Quivira Notes

Quivira Chapter , SFTA

Author Sandy Barnard Relates the Story of

Major Joel Elliott at Presentation In Lyons

July 2012 Don’t

Forget!

Next meeting

Saturday

July 21st

Program: 10:00am

VanCoevern’s

Barn & Shed

4773 N.

Wasserman Way,

Salina, KS

For Lunch Reser-

vations, Contact

Joanne

by July 14th

785-825-8349

Or email:

Manager

@santafetrail.org

Author Sandy Barnard spoke to 64 members of the Quivira Chapter, Rice

County Historical Society and members of the Elliott family on April 23rd.

The program was almost an Elliott family reunion since nearly half the

audience were related to Joel Elliott in some way. Prior to the meeting, a

reception was held and several Elliott family members brought memora-

bilia from the family.

Sandy relayed the story of Joel Elliott, from his beginnings as a Quaker

in Indiana to through his Army career as a Major in the infamous 7th

Cavalry. Major Elliott fought and died in November 1868 at the Battle of

the Washita while serving with the 7th U.S. Cavalry under the command

of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Cus-

ter. Much of the story is in Bar-

nard’s current book, published in

2010, is A Hoosier Quaker Goes to

War, The Life & Death of Major

Joel H. Elliott, 7th Cavalry. Cop-

ies of the book were available for

sale and autographed by the au-

thor. Joe Harkins, who attended

from McPherson, won a copy of

the book in the drawing spon-

sored by the Quivira Chapter.

Barnard is well-known for his re-

search and writing on the Battle

of the Little Big Horn, the career

of Lt. Col. George Armstrong

Custer, and the men of the 7th

U.S. Cavalry who served with

him or followed him.

An interesting side note to the Joel Elliott story is the Rice County connec-

tion with the Elliott family. Joel’s brother, mother and sisters moved to

Rice County after Joel’s death. Many members of the family are buried in

the Sterling cemetery, including Joel Elliott’s mother.

Many thanks to Maurine Hall and Maggie Carlson for helping with the

reception food, drink and supplies, and to the Rice County Historical Soci-

ety for providing the meeting room at the Celebration Centre.

Membership Information

Annual Membership in the

Quivira Chapter:

Individual or Family: $10 /yr

Annual Membership in the

SFTA:

Individual: $25/yr

Family: $30 /yr

For more information:

Call 620-241-8719 or

Email blkcolle@swbell.net

Join us on Facebook!

Quivira Chapter of the Santa Fe

Trail Association

QUIVIRA NOTES PAGE 2

Quivira March 5th Meeting Highlights

Submitted By Mary Jo Cunningham

The March 5 evening Quivira Chapter meeting at the Hutchinson Library featured Kevin Hiebert

with a presentation Bison: The Mercantile on the Plains. He began by saying the bison of the earlier

days were quite different than today. In a Texas museum these prehistoric mammals are shown with

a horn spread of up to eight foot. He demonstrated an Indian Addle used for hunting. It had a motion

similar to an overhand pitch of a baseball with the insertion of an "arrow" in a ball and socket type

joint from which it was thrust. The arrow point could be replaced with a new one if need be. Buffalo

jumps or cliffs from which the buffalo leaped when crowded by the Indians were another common way

to kill the animal. Brush enclosures in box canyons were also used.

He then explained the hide and butch-

ering process of the buffalo by the Indi-

ans. He had original and reproduction

tools used for the task. Women proc-

essed the hides after the choice pieces

of meat such as liver, tongue and

roasts were cared for. A discussion of

the hide followed. He showed many ar-

ticles it was used for and told how it

was prepared. He told of a demonstra-

tion how strong a piece of hide would

be in a shield. One hide cut circular

into narrow strips could result in a 150

foot rope. He had several types of con-

tainers made from the bison.

Much trade centered on the buffalo such as by the Wichita tribe. A large Spanish Trade Fair was held

in 1768. A riding horse might be worth eight hides and a string of bear claws worth five hides. In 1822

at Ft. Pierce, 1400 buffalo tongues would trade for several gallons of whiskey.

An average Indian woman could process 18 to 20 hides a season. By 1840, 15,000 robes traded annu-

ally at Bent's Fort. Here they would use the press in the center of the fort to package 10 robes per bale.

The robe caravan would leave in April for their six month trade trip. Hiebert said as late as 1872 two

carloads of buffalo tongues were sent East from Dodge. In 1875 regular buffalo meat was worth 51/2

cents a pound with tongues worth $2.50 per pound.

