Wagon Tracks Volume 6 Article 1 Issue 3 Wagon Tracks Volume 6, Issue 3 (May 1992)

1992 Wagon Tracks. Volume 6, Issue 3 (May, 1992) Santa Fe Trail Association

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VOLUME 6 . MAY 1992 NUMBER 3

CORONADO TRAILASSN JAMES BRICE'S TRAIL REMINISCENCES, PART I CONFERENCE SET FOR LAS Introduction VEGAS, NM, AUG. 21- 23, 1992 James Brice was born in Donegal, by Richard Flint Donegal County, Ireland. in 1832. He married Mary Whelan in 1857 and THE Coronado Trail Association will they traveled to America the same hold a conference entitled MWhere Did year. In 1858 they arrived in Inde­ the Encuentro Happen in the South­ pendence. Missouri. and James Brice west? Questions of the Coronado Ex­ was soon employed by Santa Fe Trall pedition's Route" at New Mexico High­ mall contractors. Hall & Porter. to help lands University in Las Vegas. August transport the mails to and from Santa 21-23. 1992. The program is designed Fe. Mary Brice died in 1883 and James to address the limits ofcurrent knowl­ died in 1908. Both were buried at St. edge of the first encounter between Mary's Cemetery at Woodlawn in Inde­ Europeans and indigenous peoples in pendence. the Southwest during 1540-1542; on­ A short time before his death, James going research into where the encoun­ Brice wrote and published his MRemi­ ter occurred, what peoples were di­ niscences of Ten Years Experience on rectly affected by it, and what the im­ the Western Plains," a 24-page booklet mediate effects were; and directions James Brice In his later years. He with illustrations byKansas Cityartist helped transportthe mall overthe Santa for continued research and prospects Frank Carey. The book contains sig­ Fe Trail during the late 1850s and 1860s for its regional coordination. nificant details about Ufe and \1azards The conference will open on Friday and later published his reminiscences. ofmail parties and others on the Santa This rare document Is reprinted here. evening, August 21, with registration. Fe Trail. Onlyone ofthe original copies a banquet, and speakers (Senator Jeff of this booklet is known to exist, but Bingaman of NM and New Mexico MORE TRAIL VISITOR photocopies have been placed at sev­ Highlands UniversityPresidentGilbert RECORDS SET IN 1991 eral Trall sites. A great-grandson of Sanchez), followed bya business meet­ James Brice, Robert E. Brice of Inde­ ing of the Coronado Trail Association. In addition to the 1991 visitation re­ pendence. on behalf of the Brice de­ Five consecutive conference sessions cords at the National ParkServicesites scendents, generously provided a copy are planned for Saturdayand Sunday, along the Trail reported in the last for Wagon Tracks and granted permis­ August 22 and 23. The first session issue. several othersites have reported sion to reprint it here and. later, as a will deal with what is known and what increases in 1991 over the previous separate booklet. The original illus­ is not known about the Coronado ex­ year. SFTA Publicity Coordinator trations are reproduced. The text ofthe pedition and its contacts with native Mike Pitel has requested information original is presented,here without cor­ peoples. The ~econd will consider from sites all along the Trall. rections of spelling or commentary. It Coronado expedition route research. Dianaand Joe Stein report that their will continue in the next issue. The The third will discuss regional re­ La Galerla de los Artesaiios bookstore booklet, when published. will include search coordination. The fourth will be in Las Vegas. NM, had an increase of annotation. Special thanks are ex­ concerned with material culture ofthe nearly 1.000 visitors in 1991 over tended to the Brice family for making encuentro in the Southwest. The fifth 1990. most ofthe increase from people this valuable material available to the will focus on the archaeology and eth­ outside New Mexico who were at­ Santa Fe Trail Association. nohistory of mid-sixteenth-century tracted by the Trall and Las Vegas Reminiscences ofTen Years Experi. contact sites. architecture. Betty Romero, director of enceon the Western Plains: How the An excellent conference is antici­ the Coronado QUivira Museum in United States Mails Were Carried I..'" • pated, and the tentative program and Lyons. KS. recorded a total of 7.325 beforeRailroadsReached the Santa registration information is included in visitors in 1991, an increase of 26% Fe Trail by James Brice the mailed copies of this issue. All over the previous year. Ralph Hatha­ members of SFTA are welcome to at­ way disclosed that Ralph's Ruts at­ IN 1858 I was employed by Messrs. tend the conference, and many will tracted 442 known visitors, an in­ Hall & Porter. overland mall contrac­ want to join the Coronado Trail Asso­ crease of 47% over any previous year. tors. as helper, carrying the United ciation and receive its quarterly news­ Ruth Olson. director of the Santa Fe States weekly mail from Inde­ letter. El Viaje. For more information Trall Center near Lamed. KS, stated pendence. Jackson County, Missouri. about the Coronado conference and that the center had 9.893 visitors in to SantaFe, NewMexico. 775 miles, on local accommodations. please contact 1990 and 11.493 in 1991 (an increase a schedule oftwenty-one days, signing Shirley Flint. Conference Coordinator. ofabout 16%). although the peak year Articles ofAgreement to serve one year PO Box 216, Villanueva. New Mexico for visitation at the site remains 1986 or forfeit ten dollars per month of my 87583 (505) 421-2515. when over 14.000 people were there. (continued on page 19)

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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN YOUNG MEMBER HONORED RAILS TO TRAILS EVERY member ofSFTA who is inter­ FOR OKLAHOMA EFFORTS PROMOTION, OCTOBER 3 ested in the operation of the Associa­ NORMAGene Young. charter member THE national program of converting tion is invited to attend the meeting of of SFTA from Boise City. OK, was re­ abandoned railroads to hiking and the governing board at the Santa Fe cently honored by the Oklahoma Heri­ biking trails continues with the sup­ Trail Center west of Larned on Thurs­ tage Association for her outstanding port ofthe Rails to Trails Conservancy. day. May 28. at 1:30 p.m.. just prior to contributions to the preservation and The Conservancydoes not promote the the opening of the 1992 Rendezvous: publication of the history of Cimarron abandonment of active railroad lines; In addition to the reports of officers County(the Oklahomacountythrough but it works to preserve abandoned or and committees. attentionwillbe given which the Santa Fe Trail passed). Mrs. about-to-be abandoned corridors for to the relationsWp ofchapters and the public use. That organization is plan­ Young is probablybest known to SFTA ,."" governing board. A series of proposed members for her 1986 history of Ci­ ning the first National Rail-Trail Cele­ changes for the bylaws will be consid­ marron County. Not a Stoplight in the bration for October 3. 1992. coinciding ered for submission to the next mem­ County. with the anticipated opening of the bership business session of SFTA at nation's 500thabandoned rail corridor the 1993 Symposium at La Junta and A resident of Boise City since 1926. conversion. Bent's Old Fort.. Norma Gene has been active in pre­ serving the history of Cimarron Under the slogan of"500 Trails-One The increase in the number of visi­ County for many years. Working with Great Idea."events around thecountry tors reported at Trail sites is most en­ her late father. Roy Butterbaugh, and . will feature speakers and various ac­ couraging. and SFTA and its many her husband, Bob Young (also a char­ tivities, including hikes. marathons. active chapters undoubtedly ~ontr1b­ ter member'ofSFTA), she put together bicycle tours. horse rides. bird counts. ute to tWs, along with the publicity the special historical editions of The Boise tree plantings, walkathons. skating Trail receives in the media. Those City News in 1957 and in 1968. After demonstrations. wheelchair races, chapters that are engaged in preserv­ retiring from the newspaper. she com­ and much more. ing Trail remnants. improving sites. pleted and published in 1989 a 397­ In March 1992. a total of4.890 miles erecting Signs. hosting programs, and page collection of family histories of of rails-trails were open to the public. sponsoringtours to lesser-known and. early settlers ofthe county. the profits It was estimated that more than 50 sometimes. generally inaccessible lo­ of which are going to the Cimarron million people utilized them duringthe cations are fulnIling the goals of SFTA County Historical Society. In 1991 a previous year. The rails-trails mileages to preserve. protect, and promote the second volume of 500 pages was pub­ in the Santa Fe Trail states in March historic Trail. We all need to keep up lished which contains additional infor­ 1992 were Missouri. 205 miles; Colo­ the good work and encourage each mation on the area. including church. rado. 72; Oklahoma, 10; Kansas. I; other to offer programs of interest to school, business, and community his­ and New Mexico. O. The proposed the general public. The more people tories. American Discovery Trail will utilize who are introduced to the Trail and its some of the rails-trails corridors. The fascinating stories. the more addicted Young's leadership played an impor­ states with the most rails-trails miles Trail buffs there will be to sustain our tant part in obtaining a million dollar were Wisconsin with 792; Michigan, goals. Let's keep the Trail alive. bequest from a former resident of 624; Iowa. 401; Minnesota. 372; Boise City, Charles French. to endow -Bill Pitts Washington. 369; and Pennsylvania; the erection ofa new county museum. 303. Many more are planned. She is involved in the planningfor this ACT PLANS CONTINUE museum project. For all this work. WAGON TRACKS is the official publication Norma Gene was awarded the Okla­ of the Santa Fe Trail Association. a non-profit THE preliminary survey of the Ameri­ homa Heritage Distinguished Service organization incorporated under the laws of can Discovery Trail from coast to the State ofColorado. Letters and articles are Award for preservation of state and welcome. but they become the property of WT coast, which follows the Santa Fe Trail local history on March 26. 1992. Con­ and may be edited or abridged at the editor's across parts ofColorado. Kansas. and gratulations to Norma Gene Young. discretion. All rights reserved. Inquiries can Missouri. has been completed. A na­ . and may she be "Forever Young." be directed to the appropriate addresses below. tional coordinator. Reese Lukei, has Annual SUbscriptions are obtained through membership in the Association, whose dues been secured and state coordinators are fIXed per calendar year. Checks should be have been named for the 12 states RUTS IN SANTA FE made payable to the Santa Fe Trail Associa­ which the ADT crosses. SFTA member MIKE Pitel ofSanta Fe. who serves so tion and sent to the secretary-treasurer. Membership Categories Dick Dilsaver ofWichita is the Kansas capably as SFTA publicity director in coordinator. The names of other state Benefactor $1,000 addition to his responsibilities with.the Patron $100/year coordinators were not available. New Mexico Dept. ofTravel & Tourism. Institutional $25/year The final determination ofsome seg­ Family, $15/year recently completed a. survey of Santa IndiVIdual $10/year. ments of the ADT remain to be made Fe Trail ruts within the City of Santa Editor: Leo E. Oliva, RR 1, Box 31, Wood­ and a gUidebook will then be prepared Fe. The results of that survey are now ston, KS 67675 for the use ofhikers. bikers, and horse­ available on a handsomely-crafted President: Bill Pitts. 7811 NE 10th #202, back riders. The Rockport Shoe Co. map (8.5 inches by 34 inches). On the Midwest City. OK 73110 ." will sponsor Rockport's American Dis­ back ofthe map is extensive text. writ­ Vice-President: Mark L Gardner, PO Box covery Trail-Blazer Day on September ten by Pitel and Linda Tigges. explain­ 879, Cascade, CO 80809 12. 1992. when plans call for someone ing the survey, providing documenta­ Secretary-Treasurer: Ruth Olson, Santa to be hiking or biking on every mile of tion, and summarizing the results. Fe Trail Center. RR 3, Lamed, KS 67550 the 4.835 miles ofADT across the na­ This fine addition to Trail scholarship 1993 Symposium Coordinator: Donald C. tion at the same time. The ADT will is available at no charge from Linda Hill, 621 San Juan Ave., La Junta. CO 81050 help bring further attention to the Tigges, CityPlanning. SantaFe. phone Publicity Coordinator: Michael E. Pitel. Tano Rd., Rt 4. Box 240, Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Trail. and SFTA continues to (505) 984-6609 or FAX (505) 984­ 87501 promote the ADT. 6612.

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MORE RESPONSES TO AUTO frequent repetition of the markers, It was a great scouting and learning blue and red on a white background. trip which provided us with a climactic CLUB OF SO. CAL. SIGNS provided continuity and a friendly fa­ adventure upon reaching the Missouri PREVIOUS articles about the Na­ miliarity as well as utility. River at Kansas City. A rainstorm tional Old Trails Road marked by the The big trip soon brought us to the made muck of the approach to the Automobile Club of Southern Califor­ Mojave Desert and the Joshua Tree. bridge. necessitating recruitment of a nia, including portions ofthe Santa Fe Riverside, CA, had the impressive Mis­ team ofhorses (or mules) to haul us to Trail which were marked in 1914 and sion Inn and a memorial to Junipero it. There were few paved roads. outside 1915, have sparked additional memo­ Serra, father of the California mis­ of California and New York. We went ries that deserve to be shared. These sions. At Seligman. AZ. one of our on to Chicago via southern lllinois af­ stories, too, are part of the heritage of wheels was seen rolling ahead of us ter spendingan exciting month follow­ o. ing the Santa Fe Trail. I the Santa Fe Trail. while its side of the car lost altitude. Ralph Hathaway, Chase, KS: We waited several days for a steering The National Old Trails Road and the knuckle from Los Angeles. Near Wins­ Santa Fe Trail. with their cherished Here's another bit of information I low, AZ. we enjoyed a tour ofMeteor signs, were indelibly impressed upon • recall regarding the signs. At a point Crater. my memory, encouraging travel and six miles east of Ellinwood. KS. the adventure. and eventually resulting in east-bound traveler was directed to There were several Fred Harvey my return to reside in Santa Fe for the turn north and go through the small houses in the area. one named for Fray past 21 years. I became a Trail, travel. village of Silica. Silica was important Marcos. We stopped at the petrified and New Mexico history buff. I have so locally as a grain market: there were forest south of Holbrook. AZ, and at enjoyed the information about the two grain elevators there. There were Chevalon Chasm. in intensely scenic highway signs and appreciate the op­ three or four houses and a small coun­ country. our tent was surrounded in portunity to add my fond memories of try store with one gas pump out front. the morning by endless sheep. At Al­ buquerque we camped at Old Town a pioneer trip by auto along the Trail. At the next intersection the motorist Plaza: no problem, there was a dearth was directed east. past the site ofPlum of cars and campgrounds. NATIONAL TRAILS DAY Buttes and the Hathaway farm, for a distance ofsix miles, thence south one Mother gleaned from her ever-pre­ JUNE 5,1992 sent gUidebook that south ofSanta Fe mile through Chase, and then east NATIONAL Trails Day is set for Satur­ again toward Lyons. So for a few years we were approaching La Bajada Hill, a former volcano. with a narrow, day, June 5. 1992. to coincide with the the main east-west auto route went 25th anniversaryofthe NationalTrails past our house. I recall as a kid back sharply-curving dirt road. with fre­ quent hairpin turns at which the Systems Act which created scenic and in the 1920s watching for cars with historic trails. A variety of locations. out-of-state license plates. One of my driver was advised to back up to nego­ tiate. Poor Dad, our only driver! Then activities, and events are planned. prized possessions at that time was an Community pathways, urban green­ attractive sign bearing the name MLos we browsed in Santa Fe at Cande­ laria's Curio Shop, emblazoned in yel­ ways, rail-trails. and long-distance Angeles" which fell from some trav­ wilderness hiking trails all will be in­ eler's car because of the rough dirt low with a native carreta on the roof. There we heard it pronounced MSanta volved. and participants will include roads. And believe me there were walkers, hikers, cyclists. backpackers. rough roads then, even at the cruising Fee." The first thing I did when I re­ turned 55 years later was to look for equestrians. bird-watchers. runners. speed of 25 and sometimes 30 miles and everyone who uses and enjoys an hour. Candelaria's, which was still there. its yellow glory faded a bit and the carreta trails. This routing was highly impractical The day is designed to promote all but it must have been an effort to still on the roofwhere it remains to this day. I was content. types of trails. including historic direct traffic through as many towns routes such as the Santa Fe Trail. For as possible. Tourism was important We camped in our tent on the plaza at Las Vegas, NM. We passed Wagon additional information, contact Na­ even at that time. Incidentally. there is tional Trails Day. 1776 Massachusetts still one grain elevator at Silica. Every­ Mound. near where 12 years later. in 1929. Mother and I were on a bus Ave.. Room 212, Washington. DC thing else is gone. 20036,phone(202)833-8229. Kenneth Anglemire, Santa Fe: going to Los Angeles which slid into a ditch dUring a tremendous rainstorm. I was so excited by the discovery of We walked back to Wagon Mound in ANIMAL MONUMENT TO BE the old signs as reported in WI' and the rain, and there we were royally ON OREGON TRAIL which I had actuallyseen as a boy and hosted by townsfolk (nary a hotel). We remembered so well, that I thought I were unaware in 1917 that Springer MARIE Belt. SFTA member from La should testify as an eyewitness and was the point to turn off to follow on Jolla. CA, has announced that the provide the following account of an the Cimarron Route to Point of Rocks, monument to honor animals in the auto trip in 1917, which I hope will be the Clayton Complex. Boise City, and history of the American West will be of interest to readers. That trip, by the other points. We continued to Raton, placed along the Oregon Trail in Ne­ way, also accounts for my being here which was pronounced MRatoon." The braska. where a farmer donated two in Santa Fe. Mountain Route led us to Trinidad and acres for the project. Grant funds were • My family took a camping trip in the La Junta, where Mother forgot a available for this endeavor. as an­ spring of 1917 on the National Old sweater which reached Chicago before nounced in an earlier WI'. Trails Road from Los Angeles to Kan­ we did. I remember seeing DAR mark­ Belt was seeking land along an over­ sas City and on to Chicago. I saw those ers along the old Santa Fe Trail. and I land trail where the public could visit signs in all their pristine glory, a truly remember many towns through which the monument. This has been resolved memorable experience recurring at in­ we passed as we followed the Trail and the plot is now being landscaped tervals over these many years. There (Lamar, Lakin, Garden City. Dodge in preparation for the memorial. Addi­ are countless reminiscences ofthe trip City, Larned, Pawnee Rock. Great tional information will be passed on as aboard a 4-cylinder Studebaker. The Bend, Council Grove. and others). it becomes available.

