The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-07-11
CHAPTER !.
An Unpleasant Situation.

An Unpleasant Situation.
When. late In May, 1868, Major
Daniel Mcdonald, Sixth Infantry. was
hrst assigned to command the new
three company post established south
vest Of Fort Dodge. designed to pro-
bot the newly discovered Cimarron
trail leading to Santa Fee across the
desert, and. purely by courtesy. Of
IDEALLY termed Fort Devere, he nat
orally considered it perfectly safe to
invite his only daughter to join him
there for her summer vacation. In
deed, at that time, there a ap-
parently no valid reason why he
should deny himself this pleasure.
Except for certain vague rumors re-
garding uneasiness among the Sioux
warriors north of the Platte, the vari-
u tribes OF the plains were causing
no unusual trouble to military authori.
ties, although. OF course, there was
nc time in the history of that country
utterly devoid Of peril from young
raiders, usually aided and abetted by
outcast whites. However, the Santa
Fe route. by this date, had become a
well-traveled trail, protected by scat
tered posts along its entire route. fire.
Quently ~patrolled by troops, and mere
" considered dangerous for small par
ties. south Of the Cimarron, where row.
ing Comanches In bad humor might
b encountered.
Fully assured as to this by officers
met at Fort Ripley, Mcdonald, who
had never before served west of the
Mississippi, wrote his daughter a long
letter. describing in careful detail the
route, set an exact date for her de-
parture. and then. satisfied all was
well arranged. set forth with his
small command on the long march
overland. He had not see his daugh-
ter for over two years, 10 during her
vacation time (she q attending
6unnycrest school. on the Hudson).
she made her home with an aunt In
Connecticut. This year the aunt was
IN Europe, not expecting to return un-
I'll fall, and the father had hopefully
counted on having the girl with him
.onoe again In Kentucky. Then came
Aio sudden. unexpected transfer west,
and the 1nal decision TO have her join
hin there. Why not? II she remain
ID the same h~igh-spirited army girl,
she would thoroughly enjoy the IN
usual experience OF q few months OF
real frontier life, and the only hard
ahip involved would be the long stage
ride from Ripley. This. however. was
altogether prairie travel, monotonous
enough surely. but without special
danger. and he could doubtless ar
range to meet her himself at Kansas
City. or send one Of his officers for
chat purpose.
This vas the situation In May. but
~ the middle OF June conditions had
groatly changed throughout all the
broad plains country. The spirit OF
savage war had spread rapidly from
xhe Platte to the Rio Pecos. and
scarcely q wild tribe remained disaf-
feceed. Arapahoe, Cheyenne. Pawnee.
Comanche. and Apache alike espoused
the cause Of the Sioux. and their
young warriors. breaking away from
the control OF older chiefs. became
uGly and warlike. Devere, isolated as
Il was from the main route Of travel
1.-THE Santa Fe stages still following
the more northern trail). heard mere
y rumors Of the prevailing condition
through tarrying hunters. and posi-
bly, m occasional army courier. yet
soon realized the gravity Of the stu
aGion because Of the almost total
cessation Of travail by way Of the
Clmarron and the growing insolence
% tie surrounding Comanches. De.
tails from the small garrison were.
nnlor urgent orders from headquar.
49, @ Fort wallace. kept constantly
eoouting . far south ~ the fork Of
~ Red river, and then west to the
moGntaina. Squads from the single
eaVnlSy company guarded the few
nanvans venturing still to ross the
ClDarron desert, or bore dispatches
- Yoft Dodge. Thus the few soldiers
kumainine on duty at the home sta
NJ became slowly aware that this
1Ulonret Of savagery was no longer q
100 tribal AFFAIR. Outrages were re-
Doftod from the solomon. the Repub-
1eon. the ArhAnsas valleys. \ settle
noat vas raided on Smoky Fork:
ntaeoo woro attacked lear the Caches.
- - burned: ! wagon train was
nhuohod n the Ration pass. and only
- aftsr desperate lighting. Al
ofA0r the situation appeared ex-
nroano1y serious and summer promised
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