Quarterly Publication of the Santa Fe Trail Association Volume 33 ♦ Number 1 November 2018

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Quarterly Publication of the Santa Fe Trail Association Volume 33 ♦ Number 1 November 2018 Quarterly Publication of the Santa Fe Trail Association volume 33 ♦ number 1 November 2018 Warfare and Death on the Santa Fe Trail ♦ page 10 Selections from Rendezvous Presentations ♦ page 16 Business Techniques in the Santa Fe Trade ♦ page 19 Why the Cherokee Trail 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 western Wyoming), these watercolors are a unique record of the closing years of the western fur trade. 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, Kansas. 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 Cheyenne-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 William Becknell 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, Comanche, 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 Trails 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.
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