The Ol’ Pioneer The Magazine of the Grand Canyon Historical Society

Volume 23 : Number 1 www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Winter 2012

General Ulysses S. Grant Senator Lyman Trumbull Senator Henry Wilson Senator Ben Wade

Major John Wesley Powell

In This Issue

Pop Go the Egyptians ...... 3 The Impeachment of John Wesley Powell ...... 6

George T. Brown, sergeant-at-arms, serving the summons on President Johnson, 1868. President’s Letter The Ol’ Pioneer The Magazine of the Happy New Year everyone! And 2012 is an especially happy year for Arizo- Grand Canyon Historical Society na and Grand Canyon historians. This year we celebrate Arizona’s 100th birth- Volume 24 : Number 41 day as a state (she looks pretty good for her age – must be the dry climate). This Winter 2012 is also the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Kolb brothers historic river trip where they took the footage for their famous movie. But most importantly, u this January we have our third Grand Canyon History Symposium at the south The Historical Society was established rim! in July 1984 as a non-profit corporation When we started initial planning for the symposium a year and a half ago, to develop and promote appreciation, I thought that it was going to require a lot of time, effort, and hard work. I was under-standing and education of the wrong. I had way underestimated it. The actual carving of the Grand Canyon earlier history of the inhabitants and itself was fairly trivial by comparison. The poet Sam Walter Foss once famously important events of the Grand Canyon. wrote, “Give me men to match my mountains.” Fortunately, in the unpaid vol- The Ol’ Pioneer is published by the unteers of the historical society and its partners, we have superheroes to match GRAND CANYON HISTORICAL our symposium. It has been truly gratifying over the last few months to watch SOCIETY in conjunction with The the high degree of dedication and cooperation between the many people in- Bulletin, an informational newsletter. volved in making this happen. The line-up of presenters, tours, and banquet Both publications are a benefit of membership. Membership in the Society speakers is incredible and our registration has been sold out for weeks. This is open to any person interested in the promises to be a great symposium, but it is only possible through great people. historical, educational, and charitable Along with the new year and the new symposium, the society also has a new purposes of the Society. Membership is logo! Professional graphic artist (and canyon enthusiast) James Hayford has on an annual basis using the standard donated his artistry and skills to produce a special logo graphic for the society calendar; and dues of $20 are payable on the 1st of January each year, and mailed featuring the Desert View Watchtower as well as another image of a canyon to the GCHS Treasurer, PO Box 31405 made of books and papers (representing the history of the canyon). Aside from Flagstaff, AZ 86003-1405. The Ol’ Pioneer use on our website and other official places, we are also going to be offering a magazine is copyrighted by the Grand variety of official Grand Canyon Historical Society t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. for Canyon Historical Society, Inc. All rights sale online featuring the images (all proceeds going to the society). The items reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form are being offered through the CafePress website: www.cafepress.com/gchs without permission of the publisher. Thank you and happy hiking!!! Editor: Mary Williams Erik Berg Submit photos and stories to the The Ol’ Pioneer GCHS President editor of at: info@ marywilliamsdesign.com or 4880 N Weatherford Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. (928) 779-3377. Please submit written articles and photos electronically on CD or via email if possible. You may mail photos or slides for scanning if needed.

2012 Grand Canyon History Symposium Submissions to The Bulletin should be sent to Karen Greig, [email protected] An Official Centennial Event, as sanctioned by the Arizona GCHS Officers Centennial 2012 Foundation Sanctioned Events Committee! Erik Berg, President John Azar, Vice President January 26-29, 2012 Keith Green, Treasurer Tom Martin, Secretary Amy Horn, Pioneer Award Shrine of the Ages, Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park Al Richmond, Awards Chair Paul Schnur, Membership Committee John Azar, Outings Coordinator

Board of Directors Howard Asaki Amy Horn John Azar Tom Martin The Ol’ Pioneer submission deadlines are going to be roughly January, April, Erik Berg Mona McCroskey July and October and we will publish either three or four issues a year, Ellen Brennan Tom Martin Kathy Faretta Carol Naille depending on content volume. Keith Green Wayne Ranney Karen Greig Paul Schnur 2 : Grand Canyon Historical Society Pop Go the Egyptians by Don Lago and they find his dead horse and his and a Grand Canyon cave. Cheryl diary, which includes an account of travels, more conventionally, to the n my Summer of 2009 Ol’ Pioneer him trying to scale a canyon cliff. They Grand Canyon, pursued by both the article about the origins of the find Aztec symbols painted on a cliff U.S. Air Force and a ruthless- Mafia- myth of the Egyptian cave in the and push on it, and a secret doorway like collector of ancient artifacts. GrandI Canyon, I reported that this opens up, revealing a cave full of Cheryl rides mules to Phantom myth had already taken a firm hold in Aztecan symbols. From the cave they Ranch and then hikes six miles to the the New Age community, and I pre- emerge in a hidden canyon with an Egyptian cave. The cave holds time- dicted that it would continue appear- Aztec temple—and living Aztecs! The travel technology with which future ing and evolving. In the last few years Aztecs are in the process of sacrificing humans had tried to come back to the this myth has started showing up in members of Dr. Jordan’s team; they 20th century to warn people about popular culture, where it is gaining a cut out one man’s heart and offer it the dangers of fossil fuels and global much wider audience. Here are three to Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god who warming. But the time travelers developments. turns out to be a flying, dragon-type had miscalculated and transported In December, 2008, the SciFi monster. Susan and her friends come themselves back an extra 10,000 years. Channel broadcast its original movie to the rescue, and then they flee and They then built the pyramids to hide Lost Treasure of the Grand Canyon. fight their way through a labyrinth of their advanced technologies, which It was filmed in the deep valley of tunnels, where a booby-trap axe falls one day would provide humans with Cache Creek in British Columbia, and cuts off one man’s head, and the clean, abundant energy. which is one of the few places in roof collapses. The Phoenix Gazette Also in 2009 appeared a novel by Canada with a desert environment, reporter is devoured by Quetzalcoatl. popular