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Show 126 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY OLD in the year 1824 or 1825, by Messrs. Faulkner and Anderson. They were caught by a heavy fall of snow at Chouteau’s island, on the Arkansas river, and lost nearly all of their horses and mules. They wintered on an island that has been known since as ‘Log Island’ on account of the many trees they had to cut for the subsistence of their few remaining animals and for sheltering the men from the storm. ‘Subsequently the road, being better known, was traveled frequently even in winter, but often the attempt resulted in loss of property, and not infrequently of human life. ‘‘In December, 1841, Don Manuel Alvarez, with a small party, was caught in a storm on Cottonwood creek, near Council Grove. In a few hours two men and all the mules were frozen to death. Alvarez saved the remainder of his men by forcing them into pee until the storm abated; many of them, however, were badly rozen. ‘‘About the same period another party, under the charge of Don Antonio Robidoux, had to stand a storm at the same place. They wii in one night one or two men and over four hundred horses and mules. ‘In 1844 Dr, Henry Connelly and M. Speyer got into a storm near the Arkansas TRAGEDIES OF THE river, and on October 12th lost a number of mules and saved the remainder only by TRAIL driving them into the timber of the river, where they another rough could ‘be protected. The SANTA FE TRAIL 127 that place and lost nearly three hundred mules, one man was lost and several others badly frozen.’’ Cold Spring was 5385 miles from Independence and it was here the trail left the valley of the Cimarron. The water at this spring was very cold and delicious. MecNees’ Creek was the site of one of the melancholy tragedies of the days of the old trail. Here McNees and Munroe, two traders from Franklin, Missouri, on their way home from Santa Fé, in 1828, were killed by the Indians. This creek is now known by the name of Currumpaw; it flows into Beaver creek, thence into the north fork of the Canadian. Another fatality occurred at this point during the same year and also with a party returning from Santa Fé. The date is confirmed by the Missouri Intelligencer of October 24, 1828, which states that the company comprised about twenty-five persons. The party had about one hundred and fifty mules, five wagons, and a small amount of specie. by a large At the Upper Cimarron Springs they were surrounded band of Comanches who ordered the Americans to camp with them for the night. This the traders declined to do and they decided to make their way ahead in spite of the Indians. tain John Means, a man named Ellison, and another Cap- by the name 12 of Bryant brought up the rear with the wagons. When the Indians saw that the traders were bound to proceed, they immediately ‘In 1848, Messrs. Waldo, McCoy & Company, government freighters, in returning to Missouri, lost nearly all their cattle, amounting to eight or nine hundred head. The wagons were left on the spot until spring. Ellison and Bryant escaped, but Captain Means began the attack. was instantly shot down and scalped before life had left his body. Same party encountered storm on the Cimarron, which they lost over three hundred mules and were compelled to remain until animals were sent from Santa Fé to their relief. ‘‘In 1849, Messrs. Brown, Russell & Company, in crossing the The party then continued their route by short stages, constantly beset by the Indians, but escaping with no more disastrous loss than ‘Jornada’ from the Arkansas to the Cimarron, with some twenty the serious wounding The animals would not leave, but gathered in the enclosure forme with them and about ten thousand dollars, specie, they set out quiet- wagons, were caught by a terrific wind- and snow-storm. The me? took refuge in the wagons, leaving the cattle go where they pleased. by the wagons, where they perished in a few hours. Fortunately provisions were plenty, and the wagons were used for fuel. Thus the men subsisted until succor arrived in the spring. In 1850, the same company, with government freight, was caught by another snow-storm between Cimarron and San Miguel and lost over a thousand head of cattle. 1 In 1851, Cottonwood creek was again the scene of an awiu ' destruction of life. Colonel Sumner was overtaken by a storm ® of one of their number. At length they got to straits that it was resolved to abandon the wagons Taking what other property they could and a portion of the specie. Such desperate ly at night, and by traveling all the next day and into the following night they reached the Arkansas. Here they cached the remainder of their specie to lighten their load. By the time they arrived at reachWalnut creek they were so exhausted that they despaired of ing the settlements and despatched five of the most able-bodied of their number to Independence for help. A rescue party was 1mmediately formed and sent off after the sufferers, who were picked |