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Quarterly Publication of the Santa Fe Association volume 33 ♦ number 1 November 2018

Warfare and Death on the ♦ page 10

Selections from Rendezvous Presentations ♦ page 16

Business Techniques in the Santa Fe Trade ♦ page 19

Why the is Important ♦ page 22 On the Cover: Pawnee Indians Watching a Caravan by Alfred Jacob Miller Courtesy: The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore art.thewalters.org

“Of all the Indian tribes I think the Pawnee gave us the most trouble, and were (of all) to be most zealously guarded against. We knew that the Blackfeet were our deadly enemies, forwarned here was to be forearmed. Now the Pawnees pretended amity, and were a species of ‘confidence Men.’ They reminded us of two German students meeting for the first time, and one saying to the other, ‘Let’s you and I swear eternal friendship.’ In passing through their country, it was most desirable and indeed essential to cultivate their good will, but these fellow had le main croche. They could not, or would not, distinguish meum & teum. Whether they were within the Camp or in our vicinity it was requi- site to put a double guard over the horses. Then when we were en route we were continually under their surveillance, and we knew it. From the tops of bluffs, behind rocks, and out of the long grass of the prairie, they watche us and kept themselves posted; transmitting no doubt intelligence to ‘headquarters.’” A.J. Miller, extracted from The West of Alfred Jacob Miller (1837).

In July 1858, William T. Walters commissioned 200 water- colors at twelve dollars apiece from Baltimore-born artist Alfred Jacob Miller. These paintings were each accompanied by a descriptive text, and were delivered in installments over the next 21 months and ultimately were bound in three albums. Transcriptions of field-sketches drawn during the 1837 expedition that Miller had undertaken to the annual fur-trader’s rendezvous in the Green River Valley (in what is now ), these watercolors are a unique record of the closing years of the western .

See related article by Dr. Timothy Zwink on page 10.

About the Santa Fe Trail Association The mission of the Santa Fe Trail Association is to protect and preserve the Santa Fe Trail and to promote awareness of the historical legacy associated with it.

Follow us online at www.santafetrail.org, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube

Wagon Tracks, the official publication of the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA), publishes well-researched and documented peer-reviewed articles relating to the Santa Fe Trail. Wagon Tracks is published in February, May, August, and November. Deadlines are the 10th of the month prior to publication. Queries are welcome. Complete submission guidelines are posted at www.santafetrail.org. Although the entire issue of Wagon Tracks is copyrighted in the name of the Santa Fe Trail Association, copyright to each article remains in the author’s name. Articles may be edited or abridged at the editor’s discretion.

2 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Quarterly of the Santa Fe Trail Association volume 33 ♦ number 1 November 2018

Rain? No rain. Beth Iman of the Elkhart Theater Group, portraying Mrs. Elliott, laments the effects of the Dust Bowl at the Tunnerville Work Center in the Ci- marron National Grassland, .

According to Dr. Michelle Stevens, zone archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service, this area was in the center of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Some of the swales of the Santa Fe Trail were most likely swept clean by the winds, and other portions covered by blowing dirt and sand. This Photo: Ruth Friesen Photo: portion of Kansas is one of the few areas in the state that have not been scanned by LiDAR, which might show covered swales.

16 Desecration of the Sacred: Contents Minoma Littlehawk Sills

2 On the Cover: Pawnee Indians Watching 17 The Story of Kate Kingsbury: a Caravan Margaret Sears

4 President: As I See It 18 SFTA Awards and Hall of Fame

5 Manager: Joanne’s Jottings 21, 26, 27 Bright Days Event Photos

6 Mapping Progress, Leader Needed 27 Light My Fire!

7-8 Symposium 2019 28-31 Chapter Reports

8-9, 15 Trail News 29 Membership Form

32 Calendar 10-15 19-21 22-26 Warfare and Death on Business Techniques in Why the Cherokee Trail the Santa Fe Trail the Santa Fe Trade is Important

by Dr. Timothy Zwink by Lewis E. Atherton by Brian D. Stucky

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 3 As I See It by Larry Justice, President of SFTA

ligious leaders and workers versus independently together.” During those who had scant appreciation Rendezvous this year in Larned, Mi- for religion, who artistically auto- noma Littlehawk Sills caught my at- graphed the landmarks that guided tention as a good example of Forbes’s the wagon trains across the prairie statement. She frequently shared and the mountains (Wagon Mound, her personal conviction to think Point of Rocks, Pawnee Rock). And independently while helping unite we have stories of diverse language members of her -Arapaho barriers being overcome among those Nation with organizations like SFTA who spoke Spanish, English, French, to mend the past and discover ways as well as the plethora of American to preserve history together. Indian languages. We have stories about the diverse clothing people In years to come, I hope to see a wore and the supplies that were car- greater appreciation and involvement ried in the diverse styles of wagons. of those with diverse backgrounds Entrepreneur, publisher, motorcy- DIVERSITY was a significant con- who can make the work of the SFTA clist, and multi-millionaire Malcom tributor throughout the life of the more inclusive while encouraging Forbes defined the term “diversity” Trail. Let us not forget that diversity independent thought and action. as “the art of thinking independently is the fodder for the success of the Therefore, I strongly encourage you together.” Forbes, a former Army Trail, while a lack of appreciation for to reach out to those of diverse back- staff sergeant who was awarded the diversity cost men and women their grounds and help all of us see the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, died lives. strength in DIVERSITY. This is part at the age of 70. As I See It, the of communicating a common goal Santa Fe Trail Association should In my three years as President of for helping us to preserve, protect, champion the word “diversity,” as it the Santa Fe Trail Association, aside and promote the historical legacy of effectively describes the historical from the verbal recognition of the the Santa Fe National Historic Trail definition of the term. Trail’s diversity, I am concerned we as we commemorate the 200th year have not been very successful in since made his The sixty-year life of the Santa Fe showing true diversity. Forbes stated first successful venture to Santa Fe in Trail is replete with examples of that diversity is the “art of thinking 1821.  diversity. We have stories of diverse race relations and ethnicity among Meet New SFTA Leaders Indians, whites, Spanish, and blacks. Note the impact of peoples like the Holly Sporleder has assumed the Martha Scranton is now the SFTA Cheyenne, , Osage, and position of Eblast Editor. She will be Policy and Procedure Chair. Mike Kanza. Or highlight names like carrying on the important position Olsen has stepped aside from this Becknell, Carson, Delgado, and the created by Rod Podszus, provid- position. Martha was born in Kansas Buffalo Soldiers. We have stories ing information about SFTA news, and holds degrees from the Uni- of both genders (Magoffin, Mor- needs, and events. Rod has done yeo- versity of Kansas and Kansas State ris, Sloan) along the Trail. We have man’s work in designing the SFTA University. She and her husband Ron stories of those seeking fame and Eblast and will be working with operated the Larned Greenhouse, fortune compared to those who were Holly over the next few months to Flower Shop and Nursery for 40 simply trying desperately to survive. aid in the transition. years. We have stories of those who were seeking power and control, versus Holly was born and raised in Kansas. She has served as a volunteer at Ft. those who enthusiastically wanted to She joined the Cottage House staff Larned and at the Santa Fe Trail explore new opportunities. We have in Council Grove, Kansas, after it Center and currently is the treasurer stories of the great military leaders re-opened under new management for the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter of and those who used the military as in 2017, and posts for them on social the Santa Fe Trail Association. She is their guise for illicit actions that cost media. Holly is a board member of a retired, registered parliamentarian, many lives (Chivington). the Council Grove/Morris County having served with various organi- Chamber of Commerce and serves zations in this capacity at state and We have stories about diverse re- on several of its committees. national conventions.

4 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Joanne’s Jottings by Joanne VanCoevern, Association Manager

by the National Park Foundation as Service. Chartered by Congress in part of the celebration of the 50th 1967, the National Park Foundation anniversary of the National raises private funds to help protect and National Wild & Scenic Rivers more than 84 million acres of national Systems in 2018. All project descrip- parks through critical conservation tions can be viewed on the Rivers and and preservation efforts, connect all Trails 50th Anniversary Grants Map, Americans with their incomparable https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and MapJournal/index.html?appid=fd2bed rich history, and engage the next gen- c4ea6540d58f180686410082d2. eration of park stewards.

These grants demonstrate the impact October 2, 2018, marked the 50th of the National Park Foundation’s anniversary of the National Trails Sys- Centennial Campaign for America’s tem Act that today includes 11 Na- National Parks. To date, this com- tional Scenic Trails and 19 National prehensive fundraising campaign to Historic Trails including the Santa Fe Grant Received for Rock Creek Trail strengthen and enhance the future of National Historic Trail, so designated The National Park Foundation has America’s treasured national parks has in 1987. To mark this significant anni- announced a grant to the Santa Fe raised more than $500 million in pri- versary, NPS asked all partners to par- Trail Association in support of cre- vate donations from individuals, foun- ticipate throughout 2018 with events ation of the Rock Creek Trail on the dations, and companies. National Park along their respective trails. SFTA Della Orton property east of Council Foundation Find Your Park/Encuen- and our chapters answered this call to Grove, Kansas. The Rock Creek Trail tra Tu Parque partners The Coca-Cola action by acknowledging the 50th an- project provides for the Santa Fe Trail Company and Nature Valley are proud niversary at events along the Santa Fe Association to partner with a private to support this effort. Additional sup- Trail. This included special events held landowner to allow access for public port comes from partners Niantic and to specifically acknowledge the anni- enjoyment, engagement, and educa- Bandit Wines. versary at Council Grove, the Elkhart/ tion on approximately 10 acres along Boise City/Clayton area, and Rendez- the Santa Fe National Historic Trail 50th Anniversary Events Held vous in Larned. corridor. The project consists of devel- Celebrating 50 years, the National oping public access to a natural sur- Park Foundation is the official char- Signage Update face pedestrian trail in eastern Morris ity of America’s national parks and Creating sign plans and placing signs County, Kansas, and will include in- nonprofit partner to the National Park along the SFNHT is one of SFTA’s terpretive exhibits relating to the area Decade Goals to raise public aware- and the Santa Fe National Historic ness of the National Trail System. Trail. Progress continues to be made on that goal with the most recent sign This project is part of a larger four- plan created for the Heart of the Flint county Santa Fe National Historic Hills Chapter which covers a four- Trail signing plan, as well as an on- county area, including Morris, Osage, going initiative to reactivate the Boy Lyon, and Wabaunsee counties in Scout Historic Santa Fe Trail between Kansas. Each of the four counties has Burlingame and Council Grove. That Photo:Joanne VanCoevern agreed to work with NPS to install trail was used to earn the Boy Scout signs, as indicated, throughout their Hiking and/or Historic Trail Badge, jurisdiction and has agreed to provide and we are hoping that we can be a the hardware, while NPS provides the part of the initiative to engage a new signs. generation of Scouts to discover the Santa Fe National Historic Trail while All chapters of the SFTA have earning their badges. worked cooperatively with the NPS to place SFNHT signage. This has in- The Rock Creek Trail project is one cluded creating sign plans, presenting of 20 across the country being funded information, and getting permissions

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 5 from the local authorities to place Mapping and Sign Progress The Scout Trail mapping project is the signs and, in some cases, helping continuing to be developed by the Na- with the installation. Sign plans can by Larry Short tional Park Service. This hiking/biking include local tours, crossings, original SFTA Vice-President trail will follow as closely as feasible route, and directional signage, as well the original Boy Scout Trail which as historical site identification signs. We continue to move forward with was developed in the late 1950s and In addition, pedestrian signs are being our goal of marking the entire length ran from west of Council Grove, Kan- incorporated into recreational trails of the Santa Fe National Historic sas, to Burlingame, Kansas. SFTA and that align with the SFNHT. Trail from Franklin, , to NPS are recreating a new trail that Santa Fe, New , with National will be appropriately signed. This new Swales Added to Kansas Registry Park Service signs. trail will follow a portion of the newly The Kansas State Historic Preserva- developed Trail which was tion Office reports the Harmon Park a “rails to trails” project and is now a We recently completed a portion of  Swale and the Willow Springs Santa the Heart of the Flint Hills Chapter Kansas State Park. Fe Trail District were added to the sign program with section cross- Kansas State Registry of Historic ing signs from Burlingame, Kansas, Places on August 4, 2018. The Har- in Osage County, to eastern Morris mon Park Swale is located in a city County at the new Rock Creek Cross- Santa Fe Trail Place park in Prairie Village, Kansas, the ing trail project. Plans have been pre- Names Map Now Online combined route of the Santa Fe, Or- pared by the SFTA mapping person egon, and California trails as it headed for the areas of Eastern Osage County Guy McClellan, a UNM Ph.D. southwest out of Westport, Missouri, from Burlingame, Kansas, to the student in 2017, has produced to Gardner Junction. The Willow Douglas County line, Council Grove, interactive maps depicting answers Springs Santa Fe Trail District is lo- Kansas, and western Morris County, to “What Were the Places Along cated a little over six miles northwest Kansas. The ArcGIS files have been the Santa Fe Trail Named For?” of Baldwin City near the former town converted to NPS sign plans and the and their linguistic roots. The maps site of Willow Springs, a well-known appropriate government authorities of can be found online at the Na- watering stop along the eastern por- each locale have signed the jurisdic- tional Park Service website tion of the Santa Fe Trail. National tion forms. These signs will be ordered www.nps.gov/safe/learn/ registry is pending. in the next fiscal year which begins historyculture/place-names.htm October 1, 2018. Spring Workshop Scheduled The SFTA/NPS Spring Workshop has been scheduled for March 22, 2019, at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, , and will include a ses- sion on “SFTA Committee Strategy.” Urgent Need: Mapping/Marking Chair To prepare for that session, each com- mittee chairperson should refer to the The significant position of SFTA As Shaver stated, LiDAR can detect Strategic Plan and use it as a guide Mapping/Marking Chair is vacant. locations of the Trail virtually unno- for developing committee actions, Perhaps you know someone who has ticed by the naked eye, with even as including goals, actions, and priorities. a background/expertise/experience little as four inches of detectability. The SFTA Board of Directors meet- in the area of mapping and mark- ing will be held on March 23, 2019. ing, or that person could be you. We You might be the person to help A final agenda for both the work- urgently need someone to oversee move this aspect of SFTA research shop and board meeting is still being and develop, with a committee, the into the third decade of the 21st- developed. ongoing process of preserving what century. If you are interested, please we have now and help us encourage contact the SFTA President, Vice Correction further research for future marking of President, and/or Manager. We can In the August 2018 issue of Wagon the Trail. work with you closely as you develop Tracks, the article “ is Miss- the skills and use of NPS ArcGIS ing DAR SFT Markers” on page 12 As noted during Doug Shaver’s Ren- to complete our entire marking/sign incorrectly stated who explored Colo- dezvous presentation, and previously plan. It is not difficult but does take rado on Memorial Day weekend. Pat by Matt Schulte, LiDAR (Light some time to insure the accuracy of Traffas as well as Jean Coupal-Smith Detection and Ranging) is one of the sign placement. and Shirley Coupal comprised the most definitive methods for mapping. group.

