Wagon Tracks Volume 5 Issue 4 Wagon Tracks Volume 5, Issue 4 (August Article 1 1991)

1991 Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991) Santa Fe Trail Association

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VOLUMES AUGUST 1991 NUMBER 4

SYMPOSIUM SET IN . BOOK OF THE MULETEERS BOONE'S UCKAREA THE following Biblical-style account THE 1991 SFTA Symposium will of trade with SantaFe appeared in the cover the Boone's Lick region along the Missouri Intelligencer in two parts, Au­ Missouri River, Sept. 26-30. Registra­ gust 5 and 19, 1825, under the title tion materials were recently sent to all "Book ofthe Muleteers."It may (or may SFTA members; ifyou did not receive not) be appropriate to reprint tWs his­ a copy please contact Symposium Co­ toric item now for the benefit of those ordinator Richard Forry. Arrow Rock who are journeyingto the Boone's Lick State Hist.Site, 4th & Van Buren. Ar­ country of Missouri for the 1991 Sym­ row Rock,MO 65320 (816) 837-3330. posium. The authorhad sufficient wis­ dom to remain anonymous. SFTA members are especially invited by President Joseph Snell to sit in on Chapter I _the open meeting of the governing 1. And it came to pass in the reign of board on Sept. 26, 1:00 p.m.• at the Elllck the fat, that the dwellers round Interpretive Center in Arrow Rock, and about Boon's Lick marvelled with one toattend the general business meeting another. of the Association on Sept. 29 at 9:00 2. And said, verily we have corn and Terry Brown portrays a Santa Fe Trader at a.m. in Boonville. A highlight of the oil, and milk and honey, and cattle and Wagonbed Spring celebration (photo by Leo business meeting will be the presenta­ horses, and he goats in abundance, Gamble). tion ofawards. Members will also want but nevertheless we have few pieces of WAGON BED SPRING to vote for officers and directors. sUver. REDEDICATION There is an outstanding lineup of 3. And one of the Judges, a father of by Mary B. Gamble speakers and historic tours, delectable preemptioners, rose up and said, men food (including a pig roast and buffalo and brethren, hearken unto me. OVER 120 SFTA members and dinner). and book exhibits. The book 4. And they did hearken. friends assembled at Wagonbed Springon the eveningofJuly 13. 199L exhibits will be aVailable only on Sept. 5. And he said, there lieth over 28 and 29 at Boonville and all exhibi­ to celebrate with the Wagonbed Spring against us a province wherein dwelleth Chapter the completion of the recon­ tors are invited to make necessary ar­ a people called Montezumians. ' rangements as soon as possible with struction of the National Historic Richard Forry. 6. And they go in and out oftaberna­ Landmark in Grant County, south of cles of clay and they be miners and Ulysses. Kansas, and to rededicate shepherds. this historic Trail site. . WATCH·FOR BICYCLE TREK 7. And they have among them gold County commissioners had atded by SEPT: 21 - OCT: 12 and silver and precious furs and ass haVing the road to the site graded. colts in abundance and they be more­ THE 1991 Santa Fe Trail Bicycle Trek Weeds 'were cleared. the site was over a barbarous people and heathen fenced, and two· historical markers will be traveling from Santa Fe to New idolators. Franklin this fall. A list of overnight were returned to the original site. The stopping places follows. Everyone (continued on page 2) markers had been placed by the DAR in 1909 and the National Park Service ~ along the Trail is encouraged to sup­ port this event and get out and meet in 1961. A well was drilled and, using TRAIL DAY CELEBRATION a solar pump. a recently-installed , the bikers when they are in your area. • wagon box replicates the old one " Sept. 22. Las Vegas, NM . AT NEW FRANKUN, MO t,. Sept. 23. Wagon Mound, NM placed there about 1847 to store water ..'y THE 17th annual Santa Fe Trail Day for travelers. Sept. 24. Cimarron, NM Celebration in New Franklin. MO, will Sept. 25-26, Trinidad, CO Ed Lewis, Vice-president ofthe chap­ Sept. 27, La Junta. CO be Sat.• Sept. 28, 1991. in conjunction with the SFTA Symposium. Activities ter, was master of ceremonies. His Sept. 28. Lamar, CO mother, Lucille Lewis. grew up near Sept. 29, Lakin. KS are planned for all age groups, includ­ Sept. 3D-Oct. 1, Dodge City, KS ing a parade, craft booths and exhib­ the spring and was introduced to the Oct. 2. Larned, KS its•.entertainment. contests, street crowd. Ray Fogelman. on horseback. Oct. 3. Lyons. KS dance. and food booths, including carried the United States and Kansas fla~ Oct. 4. Hillsboro, KS their world-famous Bar-B-Q ham­ for the flag ceremony. Marion Oct. 5-6. Council Grove. KS burgers. The event is sponsored bythe Stoskopf, who was the speaker at the Oct. 7, Baldwin City, KS 1961 dedication ceremony when the Oct. 8, lndependence. MO New Franklin Area Businessmen's As­ sociation. For more information. call NPS marker was placed, recalled the Oct. 9, Lexington, MO earliereventand said "Keep the history Oct. 10. Arrow Rock, MO Joe Chitwood at (816) 882-7000 or (continued on page 2) Oct. 11. New Franklin, MO Dan Chipley at (816) 882-3442. August 1991 1

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l . WAGONBED SPRINGS gems and divers cunning devices. rise up and meet us. 16. But moreover as they journeyed 29. And they answered with one ac­ (continued from page 1) forward in the wilderness· the cen­ cord, and said-as thou listeth so will alive. Deserve itbypreservingourheri­ turian cast about him and said unto we demean ourselves. tage." his followers, be on your guard, for we 30. And it came to pass about the Norma Deyoe presented·a memorial are in the land of the Arapehoes, the seventh hour, at the going down ofthe tribute to Fern Bessire, who as chapter Camanchies, and the ungodly Padu- sun, that they came unto a pool, and president was involved in the planning cas. ; it was brackish. for the restoration ofthe site. She was 17. Nevertheless be of good cheer 31. And the captain of the host said also responsible for founding t!J.e and these heathen shall flee before us unto the men of Boon's Lick, drink ye countyhistorical museum and compil­ everyone to his own city; and they and give unto your asses likewise. ing a history of Grant County. annointed their arms with bear's oil Chapter II and set a watch round about. . Rev. Lemuel Phillips gave the rededi­ 1. When therefore the caravan of cation address. He sketched the his­ 18. And all ofthe men ofBoon's Lick Benjamin had eaten and drank there tory of the Santa Fe Trail and the answered and Said. we fear not, for we . came among them certain wild oxen. importance ofLower Spring which be­ go into the land of promise. came known as Wagonbed Spring. He 2. And theyessayed to drink from the 19. And Benjamin raised his voice pool and would not be gainsayed. said the first resident ofGrant County and spake cheeringly, and said, yea 3. Then Benjamin and all the men of was Richard Joyce who settled the verily, I say unto you as I said before, his tribe rose up, with one accord, and area which included the Lower Spring we seek the gold ofOphir and soft furs laid· hold of his arms, every one his on the Cimarron River. and ass colts and onyx stones. double trigger. Terry Brown, Liberal, added to the 20. And when they came unto a deep 4. And theyslew ofthe wild oxen half historic event with his camp ofa Santa valley. by cthe river Arkansas, they Fe trader'. A local group of musicians a score and the humps upon their stood still and said to the centurian, backs were as sweet morsels under provided "pickin' and fiddlin'" music lot here is water, let us drink. . their tongues. before and after the program. A picnic 21.. And he said, yea, eat and drink supper under a tent concluded the 5. Now therefore they journeyed for­ and make yourselves glad, for ye have day's events. ward and they tarried not until they journ'eyed far, else ye may faint by the compassed the hillocks of sand, and . . wayside. came unto a great plain, where~n BOOK OF THE MULETEERS 22.. And they unmuzzled their mules herbage did grow. (continued from page 1) and their asses, and laid them down; 6. And theyset their faces toward the and they. drew from their panniers 8. And he said, men and brethren of mountains that divided them from the corn cakes, and the flesh ofswine and land of Montezuma, and they went the tribe of Benjamin, hearken unto did eat. me-and they answered, and said, we forward many Sabbath day's journey. do hearken. 23. And when they had finished 7. And it came to pass that the Cara­ feasting. they rose up and departed 9. And he said go ye unto your sev­ van arrived in the midst of a city, and leaVing the fragments of the feast they of the caravan stood still by the eral places of abode and tarry three. strewed round about and the ravens days; and on the fourth day rise up way side, and looked round about and the magpies came and picked up them, and lor a people came forth from early in the morning while it is yet the remnant. ~ dark, and saddle your asses. 24. Now when they had journeyed WAGON TRACKS is tbe official publication 10. And on the fourth day they gath­ forward three Sabbath day's' journey of tbe Santa Fe Trail Association, a non-profit ered themselves together as they were on the river bank, and crossed over the organization incorporated under tbe laws of tbe State ofColorado. Letters and articles are wont, every one on his own ass, and waters thereof, they came to a great came, and stood still over·against the welcome. but they become tbe property of WT desert whereon the grass withered. and may be edited or abridged at tbe editor's habitation of Benjamin, and they said 25. And it came to passthat they had. discretion. All rights reserved. Inquiries can lot we are come untothee as thou has be directed to tbe appropriate addresses below. bidden. no water, and they were exceedingly Annual SUbscriptions are obtained tbrougb thirsty, so that their tongues were membersbip in tbe Association, wbose dues 11. And Benjamin combed his locks, parched and cleaved unto the roofs of are fIXed per calendar year. Cbecks should be rose up, and came forth to where his their mouths. made payable to tbe Santa Fe Trail Associa­ ass was tethered by the way side. tion and sent to tbe secretary-treasurer. 26. Now therefore Benjamin the cen­ Membership Categories , 12. And he said, men ofBoon's Lick, turian, was sorely vexed. for everyone. Benefactor $1,000 let your loins be· girt about & your went his own way in search ofa foun­ Patron $100/year hearts filled with the oil ofgladness, for Institutional $25/year tain, and they marvelled exceedingly; Family $15/year you are going into a far country. and they said unto the centurian, why IndiVIdual $IO/year . 13. And they answered with one have ye brought us here to perish in a Editor: Leo E. Oliva, RR I, Box 31, Wood­ voice, yea, verily, we rejoice exceed­ far country? ston, KS 67675 Ingly and marvel not. 27. And Benjamin stood up among President: Josepb. W, Snell, 5906 SW 14. And moreover they cried out as them and said, why marvel ye, men of Hawick Lane, Topeka, KS 66614 . Vice-President: Bill Pitts, 7811 NE 10th one man, be ye our centurian & we will Boon's Lick; what seek ye? #202, MidweSt City, OK 73110 do thy bidding; and say unto each of 28. Wherefore are my locks grey ifye Secretary-Treasurer: Rutb Olson, Santa us singly, go, and we will go, come, and hearken not unto me? Gird your loins Fe Trail Center, RR 3, Lamed, KS 67550 we will come. about ye, and seek and ye shall find 1991 SymposiumCoordinator: Ricbard R. 15. And they were armed every;one water.and precious metals. Why tarry Forry, 205 S. 6tb St., Arrow Rock, MO 65320 with weapons of war according to his we for the gold to come unto us-let us Publicity Coordinator: Micbael E. Pitel, journey forWard unto the land ofMon­ Tano Rd., Rt. 4, Box 240, Santa Fe, NM fashion, and they were valiant men 87501 and true, and well skilled in all strata- tezuma, and straightway silver shall

2 August 1991

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their tabernacles of clay and their skin was 25. It inclineth the maiden to listen unto MISSOURI NEWSPAPER like the skin of Ethiope. the word of him that wooeth, even the old 8. And the dwellers of Santa Fe looked men and the maidens are made glad MONUMENT up and beheld the men of Benjamin, and thereat. by Virginia Lee Fisher they were sore afraid because of their ha­ 26. It buildeth up kingdoms and layeth THOSE attending the SFTA Sympo­ . biliments and their harness of war. the city and high palaces low. sium and other Trail travelers will be 9. And they marvelled one with another, 27. It breaketh the bolts of the prison interested in this item. -WhateverHap­ and said, what manner of men are these door-it causeth disease to flee away. pened to Missouri's Only Newspaper Monument?- byFrancis Pike. publIsh­ whose skin is like unto the whiteness of a 28. Now therefore all the men of Ben­ ed in the Columbia Tribune. June 16. leper? . jamin rose up and set theirfaces toward the 10. And the elders and the chief men of land wherein their kin folk dwelt, every one 1991. Santa Fe spake in a strange language, and his saddle upon his own ass. The monument' to the first newspaper printed in Missouri west of St. Louis is said whence came ye? 29. And they rejoiced with exceeding joy located in an out-of-the-way spot across 11. And Benjamin answered and said, that their sojourning in the land of idolators the river from Boonville. It was erected in we be from a far country, from the land of was at an end. corn and swine's flesh. 1919 by the Missouri Press Association in 30. And when they came out. from honor of the Missouri Intelligencer and 12. Now they of the Ethiope skin spake amongst the tabernacles of clay, they Boon's Lick Advertiser, celebrating its again unto the strangers and said, what .shook the dust from their feet. 100th year. seekye? 31. Saying, this people is in the gall of The inscription on the monument is as 13. Then Benjamin the caravan bachi bitterness, and the region of vermin. follows: 500 feet west of this spot! is the stood forth and said, we come from afar 32. Let us therefore cut off everyone his spot where stood the building! in Franklin! with our asses laden with merchandize and locks, that they multiply not among us. And in which was pUblished! The Missouri Intel­ we seek gold and silver, the ox and the ass they were shorn every one according to his ligencer! and Boone's Lick Advertiser! by and all that is within thy gates. mode. Nathaniel Patten and Benjamin Holliday! 14. Then the men of Santa Fe cried with 33. And they did bathe in the pools bythe The first number was issued! April 23, one. voice, saying, tarry ye, come in and highway at the going down of the sun. 1819!lt was the first newspaper printed! in sojourn, and our maidens shall wash your Missouri west of St. Louis! and was Mis­ 34. And as they journeyed homeward in feet and anoint your beards. souri's pioneer countyI newspaper. ...This the wilderness, and in the land of the Ara­ 15. And they tarried, and did eat the monument was! erected and dedicated by of pahoes, the Camanchies and the ungodly the !Missouri Press Association! May 9, flesh ofthe lamb, and of goat's milk, and of Paducas, . barley water. 1919. 35. Certain valiant young men'ofthe tribe 16. And they spake with one another and Another marker nearby. erected by the of Benjamin w~tched all night, neither did said, it is good for us to be here, for we are state of Missouri, states that Franklin, they close their eyelids. weary and our lot is cast in pleasant places. founded in 1816, "was once the metropolis 36. Andwhen Benjamin and his followers 17. Now it came to pass when they had of the Boon's Lick Country, a central Mis­ had wandered in the wilderness for the sojourned awhile that there came among souri region taking its name from a salt lick space of forty days. them certain money changers and set be­ in the area worked by the sons of Daniel fore them strange coins and said 37. And when their beards had waxed Boone." long and their raiment was like unto sack 18. These we will give unto you, yea Here was the first land office north ofthe cloth overspread with dust and ashes. more for your purple raiment andfine linens Missouri River in 181 8 and the first news­ and sandals. 38. They came unto a great river whose paper in 1819. From 1817-28, Franklin waters rolled one upon another like a served as the seat of Howard County. En­ 19. And the men of Benjamin said, add mighty whirlwind. croachment of the river brought about the thereunto from the flocks and herds ofyour abandonment of the town and the begin­ hills four score of ass colts, and mules and 39. And there stood therein great beams ning of New Franklin. jennets a great many. . upright in the water like the bowsprits oftall From Franklin, William Becknell, "Father 20. And those of swarthy skin answered ships. , of the Santa Fe Trail," led in 1821 the first them according to all they had spoken and 40. Now therefore when they had gazed successful trading expedition to Santa Fe thus did as the men of Benjamin had com­ on this mighty sheet of angry waters they and took the first wagons over the route. In manded and rose up and departed. all cried out with one voice-MISSOURI! . MISSOURI! 1822, the jacks and jennets brought back '.. 21. Then they of Benjamin shouted with by, Becknell· were the founding stock of one accord and cried aloud saying, this is 41. Arid they were exceeding glad, and Missouri's mule industry. the land of promise-and the land of pay­ rejoiced with joy unspeakable. Among those prominent citizens who ment-for we are laden with the gold of ,.. 42. And everyone had many shekels of lived in Franklin were John Miller, governor Ophir. silver, and mules and ass colts a great ofthe state in 1826-32, and Kit Carson, who 22. And it is moreover of greater value company. was apprenticed to a saddler and later than Loan Office, and the sound thereof is 43. And all the old men and maidens, and known as the "Scout of the West.· Also, .like unto sounding brass and a tinkling cym­ all their kin folk dwellers in Boon's Lick were artist George Caleb Bingham's father ran a bal. exceedingly rejoiced thereat. hotel in the town. Preceding the founding of 23. And the music thereof is like the Franklin had been the establishment of • music of running waters in a great desert seven forts erected in the area to protect when the horse and rider thirsteth with a MISSOURII MISSOURII against Indian raids during the War of1812. parched tongue. Files of the first several years of the 24. It maketh the feeble strong, the lame Intelligencer are with the State Historical leap, and the aged forget their grey hairs, 1991 SYMPOSIUM, Society of Missouri. The original press was' yea it turneth the hair of the head like the given by William Switzler, Boone County plumage of the raven. SEPTEMBER 26-30 historian of the 1800s, to the St. Louis

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Mercantile Library. , TRAIL NOMINATIONS FOR early 1870s. It was officially designated as The newspaper consisted 01 four pages, a cemetery after the so-called 'Stonewall 11 inches wide and 18 inches long. On the NATIONAL REGISTER War" between the early settlers and the first page were listed unclaimed letters held THE Urbana Group of Urbana. llli­ Maxwell Land Grant Company. Richard D. .by the old Franklin post office, a list ofdrugs nois. has been awarded a contract by Russell, a leader of the settlers, was shot "just received by Dr. Hutchinson" and infor­ the National Park Service to pursue and killed in this skirmish and was buried in mation on the treaty with Spain that was in National Register of Historic Places the Stonewall Cemetery. the process of being made. designation for Santa Fe Trail sites. Of The Rocky Mountain Coal and Iron Com­ ~ The second page gave the editorial pol­ the 194 sites listed in the NPS's SFNHT pany having acquired title to the Maxwell icy of the paper, setting forth principles of management plan. at least 40 will be Land Grant Company ownership in Colo­ free speech, including acts of public offi­ nominated to the National Register. rado deeded a tract of land which included cials of public interest, and that such acts This project is being directed by Ur­ the cemetery tract, to one Fred Herrington. were "expedient to the welfare of Franklin bana Group Vice-President Alice Ed­ In January of 1904, Fred Herrington con­ and the Boon's Lick area.' . wards. Field work for the effort is veyed title of the cemetery to J. W. Shouse, The third page published lists of land headed by Colleen Hamilton of the J. P. Cae, and Marion Russell, widow of sales from the Franklin Land office, and University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Richard D. Russell. also advertisements of Franklin merchants. contract isbeingmonitored bythe New Through the years it continued in use as Mexico State Historic Preservation . On the fourth page was printed Benjamin a cemetery and one of the few Protestant Program. Nominations will be com­ Franklin's 'Caution to a Young Printer,' cenleteries west of Trinidad. In 1972 Viola pleted in 1992. A representative ofthe also lists of toasts made at a public dinner Russell and Nora R. Parsons, descendants Urbana Group will attend the SFTA honoring George Washington's birthday. of Marion Russell and J. P. Coe, incorpo­ meeting at Arrow Rock. rated the Stonewall Community Cemetery Because of the overflowing Missouri The preparation of nominatlons will as a non-profit organization and deeded it River, the Intelligencer was moved to Fay­ require visits to sites along the Trail to the Stonewall Community Church. A ette June 29, 1826, then to Columbia May and owner,permission for listing. Site Cemetery Board of five taken from the . 4, 1830. The name was changed to Patriot owners can expect to be contacted for church members now administers the Dec. 12, 1835, and finally to the Statesman permission to visit selected sites. The cemetery. Jan. 6, 1843. After consolidation with the SFTA urges land owners to cooperate Columbia Herald, it finally folded as the In the fall of 1986 after the death of wife, with the project. Herald-Statesman after 119 years and 2 Shirley Barron, Stanley Barron undertook a months, on June 30, 1938. The listing of a site on the National personal project of beautifying and rehabili­ Register gives'recognition but does not The Missouri Press Association tating the cemetery. monument was designed by Egerton inhibit the use ofprivate property. The owner retains all usual property There were found to be quite a number Swarthout. one ofAmerica's outstand­ rights. Providing public access to a of unmarked graves in the cemetery. ing architects of the early twentieth National Register site is not a require­ Marion Russell had prepared a crude map century. Swarthout was the architect ment. The intent is to recognize and and list of names in the cemetery prior to for the Missouri State CapitolatJeffer­ document the historic qualities of the her death in 1936. From this map and list, son City. Legend has it that Swarthout site. One measure of protection a Na­ names were assigned to unmarked graves. sketched the monument design. at a tional Register place possesses is that Some of these names had no first name local tavern while working on the capi­ federal authorities must carefully re­ arid no dates. Exhaustive research was tol project. His name is in small letters done from mortuary records, census re­ in the lower left-hand. comer of the view any proposed actions which would adversely affect the site. cords, and archives of the Colorado De­ monument. partment of Health. A few records were Questions or comments on the nomi­ The other large marker was first found pertaining to names on the list left by nation effort may be sent to Hugh erected near the junction of State Marion Russell. It was found, however, "that Davidson, a research associate of the Highway 5 and old U.S. Highway 40. It no records exist for burials prior to 1906. As Urbana Group, 1532 44th St., Rock a consequence many of the graves have ' was erected in 1937 by the Missouri Island, IL 61201. Please mark corre­ Highway Department and the State markers that bear an incomplete name and spondence MAtto: Santa Fe TraU" in the no dates. The markers were donated by Historical Society and was recently lower left-hand comer of the envelope. moved to the Kingsbury siding loca­ Campbell-Lewis-Cotter and Sons Funeral tion. Home. The stones came from the old STONEWALL COMMUNITY Those attending the Symposium will Grand Hotel in Trinidad. The stones and enjoystoppingbythe ArrowRock Print CEMETERY markers were put together and placed by Stanley Barron and crew. The grave mark­ Shop. Cordell Tindall, veteran Mis­ by Linda Peters ers were placed as per the list and map souri newspaperman and editor. mans WHILE our family was on a fishing the shop and demonstrates typeset­ and camping trip in June, we visited made by Marion Russell. ting and use of the old hand presses. the graves ofRichard and Marian Rus­ , It is requested that any person that may He is preparing copies of old news· sell and family at Stonewall, Colorado. have information pertaining to any incom­ sheets of early days ofArrow Rock for We were pleased to see thesmall cerne­ plete named or non-dated grave marker distribution at the meeting. The Mis­ tery fenced and neatly mowed. It was please notify Stanley Barron, a member of souri Press Association established evident that families had visited for the Cemetery Board, the Stonewall Com­ the Print Shop as a press museum in Memorial'Day because many graves munity Church, or Campbell-Lewis-Cotter the early I 960s. Demonstrations are were decorated with flags and flowers. and Sons Funeral Home in Trinidad. supported by the Friends of Arrow There is a visitors' center just inside Itwas verysatisfyingto see theceme­ Rock and the Historic Arrow Rock the gate with a registration book and a tery so neat and well-kept. All who are Council, with assistance from the Mis­ plaque containing the history of the mentioned on·the plaque as having put souri Arts Council. cemetery. The plaque reads as follows: so much time and effort into thisceme­ This tract of ground had its beginning as tery should be commended and en- . MISSOURI WELCOMES SFI'A a burial place in the latter 1860s or very couraged to continue their efforts.

