davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-02

some dark object, which at that dis
lance looked like a dead crow. He
proceeded to our corral, and when
reached there I found great ex-
element prevailing, particularly
among the women, there being twelve
or fifteen families with women and
children included in our train. The
thing which the man had found out
in the pine scrub was the scalp of
a white man; he had brought it with
him to the camp, and instead of re-
porting it to the captain. thoughtless-
ly showed it before the women and
children, who were now in state
of panic and terror. We found here
other suggestive signs of the passage
of Captain Townsend's train. We
were corraled on the very spot on
which he had camped, and noticed
something that we aid not seen at
any of his former encampments on
the route. From a point on the river
above his corral, and extending In
a semi-circle completely around it to
the river below, there was a band
of several feet in width where the
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-02
DAVID WEAvER'S STORY OF A BATTLE BETWEEN THE SIOUX
INDIANS AND CAPT. T0vvNSEMDpS TRAIN ON BOHEMIAN TRIAL

grass had been cut Cor shoveled)
away.
Just at the lower end where the
corral had been there were few
good-sized cottonwood trees; and
here we found a written explanation
of these conditions just mentioned
One of Townsend's men had blazed
a surface on one of the trees on
which vas written: Captain Towns
end had a fight here with the Ind
ians, July 8, 1864" or words to this
Effect am giving the inscription
from memory.
AS mentioned, Townsend had de-
parted here from the Bozeman trail
and kept along the river, fording and
recording, until he struck the trail
further up, and we followed his
course also. When we had proceed
ed a few miles up the river the fol-
lowing morning (July 23) we came
upon the graves of three of Towns
ends men. Their friends had placed
at the graves headmarks made from
boards taken from the wagon train
and had inscribed one Frank Hudd-
meyer" another had the name of "A.
Warren of Missouri" killed by the
Indians on the 9Th inst; the third
grave I do not recollect. These
graves had been opened up, and the
remains of these men lay on the
ground close by. These men Coffin
bury re-buried. The belief of the
men in Coffinbury's train was that
the wolves had dug up the bodies.
I have now briefly mentioned what
came under my personal observa-
ton when we reached this place less
than two weeks after Captain Towns
ends train had passed. / have never
seen a printed account of this battle
with the Indians; and I will now give
the details of the affair as given to
me within few months after the
incident by one of the participants,
George Gibboney Gibboney was
member of the Townsend train and
continued on to Virginia City. But
he returned in the spring of 1855 to
Emigrant gulch, when then was
engaged in gold mining; we became
associated as partners in mining OPP
erations; / came to know him well,
and as he was an intelligent, honest
and trustworthy fellow, have full
confidence in the reliability of the
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-02

! The north side of the Powder river
from the junction of Sand Cor Dry
creek to this junction of the South
fork, and what have called the West
fork, is level river bottom land, or
a flat what / suppose would be
described by biologists as an 'ailu-
vial bottom varying In width gen.
orally from thirty to fifty rods. The
river itself was at the south edge of
| this flat: and at the nOrtherly edge
there arose hills, the tops of which
we're we'll covered with pine The
flat itself was almost free of trees,
except here and there scrub pine
and a few good sized cottonWoods
near the place we were in corral
above the junction with the South
fork; the flat was covered with
hardy growth of grass at the time.
Just above the junction with the
South fork this flat was occupied, so
| to speak, by high knoll or ridge
probably a mile in length. This
knoll or ridge did not represent
swerving in of the other hills refer
red to as being at the northerly edge
of the flat, but was separate ele-
walton standing rather by itself. The
result was that the northerly slope
of this knoll or ridge and the south
erly slope of the other hill tended
to form at their bases narrow val
ley or ravine between these two ele-
vations; and this ravine terminated
the western end of the river flat.
The ridge next to the river came so
close to the river bank as not to leave
a good natural wagon route between
tn river and the foot of the ridge;
and Bozeman, in laying out his trail,
had been obliged to keep away from
the river; and he selected his route
through the ravine between the two
ridges
The place we had now selected for
a corral was the same spot so used by
Captain Townsend, but we discovered
that at this point Captain Townsend
had abandoned the Bozeman trail.
He had not taken the route through
the ravine, but had taken a course
between the ridge and the river for
a short distance, then forded to the
south bank, kept on the south side
until past the obstruction of this
knoll, and then reforded to the north
bank, striking the Bozeman trail
west or northwest of the ridge. We
did not understand at that time why
Townsend should have made this
change in the route which he had
been following; but assuming that
there must have been some good rea-
son for it, our own train did like
wise, following townsend at this point
rather than the Bozeman trail. That
Townsend did have good reasons for
making the change, will appear later.
My immediate personal party in
our own train had one wagon with
three yoke of cattle; and as there
were five in our party, we took al
ternate turns .in4charge aofthe team,
SO that two of US we're relieved of
such work every day. Usually those
of us who were free for the day
would proceed at our leisure little
ahead of or to the sides of the train,
hunting for game, or perhaps pros
pecting for signs of gold. When we
struck the Powder river it was my |
day off duty and I was with our
guard, following at the rear of the
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-02

