EMPORIA NEWS.
JACOB STOTLER, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
[FROM JANUARY 3, 1868, THROUGH JUNE 25, 1869.]
Emporia News, January 17, 1868.
CHICAGO, AND THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE R. R.
No country west of the Mississippi about which we have any information, gives more reasonable and certain promise of early and rich development than that through, and toward which the line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road is to be pushed. There is certainly no part of Kansas so promising to railroad enterprises as the Southwest. And why? The moment the road reaches the Arkansas River, which it will do within a distance of 125 miles from Topeka, it will intersect the immense present trade in cattle, hides, furs, and Indian goods from Texas, and the intervening Indian country, and be the sure means of increasing that trade, within a very brief space of time, at least five hundred percent. Fifty thousand head of cattle from Texas yearly is a moderate estimate for the next ten years, judging from the last two years= actual observations. This trade now goes to the Union Pacific (Eastern Division) for its outlet.
From the point where the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road crosses the Arkansas RiverCbetween the mouth of the Little Arkansas, where all this Texas and Southern trade comesCto the nearest shipping point on the Union Pacific, is at least 100 miles, or nearly the same distance as to Topeka. Consequently, no possible contingency can arise by which the Union Pacific road can obtain this trade, when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe is once in operation to that point.
This Southwestern and Texas trade being only just begun, and forming as it does, one of the very important items in the business of the Union Pacific road at this time, what may we reasonably expect it to be in two or three years hence, with the advantages the construction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road will give it?
It is but a very reasonable premise that whatever tends to promote the interest of the Union Pacific, Eastern Division, will prove equally of interest to St. Louis. And, in a like manner, whatever tends to promote the interests of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road, will have a similar realizing interest in Chicago. In other words, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, St. Joe and Hannibal, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy roads make up one line of road, while the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific make up another. St. Louis has said, by her pushing the U. P. westward to Pond Creek, thence southwesterly to Santa Fe and Albuquerque, that this immense Texas trade, Indian trade, and the great salt region, were items of no special importance to her. Has she not shot the Aarrow beyond the mark@Cwhen she so adroitly managed to run completely around what is today the most attractive region of the West?Ca region having within its limits a salt plain 50 by 100 miles in extent, which only needs railway communication to develop untold treasures; which only needs labor and other means of transportation to be able to supply the world, if necessary, with salt, in quality and cheapness unprecedented. Besides the truly wondrous salt plain, in this region inexhaustible quantities of lead, tin, iron, and copper are known to exist; and, to some extent, gold and silverCa region containing, in soil, minerals, and other resources, advantages second to none other, and at once attractive; where capital invested will yield handsome returns, and where labor will meet with ready remunerative demand.
The day is not far distant when old Mexico will become a part of the dominion under the Government of the United States. Its mineral wealth alone makes its acquisition desirable and certain. It is today without a rod of railway. The Government of old Mexico would gladly give its pledge for money and land in aid of a railway through its domain to the Pacific coast. It would, indeed, be no very difficult task to obtain from the old Mexican Government a charter for a railway with an endowment double in extent, both in money and land, to that of the Union Pacific.
Who is there so blind as not to comprehend the immense advantages to accrue from a railway communication with that country? And who cannot see at a glance that among all the projected lines of railway west of the Mississippi, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe line is the only one whose line points directly to the Pacific coast through the dominion of old Mexico?
If this be true, who cannot see the direct interest Chicago has in this road? Take down your map for a moment and examine this idea. Look for Chicago, then Quincy, then Atchison, Topeka, Emporia, the mouth of the Little ArkansasCcrossing the salt plain to the north bend of the Canadian River (where you strike Fremont=s road); thence crossing the Canadian, keep on in a southwesterly direction of the boundary of old Mexico; then on the Pacific coast at the foot of the Gulf of CaliforniaCor strike the Gulf of Guaymas, no matter whichCand then determine in your own mind if you can, that this is not the shortest, most practical, best, and easiest constructed route to the Pacific waters. Then think of what peculiar advantages the route will have by reason of the items before mentioned as to salt and mineral resources, and as to what old Mexico would most gladly do in such an enterprise in the way of subsidies, and ask yourself is this not a feasible, tangible thing?
Is it possible that Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, New York, and Boston have been asleep in this great interest?
Let these great cities but give to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad the assistance of their good wishes, with such endorsements as their unbiased judgment shall dictate, and before ten years shall have passed away, all and more than this article contemplates will have become a reality. Chicago Republican.
Emporia News, January 17, 1868.
Editorial column.
Kansas now has 518 miles of Railroad in operation. This will be doubled this year. There is not a Western State which offers more inducements to the immigrant than Kansas, and none where capital, properly invested, will yield a better return for ten years to come than Kansas.
Emporia News, January 17, 1868.
Valuable Present.
On entering the office yesterday morning we found on our table a new and substantially bound volume of Webster=s Unabridged Dictionary, of the newest illustrated edition. A note accompanied the book signed by Prof. L. B. Kellogg, Principal of the State Normal School, asking us to accept it for THE NEWS, and the donor=s best wishes for the editor. We can assure friend Kellogg that we value the present very highly, and can scarcely express our thankfulness in mere words. We can only return the compliment at present by wishing Professor Kellogg the highest degree of prosperity in all his undertakings, and a long life of usefulness. This book shall be one of our companions through all our life in the sanctum, and the donor shall ever occupy a warm place in our affections.
Emporia News, January 17, 1868.
Change of Time.
By referring to the advertisement it will be seen that the time has been changed on T. C. Hill=s Neosho Valley Stage and Express Line. The hacks now leave Emporia for Fort Scott and all points below, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 12 m., and going to Wamego and all points above, leave here at 12 m., on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. . . .
Passengers are now not required to lay over at Ottumwa, as they were by the old running time. . . . For any information in reference to the line, inquire of C. V. Eskridge, who is the agent at this point.
Emporia News, January 17, 1868.
AD. C. V. ESKRIDGE, EMPORIA, KANSAS, Has Just Received A New Stock of DRY GOODS AND GROCERIES, and has generally replenished all other departments of his business, so that For Quantity, Quality, Variety, and Price, HE WILL NOT BE OUTDONE, NOR UNDERSOLD by any house in Southwestern Kansas. His goods were bought at the Bottom of the Market and will be sold for CASH at correspondingly low rates. Give him a call at THE OLD STAND.
No. 172 corner of Commercial Street and Sixth Avenue.
Emporia News, January 31, 1868.
Mr. Eskridge is at Topeka this week attending the meeting of the Board of Directors of the State Normal School.
Professors Kellogg and Norton are both absent in attendance upon the meeting of the State Teachers= Association at Topeka. Mrs. Gorham has charge of the Normal in their absence.
Emporia News, February 7, 1868.
Dr. Miller, of the Cherokee Nation, was in this city last week for the purpose of getting an architect to draw plans and specifications for the capitol building for the Cherokees. It is to be located at Tallequah, and is to contain nine roomsCone for the Senate, one for the House, one for the Chief, one for the Treasurer, one for the Superintendent of Schools, and four for Clerks, etc. C. W. Goodlander, at this place is the architect, and is engaged in drafting the plans. Fort Scott Monitor.
Emporia News, February 7, 1868.
An Escaped Captive.
Jane Proctor, who was captured by the Cheyenne Indians about twenty years ago, while on the road to California, is now stopping at the house of Norval Kelley, a few miles east of this place. She is twenty-four years old, being captured at the age of four. At the late fight between the Cheyennes and Kaws, near Fort Laramie, Jane made her escape, and came down to this region with the Kaws. Of course she has suffered a great deal, but was with the Indians so long that she became accustomed to their modes of living. She has been sold often and has spent her time with various tribes, roaming over the country and leading a terrible life. Her brother, who was older, remains with the Indians, having married among them. Miss Proctor says there were always a number of captives with the Indians, and hence she has preserved a tolerable knowledge of the English language.
Miss Proctor thinks some of her family live in Southern Kansas, somewhere, and would like to have information concerning them. Her father=s name is B. B. Proctor. Any information concerning him or any of the family will be thankfully received by her. We are indebted to W. T. Galliher, Esq., for the above particulars.
Emporia News, February 14, 1868.
There are at present good prospects that the Diminished Indian Reserve, in this county, belonging to the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians, will soon be thrown into market, under the homestead, or pre-emption act. The consummation of either of such treaties is to be earnestly hoped for. In either case Osage County would suddenly become populous and rich. Osage Chronicle.
Emporia News, February 14, 1868.
THE CHEROKEE LANDS. The report of the Chief Engineer of the Missouri River, Fort Scott and Gulf R. R., describes the lands below Fort Scott, known as the Cherokee Neutral Lands, as very attractive in every point of view; abounding in agricultural and mineral wealth, and blessed with a climate unsurpassed in the world. The following from a letter to the Christian Advocate, by the Rev. E. M. Marvin, of the Methodist Conference, shows that the lands south of the State line, between Kansas and the Indian Territory, are equally valuable and attractive. Our readers recollect that, by the treaties with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians, vast quantities of their lands, including the right of way, are granted to the above named Railway Company, more familiarly called the Fort Scott Railroad. Mr. Marvin says:
A
I believe it is considered a sort of matter of course that men who travel and describe the countries they visit, should make a free use of superlatives. But, sir, if you should ever traverse the Indian country from the southern line of Kansas to Red River, and not pronounce it the loveliest country you ever saw, then I shall admit that I was mistaken for once. I have seen certain localities of equal beauty, but of nothing like this of extent. But the beauty of the country does not exceed its fertility. Its soil is equal to that of the best counties in Western Missouri.@Emporia News, February 21, 1868.
N. S. Storrs has purchased the residence of H. B. Norton, on Market street.
Read Max Fawcett=s AWanted,@ in our local notices.
Wanted! From five to 160 acres of prairie breaking done this coming summer, for which I wish to trade maple trees. MAX FAWCETT, Emporia, Kansas.
Emporia News, February 28, 1868.
WITHDRAWAL OF RAILROAD LANDS.
Through the kindness of the Register and Receiver of the U. S. Land Office at Humboldt, we are permitted to publish the following letter of instructions from the Commissioner General Land Office, in regard to the withdrawal of Railroad lands in the Osage purchase. The Railroad grants do not affect the Trust Lands.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
January 21, 1868.
Register and Receiver, Humboldt, Kansas.
Gentlemen: His Excellency, the President, under date of the 20th inst., issued a Proclamation for the sale of the land ceded to the United States, under the 1st and 2nd articles of the Osage Treaty of the 29th September 1865.
By the Secretary=s construction of that treaty, lands granted to the State for railroad purposes under acts of Congress, and that fall within the limits of the tract ceded by the 1st article of the treaty, are issued to the States for such purposes.
The Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston and the Union Pacific Railroad Southern Branch Companies have filed their maps of the continuation of their lines of route from the northern boundary of the Osage lands, to the southern line thereof, and I herewith enclose diagram of the same, showing the extent of the grants over the Osage purchase under said 1st article, and you are, in the case of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston road, directed to withdraw and withhold from sale or entry all the odd numbered sections falling within the limits as designated on the diagram.
In the matter of the Union Pacific, Southern Branch Railroad, you are directed to withdraw and withhold in like manner all the odd numbered sections within the ten mile limits, and all the lands between the ten and twenty mile limits, as designated on the diagram.
The even sections falling within the ten mile limits of this road, and not coming between the ten and twenty mile limits of the Union Pacific Road, Southern Branch, are increased to $2.50 per acre, and on the day of sale, will not be offered at less than that price per acre.
Emporia News, February 28, 1868.
A Swap. Messrs. Eskridge and Spicer have swapped residences in the village.
Max Fawcett has the contract for setting Fremont Park in shade trees, and will fill it this spring.
Emporia News, March 13, 1868.
OSAGE LANDS.
The best reply we can make to the various inquiries addressed to us, is the publication of the following bill, which passed the House March 6th, 1868. We are not advised as to what action has been taken on it in the Senate.
JOINT RESOLUTION, enabling actual settlers to purchase certain lands obtained of the Great and Little Osage Indians.
Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That when public sale is made of the lands granted and sold to the United States by virtue of the first and second articles of the treaty of the said United States and the Great and Little Osage Indians, which treaty was concluded September twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, and proclaimed January twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, any actual settler who was, on the sixth day of March, anno Domini eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, residing upon any portion of said land, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres, who has made improvements thereon, and who is a citizen, or has declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, shall have the privilege of purchasing the same at the highest price bidden, and shall be entitled to pay for the same in four annual installments of twenty-five percentum each, with interest on the same at the rate of five percentum per annum, the first of said installments to be paid at the expiration of one year from the date of said sale, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior: Provided, However, That at said sale both the odd and even-numbered sections in said reservation shall be offered for public sale under the terms of this resolution.
Passed the House of Representatives March 6th, 1868.
Attest: EDWARD McPHERSON, Clerk.
Emporia News, March 20, 1868.
THE LOWER NEOSHO COUNTRY.
Watson Stewart, an old resident of Allen County, furnishes the Humboldt Union with the following account of a trip he recently took from Humboldt, down the Neosho, to the State line. As we have many eastern subscribers who are desiring information in regard to all parts of Kansas, and as we are working for the upbuilding of the whole State, we give his communication to the Union a place, merely remarking that we have known Mr. Stewart for many years, and consider him entirely reliable. The country described is in the Southeastern part of the State, mostly what is known as the Osage lands. The letter is dated March 12, 1868.
Last week I made a trip down the Neosho Valley as far as the South line of the State. I have not, since the settlement of this country, passed through it, and I was favorably impressed with the progress made in the past two or three years.
Our road for 12 or 14 miles passed over fine rolling prairieCnot much settledCas the road runs east of the river from two to four milesChere we cross Big Creek, where are some good farms. For the next six miles, to Canville, the country is high and rolling; from Canville to Erie, we passed through rich bottom, well settledCsome of the land rather low and wet. Erie is surrounded by a good body of landChas some very good buildings; I believe it claims to have possession of the county seat of Neosho county.
Osage Mission is situated some six miles beyond Erie. It is decidedly the best town south of Humboldt; the Catholic element decidedly predominates; I was informed also that the Democracy were largely in the ascendency, nevertheless it is a pleasantly located placeC
has some very good buildings, and a hotel that would be an honor to any town.
From the Mission for about ten miles we travel over a well settled countryCa settler being on nearly every quarter section. We now cross the Neosho river, at ATrotter=s Ford,@ pass through a fine country, well dotted over with settlements.
We now enter Labette county, pass Montanan, where is a good saw mill that seems to be doing more and better work than any other mill on the route. The town don=t seem to be prosperous.
Next we reach Oswego, the county seat of Labette. It has a beautiful location upon the west bank of the riverCcommanding an extensive view of the surrounding country, which is very beautiful. At this point Messrs. Clover & Barnes are improving a water power, in the construction of a very substantial dam across the Neosho river. They are now erecting a saw and flouring mill, which they propose to have running this spring.
The town is not yet a year old, has already some 30 or 40 buildings completed, and others in process of erection. It is well supplied with timber, stone, for building, and coal in great abundance and of the best quality.
From Oswego we travel for ten miles over a beautiful tract of country, lying between the Neosho and Labette, which I think cannot be surpassed in the State for its beauty of location and fertility of soil.
We now reach Chetopah, a town of but few months growth, but which has quite the appearance of a live town.
Chetopah is located upon the west bank of the Neosho river, just below the mouth of the Labette, within about two miles of the south line of the State. It has a beautiful location, is surrounded by an excellent farming country, which is being settled up rapidly. It is well supplied with timber, good stone for building, and coal, of the best quality, abounds.
It aspires to be the Aborder town@ of Kansas, and from its location, the chances are that it will succeed. Our former townsman, Col. Doudna, is running a steam mill here, and seems to be doing a good business. There are now upon the site some 25 buildings, and several others under contract.
Several good business houses will be built the coming season, one of brick 25 by 50 feet, two stories. 250,000 brick are to be used.
The U. P. R. W., S. B., has surveyed its route to this place. Chetopah will be the most Southern point in the State on the railroad, and with its advantages of climate, soil, timber, and above all, its great abundance of superior coal, it would seem that its prospects are equal or superior to any other town in Southern Kansas. Chetopah is the only town in Labette county where a title can be obtained for lots. The town Company have a deed for the site, and are making deeds to persons who will build.
Our whole trip was upon the Osage Lands, which are to be sold in May. I had intended to speak of the prospects and feelings of the settlers, but I have already taken up too much space.
Emporia News, March 20, 1868.
Dr. J. S. Conklin has located at Plymouth, in this county, for the practice of medicine.
Emporia News, March 27, 1868.
[SKIPPING MOST IMPORTANT ARTICLES...RE POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESENT ANDREW JOHNSON.]
Emporia News, April 24, 1868.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE OSAGE LAND SALES.
The sale of the Osage Indian lands which was to have commenced on the first of May has been indefinitely postponed. This will be good news to the settlers on those lands, for hundreds of them were illy prepared to purchase their lands at this time because they have not yet begun to make anything from their farms. The settlers will remember Senators Ross and Pomeroy for their faithful and efficient efforts in their behalf.
Emporia News, April 24, 1868.
A NEW OSAGE TREATY.
Commissioners are now on their way to the headquarters of the Osage Indians to make a new treaty with that tribe. We sincerely hope the treaty may result in the government getting possession of all their valuable lands in the south part of this State, and in sending the Osages south into the Indian country. Their lands are not exceeded in value, as an agricultural region, in Kansas, and the sooner they can be opened to settlement the better for Kansas and the country at large. After the treaty is made, if its terms are satisfactory, we hope our congressional delegation will use every exertion in their power in urging its ratification, in order that this valuable body of lands may be speedily opened for settlement. There are thousands of citizens waiting for the consummation of such a treaty, and not long after its being made available for settlers it will become one of the most populous regions in Kansas.
Emporia News, April 24, 1868.
New Local Notices and Advertisements.
C. V. Eskridge: A long list of local notices of interest to the public.
E. P. Bancroft: A large quantity of land for sale in this part of Kansas. . .
Max Fawcett: Evergreen trees.
Phenis and Nicholas: Real Estate and Collecting Agents and Notaries Public, Eureka, Kansas.
I. R. Phenis: Attorney at Law, Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas.
Emporia News, May 1, 1868.
THE OSAGE LAND SALES.
The following is the official letter of the Secretary of the Interior postponing the Osage land sales. It contains some statements which will be of interest to settlers on that land.
SIR: In accordance with your written and oral request for a postponement of the sale of the Osage Indian lands, frequently repeated and urged by you, I have ordered a postponement of the sale of all tracts upon which settlements have been made, upon the occupant showing by affidavit that he had in good faith actually settled upon and improved the land, with a view to permanent residence thereon.
In expectation of a new treaty being negotiated with the Osages, and that some satisfactory disposition will be made of their lands by such treaty, in the event of one being concluded, I am inclined to direct a suspension of the sale in toto, both of the occupied and unoccupied lands, and am restrained from doing so only by a consideration of the cost of such a proceeding, and which it would manifestly be unjust to charge against the Indians. As the law now stands, all the expenses of the sales are to be paid out of the proceeds of the lands, diminishing to that extent the amount to be added to the funds of the tribes.
The postponement is not for their benefit, but for the sole benefit and accommodation of our own citizens, and the expenses incident thereto ought to be defrayed by the Government.
If I can have satisfactory assurances that an appropriation will be made to meet the additional expenditures which will be made necessary by a postponement, I will direct a suspension of sale, for the present, of all the Osage lands now advertised.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
O. H. BROWNING, Secretary.
Emporia News, May 1, 1868.
General Harney is said to be getting rather disgusted with the attitude of the Indians north. The hero of Ash Hollow did not see the point of fitting out Spotted Tail=s band with the best horses and weapons at Laramie, and sending them on a cruise after the raiders.
Emporia News, May 29, 1868.
THE LATE INDIAN OUTRAGE IN BUTLER COUNTY.
EDITOR EMPORIA NEWS: Many of your readers, and especially those having friends in this county, have, no doubt, heard various and perhaps exaggerated accounts of the outrage committed by a band of roving Indians, supposed to be Osages, on our southern frontier; and to such the following account, which has been obtained from perfectly reliable sources, and is, so far as known, correct in every particular, will be acceptable.
It seems that two young men named Dunn settled last fall, on a homestead claim, below the mouth of the Little Walnut, on the south line of what is known as the Atwenty mile strip,@ that is the Osage trust lands recently surveyed and opened for settlement; and there have been reports that they were in the habit of getting their timber from the lands still belonging to the Osages. However that may be, it seems that Samuel Dunn and a young man named James Anderson, who will be remembered by many as one of a party of four Pennsylvanians who passed down the Walnut on foot, within a monthCa tall, fair-haired, and boyish-looking young manCwere out on Sunday evening, May 17th, looking at their farms and the land around. Birney Dunn, a man named Edwards, and a colored man remained about the house. The Negro first saw a band of Indians coming toward the house in pursuit of a couple of mules and a pony belonging to them. They ran out with their guns and the Indians retreated, giving up the pony but taking the mules with them. No pursuit was made by Birney Dunn and the men with him, and as the other men did not come in, their absence was accounted for by supposing that they had seen the Indians and gone in pursuit, hoping to recover the mules. As they failed to come in, a search was begun in the morning, which resulted in finding the bodies of the unfortunate young men near a field about half a mile from the house. They were shockingly mutilated, the heads of both being severed from the bodies, the scalps torn away, and three fingers unjointed from Dunn=s hand; his pockets were also turned inside out, and $250 which he was known to have with him taken.
The neighbors were then aroused and the trail was followed till the party was convinced from articles dropped by the Indians that they were Osages, numbering about fourteenCsupposed to be a straggling party from a large band who had been out to the Arkansas.
The citizens met as soon as possible, at the house of David Yates, Esq., on Little Walnut Creek, and resolved to organize a company of 25 men, who should draw the arms belonging to the county from the State arsenal, and hold themselves in readiness to defend the border from any attacks, and to punish outrages, and appointed Messrs. Donaldson, Boutwell, and Carr a committee to procure arms and assistance from the Governor in such protection. D. Yates, D. W. Boutwell, and B. F. Gordy were appointed to raise the company, which was to meet as soon as practicable, at such time and place as should be most convenient; and everything will be done that is possible for the settlers on the frontier. At the same time rash and hasty action was deprecated by those whose experience in such matters gives weight to their opinion, as tending to exasperate the Osages without accomplishing any permanent good; and it is to be hoped that settlers will not give them the pretext for such outrages by trespassing on their land, and will use all possible precautions against surprise. There are no apprehensions that any attacks will be made except on those who venture out alone unarmed, on the extreme frontier; but the case certainly demands help from the Government, and prompt action on the border.
VAYLE VERNON.
Butler County, May 23rd.
Emporia News, May 29, 1868.
An account of the late brutal murder by Osage Indians will be found in another place. We hope severe justice will be meted out to the perpetrators. The brother of the murdered Dunn is now visiting the Osage Mission to see what can be done, while other citizens are moving to bring the Indians to justice. Persons bound for Butler County need not apprehend any danger from going there, as this is not the commencement of Indian hostilities, but an incidental affair liable to happen even among whites.
Emporia News, May 29, 1868.
Mr. Mead of Towanda passed through here on Thursday with five wagon loads of buffalo robes and furs, which he had purchased from the Comanche and other tribes of Indians during the winter. Mr. Mead is now one of the most extensive Indian traders on the plains. He extended his operations this spring down to Fort Cobb. Mr. Mead went to Towanda a few years ago a poor man, and by a straight-forward course and fair dealing, has accumulated quite a fortune.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
COLORADO.
The first exploration of the Rocky Mountains and into the valley of the South Platte dates as far back as 1543-4. As the results of this Spanish expedition never led to any efforts on their part to colonize any portion of the vast region north of the Arkansas, we can only add that it first gave to the old world some knowledge of the great plains of the Missouri, and of the great herds of buffalo which roamed over them and supplied the ancestors of the present Indian tribes of East Colorado.
The later explorations of Pike in 1806-7, of Major Long in 1820-21, and of Fremont in 1843-44, gave us all we could expect from such rapid, cursory surveys of this vast region of mountains and mountain valleys, and thus it remained until 1859, when the discovery of gold in the valley of Clear Creek or Vasquez Fork gave a new impetus to exploration and settlement, more desirable than the arid Platte Valley, with its mythical golden treasures, and its disappointed mass of gold miners.
In the winter and spring of 1859 the continued exploration of the mountains west of the South Platte developed the existence of continued gold mines all along Vasquez Fork to its very head branches. Gregory and Russell gulches were the resort of thousands, and the charming scenery and more favorable localities at the foot of the main range in the valleys of Bear, Clear, Ralston, and Boulder Creeks soon teemed with an active population, many of whom were so pleased with the climate, soil, and natural advantages, that they eschewed further pursuit of the golden treasures of our mines, and in agricultural and pastoral pursuits saw with far-reaching sagacity a more sure reward to toil and to future competence from their products, than in uncertain gains of the alluring pursuit of the precious metals. . . .
We will here remark that the first mines that were worked on Clear Creek in 1859 were the Placer diggings, three miles below Golden City, and in the entrance to the canon, where today it is still being mined. . . . Colorado Transcript.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
INDIANS ON DIAMOND CREEK!
Fight between Cheyennes and Kaws.
Wednesday, at five o=clock, Mr. Pyle, of Cottonwood Falls, arrived here bringing the following letter from two of the most reliable men of that place.
Mr. Pyle says this information was obtained from the citizens of Cottonwood Falls who saw the Indians on Diamond Creek.
The Indians were camped at Marion Center for two days, and said they were coming down to Aclean out the Kaws.@ They showed no signs of depredations until Tuesday morning.
Mr. Pyle says about 25 families had come into Cottonwood Falls for protection, from west of that point.
Several of our citizens started last night for the Falls.
The following is the letter received from Hunt and Doolittle.
COTTONWOOD FALLS, June 3rd, 1868.
JACOB STOTLERCDear Sir: Reports of a startling character have arrived here of Indian depredations.
First, that some five hundred wild Indians passed Marion Center, on Tuesday morningC
that they committed depredations there.
Word has just come to us direct from Diamond Creek. They are there, killing stock and cleaning out every house. There may be some degree of exaggeration, but there is no doubt but what there is a large number of Indians, and committing all sorts of depredations.
Think you had better take immediate steps for safety; also send such help as you can up this way.
Respectfully,
H. L. HUNT.
J. S. DOOLITTLE.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
LATEST FROM THE INDIAN EXCITEMENT.
COTTONWOOD FALLS, June 4th, 4 A. M.
About a dozen of us arrived here last night at 12 o=clock.
We find things more quiet here than we anticipated. Men just in from Diamond Creek put a better face on things than our former intelligence did. That the IndiansCsaid to be Cheyennes, from 400 to 600 strongChave been on Diamond Creek and are marching toward the Kaw Reserve, for the express purpose of fighting the Kaws, there can be no doubt. No depredations have been committed except the killing of from two to five head of cattle, and the stoning of one house.
What are these Indians down here for? That=s a question we propose to investigate a little farther, and we strike out this morning in the direction of Kaw agency.
There are sixty Kaw warriors in arms. It is supposed that they can do nothing against the large force of Cheyennes, and some fears are expressed that the cry of fighting Kaws is only a blind. It is generally believed that these Indians mean mischief on their return. An effort will be made to make them return over the same route they came in on. We ought to have one hundred more men. We only have about 150 and all are poorly armed with a few exceptions. It is believed there will be a little chunk of a fight between the Kaws and Cheyennes this morning, and the boys are all keen to see it. The boys are getting Ato horse,@ and I close. THE EDITOR.
LATER. We learn of a gentleman from Council Grove that a large body of Cheyennes made their appearance near Council Grove on Wednesday evening, the 3rd, dressed and painted for the war path. They passed down the Neosho about six miles below the Grove and attacked the Kaws in the timber in the neighborhood of the Kaw Agency. They kept up a skirmish for an hour or two and darkness coming on, the Cheyennes returned to camp just west of the Grove; keeping out a large number of scouts during the night. On Thursday morning the Cheyennes were not to be found. The citizens of Council Grove sent out a large number of scouts to ascertain their whereabouts, but when our informant left there they had not ascertained where they had gone to. The Agent of the Kaws sent a messenger to Fort Riley for Government troops. As far as we can learn the Cheyennes have not as yet murdered any white people, but have plundered several houses. They declare they will have some Kaw scalps before they return.
Quite a number of our citizens have gone out to discover what it all means.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
THE MURDERERS OF DUNN AND ANDERSON UNDER ARREST.
Last week we gave an account of the late Indian outrage in Butler County, and stated that Mr. Dunn, a brother of one of the murdered men, had gone to the council then being held in the Osage Nation to obtain satisfaction. The Journal gives the following as the result of his visit.
After the signing of the Osage treaty, a Mr. Dunn, whose parents reside in Johnson County, arrived in the commissioners= camp from Walnut Creek, Butler County, bringing the report that his brother, Samuel, and a partner by the name of James Anderson, were killed on Sunday, the 17th inst., by a band of White Hair Osages. The commissioners immediately called the chiefs in council, and peremptorily demanded the surrender of the guilty parties. The next morning, after two hours= parleying, amid the moaning of the squaws and the most intense excitement on the part of the warriors and braves, they gave up two young men, who were brought by the commissioners to Ottawa, where they will be turned over to United States Marshal Whiting to be tried for the crime charged.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
THE OSAGE TREATY MADE.
