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- One of the many who came to the Aladdin, Wyoming area from foreigncountries before the turn of the century was Swan Pearson. He was one ofnine children born to Per and Elna Jonson, of Billinge (Billingee)Sweden. He was born 06 March 1854. As was the custom the children tookthe father’s name, adding the three letters 'son', this becoming their surname. Letters of encouragement from their brothers overseas arrived, tellingof the many advantages in the New World of America, where land could beeasily obtained and many opportunities awaited them. The winter of 1879Swan decided to join his two brothers and families who had come to Kansasten years earlier. In 1880 he came to the Black Hills where a brother,John, owned and operated a sawmill. From there the two brothers moved tothe Bear Lodge area of Crook County, Wyoming. During the early days of the coal mines on Hay Creek, Swan built alarge frame building at Bakertown, one of the two coal mines towns, ofwhich he occupied one part and a family by the name of Robinson lived inthe other part. Later he filed on a pre-emption a short distance west ofthe present Aladdin Store. There he and Fritz Mortensen established ahorse ranch. Wolves killed many of the colts. The den of a female wasdiscovered on Table Mountain and a group of men destroyed the pups, butthe mother wolf escaped. When the Spanish American War broke out severalhundred head of saddle horses, including Swan’s were rounded up andtrailed to Fort Meade, South Dakota and sold to the army. Swan’s partner lost his life in work connected with the coal mine andwas buried on the pre-emption. Swan later filed and proved up on land near Aladdin. He never marriedas an unhappy affair during his youth made him decide the life of abachelor was for him. In later years he spent several winters withrelatives in Kansas. He spent his last years in a little house near the home of his niece,Mrs. Matt Whalen, where he passed away on 20 July 1939, and was buried atAlva, Wyoming. --- this statement is listed on page 393 in the book -- 'Pioneers Of Crook County 1876- 1920', by the Crook CountyHistorical Society, Crook County, Wyoming, published by State Publishing Company, 303 East Sioux, Pierre, South Dakota, Copyright 1981.
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1854 - 1939 (85 years)
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