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Time Traveler: Travel on the Smoky Hill Trail included clashes with Indians
In 1867, Theodore H. Davis, travel correspondent and artist for Harper's publishers, wrote an article called "Stage Ride to Colorado" for Harper's Monthly magazine.
By By: Ruth Miller
In 1867, Theodore H. Davis, travel correspondent and artist for Harper's publishers, wrote an article called "Stage Ride to Colorado" for Harper's Monthly magazine.
It was a description of the journey he made on the Butterfield Stage Line over the Smoky Hill Trail south from Atchinson, Kan., to Denver in November 1865.
One of a party of four men in a Concord coach drawn by four horses, Davis and the others were equipped with Ballard rifles, Navy revolvers, blankets, tobacco, pipes and sheath knives. The drive was 40 miles between home stations and 12-15 miles between swing stations along the route.
At the second station out of Atchison, the horses were replaced by mules to make the lengthy trip; horses would replace mules once they were close to Denver. Sleeping at night in the stagecoach was uncomfortable; breakfast at each stage stop was welcome. It usually consisted of coffee, venison, baked potatoes and corn bread - and a chance to stretch cramped muscles.
Two days after the journey began, they were in Indian country. Buffalo and their wallows were everywhere, as were Indians, so vigilance was vital.
After midnight on the third night, survivors of a preceding coach appeared. They had been attacked by Indians and sought help. The coach Davis was in returned to Ruthden, sending to Fort Fletcher for an escort, which arrived the next day in the form of soldiers and a small cavalry troop.
Leaving Ruthden, they reached the next station, Downer's, where everything lay in ruins. Further stations were deserted, but they arrived at Monument safely five days after the start of the trip.
A large camp of 200 soldiers at Monument gave them respite from worrying about attacks. Two days later they left Monument, heading for Smoky Hill Spring Station. A surgeon, his four helpers and an ambulance joined their small party, which included an escort of cavalry.
Half a mile before the stage stop, the surgeon's group left them to take a shortcut and the cavalry went ahead to water their horses. The slower stagecoach was chased by nearly 100 Indians, riding hard to catch it. Managing to fight their way to the station, everyone there joined the fray. Other Indians were chasing the ambulance, shooting at its five occupants. The cavalrymen went to rescue them, while the Indians mounted mules and set fire to the ambulance and its contents.
Superior weapons of the white men eventually drove off the Indians. They returned again to the attack, but a company of infantry from Monument appeared fortuitously. Monument had been attacked the previous day. A general attack had been made along 250 miles of the trail. The stage company lost eight men and 200 mules. The government lost several men and 100 animals. The Indians who participated in the general attack were on their way at the time to collect presents they were to receive as part of a recent treaty.
Membership in the Parker Area Historical Society is open to all who have an interest in the history of the area. Be sure to see the society's exhibits at the Parker Library. For further information, call (303) 841-6530.
Ruth Miller is an avid historian and Parker area resident.
It was a description of the journey he made on the Butterfield Stage Line over the Smoky Hill Trail south from Atchinson, Kan., to Denver in November 1865.
One of a party of four men in a Concord coach drawn by four horses, Davis and the others were equipped with Ballard rifles, Navy revolvers, blankets, tobacco, pipes and sheath knives. The drive was 40 miles between home stations and 12-15 miles between swing stations along the route.
At the second station out of Atchison, the horses were replaced by mules to make the lengthy trip; horses would replace mules once they were close to Denver. Sleeping at night in the stagecoach was uncomfortable; breakfast at each stage stop was welcome. It usually consisted of coffee, venison, baked potatoes and corn bread - and a chance to stretch cramped muscles.
Two days after the journey began, they were in Indian country. Buffalo and their wallows were everywhere, as were Indians, so vigilance was vital.
After midnight on the third night, survivors of a preceding coach appeared. They had been attacked by Indians and sought help. The coach Davis was in returned to Ruthden, sending to Fort Fletcher for an escort, which arrived the next day in the form of soldiers and a small cavalry troop.
Leaving Ruthden, they reached the next station, Downer's, where everything lay in ruins. Further stations were deserted, but they arrived at Monument safely five days after the start of the trip.
A large camp of 200 soldiers at Monument gave them respite from worrying about attacks. Two days later they left Monument, heading for Smoky Hill Spring Station. A surgeon, his four helpers and an ambulance joined their small party, which included an escort of cavalry.
Half a mile before the stage stop, the surgeon's group left them to take a shortcut and the cavalry went ahead to water their horses. The slower stagecoach was chased by nearly 100 Indians, riding hard to catch it. Managing to fight their way to the station, everyone there joined the fray. Other Indians were chasing the ambulance, shooting at its five occupants. The cavalrymen went to rescue them, while the Indians mounted mules and set fire to the ambulance and its contents.
Superior weapons of the white men eventually drove off the Indians. They returned again to the attack, but a company of infantry from Monument appeared fortuitously. Monument had been attacked the previous day. A general attack had been made along 250 miles of the trail. The stage company lost eight men and 200 mules. The government lost several men and 100 animals. The Indians who participated in the general attack were on their way at the time to collect presents they were to receive as part of a recent treaty.
Membership in the Parker Area Historical Society is open to all who have an interest in the history of the area. Be sure to see the society's exhibits at the Parker Library. For further information, call (303) 841-6530.
Ruth Miller is an avid historian and Parker area resident.
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