Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-24
TO SAVE Old HOUSE.
aTFoRT TO PRESERVE HISTORIC
WESTERN STRUCTURE.
Il Situated at Fort Gibson, Indian
Tsrritory-once Used as School
Where Henry M. Stanley
Taught.

Guthrie, O. Tan effort is being
made to preserve the "old church on
the hill" at Fort Gibson, the Oldest
OAtlding In Indian Territory. 1t was
the old garrison church at Fort Gibson
during the early days, and was after
ward used as schoolhouse, with Hen
~ M. Stanley as the teacher. The Ter
sitorial Historical society will get pos
session of the building, if possible, and
vse 1t for historical museum.
This building has been occupied con-
Nnuously since 1882. Gen. Hazen while
sestding there was married and brought
20 the fort his bride, Miss Mclean, of
cincinnati, now the wife of Admiral
George Dewey. She occupied the stone
building still standing on Garrison hill.
She was great horsewoman and used
to hunt with her husband over the
prairies and hills along the Arkansas
and Grand rivers.
Fort Gibson is rich in historic lore.
Settled soon after the Louisiana pur-
chase, a military post wes established
there in 1919. Many notable men have
lived there-some now resting in the
national cemetery, about a mile from
the old fort, where 2,456 soldiers are
buried, and where may be seen the
names of soldiers, scouts and warriors
who figured in border and Indian war
fare. Among the number is the Semi
mole chief, Billy Bowlegs. who fought
with Osceola at the battle of Wahoo
swamp, where Gen. Dade was killed
and the American troops were routed.
After the treacherous capture of Osceo-
Ia Bowlegs Joined the American army
and reeAved the rank of captain.
Among the United States officers who
commanded at the fort were Zachary
Taylor and Jefferson Davis. Mrs. NJ. j.
Ross, wife of ex-Chief w. +. Ross, of
ne Cherokee nation, was we'll &C.
euainted with Miss Betty Taylor before
she married Davis, who at that time
was only lieutenant.
Another noted character who lived
at the fort was Gen. Sam Houston His
tory records that he resigned the gov
srnorship of Tennessee, left his newly
married wife, went west and Joined the
Cherokees. He lived several years at
Fort Gibson, assuming the Indian garb
Of that time. He resided for a time
with Chief Johnnycake, near the Ark
ansas river, below the old fort. He was
both feared and honored by the Chero-
KEGS, who admired him for his learn
Ing and bravery.
Not long after his arrival at Fort
Gibson he married Tallihina Rogers, q
beautiful Cherokee maiden, with whom
ne lived until his departure for the war
IN Texas in 1889.
General Winfield Scott made several
visits to Fort Gibson and Gems. Robert
d. Lee and George B. Mcclellan were
also there on tours of inspection. Col.
Copptpger commanded at the fort
where he WAS visited by James G.
Blaine, his father-in.law, who was i'll
Tor about six weeks in the big stone
house gYHNKN
Stanley at one time taught saS.
ecription school at the fort, occupying
the old building.
In is46 the poet Longfellow, on a
tour OF the west, visited Fort Gibson
BY way of the Arkansas and Grand riv-
ers. Next year appeared the most
loved of his poems, "Evangeline,
where scenery in the vicinity of Fort
Gibson is graphically described.
It Didn't Work.
my DEAR said Jack Flatterby, who
thought he saw Christmas touch"
coming, you grow more beautiful every
day, You remind me of Greek god
dess."
Il ought to-" retorted Mrs. Flatterby,
Indignantly. "Since I've been married
I've had just about as few Clothes
Louisville Courier Journal.