6 Wagon Tracks November 2018 SFTA 2019 Symposium - St. Louis St. Louis: Gateway to Santa Fe Save the dates: September 25-28, 2019

Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. every day at Missouri History Museum (MHM) • Wednesday, Sept. 25: MHM 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. SFTA Board of Directors Meeting 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Kick-back reception at the Drury Hotel at the Arch • Thursday, Sept. 26: MHM 9:00-9:30 –Welcome/Introductions 9:30-10:15 – KEYNOTE Speaker Dr. Frances Levine 10:15-10:45 – Break 10:45-11:30 – Speaker TBA 11:30-12:15 – Lunch, pick up box or on your own at the MHM restaurant 12:15-12:45 – Load buses Tour to Daniel Boone Home, Ken Kamper will speak at the pavilion Tour to St. Charles, Dorris Keeven-Franke will arrange speakers for German/French heritage program 6:00 p.m. – Buses return to MHM 12:45- 6:00 p.m. – Optional on your own tours – Missouri Historical Society Library or Eugenie Webb Manie on the Webb Collection or Gateway Arch 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Evening at the Museum (welcome reception, cash bar). MHM • Friday, Sept. 27: MHM 9:00-9:15 – Announcements 9:15-10:00 – Speaker TBA 10:00-10:30 – Break 10:30-11:15 – Speaker TBA 11:30-12:15 – Lunch, pick up box or on your own at the MHM restaurant 12:15-12:45 – Load buses Tour to Daniel Boone Home, Ken Kamper will speak at the pavilion Tour to St. Charles, Dorris Keeven-Franke will arrange speakers for German/French heritage program 6:00 p.m. – Buses return to MHM 12:45- 6:00 p.m. – Optional on your own tour Gateway Arch 7:00-10:00 p.m. – Optional river dinner cruise, limit 100, or free evening • Saturday, Sept. 28 : MHM 8:30-9:45 – SFTA General Membership Meeting 9:45-10:15 – Break 10:15-11:00 – Speaker TBA 11:00-11:45 – Speaker TBA 11:45-12:45 – Lunch, pick up box or on your own at the MHM restaurant 12:15-12:45 – Load buses Tour Bellefontaine & Calvary Cemeteries, Daniel Fuller will provide narration 6:00 p.m. – Buses return to MHM 12:45- 6:00 p.m. – Optional on your own tour Gateway Arch 7:00-10:00 p.m. – Banquet, Awards, and Hall of Fame at the Drury at the Arch. Banquet room overlooks the Arch. • Sunday, Sept. 29: – Optional Day for activities on your own: Jefferson Barracks, military museum, river cruise, zoo, Soldiers Memorial Museum

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 7 What to Read Before Going to St. Louis Research Grants Deadline December 1

Compiled by Shirley Coupal, Pat Traffas, The purpose of the Santa Fe Trail Association Scholarly Re- and Dorris Keeven-Franke search Fund is to stimulate significant scholarly research on the Santa Fe Trail suitable for publication. The fund is open • Bound for Santa Fe, Stephen G. Hyslop. An excerpt ap- to anyone whose proposal meets the requirements and ful- peared in the May 2002 Wagon Tracks – Vol. 16 No. 3 fills the procedures set forth below. • Before Lewis and Clark, Shirley Christian. For those who think middle America was a vast unexplored, un- Funds may be used to pay for: 1) Supplies and materials; 2) settled land, you are in for a surprise. Services (literature searches, computer use, clerical and/or • Final Resting Place—The Lives and Deaths of Famous St. technical assistance, and copy fees); 3) Travel. Funds may Louisans, Kevin Amsler. Includes maps and burials in NOT be used for the purchase of equipment. Up to $1,500 Bellefontaine and Calvary Cemeteries is available per proposal. The Santa Fe Trail Association • Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery, Carol Ferring Scholarly Research Committee will consider the purchase Shepley. Movers and shakers, scalawags and suffragettes of items such as books and maps used in research, but the —more stories of interments purchase of such items is discouraged. • The First Chouteaus, William E. Foley and C. David Rice. River barons of early St. Louis, the Chouteaus The SFTA Scholarly Research Committee will review all founded St. Louis; a very interesting family history, in- proposals, which must follow the form linked to these cluding their contributions to westward expansion guidelines. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on • A Yankee in Creole Country, Elizabeth Gemtry Sayad. December 1 of the current year. Recipients will be notified The unfinished vision of Justus Post in frontier St. by January 1 of the following year. Louis: letters from 1807-1821 describing the Western landscapes and people The Scholarly Research Grants are available for use for eight • Downtown St. Louis, Nini Harris. Pictorial history of months, ending on August 31. All funds must be expended St. Louis from 1764-present in that timeframe. Recipients may receive only two con- • Boone’s Lick Road, Hal Jackson. The road that connects secutive awards. Grantees must file a final report on the re- St. Louis to the Santa Fe Trail at Arrow Rock sults of their research by October 15 with the Santa Fe Trail • Daniel Boone, John Mack Faragher. The life and legend Association--Scholarly Research Committee. See complete of an American pioneer. This is the first best biography information and the application form at www.santafetrail.  available. Newer information has surfaced since. org. • Daniel Boone, John S. C. Abbott. The pioneer of Ken- tucky. This is the most recent biography and has been on a bestseller list. • Boone, A Biography, Robert Morgan. Personal favorite and an easy read, also has family genealogy chart • Crossroads, Steve Ehlmann. A history of St. Charles County, Missouri, comprehensive bicentennial edition • Cottleville, Sheryl Kay Guffey. Where History Never Grows Old, the Cottle family story and Cottleville, one

of St. Charles County's major stopping points on the Photo: Friesen Ruth Boone's Lick Road • St. Charles, Missouri, James W. Erwin. A brief history that digs into the area's story back to the Spanish Rule • Warren County, Dorris Keeven-Franke. Covers Warren County history before it was formed out of St. Charles and Montgomery counties in 1833. Includes history of the German immigration to the state

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Ross Marshall received the Gregory Franzwa Memorial January 10 is the submission deadline for Lifetime Achievement Award at the SFTA Rendezvous in the February issue of Wagon Tracks. Larned, Kansas, in September. See more award and Hall of Fame recipients on page 18.

8 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Donate to the Santa Fe Trail Association with a QCD The Santa Fe Trail’s Bicentennial Symposium by Rich Lawson Qualified Charitable Distribution “The Santa Fe Trail Lives On:” As most of you are aware, 200 Years of Commerce and our funding has been cut The Qualified Chari- Cultural Connections by the NPS, and it is pos- table Distribution September 22-26, 2021 sible there could be fur- (QCD) began around La Junta, Colorado ther cuts as government administra- 2006, but has experienced an on- tions change. With this in mind, the again-off-again life until recently We’re ready for you! In preparation Special Appeals Committee will share when it was made permanent. Using for the Bicentennial Commemoration with you from time to time ways that a QCD in your gifting plans is a win- of the Santa Fe Trail, the planning SFTA members, friends, and partners win in that the SFTA benefits from committee for that once-in-a-lifetime can assist in reaching the goals and your generosity and you benefit by not event has issued both its Call for vision of the SFTA. paying taxes on the RMD. Papers and its Call for Living His- torians. The committee is in search Starting with the obvious, cash dona- The basics of a QCD of the seven formal presenters who tions are always sought and much 1. Anyone 70 or older with an IRA will best examine the Santa Fe Trail’s welcomed. This does not require much (Individual Retirement Account) may past, present, and future. We are also explanation—just simply drop a check take advantage of a QCD. Simple looking for a limited number of living in the mail made to the Santa Fe Trail and SEP IRAs cannot be used in a historians of the highest quality who Association. QCD nor can 40lKs or 4038 plans. will demonstrate to the public the life experiences of people along the trail Let's look at another way to benefit 2. An individual may give up to during its heyday. the goals of protecting, preserving, $100,000. If husband and wife both and promoting the Santa Fe Trail, the qualify, each can give up to $100,000. Those calls were first issued and can QCD. be found in the August 2018 issue 3. You cannot take the tax savings of Wagon Tracks or can be obtained Required Minimum Distribution by way of the QCD and also deduct by contacting John M. Carson at Once you turn 70 1/2 you must (with it under “donations" when filing the [email protected] or by calling some exceptions) begin taking an long form. 719-383-5026. RMD (Required Minimum Distribu- tion) from your IRA. The amount you How to process a QCD An independent website for the 2021 are required to take is calculated based 1. Decide how much you want to Bicentennial Commemoration is un- on the December 31 value of your give. der development. When it is ready to IRA from the previous year. Once tak- go live, we will furnish that site’s ad-  en, the RMD cannot later be changed 2. Obtain a distribution form from dress through Wagon Tracks. or redirected. It cannot be reversed. your IRA custodian. You should be- gin this process no later than early This RMD is normally taxable but December in order to make sure the there is a way to bypass paying taxes QCD is processed in time for you to on it. It’s called the Qualified Chari- receive the tax deduction for the cur- In Memoriam table Distribution. rent year and for the charity to be able to cash the QCD check by December Diana Stein, 91, died July 3, 2018, in 31. Grants, New Mexico. She and her husband Joe owned Los Artesanos 3. Request a QCD distribution check bookstore and gallery on the Plaza be made directly to the Santa Fe Trail in Las Vegas, New Mexico, for more Association. Do NOT receive the than 50 years. Joe died in 2000, and check personally. Diana operated the store until 2005. Remembrances in Diana’s name Further information on QCD gift- may be given to a local library, mu- ing can be found on the IRS website. seum, or preservation group. The SFTA does not offer tax or legal advice. 

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 9 Warfare and Death on the Santa Fe Trail

by Dr. Timothy Zwink train wanted to talk; others wanted the intermittent fighting, or war- Presented at the September 2018 revenge. speculated fare, followed an age-old pattern of Rendezvous in Larned, Kansas that these Indians were innocent and contact, confrontation, and conflict. ignorant of the recent attack on Mc- The conflict ultimately resulted in, In the fall of 1828, Robert McNees Nees and Monroe. tragically, the conquest of the Indians and Daniel Monroe, young east- inhabiting the lands through which bound traders and both citizens of When realizing that some caravan the Santa Fe Trail passed, including Franklin, Missouri, rode ahead of members were seething with anger the tribal territory of the Cheyenne, their caravan on the Santa Fe Trail and spoiling for a fight, the Indians Arapaho, Plains , Kiowa, Co- to scout and to look for water. When turned and fled, but a shot was fired manche, Pawnee, Ute, and Apache. they reached a spot on the North that brought down one of the Indi- Canadian River (Corrumpa Creek) ans. A fusillade of bullets followed, The deaths of McNees and Monroe north of present-day Clayton, New killing or mortally wounding all the in 1828 and other Indian hostilities Mexico, the two dismounted and set- other Indians save for one sole survi- prompted Santa Fe Trail traders and tled down to grab a quick nap while vor who made his escape and lived to merchants to lobby government of- waiting for their caravan. As they tell the story to his kin of this fateful ficials for military protection along encounter with the intruding Euro- the trail.5 Josiah Gregg noted, “These slept, Indians, reportedly either Co- 3 manche or Pawnee, slipped up on the Americans. wanton cruelties had a most disas- trous effect upon the prospects of the unsuspecting Missourians, grabbed The deaths of McNees and Monroe their rifles, and used them to shoot trade; for the exasperated children were the earliest reported fatalities of the desert became more and more the surprised merchants, killing Mc- caused by Indian and Euro-Amer- Nees instantly and mortally wound- hostile to the ‘palefaces,’ against ican contacts, confrontations, and whom they continued to wage a cruel ing Monroe. When their wagon train 4 conflicts on the Santa Fe Trail and war for many successive years.”6 arrived, its teamsters found their two provide but one example of the tragic companions and buried McNees consequences when Indian and Eu- William H. Ryus, also known as the somewhere in the area. They placed ro-American cultures clashed along Second William Penn due to his Monroe aboard a wagon and cared this international highway. peaceful dealings with the Plains for him as the wagon train rumbled Indians during the mid-1800s, later onward, but he died after the caravan A selection of additional historical wrote, “In defense of the Indian, I had traveled about 40 miles to the accounts of other Indian and Euro- will say that the people, in general, Cimarron River. The site of this Indi- American deaths along the Santa Fe were all the time seeking to abuse an attack would afterward be known Trail, deaths that occurred as a result 1 him. In almost all instances where I as McNees Crossing. of cultural clashes, will illustrate how have read of Indian troubles, I have Josiah H. Gregg later wrote in his noticed that at all times it grew out book Commerce of the Prairies that of the fact that the whites invariably Monroe was “buried according to the raised the trouble and were always custom of the Prairies. (These funer- the aggressors. Nevertheless, news- als are usually performed in a very paper reports and any other report summary manner. A grave is dug in a for that matter laid the blame at the door of the wigwam of the red man convenient spot, and the corpse with 7 no other shroud than its own clothes, of the forest.” and only a blanket for a coffin, is government officials consigned to the earth. The grave is responded at times to the appeals then usually filled up with stones or from merchants, traders, and travelers poles, as a safeguard against the vora- 2 for military protection for their wag- cious wolves of the prairie.)” on trains and other types of travel on About the time when caravan mem- the Santa Fe Trail during that high- bers completed Monroe’s burial, six way’s use. The army was directed to or seven Indians approached the provide armed escorts for caravans to Josiah H. Gregg, author of Commerce and from New Mexico in 1829, 1833, funeral party on the opposite bank of the Prairie. Photo: https://commons. of the Cimarron. Some in the wagon 1834, 1843, and 1845. The escorts wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Josiah_Gregg.jpg were to protect wagon trains and not

