First Women on Jury

Hello, I'm Nelson Olmsted. Today's story recounts the adventures of six Wyoming ladies who made history in a man's world. That story in a moment, afterwards from Timp Googler and Pacific Power. Welcome once again to Stories of Pacific Powerland, a presentation of Pacific Power and Light, a company that has been serving the electric needs of the region's homes,

farms and industries through more than half a century of progress and growth. Now here's Nelson with today's chapter from his storybook. Howdy, Miss Eliza. And Sheriff of this county, I've come to inform you that you have the honor of being the first woman to be called on to serve in a jury.

But you know just between us, I wouldn't worry about it, none. I reckon you'd be excused right off. Well, Sheriff Boswell of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory, made history that day in 1870, whether he knew it or not. For the first time in the annals of jurisprudence, the female of the species was impeneled for jury duty. Mr. Liza Stewart, one of Laramie's two schoolteachers,

headed the list, and five other ladies were also called. The reaction around town rained from amusement to outrage. One man said, why, it's downright indecent to submit them gentle ladies to the likes of horse thieves and murderers. But what could the sweet creatures know about crime and punishment. But I don't you worry about that, Sam, the girls will be so busy exchanging

recipes they won't even hear the testimony! Well, Wyoming in those days was indeed a man's world. The odds were that the six lady jurors would be excused from duty with a thank you very much and sent back to their knitting. But Judge John Howe, presiding over the grand jury, had different thoughts on the subject. He had already stated his opinion in these words.