Minutes of the Summer Meeting
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter conducted its summer meeting in conjunction with the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Chapter at the Kansas Soldiers Home, Fort Dodge, on July 2. Following the program presented by David Clapsaddle, the chapters met separately to hold their respective business sessions.

The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter discussed;
(1)The poster contest scheduled to be initiated this fall for 5th grade students
(2)The proposed Zebulon Pike Plaza to be established at Larned, Kansas
(3)An interpretive marker to be placed at the Battle of Coon Creek site

Following, both chapters adjourned to install and dedicate an interpretive marker at the Soldiers Home in honor of Dr. Richard Dryden, recently deceased. Dryden was an active member of both chapters.

Fall Meeting
The chapter will conduct its fall meeting on October 9, 2005 at 4 P.M. at the Clapsaddle Ranche in Larned, Kansas. Several important topics will be included in the business session. A wiener roast will be the highlight of the meeting followed by a program on frontier weapons by George Elmore, Historian, Fort Larned National Historic Site. Members need only to bring an appetite and lawn chairs. Eats and drinks will be provided by the chapter. Joining us will be our sister Fort Dodge/Dodge City/Cimarron Chapter.

Poster Contest
The previously announced Poster Contest has been initiated for fifth grades in the Fort Larned Unified School District. The posters, related to the Santa Fe Trail, will provide prizes as follows: 1st, $100.00, 2nd, $75.00 and third, $50.00. The deadline for the entries is February 1, 2006. Such a schedule will allow teachers to include the contest in Kansas Day activities. Next year the contest will shift to the Kinsley-Offerle district. In following years, all the districts in the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter area will have the opportunity to participate.

Coon Creek Battle Interpretive Marker
The sign for the Coon Creek Battle site has been received from the factory. Hopefully, it will be installed by the time of the October 9 meeting. Following is a text of the sign.

Battle of Coon Creek

South of this point near the Arkansas River on June 18, 1848, several hundred Comanches attacked an encampment composed of: Paymaster Maj. Thomas S. Bryant, two supply trains, 425 beef cattle, Lt. Philip Stremmel's volunteer artillery detachment of 65 officers and men, and 71 recruits under the command of Lt. William B. Royall, First Dragoons. In the ensuing conflict, 23 Comanches were killed, but the troops suffered no losses. The engagement became known as the Battle of Coon Creek, so called for its proximity to that stream.

Zebulon Pike Plaza
The following information has been presented to the Larned City Council.
Proposal for Zebulon Pike Plaza
"Near the end of Lewis and Clark's journey to the Northwest and return to St. Louis, Lt. Zebulon Pike was dispatched to explore the Southwest. In short, what Lewis and Clark meant to the Northwest, Pike meant to the Southwest. What the Missouri River meant to Lewis and Clark, the Arkansas River meant to Pike. On October 28, 1806 Pike and his men crossed the Pawnee River near the south edge of present Larned. Pike's maps and notes were used by William Becknell in 1821 when he opened what we now call the Santa Fe Trail. To join the nationwide observance of the Pike Expedition, the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail is planning a celebration of Pike's presence at the Pawnee on October 28, 2006. The agenda is not complete at this date, but members of the Pike family will be in attendance."

As you know, already in place near the bridge on U.S. 56 are several markers placed by the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. Included are a bronze plaque and two interpretive markers related to the Santa Fe Trail, also grave stones honoring two soldiers who died and were buried nearby during the Mexican War in 1846 and 1847.

The Chapter would like the opportunity to expand that small corner of the park with appropriate landscaping and signage related to the Pike Expedition. If such is approved the Chapter would like to designate that area as the Zebulon Pike Plaza. This proposal does not request any city monies. The chapter will be pleased to defray the expenses and would seek the city's impute on the details of the improvements. One item that would require consideration is the removal of the sand, gravel, and other road building materials that impinge on the area."

The council has approved the project and is awaiting a scaled prospectus of the site. In the October meeting, the project will be discussed in detail; and if approved, a committee will be appointed. Make plans to participate in this important discussion.

Bereavements
We are sorry to report the loss of two chapter members: Patricia Dryden, Dodge City and Guy Snyder, Larned. Our warmest regards go to both families.

New Members
The chapter is pleased to welcome two new memberships: Don and Audrey Prescott, Larned and Norman and Roberta Walters, Gallup, New Mexico.

Fall Meeting -- October 9, 2005
Addition to Grave Stones
Mistakes were discovered with dates on the grave stones situated at the Pawnee River crossing on the Wet Route at the south edge of Larned. Your editor has found that the Veterans Commission which provides these stones often make such errors. Regardless, the Sons of the Civil War has provided funds for bronze plaques to cover the mistaken dates. The plaques have been installed as follows: Pvt. Easley died of a fever near this point on August 5, 1847 and was buried nearby on the following day; Pvt. Hughes drowned near this point on July 14, 1846 and was buried nearby on the following day. To be consistent, a similar plaques was added to the grave stone at Pawnee Rock. It reads, Pvt. Carson died of some unknown illness at this point on July 13, 1846 and was buried nearby on the following day.

Santa Fe Trail Symposium
The Santa Fe Trail Symposium will be held on September 29 - October 2 at McPherson, Kansas. The hosts will be the Quivira and Cottonwood Crossing Chapters with Janel Cook as symposium coordinator. Activities include speakers, bus tours along the trail, workshops, tram tours viewing the buffalo and elk at the Maxwell Game Preserve followed by a chuck wagon dinner, exhibits related to trail history, awards banquet, bookstore and other exciting events. See old trail friends and meet new ones.

Fall Meeting
October 9, 2005
4:00 P.M.
Clapsaddle Ranche (backyard)
215 Mann
Larned, Kansas
Bring Lawn Chairs

Roster and Chapter Dues
A roster of members is available at the meeting. Chapter 2006 dues in the amount of $10.00 are due at the January meeting or may be mailed to Alice Clapsaddle, 215 Mann, Larned, Kansas, 67550. Checks should be made out to the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter.
"Printable Dues Form"
Do Not send dues to the Santa Fe Trail Center.

Thank you for supporting all of the chapter projects!

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