The treaty with the Osage Indians, in regard to which so many contradictory statements have been published, has at last been made. The following statement of its provisionsC
copied from the Lawrence Journal, is, in the main, correct.
Article 1st declares that whereas the Osages are desirous to remove from their home in Kansas to the Indian Territory, and wishing to dispose of their lands in Kansas, and being desirous to sell so as to aid in the speedy extension of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Road to and through the Indian Territory, being the only road in process of construction passing direct through said Territory, which is to be their future home, the Government is willing that said Company shall be the purchaser of said lands on terms favorable to the Osages and the settlers, because said Road will be a great Trunk Line from the Missouri to the Gulf; therefore, said Railroad Company shall have the privilege of purchasing the present Reservation and the Trunk Lines (about 8,000,000 acres), on the following terms:
Within three months after the ratification and promulgation of the treaty, they shall pay the Secretary of the Interior $100,000 cash, and shall execute their bonds for $1,400,000 (said bonds to bear interest at the rate of five percent, per annum), to be paid in semi-annual payments after the Indians remove from their present Reservation, in yearly payments of $100,000 each year. An appraisement of the lands by three Commissioners, the expense paid by the Company, is to be made, and upon the second payment of $100,000, patents will be issued for the 1-15th of the lands in value will be issued [? Not sure I understand the last sentence???]
The Company are required to sell the lands to settlers within five years from date of patent. If the Company fail to make the payments, the lands are to be surveyed and appraised by three Commissioners and offered for sale to settlers for one year, at the appraised value, the balance, at the close of the year, to be sold at no less than the appraised value.
The proceeds of the sale are to be invested in United States registered stock, and the interest on the same to be paid in semi-annual payments to the Indians. The Company are forbidden to sell to an assignee until the patent is issued.
The payments to the Indians are to be as follows:
$5,000 to schools; $15,000 to the Council of the Nation for government purposes; $5,200 thereof to go to the Chiefs and councillors; $5,000 for the encouragement of agriculture; the remaining $4,800 to be expended for general and necessary expenses under the direction of the Council and the agent, and the balance, about $50,000, to be distributed per capita to the tribe in money and goods, or provisions, as the Council may direct.
All settlers on the trust lands at the signing of this treaty can purchase during one year from the ratification of the same 160 acres at $1.25 per acre, said quarter section not to be made up of parts of different sections.
The rights of half bloods, the heirs of Joseph Swiss, are not impaired, and half bloods are to have the same rights as full bloods.
The improvements of half bloods upon the lands sold to be appraised and paid for within six months by the Company buying the lands.
All just debts are to be paid upon examination by the Superintendent and Agent within one year from the ratification of the treaty, evidence to be submitted to the National Council for their rejection or approval, and the decision to be forwarded to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whose decision shall be final.
A head of family, being a member of the tribe, wishing to cultivate ground, is to have 320 acres in his own right. A man not head of a family is to have eighty acres.
This Treaty has been signed on the part of the Government, and by every head chief, every second chief, and all the leading braves of the Osage tribe. The land treated for all lies in the State of Kansas. It is fifty miles in width from north to south, and two hundred and fifty miles in length, from east to westCor an oblong of the general shape and nearly as long as the State of Massachusetts. This immense tract of land is now occupied by the Osage Indians, who number only 3,500 persons. That Tribe will now be removed to the Indian Territory, and these magnificent lands will be opened for settlement and cultivation. The Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad will be directly benefitted by the Treaty, as it deserves to be, but Kansas and the whole countryCcivilization itselfCwill reap the ultimate and permanent harvest. The Osage lands are already filling up with settlers, and it is time that means were taken to extinguish the Indian title, and to give these lands in fee to the actual settlers.
Emporia News, June 5, 1868.
OUR AMERICUS LETTER.
ALLEN CREEK, June 3, 1868.
EDITOR NEWS: When in referring to Max Fawcett=s maple nursery some time since, you said Max was a public benefactor. You stated a fact that is now being realized in our midst. Many eloquent appeals to Aplant trees@ have been printed and uttered, but they needed to be Aillustrated with a cut@ like that of Mr. Fawcett=s to make people understand the benefits to be derived. Old Mr. Loy has planted an acre and a half with soft maple seed, which are now coming up finely. Joseph Ernst has also planted seed enough to grow many thousands, while others in this vicinity have put out less quantities. No doubt another spring will see scores of our farmers following their example.
Some of those who planted osage seed, a year ago, while the ground was pretty dry, were disappointed in not having it grow, and supposed it was lost; but this spring the same seed has come up and is doing well. From this fact, many believe that to plant the seed in the fall, without previous sprouting, will be a safe way to propagate these plants. Those who failed to get their seed planted in time this spring may find this matter worth investigating.
Our oldest settlers say this is the most favorable season for farming that has occurred since the settlement of Kansas began. Corn, oats, and potatoes promise an extraordinary yield. The late rains have made the corn grow faster, I think, than I ever saw it do before.
[Skipped the rest of article.] R.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
Editorial Page.
The general impression of the people in that part of the State to be affected by the Osage treaty is, that Commissioner Taylor is a pious old fraud.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
THE OSAGE TREATY.
ANOTHER WHOLESALE SWINDLE.
We published, last week, a brief synopsis of the treaty recently made with the Osage Indians by a Commission appointed for that purpose. Our information at that time was so recent that we had neither time nor space for comment.
While the lands ceded by this treaty are seventy miles distant from Emporia, and thus out of our Arange@ as a question of mere local interest, the consequences to the State at large are too momentous to justify silenceCespecially as that silence would inevitably be construed into consent. The disposition of a body of 8,000,000 acres of land, the finest portion of the State, is of concern not only to the whole people of the State, but also to all that large class of residents of other States who are looking to the fast diminishing public domain for homes for themselves and their children.
The stump speech wherewith the treaty is prefaced, which avows, as the moving cause to its execution on the part of the Indians, the desire to secure the early completion of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, is enough of itself to excite suspicion that a fraud was close after. The idea that the Osage Indians are interested in the early construction of a Railroad! and especially through lands they are to dispose of before the Railroad is built, so that they will not reap even pecuniary advantage therefrom, is what most folks will call refreshingly cool! We were, therefore, not wholly unprepared for the sequel. Most of our readers know the character of the lands treated for. We risk nothing in saying that half of it is not exceeded in fertility and other natural advantages by any equal body of land in the State. It is, besides, the largest unoccupied and arable tract of land in the State. The sale of this immense tract of land to a single corporation, and which only proposes to run a railroad through it from north to south, and only about thirty miles in length, near the eastern border, is, as we have before remarked, of vast concern to the State. Thrown open to settlement as other public land, with alternate sections reserved for railroad purposes, along the line of practicable routes, and it would contain in the next five years half a million people. Left to be sold out in parcels at high prices by a Railroad Company and it will not contain half the population in twice the time.
We know it is taxing the credulity of our readers, but we assure them that the price to be paid for this magnificent tract of land is fixed by the treaty at eighteen cents per acre!
Thousands of settlers now on the lands, and with valuable improvements already made and tens of thousands more waiting for the opportunity to go upon them are willing, and anxious to pay from $1.25 to $5.00 per acre. No doubt the whole tract could be sold, under the hammer today, for $1 per acre. We make no account of the Indians or their interests. We do not particularly care for the speculation of Mr. Sturges which defrauds alike the Government and the Indian. We speak in the interest of our own race and peopleCfor the Ahands that want acres@Cfor the thousands and tens of thousands who will shun Kansas as they would a blight, if this giant monopoly succeeds; for the State at large, whose most cherished prospects would turn to ashes in the fire of a nation-wide indignation if this gigantic fraud should go unopposed to success. We do not even care to inquire why the L. L. & G. road should have been singled out in preference to all the other embryo railroads in the state to receive such an enormous endowment. To our mind it would not have been much better if it had been divided between a dozen. We object to thus defeating the object and purposes of the Homestead Law; and we ask that the claims of those through whose labor alone can land be made valuable, shall be recognized before those of any soul-less corporation, however well backed by President, Cabinet officers, and Senators.
While on this subject we may as well call attention to the fact that of all the Indian Reservations within the State of Kansas that have been Adiminished@ or wiped out entirely, not one single acre has ever been thrown open to pre-emption or in any way rendered advantageous to the actual settler! In this matter job has followed job, and swindle has followed swindle, without a single protest from any member of our Congressional delegationCnay, as we believe with their direct connivance and participation, until the fairest and best portions of the State have fallen into the hands of speculatorsCmany of them the most disgraceful copperheads the country affordsCto be re-sold at enormous profits. By these and similar swindles, the settlement of the State has been greatly retarded, and the increasing taxation borne heavily and unequally upon the settlers whose labors have contributed to build up the monopolists, and sharks, in whose shadow they have labored.
Under the precedents thus established, it is not to be wondered that the Osage Treaty should have been conceived and brought forth. The difference between that and the jobs that have preceded it is one of degree and not of kind. It is in the same interest, and is strong in proportion to its corruption, as the others have been.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
We are glad to see that the Lawrence Tribune, printed at a point deeply interested in the construction of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston road, displays its usual upright course in opposing the ratification of the outrageous swindle, labeled Osage Treaty.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
ALL ABOUT THE INDIANS.
In company with ten or a dozen of our citizens we went Apost haste@ to Cottonwood Falls last week on the receipt of the letter from Messrs. H. L. Hunt and J. S. Doolittle. Our reasons for going were two, as follows: 1st, because two responsible and reliable citizens of the Falls asked for Awhat help could be sent up that way;@ and 2nd, to see just what there was in the reported Indian troubles, that we might give our readers a truthful account.
Some of our friends thought we had better say nothing about the matter, as it would tend to discourage immigration in this direction. We take a different view of the subject. It is always best in the long run to give the truth about such reports. If there was real danger, it was our duty as a public journalist to tell the people so. If there was no danger, it was equally our duty to publish it. If we could keep the reports of such things at home, there might be no necessity for local papers to say anything about them. But these reports were bound to get out, and have already appeared in all the dailies of this State, and we doubt not, others at a distance. Persons at a distance picking up THE NEWS and seeing not a word said about the Indians would at once come to the conclusion that the matter was so bad that we did not want to say anything, from interested motives, for fear of creating a panic. And so, notwithstanding we desire to see immigrants coming as much as any person can; notwithstanding all our interests are here, and we have a piece of property for sale, we thought best to give such reports about the matter as seemed to us most reliable at the time.
We didn=t Ago to the front@ to get into a fight. Not much. That ain=t our style. Just as we expected when we left Emporia, the nearer we got to the scene of the reported difficulties, the less scary the affair looked, and although we traveled for thirty-six hours almost constantly, in the direction of the Indians, we did not so much as see one. Like the milk sickness, they were just ahead, but we didn=t catch up with them. The Indian raid was made up of about four-fifths scare and one-fifth truth. As usual on such occasions, the thousand reports flying over the country were unreliable. We found the people of Cottonwood Falls quiet, and apparently very little alarmed. Some families had come in there from Marion County for protection.
The object of the visit of the Indians to the settlements was to make war upon the Kaws. The last named tribe visited the Cheyennes last fall, and killed seven of their number and stole a lot of their ponies. The Cheyennes swore vengeance, and sent word that as soon as the grass was sufficiently large they should visit the Kaws for the purpose of avenging the outrages committed upon them.
The Cheyennes repeatedly said they did not intend to disturb the whites and did not want any trouble with them.
The extent of the depredations in Marion County were, that some five or six head of cattle were killed for beef, and one family was somewhat frightened by demonstrations of a warlike nature, but no real harm was done them.
After the fight with the Kaws, two houses were burned on the Kaw reservation which were occupied by Frenchmen who had married half-breed squaws. The Indians marched through Council Grove both as they came in and went back. They did not attempt any disturbances in the Grove. A mile and a half west of the town they destroyed all the household goods of a Mr. Polk, tearing up his bed clothes, emptying the feathers out of the beds, etc. It was stated that this was done to revenge some wrongs which Mr. Polk had done them. Whether there was any truth in the statement or not, we do not know. Further out on the Santa Fe road, they robbed the house of R. B. Lockwood. We did not hear any particular reason given for this outrage. There are reports that the Indians committed various other thefts and depredations, but they lack proof. We have only given what we know to be true.
The number that came into the Kaw Agency was variously estimated at from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty. It is pretty well ascertained that only about eighty were engaged in the fight with the Kaws. They fought some two hours, firing about three thousand shots. One Kaw received a scratch on the hand and one Cheyenne was shot in the foot. After the fight the Kaws, who only have about one hundred warriors, all told, pursued the Cheyennes to within three quarters of a mile of the Grove. There was every evidence that this band was only sent forward as a sort of a feeler, and that a large number of Cheyennes remained behind. They said repeatedly that they were coming back. They were riding bare-backed horses and each had two revolvers. The result of their trip must have been very unsatisfactory to them. The only way we can account for their leaving so abruptly and without having satisfaction out of the Kaws is that the number of white men in arms was becoming rather thick on the prairies to suit them, and they feared a conflict with the whites. As near as we could judge there were not less than two hundred and fifty men tolerably well armed and mounted watching them, and the number was rapidly augmenting. The Indians concluded they had better go. It is said they will come back, as they intend to wage a general war on the Osages and Kaws this summer. The assertion made about their coming back is only guess work. It is said the Cheyennes had a permit from Col. Wynkoop, their agent, to make this trip, under pretense of protecting their frontier from the Osages, and stating that they were peaceable Indians. An officer at Fort Harker saw this permit. If Wynkoop gave these Indians such a document, he ought to be removed at once. He certainly knows that the visits of the Cheyennes to the white settlements will lead to trouble.
The whites do not propose to interfere in the quarrel between the Cheyennes and Kaws. They are willing for them to fight as much as they please. But they will not submit to have their country overrun. And for that reason every citizen is anxious to see the Kaws and Osages removed at once. At present their reservations are almost surrounded by whites. They can go on the plains and commit outrages against other Indian tribes and then take refuge on their reservations in the white settlements, and be comparatively secure. This has been the practice of these miserable cowardly tribes. Some of the plains tribes have become so incensed at them that they say they will have revenge even if they have to come in among the whites. If they do come in, it will be impossible for them to go out without committing more or less damage, and hence there is danger of trouble with them. The government should see that they do not make further raids upon the settlements. The Kaws and Osages should be moved onto the plains at once. Their removal is loudly called for both for the good of the whites and the Indians.
This same body of Cheyennes have visited the Arkansas and Walnut, stating that they were going to fight the Osages. We have heard of no damage being done by them, down there. The people were somewhat frightened, and gathered in small parties for protection.
But at the present writing all is quiet. The Indians have probably gone back to the plains. We wish to say to immigrants that thee is no more danger here from Indians than there is of being garroted or run off a railroad track in the East, and hardly as much. Knowing what we do about such excitements as the last one, and having no desire to deceive or misrepresent to gain population, we say to those who are coming that we would have no hesitation in settling at once in Lyon, Butler, Marion, Chase, Greenwood, or any of the counties of Southwestern Kansas. There is really nothing alarming, as we can see, in the late Indian demonstration.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
The Republican=s Washington dispatch says the Senate ratified on Saturday the much talked of supplemental treaty with the Cherokee Indians, which was negotiated by Hon. M. Grinnell, of Iowa, by which Jas. F. Joy is made the principle party in the contract of sale negotiated by Secretary Harlan to the Emigration Company of 800,000 acres of land in Kansas. The supplementary treaty is satisfactory to the Indians and it confirms to the pre-emptors their land titles, and will secure the building of one hundred and fifty miles of the Kansas City & Galveston Railroad; it is, however, probable that the railroad interests may seek to defeat it by legislation.
Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
The Herald=s Washington special of June 8th, under the head of AA Big Indian Land Job,@ has the following in reference to the great fraud, the Osage Treaty.
A
On Wednesday the Osage nation was induced, by promises and intimidations on the part of the commissioners, which is headed by Indian Commissioner Taylor, to sell 8,000,000 acres of land on their reservation for twenty cents an acre, payable in fifteen years, to a private party, while numerous better bids were made for the same by other parties.Emporia News, June 12, 1868.
Coke Watson, of this place, was Ataken in@ by the Cheyennes on the day of their fight with the Kaws, and kept prisoner about two hours. He happened to be riding across the prairies from Council Grove, to Peyton Creek, when he suddenly came upon the Cheyennes. At their urgent solicitation Coke piloted the Cheyennes to the hills opposite the Kaw Agency. He saw the fight and enjoyed it hugely.
Emporia News, June 19, 1868.
In the House, on last Saturday, on motion of Mr. Clarke, of this State, the President was asked for further information relative to the treaty for the lands of the Osage Indians, and requested to withhold the treaty from the Senate. [Sidney Clarke.]
Emporia News, June 19, 1868.
A Proposal.
If the members of the churches in Emporia will fence and prepare their church lots, I will give shade and ornamental trees to plant them. MAX FAWCETT.
We hope the Board of Trustees of the several churches in the village will avail themselves of this munificent offer. Max is one of our most liberal and public spirited men. He has sold large quantities of shade and ornamental trees here, and is devoting himself entirely to the propagation of trees, shrubs, vines, etc., which will be of immense value to this county in the future. He has always furnished gratuitous information to the people regarding his experience in the nursery business, and he is determined that we shall be furnished with all kinds of trees for our public buildings, parks, etc. Nothing will help the appearance of our churches more than to enclose them with nice fences and plant the lots in shade trees. . . .
Emporia News, June 26, 1868.
ANDERSONVILLE PRISON. The stockade is standing, as at the close of the war, except here and there a log rotted off and fallen to the ground. Decay is doing its rapid work, and in a few years not a log will be standing to mark the spot where so many noble men starved and died. Time, and the Negroes too, are rapidly changing the inside of the pen. The cabins have been torn in pieces for the wood they contained, and the excavations in the side hill on the north have mostly fallen in, softened by the rains and the frosts. The wells alone, forty of them, which our boys dug in search of water, remain as they were, and only too forcibly remind us of the terrible battle they fought for life. But though they went down into the earth eighty feet in some instances, yet they seldom found the treasure which they sought.
Emporia News, June 26, 1868.
THE OSAGE TREATY IN CONGRESS.
The key note of opposition to the infamous Osage Treaty, by which an Illinois man was to coolly gobble eight million of acres of the best land in Kansas at eighteen cents an acre, has already been sounded in Congress. In Kansas the opposition to it is about unanimous. Only three papers, so far as we have seen, have said a word in its favor: the Conservative, which has considerable to say about honesty and against frauds and swindles, the Ottawa Home Journal, and the Lawrence Journal. At the course of the two former papers on this monstrous proposition, we are a little surprised. That the Lawrence Journal should defend it surprises no one who is acquainted with that sheet.
In the House of Representatives, at Washington, on the 18th, Mr. Clarke, of this state, offered the resolutions which we print below, and which were adopted without opposition. The thieving treaty was also denounced by several other members of Congress. We have only room for the resolutions. Mr. Clarke, it will be remembered, is a member of the Indian Committee in the lower House.
Resolved, That as the sense of the House of Representatives, the treaty concluded on the 27th of May, 1868, with the Great and Little Osage tribes of Indians, both in its express terms and stipulations, and in the means employed to procure their acceptance by the Indians, is an outrage on the Indians; that in transferring to a single railroad corporation 8,000,000 acres of land it not only disregards the interests of other old corporations in the State of Kansas, and builds up a frightful land monopoly, in defiance of the just rights of settlers and of the people of the United States, but it assumes the authority repeatedly denied by this House, to dispose of those lands by treaty otherwise than by absolute treaty to the United States, and for purposes for which Congress alone is competent to provide.
Resolved, That this House does hereby solemnly and earnestly protest against a ratification of said pretended treaty by the Senate, and will feel bound to refuse any appropriations in its behalf, or recognize its validity in any form.
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing be transmitted to the Senate.
Emporia News, June 26, 1868.
[Part of an article re Farmers of Lyon County.]
Seeing Max Fawcett plowing in his Nursery, we could not resist the temptation to stop and make a note of his progress. He is making a specialty of ornamental and forest trees, shrubs, and flowers. He has now in the ground 12,000 maples two years old, 50,000 seedlings, 10,000 White Spruce, 8,000 Arbor Vitae, 5,000 Henlock, 3,000 White Pine, 3,000 Balsam Fir, 3,000 English Oak, 5,000 Box Elder, and 5,000 Larch. Some of the two-year-old Maples are ten feet high, and all his trees look well except some of the Spruce and Arbor Vitae. The English Oaks look very thrifty, and give evidence that they will thrive well on Kansas soil. The Box Elders make a beautiful shade and are of rapid growth. Some of them have already grown two feet this season. It is a wonder they are not more generally planted. The Larch seems more thrifty than any other of the imported trees. It grows rapidly, and Mr. Fawcett thinks it will prove a good tree for Kansas growth. Two years ago Max set out 2,000 cranberry plants as an experiment. They all lived, but a few that were killed by moles, and he is encouraged to believe they will prove successful in Kansas. He shaded the plants by setting them among the corn. They bore some last year, and the plants are starting out well for this season. This is the only successful attempt we have heard of in Kansas of making cranberries live over one season. Max is planting his evergreens in corn instead of mulchingCthinks it a better way to protect them from heat and drouth than mulching. On the Fawcett farm is 100 acres in an excellent state of cultivation, of which 40 acres are in wheat and oats, 40 in corn, potatoes, etc., all looking wellCmaking the best growth had in a residence of eleven years in Kansas. Peach trees are loaded with fruit. Mr. Fawcett is also going into honey-raising. He started with one stand a year ago, which has increased to eleven standsCall from the one stand. His testimony is that they do better in Kansas than he ever saw them do in the East. Mr. Fawcett has a considerable quantity of hedge growing finely on his place. The Fawcett farm is destined to be one of the most valuable and productive on the Neosho. The walls of his residence are bountifully supplied with pictures of various styles, among which are some of Prang=s chromos, and in the sitting room is a Mason & Hamlin cabinet organ, showing a commendable degree of cultivation and refinement. We shall not soon forget the pleasant hour spent at the Fawcett place. . . .
Emporia News, June 26, 1868.
HISTORY OF KANSAS. A copy of this work has been laid on our table for notice. It is a wonderful book, and has called forth long columns of criticism from the press. Most of the actors in the events it describes are still living, and ambitious of distinction. That the work fails to please all parties but accords with the fact that a fair and candid history would meet with a like result; that it has given rise to long columns in the papers, shows it is felt and its influence appreciated. There are some features about this book which render it one of incalculable value. It is written in chronological order, gives some rare and important official documents, the returns of every election, proceedings of all important conventions, and describes every incident in the order it occurred. The old Territorial literature of Kansas is out of print, the files of old papers are scarce, the records of the Topeka Government lost or scattered among private libraries, so that it is exceedingly difficult to obtain a record of the wonderful events of Kansas in her Territorial days. But Mr. Holloway, with all these before him, has happily given a transcript of them. His work is the first and only complete history of Kansas published. Beyond mere matters of opinion in regard to men, Mr. Holloway=s History of Kansas, in the race which it has been running through the gauntlet of criticism during the past six months, has proven invulnerable. Few errors in point of fact have been discovered. . . .
Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
Mass Meeting of Settlers on the Cherokee Neutral Lands.
At a meeting of the settlers of the ACherokee Neutral Lands,@ Cherokee County, Kansas, held at Centralia, on the 11th day of June, 1868, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted.
WHEREAS, We, the settlers on the ACherokee Neutral Lands,@ citizens of Cherokee County, Kansas, having occupied these lands under the conviction that the Government would soon extinguish the Indian title to the same, and throw them open for legal settlement, under the just and equitable laws of pre-emption and homestead, now existing; and
WHEREAS, The settlement of said lands by the hardy pioneer has been made under circumstances of unusual hardships and privation, owing to the devastation of Missouri and Southern Kansas by the recent war, causing supplies to be transported long distances and procured at high prices; and
WHEREAS, We are now in danger of having our hard-earned homes transferred to the hands of a railroad corporation, with no security that we will be remunerated, under the pretext of favoring the railroad interest; therefore,
Resolved, That we believe we are fully entitled, so soon as the Indian title to the land is extinguished, to the benefit of the pre-emption and homestead laws; and we believe those laws will protect us in our rights, any treaty by the Senate to the contrary notwithstanding.
2. That, as the pre-emption and homestead laws are the most important parts in the policy of the Government in relation to the public lands, the homestead law, in particular, having been pledged by the party now in power to the hardy pioneer, it being one of the principal planks in the platform that carried that party into power, we demand it as our right, and call on the voters throughout the Union to sustain us at the polls.
3. That we view with alarm the recent and changed policy of the Government, in extinguishing Indian titles to lands only to transfer them into the hands of railroad and speculating companies, thus converting the pioneer into a serf, at the mercy of a soulless corporation.
4. That in the name of 25,000 men, women, and children now living on the ANeutral Lands@Cloyal citizens of the United StatesCwe do protest against the sale of any part of this tract, to any other than actual settlers.
5. That we give notice to all railroad and land monopolizing companies, that, having settled these lands in the full faith that our Government would act with us, as the laws already in force would warrant, we will not tamely be driven from our homes, or be made to pay an exorbitant price for the same.
6. That the men in Congress who have stood up for the rights of the self-sacrificing and hardy pioneer of the West, deserve our warmest thanks, and we hope their noble efforts may be crowned with success, and our Government spared the shame of dealing falsely with its citizens.
7. That all papers that advocate a Ahome for the homeless@ on the public domain, are solicited to give these resolutions a place in their columns.
J. F. PITZER, Chairman.
W. S. HUSTON, Secretary.
Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
CONTRACT LET.
Col. C. K. Holliday and D. L. Lakin, of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, arrived home from New York on the first of July, having succeeded in contracting with eastern parties for building the road. The Topeka Daily Record says:
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They represent that by the terms of the contract, work is to commence during the present month, and while they are only bound to build 25 miles S. W. during the first year, and 15 miles this way from where it leaves the Atchison road (six miles west of Atchison) yet they expect to push the work as fast as it can be done, and hope to reach Burlingame not later than next June, and Emporia early next spring. They are authorized to put Col. Huntoon on to the surveys next Monday, and will do so if he can be engaged, and if not, some other engineer will be employed.@Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
WORK COMMENCED.
We are gratified to be able to state that work has commenced on the Neosho Valley Railroad. Mr. Phelps, of the contracting party, set a gang of hands at work at Junction City on Monday last. He has the contract for building the first section of 20 miles. He is building the St. Jo. & Council Bluffs road, which is about completed, after which he will transfer his entire force to our road and expects to put the first section through by the first of January. The engineers are now nearly through making the permanent survey of the section. He has taken hold of the work in earnest and we hope there will be no more vexing delays.
With the Topeka road and the Neosho Valley road completed to Emporia, we rather think there will be a little splutter made around these diggings.
Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT.
The State Teachers= Association in session here on Thursday resolved to recommend H. B. Norton, of the State Normal school, to the Republican State Convention as its choice for State Superintendent. The contest was between Messrs. Norton and McCarty, of Leavenworth. The vote stood 30 to 35. The selection was afterwards made unanimous. The selection is one we can most heartily endorse. There is probably no man in the State better qualified for the position than Mr. Norton. He has been for many years a practical teacherC
just what is needed in the position of State Superintendent. . . .
Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
THE OSAGE TREATY.
The following is taken from the telegraphic dispatches of the 30th ult.
A petition was received here this afternoon, addressed to the President of the United States, signed by all the chiefs of the Great and Little Osage tribes of Indians, praying the Senate not to ratify the treaty recently made with them, by which their eight million acres of land were disposed of at the rate of twenty cents per acre. This paper throws additional light on the swindle, giving an entirely different aspect to the case. The petition says the treaty does not represent the wishes of the tribes, but that they were induced to sign it on account of the threats and promises made by the commissioners. The latter threatened that unless the chiefs signed it, all protection would be withdrawn, and the whites would be allowed to drive the Indians away from their homes without pay therefor, and that $200,000 due on the former treaty would be unpaid. They promised that by signing the treaty the Indians could remain on the land for six years longer, when they would be furnished free transportation to their new homes. They now regret signing it, and ask the Senate not to ratify it. They say if their land must be sold, they want it done without threats.
Emporia News, July 3, 1868.
The Monitor of Fort Scott says large droves of horses from Texas are passing through the city almost daily, seeking a northern market. Texas is perhaps the finest stock country in the world.
Emporia News, July 10, 1868.
THE OSAGE ATREATY.@
Now that this enormous swindle has been exposed, and, we trust, defeated by the action of the House, the Cincinnati Chronicle explains that Mr. Sturgis, of Chicago, owns the Leavenworth & Galveston railroad, to which nearly nine millions of acres were Aceded by this treaty,@ and adds that the father of this Sturgis made an immense fortune by land monopoly in Illinois, owning in that State alone 300,000 acres. We thought a gift of nine millions of acres to one company bad enough, but to one man! Really, the proposition is so sublimely impudent, that we wonder that any Senator of either party could have been expected to vote for it. Missouri Democrat.
Emporia News, July 10, 1868.
It is said that both our Senators favor the Osage treaty in any form. We don=t know whether this is true or not, but should not be the least surprised if it is. They have had so much practice in Indian frauds that they can hardly resist a temptation in that direction at this late day.
Emporia News, July 10, 1868.
Henry Tisdale was in town this week, and informed us that he had put in operation his daily line of hacks from Topeka here. This will be a great accommodation to the public, as it will save those desiring to come to Emporia or go to the Railroad some eighteen miles of staging, and then it gives us daily mail communication with the capital.
Emporia News, July 10, 1868.
Neosho Valley Daily Mail.
