Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-12
CRy Frederick ]. Hnsk.n)

Wy Ti'b'ti'h it"'N-h'
Washington. d. C.. April "a vivid
reminder OF tho time when an uneS-
plored wilderness lay west OF tho Mis-
sissippi, when government ensineer'
on duty out there dined on buffalo
steaks and occasionally had TO fight
Indians. was brought to light in the
war department the other day.
Mr.. De Grange, who has charge OF
the library in the office OF the chief
housecleaning when he came upon an
old and faded diary. An examination
showed that IL was the journal OF ono
Joseph Nicolas Sicollet. n DISTINGUISHED
French astronomer and explorer. who
was employed for several years by the
United states engineer corps almost
century ago. And this volume con
tanned not only an interesting account
OF the F'renchman's adventures in tho
wilds of the middlewcst. but also
beautiful collection OF pressed Wild
flowers in such perfect condition that
they were transferred to tho Smith
sonlan Institution for cataloEing and
exhibition.
NJ Nicollet. who was born at Clusca
in Savoy in 1855, shares with tho noted
VI. Pond. the distinction OF discovering
the famous comet OF 1891. Because OF
unfortunate spcculations he had 10
leave France in 1850 and came TO the
United States. The American govern
mcnt gave the noted astronomer as
sistancc in making geological and geo
graphical explorations OF the territory
beyond the Mississippi river and he
was connected with the engineer corps
until ii3.
II was while making these surveys
that NJ Nicoilet made the botanical
collection as well as compiling data
and maps on the subject OF cNplora-
tions. which have proved OF exceed
a. 4
have been published in French as well
as English. The originals OF these
works and the maps which he so care
fully colored at the time OF the SUR
vcys arc in the possession of the cnEl-
necring corps at this time, but Mr.. De
Grange says they expect TO turn these
valuable records over to the librarian
OF congress for careful rohinding and
cataloging in tho collection OF the con-
grcssional library.
Among these records ls tho French
mans personal diary, made while at
Fort Clark, Mo. Like tho more SER.
Gus matter. Monslcur's personal
thots arc recorded In the yellowed
pages OF tall. old-fashioned ledger IN
fine. precise handwriting. There are
many statements OF conditions IN thcs"
crude times to make the prescnt-day
reader smile and some which make
him wonder. \ faded clipping OF The
dated November 2s, 1895. that Is on
closed in tho diary. states regarding
tho presidential election OF that year.
SLOW ELECTION RETURNS
Three weeks have elapsed since tho
election. but we have received few Off
clal rturns-those from Missouri and
Illinois We arc indebted to the Mis-
sour Republican for these. They
show. Harrison. 1i9 Fan Buren,, $40.
In Madison VIC learned verbally that In
the election Of one township, Van
Buren, had a majority of So votes
In Monsieur's diary, called My Fort
Clark Journal" dated 1880, and care
fully protected by a hand-scwn cover
OF clkskin. under March 6th ia noted.
Hall. gentle Spring, I greet thee with
leclings Of most heartfelt delight
Grosvcntro has arrived from Re"
Camp and says strange Indians arc
cncampcd at Turtle Mountain"
Under date of March 1ith-"Thc In
dinns killed one OF my doEs-rctsiliat-
ed by killing two In his placc-swcct
revenge"
wednesday-"rhe express from 81
Louis for rt. Union remains here a.
vet. having no person to send With H.
There IL "A cold northwest wind 80 that
We arc not able to even haul wood
Ny hunters arrived with the meat Of
four bulls"
Sunday. MAY 2sth-"sent up to Gros.
vcutros to collect some news Had
duck for dinner, the first this year.
Tho mon at tho Fort made a record
yesterday by killing 900 rats. They
did not finish till nearly dawn.
February 8, is3S-"Killed one wolf
last night stormy wcather-Major
killed two antclopes today but Mitch
ell. who went hunting with him ar
rived home with only the meat OF ono
poor CROW. The Eees run q band OF
buffalo uf at least 900 and killed a
great number"
Sunday. the 23rd-"Today was a hon-