10 Wagon Tracks November 2018 individuals nor the trail itself, so those The arrival of the soldiers had been indulged in a war-dance which lasted independently traveling did so at their fortuitous and staved off a probable until nearly morning.”15 own risk. Some merchants compensat- massacre. Major Riley’s command ed by organizing well-armed caravans, escorted the caravan for a few days Leo Oliva, eminent historian of the by bribing Indians for safe passage, or further down the trail, but with no Santa Fe Trail, in his article “The 1829 by any method or means to face and more Indians spotted in the vicinity, Escorts,” wrote that this year, 1829, overcome real and imagined danger on he returned with his men to his camp witnessed “the greatest loss of life (due the trail.8 at the Crossing.12 to Indian and non-Indian violence) on the Trail to that date.” Killed were The first US military escort down the A week later the caravan met a large “one trader, four US soldiers, three Santa Fe Trail, commanded by Major party of Mexicans who had been Mexican soldiers, and an estimated Bennet Riley, departed Cantonment hunting buffalo, joined them, and then 18 or 20 Plains Indians.” This level of Leavenworth in present-day Kansas moved on toward Santa Fe. At the hostilities between Indians and non- in June 1829, heading to the west landmark called Rabbit Ears in pres- Indians would not be present again on and onto the plains where it would ent-day northeastern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail until the Mexican rendezvous with the caravan it was to the caravan encountered Indians, who War, approximately 17 years later. The escort.9 proceeded to kill one of the Mexicans most significant fighting along the in advance of the party. The caravan Santa Fe Trail occurred during and By July 9, the command and caravan continued on, passing Point of Rocks after that war, especially during the arrived at the Upper Crossing of the and camping on a nearby river bank. 1860s.16 Arkansas River near Chouteau’s Is- land, just southwest of present-day Because of the recent Indian attack Josiah Gregg recalled a different Lakin, Kansas10 (the Arkansas River and death of one of their party, the deadly encounter in 1832 with Indians at that point being the international Mexicans and Anglos decided to head on the Santa Fe Trail. He noted, “The boundary between the United States to Taos but were redirected back to- Pawnees have been among the most and Mexico).The next day, the caravan ward Santa Fe by Mexican soldiers in formidable and treacherous enemies of with traders and wagon train captain the area who escorted the group into the Santa Fe Traders. But the former headed on toward Santa that town. After disposing of its trade have also suffered a little in turn from Fe, but after a short distance, the goods, the caravan headed back east the caravans. . . . [A] company of trad- party’s advance guard encountered In- along the Santa Fe Trail with a Mexi- ers were approached by a single Paw- dians identified as Kiowa. A skirmish can military escort led by Colonel nee chief, who commenced a parley followed during which Samuel C. José Antonio Vizcarra, who with his with them, when he was shot down by Lamme, a young merchant, was killed. command accompanied them as far as a Pueblo Indian of New Mexico who Henry Inman, author of the first the international boundary and Major happened to be with the caravan.”17 comprehensive history of the Santa Fe Riley’s camp.13 Trail, The Old Santa Fe Trail, who was During the Mexican-American War traveling with the caravan, described When the party reached the Cimarron from 1846 to 1848, Indian fights with the deceased Lamme, “his body being River, forward scouts spotted a large non-Indians grew in frequency and completely riddled with arrows. His group of approaching Indians making intensity along the Santa Fe Trail. head was cut off, and all his clothes friendly gestures as they advanced to- Contact led to confrontation, which stripped from his body.”11 ward the caravan and Mexican guard. led to conflict. Merchants, traders, During the ensuing talks, a shot was soldiers, settlers, and other travelers When traders with the caravan fran- fired. Inman reported that one of the in increasing numbers appeared in tically responded to the attack with suspicious Indians “put his gun at the the Indians’ homeland. Some of these shots from a cannon they had, the In- breast of our interpreter [who was a intruders made tempting targets for dians quickly retreated. Charles Bent Pueblo Indian] and pulled the trig- the emboldened Indians, whose confi- then sent volunteers for help from ger. In an instant a bloody scene en- dence grew with each successful raid, Major Riley, who was back at the Ar- sued.”14 Three Mexican soldiers were mostly hit-and-run strikes on isolated Crossing. Upon receiving killed, but eventually the now-hostile stretches of the trail.18 the dire news, Major Riley assembled Indians were routed, with members a command and hurried to the rescue. of caravan and escort giving chase, One example was an ill-fated Co- The following morning, Inman report- ultimately killing several of the flee- manche attack in 1847 on a caravan ed, Indians covered the nearby hills, ing Indians. Inman recorded, “Our of 54 men with 18 wagons owned by but the soldiers who had arrived could friendly Puebloans were delighted the Armijo family of New Mexico, not spot a single one of the hostiles. and proceeded to scalp the Indians, which was heading east for St. Louis. Seeing the reinforcements most likely hanging the bloody trophies on the On May 12 as the wagon train ap- had caused the Indians to disappear. points of their spears. That night they proached the Pawnee Fork Crossing

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 11 on the Santa Fe Trail just west of pres- dian Fights Along the Santa Fe Trail, called Camp Dunlap, later renamed ent-day Larned, Kansas, its forward 1846-1848, the Great Bend to the Fort Zarah. These troops provided scouts, spotting a large party of about Coon Creeks,” William Chalfant support for a system of escorts for 200 Comanche and Kiowa warriors on wrote that during 1847 alone, “[t]he travel in the region, with the crest of a nearby hill, raced back violent, repeated, and successful at- Captain Dunlap’s men guarding stages to the caravan, warning it to form a tacks on the traffic on the Santa Fe between Forts Zarah and Larned on defensive square. Soon thereafter, the Trail . . . was having a noticeable effect. the Santa Fe Trail. Comanche, numbering around 100 . . . By some estimates nearly 50 men and led by the war chief Red Sleeve, had been killed, 330 wagons destroyed David Clapsaddle, Santa Fe Trail attacked the teamsters and scouts. The along with their cargo, and 6,500 head historian, argued in his article “The Kiowa, led by Satank, declined to join of livestock. . . . [t]hough these were -Fort Larned Road: A Phe- the attack because of a pledge of peace doubtless only guesses.”21 At the time, nomenon in the Shift from Trail to with the Americans made in a treaty regular and volunteer military units Rail” that this military presence had signed at Fort Gibson in 1837. were deployed fighting the war with limited effect, for on July 18 Indians Mexico and occupying what would reported to be Cheyenne, Comanche, As the Comanche charged, the men of become the new territories of New and Kiowa struck two wagon trains the caravan, including some recently Mexico and California. However, “within sight of Fort Zarah,” wound- discharged soldiers, unleashed a disci- at war’s end raiding continued, ulti- ing and scalping alive two teamsters plined and devastating volley of bul- mately increasing in frequency and and killing ten others. In response to lets. Red Sleeve was the first hit, tak- intensity during the Civil War, when this brazen attack, General Samuel R. ing a bullet in his thigh. The same shot once again the largest share of regular Curtis at organized also hit his horse, which collapsed on and volunteer troops were sent east to an expeditionary force of 400 men one of Red Sleeve’s legs, pinning him fight in the conflict of brother against and marched it to the locale of the in place. The warriors soon withdrew brother.22 recent hostilities. To General Curtis’s in the face of the withering fire, leav- chagrin, his command confronted not ing their leader to his fate. After the Sometimes the presence of soldiers one warrior during his futile military Indians vanished over the hilltops, a stationed along the Santa Fe Trail operations. Captain Henry Booth, few tentative caravan members ad- failed to stave off attacks by hos- an officer with the Curtis command, vanced on the helpless Red Sleeve, tile Indians. In June 1862, troops recollected that “the only attack made shooting the chief where he lay, end- had been deployed along the Trail was on a plum patch at the mouth of ing his life.19 in response to altercations between Walnut Creek.” According to Booth, Euro-Americans and Indians during this fruitless show of force caused the Soon after this incident, on May 15, the previous month that had left one hapless expedition to be named Gen- Alexander Barclay and his men de- Euro-American and two Indians dead. eral Curtis’s Plum Hunt.23 parted Bent’s Fort for Independence Fear of Indian reprisals prompted with wagons laden with skins and military action, including the detach- Tragedy once again occurred in Janu- robes. The caravan joined a govern- ment of Captain Oscar F. Dunlap and ary 1863. Nine freight wagons left ment train led by a Captain Fowler 45 soldiers to a post on Walnut Creek Santa Fe during that cold winter at Fort Mann, hoping there would be strength in numbers. On June 3, as the combined caravan neared the Ash Creek Crossing of the Santa Fe Trail near present-day Pawnee Rock, Kan- sas, Comanche warriors suddenly ap- peared and attacked the wagon train. During the ensuing fight, the Indians wounded and scalped an American named McGuire and a sixteen-year- old Mexican. Captain Fowler rescued these wounded men, but McGuire died before the party reached Wal- nut Creek, where he was buried. The young Mexican survived until the caravan reached Fort Leavenworth, where he also died a month later.20 “An Army Crossing the Plains,” published in the April 24, 1858, issue of Harper’s Weekly In his article “A Time of War: In-

12 Wagon Tracks November 2018 month, heading east. A few miles the whites except for one man who Santa Fe Trail, threatened to precipi- before the caravan reached the site slipped away down the river bank tate a major conflict between nearby called Nine Mile Ridge, the wagon into the water. The surviving teamster Cheyenne and the soldiers at that train travelers encountered a band of floated down the river until he could post. Traders plying their wares of starving Cheyenne and Arapaho who no longer hear the Indians. Soak- alcohol to the Cheyenne provided the excitedly greeted the freight wagons, ing wet, he climbed out of the river tinder for this incident that was nearly hoping they could procure food, cof- and started his 75-mile trek to Fort incendiary. The Cheyenne Chief Little fee, and other provisions. An isolated Larned. Looking back, the survivor Heart, believed to be inebriated and location, Nine Mile Ridge (just west saw in the distance smoke of a fire, the heading to the fort to acquire more of present-day Cimarron, Kansas) was fire from his wagon train.27 rotgut whiskey, attempted to trample a high elevation near the Santa Fe Isaac Marrs, one of the post’s sentries, Trail and the Arkansas River about Soldiers found this nearly exhausted with his horse. The nervous sentry 75 miles west of Fort Larned, Kansas, massacre survivor stumbling along challenged the mounted Cheyenne and about 175 miles east of Fort Lyon, quite a few miles from Fort Larned to halt but to no avail. Then Marrs, in then Colorado Territory.24 late the next day. They took him to dodging the horse and rider, shot and the fort, where he reported that if his killed Little Heart, immediately creat- When the wagons failed to stop, the wagon master had given the Indians ing tense relations between Indians Indians followed the caravan for sev- just a little to eat and drink, if the and soldiers that could have erupted eral miles, begging the wagon master wagon boss had shown a semblance of into widespread violence. Indian agent for food and water. But the pleas went hospitality to the Indians, and if the Jesse Leavenworth acted quickly, unheeded by the wagon train captain. panicked teamster had not shot the however, and averted a potential upris- Upon realization that the trail travel- hungry Indian, the Nine Mile Ridge ing by providing the Cheyenne with 28 ers were rejecting their requests for Massacre could have been avoided. ample annuity goods to appease the sustenance, the Indians concluded angry Indians for their loss. These gifts their only option was forcefully to take This tragedy instilled fear in the trail temporarily defused tensions but did 25 what they needed from the caravan. travelers and heightened tensions on not erase memories.30 the Plains. Misunderstandings be- Still demanding provisions, the Indi- tween Indians and Euro-Americans Other deaths occurred along the Santa ans finally compelled the wagon train only fueled the confrontations and Fe Trail due to, perhaps, more myste- to corral, but while corralling the cara- conflicts. Wagon trains joined for pro- rious circumstances. One of these was van, a teamster panicked and shot one tection, soldiers at frontier posts like the death of nineteen-year-old Mary of the Indians. The Indians quickly re- Fort Larned became angered by the Alphonsa Thompson (Susan Felicia trieved their wounded warrior and left Indian atrocities and destruction of Thompson), a Catholic nun and one of the wagon camp, determined to return property along the Santa Fe Trail, and the Sisters of Loretto who were travel- and exact their revenge. A relieved Indians responded to the deadly intru- ing west. A native of Marion County, wagon master meanwhile thought all sions by Euro-Americans with aggres- Kentucky, Sister Mary Alphonsa, 26 was clear, a crisis averted. sive actions to protect their tribes and recruited by Bishop Jean Baptiste 29 their homeland. Lamy of Santa Fe, was traveling in Early the next day the Indians re- 1867 with the priest and his caravan turned to seek retribution, attack- On July 9, 1863, an event at Fort from Fort Leavenworth along the trail ing the wagon train and killing all Larned, known as the guardian of the to Santa Fe. Traveling with a party of 26, including other nuns, Sister Mary Alphonsa met her death just west of present-day Pierceville, Kansas (about 19 miles west of Cimarron).

The cause of her death is controversial because some reports indicate Sister Mary Alphonsa died of fright after Indian attacks on her group’s wagon train on July 17 and July 22, while other accounts claim she had contract- ed cholera, which was raging on the plains that year, and finally succumbed to that deadly disease.31 Alice Anne “Fort Larned, Kansas,” published in the June 8, 1867, issue of Harper’s Weekly Thompson, great-great-niece of Sister Mary Alphonsa, wrote in her book

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 13 American Caravan that “it is very pos- greatly distorted. Word was that the as Lower Spring, on the Cimarron sible that Sister Mary Alphonsa did Comanche had attacked and over- River, south of present-day Ulysses, die of cholera.”32 whelmed the bishop’s caravan. News- Kansas. But ’s body papers published sensational stories was never found, so this Comanche But Bishop Lamy recalled, that savage Indians had killed and claim could never be corroborated; “[T]he youngest of the nuns . . . [Mary horribly mutilated the bishop and his consequently, his cause of death and Alphonsa] well-educated and truly a priests and nuns.37 When they arrived the whereabouts of his burial site re- model of piety, died the day after the in Trinidad, Bishop Lamy and his main a mystery.41 It should be noted, battle [other accounts say July 24, two entourage were amazed to read about however, that Hal Jackson and Marc days later] as a result of her fear—at their demise by Indian massacre and Simmons in their book The Santa Fe least that is the way it seemed to us— “to hear that the local priest had sung Trail: A Guide wrote that it was more not of the cholera but of the force of a Requiem Mass for their souls.”38 likely that Jedediah Smith was at- fear which fell upon her when we were tacked and killed near Fargo Spring in 33 attacked.” Marc Simmons, renowned Perhaps the most notable unsolved present-day Seward County, Kansas.42 Southwestern historian, in his article, murder mystery on the Santa Fe “The Poetry of the Santa Fe Trail,” Trail took place in 1831. That year, From these preceding examples, it is noted that “the good sister had been the famous fur trapper and trader starkly obvious that the Santa Fe Trail, suffering from cholera, but the terror and renowned explorer Jedediah a highway that facilitated international occasioned by the noise of battle may Strong Smith traveled the Santa Fe trade, also facilitated contact, confron- have pushed her over the edge.”34 Trail toward New Mexico. Smith and tation, and conflict among members partners earlier had owned the Rocky of vastly different cultural groups Poet Eleanor Donnelly memorialized Mountain Fur Company but had sold participating in and affected by this the somber occasion with the fol- that enterprise in 1830. By 1831 he commerce. Some paid the ultimate lowing excerpted poem: “They made was engaged in the Santa Fe trade.39 price—death by violence—with Euro- her a grave where the tall grasses Americans killing Indians, Indians wave,/’Neath the blue of the west- In April, the former Bible-toting killing Euro-Americans, and at times ern sky,/ And they laid her to sleep was a principal figure Indians killing Indians. Byproducts of where the wild waves sweep,/Through of a Santa Fe trading expedition that the international trade, these incidents the bending reeds that sigh./ With left Saint Louis with 74 men and of human tragedies had historical an- a swelling heart they were forced to 22 wagons. By the next month, the tecedents in world history—repeated part/A link from that sacred chain,/ caravan had reached the Jornada trail scenarios of contact, confrontations, And though lovely and bright, it was segment, a segment between the Ar- conflicts—and usually conquest of the laid at night,/’neath the sods on the kansas and Cimarron Rivers known to weak by the powerful—a story repeat- Western plain./. . . . May no ruder be almost devoid of drinkable water. ed over and over in human history. wind sweep o’er thy sleep/Than the Smith’s party had traveled three days breath of summer roses,/While vir- without water, and the men and ani- End Notes tue’s fear embalm the bier/Where our mals were becoming desperate. At that 35 1. Josiah A. Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies martyred dead reposes.” point, Smith and another experienced (1844; repr., Middletown, DE: Pantianos trapper named Thomas Fitzpatrick Classics, 2018), 8-9; “McNees Crossing,” Upon her death, caravan members departed the wagon train and split McNeese Genealogical Research, updated hurriedly buried Sister Mary Alphon- up to look for water. Jed Smith never January 21, 2014, http://www.mcneese. sa and quickly moved down the trail, returned.40 org/mcneesecrossing.html; Richard Flint unfortunately not marking the nun’s and Shirley Cushing Flint, “Cimarron grave or remembering its location well Eventually, the caravan moved for- Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail,” New Mexico enough to return and reinter Sister ward and finally reached Santa Fe, History.org, accessed July 12, 2018, http:// Mary Alphonsa’s remains at a more its members thinking all along that newmexicohistory.org/places/cimarron- cutoff-of-the-santa-fe-trail; “Daniel appropriate site, as the dying nun had Smith would reunite with them at Munro,” Clan Munro USA, accessed July 12, requested. To add to this tragic situ- some point along the way. In Santa Fe 2018, http://www.clanmunrousa.org/gen/ ation, Sister Mary Alphonsa’s older caravan members encountered Mexi- getperson.php?personID=I47453&tree=1; biological sibling Sister Euphrosyne can traders who were selling some of David Pike, Roadside New Mexico: A Guide to Thompson (Elizabeth Catherine Smith’s personal effects. When asked Historic Markers (Albuquerque: University of Thompson) was awaiting her arrival in where they obtained the items, the New Mexico Press, 2015), 264; Hal Jackson Santa Fe.36 Mexicans claimed they acquired them and Marc Simmons, The Santa Fe Trail: A Guide (Woodston, KS: Trails Press, 2015), from Comanche who had said a band 225. An interesting side note to this tragic of around 15 to 20 of their fellow war- 2. Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, 9. episode was that news of this incident riors had attacked and killed Smith somehow reached the press but was near Wagon Bed Spring, also known 3. Gregg, 9; “McNees Crossing,” http://www.

