Wyoming History: That Time Old Jim Gregory Literally Talked A Man To Death

Building the transcontinental railroad across the United States was a dangerous task.

The locations were remote, and American Indian attacks were a constant threat. The Union Pacific Railroad crossed the North Platte River in present-day Carbon County, Wyoming, and to protect the builders, Fort Fred Steele was built along the river.

According to the “History of Wyoming, Volume 1” by I.S. Bartlett, the fort was officially established June 30, 1868, as one of three posts built along the line.

The other two outposts were Fort John Buford (later renamed Fort Sanders) near Laramie and Fort D.A. Russell at Cheyenne. This third fort was founded by Col. Richard I. Dodge, who named the new post in honor of Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele.

Steele had served in the Army in the Mexican-American War, Yu