John "Billie" Wells Sherman

When he was born nearly 86 years ago on June 13, 1852 at Chicopee Falls, Mass., his parents christened Mr. Sherman John Wells, but few even knew that was his name, and children and grown-ups all called him "Uncle Billie." For "Uncle Billie" was more than just a rancher; more than just a neighbor, he was a friend to all.

Mr. Sherman was only 14 when he landed in Denver just as the Civil War was closing, and during the hectic boom days of the gold rush. During the next few years he operated a pack train from Denver to the gold camps at Leadville and Central City, becoming acquainted with the glamour, the mystery and the tragedy of life on the frontier.

In 1884 Mr. Sherman Came to Wyoming as a cow-hand and homesteaded on Bill Creek, some 4 miles north of Jireh. During the days of the construction of the Northwestern, it was necessary to haul water for all their needs from his ranch, the nearest available supply. Being one of the earliest settlers here, most of his friends of that day have preceded him in death.

In the fall of 1897 Mr. Sherman was married to Ruby Studley, a teacher from Connecticut who had been teaching In Manville for several years. They made their home on the ranch on Bill Creek and here they lived till the tragedy which took her life and that of their foster grandson, Billy in the fire on May 3, 1926. Mr. Sherman could have saved her life but died trying to rescue little Billy. Recently Mr. Sherman wrote: "I love that ranch for there I spent the happiest and most useful. . I t was the only home I ever had after I was 19."

Following the death of Mrs. Sherman, Uncle Billie made his home with his foster daughter, Rachel and her young son, Bobbie, till death took her in 1927 and he moved to Denver to be with his aged sister, Alma, till she too was taken in March 1930, since which time he has resided alone in Denver patiently awaiting the release which came to him Tuesday, March 26. The last year he has been almost a complete invalid, but in spite of that and his years of deafness, his attitude has always been cheerful and he has sought to ease the suffering of others. He has found the rest he sought so long, in the family plot in the Jireh cemetery, so close to his beloved ranch, where also sleep his wife, his sister, his daughter, and little"Billie." An older brother Charles A. Sherman, long a leader in the better things in life and for many years Superintendent of Schools in Converse County, is buried in Manville.

To us Uncle Billie is dead, but somewhere we believe his dream of Heaven has come true and that his "Mansion" is a little ranch beside a living stream where through all the years to come he can be with his loved ones. And this we know, this community will always be a little better and happier place because of the life of Uncle Billie.

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