The Library of Congress has a small collection of photographs from the 1910-'11 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, including this one of Buffalo Vernon. The Union Pacific Railroad made the images, according to library notes. (Library of Congress)

Cowboys and cowgirls celebrated the first Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo 119 years ago on Sept. 23, 1897.

In this photograph taken at the rodeo in 1910, Buffalo Vernon, left, is shown bulldogging a steer. The image is available from the Library of Congress.

The picture is one of a small collection from the rodeo, some dated 1910-11, attributed to the Union Pacific Railroad. Other photographs include ones titled “Unruly Butcher Bob,” presumably referring to the bucking bronc in the picture, “O’Donnell on Whirlwind,” and “Jones on Silver City.”

Buffalo Vernon can be found at the Prints and Photographs division of the library.

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)...

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