WLM Winter 2013-14 | Page 23

| Wyoming Woman

“Seal of Wyoming—The heart of the flag,
the brand on Bison
American Bison—The monarch of the
plains of Wyoming (incorrectly called
Buffalo)
Red—The red man (Indian) and blood of
pioneers who reclaimed the country
White—Freedom of the plains and purity
for all
Blue—The blue of our sky and mountains
color of fidelity and justice
Colors—Those of our national flag”
Today, one can view a member of the
original six state flags designed by Verna
Keays. Its original design placed the buffalo
facing right; a later revision by Dr. Grace
Hebard flipped the bison facing left,
“…to face away from the wind,” the Carbon
County Museum says. Dr. Hebard assisted
in drafting a presentation to the Fourteenth
State Legisla ture for its adoption. Presented
to the Wyoming Senate by the Honorable
W.W. Daley of Rawlins, the flag was
adopted January 13, 1917. Reportedly
there was debate held as to whether the
bison should be replaced with a donkey,
an elephant or a moose, but the bison
remained. Governor John B. Kendrick
signed the bill into law. WL M

© Levi Hime

Prompted to enter the competition by her
father, Wilbur Keays, Verna’s design
came to her overnight. In the morning, she
designed the flag, and her mother included
this description on her submission:

© Kris Bauer

© Levi Hime

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