Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-08-04
SAND CREEK MASSACRE.
Bloody Page From the History Of Colorado.
Recalled by the Death Of Ex-Gov. Evans.

Bloody Page From the History Of Colorado.
Recalled by the Death Of Ex-Goy. Evans.
The death of John Evans. at the age
of 6S years removes man who has
been a landmark in the history Of Colo.
RADIO and under whose governorship the
most tragic event in it's history occur
red, writes Denver correspondent to
the Chicago Record.
The discovery OF gold on Cherry
Greek in 1858 brought about it's logical
result and two years later. Denver oc-
cupied the ground v ith a population
of 1000. When the civil war broke
out there was sharp but brief contest
between the people from the North and
the South, resulting in favor of the
North. Several exp, .;.;cps we're sent
out from Texas to recover the territory
with Its almost inexhaustible mines. A
number of battles took place, but by
the time report OF them could reach
Washington they were both out of date
and obscured by the smoke of the
greater conflict.
The plains between the river and the
mountains were covered with Indians,
who had been held in tolerable subjec
ton. The Utes were powerful noun.
tain tribe, secure In their own natural
fortress, and were friendly to the
whites, for the reason that their pres
ence made 1t possible for them to hunt
buffalo with some degree Of safety.
The Indians of the plains did not want
the whites to become the allies OF their
mountain enemies, hence the reason OF
the good behavior.
With the civilwar q new factor enter
ed. The plains Indians were assured by
the representatives OF the Confederacy
that the great father at Washington
was no longer able TO punish them and
that Jefferson Davis was the big
medicine nan. The Indians began
their work of pillagc and destruction,
though claiming to hepeaceable. They
became bolder with success and swept
the plains in every direction. 1t re.
quired as much time to cross from the
Missouri River to Denver with the slow
moving OK teams as it now docs to half
circumnavigate the globe.
The fleet moving savages would de-
stroy the small parties and make it
dangerous for the stragglers of the
large trains.
Finding no troops sent against them,
as formerly, to punish them for crimes
committed, they became firmly con-
yinced that the great father at Wash
ington had lost his medicine. In 1854
matters in Colorado were becoming
desperate. Families were scalped at
Ut the very doors OF Denver and the
mutilated bodies were taken into the
city for burial. The destruction of the
trains was 80 great that starvation
stared the people in the face before
spring. Grant was tightening the coils
for final struggle with the Confede-
racy and the Federal government could
extend no aid.
Such was the condition OF things
when Gov. Evans called for mounted
volunteers for special service under
Col. j. NJ, Chivington. The orders
were blank, though the object was
well understood. 1t was given out,
however, that the Confederates were
preparing for another attack on Colo
RADIO from Texas, and the force was to
operate against the invasion.
Col. Chivington stood six feet four
and one half inches, weighed $50
pounds and was possessed of strength
and endurance in proportion. Like
Gov. Evans, the Colonel was Method
ist and sort Of unordained preacher.
In those days there were sporting
roughs in the mining camps who
among other amusemeDts delighted In
breaking up religious meetings. The
evening meetings were their fayorite
time for operations, when they should
shoot out the candles-candles being
the only mode of obtaining light. But
toughs never broke up meeting con
Quoted by Chivington. When he slowly
walked to the front and disincumbe
himself Of belts and pistols, fanking
the Bible with big elk shooter on
each side, the silence was broken by
nothing save the unctuous amens of the
brethren.
Il was late In November when the
Colonel's expedition left Denver for
Sand Greek, 1870 miles distant, where it
was known that q large body Of Arapa-
hoes, with few Cheyennes. were in
camp. They vsered their direction go
as to lead any SPY into the belief that
II was 70 Texas they were bound. But
few miles out they halted within ten
or dozen miles Of the Indian camp
at sundown and waited for morning.
1t was the coldest November night
ever known in thstp part Of the territory
but they dare not build FIRE. Before
daylight they were in the saddle and
silently but swiftly swept down on the
savages who had covered Colorado,
Kansas and Nebraska with the bones
Of toiling emigrants. It was nearly
sunrise when the expedition sighted
the Indian camp, whose denizens were
aroused by the barking Of dogs. The