Document text
N:L'14tatr:/,
Jordan; Mrs. Mildred
lea. 1* el. 679 words.
9.11.36.
ale'ORIPTIOr OF A nolarnp EXPTInfEtt
wurI TRAIN NYS OF TRAM.
Some hair raising stories of experience with the Indians
as told by Mr. William H. Steele in hie travels by wagon train,
when Indians were plentiful and the train with tisele wee con.
neoted had many thrilling encounters with them, but no serious
trouble. Perhaps the most exciting one when they reached the
trkanvls River and were preparing to ford it. Pomo fieroe look.
ing red eking in breech cloute and war paint rode up and watch-
ed the proceedings with interest and when the team nettle was
managing balked in midetream and refused to budge, the Indians
charged into the water with blood stirring yells, apparently,
bent on taking adventage of the situation. To the eurprise and
relief of the wagon men, however, they proved to be interested
Only in getting the refectory oxen in motion and they did this
with the use of English oaths, probably the only English word,
they knew.
shortly after hie return from los Vegas. Mr. Steele join.
ed another wagon train bound for Virginia City, Mont., over the
Oregon trail. This tire he drove mules, which were more to his
liking as he could ride one. He returned to Westport in 165 by
way of Salt Lake City* and Imnver. In the Utah City he saw
Brigham Young and at Denver he joined a record breaking wagon
team train.
Men from all over the ftetern country had assembled there
for protection from the Indians on the way test They had 445
wagonr in goin7 out of Denver, a train more than four miles
lorw. There IMO en average of four to six men to the wagon.
le rent to Paolal Teneam in 1857 and to Los! 4ngelesi
Calif., in 1877 when the otty hed a population of 3,000.
Fror there he freihted to the borax mine of Nevada in 173
and in 1874 went to Trinided, Colo., where he operated a
bakery fourteen ynnre. Later living in Kanrae City, Kano,
in Iieaouri, and in Siloam Springs, trk. He lived at Fort
Bayard thirtcon genre, no living in fAlver City.
In all the nine statee in which Mr. EiBele lived is
at hie best when recalling the 74esteort of the frontier and
eteamboat lenling on the Mieeouri that was to develop into
Kaneee lity.
Many a night he her. the wolf and the wildcat holler
at Weetport in the early ler'. Many tiree he has eeen the
ol Conoore. conchee go through there from Independence bound
for S'Antn Fe, loaded with parrengers. It took seven days to
go to '.anta Fe one wly.
He remembers the eomewhat famous incident of Milto McGee's
ride behild an ox hitched to a buggy, when Mr. McGee was serv—
ing as the cecond rayor of Kanrae City. McGee was a lover of
horsee and orntr o!! reveral fest ener and he was both angered
and humiliated. at being arrested for feet driving while eery—
ing P.4/ the litylr chief executive, rerhepe one of the first
cares of an arrert for speeding in the city's history. In de.
rision he hitched the ox into his buggy and hired a negro boy
Field Note..
NOTI _ON PICNEY7IN T7.1SELP.
William H. Eieeje- Joined wagon train for the wet.
year 1862.
i4periencep Many with the Indians;
Joined wagon train again later returning from TAP
N. M. joined another wagon train for Virginia City, vont.,
took Oregon trail.
Drove mules returned to Westport, Kan., in 1865, par
Brigham Young in Utah City 411-5 warons gathered t nenver
for protection from Indians formed a train more than four
miles long to 6 men to a wagon.
iloing to Paola, Kan., 1857 Los Angelep Calif., 1873,
freighted to borax mines of Nevada., 1873 in 1874- to Trial.
dad Colo., operated a bakery here 14
Later lived in Kansas City,Kan., Mir
Ark., Port Bayard, N. Mex., for 30
City, N. M.
Saw old Concord. coaches.
Remevberi Milton McOee's
arrest for speeding.
Burkal of ooshunka, Kaw Indian Chief in 1859 or 1860
with horse, gun, dog.
Saw man who was scalped by Indians at 'lestnort.
Mr. Eisele had family 4 children.
yearr.
owl- Siloam Springs,
yaars now in Silver
ride 2nd mayor of
Kanner!
City