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BOISE CITY TRAIL DAZE picnic tables, and restrooms will be Rogers. "Native American Tribal Art installed next year. Forms." August 1; a fashion show of The annual Santa Fe Trail Daze will the 1860s on August 8; a program by be celebrated at Boise City. OK, June BOGGSVILLE UPDATE SFTA member and Heart of the Flint 4-7, 1992. There will be a variety of Hills Chapter President Don Cress. activities. including a parade, races. THE Boggsville Revitalization Com­ "Trail Tales from the Heart ofthe Flint food. music, dance, and competitive mittee has established its priorities for Hills." August 15; folkSinger Jim events. including the world champion theimmediate future ofthe restoration Krause with a program of traditional post hole digging contest. There will of the historic Santa Fe Trail commu­ Kansas songs on August 24; and a also be a free tour ofBlack Mesa area, nity. First, the committeewill continue living-history program. "A Bloomer reservations required. For more infor- work on the preservation and restora­ Girl on the Santa Fe TraU." presented . mation or to make reservations. con­ tion of the Prowers House. Second. a by Kathy Brown on August 29. restroom facility will be constructed at tact the Boise City CofC at (405) 544­ The series is sponsored by the Morris 3344. the temporary visitors' center. Third, a plan will be developed for the new visi­ CountyHistorical Societywith funding Boise City is the seat of Cimarron tors' center. Fourth, plans for the re­ by the Nystrom Foundation, Council • County, the only county in the United construction of the Carson House will Grove Community Arts Council. and States that touches four statebounda­ begin. the Kansas State Historical Society. ries beyond its own state (Kansas. For more information. contact site cu­ Colorado, NewMexico, and Texas). The Officers of the Revitalization Com­ rator Ron Parks, Kaw Mission. 500 N Cimarron Route of the TraU crossed mittee in 1992 are Chairman John Mission. Council Grove. KS 66846 present Cimarron County and the Carson. Vice-Chairman Frank Scal­ (316) 767-5410. junction of the Aubry Route and the sey. Secretary Marge Huffman, and Cimarron Route occurred in the Treasurer Sue Petersen. A fund-rais­ WOLF WAGON WORKS county. OtherTraU sites include Camp ing project underway is the publica­ Nichols, Autograph Rock, Upper Ci­ tion of a cookbook. for which recipes SFTA member Mike McDonald of marron Spring (also Flag Spring). and are now being solicited. Send recipes Santa Fe recently met the folks at Wolf Cold Spring. Everyone is invited tojoin for consideration to Boggsville .Cook­ Wagon Works and thought some read­ in the festivities at Boise City. book. PO Box 68, Las Animas CO ers could use the information and eve­ 81054. ryone would be interested to know that WAYSIDES IN COLORADO The Back to Boggsvtlle Day and Craft such skills are still being practiced. Fair is scheduled for September 19, John Wolf builds authentic reproduc­ THE U.S. Forest Service is developing 1992. Crafts people are invited to par­ tions and restores horse-drawn wag­ three sites in Otero County along the ticipate. Everyone is invited to join the ons, from fully equipped chuckwagons historic Santa Fe TraU where travelers Friends ofBoggsville (individual mem­ to spring hack surreys with the fringe can stop and learn more about the bership is $15.00 per year and family on top. Need a buckboard or some area. Jamie Kingsbury of the Co­ membership is $25.00). Membership wheelwright work? John and his fam­ manche National Grasslands office at includes the quarterly newsletter, ily can fulfill your needs. Chuck boxes, La Junta recentlyannounced the loca­ BoggsvUle Times, and a discount on Dutch ovens, wat~r barrels,wagon tions. One will be at Sierra Vista. just --items sold at the visitorS' center. Send bows, cart wheels, harness, collars. north of the junction of Colorado 71 dues to Boggsville Revitalization Com­ sleigh runners. sleigh bells, and driv­ and U.S. 350. Three miles to thesouth, mittee, PO Box 68, Las Animas, CO ing bits are all available from this tal­ another wayside will be developed at 81054. ented family. Ifyou have need for their Timpas on the west side of U.S. 350. services, contact the Wolf Wagon The third will be built at Iron Springs, KAW MISSION COUNCILS Works, PO Box 927, Crossroads, NM just east of U.S. 350 on Otero County 88114. Road 9, about 18 miles southwest of THE Kaw Mission State Historic Site at Council Grove, KS, will present a La Junta. FOUO FEATURES TRAIL At each site there will be parking for series of"Kaw Mission Councils" at the cars, RVs, and buses. A "Travelers on site dUring the summer of 1992. Pro­ GREGORY Franzwa and his Patrice the Santa Fe Trail" interpretive sign grams will feature historians. tradi­ Press, now located in Tucson, con­ will be erected to highlight a variety of tional craftsmen and artists, musi­ tinue to publlshJoZio for paid subscrib­ frontier travelers. Benches will be in­ cians, and living-history demonstra­ ers only ($12.00 per year). Franzwa tors. No admission will be charged for stalled to give people a place to sit and continues his interest in the Santa Fe ponder. Markers will be placed to di­ the hour-long programs. as well as the Oregon Trail, and recent rect visitors to the route of the TraU. SFTA Ambassador David Clapsaddle issues ofJoZio contain much about the and hikingand horseback ridingalong of Larned will open the series with "A Santa Fe TraU. The February 1992 the Trail will be encouraged. Kings­ Dramatic Interpretation of Seth Hays" issue contains an article about SFTA bury noted that the path of the TraU on June 6. On June 20 Robert and Ambassador Paul Bentrup's finding of ,-' has been marked with limestone posts Eddie Hiebert ofAbilene will present a the gravesite of Will Sloan. brother of every 600 feet where it crosses the musical program, featUring dulcimers. Marian Sloan Russell. at the VA Hos­ National Grasslands. DAR markers. Valley Falls blacksmith Jim Bevan will pital Cemetery at Fort Leavenworth. In reportedly, will be moved closer to the demonstrate his craft on July 11; Mike the same issue is the story of SFTA waYSides, although such relocation of and BelindaAdams, interpreters ofthe Vice-President Mark L. Gardner's dis­ these markers has been discouraged fur-trade era, will perform a dramatic covery ofMarian Sloan and Richard D. by several responsible organizations. interpretation. "The Scout· and the Russell's marriage certificate, a copy of The Timpas site will have a nature Schoolteacher" on July 19; and SFTA which was reproduced. With quality trail, .restrooms, and picnic tables. The member and singer Clara Goodrich material like this. not even available to construction of roads and trails is will perform "Songs of the Santa Fe WT,JoZio may well be as important a scheduled to be completed this year Trail Period" on July 25. publication to Santa Fe TraU enthusi­ and the interpretive signs. benches, August programs will include Dennis asts as WT.

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. 1992 BIKE TREK SET Masterpiece Tours. PO Box 5033• Topeka. KS 66605 (800) 358-3079. WILLARD Chilcott. chainnan of the ext. 242. or (913) 233-6053. The cost Santa Fe Trail Bicycle Committee. has is $542 per person double occupancy announced that plans are all set for and $737 single occupancy. Reserva­ the third annual trek from Santa Fe to tions must be made by July 3. A $50 New Franklin. September 19 to Octo­ deposit per person will secure a reser­ ber 9. 1992. This trip ofapproximately vation. 1.096 miles is similar to the previous Barton County Community College two rides and provides a unique oppor­ will conduct two traveling seminars in tunity to view the route of the historic the fall. On September 12-13. SFTA • Trail. Ambassador David Clapsaddle will l , Riders mayjoin and leave the trek at lead a tour of the Fort Leavenworth SlONE CORRAL SCHOOL any point or ride the entire distance. Road which connected to the main MAY BE PRESERVED Rest days are scheduled for Trinidad. Santa Fe Trail near present-day Dodge City. and Council Grove. Time Olathe. with stops at Fort Leaven­ . by Ralph Hathaway is included along the way to visit his­ worth. Grinter House. and Shawnee THE Rice County Historical Society is toric sites and museums. For further Mission. An added treat will be a visit studyingthe feasibility ofacquiringthe infonnation or to reserve space on this to the Arabia Museum in Kansas City. old Stone Corral School. The owners of trek. contact Chilcott. 885 Camino Del which contains a collection of 19th­ the fann on which the building is lo­ Este. Santa Fe. NM 87501. century artifacts recovered from the cated have indicated a desire to donate capsized steamboat Arabia which was the building and one or more acres of TRAIL TOURS OFFERED excavated in recent years. ground to the Societyso that the build­ A visit to the Washita Battle Site in ing can be preserved and restored. AT least three group tours of major Oklahoma. October 24-25. will also be Stone Corral School is located about portions of the Santa Fe Trail will be led by Clapsaddle and include stops at one and one-half miles south and available this summer for interested • Fort Dodge and Camp Supply. This will three-fourths mile west of the Trail travelers. In addition. two Trail-related be a repeat of the trip conducted in crossing of the Little Arkansas River mini-tours are available in the fall April 1992. For further infonnation on and the site of the Stone Corral. Local through Barton County Community these two traveling seminars. contact historians say the school was bunt in College at Great Bend. The Wet/Dry Elaine Simmons. BCCC. RR 3 Box 1878. All the stone used came from the Routes Chapter ofSFTA will sponsor a 136Z. Great Bend. KS 67530 (316) old Stone Corral which was being dis­ tour ofthe Wet Route in October. 792-2701. mantled as the demand for stone in­ SFTA member Irvin Summers. Over­ On October 10 the Wet/Dry Routes creased. Much of the stone went to land Park. KS. will offer one or more Chapter will offer a bus tour ofthe Wet Nickerson for the construction of a guided trips over the Trail in 1992. and Route. led by Clapsaddle. Stops along railroad roundhouse. Some went to he may be contacted for further infor­ the way will include major crossings at various farms in the area for building mation at 9636 Roe. Overland Park KS Pawnee Forkand Coon Creek. thesites foundations. The Nickerson round­ 66207 (913) 648-0509. His itinerary of Indian engagements at Love's De­ house is long gone and all other stone and prices were not available at press feat. Battle of Coon Creek. and has lost its identity. all except the time. Gabriel's Barbecue. and numerous stone in the school building. SFTA member Ray Breun ofSt. Louis campsites. Reservations are reqUired The significant feature of the Stone will co-host a tour with Marshall before September 28. and the tour is Corral School is that we can be certain Crosby ofthe Missouri Botanical Gar­ limited to 90 participants. The cost is that the stone in its walls came from den. MTravels through Natural History: $10. To reserve space. send payment the old Stone Corral. The corral is Santa Fe Trail Nature and History.M to Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. PO Box completely gone but this school build­ July 20-29. departing from St. Louis 21. Offerle. KS 67563. ing. in use from 1878 to 1946. stands with overnight stops at Westport. as a monument to the Stone Corral Great Bend. La Junta. Taos. Santa Fe OCTA CONVENTION AT and the Santa Fe Trail. (2 nights). Amarillo. Oklahoma City. ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING It appears that every member of the and Tulsa. Graduate credit may be Rice County Historical Societyand the received for this tour through the Uni­ AUGUST 12-15 Coronado Quivira Museum staff hope versity of Missouri St. Louis. The cost THE tenth annual convention of the tosave this landmark. The bigproblem is $1350 per person double occupancy Oregon-California Trails Association is the cost of restoration-the roof. or $1716 single occupancy. To make will be held atRock Springs. Wyoming. floor. and windows will have to be re­ reservations or· obtain more infonna­ August 12-15. 1992. An outstanding placed. and much work needs to be Bon. contact the AAA Travel program is planned. including work­ done on the walls. inside and out. Agency/Group Tours. 12901 N Forty shops. speakers. and tours to South Members ofthe Stone Corral Chapter. Dr. St. Louis. MO 63141 and ask for Pass. Fort Bridger. and a float trip on NSDAR. are working toward documen­ the Santa Fe Trail Tour. Reservations the Green River. Additional infonna­ • tation ofthe site for its inclusion in the must be made by June 5. tion and registration fonns may be National Register of Historic Places. SFTA members Leo and Bonita Oliva obtained from OCTA. PO Box 1019. We invite comments and suggestions will gUide their sixth bus tour of the Independence. MO 64501-0519. After from members of the Santa Fe Trail Trail. August 8-16. departing from the July 1 a late registration fee will be Association. Letters may be sent to Kansas Museum ofHistory at Topeka. assessed. Many SFTA members also Ralph Hathaway. RR 1 Box 28. Chase. following the Trail from Fort Osage via belong to OCTA. and those who do not KS 67524 or Betty Romero. Director. the Cimarron Route to Santa Fe. and should consider joining. Membership Coronado QUivira Museum. 105 West returning via the Mountain Route. infonnatlon may be obtained from the Lyon. Lyons. KS 67554. Travel arrangements are provided by above address.

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SFNHT LOGO POUCY in the Comprehensive Management TRAIL HERITAGE KIT AT and Use Plan are in the public domain. by David Gaines They may be reproduced without per­ FORT UNION IN the last issue of Wagon Tracks. in mission. by T. J. Sperry the review of Walter D. Yoder's book. Thank you for the opportunity to FORT Union National Monument has there was a question regarding Na­ clear up any understanding about or received a $2.000 grant from a special tional Park Service criteria for the use policy on reproduction of the logo. If education outreach fund set up by the of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail you have further questions. please call National Park Service. This enabled logo. I would like to explain our poli­ me at (505) 988-6888. the staffat FUNM to create a Santa Fe cies. Trail Heritage Education Kit for use in The logo is primarily intended for KANSAS TRAILS PLANS local schools and community organi­ marking national historic trail sites zations. The kit contains replicas of and segments. auto tour routesigning. THE Kansas Department of Wildlife material objects associated with the and official National Historic Trail and Parks hosted a conference ofsome Trail. Signs. publications. and interpretive 40 representatives of various groups. includingthe SFTA. atAbilene on April The materials tell the Trail story from media. Although the design ofthe logo 11 to discuss the future use oftrails in its earliest beginnings with various was substantially completed early in the state. The development of a Heri- Pueblo-Plains trade routes. the Span- the trail planningprocess. the logo was r1; T ails Plan r1; db th Kan ish colonial era. Mexican inde- not officially adopted until the May 25. taf;e r was urf;e y e - sas legislature in 1991. and this meet- pendence. the development ofthe New 1990. approval of the Comprehensive Mexican-Missouri trade. and the arri­ Managementand Use Plan for the trail. ingwas called to formulate recommen- val of the railroad in 1880. Objects We could not sanction use of the logo dations for the 1993 legislature. SFTA was represented by Wet/Dry Routes include Plains Indian equipment. before the planningwas officially com­ Chapter President Joanne VanCoev- Spanish materials. Anglo and His- pleted. ern of Salina. panic trade items. a packet of U.S. The Santa Fe National Historic Trail Mail. and other things which illustrate logo TW may not be reproduced without The general discussions focused on the various cultures and the changes permission. We will approve the repro­ four main areas: access to trails. pres- each brought to the region. The em- duction of the logo for nonprofit and ervation oftrails for future use. organi- phasis of the program is on positive educational use. usually at no cost. zation and administration oftrail user traits and contributions of each cul- upon written request. if the proposed groups. and funding. The historic tural group. use is consistent with the goals and trails group discussed recognition as a national historic trail. publicity and Memorial Middle School in Las purposes of the SFNHT and is not in promotion. funding. certification. in- Vegas. NM. agreed to help test the kit conflict with NPS policies. regulations. terpretive signs and marking. liability. in March. Park Rangers T. J. Sperry and guidelines. Material presented in ails and Frank Torres made four presenta- not-for-profit (not for sale) interpretive preservation. education a bout tr tions and found the kit to be exceed- for the schools. and landowners. There publications in which the logo is used was consideration of the formation of ingly effective. both as an educational must be factually accurate and we aid~dasastudentthoughtprovoker. ~~ ~ to-~­ a statewide group of representatives _ __ must be afforded the opportunity from the various historic tr3ils organi- ~ ~ -TeacnerSteve McElroystated he could . review such materials. Use may not zations (such as SFTA. OCTA. Pony not remember when his classes had result in a conflict of interest or the Express. and Coronado). For more in- given a subject so much oftheir atten- appearance of a conflict of interest for formation please contact VanCoev- tion. Plans for the kit include prepara- the NPS or its staff. ern. 4773'N Wasserman Way. Salina. tion ofa teacher's guide that will allow The National Park Foundation. on KS 67401 (913) 825-8349. areaschools and communitygroups to our behalf. is now completing the reg­ borrow the kit when park staffare not istration of the logo with the United available for presentations. States Patent Office. Use ofthe logo on DAR SIGNS REFURBISHED commercial products will be subject to Because the lettering on many ofthe obtaining an appropriate license for DAR markers along the Trail has be­ such use. A licensing agent will be come dim and difficult to read. groups engaged to coordinate these activities along the route have been refurbishing and the NPS will be consulted on any them. One of two DAR markers in proposals. Royalties from this licens­ Great Bend. KS. was recently mended ing wUl be deposited in a fund main­ by local monument expert Loyal OUe. tained by the Foundation to support He used black lithochrome to stain the SFNHT programs. Items for which per­ incised letters. Plans are to fix the mission will be granted must be in other marker in Great Bend soon. good taste. of good quality. and have The 14 DAR markers in Pawnee. Ed­ .' relevance to the national historic trail wards. and Ford counties in Kansas and its programs. The NPS does not were recently etched with a special endorse any product or service over white substance to make the letters competltors. and any use of the logo readable again. Darick Barnes. a 14­ must not indicate or imply such en­ year-old freshman at Lewis High dorsement.Once the registration is School. Lewis. KS. did this as a lead­ completed. and a system has been set ership project for his Eagle SCout serv­ up to administer the licensing. appli­ ice project. Scoutmaster Ron Lindberg cation procedures and criteria for ap­ and several other adults were involved proval will be finalized and be available in this work. and David Clapsaddle Scoutmaster Ron Undberg (left) and to anyone requesting them. served as projectadvisor. The Wet/Dry Oarlck Bame. with one of the refur­ As was noted in the review. the maps Routes Chapter organized the project. bished DAR markers.

