Black Hills Corral of the Westerners International Papers

The Westerners grew out of a February 25, 1944 meeting in Winnetka, Illinois of fourteen men interested in the history of the West. They were friends of Leland Case and heard a presentation that night on the history of Calamity Jane. The group has grown and opened chapters (corrals) over the years. There were 131 such groups (including one in the Black Hills area) in 1994. The Westerners continue to hold programs to learn more about the history of the West Leland Case had a major role for many years with the group. From 1967-81, the Westerners was the main focus of his life. Case got the group to move its office near his Tucson home, played a major role in the "Buckskin Bulletin", the Westerners' newsletter and served as president and then as president emeritus. Case got the organization to function year-round in its office. The Westerners was people, history and the group to Case. Case got an awards program started and money for prizes for papers presented to corrals of the Westerners.