Daily service has commenced on the Neosho Valley Mail Route. T. C. Hill went through on Monday, completing the arrangements. This gives the valley counties ample means of communication and travel. Two more nice covered coaches are soon to be put on and this will soon be about the most important route in the State. The mails are now in better running order on this road than they have ver been before.
Emporia News, July 17, 1868.
AMENDMENTS TO THE OSAGE TREATY.
One effect of the ventilation of the Osage Treaty has been to compel the authors and finishers of that remarkable production to admit that there were other people in the world besides themselves who had an interest in the immense tract of land treated for. Several days ago they threw a tub to the whale in the hope of two amendments of vast consequence to the State at large, and one of them, at least, of no mean importance to Emporia and Southwest Kansas. The first is that the State shall be allowed to purchase the 16th and 36th sections for school purposes at the same price the Company get their lands, which being but eighteen cents per acre, the State can well afford to do. The second is that one tenth of the land, or about eight hundred thousand acres, shall be set apart for the Emporia Branch of the Galveston road; that the road shall be completed to Emporia in three years by the present Company, or the land shall revert to the State of Kansas for the use and benefit of the road. These amendments having been agreed upon by all the parties in interest, it will be embodied in the treatyCso that if the treaty is ratified at all it will be in a much less objectionable shape than when first signed, though still far from being what it should be.
The building of the Emporia Branch will add largely to the value of the western portion of the Osage lands, and result in bringing those lands into market much sooner than would have been the case if they had all been given to a line of road extending down their eastern border. The building of this branch will also be of immense interest to Leavenworth, Lawrence, Emporia, and all Central and Western Kansas. By conceding it, Mr. Sturges loses nothing; the Galveston road loses nothing. There is land enough to build both roads and to give to the public schools and to actual settlers their just demands. Instead of the curse thus threatened, we may have a blessing.
Emporia News, July 24, 1868.
Mr. Eskridge is now in Washington to represent our interests in relation to the Osage treaty and the Lawrence & Emporia Railroad. Several important points had representatives there, and some of our citizens thought it would be well enough to have this point represented, and at a consultation of citizens, Mr. Eskridge was selected to go. It was thought too late to do good, but as Lawrence has sent a delegate since Mr. Eskridge went, we conclude our representative arrived there in time to have a Afinger in the pie.@ Nothing has been heard from him, and we do not know the status of the Osage treaty.
Emporia News, July 24, 1868.
CHANGED HANDS. We understand the Neosho Valley stage and express line has changed hands, Henry Tisdale having bought out T. C. Hill. Mr. Tisdale is now the owner of nearly all the lines in Southern Kansas. He came here a few years ago as a stage driver. By close application to business and strict honesty, he has become one of the largest stage men in the West.
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
THE LAWRENCE & EMPORIA R. R.
One Million Acres of Land.
The Building of the Road Assured.
Hon. John Speer, the editor of the Lawrence Tribune, recently went to Washington in the interests of the settlers and of the Emporia Branch Railroad, so intimately affected by the Osage Treaty. Mr. Speer writes to his paper from the Capital under date of July 23rd, and in referring to the Treaty has the following.
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This general fact, however, seems conceded by all, that the treaty lies over till next session, unless the President should call an executive session, which I think is unlikely. Its friends, Messrs. Kalloch and Sturges, have left, agreeing to put it over, at the earnest solicitations of some of its friends in the Senate. The most earnest effort possible was made to have it pass, without the Emporia amendment. Notwithstanding the recommendations of all parties from Lawrence, and from Southwestern Kansas, the treaty was printed not only without the Emporia amendment proposed at Lawrence, and which we hoped was satisfactory to all parties, but even without the useless original Emporia amendment, conditional that the cities, towns, and counties should furnish the Ameans,@ etc., an amendment too familiar to our readers to be necessary to quote here. I have the printed treaty, prepared and amended after Mr. Kalloch=s visit to Kansas, without one word in regard to the Emporia branch. Until Mr. Eskridge arrived, on Thursday, the 8th inst., the Emporia amendment apparently had no friends, and until after my arrival, on Monday, the 21st, Mr. Sturges had never conceded that any of the lands should go to the Emporia enterprise. Gov. Robinson and Mr. Kalloch expressed themselves favorably; but Sturges opposed. Mr. Eskridge and myself visited General Ewing, to solicit his aid with Senator Doolittle, of the Indian Committee. Gen. Ewing conceded that the Emporia amendment was one of great importance and would give strength to the treaty; but, as the attorney of Mr. Sturges, he could not advise it or use his influence, unless with the consent of his client. He gave us a letter to Mr. Sturges, urging his acceptance of the amendment proposed, and after much opposition, and, we believe, being satisfied that the Emporia amendment had so much strength that he couldn=t resist it, Mr. Sturges assented, and we now have the unanimous pledge of all interested in the Osage treaty that one million (not one-tenth, as originally proposed) acres of average lands shall be set apart for constructing the branch from Lawrence to Emporia, within four years, or that the said lands shall revert to any railroad company which will construct said road. I believe and hope we have placed this treaty on such a basis that it can never pass without the Emporia amendment.@This shows conclusively the wisdom of the determination of the citizens of Emporia to be represented at Washington while the Osage Treaty was pending. Things looked dubious, and many thought there was no show; but the result, as narrated in Mr. Speer=s letter and in that of Mr. Eskridge, shows that the money raised here to send Mr. Eskridge to Washington was well spent. We shall refer to the important results achieved more at length hereafter.
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
THE AMENDMENT OF THE OSAGE TREATY.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 22, 1868.
MR. STOTLER: The following amendment among others, has been unanimously agreed to by the friends of the Osage Treaty, and will be made a part of that instrument, as both Senators Ross and Pomeroy favor it.
And provided further, That there shall be reserved from said lands one million acres (the same being average lands, to be selected by three commissioners to be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior) for the construction of the branch of said Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston railroad, from Lawrence to Emporia in the State of Kansas, as defined in an act of Congress entitled AAn act for a grant of lands to the State of Kansas in alternate sections to aid in the construction of certain railroads and telegraphs in said State,@ approved March 3, 1863, and an act amendatory thereto, approved _________.
Provided, however, That if the said Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad Company or their assigns shall fail to construct and operate said branch road from Lawrence to Emporia within four years from the date of the promulgation of this treaty, then the title to the lands so as aforesaid reserved shall vest in any railroad company which shall within three years after the time given above to the said Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad Company, construct said branch road as aforesaid and pay the pro rata amount and interest paid by the said Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad Company for said lands so set apart as aforesaid.
This treaty may not be ratified at the present session of Congress, but when it is ratified, if ever, the Lawrence & Emporia road, by reason of its being a branch of the Galveston road, will be included to the amount of a million acres, which will insure its construction. Mr. Sturges, after deliberate consideration, approved the amendment. The treaty is yet in the hands of the committee. The settlers will get their lands at $1.25 per acre, the school fund will be provided for, and settlers going on the lands after the ratification of the treaty will get them at government appraisal. Other amendments will also be made. There is a provision in the treaty which gives the right to amend it if the stipulations as to the pecuniary interests of the Indians are not interfered with by doing so. This may relieve the commissioners and immediate friends of the treaty from the charge that they contemplated no amendments; for if they did not, why did they make provision for doing it? The enemies of this treaty, here, in their zeal to ride popular opinion, as they conceived, have, innocently no doubt, placed themselves in a position that, with any amendments, they cannot consistently favor its ratification. They took a step too far for good policy and the best interests of the State.
Respectfully yours,
C. V. ESKRIDGE.
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
SAC AND FOX LANDS. Our traveling correspondent, Mr. Broughton, informs us that the order from the War Department directing the removal of all white settlers on the Sac and Fox reservation has been executed. A squad of soldiers from Fort Leavenworth was sent down for the purpose of assisting in the removal. No force was used, the settlers very peaceably retiring. Lawrence Tribune.
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
A gentleman was in town this week from Cowley County, purchasing goods to open a store in that new county. We are informed he bought considerable bills of some of our merchants. [First mention of Cowley County.]
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
SCHOOLMASTERS ABROAD. There seems to be a conspiracy against the faculty of our Normal School. Prof. Kellogg and family, on a recent trip to El Dorado, were treated to a breakdown and supperless bivouac on the prairie beyond Cottonwood Falls; while Mrs. Gorham was lately robbed of her trunk and money, at Omaha. The pickpocket was caught, and part of the money refunded, but the trunk has not yet been found. Prof. Norton, though Aspoiling@ for a journey, is quietly at home, afraid to venture out, and waiting for the Governor to send an escort.
Emporia News, July 31, 1868.
William T. Galliher, who has been practicing law in Emporia for a number of years, has moved with his family to Butler County, where he intends to engage in farming.
Emporia News, August 14, 1868.
[Part of an article]
The State Normal School, which is one of the most important institutions of the State, is located in Emporia. It has two departments, the Model and the Normal. Prof. L. B. Kellogg is Principal, assisted by Mr. H. B. Norton, Mrs. Gorham, and Miss Plumb. The average attendance of scholars fitting themselves for teachers, when the school is in session, is about 130. The school building is a most substantial structure, three stories high, built of stone, and a portion of the twenty acres belonging to it, is enclosed with a fine fence.
Emporia News, August 21, 1868.
COL. MOONLIGHT. The gallant Col. Thos. Moonlight, having been deprived of the office of Collector of Revenue (or an attempt made to do it, which will be renewed as soon as Congress adjourns) through the machinations of the traitor Ross, his friends propose to bring him forward for some State officeCsome are in favor of him for Secretary of State. The Colonel has a splendid fighting record, is a sound Republican, and competent to fill any office. His nomination would be a fitting expression of the people of his State on the merits of himself and Ross, and would also be a just tribute to a gallant officer. White Cloud Chief.
We heartily endorse the above. Thos. Moonlight is one of the truest men in the State of Kansas, and we hope his integrity may be in some way rewarded. We are also decidedly in favor of rebuking the creature who betrayed us on Impeachment. Junction Union.
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Barkis is willin=,@ Thomas.[Senator Ross was the one who backed the president during impeachment process.]
Emporia News, August 21, 1868.
INDIAN MASSACRE.
We clip the following news from the Junction City Union of Saturday last.
We stop the press to record an Indian outbreak of a horrible character in the Solomon Valley. On Friday morning a party of Indians, supposed to be Arapahoes, Kiowas, and Cheyennes, attacked the settlers. A man named Bogardus, and a Mr. Bell and his wife were killed. Mrs. Bell was shot through the breast, and afterward ravished by several Indians. Two children of Aaron Bell were carried off. A German was wounded; a boy named Hugett was wounded, and the Indians were chasing his father when last seen. Several men were followed into the brush by Indians, and supposed to be killed. Several women in the neighborhood were ravished. On Elkhorn, near Ellsworth, a few days previous, one young woman was ravished by twenty-two Indians, and the Surgeon at Fort Harker said she could not live. The difficulties on the Solomon occurred forty-five miles above the railroad. Governor Crawford went up this (Saturday) morning with arms and ammunition.
Gen. Grant has telegraphed the military along the road to demand the surrender of the murderers and captives immediately, and in case of refusal to attack the Indians all along the line.
Emporia News, August 21, 1868.
THE FRONTIER.
We are not able as yet to give full particulars of the last Indian Raid. The first rumor of trouble was on Spellman=s Creek, eighteen miles N. E. of Ellsworth, where a band of two or three hundred Indians made their appearance last Monday, where they caught and beat a Mr. Shaw and violated the person of Mrs. Shaw and her sister. They drove off the settlers and robbed them of their property on this creek and violated several women. Some of them were subjected to this ill treatment five or six hours.
The next news was that we printed in our last issue. Sunday night, dispatches were received that the Indians were within ten or fifteen miles of Salina and that the Governor with twenty men had been flanked and cut off. The inhabitants of Salina were up all Sunday night counseling together and making preparations to go out Monday morning. In the morning a courier came in saying that three or four hundred Kiowas had crossed the railroad track west of Salina, going towards the Republican, but at what point was not stated, and that the Governor was after them.
At ten o=clock yesterday morning T. H. Walker received a dispatch from Mr. Strickler, at Junction City, saying that the Indians were on a retreat with their plunder, that McAfee was at the front with supplies, and that Crawford was on the Saline.
We judge that about twelve persons were killed on the Solomon and six or eight on Asher Creek. We hope to receive full particulars tomorrow, and may learn something more before going to press. Topeka Record, Aug. 18.
LATER. The following is from the Topeka Record of the 19th.
Mr. McAfee returned from the West yesterday. He reports that two hundred families have left the scene of the late Indian fights, and that there is but one man left in a distance of 30 miles. The Indians were not known to attack anyone armed. They appeared simultaneously along the Valley for twenty miles in small squads. They robbed the settlers of all their horses and clothing, killed those they chose to, and mutilated others. All were armed with revolvers, just furnished them by the Government. It is not known that a single Indian was hurt. Forty families were in a stone pen in one place nearly naked, and the balance of the settlers of that whole region are at Solomon.
The troops stationed on the Little Arkansas, were called up to the Solomon on the first appearance of the Indians, leaving the Southwest unprotected. We shall not be disappointed if within the next two or three days we hear of similar outrages being committed on Walnut Creek and the settlers on the Little Arkansas.
We forbear saying what our feelings prompt us to at this time on the course of the United States Government with these Indians. If a similar course is to be followed up our people will protect themselvesCif they have to fight United States troops to do it. Humanitarians may talk as they choose, self-preservation is the first law of nature, and we will stand by those who protect themselves, let the consequences be what they may.
Governor Crawford was on Fisher Creek on Monday and will probably soon be home.
Emporia News, August 21, 1868.
Two gentlemen were here this week from Maine, looking up a business location. They were much pleased with the town and country and will probably locate.
[Could this be Newman?]
Emporia News, August 28, 1868.
MR. CLARKE AND THE INDIAN TREATY QUESTION.
Mr. Clarke=s chief claim, as well as his main chance for a return to Congress, is his opposition to the Osage Treaty. Our own opinion of that swindle in its original shape is well knownCand we should be glad to accord some credit to Mr. Clarke for his effective opposition to its ratification. But Mr. Clarke=s claim to superior virtue is so loudly made, as to provoke an examination of the record of his Congressional career to see if it be justified.
Mr. Clarke=s opposition to the Osage Treaty has three principal grounds, according to his own statement of them, substantially as follows.
1. That it creates a monopoly in the Railroad Company to a large body of land.
2. That it does not provide for the sale of the lands treated for to actual settlers, at a reasonable price.
3. That it is unjust to the Indians.
The two first objections are valid as against the original treaty, at least. The third is not, but is not worth considering in this connection.
The tenable grounds in favor of the Treaty are two.
1. It secures the removal of the Indians from Kansas.
2. It secures the building of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad.
During Mr. Clarke=s two terms in Congress treaties have been made and ratified with different Indian tribes for their lands in Kansas, as follows: The Sac & Foxes, Delawares, Kickapoos, Cherokees, Pottawattomies, besides some minor tribes. Let us examine the provisions of these treaties in their order.
1. The Sac & Fox lands were treated forCexcept the diminished ReserveCand sold Afor the benefit of the Indians,@ by means of a refined swindle known as Asealed bids,@ whereby no actual settler got an acre, but mammoth speculators like Perry Fuller, McManus, Stevens & Co., obtained three hundred thousand acres of the finest land in Kansas at from fifty cents to one dollar per acre, the effect of which is plainly visible in Osage, Lyon, and Franklin counties, in the miles square of unoccupied land held by these speculators. Not an acre was reserved for Railroad purposes, even, and so our Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road, and the Ottawa & Emporia road, if built at all, must be by the people themselves.
2. The last Delaware treaty gave 96,000 acres of the finest land in Leavenworth County to the Missouri River Railroad Company at a mere nominal sum, and not an acre to actual settlers or to schools, and by the terms of the treaty the lands are not yet even subject to taxation!
3. The Kickapoo treaty gave to the Atchison (or Central) Branch of the Union Pacific RoadCalready endowed with $16,000 Government Bonds per mile, and a large amount of other lands, the whole Kickapoo Reserve, of over 300,000 acres and not an acre to settlers or schools, and not to be taxed for six years, thus not only retarding their settlement, but preventing them from being a source of revenue to the State. The poor settler pays tax on his homestead, but the rich Railroad company pays not a dollar on over a million=s worth of fine land.
4. The Cherokee treaty provided for the sale of all that magnificent tract of land known as the Cherokee Neutral Lands in Southeastern KansasCabout 800,000 acres in a body, and it was sold under that treaty to Mr. Joy, a Railroad President, for one dollar per acre, and not an acre reserved for schools, and none to settlers except the very small number who had settled thereon prior to the making of the treaty. There are probably twenty thousand people now living on these lands, of whom not over one-tenth have any guarantee for either land or improvements, but are at the mercy of Mr. Joy. This treaty had not even the merit of securing the removal of Indians from the State, as the Cherokees had never occupied it.
5. The Pottawattomie treaty was ratified in the last days of the last session of Congress, and while the Osage treaty was pending. It provides for the sale of the entire Pottawattomie ReserveCthirty miles squareCto the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, for one dollar per acre, without an acre being reserved for settlers or schools!
These treaties have all been ratified during Mr. Clarke=s Congressional career. Did anyone ever hear a note of opposition to a single one of them, from his lips? Not only did he not oppose them, but he favored them. At the very time when the Osage Treaty so excited his ire, the Pottawatomie treaty, more obnoxious to the charge of monopoly and disregard of the rights of settlers, was receiving his support. In fact, this is his chief claim to the suffrages of Topeka Republicans! So of the Cherokee treaty. And we have the interesting spectacle of Fort Scott, Topeka, and Atchison supporting Mr. Clarke because he has favored land monopolies in the interest of their pet local schemes, and Lawrence, Leavenworth City, and other localities supporting him because of opposition to a land monopoly designed to benefit their respective localities!
Here are radical inconsistencies that cannot be explained away. They reveal a duplicity and charlatanism which should not pass current as true coin in Kansas. Which monopoly would be rebuked by Mr. Clarke=s re-nomination?
Emporia News, August 28, 1868.
GOV. CRAWFORD TO THE PRESIDENT.
The following dispatch to President Johnson, by Governor Crawford, contains sound suggestions on the Indian question. There is nothing of a startling nature from the field of Indian disturbances since our last. It is a shame and disgrace that the Indians are allowed by the Government to come down upon the settlements and commit murders, with arms furnished by the Government, and then be permitted to go unpunished. We are satisfied the people of the State will have to take the matter in their own hands if there is not some relief soon. We cannot stand by and see our citizens murdered, without efforts to save them. Some fifteen or twenty persons were murdered in the late raid, houses burned, horses stolen and several persons were carried off as captives.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, TOPEKA, August 22, 1868.
His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, Washington, D. C.
The Indians are again committing depredations in Western Kansas.
Last week they killed and wounded thirty men, women, and children, ravished seven women, and carried away one young lady; burned a number of houses, and captured a large amount of stock and other property.
Frontier settlers were driven in some sixty miles, leaving everything at the mercy of these red handed fiends.
In the name of God and humanity, must we submit to these atrocities, and see the Indians, under the care and protection of the Government, go unpunished?
I appeal to you for protection, and respectfully, but earnestly, request that you cause to be driven, at once, from this State, the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahos, Apaches, and Cheyenne Indians, the perpetrators of the recent outrages, and many others committed in Kansas during the past four years.
If the Government cannot protect its own citizens, let the fact be made known that the people may endeavor to protect themselves; or if volunteers are needed, I will furnish the Government all that may be necessary to insure a permanent and lasting peace.
The commission is a mockery, and their policy a disgrace to the nation. I trust therefore that you will keep the commissioners at home, and stop the issuing of arms, ammunition, and supplies to hostile Indians, while they are robbing, murdering, and outraging a defenseless people.
S. J. CRAWFORD, Governor of Kansas.
Emporia News, August 28, 1868.
GENERAL SHERIDAN=S ORDER.
The following important order has been issued by General Sheridan, dated Ft. Harker, August 24. We hope the General will do something to relieve our border from Indian depredations. This order looks like business.
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In consequence of the recent open acts of hostility on the part of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, embracing the murder of twenty unarmed citizens of the State of Kansas, the wounding of many more, and acts of outrage on women and children, too atrocious to mention in detail, the Maj. General commanding, under the authority of the Lieut. General commanding the military division, directs the forcible removal of these Indians to their reservation south of the State of Kansas, and that they be compelled to deliver up the perpetrators of the guilty acts. All persons whomsoever are hereby forbidden to have intercourse, or give aid or assistance to these Indians, until there is due notice given hereafter that the requirements of this order have been carried out.@Emporia News, August 28, 1868.
$5 REWARD.
STRAYED from the subscriber August 10, 1868, a sorrel horse, about three years old; round face; small white spot in center of forehead; shoes on fore feet. The above reward will be paid to anyone delivering the horse to me in Emporia, or for information of his whereabouts. C. R. SIPES.
Emporia, August 28, 1868.
Emporia News, September 4, 1868.
NEW DRY GOODS FIRM. As will be seen by their advertisement in today=s paper, Messrs. Newman & Houghton have purchased the store formerly owned by Mr. Pyle, in Jones= new building. These gentlemen are lately from Maine, and have had a long experience in the mercantile business. They advertise what they can and will do. All they ask is a fair trial. We hope they may meet with encouragement and have a fair share of the patronage of the public. They go to work as though they understood their business, and as though they intend to do a fair legitimate trade with those who may favor them with their custom. We wish them abundant success.
Emporia News, September 4, 1868.
New Advertisements.
NEW FIRM!
Goods Cheap for Cash!
The undersigned having bought out the stock of W. A. Pyle at a greatly reduced price, would respectfully call the attention of the citizens of Emporia and surrounding country to the fact that they can and will sell
DRY GOODS,
GROCERIES, BOOTS AND SHOES, CLOTHING, Notions & Queensware, Cheaper than they can be bought elsewhere in SOUTHERN KANSAS.
We buy our Goods at first hand in New York and Boston, and save second profits paid by merchants buying in Chicago, St. Louis, or Leavenworth.
All Goods Warranted as Represented or MONEY REFUNDED.
Give us a Trial.
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON,
180 Commercial Street, EMPORIA.
Emporia News, September 11, 1868.
THE INDIANS. A Hays City dispatch to the Conservative says the Indians were reported to have made a dash on Fort Dodge early on the morning of the 3rd, killing four and wounding seventeen of the soldiers at the Fort, belonging to the 3rd U. S. infantry. They were driven off before any further damage was done. We have not learned how many Indians were killed or wounded.
General Sheridan is now at Fort Dodge, but is expected back at Hays in a few days.
Patrick Dunn, keeper of a ranch near Fort Zarah, was shot and killed on Friday morning by Corporal Reagan, who has been arrested and confined in the guard house.
Emporia News, September 11, 1868.
A CARD.
To whom it may concern:
When I accepted the recommendation of the State Teachers= Association for the State Superintendency, this was done with the understanding that Mr. McVicar=s declination was firm and final. However, feeling that he was really the first choice of the Convention, I had the honor of offering the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted.
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Resolved, That we regard the Hon. P. McVicar as a Christian scholar and gentleman, and an officer of great ability and worth; and that, with due respect to his sacred office, we greatly regret his withdrawal from his present field of labor.@Within the past day or two, it has transpired that Mr. McVicar will consent to a re-nomination, if the people of the State so desire it; and therefore, with thanks to kind friends, I cheerfully withdraw from the field, assured that his re-election will best promote the interests of education in Kansas.
H. B. NORTON.
Topeka, Sept. 7th, 1868.
Emporia News, September 11, 1868.
Gen. Sherman=s dispatches relative to the recent Indian troubles on the Saline, Solomon, and Republican, as sent to the proper Washington Department, announce that he has instructed Gen. Sheridan to pursue those Indians who have been guilty of these outrages to their final and everlasting destruction. Times.
Emporia News, September 11, 1868.
Gen. Sherman has returned to St. Louis from his trip to the Rocky Mountains. He reports the Union Pacific railroad finished 790 miles west of Omaha, and that it will be completed to Green River, 60 miles further, by October 1st.
Emporia News, September 11, 1868.
E. H. Coats is preparing to build a residence on Exchange Street, near where he now lives.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
INDIAN WAR INEVITABLE.
Five Companies of Militia Called Out.
All who have been West during the past few months arrive at the conclusion that a general Indian war is inevitable. This is the conclusion of Generals Grant and Sherman, Schuyler Colfax, and Governor Crawford. The U. S. Government can have the consolation of knowing that it has placed arms and ammunition in the hands of the Indians to murder the citizens which it is bound to protect. We publish below the proclamation of Governor Crawford, calling for five companies of cavalry, for service on the border for three months, unless sooner discharged.
STATE OF KANSAS, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, TOPEKA, September 11, 1868.
The recent acts of atrocity perpetrated by hostile Indians upon citizens of Kansas, with other accumulating circumstances, indicate with an unerring certainty that a general Indian war is inevitable. The United States forces in this Department are too few in number to answer the emergency, and the appeals of our frontier settlers for protection and redress cannot with honor be disregarded.
The undersigned, therefore, hereby calls into active service, for a period of three months, unless sooner discharged, five Companies of Cavalry, to be organized from the Militia of the State, for service on the border. Each man will be required to furnish his own horse; but arms, accouterments, and rations will be furnished by Major General Sheridan.
One company to be recruited in the Republican Valley, will rendezvous at Lake Sibley; one company in the Solomon Valley, will rendezvous at Ayersburg; one company will rendezvous at Salina, one company at Topeka, and the remaining company at Marion Center.
Recruiting officers will be designated for each company, and when notice of the organization of a company shall have been received, the men will be mustered and company officers appointed. Each company will consist of not less than eighty (80) nor more than one hundred (100) enlisted men.
As the State has no funds at present from which the men hereby called into service can be paid, it is expressly understood that all claims for service must await the action of the next Legislature.
S. J. CRAWFORD, GOVERNOR.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
[Part of an article re State Convention...Nominees and Platform.]
C. V. ESKRIDGE. This gentleman is on the ticket for Lieutenant-Governor. He received the nomination on the second ballot. Of him we need not say anything to the people of this section of Kansas, as AOld Honesty@ is known by everybody. He served five years in the legislatureCthree terms in the house and one in the Senate, and it is no reflection on the other aspirants to say that he is one of the best fitted men for this office there is in the State. His ability as a legislator is known and acknowledged by friend and foe. . . .
SIDNEY CLARKE. It was evident to all close observers, from the time a majority of the delegates arrived at Topeka, that this gentleman had a clear majority in the convention, and the fight against him was practically given up Tuesday night. . . . The north part of the State was almost solid for Clarke on account of his position on the Osage treaty. . . . The delegates were reminded of the shame-faced and traitorous action of Lane and Ross, and of the dish-water attempt of Pomeroy against Mr. Lincoln, and felt like standing by the man who had, in this respect, been true to them. These two arguments nominated him. . . .
TOM MOONLIGHT. The gallant Col. of the brave Eleventh Kansas was as invincible as a candidate for Secretary of State as he was as a fighter for the Union. He is one of the most popular men in the State, and justly so. He is one of those men who never learned the meaning of the word fail. He had seventy-one votes on the first ballot. The fact that he had been turned out of a federal office by Ross and Andy Johnson didn=t hurt him much, and the silent rebuke to Ross, may be set down by that gentlemen as an index of the feeling in the State toward him. Col. Tom Moonlight is a man the Republicans of Kansas will delight to honor. He will make an excellent Secretary.
A. DANFORD. The nominee for Attorney-General is at present editor of the Ft. Scott Monitor. He has been in the Legislature several terms, and is an old resident of Kansas. He is vouched for by the members of the Fort Scott bar as a good lawyer. He is one of the ablest speakers in the State, and will do good work for the ticket.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
The demise of the Leavenworth Times leaves only one paper in the State older than THE EMPORIA NEWS, and that is Sol Miller=s White Cloud Chief. We are glad to state that both the Chief and THE NEWS are healthy.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
EASTWARD BOUND. Prof. Kellogg and family started on an extended visit to the East this morning. It is the Professor=s intention to visit many of the leading institutions of learning in the East, especially the Normal schools, with a view of brining to our Normal school all the modern improvements in teaching, and to gain such other information as will be of benefit to the school here. The Board of Directors have granted him a leave of absence for three months. They will visit Mrs. Kellogg=s parents in Massachusetts. We wish them a pleasant journey and safe return.
Miss M. J. Watson, a graduate of the school, will assist Prof. Norton during the absence of Prof. Kellogg.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
Billiard Saloon for Sale.
Consisting of one table and fixtures necessary in a first-class establishment. Price $1,000. C. R. SIPES, Emporia, Kansas.
Emporia News, September 25, 1868.
We are glad to know the new firm of Newman & Houghton are doing a lively business. One of the firm is now absent after new goods. They intend to bring on a stock that will not be excelled in quantity or quality.
Emporia News, October 9,1868.
Senator Ross writes to a friend in Emporia, under date of Washington Sept. 23rd, as follows: You may consider your Emporia Branch a certain thing and altogether likely more than a branch.
Emporia News, October 9, 1868.
INDIAN NEWS.
Armstrong, who returned from Marion Center on Monday, informs us sixteen hundred Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Kiowa Indians went Southeast on Friday last toward the Wichita country. Capt. Jennings, with one of the companies of militia just raised by the Governor, marched from Marion Center to the new town of Wichita. It was expected there would be trouble. Mr. Armstrong was elected Captain of the new company part of which was raised here. The company was not quite full, but it will be in a few days.
