ND Cowboy Hall of Fame - Archived Articles

2000

June 30, 2000

FINAL MEDORA ZONING APPROVED FOR HALL OF FAME

The Medora Zoning Commission has approved plans for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Center of Western Heritage and Cultures: Native American, Ranching, and Rodeo (NDCHF). The nearly 14,000 square foot Hall of Fame will be located in downtown Medora at the current site of the Museum of the Badlands. Hall of Fame Executive Director Darrell Dorgan says approval by the Medora Zoning Commission is, “A major step forward.” He notes Hall of Fame building committee members and State Historical Society of North Dakota officials are still working on minor design details but a final agreement is expected shortly.

The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and NDCHF negotiated a 100 year, one dollar a year lease on the existing 7,000 square foot building and adjoining 5,000 square foot lot late last year. Dorgan says, “A Hall of Fame building committee developed plans for the project and Bismarck Architect Arnie Hanson was retained to begin drawing plans to tell the story of Native Americans, ranching and rodeo in North Dakota.”

The current Museum of the Badlands is a one-story structure and the new plans for the sandstone colored building include a second story. Dorgan notes, “The upper level will allow the Hall of Fame to include a theater, exhibit areas, meeting rooms, office space, a Hall of Honorees, a major art gallery, archives, areas for special traveling exhibits and administrative offices. “

The cost of the addition and renovations to the existing Medora building are about 3 million dollars but Hall of Fame officials say about a third of that amount has been committed. President Phil Baird says work is now underway across the state and nation to raise the additional two million dollars. “We’ve started a major effort working with numerous foundations and grant programs to raise the money. There’s a lot of excitement about the project but the completion date will depend on how soon the remaining two million is committed and that could take a couple of years. We will also be raising from state residents who’ve long wanted this project.”

Baird notes the facility will also feature an outdoor reception area for entertainment and large sculptures will be on each side of the main entrance.

The sculptures are being done by nationally recognized Stanley, North Dakota Sculptor Arnie Addicot and include a nearly 30 foot long bronze of an Indian on horseback chasing a buffalo. The other major outdoor bronze will show a cowboy on horseback trailing four longhorns.

Baird says, “The color of the building is designed to blend into the backdrop of the badlands. We hope to have a facility with annual exhibit changes that will be so unique and different people will come back every summer.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the Cowboy Hall of Fame Capital Fund Drive can call the Hall of Fame in Bismarck at 701-250-1833 for a list of planned giving options.

The Hall of Fame is a non-profit corporation that began with a series of statewide organizational meetings in 1995. Today it has more than 850 charter and annual members and has conducted two rounds of inductions of individuals, communities and events that will be featured in the Hall of Honorees in the Hall of Fame.

Nominees are now being selected for a third round of inductions that will be held in Medora and Sentinel Butte on August 5 and 6. Nearly 600 people attended last year’s inductions that were carried live by six radio stations.

FOR RELEASE For Additional Information

Monday, July 10, 2000 Darrell Dorgan 250-1833

--- COWBOY HALL OF FAME YEAR 2000 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED---

Trustees of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame (NDCHF) have selected seven individuals, a ranch, a nationally renowned bronc match, a rodeo production company and a National Finals Rodeo bucking horse for their third round of inductions. The 11 honorees will be formally inducted into the NDCHF Hall of Honorees during ceremonies in Medora on Saturday, August 5^th.

NDCHF Executive Director Darrell Dorgan says, “Included among those selected by 180 voting Trustees, are two of the original Texas trail drivers who came to North Dakota in the 1800’s, a former Lt. Governor, the nation’s first dude ranch, two rodeo cowboys and one of the world’s great bucking horses.”

In the Ranching Division, Trustees selected three ranchers and one ranch. Ranchers selected include Ben Bird of Almont and Medora. Bird who died in 1961 at the age of 97 was born in Texas and came north with the first trail drives in 1884. He was among the first to bring cattle to the Killdeer Mountains and the Williston area. Later he helped establish the community of Almont in Morton County and eventually established a ranch near Medora. Bird met Theodore Roosevelt during the former President’s ranching days in North Dakota and remained a life-long friend.

