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The Smoky Hill And Republican Union
Junction City, Geary County, Kansas
What is this article about?
Reports of multiple Indian attacks along the Platte Route in August 1864, including killings of settlers, theft of stock, and burning of trains near Fort Laramie and Fort Kearney, with calls for protection amid ongoing depredations.
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Depredations and Murders on the Platte Route.
August 6th the Indians attacked a train seven miles from Fort Laramie, killed seven oxen, mules and pony. On the 9th, two men were killed at Hook's Station, ten miles east of Fort Kearney. The same day a train was burned at Plum Creek, thirty-five miles above Fort Kearney. G. K. Otis writes from Denver, Colorado, under date of Aug. 9th, as follows:
"Send out no more mails at present. Have all our stock brought in from the West as far as Seneca or some other good place. Lloyd reports stock run off from Lone Tree and Liberty. Thirty-five men have been murdered between Thirty-two mile creek and Cottonwood."
Lone Tree is 42 miles this side of Fort Kearny, and Liberty Farm 45 miles. Thirty-two mile creek is 35 miles this side of Fort Kearney, and Cottonwood is 100 miles above Fort Kearny.
The Atchison Free Press has the following:
"We are indebted to Mr. Gillipie for the following letter received last evening:"
THOMPSON'S RANCH, Aug. 9, 1864.
Mr. Sam. Jerome—Sir: The station keepers, as well as all families, have fled from their homes on the Little Blue. The Indians on Sunday commenced an indiscriminate murder of the inhabitants along the Blue. Up to this time we know of fifteen families and individuals being scalped. Eight of Mr. Eubanks', Mr. Kelly, Mr. Butler, Mr. Burk, (shot and scalped, not yet dead,) M. Euley and Mr. Buoy. All from Comstock's are now here, coming down into the settlements for safety. Your stock is all leaving. Stage stopped. Mr. Smith will hand you this, and can tell you all the news in relation to our situation. Can we have any help or protection.
E. L. COMSTOCK, G. B. THOMPSON."
OMAHA CITY, Aug. 10.—The Indians are hourly committing new depredations, stealing stock, burning trains and killing indiscriminately. They were within one hundred yards of the pickets at Fort Kearney last night, and fired an arrow at one of them. A coach arrived at Fort Kearney this morning and reports having passed several trains which had been burned and dead bodies by their side.
What sub-type of article is it?
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Platte Route
Event Date
August 6 10, 1864
Key Persons
Outcome
seven oxen, mules, and pony killed; two men killed at hook's station; train burned at plum creek; stock run off from lone tree and liberty; thirty-five men murdered between thirty-two mile creek and cottonwood; fifteen families and individuals scalped including members of mr. eubanks', mr. kelly, mr. butler, mr. burk (shot and scalped, not yet dead), m. euley, and mr. buoy families; multiple trains burned with dead bodies; ongoing killings and stock thefts.
Event Details
Indians attacked a train near Fort Laramie on August 6, killing livestock. On August 9, two men were killed at Hook's Station and a train burned at Plum Creek. Reports from G. K. Otis detail stock thefts and 35 murders between Thirty-two mile creek and Cottonwood. Letter from Thompson's Ranch describes indiscriminate murders and scalping along the Little Blue, with families fleeing to settlements. By August 10 in Omaha City, Indians continued depredations near Fort Kearney, approaching pickets and burning more trains.