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CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Bloody Year on the Plains (Continued).
445
Headquarters Removed From Denver to Julesburg- Colonel Moonlight Places Additional Troops on the Telegraph Line-District Inspectors Appointed-Commanders of the Different Posts-Indians Attack Rock Ridge and Sweetwater Stations-Attack and Burning of St. Mary's Station-Affair at Platte Bridge-Trouble at Sage Creek, Pine Grove and Bridger Pass Stations-Second Attack on Sage Creek Station -The Stage Company Refuses to Run Coaches-Soldiers Mutiny-So-Called Friendly Indians Mutiny-Colonel Moon- light's Troubles-General Connor Getting Ready For a Cam- paign on Powder River-Troops Delayed By Bad Roads- Additional Troubles on the Telegraph Line and the Stage Route Across Laramie Plains-Niobrara and Montana Wagon Road.
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Bloody Year on the Plains (Continued).
The Massacre at Platte Bridge-Lieutenant Caspar W. Collins Goes Out to Insure the Safety of a Wagon Train and Is Killed Together With Eight of His Men and Seven More Wounded-Twenty-One Men Belonging to the Wagon Train Are All Killed But Three-Three Thousand Indians Threaten Platte Bridge-How Fort Caspar Received Its Name-Able Letter on the Indian Question by Major General John Pope-Indian Affairs Discussed by the Author-Mis- takes Made by the Government in the Management of the Indians-General Connor Is Given a New Command-General Wheaton Assumes Command of the District of Nebraska,
.469
Contents.
xvii
PAGE.
With Headquarters at Fort Laramie-Reduction of the Army on the Plains-Its Effect on the Savages-The Much Talked of Peace Conference to be Held at Fort Laramie, May, 1866.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Bloody Year on the Plains (Continued). .491
Troops Operating Against Savages-Divided Into Small Detachments-Red Men Have Things Their Own Way-In- dian Affairs and the Indian Question-The Powder River Campaign Discussed and Determined by Generals Pope, Dodge and Connor-General Connor Issues His Instructions to Colonel Cole and Makes Known His Plan of Campaign- Departure of the Expedition-Captain George F. Price Left in Command at Fort Laramie-Pope Abolishes the District of the Plains-Assigns Connor to the District of Utah-General F. Wheaton Assigned to the District of Nebraska With Head- quarters at Fort Laramie-Indian Depredations on the Tele- graph and Mail Line After General Connor's Departure For Powder River.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Report of the Powder River Expedition.
505
Captain Palmer's Dairy-The Army of Invasion Starts North-Crossing the Platte at LaBonta's Ranch-Incidents by the Way-Building of Fort Connor-A Running Fight- Twenty-Four Indians Killed-A Skirmish-Visits Lake De Smet-Something About Jim Bridger-Battle of Tongue River-Exciting Scenes on the Field of Carnage-The March Down Tongue River-Anxiety About Colonel Cole's Com- mand-Scouring the Country For Indians-Colonel Cole Heard From and His Troops Reported to Be in a Starving Condition-He Fails to Meet General Connor at the Appoint- ed Place of Rendezvous-Return of the Various Commands to Fort Laramie.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Thrilling Events of the Bozeman Road.
541
Mountain District Organized-Colonel H. B. Carrington Assumes Command-Expedition Moves From Fort Kearney -The Peace Conference at Fort Laramie-Red Cloud's Position and Brave Words-The March to Fort Reno-The Building of the New Fort-Selecting a Site for Fort Phil. Kearney-Erection of the Post Commenced-Conference
xviii
Contents.
PAGE.