Emporia News, October 9, 1868.
Some names mentioned under Board of County Commissioners of Lyon County...
James Phenis, Marker, $1.50 [fee paid him].
Wm. B. Hiatt, Juror fee, $23.00
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
THE INDIAN WAR.
A Cavalry Regiment Called For.
The Governor=s Proclamation.
Below we print the proclamation of Governor Crawford, calling for a new Cavalry Regiment to fight the Indians, together with Sheridan=s request for the aid. Sheridan means business, and if the Indians are not satisfied with war before they get through with the present disturbances it will not be his fault.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, TOPEKA, OCTOBER 10th, 1868.
With scarcely any exception, all the tribes of Indians on the Plains, in Kansas or contiguous thereto, have taken up arms against the Government, and are now engaged in acts of hostility. The peace of the exposed border is thereby disturbed, quiet and unoffending citizens driven from their homes or ruthlessly murdered, and their property destroyed or carried away. Infant children have been carried into captivity, and in many instances barbarously murdered; while many women have been repeatedly violated in the presence of their husbands and families.
Besides these instances of individual suffering, great public interests are being crippled and destroyed by this savage hostility. The commerce of the plains is entirely suspended. The mail routes and the great lines of travel to the Territories and States beyond us, are constantly being blockaded, and are sometimes completely closed for the space of several days.
Longer to forbear with these bloody fiends would be a crime against civilization, and against the peace, security, and lives of the people upon the frontier. The time has come when they must be met by an adequate force, not only to prevent the repetition of these outrages, but to penetrate their haunts, break up their organizations, and either exterminate the tribes, or confine them upon reservations and apart for their occupancy. To this end the Major General commanding this Department has called upon the Executive for a Regiment of Cavalry from this State, as will be seen from the following communication.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, IN THE FIELD, FT. HAYS, October 9, 1868.
His Excellency, S. J. Crawford, Governor of Kansas, Hays City, Kansas.
GOVERNOR: Under directions received through Lieut. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding Military Division of the Missouri, from the Hon. Secretary of War, I am authorized to call on you for one regiment of mounted volunteers to serve for a period of six months, unless sooner discharged, against hostile Indians on the Plains. I therefore request that you furnish said regiment as speedily as possible to be rendezvoused and mustered into the service of the United States at Topeka, Kansas.
The regiment to consist of one Colonel, one Lieutenant Colonel, three Majors, twelve Captains, twelve First Lieutenants, twelve Second Lieutenants, twelve Companies of one hundred men each, including the required number of Non-Commissioned officers specified in the United States Army Regulations (1863), the pay, allowances, and emoluments of officers and men to be the same as that of United States troops.
The men will be rationed from the time of their arrival at the rendezvous and will be furnished with arms, equipments, horses, and clothing from the date of muster into the service of the United States.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. H. SHERIDAN, Maj. Gen. U. S. A.
Now, therefore, I, Samuel J. Crawford, Governor of the State of Kansas, do call for volunteers from the militia of the State to the number set forth in the foregoing letter from Major General Sheridan, to be mustered into the service of the United States, and to serve for a period of six months, unless sooner discharged. It is desirable that the regiment shall be organized at the earliest possible moment, and with this view recruiting officers will be appointed in various portions of the State. The Adjutant General will issue the necessary orders to carry this proclamation into effect.
S. J. CRAWFORD.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
WHERE IS THE PEACE COMMISSION?
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Lo, the poor Indian, whose untutored mind,@ A:steals from the settler and murders all mankind,@ is about to get into trouble.His stock of ammunition is fast becoming short, and soon he will not be able to use his long range rifles furnished by the Peace Commission. These rifles, so valuable in the death struggle with the gallant Beecher and Forsythe, the former of whom they laid low, will very soon be useless unless the Peace Commission comes round. Hurry up their footsteps, and let them bring good navy revolvers and seven shooters. If not speedily supplied with ammunition from either the Peace Commission or the Indian Bureau, Sheridan will put them to the wall. Call for the Commission, hunt up the Indian Agents, find Murphy, and see if the AIndian Bureau has no official knowledge of any Indian disturbance.@ May be he has heard by this time that the Indian, if not the white man, is in trouble.
Let New England come to their rescue, and save their red children. If they have no sympathy with the peaceable settlers, whose wives and daughters have been shot and ravished by these hell hounds, let them gather together and send the poor Indian ammunition before the settlers= wrath waxes too warm, and before the lion of the rebellion has time to marshal his forces. Junction City Union.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
[Some names mentioned re Lyon County Fair.]
A. G. Pickett.
J. B. Gilliland.
E. Dixon.
L. G. Anderson.
G. W. Estes.
J. S. McWhorter.
W. Hollingsworth.
D. A. Painter.
W. O. Ferguson.
H. V. Bundrem.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
T. Johnson and C. R. Sipes have bought the house and lot next to Jones= new building.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON=S NEW GOODS.
The attraction for a few days has been at the new store of Newman & Houghton, in Jones= building, next door north of Fraker & Peyton=s. On Monday night they commenced receiving their new goods direct from New York, and their store is now one of the best stocked in the place. Their goods must be cheap as they are shipped direct from New York, and they save the profits of western wholesale merchants. Their stock embraces everything in the line of ladies= dress goods, clothing, groceries, etc. These gentlemen are determined not to be out-done in any respect. They are newcomers, and we hope our people will call and examine their stock and prices before making their purchases, as they hope, by close application to business and fair dealing to merit their share of the public patronage.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
LOCAL NOTICE. Great Reduction in Prices.
Best Green Teas at $1.50 per pound.
Choice Black Ties at $1.25 per pound.
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
LOCAL NOTICE. Low Prices Win.
A large stock of fancy cassimers, satinets, jeans, tweeds, repellants, ladies= cloth, flannels and linseys, which we will sell at lower prices than the same quality of goods were ever sold in this market. Call and see
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
LOCAL NOTICE. Shawls and Balmorals.
Choice styles of ladies and gents shawls; also a splendid assortment of balmorals, the cheapest in the market.
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Emporia News, October 16, 1868.
Sale or Exchange.
I have a good horse to sell for cash or exchange for town lots. C. R. SIPES.
Emporia News, October 30, 1868.
LATEST INDIAN NEWS.
A dispatch from Ft. Wallace from Col. Carpenter, of the 10th cavalry, has the following information:
A
Have just arrived at this place. On the 18th we were attacked by about four hundred Indians, on the Beaver, sixty miles east of Custer=s trail, about seven o=clock a.m., and fought them until two p.m., when they withdrew with a loss of nine men killed, three of whom remained in our possession, four ponies, and a number wounded. We have three men wounded and have lost two horses in the fight. We did not succeed in finding the 5th cavalry.Emporia News, October 30, 1868.
We learn from the Topeka Record that the new Indian regiment was about full on the 26th, and that recruiting had been stopped. Twelve hundred head of horses had been purchased, and it was expected the regiment would take the field early next week.
Emporia News, October 30, 1868.
PROSPECTS OF THE A. T. & S. F. RAILROAD.
This week we were visited by several members of the company who have taken the contract for the construction of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Their names are Henry Keyes, of Vermont, President of the Connecticut & Passumsic Railroad; Charles W. Peirce, of Boston; and C. W. Cobb, of Vermont. Mr. Pierce is Treasurer of the company, and the other gentlemen members of the Board of Directors. Also, D. L. Lakin, of Topeka, and Col. Lawrence, of Burlingame.
From Mr. Lakin we learned the following facts: That the road is to be built to Burlingame by the first of next July; that the sum of four hundred thousand dollars has been paid into the treasury; that Mr. Peters, the company=s engineer, is now at work at Topeka, examining the routes; that the wheelbarrows, picks, spades, etc., for the grading are now at Topeka, and that it is expected grading will commence next Monday, or early in the weekCthat there is no sort of doubt but that the road will be built to Burlingame by the specified time. . . . The people along the line of this road are under many and lasting obligations to Mr. Lakin, Col. Holliday, and others, for the untiring energy they have displayed in getting the road on its present footing. . . . .
Emporia News, October 30, 1868.
A dispatch from Cheyenne, dated 27th, says: Particulars have just been received from Perry Station, near Elk mountain, that a band of Indians had attacked Hauts & Hall=s train, loaded with railroad ties, at noon Sunday, and killed four whites and captured fourteen mules.
Emporia News, November 6, 1868.
The two Osage Indians who killed the men in Butler County last spring, and who passed through here last week under charge of Deputy Sheriff Thomas, who was taking them to Butler for trial, made their escape at the residence of N. Demoss near Bazaar, on Friday night last. The shackles were taken off from the Indians on their arrival there, and they were permitted to go to rest free from encumbrance. Thomas, who was watching them, went to sleep and they made their escape in the night. It is charged that they were permitted to get away, and from the fact of their shackles being taken off, and there being comparatively no effort to pursue them, it looks as though the charge is not groundless. One rumor is that it was feared the citizens would lynch the Indians on their arrival at El Dorado, in which case the Osages threatened retaliation, and another is that a large sum of money was offered by the Osages for the freedom of these two prisoners. We know nothing of the correctness or falsity of the rumors.
Emporia News, November 6, 1868.
Governor Samuel J. Crawford has resigned his Governorship to take command of the new Indian regiment. Lieut. Governor Green has been sworn in to fill out the unexpired term. That is the best thing that could have been done for the Indian regiment. The regiment is fully organized and will move at once to the mouth of the Little Arkansas.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILROAD AND HON. E. G. ROSS.
Ten years since, when there was no bridge across the Kaw at Topeka, four of our citizens, viz.: Hon. E. G. Ross, U. S. Senator; Col. Joel Huntoon, Col. C. K. Holliday, and Col. M. C. DickyCstarted for Atchison, in buggies, to organize the AAtchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company.@
At that time the citizens of Kansas were poorCthey had not much ready money. Our livery men kindly gave these gentlemen the use of teams without compensation. The party provided themselves with an outfit of eatables previous to startingCMaj. Ross taking a stuffed boiled beef heart, and the others made up the cuisine in bread, pickles, etc.
The party neared the ferry, and while discussing the question, whether they should ask the ferryman for credit, or ford the river, the horses plunged into the watery current and after satisfying their thirst, moved on through the water and landed the four railroaders safe on the other side of the raging Kaw.
They arrived safe at Atchison; the Railroad Company was organized; and safely our Topeka men returned home without accident by the way; liberally entertained, without cost by citizens of Atchison.
Again, after an absence of four years in the army of the Union, and three in the United States Senate, our friend Ross returns to Topeka in time to take up the shovel and throw the first earth upon the grading of this same railroad that ten years since he helped organize.
And this morning, in speaking of these years of strife and turmoil, and reverting to this old established company, Col. Huntoon being present, Maj. Ross felt happy that he had been instrumental in helping to form a company that would in a few years, at most, be of so much consequence to the State. Topeka Leader.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
FROM MR. KELLOGG.
Visiting among New England Farmers. Interview with Sturges.
Chicago, Politics in Massachusetts.
WARREN, MASSACHUSETTS. October 30, 1868.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS:
Massachusetts is eminently a good state to visit in, while Kansas is preeminently a good state in which to live. The people here have passed the hurrying period of life. The slow aggregation of forty years of hard labor and economy, added to what their fathers left, gives to each family a competence. The economy remains but the hard work abates. Luxuries, bought to good advantage, creep in. A handsome turn out, with spirited team and well burnished carriage, proclaims the human nature that delights in a good horse. Excruciating chignons and much be-puffed dresses announce proximity to the Ahead center@ of American fashions. Well-dressed turkeys, mince pies, most wholesome bread, brown as well as white, and plump looks of the boys and girls unite in the announcement that the inner man is well care for in New England. Well furnished libraries, dealing largely in theology, agriculture, philosophy, and history, and but sparingly in fiction, give intimation of well balanced, cultivated mines.
But it is leisure that adds the chiefest grace to visiting. People whose minds are upon business, and whose hands are instinctively grasping for some implement of labor, cannot enjoy a visit. If they meet together, the press of work, the mental strain, may be observed in the conversation which hurries on bounding over great and small inequalities as the Denver coaches, never suffered to stop, scarcely to lag, until, the time having expired, each departs tired but thankful that the visit is paid and he can now proceed with his work. Here visiting jogs on leisurely throughout the greater part of a day, participated in by the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters of three or four families. Preparation has been made before hand. The large parlor has been opened and the furniture dusted. Fresh air and sunlight have been admitted. Cheerful fires have been kindled early, so as to remove from the room all dampness. And now the visitors begin to come at about 10 o=clock a.m., uncles, aunts, and cousins, for it is a family gathering. After the bustle of first greetings, inquiries are made and answered about absent relatives and friends, about home work and pleasures, marriages and deaths. Then conversation settles upon ministers and preaching, politics, new books, lectures, manufactures, and, with the women, it ultimately arrives and is fixed upon dress and fashion. With the men it dwells longest upon their farms and stock, for I am talking about life among New England farmers. Dinner, luxurious and bountiful, is announced about half past two. The visitors depart for their homes about four.
When in Chicago (October 13th) I had a long interview with the capitalist, Sturges. He is a brother of our William Sturges, of the Lawrence and Galveston railroad, and as I understand it, furnishes the money for the construction of the road. He is therefore to be regarded as the Apower behind the throne.@ His conversation turned mainly upon the action of Douglas County in refusing to issue the bonds. On this subject he seemed much wrought up and quite free in expressing his disapprobation at the refusal of the bonds. But he evidently had a disposition to conciliate. He professed his willingness to do any and every fair thing towards settling the difficulty. In regard to the unpaid claims against the road held in Douglas County, his remark was AI will send $25,000 there tonight to pay off every claim, if the county will issue the bonds.@ In speaking of the Osage treaty, he seemed very desirous of ascertaining the state of public opinion in Kansas in regard to it. He said that it was his intention (I observed that he used the singular number always in referring to the management) to build the road south to the Osage lands, and then, stopping work on the main line, to construct the road throughout the entire length of the lands east and west, thus opening up the whole country to settlement and civilization. Respecting the Emporia Branch, he said little. Concerning the thing as a whole, he pronounced it a losing investment. If he could be made whole for the money which he had already put in, he would drop it.
In this connection he spoke of a piece of land near Chicago, which he sold a little over a year ago for $25,000, to send the money to Kansas. A week before I was there the same piece was sold for $80,000. I mention this simply as an illustration of the extraordinary increase in the valuation of real estate which Chicago has witnessed within the last year and a half. Chicago is made with progress. Property owners find it impossible to hold real estate long enough to keep buyers off.
Massachusetts politics seem so like that of Kansas it is hard to realize at a political meeting that we are not at home. Last evening I had the pleasure of hearing Hon. Geo. F. Hoar, of Worcester, candidate for Congress from this district. His discourse was earnest, scholarly, and able. Occupying the floor for a few moments at its close to correct a statement in the address which might lead to misapprehension of the part taken in this canvass by the West, three such rousing cheers were given for Kansas as would convince anyone how near our young State is to the loyal heart of the Nation.
On Monday next I intend going down to Boston; shall hope to hear Senator Wilson and Gen. Burnside at the meetings on the eve of election, visit Harvard University, and the City Normal, High, and Grammar schools, and make the American=s pilgrimage to Bunker Hill Monument.
Will try and write you again from Boston.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
The Kansas State Agricultural College now has 114 students.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
The Osage Indians are reported to be in a very destitute condition, and the Secretary of the Interior has written to the Secretary of War, asking for assistance out of the army supplies, as the appropriations of the Department of the Interior have been exhausted. It is reported that General Sheridan has promised sustenance to the Osages, under condition that they will join in the war against the hostile Indians.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
I. S. Kalloch is now Superintendent of the L. L. & G. Railroad. A better appointment could not have been made. He is one of our live southern Kansas men, and individually has done more to promote her internal improvements, to attract immigration to this part of the State, and to develop her resources, than any one man in southern Kansas. He has always been a warm friend, a consistent advocate and hard worker for the Galveston railroad, and the interests of that road will not suffer while under his superintendence.
Garnett Plaindealer.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
The Nineteenth Regiment, under command of Col. Crawford, passed through here on Sunday morning. They camped Saturday night on the Neosho just below Rich=s mill. The regiment is a fine one with twelve full companies, all well mounted, and outfitted. We had the pleasure of meeting several old friends in the regiment. Splendid discipline was observed here. But few men were in town during the stay of the regiment, and Col. Crawford and most of the officers declined the tendered hospitalities of friends in town, saying they were now soldiers, and preferred soldier=s fare in the camp. The rain storm of Saturday night and Sunday, and the snow storm of Monday must have given the boys an insight into the disagreeable side of soldier life, which, however, many of them have seen before. May joy go with them.
Emporia News, November 13, 1868.
ADS. Cheapest and Best. The new stock of clothing, boots, and shoes, at 180 Commercial street. NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Just Received. Latest styles of gents hats and caps, ladies= furs and fur trimmed hoods, breakfast shawls, sontags, nubias, and scarfs; also children=s and misses hoods.
NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Emporia News, November 20, 1868.
The military station at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River has been named ACamp Beecher,@ in honor of the name and services of Frederick H. Beecher, 1st Lieutenant 3rd Infantry, who was killed in battle with the Indians, on Arickaree fork of the Republican River, September 17, 1868.
Emporia News, November 20, 1868.
SAC AND FOX LANDS.
ED. NEWS: Allow me to answer, through your paper, a great many inquiries by letter and otherwise, with regard to the Sac and Fox diminished reserve.
My information from the Department is that it is now open for settlement and pre-emption at $1.50 per acre, except those sections granted to Railroads.
Land warrants or A. C. scrip cannot be used in payment. I am also informed that the unsold lands, heretofore offered by sealed bids, were all taken by parties Ain the ring,@ before the proclamation was made public here, and that there were but two quarter sections in this county open to settlers, when the lists arrived at the Land Office at Topeka. E. P. BANCROFT.
Emporia News, November 20, 1868.
OUR COUNCIL GROVE LETTER.
DEAR NEWS: Last Sunday morning some boys who were out hunting stock came in with the report that IndiansCCheyennesCwere in the vicinity; and it was also reported that a gentleman coming from Emporia had found some feather head-gear, undoubtedly belonging to a Cheyenne warrior. Quite an excitement was the result. Later in the day, a small but reliable youth was driven in from the Cottonwood road, at the crossing of Four-Mile, by a party of strange Indians, numbering fourteen. On the previous Friday a man going from the Grove to Marion Center, reported that he saw Indians driving off stock between Elm Creek and Four-Mile. Intelligent gentlemen suggest that they were Osages, hunting without leave on the Kaw Reserve; if so, had they any connection with the escape of the murderers of the ill-fated Dunn, from the custody of Deputy Sheriff Thomas? Or is Deputy Sheriff Thomas only following the example of his superiors in office in letting such notorious criminals escape? This is twice within little more than a year that a murderer has been most carelessly and, it seems, wantonly permitted to evade even a trial; and the law-respecting and law-abiding citizens of Butler County owe it to themselves, to the public safety, and to the good name of the county to take energetic measures, to the full extent of the law, to prevent and punish such transactions.
That interlude was quite unpremeditated and doesn=t belong there, for I was about to say that the valiant Kaws have started toward Fort Harker to fight the Cheyennes, and doubtless, actuated by pure benevolence, have taken along all the horses they could find by whomsoever owned. As quite a number of people are thus left without a team, a party has started in pursuit of the brave warriors. Alas for patriotism! When they ought to be glad to furnish the friendly Kaws with Asteeds@ for their conflict with hostile Awild Indians!@
There was quite a fall of snow on Monday; abundant rain since; fine prospect for wheat; plenty of rain; business flourishing.
VAYLE VERNON.
Council Grove, November 14th.
Emporia News, November 20, 1868.
Old soldiers of Company AB,@ 9th Kansas Cavalry, will be gratified to learn that Amos Walton was elected a member of the Legislature from Palmyra District, Douglas County. Mr. Walton was a true soldier and served his country faithfully during the war. He is a sound Republican and withal a man of ability, and will make a good legislator.
[IS THIS OUR AMOS WALTON????]
Emporia News, November 20, 1868.
We received calls yesterday from Judge Brown and Theo. Alvord, of Cottonwood Falls. The Judge bears the honors of married life with as much dignity and grace as he does those of the bench. . . .
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
REPORT OF INDIAN COMMISSIONER TAYLOR.
The report of Commissioner Taylor, of the Indian Bureau, for the fiscal year, has been laid before the Secretary of the Interior.
He says the number of Indians now within the boundaries of the United States, exclusive of those in Alaska, is about 300,000. He regrets that they are decreasing so rapidly from year to year, and attributes it, as well as the misery and degradation prevailing among them, mainly to intestine [?] wars, the entailment of the loathsome diseases of vicious whites, and effects of indulgence in spirituous liquors. He thinks that a large proportion of our Indian tribes show a strong disposition to emerge from their savage state, and throw aside their barbarous customs; but improvement is slow, and their civilization must be the work of time, patiently and hopefully prosecuted, with liberality on the part of the Government, and faithful and prompt fulfillment of all its obligations and promises. This work should enlist the sympathy of all levers of humanity, and invite to its practical demonstration the divine spirit of charity to a much greater extent than is now shown.
He says peace has been maintained with most of the tribes during the past year, and friendship has marked their course toward our Government and citizens, while they have faithfully endeavored to support themselves. This is said more especially of those settled on reservations. With others, there have, however, been such various difficulties that it may be said we have had an Indian war on our hands. He holds that the Cheyennes and Apaches clearly violated their treaty promises made nearly a year ago to the commission sent to treat with them. It is difficult to account for their bad behavior on any other ground than their love of plunder and revenge, under a feeling of dissatisfaction, caused, it is presumed, by the non-delivery of guns and ammunition promised them by the commissioners, but withheld because the Cheyennes had not kept the peace. He thinks the Kiowas and Comanches will be drawn into the war, and fears that the friendly portion of the tribes will suffer with the guilty. If the hostile portion will not cease their outrages, he says they should be punished severely, and their claims on the Government should be declared forfeited, by Congress.
He alludes to the difficulties in Arizona and New Mexico, and says they will continue till the Indians are put and kept on a reservation.
He congratulates himself on the close of the Indian troubles in Idaho and Dakota; alludes to the labors of the peace commissioners, of which General Sherman was head, and has no doubt they will be productive of wide beneficial results.
He details the work of the year in making and ratifying treaties with a large number of tribes, and shows that most of them have been carried out in full effect.
He strongly urges that wise, liberal treaties be made with the Indians in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington Territories, looking to their concentration on reservations, and to the payment, on our part, for the rights of which they have been despoiled.
He speaks of the recent session of the commission at Chicago, and says he dissented from the views of his colleagues as to the expediency of transferring the Indian Bureau to the War Department, and will communicate his reasons for such dissent in a separate report.
He regrets that Congress did not at its last session make better provision for the subsistence of destitute Indians, and says there has been much suffering in consequence, as well as some bloodshed, and large expenditures of money in suppressing hostilities. He says it is better to feed the Indians than fight them, and thinks there would have been but little trouble on the plains this summer had they been properly supplied in accordance with treaty stipulations. He adds that the responsibility in this regard is with Congress, not with the Department.
He says claims to the amount of about $500,000 have been presented for depredations committed by Indians in the war of 1863, and he recommends the appointment of a commission for their settlement.
He also recommends that legislation be had to protect the people of Texas against raids from Mexico.
He renews, and strongly urges, his recommendation for a change in the laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indians, and closes by asking such legislation as will, at the proper time, bring the Indians of Alaska within the supervision of the Government.
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
THE VALLEY ROAD.
EDITOR NEWS: Your readers are aware that a meeting of the Directors of the Union Pacific Railroad, Southern Branch Company, was held in New York, a few days since. The meeting was called for the purpose of relieving the Company from the entanglements and delays growing out of mismanagement under the Beach contract of last year, and of making a final effort to secure the building of the road. There were present at the meeting in New York six Directors, as follows: H. F. Hale, P. Z. Taylor, T. S. Huffaker, S. S. Prouty, T. H. Walker, and P. B. Plumb. The result was in every way satisfactory. The Beach contract was delivered up and canceled, and a new one entered into with the Land Grant Railway & Trust Company, of New York, whereby the latter Company agrees to build the road, as follows: Work to be commenced December 15th; grading to be completed through Davis County by 15th May, next; and grading, bridging, and culverting to Council Grove by 15th July; cars to be running to Council Grove by 1st November 1869; and forty miles to be completed every year thereafter until the State line is reached; failure to work forfeiture of all rights under contract.
There is no doubt of the ability and determination of the new Company to build the road, and if circumstances are favorable as anticipated there is little doubt but that they will build it more speedily than they are bound by the contract to do. P. B. PLUMB.
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILROAD.
Col. C. K. Holliday and Hon. D. L. Lakin, of Topeka, the first named President, and the latter a Director in the above company, visited this place on Thursday and Friday of last week, to ascertain what this county would do to secure the extension of the road from Burlingame here. A consultation was had between them and several citizens. Col. Holliday talked to those present about the prospects of success, and urged the importance of the extension. The enterprise is in the hands of a most excellent and energetic company of eastern capitalists, at the head of which is H. C. Lord, of Cincinnati, one of the best railroad men in Ohio. He mentioned the names of other railroad men and capitalists. They will build the road to Burlingame by the first of June next, and propose, if they meet with the proper encouragement, to extend it to this point by the 1st of January 1870, thirteen months hence, or by the 1st of July following, at farthest. These gentlemen express the utmost confidence in the ability of the company to carry out their agreements, and say they are willing to enter into writings to the effect that the road will be built if this county will give them $200,000 in bonds.
As to whether the question will be submitted or not this winter, we are not prepared to say. A petition to the Commissioners has been circulated and a few signatures obtained, but the Commissioners, we believe, refuse to submit the question at present. The people, so far as we have conversed with them, are reluctant to take upon themselves this new burden. They have subscribed $200,000 to the Valley road, and have just voted to have three bridges built, which will cost at least $25,000. We believe the disposition is to wait till spring, and then see what is best to be done. Our opinion is that the people of Lyon County will not be found standing back when the pinch comes. When the time comes we shall discuss this question calmly and fairly, with our best interests in view. The proposition is certainly worthy of the serious consideration of the people of Lyon County.
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
Hon. Sidney Clarke, our thrice elected Congressman, has already gone to Washington to prepare for the arduous duties of his position for the winter. Of one thing the people of Kansas can boast, and that is their Congressman has never sold them out. This faithfulness accounts for his hold on the affections of the Kansas RepublicansCa hold that has three times secured his election to Congress. He will take a more active and prominent part in the doings of Congress this winter than ever before, and we hope and believe will do much for his constituents.
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
Senator Pomeroy of this State is spoken of in connection with the position of Secretary of the Interior, in the new Cabinet. It would be a gratification to the Senator=s friends, and an honor conferred upon the banner Republican State, which would be fully appreciated.
Emporia News, November 27, 1868.
FROM THE NINETEENTH REGIMENT.
The Lawrence Journal of Wednesday contains the following letter from Dr. Russell, Assistant Surgeon of the nineteenth regiment, which passed through here a few days ago, to a citizen of that city. It will be read with interest. It is dated camp on the Cow Skin, Nov. 14th.
A
We have had a very pleasant time on the march aside from a few days of rain and the snow storm. That was rough, and in all my soldiering I have never seen anything worse for men and horses. We have passed through some very fine country indeed, and especially above El Dorado on the Walnut. We reached the mouth of the Little Arkansas Thursday evening, about 4 p.m., and remained there until this morning, taking in rations and a short rest. When I say that the country about Wichita, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas, is a paradise, I am not exaggerating in the least. It is ahead of anything that I have seen in any country. I sometimes feel like saying that I will make my home there. It is a military post and a company of regulars is stationed there. The soil is good, but timber is scarce. There is good grazing now in this country, and stock would do finely. Thursday, we saw the first sign of buffalo, and this afternoon the boys took in two, and we supped off them. The prairie is covered with them, and we will have no trouble in supplying the command with fresh meat. The general health of the command is good, and all going smoothly. Gov. Crawford is with us, and is universally liked, as is also Col. H. Moore, of Lawrence. We are now south of the Arkansas and beyond the line of civilization. Our destination so far as we now know, is the Beaver, where we expect to meet Gen. Sheridan, and then we will go where he says, or die in the attempt. We have seen no Indians yet, but hope to soon, as the boys are spoiling for a fight. We have the finest regiment that I ever saw go into the field.Emporia News, December 4, 1868.
KANSAS CITY & SANTA FE RAILROAD.
It is hardly necessary to point out to Western men the trebly demonstrated advantages of railroads. Whatever their value may be in the East, where good common roads and other means of communication exist, they are absolutely the life of the West, which it is not too much to say, could not have been settled, at least for many years to come, without them. Too many railroads, wisely planned and located, cannot be built. There is no investment which so uniformly returns many times the value of the original outlay. To Western men, however, it is hardly necessary to dwell upon this, for they are daily witnesses of the miracles which railroads work in a community, and always welcome their introduction.
Today we propose to call especial attention to the Kansas City & Santa Fe Railroad, a company organized under the laws of the State of Kansas, and comprising among its officers not only citizens of that State, but some of our own best known businessmen, as will be seen by the following list.
Directors: Howard M. Holden, M. Dively, W. H. Morgan, J. E. Hayes, R. E. Stevenson, J. B. Bruner, P.P. Elder, W. F. Sheldon, T. C. Bowles, Perry Fuller, and R. Stevens.
President: P. P. Elder. Secretary: W. H. Morgan. Treasurer: J. E. Hayes.