Quivira Chapter Election Results

The Quivira Chapter held the 2012 elections at the March 5th meeting. The 2012 elected officers and

board members are:

President Linda Colle Rice Co. Director #1 Pat Hall

Vice Pres./Sec. Lorna Nelson Rice Co. Director #2 Janel Cook

Treasurer Maurine Hall McPherson Co. Director #1 Britt Colle

McPherson Co. Director #2 John Martin

Barton Co. Director #1 Robert Button

Barton Co Director #2 Robert Yarmer

QUIVIRA NOTES PAGE 3

Crossing the Plains, the Journal of Harriett Bidwell Shaw– Part 2 From the Kansas State Historical Society, Kansas Memory Collection http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209694

Harriett Bidwell Shaw started a journal in September 18,1851, when she and her husband, Reverend James Milton

Shaw traveled in a wagon train via the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico. Harriett was the only woman to accompany the

wagon train. She documented their daily activities, the weather conditions, hardships on the trail, encounters with

Indians, and buffalo hunting. When the Shaws passed through Kansas they stayed at Shawnee Baptist Mission,

Council Grove, and Pawnee Rock and stopped near Fort Mackey on the Arkansas river. They reached Santa Fe on

November 14, 1851, where the journal ends. The Shaws eventually went to Albuquerque and then Socorro to establish

Baptist missions among the Spanish people. In sum, Shaw’s journal presents a remarkable picture of the difficulties

and rewards of travel to the American West prior to the American Civil War.

NOTE: During the transcription of the diary, some parts were unreadable and are indicated by [xxxxxx] or noted.

Spelling has been left as it was in the original diary.

_______________

The previous newsletter covers the trip from Sept 18th—October 13th

Oct 14th This morning discovered several soldiers tents about a mile from us – They were out from

the ft. getting in hay for winter – had we discovered them the night before, we should have taken

them for Indian. We started about 7 o'clock, drove about 8 miles & reached the Fort, usually called

by travelers Ft. Mackey, but has different names as Ft. Mann, Ft. Arkansas. Here we met [xxxx]

[xxxxxx] & wife in camping with the mail & sent letters with them to our friends – We saw them but a

few moments as the mail was just leaving as we came up – We staid at the ft. about 8 hours waiting

for the train to unload corn which they had brought for the [xxxxx]. The commanding officer invited

us to stay & take dinner with him & I very much wished to, but the train was just starting so we de-

clined – but regretted afterward that we did not accept as the train went only about a mile & stopped

for dinner - while there met another train – Ft. Mackey is only a few lone houses – a store and a pole

with the American flag – [xxxxx] a [xxxxx] looking place – but we were glad to see any thing in shape

of habitations. It is soon to be removed to the mouth of Pawnee fork – towards night went about a

mile farther & camped – very pleasant & warm

Oct 15th Started about 7 o'clock & in about 6 or 7 miles [xxxxx] to Maj Carlton’s camp – his troops

about 50 in number patrol the road back & forth from Ft. Macky to Ft. Union about 70 miles this side

of Santa Fe – for protection against Indians – depredations – we halted awhile & soon some of the

troops came up with 2 buffaloes which they had killed & which they gave us a bountiful piece of steak

– went about 2 miles & dined on buffalo, tomatoes & a few potatoes which we had left – about 8

o'clock went on – road winding along the Arkansas – plenty of prickly pear growing wild by the side of

the road – went about 8 miles & came to the lower crossing of the Arkansas – intending to [xx]

immediately – but the mule team tried it & sank so deep in the sands – part of the mules stopping &

kicking – that they were obliged to put on 2 or 3 yoke of oxen & draw them out again – the train all

went down to the river & I held the mules on the top of the hill while M went down to find a place for

the night as the train concluded not to cross till morning as it was then nearly dark – soon we also

went down to the river side & camped & had a good nights rest. Indeed I think I could have slept any

where – even rolled in a blanket on the ground like the rest – M turned his mules out to feed with the

cattle before tying them for the night & while he was gone to get them again – I caught a mule which

I supposed to be ours & tied to the carriage – it was so dark that I could not see very well but M soon

came with both his mules & concluded he would not keep the mule * had hooked – it was very much

the color of one of ours—

PAGE 4 QUIVIRA NOTES

Crossing the Plains, the Journal of Harriett Bidwell Shaw - Part 2, continued

Oct 16th This morning got up – pounded my buffalo steak & prepared breakfast & prepared to cross

the dread Arkansas – The first team that went in was not loaded & went through safely – but all the

others with 12 & 13 yoke of oxen apiece got stuck in the sand more or less – the mule team with 2

yoke of oxen & one [xxxx] of mules went through – the water was not more than a foot deep in the

deepest place but the bottom was quicksand which was constantly moving some of the men that

waded through to drive the teams sand in nearly up to their bodies – train offered us two yoke of

oxen to put before out mules, but M was afraid they might break the carriage & thought our mules

could take us through – he rode over first on a mule to find the best place – then we tried it & had got

more than half was across when we came to the current of the river & a sand bank just covered over

with water on the other side of it. Mules tugged & pulled but could get no foothold on this sand