With Hostiles-First Encounter With the Savages-Attack on Train at Clear Creek-Lieutenant Daniels Killed-Fort C. F. Smith located-General Hazen Inspects the Posts-Fort Phil. Kearney Practically Completed October 31st.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Thrilling Events of the Bozeman Road (Continued). .... 560
Description of Fort Phil. Kearney-Colonel Carrington's Address and Hoisting the Flag-A Night Attack-The Gar- rison Harassed by Night and by Day-Fight of December 6th, Lieutenant Bingham and Sergeant Bowers Killed-The Fetterman Massacre-Eighty-One Brave Men Meet Death- Scenes at the Fort-Burial of the Dead-John Phillips' Daring Ride for Help-His Arrival at Fort Laramie-Reinforce- ments Go to Fort Phil. Kearney-Suffering of the Troops From the Cold on the Journey-A Review of the Causes Which Led to the Massacre.
CHAPTER XL.
Red Cloud Continues the War 1867
. 580
Government Wants Peace-Red Cloud Jubilant-Brig- adier General Wessels Takes Command of Fort Phil. Kearney -Carrington Goes to Fort McPherson-General P. St. George Cooke Romoved and General Augur Assumes Command of the Department of the Platte-Report of Congressional Com- mittee on the Fetterman Massacre-Red Cloud, With a Large Force, Hovers About Fort Phil. Kearney-Makes Preparations to Storm the Fort-Major Powell's Desperate Fight With Red Cloud-Indians Severely Beaten-Recruits His Forces From Other Tribes-Spotted Tail Punishes Deserters- Building of Fort Fetterman-Fort D. A. Russell Located.
CHAPTER XLI.
Mistaken Policy of the Government 1868 .598
Indians Continue Hostilities-Record for the Month of March-Peace Commissioners Assemble at Fort Laramie -Red Cloud Agrees to Terms But Does Not Sign-Six Hun- dred of His Warriors Dissatisfied and Withdraw-The Marauding Bands Continue the War-Forts Reno, Phil. Kearney and C. F. Smith Abandoned-Several Regiments Withdraw From the Plains-General Sheridan Points Out the Mistakes of the Peace Pollcy of the Government-Indian Troubles Renewed-Schuyler Colfax's Message to the War
xix
Contents.
PAGE.
Department-Governor Hunt of Colorado Asks for Arms- General Sherman's Reply-Generals Sheridan and Custer Take the Field-Text of the Sioux Treaty-Building of Fort Fred. Steele.
CHAPTER XLII.
The Territory of Wyoming 1868. . 621
The Building of a Railroad Necessitates a Government- The Name Wyoming and Its Origin-The First Bill in Con- gress-Dr. Hiram Latham Sent to Washington as an Agent of the People-Circular Distributed Among the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives-Bill Passes the Senate-Difficulties Encountered in the House It was Finally Passed and Signed by the President-Territorial Offi- cers Nominated by President Johnson But Not Confirmed by the Senate-Bill Delayed Until General Grant Becomes President-The Act Organizing the Territory.
CHAPTER XLIII.
South Pass Gold Discoveries 1842-1869 .636
A Georgian Makes the First Discovery in 1842-Thirteen Years Later Forty Men Arrived and Made Rich Discoveries- Next Year They Are Driven Out of the Country by United States Troops-The Attempts at Mining From 1858 to 1864- Lieutenant Brown's Discoveries-Major Baldwin Outfits Two Prospectors-Organization of the Lincoln Mining District- Discovery of Carissa in 1867-Killing of Captain Lawrence and Tony Shields by Indians-Mad Rush to South Pass in 1868-Numerous Rich Mines Discovered That Year-Attack by Indians-Building of Sawmills and Quartz Mills-Dis- coveries of 1869-More Indian Depredations-Murders of the Year-Pioneers of the Camps.
CHAPTER XLIV.
Building the Union Pacific. .675
National Surveys-Chartered by Congress-Subsidy in Lands-Government Bonds Loaned-The Road a National Necessity-Patriotic Private Citizens Furnish Money and Construct the Road-The Government Secures Great Benefits For Which It Pays Practically Nothing-Incidents in the History of Construction-Marvelous Speed of the Track Layers-A Well Organized Army of Builders-Building Across Wyoming-Bear River Riot-Close of 1868.
XX
Contents.
PAGE.
CHAPTER XLV.
Pioneers and Origin of Names.
