Archives On The Air 223: Gale McGee "Plastered" On Election Night 1958 — Gale McGee Papers

By Wyoming Public Media

Published October 24, 2020 at 4:49 PM MDT

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Bronze bust of Gale McGee at the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center.

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Bronze bust of Gale McGee at the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center.

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U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy shakes the hand of Senate candidate Gale McGee, 1958. Kennedy came to Wyoming to campaign for McGee during the latter's senate run. Box 12, Gale McGee papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Newly elected U.S. Senator Gale McGee with Wyoming's ranking U.S. Senator Joseph O'Mahoney and U.S. Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, 1958. For U.S. Senator from Wyoming, John B. Kendrick, can be seen in the portrait.

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On election night 1958, Gale McGee waited for returns at the home of UW art professor Robert Russin.

Paper ballots were slowly counted as everyone waited to learn if McGee would become a U.S. Senator.

At 3 a.m. Russin distracted McGee by steering the candidate to his sculpting tools. Russin placed McGee's head on a wood block and began applying baby oil and Vaseline to his hair and skin.

Soda straws were put in McGee's ears and nose to protect from the greasy coating. Plaster was applied as others kept track of returns. Soon McGee couldn't speak as the plaster hardened.

Hours went by before McGee learned he was a newly elected U.S. Senator. The resulting bronze bust is on display at UW's American Heritage Center.