kid’s novelist Dan Gutman. but otherwise Cache Creek was a poor Dr. Jordan and Susan escape. Dr. The Return of the Homework Machine impersonation of the Grand Canyon. Jordan never explains how he could was a sequel to Gutman’s successful The movie was a poor impersonation have mistaken Aztecan artifacts for novel The Homework Machine, in of an Indiana Jones movie, almost a Egyptian artifacts, or why the movie which the fifth-grade kids at the parody of one, with bad acting, bad producers weren’t content to fill the Grand Canyon school use a computer dialogue, a melodramatic plot, and hidden canyon with evil Egyptian superchip to build a machine that cheap special effects, including a priests and mummies. does their homework for them. laughable quicksand scene. In 2009 appeared the science- To hide their secret they end up The movie starts with a Phoenix fiction novelSecrets of El Tovar Canyon, catapulting the homework machine Gazette reporter showing up at a by Michael Cole. into the canyon. In the sequel the Hopi ruin, where archaeologist Rafters discover a golden tablet kids realize that the superchip wasn’t Susan Jordan is conducting an buried in the sand along the Colorado destroyed by its crash in the canyon. excavation. Susan Jordan is the River at the bottom of the Grand In the school library they run across daughter of Dr. Samuel Jordan, who Canyon. An archaeologist reads its the Phoenix Gazette article about the had led a Smithsonian expedition hieroglyphs and map and realizes Egyptian cave, and along with their into the Grand Canyon to prove his the tablet depicts the Great Pyramid teacher Mr. Murphy they decide to theories that the ancient Egyptians of Giza and the Sphinx—and secret go find it. But a bad kid steals the had explored America. The Phoenix underground passageways. The superchip and adds it to his GPS Gazette reporter had recently archaeologist, Cheryl, then learns unit and goes to claim the Egyptian published a story on Dr. Jordan’s about Dr. Jordan’s 1909 expedition, treasure for himself and an adult discoveries, and was supposed to which left a rich trove of artifacts in accomplice, Richard Milner. The kids meet Dr. Jordan here today. But Dr. the Smithsonian, including strange and Mr. Murphy hike to Phantom Jordan has disappeared. The reporter giant mummies. Cheryl travels to Ranch and borrow a raft and head shows Susan some Egyptian artifacts Egypt and discovers, in a secret downstream to the Egyptian temples that Dr. Jordan found in a Grand chamber in the paw of the Sphinx, zone. They climb the cliffs and find Canyon cave; the Hopis say these a similar golden tablet. It turns out the cave, which is full of Egyptian artifacts “come from a great pyramid that the pyramids weren’t built by treasures and mummies—and the hidden behind the canyon wall.” the Egyptians, but by superior, giant body of G. E. Kinkaid, who must Another archaeologist looks at these beings 10,000 years ago. The pyramids have returned there and died there, artifacts and declares that they are hid a powerful energy source that perhaps from an Egyptian curse. They really Aztecan. had allowed its creators to transport also find that their rivals have beaten They set out in search of Dr. Jordan, themselves between the pyramids them to the cave. Richard Milner www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 3 grabs a golden Egyptian sword and his death. The kids decide to leave growing up knowing all about the attacks Mr. Murphy, but Milner trips the Egyptian cave a secret, especially Grand Canyon’s Egyptian cave, it is over Kinkaid’s body and falls out of since it seems to be cursed. sure to continue mutating into new the cave mouth and down the cliff to Now that a new generation is forms.

The Impeachment of John Wesley Powell by Don Lago senate began the impeachment trial. Powell submitted an official letter Both sides in the trial declared that to Grant on April 29, 1867, asking n the spring of 1868 John Wesley the fate of American democracy was “that the officers of the Commissary Powell was preparing for his sec- at stake. Department, on the route traveled by ond summer of leading a scien- One week before the impeachment the party, may be instructed to sell tificI expedition to explore the Rocky trial began, John Wesley Powell left supplies to it at government rates.”2 Mountains, and he was looking be- his home in Bloomington, Illinois, On that same date General Grant, yond that to leading an expedition for Washington D. C. to enlist or at least his staff officer George K. down the Colorado River. For his first government support for his plans.1 Leet, endorsed Powell’s request, and summer in the Rockies Powell had Powell’s hopes would depend on Leet sent an endorsement to General obtained support from several sourc- the help of two men: General Grant, Winfield S. Hancock, the army es, including from General Ulysses S and Illinois Senator Lyman Trumbull. commander on Powell’s route. Grant. Grant issued an order allow- But both Grant and Trumbull became Nearly a year later, on April 2, ing Powell to purchase supplies from lightning rods for the anger swirling 1868, Powell submitted a similar military posts at a low price, and as- around Andrew Johnson. Many letter to General Grant. There was one signed a military escort for Powell senators would be furious at Lyman difference. This time Powell wasn’t in the Dakota Territory, which was Trumbull, blaming him for the failure asking for low-cost provisions, but troubled with Indian unrest. Pow- of the impeachment, which was free provisions: “I most respectfully ell changed his mind about going finally abandoned on May 26. request that the proper Officers be through the Dakota Territory and so The day before that, on May 25, instructed to issue rations to this never needed this military escort, but Lyman Trumbull stood up in the U. S. party while thus engaged, the party Grant’s approval of it was a badge of senate to advocate a trivial measure, to consist of not more than twenty- legitimacy for Powell. Powell also ob- which normally should have drawn five persons.”3 tained scientific instruments from the little notice among numerous other, The rest of Powell’s letter shows Smithsonian Institution. larger requests for government aid. that he was an astute politician. He With the success of Powell’s But four pro-impeachment senators tried to give his expedition high 1867 expedition his legitimacy as an rose to challenge Trumbull and official status, identifying himself as expedition leader seemed proven, and to criticize his petitioner, and the the Secretary of the Illinois Natural he had every right to expect further ensuing debate consumed probably History Society, and stating that the support from Washington D. C.. about two hours of valuable senate expedition was “under the auspices But a great deal had changed in time. Trumbull’s petitioner was John of the State Normal University of Washington since 1867. The nation Wesley Powell. The fate of the Powell Illinois,” where Powell was on the was now gripped by one of