Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-10
HOME FROM PHIL EEARNY
Two Omaha Warriors Return from
Anniversary at Sheridan.
CARRNGroN TAKES LONGER REST
After interesting visit to Scene of
massacre Peters and Gibson
Return Through Flood
District.

Samuel Gibson and s. s. Peters returned
Wednesday night from Sheridan, wyo.,
where for a week they were guests Of
Sheridan with Brigadier General and Mrs.
Henry b.. Darlington and five OF their com
rsdes OF the Sioux Indian war of 1S65-6S on
the occasion of the celebration of the es-
tablishment of Fort Phil Kearny in the
summer of 1866 and the eliminating tragedy
Of the massacre Of half of the garrison Of
that post in December, 1866, by the Sioux
under Chief Red Cloud.
General and Mrs. Darlington did not re-
turn with the party, as the old general was
too much fatigued to undertake the return
journey so SOON. He will remain at Sheri-
dan another week to rest.
The return trip suggested a comparison
Of the Indian depredations forty-two years
ago and the devastation Of the elements in
Nebraska with the last week.
Gibson and Peters left Sheridan Tuesday
afternoon. The return trip was without in
cident until reaching Seward. where the
first evidences OF the deluge at Lincoln be-
came manifest. The roadbed was extremely
soft and the trains had to move with the
greatest caution. Nearly three hours were
consumed in reaching Lincoln from Seward.
Firut Train to Attempt II.
The train was the first that had under
taken to come through the Salt creek bot
toms since Sunday to Lincoln, and here a
remarkable scene presented itself. The
whole valley west of Lincoln is still under
water, the only visible portions Of dry land
being the wrecked railroad beds, many Of
which are washed away. Two or three
thousand men are at work in the yards re-
building the tracks. The whole bottom IL
filled with wreckage from the flood and
the water stil remains to within a few feet
OF the Burlington passenger station. The
State fair grounds also are partly SUBJ
merged and the water extends up to the
machine shops at Havelock and the whole
valley from Lincoln to Ashland is still
largely under water and looks much as IL
the Platte river had changed its course
from its old bed into Salt creek valley. The
train left Lincoln about $50 Wednesday
evening and did not reach Omaha until
l1:So. The roadbed is too soft to permit a
crossing of the Platte near Ashland and the
trains now cross the Platte at Oreopolis,
coming around by way of Bellevue.
The water has fallen about four feet since
Monday and continues falling. All Of the
lowland crops in Salt creek valley have
been practically destroyed and many
shlalIer buildings have been washed away
and are piled out in the wrecked cornfields.
Great Time at Sheridan.
Gibson and Peters are enthusiastic in
their appreciation Of the cordially of the
reception given General and Mrs. Caring
ton and party at Sheridan. 1t was a week
OF receptions and distinguished attentions,
including rides, luncheons, din
ners and addresses.
The party was taken to the Fort Phil
kearny battle ground, ~twenty-three miles
distant, through irrigated alfalfa fields
along Big and Little Goose. Prairie Dog
formerly Peno) creeks and the historic
Pineys, along the base Of the Big Horn
mountains, where forty-two years ago the
country was in its primitive wildness, COW
cred with Wild game and wilder, savage
Indians. with whom this party was engaged
In bloody and continuous warfare for over
two years.
The metamorphosls of the country from a
wilderness into a happy. thrifty community
surpassed any dream OF Alladin with his
wonderful lamp.