Locomotive #202 from Logging Workhorse to Hidden Treasure: By Ken Hulsey

 Unearthing History: 

The Remarkable Journey of Locomotive #202 from Logging Workhorse to Hidden Treasure

You can read Ken's blog at Miracle Mindset

Photos Courtesy of Ken Hulsey

 The Legacy of Locomotive #202: A Snapshot of Railroad History in Louisiana

For railroad history enthusiasts, few stories encapsulate the rich tapestry of early 20th-century logging operations in the United States like that of Locomotive #202. This venerable machine, with its beginnings dating back to 1913, provides a fascinating glimpse into the timber industry’s reliance on rail transport and the technological evolution of locomotives during that era.

Locomotive #202 was part of an ambitious order by the Crowell Interests, consisting of twelve distinct locomotives, each crafted to meet the burgeoning needs of the Meridian Lumber Company in Meridian, Louisiana. Designed primarily as a woods engine, #202 was instrumental in transporting timber from the expansive forests to the mill, symbolizing the industrial energy that characterized the American landscape in the early 1900s.

In the years following its launch, #202’s role expanded as Meridian Lumber navigated the challenges of logging operations. In 1919, the company bolstered its fleet with the purchase of a nearly identical sister locomotive, #204, further enhancing its capacity to manage timber logistics from the logging camp in Sieper, Louisiana. Another notable addition was the acquisition of the robust 2-8-0 #206 in 1923, which took on the vital task of operating the main log train from Sieper to Meridian until a devastating fire claimed the Meridian mill in 1928. This event marked a turning point for both the operations and #202's life in the service.

Following the fire that destroyed the Meridian mill, its operations transitioned to Alco, and with them, Locomotive #202 also changed its working territory. Throughout the 1930s, #202 continued to serve as a woods engine, facilitating the movement of timber, likely from both Sieper and Alco. This was a time of uncertainty for the lumber industry, yet #202 proved its resilience, thriving in the challenging terrain of Louisiana’s forests.

The years leading up to World War II presented further challenges, as the Sieper Camp ultimately ceased operations. However, rather than being retired, #202 was redirected to Longleaf, where it worked along the eastern extension of the Meridian tram line. Its sister locomotive, #204, became a favorite in this new role—until a fateful accident in December 1952, which saw #204 overturn, leading to #202’s return to full-time service.

By the fall of 1954, when the entire logging operation came to a halt, #202 became the last steam locomotive in service for the Crowell log tram. This moment marked the end of an era, as the transition from steam to diesel gradually reshaped the industry. Following its retirement, #202 was stored near the intersection of the Meridian tram line and LA 497, where it remained largely forgotten for decades.

In a remarkable turn of events, the locomotive was rediscovered and rescued from obscurity by the 1990s, hidden under a layer of vegetation. Today, it resides within the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, representing the last of the wood-burning steam locomotives in Louisiana—a testament to the region’s rich logging history and the integral role of railroads in its development.

For railroad enthusiasts and historians alike, Locomotive #202 is more than just an engine; it is a living relic of a bygone era, chronicling the stories of those who relied on its strength and reliability to build their livelihoods and shape their communities.

- Southern Forrest Heritage Museum

     250 Years of American History 

Roots of The Civil War: The Border Wars, Jay Hawkers and Bushwhackers: By G.C. Stevens

 

Photo Courtesy of Don Wilson, originally published in the 

Maries County Advocate

"Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th instant, making a call on Missouri for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I apprehend, no doubt that the men are intended to form a part of the Presidents army to make war upon the people of the seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and revolutionary in its object, inhumane, and diabolical and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the state of Missouri furnish to carry on any unholy crusade.

-Governor Clairborne Jackson in Response to President Lincoln's call for 

Missouri to provide 75,000 troops

By 1861, all options to resolve the internal conflict surrounding the issue of slavery had all failed. the nation was divided, and the promised constitutional amendments, court cases and the Presidential election had only served to fan the flames of war. The Kansas-Nebraska act had failed to provide a workable path to allow new states to enter the union and the question of slavery had poured over the borders of Kansas and Missouri as the enigmatic abolitionist firebrand radical, John Brown had conducted an insurgency into the region by way of Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Brown ran guns and committed acts of violence against the pro-slavery factions in Kansas. John Brown first came to attention when he led anti-slavery volunteers and his sons on a mission into the region, during the Bleeding Kansas crisis of the late 1850's. This conflict pre-dated the civil war and was state-level war over whether Kansas would enter the union as a slave state or a free state. Brown was dissatisfied with abolitionist pacifism, saying of pacifists, "These men are all talk. What we need is action—action!"  In May 1856, John Brown, along his sons killed five supporters of slavery in the Pottawatomie massacre, an apparent response to the sacking of Lawrence by pro-slavery forces. Brown then commanded anti-slavery forces at the Battle of Black Jack and the Battle of Osawatomie.                                                                                                                  

 The War in the West / The Border War

Jayhawker: A mythical Irish bird of prey that stole eggs from

 the nests of other birds, became the name attached to Kansas troops. Western Missouri was plagued by Jayhawker raids.

