Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-23

Kansas City, Mo, April 23.-April
16, siXty-five years ago, saw the de-
parture 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-Californ Travelling Repub-
lie, a peculiar experiment in altruism
having its origin at Memphis, Tenn.
/ Late in January, 1S4S, gold was discov-
cred near Sacra uento, Cal, and the
news spread to every part of the civ
4 iliaed world. Throughout the eastern
and southern states thousands were
fired with an almost insane desire to
reach the new Eldorado; but between
the farthest outpost and the Pacific
coast stretched over 1900 miles of
practically unchartered, Indian-infest-
ed mountain and plain. 1t was to ov-
ercome these obstacles that the Trav.
cling 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,
citizens thereof, up to certain limit,
the tabled gold-felds.
Announcing his plan, Watkins found
little trouble in securing volunteer
subjects and during December. 1913, q
meeting was held at Memphis to or
ganize a provisional government.
About seyenty-five volunteers from
and took the oath OF allegiance, each
pledginS 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 Cali !
fornia. The citizenship was increased |
to the limit, 100.
An elaborate constitution, covering |
every possible contingency, was drawn |
up and adopted. At the election which |
followed Captain Watkins was elect !
ed president, the other officers being |
vice president, three judges, court of !
appeal judges, members of legislature
and many minor functionaries, rang
ing down to sheriff and constable. The
army was organized with full quota
of officers and privates.
Strictly according to law the Ten
Travelling Republic
left Memphis on the first day of
March. 1S49 and proceeded by a spe-
cially chartered steamer up the Mis-
sissippi and Missouri rivers to the
Outfitting point at independence near
here. All went well during this por-
lion of the journey. The legislature
leld sessions at intervals and passed
such laws as seemed necessary, while
he courts tried and punished any cas-
lal offenders among the citizenship.
Arriving at the end of the steamer
Journey it was found that the advance
If equipment and supplies and that
he actual start for the goId-ffelds
night soon be made. The caravan, as
consisted of twenty wagons,
,ach drawn by two OK teams, together
With many extra cattle and saddle
lorses for the president and leading
'fhcers. The store of supplies was
arge and expensive. Early in April
III arrangements had been completed
nd on the fifteenth the Tennessee Cal
fornia Travelling Republic set forth
pom its voyage across the plains.
Early in its history the legislature
f the Travelling Republic had passed
law exempting all persons holding
fiicial positions, whether by election
r appointment, from camp drudgery
nd guard duty. In the enthusiasm of
he start little attention was paid to
his law, but before fifty miles of the
lains had been traversed its practi-
al workings became a source of irri-
alton to the populace. Robust legis-
ltors. judges and all sorts 'of petty
,gislators insisted upon the privileges
ttached to their positions. They rode
lille others walked, rested in camp
lille others worked and slept while
Tiers stood guard. Murmurings We're
card, the privileged class was openly
eviled and before many days had
apsed mutfny and rebellion were rife
! the Travelling Republic.
The class enjoying exemptions
'inted to the constitution and refis-
concessions. Acts of insubordina.
On We're promptly punished by the
wer court and when cases were ap-