Michael Dykhorst

Above: Koychi (Kay) Suyeda shown here in January 1985 just short of his 96th birthday on April 2 while a resident of Eventide Nursing Home. Photograph and caption by Stan Woinoski of Deer Run Graphics, Sheridan, Wyoming. Koychi or Koichi “Kay” Suyeda remains one of Sheridan, Wyoming’s most unforgettable figures. His story spans continents, wars, and nearly a century of change. Known for his sharp dress, unwavering demeanor, and eccentric habit of braving Wyoming’s harsh winters...

Before Sheridan rose to prominence as the economic and civic nucleus of northern Wyoming, a small, unofficial settlement named Mandel laid the foundation, both physically and administratively, for what would become one of the state’s most important frontier towns. Situated near the junction of Big and Little Goose Creeks, Mandel emerged in the early 1880s during a pivotal moment in the settlement of the Powder River Basin, only a few years after the U.S. Army’s defeat at the Battle of the...

****Author Note: The cover image comes from a painting discovered in Mary Christine “Christy” Love’s office in June 2025. The artist is currently unknown, and I would truly love to hear from anyone who might recognize it. This article is dedicated to the memory of Christy Love. Christy was a generous supporter of the preservation of Sheridan’s history and the arts within our community. She held a deep appreciation for this clock and what it represented continuity, memory, and the quiet...