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- Dillon Bacon Ruland, son of a pioneer family, was born 25th of July,1894, on Black Tail Creek on his father’s pre-emption near Hulett,Wyoming, to Dan and Lulu Belle (nee Dewing) Ruland. In 1897, at the age of three, Dillon accompanied his parents on an overland trip by team and wagon to Rockport, Missouri. They spent the 4th of July with his father’s uncle, Bailey Ruland, and family who owned and operated a restaurant at Custer South Dakota. While in Rockport, Mrs.Ruland dried fruit which was brought back to Wyoming that November. In 1904 the family had promise of brighter days on the west coast. They went by train to Seattle where Dan’s sister and family lived. At that time a depression hit and no work could be found so they returned to Wyoming to start anew. From the 21st of April to the 31st of December, 1913, Dillon worked for Charlie Wood on the Beaver Creek ranch for $35.00 a month. He relates that once he and another hired hand were haying in Lucky Gulch for Mr. Wood and they went to a spring to get a drink and water the horses. They had two cans, one to catch the water and the other with a cloth over it to strain out the 'wigglers'. It was so hot and men so thirsty the other man didn't’t take the time to strain in it. He just continued to drink then said, 'They are getting into a hell of a place.' One of Dillon’s boyhood buddies was Ben Mahoney. They would occasionally go prairie chicken hunting in Mahoney’s field southeast ofAlva. As shotgun shells were quite expensive for a couple of boys, they always waited until they could get two birds with one shot. While Dillon’s father operated the store in Alva the traveling salesmen would make their visits by horse and buggy. Dillon was eager to wager with them that he could hit a walnut or their silver dollar in mid-air with his .22 rifle. This venture kept him in ammunition money. Following the family tradition, Dillon built a new store building in Alva in 1916 on land he bought from Fred Aikman. Carpenters were Walter Osborn, Walter Hood, John Parkins and himself. In 1917, Dillon took the Civil Service examination for postmaster at Alva. He was appointed postmaster on the 11th of August, 1917, being the only postmaster of the seven to date, to hold that office, who took the Civil Service examination for the position. In 1918 he enlisted in the army and after two unsuccessful physical exams he was accepted. Dillon entered service on the 25th of July, 1918,and was discharged at Camp Funston, Kansas, on the 18th of December,1918. He served at Waco, Palace and Camp McArthur, Texas, as bayonet instructor having taken the training under two British officers. He was on overseas rosters twice but was held back to train new recruits in bayonet use.While in service Dillon leased his store to a brother-in-law, Ben P.Colvin, who was Assistant Postmaster during the period. Upon returning home Dillon operated the General Merchandise Store and Post Office until the 1st of July, 1946, when the store was sold to Merlin O’Haver who was appointed Postmaster at the time. On the 25th of June, 1919, Dillon and Frances Olivia Nilson, eldest daughter of Alfred and Hilda (nee Pearson) Nilson of the Alva Community, were united in marriage at Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Their only child, Elbert Dale, was born at Alva the 30th of October, 1922. Dale married Marry Catherine Kester on the 27th of November, 1947 and they have a son, Dan Albert, and a daughter, Elaine Marie. These children are both married and Elaine has two children. During the twenty-seven years they operated the store together Dillon freighted from Deadwood, Rapid City and Belle Fourche for the store: hauled grain to the elevator for local ranchers and operated his own ranch. Consequently, it fell upon Frances to operate the store and post office alone for the most part, besides being a mother and housewife. They sold groceries, dry goods, hardware, notions, gas and oil, farm machinery, radios and cars. Whatever the public needed, they would supply. During the depression years necessary credit was extended to any one in need, enabling many to survive those desperate years. On the 13th of May, 1943, Dillon accepted the Cooperative Weather Bureau Station previously operated by Albert Knowles. He still maintainsthe station today (1981) after nearly thirty-eight years as CooperativeObserver. Baseball was a popular sport in this community and Dillon played center field and pitcher for many years, playing with the Hulett, Alva and Aladdin teams. Another sport dear to his heart has been big game hunting. Yet today elk, moose, deer and antelope hunters will see him roaming the prairies and mountains with his 30-06 rifle and keeping up with the best of them. Another of his hobbies has been hunting and collecting Indian artifacts. It has been said that Frances and Dillon never met a stranger. This is attested by the number of visitors to their home throughout the years. This account was contributed by Elbert 'Dale' Dale Ruland in the book- ‘Pioneers of Crook County 1876-1920’, by Crook County Historical Society, Crook County, Wyoming, copyright 1981. Page 436 -437, pictures on page 436
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1894 - 1982 (88 years)
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