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Show 134 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY OLD SANTA FE TRAIL The following table, which is the only complete summary of the trade ever prepared, was compiled by Dr. Gregg, a most competent authority: Year Mdse. 1822 1823 1824 $ 15,000 12,000 35,000 1826 90,000 1825 1827 Wagons 65,000 37 85,000 55 100 30 70 130 70 105 80 75 70 80 50 130 30 60 1843 450,000 230 160,000 60 30 80 130 60 150,000 60,000 120,000 250,000 140,000 180,000 150,000 140,000 130,000 150,000 90,000 250,000 50,000 150,000 Traders 70 50 100 26 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 Men 3,000 5,000 70 90 7,000 50 200 50 140 320 150 185 160 140 135 160 100 250 60 100 70 Chihuahua $ 90 100 To 120 8,000 80 20 60 80 40 60 50 40 35 35 20 40 5 12 20,000 5,000 20,000 80,000 50,000 80,000 70,000 70,000 60,000 80,000 40,000 100,000 10,000 80,000 30 300,000 15 350 90,000 Ina business of so hazardous and uncertain a character the profits must necessarily have been large to justi fy a pursuit of it. The Tiages of every description’ left Franklin for Santa Fé— June 9, ‘six substantial wagons’ laden with goods arrived in Franklin en ee ae for Santa Fé; owned by Mexican, Mr. Escudero, who was in charge of em. This was about the beginning of Mexican proprietorship in trade which ie. Meee more than half the business in 1843.— It appears that in Sep: ember of this year a party under Céran St. Vrain (if we may trust Inman) Set Fé arriving there in November: in this party was a rund way out boy, forKitSanta Carson, then 17 years old. Beata arte largest were bee a party a from had 52 wagons and 105 mez; se the only outgoing expedition mentioned, but of course Oe 60 of the party returned about September 30, with a » valued at $20,000; returned from en route absent 4 months; Santa Fé with Several hundred bout the Ist of May, : Franklin party cow, (2Ptain; Augustus’ Storrs and David, Workman along; the ito y yet; a - Caravan to Sant a oe cleared mules and caravan left Franklin eatean He, wi aden wagons, — May 40% 3, $30,000 specie. for Santa Fé w! 1a £50 worth of an ’ he September 12, 70 to 80 persons in Franklin from Santa of € profitable but lost 2 men, Monroearrived and MeNe—es. October 28, patty 135 goods were mostly bought in eastern markets, and were great advance, often more than one hundred per cent on cost. But by the time the sales were accomplished various expenses and losses in transporting them so far sold the and were at a first the de- of 25 arrived in Franklin from Santa Fé; had been attacked by Indians who stole all their animals; killed John Means of Franklin, and compelled them to cache their specie. Bent’s Fort erected this year; according to some authorities, the following year. ‘*1829.— Spring caravan consisted of about 70 persons and 35 wagons; Charles Bent, captain; military escort under Major Riley; Samuel CO. Lamme killed en route; returned cargo valued at $34,000.00; reached Franklin early in November. — There seems to have been no other caravan this year. ‘*1830.— About May 22, party of 120 with 60 wagons left Franklin for Santa Fé, returning in October with fair profits. ‘*1831.— May 15, large party, of which Josiah Gregg was a member, numbering nearly 200, and including some ladies, 100 wagons, 2 small cannon, and $200,000 worth of goods, left Independence, Mo. and having organized at Council Grove, left that place May 27; crossed the Arkansas June 13, and arrived at San Miguel in due course.— May 21, there was preparing at Franklin, a large party for Santa Fé with about $200,000.00 worth of goods. — Some of the members had put their entire property in the venture. — One of the above parties returned in October, after a successful trip. — October 20, @ party of 25 or 30 persons passed Columbia, Mo. for Santa Fé, mostly from eastern states. It is this year that Smith, Jackson and Sublette made their unfortunate journey across the plains in which Smith lost his life. _ “1832, — Principal caravan under Charles Bent; date of departure not given; returned about November 1, with $100,000.00 specie and $90,000.00 other property.— A party returning in the fall and winter of this year, attacked by Indians on Canadian J anuary 1 and lost all their property and one man, ‘1833. — June 20, spring caravan at Diamond Grove, 184 men, 93 wagons, under Charles Bent; November 9, 100 of above party returned with $100,000.00 Specie and large amount of other property. — Gregg returned this fall. — May 24, caravan of about 125 wagons; Gregg probably with it; , 1834. part of caravan under captain Kerr, left Santa Fé September 10, arrived home m October, 140 men and 40 wagons, with returns amounting to over $200,000.00. “The record of the caravans during the following years is very obscure, although it Contributed igs certain to the that deficiency this note the Missouri St. Louis papers and they continued Of of record. as heretofore. — Various all the authorities Intelligencer is the most important, the Niles Register. The Missouri causes relied on in and next are the Intelligencer and Boone’s Lick Advertiser began its career in Franklin, where the Santa Fé trade had its origin, and for a full decade its headquarters. As the trade was at that time peculiarly an industry of the country around Franklin the local Paper kept a close account of its doings. June 29, 1826, the paper was trans- ferred to Fayette, in the same county, but back from the river, and four years later, May £, 1830, it was removed to Columbia, Mo. As its habitat was moved away from the river, it became less in touch with the Santa Fé trade. The trade itself gradually transferred its headquarters to Independence, Mo., which Y 1830, had become the main starting point. This town had no paper, and reports of events at so great a distance often failed to be made. While, there“Ore, we should expect ‘0 reality less go, ?? that the later records would be more complete they are |