Also selected was pioneer Texas trail driver/rancher and former Billings County Sheriff William “Bill” Follis. Follis, who died in Dickinson at age 85 in 1950, left Texas at the age of 15 and ended up in North Dakota in 1883. Follis eventually operated ranches north of Medora, and near Sentinel Butte. He was called a “cowboy’s cowboy” and served as Billings County Sheriff from 1899 to 1903.

Selected in the Modern Era Ranching Division was former Benson County rancher Ole Solberg of York (near Rugby). Solberg, who was born in Benson County in 1914, was a noted horseman who died in 1999. He bought the family homestead from his father and became noted for raising Arabian and Quarter horses. He was also recognized across the country for raising quality saddle horses. He was a highly regarded horse trader who helped countless youngsters buy their first horse (even if kids didn’t have money Ole sent them home with a horse). When this much beloved rancher died last year he was carried to his final resting-place in a horse drawn hearse.

NDCHF Trustees also selected the Eaton Brothers Custer Trail Ranch as an honoree in the Ranching Division. The Billings County ranch is located near Medora and is believed to be the nation’s oldest “dude ranch”.

Howard Eaton of Pennsylvania began the ranch in 1879 and was later joined by brothers Alden and Willis. By the mid 1880’s eastern friends of the Eaton’s began sending children for a western vacation. Some insisted on paying for the experience and country’s first “dude ranch” was born. The ranch became known as the Custer Trail Ranch because General Custer and his troops once camped on the site. The Eaton family moved to Wyoming in 1904. Today the ranch is owned by Tom and Sally Adams of Medora.

Former Dickinson area rancher, auctioneer, rodeo promoter and North Dakota Lt. Governor Ray Schnell is the Hall of Fame’s second honoree in the Great Westerner Division. Schnell was born on the family ranch near Richardton in 1893. In 1915 he took over the family operation. In 1924 he attended auctioneering school and then established Schnell’s Livestock Auction Market in Dickinson (Stockman’s Livestock today). He and wife Clara raised 11 children but Schnell also found time to serve six terms in the legislature an as the State’s Lt. Governor from 1951-52. Ray Schnell was the founder of the famed Champions Ride Rodeo of Dickinson, a founding member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and the Home on the Range for Boys at Sentinel Butte. He was also known nation-wide for promoting quality in the beef industry. Ray Schnell died in 1970.

There were only two inductees in the Rodeo Division this year. Eight individuals were nominated but a new Trustee rule required nominees be selected by at least 50 percent of those casting ballots. The two honorees selected for 2000 include Louis Pelissier of Medora in the pre-1940 category and Gene McCormick of Menoken in the post-1940 category

Louis Pelissier was born on a ranch near Medorain 1897 and quickly decided to become a cowboy and a rancher. He began by breaking horses and bought a ranch along the Little Missouri River in the 1930’s. As a young man he participated in rodeos riding bucking horses and roping. He was the state calf-roping champion for many years but gained fame as a rodeo pick-up man at the best rodeos in North Dakota and Montana. Pelissier became a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1959. He was also widely known for his story telling and influence on young cowboys. Louis Pelissier died in 1970.

Gene McCormick was born in Bismarckin 1927 and raise near Menoken in rural Burleigh County. He was a born roper and roped anything that moved on the family farm. McCormick entered his fist rodeo in 1943 participating in saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling and calf roping. After returning from the Navy he began to rodeo again mainly in roping and steer wrestling.

He won the North Dakota Calf roping championship in 1948 and again in 1955. He won state steer wrestling titles in 1953, 54 and 55. McCormick was a member of the National Cattlemen’s and Stockmen’s Associations and held a Gold Card with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He and wife Betty raised seven children on a ranch that is still in operation south of Bismarck.