At present it is not proposed to make an effort to extend the road beyond Emporia, Kansas, to which place, about seventy miles, the road is run by way of Olathe, Gardner, and Ottawa. The Fort Scott road from this city to Olathe is already built, and it is now proposed, we understand, to submit to the citizens of Johnson County, Kansas (in which county Olathe is situated, a proposition to vote $100,000 in bonds to run thirty years, and to bear seven percent interest. The advantages to our own city are so apparent that they need not be dwelt upon. The Neosho Valley, which the road will open to market, is one of the garden spots of Kansas, and needs sufficient outlet only to rise into commanding importance.
Kansas City Journal of Commerce.
Emporia News, December 4, 1868.
IMPORTANT INDIAN NEWS.
A dispatch from a special correspondent of the Leavenworth Conservative, dated Ain the field, Indian Territory, November 28, 1868,@ gives an account of a considerable battle between the Cheyenne Indians under Black Kettle, and the Seventh Cavalry under command of General Custer, on the north fork of the Wichita [? Do they mean Washita?] River, on the day before Black Kettle=s village was captured.
One hundred and fifty Indians were killed, and the bodies left in our possession, and fifty-three taken prisoners.
An immense amount of property was captured and destroyed, consisting of fifty-one lodges, nearly 1,000 horses and mules, arrows, ammunition, horse equipments, robes, provisions, etc.
Capt. Louis Hamilton was killed in the first charge. Major Elliott is missing.
One man of the Seventh was killed and fourteen wounded.
The tribe is badly crippled. The Indians, including women and boys, fought with great desperation from the cover of bushes and grass, when driven out of the village.
Many of the wounded effected their escape.
The victory was complete, and will be a wholesome lesson to the Cheyennes.
Black Kettle, the principal Chief, was killed.
Brevet Lieut. Col. Barnitz was seriously, if not mortally, wounded.
It is reported here that Col. Crawford=s regiment, the 19th Kansas, has been defeated by the Indians. It is only a war rumor.
Emporia News, December 4, 1868.
The name of Lincoln College at Topeka has been changed to Washburne College. The change was made, according to the Record, to secure money, and an amount will be realized that will place it in point of endowment in the very front rank of Colleges in the Western States.
Emporia News, December 4, 1868.
BIG AD BY C. V. ESKRIDGE, EMPORIA, KANSAS...informs the public that he has been in business at Emporia 12 years.
Emporia News, December 11, 1868.
THE INDIAN WAR!
Gen. Sheridan=s ReportCThe Work Done and To Be Done.
Major General Sheridan, commanding the Department of the Missouri, has forwarded his annual report of affairs within his command for the year 1868, to Lieut. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding the Military Division of the Missouri. The following is a copy of the report.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, IN THE FIELD, FT. HAYS,
November 16, 1868.
Lieut. Gen. W. T. Sherman, Commanding Military Division of the Missouri, St. Louis:
GENERAL: In reply to your letter of Oct. 1, calling for an annual report, I regret to state that I will be compelled, in consequence of my presence in the field being necessary, to make a much more incomplete report than I had desired.
I assumed the permanent command of the Department of the Missouri, March 2, 1868, relieving Brevet Major Gen. A. J. Smith, Colonel Seventh Cavalry, temporarily in command. The Department comprises the districts of New Mexico, the Indian Territory, Kansas, the Upper Arkansas, and the State of Missouri.
The District of New Mexico, commanded by Brevet Major Gen. C. W. Getty, is an old and established command. It has within its limits the Navajo nation of Indians, the Utes, and wandering bands of Apaches, together with a few bands of semi-civilized Indians. This District has been, with the exception of an occasional depredation on the part of the Apache bands, comparatively quiet. During the past year the Navajo Indians were successfully moved, under the authority of the Lieutenant General, from their temporary reservation near Fort Sumner to their permanent reservation in the northwestern portion of the Territory. The Utes have remained friendly, although more neglected by the Government than any other Indian tribe within my command. In fact, the suffering from hunger and want in some of the smaller bands has been very great. This District has been ably and economically administered by its distinguished commander.
The District of the Indian Territory is also an old District, having in it the posts of Forts Gibson and Arbuckle, and has been under the command of Brevet Major Gen. Grierson, Colonel Tenth Cavalry, since May, 1868. It had previously been commanded by Brevet Major Montgomery Bryant, Captain Sixth Infantry. This District has in it all the semi-civilized bands of Indians, the principal tribes being the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Osages. It also contains the new reservations of the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahos, and Cheyennes, as fixed by the Treaty with the Indian Commissioner of last fall. Of these bands a portion of the Kiowas and Comanches visited Fort Cobb early last spring, the point designated for their agent to reside at, apparently for the purpose of obtaining their annuities and other supplies. The Indian Department having failed to purchase the supplies, they fell out with the agent, drove him off, destroyed the agency building, and came up to their old haunts on the Arkansas, threatening war if their demands were no complied with. No other events of importance occurred in this District during the last year. The District was fairly and economically managed by both its commanders. Troops were sent twice or three times to Cobb, on requisition of the agent, who appeared to be constantly in trouble, either through his own fault or that of his IndiansCmost probably the latter, as they told me they did not like him, but wanted Mr. Tappan, the Indian trader at Larned, to be their agent, and that they put a halter about his neck and had him led out on the prairie, and that if they had anymore bad agents, they would hang them.
The District of Kansas has been under the control of Brevet Lieut. Col. T. C. English, Major Fifth Infantry, since the departure of Gen. Hoffman about the beginning of May, 1868. It comprises within its limits the posts of Forts Riley and Leavenworth, with one company of soldiers at the Kaw crossing of the Cottonwood, not far from Council Grove, and one company on the Republican, at the Big Bend. The District has been very well commanded.
The District of the Upper Arkansas embraces nearly all the Territory of Colorado and that portion of Kansas west of a north and south line through Fort Harker, and has been commanded by Brevet Brig. Gen. A. Sully, Lieutenant Colonel Third Infantry, since May, 1868, previous to which time it was commanded by Brevet Lieut. Col. T. C. English, Major Fifth Infantry. This District was the most difficult to manage and the most pregnant with events during the year. It had within its limits the territory of the Cheyennes, Arapahos, Kiowas, and Comanches, which they had agreed to give up in their treaty with the Peace Commission. The two great commercial highways to Colorado and New Mexico, and the lateral roads connecting them from Harker to Larned, and Hays to Dodge, and Wallace to Lyon, pass through the district; also the western line to frontier settlements in Kansas and the eastern line of settlements in Colorado, which, from their scattered and helpless condition, were much exposed and invited the cupidity of the savage. It is likewise the hunting ground of Sioux, northern Arapahos, and northern Cheyennes, and it was the permanent residence of the first named tribes. These Indians (the Kiowa, Comanches, Arapahos, and Cheyennes) were able to put into the field about 6,000 well mounted and well armed warriors, with from two to ten spare horses each.
To guard the lines of the Union Pacific Railroad and the Denver stage line, and other interests in this State, there had been established in 1867 the posts of Forts Harker, Hays, and Wallace, and the outpost of Cedar Point; and to guard the line of the Arkansas to New Mexico there were the posts of Larned, Dodge, Lyon, and Reynolds, and the outposts of Zarah and the mouth of Little Arkansas. All these posts were garrisoned during the summer by companies of the Tenth and Seventh Cavalry, Fifth and Third Infantry, and four companies of the Thirty-eighth Infantry, all ver much reduced in numbers, which gave me a force of 1,200 Cavalry and about 1,400 Infantry. After distributing this force for the protection of the railroad and the different posts, and along the line of settlements, I had available for the field at the commencement of hostilities only eleven companies of CavalryCseven of the Seventh and four of the Tenth CavalryCin all about 800 men. [For particulars touching the outbreak I respectfully refer you to my report of Sept. 26, 1868, appended hereto.] With this small force for offensive operations, it was impossible to accomplish a great deal in so extensive a country. The Indian, mounted on his hardy pony and familiar with the country, was about as hard to find, so long as the grass lasted, as the Alabama of the ocean. The seven companies of the Seventh Cavalry, joined by West=s company of the same regiment, moved to Fort Dodge, while the four companies of the Tenth Cavalry moved from the Saline to the crossing of Walnut Creek, on the road from Fort Hays to Ford Dodge, and there awaited information of the direction in which the families and villages of the Indians had moved, while Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth, with a party of fifty scouts, moved north of the railroad to Beaver Creek, to watch the direction of the trailsC
all of which he reported as leading to the south of the Arkansas.
On the 7th of September Gen. Sully, whose command had been increased by a company of the Seventh Cavalry from Lyon, and Brevet Major Page=s company, Third Infantry, in all between five and six hundred men, crossed the Arkansas at Dodge to strike the villages of the Indians reported on the Cimarron, about forty miles distant.
On arriving at the Cimarron, it was found that the villages had moved; and the trail was followed with more or less skirmishing until the crossing of the Canadian or Middle River was reached, when the Indians made a brisk attack, but were driven off, after which the command moved north toward Fort Dodge and went into camp on Chalk Bluff Creek to await a further escort of Infantry for the wagon train. The amount of Infantry with it not being considered sufficient to guard it successfully, Capt. Hale=s company, from the Solomon; Capt. Asbury=s, from Larned; and Brevet Major Beebe=s company of the Thirty-eighth were sent. So much time was consumed in getting these companies from remote points that the rations for the expedition at Dodge and with the command were eaten up, and not much has since been accomplished by this column. The Indians lost in the series of skirmishes on this movement south of the Arkansas from seventeen to twenty-two killed, and an unknown number wounded. The troops lost two killed and one wounded.
While Gen. Sully was operating south of the Arkansas, Capt. Graham, with his company of the Tenth Cavalry, was sent out from Wallace to give as much protection as he could along the stage line to Denver. On the 15th of September he was attacked on Big Sandy Creek by about 100 Indians, defeated them, killed eleven, and wounded an unknown number. Meantime, Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth, with his company of scouts, took the trail of a party of Indians who had committed depredations near Sheridan City, and followed it to the Orrikaree Fork of the Republican, where he was attacked by about 700 Indians, and after a very gallant fight on the 7th of September, repulsed the savages, inflicting a loss on them of thirty-five killed and many wounded. In the engagement Lieut. F. H. Beecher was killed, Forsyth twice wounded, the command living on horse flesh for eight days. The gallantry displayed by this brave little command is worthy of the highest commendation; but was only in keeping with the character of two gallant officers in command of it, Brevet Col. G. A. Forsyth and Lieut. Frederick H. Beecher. While the command was beleaguered, two scouts stole through the Indian lines and brought word to Fort Wallace of its perilous condition, and Brevet Col. H. C. Bankhead, Capt. Fifth Infantry, commanding Ft. Wallace, with the most commendable energy, started to its relief with 100 men from the post, and Brevet Lieut. Col. Carpenter=s company, then en marche protecting the stage line to Denver, reaching Forsyth on the morning of the 25th of September.
About the same time Brevet Brig. Gen. W. H. Penrose, from Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, pursued a party of Indians who were driving off stock from the settlers, and killed four of them. While these operations were in progress, the Governor of Kansas, knowing how hard we were pressed for troops, proposed to relieve the companies I had on the eastern frontier settlements of Kansas, if arms, ammunition, and rations could be issued by the Government for 500 militia from the State. This I gladly assented to, and these conditions were carried out by direction of the Lieutenant General.
As soon as the agreement was consummated, I drew the two companies of the Seventh Cavalry at Harker, and proceeded to Larned to try to induce the Kiowas and Comanches to return to their reservation at Fort Cobb. I offered to furnish them rations to the post, and Brevet Maj. Gen. Hazen, sent by Gen. Sherman to conduct the Indians to their reservations, agreed to feed them during the winter, and issue their annuities. This proposition was accepted, but only as a decoy to get their families out of the proximity of the post and then openly to become hostile. There is no doubt in my mind of the young men having done so previously.
Previous to this interview with the Kiowas and before Gen. Sully moved south of the Arkansas, in order to keep a portion of the Arapahos, who were not known to be hostile, out of the war, he invited their principal chiefs to visit us at Fort Dodge. I then offered to provide for them during the winter, which proposition they accepted, but only as a cover to get their stock and families out of the reach of the troops, and when Gen. Sully moved south they were the first to attack him. I mention this circumstance to show that we exhausted every alternative to be friendly with Indians not known to be fully engaged in the strife, as we had exhausted every alternative during the summer to preserve the peace with all the tribes.
During the period embraced in the events the Lieutenant General ordered Brevet Major General C. C. Augur, Commanding Department of the Platte, to send from Fort Sedgwick to the forks of the Republican River six companies of the Twenty-seventh Infantry, and at the same time notified me that the seven companies of the Fifth Cavalry would report to me at Harker. General Bradley arrived on the Republican River on the 25th of September, in time to be of material assistance to Col. Forsyth by the approach of his command, since which time he has been operating east and west on the headwaters of the Republican; but his command being principally infantry, it cannot do much ore than cover the country. After it became fully known that the Kiowas and Comanches were engaged in hostilities, we had against us the full number of 6,000 warriors, well mounted and armed, and I deemed it necessary to say our force was too small, and orders were received to call on the Governor of Kansas for one regiment of Cavalry 1,200 strong. This regiment will soon be organized and ready for the field.
On Sept. 29 seven companies of the Fifth Cavalry arrived at Fort Harker. They were at once equipped and sent north of the railroad from here on Beaver Creek, under command of Brevet Col. W. B. Royall, Major Fifth Cavalry, but as yet have not succeeded in finding the Indians. On Oct. 12, Gen. Sully ordered Custer=s command from Chalk Bluff Creek to scour the country on Medicine Lodge Creek and the Big Bend of the Arkansas, pending the accumulation of supplies at Dodge for an expedition to the Canadian River and Wichita Mountains. Only small parties of Indians who had been depredating on the line from Harker to Dodge were found, and who drew south to watch the movements of Custer. Two Indians were reported as probably killed in some small dashes made by them at sundry times, but no families or villages were found.
On Oct. 5, Gen. Bradley notified me that the trail of the Indians Col. Royall was sent after had crossed Beaver Creek in a southwesterly direction. Brevet Major General E. A. Carr, Major Fifth Cavalry, who arrived soon after the detachment of his regiment had taken the field, was ordered to join his command and take the trail reported by General Bradley with directions to Brevet Col. Bankhead, at Fort Wallace, to furnish him with Brevet Lieut. Col. Carpenter=s and Capt. Graham=s companies of the Tenth Cavalry, numbering about 120 men, as an escort. Gen. Carr, while carrying out these instructions, was with his party attacked on the 18th inst., by about 400 of these Indians on Beaver Creek, and after an engagement of six hours repulsed the Indians, killing nine and wounding an unknown number. Three of the escort were wounded.
The above gives you an account of the principal movements and principal combats since the 25th of August; but in addition there were a number of movements from posts, especially from Forts Wallace, Dodge, Lyon, and Hays, in which some Indians were killed. In all contests and skirmishes which have taken place up to this time about ninety-two Indians have been killed and an unknown number wounded. No villages have as yet been destroyed, and no large amount of stock captured. The above number of Indians killed, I think, can be safely relied upon as correct. The number of soldiers killed in this period has been six, and of scouts in the Government service five; of soldiers wounded, ten; and of scouts, sixteen. The number of citizens killed and officially reported is as set forth in the accompanying list of Indian outrages and murders, and will number seventy-five killed and nine wounded. In nearly all cases the most horrible and savage barbarities were perpetrated on the bodies of the victims.
The amount of stock run off in Colorado and Kansas, and from the freight trains to New Mexico and Colorado is very largeCin excess of five thousand head. The settlements have been driven in and ranches abandoned, making the damage done to all interested very large. In fact, unless the Indians are crushed out and made to obey the authority of the Government, there will be a total paralysis of some of the best interests of this section of country. All confidence is destroyed. The people had felt some degree of security from the assurance of the Peace Commission, and many of them have met a horrible fate in consequence. No peace which will give confidence can be hereafter made by paying tribute to these savage bands of cruel marauders.
I am exceedingly glad that the Peace Commission resolved at their late meeting that the Indian tribes should not be dealt with as independent nations. They are wards of the Government, and should be made to respect the laws and the lives and property of citizens. The Indian history of this country for the last 300 years shows that of all the great nations of Indians, only the remnants have been saved. The same fate awaits those now hostile, and the best way for the Government is to now make them poor by the destruction of their stock and then settle them on the land allotted to them. The motive of the Peace Commission was humane; but there was an error of judgment in making peace with those Indians last fall. They should have been punished and made to give up the plunder captured and which they now hold, and after properly submitting to the military and disgorging their plunder they could have been turned over to the civil agents. This error has given many more victims to savage ferocity.
The present system of dealing with the Indians, I think, is an error. There are too many fingers in the pie, too many ends to be subserved, and too much money to be made, and it is the interest of the nation and humanity to put an end to this inhuman farce. The Peace Commission and the Indian Department and the military and the Indians make a Abalky team.@ The public treasury is depleted and innocent people murdered in the quadrangular management in which the public treasury and the unarmed settlers are the greatest sufferers. There should be only one head in the government of Indians; now they look to the Peace Commission, then to the Indian Department, both of which are expensive institutions, without any system or adequate machinery to make good their promises. Then the Indian falls back on the military, which is the only reliable resort, in case he becomes pinched from hunger.
I respectfully recommend, in view of what I have seen since I came in command of this department, and from a long experience with Indians heretofore, that the Indian Department be transferred to the War Department, and that the Lieutenant General, as the common superior, have sole and entire charge of the Indians; that each department commander and the officers under him have the sole and entire charge of the Indians in his department. There will then be no Abalky team,@ no additional expense in salariesCa just accountability in the disbursement of the Indian appropriations. The machinery necessary to support the army can, without additional expense, supply the Indians.
Our success so far in the number of Indians killed is fully as great as could be expected, and arrangements are now being made for active operations against their villages and stock. As soon as the failure of the grass and the cold weather forces the scattered bands to come together to winter in the milder latitudes south of the Arkansas, a movement of troops will then take place from Lyon, Bascon, Dodge, and Arbuckle, which I hope will be successful in gaining a permanent peace.
I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General United States Army.
Emporia News, December 11, 1868.
The grading on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., at Topeka, is pushed along, notwithstanding the cold, muddy weather of the past week, and Mr. Peters, the contractor, still wants more hands.
Emporia News, December 11, 1868.
In General Sheridan=s official report of the Indian battle we find the following notice of the 19th Kansas:
The Kansas regiment has just come in. They missed the trains, and had to struggle in the snow storm, the horses suffering much in flesh, and the men living upon buffalo meat and other game for eight days. We will soon have them in good condition.
Emporia News, December 11, 1868.
SHERIDAN=S REPORT.
On our outside will be found the report by General Sheridan of his Indian operations since he took command of this department. It will be read with interest. It now seems certain that the management of the Indians will be turned over to the War Department. This General Sheridan urges strongly, and Generals Grant and Sherman favor the change. These gentlemen will undoubtedly have a large say in the running of affairs in the next four years. The people will hail any change from the present manner of running the Indian Department, with delight. If we do not miss our guess, Sheridan will give us more startling news from the plains before the Peace Commissioners have time to stop him, which they are now trying to do.
Emporia News, December 11, 1868.
A squad of three month=s soldiers passed through town on Wednesday, on their way to Topeka to be discharged, their time being out.
Emporia News, December 18, 1868.
The disintegrated skeletons of mammoth animals are being found in Last Chance Gulch, Montana, by the miners. The latest discovery is a couple of teeth of some extinct race of mammoths, each of the teeth weighing about fourteen pounds. They were found fifty-four feet below the surface of the earth.
Emporia News, December 18, 1868.
In speaking of the Indian war, Secretary Scofield says it is patent beyond dispute that it was begun by the Indians without any provocation whatever. Its object is supposed to be the abandonment of the Smoky Hill route, which are the best hunting grounds in America, and endorses Sherman=s remedy to secure peace, viz: coercion.
Emporia News, December 18, 1868.
Newman & Houghton have just received a large stock of new goods.
Emporia News, December 18, 1868.
Capt. A. J. Armstrong has mustered out his companyCCo. AB@Cof the 1st Battalion Kansas Vol. Militia.
Emporia News, December 18, 1868.
RETURNED. Professor Kellogg and family returned from their visit to the East on last Tuesday, and received a hearty welcome from the members of the Normal School and their numerous friends in town, a welcome in which we are happy to join. Mr. Kellogg is looking better physically than we have ever seen him before, and has resumed his enthusiastic labors for the cause of education.
Emporia News, December 25, 1868.
KANSAS CITY & SANTA FE RAILROAD.
The above caption has greeted the eyes of our readers quite often from these columns, but we apprehend none are displeased thereat, and we therefore offer no apology; but propose to treat of the enterprise indicated by the above heading more in detail in this issue of our paper than we have hitherto done.
It is now less than a year since this enterprise was inaugurated, and a certificate of incorporation issued by the Secretary of State. Under that incorporation the friends of the enterprise have raised the necessary ten per centum of the capital stock in private subscriptions, and have elected a Board of Directors and perfected the organization by the election of a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. It is now proposed to solicit, at the proper time, a vote of bonds from the counties interested in the enterprise, and it is the determination of the Directors, if possible, to put under contract that portion of the road between Olathe and Ottawa before the first of May next.
The proposed route of this road is from Kansas City to Olathe via the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, thence to Ottawa via Gardner, thence up the Marais des Cygnes to the point of intersection with the route of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and thence by that route to Emporia on the Neosho River, at the mouth of the Cottonwood. The route beyond that point is not yet determined upon, but will be in good time. . . .
Ottawa Home Journal.
Emporia News, December 25, 1868.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM GENERAL SHERIDAN.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 19. A letter from Gen. Sheridan, dated at the depot on North Canadian River, December 3rd, was received at Gen. Sherman=s headquarters today.
It gives information derived from Black Kettle=s sister, by Gen. Sheridan himself, in substance as follows.
The Indians were encampedCfirst Black Kettle and other chiefs of the Cheyennes and a small party of Sioux, in all thirty-seven lodgesCeight miles down the Wichita were all the Arapahos and seventy additional lodges of Cheyennes, also the Kiowas, Apaches, and Comanches. While thus encamped three war parties were sent out; one composed of Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Arapahos, went in the direction of Fort Larned, and were still out. Another party was composed of Cheyennes and Arapahos, and returned, the trail of which led Gen. Custer into Black Kettle=s village. This party brought back three scalps, one of which was that of the express man killed and horribly mutilated between Dodge and Larned, just before Gen. Sheridan left the former fort. The mail he was carrying was found in Black Kettle=s camp. The other party was a mixed one and went in the direction of Fort Lyon and is still out.
About the time the first of these parties started, Black Kettle and one sub-chief from each band went to Ft. Cobb and brought back provisions given them at that fort, and while they were gone, or about the time of their return, the last war party referred to was sent out.
The women are of the opinion that they will all sue for peace at Fort Cobb as the result of the battle with Custer. They would have gone to Gen. Sheridan=s camp had not the opening at Cobb been held out to them.
Gen. Sheridan says: AI shall start for Fort Scott as soon as the trains from Fort Dodge arrive. Had it not been for the misfortune of the Kansas regiment getting lost and the heavy snow which rendered their horses unfit for duty, we would have closed up this job before this time. As it is, I think the fight is pretty well knocked out of the Cheyennes.
The Government makes a great mistake in giving these Indians any considerable amount of food under the supposition of necessity. The whole country is covered with game, and there are more buffalo than will last the Indians for twenty years, and the turkeys are so numerous that flocks of from one to two thousand have been seen; the country is full of grouse, quails, and rabbits; herds of antelope and deer are seen everywhere, and even run through Gen. Custer=s train while on the march. The reservations laid for the Cheyennes and Arapahos are full of game and the most luxuriant grass.
Black Kettle=s sister reports three white women in the lodges below Black Kettle=s camp.
Another letter from Gen. Sheridan says the mules belonging to Clark=s train, also photographs and other articles taken from the houses robbed on the Salina and Solomon Rivers in Kansas, last fall, were found in the Indian camp.
The Indian women prisoners say that most of the depredations along the line of the Arkansas were committed by the Cheyennes and Arapahos.
Emporia News, December 25, 1868.
Dr. Kellogg, of Butler County, is spending a few days in town.
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad company advertise for teams to work on their road at Topeka. They pay three dollars and a quarter per day for two horse teams.
Emporia News, January 1, 1869.
[Portion of Official Report for 1868, State Normal School, Emporia.]
Estimate for 1869.
H. B. Norton, deficiency in salary as Associate Principal for 1868: $1,200.
L. B. Kellogg, deficiency in salary as Principal for 1868: $500.
Report submitted by
C. V. ESKRIDGE,
REV. G. C. MORSE,
Executive Com. State Normal School.
In the Preparatory Department and Model School, we found 27 pupils.
The Instructors during the year have been L. B. Kellogg, Principal; H. B. Norton, Associate Principal; Mrs. J. H. Gorham, and the first two graduates of the Institution, Miss Ellen Plumb and Miss M. J. Watson.
The pupils enrolled during the year represent 19 different counties in the State.
There are about 150 young men and women now teaching who have received instruction here, some of whom are filling situations in prominent schools.
Committee that signed report.
A. D. CHAMBERS, M. S. CROSWELL, L. M. HANCOCK....Emporia, Dec. 16, 1868.
Emporia News, January 1, 1869.
A compilation from the official record regarding Indian wars for the past forty years, to have been as follows.
Black Hawk War, 400 lives and $5,000,000.
Seminole War, 1,500 lives and $100,000,000; only 1,500 Indians being warriors.
A war with the Creeks and Cherokees, about the same time, cost $1,000,000.
Sioux War of 1852, 300 lives and $40,000,000.
War of 1862, 1,000 lives and about $60,000,000.
Cheyenne, 1867, 300 lives and about $100,000,000.
Indian trouble on Pacific slope for the last twenty years, about $300,000,000.
Three campaigns against the Navahoes, $30,000,000.
The whole troubles in New Mexico, of which the last item forms a part, $150,000,000.
Emporia News, January 1, 1869.
Some improvements listed in Emporia during 1868. [Listing only a few.]
S. J. Mantor, addition to frame residence, $300.
J. C. McGowan, one story frame residence, 14 x 22, $300.
T. S. Leonard, one and one half story frame Livery Stable 30 x 40, $1,100.
E. H. Coats, one story frame residence 14 x 18, $700.
T. D. and E. Childers, one and one half story frame dwelling, 16 x 24. $600.
[Could this be our Coats???]
Emporia News, January 1, 1869.
CARD. Dr. Morris.
Goods have arrived, and he is now ready for professional business. His office is over Newman & Houghton=s store. The Doctor prepares a specific remedy for the cure of Fever and Ague, which is never known to fail; also Anti-Bilious Pills, a sure preventative of the Ague by correcting the stomach and liver. Mixture and Pills $2.00.
Emporia News, January 1, 1869.
Names mentioned in Treasurer=s Office, Lyon Co., report as being up for sale for 1865 taxes not being paid.
B. Hoyt
A. B. Elliot
D. C. Brown
H. P. Eaton
P. McCullogh
Cyrus Conner
U. G. McMillan
B. C. Loomis
Q. Black
A. Bailey
[None seem familiar to me.]
Emporia News, January 8, 1869.
FROM THE 19TH REGIMENT.
FORT DODGE, KANSAS, DECEMBER 15, 1868.
EDITOR EMPORIA NEWSCSir: Thinking a few lines from the Emporia boys who are members of the 19th Kansas Cavalry would be interesting to your readers, I will endeavor to write them, and hope you will excuse all mistakes, both clerical and grammatical, as we have but few conveniences for writing here.
Our regiment left Emporia November 3rd in the midst of a severe rain storm, which drenched us freely all day and the following night; when, seeing we were gritty and hard to conquer, the enemy changed tactics and gave us a covering of snow, which was received with cheers, curses, jokes, and all the different emotions and passions found in a full regiment of soldiers. About midway between Emporia and Wichita we ran out of rations and had to depend on buying and begging till we arrived at Wichita. This in connection with bad weather caused many to desert before we arrived at the State line. Out of all who have deserted we yet have the honor of saying not a single member of Company M has deserted.
We arrived at Wichita November 12th, where we halted for one day only, loading our wagons and fitting up for the march across the plains. Everything being in order, on the morning of the 4th we crossed the Arkansas River and started in good earnest on the Indian raid; and here commences the funny part of our campaign, if there is any connected with it thus far. We started from Wichita wife five days= rations, and were out twenty-one days before we could draw again. So after deducting the five from twenty-one, we find a balance of sixteen days, which time we subsisted entirely on buffalo meat without salt, or as the boys called it, buffalo straight. Regardless of hunger and fatigue, amidst the most inclement weather, we kept pushing on, making short marches, till on the 25th of November we arrived at the Cimarron River, where, finding a portion of our command, both men and horses, unfit to proceed further, we left about one-third of the command and the remainder pushed on in their tiresome march, principally on foot, and leading, or rather dragging their now completely jaded horses. After three days longer of toiling and starving, we arrived November 25th at Gen. Sully=s camp, on the North Canadian, where we found plenty of rations and a hearty welcome from the soldiers of Gen. Sheridan=s command. A train of wagons having been sent out to meet us missed us, but found the portion of our command left behind, so in a few days they too arrived at headquarters, in a miserable condition, many of them barefooted and limping along on frozen feet. We do not like to censure a man who stands so high in the esteem of the people of Kansas as Col. S. J. Crawford does, yet we feel that we have been shamefully mistreated by someoneCby whom we don=t pretend to sayC
but as the general government never mistreats anyone, some smaller fry must bear the blame. Of one thing we are certain: if the regiment had the choosing of a commander today, S. J. Crawford would not get any votes; also in time to come said S. J. will get but few votes from the 19th for any position in civil life. Our loss in horses thus far amounts to about five hundred. If we can=t kill Indians, we can kill Uncle Sam=s horses, and do it in the best of style on short notice.
