How the first buffalo herd came to be on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake

Excerpts from "East of Antelope Island," commissioned by Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1948. Reprinted with permission.

White & Sons Co. is credited with putting the first buffalo on the Island. It happened in rather an unusual way as follows: Wm. Glassman of Ogden was visiting with some friends in the Lone Star State, Texas. While riding along one day he saw a large herd of buffalo grazing in the fields.

Thrilled by the sight of this herd of large ugly animals, he became interested and upon inquiry learned that they belonged to a man nicknamed "Buffalo Jones." It is said that William F. Cody was nicknamed "Buffalo Bill" because he loved to kill. With Buffalo Jones, it was just the opposite. His hobby and ambition were to own and preserve the buffalo. On his ranch in Texas, he had over 1,000 of them.

Mr. Glassman purchased a carload, 12 in all, and billed them out to Ogden, but for some unknown reason they were sidetracked and unloaded at a place called E.T., a little railroad town southwest of Garfield in Tooele County. This was the year 1891. They were herded and grazed here for some two years when they were purchased by the White & Sons company and transferred to Antelope Island.

Numerous stories have been told of how the buffalo were transferred from E.T. to the Island. Some have said they were driven over at the south point of the Island. They tell of the thrilling experiences and narrow escapes encountered while crowding them through the waters.

In the year 1891, Bill Glassman bought 12 head of buffalo and unloaded them at E.T. Two years later he sold them to White & Sons Co. There were 17 now. In the contract drawn up, Mr. Glassman agreed to deliver them to Lake Park, Farmington. White & Sons Co. had charge of the Island at that time, and Mr. Wm. Walker, an expert stockman, was their foreman. The company owned a large, fiat boat, which they had used for several years to transport their cattle to and from the Island. Mr. Walker, knowing the prowess of the buffalo, reinforced this boat by making it higher and putting a top over it with poles. It was then tied firmly to the loading place at Lake Park.

All arrangements having been completed, they were ready for the buffalo. Mr. Glassman enlisted the service of Wm. Walker, M.C. Udy and Perry Potter, all expert horsemen. After a long day's ride, this quartet arrived at E.T. The next morning they were in their saddles early, and armed with double-barreled shotguns, started out on their arduous task.