| Following is al information that was taken
from the art book on Carl Rungius. Ira Dodge represented the Union Metallic Cartridge Company at the
Forest and Stream (magazine) sportsman show in 1895 in New York (that's where he first met
Carl Rungas, the artist.)
He and Sarah established the "Box-R Ranch" on
the Wind River Range near Cora, Wyoming in 1892.
Sarah Dodge taught German to anyone who wanted to learn, and she was the translator for Carl
Rungius, the artist.
In 1899, Ira, 2 game wardens and Rungius formed a posse
to chase a gang of train robbers. In the process, Carl broke his leg. The local doctor did
a poor job of setting the leg, so after he left, Ira and taxidermist rebroke it and reset
it.
In 1902, Rungius reported that the Dodge ranch was not
doing well. Later (date unknown) the ranch was taken over by the Irv Lozier family.
Carl and two scientists from the American Museum of
Natural History found several Indian graves. They opened one and found a well-preserved
corpse. Apparently they looted the site (all in the name of "history"of course).
The Shoshone sent a war party to the Dodge home and kept it under 24 hour vigil, looking
for Ira, Rungius, Lozier, and the two scientists. These men had been warned so they went
to the Lackey ranch on the Big Sandy where the artifacts and scientists got away. Back at
the ranch, Sarah Dodge shot at the Shoshone and scattered them. Ira returned and used his
diplomatic skills to talk them out of making more trouble.
In the reference section of the book is listed
"Daniel as I Remember it in 1899-1905" by Harold A. Dodge from the text
Wyoming's Own, edited by Eunice Ewer Wallace (Boise, Idaho, self-published, 1976)
Another article referenced the magazine "American
Field" and the article 'Elk Hunt in Wyoming' (22 Aug 1896) by Carl Rungius, where he
talked about Ira and Sarah.
(folklore) Ira was pursuing the Sundance Kid when he was
attacked by a grizzly bear. It is believed he was found on the trail by Sundance, who
nursed him back to health. The Indians named him "Bear Face". |