14 Wagon Tracks November 2018 mcneese.org/mcneesecrossing.html. Shift from Trail to Rail,” in Confrontation 33. Cook, “In Search of the Nun’s Grave,” 4. Leo E. Oliva, “The 1829 Escort,” in on the Santa Fe Trail,” 106-7. 69; Thompson, American Caravan, 143. Confrontation on the Santa Fe Trail, ed. Leo 24. Ryus, The Second William Penn, 21. 34. Marc Simmons, “The Poetry of the E. Oliva (Woodston, KS: Santa Fe Trail 25. Ryus, 21. Santa Fe Trail,” in The Santa Fe Trail: New Association Publications, 1996), 17-18; Perspectives, ed. David N. Wetzel (Denver: Pike, Roadside New Mexico, 264. 26. Ryus, 21-22. Colorado Historical Society, 1987), 3-4. 5. Oliva, “The 1829 Escort,” 18; Leo 27. Ryus, 22. 35. Thompson, American Caravan, 229-31; E. Oliva, Soldiers on the Santa Fe Trail 28. Ryus, 22. Simmons, “Poetry of the Santa Fe Trail,” 4. (Norman: University of Press, 29. Ryus, 22-23. 36. Thompson, American Caravan, 63, 142- 1967), 26. 48; “Alphonsa Thompson,” Find a Grave, 30. Benjamin R. Kracht, “The Kiowa and 6. Gregg, Commerce on the Prairies, 9. Cook, “In Search of the Nun’s Grave,” the Santa Fe Trail,” in Confrontation on 69-70. 7. William H. Ryus, The Second William the Santa Fe Trail, 35; Leo E. Oliva, Fort Penn: A True Account of Incidents That Larned (Topeka: Kansas State Historical 37. Cook, “In Search of the Nun’s Grave,” Happened along the Old Santa Fe Trail Society, 1982), 13-15; George Bird 68; Simmons, “Poetry of the Santa Fe (1913; repr., n.p.: Pinnacle Press, 2017), 23. Grinnell, The Fighting Cheyenne (1915; Trail,” 4. 8. William Y. Chalfant, “A Time of War: repr., Norman: University of Oklahoma 38. Marc Simmons, The Old Trail to Santa Indian Fights along the Santa Fe Trail, Press, 1983), 132; Donald J. Berthrong, The Fe (Albuquerque: University of New 1846-1848, the Great Bend to the Coon Southern Cheyenne (Norman: University of Mexico Press, 1996), 108. Creeks,” in Confrontation on the Santa Fe Oklahoma Press, 1963), 164-67; Timothy A. Zwink, “Fort Larned: Garrison on the 39. “Jedediah Smith,” Encyclopedia of the Trail, 76; Oliva, Soldiers on the Santa Fe American West, ed. Robert Utley (New York: Trail, 25. Central ” (doctoral dissertation, Oklahoma State University, 1980), 83. Wing Books, 1997), 405-7. 9. Oliva, “The 1829 Escorts,” 17-19; Oliva, 40. Dale L. Morgan, Jedediah Smith: And Soldiers on the Santa Fe Trail, 27-28; Henry 31. Mary Jean Cook, “In Search of the Nun’s Grave: The Burial of Loretto Sister the Opening of the West (1953; repr., Lincoln: Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail: The Story of a University of Nebraska Press, 1964), 329. Great Highway (1898; repr., Middletown, Alphonsa Thompson on the Santa Fe Trail,” DE: Aeterna, 2018), 44. in Adventure on the Santa Fe Trail, ed. Leo 41. Morgan, Jedediah Smith, 329-30, 436; E. Oliva (Topeka: Kansas State Historical “Jedediah Smith,” Encyclopedia of the 10. Oliva, “The 1829 Escorts,” 19; Oliva, Society, 1988), 61-73; “Researchers Look American West, 407; Barton H. Barbour, Soldiers on the Santa Fe Trail, 28-29. for Nun’s Lost Grave,” LJWorld.com, Jedediah Smith: No Ordinary Mountain Man 11. Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail, 45; Otis August 13, 2002, accessed July 12, 2018, (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, E. Young, The First Military Escort on the http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2002/ 2009), 258-59. Santa Fe Trail, 1829 (Glendale, CA: Arthur aug/13/researchers_look_for/;“Alphonsa 42. Jackson and Simmons, The Santa Fe H. Clark Company, 1952), 89-90; Oliva, Thompson,” Find a Grave, updated April Trail: A Guide, 215; Morgan, Jedediah “The 1829 Escorts,” 19. 16, 2013, https://www.findagrave.com/ Smith, 436.  12. Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail, 45; memorial/108644823/alphonsa-thompson; Young, First Military Escort, 90-92; Oliva, 32. Alice Anne Thompson, American “The 1829 Escorts,” 19-20. Caravan (Independence, MO: Two Trails 13. Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail, 46; Publishing Press, 2007), 144. Young, First Military Escort, 141-142; Oliva, “The 1829 Escorts,” 20. 14. Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail, 46-47. 15. Inman, 47; Young, First Military Escort, 143-44. 60 Youths Prepare for Santa Fe Trail Trip 16. Oliva, “The 1829 Escorts,” 22-23. The Santa Fe Trail Youth Trip 2019 is organized and ready to start learning. Six- 17. Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, 83. ty students, 5th and 6th graders from six communities, 18. Chalfant, “A Time of War,” 76-77. gathered on October 27 for the first of two, four-hour education sessions. The 19. William Y. Chalfant, Dangerous Passage: students will study from the David Webb workbook Adventures on the Santa The Santa Fe Trail and the Mexican War Fe Trail. They will be visited by trail characters such as Marion Russell and Kit (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, Carson as they study. The students also had their first fundraising kick-off that 1994), 65-72; Chalfant, “A Time of War,” 77-79. day. Students must raise their money for the trip. 20. Chalfant, “A Time of War,” 79; During the Youth Trip, they will stop at as many trail sites, museums, and Na- Chalfant, Dangerous Passage, 159-60. tional Parks as can be fit into the ten days. They will travel the Cimarron Route 21. Chalfant, “A Time of War,” 83. to Santa Fe and the Mountain Route back to Kansas. This 10-day Santa Fe Trail 22. Chalfant, 83; Oliva, Soldiers on the Santa camping trip has been ongoing biennially since 1985. Co-directors Chris Day Fe Trail, 93. and Janet Armstead estimate 1,500 youth have participated over that time. 23. David K. Clapsaddle, “The Fort Riley- Fort Larned Road: A Phenomenon in the

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 15 Desecration of the Sacred broken treaties, starvation because family member stays with the body. the buffalo were being annihilated, We have them in an open casket in by Minoma Littlehawk Sills women and children being captured the living room of our home, church or murdered and mutilated. or one of the Cheyenne and Arapaho A presentation “We Remain” at the Community Halls for a wake. Wakes September 2018 Rendezvous in Larned, The desecration of those left behind and funerals are very important to us. Kansas. Sills is of the Cheyenne People. in their resting place by the blue Extended family and friends come coats and by those traveling west The time of the Indian Wars was a to sit with us during the wake and or caused such pain and anger. Find- at the funeral and burial. In the days time of survival for the people, the ing a resting place that had been Tsitsistas. The warriors were driven to before the wake and funeral, visi- destroyed and belongings stolen tors bring food for us, blankets and protect and preserve. Most warriors caused the mourning process to preferred to dress to impress the en- shawls to prepare for the giveaway deepen. Bones scattered, missing or that follows the burial. emy, to take advantage of their medi- destroyed. Such disrespect has caused cines and to be ready to meet Ma- the spirit of the lost one to never rest, Traditionally I was taught that any- haeo. Some stripped for action, they to roam as a lost soul. It’s my per- one could come into our home and painted their bodies and were certain sonal opinion that a sweat needs to take what they wanted of the person- their medicine would save them. be done at each battle ground, to fol- al items belonging to the loved one A large battle was complete chaos. low in the act of what my Numshim that passed. Today not everyone fol- Horses running into each other, some taught me. To pray for them so that lows this. I refused to let anyone go fell and rolled. Clubs, hatchets, and they can cross over to the other side into my grandparents’ room. I could lances were swinging in every direc- and go home. not bear to let anything go. Some tion. Dust so thick you could hardly family and friends didn't agree with The old ones went through so much my wishes, but they understood. see, they lost all track of time. Mak- —the hardest was the loss of life. ing a fierce rush during battle, jump- A hair cutting ceremony takes place ing from their horse to fight on foot, Having no time to bury them, but as sun rises and on the day of the their feet hardly touched the ground. had to keep going. We were forced funeral. You approach a ceremonial When the dust settles a sorrowful away because of the push of war, be- woman with a gift and ask her to feeling fills their hearts, when they ing forced onto reservations, we were cut your hair. My hair was braided see the loss on ground. torn away from our deceased, to be loosely and was cut off at the nape of The wounded were transported on left alone on the plains forever. my neck. The hair is wrapped in cloth and carried or placed in the coffin. travois, the dead retrieved if pos- Modern day sible or buried on the field in shallow After interment, prayers, a feed, and a In today’s world it is hard to keep huge giveaway is done. It is custom- graves or under rocks, leaving what from the protocol of the medical field gifts they could to aid the dead in ary that the rest of the loved one’s and funeral homes. With that being personal belongings are to be buried their journey. The dead mourned for said, autopsies are not frowned upon. and respected. on the north side of a tree far out of It is hard to stick to most traditional the way, out of sight. We mourn for When the dead were hung in trees or ways now. We can only do the best one year and at the end of mourning, on scaffolds, loved ones were laid to we can with the society and modern- a paint ceremony is done and we feed rest with their personal items, hung ization changes that have happened. our community. in plain sight, so they are prepared The body is not to be moved to too to live in the spirit side. Respect and many places. We believe our spirits My ancestors of long ago had a fear of the state of the dead elimi- leave our bodies after death, but beautiful presence about themselves. nated grave robbing entirely. There through our prayers, caring for their They stood strong and majestic as was no violation of the burial place shell and belongings, we guide their men and women of the time. Their by an enemy, even when the enemy spirit on so they journey to the happy spiritual strength shone through with was without weapons. hunting grounds peacefully and joy- confidence. They used their minds fully. in a powerful way with determina- On the Santa Fe Trail, the Cheyenne tion going beyond the expectations and other tribes lost complete trust Traditionally when our loved one of hard work, always respecting what in the word of the Veho, the white- dies they are returned home dressed the Creator has given them. They man. The Santa Fe Trail had become in their finest. Certain personal items had many endeavors and triumphs a raiding place for the tribes. Many belonging to them and special gifts over impossible odds and overcoming travelers came to travel on the Santa are placed in the coffin. For four days them. At one time they used their Fe. The raids intensified due to the from death to burial, at least one creativity in ways, in their everyday

16 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Selection from “The Story of Kate Kingsbury” by Margaret Sears eighteen months old. Before the sum- and, although she died hundreds of mer closed, consumption, that deadly miles out upon the great Plains, her A selection from a presentation at the enemy of the human race and with last moments were soothed by ev- September 2018 Rendezvous in Larned, which she had been afflicted for years, ery attention the hand of love could Kansas seized upon her system [words illeg- bestow. She was accompanied by an Kate L. Kingsbury of Santa Fe died ible] she gradually grew weaker [words older sister, who left home and friends June 5, 1857. Her obituary, below, ap- illegible] away, and when spring arrived on this mission of holy affection, and peared in the Santa Fe Gazette, June 20, hope for her recovery had almost de- whose devoted attention blessed her 1857. The obituary reflects the senti- parted. dying hour. After proper care had been mental, romantic style of the Victorian bestowed upon her mortal remains, the era, and shows admiration for a person Imperative business engagements mournful cortege resumed its journey who lived in Santa Fe fewer than three compelled her husband to return to across the Plains, and arrived in this years. She did not interact with local this country this summer, and she city on the evening of the sixteenth citizens, but rather with a small circle [words illegible] by the strength of instant [ June]. The body was interred of persons in the Anglo business, gov- womanly [word illegible] determined in the cemetery at this place [Santa Fe] ernment, and Protestant community. to be his companion while life should on the eighteenth, and was followed last. They left Salem in March last, and to the grave by a large concourse of Obituary traveling by easy stages arrived at West friends. “Died at the lower crossing of the Port, Missouri, the starting point for Arkansas [River], on the Santa Fe trail, Santa Fe the latter end of April. . . . The deceased was a woman of many on the 5th of June, instant [1857], [H]er friends hoped that the pure and virtues. She was a pure Christian, a of consumption, Mrs. Kate C. [L.], bracing air of the Plains would restore devoted and affectionate wife and wife of Mr. John M. Kingsbury, junior her failing strength. Herself and hus- sister, a firm friend, and possessed all partner of the house of Webb and band in a comfortable traveling car- those beautiful traits of character that Kingsbury, merchants of this city, aged riage left West Port on the thirteenth endeared her to all who knew her. To thirty years. of May in company with the merchant the husband, whose heart is left deso- caravans enroute for New Mexico. She late, and who finds his home robbed The circumstances attending the accomplished the first part of the long of all he cherished and to her who has decease of this estimable woman are of and tedious journey with comparative been deprived of a sister’s love by this a more melancholy nature than usually ease; but as they approached the Ar- dispensation, and to the family and fall under our notice. She arrived in kansas she began to sink rapidly. They friends generally, we tender our heart- Santa Fe in June 1854, a bride, with the encamped on the eastern bank of that felt sympathy and pray that our Heav- intention of making it her permanent river [actually, north] on the fourth enly Father, ‘who tempers the wind to home and resided here until May, 1856, instant [ June], and remained there the shorn lamb,’ may sustain them in when she made a visit to her friends, until the following morning. That night their hour of trial.” at Salem, Massachusetts. Her husband was one of the most beautiful and followed her to the States in Septem- bright that ever smiled upon the earth; The obituary concluded with a ber of the same year, with the intention and as in preparation for the solemn quotation from English poet Felicia of returning to this place with his wife scene about to take place, all the ele- D.B. Hemans, 1793-1835, from a the present summer. Soon after her ar- ments were hushed in awful stillness. poetry collection titled Scenes and rival at her family home, she was called All night the Angel of Death hovered Hymns of Life. to mourn the death of her darling little over the little encampment, and as the Leaves have their time to fall, son, a bright and intelligent child about morning dawned in the east, the pure And flowers to wither at the north spirit of our dear friend took its flight wind’s breath, Sacred, continued from earth to Heaven. And stars to set—but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, life as they traveled like the wind, with- The deceased died as the Christian O death.” out any obstacles to hinder their way. dieth. She had long put her trust in I have much love and respect for them, things not of this earth. A short time And thusly, Kate’s spirit “took flight I will never forget them for as long as I  before she breathed her last, when from earth to heaven.” live. They will live on through me. asked if she was willing to bid adieu to Obituary, Santa Fe Gazette, June 20, 1857. I will not tell you goodbye, for saying this world, she replied, ‘If my Father calls I ask not to stay.’ Through all Reference: Elder, Weber, Trading in Santa Fe: goodbye is so final. Sha muck hahou. John M. Kingsbury’s Correspondence with James  Stah'se wohms' See you later. her sufferings she exhibited a wonder- Josiah Webb, 1853-1861. (Dallas: Southern ful degree of patience and fortitude; Methodist University Press, 1996), 58-60. November 2018 Wagon Tracks 17 SFTA Awards Given at 2018 Rendezvous

