The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-11

| petitions have been organized for the pur-
pose of making examinations, but the
Indians opposed their operations, and in
every instance, believe, compelled them
to abandon the enterprise, and return
home"
In 1872 Major Van Dorm was sent to
establish q military depot near the Wich-
tia Mountains. In his report TO Adjutant
General Withers he says:
81 have established the depot on Otter
creek There is a sufficient growth of
timber here to build, should it be deemed
advisable to do SO, the principal species
of these trees being walnut, of a large,
healthy growth. The creek is the as
semblage of many springs, and the water
is clear. limpid and good"
The depot was named Camp Redzimin-
ski, and the earthwo1ks are yet plainly
visible. They are at the point on Otter
creek where the survey Of the Oklahoma
City & Western Railway enters the val
ley.
In 1913, Colonel Henry Dodge visited this
region, and Lieutenant Wheelock, who
was charged with the duty of reporting
the department upon the incidents of the
journey, says:
Country exceedingly beautiful,soil good
water abundant, grazing excellent.
Height of these mountains, from 200 to
800 feet"
After moving westward cross the north
fork Of Red river and into what is now
Greer county, Lieutenant Wheelock con-
tinues:
Eve had met with little or no game for
several days, and found most excellent
fare in the dishes of corn and beans
which they (Toyish Indians) dress with
buffalo fat. T hey served us this literally
and for dessert gave US watermelons and
wild pIurns Our men purchased good
corn, dried horse meat and buffalo meat"
Again, referring TO the Indians living
in what is now Greer county, Lieutenant
Wheelock says:
ITO our great surprise, we have found
these people cultivating quite extensive
fields Of corn, pumpkins, melons beans
and squashes.''
AS Colonel Dodge's command approach
ed the Washita valley, probably about
midway between Chicakasha and Ana
darko, Lieutenant Wheelock's journal
thus describes the country:
They CComanche Indian guidesl point
ed to their village at several miles dis
tante. in the midst of one Of the most
enchanting valleys that human eyes ever
looked upon. The generar course of the
valley is from northwest to southeast,
several miles in width, with a magnif-
cent range Of mountains rising in the dis
lance beyond"
On October %, 1885, Major Van Dorm,
writing from Camp Radziminski to Major
of the First Cavalry, says:
"You will find the country on Cache
creek most suitable for a military post.
1t is heavily timbered with the finest
timber for building purposes I Ahave seen
in the country The water is good near
the mountains, and the scenery is beau
tiful In addition to all this, it is on
the slope of the Wichita Mountains, and
well protected from northers.'
On November ., 1853, Daniel G. Major,
writing to Major Emory of his trip from
the present site of Fit Sill to Camp Ded-
ziminski, says:
1--WE pursued a course nearly west and |
came close to the base of the Wichita
Mountains, crossing many streams, trib-
utaries of eaver and Cache creeks, in
most of which was abundance of good
water. whilst the banks were covered |
with a good growth of timber. might |
saw much in favor of the main eaver and !
Cache creeks-of the fine land, good water
as well as timber. the abundance of game
and many other advantages"