the expedition down the Colorado River faculty.4 In truth, both organizations worst political crises in its history. would be decided by the furious were only ten years old and quite The angry divisions that had led to waves and eddies of powerful small and humble; Powell had been the Civil War had been stirred anew historical forces. dismayed to find that their shared by the policies of President Andrew natural history collection was an Johnson. Most northerners felt that In 1867 Powell had won federal amateurish mess. Powell’s western Johnson had betrayed the cause and support easily. He had traveled to expeditions were energized mainly the blood and the victory of Union Washington and consulted with by Powell’s personal enthusiasm. armies and was allowing southerners General Grant, whom he had first Powell proposed to survey the to reassert their power, including met in 1861 at Cape Girardeau, Colorado River “from its source to brutal power over the freed slaves. Missouri, where Powell was an the point where the survey made On February 24, 1868, the U. S. house artillery captain. In 1867 Grant was by Lieutenant Ives was stopped.” of representatives voted to impeach General of the Army and an iconic Powell justified this survey as crucial President Johnson. On March 30, the hero with tremendous influence. science: “the grand cañon of the

4 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Colorado will give the best geological man. Johnson was drunk at his vice American citizens, with legal rights. section on the continent.” Yet like presidential inauguration, made a Both pieces of legislation were NASA advocates a century later, shambles of his inaugural speech, authored by Senator Lyman Trumbull Powell had no shame about justifying and appalled everyone. Lincoln had of Illinois, the chairman of the Senate exploration in the name of national chosen Johnson to be vice president Judiciary Committee. Trumbull defense: “Nor is it necessary to plead in his second term because Lincoln had also authored the Thirteenth the value to the War Department wanted to reassure the South that they Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, of a topographical survey of that would be welcomed back into the which outlawed slavery. Congress wonderful region, inhabited as it is Union. Johnson, a Tennessee senator, failed to muster the two-thirds vote by powerful tribes of Indians that was the only southern senator who needed to override Johnson’s veto will doubtless become hostile as the had remained loyal to the Union. But of the Freedmen’s Bureau bill, but prospector and the pioneer encroach Johnson had retained many southern by one vote it did override Johnson upon their hunting grounds.” Powell habits, including crude racism: he on the Civil Rights Act. Trumbull insisted that his financial request was believed that blacks were an inferior would help see that the core of the “trivial” compared with the costs of race who didn’t deserve equality with Civil Rights Act was soon cemented other western surveys.5 whites. Johnson was also a Democrat into the U. S. Constitution as the The next day, General Grant in a government dominated by the Fourteenth Amendment, which endorsed Powell’s request, noting: Republican Party, which had been would be the foundation for much “The work is one of national interest.”6 founded to combat slavery. of the civil rights progress of the Three days later the War With the end of the Civil War twentieth century. Lyman Trumbull Department rejected Grant’s request. many northern congressmen were was ahead of his times—the Civil Commissary General of Subsistence determined to reconstruct southern Rights Act even declared that A. E. Eaton declared “that ‘rations’ society, to break up its feudalistic Native Americans and Chinese were cannot be ‘issued’ to the party as social order, redistribute its plantation American citizens—but his regard requested without the sanction of law, lands, and ensure equality for the for equality was tempered by his as its members are not the employees freed slaves. White southerners regard for the U. S. Constitution. of or in the service of the United began resisting, passing laws to Radical Republicans—those most States.” Eaton was willing for Powell restrict black rights and launching aggressively pushing reconstruction to purchase supplies from army posts, violence against blacks, violence measures—were often annoyed at “at the total cost to the United States,” that was soon widespread and well- Trumbull for hedging on civil rights but only if local commanders decided organized. President Johnson refused for the sake of constitutionality. they could spare such supplies. “If to use federal authority to protect But this meant that when Trumbull this is not deemed satisfactory to the blacks, and in fact he tried to sabotage authored civil rights legislation, it principle of the party it is respectfully reconstruction efforts. Johnson was was legally unquestionable. suggested that he should obtain the eager to see southern states reclaim President Johnson further enactment of a law according him their sovereignty, justifying it with heightened tensions by ousting such other aid as he may seek.”7 the same language of states’ rights some of Lincoln’s cabinet choices Commissary General Eaton’s job that southerners had used to justify and replacing them with his own did include guarding the military secession. Johnson gave wholesale supporters, and by firing military purse, but it was extraordinary for pardons to Confederate leaders, commanders who were enforcing a War Department bureaucrat to whom many northerners wanted to reconstruction measures in the South. overrule General Grant, especially see punished. Northern congressmen Congress tried to restrict Johnson’s for an expenditure that was indeed were appalled at the idea that ex- power with two major laws. One law trivial. At least, this overruling would Confederate generals might soon required that any presidential orders have been extraordinary only a year arrive in Washington as U. S. senators to the military had to go through the before, before General Grant became and assert power over the nation they General of the Army, Ulysses S Grant, embroiled in the impeachment of had tried to destroy on the battlefield. who was now a determined opponent Andrew Johnson. The tensions between President of Andrew Johnson. The other law, Andrew Johnson faced the difficult Johnson and congress mounted the Tenure of Office Act, required task of succeeding Abraham Lincoln, steadily, and they rose seriously Johnson to get approval from congress who was rapidly being elevated to when Johnson vetoed two major before he removed any cabinet sainthood. Many Americans resented pieces of reconstruction legislation, member or other federal executive Johnson’s mere presence in the White the Freedmen’s Bureau bill and the whose appointment had required House, and Johnson gave them Civil Rights Act. The Freedmen’s congressional approval to begin with. lots more to resent. In contrast with Bureau