The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-05

ing with the Cheyenne, Arapahoe and
Comanche Indians while handling the
stage company's business. In the spring
of 1864 the Indians went or the war path
and Mr.. Greiffenstein was compelled 10
| leave that section Of country. He went ID
! Salina and during the war acted as
scout. From Salina ne went to Fort Lar
red, and ater TO Council Grove During
the war ne lost large part OF his wealth
| il being largely in cattle. He then pur-
chased a ranch on the line Of the Santa
Fe road, and in company with some
friendly Indians he struck out for the
| salt plains, where he again engaged in
| trading with the Indians. A few months
after this he came to the present site Of
Wichita, where the commissioners were
concluding a treaty Of peace with the
noble red man. In 1865 he esta blished a
permanent trading post on the Cowskin,
from where he made many perilous jour-
neys into the midst of the Indian coun-
try.
After the Indians were removed INFO
the territory he established his trading
post on the North Fork Of the Canadian
river. and afterwards transferred it TO
the Comanche and Kiowa agency, on the
Washita river. He remained at the
agency until some other traders who
We're jealous Of his success and popular
ity among the indians made him trouble
by making misrepresentation to Gen.
Sheridan. who ordered him from the ter
tory. He went to Washington. where he
received a portion Of the amount due him
for supplies furnished to the different
agencies. He then returned to Kansas
end remained in Lawrence and Topeka
for a short time. when he Joined me
Quaker commission sent out by the gov
eminent TO the Territory as scout and
interpreter. When the party arrived at
the Arkansas river he received word
from General Hazen 10 proceed on the
Texas cattle trail to the Canadian river,
ard thence up that stream 10 Camp Sup
Ply, in search of location for the Arap-
ahoe and Cheyenne agercy. From Camp
Supply the party proceeded through the
Kiowa country. visiting the different
tribes on the route. They returned TO
Topeka, having been gone a month.
miles on their pories during that time.
In the winter of 1868 Mr.. Greiffenstein
came to The Arkansas river, where he
purchased the trading post Of z. H. Dur
fee, and engaged in general merchan-
dising until 1870. wher he bought the
land on which the business center Of
Wichita now stands. He also purchased
lie claim lying just south of Douglas av-
enue and laid il off into town lots, and
it is Tow known as Greiffenstein's addi-
ton. In 1870 ne disposed of his business
of trading and merchandising and devot
cd his time to his large property inter-
ests and cattle business. He erected the
Doug,as Avenue hotel. the Commercial"
block and other fine buildings. He was
instrumental IN getting the bridge erect
ed which now spans the Arkansas river.
He helped in the organization Of the
Wichita Savings bank ard was director
in the First National bank. He assisted
in the organization and building Of the
Wichita and Southwestern railway. being
elected treasurer and director OF the COM
parry. He took an active part in secur-
ing the voting Of bonds by the county |
for the completion of the road.
lie was great admirer of fine stock J
and was one of the original men 10 i'm |
port blooded stock into the county. In
order to promote the raising of Are cattle |
and horses. he offered prizes and was a |
prime mover in the organization OF the |
liberal dcnator 10 all movements which |
had an upward trend.
He was married November 81. 1859. - |
Miss Catharine Burnett, daughter Of /
Abraham Burnett Of Shawnee county, |
kansas Mr.. Burnett was chief Of the |
Pottawatomie tribe and was educated by |
Richard Johnston of Kentucky. Mr.. |
was the father Of three |
al OF whom are living.
Since 1850. the year when Mr.. Greiff- |
enstein drifted irto traffic with the Ii
iians in company with Joe Bournett. at |
Westport. No., his life has been fllsd |
with thrilling adventures among the In !,
dams and in the chase of the buffalo ard
deer over the prairies of southern Kan
sas and the Indian Territory. Dealing
for years with the Indians. he acquired
their language and could converse freely
with them If their own tongue.
Mr.. Greiffenstein was a man Of sener-
1us impulses. benevolent in the extreme.
always ready and willing 10 aid any ap-
peal 10 his generosity. Being OF genial
nd socia. nature. ne has made mary
friends and few enemies throughout an
sventful life, 50 soon TO close.
MARRIED BY SQUIRE KEENAN,