The American civil war in the west was truly a war which pitted brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. As time has passed, many descendants of those who were swept up in the Border wars in that region, have begun to come forward to tell the story of their ancestors who suffered through that time. Local historian and author Don Wilson who was born and raised in Phelps County Missouri is descendant of William "Bill" Wilson a famed Bushwhacker, who was born around 1830 in Phelps County, Missouri. His father, Sol Wilson, was a very well-to-do farmer who owned several slaves, but freed them before the Civil War. Sol remained neutral and advised his children to do the same. But the war in Missouri was very heated and the state endured some 40 percent of the battle and engagements nation-wide in the first year of the war and 40 percent of the casualties. In fact, three of the four biggest battles of the first year of the civil war, Wilsons Creek, Lexington and Belmont were fought in Missouri, in most part by Missourians. According to historian Don Wilson, Union troops entered Maries County under the guise of maintaining order, but instead, he says that troops took what they wanted, destroyed what they could and left families struggling to survive.

Bushwhackers

Guerrilla warfare common during the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, American Civil War and other conflicts in which there were large areas of contested land and few governmental resources to control these tracts. This was particularly prevalent in rural western areas during the Civil War where there were sharp divisions between combatants.

"Our rights have been usurped, dear, by Northmen of our land:

Fanatics raised the cry, dear politicians fired the brand, the Southrons spurn the galling yoke, the tyrants' threats defy, They find we've sons like sturdy oaks to raise the battle cry."

- The Volunteer by Harry MaCarthy

While Union troops were mostly portrayed as "the good guys," for the Wilson family, soldier's actions were a form of war time terrorism. These actions created Bushwhackers who were civilian soldiers who felt that they needed to fight for their freedom. The military activity in Missouri was not isolated, and was widespread throughout the state, the situation created a chaotic mix of regular army troops (both union and confederate), militias, and gangs of independent home guard "Bushwhackers." The war in the west is filled with moral ambiguity, which brings the story down to a very human level, as Missourians were fighting Missourians. These personal stories handed down through families, give life to the deeper story of the civil war. A reminder that wars aren't just fought on battlefields, the war in Missouri was brought home to the front yards of the people who lived there. Children saw troops march through their towns, where crops were destroyed, and livestock were stolen. Even decades later those events are still visible in Missouri, and the descendants of families like the Wilson's carry those oral histories forward, keeping the memories of their ancestors alive. It's interesting to note that Wilson's great grandfather, Bill Wilson's experiences during the civil war inspired the Hollywood movie "The Outlaw Josey Wales" In the 1976 dramatized movie, Clint Eastwood, playing Wales was a farmer whose family had been killed by a group of "Red Leg Jayhawkers" when they attacked his homestead.  Wales then joined Missouri guerillas during the war and became a feared outlaw and wanted fugitive while trying to flee south to escape his Red Leg pursuers. The films portrayal of the attack on Wales home, draws attention to the real-life devastation that many families in Missouri experienced during the war between the states.

About Don Wilson

Born in 1946 Don Wilson grew up on the farm built by his great grandfather Bushwhacker Bill Wilson. Without any electricity he grew up as the last of his generation to learn how to do things “the old way”. He grew up hearing the story of his great grandfather along with his fourteen brothers and sisters, and has been asked by many to recite his story onto the pages of his book. Complying he has created this book in the honor of his great grandfather to describe what his true story was.

References

-Maries County Advocate Article by Alvin Hett

- 1861 Civil War Almanac "The Civil War in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas" 

By Harold Dellinger Special Projects Editor, Windingriver.com

-Josey Wales, aka Bushwhacker Bill Wilson | Metropolis.Café 

Author portraying a confederate guerilla 

250 Years of American History

Rest in Peace Robert Carradine by G.C. Stevens

 

Original photo from IMDB, Robert Carradine (right)

I was sad to hear about Robert Carradine's Passing this morning. I loved cinema when I was growing up. It was the movies that gave me my love of western history. And the Carradine family was a dynasty that went back to the early days of film making.  The above photo is from the movie " The Long Riders" Keith Carradine (L) played Jim Younger, David Carradine (M) Played Cole Younger and Robert Carradine (R) Played Bob Younger.