685
August Lucius, First Government Interpreter at Fort Laramie-Sergeant Leodiger Schneider-Ward and Guerrier and Other Post Traders at Fort Laramie-James Baker- Origin of the Name of Independence Rock-Richard Wootten in Wyoming-Origin of the Name Platte River-B. F. Lowe, Henry Perri-Old Trappers and Traders-Origin of Names of Big Horn River and Mountains, Big Wind River, Wind River Range, Shoshone Range, Popo Agie Rivers, Teton Range and Peaks-Climbing the Grand Teton.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Ames, Oakes
Opposite Page 681
Amoretti, E.
656
Author, The
. Frontispiece
Baker, Jim. 689
Baker, Jim., Residence of 544
Baldwin, Major Noyes 672
Baldwin, Mrs. Noyes 672
Bonneville, Capt. B. L. E. 192
Bridger, James 192
Bridger's Ferry 368
Bucknum, C. K. 704
Cannon, George Q. 344
Carson, Kit 256
Cheney, Ervin F. 672
Connor, Maj. Gen. and Staff. .512
Connor, Maj. Gen. P. E. 512
Deer Creek Overland Stage Station .361
De Smet, Father Peter 192
Devil's Gate 264
Dickinson, Mrs. Margaret 664
Dillon, Sidney
681
Durant, Thos. C. 681
Emigrants Crossing the Platte. 336
.570
Fort Caspar
480
Fort Fetterman
320
Fort Philip Kearney
561
Fort Laramie, 1836
.304
Fort Laramie, 1871 304
Fort Laramie, 1889
.320
Fort Reno 544
Fremont, Gen. John C. 256
Fremont's Speech at Fort Laramie 256
Fremont's Peak 272
Gould, Jay
681
Hoback Canon, Entrance to 88
Fetterman Massacre, Map of Ground
xxii
Illustrations.
Opposite Page .344
Hooper, W. H.
Hyde, Orson
344
Independence Rock
264
Indian Attack on Overland Stage
480
Irwin, Dr. James
664
Kelly, H. B.
465
Kime, James
672
La Bonte Stage Station
.368
Lander, Gen. F. W.
465
Langford, Nathaniel P.
192
McAuley, Robert 649
664
Mormon Pioneers
344
Morris, Esther, at age of 50
640
Natural Bridge
112
Nickerson, Capt. H. G.
649
O'Brien, Capt. N. J.
512
Palmer, Capt. H. E.
.512
Platte Canon, Looking South
112
Platte Canon, Looking North
112
Phillips, John
465
Phillips, John, at Horse Shoe Station 592
361
Pratt, Orson
344
Ramsey, Mrs. Addie
664
Red Cloud, Chief, at age of 72
592
Richards, Lieut. A. V. 512
672
Sawyers, Col. James A.
465
Scott, Thos. A.
681
Sharp, John
.344
Spangler, Samuel L. 672
704
Taylor, John
344
Tetons, from Jackson's Lake
88
Ware, Lieut. Eugene F. 512
Wells, Mayor Daniel H. 344
Wiggins, O. P.
192
Wind River Range 272
Woodruff, J. D.
649
Woodruff, W.
344
Young, President Brigham
344
McAvoy, James A.
Pony Express Station
Ricketts, R. M.
Sun, Tom.
INTRODUCTION.
BY JUDGE J. H. HAYFORD.
Having been one of the earliest pioneers in Wyoming, the oldest journalist in the State, being intimately acquaint- ed with the author, having had free access to the advance sheets of this history during all its preparation; is my apol- ogy for accepting an invitation to write a brief introduction to this great work.
It is fortunate for the State that the task of writing its history has fallen into the hands of one so well qualified and equipped for the undertaking as C. G. Coutant. From his youth he has engaged in literary work, for many years connected with the Metropolitan Press of New York City, by which he was detailed to examine proposed railroad routes across the continent, and later he followed along the lines of the great trans-continental railways during the period of their construction. Since the year 1859 he has been familiar with all parts of the Rocky Mountain coun- try and been personally acquainted with many of the noted pioneers. The events which make up the history of Wyo- ming, have to a greater or less extent been familiar to him from his boyhood. These circumstances and his literary ex- perience have especially qualified him to write the story of Wyoming's past.