The Santa Fe Trail Association awards are presented annu- ally to persons or entities who have furthered the goals and purposes of the Association. The awards are:

Award of Merit Patricia Gutiérrez, editor of the End of the Trail Chapter newsletter Paul F. Bentrup Ambassador Award Ken and Shirley McClintock, owners of the Rawlinson/Terwilliger Stone House in Council Grove, Kansas Marc Simmons Writing Award Craig Crease, “The River, the Rock, and the Road Photo provided Linda Peters by Photo (Wagon Tracks, Volume 32, Number 2, February 2018) and “Becknell, Sibley, the Osage Trace and More” (Wagon Tracks, Volume 32, Number 4, August 2018) Ralph Hathaway Memorial Heritage Preservation Award Patricia "Pat" Eileen Heath 1923 - 2006 Steve Peter, maintains grounds of Kern’s Ruts and SFTA 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Ralph’s Ruts in Rice County, Kansas David Clapsaddle Memorial Chapter Award Patricia “Pat” Eileen (Armstrong) Heath was born on March Duane Johnson, reviewed and replaced (on his 15, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clifford Harry and Ida Mae own) Quivira Chapter Auto Tour signs in Rice Armstrong. Ida died of pneumonia in 1929 when Pat was six County, Kansas years old. Pat and her younger sister, Betty Jane, lived with their father, and their "Granny" moved in with the family Educator Award to help raise them. In 1943, Pat married Alexander Peter Lea Harding, Principal of Ft. Larned Elementary, Ustick. He was a Navy cook. They had two children, Clifford Larned, Kansas. Led design of school which fea- Michael and Linda Barbara. In 1951, Pat and her children tures Santa Fe Trail moved to Edmond, Oklahoma. She married Russell Lee Tammy Ridennoure, teacher and assistant principal Heath in May 1955, and they lived in Edmond and raised in Rocky Ford, Colorado School District. Pushed Pat’s two children. to have Colorado history reintroduced as a require- ment for high school graduation in Rocky Ford. Pat became interested in history as an adult. She took her children to many museums and historical sites. They didn't Gregory Franzwa Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award miss many historical markers either. Russell died in 1981. Ross Marshall, served as President of the Santa Pat moved to Lakin, Kansas, in 1982 to be near her grand- Fe Trail Association, 1995-1997, and as the SFTA children. She worked at the Kearny County Library and representative to the Partnership for the National became interested in local history, including the Santa Fe Trails System for 20 years (1997-2017). Document- Trail. She became a member of the Kearny County Histori- ed and mapped Trail locations, and provides guided cal Society in 1986. tours throughout the metro Kansas City area. That same year, she attended one of Dr. Marc Simmons's [Ross Marshall was the only SFTA awardee present at the Santa Fe Trail Workshops and became a charter member of Awards banquet, thus no other photos are available. His photo is the Santa Fe Trail Association. Pat attended every Sympo- on page 8.] sium and Rendezvous through 2004. She was the Director of the Kearny County Museum from 1991 to 2005, and SFTA 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees included Santa Fe Trail information in her museum booth at the County Fair. Pat was a hostess for the Santa Fe Trail Inducted into the SFTA Hall of Fame were Patricia Heath, Bicycle Treks from 1995-2004. The Santa Fe Trail Associa- Josephine Louise Barry, Willard Chilcott, George W. Mar- tion named Pat a Santa Fe Trail Ambassador in 1997. Pat tin, George P. Morehouse, Seth M. Hays, and Richens Lacy received an award of distinguished service for Museum “Uncle Dick” Wootton. Information about Patricia Heath Community Service from the Kansas Museum Association appears to the right, and bios of other inductees will be pub- in November 2005. Pat died on July 8, 2006, and is buried in lished in future editions of Wagon Tracks. the Lakin Cemetery.

18 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Business Techniques in the Santa Fe Trade

By Lewis E. Atherton bought $842 worth of supplies from 150 waterproof “rosum” hats, napped

Aull, promising3 to pay for these with- with raccoon fur, at $3 each; and 150 This article first appeared in The Missouri in ten months. For a man operating glue-stiffened hats at $2.75 each. Historical Review, Vol. 34, No. 3 in April with a small stock of merchandise, Marmaduke and Sappington would 1940. Reprinted with consent of the State these sales were of great significance. each contribute between $1,600 and Historical Society of Missouri. $1,800 worth of merchandise, profits Advertisements in Missouri newspa- and losses on the venture to be shared Merchants located in Missouri natu- pers show that merchants were keenly in proportion to the capital involved. rally became interested in the Santa alive to the advantages of the trade. St. These men were just getting started in Fe trade because of its close connec- Louis business men gained a share in business as merchants in Saline Coun- tions with the State. Every year, until the sales by advertising in the papers ty, and as their capital was small they the railroads ended the need of such of the small towns from which the had not as yet considered it advisable transportation, caravans set out from caravans set out. The Franklin paper, to spend the money necessary to go the towns on the thou- in the spring of 1825, carried a two- east and buy in the markets there. sand mile journey to Santa Fe and inch advertisement of Ingram and other trading centers in the Spanish Reily of St. Louis, announcing a large But Alex McCausland, a merchant of provinces to the southwest. This trade supply of Santa Fe goods for sale at Franklin, Missouri, made the trip in colored local merchandising efforts low prices for cash. In the same issue, 1827 and hoped to profit by buying in Missouri to a much greater extent another St. Louis firm, Smith and orders for other merchants. Conse- than would have been the case if it Knox, explained that they had pur- quently, on December 11, he wrote to had been widely dispersed. A Colum- chased a large assortment of goods in Meredith M. Marmaduke of this firm, bia, Missouri, paper in October of Philadelphia and New York expressly mentioning that Marmaduke had 1834 announced that the fall company for the Santa Fe market and were sure made him a proposition to buy Santa of Santa Fe traders, under the com- their prices were as reasonable as those Fe goods. He was bringing in $4,000 mand of A. Kerr, had just returned, to be found elsewhere.4 Franklin was worth of supplies for other storekeep- bringing over $200,000 in specie. The the place from which most of the car- ers for a similar purpose and wanted one hundred and forty men in the avans left in that year, and the number to see Marmaduke before leaving for party had devoted their attention on of St. Louis advertisements addressed the East. The latter was just a young the homeward journey to the care of to traders indicates that St. Louis was merchant and none too sure of his a drove of mules and several wagon- the origin of much of the goods taken own business judgment; so he replied loads of wool taken in exchange for on the journey. Local merchants also to McCausland’s letter with consid- 1 merchandise. The small towns along advertised. In 1828, James Harrison erable asperity. In his estimation, it the river, through which such cara- and Company announced the opening was McCausland who had made the vans travelled, did not exceed 1,000 of a new store at Fayette, Missouri, proposition. As well as he recollected, in population, and the Santa Fe trade, with a supply of goods purchased in McCausland had agreed to furnish therefore, was a great stimulus to their Philadelphia. A large quantity of ar- him from $1,200 to $1,500 worth of business life. ticles suitable for the Santa Fe trade goods at an advance of twenty per cent was included in the new stock, and on the Philadelphia and New York Not all the men engaging in the trade sales would be made as cheaply and price, exclusive of any other charges. were Missourians, but many Missouri on as accommodating terms as traders Marmaduke was willing to accept merchants supplemented their regular could obtain elsewhere.5 this proposal and would pay cash for business activities by sales to the trad- the merchandise when it was deliv- ers. How much this meant to the local Many merchants interested both in ered. He could not, however, furnish storekeeper is evidenced by the sales the Santa Fe trade and in local busi- a memorandum of the articles unless of James Aull of Lexington, Missouri. ness bought their supplies directly in he rode to Franklin, and at present he By the time the caravan was ready to the eastern cities, and also frequently was indisposed. But McCausland had set out in May of 1830, he had sold filled orders for other traders. The “been informed by others as to type between $8,000 and $10,000 worth of firm of Marmaduke and Sappington of goods wanted and most in demand goods to the men at a twenty ­five per illustrates the manner in which all and those kind I want.” One thing cent advance over Philadelphia prices. these activities were combined. As must be clearly understood. McCaus- These were sold on a credit of six early as October 1827, they began to land must notify him as soon as the months without interest, although the plan for a Santa Fe trip the follow- goods arrived so he could make his notes were to bear ten per cent inter- 2 ing spring. Thomas McMahan, a local selection among the first, a consider- est after that time until paid. In 1832, hatmaker, agreed to put in 350 wa- able advantage being gained from this. Bent and St. Vrain, Santa Fe traders, terproof “rosum” hats at $3.50 each;

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 19 Marmaduke had heard that “large claims for paying duty. had obtained only one-fourth of the black silk veils” were in great demand purchase price in cash before the cara- in Santa Fe and he felt sure he wanted The outcome of this maiden venture vans left for Santa Fe. By October he a great many of these. He obviously is not recorded in the records of the had received an additional $1,200, but was not quite sure what type of goods firm. On the twenty-third of Septem- over half of the bill remained unpaid. sold to best advantage in the trade and ber the three partners did divide up In this situation, he was forced to ask preferred to cover his ignorance by an mules and jacks to the value of $845 his creditors in the East for more time assurance which he did not feel. and wagon equipment valued at $160, to pay for his wholesale orders. but the amount of specie returned was McCausland accepted this rather in- not itemized.6 Nor was any further In 1832 he tried the policy of sending definite order and filled it along with mention made of Marmaduke’s pro- goods under the care of an agent, and the orders which he purchased for posed venture of 1829. That ambitious made an agreement with a Liberty other customers. young man continued in the Santa Fe merchant by the name of Gersham trade for five or six years longer, how- Compton to act in that capacity. When the Santa Fe caravan set out ever, as well as in the local mercantile Compton took a supply of goods of the following May, McMahan had trade. After that he retired to a farm his own, in addition to caring for the $1,578.31 worth of hats in the ven- near Arrow Rock, Missouri, all his merchandise from the Aull stores. By ture, Sappington $855.19 worth of ventures combined having made him a November of the same year, Aull had merchandise, and Marmaduke’s goods wealthy man.7 received $3,000, which he estimated totalled $1,469.59. Most merchants would cover the cost of the venture. had more involved, but probably none The business also appealed to those The question of profits could be de- awaited the outcome of the trip with merchants who operated several stores termined only after the return of his any greater eagerness than did these along the Missouri river and main- agent from Santa Fe.9 Aull never men- young merchants making their first tained direct wholesale connections tioned this particular venture again in venture. with seaboard cities. The Lamme his voluminous correspondence, and stores at Franklin, Liberty, and In- the amount of profit finally realized Marmaduke was already looking for- dependence, Missouri, advertised cannot be determined. The fact, how- ward to the next year and sent a blank goods for sale to Santa Fe traders, and ever, that he soon returned to his old contract along with the caravan. This Samuel C. Lamme and Company policy of simply wholesaling goods to provided that Marmaduke would send at Franklin, Missouri, annually sent traders indicates he did not find the a cargo of goods with some company freighters to Santa Fe to engage in the direct trade especially profitable. in the spring of 1829, corresponding trade directly, until Samuel C. Lamme as nearly as possible to the order re- himself was killed by Indians while Credit was his big problem. In the turned him, and amounting to $2,400, returning from such a trip in 1828. spring of 1833, he wrote to Compton after adding seventy-five per cent to His freighting equipment, consisting in Santa Fe concerning debts and the current Franklin price. But if any of horses, mules, wagons, and har- remittances connected with the busi- accident happened to the wagons or ness, made up a sizeable item in his ness. A remittance on the preceding goods, Marmaduke was not to be held property when the estate was settled October 31 netted $7,422, the letter liable. In return, the Mexican who in 1829.8 indicating that Aull and Compton signed the contract was to agree to were jointly concerned in the venture deliver to Marmaduke or his agent at The Aull stores, being located at from which this was realized. Comp- Santa Fe two hundred “large, fine like- Lexington, Richmond, Liberty, and ton was told about a note for $842.16 ly young Jennetts, between the age of Independence, in the western part from Captain Bent, a Santa Fe trader, 2 and 10 years and four likely young of Missouri and along the Missouri which would be due July 1. Aull Jennett Jacks, and also twelve, broke river, were very favorably situated for thought Bent would be near Santa Fe gentle likely young mules --all in good sharing in the trade. Consequently, about that time and hoped to get the order and condition.” The decision as James Aull’s relations with the trade money before Bent returned to Inde- to whether the animals met this de- are representative of the part played pendence in the fall. The concern over scription would be left to two persons by the larger local firms. We have seen Bent’s note did not arise from any mutually satisfactory to both parties how the business increased his whole- doubt of his ability to pay, Bent being to the contract. For each jennett and sale orders to a large extent. Through- a large trader with a $40,000 stock jack rejected, a penalty of ten dollars out the whole of the period, Aull and of goods in the trade the same sum- would be assessed, and thirty dollars his successors found this part of the mer the note to Aull came due. It was for each mule. The Mexicans could trade very much worthwhile. There rather a matter of getting the money receive their goods anywhere between were troubles involved even in this in time to meet wholesale bills in the the Red river and Santa Fe, but must part of the business, however. On his East. agree to release Marmaduke from any 1830 sales of better than $8,000, Aull