In the Arts and Entertainment Division, Trustees selected Cavalier, North Dakota native James C. “Cy” Taillon. Taillon was born in 1907 and became a radio announcer. He began his career as a rodeo announcer in 1939 and with his golden voice and intimate knowledge of livestock and cowboys, it was the start of a career that would last 40 years. Taillon was the first in the business to make his living entirely as a rodeo announcer. He announced every major rodeo in the country including the National Finals a record nine times. He traveled more than 60,000 miles a year and was able to inject humor and drama into the sport. Taillon died in 1980 in Great Falls, Montana.

In the Special Achievement Division, the incredible Champions Ride Match Rodeo at Home on the Range at Sentinel Butte was selected. The home for troubled children established by Father Elwood Cassedy is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. The incredible Champions Ride Rodeo that’s held at Home on the Range has been a favorite of rodeo fans for 44 years. The unique saddle bronc event was the idea of legendary Badland’s cowboys Jim and Tom Tescher. Today it is one of the few remaining saddle bronc riding matches and is often compared to baseball’s all-star game - - the best horses against the finest bronc riders. Each August the world’s best bucking stock and the finest cowboys meet in the natural amphitheater in what is often a preview of the National Finals in December. The Champions Ride is the dream of every saddle bronc fan.

In the newly created Rodeo Producers Division, the Fettig Rodeo Company of Killdeer has been selected to receive the first-time award. For 40 years the Dunn County-based rodeo company featured some of the country’s best bucking stock. Horses like Spur Dodger and the famous Figure Four joined with bulls Dark Angel and Double Duce to make the Fettig Rodeo Company one of the best known in the country. Brother’s Nick, Jack, Ray, Phil and Tony started raising bucking horses and producing rodeos in the 1930’s. They along with sister Monica Hovden produced some of the nation’s biggest rodeos. They were among the first stock contractors for the National Finals Rodeo and had stock selected for the first 23 years of he NFR. The Fettig’s continue to raise bucking horses and still provide stock for about 15 rodeos a year.

In the newly created Rodeo Livestock Division, Old Shep, an incredible saddle bronc horse owned by the Aber Rodeo Company of Beach has been selected as the first honoree. Shep was chosen for the National Finals Rodeo 15 years in a row and in 1975 was voted the top saddle bronc horse in the world. A sorrel gelding that stood 15-16 hands tall and weighed 1,300 pounds, Shep was a favorite among riders looking for a great ride and prize money.

Anyone who could ride the pride of the Aber Rodeo Company would likely walk away with cash in the pocket. Old Shep was put to sleep in 1993 at the age of 31 and is buried on the Aber ranch north of Beach.

Induction ceremonies for the eleven year 2000 NDCHF Honorees will be held August 5^th in Medora and August 6^th at the world famous Home on the Range Champions Ride in Sentinel Butte. Ceremonies begin Saturday, August 5^th in Medora at 1:30 (Mountain Time) in the afternoon at the Tjaden Terrace. NDCHF Executive Director Darrell Dorgan says, “Additional activities are planned for the following day at the Home on the Range Champions Ride in Sentinel Butte. The families of the inductees as well as dignitaries from across the country are invited as special guests and up to six radio stations are again planning to broadcast the events live.”

NDCHF President Phil Baird of Mandan notes, “Those not selected for induction into the Hall this year are eligible for nomination in future years. The Hall of Fame Board of Directors and Trustees will meet in Medora prior to the induction ceremonies and set guidelines and categories for next year’s nominations. We’ll begin accepting year 2001 nominations this November.”

Ten individuals and one event were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. 11 more were selected in 1999. The 11 selected this year will bring to 33 the number chosen for the Hall of Honorees by the Hall of Fame’s 180 Trustees.

Work on the NDCHF began with a Dickinson organizational meeting five years ago. More than 850 people from across the country quickly became charter members. NDCHF has now launched a nation-wide corporate fund-raising drive to pay for the three million dollar Hall of Fame, which will be built in Medora on the site of the current Museum of the Badlands in Medora. About a third of the funding needed has been committed. Plans call for groundbreaking in September 2001 and an opening in August of 2002. Contributions for the project may be sent to: The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1110 College Drive #212, Bismarck, North Dakota, 58501.

back to What's New | Article Archive