4 August 1991 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol5/iss4/1 4 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991)

MODERN CARAVAN followed along the Arkansas River Wasserman Way, Salina, KS 67401. while the Dry Route jogged off in a FOLLOWS WET ROUTE southwesterly direction to Coon Creek IKE OSTEEN HONORED by Carl Immenschuh just past present-day Kinsley. After, m~mber WITH the wildflowers in bloom and the establishment ofFort Larned, the IRA "Ike" Osteen, SFTA from the hills covered with a carpet ofgreen, Trail shifted to the north to stop at the Spririgfield, Colorado, was recently 75 people gathered on June 1 to follow Fort Larned mail station. honored along with his postal unit for ,service dUring World War IT in Europe. the Wet Route of the Santa Fe Trail The caravan saw several cutdowns from Larned to just east ofFort Dodge. The 144th Army Postal Unit, com­ where the wagons crossed streams, as prised oftwelve men includingOsteen, Hosting the modern-day caravan was well as the hills they skirted. The area the Wet/Dry Route Chapter of SFTA, had a memorial dedicated to them in r visited holds many distinct wagon Arlington National Cemetery: Osteen, I led by David Clapsaddle. Appropri­ ruts, all standingout as a memorial to ately enough, it rained. a retired postalemployee, attended the the early travelers. Just one mile ceremony. This is the first such memo­ , The first stop was at Second and southwest of Garfield, in a pasture "• rial plaque to be placed in Arlington • State streets in Larned. It was there north of U.S. Highway 56, stands a National Cemetery. The unit which that George Sibley, in 1825, made the large yellow sign marking the route. served in the European theater weath­ first written mention of this unique Here there is evidence of several cut- ered combatattacks in order ,to deliver ,location. It was Ma face ofsoft rock, with , downs crossing Coon Creek, and also the mail and became known as MThe people's names carved on it, alongwith some evidence of a dugout near the Fighting APO 144." Indian markings." The markings have creek bank. These are marks left from longsince disappeared and the cUff no the military road that connected Fort Osteen penned the following poem longer resembles that ofSibley's nota­ Larned with the Wet Route and are about the war and another man called tions. Sibley was one ofthe three com­ quite evident on the west side of the Ike who also grew up near the old missioners appointed by the U.S. gov­ creek just alongside the highway. Santa Fe Trail: ernment to survey the Santa Fe Trail. Five miles southwest of Garfield is The army was big but wouldn't you know He kept a diary which helps gUide Plain Camp, where in 1847 Lieut. John It wound up with two Ike's in the ETO: those seeking to rediscover the Trail. Love, on his way south with a contin­ My buddies and I moved the army mail, Just west of this location, near the gency of troops for the Mexican War, And any letter for Ike came to me without west edge of Larned's city park, was attacked by an estimated 300 Co­ fail. Samuel Parker built a trading ranche manches. Accompanying him were One day I told Eisenhower, "This has to in 1864. This predated the formation two government trains of about 25 stop. of Pawnee County by eight years. wagons each and one trader train of Parkerlatermoved west to Jenkins Hill about 25 wagons. Five troopers were "I'll keep my name on the bottom and you and, established another ranche that killed and the Comanches ran off put yours on top." later became the famous Boyd's about 130 oxen. Lieut. Love took an He looked at me and then said with a Ranche. These early ranches were lit­ old'mountaineer, Thomas MBroken giggle, tle more than early day Mtruck stops." Hand"'Fitzpatrick, and went to look for "Make it Uttle Ike and Big Ike with nothing They catered to the whims and desires help on the Dry Route. There they in the middle." of traders. Often their main business found a train returning from Santa Fe I said, "How about Sgt. Ike for me and was food, liquor, and what could deli­ and struck a deal to borrow enough General Ike for you?" catelybe called Mladies ofthe evening." animals to allow them to continue Then he said, "If Churchill demotes me The tour stopped at the bridge cross­ their journey. From that time forward, to Sergeant what will we do?" ing})awnee Fork on Highway 56 on the Plain Camp was known as Love's De­ feat. So I put a sign on my pup tent, "Little Ike west side of Larned and contemplated sleeps here," the courage of the early travelers who Five miles farther west, in 1848, crossed there. Sibley described the Lieut. William B. Royal's command And back to work I went. banks as being about 30 feet high and was attacked by some 600 Comanche One day Monty and Big Ike an inspection the river being 40 yards wide, making and Apache Indians. Even though he did make. this one of the more difficult of many had only 73 raw recruits, Royal was Monty saw my sign and did a retake. obstacles facing travelers of the Trail able to fend them offwith the aid oftwo Then he said, "General Ike is it really even though the water was usually small cannons and suffered no casu­ true, ' only three or four feet deep. He also alties in the fray. "Is there another Ike as famous as you?" clearly described the timber that lined Black Pool is another ofthe enchant­ Big Ike smiled, scratched his bald head, the banks, including Cottonwood, ing places Visited by the caravan. The Then turned to the Haughty Englishman , Elm, Ash, Elder, and Grapevine. huge spring still flows. Its early exist- .' Military records and Trail journals , ence was noted byan inscription dated and said, often made reference to the difficulty 1843. The group visited Jackson's "Yes, Monty, I guess it's true; , of crossing Pawnee Fork. The bulk of Grove (or Jackson's Island). Five miles "This Sergeant is higher up than either the travel along this part of the Trail west ofJackson's Island is the western me or you. occurred prior to 1859, the year the terminus of the Wet and Dry routes. "I am from Kansas and you the British military post that became Fort Larned Here long stretches of ruts can be Isle, was established near the Dry Route seen. "But Colorado Ike is higher up by a mile." crossing of the Pawnee. The tour provided an opportunity to Now Big Ike and Monty are dead and Although nothingremains to identify view many important Trail sites. The gone, the location, 3 miles southwest of the Wet/Dry Route Chapter continues Pawnee Crossing were MForks in the with its project to mark these sites Leaving Little Ike to carry on alone. Santa Fe Road." Before 1859, this was along both branches. Anyone inter­ I don't suppose I'll ever match theirfame, where the Wet and Dry Routes of the ested in joining the chapter can write But now you know I have a famous Santa Fe Road split. The Wet Route President Joanne VanCovern, 4773 N NAME.

August 1991 5

Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 5 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

LEXINGTON AND THE SANTA FE TRAIL by Roger Slusher

'0::';- 0;-;, "'~""Mi;-' :"::"/"J.,.... [This is nineteenth ·iil. a series on "., - , -"" . tled seven miles west at Wellington, n museums and historic sites along the was hired by a Gen. McRea to Mtake a Trail. Roger Slusher teaches Ameri­ small stock of goods on pack mules can history at Wentworth Military .;>' over the trackless prairie to Mexico." Academy in Lexington, Missouri. He Renick was only 19 and afterward is president ojthe new Missouri River made several similar trips by himself. Ouifltters Chapter oj SFTA. He and He issaid to have specialized in trading his wife, Sandy, have restored an for mules. 1840s brick house that sits on one For TraU historians, the first really branch ojthe Trall in Lexington.] significant business in Lexington was FROM the early 18208 until the CivU the store and warehouse built by John War, Lexington, located in western Aull who came from Delaware in 1822. Missouri, was involved in almost every He was followed by his brothers Robert aspect of the Santa Fe trade. WhUe and James in 1825. According to W. J. lhla large log houee'was buln overlooking Ghent in The Early Far West, James written references, early roads, and Jack'. Ferry at least 88 early88the 18308 and memorials exist in some abundance, (age 22) wrote, before setting out with the "river route" oHhe Trail went past Its the 1829 caravan: MShould the savages. documented sites and artifacts are front door. "has been authentically restored rare and scattered. Fortunately, his­ attack us, we must defend ourselves . and fumlshed by the leXington Historical the best way we can, as Gen. Jackson tory can bring understanding to this Association. segment of the TraU as long as the or secretary Eaton appear disposed to let us shift for ourselves." reader or visitor is wUling to contribute . Trace was declared by the court to be some general knowledge and a good the "nearest and best" route to' Fort . By 1830 the Aull J?rothers' stores dash of imagination. Osage in October 1821. That route was were sellinga wide variety ofmerchan­ dise in Liberty, Independence, and Lexington's first settler was probably often referred to as the Mold Inde­ pendence Road." Although many early Richmond, as well as LeXington, much GiUad Rupe who came to the area of it to Santa Fe traders. In 1830 they around 1815 from Boonville where he, traders from central Missouri may have by-passed Lexington, the route sold between $8,000 and $10,000 had operated a ferry. He may have. worth ofgoods 'to the caravans at 25% started a ferry at the mouth ofMRupe's through ~he town became the pre- ferred road. . over Philadelphia prices with no inter­ branch" on the Missouri, but by 1819 est for six months and then 10% inter­ Captain WUliam Jack was known tobe Lexington was platted in 1822 in the est until paid. operating the ferry. MJack's Ferry area later known as "Old Town" and' Road" was the connection between the This indicates one of the main prob­ became the county seat in 1823 with lems with the trade and western com­ river and the earlysettlement centered a log courthouse in a public square. .about two miles to the east. merce in general. Credit was crucial between Lewis and Clark (now 23rd but very risky. Some goods such as In September 1821 William Becknell and 24th) Streets. Although most whiskey, salt, tobacco, and beeswax ofFranklin probably followed the Os­ businesses were around the court­ could be bought or traded for locally. age Trace west from. Arrow Rock house, the river front also grew as However, James had to travel to the through Grand Pass to Mount Vernon more boats came up the Missouri. East each winter to buy most of the on Tabo Creek. Mount Vernon, which Direct expeditions from the Lexing­ goods for the next season, getting no longer exists, was the county seat ton areastarted as earlyas 1822 when lighter things such as cotton cloth and of Lillard (later Lafayette) County, StrotherRenick, whose family hadset- luxuries in Philadelphia and other cit- which included all ofwestern Missouri at that time. In AprU'1821 the county court licensed Adam Lightner tooper- . ate aJerry across Tabo and appointed overseers to maintain the Trace from the eastern boundary of the county to Fort Osage. Becknell probably used the ferry at Tabo and then took the Trace to Fort Osage, skirtingLexington by a few miles to the south, before , heading for Santa Fe. The Lexington settlers had success­ fully petitioned the county court to open a road from Jack's Ferry to Mount Vernon by July 1821. Referred to later as the Mold Santa Fe Trail" or . the Mold Dover Road" (after an early settlement east of Mt. Vernon), this route was settled as early as 1818 by Christopher Catron, who is said to have broken the first prairie soU in the All that remains of the original lexington town square In Old Town where merchants catered county. to Santa Fe traders Isthe rise totherightwhere the firsttwo courthouses stood and the remains A road south from Lexington to the of two brick commercial buildings to the left.

6 August 1991 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol5/iss4/1 6 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991)

had to buy the flour in Boonville, 70 miles down river. To add insult to in­ , . ~- -" - '.. " . -' <; " jUry, theywere docked $35.00because ",,' , "-' , ' the flour was notas fine as thecontract reqUired. 1832 James deCided to cut. back -- ,'" ," - In ".' .,., ,,~- j' on stock and get the firm out of debt. ! This was extremely difficult. ,The West had a deficit in trade with the East, where mostMexican silver was qUickly sent; the Aulls often shipped silver in secretly marked barrels along with other goods, since bank transfers were 'i difficult. About the only source of '. Mhard moneyM was the Santa Fe trade. In the winter of 1835 JaIIies ap­ pealed to the circuit court in Inde­ pendence and only collected $500 out of $25,000 owed his firm by residents ofJackson County. In reality, probably many ofthem had "gone west." RObert Aull had formed the first Mbank" in Lexington in 1829 to support these credit operations, but in 1835 James The lexington Historical Museum was built warned that banks "will hold up for a Missouri'. DAR Pioneer Mother Monument, as a Presbyterian Church In 1846. It contains few years longer" and that speculators over1ooklng Jack'. Ferry Road, was dedI­ exhibits on all periods of lexington's history would be wise to be "preparing for any ,cated In 1928 by Jackson County JUdge with emphasis on the Civil War and Russell, storm that may come some two or Harry S. Truman. The DAR granite Trail Majors & Waddell. three years hence." Taking his own marker at right wss moved to this spot from adVice, the Aull partnership was dis­ Tabo Creek and will be returned soon to Its ies. These were taken overland by solved on January 1, 1836. James proper location. wagon to Pittsburg and by steamboat concentrated on the leXington store to St, Louis where they and heavier and successfully weathered the de­ in Lexington for the Aulls and many items much as stoves and plows, pression of 1837. others. True, as Josiah Gregg noted in which he might have had shipped from The difficulties of the Aull brothers 1844, after 1831 Independence Msoon the east via New Orleans, were shifted should not give the mistaken impres­ began to take the lead" but, as he also to smaller boats or wagons bound for sion that thin~ were not prosperous noted, Meven subsequently to 1831 Lexington. many wagons have been fitted out and These goods had to be bought on ' started from (the) interior section." , credit, while they paid for the previous In 1880 an early settler known as •, year's goods with payments made by , MU nele George" Houxwas quoted in the the latest train from Santa Fe. Often Lexington Intelligencer as saying that the traders had to make two trips be­ Mmoney was sewed up in leather ba~ fore they could completely settle their ... like meal sacks from Santa Fe, and first bill, so the brothers depended on when they arrived in leXington, at the sales to local residents, fur traders tavern in Old Town. were thrown down such as Jedediah Smith or Ceran St. like common baggage." Alphonso Wet­ Vrain, and the anny to stay ahead. more's Gazetteer of Missouri (1837) In 1832 James Aull tried to avoid the proelaimed "Lexington is one ,of the credit problem by sending $3,000 towns from which outfits are made in worth of goods to Santa Fe with merchandise, mules, oxen, and wag­ • Gresham Compton of Liberty. Appar­ ons for Santa Fe or New Mexico trade. ently little profit resulted, since the The fur traders who pass to the moun­ AuUs did not send any more goods tain by land make this town a place of \ direct to Santa Fe until James went rendezvous, and frequently going out " himself in 1846. A telling note is that and coming in with their wagons and one of Compton's duties in Santa Fe packed mules at the same period of was to try to collect $98.18 from a goingand comingthat ischosen bythe wagon maker who had supposedly, Mexican traders." Even allowing for gone to that area. some early American hyperbole, thin~ Military contracts were also risky. In were going quite well. This prosperity led to many changes 1838 the partners bid $7,000 to sup­ Lexington'. Greek revtval courthouse was ply Fort Leavenworth, about 100 miles in Lexington. Although in 1835 a new constructed In 1847 and I. stili In use. Its three-storybrickcourthouse was com­ upriver: They counted on using Oour upper leftcolumn was struck bya cannonball from a mill Robert was constructingon pieted in Old Town, increased river during the Battle of lexington In 1861. The activity led to the platting of the area the Little Blue River near Inde­ monument In the foreground honors Russell, pendence, but the eqUipment for the between the old square and the river. Majors & Waddell for founding the Pony Ex­ The riverfront now had several stores, mill did not arrive on time and they press.

August 1991 7

Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 7 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

Santa Fe caravans. When E. W. Pomeroy came to ar­ LeavingIndependence in June 1846, range burial, he discovered that a the train of45 wagons included JOSiah Mexican receiver had sold part of the Gregg'(who soon turned back due to goods for $4,323.19, which Just hap­ scarlet fever in his sister's famlly), the ,pened exactly to equal expenses for artist John Mix Stanley (whose draw­ legal documents, duties, and so forth. ings of the trek have been lost), and, Pomeroyset up threestores in Chihua­ Samuel Magoffin. a veteran Santa Fe hua and by November had sold $9,000 trader whose new bride Susan wrote worth of goods. However, in fear, of one of the most complete and unique losing the estate, he urged Robert Aull to send someone to the Mexican con­ diaries of the Trall. According to her , account. Owens and Aull had five ox sul in Pittsburg. saying: "Remember '. teams and "some eighteen or twenty" we are in H-ll and wish to be trans­ mule teams on that trip. ferred to a better place." The Mexican government was remarkablyagreeable Unfortunately, what could have been under the circumstances and the last a stimulating and profitable venture ofthestock was soldbyJanuary 1848. turned into a trage!iY ofclassic propor­ Pomeroy estimated that the Owens tions. War was about to break outwith and Aull enterprise had barely broken Mexico over the American claim to a even in the terms ofdollars and cents. Texas border extending to the Rio This houSe at 188 tughland belonged to mer­ John Aull had died in 1842 and. chant Robert Aull and overlooked the ·rlver Grande. One group of traders rushed ahead to Santa Fe, but were held pris­ following the death of James, Robert . route" of the Trail near Jack's Ferry. It was Aull continued in banking and trade used as a bank In 1845 while the Fifth Branch oner when they went 500 miles south to Chihuahua, another Mexican trade , for some time with the help of several Bank of the state Of MI88ourl, which stili relatives. In 1859 he helped found the stands, was being constructed one block center. The main group was overtaken by General Stephen Watts Kearnywho Elizabeth Aull Seminary in Lexington. ' away. The house Isnowa duplexand In good This Presbyterian finishing school for condition. ordered them to follow his troops as they advanced on Santa Fe. The fact young ladies overlooked the river and was established in memory of his un­ warehouses, a mill, and a ropewalk for that 'these traderS resisted his protec­ tion, despite the outbreak of the war married sister, whose will provided processingpart ofthe large local hemp part of the funds. crop. with Mexico, was an interesting com­ mentaryon the confidence. determina­ Meanwhile a new generation of lex­ As for the Trail at that time, The tion, and insight of the Santa Fe trad­ ington traders was getting off to a fast Santa Fe TraU Revisited by Gregory ers. start. WtlUam H. Russell, lately ofVer­ Franzwa is a reliable guide. The main Kearny easily captured Santa Fe in mont. started working for the Aull route from the east followed the Old brothers in Lexington in 1830. He Dover Road to Old ToWn and then August, but the local economy was disrupted, so Owens and Aull, plus qUickly exhibited aialent for account­ turned south around what is now 20th ing and self-promotion. He left the street to join the old Osage Trace to 300 other traders and teamsters headed for Chihuahua. onlyto be over: Aulls in 1838 and with two partners Independence. When the river was low opened a retail store in Lexington. In and wagons were loaded near it, they taken by Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan's Missouri Volunteers. 1840 he succeeded James Aull as could follow an alternate ~river route" treasurer ofLafayette County and was from Jack's Ferry Road near the river Doniphan, who had practiced law in Lexington, exceeded his authority and appointed postmaster of Lexington in west past Simpsons's Spring to Wel­ 1841. lington, where they could join the in­ created' a "Traders Battalion" under dependence Road south of town, sav­ the command of "Major" Owens. In 1845 a new partnership failed. but inga few miles and avoiding a few hills. Owens was killed in the Battle of Sac­ in 1847 Russell joined E. C. McCarty ,ramento in February 1847. ofWestport in sending the first civilian By the 1840's "New Town" near the James Aull sold some goods to the wagon train to SantaFe from that city. river was the center ofcommerce. with troops as they marched toward Chi­ Russell was too much of an aristocrat the first newspaper, a branch of the huahua and, after it was occupied by to make the journey. but he helped Missouri State Bank, a Masonic Col­ Doniphan, he set up a store to sell the organize the successful caravan and lege. and a stately Greek revival court­ stock that remained. On April 3 he repeated the effort in 1848. The next house (1847). In 1844 The Lexington sent pay accounts and drafts for over year, with the help ofconservative lex­ Express noted that "during the past 2 $15,000 to E. W. Pomeroy, a Le~gton ington wholesaler and retailer William weeks some 30 wagons have passed trader and brother-in-law of the Aulls, Bradford Waddell, he joined with • • our door freighted with bacon, dry who was in Santa Fe. to be forwarded James Brown of Independence and si­ , hides. flax seed, beeswax, etc." to Robert Aull. James was even bUying lent partner Robert Aull to ship Despite all the activity, James Aull Mexican pork and mutton and resell­ 600,000 pounds of emergency sup­ must have missed the excitement, and ing them to the army. At the end of plies from Fort Leavenworth to Santa maybe the profits, of the Santa Fe April Doniphan was ordered to leave Fe for the army. Their four trains of30 trade. In 1846 he formed a partnership but Aull, haVing received promises of wagons each and one of15 divided into with Samuel Owens of Independence. protection from the Mexican authori­ two groups. The one under Brown was Owens had managed the AuII brothers' ties, decided to stay. Every few days he snowbound in a sudden blizzard 50 store in Independence, later becoming was able to send several thousand dol­ miles from Santa Fe. Brown died of Robert Aull's partner in the store, be­ lars to Pomeroy, buton June 23 James typhoid fever after riding into Santa Fe fore purchasing Robert's halfin 1844.. Aull was stabbed to death' by fou'r to explain the situation.

