Learn more about the history of u. S. Automobiles sunday at 6 00 p. M. And 10 00 p. M. Eastern. Youre watching American History tv only on cspan3. Up, our look at sheridan continues as we visit the trail end historic site, home of john b kendrick. Hear theof times you american rags to riches story or the American Dream and John Kendrick embodies that. He started with nothing, very little education, and through hard work and a lot of intelligence, he worked his way up. Was his home and a modern home when it was built. Some was 14,000 square feet and bathrooms,ooms, 12 Running Water, and a central vacuuming system. It was a really modern home in sheridan. Aboutice to build it was 160 4000, and in 1911, you could buy a three dr. You could buy a threebedroom with Running Water for about 3000. Became a cattle baron in a three term United States senator. He was born in texas in 1857 cap and orphaned at an early age. He did not go to school formally passed the fifth grade. His first real job was when he was 15, he started breaking horses for room and board. At 20 to come he signed on to a cattle drive. At 20, he signed on to a cattle drive. Cattlesupposed to drive from mexico to wyoming. Was acond time, he foreman and he stayed in wyoming. He was foreman for several ranching outfits and he started purchasing his own head of cattle for himself and had permission from employers to run those cattle within the main herd. He was successful at managing his heard and his finances. Superintendent a for the converse Cattle Company and by 1900, he owned the company. This was the basis for his own kendrick Cattle Company and he went on to own 10 ranches in wyoming and montana. The main ranch was located in montana, but sheridan was still the closest town. He ended up building his dream home in sheridan. We are in the library, which mr. Kendrick used as a home office. It is paneled with golden oak. The bookcases are enclosed with leaded glass doors. Mr. Kendrick was offered a position in the wyoming Territorial Legislature but he declined, preferring to focus on ranching. By 1910, he was interested in politics and was elected from Sheridan County to be a wyoming state senator in cheyenne for a twoyear term. In 1914 he ran for governor and was elected and became the second democrat to become governor in wyoming. He was wellknown for working with the republican legislature. He was known for getting along with his opponents. He was a really popular governor and able to sign legislation providing for workmens compensation, a pension act, setting up the state Public Utilities commission. He was really wellliked. Halfway through his governors term, he was elected as a u. S. Senator even though he did not run. By 1916, individual states were allowed to elect to their u. S. Senators by popular vote. Mr. Kendrick and his eventual opponent, clarence d clark, were asked to run for u. S. Senator but they both declined. ,he people did not really care and they were both nominated by a write in campaign. Senator clark had been a 22 year veteran of the u. S. Senate. A new senator as was to sign the declaration of war against germany in 1917. This was a heavy, personal decision for him because if the k continued long enough, the war continued long enough, he had a teenage son old enough to register for the draft. Legislation the declaration and he went to europe and the reports sent back helped congress to set up a fund against staff and needs. He was known as a reformer rooting out political corruption and this becomes evident with his involvement in the teapot dome scandal. Transferredrding supervision of the u. S. Naval oil reserves from the navy under the supervision of the department of the interior. The secretary of the interior decides to secretly glad exclusive drilling rights to several men and their willing copies. In wyoming, the teapot dome reserves, the mammoth oil company is granted those exclusive rights. When it independent oilman who eventually became governor of equipmentw drilling being hauled into the teapot dome area, he became suspicious. Kendrick,ed senator who introduced a resolution to the senate to open an investigation into this. History, thism became the biggest political scandal until watergate in the 1970s. Senator kendricks primary areas of interest as a senator were a land use, and conservation of natural resources. In 1920 eight, the mountains and lakes north of jackson, wyoming were being threatened by commercial development and overuse. He was a senator who proposed the bill to create Teton National park. In 1929, president Calvin Coolidge signed an order creating Teton National park. He was also instrument in the dams. On of several this was a big project because we live in a windy, arid area, and having access to stored water and septa putting on rainfall is a big deal. Brought toion farmers and ranchers, allowing them not only to produce crops but rays feed for livestock raise feed for livestock. People still refer to it as the kendrick project. The other dam he backed with arizonas boulder dam which is now known as the hoover dam. Served in the senate until he passed away in 1933, so for almost three full terms. Helping get Teton National park started, helping with the dams that benefit ranchers, it really leaves a lasting legacy. Our cities tour staff recently traveled to sheridan, wyoming to learn about its rich history. To watch more video from sheridan and other stops on our tour, visit cspan. Org citiestour. You watching American History tv all weekend, every weekend on