The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-15
Marks
SIX TY-FIFTH
Anniversary
OF the Departure OF the "Trav-
cling Republic" for Western
Gold Fields.
- AnnnoIArrp pRranl

SBr ASSOCIATED PRESS,
KANSAS CITY. No. April To-
This date sixty-five years ago saw the
departure from what is now Kansas
iiCity of one OF the most grotesque and
oddly formed expeditions which ever
set sail upon the American plains
the Tennessee-California Travelling
Republic, a peculiar experiment in al
truism having its origin at Memphis,
Tenn. Late in January, 1s4s. gold
was discovered near Sacramento.
Calf, and the news sped to every
part of the civilized world. Through
out the eastern and southern states
thousands were fired with an almost
insane desire to reach the new Edo
RADIO; but between the farthest out
post and the Pacific coast stretched
over / 200 miles OF practically UNI
charted, Indian infested mountain and
plain. 1t was to overcome these OBJ
stacIes that the Travelling Republic
was formed.
Studying the problem of quickly
reaching California, Captain Joseph
S. Watkins, a Virginian, who had
served in the legislature OF that state,
conceived the idea of forming com
plete government, with executive,
judiciary, legislative and military
branches, whereby all who desired to
become CAllLGuS L4SAC Gull w ~ 9
tain limit, might be assured of safe
passage to the tabled gold-delds.
Had Provisional Government.
Announcing his plan, Watkins found
little trouble in securing volunteer
subjects and during December, 1S4S,
a meeting was held at Memphis to or
ganize a provisional government.
About seyenty-five volunteers from
various parts of the South attended
and took the oath of allegiance, each
pledging himself to contribute $1,000
in cash to the treasury and to abide
by the rule of the majority in every
particular until the republic should
be formally and legally disbanded IN
California. The citizenship was later
increased to the full limit 100.
An elaborate constitution, covering
every possible contingency, was
drawn up and adopted. At the cleo
ton which followed Captain Watkins
was elected president, the other ofic-
ers being vice president, three judges,
court of appeals judges, members OF
legislature and many minor Junction
aries, ranging down to sheriff and con-
stable. The army was organized with
a full quota of officers and privates.
Strictly according to law the Ten
essee-California Travelling Republic
left Memphis on the first day OF
March, 1849, and proceeded by spec
IalIy chartered steamer up the Miss
issippi and Missouri rivers to the out
fitting point at Independence near
here. All went well during this por-
ton of the journey. The legislature
held sessions at intervals and passed
such laws as seemed necessary, while
the courts tried and punished any
casual Offenders among the citizen
ship.
Arriving at the end of the steamer
Journey it was found that advance
agents had about completed purchases
of equipment and supplies and that
the actual start for the gold fieldI
might soon be made. The caravan, az
QUILTED, consisted of twenty wagons
each drawn by two ox-teams, to-
gether with many extra cattle and
saddle horses for the president and
leading officers. The stors of sup
plies was large and expensive. Early
in April all arrangements had been
Tennessee-C California Travelling Re
public set forth upon its voyage
across the plains.
Mutiny in the Republic.
Early in its history the legislature
of the Travelling Republic had passed
a law exempting all persons holding
official positions, whether by election
or appointment, from camp drudgery
and guard duty. In the enthusiasm
of the start, little attention was paid
to this law, but before fifty miles OF
the plains had been traversed its
practical workings became a source
Of irritation to the populace Robust
LEGISLATORS, judges and all sorts of
petty Legislators insisted upon the
privileges attached to their positions.
They rode while others walked, rest
ed in camp while others worked and
slept while others stood guard. Muir
murings were soon heard, the privi-
legged class was openly reviled and
before many days had elapsed mutiny
and rebellion were rife. in the Travel
ing Republic.
The class enjoying exemptions
pointed to the constitution and re-