[xxxx] & the more they tried the deeper we sank – it seemed as though the carriage was going side-

ways down stream with a noise like going over stones – although we were not moving at all only

sinking in the sand up to the hubs of wheels. M had pulled off his boots & socks & rolled up his pant

before starting that if necessary he could jump out - & when we could get no farther he [xxxxx] out on

the sand bar – water just above his ankles though he soon sank in sand nearly up to his knees – but

‘twas of no avail – mules could not stir the carriage at all although they pulled so hard that they

broke an [xxxx] – the train saw our predicament & soon 2 men came to our assistance, told M to get

in & drive & they would lift on the hind wheels & soon we got out & went across without farther dif-

ficulty. I know there was not much danger of upsetting – still it seemed rather odd to be in the mid-

dle of the Arkansas & not able to move – the only trouble in crossing this river is the quicksand bot-

tom, if teams stop a moment it sinks so deep in the sand that it is difficult to get out – but we had

good gentle mules & at half past twelve were all safely across – sometimes it take a train 2 or 3 days

to cross – especially when the river is high – went about 4 or 5 miles & camped [written above: “good

grass”] – warm day--

Oct 17th Worked until 3 o'clock before we started cattle to be [xxxxxxx] & preparations [above the

word “started”: “One of the Germans quite sick—“] to be made for crossing the Tornado (pronounced

Hornatha – is a Spanish word signifying a journey) 60 miles where there is neither wood, water or

grass – We cooked the rest of our buffalo meat to eat cold, made bread – bread we made of flour

[xxxxx] & yeast powder – sometimes obliged to [xxxx] water from holes where all animals went to

drink & which was not always the most agreeable – train killed another buffalo here & gave us the

tongue & a piece of liver – the tongue is excellent – at 8 o'clock we were ready to start again – went

on up the Arkansas a few miles – then left it & commenced our journey across the Tornado – went

about 6 miles and met a train belonging to the same man as ours here we camped as wagon master

wanted to exchange some poor cattle for better ones – he went back to the Arkansas with the train

we met – which consisted of 32 wagons – a battle was here fought between the Mexicans & Texians --

--

Oct 18th Got our breakfast & started about 7 o'clock – Wagon master overtook us [xxxx] noon with

the cattle – stopped a few minutes to eat a lunch & went on but after awhile discovered a black object

at some distance behind us – [xxxxx] the telescope discovered it to be a man – [xxxx] him lie down &

throw up his arms as if in great distress – drove on immediately to the train who were some distance

ahead of us & found the sick German was missing – he had got out of the wagon in which he rode

when the train stopped & they not knowing it had left him – We drove back immediately – not think-

ing of danger when a fellow being was in danger of perishing - & found him on the ground so faint &

sick that he had scarcely strength enough to get into the carriage – (We went back about 8 miles for

him) – I gave him camphor & cologne & he began to revive – It was enough to bring tears to see him

PAGE 5 QUIVIRA NOTES

Crossing the Plains, the Journal of Harriett Bidwell Shaw - Part 2, continued

as soon as he could speak – try to express his gratitude – “Me brother ”Yaos” was about all the Eng-

lish he could say – meaning that his brother who is a wealthy merchant of Taos would reward us –

but we had our reward in saving him for he would inevitably have perished had we not discovered &

gone back for him – We drove as fast as we could & overtook the train which had stopped for refresh-

ments – about 4 o'clock – we shared ours with the sick man – about 6 o'clock went on & drove till mid-

night then let cattle lie down in their yokes & rested only 4 hours – the only night that I did not un-

dress & go to bed as I would at home – had some headache – did not rest much –

Oct 19th Warmed some coffee & started at 4 o'clock – a bitter cold morning – No Sundays on the

plains – as we were obliged to travel when the train does – at one o'clock reached Sand creek the ter-

mination of this dreary Tornado - & glad were we as well as our animals to find water & grass again –

Just before reaching it discovered an Indian by side of our train – he was telling them by signs that a

party of them were coming to camp at that creek & we soon saw them coming in all directions with

their camp poles fastened to the sides of their horses & dragging behind them – they belonged to the