6 May 1992 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol6/iss3/1 6 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 6, Issue 3 (May, 1992)

MODERN DOVER ROAD "GRASSRUTS MOVEMENT" Blanket for sale since last year. A por­ tion of the profits from the blanket SECTION OF THE SANTA FE ALONG THE TRAIL project was promised to the National TRAIL IN MISSOURI, 1934 by Deanne D. Wright Park Service to assist with develop­ ments along the Santa Fe National by Mrs. Emmet Slusher [Deanne Wright is a member of the staff ofKKSU public radio station at Historic Trail. [SFTA board member Virginia Lee Kansas State University. Manhattan. Dewey recently donated $4,632 from Fisher sent the following article, who presented a series of interviews the sales ofthe Santa Fe Trail Blanket written by her mother in 1934for the with folks along the TraU on her to the National Park Service. Those Missouri Farm Bureau News at the feature program, "Ideas Unlimited." who are interested in the blanket time the Dover Road section ofthe old last summer. She and here husband, should contact Dewey Trading Co., 53 Santa Fe TraU was paved.] Earl, recently joined SFTA.] Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe. NM 87501. I can see from my window the new For years I was curious about the highway completed. Glistening in the Santa Fe Trail because two sets of my DEATH AT PAWNEE ROCK morning sun. dipping and curving, it great-grandparents are buried in a would lead us outward and onward. small cemetery beside the Trail near THE number ofSanta Fe Trail travel­ But while I thrill to gaze upon its new Council Grove. My interest grew with ers killed by Indians at the famous brightness, I am reminded that after the readingofMarc Simmons'sFoUow­ Pawnee Rock landmark in central all it is only a very old road in a new lng the Santa Fe TraU. As soon as the Kansas is much debated, but the re­ dress. And my fancy runs back to the opportunity presented itself. on a re­ cords show that several died and were buried there. It was unusual for any­ days when this. the SantaFe Trail, was turn trip from Albuquerque, my hus­ a pioneer road. band and I followed the Trail with a one to die at the historic site after Trail real sense of adventure. days. According to the family history From the shelter of the house that At every stop we met someone inter­ section of the new history of Ellis was their great-great grandparents. esting who was "tending the Trail" in County, KS, AtHome lnEllis County, in our children look out upon the very some way. From a broadcaster's per­ 1957 Emile Wetig of Seward, KS, a road over which theirgreat-great-great spective, I knew I had a subject which veteran of WWII who brought back a grandparents made their way more listeners would explore with me. The Polish war bride, while on a family than a century ago. Finding the land programs could evoke an appreciation outing, fell to his death from the top of to their liking they settled here. Here a for the rich heritage of the Trail and the platform erected on the summit of number of their descendants remain, give listeners an awareness of histori­ Pawnee Rock. till the soil and find it good. travel the. cal preservation and rural economic That platform has always looked same road and find it better. development along the route. dangerous and this accident proves it. Bands ofroving Indians were no un­ One day. on the air, I casually won­ Perhaps the safety factor could be a .common sight. Oxen worked in the dered if the National Frontier Trails significant consideration in a decision fields or drew rude carts where now Center at Independence had opened. to remove that intrusion from the his­ cars glide by in polished luxury. Trains Soon a loyal listener. Mel Cottom, gen­ toric landmark. Pawnee Rock, of of prairie schooners, in forty eight and erously provided me with excellent in­ course. cannot be restored to its Trail­ forty nine. passed this veryspot, paus­ formation about the Center. the Santa days condition because a considerable ing and pulling up as -one of their Fe Trail Association, and the publica­ portion of the top was removed by number was ferried across Tabo Creek tion, Wagon Tracks. Later Mel and his railroad construction crews and piO­ and another took its place on the ferry. wife. Mary, encouraged me attend the neer settlers. The Kansas State His­ Soldiers in blue and gray have splendid symposium at Arrow Rock torical Society, which administers the marched past our door on this road. It and surrounding communities. site, is making many good improve­ ments there. They should be encour­ has yielded itself to the expansion of The Cottoms were among the first of the western country. Beside it have the Trail buffs rve met who share their aged to remove the platform. grown up homes and churches and enthusiasm for the Trail. Soon I met schools. Life has flowed past, changed Don Cress in Council Grove and saw in degree but remained much thesame how he and his cohorts have diligently elementally. researched. marked, and preserved And while we shall look forward to the Trail through the Flint Hills of the new opportunities toward which Kansas. Although the Trail now re­ the road beckons, let us pledge our­ ceives national recognition. the spon­ HOOF PRINTS taneous support of individuals along selves never to forget the real sub­ TIDBITS~- stance of which highways are built. It the route through the years has truly -TRAIL is not the concrete nor steel nor even been a grassroots effort. One day I When Joe Nardone completed his skillful engineering that builds a road. suddenly perceived the work of Trail ponyexpress ride lastyear. he traveled tenders as the "grassruts movement," They are only the smooth finish on a 2.097 miles on horseback. He spent a and that became the focus of my radio total of 742 hours in the saddle, aver­ base fused of the courage and persist­ series on the Trail. Thanks, Trail ten­ ence, the discouragements and heart­ aging 2.83 miles per hour. He spent 77 ders. for lookingafter the Trail for folks days on horseback, and made the trip aches, the friendships and sympa­ like me and my family. thies. the dreams and idealism of in 87 days. He had three horses with many who have gone before. Only him at all times and usually rode two these give permanence and solidarity TRAIL BLANKETS AID NPS horses each day. to any human structure. Without RAy Dewey. president of the Pendle­ • • • • • them we may look for crumbling and ton/Dewey Trading Co. of Santa Fe Dan and Carol Sharp. owners of decay. Let us take thought for the and the first benefactor member of Sharp Ranch and thesite ofAutograph structure of our highways. SFTA, has offered the Santa Fe Trail Rock on Cold Springs Creek in Cimar-

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ron County, OK, the first landowners receive attention in the media. In Feb­ appears inWT. Our quarterly deserves to be certified as part of the SFNHT. ruary the Kansas City Star and the the enthusiastic support of all SFTA were featured in an article in the Jewish Journal (a Florida newspaper) members. March 1992 Farm Journal, MLand­ carried articles on the Trail. Marc Simmons owners Open Their Gates" by Nancy Travel/Holiday Magazine published PO Box 51 Salisbury. an article in its March issue. and Sun­ Cerrillos, NM 87010 • • • • • set Magazine featured the Trail in its Editor: Southwest edition for May. The Lyons Public Library. Lyons. KS. I have been enjoying the recent copy recently received a grant to purchase • • • • • of Wagon Tracks. as I always do. I books about the Santa Fe Trail. The An article on Kansas in the Spring especially enjoyed the story about collection is available to borrowers 1992 issue of Heartland USA. men­ Marc Simmons that appeared in the through inter-library loan service. For tions the Santa Fe Trail and Ralph's Denver Post. I appreciate the work you " a list of titles available, contact the Ruts (p. 25). do for our newsletter. library at 217 East Ave. South, Lyons. • • • • • Ralph Hathaway KS 67554. RR 1 Box 28 An article on Jedediah Strong Smith • • • • • in the Oneonta, NY, DaUy Star. Febru­ Chase. KS 67524 The Friends of the Rice-Tremonti ary 13, 1992. tells that the fanious Editor: Home Association in Raytown, MO. are frontiersman and explorer. who died The increasing interest in the Trail raisingfunds to place a new roofon the on the Santa Fe Trail in Southwest and grOwing membership of SFTA is structure. Contributions may be sent Kansas in 1831. was born in Bain­ gratifying. I do my best to talk up the to the Association, Roof Fund, 8800 E bridge, a village in south-central New organization atall times and all places. 66th St., Raytown. MO 64133. The York. A monument to Smith is located The bumper sticker we have had for Association will hold the fourth annual in the village park. Jedediah moved some time has brought on some in­ Rice Frontier Days at the home on from Bainbridge with his family when quiries, and I wish all members would June 13-14. he was 12 years old. use them so we could spot a fellow • • • • • • • • • • member at a distance. Joy Poole, official Mother ofthe SFTA William Hill. author of the best-sell­ Norma Gene Young and member of the board of directors, ingOregon TraU, Yesterday and Today, PO Box 1146 Boise City. OK 73933 recently moved from Farmington, NM, has written The Santa Fe TraU. Yester- to Fort Collins, CO, where she is direc­ day and Today. scheduled for release Editor: tor of the Fort Collins Museum. Her by Caxton Printers in July 1992. A I just finished putting all my past new address is 137 N Roosevelt, Fort review is planned when the book is issues of Wagon Tracks in my new Collins, CO 80521. available. SFTA 3-ringbinder. The plastic inserts • • • • • ••• •• work great and make it easy to store copies without punching holes in Chris Collier, dIrector of the Great SFTA Ambassador PauI Bentru p re- h O· I bl Th I Bend Chamber of Commerce, is pro­ cently had knee replacement surgery t em. n y one pro em. is simp e moting the Santa Fe Trail in the area 'and reports that he Is'recoverifig now. ' .. task took me most of theaftemoon n: od .. because I found myself reading again to attract tourists. This summer four We h ope the newj 0 int is a E,o one lor h t ti I th t h it will b bl b t li g th t e many interes ing ar c es a ave Kansas State Universitystudents, par­ Pro. a y soon e ifrave n e been published in WT. Keep up the ticipating in the Rural Interim Intern T I D b d rai. on t e surprise a surgeon. good workan d thanks"lor the grea t Program, will spend nine weeks in al d h tal sever nurses. an various ospi binder..Byth e way. I need another Great Bend to study how best to Mmar_ s taff members appear as new mem- bind b this is f 11 ket" the Trail. Collier has also received bers of SFTA. er ecause one u. Joanne VanCoevern a state tourism grant to promote the • • • • • Trail. 4773 N Wasserman Way Your editor recently had minor eye Salina, KS 67401 • • • • • surgery and will have more ofthesame ThanksJor yourj1ne testimonial to the Bent's Old Fort was featured in a in June, after which time he hopes to binder. Although more than 300people two-page article in a quarterly for be able to look better (and see better indicated in the inJormal survey that the RV Road campers. On (Spring too). This is not the primary reason they would like to see the binderoffered 1992). The focus of the piece'is a visit that this issue is late, but it is a good Jor sale. less than 20 have been or- to the historic site, with ilJustrations excuse. dered. The price is higher than first and a map. The article also notes that thought because ojshipping costs. The Bent's Old Fort has appeared in televi­ POST OFFICE, OAK Last Chance Store hasplenty oJbinders sion programs about the Old West a and inserts on hand. mentions its relation to the Santa Fe -LETTERSs- Editor • Trail. .' Editor: Editor: • • • • • , At last someone has done up right I surely appreciate the fine plug you David J. Weber's MThe Spanish leg­ the story of the attack on the White gave for my MissouriIntelligencer in the acy in North America and the Histori­ family near Point of Rocks. NM. Harry latest WT. You were most generous in cal Imagination," appeared in the I:eb­ C. Myers in his article MMassacre on your wording. It was good to see all the ruary 1992 issue of Western History the Santa Fe Trail" (WT. Feb. 1992) information correct. The issues of Quarterly. Weber, a charter member of pulls together many fugitive historical Wagon Tracks seem to be gettingbetter SFTA, was president of the 'Western strands, thereby resolving most of the with each issue. Keep up the good History Association, 1990-1991. long-standing questions concerning work and thanks. • • • • • this tragic event. The Myers item again Cordell Tindall SFTA Publicity Coordinator Mike illustrates that some ofthe best of the PO Box 72 Pitel reports that the Trail continues to current research on the Santa Fe Trail Fayette, MO 65248

8 May 1992 https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wagon_tracks/vol6/iss3/1 8 : Wagon Tracks. Volume 6, Issue 3 (May, 1992)

RALPH'S RUTS by Ralph Hathaway

[This is twenty-second in a series on museums and historic sites along the Trail. Ralph Hathaway is a charter member of SFTA and an active member of the Rice County Historical Society. He received a SFTA Award for his stewardship of"Ralph's Ruts" • and has been honored with the designation ofSFTA Ambassador.] THAT portion of the Santa Fe Trail which has become known as "Ralph's Ruts" is located in the northwest quar­ ter of section 34 of Pioneer Township, Rice County, Kansas. To reach this site, westbound travelers on U.S. 56 highway would continue west from the blinker light at the Chase intersection for a distance of four miles, turn right (north) on the Raymond blacktop for a distance of three-fourths mile. At this point there is a graveled parking area and one ofthe DAR granite Trail mark­ ers. Eastbound travelers continueeast View looking across Ralph's Ruts. from Ellinwood slightly more than ruts to be found anywhere, some have eight miles to the Raymond blacktop of Sterling, edited and reprinted in used the word "pristine" in describing mentioned above, and turn left for 1976. Muscott acqUired his informa­ these ruts. tion from a William McGee who had three-fourths mile. Credit for the name "Ralph's Ruts" goes to Barbara Peirce, Our Trail ruts are a bit unique in that been a "squatter' on this quarter sec­ that dynamic lady who organized the there are seven instead of the usual tion prior to the arrival of my grand­ parents. McGee based his information second Santa Fe Trail Symposium at four. My theory for this is that, be­ Hutchinson in 1987. Barbara had cause of the sandy soil, the ruts be­ on debris he had found scattered been bringingHutchinson Community came so deep and caused so much about and placed the year of the mas­ sacre as 1863. College history classes here on field rolling resistance to the wagons that, trips for several years. from time to time, some ofthe columns In 1985 a great deal of additional The first owners ofthis farm were my of wagons simply moved over and information on the massacre came to grandparents, John L. and Mary E. started another rut. me from Trail friends: historian and Hathaway, who grew up in Washing­ While breaking sod along the east author Dr. Marc Simmons ofCerrillos, ton County, Pennsylvania, settled in side of his homestead, grandfather New Mexico, and Trail researchers Lee County, Iowa, in 1865, and moved and his sons discovered thatsome sort Aaron and EthelArmstrongofRoswell, to Kansas and filed their homestead of conflict had occurred here. They New Mexico. This was in the form of claim in February 1878. plowed up a pistol, a watch, hardware memoirs of two people who were in­ In the process of breaking sod my from wagons, and bits of broken volved: trader Franz Huning and Cap­ grandfather discovered that the north­ dishes-indications that a wagon train tain Charles Christy who had been west forty acres ofhis homestead were had probably clashed with a band of stationed at Fort Zarah. (Receiving very sandy and a bit too rolling to be Indians. This incident was known as these first-hand accounts was an ex­ good crop land, so he left them for the Plum Buttes Massacre and local citing experience for this Trail bum) pasture. It appears doubtful that he, legend implied that a small wagon The two accounts do not agree in every or any of the early settlers, gave much train had been entirely wiped out. detail but both are rather specific in thought to the historic value of the The name "Plum Buttes" came from the geographical location. Huning's Santa Fe Trail. It had been replaced by a landmark by that name located memoirs include copies ofletters to his the railroad so the Trail no longer had about two miles west of the massacre wife which place the time of the mas­ any commercial use, and all early set­ site. Historians say there were three sacre on September 9, 1867. tlers were probablytoo busystruggling large sand dunes, perhaps 80 to 100 Franz Huning was one ofmany trad­ for survival to give any thought to the feet high, that could be seen by west­ ers hauling merchandise over the preservation of historic sites. So one bound travelers immediately after Santa Fe Trail in the 18608. His home would have to admit that this area of crossing Cow Creek, a distance of was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, his • Trail ruts escaped the breaking plow more than ten miles. There were many wife Ernestine having moved there in because ofeconomic reasons. sand-hill plums growing around the 1863. Prior to this particular trip he Because of the sandy soil the ruts bases of these dunes, hence the name had gone to Dayton, Ohio, to bring his were cut very deep by the almost sixty "Plum Buttes." mother-in-law and her young son, years oftravel by thousands and thou­ Prior to 1985 the only known written Fritz, to Junction City, Kansas, where sands ofwagons, oxen, horses, mules, account of the Plum Buttes Massacre his wagon train was to be assembled. and people. Many historians and Trail was in a book entitled Rice County, These relatives were to accompany buffs have said that these are among 1876, written by John M. Muscott and him west and they intended to make the most pronounced and dramatic published in The Rice County Gazette their home in Albuquerque. The wagon

