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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

“Doc” Barry arrived in the Bighorn Canyon in the 1890s seeking gold, but after losing a fortune, he built a luxury dude ranch where guests could only get to via wagon or whitewater. All that remains today is a ghost camp infused with memories.

Wyoming History: Wagon, Whitewater Only Way To ‘Doc’ Barry’s Bighorn Dude Ranch

“Doc” Barry arrived in the Bighorn Canyon in the 1890s seeking gold, but after losing a fortune, he built a luxury dude ranch where guests could only get to via wagon or whitewater. All that remains today is a ghost camp infused with memories.

Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

David Kolesky was one of the first male cheerleaders recruited to raise team and fan spirits at the Cowboy football games for the 1965 season. His best friend and fellow "yell king" Nick Vuko said that Kolesky was crazy and fun-loving.

How An Injured Football Player Became UW’s First Male Cheerleader 61 Years Ago

When Nick Vuko was sidelined with a football injury in 1965, the Wyoming tailback refused to stay off the field — returning with buddy David Kolesky as UW’s first male cheerleaders. It helped that they weren't afraid to make spectacles of themselves.

Jackie DorothyAugust 22, 2026

Allen Hogg

Longtime Meeteetse Rancher Allen Hogg Wins Four-Way Republican Primary for HD 28

Allen Hogg, whose family has ranched in the Meeteetse area since 1918, won the HD28 GOP primary over three other contenders with 49% of the vote. Hogg ran on his agricultural experience and supporting Wyoming's smaller communities.

Jackie DorothyAugust 19, 2026

Sawyer Wilson's daily chores included feeding his pigs and training them to show properly in the arena. The family had ended up with an "extra pig" and Marshmallow was drawn in the Fair to Fork lottery. He will be fattened up a bit more and then given to a charity of Sawyer's choice to help feed the hungry in his community in Hot Springs County.

Life Of A Wyoming Show Pig: Training, Tearful Goodbyes, And The Dinner Table

Raising show pigs is a huge commitment for Wyoming 4-H and FFA kids working toward the Wyoming State Fair. Then comes the bittersweet part — tearful goodbyes when the pigs are sold to become dinner for the less fortunate.

Jackie DorothyAugust 16, 2026

For 82 years, Lt. Col. John Clarke Goldtrap of Casper has been in a watery grave as a POW on the sunken wreck of the Japanese “hell ship” Oryoku Maru. Now his remains may finally be ID'd and brought home. Another Wyoming serviceman on the ship survived.

Wyoming POW On Sunken Japanese 'Hell Ship' May Be Close To Coming Home After 82 Years

For 82 years, Lt. Col. John Clarke Goldtrap of Casper has been in a watery grave as a POW on the sunken wreck of the brutal Japanese “hell ship” Oryoku Maru. Now his remains may finally be ID'd and brought home. Another Wyoming serviceman on the ship survived.

Jackie DorothyAugust 16, 2026

Calvin "Cal" Fulfer said that he is grateful that Terry Shryack saved the wood from an old ash tree that was mistakenly cut down nearly 30 years ago at the Washakie County Courthouse in Worland. It took the duo a year to build the 600-pound work of art that they are now planning to sell at a Cody art gallery. 

Old Washakie County Ash Tree Cut Down By Mistake Remade Into 600-Pound Table

When an old ash tree was cut down by mistake at the Washakie County Courthouse in 1999, the groundskeeper rescued the wood. For nearly three decades, huge pieces of the ash sat forgotten until a Worland craftsman built a 600-pound table from it.

Jackie DorothyAugust 16, 2026

Newspapers dubbed 28-year-old Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after Wyoming crime sprees in 1916 and 1919 that earned him favor with locals. “He was always so good to the people that he was robbing," says R.J. Gillian, a Carlisle family friend.

Wyoming's 'Gentleman Bandit' Was National Sensation For Polite Train Robberies

Newspapers dubbed Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after crime sprees in the early 1900s that earned him favor with Wyoming locals. “He was so good to the people that he was robbing," said an 82-year-old whose grandma was a friend of the bandit.

