At an auction at a ranch in western Wyoming in 1988, a gentleman takes a break on a rail shed gate. If you can figure out at what ranch this took place, comment below and we’ll let you know if you got it right. (Angus M. Thuermer Jr./Jackson Hole News/WyoFile)

When it comes time to auction all the machinery necessary to operate a Wyoming ranch, the bidding can go on for a large part of the day. When the auctioneer moves to sell a batch of equipment a bidder isn’t interested in, it can pay to take a break and wander off from the crowd. Friends gather two by two, chatting and kicking the dirt. Or one might find a rail gate to lean against.

That’s what this ’poke did during an auction back in 1988. Astute observers may be able to discern the ranch’s general location by distant peaks, but they’re admittedly vague clues. Considering the direction of the sun, time of day and size of mountains, viewers could narrow down the site as being in the western half of the state — and they’d be correct.

Beyond that, you’d need a bit of local knowledge to name the ranch, which remains in operation today. If you’ve got an idea of where this gentleman was when he took his break, comment below and we’ll let you know if you got it right.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in Wyoming. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307)...

Join the Conversation

2 Comments

WyoFile's goal is to provide readers with information and ideas that foster constructive conversations about the issues and opportunities our communities face. One small piece of how we do that is by offering a space below each story for readers to share perspectives, experiences and insights. For this to work, we need your help.

What we're looking for: 

  • Your real name — first and last. 
  • Direct responses to the article. Tell us how your experience relates to the story.
  • The truth. Share factual information that adds context to the reporting.
  • Thoughtful answers to questions raised by the reporting or other commenters.
  • Tips that could advance our reporting on the topic.
  • No more than three comments per story, including replies. 

What we block from our comments section, when we see it:

  • Pseudonyms. WyoFile stands behind everything we publish, and we expect commenters to do the same by using their real name.
  • Comments that are not directly relevant to the article. 
  • Demonstrably false claims, what-about-isms, references to debunked lines of rhetoric, professional political talking points or links to sites trafficking in misinformation.
  • Personal attacks, profanity, discriminatory language or threats.
  • Arguments with other commenters.

Other important things to know: 

  • Appearing in WyoFile’s comments section is a privilege, not a right or entitlement. 
  • We’re a small team and our first priority is reporting. Depending on what’s going on, comments may be moderated 24 to 48 hours from when they’re submitted — or even later. If you comment in the evening or on the weekend, please be patient. We’ll get to it when we’re back in the office.
  • We’re not interested in managing squeaky wheels, and even if we wanted to, we don't have time to address every single commenter’s grievance. 
  • Try as we might, we will make mistakes. We’ll fail to catch aliases, mistakenly allow folks to exceed the comment limit and occasionally miss false statements. If that’s going to upset you, it’s probably best to just stick with our journalism and avoid the comments section.
  • We don’t mediate disputes between commenters. If you have concerns about another commenter, please don’t bring them to us.

The bottom line:

If you repeatedly push the boundaries, make unreasonable demands, get caught lying or generally cause trouble, we will stop approving your comments — maybe forever. Such moderation decisions are not negotiable or subject to explanation. If civil and constructive conversation is not your goal, then our comments section is not for you. 

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. We have a winner! Rep. Albert Sommers identified the ranch as being Barlows’ and he’s right. The auction took place at John Perry Barlow’s Bar Cross Ranch in Cora.
    Sommers identified two of the people in the picture. His mother is in the background to the right of the resting cowboy’s right elbow, looking at the dump truck.
    And he says Doug Price is left of the resting cowboy, looking down as he talks to another ‘poke.
    Thanks for the information and filling in a little history, Albert.

    Reply

  2. Jerry spence. Double Dismond ranch.

    Took a break during ranch property bidding made phone call dropped out of bidding then had some one else buy ranch for lower cost

    Reply