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train traveled south from Junction train. When I reached the second or point was the westbound traveler's Citysome thirtymiles and Mstruck" the third wagon I stopped and shot at the first contact with the Arkansas River, Santa Fe Trail at Lost Sprin~. chief. This shot divided them in two the next reliable source of water after Huning says in his memoirs that he parties; one swept through the center leaving Cow Creek, and was a favorite was apprehensive about the danger of of the train driving four wagons, the overnight camp site. Indian attack in the area between Cow barouche (carriage) and the ambu­ At Fort Zarah, Huning asked for an Creek and the Big Bend of the Arkan­ lance with the old lady and her son off escort to go back to the scene of the sas River, and had hoped to have a the road until they stalled in the deep tragedy to check on the possibUity of mUitary escort as far as Fort Zarah. sand, about 200 yards off the road. survivors. His request was granted There were troops stationed at the Lit­ MThe other party rushed at the head of and Mthree or four" soldiers, Huning, tle Arkansas Crossing and Huning, the train, but the lead teamster stuck and several of his teamsters returned tells of requesting a mUitary escort to his lead lines and so they only got to the scene of the massacre only to ,-- from MCaptain Bums." This was prob­ the loose mules, my riding mule with find the area so filled with smoke that ablyCaptain Edward Byrne ofthe 10th the saddle, this though came back to there was danger of an Indian am­ Cavalry who was in charge of black the train. As soon as the Indians cut bush. A very discouraged Huning re­ • troops stationed there in 1867. This through the train I ran through it my­ turned to Big Bend campground and adds considerable credibility to 1867 selftrying to get another shot at them, moved his wagon train on to Fort as being the year of the Plum Buttes but could not because the loading ap­ Zarah. According to Huning's memoirs was paratus ofmy Spencer jammed." he returned the following day-this Massacre. Huning's request re­ • fused, a situation that irked him very In his memoirs Franz Huning said would be September II, 1887-and much because he had noticed: M... that this harrowing experience caused was able to remove the bodies which two ofhis company teams ... with one him to be quite Mbewildered." He felt were buried temporarily near Fort of the wagons full of negro wenches the urge to charge the Indians and do Zarah. The next spring on his annual and the other one with an escort for what he could to defend his relatives trip east, Huning had the bodies said wenches besides some horsemen. but he was aware also of the over­ moved to Ellsworth, which had be­ They were bound on a pleasure excur­ whelming odds and his shortage of come the Kansas Pacific Railroad ship­ sion to a creek about 10 or 12 miles ammunition at the moment. MNow we ping point. away to hunt plumsl The Captain had ran our remainingwagons together for Several letters to his wife were in­ plenty of men to spare to escort his protection. And even then if the Indi­ cluded in Huning's memoirs, however wenches on a plum hunt, but to pro­ ans had then made a charge on us, we the information in them does notagree tect the lives and property of the trav­ would certainly all have been killed. with his written report. His first letter elers he had none." Huning's further Such anguish as I then suffered I had dated September 10, 1867, stated that remarks in his memoirs reflect consid­ never experienced in my life. To stand Fritz were severely injured and the erable anger toward Captain Byrne be­ there and look on, was terrible. mother-in-law _suffered great mental cause he refused to provide an escort. MIn an incredibly short time they and physical stress because of the In­ Huning accurately established the emptied the wagons of their contents dian raid. His next letter two days later point of attack as being near Plum and loaded the captured mules with reported to his wife Ernestine that her Buttes" .-..-about midways between ­ them. Some barrelsofwhiskeytheyset mother had died, and a letter the fol­ Cow Creek and the Big Bend of the on end, stove in the heads and set fire lowing day reported the death of her Arkansas and about 15 miles from to them. I saw a bigcrowd in one place brother. These letters carrying incor­ Fort Zarah, 25 miles from the Little with much noise and laughter and rect information were probably Hun­ Arkansas and about 35 miles from then a pistol shot. I knew that they ing's way of trying to break the tragic Fort Harken (Fort Harker, the present were gathered around my unfortunate news gentlyto his wife. A few days later site of Kanapolis)." Huning further relatives and then that pistol shot Huning's wagon train joined another stated that the attacking party ap­ killed the old lady. The boy having and they proceeded westward. peared to be members of three tribes: been killed at the first onset, as one of Captain Charles Christy was a Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Arapahos. the teamsters told me. hunter, trapper, and United States His description of the attack follows: M MAs soon as the Indians had left with Government Scoutfrom 1850to 1880. ... I was ridingahead ofthe train when their booty and when they had started His memoirs are included inMarc Sim­ all at once one of the teamsters at the a fierce fire in the grass, we also left mons, On theSantaFeTrail (Lawrence: rear end of the train called 'Indians, with the remaining wagons as qUickly University Press of Kansas, 1986), Indiansl' At first I could not see them as possible to get out ofthe way ofthe with editorial comments by Simmons. on account of a dense growth of high fire. It was just before sunset and we Captain Christy stated that in 1866 sun flowers along the road and as they traveled until midnight when we ar­ he was a government scout at Fort made no noise in the grass and soft rived at a trading station at the big Zarah which was located near the sandy soil. bend of the Arkansas." mouth of Walnut Creek. He said that Zarah , MThey were comingfrom the rearnear After a very late supper Franz said Fort was more ofa stage station , or left Side ofthe train (from the south­ that he and two of his men went on to than a fort, and rarely had more than east, probably from behind a smallhill Fort Zarah on Walnut Creek, Mabout fifteen or twenty soldiers stationed in what is now the McGuire pasture, ten miles away."Actually, the distance there. These soldiers acted as escorts the northeast quarter of section 34, was seven miles but it must have to stagecoaches and freight wagons • Pioneer Township). Ahead rode the seemed like ten after such a difficult and they came and went each day. chief on a gray horse (this was prob­ day. Huning's description of the area Christy recalled, MOue day a man by ably the group leader rather than a confirms the fact that the Mbig bend" the name ofFrank Huntg (Franz Hun­ chief) and probably about 10 more on which he and other traders talked ing] rode into Fort Zarah with the star­ horseback, then followed about 100 about was not the site ofpresent Great tlingannouncementthata band oftwo more on foot. As soon as I saw them I Bend, as one might be inclined to as­ hundred Cheyennes had surprised his jumped off the mule I was riding and sume, but was near the southeast cor- ­ party at Plum Buttes.... Huning had with my Spencer rifle ran toward the ner of what is now Ellinwood. This made his escape and had come to the

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fort for assistance." It appears there It appears that Charlie Bent and his were no saddle horses available so a band ofrenegades roamed a big share CONVERSE OF THE small detachment of Infantry started of the country between the Little Ar­ PRAIRIES marching toward Plum Buttes. The kansas and the foothills of the Rocky commandant ordered ChristyMto getto Mountains. I am amazed at the dis­ -BOOK NOTICES the scene as quickly as possible." tances they covered. Christy's mem­ MI harnessed four ofthe fastest mules oirs indicate that he had had many Michael McDonald, The Quiz of En­ chantment. Santa Fe: New Mexico to an ambulance. and taking with me unpleasant experiences with Mdog sol­ Magazine. 1992. Pp. 129. mus.• notes. for my fighting partner a little Mexican diers." His involvement with the Plum Paper. $7.30. plus $1.00 shipping. Or­ named Roma. we started for theButtes Buttes Massacre is an example of the der from New Mexico Magazine. 1100 on a keen jump. We left the soldiers to complexity ofourarea history. The two St. Francis Dr.• Santa Fe. NM 87503. follow after us on foot as best they accounts ofthe Plum Buttes Massacre might." leave us feeling uncertain as to who SFTA member McDonald has com­ Arriving at the massacre scene east actually removed the bodies from the piled this charming trivia book about ofPlum Buttes. Christysaid theycame massacre site. Huning or Christy? New Mexico for New Mexico Magazine. upon a Mdreadful sight." There was This is a question that will probably Marc Simmons wrote the preface and concluded that Mthis handy and chal­ evidence of a terrific struggle. blood­ remain unanswered. stained articles from the wagon were There were many incidents along the lenginglittle book is one to savor." And strewn about. and the wagon had been. Santa Fe Trail that were more tragic that it is. providing entertainment and burned. The body of the teamster. than the Plum Buttes Massacre. but information about the fascinating Mscalped and hacked in a horrible rarely do we find first-hand accounts "Land of Enchantment." The book is manner." was found near the wagon or memoirs of those who actually par­ divided into sections devoted to vari­ and bodies of Huning's mother-in-law ticipated in the incident. We Trail buffs ous topics. including Indians. Hispan­ and herson were amongthe wreckage. will continue to hope that other mem­ ics. Towns. Mining. Arts. Outlaws. and so mutilated that Christy thought oirs covering other incidents along the many others. The format is question these to be the bodies of two women. Trail will surface from time to time. and answer. and the illustrations in­ At the Coronado Quivira Museum in clude cartoon drawings and black­ Christy and his helper loaded the and-white photographs. three bodies into the ambulance and Lyons. Kansas. there are some arti­ started for Fort Zarah. They had gone facts found atthe massacre areabyme Here are a few ofthe questions; you'll scarcely a mile when a group of and other members ofmy family: some have to buy the book to find the an· mounted Indians came galloping to­ minie balls. bullets. and pieces ofwhat swers. Who said. MIfyou ever go to New ward them. firing and yelling as they appears to be iron-stone china. Mexico. it will itch you for the rest of came. Christy urged the mules to do Plum Buttes, that important land­ your life"? Who wrote the award- win· their best as his helper crawled to the mark along the Trail. is no longer ning book. Murder on the Santa Fe hack ofthe ambulance. sat astride the there. Shortlyafter the Trail closed. the Trail? What movie did Robert Redford bodies. and began firing his carbine at wind which formed those dunes Origi­ direct in northern New Mexico? What the Indians. Christy and Roma were nally. for some strange reason. began was the fare on the first stage line that able to hold the Indians off and. after their reduction. My father. who was traveled the Santa Fe Trail from Inde­ a chase of about four miles. the dust .born on this farm in 1882. told me that pendence to Santa Fe? How much did from the marching soldiers could be one dune was still visible when he was Uncle Dick Wootton charge each seen and the Indians gave up the a boy. Now all that is left are some wagon to use his toll road over Raton chase. small. grassed-over sand hills in what Pass? Why didn't the AT&SF Railroad is known locally as the Bayer pasture. main line go to SantaFe? Whydid Clay Christy says the massacre of the Allison shoot Pancho Griego at the St. Hunings was the work of a band of One bit ofthe Trail near Plum Buttes James Hotel in Cimarron in 1875? Mdog soldiers" gathered from various that is still visible from this farm is the How long was the Palace of the Gover­ tribes and headed by Charlie Bent. the side notch worn in the ridge south of nors used as the capitol building of half-breed outlaw son of William Bent the Plum Buttes site. This is in the New Mexico? These and several hun­ ofBent's Fort. "The "dog soldiers' were Ringwald pasture which liesjustsouth dred other questions will spur readers the worst renegades the troops had to of the township road. Some Trail buffs to want to learn more about the re­ fight against on the plains. They were refer to this as MGunsight Notch." a markable state at the western end of Indians who had been kicked out of name that was coined bymyfriend and the Trail. the villages by their own tribes for fellow Santa Fe Trail Ambassador various offences. They were always David Clapsaddle. • • • • • more blood- thirsty ... than the ordi­ Interested visitors are always wel­ West to Santa Fe, Vol. II: Forts of the nary Indian.· come at Ralph's Ruts. excellent exam­ Santa Fe Trail. videotape (VHS). Fort David Lavender has written an excel­ ples of the remnants of the historic Collins: The Old Army Press. 1992. •.. lent historical account of the Bent Trail. To me it is always a special feel­ $25.00 plus $3.00 shipping. Order brothers. Charles and William. and ing to realize that on this land thou­ from The Old·Army Press. PO Box their business partner, Ceran St. sands of teamsters, merchants. sol­ 2243. Fort Collins. CO 80522. Vrain. who established a trading post diers. explorers. Indians, and other As promised when the Overview near the present site ofLa Junta, Colo­ travelers passed and repassed dUring video on the Santa Fe Trail was re­ rado. known as Bent's Fort. Lavender the active life of the route and they. leased two years ago. Michael Koury's described the bitterness Charlie Bent without being aware of it. played vital Old Army Press has now added this felt toward both the Indian and the roles in the history of the region and fine program featuring more than 20 Anglo. At one time he became so en­ our nation. I will be happy to meetwith forts. Much of the photography is of raged he returned to Bent's Fort with tour groups as my schedule permits. the sites as they appear today. and the the intention of killing his own father. Please contact me ahead of time at RR narrative explains how each was Fortunately, the elder Bent was away 1 Box 28, Chase. KS 67524 (316) 938­ linked to the Trail. This is well done from the fort at that time. . 2504. and highly recommended.