The new partners loaded up $70,000 Mexican robbers. Both Aull and Waddell asked Congress for $39,800, in goods and joined one of the most Samuel Owenswere buried in Chihua­ in ~ompensation and in 1851 the firm, famous and well documented of all hua. now called Russell and Waddell, deliv-

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ered goods to Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Nebraska City and Westport, as re­ SECOND ANNUAL TRAIL and various other posts. In 1853 they qUired by the new contract. In Con­ got the contracts for FortRiley, Kan­ gress the firm was pictured as unethi­ TOUR IN OKLAHOMA sas, and Fort Union, New Mexico, but cal, but the contract money was ap­ THE Cimarron County Historical So­ competition was stlfT, especially from proved. cietyis sponsoringa tourofthe section Alexander Majors of Kansas City who As the partners continued to fulfill of the Santa Fe Trail which passes had taken his first train to Santa Fe In somewhat profitable government con­ across the Oklahoma panhandle," on 1848. tracts, at the urging of Russell, they Saturday, October 5, 1991. Partici­ Majors was a very reUgious man branched Into a risky stage line to pants will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the whose wagons rested on Sunday and California and the legendary Pony Ex­ Cimarron County Fair Building In Boise City and leave by 8:00 a.m. , whose men agreed not to "use profane press. They were hoping to get a very ."\ language, not toget drunk, not to gam­ profitable mall contract to California, Those going on the tour should have r ble' not to treat animals cruelly." Ma­ but that hope was dashed as their "their own off-road vehicle If possible, jors earned respect from his men by credit and reputation collapsed. That and the number of vehicles will be fair treatment and superb organiza­ was partly due to the fact that pay­ limited. tion. These poUcles and talents were ments on their 1860-1861 niilltary " Weather permitting, the tour wUl joined to the financial conservatism contractdid notcome through on time. visit several Trall sites northeast of and promotional abilities of Waddell The company ,faced bankruptcy Boise Cityduring the morning. includ­ and Russell when the three menjolned since credit had dried up and Secre­ ing TrujUlo Springs and Upper (Flag) In 1854 to win the unified contract to tary Floyd's letters of credit probably Springs, and return to Boise City for supply all milltary posts in .the West. would not be honored as the loans lunch. During the afternoon the As might be expected, Majors super­ based on them came due. In a convo­ guided tour wUl Include Cold Spring, vised all of the wagon trains, Russell luted sequence of events, Russell got Autograph Rock, Signature Rock, and raised credit to finance the operation, $870,000 worth ofstate bonds held In Camp Nichols. and Waddell managed the offices In trust for the Indians from a clerk In the Reservations are necessary and may Lexington and Leavenworth, Kansas. Interior Department, whose wife was a be made by calling Joan Walton at Russell, Majors & Waddell hired daughter of a cousin of Secretary (405) 544-3245 or 544-2479. There is 1,700 men, including youngWilUam F. Floyd. The clerk soon confessed, but no fixed charge for this tour but dona­ Cody who served as a messenger and, Russell swore he did not know they tions to the Cimarron County HiStori­ later, as a Pony Express rider. At Its were In government trust and he was cal Society are welcome. A breakfast ' peak, the company owned 7,500 oxen not convicted of wrongdoing. As the· will"be available earlier that morning for pulling500 wagons In 20 trains out scandal shook the Buchanan admini­ for those Interested. Those who at­ of their base In Leavenworth. stration, Russell, Majors and Waddell tended last year's tour recommend The firm had earned $300,000 profit scrambled to parcel out what assets highly this opportunity to visit Okla­ In the first two-year contract and pros­ remained to relatives and favored homa Trall sites. pects looked good Indeed. In 1857 they creditors. Majors and Russell died In signed a one-year contract but, soon poverty, while Waddell had a comfort­ SUPPORT NEEDED FOR able retirement In his Lexington man­ after dispatching their wagons, the NATIONAL INDIAN MONTH armydemanded thattheytransportan sion which he had sold to his son for additional three million pounds of one dollar. SENATOR Daniel Inouye, chairman of suppUes to support the government's Not surprisingly, many of the men the select committee on Indian affairs, attempt to conquer the Mormons In who worked for Russell, Majors & and his committee (which Includes Utah. Based on oral promises by the Waddell came from Lexington. The three Trail-state senators: Nancy Fort Leavenworth quartermaster and 1860 census lists dozens of men with Kassebaum of Kansas, Don" Nickles of the quartermaster general, the com­ occupations such as trader, wagon­ Oklahoma, and Pete Domenici of New pany sent 41 trains carrying master, teamster, freighter, bull­ Mexico) has proposed legislation to es­ 4,525,913 pounds of goods. Due to wacker, expressman, and wagoner. tablish a National American Indian three trains being burned by the Mor­ However, with the coming of the Civil Heritage Month. Theyareseekingpub- mons and other transportation costs, War, those freighting skills were lic support for this effort. " they first asked for $493,553.01 In needed by the armies ofthe North and No specific month has been set aside additional compensation. In 1861 South, If not at home trying to keep to honor the traditions and heritage of even that one cent was denied the food on the table in trying times. American Indians, although Congress company because they had no written After thewar Lexington had little role has annuallydesignated various times contract to do the extra hauUng. In freighting and the demand for hemp for this purpose. The new legislation, In 1858 the group took on another rope to tie cotton bales had vanished, according to Sen. Inouye, "will desig­ two-year contract, even though the but numerous coal mines revived nate November as a permanent month army did not have sufficient funds to prosperity until the Great Depression. to honor the Native peopleofthiscoun­ finish paying off the last contract, fall­ Fortunately for lovers of history, the try." The committee believes this will ing short by over $300,000. Russell town did not change very much after be very helpful to educators who may suggested to Secretary of War Floyd that time, leaVing hundreds of ante­ plan activities to instUl and promote that he write letters helping Russell bellum and laterVictorian homes to be pubUc awareness of American Indian raise credit on the promise of future restored and admired. Several ofthose cultures. contracted payments. Floyd agreed homes are open for tours or bed and " Members ofthe committee, many In­ and a deficiency bill was Introduced In breakfast. In addition, visitors can dian organizations, and the leaders of Congress to cover the contracts. How­ tour an 1830's log house that over­ SFTA support this legislation. Indi­ ever, Russell started a separate looked Jack's Ferry, walk the trenches viduals who would like to see this pro­ freighting partnerShipwith some ofthe of a Civil'War battlefield, or visit the' posal become law should contact their credit, losing $200,000, while Majors Historical Museum which features an senators and representative with a let­ was struggling to set up new bases In exhibit on the Santa Fe Trail. ter ofsupport soon.

August 1991 9

Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 9 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

LONE ELM AND ELM GROVE: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY? byCralg Crease

[SFTA member Crease, Shawnee, Dale Morgan summarized the tradi­ Lone Elm-tree we halted at noon: Kansas, is an insurance agent with a tionalviewinThe Rocky Mountain Jour­ rather a poor camping place, with bad. long-standing interest in the TraU nals of WUliam Marshall Anderson, water, scanty grass, and a single elm­ through Johnson County, Kansas. He "Round Grove, so called in 1825 bythe tree; some brushes are growing along especially thanks Gregory Franzwa, commissioners appointed to mark the the water. How longthevenerableelm­ who first introduced his two-camp­ Santa Fe Trail, also become known as tree, that must have seen many ages, ground theory in print (a brief Caravan Grove, Elm Grove, and finally will yet be respected by the traveller, I c. synopsis and map) in the third edition Lone Elm."3 Margaret Long noted that am unable to say; but I fear that its ofMaps of the Oregon Trail (1990).J Dr. Frederick A. Wis1lzenus, who trav­ days are numbered, and that the little eled the Trail in the 1840s, stated valley will look more desolate than OF all the sites that make up the "there was a venerable Elm tree at ever."12 . Santa Fe Trail, few seem as comfort­ Caravan or Elm Grove, 33 miles from June 11, 1846, Susan Shelby Magof­ ably fixed in place and timeas the Lone Independence" and, from this con­ fin: "There is no other tree or bush or Elm campground. Certainlyitshistori­ cluded that "Caravan Grove on Cara­ shrub save one Elm tree, which stands cal importance on the Trail has been van Creek is undoubtedly the location on a small elevation near the little well established. Unique as apparently ofLone Elm camp memorialized bythe creek or branch. The travellers always the only major campground serving . Santa Fe Trail Marker Johnson-5."4 both the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon stop where there is water sufficient for TraU, this landmark figures in many These scholars and others can all their animals. The grass is fine diaries and journals, and is mentioned hardly be blamed for the confusion every place, it is so tall in some places because many travel diaries and jour­ as to conceal a man's waist."13 and· identified in most secondary sources on the trails. nals weave a conflicting narrative In view of these disparate descrip­ when describing Lone Elm. Consider, tions and references to a valley, it is Traders and emigrants, mountain for instance, the observations of those important to understand the actual men and dragoons, 4gers and explor­ that were there in one short period in physical attributes of the land recog­ ers all knew it. The Lone Elm register 1849: nized as Lone Elm campground today. reads like a Who's Who of the Ameri­ April 9, 1849, Edward Smith: "Elm No serious observercould describe any can West. A busy place in its time, it . Grove, popular rendezvous point, con­ part of the purported site as a valley. served as camp on the first or seCond sisted of a lone tree with the top cut The grade, for instance from the Lone night out from Westport and Inde­ o.iT "5 . Elm spring Oust northwest ofthe mid­ pendence for travelers on the Trail. April 18. 1849, Alexander Love: "Fa­ dle ofthe porthwest quarter ofSection Now a red granite DAR marker holds mous Lone Elm bereft ofall branches. 23, as shown on the map) runs from "6. its lonely Vigil, hunkered down among • •• an elevation of 1,040 feet above sea the weeds on a dusty backroads' cor­ April 24, 1849, Cornelius Cole: "First level at the spring to 1,064 feet atthe ner south of Olathe, Kansas, in John­ camp at lone tree, though that famous middle ofthe top of the section, about son County. Although itdoes notspec­ tree itself had disappeared ...."7 a quarter-mile away. The elevation at ify it as such, this DAR monument, the western edge of the section, also located on the old Newton Ainsworth April 30, 1849, Dr. Bonine: "Found about a quarter-mile away, is 1,073 property marks the purported location Lone Elm a mere stump."8 feet. 14 A gradual slope of 33 feet over of .this famous old rendezvous, the April 30, 1849, Samuel Dundass, a distance of 1,320 feet (aquarter mile) Lone Elm Campground.1 "Famous Lone Elm was 3 feet in di­ is hardly perceptible as a grade' and . ameter, with a beautiful spreading certainly does not qualify as a valley. Marked with great ceremony by the top."9 . DAR in 1906, and accepted by histori­ Yet consider these first-hand narra­ ans ever since as Lone Elm, this site May 3, 1849, J. A. Pritchard: "At 3 tives of people who were there. has been considered the location for a P.M. we reached the noted Lone Elm, May 31, 1839, Thomas Farnham: camp that was known by a variety of where we encamped for the night. This "We halted on the banks of a small names. The traditionalllne of thought lone tree stanflf on the banks of a stream called Elm Grove." The next· has been that "Round Grove," "Cara­ small stream."1 day he wrote, "We are now encamped van Grove," and "Elm Grove," among The glaring inconsistencies about about ·20 miles from the western line other names, were all names for the the existence and condition of the ofthe state ofMissouri in the Shawnee .same place and evolved into "Lone "lone elm" in 1849 make one wonder if Territory, in a little valley ofthe prairie Elm" as the grove was cut away until .they could possibly be writing about called Elm Grove."15 . . only one elm tree remained. A careful the same location, and other observa­ , June 2, 1841, Richard L. Wilson: evaluation of many primary and sec­ tions are also confusing. Many ob­ "Giving theslip to a couple ofdays,just ondarysources supports a conclusion, servers seemed to sense imminent at sunseton the second, we descended however, that there were actually two doom, or at least a precarious exist­ a precipitous declivity to a place of separate major campgrounds that ence for the tree, yet descriptions of it which nothing remained but the name later came to be perceived as one. continued to be recorded over a period Elm Grove, and one solitary logan ofa There has been confusion about the of at least 12 years (1841-1853). Also stricken tree 'To mark where an Elm site in the writings ofseveral scholars. at odds, in some cases, were the de­ grove had been: A beautiful rivulet scriptions of the campground site it- bubbled forth from the base ofthe hill. Hobart Stocking Wrote in The Road to self. . SantaFe, "there is no one left toexplain and as we wound our way down, we why the locality was Variously men­ May 7, 1845, John Ewing Howell, spied a single camtrfire ... of an old "Elm Grove consists of elm with all Mexican hunter."1 tioned as 'Round Prairie,' 'Round 0'le1 Grove,' and 'Caravan Grove,' since the limbs trimmed otT." . Another point for consideration of there was no other timber in sight."2 May 23, 1846, Dr. WisUzenus: "At the physical attributes ofthesite is the

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- existence of a spring and/or stream. waters."19 It appears that Reeves was branched to the northwest and the , The site today has' a well capstone at writingabout a place-name thatsome­ Santa Fe Trail continued southwest. the location of the spring. No -direct one else besides that survey party had Over time, for what reasons is not reference to a spring at Lone Ehn, previously used. If the survey party clear, modem Trail historians have fo­ other than references to the creek as a had given it that name, Reeves would cused on the route from Independence Mspring branch" has been found in any likely have mentioned it. The journal­ (121st and State Line to Lone Elm and .primary source. ists with the survey usually made a beyond) as the main Santa Fe Trail in . Physical differences aside, the most point ofnotingsites they definitely did Johnson county, and disposed of the convincing testimonial for the exist­ name (such as Council Grove and Dia­ northern trunk as a mere Mcut-ofT." The en~ of two major campgrounds in­ mond Spring).20 It is important to re­ evidence is substantial and compel­ stead of only one lies in the journal of member that some members of the ling, however, that the route from • Lt. Gaines P. Kingsbury in September survey party had been over the Trail Westport saw as much or more traffic. f 1835. Writing on the return of Col. before and were probablyfamiliar with Because the traffic on the Westport earlier place-names, such as Round • Henry Dodges's dragoon expedition to branch through. Elm Grove and be­ the Rocky Mountains, as they traveled Grove. yond is important to resolving the con­ 'east along the Santa Fe Trail, Kings­ At any rate, the name Round Grove fusion over the campgrounds, thesolid . bury noted that the dragoons passed was used longer in primary sources work of Irene Paden (done in 2\he MRound and Ehn Groves" on Sept. 15, than any other name for the location, 19308) prOVides vital information. then proceeded northwardly to 1825 to 1846. The term Ehn Grove was Referring to the Independence GrintH's Crossing of the Kansas first used in 1835, thus it overlapped branch, Paden concluded, MIn the prai­ River.· Kingsbury referred to Mgroves" Round Grove usage for 11 years. rie, east of Gardner, it was joined by in the plural. This is also the earliest Eleven years seems a long time for the strand from Westport which even­ reference to the name MElm Grove" that both names to last for the same place, tually so overshadowed the earlier has been found. But the primary im­ ifindeed they were the same. So far as road that the name Santa Fe Trail has portance of his passage lies not in its can be determined, no primary source become almost its exclusive property." early date but in its clear reference to ever put the two together, except for Paden was the first trail historian to two separate groves by names that all Kingsbury in 1835, or even suggested describe the actual location of Elm secondary sources have considered to that Round Grove was a predecessor Grove, although she called it Lone be the same place. The evolution of name for Elm Grove (only secondary Elm, thus adding to the confusion. names becomes a critical part of the sources reached such a conclusion).) enigma. Thus Elm Grove, as with Caravan She wrote: MAbout a 'third ofthe way from Olathe to Gardner, or thirty-four On first examination, it is easy to see Grove, can be removed from serious consideration as another name for the miles from Independence, we passed how one might consider -the progres­ near the site of the famous old Lone .sion of names from Round Grove to place known as Lone Elm today. Ehn Grove most likely was the other camp­ Elm where many camped on the first Caravan Grove to Elm Grove and, fi­ night out from Westport. Being very nally, to Lone Elm to be obvious. ground. definite as to location, it was often Round Grove was first mentioned by a To understand the positioningofElm used as a rendezvous. It was on the Trail traveler in 1825 (more about this Grove, it is important to realize there. headwaters of Cedar Creek, and the later) and last in 1846. Elm Grove was were two main trunks of the Santa Fe solitary elm, three feet in thickness, first used in 1835 and as late as 1849. Trail in present Johnson County. One was credited with being the only tree The term Lone Elm was found in dia­ ran southwest from Independence, on the prairie within sight ofthe road. ries and journals from 1844 through crossing the Missouri _boundary at ... We were stili traveling southwest 1853. about present 121st Street, at the site on the slight elevation, called, bycour­ Although there are numerous refer­ of Little Santa Fe. Then it ran in a tesy, a ridge and now approached the ences in secondarysources to Caravan general southwest direction to Lone point where the Westport road met the Grove, the only primarysource located Ehn, and from there to Bull Creek, southern route from Independence.~ which used that term was the report of (current site 1500 feet west of Lanes- . the Sibley survey of theTrail. George field School), a distance of nine miles. The site described by Paden is west­ C. Sibley's journal of the resurvey in southwest of Olathe near where U.S. The other major branch ran south­ Highway 56 crosses Cedar Creek. Al­ 1827 makes it clear that Round Grove west from Westport, crossing the Mis­ and Caravan Grove were two different though she called this place Lone Elm, souri border into present Johnson she deSCribed the Elm Grove camp­ places. 18 Because of its separate loca­ • County at about 69th and State Line ground. The site currently recognized tion, as well as the single primary­ Road of today. A third route also ran source use of that term, Caravan as Lone Elm is about two and one-half southwest out of Westport but sub­ miles southeast ofthe place she noted Grove can be eliminated as a serious stantially northwest ofthe 69th cross­ contender for an alternate name for and directly south of Olathe, not ing. This third road dropped down past southwest./ the place known today as Lone Elm. Shawnee Methodist Mission and . Although the earliest recorded refer­ joined the other trail out of Westport The W'PA Guide to Kansas, also from ence to the name Round Grove was at about present88th Terrace and Far­ the 19308, contained the following also the Sibley survey, that name may ley in Overland Park. It then ran as one statement in reviewing points ofinter­ well have been used earlier by Trail road generallysouthwest through pre­ est around Olathe: MJust east of the travelers. According to the October 22, sent-day Olathe and on to Elm Grove concrete bridge on which US 50 1825, diary entry of Benjamin H. Uust southwest ofOlathe), and then on crosses Cedar Creek, is a Santa Fe and Reeves, a member of the survey team, to the above mentioned Bull Creek· Oregon Trail marker...."22 That par­ MA short distance farther & came to a site, a distance of about eight and ticular marker has disappeared since small grove near the diVide [on the three-fourths miles. The trails from the 19308. ridge between the drainage of the os­ Independence and Westport joined The Paden and WPA references were age( and Kansas or Kaw rivers] called west of present Gardner. Not far from the first indications I found that this the 'Round Grove' which is on Kaw where they met, the Oregon TraU might be the site of the second camp-