was an agency to protect The Tenure of Office Act contained a Lincoln’s generous spirit, Johnson was and aid freed slaves, and the Civil trap, for it defined a violation of it as a crude, pugnacious, and vindictive Rights Act declared that blacks were a “high misdemeanor,” which should www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 5 fit the Constitution’s requirements in the Tenure of Office Act. He fired Civil War. Several generals agreed for a presidential impeachment, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who that the Indian unrest on the plains requirements defined as “high crimes had been resisting Johnson’s policies. did not require such large numbers and misdemeanors.” But Stanton refused to go, and he of troops. Upon receiving Eaton’s Trapped between congress and barricaded himself in his office, where complaint, Grant wrote to General President Johnson was General he would remain for three months, William T. Sherman, who was in Grant. As national anger mounted, cooking meals in his office fireplace. St. Louis and in charge of western Americans worried or hoped that the Stanton even arranged for a judge operations: “Look into them and stop army would overthrow Johnson, or to order the arrest of the adjutant- all unnecessary expenditures and that Johnson would order the army general Johnson had named to reduce all necessary ones to actual to remove a treasonous congress. replace him, Lorenzo Thomas, whom requirements.”8 President Johnson What would Grant do? At first Stanton branded an illegal imposter. had promoted Eaton to Brevet Grant tried to be neutral. But Grant Nearly three years of frustration and Major General in 1865, so was Eaton became more and more disgusted furor over Andrew Johnson now beholding to Johnson and taking his with Johnson and his policies. Grant concentrated on the question of who side against Grant? Then again, Grant hadn’t led tens of thousands of men controlled the War Department. retained Eaton in office through most to their deaths in order to see their The firing of Stanton threw the of Grant’s presidency. sacrifices betrayed, their enemies nation into an uproar. There was rage After Eaton’s insistence that it triumphant. Grant was appalled in newspapers, pulpits, and taverns. would take a law for Powell to obtain by the growing violence against There was talk of a new civil war, of his requested aid, Powell had no the freed slaves, and by Johnson’s armies marching from the South to choice but to go to congress. Powell indifference. Grant was furious support Johnson, or armies marching went to his U.S. representative, when Johnson fired his friends, like from the North to overthrow Johnson. Shelby Cullom, and to Senator Lyman General Phil Sheridan, because they Radical Republicans declared that Trumbull, who would become his were trying to enforce reconstruction Johnson’s violation of the Tenure advocate on the senate floor. Why did measures in the southern states they of Office Act was the compelling Powell turn to Trumbull and not the commanded. Grant began resisting legal grounds they needed for other senator from Illinois, Richard Johnson’s efforts, first passively, then impeachment. Almost all of the Yates? Yates was newly elected actively. Grant even disobeyed and articles of impeachment dealt with and held little influence, whereas countermanded Johnson’s orders, Johnson’s attempted, illegal seizure Trumbull had been in the senate for as when Johnson wanted the army of the War Department. a dozen years and, as the chairman to take no further role in protecting It was only a few weeks later that a of the Senate Judiciary Committee, blacks, but Grant ordered the army to War Department bureaucrat snubbed was a respected and powerful arrest civil rights violators. Johnson General Grant, refusing to honor his senator. Congressman Cullom was called Grant a traitor. Johnson knew trivial request for Somebody Powell. the protégé of Senator Trumbull, and he couldn’t fire a national hero, so Was this just another shot in the they often worked together. Trumbull he tried to get rid of Grant in other furious battle over who controlled the was one of two senate regents of the ways, such as by sending him on a War Department? Smithsonian Institution; he cared long overseas diplomatic mission. Commissary General A. B. Eaton about science and exploration. Grant refused to go. Johnson tried has left little trace in the historical Powell had a ready link to Trumbull to talk General William T. Sherman record, so it’s hard to gauge his through Jesse Fell, a leading citizen into replacing Grant as General of the motives in overruling Grant’s request of Bloomington, Illinois, and one Army, but Sherman refused. Johnson for Powell. Eaton was a West Pointer of the founders of the State Normal tried to appoint Grant interim and career soldier who had spent University of Illinois, Powell’s Secretary of War, which would get a dozen years in the commissary college. Fell was a high-powered rid of another Johnson opponent, department before becoming political operative who was Lincoln’s Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Commissary General in 1864. Grant’s floor manager at the 1860 Republican Grant used some clever maneuvering papers hold only a few, routine convention and who helped manage to restore Stanton to his office. interactions with Eaton before Trumbull’s tough 1866 re-election Radical Republicans made several 1868, and in the only interaction of campaign. Trumbull’s campaign had efforts to organize the impeachment significance Eaton and Grant were left him in debt and he’d appealed of President Johnson, but their efforts like-minded. In July of 1865 Eaton to Fell for help. A century after the floundered because their charges complained to Grant about excessive Powell expedition, the proximity against Johnson were too nakedly requests for requisitions being made of Powell and Jesse Fell was still political, too weak legally. by Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, to visible symbolically on the campus In late February, 1868, President which large numbers of troops were of (renamed) Illinois State University. Johnson walked right into the trap being redeployed after the end of the Around the corner from the Jesse