wagon train. AS I strolled along
over this flat, approaching the spot
where the wagons were already get
ting into corral, my attention was
attracted to number of arrows,
tipped with iron, scattered around
in the grass. I noticed perhaps a
dozen of them at one point in a COM
paratively small space. This itself
at once suggested some unusual con-
dition; for such iron was not plenti-
full enough among the Indians to be
thrown away in this fashion; the tips
looked as if they might have been
made from the iron hoops from bar
rels or pals, and much labor (of
which Indians are not fond) had
been necessary, especially by the In
dians' primitive means, to get them
into shape. Such iron tipped arrows
were greatly priced by the Indians,
and would not have been thus aban-
doned except under the stress of some
necessity.
While I was observing these ar
rows, / noticed one of our men who
was somewhat in advance of me, pick
from the branches of a scrub pine
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-02
BY DAVID B. WEAVER

An overland route from the states
to the northwest had been laid out
to Virginia City in the fall of 1868
by Captain John Bozeman land hence
known as the "Bozeman Trail'')
which by reason of the enthusiastic
recommendation given it by its
founder was adopted by a number
of wagon trains as their line of ira
vel, particularly during the next cou-
pie of summers before the govern
ment discontinued its use. The Boze-
man trail differed from the new
Bridger trail in three important
and, it may be added, disadvantage
ous-respects: it was over hundred
miles longer than the Bridger trail;
it lay east of the Big Horn noun
tains; and it passed through country
inhabited by hostile Sioux instead of
the territory of the more friendly
Grows west of the Big Horns. This
last feature made it necessary for
a considerable number of wagons to
collect in a train before venturing
into the Sioux regions. The easterly
end of the trail which was Richard S
(Re-shaw's) toll bridge on the
North Platte lat a point between the
present stations of Casper and Glen
rock on the Chicago and Northwest
ern railroad) accordingly became a
sort of assembling point for the
overland travellers.
l arrived at Richards bridge on
July 6, 1864, and learned that just
a few days before my arrival wa
gon train had departed over the Boze-
man trail under the command of a
Captain Townsend. AS our own wa
gon train at that date consisted of
only seventeen wagons (Which had
travelled together since leaving Fort
Laramie) it WAS inadyisable to pro-
coed further i'm the direction of the
Indian country without a large party.
Hence we remained at Richards
bridge until July IT, by which time
sixty-eight wagons had collected;
and the train was then regularly or
ganized with Captain Cyrus G. COT
finbury in charge, and moved out to
follow Capt. Townsend's train over
the Bozeman trail. have given in
"a former article brief sketch of the
progress of Captain Coffinbury's
train until it's disbandment (see con-
trfbutions to Montana Historical So
'cisty, vol. z, p. 75-77) and will now
refer to our movements only as lead
ing up to the subject of this article,
viz. the battle between Captain
'Townsend's wagon train and the In
ldians at the Powder river.
On July 22, 1864, our own (Cof-
finbury's) train reached the Powder
river at the junction of what is now
known as Sand creek, but was known
to US then as Dry creek. We crossed
over the river, followed up the north
bank for about six miles, or to the
junction of the South fork of the
Powder river with the westerly fork,
the latter consisting of the union,
a few miles still further westward,
of the North fork and the Middle
fork; and our train went into corral
here just little above the junction
of the South fork.
Some reference should be made to
the situation of the Bozeman trail
in this neighborhood, and certain |
physical aspects of the locality.
, 1923-09-11
transportation
Notice For Salt
Creek Lot Sale

