Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-13

The third installment Of the tales
of the Santa Fe trail that have been
written for The Courier by James
King Of Ottumwa, veteran scout on
the plains, Is published today. The
former contribution of Mr.. King told
of the experiences Of party OF the
pioneers of which he was member
that was bound for the west overland.
The party had proceeded from Cow
creek to a point within short dis
lance of Fort Zarah, as it was known
in pioneer days, but now called Great
Bend, Kas The trials of the overland
traveller, his countless dangers from
the red man, the troubles encountered
en- route such as having to camp after
q day of travel in the heat at dry
creek where water was expected, the
killing of the buffalo for meat and
wolf to be rid of him, are among the
things recounted by the writer. Things
of historic interest are also told by
Mr.. King, whose personal experience
lends an interest to the tales. The ex.
PLANTATION of the blood bond Of brother
hood between Indian and white was
explained in the former article by Mr..
King, whose third letter follows:
We broke camp and pulled out for
old Fort Zarah after dinner with the
intention of crossing Walnut Creek
that afternoon. There was a toll
bridge spanning the beautiful little
stream and just as our twentieth
wagon got safely across one of the
stringers gave way and the entire
structure was precipitated into the
creek. We then made two camps with
our train equally divided, one on each
side of Walnut creek, and proceeded
Immediately to rip up the floor OF the
collapsed structure and make pom
toon over which we could pass on foot
from one section of the train to the
other. The troops at the fort imme-
diately came to our assistance and
under the supervision OF the post
commander, who was major and had
served in the corps under Sherman
and with the able assistance OF the
Parker brothers, who kept the trading
post, we soon had a new mudsill and
stringer In place. Then we proceeded
to take the original flooring which
was In use as a pontoon from the
water and replace the planks loose on
the strineer. Enough was accom-
plished by dark to allow the passage
over the bridge OF the overland stage
from the west, which was due there
that nixht. When the overland arrived
We unhitched and blindfolded the
mules and led them over the loose
floor which had been covered with
coating of hay. We then, after the
passengers disembarked, pulled the
stage across by hand. The major then
placed a detail OF soldiers at the partly
finished structure to see that nothing
went wrong during the night and then
all who had been in active service re-
tired to the trading post, where we en-
loved the best meal l ever ate along
the Santa Fe trail. What made the
meal SO good with me was the butter
Butter? Yes, sir, real COW butter, the
first we had seen or tasted since we
left Council Grove. The butter was
shipped from some point east and was
packed In sealed tin cans, and cost
S1.25 per pound at Zarah Meals, as
at Little Arkansas river and Cow
creek, were two dollars straight, with
SOC for extras The major, went with
us and after our sumptuous feed we
had plenty of good music, and as many
of US were ex-union and rebel soldiers
we had little free for all reunion
and retired for the night.
We were up with the sun, and even
while the reveille was sounding at
the fort we were preparing to COM
plete our task of bridge repairing. The
four mess wagons had crossed the
bridge and were on the west side Of
the creek, and those who wanted
breakfast had to cross over to get 1t.
Some Of us ate at Parker's, for Gas
like the supper the previous night
there were no charges 1t was high
noon when the work of reconstruction
Of the bridge was completed and the
other wagons taken across and as
some Of the drivers were out hunting
along the river we concluded not to
resume our journey till the morrow.
Fort Zarah was situated on part of
the site of the present beautiful city
of Great Bend, the county seat of Bar
ton county, Kansas The troops here