The public can never know or realize the vast amount of travel, research, experience and hard work which was necessary in going back into the misty past to gather from tradition, from early explorers, from official data contained in the War Department; as well as the investigation of per- sonal adventures of individuals, all necessary in the produc- tion of a work of this character. It was truly a Herculean
xxiv
Introduction.
task. It has been pioneer work. No history of Wyoming had ever been written. The author has felt an overwhelm- ing sense of responsibility of the task in writing a history which is to be a record, not only for this, but for coming generations. It must be accurate and in every way reliable and it is this that made the undertaking laborious and dif- ficult. This experienced writer and searcher after facts has done his work with a most scrupulous and conscientious regard to accuracy in every particular. The conclusions drawn from the facts of history are given fairly and impar- tially, without flattery on the one hand or censoriousness on the other.
The work will be found to be, not only reliable history of our State, but more intensely and thrillingly interesting than any romance of the period. The hardships, privations and hair-breadth escapes of the pioneers, the adventures of the hunters and trappers of a century ago and the Indian wars of later times are all graphically and accurately writ- ten out. The work, when completed, will be of the greatest value and of the most absorbing interest, not only to the pi- oneers and citizens generally of the State, but to coming generations and to the whole country. Let us all hope and pray that Mr. Coutant may live to complete this lasting monument to his honorable and useful labors of a lifetime.
HISTORY OF WYOMING.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
GRAND POSSIBILITIES-MINERAL WEALTH-BACKBONE OF THE CONTINENT -FOUNTAIN HEAD OF MIGHTY RIVERS-BOUNDARY OF WYOMING- NAMES OF RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS.
With beauty as rare and scenery as grand as can be found in the known world; with a wealth of mineral re- sources which will equal, if not surpass, all other geographi- cal divisions of the United States, Wyoming is found in the closing years of the 19th century possessing great possibili- ties in the way of future development. The vast storehouses filled with coal, oil, iron, copper, gold, silver and countless other minerals, await capital and enterprise to unlock the deposits and make them available for the use of man.
Side by side with the mineral wealth is to be found a soil to produce a food supply sufficient for the wants of more than two million of population. The inexhaust- ible quantity of water for irrigation insures the success of agriculture for all time to come, and hand in hand all these await the coming of those who are in search of opportunities to earn their bread in the manner set forth in the divine law governing the affairs of the children of men. As the story of Wyoming proceeds it will be seen that its people have laid a broad and solid foundation whereon to build a great and prosperous commonwealth.
Wyoming, is, so to speak, the backbone as well as the heart of the continent. From her almost inaccessible
-(2)
18
History of Wyoming.
mountains flow the headwaters which form the mighty rivers of the West. Thus our State is the fountain head of the great streams that find their way into the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Gulf of California, insuring us water wherewith to fertilize our many valleys and broad plains. Here under the very shadow of awe inspiring mountain peaks, a vast population has ample opportunity to build homes and develop farms which shall never suffer from drought but will year after year give an abundant harvest to the husbandman. Where else on this or any other con- tinent has nature bestowed so many rich blessings to be utilized by mankind? In many locations are to be found rich minerals which are in demand the world over, and as if to induce man to develop them, fuel is found in abundance for manufacturing purposes and within the same territory, rich farming lands abound. Added to all this is a cli- mate of so equitable a temperature as to make it the desir- able home of man.
In these pages I have grouped together the conditions of the wilderness at the time when white men first attempted to bring civilization into these solitudes. The story of the trapper and trader will be found full of interest and the reader will unconsciously become an admirer of the brave men who plied their vocation along our mountain streams. The more scientific man-the explorer-closely follows the trapper and trader and completes the conquest of the wild- erness. The work of these two classes forms a story of pioneer days which for all time will thrill the heart of American youth and make the history of Wyoming compare in interest with that of any other State.