Special arrangements have been
made with the Yellow Cab company
to operate Yellow Cab Cadillac and
other touring cars from Casper to
the new Railroad Townsite Of Salt
Creek during the public auction
sales which begin on Saturday. Sep
TENDER 18th
Special rates have been arranged
of 5000 for the round trip. which
amount will be refunded by the
Townsite company to all purchasers
of lots upon presentation of fare
receipts.
The auction sale begins at 1880
p. m. Saturday. Sept. 18th and yell
'ow Cabs will depart from tho Hen
nIng Hotel at 0 O'Clock a. m.
Telephone Yellow Cab company at
once. phone number 4, for seat res
ervation.
This transportation arrangement
applies for Saturday. Sunday and
Monday. September 18th to Scptem.
Der lTth-AdvertiSement.
Pub. Sept. II. II, 10, IL, Is. Is, 1919.
, 1923-09-11

era IL o have one. for you will
encounter scenes that you will love
to recall through a photograph
Pack a luscious lunch. place it in a
paper sack. and prepare to enjoy
1t upon the arrival at Hell's Half
Acre. II you have a canteen or
anything suitable for carrying wat
er. 1t might be well to make It
part of your paraphanalia.
The round trip fare has been made
very nominal IN order that every
one may attend. Mr.. Shedd, own
err and operator of the lead truck.
has fixed the rate for each person
at $500. This expense is the only
one to which you viii be subjected
throughout the day.
The excursion viii leave from In
front of the Tribune building
promptly at Q a. m. Sunday. and will
arrive at Hell's Half Acre at noon.
Be there promptly.
, 1923-09-11
Personals

Mrs. Dan Sullivan and son hurry
have returned to Casper after spend
ing the summer months at their
summer home on Casper mountain.
N,Miss Genevieve Nau left last even
ing for Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco where she will spend soms
time visiting with her parents.
STNv
Miss Frances Ferris of Laramie
arrived in the city yesterday and
win be an instructor in the public
schools here.
Miss Leila Craft left last evening
for Denver where she will attend
the Denver University.
John Tobin left today for the
Two.Bar ranch after spending n few
days here on business and visiting
with Mrs. Tobin and family.
Mrs. Nellie Eaves and daughter
OF Thermopoiis arrived in tho city
last evening and will spend several
Gays here visiting with friends.
Mrs. r. B. Lummis and children.
Helen, Lucy and Blanche Louise
will leave tomorrow for Cheyenne
Wy they will visit for a short
fine with Mr.. Lummis' mother and
, 1923-09-11
Hartmann Grand
Installed at North
w Washington all

Patrons Of the North Washington
Dance Hall will be pleased TO learn
that a new Kurtzmann grand plano
from Tho Chas. Z. Wells Music Co..
has been placed there. The piano is
a special American Burl Walnut Case
and is OF the larger models which
produce the full and lasting tones
necessary for use In dance halls.
In speaking of the purchase. Mr.,
Gales said: I am grateful for the
fine patronage I have had In the past
and in buying this piano I want to
give these patrons added enjoyment
Mr.. Gales believes in the future OF
, 1923-09-11
City Briefs

NJ. A. campel of Denver is spend
ing several days here.
d. E. Lamb and F. A. Lambert are
Tulsa, Okla. business men spending
several days here.
for Cheyenne and Denver to be gone
a week or 10 days on a business trip.
]. C. Brandimore of Lansing,
Mich, arrived in the city yesterday
on a business trip.
Samuel D. Ryan left this morning
overland for Rawlins to be gone
several days.
NJ. C. Brand has returned to Cas-
per after spending n week in Colo
rado visiting with friends.
William Hufford is in the city for
a few days on business.
d. Winter. who has ben spending
several days here on business, win
leave in a few days for California
where he will spend some time.
L. A. Toothacher. state secretary
OF the Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION. has returned to the city
after a month spent in western Colo
rado.
Harry Yesness is spending a short
time in Denver on business.
Eugene Mccarthy is spending sew.
eral days in Arminto on business.
Owen E. Brooks is n business man
here for several days from Torring.
ton.
]. II. Creator OF Burlington, wyo.,
is spending a few days here on bust
ness.
E. B. Winner of Saratoga is here
for a short time attending to bust
ness affairs.
Ralph Roberts of Cheyenne is
spending a few days in the city.
S. Swanson Is attending to bust.
ness affairs here for a few days
from Pine Dome.
Dwight Braskney is an out-of-
town man spending several days
here.
Higbee Brush of Aberdeen. g. D..
arrived in the city yesterday on a
short business trip.
L. D. Mulliga mis- among the Den
yer business men spending several
Gays here.
W. A vogel arrived today from
st. Louis, Mo-. and will apend sew
eral days here attending to business
affairs.
G. Mcrigue of Billings. Mont, is
here On business for the remainder
of the week.
s. s. Wilson. representative of the
Anderson Stationery company of
Los Angeles. is here for a few days
en- route to Montana where he will
, 1923-09-11
"You Neglec
Your Kidneys!"

