The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-15
65TH ANNIVERSARY OF
TRAVELLING REPUBLIC
"Voyage" Across American Continent to
the New Eldorado Graphically
Described.

sfxty-flve years ago saw the departure
from what is now Kansas City OF one OF
the most grotesque and oddly formed
expeditions which ever set sail upon the
American plains--the Tennessee Califor-
mia travelling republic. peculiar expert
ment in altruism having its origin at
Memphis, Tennessee. Late in January
1913, gold was discovered near Sacra-
mento, California. and the news spread
to every part of the civilized world.
Throughout the eastern and southern
states thousands were fired with an al
most insane desire to reach the new FL
dorado; but between the farthest out
post and the Pacific coast stretched over
200 miles of practically unchartered,
Indian infested mountain and plain. 1t
was to overcome these obstacles that the
travelling republic was formed
Studying the problem of quickly
reaching California, Captain Joseph s.
Watkins, Virginian, who had served in
the legislature of that state, conceived
the idea of forming complete govern
ment, with executive, Judiciary, legisla-
tive and military branches, whereby all
who desired to become citizens thereof,
up to a certain limit, might be assured
OF safe passage to the tabled gold-fiel
Announcing his plan, Watson found
little trouble in securing volunteer sub
1ects and during December, lS4S, a meet
ing was held at Memphis to organize
provisional government. About seven
ty-fiye volunteers from various parts of
the south attended and took the oath of
allegiance, each pledging himself to con
hut = IA aeh Ia
and to abide by the rule of the majority
in every particular until the republic
should be formally and legally disband-
ed 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 election which
followed Captain Watkins was elected
president, the other officers being vice
president, three judges, court of appeals
judges, members of legislature and many
minor functionaries ranging down to
sheriff and constable. The army was
organized with full quota of officers
and privates.
Strictly according to law the Tennes-
travelling republic left
Memphis on the first day of March, ls49,
and proceeded by specially chartered
steamer up the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers to the outfitting point at In
dependence near here. All went well
during this portion 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 citizenship
A.--s - Al
journey it was found that advance
agents had about completed purchases
Of equipment and supplies and that the
actual start for the gold-tields might
soon be made. The caravan, as out
fitted, consisted of twenty wagons, each
drawn by two oX-teams, together with
many extra cattle and saddle horses
for the president and leading officers.
The store of supplies was large and ex-
pensiye. Barely in April all arrange
ments had been completed and on the
the Tennessee California trav-
cling republic set forth upon its young
voyage across the plains.
Early in its history the legislature of
The travelling republic had passed a law
all persons holding official
positions, whether by election or APP
Dolntment, from camp drudgery and
guard duty. In the enthusiasm of the |
tart little attention was paid to this !
aw, but before fifty miles OF the |
plains had been traversed its practical
became source of irritation
% the popuace. Robust legislators, /
Judges and all sorts of petty Legislators
insisted upon the privileges attached to |
heir positions. They rode while Others
walked, rested in camp while Others |
worked and slept while others stood |
,uard Murmurings were soon heard,
he privileged class was openly reviled
md before many days had elapsed !
nutiny and rebellion were rife in the
travelling republic.
The class enjoying exemptions pointed
o the constitution and refused conces
ions. Acts of characterization were
punished by the lower court
nd when cases were appealed 10 the
upreme court, that august body up
eld the right of those holding official
,ositions to ride and rest and sleep.
Thus, this amazing aggregation drifted
long for days and weeks, far up the
latte, sighting the skirting Pixies Peak
nd entering upon the mountain passes
fhich led to the great basin. Probably
othing so ridiculous in the way of an
xpedition ever had eXistenced in the
rnited States. The humor of the thing
elped to keep il alive.
Soon after passing Fort Laramie, how
yer. affairs came to crisis. President
although an aristocrat by
irth, recognized the business of the
IL IA nj ff,l 4
ave the obnoxious special-privilegs law
epealed This, the legislature refused
D do. The common people, thereupon,
cid convention and adopted formal
rdinance of secession, thus disrupting
Iii. bn1d. 4