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ground, the actual Elm Grove and dis­ American Revolution and the State of privately printed brochure that New­ tinct from Lone Elm. Additional en­ Kansas. 1906." A number of writers, ton Ainsworth had published about couragement came from Marc Sim­ referring to the DAR marker at Lone the Lone Elm Campground on his mons's FoUowlng th~ Santa Fe TraU: A Elm south of Olathe, have noted that land.25 Mostlikely this inscription was GuideJorModem Travelers: MOn US 56 there once was an inscription identify­ added to the base by Newton at one mile west of the junction with ing this site as Lone Elm. Most then Ainsworth, who was a tireless pro­ SR 7 is the Olathe city Umits. Here on say this inscription either sunk below moter of himself and his land as t~~ the right are two houses, the first a ground or was lost or stolen. They location ofthe historic campground. two-story red brick and the second a apparently draw their information The photo published by Long was long white bungalow. Just past the from Margaret Long's 1954 guide to taken about 1927, and then the in­ bungalow on the right side ofthe high­ the Santa Fe Trail. Although the in­ scription apparently vanished. If Mc­ way is an open field leading down to a scription was not there when Longsaw Donald's narrative about the marker creek. This is the site of a major SFT the marker in 1952, she included a west of the bridge over Cedar Creek campground, and before that ali In­ photograph (taken by J; G. Masters in can be,taken literally, perhaps some­ dian campground. The trail wound the late 19208) showing the words body had moved the MLone Elm" in­ along the foot ofthe slope that rises to MLone Elm Camp Ground, 1822-1872" scription to this monument by 1930 the present highway. Across the creek inscribed in a white stone rectangle when he was there. Possibly that is and the bridge, trail ruts briefly par~­ embedded in a masonry base support­ why Irene Paden referred to the Cedar lei US 56, just inside a farm fence." ing the regular DAR red granite Creek site as Lone Elm when she was Later, anothersource from the 19308 marker. The only other photo of the there in the 19308. Sufficient evidence (A. B. McDonald's MTracing the Oregon marker with the inscription is in the has not been. found to resolve this Trail Through Kansas, A Hundred Years After Its Foundin(l provided· more compellingevidence. Following a general review of the history of the Oregon Trail (which is synonymous with the Santa Fe Trail through most of Johnson County), McDonald wrote: ~- "I MI went out last week to see if any ,: o ., marks of the Oregon trail might yet be " ! found from Independence out across -- Eastern Kansas.... The first tracks of • .... \. the old trails that I could find were " where they forded Cedar Creek. Just east of the concrete bridge on the new ,, highway 50 where it crosses Cedar '. Creek, southwest of Olathe, you may 1'. see the old trails cut deep into the I. . ' earth and grass grown where it leads ," ...... ' I

otT to the northwest and goes down to ",:::•.: -.-. "\0,'--./ '..-.., : ford the creek." -.,, . McDonald met R. P Houghland, re­ siding on the farm where he was born in 1858 near the crossing. who Mre_ members well the long covered wagon trains, sometimes 300 wagons in one caravan, that used to come over the horizon from the east'and wind down to the creek [note the description of a descent) and the toil up the other bank. .. ." Although Houghland had ., " \ farmed the land foJ:': many' years, evi-, .' \ : " dence of the trail across his property : .... \~ was still clearly seen in 1930. MWest of . " , the Houghland place," McDonald con­ \" ...... ""\ tinued, Mwhere the new highway tops -.: .' " - - \ the high ground, is a red granite monument with an inscription that marks the site of Lone Elm[?), where trains generally camped the first night out ofWestport or Little Santa Fe." .- . - .~ This last statement of McDonald's is most intrigUing, because it touches on another confusing aspect of the Lone Elm story, the missing inscription. Most DAR markers in Kansas did not have a location specifically inscribed but simply read MSanta Fe Trail 1822­ ~ 1872. Marked by the Daughters of the " ..

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quandary. time one, to assume that the first 15. Thomas J. Farnham, Travels In The Great Western Prairies (1841); also, Farnham letter from leRoy Further hard evidence to supportthe campground out ofWestport at about and Ann Hafen, eds., Far West andRockies, Vol 3. the distance anticipated, and sporting theory of two separate campgrounds 16. Richard L Wilson, Shan Ramblings From a Long was found in the original county sur­ a lone elm tree, Nmust be the place." Yam, orCamp March Sketches ofthe Santa Fe Trail veys, 1854-1856. These maps show The overall evidence leads to these From the Notes ofRichard Wilson, ed. by Benjamin the Trail in all.its variants through the conclUSions. (1) That the location cur­ Taylor (1936),11-12. county, section by section, and pin­ rently known as Lone Elm, at 167th 17. louise Barry, The Beginning of the West (1872), ·294. . point the crossing of Cedar Creek by and Lone Elm Road, was originally 18. Kate L Gregg, ed., The Road to Santa Fe: The the road from WestpOrt at the location called Round Grove and later came to Joumal and Diaries of George Champlin Sibley of the present highway bridge. be known as Lone Elm. It was never (1852), 189, 190. The earlier Sibley survey references correctlyElm Grove or Caravan Grove. 19. Ibid., 173. ,• , to Caravan Grove support the conclu­ (2) Elm Grove was a separate major 20. Ibid., 57, 184. sion that what they called Caravan campground two and one-half miles 21. See Irene Paden, The Wake ofthe Prairie Schooner Grove was at the same location as northwest of Lone Elm on the same (1943), 19-26. what later was called Elm Grove. Mel creek (Cedar Creek). It was also the 22. Federal Writers Project, WPA Guide to Kansas Thurman was the first historian to location referred to in the Sibleysurvey (1939, reprint 1984), 373. theorize in print, based on Sibley's as Caravan Grove. 23. Marc Simmons, Following the Santa Fe nail, a Today the sites of Elm Grove and .Guide tor Modem Travelers, second edition (1986), 1827journal, that Caravan Grove was 65. probably a separate grove on the same Lone Elm remain relatively undevel­ 24. Kansas City Star, April 9, 1930. creek but to the north ofthe Lone Elm oped, but the city limits of Olathe are 25. Lone Elm Marker: Lone Elm Camp Ground, Santa site directlysouth ofOlathe.27 Further rapidly encroaching on them. Hope­ Fe Trail Monument, Erected 1906 (souwnir pam­ substantiation came to light recently fully they can both remain this way phlet. n.d.), indudes a speech given by Ainsworth in the form of the unpublished words and not fall prey to housingdevelopers at the marker dedication ceremony. of George Sibley on June 27, 1827, as the city expands. It is still possible, 26. As early as 1874 Newton Ainsworth was daiming printed here for the first time: NNo. 67· despite modern intrusions, to get a thatthe lone Elm sitewas on his land. The Johnson sense of Nplace," an uncanny sense of County Atlas (1874) referred to his land as "lone E. 112 cbs. to Caravan Creek, 30 Lks., Elm Farm." bears north: here is a pretty Grove of romance and high adventure on the 27. Melburn D. Thurman, "lone 8m, Kansas: The His­ Timber, good water, and good Pasture. old Santa Fe Trail, by walking in his­ tory of a Trail Campground," The Overland Journal The Round Grove is about 2 1/2 Miles tory's footsteps at both locations. (Fall 1986). above, or Southward on this same 28. George C. Sibley, Field Notes of Resurwy, 1827, Creek.N28 The name Caravan Grove NOTES MS, Missouri Historical Society, Stlouis. In using Kate Gregg's excellent book of the Sibley survey, was not used by the traders because it 1. This marker is located on the southeast comerofthe The Road to Santa Fe, I assum8cl she had printed intersection of 167th and lone 8m Road. The pur- . remained hidden in the pages of the all the pertinent surwy papers, particularly those on ported site of the lone Elm tree itself was at government survey report thatwas not abOut the 1827 resurwy. A careful review of her bibliog­ the southeast comer of the northwest quarter of the raphy, page 273, hinted that at least one set of published until Kate L. Gregg resur­ .northwest quarter of Section 23, Township 14S, papers might existthatwas notinduded in the book: rected itin herRoad to SantaFe (1952). Range 23E, thus located due south of Olathe, Kan- "Field notes of Resurwy, 1827. Five pages. linden­ sas, in Johnson County. This site was on the prop­ Today the site of Elm Grove, near· wood College Collection." The papers were no erty of Newton Ainsworth, who settled here in the longer at Undenwood College, but they directed me U.S. Highway 56 southwest of Olathe, late 1850's. Ainsworth and his brother-in-law, to the Missouri Historical Society in St louis. There remains in the Houghland family as it George Black, were both instrumental in getting the were found the five pages on the resurvey that DAR marker placed at this location. has since the late 18508. When Mrs. Gregg referred to and another set of field notes 23 H. F. Houghland graciously allowed 2. Hobart Stocking, The Road to Santa Fe 1971,44. pages long of which Gregg made no mention. The me to inspect the Nlay of the land" in 3. Dale Morgan and Eleanor Towles Harris, eds., The second set ran from 6/1/1827 through 7/5/1827. the summer of 1990, I confirmed that Rocky Mountain Joumals of William Marshall An­ this location matches the description, derson,72.. CLAPSADDLE WRITES 4. Margaret long, The Santa Fe Trail (1954),260. from so many of the diary excerpts, of TRAIL ARTICLES a Nlittle valley of the prairie" (the one 5. Merrill Mattes, Platte River Road Narratives (1988), 120. physical attribute that was impossible . by Carl Immenschuh 6. Ibid., 184. to reconcile at the Lone Elm site). From THE summer 1991 issue of Kansas any direction, the slope down to the 7. Ibid., 145. History, quarterly journal of the Kan­ creek crossing qualifies as a valley. 8. Ibid., 133. sas State Historical Society, will in­ Even the Nprecipitous declivity" of 9. Ibid., 152. clude an article by Dr. David Clapsad­ 10. Dale Morgan, ed., The Overland Diary ofJames A dle, SFTA member from Larned, Kan­ Richard Wilson's 1841 narrative is in Pritchard (1959). sas, . on the marking of the Fort • evidence in several spots, particularly 11. Mattes, Platte River Road Narratives, 68. Hays/Fort Dodge Road. Marking this in a steep drop of 40 or 50 feet from 12. Dr. F. A. Wislizenus, Memoir ofa Tour to Northem bluffs facing the creek about a third of Mexico, Connected With Col. Doniphan's Expedi­ branch of the Santa Fe Trail took the ,. a mile north-northwest ofthe bridge or tion, in 1846 and 1847 (1848), 26. WlSlizenus, rec­ better part of the years 1988 to 1990. • in the steep pull up the highway for a ognized as a skilled and mindful observer, began his Many volunteers took part in the entry for May 23, 1846, as follows: "We started in marking of the road, with the high short distance immediately after the morning for 'lone Elm- tree,' or 'Round Grow.· crossing the bridge heading south- Wislizenus had been over this same stretch of the point being the rededication of Dun­ west. . Trail before, in 1839, when the name "lone Elm" cali's Crossing in Hodgeman County was unknown but the name "Round Grove" was in near Hanston, Kansas. Finally, consideration should be use. Also, on May 24, 1846, he referred to the site given to a very likely possibility. Much again as just "Round Grow": "This morning we Scheduled for the summer 1992 is­ of the confusion of the diarists and passed the road to Oregon, that leaws, abOut eight sue wUl be an article on the Wet and journalists may have come from the mUes from Round Grove, the Santa Fe Road, and Dry routes of the Santa Fe Trail that fact that Elm Grove, given its heavy turns to the right toward the Kansas." traverses the plain between Larned 13. Stella M. Drumm, ed., Down the Santa Fe Trailand and Fort Dodge. Both articles will use, eventually gave way to just one, into Mexico: The Diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin, tree Oust like its counterpart), and 1846-1847(1926),5. bring much-needed attention to the likely an elm. It would be only natural 14. Information taken from USGS Topo. Map for Ochel­ . history of the Trail and the need to for an observer, particularly a flrst- tree Quad., Section 23, T14S R23E. preserve it for future generations.

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Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 13 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

DAR MARKERS ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL, PART II by Jane Mallinson

[The first installment of Mallinson's in Old Town Lenexa. of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter SAR listing of DAR markers in Missouri LONE ELM. south of Olathe at 167th offered to place a Trail marker at the appeared in the February 1991 issue. Street and Lone Elm Road. which Is school. So far as is known. this is the This segment presents those placed the northwest c;orner of Section 23. only Santa Fe Trail marker erected by in Kansas. Tho Colorado and New Township 14 South. Range 23 East the SAR. Mexico markers wUI appear latEr.] (legal descriptions hereafter given as 110 MILE CREEK: At the overpass THIS information has been gathered 23-14-23E). intersection of US 56 and US 75. east from official records ofmarkers placed OLATHE marker has disappeared. It . of 110 Mile Creek and three miles along the Santa Fe Trailby the Daugh­ was originally placed on the court­ south ofCarbondale. this marker is in ters of the American Revolution of house grounds. When a new addition 6-15-16E.. Kansas in 1906 and a reportmadeby was built on the courthouse. the SCRANTON marker has been moved William C. and Ora Louise Baker of marker was lost. In 1907 a large gray from its originalsite. Itwas first moved Topeka in 1982. The Bakers traveled granite Santa Fe Trail marker was· when a street corner was changed. In the Trail across Kansas and noted the placed on the courthouse grounds by 1979. the Scranton DAR moved it to location and condition of the Kansas the Old Settlers. It is still there. the northeast comer of the city park. DAR markers. Marc Simmons's Fol- BETWEEN OLATHE AND GARDNER• BURLINGAME markeris on thesouth­ . lowing the Scinta Fe TraU: A Guidefor on US 56 and 151stStreet in 2-14-23E west comer of Santa Fe Avenue. one Modem Travelers and Gregory M. is ~ marker enclosed in a heavy rope blockwest ofwhere US 56 turns south.. Franzwa's SantaFeTraU Revisited give triangle. This marker honors Fannie Geiger directions to manyofthe DAR markers LANESFIELD MUSEUM, in 3-15-23E. Thompson. the woman who initiated along the entire Trail. or two miles northeastofEdgerton. the the DAR marking of the Trail in 1906. The DAR members recognized the marker is on the east side of the road This marker originally was set on the importance ofmarkingthe Trail during near this rural museum. west side of the Switzler Creek bridge the first decade of the twentieth cen­ at the east edge ofBurlingame. tury before itwas lost to highways and Douglas County WEST OF BURLINGAME. in 12-15­ . commercial

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WILSEY marker Is. In 6-15-7E. To a rest area at the south edge ofElyria LARNED has two markers, one on the reach It, go to the first crossroad west on K 81. It is reported that this marker north side of town at the local arrport of Wilsey, then two miles south. It Is will be returned to its original location. In 21-21-16W and -the other on the on the east side of the road. WINDOM marker Is In the northwest south side of town at Second and DIAMOND SPRINGS, In 11-17-6E, the corner of 17-20-5W on the west side of Santa Fe on the northside ofUS 56 (In marker stands In theheart ofDiamond McPherson County. 5-22-16W). Spring Ranch 'near the head of DIa­ COUNTY LINE, located five miles PAWHEE FORKmarker Is located west mond Creek. south ofUS 56 on the McPherson-Rice of Larned on the state hospital SIX MILE CREEK marker Is near the County line Is an excellent marker, grounds near the bank of the river, Trailcrosslngofthat creek and thesite well located and with a higher founda­ near where the Dry Route crossed that ofa stage station, located about .1 mile tion than most. stream, In 35-21-17W. south of the bridge on the east side of FORT LARNED mar-ker was once lo­ the road. This location Is one-halfmile Rice County cated on the, parade ground of the west and three miles north from LITTLE ARKANSAS RIVER has two historic military post but Is now situ­ Burdick. DAR markers. One, located a little over ated In the roadside park south of K Marion County one mile westofthe countyline marker 156 north of the fort. (see previous entry) on the south side GARFIELD marker Is In the city park NORTHEAST OF LOST SPRINGS, the of the road, was probably erected In 1n'1-23-18Won the north side of US marker is one mile east and one mile .1906. The other was Installed by the 56. north of the town of Lost Springs on Eunice Sterling DAR Chapter of east side of the road Just north of the Wichita In 1929, a graygranite marker Edwards County AT&SF crossing in 14-17-4E. located one mile west and ,one-half LOST SPRINGS, located on the south mile north of the cou'nty line marker. BETWEENGARFIELD AND KINSLEY, side of the road near the historic site JARVIS CREEK marker is two miles on the north side of US 56 between of the original Lost Springs, approxi­ north of Saxman in 17- 20-7W. mile markers 162 and 163~ Is a DAR mately 2.3 miles west of the town of LYONS marker Is on the west side ofK marker. Lost Springs. 96 approximately one mile south of KINSLEY marker is in a rest area at SOUTHWEST OF LOST SPRINGS, the Lyons In 9-20-8W. the west edge oftown on the north side marker is located from the original ..COWCREEK is located four miles west of US 56 (south side of US 50). Lost Springs approximately 2.6 miles of Lyons and one mile south in 2-20­ WEST OF, KINSLEY, approximately west and .7 mile south, on the west 9W. four miles west of the Junction of US side of the road. CHASE marker is one milesouth ofUS 56 and US 50Just west of town, there TAMPA marker is at the northeast cor­ 56 at Chase In 5-20-9W. is a marker on the south side of the ner of the town. RALPH'S RUTS, four miles west of highway (US. 56 and· US '50 are the DURHAM marker, also known as Cot­ Chase on US 56 and approximately same road from Kinsley to Dodge City). tonwood Crossing, is approximately three-fourths mile north, has a marker OFFERLE marker is in a rest area at one mile west and one mile north of that originally was located two miles the west edge oftown on thenorth side Durham on the north side of the road farther west near the Plum Buttes. ofUS 50 & 56. This marker reportedly at the edge ofa field. This iSJust south was moved to' this location from its ofwhere the Trail crossed Cottonwood BartonCounty original site (unknown). Creek. ELLINWOOD marker is on the north Ford County WALDECK, located on the south side side of US 56 near the west edge of of a township road almost under the town. Itwas moved froin 31-19-11W to MULE HILL marker Is In 26-25-21WIn fence of a large pasture In 5-20-3W. Ellinwood. The land Is a. part of the old Moore a field near a farm house. This site Is Ranch, an early trading post on the GREAT BEND has two markers, one of two miles west ofthe Ford County line which has been moved. It was first set Trail and first post office In the area. . on US 50 & 56, then south 2.25 miles two miles east of Great Bend and Is to the farm on the eastside ofthe road. now'· at lOth and Pine Streets, Great McPherson County SOUTH OF SPEARVILLE, 4.5 miles In Bend, on the south side ofUS 56. The 17-26-22W, Is a marker. JONES CEMETERY, located In 24-19­ other is located in south Great Bend • 1W, the marker is at the southwest east of the the railroad station, four FORT DODGE marker is approxi­ corner of the cemetery. This cemetery blocks south of US 56. mately one-half mile east of the main is the location of the grave site of Ed PAWNEE ROCK marker is at the en­ entrance to the Kansas State Soldiers « Miller, killed in 1864 by Cheyenne • In­ trance. to Pawnee Rock Park on the Home (originally Fort Dodge military • dians'on the TraU. north edge ofthe town ofPawnee Rock post) on the north side of US 154 In CANTON marker, originally located 2-27-24W. In 33-20-15W. - one mile east of Canton, disappeared DODGE CITY has two markers. One Is when the highway was rebuilt several Pawnee County located near the entrance to Wright years ago. ASH CREEK CROSSING was almost Park on the west side of US 56. The McPHERSON SOUTH, .three m iIes five miles southwest of Pawnee Rock, other, moved from Its original site at south ofMcPherson In 9-20-3Wonthe and the DAR marker is located on the the city hall, Is located on the west side east side of the road. south side of US 56 approximately of town on the south side of US 50. ELYRIA marker was moved from its· three miles southwest ofPawnee Rock WEST OF DODGE CITY, approxi­ original site approximately one mile in 13-21-16W (more than one-half matelysix miles on US 50In a roadside west of Elyria near Dry Turkey Creek mile from Ash Creek and over one mile parking area on the north Side, a where a treaty was signed with the from where the Trail crossed the marker is located near the turnstile Kansa Indians In 1825. It is located In creek). entrance to the TraU ruts In 8-26-26W.

