The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-22


The occasion upon which Pike de-
manded the lowering of the Spanish
ish flag and the hosting of the Ameri-
can flag was during a council held with
400 Pawnee warriors Only a short time
previous to Pixies visit to the PaWnee
republic on his expedition of explora-
ton through what is now Kansas and
Colorado with about 20 followers, the
Spaniards had gone by the same route
and of course the Indians were more
impressed with the numbers of the
Spaniards than of the Americans. 1t
is interesting to note the ceremony as
related by Pike himself.
The Spaniards had left several of
their flags in this village, one of which
was unfurled at the chiefs door the day
Of the grand council; and among var
Gus demands and charges I gave them
was, that the said flag should be deliv-
cred to me- and one of the-United States
flags be received and hoisted in it's
place. This probably was carrying the
pride of nations a little too far as there
had SO lately been a large force Of
Spanish cavalry at the village which
mad made. great impression on the
minds Of the young men as to their
power, consequence, etc, which my APP
pearanee with 20 infantry was by no
means calculated to remove
After the chiefs had replied to the
various parts Of my discourse, but were
silent as to the flag, I again reiterated
the demand for the flag, adding that it
was impossible for the nation to have
two fathers that they must either be
the children of the Spaniards, or ac-
knowledge their American father At
ter a silence of some time an old man
rose, went to the door, took down the
Spanish flag, brought it and laid it at
my feet; he then received the American
flag, and elevated it on the staff which
had lately borne the standard of his
Catholic majesty. This gave great sat
lsfaction to the Usage and Kans, both
of whom decidedly avOW themselves to
be under American protection. Perceiv-
ing that every face in the council was
clouded with sorrow, as if some great
national calamity We're about to befaIl
them, I took uD the contested colors,
and told them that as they had shown
themselves dutiful children in acknowl-
edging their great American father,
did not wish to EN- barrass them with the
Spaniards, for it was the wish of the
Americans that their red brethren
should remain peacea bly, around their
own fires, and not embrol themselves
in any disputes between the white peo-
pie, and that for fear the Spaniards
might return there in force again I re-
turned them their flag, but with an in
junction that it should never be hoisted
again during our stay. At this there
was a general shout of applause. and
the charge was particularly attended
to-
captain Pixies party consisted of two
lieutenants, one surgeon, one sergeant.
Two corporals, sixteen privates. and one
interpreter. He entered Kansas about
the northeast corner of Bourbon county.
September 4, 1906. Pike left map
with his route dotted; and, while it is
not absolute geography, competent au-
tnor1ties trace him across the counties
Of Bourbon, Allen, Woodson Coffey.
Lyon, Chase, Marion, Dickinson, and
Saline. He camped September z on
Deer creek. where Cen Fred Funston
was raised A little above the mouth
Of Deer creek he crossed the Neosho.
1t was on this expedition that Pike.
who was also the first white man to
ever enter what is now the state OF
Colorado, discovered Pixies Peak the
mecca of nearly al the western tour
lists
ZebulOn Montgomery Pike was born
at Lamberton. n. J.. on April q, 1879.
IN 1872, I'VE years after his return from
the west. When the war broke out with
Great Britain. he was found in the
capacity of brigadier general on the
northern frontier. at the head Of his de-
tachment of soldiers
he met his death while fighting for
MS country It was in 1913 during a
particularly spirited enga gemenN at
toronto when he was near a maga-
zine that exploded. killing a great
Der
The following is the programme:
JULY 4, 1e01-11 O'CLOCK A NJ
Assembly called to order by John Francis
OF Alien county president OF the Kansas
state Historical society