Why would the men of the WY territory decide to grant suffrage in their first constitution? Some were lonely. In 1869, the territory had over 6,000 adult males and only 1,000 females. Area men hoped women would be more likely to settle if granted the right to vote.

The wife of William Bright, a territorial legislator, argued denying women the vote was unjust. The territorial secretary, Edward M. Lee, wanted his mother to vote. If African-American males already had suffrage, then so should his mother.  Read more>>>