On October 4, 2014 as the sun rose on a lightly frosted Home on the Range Site; smoke from the campfires of the Buffalo Soldiers and Kirby Mullen and Dennis Williss rose silently into the air belying the hectic activity that had begun on Thursday and would continue for the next two days of celebration.

The following is a column written by Andy Raun. (Copyright 2014, The Seaton Publishing Co. Used with permission.)

Of farming, poetry and the spirit of place - Kansas cabin story uplifts a Nebraskan

My wife and I first visited the Home on the Range Cabin on a sweltering Sunday afternoon in July 1998. Back then, the place seemed lonely — a forgotten roadside shrine on the path of American progress. Now, it is a true Tribland jewel — a fitting monument to the promise of western settlement, rural life and agriculture.
Yes, this place has spirit. And a little of it lives in me.

Beccy Tanner, feature and Kansas historical writer for the Wichita Eagle, on April 24, 2014 stayed over night in the restored Cabin. She is the first human in 126 years who can say this. This was not a whim on her part or a flash in the pan idea; it was nearly 5 years in the making.

Happy New year to everyone and may 2014 be year in which, “The wind is always at your back” and you can always, “Drink upstream from the herd”.

The Trustees, Gerald Caspers and El Dean Holthus, of the Ellen Rust Living Trust operate the Home on the Range Site according to the directions of the Trust document; the Home on the Range Cabin is on the National register of Historic places making all our operations public. The overall purpose of the Trust was to restore, improve and maintain the Site, with emphasis on the Cabin.

On October 17 another feature was added to the long history life line of the Higley/Home on the Range Cabin when a time capsule was placed in its walls. This was done at the request and direction of Len and Linus Schamber owners of Schamber Rehabilitation and Restoration of Damar, Kansas under the observation of Gerald Caspers and El Dean Holthus, Trustees of the Ellen Rust Trust. The Schambers have a long history of restoring historical properties in Kansas and were the general contractors on the Home on the Range project. Placing of a time capsule in their completed projects, in addition to excellent craftmanship, is one of their trademarks. In their work over the years they realize the importance, in restoration, is to have a documented history of work completed on the property in years past.