The American West: The Bone Wars of the 1870s

Como Bluff, Wyoming. There is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition. It encourages people to do better, and it can lead to innovation. Just like the one between Apple and Microsoft, that has resulted in countless technological advancements for us. Or the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, which has led to major developments in space exploration. But competition can sometimes take a dark turn, evolving into a rivalry.

TIMELINE
1863: Cope met Marsh in 1863 at Berlin University.
1866: Finally, in 1866, Marsh became the first professor of paleontology in North America, which was the starting point of a rather successful career.
1868: In 1868, Cope gave Marsh a guided tour of a fossil excavation site located in Haddon Field, New Jersey, just as they usually worked.
1872: The first confrontation happened in 1872.
1877: Later, in 1877, a mining teacher named Arthur Lakes discovered fossil bones near Morrison, Colorado.
1892: Eventually, in 1892, Powell sent Marsh a telegram, emphasizing that he must send in his resignation.

WHY THIS MATTERS
The story of Como Bluff is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know.

Episode 162 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters

Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-history

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