Iron Riders set to roll through Wallace
Photo courtesy of MONTANA PBS The United States Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment riding their bikes.
Courtesy photo Buffalo Soldiers march through Wallace in 1892 while marshal law was in effect.
Photo courtesy/ Robert Bobby McDonald is one of several members of Iron Riders reenactors and spokesman for the group.
WALLACE — Re-enactors will be honoring a unique event in both U.S. military and African American history next Friday when they ride bicycles though the City of Wallace.
It was 118 years ago this June, a group of 20 African American Soldiers along with two white officers, a doctor and a newspaper reporter set off on an epic 1,900-mile bicycle ride from Missoula, Mont., to St. Louis.
In 1897, the Army was exploring different methods of moving troops in battle, something faster than marching and less expensive than horses. Their possible alternative? Bicycles.
This is how the men of the Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment found themselves called upon to test bikes over some of the toughest terrain of the continent.
Nicknamed the Iron Riders for both the heavy one speed cycles they pedaled and their iron hard constitutions, the intrepid group made the trip in six weeks, battling poor roads, every kind of weather condition, meager rations and prejudice. They received heroes welcomes and national acclaim when they arrived in St. Louis.
To commemorate this historic ride, the Iron Rider Reenactors (themselves all Vietnam vets), plan to cycle the Route of the Hiawatha on replicas of the 19th Century era one speed bikes on June 7-8.
“We are delighted to honor the heroism of the Iron Riders, the service of the African American Units and that of all U.S. veterans,” said Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactor spokesman Bobby McDonald.
McDonald, a Vietnam Vet whose father and uncles served in segregated African American units with distinction in World War II, also said his group was very excited to come to Wallace and tour the Hiawatha.
“It looks like it’s a beautiful town, and the Hiawatha appears to be absolutely stunning,” he added.
McDonald is a longtime Iron Rider reenactor, as well as the president of the Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for Southern California Public Television.
Both the Hiawatha and the town of Wallace have strong connections to Buffalo Soldiers.
Units from Fort Missoula and later Fort Wright in Spokane participated in restoring order during the 1890s mining wars, as well as help rescue Wallace townsfolk from the Great Fire of 1910 — still the largest wildland fire in U.S. history.
There are several historical markers about the Buffalo Soldiers contributions in fighting that fire along the Route of the Hiawatha. In Wallace, the town’s Mining and Depot Museums have exhibits highlighting the Buffalo Soldiers service in the community.
During their time here, the reenactors will also discuss the Buffalo Soldiers missions in the area from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Wallace’s Northern Pacific Railway Depot Museum in full period uniform.
For more details on the commemorative ride and special appearances, contact the Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce at 208-753-7151 (director@wallaceidahochamber.com) or visit the Wallace Chamber Facebook Page or its website wallaceidahochamber.com.