The Long Riders

The hills of Clay County wild and free, an outlaw's dream, the border battle made them brave, with scores to settle along the way. They mounted up, headed north, to Adair town where they shook the earth, they rode the southern borders meeting folks along the way, they seemed polite and always paid, but then they robbed to local bank, they rode long and fast, it was Jesse's way, with the brother Frank beside him they gained the outlaw fame, the fastest bandits of the west, outlaws to some, hero's to the rest. The posse couldn't keep up, the long riders a step ahead, back into Missouri they rode, until the very end.

-G.C. Stevens

CSL&oH.A. Podcast #1 Nicholas Porter Earp

 

Nicholas Porter Earp, Public Domain

Welcome to Our very first podcast.

#1 Nicholas Porter Earp. 

Father of Wyatt Earp

                                                        250 years of American History

Western Poetry, Old Nick Earp By: G.C. Stevens

 

Nicholas Porter Earp, Photo public domain

Some died on the frontier, while some could never be killed, those who survived well, were sometimes despised, the modern weak seek to destroy the strength and honor they can never have, lies cloaked as heroism are the words by which they abide.. The true story is that Nick Earp was hell on wheels, a true man of steel. It took grit to conquer the wide prairie, and there was a grave every mile. The lady who complained was not fit to judge, she risked the lives all, for ego and nothing more. If it wasn't for old Nick.. The Indians would have settled the score, like they did many times before. They crossed the great prairie, like so many did at the time, and he was the captain who navigated trail and brought his people to San Bernadino, alive and well.

Nicholas Porter Earp The True Story

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Historic Reenactments 2026 updated 02/23/26

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY

2026

Iowa

Reenactments

Another season of reenacting is quickly approaching. I look forward to another year of fun and sharing American history. Thank you to O.J. Fargo from the Army of the Southwest (ASW) for organizing the ASW and providing the list of Civil War Reenactments for 2026. This list is not a complete and only reflects the schedule for ASW and the upcoming Buck skinners Fair in Boone Iowa. If any event or group would like to get on this list. Please reach out to me at gene9156@yahoo.com

 March 20, 21 & 22 Buck skinner Fair Boone Iowa *See below

 Fort Dodge Frontier Days – June 6-7 

 Jefferson Bell Tower Festival June 13-14

 Zering  July 25 

 Albert City – August 7-9 

 Vinton – August 22-23 

Madrid Memorial Day – Aug. 29-30 

September 5-7 Rendezvous Steam Boat Rock IA

 Winterset  – Oct. 10-11

Coffee In the Wild West By G.C. Stevens

 

                    Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen "Gunsmoke" Photo courtesy of Andy Falls

As a historic reenactor, the author of this article has huddled around many campfires on some brutally cold of mornings after crawling out of a frost covered canvas A-tent and awaited a cup fresh brewed cowboy coffee which is still his coffee of choice.

- G.C. Stevens

Coffee in the Old West was sometimes called the "six-shooter coffee" because of its strength. Cowboy coffee was typically brewed by simply boiling ground coffee in large tinned pots over campfires. Cowboys, soldiers and settlers relied on this hot brew to wake up and stay alert. Arbuckles' Coffee was the first pre-roasted, packaged brand of coffee it was very popular in the old wild west. 

 "Cowboy coffee," (the authors favorite) was made by throwing grounds into boiling water, and allowing the grounds to settle to the bottom of the pot. Cooks would add cold water and eggshells. Before 1865, coffee was sold green and had to be roasted in skillets. Arbuckle Brothers patented a process for roasting, egg-coating, and packaging coffee, making it accessible to pioneers. It was almost always drank black, very strong, and it was sometimes gritty. If coffee was not available, substitutes were sometimes used like roasted grains, chicory, or even sweet potatoes. In the west, Coffee was highly prized, with Arbuckle's packages often containing small gifts like peppermint sticks. The phrase "Man at the Pot" was commonly shouted to signal that fresh coffee was ready. It was brewed in large 3-5 gallon pots, often left on the fire for anyone to take a cup, regardless of the time of day.

