Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-05-22
INCIDENT OF
COLO RUSH OF l84S

saw the departure from what is
now Kansas City of one of the most
grotesque and oddly-formed expedi-
tions which ever set sail upon the
American plains-the Tennessee
California Travelling republi c, a re-
public, a peculiar experiment in al
truism, having its origin at Men,
phis. Tenn. Late in January, l84S.
gold vas discovered near Sacra-
mento. California, and the news
spread to every part of the civiliZ-
ed world, Throughout the eastern
and southern state thousands v ere
fired with an almost insane desire
to reach the new Eldorado; but be-
tween the f%artherest outpost and
the Pacific coast stretched over
1900 miles of practically unchai t.
cred, Indian.infested mountain and
plain. 1t was to overcome these
obstacles that the travelling repuh-
lie 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 form
ing a complete government with
executive, judiciary and legislative
and military branches. whereby all
who desire to become citizens there
of, up to a certain limit, MIGHT be
assured of safe passage to the
fahl I'd gold field.
Announcing his plan, Watkins
found little trouble in securing
volunteer subjects, and during De-
ccmber, lS4S, a meeting was held
at Memphis to organize a provision
al government. About rs volun-
teers 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 FORM
ally and legally disbandcd in Cali.
f~oruia. The citizenhip later in
creased to the full limit of 100.
An elaborate constitution, cover
ing 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 an
many minor functionarirs, ranging
down to sheriff and constable. The
army was organized with a full
quota of officers and privates.
Strictly according to law the
Tennessee-California Travelling re-
public left Memphis on the first
day Of March, l349, and proceeded
by u specially chartered steamer up
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers
to the Quitting point at indie, end.
ence. All went well during this
portion of the journey. The legisla-
ture held sessions at intervals and
passed such laws as seemed neces-
ssry while the courts tried and pun
ished any casual offender among the
citizenship.
Arriving'at the end Of the stea ~
or journey it was found that ad-
vance agents had about completed
purchases of equipment and sup
plies and that the actual start for
the gold fields might o 0 be made.
The caravan rs outiittcd, consisted
of twerty wagons, each drawn by
two oX-tcams, together with many
extra cattle AMI saddle horses for
the president and leading officers.
The store of supplies was large and
expensive. Early in April all ar
engagements had been completed
and on the fifteenth the Tennessee
California travelling republic SET
forth upon its voyage across the
plains.
Early in It's history the legisla-
ture 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 80 miles Of the plains had
been traverscd its practical work.
jngs became q source of irritation