Joseph J. Bright
Joseph Bright, Pioneer Wyoming Resident, Found Dead Saturday
Joseph J. Bright, aged 80 years, was found dead at his home last Saturday morning after neighbors had failed to see him about the premises Friday and had called at his home to investigate. Mr. Bright was one of Niobrara county's best known characters having lived in this part of Wyoming about forty years, homesteading north of Lusk and for many years the post office of Warren was located at his ranch. Later in 1930 when the military post at Cheyenne was designated Ft. Warren in honor of the late Sen, Warren of Wyoming, confusion in the addressing of mail necessitated making a change and the "Warren" office in Niobrara county was named Bright in honor of its postmaster and has since remained.
Mr. Bright was never married and has no living relatives. Forty years ago he drifted west from New York on his way to the west coast. He decided to stay in Wyoming, however, and for several years he herded sheep and worked as a cowboy for outfits in eastern Wyoming, later taking up his homestead and operating the post office at Warren.
In his early life Bright had worked at various trades and had completed his apprenticeship in a printing office. He was unable to find work in that line after coming to Wyoming. His parents passed away when he was bout 25 years of age. At one time he carried on quite an extensive inland trade from his store at Bright.
In 1933 the post office was moved from his store and a new postmaster named and two years later, in 1935, he moved to Lusk where he had since made his home.
Joseph J. Bright was born in New York City, August 16,1858 and passed away at his home in Lusk, Wyoming, Friday, December 3,1938, aged 80 years, 3 months and 16 days, Funeral services were held from the Peet Mortuary Monday afternoon and interment made in the Lusk Cemetery.