The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-20


of the party to join them. But by July
10 the boats arrived with the presents
which Bourgmont had brought for the
Indians and few days later they pro-
ceeded on their journey across what IS
now Kansas, most of the Kansas nation
accompanying them.
But in the meantime there had been
a little rift within the lutte" of 1.-THE
friendship of the French and the Kan
sas tribe over the trading of horses.
The price offered by Bourgmont seemed
too small to the Indians and the enron
icIer relates that even after Bourgmont
had added two more measures of pow
der, three balls. strings of colored
beads and four knives" to his first offer
they were unwilling to make the trade
Bourgmont then became angry with
the Kansans and refused to have any
more dealings with them and after
day or two the chiefs approached him
with conciliatory promises begging a
reconciliation. They promised him all
their horses and that their young men
and women should go along with the
party to the Paducas and carry their
luggage. They offered him the daughter
of their chief in marriage, and when ne
explained that he already had a wife in
France and that among his people a
man had but one wife they offered one
of their maidens to him for his little son.
Bourgmont replied that his son was too
young to marry, being only ten years
ola, IleY pIOlllSCQ u hCCP S-N NAAtNl
daughter for him until he should be
ready for wife.
The expedition started from the viii
Iage of the Kansas on July Fl, the
French and such of the Missouri In
dams as had survived the first part of
the Journey for many of them had fallen
i'll with fever and others had returned
to their homes, and the Kansas chief
and warriors with about 800 women
and children and the Indian dogs which
were used as pack carriers one cog
alone" says the chronicler, carries the
skin to make a lodge for ten or twelve
persons with their dishes, pots and other
utensils which weigh about 300 pounds.
The women carry loads which astonish
Frenchmen who have not yet seen this
nation. The girl of ten or twelve car
ries at least 100 pounds, but 1t IS true
that they are not able to go with their
load more than two or three leagues IN
a day. As soon as they arrive at camp
they have to put up their iooge ana
prenare the food for their husbands and
children. The warriors are hunting.
They kill enough deer each day TO feed
everyone who is in the camp. The In
dams carry the haversacks of our SOL
diers and their hunting utensils Iney
mend their shoes and make some if they
need them. Til also find the water for
drinking The wind always blows from
the west Great heat. Beautiful prair-
les. punches of wood from time to time.
Wood along the creeks anu IlNCAS anu
in the ravines of the prairies." The man
uscript speaks constantly of the great
heat" and the beautiful prairies and
hills. and the grass very tall in the val
legs"
After only a few days out from the
village of the Kansas in the expedition
southwesterly course across what IS now
our state, Bourgmont fell dangerously
i'll and had to be taken back to Fort
Orleans He sent on to the Paducas
however, some of the Frenchmen with
the Paduca women and the child he had
taken from the Kansas tribe where they
had been held as slaves. and whom he
loaded with gifts and sent to their own
people as a sign of his good VIII, ana
to give notice that when he had recoV-
cred from his illness he would resume
the journey and visit the tribe to con-
clude a peace among the Indian nations
and the French Bourgment was not
the only one of the party who suftered-
There was much fever and other SICK
ness from the heat which the chronlcler
constantly refers to as extreme.
Rourgmont remained at Fort Orleans
until fall and started out again on Sep
TENDER 20 with much the same party as
before The Kansas tribe joined him at
their village and the Otoes and lowas
farther on They proceeded across the
state from what is now AtchisOn to the
chief village of the Paducas in what is
now Russell county crossing the Kansas
river some place between topeka ana
Manhattan. The Paducas received them
with every honor. entertaining their
party for weeks and showering them
with gifts I'm fine" says the chronic
Ter. "one can hardly believe the atten-
/ ton this people have given us during
/ our sojourn with them" The Indians
were delighted with the Little Cadet,
4 Pourgmonts son, taking him to their
/ houses and making him many presents
The manuscript tells much of this
powerful tribe who were the most ad-
/ vanced of the western Indians in cfvih-
cation. The Paducas told the French Of
the silver mines of Colorado and New
/ Mexico which the Spa niards had work
! ed 10 some extent. The French were
with the Paducas from October 1s. 1924
until October %. when they left TOT
/ Fort Orleans having made all arrange
nents for future peace among the tribes
and exclusive commerce with the
French.
I'VE find on the route" says the auth
or of this interesting journal. in telhng
of the march from Atchison to the kaw
t many brooks which start from the
neighboring hillsides. This Kansas rlv-
/ err he says when they reach that
stream, comes straight from the west
| to the east and discharges into the MIS-
souri, It is very deep in high water
according to the report of the Paducas
It comes from a great distance. The
woods which border it harbor great
quantities of buffalo and other game
The natives commissioned for the chase
have today killed two buffalo during the
| time occupied in crossing the river. w G
see on the left great hills from when
project rock The prairies are hlled
with buffalo deer and antelope and IN
such a manner that we can scarcely
distinguish one herd from another they
are so numerous and common.
NoT For TWO MONTHS