The Day Walter Lovejoy Went Viral

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Article titled, "Indian Scare Spreading," published in the Salt Lake Tribune, July 31, 1895.  
 
Indian Scare Spreading. Salt Lake Tribune, July 31, 1895.

On July 30, 1895 Walter Lovejoy sent a telegraph to the Governor of Wyoming asking for guns to allow the residents of South Pass City to defend themselves against a possible Indian attack. Walter Lovejoy served as a Justice of the Peace in South Pass City at this time, so it is likely that this is why he was asked to make the request.

Also on July 30, 1895, a similar request was made by E. A. Gustin of nearby Lewiston. There is no record of the requests being honored. 

However, the letters evidently fascinated people in the East and a Cheyenne, Wyoming news release describing the letters was picked up and published around the country. 

An article published in the Jefferson, Iowa, Souvenir on August 3, 1895 reported the number of Indians as being 300 and that it was composed of men only, which suggested to some that it might be a war party, but their intentions were unclear. Although there was no attack on South Pass City nor Lewiston, this "scare" resulted in Lovejoy having a viral moment!


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