20 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Somewhat different was the case of Aull was trying to collect debts at a 7, 1830. (The Aull business records are B. D. Long, whom Aull had credited distance of 1,000 miles, without be- in the possession of the Public Library for $98.18 in the spring of 1830. ing quite sure where the debtors were and Historical Association of Lexington, Long had given Aull two notes for residing at the time. Missouri.) the bill of goods, one of which had 3. James Aull Day Book, 1833-35: Note no security behind it. A wagonmaker Credit was always an urgent matter of Bent and St. Vrain, dated September 1, 1832. by trade, he had remained in the to western merchants. Aull bought Southwest to follow his occupation, his merchandise in Philadelphia in 4. Missouri Intelligencer (Franklin), April 12, and the bill had never been paid. January and February, and made 1825. Aull understood that he was working his sales to the Santa Fe caravans in 5. Missouri Intelligencer (Fayette), March somewhere in the “lower country,” April and May. Some of the goods 14, 1828. and if Compton could not locate him were paid for when the traders re- 6. The account is taken from letters and the notes were to be left with some turned in the fall, and these offered accounts in the Sappington Manuscript safe person for collection. Compton no problem, Aull having ample time Collection in the Library of the State Historical Society of Missouri. had written Aull to ask about his to make remittances east before his own business and family at Liberty, wholesale bills fell due in January of 7. Napton, William B. Past and Present of Saline County, Missouri, pp. 343-347. but James could not give him any the following year. But on many of information about them, not having his sales, the money was not forth- 8. Missouri Intelligencer, November 20, visited Liberty for some time. He did coming for another year, payment be- 1829. know that the agent for Compton’s ing made only after a second journey 9. James Aull Letter Book, 1830-33: Entry store had bought a new stock of to Santa Fe was completed. He could of November 3, 1832. goods and understood the merchant’s buy only so much on credit in the 10. James Aull Day Book, 1833-35: Letter business was “such as usual.”10 East and merchants did not credit of James Aull to Gresham Compton at Santa Fe, dated Lexington, Missouri, May beyond the twelve months’ period.  Aull and Compton’s experience in- Under these circumstances, he was 15, 1833. dicates the disadvantages connected always rushed to meet his wholesale Lewis E. Atherton, native Missourian, with participation in the trade. If a bills in the seaboard cities. was an assistant professor of history at the man engaged in the business directly, University of Missouri. He published a he had to be absent for four or five 1. Missouri Intelligencer (Columbia), monograph on The Pioneer Merchant October 18, 1834. (This Missouri months from his store or entrust in Mid-America in the University of his merchandise to an agent. Either newspaper was first published at Franklin from April 23, 1819, to June 22, 1826, at Missouri Studies and was a frequent scheme had its disadvantages. Comp- Fayette from June 29, 1826, to April 9, contributor to historical journals. He died ton was at sea in regard to what was 1830, and at Columbia after May 4, 1830.) in 1989. His papers are available at the happening to his business at Liberty. State Historical Society of Missouri. 2. James Aull Letter Book B: Entry of May

Point of Rocks, Cimarron National Grasslands, Kansas

Point of Rocks on the Cimarron National Grassland near Elkhart,

Photos: Ruth Friesen Photos: Kansas, overlooks the Cimarron River valley. Attendees at the three- day event Elkhart/Boise City/ Clayton organized by Jay Williams enjoyed this high landmark on the Trail.

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 21 Why The Cherokee Trail Is Important

by Brian D. Stucky digris River. Proceeding north through find both the emigrants and their Oklahoma, the trail crosses much of routes. (Fletcher, Fletcher and White- The Cherokee Trail, also known as the southern Kansas east to west; eastern ley, 1999, xxii) Fayetteville Trail, , Ft. Colorado south to north; and south- Smith, Arkansas-to-California Trail, is ern Wyoming east to west. This [long] The Cherokee Trail is important for a a trail interconnected with the Santa trail ties the Santa Fe National His- number of reasons. Fe Trail. But why should readers of toric Trail to the Oregon-California Wagon Tracks care about the Chero- Trail [at Fort Bridger, in the south- 1. The Cherokee Trail shared a path kee Trail? Why is it important? Why west corner of Wyoming], providing with the Santa Fe Trail for almost should this trail matter? an avenue to the West and North- half of the Santa Fe Trail’s route. west from the South and Southeast. First, a clarification. This trail is not to The Cherokee Trail joined the Santa Through this corridor poured gold Fe Trail at the Running Turkey Creek be confused with the “,” seekers to California in 1849, to [what which was part of a forced Indian Crossing in McPherson County, is today] Colorado in 1858, to Idaho Kansas, near the later [1855] Fuller’s Removal effort in 1838-39 from the in 1860, and to Montana in 1862. southeast United States to Indian Ter- Ranch. The crossing is located one Cattle drives went west to California mile east and two miles south of ritory (Oklahoma). Not only Chero- over [branches of] the Cherokee Trail kees were removed, but also Chicka- Galva, Kansas. Fletcher’s The Cherokee beginning in 1851, continuing for Trail Diaries records a letter which saw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole a decade. From Oregon, [travelers] people. was carried by traders to the Daily went east to Wyoming until the last Missouri Republican, where it appeared Jack and Pat Fletcher, eminent his- two decades of the 1800s. However, on July 4, 1849, after which it was torians of the Trail, described the emigration was the primary use of the printed in the Cherokee Advocate July Cherokee Trail in this way: The trail. Starting in 1849, and continuing 30. It describes a detail of the crossing Cherokee Trail is the longest branch until the turn of the twentieth century, from the first journey. “We obtained a of the California National Historic emigrants trekked over parts of the large stone and planted it in the fork Trail, approximately 1,300 miles. Cherokee Trail to every western state. of the road, and one of our cunning Originating in Arkansas, Missouri, The emigrants and the paths of their workmen cut these letters upon it: and Oklahoma, the routes converge at travels have remained in obscurity. The “To Fayetteville, Ark., 300 miles--Capt. either the Grand (Neosho) or the Ver- discovery of several diaries has helped Evans’ Cal. Com’y, May 12, 1849.”

Map of Cherokee Trail from beginning to Fort Bridger, Wyoming (Fletcher and Fletcher)

22 Wagon Tracks November 2018 (Fletcher, et al. n.d., 46) story came of the Mountain Meadows was on the ridges between waterways Massacre in 1857 in Utah. This can where possible. In addition, this com- From the Running Turkey Creek be read about in other places. But it pany had been warned they would Crossing to La Junta, Colorado, the involved fearful Mormons who held have to face and Paw- Cherokee Trail traffic traveled on the siege of an Arkansas wagon train, ul- nees before they reached the Rocky existing Santa Fe Trail for 362 miles. timately killing the adults and older Mountains. Traveling the ridges gave It is at La Junta near Bent’s Old Fort children in the company. The wagon them the ability to see long distances, that the Santa Fe Trail goes south train had traveled the Cherokee Trail a defense strategy perhaps born of on the Mountain Route, and the and had passed , then Cherokee experience.” (Fletcher et al. Cherokee Trail goes on west to Pueblo diverted to southwest Utah on its way 1999, 39) where it turns north along the Rocky towards southern California when the Mountain Front Range through train was attacked. Diarist Crawford records, “We have in Colorado. our company 129 persons, 40 waggons 3. The first journey of the Cherokee 304 oxen 41 mules 65 horses and 231 Although there are various branches Trail was an intentionally joint cul- cows.” (Fletcher et al. 1999, 50) of the Santa Fe Trail, and various tural effort. starting points, the frequently traveled 4. The Cherokee Trail started as a distance from Independence to Santa “In 1849 a Cherokee wagon train trail, but became a multi- Fe along the Mountain Route is 797 from the [Cherokee] Nation and purpose trail. miles. The 362 shared miles divided by wagon groups of whites mainly 797 = 45% of the path of the Santa Fe from Washington County, Arkan- News of the existence of gold fields Trail that was shared by the Cherokee sas, rendezvoused on the Grand in California was confirmed in The Trail. (Schmidt 2017) The landmarks, [Neosho] River at the Grand Cherokee Advocate, January 8, 1849. campsites, experiences, and hazards of Saline [salt works] for the sole “We have received through the New the Trail were shared by both sets of purpose of going to the California Orleans papers…such accounts from travelers. Goldfields. There they elected offi- California, as leave little doubt, that cers with Lewis Evans of Evansville, the stories of the mineral wealth of 2. The Cherokee Trail is a significant Arkansas, as Captain. Under Evans’s the country, however exaggerate[d], trail crossing much of the continent, leadership the forty-wagon train are founded in fact.” (Fletcher et one of the longest trails. pioneered [built] the first wagon al.1999, 16) This news galvanized road northwest through northeast- groups hurrying to organize Califor- Travelers on the Cherokee Trail, as ern Oklahoma, crossing the Ver- nia companies. well as other overland travelers, expe- digris River near Coody’s Bluff.” rienced extremes in traveling condi- (Fletcher, cherokeetrail.org) The first journey was described as, tions and terrain, such as woodlands, “The combined company, made up river valleys, high ridges, plains, des- “The first journey on the Cherokee of people from Cherokee Nation, erts, and mountain conditions. The Trail in 1849 was a joint venture. plus both whites and Cherokee from sheer length of the trail (1,300 miles) There was a total of 130 people in- Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee through eight states guaranteed vistas cluding 14 Cherokee Indians from became known as the Evans/Chero- and environments of an epic journey, the Nation near Tahlequah, later OK kee Company. They pioneered a route as noted by diarists and artists. The [Oklahoma].” (Fletcher, et al. 1999, through Kansas and Oklahoma that length also raised the probability of 25) “The Cherokee also took five un- was traveled until 1862, during the hazards, both of nature and of Ameri- named slaves with them,” according to Civil War. The Evans/Cherokee Trail can Indian attacks. The Cherokee Advocate. It also claims, was continuously used through Colo- “There is one very great advantage rado and Wyoming before, during, Augusta Stewart wrote in 1859, “By in going with the Cherokee com- and after the Pike’s Peak gold rush the last of April a great many droves pany. The Cherokees are on the most beginning in 1858, the Idaho and of cattle came in . . . a man said the friendly terms with all the Indian Montana gold rushes of the 1860s, for road was covered with wagons from tribes of the prairie—consequently stock drives westbound and eastbound here [El Dorado, Kansas] to Fort there will be no danger of attacks into the 1880s, and by emigrants to Gibson on the way to Pike’s Peak. She from our red brethren.” (Fletcher et al. the turn of the century.” (Fletcher et documented over 100 wagons passing 1999, 20; The Cherokee Advocate, Janu- al. 1999, 22) [El Dorado] daily in the Spring of ary 22, 1849) 1859.” (Fletcher 2011) Grant Foreman, in his article “Early Diarist James Sawyer Crawford wrote, Trails through Oklahoma,” noted Just when it seemed that travelers had “On this trail from Oklahoma through that the Cherokee Trail also was used mastered the mountains, the tragic Kansas to the Santa Fe Trail, all travel later for gold seekers going to Cherry

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 23 Creek at Denver. “Not long afterward Notably, many 59ers used the 1850 One of the most startling evidences Captain Buford left Santa Fe with an Chico Cutoff from the Arkansas River of multiple uses of the Cherokee Trail escort for the east-bound mail and a directly northwest to Fountain Creek, comes from the Sand Creek Crossing number of Chihuahua merchants. He avoiding Pueblo altogether. (Fletcher, in Marion County, Kansas, southeast proceeded on the Santa Fe Trail until 2018) of Goessel. The landowner has recov- he came to Captain Evans’ s Cherokee ered metal artifacts such as a metal pot Trail which he followed and arrived Trail historian Merrill Mattes claims with a gray glazed lining, with a bullet at Fort Gibson July 29, after a journey that “A few thousand California hole, (evidence of another untold sto- of twenty-five days from Santa Fe gold-seekers from the southern states ry), a 17” square stone chisel, brand- covering a distance of eight hundred did reach the [west] Coast by desert ing iron, an eight-pound cannon ball, fifty-one miles. Captain Buford rec- variants or extensions of the Santa metal parts of perhaps a Sharps rifle, ommended this route for emigranting Fe Trail.” (Olsen 2013, 25) Elliot and other miscellaneous horseshoes [sic] parties from Fort Smith and Van West asserts, “At least 20,000 persons and metal pieces. This is clear indica- Buren. This became a well-used route rushed to California in 1849 by an- tion of a military presence on the trail. and was employed not only by the ad- other way – a cluster of trails through Much of what was recovered might be venturers to Santa Fe and California, the southwestern deserts, routes that explained as a “wagon dump”, where but by those subsequently travelling had been used for many generations commanders ordered excess weight to to the gold diggings at Cherry Creek, by native peoples and for decades by be discarded. that afterwards became known as fur trappers and traders.” Included Denver. Buford reported that on June here were trails crossing exclusively Profit was a motive for most cattle 7, the next day after leaving Santa Fe, through , and even Mexico, on drives. The group doomed in the he met between six and seven hundred west. Mountain Meadows Massacre California emigrants from Fort Smith Fancher-Baker journey illustrates this. and Van Buren.” (Foreman, 1925, Besides the main Santa Fe Trail from According to the Mountain Mead- 111) Missouri to Santa Fe, two other over- ows Massacre Foundation website, land routes that incorporated portions “Although the early 1850s was a pros- Captain Buford in 1849 turned south of the Santa Fe Trail led emigrants perous time in Arkansas, the Panic off the Santa Fe Trail onto the New to the southwestern desert trails of 1857 brought hardships to many Cherokee Trail to Fort Gibson. “Emi- through New Mexico and Arizona to Ozark families. They thought Cali- grating parties leaving Arkansas…. California. One was the Fort Smith fornia offered them a better future for would do well to follow this trail of to Santa Fe Road, which, according their growing families. Others were Captain Evans’s. It is a good and plain to historian Patricia Etter, carried looking for the adventure of moving way to the old Santa Fe trace from thousands of emigrants west in 1849 west. Many of the single men were Independence; from Big Island on the alone. It joined the Independence- working their way to California by Verdigris river, to Turkey creek, where Santa Fe Trail at several points near eating the dust of a cattle drive. The this trail strikes the trace, is about San Miguel, New Mexico. The other young men called it “seeing the el- 175 miles…. Emigrating parties leav- was the Cherokee Trail. (Olsen, 2013, ephant.” Captains Fancher and Baker ing Fort Smith and Van Buren, Ark., 50-51) were making the trip to make money. should not, on any account whatever, go by the way of Santa Fe….” (Fletch- er et al. 1999, 62)

Augusta Stewart, who settled at El Dorado, Kansas, in her journals observes, “Gold hunters also pass through here. Some of them use the Santa Fe [Trail] to get to the Kansas [Colorado] gold fields around Pike’s Peak.” (Crump and Crump, 2009, 115)

Almost all the emigrants in 1859, once they reached the vicinity of Bent’s Old Fort, followed the previ- ously-blazed Cherokee Trail west to present-day Pueblo, Colorado, then Sand Creek crossing artifacts are on display at the Mennonite Heritage and north to Denver. (Olsen 2009, 8) Agricultural Museum, Goessel, Kansas. Photo: Linda Andersen