The Passing of Robert Duvall By: G.C. Stevens

Robert Duvall as Al Sieber and Gene Hackman as Brig. General George Crook

       From the Movie Geronimo: An American Legend 1993 Photo

 from IMDB

     Robert Duvall 1931-2026

 I'm sad to report that famed Actor Robert Duvall has passed away. Duvall was an actor of immense talent who played in many roles, portraying many characters. I had first come to know Duvall through his role as Tom Hagen in the Godfather series of movies. But my favorite of Duvall's characters were, Lt. Col Kilgore in Apocalypse Now (1979), The Apostle E.F. in The Apostle (1997) and Al Sieber in Geronimo; An American Legend (1993). But out of these three roles I mention, his recreation of Al Sieber is my favorite.

Al Sieber Photo ref https://www.historiascripta.org/

Al Sieber was a German-American immigrant who served in the civil war.He enlisted on March 4, 1862, in Company B, 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Sieber was severely wounded on July 2, 1863 in the Battle of Gettysburg, on the battlefield's westside heights of Cemetery Ridge. He fought in several key engagements, including the earlier Battle of Antietam, (September 1862 in the Maryland campaign, then following Battle of Fredericksburg during the winter of 1862-1863, and Battle of Chancellorsville, (1863), Battle of Gettysburg, (June-July 1863), then the post-war conflicts in the American Indian Wars later phase in the American Southwest territories of the Apache Wars, (1849 to 1886), with the Battle of Cibecue Creek (August 1881), and Battle of Big Dry Wash (July 1882). After the wars, he became a mineral prospector in California, Nevada, and in the old Arizona Territory, where he also managed a cattle ranch from 1868 to 1871. But Al did not die as portrayed in the movie Germino, he died on the Apache Trail as a result of a construction accident.

Robert Duvall played Al just as he played other western characters, such as Gus in Lonesome Dove, Boss in Open Range and Prentice in Broken Trail, with a deep southern accent and many “yessir” and “nossir, as he also did with his portrayal of Robert. E. Lee in Gods and Generals. He uses no German accent as the real Al had. But on the other hand, Al Seiber did not take part in the Gatewood expedition to capture Geronimo. And he was not shot and wounded by Geronimo and he was most certainly not killed in a Mexican cantina in a fight with bounty hunters. But Hollywood most certainly took creative license, and I believe it worked in this case.  Duvall will be remembered as one of the best screen actors of his time. 

Presentation at their Boone Scenic Valley Railroad Museum

 

It was a real pleasure to speak at the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad Museum (BSVRR) today in Boone Iowa. It was a very pleasant Valentines Day, especially for a February in Iowa, so a lot of people came out. I spoke to a full house while the presentation was also streamed online. I got to meet and speak to a lot of great people there. I talked about Jesse James in Iowa, the 1873 Adair Train Robbery and I even got to recite some of my poetry. Many thanks to Mike Wendel of the BSVRR who put the program together.

THANK YOU

See you on the Dusty Trail!

G.C. Stevens

Welcome to The Central States Lawman and Outlaws Historic Association: G.C. Stevens

Check out my books

CSL&OH.A.

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Like Route 66 

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Fort Dodge Fort Museum  

photo by the author 

Welcome to CSL&OH.A.

Howdy, partners! Welcome to the Wild West History Blog— I hope you'll ride the trail or the train with us into the real American frontier.

Saddle up for tales of dusty cattle towns, railroad towns, gold-rush boom camps, lawless borderlands, and wide-open plains. We’ll walk Western towns, boardwalks, stand at the OK Corral, follow the Chisholm Trail, and trace the railroads that bound a nation.

No Hollywood gloss here—just the grit drawn from diaries, court records, old newspapers, and fresh scholarship. Meet the true Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Buffalo Soldiers, Native nations, and trailblazing women who ran ranches and saloons.

Whether you love Western lore or just crave authentic frontier stories, pull up a chair by the campfire. New posts on sheriffs, outlaws, cattle barons, and pioneers drop regularly.

Grab your hat—let’s ride. The Wild West awaits.

 Author Information

Gene Stevens Is a local historian, reenactor and writer, who has studied and written about frontier history, covering the Old Northwest Territory, the Illinois territory and expansion into western Iowa. He has memberships with the John Wayne Birthplace Society, the Western Writers of American and he is the founder of the Central States Lawman and Outlaws Historic Association.                                                      

His books include, Last Stand at Old Man's Creek, Red Flag of Defiance, Navy Signalman in Their Own Words, The Battle of Apple River Fort, A Fiendish Crime the story of the first train robbery in the west, and the Author of the Dusty Trails of the Old West Anthology. He has traveled the country, studied and reenacted the American civil war, the Black Hawk war and wild west periods of American history.