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Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 15 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

Gray County the cemetery gate. camped on a wide flat just east of the crossing. according to Lt. Emory. CIMARRON marker has been moved Grant County . This site. notaccessible tothe pubUc. from Its orlginallocatlon at the corner COUNTYUNE marker in 1-29-35Won is in a pasture ofthe CS Ranch. whose of Avenue A and Main Street to the the south side ofUS 160 was originally owner, Les Davis. graciously hosted north side of US 50 at the Veterans across the road in Haskell County in the gathering. About 35 people from Memorial Building. 6-29-34W. northeastern New Mexico and south­ INGALLS marker has also been moved 9-29-35W is the location ofa roadside ern Colorado attended. many of them from the north side of town to a small marker. SFTA members. Marc Simmons. ignor­ park.near the railroad tracks. across SOUTH OF HICKOK, in 33-29-35W ing a roaring wind and dust. spoke from the old depot which now houses about stagecoach activities on the a museum. (6.5 miles south and .5 mile east of Hickok), the marker is in front of a Mountain Branch and Trail sites in . Finney County farm house on the north side of the Colfax County. NM. Alvin Stockton road. and Don and Katherine Berg related HARMONY SCHOOL marker Is located stores about Wootton's Ranch and WAGONBED SPRING. approximately Clifton House. east ofGarden City in a roadside park 12 miles south of Ulysses. has a on the south side of US 50 in 21-24­ 32W.. marker that may have been moved twice and now is near its originalloca­ FLYING THE TRAIL GARDEN CITY marker is in Finnup tion in 23-30-37W. Park at 6th and Maple. . MUCH has been written about travel­ Stevens County ing the Santa Fe Trail, including walk­ VALENTINE SCHOOL is the site of a ing. riding a horse or mule. with wag­ marker. south side ofUS 50. that was 29-31-38W has a marker moved from ons. on stagecoaches. by automobile. moved from its original location at Dis­ 20-31-38W, now located in a parking and via railroad, even bicycling, but trict 51 in 36-24-32W. area on the west side of the road. little has been said about flying the HOLCOMB marker is located on the Trail, until now. The first quarter 1991 southwest corner of old US 50 and Morton County issue of Wings West Magazine. a Colo- Wiley Street. 9-32-39W has a marker at the south­ . rado-based publication devoted to east comer of the section, three miles "travel and safety for the aviatlon com­ Kearny County west of the county line. munity." contains an article on "Flying DEERFIELD marker is in the city park 25-32-40W is the site of a marker the Santa Fe Trail" by Connie and Jim five blocks south of US 50. moved from a pasture in 33-32-40W Fahnestock. LAKIN marker is on the courthouse many years ago. They focus on the Trail from Dodge lawn at Main and Washington Avenue. NORTH OF WILBURTON, approxi­ City to Santa Fe along the Mountain INDIAN MOUND, located approxi­ mately 6.7 miles on the east side ofthe Route. noting that "only by air can the mately five miles southwest of Lakin road. is a marker on the Cimarron trail's historical landmarks be viewed on the north side oftheArkansas River National Grassland. in perspective and the wisdom ofthose near the site of historic Chouteau's MIDDLE SPRING AND POINT OF who designed the trail be appreciated." Island. has a marker set on top of the ROCKS marker is on the west side of Theyidentifya numberofhistoric Trail mound. K 27 approximately one mile north of sites as viewed from their plane, in­ HARTLAND marker is four miles south the Cimarron River (about nine miles cluding "Charlie's Ruts. Charlie was the father of renowned trail historian of US 50 on a county road. approxi­ north of Elkhart) in 32-33-42W. Paul Bentrup." One suspects that mately 800 feet north of the railroad Other markers have been placed by SFTA Ambassador Bentrup had a tracks. regional historical societies and local hand in lUring the Fahnestocks to get Hamilton County organizations. In 1921, to commemo­ serious about flying the route. They rate the centennial of the opening of .also tell about airports along the way KENDALL marker is at comer of Ave­ the Santa Fe Trail. the DAR placed 10 and the value of landing and seeing nueAand Main Street, one block north bronze plaques in selected places some sites on the ground. of the railroad tracks. where the Trail passed through. The location of seven of these is known: Bonita and Leo Oliva had the good SYRACUSE marker was originally fortune to fly over a portion ofthe Trail placed by the Harvey House near the Penn Valley Park in Kansas City, Mis­ souri; Olathe. Gardner. Lost Sprin~, in May. following it from along the Fort railroad tracks but has been moved to Hays-Fort Dodge Trail to Las Vegas. the north side of US 50 just east- of and Pawnee Rock in KansaS; and one in Santa Fe. New Mexico. Originally New Mexico. Theywere able to keep the Main Street at the front of the Hamil­ Cimarron Route in view most of its ton County Historical Society. .there was one north ofBaldwin City. If anyone knows anything about these length and could easily identify from COOLIDGE also has a marker that was and, especially. the other three. please the air numerous sites they had visited moved one block north to its present contact Jane Mallinson and WT. on the ground. location on the south side of US 50. Flying the Trail is an exhilarating Haskell County CIMARRON (NM) HISTORICAL experience and highly recommended as a way to gain a new perspective on KOEHN FARM, located in 15-27-3IW SOCIETY ON TRAIL the historic route. The motion can be two miles west of the Haskell County ON May II the newly organized CI­ somewhat upsetting. however. as line. has a marker on the west side of marron (NM) Historical Society had its David Clapsaddle ofLamed can testify the road. first field trip to the Santa Fe Trail after searchingby air for TUts along the WANHOE CEMETERY. in 1-28-33W, crossing of the Little Cimarron River Wet and Dry routes southwest of Fort has a marker that was moved from Oust below its junction with Ponil Lamed. That is another story which. across the road (originally in 6-28­ Creek). On August 10, 1846, General perhaps someday, Clapsaddle wlll 32W). It now sits on the south side of Stephen W. Kearny's Armyofthe West share with WT.

16 August 1991 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol5/iss4/1 16 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991)

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ZANE GREY AND THE standable that Grey would be con­ Santa Fe during the calendar year cerned with the greattrails that helped 1851. SANTA FE TRAIL open the West to settlement. Members In New Mexico Brevet Colonel John by Charles G. Pfeiffer of the SFfA will be delighted to know Munroe of the Second Artillery com­ that while he could tell the story ofthe [Pfef[fer is a Zane Grey scholar who manded the Ninth Milltary Depart­ laying of the Union Pacific track arid ment. The volunteer regiments from developed an interest in theTrailfrom the stringing of the Western Union reading Grey. With the help of SFTA Missouri and lllinois, raised fOf the telegraph wire in one book each (The. members Aaron & Ethel Armstrong. duration of the Mexican War, had re­ U.P. Trail and Western Union) it took Pat Heath,' and Marc' Simmons, turned home and the regulararmywas . two books, Fighting Caravans (Council Pfef[fer traveled portions ofthe route.] establishing its presence in New Mex­ • Grove to Santa Fe) and The LostWagon ico. In 1850 there were about 1,000 I· Zane Grey (1872-1939) was the best­ Train (the Cimarron Route) to tell the officers and men stationed at 11 posts.. I selling author ofwestern fiction in the story of the Santa Fe Trail. He was so M Supplies for these soldiers had to be early part of this century. From 1908 fascinated by the MOld Trail that it is carried over the Santa Fe Trail since to 1963 he had at least one book pub­ mentioned iri at least six other books .New Mexicans produced almost no lished each year except 1945 and (Knights of the Range. Shadow on the surplus foodstuffs. Lack of clothing. 1962. and from 1910 to 1924 there TraU, The Thundering Herd, To the Last shoes, ordnance supplies, and pack was a Zane Grey in the top ten every Man, Twin Sombreros. and T1;le U.P. saddleswere items mentioned as being year but one. He has been translated TraU). Over sixty places along the trail needed in the letters sent from posts into over twenty different languages. are mentioned by name and Fort to the headquarters ofthe military de­ and it is estimated that over one hun­ Lamed was referred to over thirty partment at Santa Fe. Those items dred million copies of his books have times. could not be procured mNew Mexico been sold here and abroad. . , It must be remembered that Grey at that time. He was a native of Ohio; a graduate was a novelist, not an historian. and In fiscal 1851 the army contracted ofthe University of Pennsylvania, and one does not.read him to discovered with five individuals and firms to move for a few years was a New York dentist. historical facts but to get something of a little over two million pounds of But he had' other aspirations and in the feel offreighting on the Old Trail in freight to Santa Fe, Albuquerque. and 1903 his first novel, Betty zane. was the early days of the West. There are El Paso. A total of 422 wagons in 14 written. This was followed byThe Spirit anachronisms, doubled distances. trains, belonging to Joseph Clymer; ofthe Border (1904) and The Last TraU changed names. 'and switched loca­ David Waldo; James Brown; Brown, (1905). This trilogy, written about the tions that can be frustrating to a pur­ Russell & Co.; and Jones and Russell, Ohio River country, was based upon ist, but there is much that is easily moved the supplies. The contractors his family's history. One of his ances­ identifiable. I learned more geography charged between $7.87 and $13.87112 tors was Colonel Ebenezer Zane, the and history in matchingwits with Grey per hundred pounds, resulting in an founder of Fort Henrywhich later be­ on the back roads paralleling the expenditure of$265,670.11. The aver­ came Wheeling, West Virginia. Santa Fe Trail than I ever did in'a age weight carried in each wagon was In 1907 he was invited by Bu"iTalo history classroom. I know of the Trail 5,096.24 pounds. For that period, it Jones. one of the founders of Garden from the classroom, but it was Grey ,cost the government about $265.00 City, Kansas. to accompany him to the who put me on the road from Old per soldier .in New Mexico to pay the north rim area ofthe Grand Canyon to Franklin to Santa Fe. made history contract freighters for the supplies re­ capture mountain lions to sell to zoos come alive. and constantly draws me qUired. to raise money for one of Jones's pet back to camp on the Cimarron Route. The next time you travel the Old Trail Military supply trains in that fiscal projects. This was the beginning of year going to Santa Fe ~umber 11, Grey's love alTair with the West. you may want to include Grey along with your Trail guides. comprising a total of236 wagons. The It is wrong to think ofGrey as only a weight and cost of these mllltary wag­ shoot-em-up western writer. He was ons was notdocumented. Ifthese wag­ acutely interested in the development TRAIL STATISTICS, 1851 ons moved a' comparable quantity of of the West and he wrote, albeit con­ by Harry C. Myers supplies at a cost similar to that ofthe fessedly romantically, on most of the contract freighters (the actual cost' aspects of this growth-ranching, [Myers is superintendent of Fort may have been greater since the gov­ feuding. farming, moonshining. min­ Union National Monument and has ernment contracted with private firms Ing, sheepherding. wild horse hunting, done extensive research on the in order to save expenses). the military Indians (with far more sympathy for militaryfrontier. This informationfor trains may have hauled more than one them than most western writers), out­ 1851 helps provide the s,etting for million pounds to New Mexico at a cost , laws. rangers. conservation. and John Pope's Journal which appears of about $140.000. This would add • transportation, ' , elsewhere in this issue.] another, $140.00 per soldier just for He was something of a geographic THE volume oftraffic on the Trail is of the cost ofshipping (bringing the total determinist and, in his attempt to tell interest to everyone wishing to under­ to over $400.00 each). of the different aspects of the develop­ stand the history of that fascinat~g According to Barry, from January to Ing West. the land plays an important route. It is possible to summarize the . September 1851, 522 civillan wagons part. He was intrigued by a wide vari­ quantity of freighting for 1851. .The had.headed for Santa Fe. Barry con­ ety of land forms and delighted in de­ 1851 report ofthe quartermaster gen­ servatively estimated that 50 more scribing them in detail-the Sonora eral (House Executive Document No.2. wagons traveled the Trail during the and Mohave Deserts, Death Valley. the 32 Congress. 1 session, Serial 634) remainder ofthe year, giving a total of Staked Plain. the Great Plains. and the prOVides information on military 572 wagons. Although the fiscal and Mogollon Rim to name a few. The only freighting for the fiscal year of July I, calendar years of 1851 are not the western state which was not the set­ 1850, to June 30,1851. Louise Barry's same. a total ofthe two comes to 1.226 ting for a Grey novel is North Dakota. Beginning of the West (1972) proVides wagons. These figures provide an idea With these intere~ts, it is under- information on civilian trains going to ofthe volume of traffic on the SantaFe

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Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 17 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

. Trall.lt mustbe noted, too, that all the nal army specifications and drawings • , statistics cited above related towagons and he was dead on in most every -- going to Santa fe. Many wagons, al­ detail. It is a solid, accurate copy in .r: -!':z .ddL, though considerably fewer in number, every way. One of the great things Is must have been goingto Missouri from that visitors are struck by the rugged _L...... lA litLUZ New Mexico, and they would be in sturdiness of the vehicle and immedi­ addition to those counted above. ately perceive how these wagons could Well worn, the volume must have cross the Great Plains time and time been heavily used by the Russells, and REPLICA WAGON AND again." one or both circled several recipes that ORIGINAL RUSSELL BOOK The wagon sits beside a fine set of may have appeared frequently at theiT ruts next to the main interpretive path table. Among the recipes marked are NOW AT FORT UNION that leads through the ruins. Near the sponge cake and orange marmalade, by T. J. Sperry . wagon Is a series of tents, fully fur­ as well as the following: nished, that help the visitor visualize No. 2163. Horseradish Vinegar (Sperry is historian and ranger atFort the daily life along the Trail as de­ Unton National Monument .J -Pour a quart of best vinegar on scribed by numerous armywives. This three ounces of scraped horserad­ By the generosity oftwo different do­ outdoor museum has been eXtremely ish, an 'ounce of minced eschalot, successful in provokingvisitor interest nors, Fort Union National Monument and one drachm of cayenne; let has received items that are assistingin and understanding. stand a week, and you will have an interpreting the Santa Fe Trail. ' In preparation for thissummer's pro­ excellent relish for cold beef, salad, A full-scale working replica of the grams, the Fort Union staffspent con-' &c., costing scarcely anything. six-mule army wagon was delivered to siderable time researching army ship­ Horseradish is in highest perfection Fort Union in May. Built by Greene ments and packing methods. The te­ about November. CarriageRestoration ofOrient, Ohio, it sult was a McargoM of over twenty rep­ was purchased with funds provided by lica packing crates built by the park The book will be scheduled for con­ Southwest Parks and Monuments As­ maintenance crew. Some of the crates servation treatment in the coming sociation of Tucson, Arizona. Supt. even include the marked contents, months. Until then, it is on exhibit at Harry Myers remarked that MThis mostspecially-made tin canswith cop­ the Fort, Union museum. wagon fills a gap in our interpretation ies of original labels of the 1860s and ofFort Union and the Trail. Helpingthe 1870s. TRAIL HISTORICAL SERIES' average Visitor understand the con­ The other donation was presented to BARTONCountyCommunityCollege, nection between the two subjects has Fort Union by Paul Erwin. It is an Great Bend. Kansas. Will offer a three­ always been a challenge. We can't original copy ofInqu{re Within. or Over part Santa Fe.Trail historical series of imagine a more perfect 'bridge.' As an 3700 Factsfor the People. a book origi­ interp~etlve cIasses and tours beginninginAugust. integral part of our pro­ nallyowned by Fort Union's most fa­ Available for college credit, the classes grams, the wagon has already had a mous couple. Richard and Marian will be taught byGeorge Elmore ofFort dramatic effect on how our visitors Russell. The book. printed by Dick and perceive the site. When they see that Lamed National Historic Site and will Fitzgerald of New York in 1858. is a meet at the Santa Fe Trail Center west wagon they immediately think of the 431-pagevolume ofhousehold and do­ of Lamed. Individuals may enroll in Trail and the army's role in its opera­ mestic hints, advice, recipes, and for­ tion." 'anyone or all ofthe sections. Cost for mulas. covering everything from home each class is $26. including college Bill Greene did a commendable job medicine to marital relations. A copy credit; reading materials may be extra. with the wagon. Myers said MHe is trul~ ofthe'inscription insidethe front cover Pre-registration is recommended for a craftsman in the old sense. We have (MTo RJchard from Marion: Tecolote. Part I and required for Parts II and m. compared his wagon against the origi- N.M., June 30th, 1871") follows: Part I, offered from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, August 24 through Sep­ ternber 21, will focus on the inception ofthe Trail through the establishment of Kansas Territory in 1854. The sec­ tion of the Trail from Franklin to West­ port will also be a focus of tWs part of the series. Part n, 9:00 a.m. to noon on Satur­ days, September 28 through Novem­ ber 2, will cover the development ofthe Trail from 1854 through the Civil War and focus on the section of Trail be­ tWeen the Missouri-Kansas borderand Fort Dodge, Kansas. A field trip is in­ cluded. Part III, 9:00 a.m. to noon on Satur­ days, November 9 through December 14, l.ooks at Trail history from 1865 to 1880 and the Cimarron and Mountain routes of the Trail. Field trips are in­ cluded. For more information regard­ ing the series, contact Pat Bauman at Replica elx-mule army wligon at Fort UnIon NatIonal Monument. BCCC, (316) 792-2701, ext. 186.

18 . August 1991 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol5/iss4/1 18 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991)

JOHN POPE'S JOURNAL OF A MARCH TO NEW MEXICO, 1851, PART I Annotated by Michael Olsen and Harry C. Myers

[Michael Olsen is professor ofhistory ney west; exclusive ofthose in govern­ Bvt Capt Jno Pope, Topographical En­ at New Mexico Highlands University ment trains. Ofthese 575 traders'wag­ gineer· iil Las Vegas, and Harry C. Myers is ons, at least 200, or 35%, were owned Dr. A.W. Kennedy, Senior Medical Of­ superintendent ofFort UnionNational by Hispanic trading families or con­ ficer lO Monument. Both are active members cerns. Prominent among them that Dr. Tingley, Assistant [Surgeonlll of SFTA. Pope's journal is available year were the brothers of former New on microfilm from the National Mexican governor Manuel Armijo (23 -- Major G. ~. H. Blake, Commanding . Archives, M1102, roll 4, frames' wagons) and Miguel Otero (35 wag- . 1 418-450. So far as is known, this ons). This heavy traffic reflected in­ Dragoons ' . document has not been published creased stability and order in New Bvt MajorI. \ls Richardson. Command­ before. Part II will appear in the next Mexican affairs plus the impact of the ing Infantry .' issue.] army on the New Mexican economy.2 2d Lieut Moore, Commanding Artil­ Little has been changed in the tran­ lery14 Introduction scription of Pope's' report. The dates Bvt M~. P. R. Thompson, 1st Dra- THE civil and mUitary administration have been made bold and parentheses goons1 , . of New Mexico was confused and at have been removed where present, for Bvt Maj. Carleton, 1st Dragoons16 consistency. Most ampersands have , 17 times chaotic in the years immediately Bvt 2d Lieut Ransom, 1st Dragoons follOWing the American invasion and been changed to "and" in the text. ' . IS 19 annexation in 1846. Congress did not OtherwiSe the document, sent to Sum­ Bvt Major Rucker and Capt Bowen create New Mexico Territory and the ner on July 29, 1851, remains the were left at Leavenworth in charge of legal'framework of territorial govern­ same. the Trains ofProvisions and stock and ment until 1850. The appointment of were to march within a few days after Lt. Col. Edwin Vose Sumneras military Report the departure ofCol. Sumner. commander in the Southwest in 1851 In obedience to instructions received Some of the detachments of recrui~ produced a similar reorganization of. from Colonel J. J. Abert Chief Topog­ had been attacked with Cholera. mUitary affairs. raphical Engineer3 I left St. Louis Mo. while on their journey to Fort leaven­ Sumner traveled from Fort Leaven­ on the 17th of May to report at Fort worth and brought the disease with worth on the Missouri River to Santa Leavenworth4 as Chief Topographical them into the Camp at Salt Creek. Col. Fe between late May and mid-July Engineer to Colonel E. V. Sumner 1st Sumner was therefore still further 1851. Only one full account of his Dragoons, who had been assigned to anxious to march at once, inorder that journey is known. Lt. (Brevet Capt.) . the command of the ~Uitary Depart­ by reaching the pure air of the plains, John Pope, U.S. Army Corps ofTopog­ ment of New Mexico. I reached Fort the spread of the disease among the raphical Engineers, fied a report, re­ Leavenworth on the 24th (inst) and troops' might be prevented. The char­ produced and annotated here. Pope reported myself to the Colonel whom I acter of the command, consisting en­ often was not appreciated by his army found encamped on Salt Creek two tirely ofraw recruits, unaccustomed to colleagues and has not fared well at and a half miles from the Fort and on the hardships and exposures ofso long the hands ofhistorians. He graduated the road to Santa Fe.6 The command a march, full warranted the opinion from West Point in 1838 and died in consisted of about 600 recruits of the that under any circumstances a very 1892, having served on commissions Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry who large proportion of sickness was to be surveying the Canadian and Mexican were destined to fil up the skeleton apprehended. But two Medical Offi­ boundaries, on campaigns against the Companies in New Mexico. cers had been assigned to this large Navajo, in the Mexican and Civil wars, command and one of those was him­ With a view to operations against the self as inexperienced as any of the and in the Indian wars. Over the years Indians of the Territory, Col. Sumner he took every opportunity to publicize recruits. Very serious apprehensions was exceedingly anxious to march at as to the result, were felt by every his own exploits and denigrate those the earliest practicable period and I ofothers, providing he had not already officer ofthe command and these were found him very much engaged in expe­ by no means ~ayed by the prevalence appropriated their discoveries and re­ diting the preparations for the march. search. of the Cholera among the troops. Sub­ The very small number of Officers for sequent events fully proved thejustice During the Civil War Pope became so large a command of recruits seri- . of the anticipations and in less than famous for proclaiming that as com­ ously retarded the progress,of the ex­ ten days it was discovered that not mander ofthe FederalArmy ofVirginia pedition and it yet remains unac­ , withstandingthe unremitted exertio~~ • in 1862 he would have his "headquar­ countable that the authorities at ofat least one ofthe Medicalofficers; ters in the saddle."'From that position Washington should have neglected or the attendance was not nearly suffi­ he engineered the spectacular defeat overlooked so important a considera­ cient for the sick. I have never yet ofhis men at the Second Battle ofBull tion to the successful movement of heard of 600 old and experienced sol­ Run, leading Confederate neWSpapers these troops. diers with the supplies and munitions to question his ability to distinguish The office'rs composing the cOJP­ of [leav.?1 necessary for them, being his "headquarters" and "hindquar~ mand were as follows Viz suffered to make a campaign with so ters." His 1851 report presented here (staff) disproportionate and insufficient a shows a more compassionate though Bvt Colonel E. V. Sumner Command­ medical force; but where this large perha~noless testyside ofthiscareer 1 - ing body of men, consists entirely of raw officer. and undrilled recruits necessarily far Major D. C. Buell, Asst Adjt General7 The 1851 freighting season on the more liable to sickness of all kinds, Santa Fe Trail was busy. Upwards of Major E. S. Sibley, " Quarter MasterS and who are about commencing a 575 wagons may have made the jour- Major F. A. Cunningham, Paymaster'9 march of nearly two months through

