, 1922-12-21

k10YT u uO8Ily tA10S GU AAAhOo
across country. along which there
was not Q white resident save at the
forts, and where much OF the dis
lance was through q country infested
by hostile Indians. Fort Phil Kear-
ney was rached in midsummer of
1855. and there Mr.. Daley entered
the employ Of the government. work
ing at his trade.
This period forms an important
chapter In the history Of this section
of the west; these events events sur
rounding Fort Phil Kearney during
its erection and the first year OF its
exiAence. These events are not only
a matter OF government record. but
have been faithfully described by
able writer's who, like MI. Daley,
were living at the fort during this
time.
Fort Phil Kearney was n Of the
posts erected along q new wagon
road through the Powder River
country around the Big Horn noun
.taans. with thu object of shortening
the route to Montana. This project
Wa bitterly. opposed BY Red Cloud.
. leader OF the young warriors Of the
northern Sioux and tho other prin-
cipal chiefs. In June, 1855, q con-
tfereneo had 6een hold at Fort Lar.
annie. where an effort was made to
have thsse chiefs Yield the privilege
Of peaceably establishing . new road
WIKI military posts along the route.
Tho leading chiefs left the council
WITH their a6hePents. teturAed1 to
their own country ana NTH . strong
force Of warriors began q Vigorous
and relentless war against all
whites. citizens a. we'll a. soldiers.
who attempted to occupy the route
In question. ~ "a
This fort seemed to be the post
that more than any ether was the
object OF attack by these savage. All
during the summer and fall Of 1855
while the work Of building the fort
was being pushed a. rapidly as pos
stbfe. scarcely a day passed Sat
what some M of the fort attaches
or members of the garrison was
wounded or killed by the Indians
fro0 ambush. The wood train, the
1awnili crew OF those at work n the
hay field. were coAstaatly IN danger
Of their lives since their work was
moi within the confines Of the fort.
1t is doubtful II ever = post on the
western frontier was continually
harassed during the period Of con-
~structon ~ was thst Of Fort Phil
ksarney. The fort fagpole stood
124 feet high and was largely the
product OF william Daley's mechsn-
eeal sknl. TAs nag q ats top Was the
first full Garrison Flag" that ever
floated between the Platte and
Montana. and Mr.. Daley had the
honor Of hoistinG Il for the firvt
time.
In January. 1857. Mr.. Daley va
incu6el ameng q number nat were
Transferred to other posts. and on the
33rd ~ that RoukA the payty, with
IA escort Of forty Infantry aAA'twsn-
~ cavalry. together with many empty
WaO0asi that Woeo 70 Fetos1 from
Fort Reno with supplies for Fort
Phil Keasnsy. all under The Command
OF ,Neatenant Alphons H. Bowman.
started out. This was probably one
Of the most strenuous Journeys ever
undertaken By \ military party in the
state. Deep snow. Immense drifts,
bitter cold during which the mercury
concealed In the bulb. and At every
halt preeauNon-aseessAry 70 pre-
vent . surprise attack BY the In
diaaa!l The entire psr<y suffered
more or less from exposure. Al Mud
SPRING. Mr.. Daley was severely At
taeke1 ~ nov blindneso. which
completely deprived him Of his sight.
asa was accnanpaaisd ~ S1sseiatans
pain for several days. TIE entire
journey 70 Fort AcPhersee. which
was NJ. Daiey's desanaston. vas sves
to be remembered. The thousands
journey caused even che veteran
plsinsmen 70 edmit tAsy had neves
Aefore seen thAee anlssAh 20 mum.
erous.
Mr.. Daley was empleysdl At ht1
itrade IN the rebuilding u Fort Nc
Pherson until he went iato business
for himself In delivering wood IA
the Union Pacific road. employing
his " team In the work. Later
going to Cheyenne. he entered the
employ Of the Union Pacific, work.
Ing II his trade of carpenter. and be-
fore long vas given charge OF {
gang. Mr.. Daley was present n
Promontory Point. Utah In 1859,
whom the compistion Of the Union
Pacific Railvsy yn celebrated
supcstnlsalW& Of baA6nng and
wstsruoeene IT, the eoulpeny be.
twesh CAsylsns and 0edo9. IN the
latter yaoR ~ lefe G~he.0n6Qeoy Of III
raiiroal anA located a. Aawllns
whore he engaged IN the contracting
and lumber business, ~ we'll ~ ~
comin9 the first furniture deaise n
the city.
1Aess pro3scts we're probably con.
auetsd. and - his capttal Increased
he became Interested n othee lines
Aeoue 1889 ~ eooaAe connected
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