Kiowa tribe & had just returned from making a treaty with the whites – They had their women &

children along so we did not fear them much. Their treaties are worth nothing as they will break

them soon as they get a change – It was quite a curiosity to see them put up their tents – they first

tied 3 poles together at the top & set them up – then put up the rest & wound buffalo skins around

them. They wore deer skin pants & blankets or buffalo skins – some of them had buffalo hair fas-

tened to theirs till it reached their feet & ornaments of tin fastened on it. Some had large brass rings

around their arms – shells around their necks [xxx] – While

[scanning may have left off some of right side of page]

getting our dinner my red sisters came to pay me a visit – seated themselves on the ground & seemed

to regard me as a great curiosity – they cannot divine how an American lady can make her skin so

white – one old Indian came to shake hands with me & made a great parade over my hand – turned it

over & looked at & whined like a child – probably he wished to own it – The squaws seemed very

much pleased that I noticed their children. One of the little ones was afraid of me at which they all

laughed heartily – after we had eaten [not sure if there’s a small word on right side of page] gave

them bread & buffalo meat – also a piece of cheese which they all tasted but could not make out what

it was – one noble looking boy of about 10 years - nearly naked – came up with his bow & arrows – I

made signs for him to shoot & away went the arrow almost out of sight on the other side of the creek

& he after it – seemed much pleased to show me his dexterity in shooting – we had to watch every

thing – I caught an Indian with a very friendly look trying to steal our hatchet out of the carriage – so

I got in as sentinel – one of them wished to exchange a buffalo robe for a tin pan but we thought not

best to trade with them – some of their children were entirely naked – most of them took dinner with

the train – they were very anxious for me to go with them & I would have visited their camp on the

other side of the creek if M could have gone with me – but we could not both leave the carriage - & I

dared not go alone -- We did not intent to go farther that night but did not care to camp so near

neighbors – so about 6 o'clock went on & in about half mile train broke a wheel & we were obliged to

camp, but were not molested – only one Indian came to us & he wanted to see the Captain. [above

line: “”slept well”]

Oct 20th Started about 6 o'clock – ate a cold bite on the road reached the [inserted above: “river”]

Cimarron in the county of Comanche about ½ past 11 – where M shot a nice fat duck which made us

an excellent meal – camped for the remainder of the day -----

PAGE 6 QUIVIRA NOTES

Crossing the Plains, the Journal of Harriett Bidwell Shaw - Part 2, continued

Oct 21st Learned from the guard that a white man on horseback visited the camp about 4 o'clock this

morning – rode around the camp & went off but soon came again – guard called out “who’s there” & he

answered “a friend” – made some inquiries about the Arkansas [xxx] & went [xxx] as fast as his horse

would carry him – We surmised from his dress that he might have been a soldier who had deserted –

but none [xxxxx] [xxxxx] he was or where from – Started soon after day break & had gone only a few

miles when we saw some object far distant on the plains took our telescope & found it to be a fine

horse – one of the men immediately went off in pursuit but after going 6 or 8 miles gave it up & came

back – said it was a noble horse with a piece of rope around his [written above: “but he could not catch

him”] neck & had probably strayed from some train – went 10 miles & stopped for dinner about 4

o'clock went on a few miles father & camped – but did not rest very well –

Oct 22nd Got breakfast & started about 7 – after going 9 or 10 miles discovered several black objects

in the distance &

[rest of page and next page is too light to read clearly]

Oct 25th This morning M fount that during the night the wolves had [the rest of this page is too light

to read]

2 miles & stopped again near Cold spring – almost impatient at our [xxxxx] stoppings – troops camped

at the spring & were just leaving as we came up [rest of page difficult to read]

Oct 31st Started about 7 - in about a mile & a half came to a little pond of water – drove out & wa-

tered mules but it was so muddy we could not drink [rest of page difficult to read]

mules to escape train – We went on 12 miles & stopped for dinner [rest of page difficult to read]

[next page too difficult to read on scanning]

[[xxx] four mile to [xxxx] creek. Mule team was ahead & we went next &had gone some distance

ahead when we saw the train turn off from the road [xxxx] they were going to camp. M called to the

mule drive [rest of page too light to read]

[xxxx] of the [xxxx] of our train though he would take a ride but [xxxxx] [xxxx] & [xxxx] kicked up &

threw him off [rest of page too light to read]

[cannot read page—this time it’s too dark]

This concludes the journal as it was transcribed.

