Writer

Jackie Dorothy

Jackie Dorothy is a reporter for Cowboy State Daily based in central Wyoming.

Over the past 20 years, Jackie has worked in television, radio and print across Wyoming. In this role, she has won numerous writing and history awards including the Wyoming Governor’s Journalist of the Year and SBA Journalist of the Year.

Jackie is also the podcast host of ‘Pioneers of Outlaw Country’ that explores little known historical stories of Wyoming with entertaining narrative.

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Latest from Jackie Dorothy

Brody Cress Rides Legendary Bronc To Thrilling Top-2 Finish At NFR

Brody Cress of Hillsdale, Wyoming, secured a top spot at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Monday by riding Virgil, a legendary animal voted the best saddle bronc horse of 2025.

Jackie DorothyDecember 11, 2025

Saddle Bronc riders Brody Cress and Brody Wells and bullfighter Dustry Tuckness are all participating in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas

Wyoming Cowboys Take Center Stage At National Finals Rodeo In Las Vegas

Brody Wells of Powell and Brody Cress of Hillsdale are both competing this week in the country’s most prestigious rodeo — The National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. They're joined by Meeteetse bullfighter Dusty Tuckness who's been invited an unprecedented 17 times.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Darious Tillman, one of the "Generation Warrior" participants.

'Generation Warrior' Documentary Dives Deep Into Lives Of Wyoming’s Native Youth

“Generation Warrior," a documentary that premieres on Wyoming PBS on Tuesday, follows eight Native teens from the Wind River Reservation over four years. It highlights their family bonds, culture and resilience in the face of big life decisions.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

The first Christmas tree in Wyoming was put up in Deer Creek, near present-day Glenrock in 1859. Captain Raynolds read scriptures in English and Braeuninger preached the gospel in German. They sang hymns, enjoyed the Christmas tree and presented small gifts to Indians in attendance

Wyoming History: German Missionaries Put Up The First Christmas Tree In 1858

It was 167 years ago when Wyoming’s first Christmas tree was decorated with candles by German missionaries who had brought their traditions to the remote territory. From this, the tradition grew until nearly every home had a tree of its own.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Cheyenne Stonemason's Hand-Carved Monuments Are Etched Deep Across Wyoming

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers all across Wyoming are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Calamity Jane in Billings, Montana, before she boarded a train for Deadwood, South Dakota in the spring of 1903. When she got aboard, she didn’t have a ticket and conductor Dick Nelson explained he was going to have to let her off in Sheridan, Wyoming. Instead sympathetic fans paid her fare and everyone made sure she made it safely to her destination.

Wyoming History: Fans Saved A Destitute Calamity Jane On Her Last Ride Home

Destitute and convinced she was dying, Calamity Jane boarded a train in Billings, Montana, without a ticket. When she was about to be kicked off in Sheridan, Wyoming, sympathetic fans paid her way so she could get home to Deadwood.

Jackie DorothyDecember 07, 2025

Joey Puettman of Sheridan, Wyoming, has been building fly rods since he was 10 years old. He now owns two fly rod companies and has taught over 3,000 people how to build their own fly rods.

Sheridan Man Builds Premium Fly-Fishing Rods — And Teaches Others To Make Them

Joey Puettman of Sheridan turned his passion for fly-fishing into a career building premium fly fishing rods. Over the past 20 years, Puettman has also taught more than 3,000 people how to fly fish and build their own rods.

Jackie DorothyDecember 07, 2025

O.P. Hanna: Trapper, Indian Fighter Who Claimed First Homestead In Sheridan County

O.P. Hanna was a frontiersman, American Indian fighter and the first to claim a homestead in Sheridan County. He was prompted to write down his adventures after a meeting up with a Sioux warrior who was once his enemy.

Jackie DorothyDecember 01, 2025

The LIM-49 Spartan was designed to intercept attacking nuclear warheads from ballistic missiles at long range. A 5-megaton thermonuclear warhead was planned to destroy the incoming ICBM warheads, but the test missile had a dummy warhead.

At Height Of Cold War, Wyoming Man Tested Missiles To Shoot Down Russian ICBMs

At the height of the Cold War, a new University of Wyoming grad from Buffalo became part of a team testing antiballistic missiles on the Marshall Islands. His charge was to make sure America could shoot down Russian ICBMs.

Jackie DorothyNovember 30, 2025

Marion Hageman celebrated her 102nd birthday this month, and remains as passionate as ever about inspiring those around her. She’s a rancher, teacher, talented artist and mom to six kids of her own — and 40 foster children.

Meet Marion Hageman, 102: Rancher, Teacher, Artist And Foster Mom To 40 Kids

Rep. Harriet Hageman's mother, Marion, celebrated her 102nd birthday this month, and remains as passionate as ever about inspiring those around her. She’s a rancher, teacher, artist and mom to six kids of her own — and 40 foster children.

Jackie DorothyNovember 30, 2025

Before he became a mega-star as Aragorn in "Lord of the Rings," a young Viggo Mortensen survives as a prisoner in a horrifying and haunted prison. The 1987 horror film "Prison" was shot at the historic prison in Rawlins, and has become a cult classic.

1987 Cult Horror Classic Starring A Young Viggo Mortensen Filmed At Rawlins Prison

Before he became a mega-star as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings," a young Viggo Mortensen survived as a prisoner in a horrifying and haunted prison. The 1987 horror film "Prison" was shot at the historic prison in Rawlins, and has become a cult classic.