6 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Fell Memorial Gate was the science money-minded congressmen, so announced that, reluctantly, he had building, whose entryway held a he promised some Teflon-and-Tang to vote against impeachment. His plaque listing the college’s first science spinoffs: “Though the object of the fellow senators gasped. faculty members, including John exploration is the advance of science, The next night, thousands of Wesley Powell and George Vasey (for its results will be of much practical people gathered in the streets whom Powell named a spring in the value. The professor intends to give of Chicago to denounce Lyman Grand Canyon), and in a hallway was special attention to the hydrology of Trumbull. Anti-Trumbull meetings a bighorn sheep collected by Powell the mountain system in relation to were held all over Illinois. The Illinois in Colorado. And given Powell’s agriculture.”9 Republican congressional delegation abolitionist sentiments, Powell must There was no debate over Powell’s prepared a letter demanding have admired Trumbull for his civil request, and no one called for a that Trumbull resign from office. rights initiatives. recording of the yeas and nays. The Thousands of angry letters poured At the time Powell went to resolution was passed by voice vote. in, accusing Trumbull of being a Trumbull, Trumbull’s intentions If anyone voted against Powell, there traitor, another Benedict Arnold, a on the impeachment vote were still is no record of it. madman who belonged in a lunatic unknown. Most people assumed The next day, May 12, the house asylum. Some people threatened that Trumbull was a safe vote for of representatives sent Powell’s physical harm: if Trumbull showed impeachment, since Trumbull had resolution to the senate. The senate up on the streets of Chicago, he’d be authored many of the reconstruction referred the Powell resolution to the lynched from the nearest lamppost. measures Johnson had sabotaged. Senate Committee on Military Affairs. Newspapers around the country On the campaign trail in 1866 The senate had scheduled its denounced Trumbull. When the Trumbull had called for Johnson’s first vote on impeachment for May Chicago Tribune, a longtime Trumbull impeachment. Shelby Cullom was 16. There were eleven articles of supporter, said that Trumbull’s confident Trumbull would vote for impeachment, and the senate would vote might be regrettable but it impeachment. vote first on the eleventh article, since remained honorable, subscribers On April 16 Congressman Cullom that was judged the most general and advertisers bombarded the introduced joint resolution HR 251, and the one most likely to pass. newspaper with outrage. authorizing the War Department Impeachment required the votes of But in contrast with a few of the to provide John Wesley Powell two-thirds of the senate, and the vote other Republican senators who would with army supplies. Without any was expected to be very close. vote against impeachment, Lyman discussion the bill was sent to the Lyman Trumbull loathed Andrew Trumbull was not accused of taking House Committee on Military Affairs, Johnson and his policies, but as bribes for his vote. Trumbull was too chaired by Ohio Congressman James the impeachment process went respected for that, which was why his Garfield. Garfield would become on, Trumbull had more and more decision against impeachment was so an important Powell ally for years misgivings about it. Trumbull had threatening to the pro-impeachment to come; it was Garfield who would served as a justice on the Illinois side. Trumbull created safe cover for persuade Powell to write a popular Supreme Court, and now he was other Republican senators to oppose book about his expedition. Garfield chairman of the Senate Judiciary impeachment. would also be elected president of the Committee, and his judicial mind The first vote on impeachment United States in 1880. honored the importance of law and the was taken on May 16, and it came up It was Garfield who on May 11 Constitution. The Constitution said one vote short. Thirty-five senators submitted HR 251 to the house of that impeachment might be justified voted for impeachment, and nineteen representatives. Garfield presented by “high crimes and misdemeanors,” against, including seven Republicans. Powell’s request letter to Grant, and which was rather vague, but clearly Congress adjourned for a week Grant’s endorsement, and Eaton’s it implied criminal actions, not so that members could attend the refusal. Garfield added an April 21 political actions. And clearly, Johnson Republican National Convention, letter from Joseph Henry, the director was being impeached for political which would nominate Ulysses S of the Smithsonian Institution. actions. The Tenure of Office Act Grant for president. The convention Henry said that Powell’s might be law, but it was a dubious also offered a good chance to pressure expedition had “the entire approval law. If Johnson could be removed for the defecting Republican senators. of the Smithsonian Institution,” his policies, it would be like a coup The next vote on further articles of which would supply it with scientific d’état, permanently weakening the impeachment was scheduled for May instruments. Henry emphasized that presidency and American democracy. 26. The prosecutors were still hoping Powell was not pursing any monetary In a closed senate session on to find one vote to shift, but it looked or personal interest but serving May 11, the same day the house of bleak. natural history. But Henry had plenty representatives was voting on the On May 25, Senator Henry Wilson of experience at selling science to Powell resolution, Lyman Trumbull of Massachusetts rose to introduce HR www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 7 251, authorizing the War Department Timothy Howe of Wisconsin, They attacked the necessity to grant supplies to John Wesley and Lot Morrill of Maine. Lyman of Powell’s explorations. Senator Powell. Like James Garfield in the Trumbull offered most of the defense, Sherman, who had heard from house, Wilson was the chairman of but then he was joined by John General William Palmer about his the Committee on Military Affairs in Conness of California, who was pro- encounter with James White, declared the senate. It may have been protocol impeachment but also pro-western that the whole of the Colorado River for the chairman of the Committee on exploration. “I know it is difficult,” had already been explored by James Military Affairs to introduce a bill his declared Conness, “for gentlemen White, and that the river’s lower committee had approved, but it was who live in the East to understand region was then being surveyed also smart politics. Henry Wilson was or sufficiently estimate the extent by General Palmer. Trumbull was a highly respected senator, whom of that West belonging to their own befuddled by this, having heard Ulysses S Grant would choose to be country which is not yet understood. nothing about White, and he replied his vice president in his second term. It is only twenty-five years since… that Senator Sherman’s own brother, Wilson had become respected for Frémont was authorized to explore General William T. Sherman, had his role as a watchdog over military what is at this day as well understood in 1867 endorsed Powell’s efforts. spending during the war; no one as the city of Washington, but was Senator Conness explained that could accuse Wilson of encouraging then unknown to this country. Now General Palmer had merely surveyed wasteful raids on military supplies. portions of it may be said to be a line that crossed the Colorado River, Wilson was also pro-impeachment. teeming with population, industry, that “He was not in this region at all. Wilson made a brief introduction of and civilization, but it is the result