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Published by UNM Digital Repository, 1992 11 Wagon Tracks, Vol. 6 [1992], Iss. 3, Art. 1

IN SEARCH OF PRETTY ENCAMPMENT by WUlfam Y. Chalfant

[This is thejirst article in a new series have been a fairly romantic appearing Bent's Fort in the early days and from on "hidden places" on the Santa Fe location in the middle ofwhatto whites the writings ofearlyscholars. After the Trail. From time to time, other elusive was endless desolation. Civil War a mail and stage route was or urifamUiar sites will be addressed Pretty Encampment was the first established along the river and a sta- by individuals who have taken a tion by that name was buUt, appar- special interest in them. Anyone with major campground to the east of the Big Salt Bottom on the road along the ently just west of the present town of suggestions for possible subjects Arkansas River leading to Bent's Old Coolidge, Kansas. However. such sta- and/or authors is invited to contact tions commonly took their name from the editCT. Fort. In Trail days itwas considered an landmarks or locations in the general average day's march to the east of the ., WUliam Y. Chalfant, a Hutchinson BigSalt Bottom campground, a camp- vicinity and were not necessarily on attorney, is a chartermemberofSFTA ing place lying within the very large thesite ofthe feature whose name they , and serves on the board ofdirectors. bottom by that name. For those ap- adopted, often being many miles dis­ He is the author ofseveraljine books proaching from the east it was a two- tant. Measurements to the stage sta- onfrontier mUitary history, the latest day trip to the west of Chouteau's Is- tions. then. would not be a reliable ofwhich ispresently in theprocess of land. It was described by Lewis H. means of finding Pretty Encampment publication by the University ofOkla- Garrard as being "near the banks of or most other campgrounds without homa Press and investigates mUitary the Arkansas, where a creek, fringed additional substantiating evidence. activities and battles along the Santa with timber, made a graceful CUIVe, The best means ofidentifying the gen­ Fe Trail during the era ofthe Mexican emptylngits modicum ofwaterintothe erallocation of Pretty Encampment is War. Not only is Chalfant a highly main stream." The position and group- likely confined to the earlier refer- respected attorney and a recognized ing of the trees, apparently being ences. historian, he is now at work on a around the mouth of the stream. he Pretty Encampment was obviously novel.] described as "picturesque," and the well known by that name at the begin­ THERE are many forgotten places cottonwoods as "glossy-leaved."Itwas. ning of the Mexican War when it was along the length of the Santa Fe Trail he said, "some etgh~ mUes distant" first encountered by Lewis Garrard and its various branches~iteswhich from Bent's Old Fort. and George F. Ruxton. This means it once participated in the drama of a The British adventurer George F. was probably one ofa series ofregular nation growing beyond the limits ofits Ruxton camped there whUe eastbound stopping points for traders moving be­ original vision. Often only names sur- on May 7, 1847. in the company of tween Bent's Old Fort and Inde­ vlved to record what might have oc- Lewis Garrard and others. and indi- pendence, Missouri during the prewar curred there or what use was made of cated that there were some very large times. Other stopping places were a particular location. Names such as cottonwood trees in the grove. one of equally well known and their locations "Battle Ground,""BoneYard." "Pawnee which caught fire (the result of care- can be identtfted. A number ofsoldiers _marching with the Army_of the ~ Forts," thc"Caches," ~ "Chouteau's Is--··- lessness). and .eventually -fell in the West _._._ land." "Chavez (Jarvis) Creek," and middle ofhis corralled livestock dUring passed and/or camped at a number of others suggest dimly remembered mo- the night.2 Ruxton, Garrard, and the these places and left diaries or jour- ments of human conflict, danger. others had camped at the Big Salt nals which gave mUeages for daily stress, and tragedy. Others, such as Bottom the previous afternoon, left the marches that are helpful in this re- "Pawnee Rock," "Rabbit Ears Peak," follOwing morning. and reached Pretty spect, though itmustbeborne inmind "Round Mound," 'Wagon Mound," "In- Encampment in the "evening early." A that they often did not have odometers dian Mound," and the several "Points village of Cheyennes was a half mUe and were makingestimates ofthemUe- of Rocks," are geological features above their campground, but in the age actually covered. particularly the which inTralltimes seIVed as markers same bottom. The stream about whose enlisted personnel. for persons travelingan otherwise fea- mouth the grove had developed had By plotting these marches and stop­ tureless plain. but little water. and probably did not pingplaces ona United States Geologi­ The names of "Diamond Springs," always flow (Ruxton and Garrard's cal SUIVey (U.S.G.S.) map, however. it "Lost Springs," "Lower Cimarron partywas there following a heavyrain). is possible to make some sense of the Spring." "Middle Spring." "Upper Ci- Today, when even the Arkansas does distances and time involved in moving marron Spring," "Cold Spring," "Santa not flow in western Kansas, it can be between the various campsites. Also of Clara Spring." and many more remind no more than an intermittent stream considerable help is an article written us of the critical importance of water which only rarely flows over the sandy by Dr. George Bird Grinnell on Bent's to travelers in the era and place where bottom ofa usually dry arroyo. Travel- Fort which appeared in Volume XV, its avaUabilitywas uncertalnand often ers probably had felled all the trees at Kansas Historical CoUections in 1913. " spelled the difference between life and Pretty Encampment by the mid- Dr. Grinnell. an acknowledged scholar death. The exact locations of many 1850's. since even the Big Timbers of ofthe earlyWest and its native inhabi­ eventsandsomegeographicalsitesare the Arkansas were gone by the 1863, tants, traveled on the plains dUring the lost intime, thebulkofthese beingthe victim of the insatiable appetlt~ of early days and studied the Bents' sev­ • camping grounds which were located white passers"by for wood as fuel. eral trading posts and the trails lead­ at fairly regular intervals along the The location of Pretty Encampment ing to and from them whUe many early Trail. Among them, one of the most was forgotten durmg the years follow- frontiersmen and travelers were still frequently and ardently searched for ing arrival of the railroad and the end alive who were familiar with theirland­ has been the one known as "Pretty oftravel along the Mountain Branch of marks and campgiounds. His article Encampment." probably because it the Santa Fe Trail. It can be found included a designation of all of the was referred to and described in more today only through the recorded travel streams. physical features, and major than one early journal and seems to information of those using the Trail to installations and campsites on the

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Trail following the north side of the T24I .. ' .. Arkansas from Fountain Creek to the ....•I ,~... 4 o f present Colorado-Kansas border. - ./1. According to Grinnell the upper end • \ of the Big Timbers, as recorded by • ~, ... .,JI 0 • ... • Capt. John W. Gunnison and Lt. E. G. ,. '\.:, • Beckwith during their survey in 1853, , . ~ '- was approximately thirteen miles be­ - -"f' ...... ,1 '-..... '1 ... low the mouth of the Purgatorie, and o r •• . ... [1'0 • •" therefore about opposite the mouth of , • • ~ Caddo Creek. At approximately that • I.fi ...... '" ...... ,. -~- . c point, and on the north side of the ••t lit _. -:- ~ ' • river, is the stone bluff known to the .r"J '" ~.... o , 0 ... , Cheyennes as "Red Shin's Standing­ ,...... •Q ~ .. 'tlI ground." The lower end ofthe Big Tim­ .."'" 0("'-' .I_0 I -.. bers' as noted by Gunnison and Beck­ - .,. - "o ' o m with, was a short distance above the - • mouth of Sand Creek (Big Sandy • o • • ! Creek). Sand Creek flows into the Ar­ \.0 • • • '0 kansas from the north fifteen miles -~- I ~ belowBent's New Fort, and the bottom '5 • o on eitherside ofthe mouth ofthecreek ! o E formed a noted campground. Because • • Q there was not water flowing over the o o C - - ~ drybed ofSand Creekat its confluence - 1 ~ with the Arkansas and no trees along ~ 0: - ..... its banks, the stream itself was little --- - • • more than a marker in the dry plains, -- indicating that travelers had com­ pleted a day's journey from their pre­ -/ • vious campsite. Grinnell states that " most travelers probably actually •• camped a mile or two above or below I , - - ~ - " ,:'

the high plains and the Arkansas. _ J • Ruxton described it as "a large plain t! covered with saltirose efflorencenes." - Ii .. • • When Capt. Henry Smith Turner ofthe First Dragoons passed it en route to . .... · , --t-- i Bent's Old Fort in July 1846, it was ...... \ • • .. obviously well known to those guiding I the marching units of the Army of the West. Turner stated in hisjournal that • on July 25 Col. Stephen Watts • Kearny's command marched twenty­ ... \ - 1 • two mUes from their previous camp .... thirteen mUes above Chouteau's is­ - "\. ".. "- - • " land, and made camg two miles below .. " • .J,- - "the Salt Bottom." Applying this ..., • measurement to modern U.S.G.S. • • II maps would place the new camp at or ",. - • • near the mouth of the stream-now known as East Bridge Creek. • - ,.... , i "II \ II The following day, July 26, the com­ - • II .. - • II mand marched nineteen miles • II " through the "SaltBottom" and camped " .... $D • • oa .... • • ,. ;; ... ~""'- - r at the "upper end of it." Pools of salt • _ ..."II:'". • 1\ ~-- water were observed in the bottom. '" ~- " Assuming reasonable accuracy of the .. mUeage given (Turner was an officer _.0/1_..•_- _.."_. .._.-. ..-- ...... " ---. traveling with Colonel Kearny and the _ _. ­

command headquarters and thus VI probably had access to an odometer), '"N the Big Salt Bottom itselfwas approxi­ ... mately seventeen miles long. Refer-

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ence to the 30 X 60 minute U.S.G.S. measurements, likewise, substantially was simply a modestvariation in their quadrangles, scale 1: 100,000, reveals conform to the distances described by respective estimates or measure­ that there is a long bottom running Grinnell. ments. from about the mouth ofBuffalo Creek If the Big Salt Bottom campground Lewis Garrard stated that Pretty en­ on the west to the vicinity of present was established on the west side of campmentwas W some eighty miles dis­ Coolidge, Kansas on the east, and that Wild Horse Creek, as stated by George tant" from Bent's Old Fort.~he mouth it measures approximately sixteen to Bird Grinnell, then at what distance to of East Bridge Creek is about eighty­ seventeen miles in length, depending the east was Pretty Encampment? three or eighty-four miles from that upon where one deems the entrance Ruxton stated that on May 5 his party post. Itseems highlyprobable thatthis and exit to the bottom. Above and be­ camped atSand Creek, on the sixth in was the campingsite used by Garrard, low the bottom the bluffs of the high the wsalt bottom," on the seventh at Ruxton, and the others in their party, plains move in almost to the river, Pretty Encampment, on the eighth on and by the troops traveling with Capt. marking its boundaries. . wbare prairie," and on the ninth at Abraham Robinson Johnston the pre­ According to Grinnell the Big Salt Chouteau's Island, a distance of ap­ vious year. Based upon this evidence, Bottom campground, the best camp­ proximately sixty-three miles in four it.would seem likely that the original ing site with the larger bottom, was days, or an average of nearly sixteen site of the campground known as considered to be twenty miles below miles per day. That was considered an Pretty Encampment was at or very the mouth of Sand Creek and just average day's march for most trader's near the mouth of East Bridge Creek above Wild Horse Creek. This would caravans ofthatera, although the mili­ (the mouth of East Bridge Creek lies place it on the west side of present tary units often made better time by within the Southeast Quarter of Sec­ 6 Holly, Colorado. Apparently great forced marches and use of faster ani­ tion 27 and the Northeast Quarter of quantities of red willow, the leaves of mals. Ruxton described their move­ Section 34, Township 23 South, Range which the Indians mixed with their ments as wleisurely," and they hunted 42 West of the 6th P.M., in Hamilton tobacco, grew in this area in the early as the wagons moved along the Trail. County, five miles east of Coolidge, days. Assuming their camp was about two KansaS), and on the other side thereof Abraham Robinson Johnston, adju­ miles east ofthe mouth ofSand Creek, adjacent to the grove of cottonwood tant of the First Dragoons and newly as suggested by Grinnell, a campsite trees. The grove is long gone from the appointed as a captain, also traveled in the salt bottom just to the west of mouth of the creek. Today (as then) the Trail to Bent's Fort with Colonel Wild Horse Creek would be quite com­ East Bridge Creek is but an intermit­ Kearny's headquarters detachment in patible with a march of sixteen miles, tentstream with a surface flow ofwater 1846 and kept a careful journal ofthe give or take a mile or so. Likewise it only when it rains, but that is true of march. Johnston indicated that his would seem to place them at the site of all the streams flowing into the Arkan­ unit traveled a distance of sixty-one the Big Salt Bottom campground. sas above the Great Bend at least until miles from Chouteau's Island to Sand A march offifteen or sixteen miles on the Purgatorie. Even the Arkansas Creek. On July 24 they marched May 7 would have taken Ruxton, Gar­ often has no surface flow in much of twenty miles and camped eleven miles rard, and the others to a pointjusteast western Kansas above the Great Bend, beyond Chouteau's Island. The follow­ of East Bridge Creek. It appears from due to irrigation. Ing day they marched twenty-one the contours on the U.S. Geological There remains the question of why mUes and camped in wa salt grass bot­ Survey maps that the mouth of this there was a stage station called "Pretty tom," having passed three dry sandy stream was probably farther east in Encampment" on therun between Fort creeks en route. On the twenty-sev­ that day. This camp would be about Lyon and Fort Dodge, which was lo­ enth they marched twenty miles, and thirty-two miles west of Chouteau's cated near present Coolidge, Kansas passed Sand Creek after ten miles, a Island, and an average two day's twenty-eight miles below Sand Creek.!) total distance of s~-one miles from march from it. The reasons for building the station at Chouteau's Island. Referring back to Captain Johnston, this site were known only to the long­ Further reference to the U.S.G.S. it will be noted that on July 24, 1846, dead builders, who left no known re­ quads indicates that the correct dis­ his unit marched twenty miles, pass­ cord to explain theirselection, and one tance between Chouteau's Island and ingChouteau's Island after nine miles, can onlyspeculate today. Itwas clearly Sand Creek is about sixty-two to sixty­ and went into camp eleven miles be­ not at the mouth of a stream (the three miles. Moreover, the distance yond. On the twenty-fifth they camped closest being the arroyo known as wSpring Creek" to the west) and does from Sand Creek to Wild Horse Creek in W a fine bottom ofgrass." This would is twenty miles, as stated by Grinnell. be thirty-two miles from Chouteau's not fit the description left by Garrard Acampsite ten miles belowSand Creek Island and at or very near the identical or Ruxton. But it was certainly close would be at Buffalo Creek and the spot at which Ruxton and Garrard ap­ enough to the old campground, the upper end of the Big Salt Bottom and pear to have camped the following only feature in the area with a name, at or near the same site described by year. Using Turner's measurements to adopt that title. This seems the only Turner as his camp the same evening. indicates his unit had traveled thirty­ logical reason for doing so. Moreover, the mileages used byTurner five miles, and they camped two miles While there are those who have sug­ and Johnston for the march from Ch­ below the ·Salt Bottom." This would gested that Holly (and Wild Horse outeau's J,sland to Sand Creek vary no place Turner three miles beyond and Creek) is the site of Pretty Encamp­ more than three miles, assuming the west of the campsite used by John­ ment, there seems to be nothingin the identical camp site for the night ofJuly ston, and two miles short of the Salt early literature and scholarship to sus­ 26 (Turner sixty-four miles, Johnston Bottom. There is a bottom adjacent to tain this. Certainly it is not consistent sixty-one miles). While neithercamped the Arkansas about the mouth ofWest with the writings cited, includingthose at tile usual campground next to Wild Bridge Creek, which would be approxi­ of Grinnell. Moreover, Holly is obvi­ Horse Creek, both would have made mately two miles from the lower end of ously not wsome eighty miles" from an identical march through the bot­ the Big Salt Bottom. It may be, how­ Bent's Old Fort as stated by Garrard, tom, and both were nearly on target ever, that Turner and Johnston were being more like seventy-one or sev­ with modern U.S.G.S. maps. Their camping at the same site, and there enty-two miles from it. It is also