This was while the savage hordes lurked in the dark defiles of our mountains and before our pioneers had freed the land from dangers seen and unseen. Before our cities, churches and school houses were built. Before our civil institutions were founded and law and order had come to rule the State! Before the great battle of civilization had been fought and won!
The opening of that great highway, the Overland trail,
19
Introductory Remarks.
across our State, is a story of all-absorbing interest, from the time (1812) when Robert Stuart and his little band lost themselves in the then unknown and unnamed interior of what is now Wyoming and wandered aimlessly through the deep snows of winter, down to the banks of the Sweet- water and followed on, only hoping and believing that they had discovered a stream which would eventually empty its waters into the Missouri. The path marked out by these wanderers became, in a few years, a great highway over which passed a restless tide of humanity numbering hun- dreds of thousands, until every mile of the way was marked with the blood of innocent children, their loving mothers and brave defenders. The march of empire west- ward brought bands of steel to bind together the two shores of a continent.
Savage men and savage beasts no longer lurk at will in our mountains or roam through our valleys. That great law of nature, "the survival of the fittest," has been applied and has done its perfect work. It will be found that what comes after is even more wonderful. The building of the railroads, the introduction of the stock business, the founding of cities and counties were all interspersed with tragedies, Indian wars and thrilling personal adventures. All these things are the foundation upon which was builded a com- monwealth having for its cornerstone equal rights for its sons and daughters. For the pioneers it was a glorious achievement, and as we look back at the record we cannot help saying that the past is safe, and when we turn to the future it is not without hope, for it naturally follows that the sons and daughters of such progenitors will hold sacred the institutions founded by their fathers. Those who pur- sue this story of the building up of a State will hardly fail to notice that the newspaper, the school house and the church played a conspicuous part in every community in pioneer days. These were the great engines of civilization and to their influence must be attributed results which have placed Wyoming in the highest rank of intelligence. But what of the future? Will the brave blood of the pioneer
20
History of Wyoming.
when assisted by the pure air of these high altitudes result in a race of men and women bordering on physical as well as intellectual giants? All we can answer is that the foundation has been laid for such a result. Time alone will answer the question.
The Wyoming of which I have written is bounded as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the twenty. seventh meridian of longitude west from Washington with the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, and running thence west to the thirty-fourth meridian of west longitude; thence south to the forty-first degree of north latitude; thence east to the twenty-seventh meridian of west longitude, and thence north to the place of the beginning.
While Wyoming is known and must forever be classed as a mountain State, it is in fact made up largely of broad plains, out of which rise mountain ranges of great beauty, and from these flow the headwaters of innumerable rivers. Commencing near the southeast corner of the State is the Laramie range which extends to the northwest, the highest point being Laramie Peak, located 84 miles in a direct line from the southern boundary of the State and 72 miles west of the eastern boundary. This range is made up of broken and detached mountain spurs which extend into vast plains on nearly all sides. West and south is the Snowy Range and further west are the Medicine Bow Mountains, a spur of the latter range; to the northwest of these is the Sweet- water Range, made up in part of Seminole and Green Mountains, and continuing northwest, is the Wind River Range, one of the main barriers of the Rocky Mountains, forming the Continental Divide. Beyond this are the Gros Ventre and Teton Ranges. To the south on the west border of the State is the Snake River Range, and south of this, the group of mountains known as the Salt River Range. Commencing again on the east line of the State and north of the Laramie range, are the Black Hills, which are properly a part of the latter, also the Powder River Range. North of the center of the State are the famous Big Horn Moun- tains, like the Wind River Range, a continuation of the main
21
Introductory Remarks.
chain of the Rocky Mountains; west of this range are the Owl Creek Mountains and to the northwest of the latter are found the Shoshone Mountains. The mountains above mentioned are divided into numerous groups which for my purpose need not be explained here.
