The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-10-03
SCRAPS OF EARLY HISTORY.
By THE RDITOR.

j. French and others at Belle Meade
in the raid of 1878,lby not molestine
them, and leaving the settlers the en-
ioyment of their scalps. We gave .
probable reason why the Indians I'M
harmed French; and we have nov
fallen upon another. 1t was because
French was redheaded. Aud though
the silver threads wepe among thu
gold, the auburn predominated. The
bright red face that adorned French's
bead indicated the color of the hair
It may be that the Indians look upon
red headed people as another class Of
the Atred men," of lighter hue.
In. York, an old plairsman. tells
us a story of an occurrence during
the Indian raid of 1874, that happen
ed near Speareville. A young man.
by the name of Eugene Ssndige. liv-
ing in Missouri, was travelling with q
party on return from Colorado, but
was struggling on the road, when he
was approached by three Indians of a
skirmishing band. Sandige was the
picture of desolation when he found
there was no show to escape from the
much dreaded Indians; but his fears
were subdued if his hair did stand
on ends.
Sandige had peculiar red hair, and
the color was illuminated in the bright
and it may have sparkled
from the fear within. His hair was
the only brightness about him; and
be was crosseyed and freckled face,
with a countenance, were 1t peering
in looking glass it would burn the
quicksilver on the other side. One
IF the Indians made Sandige dismount
rom his horse. Another Indian ran
MS fingers through Sandige's hair,
which was in long curls, and the daz-
ling color in the bright sunshine, no
loubt sent thrill of joy to the Indi-
IN heart. This was repeated by the
,ther two Indians; and they probably
imagined the beauty of the auburn
,calp in one of their belts. The In
Hans laughed heartily as they ran
heir fingers through Sandige's car
nine locks, and the hearty chuckles
perhaps facilitated the flow of rel
,lood in Sandige's veins. But the
Indians allowed the young man to
proceed on his way without further
And he WAS extremely
glad to relate his frightful experience
IN hour later when he reached the
wagon train.
All of which suggests the proba-
,ility of the Indians admiration for
ed hair, and believing it sacred; for
,e left it untouched.
-
For many years Dodge City was the
ihipping point for vast extent of
country tributary to it. The princi.
'al points supplied were in the south
md southwest, though some traffic
vent north and northwest. The iso-
alton of towns, camps, and settle
nent, within radius eff 200 miles or
more, made business and social &C.
Iuaintances desirable and easily OBJ
ainable. The enlarged jurisdiction
# Dodge City's trade, extending par
icularly to the south, and all iribu-
AIRY to this point, alone gave the city
IN extensive business and social field.
Events in the camps and settlements
100 miles away were particularly To-
al in character, the same as of an ad
accent town today.
The railroads cut off this territorial
'xpanse and abridged the trade; and
owns and settlements intervening, the
ocal interest in these remote places
vas soon thing of the past and cas-
ly forgotten.
~
A cattle man or trader from one
# Dodge's supply points had social
recognition in the city, and he was
reated as an esteemed guest. As
was the favorite pastime in
hose days, a dance would probably
,e arranged in honor of the distin-
,uished arrival from Cow creek or
Sand lodge As this was the pleas