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claimed by some that MBIg Salt Bot­ THE SIX PER CENT DUTY tom" campground was at the site of Amity (or Amity Siding), Colorado, and by Harry C. Myers Pretty Encampment at Wild Horse Creek, but if that were true the day's [Harry C. Myers is superintendent oj longs." march between the two would be not Fort Union National Monument and a Brevet Lt. Col. Benjamin L. Beall of more than five miles. leaving approxi­ jrequent contributor to WT.] the First Dragoons assumed com- mately forty-two or forty-three miles IT was near the end of the Mexican mand ofthe Ninth Department on Au- for travel in the next two days en route War when Brig. Gen. Sterling Price, gust 16, 1848, after General Price de- to Chouteau's Island campground and commanding the Ninth MUitary De- parted for home. Beallcanceled the tax requiring that trading caravaps aver­ partment in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on September 25, 1848. BrevetLt. Col. age at least twenty-one miles per day issued Orders Number 10, on Febru- John Washington soon assumed com- in order to travel that distance in two ary 5, 1848. The order reqUired the mand of the department on October days. It is not logical to assume that Santa Fe gambling establishments to II, and found a deficit of $15,000 in anyone in that day would hitch up purchase licenses and prohibited per- the civil government coffers. Con- their wagon, bring them in line, then sons under the age of 21 and enlisted cerned, he wrote Secretary ofWar Wil- move out with any accompanying live­ soldiers from gambling and betting. liam Marcy to suggest that a tariff be stock for a day's march of no more But thesecond paragraph ofthisorder collected or that Congress appropriate than five miles, leaving them with a caught and held the attention ofevery funds for the expenses. Fearing, how- much greater distance to travel in the trader who brought goods to Santa Fe. ever, the lengthy time for the mails next two days. Nor would this Mrealign_ Paragraph two established Man im- and/or a possible delayed response, mentMsatisfy the requirementofMsome eighty" miles distance from Bent's Old port dutyofsixpercentum ad valorem, Col. Washington reinstated the tax. Fort. While Amity was certainly within on all merchandize introduced into the When PresidentJames Polk's annual the Msalt bottom"as such, it clearlywas TerritoryofNew Mexico, from and after message to Congress, dated December not the site of the MBig Salt Bottom" the date hereof, based on the ortgtnal 5, 1848, reached Santa Fe, Washing- campground, at least not the favored invoices duly authenticated before the ton read ofthe intention to extend the one. Likely it was never more than a officer hereinafter designated." Sutlers revenue laws of the United States to railroad siding. Grinnell's information (licensed merchants to army units) the newly acquired territories at an seems to have been quiteaccurate and were exempted from the tax on most early period. The implication was clear entirely on the- mileage mark. The Big items considered necessary for the and, once again and finally, the tax Salt Bottom campground, therefore, troops. Charles Blumner, treasurer of was abolished. was almost certainly next to Wild the' civil government was named ex The tax had actually produced a Horse Creek and adjacent to present officio collector and subcollectors were revenue of $16,638.48 during its Holly, Colorado. It was every bit as stationed at Taos, San Miguel, and twelve-month life indicating a value of important and as famous or well Valencia. The reason for the tax was to goods of$277,308. Ofthe amount col- known a campground as that at Pretty pay the expenses of the civil govern- lected, $2,244.94 was paid out in sala- Encampment, or indeed any of the ment. General Price estimated the ries and other expenses of the collec- othereamping places on the-Bent's­ . -value ofthe 1848imports at$300,000, .. - tor's office. and$16,073.32.hadbeen...~- . Fort road. which would produce a tax value of disbursed by the treasurer. Only The debate over the exact location of $18,OOO,sufficienttomeetthesalartes $1,671.71 was refunded to the mer- Pretty Encampment may not as yet be of civil 'officials and pay the admlnls- chants, an average of $20.00 each for trative expenses. the eighty signatories of the 1848 pe- entirely resolved to the satisfaction of all, but logic and arithmetic cansurely The traders gritted their teeth and tition. lead only to the conclusion that it was bore the expense untUAugust 6, 1848, Although it was of great concern to in fact located within Hamilton a few months after the end ofthe Mexi- the traders, the six percent duty is of County, Kansas, though not atthesite can War had been announced. They minortmportancein the historyofNew of the later stage station. met in Santa Fe on that date and drew Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail. Its last· up a petition to General Price, protest- ing legacy however is the list oftraders NOTES ing that the tax had been invalid since signing the petition to Price. For a 1. Lewis H. Garrard, Wah-ta-yah BlId /he T80S Trail May 26, 1848, when the treaty of quick momentofhistory, we have a list (1848; reprint, Norman: University of Oklahoma Guadalupe Hidalgo was ratified (the ofwhat are probably the major traders Press, 1979),38,251. treaty was actually ratified on May 30, on the Santa Fe Trail. 2. George Frederick Ruxton, Ruxton of the Rockies. 1848) and New Mexico became a pas- The list of traders and petition ap- ed. by LeRoy R. Hafen (Norman: Universily of 0Ida­ homa Press. 1950), 274. session of the United States. And be- peared on page 2 of the August 15, 3. George Bird Grinnell, 'Bent's Old Fort and Its Build­ cause New Mexico was now a U.S. 1848, issue ofthe SantaFeRepublican. ers: Kansas Historical Collections, XN, B2oS1. possession Munder the protection of Two other articles on the six per cent i 4. Ibid., 91. the Constitution, ... the commerce duty appeared in the September 23 5. Henry Smith Turner, The Original Journals ofHenry was like that between two states. Over issue (page 2) and the front page ofthe Smith TUffler (Norman: University of Oklahoma eighty traders signed the petition October 29, 1848, issue of the Repub- Press, 1966), 63-66. either directly or through their repre- llean. Robert Frazer's Forts and Sup- 6. GrinneD, "Bent's Old Fort," 91. sentatives. General Price promptly re- plies (Albuquerque: University of New 7. Abraham Robinson Johnston, Marcellus Ball Ed­ jected the petition and the traders' ar- Mexico Press, 1983), 36-37, gives an wards, and Philip Gooch Ferguson, Marching with the Army of/he West, Vol 4 of the Southwest His­ gument, saying that all orders relative excellent overview ofthe tax and is the torical series, ed. by Ralph P. Bieber (Philadelphia: to the civil governmentwere deemed to main source for this article. Tom Porcupine Press, 1974),87-90. be permanent and not to be altered Chavez, Marwal Alvarez (Niwot: Uni- 8. Garrard, Wah-ta-yah, 38. except by the department commander versity Press of Colorado, 1990), 126- 9. Wm. S. Barnett to Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, or higher authority. But Price also said 127, provides a discussion of why AI- April 24, 1867. the matter had been submitted to the varez was the only Hispanic signing president where Mit more properly be- the petition. .

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DISCOVERED: RARE INDEPENDENCE-MADE OXYOKE by Mark L. Gardner

[Mark L Gardner is vice-president of :~ .. i SFTA. He is afrequent contributor to Wagon Tracks. J IN January of this year, while helping to clean and reorganize the collections storage area of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Registrar Qave Ryan noticed something unusual about an ox yoke in the museum's collections. Stenciled boldly on the side of the yoke was the following in­ formation: W. L. McCOY & CO. MANUFACTURERS OF OX YOKES. BOWS. AXE HANDLES WAGON MATERIAL &c. INDEPENDENCE, MO1 ~A"" What Ryan had discovered was no ordinary yoke. Because of the sten­ ciled information, it is now considered to be the only known yoke in existence that can be authenticated as having Ox yoke manufactured byW. L. McCoy& Co. of Independence, Missouri, now In the been manufactured in the famous collections otthe Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Santa Fe Trail outfitting town of Inde­ The stenciled manufacturer's name and other Information Is In the center of the pendence, Missouri. yoke. Notethe spilt running from left portion of the yoke to the top center. This was Museum catalog information states crudely repaired, apparentlyatthetime ofthe damage, bya flat length ofhand-forged that it was used on the C. E. H. Aiken Iron mounted across the spilt on both sides of the yoke. (Photo by author, courtesy ~~~hst;:::1~a:~u~wl~~~~FI~I~ Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.) likely that the yoke was manufactured much earlier, however, and eventually brought to Colorado by Aiken or someone else. William (MPat") O'Brlen, National Park Service historian and authority. on Independence and Jackson County, Missouri, believes the manu­ facturer named on the yoke was ac­ tively involved in the wagon-making business ofthat period under the firm name ofW. & J. McCoy. An 1846 letter from W. & J. McCoy, which included William's brother John, to the Mis­ souri iron-producing firm ofMassey & James, requested iron prices for Mour Blksmiths." MA Mexican trader," the letter reads, Mhasjust come in and has engaged from our Blksmiths 34 w~ gons & pays cash on their delivery.· William McCoy is also known to have acted as a business agent for noted Black wagon maker Hiram Young of Independence.4 The exact dates ofop­ eration of the firm of W. L. McCoy & Co.. and whether or not it was a part of the business activities of W. & J. McCoy, have not been determined. The yoke itselfmeasures four feet in length and over six and one-half Close-up of the manufacturer'. marking. that appear on the rare yoke. (photo by inches in thickness at its widest point, author, courtesy Colorado Springs Pioneers Musuem.) placing it~ the category ofa standard size yoke. The wood used for the yoke forged, which supportsan earlymanu­ green, much of the paint still remain­ is very light and appears to be cotton­ facture date. An unusual aspect ofthe ing. Many yokes in museum collec­ wood. The iron hardware is all hand- yoke is that it was originally painted tions today show little evidence ofhav-

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ing been painted at the time ofmanu­ COUNCIL TROVE be distingUished as the Neutral Strip. facture. There is ample documentation After Mr. Houston wrote the War depart­ that wagons were brightly painted, -DOCUMENTS ment asking for information about Camp however, and this must have carrie~ Nichols, the reply came that the War de­ over to at least some yokes as well Camp Nichols partment had no record of any place ofthat German adventurer Julius Froebel· Joan Kachel, a charter member of kind having ever been garrisoned by the was in Independence in 1852 and SFTA and the curator at No Man's United Stated troops. They could not give wrote that Nthe town is surrounded by Land Historical Museum in Goodwell, him any information about it. wheelwrights' shops, large premises Oklahoma. located the following ac­ Mr. Houston haVing a map in his posses­ filled with new-raggons, painted red, count about Camp Nichols that ap­ sion, printed some years back, with Camp green, or blue. peared in the Cimarron News (a weekly Nichols marked upon it sent the map to the \, Considering that Independence newspaper published at Kenton, Okla­ War department, explaining that he did not manufacturers produced thousands homa), February 9, 1906. This was do so because he thought the War depart­ of yokes during the heyday of the prior to Oklahoma statehood and the ment was in error about it, butto showthem Santa Fe and Oregon trails, it is re­ area of present Cimarron County was what mistakes map makers will make. Evi­ markable that the McCoy yoke is the then included in Beaver County of dently the War department got bUSY, for it only known documented example of Oklahoma Territory. was not long until Mr. Houston was fur­ their work. It is quite fitting, though, John Skelley was not identified. nished a complete history ofCamp Nichols, that it would be found in the West, the other than beingfrom the town ofMin­ which he dUly forwarded to the writer. The destination for countless repre­ eral. Some ofhis information about the history was as follows: sentatives ofwestward expansion. Itis history of Camp Nichols was in error In the spring of 1861, Colonel hoped that this yoke can one day be (Camp Nichols was founded by Kit Christopher (Kit) Carson, commanding the placed on display so that others can Carson in 1865 and abandoned later First regiment of New Mexico cavalry vol­ the same year). but his description of ~~~;n:a:~p~~~ ~M~~3~~to~it is unteers, then stationed at Fort Union N. the site 40 years after it was occupied Mex. was ordered to proceed with certain adds significantly to the meager detachments of his troops along the Santa NOTES amount ofdetails about that Santa Fe Fe trail and to establish a fort at either Cold 1. A short word is obliterated at the very top of the Trail mUitary post. He also noted the Springs or Cedar Buttes, for the purpose of stenciling. The last letter appears to be an "M," need for historic preservation. The guarding freight or emigrant trains against suggesting that the missing word was "FROM: newspaper article is reproduced here hostile Indian attacks. 2. Registrar's Files, Colorado Springs Pioneers Muse­ um, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The catalog num­ in its entirety: These orders were promptly carried out ber of the yoke is 189. THE SANTA FE TRAIL by Colonel Carson, and by Sept. 1864, 3. This letter, dated March 20, 1846, can be found in AND CAMP NICHOLS Camp Nichols was built and duly garri­ the James Collection, Western Historical Manuscript soned. Therewere portions ofthe First New Coliedion\State Historical Society of Missouri, Co­ The following communication from John lumbia, Missouri. Skelley of Mineral, to the Kansas City Star, Mexican Cavalry and portions of the First 4. See O'Brien's biographical sketch of Young in the is of interest to our readers: New Mexican Infantry stationed there atthe time of its occupation, the infantry troops Nov. 1989 issue of Wagon Tracks. .A way out in the western part otBeaver __ -beihgcomposed mosti}' ofMexica.lis Who -- -_. 5. -See Nick Eggenhofer, Wagons, Mules and Men:­ County, Oklahoma, five milesfrom its west­ How the Frontier Moved West (New York: Hastings ern border, and along the old Santa Fe trail, had enlisted as volunteers there were also House, 1961), 110. several companies of the First California at a place known as the Cedar Buttes, is a 6. That other surviving yokes do not show evidence of cavalry stationed there for a short time. being painted may be explained by the fad that their group of stone buildings probably twenty­ This is probably correct. There is one lonely intended used necessitated exposure to the ele­ five in number. Thewalls ofthem are partly grave several hundred yards south of the ments. Years of sun, rain, and snow could easily fallen down and the corral is used occasion­ . destroy a painted finish. It is also possible thata good fort. It is walled up with stone two feet high ally to pen a band of sheep. number of yokes displayed in museums date to a and is overgrown with weeds and bram­ later period when painting was perhaps no longer a The group of buildings was built in the bles. There is a large cross three feet high part of the manufacturing process. Upon further in­ early part of the '60s and was known as vestigation, however, other painted yokes may even­ and cut of a solid piece of sandstone and tually be found. Camp Nichols. The writer visited that place bearing twenty-three years ago and found the build­ 7. Julius Froebel Seven Years' Travelin centra/Amer­ A. Baranca ica, Northern MexiCXJ, and the Far West ofthe United ings even then in a very dilapidated condi­ States (London: Richard Bentley, 1859),216. tion. They had not been occupied foryears. Private First New Mexico 8. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum would ap­ InqUiry discovered no one who could give Cavalry Volunteers preciate any information on the history of the Inde­ him any information oftheir history. Nor has pendence firm of W. L McCoy & Co. Please write Died 1865 he since been ableto find anyone who was Dave Ryan. Registrar, Colorado Springs Pioneers The first New Mexico volunteer cavalry an occupant of Camp Nichols. Museum, 215 South Tejon, Colorado Springs, Colo­ was Kit Carson's regiment. This fort was rado 80903. But several years ago he was in conver­ evidently abandoned in the spring of 1866 sation with an aged Mexican who told him •) and there must have come sudden orders CORRECTION that he had gone to the Missouri river from to abandon it, for from the looks of things YOUR editor goofed again. In the Feb. the Santa Fe, N. Max. as a bull whackerfor there were several buildings in the course 1992 issue, in Harry C. Myers's fine a freight outfit in 1865, the fort had been of erection, but only half completed. The • NMassacre on the Santa Fe Trail," page abandoned and the troops had gone. corral is about 300 feet square. The walls 19, Hfth line in the last paragraph in A few years ago the writer was visited by are built of solid stone, and there had been column three, Benjamin Beall's regi­ the late Temple Houston of Woodward, a ditch dug twelve feet wide on three sides ment was identified as 2nd Dragoons. Oklahoma and during the visit Mr. Houston of the corral with the dirt from the ditch It was, in fact. the 1st Dragoons. Beall was taken to see the old fort. He agreed to thrown up against the outside walls.. There had earlier served in the 2nd Dra­ see if he could find out from the War depart­ is a flagstone walk twentyfeet wide running goons. 1836-1847. but was promoted ment by whom it was built and the object of through the center of the corral and at the to major of 1st Dragoons in 1847. building it. On old maps of fifteen years ago northeast corner is a star shaped wall filled Apologies to Beall and Myers. Camp Nichols was marked in what use to on the inside with earth sloping from thetop

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ofthewall tothefloorofthe corral. Evidently lumber from Trinidad, Colorado, a distance it was placed there to hold a cannon, as It of126 miles. They undertookto developthe / faces a rocky ridge some three-quarters of coal in this country, in fact did open up a mile away. C. Carson certainly picked the some fair coal. There was no market for it. ,/ spot for hisfort with an eye for its defensive No railroad has come here yet. They aban­ I qualities, for with the exception ofthe ridge doned their town site and the fine building mentioned no enemy could get any where is now occupied as a house ofa ranchman. I near it, much less capture It without artillery. There is a store at the old townsite and a , ' But a few ofthe "red boys" with the old time post office called Mineral but should be Long Tom Buffalo rifles could make it hot changed to Carson. f/ for the soldiers In the fort if they should A United States court commissioner Is come on to the ridge. Therefore Carson located at Mineral but the country Is placed his redoubts in such a position that sparsely settled and the wonderful emigra­ / . . he could shell the ridge in case he had to. tion t/:'lat Beaver county has had in the last • .L The fort stands upon a point between two two years has not' reached old Camp David Sandoval. canyons, each canyon having five springs Nichols. The west one-third of Beaver of water right under the walls of the fort. county is practically unheard of yet, but it is rado and elsewhere for his historic There was an old bakery here with an arch the finest portion of Oklahoma. The only presentations. including the first sym­ made of adobes, but the heavy rains of last communication with the outside world is by posium at Trinidad. the second sym­ year caved it in. Also the old blacksmith a hack drawn by a pair of little Spanish posium at Hutchinson. Santa Fe Trail shop is still standing with the embers still in mules. It makes six trips from Clayton N. Festivals at Trinidad. and the Mexican the forge and a small lot of coal scattered Mex. a week. All this country needs is en­ Fiesta at Bent's Old Fort. His publish­ around, coal that wasdug out ofthe ground ergetic enterprising homesteaders to come ed articles onthe Mexicans on the Trail within a couple of miles ofthe fort, as there here and take up the thousands ofsections include "Who is Riding the Burro are veins of good coal cropping out on the of free government land and make it their Now?" Santa Fe Trail: New Perspec­ surface near there. homes. tives (1987); "Montezuma's Mer­ chants: Mexican Traders on the Santa The old Santa Fe trail divides about five Some time ago the Kansas people were Fe Trail." Adventure on the Santa Fe miles east of Camp Nichols, one prong agitating the question of marking the old TraQ (1988); and "Gnats. Goods and coming down to the fort and the other keep­ Santa Fe trail and the people of Oklahoma Greasers: Mexican Merchants on the ing out on the dividethree miles south. Both should also take up the matter and markthe Santa Fe Trail." The Mexican Road.: come together again at the Santa Fe cross­ forty miles which runs through Beaver Trade. Travel and Corifrontation on the ing of the Corrompa (orthe Beaver) thence County. Steps should also be taken to pre­ Santa Fe Trail (1989). they proceed southwest to the Santa Fe. serve Old Camp Nichols. No wonder that the hostile tribes of Indians Sandoval showed slides of mer­ In some spots the old trail Is about all fought hard to keep possession of this chants and others he has researched. filled up and grass is growing over it. In country. Far from the divide road can be including Miguel Otero of Colorado other places the wind has blown the loose seen as fine country as ever the sun shone and New Mexico. Zebulon Pike. Wil­ soil out until the trail resembles a huge on: fertile plains covered with a carpet of liam Bent. and scenes ofSanta Fe. He ditch, and in fact is often taken for a ditch buffalo and gramma grasses stretch away said from 1840 to 1845 Mexicans by peoplewho have neverheard of it. There to the south and east as far as the eye can dominated the Santa Fe trade. For his is not now nor hasthere been for years, any reach. They are absolutely uninhabited presentation at the chapter meeting. travel over it except perhaps an occasional save by range cattle and roving bands of he received a grant from the Colorado mess wagon belonging to some cow outfit. sheep. This is a country that the home­ Endowment for the Humanities. for The poll roofs on the houses of Old Camp steader has not yet found. When he once which he is a resource speaker. Nichols have been all taken away; some of begins to come, however, multitudes will them used for branding fires, others used More than 30 members and guests follow him, as there is no fairer land in to keep the wandering Mexican sheep attended the meeting. including five Oklahoma. herder's camp fire burning. The old Santa from the Wagonbed Spring Chapter. A To the west you can see the Sierra Fetrail is but a memory and along its course Mexican buffet preceded the program Grande mountains fifty miles away. To the many a brave boy laid down his weary and a business meeting followed the southwest, twenty-five miles are the Rabbit burden and times like the days of the old program. Chapter President David Ear mountains at the foot of which sits the Santa Fe trail and Camp Nichols will never Hutchison presided. Wagonbed Sp­ enterprising little town of Clayton, New be seen again. ring