That's why you have that con-
slant backache, that lameness and
soreness. and those sharp. rheum.
attic pains. Don't ignore these
w%arningsl That nerve-racking
bachache, those headaches. dizzy
spells and urinary Irregularities are
usually easily corrected IL treated
promptly. But neglect is dangerous
Help your kidneys before II is too
late. Use Doan's Kidney Pills.
Scores OF Casper folks recommend
Doan's. They should help you.
Ask your neighbor.
Mrs. L. w. StiIiway. sas N. JEFF
ferson street says: MY kidneys
did not act right at all and I had
inflammation Of the bladder. 1
became dizzy headed and specks
before my eyes blurred my sight. A
few boxes OF Doan's Kidney Pills
from the Casper Pharmacy Cured
me completely and 1 had no return
of the trouble since"
, 1923-09-11
Good Thing-DoN'T MISS IT

Send your name and address
plainly written together with 5
cents land this slip) to Chamberlain
Medicine Co.. Des Moines. Iowa, and
receive In return a trial package
containing champerlains cough
Remedy for coughs colds, Group
bronchial, FLU and whooping
coughs. and tickling throat; Cham
berlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets
for stomach trouble, indigestion,
Rassy pains that crowd tho heart,
biliousness and constipation: Cham
berlain's Salve. needed In every fam
lily for burns, scalds, wounds. piles.
and skin affections; these valued
family medicines for only 5 cents.
pon't miss it-Advertisement
, 1923-09-11

morning for Brooks lake where the
viii spend . short time on . pleasure
TRIP.
Mr.. and Mrs. C. G. Burke arrived
In the city today from Denver and
will make their home in this city.
Mr.. Burke having accepted a posi-
ton here.
Mr.. and Mrs. James A spicer Of
Cheyenne and Miss Helen Rose Of
Denver arrived last evening and will
visit here for several days after
which they will 20 to Montana on
u short business and pleasure trip.
Mrs. Robert II. Fuller left yester-
day for Nebraska having been called
there by the serious Illness of her
brother. Frank C. Fuller.
, 1923-09-11
Flower Exhibition
Saturday

The civic department Of the Casper
Woman's Department club will hold
their annual flower exhibition Satur-
day. September is. ut the Richard
and Cunningham store. a first and
second prize will be awarded to the
winners and all children who pur.
chased seeds last spring are asked to
bring their flowers Saturday to the
exhibition.
, 1923-09-11
NO CITY WATER FOR
IRRIGATION USE ON
WEDNESDAY EVENING

An order preventing the use of city
water for sprinkling purposes Wed.
nesdaS' evening of this week was is
sued today by Sylvester F. Pelton,
chairman of the water COMMITTEES of
the city council. The reason for the
order is that the city reservoirs are
to be cleaned out. Residents are
nsked to take notice as penalties will
be imposed for violation of tho rul-
ing.
, 1923-09-11
THIRTY ENJOY TOUR Of
CITY As GUESTS OF THE
CASPER MOTOR CLUB

Thirty old people OF Casper vsero
given a tour about Casper and VIC
Unity Sunday by the members of h
Casper Motor club. The persons in
each individual car were taken to
whatever particular places they
nos desired to go, and the tour
as n whole proved 10 be a success.
, 1923-09-11
Royal Neighbor
Meeting Tomorrow

The Royal Nelghbors of America
will meet in regular session tomorrow
evening at 5 o'clock in the Odd Eel
lows hall. All members r asked
to be present as business matters of
Importance will be discussed. Re-
freshments will be served at the close
CT the evening by the committee in
charge.
, 1923-09-11

at 115 West H street. A keg Of
liquor. and q sackful Of empty bot
ties wero obtained in the haul.
Compton has been released on a
bond Of 500.
, 1923-09-11
ONE ARRESTED, LIQUOR
IS SEIZED IN RAID

A considerable haul OF liquor was
obtained by Captain William Clay
ton and Officer McGrew of the po-
lice department yesterday afternoon
when y. B. Compton was arrested
, 1923-09-11
Woman's Auxiliary
Meeting Wednesday

The woman's Auxiliary Of the EN-
manue Baptist church will meet to-
morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the
home of Mrs. j. E. Frisby on Cherry
street. All members are asked to be
present.
, 1923-09-11
Saint Marks Guild
Meeting Thursday,

There will be a meeting OF Saint
Marks guild Thursday after
noon at the home of Mrs. T. F., Al
geo. on South Durbin street. instead
of at the parish house as original.
ly planned. All members are asked
to be present as important business
matters will be discussed.
, 1923-09-11
Presbyterian Teachers and
Officers VIII Meet

There will be a meeting Of all of
the teachers and officers of the First
Presbyterian Sunday school this
evening at 1850 in the church pariors.
An invitation Is also extended to all
those who intend to teach during the
winter months. All officers and
teachers are asked to be present.
, 1923-09-11

Tho Casper Motor club wishes to
xpress its thanks to the car owners
who offered their services fer the
occasion.
, 1923-09-11
Bridge Luncheon
At Sullivan Home.