The water courses of Wyoming are very numerous. Commencing in the southeastern portion of the State they are, the North Platte with its branches, the Big and Little Laramie and Sweetwater. These drain the southeastern portion of the State. The North Platte rises in Colorado, flow- ing generally in a northwesterly direction as far as Sage Creek, from which point it continues due north until it reaches the mouth of the Sweetwater where it takes a northeastely course around the end of Caspar Mountain, from which point it flows directly east for a distance of 50 miles and from thence takes a southeasterly course, re- ceiving the waters of the Laramie River, and passes into the State of Nebraska. The Laramie River rises in the mountains of Colorado and after reaching Wyoming flows northeast for a distance of 25 miles and then north for 50 miles; it then takes a northeasterly course for a distance of 100 miles where it empties into the North Platte River. The Little Laramie rises in the Medicine Bow Mountains, flows northeast a distance of about 30 miles where it joins the Laramie River. The Sweetwater, rising as far west as the south end of the Wind River Range, flows eastwardly about 100 miles where it empties into the North Platte. Cheyenne River is located in the eastern portion of the State, about 100 miles from the northern boundary. Its tributaries are Beaver, Black Thunder, Bear, Walker, Twenty-mile and Hat Creeks, with a dozen other smaller streams. The Belle Fourche rises northeast of the central portion of the State and flows 100 miles to the northwest where it turns abruptly to the southeast for 20 miles and here enters South Dakota. Its principal tributaries are, Beaver, Miller, Inyan Kara, Wind, Buffalo, Horse, Donkey and Iron Creeks. The Little Missouri rises in the northeast part of the State and flows in a northeasterly direction and
22
History of Wyoming.
enters Montana. Its principal tributaries are, North Fork, Prairie and Thompson Creeks. The Little Powder River rises west of the Little Missouri and flows north into Mon. tana, where it joins Powder River Its principal tributaries are Horse, Wild Cat, Buffalo Hide and Cottonwood Creeks. Powder River rises east of the Big Horn Mountains, nearly opposite their southern end, flows north about 100 miles into Montana where it becomes a tributary of the Yellow- stone. Its principal tributaries are, Clear, Crazy Woman, Nine Mile, Meadow, North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork. The Big Horn River is one of the large streams of the State. It takes its rise in the Wind River Range and flows north over 150 miles. Its principal tributaries are the Stinking Water, Grey Bull, Wind, Little Wind and Popo Agie Rivers with numerous creeks, among which the largest are Shell, No Wood, No Water, Kirby, Poison, Beaver, Owl and others. Green River takes its rise on the west side of the Wind River Range and flows in a southerly direction and passes into Utah. It is a noble stream and has numerous important tributaries, among which are the following creeks: Bitter, Big Sandy, New Fork, Lead, Horse, Marsh, White Clay, Bitter Root, Piney, Le Barge, Fontenelle, State, Ham's Fork, Pacific and Black Fork. The Snake River rises in the Yellowstone National Park, flows south into Jackson's Lake and continuing its southerly course passes out of the State through the Grand Canon at the south end of the Snake River Range. Some of its branches are Lewis River, Buffalo Fork, Elk Horn, Gros Ventre, Hoback's River and John Day's River. The Yel- lowstone River rises on the west side of the Shoshone Mountains and flows northwest into Yellowstone Lake, from which point it takes a general northwesterly course and enters Montana, having passed entirely through the Yellowstone National Park. Its tributaries are too numer- ous to mention, but not one of these in the State of Wyo- ming is large.
23
Spanish Occupation.
CHAPTER II.
SPANISH OCCUPATION.
THE CLAIMS OF THE SPANIARDS REGARDING THE NORTHWEST-WHAT DIFFERENT WRITERS SAY-WHERE DID THE WHITE BLOOD OF THE MANDANS COME FROM ?- RELICS OF IRON TOOLS FOUND IN NORTH- ERN WYOMING AND MONTANA-EVIDENCES OF MINING AND AGRICUL- CULTURE CARRIED ON PROBABLY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY- THE SUBJECT REFERRED TO FUTURE HISTORIANS.
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