Our company, M, is now on detail guarding a train which came from Camp Supply to this place. We will start on our return trip in a few days. The remainder of the regiment have gone with Gen. Sheridan out south where they expect soon to meet the foe. I presume we will join them on our return.
All the Emporia boys, I believe, are well and hearty, and ready any time for the fight; so if the ladies of Emporia do not get some fashionable chignons next spring on our return, it will not be our fault. Our young friend and officer, Lieut. J. P. Hurst, is enjoying good health, is a general favorite among his own boys, and in fact throughout the companyCit is believed Jim will do to tie to.
But it is growing late, and for fear of tiring your patience and thus crowding my letter out of your columns, I will close. So requesting you to send us a number of your paper if convenient, and wishing THE NEWS much success, I remain
Yours respectfully,
M. A. VICTOR, Co. M, 19th Kan. Cav.
Emporia News, January 8, 1869.
TO OUR PATRONS. During our absence for a few weeks THE NEWS office will be under the charge of T. B. Murdock. He is authorized to transact all business connected with the office. JACOB STOTLER.
Emporia News, January 8, 1869.
Married. On Dow Creek, at the residence of H. F. Clark, by P. B. Maxson, Esq., George H. McIntire and Miss Mary R. Champlin, all of Lyon County, Kansas.
Emporia News, January 8, 1869.
AD. Latest Styles in Caps. Fur, fur-bound and all grades cloth caps for Men and Boys, at NEWMAN & HOUGHTON=S.
Emporia News, January 15, 1869.
J. S. McWhorter, of Butler County, has returned from Illinois, bringing with him a very large stock of goods. He is accompanied by a brother-in-law, Mr. R. Lakin, a brother of D. L. Lakin, of Topeka. [Not sure if these are familiar names or not!]
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
THE FIRST STEAM TRAIN IN AMERICA. In the Superintendent=s office at the Providence, Rhode Island, station in this city is a picture of the first steam railroad train in America, run from Albany to Schenectady, over the Mohawk and Hudson railroad, in 1831. The train consisted of a locomotive, tender, and two cars. The locomotive, named the AJohn Bull,@ and imported from England, was of very simple and uncouth construction, and might be mistaken in those days for a spile [? spike? ] driver. Its cylinders were 5 2 inches in diameter, having 16 inches stroke, and the connecting rods worked on double cranks on the front axles. It weighed four tons. John Hampton was the engineer. The tender was a simple frame with a platform, upon which were placed a heap of wood used for fuel, and two crates filled with similar combustibles. This vehicle also had a passenger box in the rear. The cars were patterned after the old stage coaches still used in England, and were coupled with three links instead of one as at present. Twelve passengers occupied the inside seats, and three were seated outside. Among them were Mr. Thurlow Weed and ex-Governor Yates. Their portraits and those of their fellow passengers, which the picture gives in sombre and sharply defined silhouette, would hardly be recognized by anyone acquainted with them when they made the excursion. The picture is photographed by Messrs. J. L. Howard & Co., of Springfield, from the original in the possession of the Connecticut Historical Society.
Boston Advertiser.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
Additional information from the Indian country leads several Senators, who have canvassed the subject, to form the belief that the battle of Wichita [Wichita] was in all its main features a repetition of the Sand Creek massacre. It appears that Custer left his dead on the field for fifteen days till he could ride with his command to carry the news of a great victory, and on returning, the bodies of Manner, Elliot, and sixteen others were found torn by wolves and birds, and the mutilation charged to the Indians.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
[From Topeka...news from a correspondent...S.] Giving only a portion of article.
Among the Emporiaites who have been here, are Messrs. Fraker, Norton, A. R. Bancroft, and John Hammond.
Governor Eskridge, Senators Mead and Murdock, and Messrs. Crocker and Stotler are stopping at the new hotelCthe Tefft House, having made satisfactory arrangements with the excellent landlords, Messrs. Harris & Beasly, to that effect. The Tefft is unquestionably the best hotel in Topeka. The furniture and fixtures as well as the building are all new, and in first-class order. Messrs. Tucker, Drake, and Osborne are at their old favorite quartersCDr. Ashbaugh=s. McNay is at the Capitol House, while Wilson and Case stop with relatives. The friends of Mr. Bronson, of Butler, will be glad to know that he has a first-class clerkship in the Senate. Also, Mrs. Bates, of Morris, is provided with a good place as Assistant Enrolling Clerk of the House.
The Editorial and Publishers= Association of Kansas met at the hall of the House of Representatives last evening. Jacob Stotler was elected President of the Association for the ensuing year.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
INTERESTING FROM GENERAL SHERIDAN.
CHICAGO, Jan. 16. Gen. Sheridan informs Gen. Sherman that the destruction of the Comanche village by Col. Evans gave the final blow to the backbone of the Indian rebellion. At midnight on the 31st of December a delegation of the chief men of the Arapahos and Cheyennes, twenty-one in number, arrived at Fort Cobb, begging peace. They report the tribes in mourning for their losses, their people starving, ponies dying, dogs all eaten up, no buffalo.
Gen. Sheridan further says: We had forced them into the canyons, on the eastern edge of the staked plains, where there was no small game or buffalo. They are in a bad fix, and surrender unconditionally. I acceded to their terms, and will punish them justly. I can scarcely make error in any punishment awarded, for all have blood upon their hands.@
In the same dispatch Sheridan repels the charge of Col. Wynkoop that Black Kettle=s band were peaceable Indians. He says the band were outside of their reservation, and some of Black Kettle=s young men were out depredating when the village was captured. Much plunder from trains and from murdered couriers was found in the village, and other indubitable evidence that the band had been engaged in murders and outrages upon the whites.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
MODEL SCHOOL. Two more pupils can be received in the Model School this term.
L. B. KELLOGG.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
It is well known the Tribune has universally expressed its opposition to the sickly, sentimental, and humanitarian ideas that the Indians of the Kansas frontiers were unoffending creatures, who never did any wrong except upon deep provocation, or were at least more sinned against than sinning.
One of the most practical legislators from our frontier is Senator Mead, who resides in Butler County, and has since there was a settlement there at all. As a practical man of good ability, who had traded with the Indians, and had frequently been among themCsometimes when they were Aon the warpath,@ and under many embarrassing and dangerous circumstancesCwe thought his suggestions would be worth ten-fold more than an editor=s, who set in his sanctum, and got up theories and ideas when he had to write on something, and we were very much pleased to get his views in a short conversation.
Mr. Mead expresses regret that Black Kettle was killed, because, he says, he meant to be Aa good Indian,@ though he never could control the war party of his tribe and the young men, and the party with whom he was killed were as hostile as Indians could be. His position among the savages was that of many of the rebels, who did not encourage the commencement of the war, but when war came, threw in their destinies with the party of war, and entered the rebel ranks. He would have been a poor general who would have called off the advancing hosts of the Union, because Alexander Stephens, who had opposed the war till it inaugurated, was among the men in arms. Sheridan never did that with a white foe, and he would have tarnished his name if he had done it with the redskins.
Mr. Mead don=t sustain the idea that Ait is cheaper to feed than to fight Indians.@ They are a band of robbers, and there is no more good sense in conciliating them by presents, than there would be in the action of a court which should discharge a thief and a murderer, and give him clothing and provisions for a year, with the hope that he would steal no more when his stock ran out. Presents are a premium for robbery and murder.
We sought this information, which was gained by experience, because we always felt that our position hardly warranted us in expression opinions with that confidence which should give them any weight. When men who are so familiar with Indian character that they can converse with nearly all the tribes of the plains, give their ideas, they are hard to gainsay. Intelligent border men everywhere are coming to the conclusion that there is no sure way of protection to the pioneers but by military surveillance and the lex talionis principle. Punishing, sure and severe, to Indians, is humanity to white men, and will be a saving, even of Indian blood, in the end. Lawrence Tribune.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
FROM WASHINGTON.
A correspondent of the Times and Conservative gives to that paper the following interesting items from Washington.
On Tuesday last President Johnson sent to the Senate a large number of appointments, including those of N. A. Adams, of Manhattan, for Surveyor General of Kansas; A. R. Banks, of Lawrence, as Agent of Cheyenne Indians, vice Ed. W. Wynkoop, resigned, and Dr. D. W. Stormont, of Topeka, Postmaster, vice Sam. Fletcher, removed.
It is quite unnecessary to say that Kansas appointments are made at the request of Senator Ross, and will not be confirmed by the Senate, if indeed any action is taken on them. It is well known among well informed Kansas men here that Senator Pomeroy and Representative Clarke do not regard with favor any attempt to forestall the patronage which legitimately belongs to the next Administration. It is also generally understood that those Republicans who accept from Senator Ross the patronage which Andrew Johnson bestows upon him in gratitude for his vote to acquit the Great Impeached, are Aaccessories after the fact,@ to that perfidious act.
Nothing has yet been done with the Kansas treaties. The Shawnee and Kaw treaties are in the hands of the sub-committees, and the Osage is where it was left at the close of the last session. I have been told by those pretending to know that a proposition to modify it so far as to give the land to actual settlers at $1.25 per acre; the 16th and 36th sections to the school fund; and devote the net proceeds of the sale of the land to certain railways, is the only compromise upon which it has any good chance to be ratified. Whether its friends will agree to this remains to be seen.
Already more than seventy prominent Kansas men have pitched their tents in this delightful city, and still they come. Vast preparations for the inauguration are under way. It is estimated that not less than 10,000 Boys in Blue, Grand Army, and other Afighting men@ will visit Washington on that occasion. . . .
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
Jacob Stotler has been appointed, and received his commission as member of the Board of Directors of the Normal School.
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
OUR AMERICUS LETTER.
AMERICUS, JANUARY 26, 1869.
T. C. Hill and R. M. Ruggles concluded last Saturday the purchase of Zimri Stubbs= farm on the Neosho, three miles south of Americus, containing 147 acres, for which they paid $30 an acre. On this farm is one of the finest bodies of timber on the Neosho, and also the best water-power the river affords in this part of the country. These gentlemen have bought this property with a special view to building a flouring mill upon it during the approaching summer. They will immediately put in a steam saw mill of sufficient capacity to saw the timber upon the place, as well as that of all others who wish to patronize them, and as soon as the water gets low enough in the stream, will commence the construction of a dam and grist mill. . . . [Zimri Stubbs!]
Emporia News, January 22, 1869.
Instruments Recorded During the Week Ending Jan. 27, 1869.
Reported from E. P. Bancroft=s Real Estate and Abstract Office.
James Dryden, warranty deed, to James B. Hudson. [Skipping property description.]
Smith Estes [?], warranty deed, to Daniel Rich.
W. I. F. Harden, mortgage, to Charles Manley.
John Hammond, warranty deed, to B. T. Wright.
J. B. Hudson, warranty deed, to A. H. Gibson.
Kraft & Deitrich, mortgage, to P. G. Hallberg.
Lyon County, tax deed, to Almerin Gillett.
Lyon County, tax deed, to O. Y. Hart.
C. F. Maurer, warranty deed, to Micheal Myers.
Michael Myers, warranty deed, to Z. P. & A. F. Crowe.
J. W. McMillan, warranty deed, to Robert McMillan.
Robert McMillan, mortgage, to Malcom Conn.
I. E. Perly, warranty deed, to Daniel Rich.
M. W. Phillips, et. al., warranty deed, to J. T. Moon.
Zimri Stubbs, warranty deed to Ruggles & Hill. [for se 24 18 10]
United States Patent to S. R. Latta.
United States Patent to Andrew Brown.
United States Patent to Zimri Stubbs [for se 24 18 10].
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
THE OSAGE TREATY.
The lobby at Washington to press the Osage Treaty through Congress is reported to be increasing daily. The resolutions of the Kansas Legislature instructing Senators Pomeroy and Ross have a depressing effect on the speculators. If the treaty goes through at all, we will undoubtedly get our share for the Lawrence & Emporia Road. Sidney Clarke is taking strong grounds against the terms of the present Treaty.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
The Indian Committee of the Senate reported their bill on the 28th of January, which provides for detaching the Indian Bureau from the Interior Department and giving it a separate standing like that of the Agricultural Department. The clause giving its head a seat in the Cabinet was struck out. The Department is to report directly to Congress. The Chairman of the Indian Committee, Mr. Henderson, for himself, will soon bring in a measure to supplant this by creating a new Cabinet minister who shall have charge of the Public Lands and Indian Affairs, with perhaps one or more of the bureaus now in the Interior Department. The reorganization of the Indian service is to be put off till the next session.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS.
Our latest news from the West state that the citizens on Saline River had a fight with the Pawnee Indians, 14 miles from Salina, on Mulberry Creek, on January 29th. The Indians were at their old game of trying to run off the stock of the settlers, and had robbed several houses on the Saline. Seven Indians were reported killed and wounded. There were no whites killed. The Indians made the attack and were driven back completely demoralized. We would like to know where the troops are that are stationed on the frontier to protect the isolated settlements.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
FROM FORT DODGE.
CAMP M TROOP, 19th K. V. C., FORT DODGE, Kansas, Jan. 21, 1869.
EDITOR EMPORIA NEWSCSir: Since my last communication there have been several changes in affairs on the plains of which you as well as your readers are doubtless apprized; it will be useless therefore for me to speak of them, but confine my present letter to affairs relative to our own company.
We did not, as anticipated, return to the regiment after our first trip to this place, but returned to Dodge again, where we have been making our headquarters ever since and doing escort duty from here to Hays, Larned, Camp Supply, and other points in the vicinity of Dodge.
The holidays passed off very dryly with us, as we were all strapped; but we were paid off the 19th of January and the boys are now making up lost time. Our camp presents the appearance of an immense commissary or market place, where almost everything in the line of edibles is represented.
There is considerable speculation among the boys relative to our future service, but the general opinion among those claiming to be posted is that we will not again be called into active service and consequently will see no Indians. I cannot therefore renew my proposition to the ladies of Emporia to furnish them chignons at reduced prices. We are sorry this is the case, and know of nothing more generous than to offer as a substitute our own glorious ringlets.
In my first communication I boasted of the honor of no deserters from M troop; but I am sorry to say I have to record a different story this time. A detachment of our company went from here to Larned, and while there, on the night of the 3rd inst., four men left us, stealing four horses, three from the company and one from the train. The names of the men are Corporal James Herrington, Emporia, Kansas; Bugler W. Metta, and Privates Tirney and Yawning of Louisville, Kansas. The company are glad to get rid of them, and we think Government also has done well in their case.
I must not omit to mention our stampeded which took place as we were coming from Supply to Dodge. We had some four hundred wagons in the train and about one third of them stampeded. There were some forty or fifty soldiers riding in the wagons at the time, and were thus thrown into a very perilous position. Several of them were seriously hurt, and one man, John Vanwell, of our company, died of his wounds in about two hours from the time he was hurt. The country where the stampede took place was perfectly level and there was but little breakage, so we soon succeeded in getting the mules stopped, the wagons to their places, and proceeded on our journey, resolving to be more cautious in the future.
We see from a letter Gen. Sheridan has written to the Lawrence Journal, that he states that we subsisted eight days on buffalo meat. We do not wish to pit our veracity against that of the General, but will say we are thoroughly prepared to prove our first statement.
We have been blessed for the last three weeks with very fine weather, which has had a beneficial effect on the health of our men. The boys are all enjoying good health, and since pay day are in fine spirits.
We are opposed to personal eulogies for personal objects, but believe in giving all due credit where merit recommends, and in this spirit we would again speak of Lieut. J. P. Hurst, who thus far has proved himself a man and a soldier, and we fear not to trust him further. Lute is now well and in the height of his elementCplenty of sporting and no duty to do.
Wishing THE NEWS and all its subscribers much success, we remain
Yours truly,
Sergt. M. A. VICTOR, M. Troop, 19th K. V. C.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
Wanted.
An indefinite number of female correspondents for which the undersigned will be extremely thankful, and pay all bills necessarily arising from the same. Object: Pastime and intellectual improvement. Subject of correspondence confined strictly to the wishes and taste of correspondent. Shades exchanged if desired.
Sergt. M. A. Victor
Sergt. Weddle
A. L. Runyan
Henry Williams
Henry Thomas
Lt. J. P. Hurst
Sergt. James P. Wilson
Sergt. Jas. H. Dunagan
Sergt. G. Tarbell
Priv. John W. Parker
Priv. J. Myers
Priv. H. G. Whinery.
Address Co. M., 19th Kan. Cav. Vols., Fort Dodge, Kansas.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
Instruments Recorded During the Week Ending Feb. 4, 1869.
Reported from E. P. Bancroft=s Real Estate and Abstract Office.
[SKIPPING MOST OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS GIVEN.]
S. G. Britton to Asa Gillett, warranty deed for lot 131 Merchants St.., Emporia.
Branson and Pruitt to Geo. W. Frederick, warranty deed.
E. P. Bancroft to Wm. Rawson, warranty deed.
Granville Fishback to Geo. W. Frederick, warranty deed.
G. W. Frederick to Branson and Pruitt, mortgage.
John Fawcett to James Phenis, quitclaim to e h s e qr 31 18 11.
Solomon Green to Robert M. Clark, mortgage.
Abner Hadley to Asa Gilltt [? SEEMS WRONG?], warranty deed.
H. L. Kemper to O. Y. Hart, warranty deed.
Thomas L. Mantor to O. Y. Hart, warranty deed.
A. A. Newman to C. P. Houghton, warranty deed for ten lots in Emporia.
[KAY...THINK THIS SHOULD BE AO. P. HOUGHTON.@]
Oberdorf & Oswald to Lemuel S. Main, mortgage.
P. B. Plumb to P. B. Gillett, warranty deed.
I. E. Perley to M. H. Bates, quitclaim.
Wm. Prothenow to S. R. Smith, mortgage.
John L. Semans to Jones & Roberts, warranty deed.
S. R. Smith to Wm. Prothnow [?], warranty deed.
W. M. Young to O. Y. Hart, mortgage.
Emporia News, February 5, 1869.
ADS. The new crop of tea is now on the market, and some of the choicest brands have just been received by NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
A fine lot of prints and muslins just received by NEWMAN & HOUGHTON.
Great Bargains. Shawls, nubias, scarfs, sontags, balmoral skirts, and hosiery are now selling at a great sacrifice at 181 Commercial street. They must be sold in thirty days.
NEWMAN AND HOUGHTON.
Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
THE INDIAN WAR.
Latest advices from the Indian country state that Gen. G. A. Custer is just bringing the Indian difficulties to a close, not by pow-wows nor by treaties, but by holding Lone Wolf and Satanta, both chiefs of the Kiowas, as hostages, and telling them that unless the Kiowas are all in by a certain date they are to be hung; that they may be hung anyway, but their chances are better if the entire tribe comes in. He tells the Arapahos and Cheyennes, through some of their principal Chiefs, whom these tribes sent in yesterday under a flag of truce, that unless their people come in and give themselves up within two weeks, he will go to their camps and whip thunder out of them; that when they do come in (which they seem anxious to do) they must tay on their reservation, for if he has to come again after them, he will kill them all.
A letter to the Leavenworth Times & Conservative, contains the following:
A
So far as I can learn, there is to be no treaty; they are told that they will be whipped if they do not do as they are told, and in my opinion the first issue to be made when the Indians are all in will be made by Gen. Custer, and that issue to the principals of the outrages committed on our frontier last fall; this will be a life annuity in the shape of Ahemp,@ which you know was often used with great success during the early days of Kansas a preventive against theft, robbery, and murder.A
Gen. Custer has the cue to the whole affair. The Indians have used all the treachery and cunning that they are masters of to effect the release of Satanta and Lone Wolf, yet they have not been able to flank the General in any of his plans. There is a permanency attached to every move he makes in the matter. No bragging, no lying has been resorted to, but a strong solution of powder and lead. Why, Mr. Editor, those who came in here yesterday to beg to be received were a lot of poor, half-starved creatures, their ponies were also starving, for the reason that since Gen. Custer took the field they have not had time to graze their ponies nor to kill meat for themselves. Their ponies are dying by the hundreds, and they are living on their dogs. They have been able to make but few robes; consequently, they are poorly clad. They have learned that the way of the transgressor is hard.@Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
The number of troops now engaged in the Indian war and doing frontier service is reported by the Secretary of War to be 21,814.
Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
The House Committee on Public Lands, after hearing the case of the settlers on the Cherokee Neutral Lands, reported a joint resolution to the House confirming titles of settlers under the homestead act. The railroad companies are preparing to make a bitter fight against the resolution.
Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
The Senate Committee on the Pacific Railroad decided on February 5th to extend the Union Pacific Railroad, E. D., from the present terminus in Kansas, southward to a junction with the Atlantic & Pacific road, on the 35th parallel, in New Mexico, the trunk line west of the junction to be built and controlled jointly by the two companies.
Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
We have assurances that the Kaw Reservation will be opened in the spring for settlement. This tract of land lays on both sides of the Neosho River, commencing about a mile south of Council Grove and extending nine miles down the river, containing over 80,000 acres, a large portion of which is on the Neosho bottoms, and is not excelled by any land in Kansas. A large portion of this Reservation is in this county and will offer great inducements to settlers in the spring.
Emporia News, February 12, 1869.
Box Elder Syrup.
Our enterprising friend, Max Fawcett, has been manufacturing syrup from the box elder tree, and presented us with a bottle this week. The syrup is of a light, rich color, and fine flavored, resembling somewhat the maple syrup. Max is always making new discoveries and often surprises us with some of his attacks on the natural elements, and his successful efforts in reducing to practical use the hidden mysteries of nature.
See Max Fawcett=s advertisement in regard to Maple trees. He offers to furnish these trees cheap. [Skipped ad.]
Emporia News, February 19, 1869.
The committee on Indian affairs have reported through Senator Doolittle, in favor of an indefinite postponement of the resolution referred to them relative to the sale of the Cherokee lands. This decision it is said settles the question of sale in favor of Joy, of Detroit.
Emporia News, February 19, 1869.
KANSAS CITY & SANTA FE RAILROAD.
Measures Adopted Looking to the Immediate Construction of the Road.
As will be seen by the following report, taken from the Kansas City Times, the people of that city are in earnest about building the above named road.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors at Kansas City on the 9th, Maj. P. P. Elder, of Ottawa, President of the road; Gen. W. H. Morgan, of Kansas City, Secretary; Col. Hayes, of Olathe, Treasurer; Maj. T. C. Bowles, of Ottawa; Lieut. Gov. Eskridge, Jacob Stotler, of Emporia; D. R. E. Stevenson, of Olathe; J. B. Bruner, of Gardner; H. F. Sheldon, of Ottawa; and H. M. Holden, of Kansas City, Directors; Gen. Reid and Col. J. D. Williams of Kansas City, were the gentlemen in attendance.
Speeches were made by a number of those present, pointing out the great advantages that would accrue to Kansas City by the building of this railroad. . . .
Emporia News, February 19, 1869.
Garfield in speaking of the Washington Indian affairs said he would never vote for appropriations of money that were to flow through the unclean channels of the Indian bureau, as it was more corrupt than any other branch of the government he had ever heard of. The Senate appears to be in foul embrace of the ring, and no efforts that the gallant Garfield and his co-workers can make are likely to effect the abolition of this bureau.
Emporia News, February 19, 1869.
U. B. Warren, hardware merchant at Cottonwood Falls, was in town several days during the week. In a conversation with him we learned that the Falls is improving very fast, and that quite a number of business houses and residences are going to be put up in the spring.
Emporia News, February 19, 1869.
AD. To Farmers. I will trade Maple and other Shade Trees for good Wheat, Corn, and Potatoes. MAX FAWCETT, Emporia, Kansas.
Emporia News, February 26, 1869.
The treaty for the sale of the lands of the Kansas Indians, to the Neosho Valley Railroad Company, is about ready for consideration by the Senate. The average price is said to be but one dollar per acre, and one of the parties most largely interested, is a near relative of a Senator.
Emporia News, February 26, 1869.
Prof. Kellogg has made arrangements to put up a residence near the Normal School.
Emporia News, February 26, 1869.
Alex. Banks was confirmed by the U. S. Senate as agent of the Arapahos, Cheyennes, etc. The confirmation of Banks is significant as an indication that the Senate has broken through its rule of not confirming any of Johnson=s appointments.
Emporia News, February 26, 1869.
Sac & Fox Lands.
The Register of the Topeka Land Office announces that the Sac & Fox lands are now open for pre-emption. This will be good news for hundreds who have been impatiently awaiting permission to take claims and homesteads on these lands.
Emporia News, March 5, 1869.
The Osage Chronicle corrects the mistake being made by some papers in regard to the portion of the Sac & Fox lands that is open for pre-emption. The trust lands, not the diminished reserve, are in the market. The whole amount is 43,413.42 acres.
Emporia News, March 5, 1869.
FIGHT WITH INDIANS.
A letter from General Sheridan, received at General Sherman=s headquarters, dated AIn the Field, January 31st,@ states that the Cheyennes and Arapahos report that another engagement between the forces under command of Colonel Evans, of the Third Regular Cavalry, and the Indians, took place between the 15th and 20th of January, at a point ten days= travel west of the Wichita mountains, in which the troops were successful, totally destroying an Indian village and killing eight of the savages. General Custer, in a communication to General Sheridan from his camp on the North Fork of the Red River, corroborates the report as having come through Indian sources. It was Colonel Evan=s command which gave the redskins such a drubbing on Christmas day. When last heard from General Custer was on the North Fork.
Emporia News, March 5, 1869.
The Senate Committee on Public Lands, following in the wake of the Committee on the Pacific Railroads, has ordered its chairman to report back nearly all the railroad schemes, and ask to be discharged. Among the projects were the road from Lawrence, Kansas, to the Mexican border, with a grant of forty sections to the mile; Fort Scott & Santa Fe, with forty sections to the mile; Denver & El Paso, with twenty sections to the mile; Oregon Branch of the Pacific railroad, forty sections to the mile; Irving, Kansas, to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, twenty sections to the mile, making in all full fifty-seven million acres.
Emporia News, March 12, 1869.
SHERIDAN OFF FOR WASHINGTON.
General Sheridan arrived in Leavenworth from the plains on Sunday last, and started for Washington on Monday. He goes there previous to taking his departure for New Orleans, where he has been assigned by President Grant.
The Leavenworth Conservative learns the following, in relation to the Indians, from Col. Crosby, one of Sheridan=s staff.
A
Col. Crosby informed us that the Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, and part of the Arapahos, were compelled to come in and make peace before Gen. Sheridan left the Wichita mountains. The Cheyennes and a few of the Arapahos had been driven beyond the limits of the Department. A deputation from the Cheyennes came in the day before Gen. Sheridan left and said that they would adhere to their former promise, and surrender.A
This news we have given substantially before. It shows how important a work has been accomplished by our troops in a severe winter campaign. The distance from Medicine Bluff, the present camp, to Fort Hays, is four hundred miles. Gen. Sheridan and his party rode the entire distance on horseback, without tents, and without an escort. Such a thing has never been done before. A few months ago it would have been sheer madness to have made the attempt.@Emporia News, March 12, 1869.
Mr. Yeomans informs us that a band of 10 Indians came into the settlements on Walnut, near its mouth, on the 25th ult. and stole seven head of horses from the settlers. Some of the settlers followed the trail for three days, but the horses were not recovered.
Emporia News, March 19, 1869.
THE KAW LANDS. A Washington dispatch says that W. R. Irwin, of the Indian Bureau, left there a few days since to negotiate a treaty with the Kaw Indians of this State. The treaty is said to be in favor of the Neosho Valley Railroad Company.
Emporia News, March 19, 1869.
Mr. Newman started to Boston and New York on Monday morning to lay in a spring and summer stock for the store of Newman & Houghton.
Emporia News, March 19, 1869.
We are informed that the brother of our townsman, Mr. Newman, of the firm of Newman & Houghton, who arrived here from Maine on Wednesday morning, reports that there was seven feet of snow, on the level, in that State when he left. So badly were the railroads blockaded that he was three days in making fifty miles. Think of that, ye grumblers at the cold weather of Kansas.
Emporia News, March 26, 1869.
[Legal instruments]
H. B. Norton to H. Schroder for lot 154 Mechanics St.., Emporia.
Emporia News, April 2, 1869.
Dr. H. D. Kellogg has been appointed postmaster at El Dorado, Butler County, and R. B. Lockwood at Council Grove. Both good appointments.
Emporia News, April 2, 1869.
Noticed: Announcement of Spring Term at State Normal School does not have the name of Norton listed...only L. B. Kellogg.
Emporia News, April 9, 1869.
Col. C. K. Holliday was elected Mayor of Topeka on Monday, over two competitors, Messrs. Welsh and Swallow. Mr. Holliday was in Washington.
Emporia News, April 16, 1869.
Max. Fawcett says it is almost impossible for him and his tree hands to dig up and deliver maple trees from his Nursery as fast as they are ordered.
Emporia News, April 16, 1869.
Mr. Houghton, of the firm of Newman & Houghton, has let the contract for putting up a business house, 25 x 60 feet, on Commercial street, near B. T. Wright=s hardware store. Messrs. Newman & Houghton have been in business here about a year, and have succeeded in building up a large trade. They are both young men of excellent business qualifications, and possess the energy and perseverance that will succeed anywhere.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
GEN. CUSTER=S REPORT.