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the wilderness. such Inefficient Medi­ other smallstream.26Wood. water and and attentive. DrKennedyhas beenfor cal preparations Is entirely inexcus­ grass abundant on both. At 10 miles many years In the service and during able. The greatest privilege extended to from (Camp?1 crossed Soldier creek, a greater portion of his Military career the soldier by our Government. Is that heavily timbered on both ~anks and a has be~ almost constantly on field he shall be kindly cared for when sick clear. bold. rapid stream.2 A good deal service. It Is unnecessary In a report and with so small an army as our own of rain fell during the day which ren­ intended only for the eyes of his and so large a medical corps. any ne­ dered the crossing ofSoldier creek dif­ brother- officers to deliver any eulogy glect In this respect. Is not to be attrib­ ficult in consequence of slippery upon him. He was known by all, to uted to defect oforganisation. The nu­ banks. Small settlement ofIndians on have been a gallant and accomplished merous desertions which occurred right bank. At 2 1/2 miles beyond .gentleman. an efficient and most com­ are. In my opinion, entlrely attribut­ reached ferry ofKansas river.28 Found petent officer and he died as a soldier able to this fact. It Is sufficiently ap­ Government train with supplies &c should die, In the honorable discharge palling to a veteran soldier to see his which had set out some days before of his duty. comrades dying around him with an was In the act of crossing and were It is impossible to conceive a more epidemic sosudden In Its progress and detained some time In consequence. distressing case than his. Nature itself , so fearful without any sufficient medi­ Succeeded by sun down in crossing seems to have conspired to surround cal aid and without the prospect of it, the carriages and part ofthe wagons of his death-bed with as many awful and and It Is not wonderful that the inex­ Hd Qurs. appalltng circumstances as possible. perienced recruits who composed the Col. Sumner and s~f! encamped on The rain during the whole night fell in command and to whom the hardships right bank of river, Major Richard­ torrents, the thunder and lightening ofthe march were quite tryingenough, son with the Infantry and Artillery de­ were incessant and the wind threat­ should have preferred to run all risks tachments also crossed the same af­ ened every moment to dash the tent to rather than continue a march In dally ternoon. the ground. expectation of dytng without advice Major Blake encamped on left bank His wife and two little children were and Without medicine. Of the two with him In his last hours. far from medical officers who accompanied the with the Dragoons. During the after­ noon Lt. Ransom was taken very sick· . home and friends, In the depths ofthe command, one (Dr. Kennedy) died wilderness and without a protector. He honorably In the discharge ofhis duty and it was found necessary to send to cross the river after night for the Doc­ retained his senses to the last and his and the other returned to the U.S. most painful apprehensions were for before I could get any definite informa­ tor. Cholera on the Increase. May 30th. 31st. & June 1st his wife and children and the fear that tion from them as to the history ofthe they might not reach their home In disease. I am therefore unable to give Occupied in crossing the train and safety. Truly such deathbeds are un­ the number ofdeaths or cases ofchol­ horses dUring the whole time we re­ common and God grant it may not be era which occurred dally. mained. No rains ofconsequence. Sev­ my fate to witness another. eral mules were drowned owing to the It Is sufficient to say that they were June 3rd numerous enough to cast a gloom over very Indifferent arrangements of the the command. which for a long time ferry. Settlements of French and Indi­ The day broke stormy and boister­ rendered the-march one· of ~he most ans on both sides of the river. Cholera ous. I had been employed during the melancholy it has ever been my lot to still afflicting the Command severely whole night In arranging the remains witness. and great uneasiness felt by every· of Dr. Kennedy so that they could be transported to Kansas (Kansas City, May 26th body. Desertions began to be numer­ ous and in parties of 3 & 4 at a time. MissourI], to which place I was to The command marched 10 am over transport them with his wife and chil­ June 2nd (Monday) a rolltng prairie country nine miles to dren. No materials could be found In Stranger creek. Encamped at 1 pm on Marched at 8 am. At 7 1;2 miles camp to make his coffin and I found it East side of cree\2 Wood and water crossed small stream at Pottowatamie necessary to break up his bed-stead 30 plenty, grass thin. settlement. Weather bad and roads and construct a rough box In which to May 27th heavy. At 53/4 miles further crossed place the body. The material being in­ Marched at 7 am and encamped on small stream. Wood. water. and grass sufficient the box was fully open at the small stream 13 1/2 miles.23 Wood, good. Made 18 miles and encam~d on top. water. and grass abundant. Cholera right bank of Wakarussi Creek. 1 In Having prepared what was considered rather on the Increase. crossing the stream which was rising necessary Mrs. Kennedy and her chil­ rapidlyoneofthe teamsters fell and his May 28th dren were placed In their carriage by wagon heavily loaded passed over his Col. Sumner. who throughout the Doc­ . Marched at 7 am. At 9 1/2 miles It 24 leg, fracturing In two places. Heavy tor's illnessand subsequenthad mani­ crossed Grasshoppercreek where we storm came up immediately after we fested great tenderness and feeling to­ were detained more than an hour encamped and it rained heavily, ac­ ward his family. About 8 o'clock we set crossing the trains. Man suddenly at­ companied by tremendous thundering off under the most gloomy circum­ tacked with cholera from· drinking and lightening during the whole night. stances and leaving behind us a mel­ water Immediately died before reach­ Dr. Kennedy the senior Medical officer ancholy sadness as deep as our own. Ing camp. Made 16 miles and en­ of the command was attacked with My first object was to strike the Inde­ camped on a small stream. Wood, cholera about 7 o'c in the afternoon penlden)ce road from Santa Fe which water, and grass In abundance. Chol­ and died about 1 o'c that night without supposed to be about 15 miles distant era greatly on the increase occasioned medical attendance. but deep and impassable ravines pre­ doubtless bythe exposure and immod­ Col. Sumner. Major Buell and myself vented me. I found it necessary there­ erate use ofwater. attended him In his last hours but fore to repass our camp of the night May 29th were unable to give him any relief. He before and to follow the road back at Marched at the usual hour 7 am. At died lamented by the whole command least as far as the Pottowatamie settle­ 2 1/2 miles crossed small creek25 and and by none more than the soldiers to ment which we had passed the day at same distance beyond crossed an- whom he had been universally kind before. I found the Wakarussl where

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we had passed it the previous after­ The horses were next swum over and approach itand I began to fear thatthe noon, very high and the crossing was aftercrossingall the baggage we found foul atmosphere would affect some of made with some difficulty. The rain it late in the night. The rain stlll con­ my small party. still continued to pour,down upon us tinued unabated and the stream was June 6th and from the passage of the wagons rising rapidly every moment. In the the roads were in a condition nearly night Mrs. Kennedy little boy was at- I started at day light under the guid­ impassable. I began to apprehend also .tacked by choleraand we spent a most ance of the Indian and about 12 M that we would experience great diffi­ melancholy night by his bed. We had struck the Independence road about 40 miles' from Kansas. The weather culty in recrossing the streams we had no medicine and were therefore cont~ued we~ passed on the march and hastened on obliged to look on while this terrible very bad and the roads as rapidly as possible. About 11 am I disease was hurrying the poor little in the worst possible condition. The reached the Pottowatamie settlement boy to his grave. By daylight in the numerous heavily loaded trains ofthe Santa Fe Traders had so cut it up that I' and having procured a guide (an In­ morning he was in my opinion past all dian) started for the lower crossing of human help. at all the mudholes and crossingofthe l streams, it was nearly impassable. " the Wakarussi on the trail which led to " , 33 June 5th Kansas. The weather was awful and The weather continued to be terrible After a very hard march we reached the prairies so soft that our animals and ~hen I descended to the stream I Kansas between 1 and 2 o'c at night and Mrs Kennedy and her chUd were went fetlock deep at every step. About was convinced of the utter hopeless­ 9 o'c pm an hour after dark we reached ness of attempting to cross the other placed among their friends and rela­ tions. I had been quite unwell ever the crossing ofthe Stream near where carriages. The body of Dr. Kennedy it enters the Kansas river having ac­ had been so long kept also that it was since our departure from the Camp complished a distance of62 miles. The absolutely necessary to reach Kansas and now that the excitement was over Kansas river was very high and had as soon as possible. I determined I felt very sick. The doctor gave me backed up the Wakarussi until the therefore to abandon the other two , medicine and I remained for several water was fifteen or twenty feet deep. carriages and start for Kansas at once. days at Kansas entirely unable to The night was intensely dark and the travel. On the morning after my arrival I put the horses to an old wagon I , Mr P. M. Chouteau36 and my selfbur­ rain still fell in torrents. I succeeded in found in the neighborhood and started a small canoe in crossing Mrs. with Mrs. Kennedy in the carriage we ied the remains ofDr. Kennedyand his child and I felt a reliefwhich cannotbe Kennedy and her children and par­ had succeeded in getting across. I tially sheltering them for the night in learned from an Indian just as we set expressed or understood. I was most an Indian hut on the bank of the out that several streams which poured kindly treated by Mrs Kennedy's rela­ stream. into the Kansas below were over the tions in Kansas and shall ever cherish The men and animals were completely banks and entirely Impassable. I re­ a most grateful recollection of it. I made the bestarrangements I possibly worn out and the intense darkness of solved therefore to leave the road and could for the safe continuance of Mrs the night and depth of the Stream bytakinga west~rlycourse, to tum the determined me' to wait for day light sources of these streams and strike Kennedy's journey to St. Louis and on Tuesday morning June 10th I started before attempting to cross the car­ the Independence road.34Shortlyafter to ,overtake the command. I was stlll riages and horses. It rained hard all we started the poor little boy died and night and the Indian Cabin, the only was carried in that condition for the quite sick and only left Kansas be­ cause I feared that a longer delay shelter for Mrs. Kennedy offered but remainder of the day. After a march of would prevent me from overtaking the little protection from the, weather. 12 miles over the prairie which was command. Dr. Hereford of West Port nearly knee deep in mud we reached June 4th accompanied me. The night before my the first stream and found it altogether departure three of my men deserted At dawn of day I descended to the too deep to cross.35 Itwas getting to be but I had not the time to make any stream and found a roaring torrent at late in the afternoon and itwas entirely search for them. I made 40 miles this, least 100 yards in width and entirely 1m possible to expose Mrs. Kennedy in day overdreadful roads and in a severe impassable. There was nothing but a her situation, and a dead child in her small canoe within 50 miles and it was arms, to an inclement night and I re­ storm and was only stopped by the entire exhaustion of my horses. We necessary to cross the carriages and solved to return and bury the body of spent the night in theopen pralrle and, horses. The rain stlll fell heavily and Dr. Kennedy at the Indian house on the wind blew in such violent'gusts as the·Wakarussl. We reached the house in a terrible storm of rain and hail. to endanger seriously the crossing of about dark and passed another terri­ June 11th • the canoe. I at first resolved to con­ ble night. Such scenes were sufficient Marched at day light. Weather still struct a raft and by stretching the to have appalled the stoutest-hearted very bad and roads worse. One man picket ropes of the horses across the man and I was in constant fear that deserted with his horse and eqUip­ stream to make the passage in that Mrs. Kennedy would give way under ment. Made:p75 miles and encamped at way. After several hours hard labor we such terrible afflictions. She bore it creek (110). succeeded in getting the rope across with a stout heart and her noble and June 12th but it was tom away almost immedi­ resolute conduct had the most salu­ ately by the heavy drift which came tary effect upon the men who had . Marched at day light and after a very down with greatviolence. I then lashed shown strong intentions of deserting.. hard march over heavy road and in a a log on each side of the canoe and An Indian who arrived dUring the night continuous rain ,reached Council having unloaded the smallest of the informed me that he could gUide me to Grove about 9 o'clock at night. Passed carriages I took offthe wheels and after the Independence road without diffi­ several merchant trains on the road. I great trouble succeeded in getting it culty and I therefore determined to learned from Mr. Chouteau that the uponthis'frail raft. It was necessary to wait one more day before burying the command had passed Council Grove tow it halfa mile up the stream before remalns ofDr Kennedy. The body had nearly five days previous and it there" starting to cross and I expected every by this time become so offensive that fore became necessary for me to has­ moment to see it upside down. By the it was with extremely unpleasant to ten on. We were approaching the in­ greatest good fortune we got it across. dian Country and my men had nearly

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all deserted. I received a note from Col. 11. WilHam Hammon TUlgley was appointed assistant Kansas River here was on the south side. Sumner advising me that he had em­ surgeon on March 24, 1851, and resigned Decem­ 30. Whitman and Searl's 1856 map of Kansas shows a ployed a Citizen physician (Dr Barry)38 ber 2, 1851. Heitman, Historical Register, 1,963. ·Bernett's· (probably Abraham Burnett, Pottawato­ 12. George Alexander Hamilton Blake graduated from mie Indian and agency interpreter) living in the who was going out with one of the . the USMA in 1836 and was assigned to the 2d southea& comer of the reserve on Shunganunga trains and Dr. Hereford. therefore re­ Dragoons. After service in the Mexican War he was Creek. It J. C. Woodruff's 1852 map.of·A site for turned to West Port. promoted to majorin the 1stDragoons in 1850. Ibid., a Military Post.· shows a Pottawatomie house in (continued next issue) 223. approximately the same location. The Pottawalo­ ---;..-.- 13. Israel Bush Richardson graduated from the USMA mies moved from their reservation on the Marais de NOTES in 1841 and was assigned to the 3d Infantry. He was Cygne River in 1848 to the eastern portion of the awarded the brevet rank of major for his actions in Kansa Reserve. Anna H. Able, ·Indian Reservations 1. William H. Goetzmann, Army Exploration in the in Kansas and the Extinguishment of their Tille: American West. 1803-1863 (New Haven: Yale Uni­ the Mexican War and died during the Civil War as a major general of volunteers from wounds received Kansas Historical Collections, 8 (1903-1904):72­ versity Press, 1959). 246- 248; Roben M. Utley. 109; Barry, Beginning of the West, 737-738, 800, 'Captain John Pope's Plan of 1853 for the Frontier at Antietam. Ibid., 828. 1022; & Roben W. Baughman, Kansas in Maps Defense of New Mexico: Arizona and the West, 5 14. John Creed Moore graduated from the USMA in {Topeka: Kan~StateHistoricalSociety,1961),45. (Summer, 1963):149-163. 1849 and was assigned to the 4th Artillery. He was promoted to 2d Ueutenant of the 2d Millery in 1850 31. Close to present Auburn, Kansas, in southwestern 2. Louise M. BarTy, The Beginning ofthe West. Annals , and resigned in 1855. He served as a brigadier Shawnee County. . ofthe Kansas Gatewsyto the American West. 1540­ general of the Confederacy, 1861-1865. Ibid., 722. 1854 (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 32. Kennedy in 1850 marched with Fan Scott Dragoons 1972), 1007-1038. 15. Philip Roots Thompson graduated from the USMA twice on the Santa Fe Road, once to Council Grove in 1835 and was assigned to the 1st Dragoons. He and once to the site of Fon Atkinson. He served 3. John James Aben graduated from the U.S. Military was promoted to brevet major in 1847 for actions in briefly as the post commander of Fort Scott Octo­ Academy at West Point (USMA) in 1808 and de­ the Mexican War and cashiered from the service in ber-November 1850, after the regular commander clined appointment However in 1814 he was ap­ 1855 for appearing before a coun-martial in a state became too sick to command. Leo E. Oliva, Fott pointed a brevet major in the Topographical Engi­ of intoxication. Ibid., 957. Scott (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, neers. He was promoted to colonel in that corps in 1984), 43-44. 1838 and remained in charge of it until his retirement 16. James Henry Carleton was appointed a 2d lieuten­ 33. Pope had returned to Burnett's, 7-8 m ~es south and in 1861. Francis B. Heitman, Historic8lRegisterand ant in the 1st Dragoons in 1839. He was promoted west of present Topeka Contemporary maps show Dictionary ofthe United States Army (Washington: to brevet major in 1847forhis actions in the Mexican a road which wasthe Oregon Trail from Kansas City Government Printing OffICe, 1903), I, 150. War. Carleton was a major influence on military affairs in New Mexico through the Civil Warand died to Topeka. The Lower Crossing of the Wakarusa 4. Fon Leavenwonh was estabUshed in 1827 on the in 1873 as a major general. Ibid., 282. was just southea& of Eudora, Kansas, in nonhea& Missouri River by Col. Henry Leavenwonh. One of Douglas County. It was also known as 'Blue Jacket 17. RobenRansom graduated from the USMA in 1850 its purposes was to protect traders on the Santa Fe Ford." Barry, Beginning ofthe West, 989. Trail. U.S. National Park Service, Soldierand Brave and was assigned to the 1st Dragoons as a brevet 34. The Santa Fe Trail. (Washington: Department ofthe Interior, 1971),145. 2d lieutenant Ibid., 816 35. Little Wakarusa or Captain Creek. . 5. Edwin Vose Sumner was appointed a 2d lieutenant 18. Daniel Henry Rucker was appointed a 2d lieutenant in the 2d Infantry in 1819. He was promoted to in the 1st Dragoons in 1837 and brevetted a major 36. Pierre Menard Chouteau (1822-1885) was a mem­ captain in 1833 upon the formation of the First in 1847 for his services in the Mexican War. He was berof the venerable fur-trading Chouteau family. He Dragoons. He served in the Mexican War, marching given a regular promotion to captain and assistant was the son of Paul Uguest Chouteau and Con­ to New Mexico with General Stephen Watts quartermaster in 1849, served in the Civil War, and stance Dubreuil and grandson of Pierre Chouteau, Kearny's Ivmy of the West in 1846. Promoted to retired in 1882 after serving briefly as quartermaster Sr. P. M. Chouteau was a licensed trader to various lieutenant colonel in 1848, he was directed by the general. Ibid., 849. Indian settlements in ea&ern Kansas, notably the Secretaly of War in 1851 to command the 9th Mili­ 19. Isaac Bowen graduated from the USMAin 1842 and Miamis, Weas, and Piankeshaws. in the late 18405 taIy Depanment .(of New Mexico). His charge was was assigned to the 4th Millery. He participated in and 18505. Mary B. Cunningham and Jeanne C. to save expenses, carry out an extensive system of the Mexican Warand was promoted to captain in the Blythe, The Founding Family ofSt. Louis (Sl Louis: farm ing by the troops, and revise the defense sys­ . commissary department in 1850. He died of Yellow Piraeus Publishers, 1977),60,69; Barry, Beginning tem of the depanment After little success, he was Fever in New Orleans in 1858. Ibid., 233. ofthe West, 793, 1190. replaced in command by Brevet Brigadier General 20. Cholera was (and in some pans of the world still is) 37. 110Mile Creek was so nam'ed because it was 110 John Garland in 1853. Sumner went on to distin­ one ofthe mo& dreaded communicable diseases of miles from Fon Osage where the government sur-. guish himself in the Civil War. He died in 1863 as a the nineteenth century. Caused by a bacteria, it is vey of the Santa Fe Trail began in 1825. majar general of volunteers. Heitman, Historical highly contagious. It can be spread by contaminated 38. Dr. Edmund Barry was paid $150 for serving as Register, I, 936. food and water, by contact with those stricken, and assistant surgeon to the command. Surgeon Gen­ 6. The Fon Leavenwonh road to Santa Fe had evolved by flies. It is occasioned by poorsanitary conditions. eral Thomas Lawson to Sumner, October31, 1851, from the road that The Army of the We& used in Cholera bacteria inflame the intestines producing M1102, RoU 4, RG 393, NA 1846. Dragoon Private Percival G. Lowe described diarrhea and vomiting and resulting in severe dehy­ the route in 1850: 'The road from Fon Leavenwonh dration. The afflicted go into shock and may die. [The remainder oj Pope's report wUl to New Mexico ran through what is now Ea&on, Cholera was prevalent in 1851 in Independence, appear in the next issue.] [Kansas) at the crossing of Stranger Creek; then Kansas City, Weston, Sl Joseph, and in the Indian through what is now Winchester, Ozakee at the country. Sumner's command 10& about 35 men to crossing of Grasshopper, now Delaware River and the disease. Barry, Beginning of the West, 1010; CAMP TALES Soldier Creek. four m ~es nonh of where now stands Sumner to Adjutant General Roger Jones, October Topeka. There it crossed the Kawon Papan'sFerry, 24,1851, Letters Sent9lh Military Department, RG about sixty miles from Fon Leavenwonh, thence to 393, NA (hereafter LS, 9MD, RG 393, NA). --CHAPTER REPORTS Council Grove, sixty m ~es farther, intersecting the 21. Dr. Tingley was not highly thought of. He stayed at Cimarron Cutoff main Santa Fe Trail from Independence, Missouri, Fon Atkinson after the command reached there and east of the Grove." Percival G. Lowe, Five Years a shortly returned to the States. Dr. Kennedy on the No report. Dragoon (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press; other hand was respected and trusted. Ibid. Texas Panhandle 1965),27. 22. Near present Easton, Kansas. 7. Don Carlos BueU graduated from the USMA in 1841 23. Crooked Creek near present Winchester, Kansas. No report. and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry. He was pro­ 24. Near present Ozawkie, Kansas. moted to brevet captain as an assistant adjutant Wagonbed Spring general in 1848. Heitman, Historical ~egister, 1,259. 25. This is probably Muddy Creek on the western border of Jefferson County, Kansas. See page one.. 8. Ebenezer Sprote Sibley graduated from the USMA and was assignedtothe 1stArtilleryin 1827. He was 26. They were nonhea& of present Topeka, Kansas, Heart of the Flint Hills promoted to captain as an assistant quartermaster where several sm all creeks rise. in 1838. Ibid., 885. 27. Soldier Creek flows into the Kansas river close to The 1991 Santa Fe Trail Ride has 9. Francis A Cunningham was appointed a paymaster Topeka. been dubbed another successful ven­ in the volunteers in 1847, and a major paymaster in 28. Joseph Papin established a ferry across the Kansas ture. It takes a lot of planning and 1849. Ibid., 345. (Kaw) River as early as 1843, at the present site of cooperation from many people to have 10. Alfred W. Kennedy was appointed an assistant Topeka, Kansas. Papin was married to an Indian a week-long ride that Is 100 miles in surgeon in 1840. Prior to his assignment to Sum­ woman and his two sons assisted in running the ferry. The roal! to Oregon and California also length and requIres space for 80 to 100 . .ner's command, he had served at" Fon Scott 90 people to camp and water their horses miles South of Kansas City, since 1848. Ibid., 592; crossed here going nonh. Barry, Beginning of the Fon Scott Post Returns, Record Group 98, National West, 516, 714, 842·843, 1094. and mules. This was made possible by Archives (RG 98, NA). 29. Figured facing downstream, the right bank of the the efforts ofa very fine committee: Rex

