The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1906-10-26
OLD FORT IS NOW CLOSED
LAST OF NIoBRARA TROOPS PASS
THROUGH NORFOLK.
BUILDINGS SOLD AT AUCTION
Abandonment Of the Post by Soldiers
Marks an Epoch in the States His.
tory-Soldiers no Longer Needed.
May Make Artillery Field.

Captain II. n. Powell of the United
States infantry, late of Fort Niobrara,
Nebraska, in command detach-
ment of twenty colored Nob AS in
Norfolk between trains "lalo -
route from Valentine to Tex~ lis,
the last of the several hundre-
diers to move from Fort Niobrara, th>
famous old frontier post, some unus-
ual interest was attached to the de-
parture of this final squad of men, who
had been left after the general move
some weeks ago to close up the affairs
at the fort. Their going marked the
end of it. 1t marked the close of the
epoch in Nebraska history when 1t
was necessary for the government to
maintain an army in the Rosebud for
the protection of settlers against the
once strong and aggressive tribe of
Sioux Indians.
There are $4,000 acres of govern
ment land surrounding the fort and
the title to it will remain with Uncle
Sam, but what disposition will be
made of it is not known. 1t is said to
afford the best artillery range in the
country and there is a rumOr atloat
that eventually an artillery post will
be established there. This is given
strength by the fact that some of the
better buildings were not included in
the auction sale which was conducted
last Saturday.
Aside from the point of historical
interest which the closing of the fort
established, there was probably moth
ing of more general public interest
connected with it than the auction sale
of the fort. At this sale government
property estimated to have cost ap-
proximately 100000 sold for some
thing less than 100000 A man who
was present and participated in the
bidding was in Norfolk today. 1--WE
never in my life seen such a slaugh-
ter" said he, though the officers told
me that they had seen worse ones at
other government sales and it was ru-
mored that the government realized
about twenty-five per cent. more than
was expected"
built at a cost of $20,500 and the heat
ing plant which alone cost $4,000 went
by auction for $1,000. Officers quar-
tiers that cost the government from
So, 900 to $4,000 each sold for less than
800. Ambulances and wagons worth
up to $500 went for from S. to $50.
The barracks building in which there
| is $4,000 feet of lumber, besides val
liable plumbing and fixtures, brought
only $162 The famous old guard
house brought $315. The cavalry sta
bles went for from $3.50 to 5000 each.
There were seventy-tive buildings, be-
sides the various pieces of army par
aphernalia, the leftover supplies, har-
ness and various articles that were
included the $4,000 that was realized.
The buildings retained by the gov
eminent are the three new frame Of
ficers quarters, the administration
building, a frame barracks building
and two of the best warehouses.
Fort Niobrara was established in
1881 on the border of the Rosebud
agency. 1t protected the settlers from
the periodical Indian raids. Only once
during the time the soldiers were
maintained there was there a fierce
conflict. That was in 1891 when the
serious Sioux outbreak occurred. The
soldiers that were kept at the fort in
recent years were generally negroes.
A few weeks ago two trainlOads of
them were taken through Norfolk by
the Northwestern, enroute to the new
fort in Texas. They are the troopers
against whom a storm of protest was
raised by the southerners upon their
arrival.