A long report has been received at military headquarters, St.. Louis, from Gen. Custer, detailing his operations in the field. After breaking camp at Medicine Bluff Creek, the first sings of Indians were discovered on the 13th of March, and the whole command, numbering 1,500 men, moved rapidly, making daily marches two or three times as long as those of the Indians. Tents were burned, and all blankets, except one per man, and all surplus clothing shared the same fate. On the 15th, they reached a camp-ground which had been abandoned only two days before. About the same time a herd of ponies, in charge of two Indians, was discovered. Custer determined to capture the herd, but after proceeding some two miles, saw in the distance partially concealed behind the Sand Hills, a body of Indians. After a good deal of signaling, eight of them came out, from whom Custer learned that 260 Cheyenne lodges were encamped within ten or twelve miles, 200 of which were directly in front of a small stream. Medicine Arrow, Chief of the Cheyenne, and several other noted Chiefs, then rode up. Among the 200 lodges were those of the ADog Soldiers,@ the most mischievous, bloodthirsty, and barbarous bands of Indians that infest the Plains. Gen. Custer first intended to attack this villainous lot, when he discovered that the Cheyennes held two white female captives, Mrs. Morgan and Miss White. He concluded not to do so, at least until he had those women out of the hands of savages. He therefore went with AMedicine Arrow@ to his lodge in the center of the village. Before entering the village he perceived the greatest excitement and noticed that everything was prepared for fight. The General thinks that had he then been compelled to attack them with his fatigued troops, he could not have effected more than the capture of their lodge. He ordered the arrests of the chiefs, ABig Head@ and ADull Knife,@ intending to hold them under guard as hostages for the women captives. After considerable parleying, and only when the rope and tree were chosen to hang the imprisoned chiefs, did the Indians deliver up their captives. The story of their treatment, told by the captives, is of such barbarous cruelties and enormous indignities that it is surprising that civilized beings could have endured it and survived. The Indians express themselves heartily sick of war, and are willing to go to that part of the country which has been designated for them. The General did not lose a single man of his command. He concludes his report with the following words: AI now hold captive Cheyenne chiefs as hostages for the good behavior of their tribes, and for the fulfillment of the promise of the latter to come in and conform to the demands of the Government. This I consider is the end of the Indian war.@
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
Among the new Indian Agents appointed, we notice the name of Thomas H. Stanley as agent of the Pottawatomies. We suppose this means friend Thos. Stanley, of Americus, and if so, we wish not only to congratulate our friend, but to endorse it as one of the fittest and best appointments that has yet been made in the State.
Jas. Newson is appointed agent of the Kaws.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
THE LATE CAPTIVES. The two women, Mrs. Morgan and Miss White, recently rescued from the Indians by Gen. Custer, came down the road on Thursday morning=s train. Mrs. Morgan stopped at Salina. Miss White came down to Junction City, from which place she started to her home on the Republican River. The Union says Miss White was taken away from home on the 14th of last August, by six Indians, at which time her father was killed. She is about seventeen years old. Her family live on a tributary of Buffalo Creek, about ten miles west of Lake Sibley.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
Prof. Norton has contracted with M. Roberts for the erection of a brick residence on a five acre lot just east of Mr. Goodrich=s residence.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
As an evidence of the rapid advance of property in this town, we may mention that Prof. Norton sold a block of seven lots, a few days ago, on the ridge in the northeast portion of town, for $1,000. Two years ago Mr. Norton bought these lots at $15 to $25 each. Now they sell for about $143 each.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
GOOD NEWS. Newman & Houghton are receiving their extensive stock of goods this week, and those desiring first choice should call early. Their prices are very low. They bought in New York and Boston and shipped direct; therefore, you will not have to pay the profits of the St.. Louis and Leavenworth merchants. Their hats are of the latest styles, in endless variety, and cheap, too. Their Boots and Shoes have to be seen to be appreciated. They can beat the world on ladies= dress goods. It is useless for us to attempt to enumerate what they have for sale, but will advise all go and see their large stock. All goods guaranteed or money refunded. No trouble to show goods.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
[Legal notice...same source as given before.]
L. B. Kellogg to H. B. Norton, quit-claim for lot 154, Mechanics St.., Emporia.
Emporia News, April 23, 1869.
LOCAL NOTICES.
NEW GOODS! NEW GOODS!! -AT- NEWMAN & HOUGHTON=S.
Latest Styles and Lowest Prices.
We have just received direct from New York and Boston a large and choice stock of Domestic & Fancy Dry Goods, BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS, CLOTHING, NOTIONS, AND CARPETINGS.
We wish it distinctly understood that we buy at first hand of the Manufacturers and Importers, and will sell at prices to defy competition.
LOOK AT THE PRICES!!
Best PrintsCMerrimac, Cocheco, Spragues, Pacifics, Arnolds, Amoskeng, and Denonels at 12 2 cents per yard.
Ladies= Hoop Skirts, 75 cents.
Ladies= Cotton Hose at $1.50 per dozen.
Boys= Wool Hats, 50 cents each.
Mens= Wool Hats, 75 cents each.
Best Imperial Tea, $1.50 per pound.
Best Hyson Tea, $1.50 per pound.
Best Japan Tea, $1.50 per pound.
Best Oolong Tea, $1.25 per pound.
All Goods guaranteed as represented, or Money Refunded.
Emporia News, April 30, 1869.
Old Pom., one of our brag Senators, together with Harlan of Iowa, and Thayer of Nebraska, tried, in a sneaking way, to defeat the President=s policy of appointing honest men to manage Indian affairs. Wouldn=t the occupation of some of our Senators be gone if there should happen to be an honest administration of Indian and Interior affairs? No wonder Pom. squirms.
Emporia News, April 30, 1869.
NEWS ITEMS.
Gen. Parker, the new Commissioner of Indian affairs, took possession of his office at noon, on Monday.
The Fort Scott Monitor comes full of railroad and immigration notes. It learns that Maj. B. S. Henning, Superintendent of the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf railroad, has issued a circular announcing to the cattle dealers and herdsmen in the Indian country and State of Texas, that this railroad is under contract to be completed to the southern line of Kansas, east of the Neosho River, by the 15th of October next. Further, that Aevery needful facility will be afforded for the shipment of cattle northward by rail, and ample yards will be built, free to all shippers, and purchasers will be at hand for all stock that may arrive.@ So the Kansas Pacific railroad and the little western towns which had such a hard fight to get the cattle business to do last winter, but failed, can soon bid farewell to that trade. When the Missouri River road gets down to the southern line of the State, they will never see a Texas cow again.
Emporia News, April 30, 1869.
KANSAS INDIAN AGENTS.
Among the appointments announced by telegraph and published yesterday morning, were the names of two citizens of KansasCThomas H. Stanley, agent for the Pottawatomie Indians, and James Stanley for the Osage River Agency. These gentlemen are brothers, and both Friends, or Quakers. Both, also, have had long experience with Indians.
Thomas H. Stanley is a farmer, and resides near Americus, in Lyon County, twelve miles from Emporia. He was formerly connected with Indian missions in Iowa, and since removing to Kansas has had charge, for some years past, of the mission and school on the Kaw Reserve. His peace principles and influence with the Indians were well exemplified about a year ago. It will be remembered that at about that time the Kaws and Cheyennes had a misunderstanding that resulted in a small war, causing the settlers who lived near the scene of their operations no little alarm. Soon after active hostilities were commenced, Mr. Stanley visited the two tribes and induced them to suspend operations, and finally effected a compromise that resulted in peace, which has remained unbroken up to the present. At that time the Cheyennes were not very friendly to the whites, but he visited them alone, and it seems had sufficient influence to stay their bloody proceedings.
James Stanley was a resident of Kansas, and connected with the Shawnee mission school, in Johnson County, near the Missouri State line, about twenty-five years ago. He afterwards resided in Iowa, and removed to Kansas again some ten years since. He was superintendent of the mission school several years, and has always taken a lively interest in the education and advancement of the Indians.
The brothers are both practical men, of sound, clear views, strict followers of the Friend=s faith, and with the experience to fit them in an eminent degree for their respective positions. If all of the President=s Indian appointments are as wisely made, we may expect a grand reform in the management of affairs in that department. Lawrence Tribune.
Since the above was put in type, we see it stated that the nomination of friend Stanley as Agent of the Pottawatomies was rejected in the Senate. Also, that of Mr. Newsom, Agent of the Kaws.
Emporia News, April 30, 1869.
Newman & Houghton have a set of croquet.
Emporia News, April 30, 1869.
OUR SOUTHWESTERN TRADE. We are glad to see a movement is made by some of our merchants to secure the trade of the country south and southwest of us. It is evident that persons residing in Greenwood, Butler, and other counties southwest will not come here to buy goods unless they can buy them cheaper than they are offered at home. Staple articles can be bought in Emporia today as cheap as they can be bought at the river towns, taking into account freight and time, and the consequence is that we are getting a large southern trade. One firm in town sold several large bills of goods this week to persons residing in Wichita and on the Little Arkansas River. We are glad that we have merchants who are not satisfied with the local trade of the country, but are reaching out to draw in the trade from the country for sixty and seventy-five miles around. . . .
Emporia News, May 7, 1869.
The Adjutant General has gone west to arrange for placing a force of scouts in the field, under the law of last winter, so soon as the necessity for such force shall demonstrate itself. It is the design of the Governor to employ State troops only when absolutely necessary, and to draw as lightly as possible on the fund entrusted to his discretion. Topeka Commonwealth.
Our new Adjutant General is doing good service for a man who only gets a salary of $12 per annum. A mistake was made by the enrolling clerk, and instead of getting $1,200, he gets but $12 for 1869. He is the cheapest State functionary we ever had, and is doing his duties well.
Emporia News, May 7, 1869.
ROW AT HAYS CITY.
Hays City is one of the hardest towns on the Afootstool.@ The last disgraceful row occurred there on the 3rd inst. The trouble was between the citizens and some Negro soldiers belonging to the 38th Infantry stationed at the Fort. The Topeka Commonwealth thinks the affray had its origin in the remembrance of some wrongs perpetrated by the citizens on the soldiers not long since. The soldiers were the aggressors in this row. We learn the following particulars from a special dispatch to the Commonwealth.
A
It appears that the Negroes came over from the Fort for the express purpose of burning the town, and openly avowed the same in different saloons in town. The row commenced about 5:15 and was kept up some thirty minutes. Sharp firing on both sides; as many as 500 shots were fired. The first man shot was a soldier of M troop, Seventh Cavalry, who was shot through the head and arm; and it thought dangerously wounded. James Curry, citizen, shot through the cheek and arm. Another citizen shot through the arm, and two others slightly wounded. Adjutant General Moorhouse, who happened to be here, applied to Gen. Miles, commanding officer at Fort Hays, for a guard to protect the town, which was promptly furnished. Joe. Weiss, Deputy United States Marshal, was shot in the thigh. Everything was quiet at last accounts.@Emporia News, May 7, 1869.
INTERESTING INDIAN NEWS.
CHICAGO, May 3. The following military dispatch was received at Lieut. Gen. Sheridan=s headquarters today. Gen. Grierson writing from Camp Wichita, Wichita Mountains, April 10th, reports the unconditional surrender at that place of 109 lodges of Arapahos, and the only part of a tribe still out is under Feathered Bear, or Spotted Wolf. He proceeds to say, March 31st: I reported the arrival of these Cheyennes on the 29th, and their statement that the whole tribe was coming in, the leading band under Little Robe, expecting to arrive here in six or eight days from that time. On the 7th inst., Red Moon, one of the principal men of Little Robe=s band, arrived here with eighteen other Cheyennes, stating that these men who left here on the 31st had reached their band, and the latter had moved this way and encamped on Stinking Creek. They remained overnight and went out on the 8th to request the chief and head men of the band to come and see me. They came yesterday, a party of 25. Little Robe, Bald Eagle, Red Moon, Grey Eyes, and Dead White Log, being the best known. They expressed a desire to cease all hostilities and go upon their reservations, their willingness to come in and join the Arapahos, and with their consent move with them to their reservation and remain there until the terms of their surrender shall be made known to them by the department commander. I granted them protection in the meanwhile. This band numbers 67 lodges, and their camp is at the head of Coche Creek.
The 20th inst. is the time now set for the Arapahos to start for Camp Supply. A band of Cheyennes, numbering 400, will start soon. Food is scarce with the Indians, and these bands will have to be supplied temporarily with subsistence.
Writing under date of March 29th, from Fort Sully, Gen. D. S. Stanley, after recounting the murder of a soldier at Fort Randall, says that what has been done to make peace with the Sioux as a nation is an entire failure. The Indians are just as far from peace today as they were two years ago. They boasted while at this place of having killed white men this winter over on the Platte and stealing horses. I believe there are war parties out now to depredate on the line of the Pacific Railroad. Their hostility may run on in the same way, without showing itself only by an occasional murder, though I fear it may develop in a worse form, in the way of heavy attacks on the frontier. Unfortunately for the ideas of our peace advocates, these Indians say they do not want peace; that the whites are afraid of them, which is the reason that we send so much for them to eat; that they will make us leave this country, and stop boats on the Missouri River. The portion of the Sioux that were friendly two years ago have continued so, and are friendly today. They have gained none in numbers, and all reports to the contrary that have been circulated through the country and asserted at Washington are false.
Emporia News, May 7, 1869.
THE OSAGE LANDS.
At last we are out of the woods. Congress has nobly come to our relief by the passage of a joint resolution directing the Secretary of the Interior to allow pre-emption rights upon all lands in Neosho and Labette Counties settled upon prior to the filing of the railroad plats, and the withdrawal of the odd sections for railroad purposes. This privilege extends to both odd and even sections.
Payment for the same is to be made in two equal annual instalments; the first payment to be made in one year from date of sale, and interest to be paid on the deferred payment at the rate of five percent, per annum. It is to be sold in legal subdivisions, not to exceed 160 acres, at the rate of $1.25 per acre. The even sections, amounting in Labette County to 1,459 quarters, are to be sold to persons who are actual settlers at the date of sale, at the same rates. This allows all the intervening time between now and the date of sale, probably two or three months, for settlers to go upon those sections and occupy them, to prove up when the sale is ordered, and to raise a crop before the first payment of sixty-two and a half cents per acre is due.
These lands comprise the finest and most fertile in the State. Enterprise and capital will flow in upon us, and before one year from this time Labette County will number ten thousand inhabitants.
We learn directly from Col. Goss, Commissioner of the Neosho Valley railroad, that the railroad sections not claimed under the provisions of the bill, will without doubt be appraised early in the summer, at reasonable rates, and offered to the settlers on easy terms.
We desired and labored for the same terms on odd and even sections up to the present time; but Congress took the ground that the railroad had secured vested rights which could not be set aside. Though we have not got all we desired, we have secured so much more than we had hoped for that we cannot feel too grateful toward those who have been mainly instrumental in securing it.
One clause in the bill provides that all disputes and contests as to the rights of the settler shall be decided by the Register of Lands, at the Land Office in the district where the land is situated, and the person entitled to such purchase by such decision shall receive from the Register a certificate to that effect.
We advertise for five thousand settlers. Chetopa Advance.
Emporia News, May 7, 1869.
PERSONALCOUR STAGE LINE.
During the past week we have received calls from Mr. Henry Tisdale (known among the drivers and agents as the Aold man@), proprietor of the Lawrence and Emporia stage line, and Hank Lowe, agent. Neither of these gentlemen admire, to any alarming extent, what we have been saying about the line in the past few numbers of our paper. They think our jokes rather serious. Well, we did not suppose they would like them much, and in all respect to them, it was not a matter of much concern to us whether they liked them or not.
Both these gentlemen inform us that the line is to be fitted up in better styleCall of which the traveling public will be glad to hear. Mr. Lowe has come among us to reside as agent. He will immediately commence the erection of a large barn here to accommodate the wants of the company. So soon as the proper arrangements can be made, the line is to be stocked up and a four-horse coach run from here to Burlingame. This company has long needed an active agent here. Mr. Lowe is an old hand at the business and he assures us that nothing will be left undone to make this one of the best stage lines in the state. We notice that the stages and teams have lately been much better than a few weeks ago. Mr. Tisdale has just purchased, at St.. Louis, some forty head of horses for his Kansas lines, and will soon bring on thirty more.
We wish to say that our thrusts at this company were not dictated out of any ill will at all to Mr. Tisdale. On the contrary we have always befriended him in every way in our power, have made excuses for his poor accommodations, and desired his prosperity. We have no feelings of a malicious nature toward him. We wish him and all his interests prosperity. We want a good stage lineCone that will come something near accommodating the public interests not only of this point but this whole section of country. This we must have. We want Mr. Tisdale to give it to us if he can. If he can=t, let him Aclear the track,@ for we are bound to have it. In pursuing the course we have condemned he has lost a large share of the trade he might have had, because so wretched have been the accommodations a good share of the time that no man would ride with him more than once if there was any possible way of avoiding it. If he fixes up the line as he now promises to, we will venture the assertion that he will do twice the business he has been doing. And when that time comes, he will not find us growling; but on the contrary, doing all we can to assist him.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
THE A., T. & S. F. R. R. COMING! FIFTEEN MILES COMPLETED! A SURVEY TO THE WALNUT IMMEDIATELY! THE BONDS OF LYON COUNTY ASKED FOR!
THE QUESTION SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE!
Col. C. K. Holliday and D. L. Lakin visited this place on Wednesday for the purpose of asking a submission to the people of Lyon County of the question of voting bonds to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, a meeting of the Commissioners having been called for that purpose on that day. After a discussion of the matter between these two gentlemen on behalf of the railroad company, and the Commissioners and several citizens, it was agreed to submit the question of taking stock in the road to the amount of $200,000 on the 15th of June next, upon the conditions published below.
Col. Holliday informs us that fifteen miles of the road are now completed and the cars running.
A survey is to be made at once from here to the Walnut, it being necessary to file the plat of the route at Washington. The road will run up the Cottonwood at least as far as South fork.
This road is now on a financial basis which insures its success. All doubt of its being built is removed. By the conditions on which the company procured a portion of the Pottawatomie lands, the road has to be completed between Atchison and Topeka by a certain time, thus making it necessary for work to be prosecuted on that end of the route while the road is being built between here and Burlingame. This is the reason why the company ask until the 1st day of October, 1870, to complete the road to this point. While this time is asked for to cover all unlooked-for delays, it is really expected the road will be built to Emporia several months before that time expires.
There will be four issues of the paper between now and the time of voting on this question, and we expect to give our readers, from week to week, the reasons why we support this proposition. In supporting it we shall only be actuated by a desire to benefit the county and every farmer, mechanic, and businessman in it.
We understand that a thorough canvass of the county will be made by several speakers. In the meantime we ask our readers to give the question that calm consideration which its great importance demands. Let the matter be thoroughly discussed pro and con.
Below is the proposition as submitted by the Commissioners. It is safe and there is no room for a swindle. No road, no bonds, is the motto of the Commissioners.
JUST BELOW ARTICLE ABOVE, THEY PRINTED THE AELECTION PROCLAMATION@ GIVEN OUT BY SHERIFF=S OFFICE....election to be held on Tuesday, June 15, 1869...A. R. Bancroft, Sheriff of Lyon Co.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
THE NINETEENTH KANSAS REGIMENT. Lieut. Col. W. C. Jones, an estimable officer, was, on the first day of May, at Topeka, presented with a valuable gold watch by his brother officers of the Nineteenth cavalry, as a small token of regard, a dinner and complimentary speeches being the concomitants of the presentation.
Col. W. C. Jones was a general favorite in his regiment, and spared no pains in rendering his battalion efficient, while at the same time he had a due regard for the comfort of his men. We understand that Capt. Payne and Lieut. Steele, both of company AH,@ had also watches presented to them by members of the same troop. Leavenworth Bulletin.
We are glad of this because Col. Jones was one of our brave soldiers during the rebellion, and is one of the finest young men in the State.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
WHOLESALE HORSE STEALING.
Thursday night, a week ago, a party of horse-thieves stole from the neighborhood of Fall River, four miles southwest of Humboldt, eighty-five head of horses, thirty of which belonged to White Hair, an Indian chief, and other Indians. Five of these horse thieves were in Ottawa two weeks ago. They had with them a large iron-gray horse and a mare. About one hundred people have turned out with the view of hunting down and capturing these horse thieves, if possible. It is said that the band consists of about twenty men, who have thus so suddenly made a descent upon this settlement. Mr. J. S. Leese, of Fall River, who is one of the party looking out for the thieves, was in our city yesterday. It is to be hoped the scoundrels may be captured and the horses returned. Lawrence Republican Journal.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
A correspondent of the Topeka Record, writing from Hays, under date of May 9th, says: AThe Indians imprisoned at Fort Hays made a desperate effort to escape this afternoon. One of the sergeants was stabbed, and upon the moment they rushed to the entrance in a body. The guard fired into them, killing two of the chiefs lately captured by Custer, and two squaws. Town quiet since the Negro riot.@
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD FINISHED.
The last rail of the Pacific railroad was laid on the 10th. Thus the greatest enterprise of the age was completed. A dispatch from Promontory, Utah, of that date gives the following particulars of the ceremony.
About 8 o=clock this morning a party of officers of the Union Pacific, including Durant, Deller, Duff, Gen. Dodge, and a number of Mormon officials arrived from the east. They met Gov. Stanford and other officers of the Central Pacific, who were awaiting their arrival to proceed with the ceremony of laying the last rail.
The day was clear and bright, and about one thousand persons, including the employees of both roads, were present. A number of ladies were also able to witness the ceremony. Arrangements were made with telegraph officials to connect wires with the east as far as New York, and west with San Francisco, where each stroke of the hammer on the last spike would ring a bell in the City Hall, and the final blow discharge a battery of artillery in San Francisco bay.
Precisely at noon a prayer was offered up by the Rev. Mr. Todd, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; then the golden spike which had been presented to the officers of both roads by Dr. Harkness on the part of California, and N. A. Firth, on the part of Nevada, was driven by Gov. Stanford, of the Central Pacific, and Durant, Dillon, and Duff, of the Union Pacific, amid the cheers of the entire party.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
Max. Fawcett informs us that there are no maple seeds this year in our forests.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
E. H. Coats has built an addition to his residence, set out a number of trees, and otherwise added to the appearance and value of his property on Exchange street.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
Mr. Houghton=s new business house, next door south of Wright=s hardware store, is nearly completed, and will soon be occupied by McMillan & Fox. It will be one of the largest business rooms in the place.
Emporia News, May 14, 1869.
[Legal entries...E. P. Bancroft.]
H. B. Norton to John Dickinson, quit claim for s w 9 20 12.
W. K. Boggs to H. B. Norton, warranty deed for n h of s e of s w 4 19 11.
S. B. Smith to A. A. Newman, warranty deed w h n w 6 29 11,]
C. R. Sipes to P. M. Foote, warranty deed, lots 22 24 26 28 Rural street, Emporia.
Emporia News, May 21, 1869.
Hank Lowe, of the Southern Kansas Stage Company, is getting the materials on the ground preparatory to putting up a building on Commercial street, between 6th and 7th avenues. The building is to be 20 x 24, two stories high. Mr. Lowe is also putting up a barn, 25 x 30 feet, on 6th avenue, to be used by the stage company.
Emporia News, May 21, 1869.
NORTON=S REAL ESTATE BULLETIN. The first number of this paper has been placed upon our table. It is issued by H. E. Norton, Real Estate Agent at Emporia. [No mention as to whether he is related to Norton brothers.]
Emporia News, May 28, 1869.
[Brief history of Emporia taken from H. E. Norton=s Real Estate Bulletin.]
Emporia was founded in the year 1857 by a company of pioneer, who then had the pick of all Southern Kansas. The Normal School was located here in 1863. The courthouse and other important buildings were erected in 1865. [SKIPPED REST.]
Emporia News, May 28, 1869.
DIED. Near Emporia, Wednesday, May 26, 1869, of consumption, Anna, wife of Dr.
H. D. Kellogg, of El Dorado, Kansas.
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
CHEAP GATE.
Mr. A. Walton, of this county, one of our most intelligent and successful farmers, says the Lawrence Tribune, sends us the following plan for construction of a cheap gateCa desideratum on every farm. Mr. Walton says he has used this gate a year or more and considers it one of the best, for the cost, that can be devised.
Take three fencing boards, run them through the mortice in a common bar post, nail two pieces on each side, let them extend sufficiently below the lower board to almost touch the ground, so that when you shove your gate it will slide upon them; the same at the other end, leaving enough of your boards to enter the mortice, and you have it. No cost for hinges, no trouble about the wind, no getting out of repairs. If you wish to go out with a horse, you can open it sufficient to let you out; if with a wagon, open wider. The best of it is, its cheapnessC$1.50 for pine lumber, one pound of nails, and one hour=s work.
[Could this be Amos Walton???]
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
THE NEUTRAL LANDS. The Lawrence Journal of the 26th ult. called upon the Governor to call out troops to quell the troubles in Cherokee County. The Governor some days ago anticipated this call. The State has no mounted forces, and if it had, it would be impolitic to call them out. It might make the troubles of a greater magnitude than they now are. Some days ago the Governor called on Gen. Schofield for regular troops to go on to the neutral lands for the purpose of restraining and if necessary punishing the misguided men who are taking the law into their own hands. Gen. Schofield endorsed the application and forwarded it to Gen. Sheridan, who is known to be in favor of the movement. The authority for the United States rests alone with the President. The application we presume will be promptly responded to by him. Commonwealth.
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
The following items in relation to the Indian troubles on the frontier we take from the Topeka Commonwealth.
We have seen a letter from a citizen of Washington, Washington County, dated the 24th inst., in which it is stated that two days before six men were out on White Rock Creek buffalo hunting, when they were attacked by Indians, and four of their number killed, the remainder escaping. This is said to have occurred some twenty-five miles above the camp of the Excelsior colony on White Rock. The members of the colony are very much and doubtless very justly alarmed.
From another letter from a citizen of Cloud County, of the same date, we make the following extract, which doubtless refers to the same occurrence.
A
Information has just been received here of Indian depredations on White Rock Creek, in Jewell County. As some buffalo hunters, seven in number, were out on Friday, May 21st, while four were engaged in skinning the buffalo, they were suddenly surprised by Indians; when they retreated, or attempted to. The three who were left in camp, seeing the fight, came down to the settlement, some seven miles, and reported their comrades dead. They made an alarm, and a large party of settlers have gone to bury the dead, and investigate the whole affair.A
The foregoing I think is reliable. The Indians committing the depredations are supposed to be the Platte River Sioux, and perhaps some others. They were armed with revolvers, bows and arrows, and spears. The party attacking is estimated to have numbered thirty or forty, with a great many others back in sight. Quite a number are out on the buffalo grounds; among them I understand, three females. Great anxiety is felt for all the hunters, as they comprise some of our best farmers, who are thus endeavoring to secure their meat for summer.@On Friday evening the track of the Kansas Pacific was torn up at Fossil Creek, twenty miles east of Hays, and two section hands killed. The eastward bound train did not reach this point until about nine o=clock last night, being detained, we presume, by this occurrence.
We have before mentioned the dash into Sheridan, and the driving off of stock.
At the present writing, the Waterville dispatch, which gave an account of a reported fight between Swedes and Indians, in which four of the former were killed, lacks confirmation. It may be true, and the story may have grown out of the affair first above referred to.
It is likely that the New York colony, on White Rock, or a portion of them, will be organized into a militia company, and supplied with arms and ammunition. It is certainly to be hoped that they will be able to maintain themselves in their present position.
Two companies of mounted militia are being organized to patrol the border. It is thought these will be sufficient to scout the exposed frontier, and to give such timely notice of approaching danger that the settlers may be prepared to defend themselves. If the number shall prove insufficient, it is likely that it will be increased. Gen. Schofield has sent a company of cavalry to the Solomon Valley, and will send another to scout the country in the direction of the Arkansas, until the militia can be made ready to take their places.
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
About twenty white persons have been killed by the Indians in western Kansas during the past week. The murders have been committed by roving bands of Indians. No large bodies of Indians have been heard of, and the massacres have been the result of guerrilla fighting rather than of a general Indian war. The scene of their operations has extended from the Republican and Solomon Rivers to the end of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. The settlements in that part of the State are scattered and very much exposed. Gen. Schofield has only a small number of troops at his disposal, but is making the best use he can of them. Gov. Harvey has organized two companies of scouts, for which Gen. Schofield will furnish the arms. There are now in the field four United States surveying parties, all without military protection. Two of these are north of Fort Hays, one between Fort Hays and Larned, and one sixty miles west of Hays. This is the most exposed part of our State, and fears are felt for the safety of the surveyors.
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
Judge W. R. Brown, editor of the Chase County Banner, was in town a day or two this week on business connected with that paper.
Emporia News, June 4, 1869.
NEW BUSINESS HOUSE. Messrs. Newman & Houghton have secured a lot on the corner of Mechanics street and Sixth avenue, just east of Gilmore & Hirth=s furniture rooms, and will put up immediately a business house, 26 x 70 feet, two stories high, to be built of brick with iron and glass front, and to be in all respects a first class business house. Business has heretofore been confined almost exclusively to Commercial street, but lots are held at such high figures that men are forced to branch off on the avenues where property is cheaper. We learn that another firm contemplates putting up a business house in the vicinity of this contemplated building.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
[From Chase County Banner correspondent...a trip to Butler County.]
