Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-15
Travelling Republic of
Si.ty-f;ve Years Ago

Kansas City. Mo-, April 15-This date
sixty-five years ago saw the departure
from what is now Kansas City of one
of the most grotesque and oddly former
expeditions which ever set sail upon
the American plains-the Tennessee
California Travelling Republic, Pc
culiar experiment in aitruism having
It's origin at Memphis, Tenn. Late in
January. 1s4S, gold was discovered near
Sacramento. CAL. and the news sped
to every part Of the civilized world.
Throughout the eastern and southern
states thousands were fired with an
almost insane desire to reach the new
Edorado; but between the farthest
outpost and the Pacific coast stretched
over 1900 miles Of practically unchart-
ed, 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. con-
ceived the idea Of forming complete
government. with executive. judiciary,
legislative and military branches,
whereby all who desired to become cit
liens thereof, up to certain limit,
might be assured of safe passage to
the tabled goldfelds.
Announcing his plan, Watkins found
little trouble in securing volunteer sub
jects and during December. 184S, a
meeting was held at Memphis to or
ganizing a provisional government.
About seventy five volunteers from
various parts Of the south attended and
took the oath Of allegiance, each pledg-
ing himself to contribute $1,000 in
cash to the treasury and to abide by
the rule Of the majority in every par
ticular until the republic should be
formally and legally disbanded in Cal
ifornia. The citizenship was later in
creased 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 ap-
appeals judges. members OF Legislature
and many minor functionarles, rang
| ing down to sheriff and constable. Inc
army was organized with full quota
of officers and privates.
Strictly according to law the Tenne-
see California Travelling Republic left
Memphis on the first day OF March
| 1S49, and proceeded by specially
chartered steamer up the MISSISSIPPI
| and Missouri rivers to the outnttine
point at independence near mere. Al
went we'll during this portion OF the
| journey. The legislature held sessions
at intervals and passed such laws al
seemed necessary. while the courts
! tried and punished any casual onend'
ers among the citizenship.
Arriving at the end OF the steamer
Journey it was found that that ad'
vance agents had about completed
purchases of equipment and supplles
and that the actual start for the gold
fields might soon be made. The cara
van. QUILTED, consisted OF twenty
wagons, each drawn by two ox-teams
together with many extra cattle ane
saddle horses for the president ant
leading officers. The store OF suppllel
was large and expensive. Early il
April all arrangements had been com
pleted and on the fifteenth the Tenne
see California Travelling Republic se
forth upon it's voyage across the plains
Early in its history the legislature
the Travelling Republic had passed :
law eXeIpIlHS Oh PSA5oiio iAoANAHo -
ficiaI positions, whether by election O
appointment, from camp drudgery an
guard duty. In the enthusiasm OF tn
start, little attention was paid to- thi
law, but before fifty miles Of the plain
had been traversed it's practical work
ings became source OF irritation t
, the populace. Robust legislators. judg
es and all sorts of petty legislators in
! sisted upon the privileges attached {
{ their positions. They rode while 9th
ers walked. rested In camp while other
, worked and slept while others KEEP
guard. Murmurings were soon heart
the privileged class was openly rerile
and before many days had elapsed mt,
tiny and rebellion were rife In tn
I Travelling Republic.
3 The class enjoying exemptions point
Y ed to the constitution and refused con
; DECISIONS. Acts Of INSTRUMENTATION wer
promptly punished by the lower couI
land when cases wsrs appealed g u