But it is very essential to their further the Powell resolution, but when it in part of the exploration that he operations that they ascertain as much was challenged by other senators, made.”11 as they can of this region.”13 Senator Wilson turned over its defense to The debate over Powell totaled Edmonds twice suggested that the Lyman Trumbull. about 9,000 words, which probably Colorado River was of value only if There may have been another took about two hours. it was navigable, and Lieutenant Ives reason why it was Wilson and The attacking senators seemed “had gone as far up the Colorado not Trumbull who introduced the embarrassed by the time and energy as it seemed to be useful to the Powell resolution. Senator Ben they were devoting to Professor interests of man or of government Wade, the president pro tem of the Powell; they knew they were engaging that anybody could go.”14 Senator senate, who controlled access to the in overkill. The leading attacker, Conness conceded that the Colorado senate floor and thus the ability to George Edmunds, repeatedly was unnavigable but that “it is introduce legislation, was furious belittled his own objections: “Here nevertheless important to ascertain at Lyman Trumbull. Wade was a is a private party, for some purpose, and determine the course of the river, firebrand abolitionist and a leader undoubtedly a good one—I have and not only that but to determine the of the impeachment. At that time the nothing to say about that, for I do country adjacent to it.” Senator Howe office of senate president pro tem was not know anything about it…,” “… seemed to be admitting that Powell’s next in line after the vice president to be sure it is a small matter…,” “To plans had practical value when he to succeed to the presidency. be sure it is a picayune matter…,” said: “But this river, I understand, Because there was no vice president …“of course, as everyone says, this runs through a territory supposed to under Andrew Johnson, a Johnson is a very small matter…,” “Of course, be rich in mines and not very much impeachment would have made Ben I sympathize with the object of the explored,” but then Howe said that Wade president. “Benjamin F. Wade expedition…,” “Professor Powell, “enterprising mining companies never forgave Trumbull,” wrote with that accuracy and modesty should take it into their heads that this Trumbull biographer Ralph J. Roske. which almost always characterize was a good opportunity to employ “He took a revenge against Trumbull learned men and true men, merely Professor Powell to make surveys in that was stained with smallness. As applies to the War Department for their interest…”15 Thus, Powell didn’t Senate presiding officer, during the rations for twenty-five men, which is need government help. remainder of the session, he never a trifling thing…General Grant thinks The attacking senators repeatedly saw Trumbull when the Illinoisan that is a trifling matter…,” “I do not questioned Powell’s credentials asked for recognition.”10 If Wade’s know but that the Senate has cost the and character. Senator Edmunds ostracism of Trumbull had already United States more in talking about demanded to know if Powell was begun, someone else needed to this bill than it would to have given a trained geologist and a salaried introduce the Powell resolution. the rations…” Senator Howe called professor, and if he had any Four senators rose to criticize the it: “…this little resolution, no bigger government authority. Senator Powell resolution, all of them pro- than a grain of mustard…”12 Wilson replied: “I do not personally impeachment: George Edmunds of But the attacking senators refused know him: but I understand that Vermont, John Sherman of Ohio, to stop attacking. he is a gentleman of capacity and

8 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org character, a learned man…”16 Senator everyone in Washington and the War Department is authorized and Conness called Powell “one of the country was calling out for better directed to furnish to the expedition, best men in the nation.”17 Senator economy in government spending, without limit as to the number of Edmunds played along with this, but “it is always some other bill, men, all the quartermaster’s stores saying that “I admire and respect some abstraction that may come up and commissary stores, which [Powell] as much as my friend from hereafter that we are to be economical includes a great deal more than the Illinois does—that is not what I am about.”21 Edmunds insisted that this rations, that may be necessary for the combating by any means.” But when economy might as well begin with expedition to prosecute its work.”22 the pro-Powell senators made it clear Powell’s request. Senator Morrill: “It [his objections] is that Powell’s was a private party The curious thing about senators in regard to the unlimited character without government authority, the Edmunds and Howe is that after all of this resolution. The Secretary of other senators took this as further the fuss they made against Powell’s War is authorized and empowered to reason to oppose him. Powell had request, they didn’t even bother to issue indefinitely commissary stores no right to government aid. The pro- vote on it. But Powell’s four critics for this expedition…there is not the Powell senators insisted that Powell’s were quite successful at bedeviling slightest limitation; all the resources of private status made his expedition Lyman Trumbull, which may have the Government put at the command a bargain. Senator Conness: “If the been their primary impulse. of this expedition.”23 By opposing Government should organize an Powell’s critics were also probably Powell, pro-impeachment senators expedition to make the exploration motivated by an impulse and a target could take a jab at both Lyman in which Professor Powell is engaged larger than Lyman Trumbull. The Trumbull and the War Department it would probably cost $100,000 impeachment had been triggered that Trumbull had helped surrender before it were done, while in all by the intense fight over who to President Johnson. human probability the expenditures controlled the War Department: In the end Powell’s supporters to be made under this resolution, Congress or President Johnson. Now, agreed to amend the resolution if it shall pass, will not reach more with the failure of the first vote on to limit it to supplies for twenty- than a few thousand dollars.”18 But impeachment, it was pretty clear that five men, which is all that Powell Senator Howe answered that since Johnson had won. The day after the had requested and that Grant had the government had no control over senate debated the Powell resolution, endorsed to begin with. Powell, he could use his explorations the senate voted on another article of The yeas and nays were called. of a region “rich in mines” for impeachment, and it too failed, by Twenty-five senators voted in favor personal gain, and the government the same vote totals. Impeachment of Powell and seven voted against. shouldn’t help him do so: “That it supporters gave