Life at the Elkhorn

Family Life at the Elkhorn

Quick Facts

Location:

Elkhorn Ranch Trail

The Elkhorn Ranch house was soon a crowded home with the presence of Sewall and Dow's families from Maine. Dow returned to Maine for a short time, and before his return he was married. He brought his new wife, along with his wife and young daughter, back to the Elkhorn Ranch to live with them. Additions to both families occurred within a week of each other. 

When Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Dow both gave birth to baby boys, which were nicknamed the Badland Twins, Sewall made a cradle big enough for the two boys. While the cradle was being made, Roosevelt said that Sewall was making too much noise and should be quieter for the sake of the babies. But Sewall said that the noise was good for them. 

The Sewall's little girl did not have a playmate, let alone toys, to play with. Roosevelt wrote his sister Anna, requesting that she send some toys for the little girl. He wanted her to have the following toys, charging her to make sure that they were sturdy and cheap; a big colored ball, some picture blocks, some letter blocks, a little horse and wagon, and a rag doll. 

Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, the two families lived in the ranch house year round. They didn't enjoy their time there as much as Roosevelt did. Sewall didn't like the treeless wastes of the Little Missouri Badlands and lacked much enthusiasm for the cattle venture. His wife wrote of how she found life at the Elkhorn to be very lonesome.