Jackie DorothyAugust 09, 2026

A firefighter tends to a field of burning cheatgrass in Wyoming.

Cheatgrass An Nightmare For Wyoming Rangeland, Costing $110 Million In Losses

Cheatgrass has become a nightmare for Wyoming ranchers, costing an estimated $110 million in annual losses. Hot Springs rancher Chip Axtell estimates 20% of his own rangeland has been taken over by cheatgrass. “It grabs up all the moisture," he said.

Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2026

Reuben Reifschneider posed in his blacksmith work clothes at the request of Art Linkletter, the host of a popular CBS variety show. Reifschneider had won the title of Wyoming's Ugliest Man in 1964 and 1965 after traveling to Hollywood. While the other contestants wore outrageous costumes, Reifschneider remained himself. His "ugly" was the ability to pop out an eye and his teeth. 

'Wyoming's Ugliest Man' Earned Title Proudly On TV By Popping Out Eye And Teeth

Reuben Reifschneider proudly earned the title of “Wyoming’s Ugliest Man” twice by popping out a glass eye and his teeth on Art Linkletter’s “House Party” TV show in 1964 and 1965. “Reuben was just himself. He didn't need a costume at all,” said a friend.

Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2026

Big-wheeled drones made by a Laramie company crawl into tight spots so well that NASA is using one at the Kennedy Space Center rocket launch site.

NASA Using Laramie Company’s Big-Wheeled Drone To Crawl Into Tight Spaces

When NASA needed to inspect a tight crawlspace for its Artemis 3 project, they contacted a small tech company in Laramie for help. The small robot features big squishy wheels and a simple body that can flip, turn and get itself out of tight spots.

Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026

Alesha Melton is a fifth-generation muleskinner and still has the mules her grandpa raised when she was a teenager. She has taken over the family outfitting business and when not in the backcountry, chances are she is on a movie set or in a parade with her mules.

Life Of A Modern-Day Muleskinner: Starring In Movies & Beer Ads And Guiding Hunts

As modern-day muleskinners, Randy and Alesha Melton said their mules’ film career started with a commercial for Coors. Their latest movie was “Horizon” with Kevin Costner. They also appeared on "Killer of the Flower Moon," and “The Last of Us."

Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026

"Cowboy" John Fremlin traded a life in the saddle for one surrounded by western antiques and treasures. Fremlin searches for items that tell a story which can be anything from an old hot rod tire to a beaded vest to 1970s collectibles.

Cowboy John's Hole-In-The-Wall Antiques Is A Western Time Capsule In Meeteetse

From Dillinger’s death mask to items owned by Buffalo Bill, “Cowboy” John Fremlin collects relics for his Hole-in-the-Wall Antique Store in Meeteetse that speak to him and have a story to tell. "I select items that have the 'wow' factor," Fremlin says.

Jackie DorothyAugust 01, 2026

Other Authors

In the dying coal town of Gebo during World War II, the patriotic Junior Marines were dedicated to their wartime efforts of gathering scrap iron, marching and singing. They were inspired by the Wedlock brothers, two teens who left Gebo to fight the war.

Wyoming History: How Gebo’s Gung-Ho Junior Marines Served During World War II

In the dying coal town of Gebo during World War II, the patriotic Junior Marines were gung-ho in their wartime efforts of gathering scrap iron, marching and singing. They were inspired by the Wedlock brothers, two teens who left Gebo to fight the war.

Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2026

Electrical Engineering student, Zariah Whiteplume, keeps contacted to her culture through hoop dancing performances. Recently, she was invited to Tokyo to perform and while there, was able to visit an Otter Cafe. Otters, Whiteplume said, are often used in native regalia and it was special moment to be able to pet a live otter in Japan. 

Wyoming People: International Model Grew Up On Reservations Without Running Water

Zariah Whiteplume grew up without running water or much electricity on the Wind River and Navajo reservations. This summer, she was hoop dancing and modeling in Tokyo. “I want to come back to my community and engage with the youth,” she said.