up, and that Twenty-two senators did not vote. would be so used of course I cannot afternoon Edwin Stanton abandoned Five of the seven votes against Powell know. That it would not be so used his office at the War Department and were pro-impeachment senators. nobody can know who does not let President Johnson take it over. The The vote tally offers some statistical know thoroughly the character of Powell resolution too was all about support, but only mild support, to Professor Powell.”19 Senator Morrill the authority of the War Department. the theory that votes against Powell complained that not only would the The anti-Powell senators were were motived by pro-impeachment government have no control over bothered that the War Department sentiments. Among senators voting Powell’s explorations or results, it was being given the authority to against impeachment, only 10.5% couldn’t even limit the amount of ‘give away the store,’ and they were voted against Powell. Among senators supplies Powell took. This would trying to impose congressional voting for impeachment, 14.2% be, said Morrill, up to “the judgment control over the War Department— voted against Powell. If Edmunds of Professor Powell, over which the President Johnson’s War Department. and Howe had bothered to vote, government has not the slightest Controlling Powell’s supplies might this would have been 20%. To put it control…How much that may be be a trivial victory indeed compared another way, 64.8% of senators voted nobody here sees and nobody can with controlling reconstruction policy, in favor of impeachment, but among know, of course. How well defined but it might offer some symbolic the senators voting against Powell, the expedition is I do not know, and satisfaction. Repeatedly in the debate, 71.4% were in favor of impeachment. I have not heard it stated. Any one the anti-Powell senators claimed that If Edmunds and Howe had bothered can see that if the expedition is to they didn’t oppose Professor Powell to vote, this would have been 77.7%. expand to the extent of exploring or the idea of exploration or the Perhaps the absence of Edmunds and the entire river on a grand scale… “trifling” sums involved, but they did Howe proves that they never really that your quartermaster’s stores oppose giving the War Department a cared much about Powell to begin and commissary stores will be free hand. Senator Edmunds: “Then, with. called on to a very great amount.”20 what kind of bill do we get here? A stronger factor than Senator Edmunds emphasized that We get a bill which says that the impeachment sentiments was www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 9 regional loyalties. All senators from swarming with prospectors heading The admission of Nevada as a state in west of the Mississippi River, if they for the Pike’s Peak gold rush. In 1864 had added three electoral votes voted, voted in favor of Powell. Four 1868, during the impeachment to Abraham Lincoln’s re-election of the seven votes against Powell trial, William was in New Mexico, margin. Wade saw Colorado and were from New England. Five New dealing with Indian troubles, and Nebraska as potential counterweights England senators voted for Powell, wrote to John about his plans to to Andrew Johnson’s power, though meaning that New England was 45% resettle the Navajos in a remote area Wade found it hard to be enthusiastic against Powell. The other three anti- known to be worthless. Additionally, about Colorado statehood after Powell votes were from New York, John Sherman’s skepticism about the Sand Creek massacre of Native Ohio, and Kentucky. Powell was fueled by his skepticism Americans, still defended by In the end, the scenario presented about previous surveys instigated Colorado’s territorial governor. It was here is a plausible theory, but a few by the railroads, surveys that cost only when Andrew Johnson vetoed steps short of proven. It’s not as if millions of dollars and sometimes the Civil Rights Act of 1866—written Commissary General Eaton admitted turned out to be irrelevant to the by Lyman Trumbull—that Wade that he was refusing Powell because final construction route. “All these moved vigorously to win Colorado he was trying to snub Grant. It’s not surveys,” said Sherman in the senate statehood. Wade even waited until as if any senators announced they debate, “are got up either for the late one night when the senate were voting against Powell because purpose of furnishing jobs or for chamber was empty of opponents they were trying to snub Trumbull or scientific display, and their reports to bring Colorado statehood to a President Johnson’s War Department. are generally of very little practical vote. But President Johnson vetoed It’s not as if all the senators who value. I shall not vote for any bill of Colorado statehood, and Wade voted for impeachment voted against this kind.” 24 John Sherman’s distrust couldn’t rally the two-thirds vote Powell. The statistics on the vote lend of railroads would help lead him to needed to override Johnson’s veto. support to this scenario, but only create the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of If this Powell guy wanted to go modest support. Clearly, regional 1890, a landmark law meant to limit explore Colorado, his findings might differences played a larger role in the the power of railroads and other encourage settlement and statehood. Powell vote than did impeachment monopolies. Wade soon got a confirmation differences. It is reasonable enough The biggest exception to this that he had made the right vote for senators to vote against dubious scenario is that of Ohio’s other on Powell. That summer his niece, spending. However, it does stand out senator, Ben Wade, who would have Nellie Wade, headed for Colorado in that after the house of representatives become president if Johnson were a group headed by Schulyer Colfax, passed Powell’s request without impeached. If anyone should have the speaker of the U. S. house of any comment, the senate spewed been mad enough at Lyman Trumbull representatives and now Grant’s a lot of heat over it, all brought by to vote against Powell, it was Wade. running mate for vice president pro-impeachment senators, who Yet Wade voted for Powell. (Henry Wilson would replace Colfax readily admitted how overdone their Wade’s life story offers good as vice president in Grant’s second complaints were. The circumstances reasons why Powell’s plans would term). Ben Wade and his wife shared and timing of the opposition to have appealed to him. Ben Wade’s a Washington D.C. house with Powell make it quite plausible that he father, a Revolutionary War soldier, Schulyer Colfax, and Nellie Wade was getting some backlash over the moved Ben from Massachusetts to soon married Shulyer Colfax. In impeachment vote. Ohio in 1821. Ohio was the frontier Colorado the Colfax group ran into Yet among the senators who voted then, full of forests and log cabins, and John Wesley Powell and his group, against Powell, we can find other, Wade grew up thinking of himself as and Colfax and Nellie