little daughter Fay. In a few moments the child came running into the house crying and told her mother that her papa said he was going to die. Mrs. Sawin at once alarmed the household, and Messrs. Bullock and Usher stared out to hunt him. They had barely left the house when a pistol shot rang out in the night air and they ran in the direction of the sound. Mr. Sawin had stopped at a haystack near by, and placing the pistol at the right side of his head, pulled the trigger. Death was instantaneous. There is no doubt whatever in the minds of our people that he was not responsible when the deed was committed, as his character was not that of a man from whom such an action might be anticipated. All indications point to his insanity. Mr. Sawin was a quiet, unassuming man, of genial disposition, and was well thought of by our people. He leaves a wife, Mrs. L. E. Sawin, the well-known teacher, and a daughter eight years old. A brother, M. L. Sawin, resides at Sheridan in this state.” Saratoga Lyre, reprinted in The Sheridan Post, August 18, 1892, p. 5.
This article is the transript of a talk made to various university and civic groups in the early 2000s.