A
At court we had the pleasure of meeting Reuben Riggs of Marion County, I. S. Haskell of Omaha, and A. Gillett of Emporia, W. T. Galliher and D. M. Bronson of El Dorado.....@Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
[From Times and Conservative correspondent...at Augusta.]
A
Ten miles below this place is Douglasville, another town just starting up on Lower Walnut, and bids fair to make a large place at no distant period. It is on or near the great Texas cattle trail. Mr. Douglas has a store there, and doing a fine business. He is a smart, energetic man, and bound to make money. To merchants, we say come this way with your goods, where you will find quick sales and realize large profits.@Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
THE INDIAN WAR.
Notwithstanding the announcement of Generals Sheridan and Custer a few weeks ago that the Indian war was ended, it is now raging on our northwestern border with renewed ferocity. It is a little strange that our border cannot be protected by the Government. The Indians have been treated in a way to make them more bold and impudent than ever. We are not in the habit of crying Ablood,@ but it does seem to us that the only plan to stop the Indian depredations at this stage of their warfare is Awar to the knife.@ They will respect no other treatment. It is of no benefit now to talk about what might have been done years ago to prevent the present trouble. The Government, it seems to us, ought to wake to the realization that it has a merciless Indian war on its hands which is not going to be stopped by boys= play, or prattling of peace. Everybody knows that the only way to get peace from a treacherous Indian, is to whip him into it. The sooner the Government commences to act on this principle, the better for all parties. Our settlers have been and are being murdered by the score in the northwest. Something must be done at once to stop these outrages. Governor Harvey is doing all in his power. He is comparatively helpless, as the Government will neither furnish him troops or permit him to raise regiments in Kansas. It looks now as though the people of Kansas must take the matter in their own hands and defend their own homes. Indeed, considerable numbers are already on the Awar path.@ If that foolish and do-nothing policy which characterized the Government in the first stages of the recent rebellion, and which has so far characterized its treatment of these Indian difficulties is continued, nothing can check the indignation of the people of our border, and there will be some precious (?) Indian blood spilt. Sympathy for the redskins is worn threadbare in Kansas.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
THE INDIAN NEWS.
Another Bloody MassacreCImportant Details of Indian Outrages.
A dispatch received last evening from Waterville states that an attack had been made upon the settlers on the Republican by a large body of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Kiowa Indians. The settlers were driven across the river. Seventeen settlers who had recently come into the country were killedCamong them a Mr. Winkefiel, late a prominent citizen of Atchison. The larger number of these were killed while crossing the river.
Topeka Commonwealth, June 6.
Geo. W. Crowther, of the Irving Recorder, writes the following particulars of late Indian murders to Governor Harvey, dated Waterville June 2nd.
A
The reports of Indian massacre and pillage I find upon examination have not been exaggerated. In fact, they have committed more depredations than have been reported.A
Representative Smith, of Marshall County, has just arrived from the country west of the Solomon. He was one of the party of ten that went out for the purpose of hunting and looking up locations. On last Saturday evening about four o=clock five of the party, while hunting near the forks of the Solomon, were set upon by about 100 Sioux and Cheyennes; the party were separated, and they took to the brush, eluding the Indians until dark, at which time they singly struck for the settlements. Four of them, after being chased two days, and suffering untold hardships for the want of food, water, and sleep, have arrivedCthe most terribly dilapidated mortals I have ever seen. The fifth man, John Wilson, Smith says, was headed by the Indians and was compelled to run through their camp; since then nothing has been seen or heard of him. It is thought he was tomahawked in the camp.A
Six of a hunting party of seven from this place were massacred at the mouth of White Rock. They made a gallant fight of two days duration, but their ammunition giving out, they fell easy victims to the merciless tomahawk. The following are the names of those killed belonging to the Waterville party: R. Wendlefleck, E. Wendlefleck, and two persons named Cole, just from Michigan. It is truly heart-rending to learn that those killed are not the only sufferers. Mr. Burke, well known, I believe, to your Excellency, leaves a family consisting of a wife and eight childrenCall girls, in all but destitute circumstances. Mr. Wendlefleck, a much honored citizen of this place, leaves a family of a wife and six children, who were entirely dependent upon him for their daily bread.A
Four citizens of Rose Creek, Nebraska, near the Kansas line, were at the head of White Rock, in this State, looking up farms, and were ruthlessly set upon by the savages, on Thursday last, and brutally murdered and mutilated. Two Swede farmers were massacred on Thursday, on White Rock.A
Mr. Pillsbury, of Smith=s party, in his wanderings, found the body of a Dr. Rose, on the Solomon, terribly mutilated. It is feared that the remainder of a party of four, of which he was the head, are murdered, as they have not been heard from.A
Mr. Smith says that he knows of seven squads of hunters, averaging five to the squad, who were about twenty miles west of him when he was attacked, and it is fear that, owing to the fact that they have not been heard from, they have fallen victims to the scalping knife.A
Mr. Smith stopped at Lake Sibley, where Capt. B. C. Saunders, who commanded a company of the Indian militia last year, was very busily employed organizing the settlers who had flocked there for protection.A
. . . Mr. Smith intends raising an independent company of men, and calculates to go up on White Rock to protect the settlers. [He left with his command yesterday. ED.]A
The Excelsior Colony have deserted their locations, and are scattered all along the Republican, from Scandinavia to Lake Sibley.A
Mr. Smith says that the Indians who attacked his party wore broad brimmed hats, and were armed with new Colt=s revolvers.@From Capt. Brunswick, of Junction City, who arrived in the city yesterday, we have learned the names of the parties who were murdered by the Indians on Spillman=s Creek, ten miles from Ellsworth. Mr. Brunswick saw the bodies on Saturday last. He says they presented the most shocking sight he ver beheld or conceived of. The brains of the children were beaten out and their teeth driven into their mouths. The bodies of the adults were mangled, bruised, and tortured. The names of the killed were A. C. Lovington and wife, Mrs. Alderdyce and four children aged respectively eight, five, and two years, and a babe of seven months; Christopher Peterson, John Wetzel, and Hermann Mayhoff. George Smietz and Wm. Alderdyce were wounded. Topeka Commonwealth.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
Prof. Norton=s brick residence northeast of town is rapidly approaching completion.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
John Fawcett is putting up a large stone addition to his house, on his farm, just northeast of the village. [Brother or father to Max Fawcett???]
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
James H. Pheanis, who resides on his farm on the Cottonwood, four miles southwest of town, has just completed a large two-story frame residence. He has also finished up his old house so that he now has one of the nicest farm houses in this part of the valley. We learn that he has enclosed a large tract of land with post and board fence and made other improvements. [They show APheanis@...???]
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
Newman & Houghton have received direct from New York a choice assortment of fine brown and bleached muslinsC[?can=t read first word?], lawns, nansooks, and jaconets. Also, a large assortment of ladies= hose, gloves, corsets, hoop-skirts, damask piano and table covers, marsailes and star quilts, lace curtains, oil carpetings, etc., which they are selling at extremely low prices.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869.
At a meeting of the Emporia 1st Congregational Church June 3, 1869, Rev. M. S. Croswell resigned the pastorate as he was going to San Francisco. H. B. NORTON, Clerk.
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
THE BOND QUESTION CARRIED...Over 300 majority for the Railroad.
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
The question of extending the time of issuing bonds to the A. T. & S. F. railroad was carried in Osage County by over three hundred majority. Now the work will go rapidly forward!
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
We see that General Sheridan has gone West again to look at the situation. This time he goes on the railroad, and will doubtless have an easier time than he had last year. We hope he will again be entirely successful in obtaining a Apermanent peace.@
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
While one of our Senators is gadding about the country slandering his constituents, and making insincere professions about reforms, for the purpose of covering up his own corruptions, the other is at Washington trying to do something for his constituents which are being murdered by the score on the border.
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
THE INDIAN NEWS.
A special dispatch to the Conservative from Ellsworth, dated June 14th, gives the latest and the only Indian news of the week.
The Indians are again at their murderous work, this time about thirty-five miles north of Solomon City.
Two men are reported killed. A party of men followed the Indians, but on discovering a large force in reserve, did not attack.
Gov. Harvey arrived at Salina yesterday afternoon, on a special locomotive, and this morning left for the scene of the outrages.
A quantity of arms were received at Solomon City and Salina this afternoon, for the protection of the settlers.
A force of armed men left Salina yesterday, and another detachment today. Captain Whitney leaves here tomorrow morning, by direction of Adjutant General Moorehouse, for Spillman Creek with his company of scouts. Most of the settlers are armed and on their guard.
The President has directed Gens. Sheridan and Schofield to send troops to protect settlers all along the Kansas frontier.
On the 12th Senator Ross had another interview with General Sherman, and asked that troops might be concentrated more rapidly in Western Kansas, for the protection of the white settlers from the incursions and depredations of Indians.
General Sherman said that the proper military force was already moving in the territory of the depredations. Should the present military force on the frontier be inadequate to quell promptly the existing difficulties with the Indians, authority will be conferred upon General Schofield to raise volunteers for this purpose, and secure peace and tranquility to the border.
Orders will be issued to Gens. Sheridan and Schofield to treat all the Indians off of the four great reservations as hostile, and to proceed against them accordingly, with a view to the protection of the citizens of Kansas and elsewhere on the frontier.
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
RECAP: A very derisive article was printed re Senator Pomeroy.]
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
WICHITA. This is now a lively point. A gentleman who was there last week informs us that in four days 10,000 head of cattle crossed the Arkansas River at that point. They were driven through on the new trail from Wichita to Ft. Cobb, known as the Chism trail.
[Gather AChism@ means Chisholm.]
Emporia News, June 18, 1869.
RECAP: Butler County...Walnut River flooded. Died: P. P. Johnson and family, who lived four miles above El Dorado on the west branch of the Walnut. Their herder, Mr. Bishop managed to get into a tree and saved himself.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
THE OSAGE LAND SWINDLE.
THE WHOLE STORY TOLD.
POSITION OF POMEROY, ROSS, AND CLARKE.
THE WAY THE SETTLERS WERE APROTECTED.@
LAWRENCE, June 12th, 1869.
EDITORS TIMES AND CONSERVATIVE:
In response to your invitation for more light upon Atreaties and land gobblers,@ I thought it might be interesting to your numerous readers to know something about the Osage Treaty, its inception, its progress, its prospects; who intended to make a big pile, who intended to make a small one, who got mad because they could not get their share, and why this scramble among them killed the whole scheme.
This whole scheme originated in the fertile brain of Major Henning, who was at that time in the interest of the Sturges family, of Chicago; by him presented to Wm. Sturges, who at once saw in it an immense sum to be realized from a very small investment. He first satisfied himself that Major Snow, the agent of the Osage Indians, would cooperate with him (Sturges) in procuring for the Osage Indians a new home. This done, Mr. Sturges starts for Washington and submits his scheme to Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., who, after settling upon a fee so generous as to cover the contingency of a former partnership with Secretary Browning, gave his opinion to the Secretary and Mr. Taylor, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, that the best thing that could be done with the Osage Indians would be to procure for them a new and smaller reservation, and allow them to sell their present one.
Secretary Browning readily consented because he had great confidence in Gen. Ewing=s knowledge of the wants and wishes of the Indians in Kansas, the disinterestedness of his opinion and correctness of his judgment. But Commissioner Taylor had less confidence in Gen. Ewing=s judgment, and interposed objections to the whole thing. To use Sturges= own words, Athe Commissioner became satisfied on being told that he could have twelve sections of the land as soon as surveyed, of his own selection, if he would go himself as the head of the Commission and make the treaty.@
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Mr. Taylor, went as the head of the Commission, and made the celebrated Osage Treaty. While these things were going on, Mr. Pomeroy was talked to frequently in general terms about the treaty. His language in reply was like the fabled Aspider to the fly.@ He was waiting to see when the interests of the Indians and Government could be best served, then he proposed to aid.
Ross was appealed to in behalf of the Galveston Railroad, and made to believe its success depended entirely upon the success of this scheme. With its success, our city would become the city of the West, and he THE MAN. So he was and is enthusiastic.
Mr. Sidney Clarke was not talked to or noticed in the preliminary arrangement. But he was on the lookout. Put himself in their way, and talked much about and in opposition to AIndian treaties@ and Aland gobbles.@ Still no notice was taken of him. He talked loud, but elicited no reply. Under these circumstances, Mr. Clarke called a council of his chosen few, when the whole matter was discussed in all its phases. The unanimous conclusion of Mr. Clarke and his friends was that it was a Abig steal@; that he must do something to get in or prevent its consummation. They finally concluded Mr. Clarke should write a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and should state that Aunless the rights of the settlers upon the Osage lands were protected, he should oppose the treaty if they should make one.@
He wrote the letter, but they took no notice of that.
Mr. Taylor, with the commission, left Washington for the Osage braves, to provide for them new homes and make a good bargain for Mr. Sturges in the purchase of 8,000,000 acres of land, under the name of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad. While he was making that treaty, Gen. C. W. Blair, as President of another railroad, made an offer of 40 cents per acre for that portion of the land that had not been settled upon. But that was not the scheme. The Indians were made to agree to take 20 cents per acre. The treaty completed, the commission hurried back to Washington with the intention of rushing the treaty through the Senate and completing the job at once.
They supposed the only obstacle in the way was Mr. Clarke. Robinson, Kalloch, Sears, Sturges, and Morrow were closeted with some others to see how Clarke could be opposed. Gen. Ewing had told them that Clarke must be hushed up if it cost 100,000 acres.
In this dilemma they dispatched Robert Morrow to find J. F. Legate of your city, to see if it were not possible for his ingenuity to suggest some plan by which Mr. Clarke could be opposed and his support obtained for the treaty. Morrow reported that Legate had seen Clarke, and if they wanted Clarke, they would have to pay him $20,000 in U. S. bonds and give him assurance of getting 25,000 acres of land. Thinking it was not improbable that Legate might desire to make something and those were above Clarke=s figures, Gov. Robinson sought and obtained an interview with Clarke upon the understanding that their conversation should be upon that subject only. Upon his return he reported that those were Mr. Clarke=s terms, and unless Sturges complied, he would fight the treaty. But he added one more condition. That Sturges with his friends must support Clarke for re-election. This negotiation was continued so long that it became almost public talk among Kansas men then in Washington. Failing to agree with Mr. Clarke they agreed to disagree, and Afight it out on that line.@ The next step was to rush it through the Senate, Mr. Clarke to the contrary notwithstanding.
They had been so busy with Clarke that they had forgotten to Atalk-business@ with Pomeroy, and he was not ready; besides, he had the Pottawatomie treaty on his hands, on the ratification of which his brother-in-law would become possessed of 115,000 acres of the most desirable land in Kansas. So the Osage treaty went over till last session of Congress. It transpired last session that the treaty was so amended that the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad would have 3,000,000 acres of the Osage land. Pomeroy=s brother-in-law owning that, was to sell the land at an advance of eight cents per acreCthus netting the snug sum of $240,000 in greenbacks for Mr. Pomeroy=s services in ratifying the treaty.
That, what would have been done and what was desired by the ratification of the Osage treaty was about as follows:
Sturges would make $2,500,000; Thomas Ewing, Jr., $250,000 (probably divide with Browning); Taylor, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, $25,000; Pomeroy=s brother-in-law, $240,000; Sidney Clarke wanted at least $50,000 in land and bonds.
The above is a fair synopsis of the history of the Osage treaty. It will show how honest our public men areChow much credit is due Clarke for watching the interests of the settlers on the Osage landsChow necessary it is that Pomeroy should mingle in religious meetingsChow the Government and Indians are both robbed, and how easy it is for thieves to get rich by an Indian treaty when the Senate of the United States will give away the same.
FIFTY-SIX.
[Kay...reference at the last about Pomeroy...religious meetings...refers to Masonic meeting at which he spouted off and the Emporia Editor ridiculed him for it.]
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
A TRIP TO COWLEY COUNTY. [Item printed on front page.]
From El Dorado we traveled down the valley of the Walnut, on what is known as the ATwenty Mile Strip.@ Two years ago this section of country was considered beyond the pale of civilization, with but here and there a trading post; now there is a house on nearly every quarter section along the valleys, and substantial improvements seen on every side; this, too, regardless of the dilatory and equivocal action of Congress in regard to these lands. The powers that be should pave the way and invite immigration to the public domain; and not by inactivity and procrastination retard it. The public lands appear to be stock in trade of Representatives in Congress, which by a system of political legerdemain is shuffled, cut, and dealt out to sons-in-laws, corporations, and themselves.
Remove the Osage IndiansCanxious and waiting to be removedCand throw their lands open to settlement and in a very few years, and not only the twenty mile strip but all of what is now in Cowley County would be one of the foremost agricultural and stock-raising districts in the State, and mineral deposits now smuggled would be developed.
At the junction of the Walnut and Whitewater is situated the town of Augusta. Messrs. James & Shamlefler have a good store at this point and are apparently doing a good business. The town is pleasantly situated, a central point of trade, and we predict the nucleus of a county seat for a new county, some day to be formed. We formed several pleasant acquaintances at this place, among them that of Mr. Eaton, who has a large herd of sheep en route from Illinois. Mr. Eaton has one of the best libraries we have seen in the StateC
a large one recently erected. We enjoyed those pleasant etceteras which cheers the weary traveler.
Douglass is situated at the mouth of the Little Walnut, some ten miles from Augusta, on what is called the ACattle Trail,@Cthe route over which the Texas cattle are drivenCbut as emigration is fast filling the country with domestic stock, it is thought that another trail will be opened this season further down the river, probably crossing near the mouth of Dutch Creek.
Some thirty miles of travel brought us to Dutch Creek; we passed through a beautiful valley varying from two to six miles in width, with the Walnut belted with timber meandering through it. We crossed Mud, Rock, and Little Dutch Creeks, all streams of considerable size, with wide bottoms and heavy bodies of timber. Dutch Creek, which forms a junction with the Walnut in the very heart of Cowley County, is a stream of considerable size and heavily timbered. At this point is situated the embryo town of Lagonda, where there is a store opened with every prospect of doing a good business; settlers are fast taking claims, and we learned that over a hundred are now taken between the twenty mile strip and the mouth of the Walnut. Chase County Banner.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
Mr. A. D. Richardson, writing from Omaha, gives the following bit of history:
A
In the early rush to California, a poor boy named Charles Crocker, crossed the Missouri with an ox team, at this point, on his toilsome overland journey to the new gold regions. Last FridayCnineteen years afterward to a dayChe arrived here on his first return visit to his old Eastern home. He came accompanied by his family, in his own special car, for he is now Superintendent of the Central Pacific railroad, and every mile of it has been built under his supervision. He may well feel an honorable pride in the great work with which he has been so closely identified. His party were four days from Sacramento to Omaha, and on arriving here delighted us with blooming flowers, and feasted us upon strawberries, oranges, and luscious cherries from California, brought upon Alaska ice, 1,800 miles, through the green valleys of the Pacific slope, and through the lingering snow drifts of the Rocky Mountains. It seemed like a story from the Arabian Nights.@Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
THE OSAGE LAND SWINDLE. [Editorial]
On the outside of this paper may be found an article from a citizen of Lawrence signing himself AFifty-six,@ giving a somewhat detailed history of the Osage Treaty; its inception, progress,Cwho was to make a big haul out of it, etc. This matter is and has been attracting considerable attention among the people, who desire to know the course of the politicians in connection with it, and so we give the article in full. We think we know who the author is, and if we are correct in this, the article comes from a source to command respect and confidence. At any rate, it coincides with versions of the management of the great Osage swindle, which come to us from different sources. As this Treaty was at last fixed up toward the close of the last session of Congress, we desired its ratification because it so distributed the land as to secure the building of three railroads through the tract of land to be treated for, which would have done much for the development of southwestern Kansas, and because it gave to the school fund its proportion of the land, and reserved to the settlers on the land at the time of the ratification of the treaty their farms at $1.25 per acre. But we must now say that if the statements made by Fifty-six are anywhere near true, we are glad the Treaty was defeated.
The charges made against our Congressional delegation are of a most serious nature. We can only say so far as the action of Senator Pomeroy was concerned, we believe the statements made in this article correct because they are verified by the statements of a dozen men who spent the winter at Washington, and because his corrupt action in matters of this kind has been Aopen and notorious@ since his re-election to the Senate.
So far as Mr. Clarke is concerned, we only know that the charges in the article have been frequently made and are not denied. We may say, also, that we never had a particle of confidence in his loud professions for the Ainterests of the settlers.@ We are too well acquainted with his course in support of other treaty swindles less glaring but no less outrageous, to be fed on such Asoft corn@ as that. Of the three members of our delegation the motives attributed to Mr. Ross are far more honorable than to the other two.
To sum the matter up, we think the people of Kansas should get rid of these three gentlemen as fast as opportunity offers, and try somebody else. Laying aside all charges of corruption, none of them are men of such towering abilities, nor have they done service in the party to entitle them to further honors from the people of Kansas.
Let the people read and inquire into the charges made by AFifty-six@ for themselves.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
[From the Leavenworth Conservative.]
THE SALINE MASSACRE.
THE ALDERDICE FAMILY, STATEMENT FROM FIRST HANDS.
We received a call yesterday from Mr. Thomas Alderdice, who residesCor did reside, before his family was murdered and property destroyed by the IndiansCon the Saline River, about one and a half miles below the mouth of Spillman Creek. His home was 33 miles from Salina and 24 miles from EllsworthCthe latter being the nearest town to which he lived.
On Sunday, the 30th day of last May, as Mr. Alderdice was returning from Salina, and when about three miles from his home, he heard that a band of Indians had been into the settlement and murdered a large number of people and destroyed considerable property. On arriving at his home he found it deserted, and was almost paralyzed with grief at finding one of his children, six years of age, dead on the ground with four bullets in his body, and another of his dead, shot with five arrows. A third child had five arrow wounds in his body, one entering his back to the depth of five inches. The wounded one is now lying at Mr. Zeigler=s house on Saline River, alive and doing well. Mrs. Alderdice and her babe, aged eight months, were carried away captives by the Indians.
It seems that the IndiansCwho are supposed to have been members of the Dog Soldier band of CheyennesCcame upon the settlement about an hour before dark. They divided into bands of from five to seven, and made simultaneous attacks in different localities.
Mr. Weitzel, a farmer, who lived about two miles from Mr. Alderdice=s house, was murdered, together with a comrade, and Mrs. Weitzel was carried off by the savages, in company with the wife of our informant. The Weitzels were from Hanover, and had only been in this country about two months.
A Danish man and wife were murdered on Spillman Creek, about seven miles from the mouth.
A silversmith from Chicago, named Peterson, had his head mashed with his own axe, and was shot through the heart with an arrow. They tried to burn his house, but were frustrated in all their attempts to destroy it.
A young man named Harrison Strange, about fifteen years old, was shot through the head with an arrow, and his head mashed with a war club, which was found beside his body, broken in two.
A boy named Smoots, about thirteen years old, was shot through the body, and no hopes of his recovery are entertained, as the dart of an arrow is supposed to be still sticking in his lungs.
The house of Thomas Noon was attacked and the assailants driven off by three Swedes, two of the Indians being wounded.
The house of William Hendrickson was saved by the heroism of two womenCMrs. Hendrickson and Mrs. Green, who fired on the savages several times, and finally drove them away.
When the Indians were after young Smotts, a boy aged twelve, and another aged nine, started to the rescue, the elder carrying a gun and the younger the ammunition. They kept the murderers away and prevented them from killing Smoots outright.
Thirteen persons in all were killed, and all the movable property in the settlement destroyed or carried away.
Mr. Alderdice came to Kansas about six years ago and has been living out where his family was murdered, for some time past. We wish some of the philanthropists in the East who talk about civilizing the Indians could have heard this unfortunate and almost heart-broken man tell his story. We think they would at least have wavered a little their opinion of the Lo family.
Mr. Alderdice is here to make his complaints in person to the military, and see if any assistance can be rendered him in looking for his wife and child. He has scouted the country for a considerable distance around the scenes of the outrages and gives it as his opinion that the savages have not left this section of the country, but are still prowling around in bands of from four to eight.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
PARTICULARS OF THE LATE INDIAN FIGHT.
Sunday morning we gave the fact that a party of Cheyenne Indians had attacked Col. Greenwood=s party of surveyors, and that four Indians had been killed. We yesterday received further particulars of the fight. Our information from Sheridan is that Col. Greenwood=s surveying party, who are engaged in surveying the route of the railroad (Kansas Pacific) from Sheridan to Denver City, were attacked Saturday morning, about fifteen miles west of Sheridan, by a party of some fifty Cheyennes. The attack of the Indians was sudden and unexpected, but the surveyors being well armed, succeeded in killing four, wounding several others, and compelling the rest to seek safety in a precipitate retreat. In Col. Greenwood=s party were two brothers named Schuyler, both of whom were wounded. One of the brothers received three balls in the thigh, and his condition is regarded as critical. The other brother was shot in the foot, and his wound is regarded as slight. The brother who was so badly hurt had his horse shot from under him, the animal receiving four balls. The other Schuyler was at one time so close to the Indians that he put his gun close to the side of a savage and shot him dead, at the same time receiving several slight lance wounds himself. Persons on the mail train going West, Friday, report having seen some forty or fifty Indians about twenty miles west of Hays City.
Still another account comes to us from the West, that Howard and James Schuyler had a hand to hand fight with the Indians as above stated; that James Schuyler was badly wounded in the thigh, but not dangerously. His brother, Howard, was some twenty miles in advance of the party of surveyors, when he was set upon by the red devils, with whom he had a running fight, until he met the party of surveyors, of which he was one. He succeeded in killing four of the Indians himself in his runCfiring only eight shots, and escaped with a slight wound. His horse received four wounds during the chase. One ball passed through the stock of his carbine. It was in this chase the Indians pressed him so closely that he put his gun to the Indian=s side and killed him. James Schuyler has been taken to Sheridan and is receiving every care and attention.
The race for life of Mr. Howard Schuyler is thrilling, and would furnish an excellent chapter to the writer of romance or of daring adventure. Alone upon the broad prairie, twenty miles from any civilized human being, he finds himself attacked by about fifty yelling, bloodthirsty red demons, and with a courage and presence of mind which cannot but inspire the reader with admiration for him, he resolves to sell his life as dearly as possible, if all avenues of escape are not cut off. But fortune favors the brave. Turning his horse, he dashes for the camp of his friends. Yelling and howling follow his insatiate enemies, fifty to one. Onward dashes the bold rider, and as each Indian approaches him, a well directed shot brings him to the earth. The race is kept up until he reaches his companions, and he is saved after having killed four of the pursuing fiends, when his horse sinks under him, exhausted and pierced with four bullets.
The same party of Indians that made the attack above described, stampeded a wagon train on Saturday evening, eight miles west of Sheridan. They succeeded in capturing two mules and wounded a teamster. They lost a pony. Five of the miscreants approached the outskirts of Sheridan, but did no damage.
It seems from the above facts that the Cheyennes are well supplied with firearms, and also with ammunition. We should decidedly favor the plan of sending powder and bal to the savages, from a well directed rifle, to that of issuing it to them as annuities or presents. It would teach them a wholesome lesson, and be far more effective than Amoral suasion.@
Republican Journal.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
The Sac & Trust lands were opened to settlement on the 14th of last October . Since that time four hundred filings have been made upon them in the Register=s office at Topeka. There is still some land left in the Reserve. Settlers can obtain certificates for patents to these lands after a residence of six months on them subsequent to the dates of their filings, and paying at the rate of $1.50 per acre. The Diminished Reserve, which is yet occupied by the Indians, will probably be vacated by them next fall. Upon the relinquishment of the title to it by the Indians, it will be subject to settlement. Commonwealth.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
Mr. C. L. Roff, of Cook County, Texas, is the pioneer of drovers for this season. He arrived last Wednesday with a drove of 800 head, and has them now pastured south of town, beyond the settlements. Three or four other droves following close after, will be in soon. It is estimated that between ten and fifteen thousand head of Texas cattle are already on this side of the Wichita, on their way to this or some other contiguous point on the Kansas Pacific railway for a shipping market. Salina Herald.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
The Horse Fair.
LEAVENWORTH, June 21. The National Horse Fair will open here tomorrow. Among the horses already here or on the way are Tackey, Henry, Dixie, Billy Boyce, Wyandotte Chief, Black Warrior, Newry, Chickamauga, Kansas, Gen. Custer=s thoroughbred, Blind Billy, Frank Mann=s Fenian Boy, and Jack Morrow. Other famous horses are expected here from Kentucky, Michigan, and the Western States.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
Kaws and gooseberries are plenty in town.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
BALLOON ASCENSION. We are informed that arrangements have been made to send up a large balloon on the evening of the celebrationCJuly 3rd. The balloon has been ordered.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
George Soule, of Eagle Creek, started to St. Joseph on Monday with a drove of 300 beef cattle. They were in first-rate condition and will command a good price in the Chicago market.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
CATTLE RAISING PROFITABLE.
W. M. Mitchell of West Creek, Greenwood County, bought about the 1st of December, 1867, seventy-six head of cattle, paying for them and a few tons of hay, fourteen hundred dollars. He now has about one hundred head, and up to this time, June, 1869, has sold enough to pay the original cost. All this has been made in less than two years. Who will say that cattle raising in Kansas does not pay? And, he has not fed one bushel of grain. Why not raise cattle on the high prairie, corn or no corn? C. R. R.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
RECAP: Program for July 4th at Emporia. L. B. Kellogg to give ADeclaration of Independence,@ Col. P. B. Plumb to give an oration.