Wade were reasonable motives. a frontiersman. He became a skilled very impressed by Powell. Ohio senator John Sherman can be rifleman, worked in cattle drives, and Another exception to this forgiven for imagining that the entire labored on the construction of the Erie scenario is that of Senator William West had been explored already. Canal, which pointed west, the future Pitt Fessenden of Maine. Fessenden For twenty years John Sherman of America. Wade adopted the rough voted against impeachment, and had been receiving letters from his manners of the frontier, especially he also voted against Powell. Along brother William T. Sherman, who was swearing, which he employed with Lyman Trumbull, Fessenden traveling widely in the West. In 1848 famously against his fellow senators. was the other of two senate regents William Sherman was in California In the senate Wade became chairman of the Smithsonian Institution, so he during the gold rush and wrote to John of the Committee on Territories, should have been friendly to science that the California mountains were which meant he oversaw much of and exploration. But Fessenden was swarming with prospectors. In 1859 the exploration and settlement of the also a staunch guardian of the federal William was in Leavenworth, Kansas, American West. Wade also saw the budget. Fessenden was the chairman and wrote to John that the prairie was West as votes, pro-northern votes. of the Senate Finance Committee, and

10 : Grand Canyon Historical Society www.GrandCanyonHistory.org then President Lincoln appointed him patrons. Powell also named a nearby feeling insulted. Secretary of the Treasury; Fessenden mountain Mount Logan, after Illinois struggled to find money to fund the congressman John Logan. Powell (Endnotes) Civil War, and he was left well aware was playing both sides, as Trumbull 1 Powell’s departure date was of the dangers of government debt. and Logan were bitter political rivals. stated in the Bloomington, Illinois, More significantly, Fessenden had In 1866 John Logan had run against newspaper, The Pantagraph, March become famous as a New England Lyman Trumbull when Trumbull was 24, 1868. chauvinist who snubbed the West. “... seeking re-election. In 1868 Logan was 2 Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol. most western Republican senators,” one of the congressmen-lawyers who 17, Jan 1-Sept 30 1867 (Carbondale, wrote Fessenden biographer Robert J. prosecuted the Johnson impeachment Illinois: Southern Illinois University Cook, “regarded him not only as an case in the senate. Powell couldn’t Press, 1991, p 406. inveterate promoter of New England afford to annoy Logan. But he made 3 Ibid, p 407. Powell’s 1868 letter interests but also as an opponent sure that Trumbull’s mountain was and Grant’s reply are included in the of their own rapidly developing higher than Logan’s mountain, by 1867 volume of Grant’s papers, but section…Personally, he had no great 163 feet. not in the 1868 volume. love for a region he had not visited Powell was politically astute 4 John Wesley Powell letter to since [1837] and which, in a sarcastic enough that he should have known General Grant, April 2, 1868, in aside on the hyperbolic rhetoric of that there was another risk in giving Congressional Globe, May 25, 1868, p western politicians, he once referred the name of Trumbull to a mountain 2564. to as ‘the great West, the almighty on the Arizona strip, which the 5 Ibid. West, the all-pervading West, the Mormons regarded as part of their 6 Ibid. General Grant order of without-which-nothing-else-lives-in- homeland. The Mormons hated April 3, 1868. the-world…West.’”25 Lyman Trumbull. Trumbull was 7 Ibid. Letter of A. B. Eaton, There was at least one western one of the leading congressional Commissary General of Subsistence, senator who would come to regret voices advocating suppressing the April 6, 1868. his vote for Powell. Nevada’s Mormons, who largely had been left 8 Letter from Grant to Sherman, senator William Stewart was a silver alone since the start of the Civil War. July 28, 1865, in Papers of Ulysses S mining baron and a true believer in Trumbull had placed his former law Grant, Vol. 15, p 287. Manifest Destiny, in the unlimited partner, C. M. Hawley, as the federal 9 Letter of Joseph Henry to settlement and exploitation of the judge in Utah, and Hawley was Congressman James Garfield, April West, a national dream that John using his power to impose federal 21, 1968, in Congressional Globe, May Wesley Powell would later challenge authority over Utah and to seek 11, 1868, p 3407-8. as unrealistic. Senator Stewart would justice for the Mountain Meadows 10 Ralph J. Roske, His Own become Powell’s leading opponent. massacre. In mid-July of 1869, as the Counsel: The Life and Times of Lyman When Powell first arrived in Powell expedition was approaching Trumbull (Reno, Nevada: University Colorado in 1867 it was an accident the Grand Canyon, Senator Trumbull of Nevada Press, 1979) p 152. that one of the men he found to arrived in Salt Lake City and had a 11 Congressional Globe, May 25, help his explorations was named confrontation with Mormon leader 1868, p 2564. Sumner, but it must have occurred Brigham Young. Young threatened 12 Ibid, p 2563-2566. to the politically astute Powell that to expel from Utah any federal 13 Ibid, p 2564. it might come in handy to have a official who interfered with Mormon 14 Ibid, p 2565. connection with the Sumner family. authority, and Trumbull threatened 15 Ibid, p 2564. Jack Sumner was a distant relative that President Grant would punish 16 Ibid, p 2563. of Massachusetts senator Charles the Mormons for any such defiance. 17 Ibid, p 2564. Sumner. Charles Sumner was the After his 1869 Colorado River 18 Ibid, p 2564. most famous abolitionist senator, expedition, Powell planned to 19 Ibid, p 2564. and he was Lyman Trumbull’s main further explore the region, especially 20 Ibid, p 2566. partner in authoring the Freedmen’s southern Utah. To accomplish this, 21 Ibid, p 2565. Bureau bill. But in the 1868 senate vote Powell would be heavily dependent 22 Ibid, p 2565. on Powell, the Sumner connection on the cooperation of the Mormons, 23 Ibid, p 2566. didn’t do Powell any good: Charles including Brigham Young. Was 24 ibid, p 2563. Sumner didn’t bother to vote. Powell ignorant of Mormon feelings 25 Robert J. Cook, Civil War It was Powell’s political astuteness against Lyman Trumbull? It seems Senator: William Pitt Fessenden and that led him, in 1870, to name a more likely that his debt to Trumbull the Fight to Save the American Republic prominent mountain near the and his needs for future federal (Baton Rouge, La: Louisiana State Grand Canyon, Mount Trumbull. funding were so great that Powell was University Press, 2011) p 148-149. Powell knew how to thank his willing to risk leaving the Mormons www.GrandCanyonHistory.org Grand Canyon Historical Society : 11 Grand Canyon Historical Society PRSRT STD PO Box 31405 U.S. POSTAGE Flagstaff, AZ 86003 PAID FLAGSTAFF, AZ PERMIT 333

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