The Misses Margaret, Kathleen
at the first of a series of bridge
luncheons to be given on Saturday
of this week Mt their home on East
Tenth street. Twenty guests will at
tend.
, 1923-09-11
100 H|KERS EXPECTED TO join
SPARKY ON TRIP next SUNDAY

When the old town clock chimes
0 A. m. on Sunday. Sept. 16. two
great trucks. loaded to capacity with
and all sizes. will swing away from
the curb at the Tribune building
on Second street, and point their
noses toward the west. enroute for
the scenic mysteries OF Hell's Half
Acre. The Tribune's excursion. un-
def the leadership OF Spark Plug.
will be in full swing.
A little over a week ago, Sparky
conducted n hike to the beautiful
Garden Creek falls. in h heart Of
the Casper mountains. So success
full was the excursion. and so en-
thusiastic was the newly formed
hiking club. that the members voted
to launch a larger proposition on
Sept. 16. The trip to Hell's Half
Acre is the outgrowth of this vote.
and moro than 100 people are ex-
pected to answer the call.
Although the entire trip will be
made by truck. plenty of good old
fashioned hiking is in store for the
many lovers of that form of exer-
else. for Hell's Half Acre will stand
Ia loo of exploring and scrambling
about IN its weird caves and grot-
tos. Thirty seats have been pro.
vided upon each OF the two trucks.
and when every seal is filled. the
party will be complete. Get to the
Tribune building a bit early. and in
the language Of the schoolboy.
"Cinch a seat"
Don't wear clothing that will not
stand ''roughing'' 1t. Above all. on
a trip such rs this one. you must
be comfortable. Bring YOUR cam
, 1923-09-11

Casper and is preparing for ne hrEs
increase in his already growing bust.
ness.
, 1923-09-11
Altar and Rosary
Meeting This Afternoon.

The Altar and Rosary society of
Saint Anthony's Catholic church
met this afternoon at the Mullin
club with Mrs. Patrick Burke and
Mrs. e. Il. Dean as h~ostesses. I'm.
portant business matters were dis.
cussed which included plans made
for the coming years work.
, 1923-09-11
Mrs. Wertz VIII
Entertain.

Mrs. R. E. Wertz will be hostess
at an informal bridge luncheon TO
be given Thursday al her residence.
147 North Wolcott street.
, 1923-09-11
Wedding Anniversary
Il Celebrated.

Mr.. and Mrs. n. A. Smith were
hosts at an informal dinner party
given last evening at their home on
Wolcott street in honor OF their
tenth wedding anniversary. Red
roses were used for the table deco
rations. Covers were laid for ten.
, 1923-09-11

spend several weeks on business for
his company and visiting with
friends.
C. A. Munroe OF Morrill,. Neb., ar
rived yesterday and will spend sew
eral days here.
C. A. Beeler will leave Wednesday
with a party of several C~asperites as
well as two men from Sioux City and
one from Cheyenne for the jackson
Hole country on a hunting trip which
will last for about IL days. Among
those who will go from Casper are
William Treber. Patsy Carr Jr.. Dave
Vance. and Al Converse.
George W. Pitman. manager of the
United States Weather bureau
station at Cheyenne. is in the city
for the day.
, 1923-09-11
Arrangements for French
Club Being Made

Mrs. II. E. Gerry Is visiting for the
day with Mrs. John Higgins Of Glen
rock for the purpose OF making ar
rangements for the organization OF a
Casper chapter of Alliance Franchise.
The Denver French CONSUL pledges
will address the charter members IF
the Casper chapter in the near
future. The chapter is meeting with
the greatest enthusiasm and many
applications for membership have
been received.
, 1923-09-11

Mr.. and Mrs. ]. NJ. Mnuroe have
as their house guest for several
weeks at their home on Yellowstone
avenue Mr.. Munroe's parents. Mr..
and Mrs. E. A Munroe of Indian
apolis.
, 1923-09-11

Mrs. Jennie L. Sherman has re
turned from a two months trip in
the Big Horn Basin.
, 1923-09-11

Mrs. r. D. Miller has had as hei
guest for several days her brother
Jack Nolan of Thermopolis.
, 1923-09-11

BY MARY TOBIN
BY MARY TOBIN

sister. Mrs. Lummis will return in
a few days while the children will
spend a week there.
, 1923-09-11

Mr.. and Mrs. o. B. Evans and
children of Denver are visiting with
here for a few days enroute
Thermopolis where they will
visit for. a week with relatives.