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BRICE REMINISCENCES (continued from page 1) month of my salary, if I did not carry ""\. out my contract. Starling from Col. Hall's residence Monday morning, with six mules hitched to an ambu­ lance marked on each side in large . letters, MU .S.M.,.. Conductor Michael Smith riding a saddle mule alongside the team with a blacksnake whip in hand, two pistols hanging from a belt around his body. I held the lines, sit­ ting on the seat of the vehicle, driving direct to the Post Office, receiving a through and way mail sack, calling at the Company's office for passengers and express. Stage fare for passenger . and forty pounds of baggage to Santa LEAVING INEVENt!FWI\, 110.. R:a MtrrA n Fe, one hundred and twenty-five dol- used. Six large mules hitched to the the vicinity. There was a great rush of lars; way fare, twenty-five cents per heavy wagon, two extras and a Bell travel in the fall of 1858 on account of mile. pony fastened to the off-side of the reports ofrich gold discoveries in Pikes It took two days to reach Council team. One man rode a saddle mule Peak. The gold seekers traveled the Grove, Kansas·~me hundred miles, alon~ide the team to keep its move- Santa Fe Trail until they reached the supplying mail to all Post Offices on ments as the Conductor directed. We fork of the road to bring them to the the route. Starting from Inde- had a lariat and picket pin for each promised land, which junction is pendence, going by way of Pitchers animal, securing them at night from about fifteen miles west of where Mill, crossing the Blue River. Roads returning to the quarters they had left. Dodge City is now located. were so bad that the team could make Going by way of Diamond Sprin~, I have seen gan~ ofwomen pushing but little headway. It was night when Lost Sprin~, Cottonwood Creek, Tur- go carts accompanied by men. I often we reached Mr. McCoy's farm, where key Creek, LittleArkansas, CowCreek, met a lone man with all his belongin~ the team got mired and laydown in the Arkansas River, Walnut Creek, tiedupinahandkerchief,hangingon middle of the road, and would not get Pawnee Rocks, Ash Creek, Pawnee the rifle he was carrying on his shoul- up until we unharnessed.them. Con- Fork, Coon Creek and Caches Foot of der. Camped at noon, greasing the ductor Smith went to see Mr. McCoy, the dry route, Comarone Crossing of mail wagon at The Dead Man's Hollow, who immediately sent a man and a the Arkansas River, from the latter about 150 miles east ofFort Union. We yoke of cattle to haul the mail wagon point it was three hundred miles to were surprised by a band of Kiowa "" ~-"" . to a house one-quarter ofa mile from ~ - Fort-Union, "without-a.-Post Office-or" llidiaillf:threatenmgolirltves:ifwe-did" --- . there we were stalled, and where we habitation through a savage territory, not give them all our provisions. They stopped all night, getting supper, infested with Kiowa and Comanche were very saucy, 150 strong and only breakfast and feed for the mules. Indians. Ford the river and continuing three in our party. We concluded they Starting early next morning after the the route by way of the Battle Ground were bad Indians and were as compli- harness that was lying in the mud, Bone Yard, Sand Creek, Lower Cimar- able as circumstances would permit. leading the mules, bringing a pick and one Sprin~, Middle Cimarone Sp- Traveling all night to get as far from hatchet to clean off the frozen mud rin~, Willow Bar, UpperCimaroneSp- them as we possibly could. About two before we could get them on the ani- rin~, Cold Sprin~, McNeses Creek, o'clock in the morning we heard a call, mals. Calling at Westport Post Office Cedar Creek, Whitslone Creek, Rabit believing it to be the Indians following for exchange of mails, continuing our EarCreek, Round Mound, Rock Creek, us, we prepared to defend ourselves route, Olathe, Kansas, Gardner, B~d- Point of Rocks, Rio Colorado, Ocate, the best way we could. Overtaken by win City, 11 0-Mile Creek, Burlingame, Santa Clara Sprin~, Apache Canon, an indian wanting to know if we saw Big John Springs, Council Grove, Bourgon Valley, Fort Union. anyIndians; we told him where we met where we exchanged the ambulance We made three drives a day and al- the band he was InqUiringfor. Turning for a heavy two-horse covered wagon ways stopping at noon to water the his pony and gong in the direction we with a boot attached, to carry our pro- mules and let them'browse around for told him. We kept on traveling as long visions and cooking utensils, also an halfan hour. When creeks were frozen as our animals were able to stand it, assistant helper for the long route to we would have to cut the Ice before we to get as far as possible from those • ) Fort Union, New Mexico-loading the could get the mules to cross; one man blood thirsty demons. wagon bed with corn in two-bushel always rode alongside the team to see In winter the prairie would beburned sacks, sufficient rations for the mules that each animal did his portion ofthe for hundreds of miles and looked as It • until we reached Fort Union, 575 work. would be far advanced in the black as if an artist had used his miles. night sometimes when our day's jour- brush. When snow covered the It took seventeen days to make the ney was completed. We cooked twice a ground, prairie and trail looked alike: distance, sleeping on the ground in all day, using an oilcloth spread on the we would point our wagon tongue in kinds of weather-passengers took ground for a table cloth, starting early the direction we were going to guide us kindly to the situation, using the com every morning to get water for break- on the right trail. ReachingFort Union, sacks for a mattress to sleep on. Fas- fast. In summer we could see buffalo we exchanged our heavy wagon for an teningall the rails of wood we could to as far as our eyes could reach; when ambulance similar to the one we the axles of the wagon to cook our they were quiet and lying down, it was started with from Independence, leav- meals, if buffalo chips could not be our sign that there were no Indians in ing one man to have everything ready

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when we returned from Santa Fe with Independence to Santa Fe and return. miles. making the distance without the Eastern mail; continuing the route In 1859 the Kiowa Indians went on seeing indians. After the mail party by way ofLas Vegas Toclota. San Jose, the war path. Bill Allison, of Inde­ took supper. they started to make the Pecos River. Rick Correll, Santa Fe. pendence, Missouri. owned a ranch at usual night drive; they were overtaken Citizens would gather on the plaza to Walnut Creek and kept a store, where by Indians In their usual greeting. welcome the Eastern mail, almost a freighters and emigrants could pur­ "How How," Conductor Smith told Bill month old, from New York and furnish. chase whatever they reqUired. He Cole to give them some crackers-we us with tickets to a fandango. started early in the spring with his always carried a barrel of them in the The principal merchants In Santa Fe mule train to bring back the goods he hind boot of our wagon, the kind of in those days were Messrs. Elburg and ordered to replenish his store. but died bread we used on the plains In those Amburg, Messrs. Beck and Johnson, suddenly at Wayne City after loading days. While Cole was giving them the and Mr. Splckelburg. The Refunda is his train; Mr. Peacock, of Inde­ crackers, they commenced shooting the only hotel I recollect. After a pendence. Missouri. became manager arrows into the conductor's body. kill­ weeks's rest we would start back for of the ranch, but the Indians did not Ing his brother. who was holding the Independence with the Eastern mail. seem to like the new manager and lines. with a rifie. falling back a corpse Covering the points and Post Offices showed a disposition to be quarrel­ in the wagon. Cole jumped Into the already mention. to Fort Union; every­ some, shooting a goat belonging to the wagon, picked up the rifle and fired at thing being ready to continue our trip, ranch. About this time troops passed random. as he told me afterwards, we hitched to our heavy covered wagon . enroute for Fort Riley. Major Sedgwick causingthe teams to swingoffthe road with the same number of mules and in command; Mr. Peacock called on alongside a deep ravine. getting out in equipment we had leaving Council him for protection. He sent Lieut. front of the wagon, crawling along the Grove. There was no Post Office until George D. Baird with his Company ravine in the dark where he could see we reached Cow Creek. Kansas. Four back to the ranch to find out the cause the light of the soldiers camp fire that hundred and twenty-five miles freight­ of the trouble. While talking over the he leftonlyhalfan hourbefore, Making ers, emigrants and all travelers be­ matter with Pawnee, a sub-chiefofthe his way into the darkness. the escort tween those points used the weekly Kiowa tribe, one ofthe soldiers holding telling them the fate of his comrades. mail wagon as a distributing office. the lariat fastened around his pony's The indians did not scalp the Smith Receiving and delivering letters ad­ neck, he pulled his butcher knife from brothers, but took the boots off their dressed to persons on the trail, mailing the scabbard, cutting the lasso and feet. and taking nine mules. harness all letters received at the first Post jumping on his pony, forcing him to and Bell pony. cutting open the mail Office we reached. From April to late in run as fast as he could go. The Lieu­ sacks, and scattering the contents on the fall we would be In sight ofa wagon tenant mounted his horse following the prairie. Soldiers buried the bodies, train loaded with supplies goingWestt, and shootingover him several times to gathered up all the mail theycould find or coming East loaded with wool and let him know the result ifhe would not and gave it to the first mail party they other products of the West. Reaching halt, the officer shotand the Indian fell met. Michael Smith was the first con­ Councll Grove. we exchanged the dead from his pony. The Lieutenant ductor I crossed the plains with. and I heavy wagon for the ambulance we then informed the band of Indians he was booked for one of his helpers the had broughtfrom Independence. when belong to. telling them the reason for trip he got killed. I was sick and Dr. we started on ourWestern trip. leaving shooting the indian. Henryadvised me not to undertake the one man to have everything In readi­ The weekly mail from Independence trip. ness to start when we returned from in charge ofMichaelSmith. hisbrother Next weekly mail after the murder of Independence with the mall for Santa and Bill Cole. helpers. met the troops the Smith Brothers. Peter Kelly was Fe; calling at all Post Offices for ex­ at CowCreek. MajorSedgwick detailed conductor; I was one of his helpers, change of mails; arrMng at our desti­ forty men to escort the mail over what Reaching the bigbend ofthe Arkansas nation forty-eight days from the timem was considered the dangerous ground River we met Lieutenant Long. a cav­ we left. making scehdule time from from Cow Creek to Pawnee Fork. 55 alry officer. and forty men. detailed by Major Sedgwick to escort the mail to the Clmarone Crossing of the Arkan· .. sas River. 110 iniles further west. Be­ fore we reached the point where the escort would leave us and return to ...... join their command. we found three '0""'4...... - ' ..... dead bodies. two men and one woman. scalped and stripped ofall their cloth­ ing; they seemed to be emigrants mur­ dered where they were camped. wagon ...... • '. '. and yokes were there, but no cattle in .. sight. Feathers flying allover the prai­ rie. bed ticks carried off. The body of one of the men and the woman were close together; a llttle white dogsitting . barking between them; a half burned -' ~ 6-:,.-.-·,• ... stick ofwood lyingon the man's breast ...... , .. , ... • ..""--....:;..1 . . showed it was on fire when placed ~.:".1.,.-" '~ , . ". there, as the flesh was burned brown. The supposition at the time was the . ~ .J~~~~ /"/1 9,. "" little dogkept the wolves away from the bodies he seemed to be watching over, as the third corpse lay fifty yards from _I'IIIGnat DRCNH1' "A¥!:r the other. one of his limbs torn from

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the body by those animals. The Lieu­ ond attack the mall conductor and CAMP TALES tenant took the sheets from his bed wagon master started on mule back to and had them wrapped around the reach Capt. McComb. before he would (continued from page 18) dead bodies. We could see Indians in leave camp in the morning. April 9. 1992. at Hugoton. KS. He the sandhills, south ofthe riverwatch­ Following the wagon tracks of his showed slides offlowers. animals. and ing us while we were burying them. escort. they found' him six or seven birds which he had taken on the Ci­ The Lieutenant wrote a card, ad­ miles off the regular mail. route. In­ marron National Grassland in Morton dressed MTo All Travelers," tellingthem forming him that we were attacked by County. through which the Cimarron to keep close together; that he buried Indians. He called on his command for Route of the Trall passed. two men and a woman. murdered by volunteers. who responded readily. President Edward Dowell conducted Indians, sendingsome of his men to a mounting wagon mules, using gunny the business meeting. He said he junctionofroads where emigrants and sacks or anything that would serve for hoped the land areaaround Wagonbed gold seekers left the Santa Fe Trail for a saddle. Our animals. traveling day Spring would be enlarged. but no ac­ Pikes Peak. with instructions to place and night. were about given out. and tion had been taken on it. Ed Lewis it where all travelers could see it. no signs of conductor or wagon mas­ reported that the historical marker signed MLieut. Ellie Long. U.S. Cav­ ters' return. We concluded to rest them sign with a partial box roof will be alry." We returned with the troops. and camped at a pointwe call MThe Red placed soon. One of the troopers took the little dog Holes." The ground. being elevated. Wendell Hubbard showed aerial along in front ofhim on thesaddle. but gave us an unobstructed view ofvalley maps ofthe Wagonbed SpringHistoric the little fellow broke away from his to the west. We were camped but a Site which were taken by the Soil Con­ captor the first camp we came to, and short time, when we saw objects that servation Service in 1937 and 1939. could not be captured, he ran back we thought were Indians. but. they He has marked different historic spots twenty miles. We found him dead un­ were so far off that we could not tell on the map and will print them. der the bank of the river. six weeks what they were, and decided to secure A dinner preceded the business afterwards. fifty yards from his mas­ our stock, getting them between the ter's grave. We remained with the mili­ meeting and program. with 32 mem­ wagons and tying our mules with their bers and gUests in attendance. The tary escort until we met an ox train lariats. The closer we got to the sup­ loaded with supplies for Fort Union. next meetingwill be at Ulysses, July 9. posed Indians, the more glad we were 1992. returning and remaining with the ox tosee itwas the troops, withconductor train until we got out ofdanger. Then. and wagon master, to bringus to Capt. Heart of the Flint Hills leaVing the trail. we made what lost McComb's camp. Mr. Kelly's pistol President Donald B. Cress time we could and delivered the mall dropped out of its scabbard when he RR 1 Box 66 at Santa Fe. and Berry started in the night to find Council Grove, KS 66846 On our return trip, coming East. we Capt. McComb, and he concluded to traveled from Fort Union with Captain The chapter's annual Trail Ride will try and find it. Mr. Berry going along follow the Trall from Fort Larned to McComb, who had a company of U.S. with him over the road they traveled in Infantry, for the purpose ofmakingthe CouncilGrove. June 6-13. Thechapter the night. He found the pistol. return­ meeting on April 14 was devoted to boundary line between Colorado and ing to overtake !IS bef9J"e )lVe .woMld_ -Kartsas. Our fifth day with the military -­ -planning Jor-that.event,-The-chapter_ ­ reach camp, they were suprtsed to see recently accepted title to the Wilming­ escort, two ox wagons belonging to a large force ofthose savages following Major Russell came along. in charge of ton stone schoolhouse which was built us. Whippingand spurringtheirmules on the route of the old Trail in 1870. Dick Berry. bringingteamsters back to reachingcamp only bythe skin oftheir Plans are to preserve and restore the Missouri. that worked for the Com­ teeth, as they were pursued to within pany all summer. Believing that we building. Restoration work on the his­ a rifle's shot ofCapt. McComb's camp. toric barn along the Trail east ofCoun­ could deliver the maIl atIndependence I believe they would have overtaken us cil Grove is proceeding with the aid of eightdays sooner. bytravelingwith the sooner only they were looking for a ox wagons, we left the military escort grants. The next quarterly meetingwill secure hiding place to deposit the ba­ be held July 14. and the chapter an­ and went with them. Traveling all day con and flour that Mr. Berry had nual meeting will be September 27. without seeing Indians. we thoughtwe thrown out of has wagon. from the were out of their range, but our hopes wolves and coyotes so numerous on End of the Trail were of short duration. Making the the plains in those days. We remained President Carlton R. Damonte usual night drive, they attacked us, with Capt. McComb .until he complet­ 7221 Vivian Dr NE firing several volleys at us, but did not ed the boundaryline. I went from camp Albuquerque, NM 87109 . hurt anybody. Arranging the wagons with the troops that were going to fin­ Marc Simmons spoke to a crowd of the best way we could, tying a rope ish the work; I was looking at them some 300 people at the February 23 around the horns of the leaders ofthe­ when they put a round bar of iron in chapter meeting at the community oxwagons and fastening a lariatabout the center ofa mound, built of rock, to room ofthe public library in Santa Fe. the necks of the mules. Men walking ·\- establish the line. I believe I could go His topic was MKit Carson on the Santa between the wagons with all the fire . to the latter point today, if it were Fe Trail." Jon Hunner, retiringchapter arms and ammunition we could mus­ necessary. Mter finishing the work, president. presented a list of projects ter. Two men holding the lariats ready the Captain headed for Missouri we for the chapter to consider. The new when attacked to bring the animals remained with him until we got to the president. Carlton Damonte.took over into our moving fort and strengthen settlement, the oxen traveling right the chaiT and acknowledged the work our lines. Mr. Berry threw out of his along with the mules. Thanking him of the outgoing officers who founded wagon severalsacks ofbacon and flour for his' kindness and protection, we the chapter in 1989. The next meeting to lighten them and make it easier on started to gain as much lost time as we was planned for April 25. his teams. He also turned out a yoke could to deliver the mail at Inde­ ofcattle thatwas not able to travelwith pendence. Corazon de los Caminos the others. Mter traveling fOUT or five President LeRoy LeDoux miles and Indians not making a sec- (continued next issue) PO Box 94