PAGE 7 QUIVIRA NOTES

The Marker Cottonwood Is No More

Amanda K. Loughlin, Survey Coordinator from the Kansas State Historical Society, along with Tim

Weston, State Historical Preservation Archeologist and John Barry of the KSHS toured the Little Ar-

kansas complex with Britt Colle and Joe Swanson on June 29th. They are interested in certifying

sites. Among the area sites they looked at was the Little Arkansas River (Upper) Crossing and the

Lower Little Arkansas River Crossing, Bridge, and Campsite, and Joe Swanson’s ruts. They observed

the demise of the Marker Cottonwood and Amanda and John are shown in the photo of the tree above.

The Kansas Historical Society is amending & updating the current "Historic Resources of the Santa Fe

Trail, 1821-1880" multiple property nomination. This document is a thematic study of the trail for the

National Park Service under which trail-related resources (e.g., swales/ruts, crossings, buildings, DAR

markers) are nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.

KSHS Tours Local Sites to Identify Certification Opportunities

The Marker Cottonwood, the well know landmark near the Little Arkansas Crossing in Rice County

has met it’s demise. The fallen tree was viewed by Britt Colle during a tour with representatives of the

Kansas State Historical Society on June 29th. According to Joe Swanson, he discovered that the tree

had fallen earlier this year. The tree marked the Upper Little Arkansas River Crossing on the Santa

Fe Trail and was well know to all local Trail buffs. The trail made a quarter turn around this large

cottonwood as it approached the riverbank. This "rut" is still visible. The marker cottonwood was most

impressive because of its large size. The tree measured 24 feet 5 inches in circumference at the one

foot level and was 27 feet 8 inches around higher up. The Marker Cottonwood was rumored to have

been a guide for travelers, marking the best crossing point for the Little Arkansas River.

Market Cottonwood on June 29, 2012. Inset: Marker Cottonwood approximately 8 years ago

PAGE 8 QUIVIRA NOTES

Boy Scouts Take On Santa Fe Trail as Eagle Scout Projects

Two Boy Scouts are taking on installation of the Quivira Chapter Auto Tour signs as Eagle Scout

projects. Joseph Jumonville will install the signs from McPherson east to the county line. Jaxon Ju-

monville will replace the signs west of McPherson which have been damaged due to road construction

and farming activities. The GPS location for each sign will be documented during the project. Once

these projects are done, the Quivira Chapter Auto Tour will be complete!

McPherson Museum Proposed Site for SFTA Kiosk Project

Joanne and Greg VanCoevern, Linda Colle and Britt Colle, Steve Schmidt and John and Barbara At-

kinson met with Museum Director, Carla Barber, at the building site of the new McPherson County

Museum to discuss the potential of incorporating the SFNHT Kiosk into their site plan. Four proposed

sites were discussed. All agreed the best option is between a present house on the site and the new

museum entrance. This area had been set aside as a meditation garden and the group felt the three

Kiosk signs could be added in this location gaining the most visibility of the four proposed sites, as well

as the best protection for the panels. This location would also mean that no shelter and/or additional

site preparation would need to be done, thus reducing greatly the cost of putting in the three panels.

The site will have excellent visibility as approximately 2,800 cars pass by the museum daily and the

site is near Interstate 135 which passes to the east of McPherson. Funding will be done through local

sources as well as SFTA marker grants. A rough estimate of funds needed to put in three panels/site

sign is approximately $6,000-$10,000.

The plan has been approved by the McPherson County Museum Board of Directors. Museum Director

Carla Barber was excited to move forward with the project. The project will attempt to locate addi-

tional partners/determine funding source and work with McPherson Museum architect to incorporate

the Kiosk into the site plan. SFTA Chapters will coordinate with NPS interpretive specialists to create

the necessary panels. The Quivira Chapter & SFTA will create a sign plan for the immediate area,

and to coordinate with present local tour signs already in place.

Draft Horse Program Set for July 21st

The next Quivira Chapter program will be held at the VanCoevern Barn and Shed just north of Sa-

lina Kansas. The history and use of draft horses will be the subject. The program starts at

10:00am.

Bring Lawn Chairs, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Drinks, etc. We will be

outdoors for the program.

The attached flyer provides the details. Please note that a lunch is planned - delicious Brookville

chicken at $11.00 per person. Reservations for lunch are required by July 14th. Call or email

Joanne VanCoevern to make your reservation at manager@santafetrail.org or 785-825-8349.

BUT REMEMBER, IF YOU MAKE A RESERVATION FOR LUNCH AND DO NOT

ATTEND, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE MEAL.

President Linda Colle

724 Penn Drive

McPherson, KS 67460

QUIVIRA CHAPTER, SFTA

Next meeting

Saturday, July 21st

Program: 10:00am

VanCoevern’s Barn & Shed

4773 N. Wasserman Way

Salina, KS

Reservations Required for Lunch