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Pia, Frank Burkdoll. Don Johnson, The fall meeting will be held in con­ bers. The executive board of nine Brenda Newell. and Charles Noonan. junction with Fort Larned Days. which members is scheduled to meet the sec­ Starting June 9 near Gardner. Kan­ will be a celebration oJ the 25th anni­ ond Thursday of each odd-numbered sas, where the Oregon Trail left the versary ofFort Lamed NHS. The chap- month at 7:00 p.m. At present these Santa Fe Trail, the group trailed past . ter Will meet at Fort Larned for a pot­ meetin~ are held at 3122 Santa Fe the Lanesfield School which has been luck dinner at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Road In Independence. Membership restored by the Johnson County His­ October 13. A demonstration will be meetin~ are regularly held at 7:00 torical Society and on to Black Jack ­ given on period firearms as well as p.m. on the fourth. Thursday of each east of Baldwin. The rest of the trip living-history programs presented by even-numbered month at -the Trails included Willow Sprin~, Simmons's the Fort Larned staffand volunteers. Center, 318 W. Pacific, Independence. unless other plans, such as treks. are Point, Overb~ook, Burlingame, Ha­ Mountain Branch vana Station, Soldier Creek Crossing. _ arranged. Visitors are welcome at all Wilmington, Elm Creek. 142 Mile No report. meetin~. Creek, and Agnes City on the way to Dodge City!Fort Dodge Council Grove. On May 11 a chapter tour drew 65 The riders saw many Trail ruts. Good people from Ford County. Hoisington, entertainment was provided at camp­ Jetmore. Coldwater, Hays. and Den­ sites by local historianS and bands. On ver. They visited the Custer House at June 14 there were 115 riders on the Fort Dodge. Black Pool near Ford, and prairie going the last 20 miles to Coun­ the Fort Hays-Fort Dodge Trail cross­ cil Grove. They participated in the an­ ing ofthe Sawlogon the Warner Ranch _ HOOF PRINTS nual Wah-Shun-Gah Days at Council northeast of Dodge City. -TRAIL TIDBITS~- Grove on June 15. - At the meeting on July 19 members The chapter directors met on July9 - enjoyed a program· by Dave Webb, Lamar. CO, has a new Colorado Wel­ with only four members and a few author ofAdventureswith the Santa Fe come Center located in the old Santa guests present because a heavy thun­ Trail. He told of the fascinating infor­ Fe depot. The Colorado DAR Madonna derstorm hampered attendance. Itwas mation he found while doing research of the Trail statue is located nearby. reported that the Fremont Park Revi­ for the book. such as. in the 18608 an Thanks to the efforts of SFTA Ambas­ talization Board ofnine members from entrepreneur would spend $117.000 sador Paul Bentrup, the new center is throughout Morris County is com­ to outfit a caravan ofaverage slzewith well supplied with information about pleted so that work can begin on re­ mules and $2,300 a month for wages the Trail. storing the stone barn and the 16 for -the wagonmaster. drivers. and • • • • • acres around it. In reviewing the NPS herders. management and use plan for the SF­ The Howard County (MO) Democrat­ A wagon drawn by a team of Red Leader. edited and published by SFTA NHT. it was rioted that important his­ Devon oxen from Bent's Old Fort NHS toric sites and segments were omitted. member H. DennyDavis, has prepared came to the Dodge City Days parade a four-page reprint about Josiah These include the deep ruts on the Phil ­ on July 27. courtesy ofthe Bank ofthe Workman farm. the grave site of 27 Gregg's role in botany, including a list Southwest. The team and wagon were of plants named to honor Gregg. To -Mexicans•. one mile of ruts on the at the fairgrounds in Wright Park on south side of the road In Sec. 23-15­ obtain a copy (price not available), con­ July 28 & 29. This was made possible tact the newspaper office, PO Box 32, 12, the stone dugout west of Elm by the Ford County Fair Association. • Creek, the ruts at 142 Mile Creek and Fayette. MO 65248. the crossing. The annual meeting is Missouri River Outfitters • • • • • planned for October 20. On June 27 the Missouri River Out­ Bill Bullard is the new administrator End of the Trail fitters Chapter was organized when 23 of the National Frontier Trails Center members met at the National Frontier No report. In Independence, replacingGerry Mot­ Trails Center in Independence, MO, to singer who moved to the Johnson Corazon de los Caminos adopt bylaws and select a chapter County Archives. Deborah Hickle is The next regular meeting is Septem­ name. Officers had been elected in thenew archivist at the Trails Center. ber 15, 2:00 p.m., Las Vegas. For de- April: PresidentRoger Slusher. lexing­ • • • • • tails call (505) 454-0383. - ton. MO; Vice-President Michael H. Tatham. Raytown, MO; Secretary _George T. Watkins III has donated • Wet/Dry Routes Anne Carter. Centerview, MO; Treas­ over 400 trail diaries and reminis­ urer Pauline Fowler, Independence, cences to OCTA. These will be added The chapter summer meeting was to the Merrill Mattes research library , June 1. with a tour of the Wet Route MO; Historian Roy Stubbs, Arrow • Rock. MO; DirectorMaryConrad, Kan­ at the National Frontier Trails Center (see article about the tour in this is­ in Independence. This collection in­ sue). A chuckwagon lunch was served sas City, KS; Director Michael Dun­ can. Olathe. KS; Director Ona Gi­ cludes material on the Oregon, Califor­ at the home of Steve and Pam Wetzel. nia. Mormon. and Santa Fe trails. which is located next to the Trail. Over eschen. Gladstone, MO; Director Louis 70 people enjoyed the meal. Joanne Schumacher, Kansas City, MO; and • • • • • VanCoevern read a history of the Alternate Director, Robert H. Dorian, _The Independence Young Matrons chuckwagon and David Clapsaddle Raytown. MO. have provided funds to .purchase a gave a short talk on how to get started The new chapter began with eleven model covered wagon originally con­ in researching topics associated with family and seven individual paid mem­ structed for display at the OCTA con­ the Trail. When skies darkened and berships. Individual membership is vention in Omaha last year. The rain began to fall. some ofthe partyleft $10.00 and family membership is mode'. eight feet long Including the the tour. Many continued along the $15.00 per year. with each category -tongue, will be furnished with a typical "wet" route and visited a number of entitled to one vote. Membership in cargo of the 1840s and 1850s and sites. SFTA is a requisite for chapter mem- used as an educational resource at the

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. . Center. tendent of Fort Larned NHS, to serve lications that it did. not seem necessary • • • • • as the.coordinator for the 1995 SFTA to include an errata in the booklet. Our Symposium. The 1993 symposium will readers should know that Trail ofCom­ SFTA PubUcity Coordinator Mike be at Bent's Old Fort and La Junta, merce and Conquest was lifted by Pitel wrote an article about the historic CO, and the 1995 meeting will be at photographic copy without c~efrom Santa Fe TraU which appeared in the Fort Larned, Larned, and Great Bend, Rittenhouse's outstanding Santa Fe June 1991 issue ofAmerica West Air­ KS. Trail Bibliography as a special gift by lines magazine. The pubUcation has a the author to SFTA (he received nopay­ circulation of 110,000. • • • •• • ment nor does he want any royalty). It Fort Larned NHS will sponsor a • • • • • was notpossible to make any changes booth at the Kansas State Fair in in the text by using this process. Prepa­ The large mural Painted by Dennis Hutchinson, Sept. 6-15. The Rucker ration of the material for publication Burghart on the east side ofthe Offerle ambulance, recently acquired by the Cafe in Offerle, Kansas, includes the Fort Larned Old Guard, will be on dis­ was donated by volunteers, so the only cost to SFTA was the actual cost of Santa Fe TraU. It may be seen by trav­ play and volunteers in period clothing printing. Fundsfrom sales of this gen­ elers passing through town on US 50 wUl be present. This will give the fort erous donation go into the SFTA publi­ & 56. Westbound folks get a good view and the Trail good exposure to a large without even stopping, but it is worth­ audience. . cation account. Perhaps, someday, whUe to stop and look and visit the SFTA canfund other TraU publications. cafe.. • • • • • Perhaps, too, an errata can eventually • • • • • Fort Larned NHS now has a short­ be added, but it Is notfeasible at this range visitor radio station installed. time. Yourfine letter wUI serve as cor­ . The Santa Fe TraU was selected as M Information is carried on AM 530 so rectionfor our many readers. the MBest Historic Road Tour by West­ visitors and potential visitors cap hear Editor ward, Denver's News & Arts Weekly. about what is happening. The June 26-July 2, 1991 edition, Mthe best of Denver issue,MUsts the choice on page· 108. The article also plu~ POST OFFICE OAK Gregory Franzwa's new audio cassette -LETTERS~- tour guide, MThe Santa Fe Trail Revis­ ited." Editor: • • • • • A couple of years ago we got inter­ CONVERSE OF THE Anne and David Carter rode horses ested in the Santa Fe TraU, worked up PRAIRIES from Missouri to Santa Fe three years programs we gave to our clubs, and ago. They will share this experience at have continued to explore it. In June -BOOK NOTICES~­ we made two trips that took us all the the 1991 Symposium. Their book MUestones in Missouri's Past (1976) in­ about the trip, Mulberries and Prickly way to Santa Fe. Our interest Is In . photographing the DAR markers and cludes information about the markers Pear, should also be avaUable at the placed by the Missouri State Societyof conference. we have gotten most of them. We just the Daughters of the American Revo­ • • • • • joined SFTA and hope the membership lution alongseveral traUs, includingEl list will proVide addresses to write for Camino Real (the oldest pubUc road in Bonita and Leo Oliva had the good help In locating the other markers. fortune to fly over and photograph the Missouri which extended from St. ruts of the Fort Hays-Fort Dodge TraU We have had correspondence with Louis to present CaruthersvUle), the on the John Warner ranch northeast Gregory Franzwa since we got the AAA Boone's Lick Road from St. Charles to of Dodge City in May. On July 4 they Kansas map and saw how wrong the Franklin, and the Santa Fe TraU from joined a party of horseback riders at Trail was drawn between Baldwin and Franklin to the Kansas border. To or­ the Warner Ranch and rode a section Great Bend. He sent letters on and it der this DAR pubUcation, send $7.00 of that route, following vivid ruts on is going to be fixed In the next edition. to Jane Malllnson, PO Box 8604, both sides of Sawlog Creek. The At the Capulin Mountain Visitor Sugar Creek, MO 64054. Warner family is to be commended for Center we bought a copy of TraU of •• •• • preserving this part of the Trail. Commerce and Conquest by Jack Rit­ W. B. Napton, Jr., Over the Santa Fe • • • • • tenhouse. Since SFTA published this, TraU in 1857. 1905; reprint Arrow can you correct a mistake on page 20, SFTA member Suzanne Corbett, St. Rock: Friends of Arrow Rock, 1991. second paragraph? Chavez was killed Foreword by Jean Tyree Hamilton. Pp. Louis, MO, a member ofMissouri Press near today's Lyons, not Emporia. He Women, was recently a three-time win­ 99. lllus. Paper, $6.00 (includes ship­ was confused by Emporia being in ping). Order from Friends of Arrow ner in the National Federation ofPress Lyon County, whUe Lyons Is In Rice Women Cammunications ~ntest, in Rock, PO Box 124, Arrow Rock, MO County where the murder occurred. 65320. Orlando, Florida. Congratulations Su­ Could an errata slip be placed in the zannel booklet? This is a personal memoir ofan early • • • • • Helen & Alfred Ericson Saline County resident, a son of Mlanded gentryM that came to Boone's As anticipated in the last issue, the 1406 College Dr. Emporia, KS. 66801 Lick country In the 18208. Napton, at remains of Josephita Carson Squires, age 18, signed on with MJim Crow" daughter of Kit and Josepha Carson, Your interest in the TraU Is much ap­ Chiles fora trip to Santa Fe. His story, was moved from the Las Vegas ceme­ preciated. The articles on DAR markers written 40 years later, describes the tery and reinterred in the Carson fam­ should be helpful to yourproject and, if . scene at Westport as the expedition ily plot at Taos on June 22, 1991. you have found any errors in these . assembled, an encounter with Kawln­ • • • • • listings, please send corrections. dians at CouncU Grove, the vast buf­ SFTA President Joseph Snell has The site of the murder ofChavez has falo herds to the west, and antelope on designated Steve Linderer, superin- received so much attention in otherpub- the Cimarron. At Fort Union Napton

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was Impressed with Its neatness. Here SEARCH CONTINUES FOR EVIDENCE OF MEXICAN GRAVES part of the train headed to Mora to , ' deItver champagne to Ceran St. Vrain. FEW articles in \VI'spark much con­ west of Log Chain Creek, near the Cartoon sketches illustrate some of troversy, fortunately or unfortunately Wabaunsee countyline, was surprised the action Napton described. as the case may be. One item that has at night, and of the forty-six men, In the last 25 pages ofthe book Nap­ remains unresolved, but develop~ twenty-seven were killed, and the ton tells of his trip to the headwaters ments to date are printed here for the mules, 500 in number, run off by the ofthe Missouri River in 1858 to deliver information of SFTA members and to outlaws, undoubtedly the gang having annuttles to the Indians. Artist Carl soItcit the help ofanyone who may be their headquarters within one mile of Wimar was on the journey. What Nap­ able to shed light on the situation. the present site of Harveyville. ton lacks in profundity and pomp is The February 1990 issue carried a . MIn one ofthe wagons was an iron box made up for in his Itvely anecdotes and photograph and story by Morris A. 18xl2x8 inches containing$75,000 in details of day-by-daytravel. DuBois, SFTA member and director of gold. This treasure boxwas taken and Jean Tyree Hamilton, honored by the Heart of the.FUnt Hills Chapter· with the 500 mules represented a for­ SFTA in 1989, wrote the 'eight-page from Burlingame, KS, about the mark­ tune-a lost fortune to theownerofthe foreword. It includes background in­ ing ofa grave site in Lyon County, KS, train, who succeeded in getting safely formation, a critique of Napton's where 28 Mexicans were reportedly away. Mmemory," and a valuable bibItog­ buried by the army in 1844 after being MWithin forty-eight hours he had rid­ raphy. The book is worth the price for· murdered by outlaws on the Santa Fe den to Leavenworth and with a com­ these pages. Trail. pany of cavalry was on the way to the -Virginia Lee Fisher In the November 1990 issue Harry C. scene ofthe terrible massacre. But the • • • • • Myers, military historian and superin­ wagons and harness were all that was left ofthe splendid outfit. After bUrying Stan Hoig, Jesse Chisholm: Ambassa­ tendent of Fort Union National Monu­ ment, requested some primary evi­ the dead Mexican trainmen the troops dor of the Plains. Niwot: University attempted to follow the trail of the Press ofColorado, 1991. Pp. xiii + 236. dence to support the story and noted that his extensive research in military robbers with the hope of returning to Illus., map, notes, bibiiog., index. the owner the treasure box and the Cloth, $28.00; plus $2.00 shipping. records turned up no supporting documentation. He asked if primary mules that he might continue hisjour­ Order from University ofColorado, PO ney to the States. But the herd had Box 849, Niwot, CO 80544. sources existed, opined that the story may have been confused with another been divided and driven in different The Chisholm Trail, which crossed incident at another time, and offered directions and after unavailingeffort to , the Santa Fe Trail, was one ofthe great his help to resolve the mystery. The \VI' locate the robbers the Captain with his routes for the cattle drives from Texas editor offered to publish copies of pri­ little band struck westward. to Kansas. This biography of the man mary sources which provide relevant MAt the LittleArkansas an old trapper for whom that trail was named is care­ evidence. and plainsman by the name of H. B. fully researched and skillfully written, To date no primary source has been Hobbs offering the most reasonable and includes several mentions of the solution ofthe problem that perplexed Santa Fe Trail. Itcontains much about submitted but the following informa­ tion (dating from February 1991 and the Captain his services were secured Indian relations. Chisholm (c. 1805­ to trail the robbers. ·1868) was a fascinating half-Cherokee . edited for publication here) is pre­ pioneer of many talents, and this vol- sented to invite readers to Join in the MHobbs reasoned that the outlaws ume is hIghly recommended. . . search and, more important, to bring would notdare to take the mules either to the States or to Mexico but to the ' attention to the critical "Rules of Evi­ • • • • . dence" presented in the laSt issue. only place they could find a safe mar· Monroe Lee Billington, New Mexico's Comments and pertinent primary ket-that, in his opinion, was Oregon. Buffalo Soldiers, 1866-1900. Niwot: sources are solicited by your editor.. Taking a north-east direction the trail UniversityPress ofColorado, 1991. Pp. of the robbers with the mules was DuBois, authorofthe originalarticle, xiii + 258. Illus., maps, notes, bibliog., struck on the Smoky Hill. Following wrote as follows: Min regards to the index. Cloth, $29.95; plus $2.00 ship­ . this until nearly the head ofthe stream ping. Order from University Press of Mexican grave site article, questioned was reached the troops encountered by Harry Myers,. the enclosed material Colorado, PO Box 849, Niwot, CO nineteen of.the men in charge of the from Matt Thomson's Early History oj 80544. herd of mules. , Wabaunsee County (1901) is submit­ Almost 4,000 black troops served in ted. According to many oldtimers in MIn the hard fight that followed four­ New Mexico Territory (the western end this area, this is a known fact. infor­ teen of the nineteen robbers were oftheSanta Fe Trail) after the Civil War mation from a 93-year-old gentleman, killed. The otherfive were taken to Fort I to 1900, and they were much involved Leavenworth, tried, and sentenced'to • who was born in the Wilmington area in. the Indian wars and other and still lives in this historic area, also the penitentiary at Alton, Ill., for life. peacekeeping activities (Lincoln confirms this event as actually hap­ The mules were turned over to the County War for example). This excel­ pening." owner but the treasure box was miss­ lent study, based on solid research, ing. As two of the twenty-one outlaws examines the life of these buffalo sol­ The sections ofThomson's Early His­ comprising the gang were unac­ diers (so-named by the Indians be­ tory oJWabaunsee County which relate counted for it was supposed that to cause their hairand color were like the the story ofa gangofrobbers operating, them had been entrusted the keeping bison) in the field and at milltary posts, along th~ Trail and the alleged massa­ of the golden treasure. Diligent search on and off duty, and shows how they cre of the Mexicans (pp. 142-143) fol­ was made in the vicinity ofthe robbery overcame many obstacles to serve low: for the iron box but the result was a their nation with honor and dignity. "In the spring of 1844 amule train of grievous disappointment both to the This volume is a significant contribu­ forty-three ,wagons, owned by an officer in command of the troops and tion to both black and western Ameri­ American, but manned by Mexican the unfortunate proprietor of the can history. drivers, while encamped 200 yards train."