Jackie DorothyJuly 26, 2026

After he left the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Frank Canton returned to his job with the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. Soon after, he became involved in the Johnson County War on behalf of his employers. On April 9, 1892, it was Canton who led the Regulators to the KC Ranch, where the ensuing battle ended in the deaths of Nick Ray and Nate Champion.

Wyoming History: Ruthless Sheriff Needed A Secret Identity From Cattle Rustlers

Johnson County Frank Canton was so ruthless with cattle rustlers and quick with a gun that he needed a secret identity. “If the first warning was not obeyed, you would probably find several dead bodies hanging to telegraph poles,” he once said.

Jackie DorothyJuly 26, 2026

Harry Webb was a Wyoming cowboy hired to train horses for the Lubin Studios from 1912 to early 1915.  He spent his time not just as the horse wrangler for the silver screen but also as a stuntman, extra actor and marksman.

Wyoming History: Silent Film ​Stuntman Got Start In Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show

A Wyoming cowboy learned life was more dangerous on movie sets in the early 1900s than riding broncs for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Harry Webb recounted how he barely survived his career as a stuntman for silent Westerns.

Jackie DorothyJuly 19, 2026

"A wall of water” surged through East Thermopolis late Wednesday, stranding people and breaking a gas main after 4.5 inches of rain fell in an hour near the town. "You need to send rescue out here. We’re in trouble,” one resident said when he called 911.

‘We’re In Trouble’: East Thermopolis Floods After 4.5 Inches Of Rain In An Hour

A wall of water surged through East Thermopolis late Wednesday, stranding people and breaking a gas main after 4.5 inches of rain fell in an hour near the town. "You need to send rescue out here. We’re in trouble,” one resident said when he called 911.

Jackie DorothyJuly 16, 2026

Ellie Feathers of Park County is a top shooter in many disciplines at the Wyoming State Fair such as .22 rifle but said that muzzleloader is one of her favorites because of the time it takes to load each shot with black powder and a steel ball.

Holy Smokes: Muzzleloader Is Loads And Reloads Of Fun For Kids At State Shoot

Historic muzzleloaders have developed a loyal following among Wyoming 4H kids who prefer a "boom" over a "kick" when they shoot a firearm. Eighty-five devotees ages 8-18 loaded and reloaded over the weekend at the Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas.

Jackie DorothyJuly 13, 2026

Clay Gibbons, Washakie County Historian, has stood on several historic sites exactly 100 years after the event occurred. He said that it is a profound experience.

Wyoming Historian Clay Gibbons Outlives Cancer Prognosis, 'Grateful For Every Day'

Wyoming Historian Clay Gibbons has not only outlived the pancreatic cancer prognosis he received but it hasn’t stopped his quest for digging up Wyoming history or advocating for ranching. Gibbons says faith, family and friends are everything.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

Carls Dunrud was running a dude ranch in the former Kirwin mining district when four young criminals made a run for it in 1932. He was asked to track them down and warned that they were now armed with a stolen gun. Their leader was known as Sunshine and was known the be dangerous. 

How A Legendary Ex-Yellowstone Ranger Chased Down The Notorious 'Sunshine'

Although young, "Sunshine" was already a dangerous inmate at an institute in Worland. When hand three others escaped, a legendary former Yellowstone ranger was called to hunt Sunshine down. "He's young, but he's a pretty tough hombre,” the warden said.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

New York Times bestselling author Maragaret Coel said that she began writing her murder mysteries set on the Wind River Reservation back when phones were tethered to the wall by cords. While copies of her books still sell in her paperback form, the majority of her audience is now discovering her through e-books and audible books. She has retired from writing, but her books have not been retired and are still in print.

Best-Selling Wind River Reservation Mysteries Author Inspired By Famous Chief Left Hand

When Margaret Coel first started writing history – then murder mysteries – she just shut up and listened to the Arapaho elders she met with. This ability to listen led her books to the New York best-seller list and ended up mirroring real life more than she expected.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

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