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Wagon Mound, NM 87752 and Norman Bastion demonstrating Volunteers. Thank you. On February 16, 1992, the chapter stone cutting and carving. and Bea Terry J. Rawe met at New Mexico Highlands Univer­ Sayler demonstrating rug making. 420 Butchart Dr sity Library in Las Vegas. Laura Baser Clarence Wadkins gave a living-history Edmonton, Alberta led a guided tour of the library collec­ demonstration of a buffalo soldier CANADA T6R 1R1· tions. Mike Olsen described the route (black cavalry trooper), and a moun­ by which Trail travelers reached the tain man camp was set up by Ron and plaza in Las Vegas (a planned tour of Donna VanHorn and Roy and Diana N_E_W_S~F_T,;",;A..;,;;M,;,,;;;;E;,;,;,;M_B;;;;;,;ER~S;..-.I the route was revoked because of the Connelly. I...... cold wind). Certificates of appreciation for help This list includes new memberships On March 15 the chapter met at the with the marking of the Wet and Dry received since the last issue. Those Brown Hotel in Springer, and Jerry routes were presented to Larry Mix, received after this printing will appear Smith gave a guided tourofthehistoric Carl Immenschuh, and Joanne Van­ in the next issue. Ifthere is an error in hotelwhich has been restored. A nomi­ Coevern. Money earned from the bar­ this information, please send correc­ natingcommittee was appointed to se­ becue will be used to complete the tions to the editor. We thank you for lect candidates for a new board of di­ marking of the routes. Earlier awards your support. rectors. were presented to Randy Morell, Morell On April 26 thirty-four members and Funeral Home; Larry Carr, Carr Auc­ Ray Dewey, Dewey Trading Co., 53 Old guests met at Wagon Mound to climb tion and Real Estate; and Ralph Baird, Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe NM 87501 to the top ofthe famous landmark, and Ralph Baird Ford, for their help in 25 made it to the top. Della Rich getting the markers installed. slipped and fell on the way down, The summer chapter meeting will be Lyndon Carnegie Ubrary, 127 E 6th, Lyn­ breakinga bone in her foot. A mealwas on Sunday, July 19, 2:00 p.m. at the don KS 66451 enjoyed at Levi's Cafe, and the busi­ Santa Fe Trail Center near Larned. ness meeting was held at the Santa David Clapsaddle will speak on the various routes that comprise the Wet Gerald & Maxyne Barker, RR 1 Box 42, Clara Hotel. Elected to two-year terms Oxford KS 67119 and Dryroutes ofthe Trail. He will then on the board of directors were Faye Ralph & Gail Bellar, 1607 Walnut, Harper Gaines, Point of Rocks; Eileen Mon­ lead a tour ofthe pre-1859 Dry Route, KS 67058 toya and Dr. Milton Swensop, Ocate; which will include approximately five Leo & Pauline Bonfadini, 830 Smith Ave, Andy Williams, Springer; LeRoy Le- stops. Plans are underway for a club­ Trinidad CO 81082 . Doux, Wagon Mound; and Wink Win­ sponsored tour ofthe entire Wet Route Robert & Lillian Budell, 31762 Village kle and Mike Olsen, Las Vegas. The on October 10 as noted elsewhere in School Rd, Westlake Village CA 91361 board elected the following officers: this issue. Scott & Karen Davis, RR 3 Box 58, Council President LeRoy LeDoux; Vice-Presi­ Grove KS 66846 Mountain Branch dent Andy Williams; and Secre­ Lucille & Henry Deupree, RR 7 Box 129­ tary/Treasurer Wink Winkle. The re­ President Roberta Cordova H,Santa Fe NM 87505 tiring directors were thanked for their 202 East Sixth Sl Dr. B. R. & Patricia Dryden, 901 Club View service: Anita Wiggins, Rusty Mon­ Trinidad, CO 81082 Dr, I:>odge City KS 67801 dragon, Richard Williams, Francisco No report. Louis J. Franc, 1016Timberwood Ln, Pica­ Cot~, yune MS 39466 Apodaca, Mike Montoya, Jack Dodge City/Fort Dodge and Mike Duran. The chapter bylaws G. E. & Faye Gaines, HCR 60 Box 27, were amended to require that mem­ President Pat Robison Springer NM 87747 bers ofthe chapter must also be mem­ 228 Custer Ronald J. & Margaret Garcia, 8149 E Colette PI, Tucson AZ 85710 bers of SITA. Fort Dodge, KS 67843 No report. William A. and Marjory M. Greene, 1043 The next three meetings were set for Encantado Dr, Santa Fe NM 87501 May 17 at Dorsey Mansion (21 mUes Missouri River Outfitters Ken & Carolyn Groninga, RR 2 Box 541, east and 12 miles north of Springer), President Roger Slusher Iowa Falls IA 50126 June 21 at the Kit Carson Museum at 1421 South Sl Ann Keehn & Robert Fortin, 139 Bartlett Rayado, and July 19 at the ranch of Lexington, MO 64067 Ave, Belmont MA 02178 Paul & Melissa Kelly, 83 Apache Ridge Rd, Pete and Faye Gaines at Point ofRocks No report. for a barbecue and NPS certification Santa Fe NM 87505 ceremony for the Point of Rocks. For W. M. & Sita Laetsch, 1554 LeRoy Ave, further information, please call Presi­ I...__H_E.....L_P_W.....A_NT.....E_D__I Berkeley CA 94708 dent LeDoux at (505) 666-2262. M/M Jack Leffert, PO Box 260, Walton IN I am seeking information on Capt. B. 46994 W. Smithson's and Capt. D. D. Stock­ Wet/Dry Routes Diana & Phil Loevenguth, 8311 Reeds ton's Company K, 3rd Regiment Mis­ Lane, Overland Park KS 66207 President Joanne VanCoevem souri Mounted Volunteers from June Ginna & Lloyd Lynd, 38 Coventry Ct, Prairie 4773 N. Wasserman Way to September 1847 as they patrolled Village KS 66208 Salina, KS 67401 the Santa Fe Trail. My great-great­ Jack & Judith McFadden, 1416 Lawrence On May 3 over 300 people gathered great grandfather, Alexander Morgan, Ave, Lawrence KS 66049 under the shady cottonwood trees of died on patrol of the Trail with this Kenneth & Sharon Miles, RR 2 Box 200A, Camp Pawnee near Larned to enjoy a company on 23 August 1847 at Rabbit Burlingame KS 66413 chuckwagon barbecue dinner. While EarCreek Camp. His son, Patrick, also Jean laReau Miller, 1524 NW 45th, Okla­ people ate they were serenaded with with thesame company, died one week homa City OK 73118 musical selections performed by Clara later at Las Vegas, NM, on 31 August Hugh & Dorothea Morris, 3 La Traviata, Goodrich and friends. Other attrac­ 1847. Cause ofboth deaths unknown. Santa Fe NM 87501 tions included GregVanCoevern giving I would appreciate hearing from any­ Carl & Mary Nelson, PO Box 868, Springer buggy rides, Bruce Kenyon demon­ one who has information on Company NM 87747 strating blacksmithing, Arthur Sayler K, 3rd Regiment Missouri Mounted Richard, Carol & Nathan Nutting, 940 Pulpit

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Rock Circle So, Colorado Springs CO Mrs. Neal DeWitt, RR 2 Box 117, Burl­ Richard D. Parrack, 222 N Hillcrest Rd, 80918 ingame KS 66413 Belton MO 64012 Edwin & Dian Olson, 1214-B Moro St, Man­ Willard G. Egan, 607 E 21 st St, San Ber­ John R. Payne, 2413 Brookside Ct, Law­ hattan KS 66502 nardino CA 92404 rence KS 66047 Jim & Dorothy Pappas, 2904 Plaza Blanca, Michael Fitzpatrick, 4507 Spencer St #309, Andrew R. Pfeiffenberger, 760 S Steele St, Santa Fe NM 87505 Torrance CA 90503 Denver CO 80209 Ray & Margery Pearsall, 1400 Central, Sylvia Forbes, PO Box 522, Fayette MO Don Pundsack, PO Box 653, Great Bend Dodge City KS 67801 65248 . KS 67530 . Of' ",-.;:: .... ',-.1 Bob Perkins & family, 2633 Deerfoot Trail, Gary L. French, RR 1, Melverrd

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May29, 1992: Dedication of markers, 1:30 ter," by Mike and Belinda Adams. Con­ Jim Krause. Contact Ron Parks at (316) p.m., Wet!Dry Routes Chapter, Sibley tact Ron Parks at (316) 767-5410. 767· 5410. Ridge, one mile east of Garfield. July 19, 1992: Wet/Dry Routes Chapter Aug. 22, 1992: Fort Union National Monu­ June 4-7,1992: Santa Fe Trail Daze Cele­ meeting at Santa Fe Trail Center, ment, candlelight tours. Reservations bration, Boise City, OK; includes pag­ Larned, 2:00 p. m. Guests welcome. required, (505) 425-8025. eant, parade, world championship post' July 19,1992: Corazon de los Caminos Aug. 29,1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ hold digging contest, and free tour ofthe Chapter meeting at Point of Rocks, bar­ gram, "A Bloomer Girl on the Santa Fe Black Mesa area (reservations re­ becue and certification ceremony Trail," by Kathy Brown. Contact Ron quired). Contact Cote, PO Box 1027, planned. Contact leRoy leDoux, PO Parks at (316) 767-5410. Boise City, OK 73933 (405) 544-3344. Box94, Wagon Mound, NM 87752 (505) Sept. 5-7, 1992: LMng-history weekend, June 6, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ 666- 2262. Fort Larned NHS. gram, "Dramatic Interpretation of Seth July 20-29, 1992: Bus tour of Santa Fe , Sept. 12, 1992: Rockport's American Dis­ Hays," by David Clapsaddle. Contact Trail, guided by Ray Breun & Marshall covery Trail- Blazer Day. Ron Parks at (316) 767-5410. Crosby. Contact AAA Travel Sept. 12-13, 1992: BCCC Tour of Fort June 7-12, 1992: Heart of the Flint Hills Agency/Group Tours, 12901 N Forty Leavenworth Road, guided by David Chapter Annual Trail Ride, Pawnee Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141. Clapsaddle. Contact Elaine Simmons, River to Council Grove. Reservations July 25,1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ • required by May 31; send to Joleen Day, BCCC, RR 3 Box 136Z, Great Bend, KS gram, "Songs of the Santa Fe Trail Pe­ 67530 (316) 792-2701. RR 3 Box 49, Council Grove, KS 66846. riod," by Clara Goodrich. Contact Ron Sept. 16, 1992: Diez y Seis de Septiembre, June 13-14, 1992: Rice Frontier Days, Parks at (316) 767-5410. Sent's Old Fort NHS. Rice-Tremonti Home, 66th & Blue Ridge July 25-26, 1992: Fort Union National Sept. 19-0ct. 9, 1992: Third Annual Santa Blvd., Raytown, MO. Monument, "Cultural Encounters on the June 20, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Santa Fe Trail," including speakers, Fe Trail BikeTrek. Contact Willard Chil­ cott, 885 Camino Del Este, Santa Fe, gram, "Hieberts DUlcimers Etc.," by Ed­ demonstrations, and IMng-history pro­ NM 87501. die and Robert Hiebert. Contact Ron grams. Lunch available. Parks at (316) 767-5410. Aug. 1, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Sept. 26, 1992: Candlelight Tour, Fort June 20,1992: Fort Union National Monu­ gram, "Native American Tribal Art Larned NHS (reservations required); ment, special guided tours of Trail ruts Forms," by Dennis Rogers. Contact Ron call (316) 285-6911. and sites in the Fort Union-Watrous Parks at (316) 767-5410. Sept. 26, 1992: First Annual Santa Fe Trail area. Reservations required, (505) 425­ Aug. 8, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Arts Festival and Chili Cook-off, Council 8025. gram, "Fashions of the 1860s," by Grove, KS, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with June 21, 1992: Corazon de los Caminos Washington County Historical Fashions pageant at 7:00 p.m. at the Neosho Chapter meeting at Kit Carson Museum group. Contact Ron Parks at (316) 767­ River Crossing amphitheater. at Rayado, 2:00 p.m. 5410. Sept. 27, 1992: Heart of the Flint Hills June 21-28, 1992:Lexington Bit & Bridle Aug. 8, 1992: Kid's Quarters, Bent's Old Chapter parade, program, and annual Club Annual Santa Fe Wagon Train Fort NHS. meeting of members. Ride. Contact Sandra Hayes, RR 1 Box Aug.8-16,1992: Bustour ofSanta FeTrail, Oct. 10, 1992: Wet/Dry Routes Chapter 197, Higginsville, MO 64037. guided by Leo & Bonita Oliva. Contact tour of the Wet Route. Cost $10.00, June 29, 1992: NRA Mountain Men Ren­ Masterpiece Tours, PO Box 5033, includes transportation and lunch. lim­ dezvous, Whittington Center south of Topeka, KS 66605 (800) 358-3079, ext. ited to 90 participants. Send reserva­ Raton, NM. 242, or (913) 233-6053. tions to Pam Wetzel, RR 1 Box 21, July 3-5, 1992: Fur Trade Encampment, Aug. 12-15, 1992: OCTA Convention, Offerle, KS 67563. Bent's Old Fort NHS. Rock Springs, Wyoming. Contact Oct. 10-11, 1992: 1840s Indian Encamp­ July 4,1992: Old Time Independence Day OCTA, PO Box 1019, Independence, ment, Bent's Old Fort NHS. celebration, Fort Larned NHS. MO 64501-0519. Oct. 24-25, 1992: BCCC Tour to Washita July 9, 1992: Wagonbed Spring Chapter Aug. 15, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Battle Site, guided by David Clapsaddle. meeting at Ulysses, KS, 7:00 p.m. gram, "Trail Tales from the Heart of the Contact Elaine Simmons, BCCC, RR 3 July 11, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Flint Hills," by Don Cress. Contact Ron Box 136Z, Great Bend, KS 67530 (316) gram, "Old-Time Blacksmith Work," by Parks at (316) 767-5410. 792-2701. Jim Bevan. Contact Ron Parks at (316) Aug. 21-23, 1992: Coronado Trail Associa­ Dec. 11-12, 1992: Traditional Holiday 767- 5410. tion Conference, Las Vegas, NM. Con­ Celebration, Bent's Old Fort NHS. July14,1992: Heart ofthe Flint Hills Chap­ tact Shirley Flint, PO Box 216, Vil­ Dec. 12, 1992: Christmas Open House, ter quarterly meeting. lanueva, NM 87583 (505) 421-2515. Fort Larned NHS. July 18,1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Aug. 22, 1992: Kaw Mission Councils pro­ Sept. 1993: Santa Fe Trail Symposium, gram, "The Scout and the Schoolmas- gram, "Traditional Songs of Kansas," by Bent's Old Fort and La Junta, CO. WAGONTRACKS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Santa Fe TrailAssociation U.s, RR 1, Box 31 POSTAGE Woodston, KS 67675 PAID , PERMIT NO.2 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED WOODSTON, KS 67875 FORWARDING POSTAGE GUARANTEED

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