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After relating a series of treasure in 1844 and has no direct (primary) with the troo~, the reccivery of the hunt stories for the missing gold, Th­ knowledge ofthe event. Ifa secondary mules, and the trial and conviction of omson closed the incident with this source cites primary sources (tells five outlaws would leave a traU of prl· story (pp. 144-145): where the first-hand information may mary documents. Ifno primary docu­ "In the Summer of 1895, just six be found), then it is possible to check ment can be found, the story Is suspi­ years ago, an old Englishman came those primary sources (that is why cious. If Thomson is the only source. into the Harveyville neighborhood. He . many secondary sources have foot­ avaUahle for the events he deSCribes in had but little to say to anyone, though notes indicating the primary sources 1844, what he describes is cast under he preached some and fished a great from which the information came). The a very heavy shadow ofdoubt. deal. He fished and preached for two reliabilityofa secondarysource Isusu­ "The story about the preacher con­ or three months. His favorite place for ally determined by how carefully It Is tains no hard evidence that a box was fishing was near the mouth of Bache­ grounded in research in prlmarydocu­ actuallydug up, let alone that$75,000 lor's branch, the poorest place to fish ments that can be verified. Not every­ was in that box. Even in 1895 that was in the whole country. He fished and thing that appears in print is histori­ . a rumor. It is a good story, but it Is cally true. People may believe that It Is 'preached until some time in Septem­ presented as folklore and not as his­ \ ber, when without bidding any of his true, but beliefIs an act offaith rather tory." than evidence. newly made friends good bye, he dis­ The search for documentation of the appeared. "For a good example of how primary alleged massacre of27 Mexican team­ "In a few days it was noised about sources are effectively used in secon­ sters on the TraU in 1844 continues. that some one had dug up a box over dary writing, see Marc Simmons's Mur- . WT 'remains ready to publish any verh north of the Harveyville cemetery. der on the Santa Fe TraU, 1843. You fiable primary source. Right where stood theold loghouse the might also look at Louise Barry's Be­ robbers had built fifty years before was ginning of the West, an outstanding COUNCILTROVE .a hole about four feet deep and on the collection ofprimarysources including . sides was the imprint of an iron box considerable information about the -DOCUMENTS 18xl2x8-undoubtedly the same box Santa Fe Trail. She shows that 1844 stolen by the train robbers on Log was the year of the great fioods and Trail News, 1859 Chain creek in 1844. Theiron rust was that many wagon trains were halted The following Item, "Latest from the there, but the $75,000 in Spanish gold for weeks because of high water. An Plains," was found in the Westport Bor­ had disappeared-with the old eastbound TraU caravan, including a. der Siar, November 12, 1859, by Rod­ preacher. He had watched as well as Mexican trader's train (probably ney Staab ofthe Kansas State Histori­ prayed. He had been fishing for gold­ headed by James Wiley Magoffin), was cal Society staff. and had found what he long had halted at Pawnee Fork by flood waters Our apprehensions on account of the sought." until May 21, and at Walnut Creek delayed mails, travel, and trade between from May 24 until mid-June (p. 512). here and New Mexico are at length allayed In response, your editor replied as The 1844 floods were so bad in the follows: by the safe arrival of a mail train, bringing spring that hardly anything could three overdue mails, three paSsengers, "Thanks for your nice letter and the move, and this Information casts addi­ and a mass of correspondence. They ar­ material from the Early History of tional doubt on the activities described rived on the morning of the 9th, in charge WabaunseeCounty. WhatHarry Myers by Thomson. In July the eastbound of the indefatigable conductor Woodruff, of requested and what I also wish to see caravans are reported as arrived in whose kindness, energy and courage the is some "primary source" material Missouri after long delays, and there passengers speak in terms of warmest about the death and burial ofMexican are reports of $90,000 and $100,000 praise. The gentlemen who came in with , teamsters in 1844. A primarysource Is in specie, but no mention of any rob­ the train were Dr. D. C. De Leon, (army a document contemporaneous with bery on the TraU (p. 521). surgeon from Albuquerque,) T. K. Mc­ and by someone who had first-hand "Since Thomson was not present in Cutchen, (of the house of J. & W. R. Ber­ knowledge of the incident, such as a 1844, he had to rely on other sources. nard & Co., Westport,) and W. B. Tipton, report by a military officer involved in If'he had no primary documents (and Esq., from whom we have gained the fol­ the burial or pursuit of the outlaws, . none are cited), the sources were prob­ lowing facts. court records ofthe trial ofthe outlaws ably local tradition (usuallycalled folk­ The mail, in charge of J. W. Woodruff, convicted and sentenced to prison, or lore) and other people who also were even a newspaper account in 1844 started from Santa Fe on the 2nd of Novem­ not present in 1844. If no primary ber [October], accompanied by the above about the incident. source can be produced the burden of named passengers and a lady (Mrs. Kelly) "Historians attempt to work from pri­ proof Is on the person who claims the and two children. They proceeded on as far mary sources as much as 'possible be­ event happened (in this case, Thom­ as Cold Spring, when not meeting any out­ cause secondary sources often prove son) rather than someone who IS sus­ going mails and hearing of difficulties to be confused and sometimes unreli­ picious of It because no primary evi- among the Indians, it was considered haz­ able. If no primary evidence is avail­ . dence has been seen (in this case, ardous to continue, and they determined to able, It may be assumed that a secon­ Myers or myselO. Without some pri­ return. The male passengers stopped at dary source has relied on information marydocumentation, Thomson's story Fort Union, but the lady and children were that cannot be verified or has recorded Is not credible. taken back to Santa Fe. popular (undocumented) history that "If the events described by Thomson On the 19th ult., the mail from Inde­ may be based on some other incident occurred, there will be primary pendence reached Fort Union, and on the (in this case, for example, the murder sources available. Anything as dra­ 21 st Conductor Woodruff and his passen­ ofChavez in 1843) Of even a combina­ matic as the killing of 27 Mexican gers again set out for the States, accompa­ tion ofother incidents. teamsters, the loss of 500 mules and nied by an escort of seventy-five men under "A secondary source, such as Early $75,000 in gold, the pursUit ofoutlaws command of Captain Morris, who guarded History ofWabaunsee County, is writ­ by troops from Fort Leavenworth, the them on as far as the crossing of Arkansas ten by someone who was not present death of 14 of the outlaws In a fight river. At this place they expected the spe-

26 August 1991 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol5/iss4/1 26 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 5, Issue 4 (August, 1991)

. clal government escort, but were dIsap­ to travel and are sharing our findings Emporia, KS 66801 pointed. But the conductor and passengers with our readers. This past spring we Jean & Harry Gibbs, 110 W.. Cedar, Web­ being all well armed, they concluded to risk did research in Gulf coast Texas, ster Groves, MO 63119 that dangerous part of the way, from the bayou Louisiana in Cajun country, Phillip & Nancy Harris, 11101 W. 99th St., Arkansas to the Pawnee Fork, and suc­ and southeast Arizona. We'd like to Overland Park, KS 66214 ceeded In getting through safely. follow the SantaFe Trail either late this Joseph C. & Nana L. Hughs, 644 Via Cur­ fall or next spring and thus are doing vada, Chula Vista, CA 91910 A military post is now established at M/M Frank Jones, 625 Warren Landing, Pawnee Fork, in command of Captain our.research now. Ifany ofyour read­ ers would like to make suggestions as Fort Collins, CO 80525 . Stewart of the 1st cavalry, with one com­ Jane Mayer, 831 W. Kansas Ave., Trinidad, pany only. Their duty will be to escort the to places we'd find meet our require­ CO 81082 .. mails from Cow creek to the Arkansas-a ments (not well known but should be), Tom Mendenhall Family, 2601 Arizona, distance of· over one hundred and fifty we'd be grateful. Hutchinson, KS 67502 . miles and return. Of course this is but Eunice J. Meeker. Bob & Elsa Moneymaker, 8908 Knox Lane, small dependence. The season is likely to PO Drawer 1110 , Overland Park, KS 66212 be inclement; forage and food are scarce; East Hampton, NY 11937 Dick & Lethene Parks, 3214 Clark Lake Rd., Hunters, WA 99137 their horses are already broken down; and, • • • . •• under the circumstances, if we get two I am lookingfor any information any- Emil & Ruth Peterson, 13201 West 96th mails per month during the winter we shall one may have on my great-great­ St., Lenexa, KS 66215 be thankful. grandparents, Marion and Richard David & Sharlene Peeverlein, RR 2 Box 10, Pomona, KS 66076 During the journey the mail party was not Russell, and would be thrilled to re­ Brant & Kate Rader, RR 1, Carlton,. KS attacked or molested by the Indians, but ceive any information SFTA members 67429 there is no doubt that theirsafety was owing may have. I have done extensive re'­ Everett & Lillian Richardson, 2912 W. entirely to their being well armed and ever search, on the lives of these ancestors Wackerly St., Midland, M148640 ready. The Indians are still hostile and and hope to find much more. Thank Jerry & Irene Riegle, 2913 Santa Fe Rd., make attacks wheneverthey can doso with you. Independence, KS 64052 safety to themselves. The last murder re­ Kathy Rhodes Mike & Vanessa Sandoval, 239 Garcia, ported is that of Patrick Cahill, of Inde­ 507 W. 24th St. Trinidad, CO 81082 pendence, who went out in the mail coach Odessa, TX 79761 Myron & Doris Schwartz, 723 Farrel, Mul- in which Major Fauntleroy was a,passen­ vane, KS 67110 ,.. ger. It seems that Cahill, seeing some Indi­ David E. & Carolyn Setzer, 51 West End ans at a distance, went to them to get them . Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932 to come up to the coach and have a talk This list includes new memberships Carol Sola, 7557 Co. Rd. 69.1, Trinidad, with the major; the Indians refused; a dis- . received since the last issue.' Those CO 81082 pute arose; Cahill fired his pistol; the Indi­ received after this printing wUl appear Irvin & Sharon Summers, 9636 Roe, Over­ ans let fly their arrows-and Cahill fell mor­ in the next Issue. Ifthere is an error in land Park, KS 66207 tally wounded. Some days after this two this information, please send correc­ Roy R. & Dorothy R. Wahrenbrock, 2728 Indianswere seen prowling inthe neighbor­ tions to the editor. We thank you for Cogan Dr., Independence, MO 64055 hood ofthe military post, and were killed by your support. Harland M. & Ramona Wood, 7105 Beck­ with Rd., Morton Grove, IL 60053 . the soldiers. Of course this will still morE:! Ron & Eileen Wright, 3032 W. Hwy 50, exasperate the savages. Emporia, KS 66801 From the memorandum book of Mr. Mc­ George W. Wilson, 409 E. Waldheim Rd., Cutchen we take the following items: "Met Pittsburgh, PA15215 Hickman'strain at the breaks of Red river­ DUAL Kitchen's train at Point of Rocks-Majors & .Russell's train at White's creek-Maj. Belinda Adams, PO Box 38, New Albany, KS 66759 . Fauntleroy and mail at Cottonwood , Debra Anderson, 420 Hockaday, Council Holes-Whitlock'strain near same place­ Stan & Lynn Coleman, PO Box 246, Trav­ elers Rest, SC 29690 Grove, KS 66846 Mail and Parker's train at Middle Cimarone Pat Trumbull, 2252 Calle Cacique, Santa Nancy Baker, 2021 Colorado Ave., La Springs-Bent's train, with two pieces of Fe, NM 87505 Junta, CO 81050 artillery, at Big Bend-met Col. Porter and James M. Brechtel, PO Box 1064, Fort . mail at Cow creek." Collins, CO 80522 Dr. De Leon rested a day and night in our T. Patrick Broderick, 32109 Caminito town, and then proceeded on to the East Quieto, Bonsall, CA92003 on a visitto hisfriends and relatives. Hehas John & Dora Atkins, PO Box 1382, Taos, Debbie Buchman, RR 1 Box 16A, Council ) been connected with the United States NM 87571 Grove, KS 66846 •• service, as army surgeon, for some twenty Tom & Cheryl Benson, PO Box 1321, Lee's Marlyn Y. Burton, 12206S. 71 Hwy, Grand­ years, the last seven of which has been Summit, MO 64063 View, Mo 64030 spent in New Mexico. ' Robert Arrowood & Evelyn Bock, 4163 Robin Coover, 802 E. 3rd St., Kinsley, KS Concord Oaks Dr., St Louis, MO 63128 67547 The mail brought many letters and some Susan & Terrence Boyle, 1630 W. Stuart, Suzanne Corbett, 5850 Pebble Oak, St. heavy remittances to our business men. Fort Collins, CO 80526 Louis, MO 63128 ' AI & Toni Bunting, RR 1 Box 27, Burl­ Aubrey Crews, 8407W. 90Terr., Overland I· HELP WANTED I ingame, KS 66413 . Park, MO 66212 Robert & Linda Connelly, 711 NE Thames Miguel B. Duran, 1111 Doris Ln., La Junta, I am a travel writer who these days Dr., Lee's Summit, MO 64063 CO 81050 ' is concentrating on the off-beat and Torn & Carol Crist, 3820 Columbia Dr., Johneen Eckardt, 14013 Castaway Dr., generally little-known treasures to be Longmont, CO 80503 Rockville, MD 20853 found along the non-Interstates in the Wilmer & Hazel Ekholm, RR 1 Box 75, Alice M. Edwards, PO Box 1028, Urbana, U.S. and Canada. My husband, John, Windom, KS 67491 IL 61801 and I find this a most rewarding way Alfred & Helen Ericson, 1406 College Dr., Seymour Edwards, 1220 S. 14th St., Prai-

August 1991 27

Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1991 27 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 5 [1991], Iss. 4, Art. 1

rle Du Chien, WI 53821 Laura Sisson-Thompson, 4720 N. Hwy 31, nator Richard R. Forry, 205 S. 6th St., Maurice Eskew, PO Box 244, Kinsley, KS Racine, WI 53405 Arrow Rock, MO 65320. . 67547 Linda Snider, PO Box 2568, Taos, NM Sept. 28, 1991: Santa Fe Trail Days Cele­ Frederick E. Fuhrman, 4040 Amaranta 76571 bration at New Franklin, MO, held in Ave., Palo Alto, Ca 94306 Glenda Sours, 629 N. Mahaffie, Olathe, KS conjunction with SFTA Symposium. Ona M. Gieschen, 3608 NE 72 Terr., Glad­ 66061 Contact Joe Chitwood (816) 882-7000 stone, MO 64119 Neal M.. Tait, 5404 Willow, Raytown, MO or Dan Chipley 882-3442. . Mary Colleen Hamilton, 8144 Washington, 64133 Oct. 5, 1991: Cimarron County Historical St. Louis, MO 63114 Larry Tetrick, RR 3 Box 170, Elkin, NC Society 2nd Annual Tour of Trail in Okla­ Robert L. Hammerback, 232 S. Humbolt # 28621 homa panhandle, reservations required. 5, San Mateo, CA 94401 John Torrence, RR 5 Box 127, Manhattan, Contact JoanWalton at (405) 544-3245 Sharon Immekus, 1309 May, Marysville, KS 66502 or 544-2479. KS 66508 Ralph C. Wiederholt, 1908 E. 19th Lot E67, ~ll Oct. 13, 1991: Fort Larned Day, programs I, Niel M. Johnson, 15804 Kiger Circle, Inde­ Lawrence, KS 66044 and exhibits celebrating the 25th anni­ pendence, MO 64055 Lois K. Wood, 3811 Clay St., Denver, CO versary of Fort Larned NHS, free admis­ Sandra Kelly, PO Box 2485, Shawnee Mis­ 80211 sion. " sion, KS 66201 John L Woodworth, PO Box 125, Taos, NM Oct. 13, 1991: Wet/Dry Routes Chapter Marsha K. King, 337 Pleasant St., Rum- 87571 meeting, 12:00 noon, pot-luck dinner at ford, RI 02916 W. R. Young III, Rt 19 Box 89WY, Santa' Fort Larned NHS. Contact Joanne Van­ Richard W. Kingman, 2108 Meadow Lane, Fe, NM 87505 . Coevern at (913) 825-8349. . Topeka, KS 66614 Oct. 20, 1991: Deadline for November is­ Bill Lovin, PO Box 15, Arrow Rock, MO I...._T_R_A_IL_C_A_L_EN_.D_A_R__f sue. 65320 Nancy Marteney, 916 S. St. John, Lyons, Everyone is invited to send notices for Oct. 21, 1991: Cimarron Cutoff Chapter KS 67554 this section; provide location, date(sl, quarterly meeting, Elkhart, KS, 7:00 p.m. Linda Milender, 1003 Hall, Council Grove, time(sl. and activity. Remember this is KS 66846 a quarterly. The next issue should ap­ Dec. 13-14, 1991: An 1846 Christmas, . Bill Munn, PO Box 70, Green Mt: Falls, CO pear in November, so send information Bent's Old Fort NHS. (719) 384-2596. 80819 for December and later to arrive by Dec. 14, 1991: Christmas Open House, Robert S. Musselwhite, 525 Pecos Ave., October 20. Thank you. Fort Larned NHS. (316) 285-6911. Raton, NM 87740 ' Sept. 15, 1991: Corazon de los Cam inos Jerry Patterson, 1015 Mica Dr., Carson Chapter meeting at Las Vegas, 2:00 FROM THE EDITOR City, NV 89705 p.m., (505) 454-0383. . Christina Pierson, 17060 Arispie Rd., Sept. 16, 1991: Bent's Old Fort NHS, Diez The request for early copy was not Wheaton, KS 66551 y Seis de Septiembre celebration of in­ honored and your editor has failed Rod Podszus, 720 Grey Eagle Circle No., dependence of Mexico. (719) 384-2596. once again to get an issue out on time. Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Sept. 21, 1991: Candleli~ht Tour, Fort We like to think that a quality product Jim Reed, RR 2 Box 57, Leland, MS 38756 Larned NHS, reservations required, takes time. but others may see it as a Joyce Remke, 709 Garcia St., Santa Fe, (316) 285-6911. NM 87501 . . simple case of incompetence. Perhaps Sept. 21-22, 1991: Old Taos Trade Fair, the new president will want to appoint Martha A. Roush, RR 1 Box 178 E, Law- Taos, NM. a new editor. . rence, KS 66044 ' Sept. 25-29, 1991: Traveling the Trail, Mis­ Ronald Rowe, PO Box 272, Strong City, KS souri Symposium. Contact Elaine Sim­ Everything looks great for the end of 66869 , mons, Barton County Community Col, September in MiSsouri. and we hope to Keith Seltzer, 210 Summit Way, Syosset, lege, RR 3 Box 1362, Great Bend, KS see you during the symposium. NY 11791 67530-9283 (316) 792-2701, ext. 214. Dean W. Sheffield, 180 South 300 West # Sept. 26-30, 1991: Santa Fe Trail Sympo­ Happy trails! 224, Salt Lake City, UT 8410 ???? sium, Arrow Rock, MO. Contact Coordi- -Leo E. Oliva

WAGONTRACKS NONPROFIT ORGANIZAnON Santa Fe Trail Association u.s, RR 1, Box 31 POSTAGE Woodston,1CS 67675 PAID PERMIT NO, 2 WOODSTON, KS 67675 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED FORWARDING POSTAGE GUARANTEED I

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