24 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Their cows cost $10 in Arkansas and connected trading settlements of the diaries of James Sawyer Crawford sold to the beef-hungry gold min- , Arkansas, South Platte and Calvin H. Holmes. For 1850, ers in California for $100. Captain and North Platte rivers. Taos was the writers were John Lowery Brown, John Twitty Baker planned to return northernmost major settlement in James T. Mitchell, and William M. to Arkansas after selling his cows. Mexico during the 1830s and 1840s, Quesenbury, who also did sketches Captain Fancher brought his entire and was a favorite gathering place of landmarks along the way. The family with plans to establish a per- for trappers and mountain men. Fort Quesenbury drawings are of inter- manent home in California.” Laramie was the headquarters for the est to the travelers of the Oregon, American Fur Company.” (Whiteley, California, and Mormon Trails, as 5. The Cherokee Trail linked north 1999, 4) some of the paths of those trails were and south trail traffic. shared in Wyoming and points west. “The establishment of trading posts Some sketches are of Pueblo, Pike’s Many emigrants followed overland in the mid-1830s brought wagons to Peak, and Steamboat Rock. In addi- trails in the northern route of the eastern Colorado and transformed tion, there are numerous supporting , the California Trail, many ‘trails’ into roads. Bent’s Old newspaper articles, and archives in 21 and following the Fort was built in the fall of 1833. The states. Platte River corridor. Other routes, fort increased traffic up the Arkansas the complex web of southern trails, River and established the Mountain Some campsites were described in covered Oklahoma, Texas, New Branch of the Santa Fe Trail in 1846. colorful terms. One such “Buffalo Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, The Mountain Branch ascended the Chip Camp” in Harvey County, Kan- Nevada, and California. Arkansas River to present-day La sas, 7 miles northeast of Newton, is Junta, seven miles west of Bent’s Old described by Quesenbury, “Wednes- As the Fletchers noted, “The Chero- Fort, crossed the Arkansas River, and day May 15….18 miles….No timber kee were planning to travel a south- headed southwest over within several miles of the road at ern route from Fort Gibson to Santa into New Mexico. Four forts were any point….at two hours by sun Fe. Why this southern route was not then built on the made “Bois de vache” Camp (literally, taken, and when the decision was north of present-day Denver: Fort “wood of the cattle”). Found piles of made by the combined Cherokee and Vasquez, 1835; Fort Lupton, 1836; buffalo chips that Evans’s Company white companies to travel a…dif- Fort Jackson, 1837; Fort St. Vrain, had gathered last year….The water ferent….way, is not recorded in any 1837. To supply these forts, freight at this camp has a taste as disagree- known letter or diary. Certainly the wagons traveled west….past Bent’s able as Glauber salts.” (Fletcher, et recent experiences of Indian conflicts Old Fort, continued up the Arkansas al. 1999, 245). This campsite today is must have been a factor in choos- River to Pueblo, then north along the in the middle of a section of original, ing an alternate route.” (Fletcher et Trapper’s Trail to the forts, the same native pasture land, rare in this part al.1999, 22) route the Cherokee of 1849 were to of Kansas, where a hilltop spring with a spring pipe flows with bad Lee Whiteley, in The Cherokee Trail: take.” (Whiteley, 1999, 5) tasting water. In addition, Crawford’s Bent’s Old Fort to Fort Bridger writes, The Cherokee Trail route seems to diary specifies the site with latitude/ “The Cherokee Trail is the portion be the main wagon trail moving in longitude readings (Fletcher et al. of the trail traveled by the 1849 and a direction from the southeast to 1999, 42) that are “right on the mon- 1850 Cherokee between Bent’s Old the northwest. The Santa Fe Trail ey” with today’s measuring devices. Fort and Fort Bridger. It connects remains as likely the primary or only This section is a tremendous cross- the Santa Fe Trail with the Oregon- trail linking the northeast to south- roads of significant trail paths. California and Hastings Cutoff west. Those who pioneered these Trails. But parts of this north-south routes were significant in that they Another camp south of Goessel, connector trail evolved from other provided options for braving the Kansas, was named “Wolf Camp” and earlier trail segments, used for many American mountain west. described by John Lowery Brown as purposes by many users, and each “May 16th….15 miles….Camped on trail segment carried a variety of 6. Documentation in diaries and a sluggish stream of very cold water names.” (Whiteley, 1999, 3) newspapers paints a vivid descrip- the same place that Evans camped.” tion of overland camping stops. (Fletcher, et al 1999, 248) This site is Whiteley added that “the Trap- identified as a spring in the Emma pers Trail is but one name for the Fletcher, Fletcher, and White- Creek that locals say has never gone multi-use trail which linked Fort ley focused their research on the dry. Laramie, Wyoming and Taos, New years 1849 and 1850. They credit Mexico. This north-south trail fol- diaries and diary excerpts of trail Hiram Davis, a member of the lowed east of the Front Range of travelers. For 1849, there are the Lewis Evans party that had come the ….The trail November 2018 Wagon Tracks 25 from northeastern Oklahoma via the tion someday. Department of the Interior/National Park Cherokee Trail, wrote to his wife, Service, Comprehensive Management and after crossing the plains, “I have seen Today trail groups advocate for the Use Plan, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, discovery, preservation, and education Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, animals that I never saw before….the New Mexico. United States, May 1990. Elk, Antelope, Badger, Hare, Prairie of the Cherokee Trail. The Friends Schmidt, Steve. 2017 May 18 email. Dog and Squirrel, and many others.” of the Cherokee Trail-Kansas studies and promotes the trail from the Kan- Trail mileage calculations by a retired (Olsen, n.d. 85: Fletcher et al 1999, professional engineer. President of the 53) sas-Oklahoma border to the Santa Cottonwood Crossing Chapter of the Fe Trail junction near Galva, Kansas. Santa Fe Trail Association. But it was buffalo that captured the It has organized tours including rug- Fletcher, Patricia K.A., Fletcher, Dr. imagination of the emigrants, as they ged southern Flint Hills land, placed Jack Earl, Whiteley, Lee, 1999. Cherokee did of all travelers on the Santa Fe many signs in a sign marking project, Trail Diaries Vol. I. “1849 A New Route to Trail – almost every diary and journal developed a brochure, and in 2017 the California Gold Fields.” Vol. II. “1850 marked the sighting of the first buf- landed the path of the Cherokee Another New Route to the California Gold falo, the thrill of a hunt, and the wel- Trail on the official Kansas State Fields.” Caldwell, Idaho. The Caxton come taste of a buffalo roast. (Olsen, (KDOT) highway map. Printers, Ltd. Fletcher Family Foundation. 2013, 86) Fletcher, Dr. Jack E., Fletcher, Patricia The Colorado-Cherokee Trail Chap- K.A., 2001. Cherokee Trail Diaries Vol. III, 7. The Cherokee Trail is up for con- ter of the Oregon-California Trails “Emigrants, Goldseekers, Cattle Drives, and sideration for National Historic Association (OCTA), while affiliated Outlaws.” Dexter, Mich. Thomson-Shore, Trails status. with OCTA, identifies with the trail Inc. Fletcher Family Trust. in Colorado where it is purely known Fletcher, Jack and Patricia, conversations Interest in the Cherokee Trail has as the Cherokee Trail. This group also with, 2018. been simmering a long time, ever is quite active with promotions of the Fletcher, Jack and Patricia. Slide show, since the late 1940s, when Mer- trail, with websites, meetings, tours, 2011 rill Mattes took note of the trail. and education. Foreman, Grant, “Early Trails through Fascination with the trail increased Oklahoma,” Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume greatly when Jack and Pat Fletcher Both groups have learned that it is 3, No. 2, June 1925, p. 111. published their Cherokee Trail Dia- enriching to share cross-pollination Mountain Meadows Massacre Foundation, ries, Vol. I, II, and III as the definitive of ideas and projects with other trail http://mmmf.org/about-mmmf/ work on the subject. No longer is groups that keep the memory and Olsen, Dr. Michael L. ebook 2013. That documentation in any question. Lee appreciation alive of the tough, hard- Broad and Beckoning Highway: The Santa Whiteley also contributed with his ened pioneers who traveled trans- Fe Trail and the Rush for Gold in California work, The Cherokee Trail: Bent’s Old continental trails. They appreciate the and Colorado. www.nps.gov/safe/learn/.../ Fort to Fort Bridger. The Fletchers history that is right under our very The-Santa-Fe-Trail-and-the-Rush-for- Gold-508.doc. noted the rationale behind their re- feet every day. search. They said, “Our aim was and The Cherokee Advocate, 7 May 1849, p. 2: Fletcher is to have the Cherokee Trail recog- Brian D. Stucky is President of the nized as a branch of the California Friends of the Cherokee Trail-Kansas. Travel The Trail: Map Timeline. National National Historic Trail, to receive Park Service, www.nps.gov/safe/learn/ historyculture/map-timeline-intro.htm national historic trail status, and take Bibliography its rightful place as an important trail Crump, Marjorie L., and Crump, Ralph E. Whiteley, Lee. 1999, The Cherokee Trail: Bent’s Old Fort to Fort Bridger. Boulder, of western migration. To this end our 2009. Augusta’s Journal: The first year in the life of El Dorado, K.T. 1858, Vol. II. Bloom- Colorado, Johnson Printing. research for the last fifteen years has ington, IN, AuthorHouse.  been to document the location and www.cherokeetrail.org years of emigrant use of the Chero- kee Trails.” (Fletcher, et al. n.d., xxiv).

Presently, the proposal for National Historic Trail status is winding its way through the governmental pro- cess and is nearing action before Congress. Since it is a branch of the already-accepted California Trail and has strong documentation for even F.B. Delgado, who carved his name in the rocks at Autograph Rock, was in the merchantile its stand-alone sections, trail sup- business, and a biographical sketch indicates he was educated in St. Louis. An article titled “New Mexico Students Travel the Trail, 1832-1880” appeared in the November 1995 issue porters are hopeful for the designa- of Wagon Tracks and will be reprinted in a future issue.

26 Wagon Tracks November 2018 Light My Fire! This article first appeared on the Facebook page of the Hol- lenberg Station State Historic Site. The Pony Express Station is NOT on the Santa Fe Trail, but fire- starting would have been similar. Reprinted by permission.

How did travelers start fires along the Western trails? Matches, often called "lucifers" at the time, were available for sale at road ranches like Hollen- berg Pony Express Station. While convenient, they were not always available, could be ruined by water, and were consumable products that ran out.

Other options that existed were "strike-a-lights" and burning lenses. Strike-a-lights consisted of a hard- ened steel flint striker and a hard rock of some sort, like flint. Striking the steel against the flint shaved small pieces of steel from the face of the striker, cre- ating sparks. They had been in use for centuries. A traveler could use a tinder bundle of charred cloth, Pictured are a steel flint striker, charred cloth, a bundle of jute, jute, or plant fibers to catch the spark. Lightly blow- and various forms of carrying kits. On the left is a tin candle ing on it could coax it into a flame. Burning lenses holder with a tin can that could carry a spare piece of candle were glass lenses with a convex surface that, on a as well as a strike-a-light and/or burning lens. Center is a cop- sunny day, could throw a hot little beam into a tin- per tinder box with a burning lens built into the lid. Right is der bundle and, once it started to smoke, could be a cigar tin that works well for carrying a striker, flint, charred likewise gently blown into a flame. Strike-a-lights cloth, jute bundle, and loose burning lens. Top is a bag made and burning lenses offered more sustainable, though of buffalo hide that can carry the aforementioned cigar tin.  less convenient, fire-making methods. Photos: Ruth Friesen Photos:

“Bright Days and Starry Nights Along the Santa Fe Trail” Above, SFTA tour participants view inscriptions in the rock at Autograph Rock in the (prior per- mission required). Right, over 300 Santa Fe Trail travelers etched their names in the rock.

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 27 Chapter Reports

Chapters are listed in order from the beginning of all been open to the public for several events since our last the Trail in Missouri westward. report.

TO CONTACT CHAPTER PRESIDENTS, We are working with the Midland Railroad Tourist Train to PLEASE EMAIL THEM AT [email protected]. continue to maintain the historic Santa Fe Depot. The organization has refurbished several historical place mark- Missouri River Outfitters ers this summer and is currently working on new signs for the Independence, MO historic Kibbee Cabin and the Vinland Grange hall. President Larry Short The chapter is also assisting with establishing a more secure MRO members continue to move forward with planning setting and guidelines for use of the local archives housed at events in 2021 for the commemoration of the 200-year anni- the Baldwin Public Library. We also continue to work with the versary of the opening of the Santa Fe Trail. We are planning to plan for better access and interpreta- an initial event at Franklin, Missouri, at the site of interpretive tion at the Black Jack Wagon Ruts site. panels and the DAR marker. This ceremony on September 1, 2021, will be followed by a day-long series of events in Arrow Our chapter now maintains nine properties which require Rock. The weekend of September 4-5, 2021, will feature a mowing, tree trimming, and other miscellaneous upkeep. Six joint effort between MRO, the Friends of , and the of these sites also contain a structure that requires additional Jackson County Parks and Rec at Fort Osage. Watch Wagon maintenance, which can require significant expense, effort, and Tracks and the MRO newsletters for further updates. volunteer hours. Heart of the Flint Hills We were extremely honored that two of our longtime mem- bers were honored at the recent Rendezvous in Larned, Kan- Council Grove, KS sas. Craig Crease received the Marc Simmons Writing Award, President Sharon Haun and Ross Marshall received the Gregory Franzwa Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations are in order for The walking trail to the SFT Rock Creek Crossing is in the both of these fine gentlemen. process of being completed. Rain is slowing that process down, but the view of the crossing will soon be available to the pub- The upcoming holidays will be celebrated at Ophelia’s Res- lic. The fencing and parking lot are completed. Now the artist taurant on the Square in Independence, Missouri, with a and designers are working on the exhibits. The exhibits will be luncheon on Saturday, December 1, at 12:00 noon. This year’s placed in the parking lot, for those not able to walk the trail event will be a joint one with the Trails Head Chapter of to the crossing view point, as well as at the crossing view site. OCTA and KCAHTA. Everyone is invited, and reservations We are so grateful to Della Orton for making this historic site with payment must be received by November 23. For more available to the public. information, contact Chapter President Larry Short at the above email. The first group of trail signs to the east of Council Grove are in, and the paperwork is done for all the crossing signs to be Thanks to all our board and members who have made 2018 placed west of Council Grove to the Marion County line. another very successful year for MRO as we preserve, protect, Also, directional signs will be in place in Council Grove. This and promote the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. has been an exciting process, and we are grateful to the Morris County and city employees for their work putting in the posts Douglas County and securing the signs. Just one more way to welcome our visi- Baldwin City, KS tors to the SFT story. President Roger Boyd The historic pageant “Voices of the Wind People” had two suc- The Douglas County chapter had their fall covered-dish meet- cessful performances September 14 and 15. The weather was ing at the Black Jack Cabin east of Baldwin on September 16. perfect (always an issue with outside performances). We had a The program was “Jewish Travelers on the Santa Fe Trail” by large delegation from the Kaw Nation join in the performance, Dr. David Katzman, University of Kansas Emeritus Professor and we had great crowds both nights. The voice of Allegawaho, of Jewish Studies. the chief of the tribe when they were removed to Oklahoma in 1873, was Curtis Kekahbah. This was his first performance The chapter has partnered with Baker University to obtain in this production. Luther Pepper, also a Kaw Nation member, funding to restore the Palmyra Post Office, which is the oldest filled this role from 1992 until 2014, when his health caused known wooden structure from the original town of Palmyra him to retire. The cast was pleased to welcome Curtis to the along the Santa Fe Trail. It has been moved several times and role. His voice and expression continued the drama which currently is located next to Old Castle on the Baker University had been brought to this part by Mr. Pepper. For those of you campus. who are not familiar with this pageant, it is the story of the Kaw Tribe, the SFT, and Council Grove, and how these three Several of our members re-initiated the tradition of “Historic groups interacted in the 1850s in the Council Grove area. Site Bus Tours” during the very popular Maple Leaf Festival which occurs in Baldwin City the third weekend in October. The local committee continues to plan for the 2021 SFT Black Jack Cabin, Vinland Grange, and Clearfield School have comemmoration in Council Grove. The community is getting

28 Wagon Tracks November 2018 SFTA Annual Membership January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019

Name(s) ______□ Life $1000, payable over 4 years

Address ______□ Patron $100/year

City ______State ______Zip ______□ Family $65/year

Phone ______Email ______□ Individual $50/year □ New member □ Renewing member □ Youth (18 and under) $5/year I am a member of the following chapter (s) ______□ Non-profit Institution $65/year ______□ Business $65/year I’d like to make a donation to assist the SFTA with programs and events. □ $50 □ $100 Other $______I’d like to donate to the Junior Wagon Master Fund. □ $50 □ $100 Other $______I’d like to donate to the Marker Fund. □ $50 □ $100 Other $______To pay by credit card, go to www.santafetrail.org, and click on “Join the Organization.”