Jackie DorothyNovember 30, 2025

Samuel Nelson and his wife, Jamie, are raising their family on the ranch that has been in the family for five generations. Nelson has not only inherited buildings but the stories that go with them.

5th-Generation Wyoming Rancher Also Keeps Family Legacy Of Cowboy Storytelling

Samuel Nelson is the fifth generation to run his family's Noble Ranch, preserving the family's connection to the land and Western tradition. He also keeps alive another tradition — cowboy storytelling.

Jackie DorothyNovember 30, 2025

Other Authors

George Abeyta and his 6-year-old grandson Ethanial Brown (aka Baby E) from Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation showcased their Shoshone heritage at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday.

Wyoming Shoshone Dancers Showcase Culture In Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

George Abeyta and his 6-year-old grandson from Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation showcased their Shoshone heritage in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday.

Jackie DorothyNovember 28, 2025

Asa Mercer wrote the most banned book in Wyoming. The author of the "Banditti of the Plains” had turned on the Invaders and wrote the truth about their war on the homesteaders of Johnson County. The first edition published in 1894, just two years after the invasion, then copies were banned, stolen, burned and destroyed by those who supported the Invaders and wanted to suppress the story.

Rare First Edition Of Wyoming's Most-Banned Book Finally Back In Johnson County

An extremely rare first-edition of Asa Mercer’s 1894 “Banditti of the Plains,” Wyoming's most-banned book because it exposed powerful backers of the Johnson County War, has resurfaced. It's been donated to the Johnson County Library and Hoofprints Museum.

Jackie DorothyNovember 27, 2025

Thanksgiving “maskers" would run around cities, such as Cheyenne, dressed as beggars and silly characters. They would play at begging for alms and, if not given pennies, nickels or candy from adult pedestrians, would whack them with a sock full of flour and toot their horns in their victim’s ears, like in this photo circa 1910.

Wyoming History: Thanksgiving Used To Be About Costumes And Trick-Or-Treating

Prior to the 1930s, Thanksgiving in Wyoming included jack-o'-lanterns, costume parties and going door-to-door for what was basically trick-or-treating. The proper outfit to wear to dinner was a costume, not your Sunday best.

Jackie DorothyNovember 26, 2025

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 1866 236-mile ride through a blizzard from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous. This painting depicts Portugee arriving at Fort Laramie.

Wyoming History: The 236-Mile Blizzard Ride Dubbed 'Greatest In History'

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 236-mile ride through a blizzard in 1866 from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous.

Jackie DorothyNovember 23, 2025

At the Storyteller and other businesses in Thermopolis, Wyoming, several different coffee groups meet each week. The table at the Storyteller is used each morning by a revolving group of women that includes retired teachers, Catholic ladies, a sewing group and yoga enthusiasts. Pictured are Tammy Redland, Joan LaFave, Trudy Brooks, Collette Anderson, Carol Biven, Meredith Russel.

Coffee Trumps Internet In Thermopolis, A Throwback To Old-School Social Networking

In Thermopolis, Wyoming, coffee groups meet all over town in person for old-school social networking rather than scrolling social media and the internet. Regular groups meet wherever coffee is served, even McDonald's.

Jackie DorothyNovember 21, 2025

Interpretive Ranger Jessica Moore wanted visitors to have unique experiences at Sinks Canyon State Park, so she helped spearhead a program that takes visitors underground in a network of caves that lead to an underground river. An average of 20 people a month can explore the caverns and experience a place that few people will ever see.

There's A Whole Other World To Explore Under Wyoming's Sinks Canyon State Park

Sinks Canyon State Park is famous for its "disappearing river," but that's not all there is to see at the Fremont County destination. A series of caves offer a whole other world to explore underneath Sinks Canyon — for the lucky few allowed in.

Jackie DorothyNovember 16, 2025

After losing a bet on a horse race, Moreton Frewen — Winston Churchill’s uncle — declared he was moving to Wyoming to get into the cattle business. Along with his brother and a band of outlaws, Frewen became an unlikely Cowboy State cattle baron.

Wyoming History: The British Adventurer Who Lost A Bet And Became A Cattle Baron

After losing a bet on a horse race, Moreton Frewen — who would become Winston Churchill’s uncle — declared he was moving to Wyoming to get into the cattle business. Along with his brother and a band of outlaws, Frewen became an unlikely cattle baron.

Jackie DorothyNovember 16, 2025

Wyoming Author With Tourette Syndrome Finds Voice By Writing Characters With It

Jessica Baehr was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in college, and she has turned her awkward tics into a writing career. She's found a voice by writing characters who also live with Tourette syndrome in their lives.

Jackie DorothyNovember 15, 2025

Larry Bentley, inset right, was hired by Ashley Kent Carrithers, left, to trail 30 quarter horses for 450 miles alone across Wyoming and into Colorado. It was 1984, and Bentley took these horses over the Outlaw Trail, where the Hole in the Wall gang used to trail their stolen horses 80 years before.

450-Mile Solo Horse Drive In 1984 Was One Of Wyoming's Last Over Outlaw Trail

Larry Bentley was hired to trail 30 quarter horses for 450 miles alone across Wyoming and into Colorado. It was 1984, and Bentley took these horses over the Outlaw Trail, where the Hole in the Wall gang used to trail their stolen horses 80 years before.

Jackie DorothyNovember 15, 2025