The Santa Fe Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, and all donations TOTAL ENCLOSED ______beyond membership dues are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Make checks payable to Santa Fe Trail Association Mail to Ruth Olson Peters, Treasurer, Santa Fe Trail Center, 1349 K-156 Hwy, Larned, KS 67550 Renew by mailing using the above form or renew online at www.santafetrail.org If you have renewed your membership, pass the form along to a friend or colleague.

Chapter Reports excited to welcome visitors to many different events to com- able to give each of the kids a chapter T-shirt. Each participant memorate the 200th anniversary. also received a ticket for a chance to win the Marc Simmons/ Hal Jackson book, The Santa Fe Trail, A Guide. The winning Cottonwood Crossing ticket went to a family with four children who home-school, so McPherson, KS the book will be put to good use. We also received information President Steve Schmidt about a new location for possible ruts, met a participant who had attended Santa Fe School near McPherson, and received a A chapter meeting was held August 16, with Ken Spurgeon request for more tours for home-schooled kids. We thought it presenting a well-received program titled “The Story of the was important that we participated in this tour, although it was Osage Indians and the Osage and Santa Fe Trails.” This meet- held on the same Saturday as Rendezvous activities in Larned. ing had above-average attendance. Due to various circum- stances, the October chapter meeting was cancelled. The chap- The tour was conducted as a car caravan, with a total of 13 cars. ter will resume its normal schedule next spring. The chapter We charged $10 per car, so the tour generated $130, which will continues to enjoy a good relationship with the newly-formed be split with the Inman Historical Association. The Quivira Marion County Historical Society. Chapter also sold two T-shirts which generated another $20. It was a very successful afternoon. Quivira McPherson, KS A fall meeting is still under consideration but we may just wait President Linda Colle until next year and start fresh in 2019. We are waiting for the National Park Service to place the order for the Little Arkansas The Quivira Chapter sponsored a tour from Inman, Kansas, sign project so we will know the cost for the signs and we can to the Fry Ruts in Rice County, including the Little Arkansas determine if we have any funds left in our treasury. Crossing area, on September 22. The tour was a joint effort Wet/Dry Routes with the Inman Historical Association in conjunction with the Inman Santa Fe Days. Britt Colle led the tour and provided Great Bend, KS details of the Trail and technical information, and Linda Colle President George Elmore provided the color commentary about the real people on the Trail and their experiences with quotes from diaries. The Wet/Dry chapter is a forum to share an interest in the his- tory of the Santa Fe Trail. The chapter meets regularly and in The tour exceeded our expectations. Thanks to the advertising different locations. This allows programs to raise local awareness done by Diane Miller, Santa Fe Days director, there were 28 of not only the trail history programs but also concerns and adults and 7 kids who went on the tour. It was especially excit- awareness of issues faced in preserving our local trail sites. The ing to see that many kids running around in the Ruts! We were program chairman, Dr. Oliva, always comes up with fantastic

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 29 programs that examine some exciting aspects of the trail. The The chapter is in the process, along with the Wet-Dry Chap- programs are not just about history but also include meals or ter, of developing a new storyboard to tell about the Leander even an occasional picnic or ice cream social. Herron fight. The storyboard will be placed near the battle site.

As summer comes to an end, it is time to be looking forward Wagon Bed Spring to several fantastic programs this fall and winter. On the Lakin, KS subject of fantastic programs, for those of you who were able President Linda Peters to attend the Rendezvous 2018, it started with a wonder- ful introduction program. As the rendezvous went along, the On August 25, we headed to the Wagon Bed Spring site for presentations kept getting better and then closed on Saturday our long-awaited event. And what an event it was! We were evening with Dr. Douglas Scott’s program having everyone sit- still taking meal reservations that morning. From a quick ting on the edge of their chairs and at the end wanting more. count, we believe we had around 160 people attend, with 103 If you missed it, you missed good meals and, without question, staying for the meal. The Kirkwell Cattle Company out of one of the best Rendezvous ever held. Colorado served a meal of brisket, baked potato, bread, and beans. They also brought a wagon with wooden wheels. Many The fall chapter meeting was held Sunday, October 21, in the attendees enjoyed a ride in the wagon being pulled by two fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church in Larned, draft horses. Kansas. It featured a home-style dinner served by the church. Following the business meeting, Cara Seats presented the Marieta Hauser checked-in everyone with the help of Bill program “Story Map Project” for the National Park Service, Stewart. Jim Groth directed everyone to parking and gave detailing information about 19 important trail sites within introductions and announcements. Guest Larry Cole made the 50 miles of Fort Larned. The results of this study will soon be group familiar with some period firearms. Ed Dowell showed available online in English and Spanish. some items he has found around the site. Ken Weidner displayed the Southern Cheyenne tools and artistry he has The Wet/Dry chapter is in need of a secretary. At our last handcrafted. Linda Peters shared information about the Santa meeting Vicky agreed to do it until someone else could be Fe Trail and Wagon Bed Spring. Several of us gave tours of the found who has the dedication to fill the position. As everyone site. We felt that the event was a success. knows, the secretary pay for the work is great; no one is paid anything in money, but you get the satisfaction of helping the Our next meeting should be on November 13 at 7 p.m. at the chapter. Everyone puts in hours of time to explore and learn Kearny County Museum at 111 S. Buffalo in Lakin, Kansas. more about the Santa Fe Trail, not for just us but for our most We hope to have a program on geocaching, or a talk about important component of the chapter, OUR MEMBERS. Your Marian Russell. dedication and membership are appreciated. Cimarron Cutoff We always appreciate hearing about the other chapters and Elkhart, KS will share information that stresses the importance of the President Jay Williams Santa Fe Trail. The Wet/Dry Chapter extends open invitations for anyone to attend meetings. The future of the Santa Fe Trail This president’s report will be THANK YOUS. Thanks to is now in our hands, and we strive to always keep that vision Billy Barnes, Leon Ellis, Dick Bennin, and Jay Williams for bright and moving forward along our portion of the trail. installing new signs. Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Our group on the committee for the 50th celebration of the Dodge City, KS signing of National Trails Act has been busy for months. President Bill Bunyan Thank you to everyone who helped plan and carry out the event. Friday, the celebration began with a noon meal and a The chapter met in Kinsley for the spring meeting, a joint presentation by Michelle Stevens from the U.S. Forest Service. meeting with the Wet-Dry Chapter. A delicious meal was She spoke about sites on the National Grasslands, which the served by a Kinsley community group. George Elmore, Chief group toured that afternoon. The tour made stops at Tunnerv- Park Ranger at Fort Larned, spoke about the soldier Lean- ille, the National Grasslands Overlook, Middle Spring, the 81 der Herron, whose courier services were shared by both Fort Corrals, and Point of Rocks (in Morton County, Kansas). Dodge and Fort Larned. Elmore talked about the Indian fight Herron and fellow courier Paddy Boyle got involved in Thanks to the Elkhart Theater Group for the skits they per- on Coon Creek in eastern Ford County in 1868. Fifty years formed at the stops. Also to Pat Palmer for his wheelwright later Herron was awarded the Medal of Honor. We listened demonstration at the 81 Corrals. After the Friday evening to a radio broadcast Herron made late in life telling about the meal, we were treated to a very good program by the Prairie Indian fight. Larkspur group. (By the way, they may have to change their name when doing a performance in this part of the country. The five new storyboards for Fort Dodge were completed and Larkspur and cattle do not go together and we do not want to installed by workers at the Fort. The storyboards are located at cause too much excitement.) The Saturday tour left bright and the Custer House, the hospital, the barracks, the storehouse, early around 8:30 a.m. to tour Trujillo Springs and Autograph and the parade ground. The storyboards were dedicated at our Rock. After a great lunch, the group drove to , summer meeting at Fort Dodge. The Wet-Dry Chapter joined which was built by , and his grandson John Carson us, furnishing ice cream; our chapter supplied cookies and gave a performance. A big thank you to our bus driver Carl water. Dr. Leo Oliva gave a presentation about Fort Dodge Brickey for being able to negotiate some pretty tricky and nar- and its history.

30 Wagon Tracks November 2018 row roads. Speaker, Alexa Roberts. Location and time to be announced, and December 8: BFC Board 2019 Planning Meeting Saturday evening several people attended the Okie-Tex Star Party. Too bad the cloudy rainy weather prevented us from Corazon de los Caminos viewing the stars through the telescopes. I was told the star Cimarron, NM party was renamed the Soakie-Tex Star Party this year. John President Doyle Daves Carson presented a great program at the Star Party. Thanks to John for two great programs. The highlight of our 2018 programs was the June meeting at Fort Union National Monument devoted to honoring long- Sunday several people toured the Herzstein Museum in Clay- time SFTA Board member Faye Gaines as “Defender of ton, New Mexico. A very interesting tour was led by Victoria the Santa Fe Trail.” Approximately 60 friends and admirers Baker. An excellent Mexican lunch was enjoyed at the Catho- gathered for a program, led by Corazon member Linda Davis, lic Church Parish Hall. Some people visited the Art Festival, of tributes to Faye from SFTA Vice-president Larry Short, where very nice items were for sale. The cloudy rainy weather Manager Joanne VanCoevern, and others. In July the chapter (which we are not complaining about) kept people from be- met at for an informative talk by Ron Lopez about ing able to go to the area trail sites. Oh well, that will be for the history of the area and its relevance as the site where the another day. Mountain and Cimarron Routes of the SFT joined. On August 25, we joined with the Bent’s Fort Chapter for a program about Last but definitely not least a BIG THANK YOU to all the Marian Sloan Russell. Following Rendezvous in September at people who attended the celebration. Most traveled a great dis- Larned, in October, we joined with the Cimarron Cutoff Chap- tance to be with us on the Cimarron Cutoff Route. If you were ter for a three-day program—Elkhart, KS, Boise City, OK, and not able to attend, I hope this report will inspire you to drive Clayton, NM – to mark the 50th anniversary of the National out our way and see some great SFT sites. By the way, there are Trails Act. more sites to see than just what we were able to go to on the tour. Again, thanks for attending. At our annual meeting to be held in Las Vegas on November 11, we will establish a committee to lead planning and coordi- Our chapter added several new members this year. Thanks for nation of our part in the 2021 commemoration of the opening joining the Cimarron Cutoff Chapter. of the SFT. We anticipate joining with the SFTA, the End of the Trail Chapter, Fort Union National Monument, the Las Bent’s Fort Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation, and the Lamar, CO Historical Society of New Mexico for special programs to be President Kevin Lindahl offered in our area in 2021. At our meeting in November, Rudy Laumbach will present a talk about his ancestors and their as- On October 20 the chapter visited historic places in the Kim, sociation with the SFT. Colorado, area. The first stop was the Kim community schools built under the New Deal. Then we travelled to two abandoned The first Corazon meeting of 2019 is tentatively scheduled for towns, two cemeteries, and along the way viewed Granada-Ft. Saturday, January 12, at Elida’s Restaurant in Springer, New Union Military Road ruts. Mexico. The meeting will focus on planning the 2019 monthly Upcoming meetings are November 10: Education meeting; programs and will include a speaker (to be determined). End of the Trail Santa Fe, NM President Joy Poole

Saturday - November 17, 1:30 – 3:30. “Women Writers on the Santa Fe Trail” is offered by the End of the Trail Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA) through the SFTA Speak- er’s Bureau program. Presenter: Leo Oliva, Ph.D.

Some of the first women to travel across present-day Kansas were travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. The presentation will look at the adventures and reflections of four women who wrote their own stories. One woman traveled with her husband’s wagon train in 1846, while another traveled back and forth five times between the ages of 7 and 17. The most famous woman Photo: Jay Williams Photo: to be discussed, however, was Julia Archibald Holmes, who later became the first women to climb Pike’s Peak in Colorado.

Leo Oliva is a historian with a research focus on 19th-century Kansas. He is the author of Soldiers on the Santa Fe Trail, six books for the Kansas Fort Series, and was a founding member of the Santa Fe Trail Association and Fort Larned Old Guard. Cimarron Cutoff Chapter members (l. to r.) Billy Barnes, Leon Ellis, and Dick Bennin pose after setting new area signs.

November 2018 Wagon Tracks 31 Santa Fe Trail Association 1046 Red Oaks NE Albuquerque, NM 87122 www.santafetrail.org

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EVENTS

November 10: CO. Bent’s Fort Chapter September 25, 2019: St. Louis, MO. June 12, 2021: near Council Grove, KS. education meeting SFTA board meeting Symphony in the Flint Hills on the Santa Fe Trail November 11: Las Vegas, NM. Cora- September 25-28, 2019: St. Louis, MO. zon de los Caminos planning meeting. SFTA Symposium September 22-25, 2021: Bent’s Old Rudy Laumbach presentation April 17-18, 2020: Location TBD. SFTA Fort, CO. SFTA Symposium November 13: Lakin, KS. Wagon Bed /NPS Workshop and SFTA board meeting For information on additional Fort Spring meeting activities: See www.nps.gov/planyour- September 24-26, 2020: Larned, KS. visit/event-search.htm. See also www. November 17: Santa Fe, NM. End of SFTA Rendezvous santafetrail.org for more details. the Trail Chapter, “Women Writers of April 16-17, 2021: Location TBD. SFTA the Santa Fe Trail” /NPS Workshop and SFTA board meeting December 1, 2018: Research grant ap- plications deadline December 1, 2018: Independence, MO. MRO Chapter luncheon December 7-8: La Junta, CO. NPS Bent’s Old Fort traditional holiday celebration December 8: CO. Bent’s Fort Chapter Pat Palmer, wheelwright and Board 2019 planning meeting former president of the Bent’s January 10, 2019: Wagon Tracks sub- Fort Chapter of the SFTA, dem- mission deadline onstrates how to create a wagon January 12, 2019: Springer, NM. Cora- wheel during the October 5-6 zon de los Caminos meeting event “Bright Days and Starry

March 22-23, 2019: Las Vegas, NM. Nights Along the Santa Fe Trail” Ruth Friesen Photos: SFTA /NPS Workshop and SFTA in the Elkhart/Boise City/Clay- board meeting ton area.

32 Wagon Tracks November 2018