Fall Minutes
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter convened for their fall meeting at the David & Alice Clapsaddle residence on October 9, 2005. In attendance were fifty members and guests including representatives of the Fort Dodge/Dodge City/Cimarron chapter. Following a wiener roast, the business session was conducted. Items discussed included the recently installed Coon Creek Battle interpretive marker, the poster contest initiated in USD 495, the learning unit focused on the 1867 Hancock expedition as seen through eyes of a twelve year old Cheyenne boy. This unit will be presented to fourth graders in USD 495. Also discussed was the meal to be served as a fundraiser for Eco Day on November 2. The chapter approved the installation of three additional interpretive markers along U.S. 400 with the Fort Dodge/Dodge City/Cimarron Chapter sharing in the costs. Also approved by the Chapter was the Zebulon Pike Plaza to be developed on the east side of the city park in Larned. The winter meeting is scheduled for 1:30 P.M., January 15, 2006 at the Municipal Building in Kinsley.

New Members
The chapter is pleased to welcome the following as new members: George Donoho Bayless, President, National Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe -- Dick and (Marcia) King, Pike Plaza Designer, Larned, KS -- Kevin McMurry, Supt. Fort Larned National Historic Site Larned, KS -- Kathleen Pickard, Secretary, National Santa Fe Trail, Salina, KS.

Bereavement
The Chapter is sad to report the death of Ron Nelson. Ron, a native of Garfield, KS was in the process of moving back to his home town following his retirement at the time of his death. Our condolences to his wife Vivian and the extended Nelson family.

Lunch Is Served
The chapter served lunch to the participants of the Kansas State Eco Day at the Fort Larned National Historic Site on November 2, 2005. One hundred and seventy people enjoyed chili and trimmings prepared and served by Bob Sallee, Mildon Yeager, George Elmore, and David Clapsaddle. A special thanks goes to Don Do Family Restaurant for their assistance. The project netted the Chapter $340.00.

A large group of Chapter members were in attendance at the Larned City Council meeting in November to lend support to the Chapter's request for certain items related to the Plaza project. Of main importance was the removal of the unsightly road building material near the Plaza site, also the removal of concrete footings and floors which remained from a commercial building razed many years ago. The council voted unanimously to remove both the building materials and the concrete. Elsewhere in this issue is an update on the progress of the Plaza project.

Wagon Tracks Article
The following article appeared in the November, 2005 Wagon Tracks.
I Heard A Coyote Howl
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter has prepared a learning unit named "I Heard A Coyote Howl." The instruction will be derived from a booklet written by David Clapsaddle, the title of which is that of the unit. The booklet tells the story of General Winfield S. Hancock's expedition in April 1867 when the Cheyenne and Sioux village west of Fort Larned on the Pawnee Fork was destroyed by order of General Hancock as a reaction against both tribes for refusing to meet in council with him.

The story is narrated by a twelve-year old Cheyenne boy named Box Elder. His perspective is somewhat different from that of other descriptions written by older white men who witnessed the same event. The unit will be taught to all fourth grades in USD 495 at Larned, Kansas. Learning activities will help the students gain a basic understanding of a Cheyenne's youth development to adolescence when he was expected to make a transition to adulthood as a Cheyenne warrior. A number of artifacts, including a shield, moccasins, and parfleche, all made of buffalo rawhide, will be used as tangibles to enhance the learning.

Zebulon Pike Plaza Web Site
Larry & Carolyn Mix have introduced several new pages to their Santa Fe Trail Research Site dedicated to the Zebulon Pike Plaza. Just go to www.santafetrailresearch.com/ and click on the Pike links.

Winter Meeting
The winter Chapter meeting is scheduled for Sunday January 15, 2006, 1:30 P.M. (sharp) at the Kinsley Municipal Building. A covered dish dinner is planned. Please bring an entree or side dishes or dessert. Service and drinks will be provided.

Officers for 2006 will be elected, the Faye Anderson Award will be presented, and dues for 2006 may be paid. Looking forward to a good crowd.

Larned's First Christmas
A letter from George Worrell published in the Larned Chronoscope December 22, 1927 recalls Larned's first Christmas in 1873. George was the brother of Isabel Worrell, Larned's first teacher who held class in what was originally the saloon in the Little Red House. The Worrell family occupied the rest of the building. The letter reads:

"I well remember the first Christmas tree in Larned. A young ash tree was cut out on Ash Creek. It was wrapped carefully in cotton, decorated with anything that could be procured. The whole town was there and there wasn't a very big crowd then. I have an idea that one class in any Sunday school this year will get more presents and costing more money than all that was on that first tree. But everybody got something - no one was missed. It might be only a naked stick of horehound candy with a string around it, but it was taken off the tree - name called and delivered, as it is today.

Such as they had. The true Christmas spirit was there. They met that night only as friends and fellow beings. I have been to many since that night, but don't believe that the anticipation by the children is any greater today than then, or that the simple toys of that first tree were any less valued by the kids than are those from off the finest tree you will have in your city this year."

Fourth grade students from the Larned's Northside School, cut an ash tree on Ask Creek, wrapped it in cotton, and reenacted the first Christmas. The little building was bursting at the seams to accommodate parents and grandparents of the students. Hats off to Mrs. Judy Redding, fourth grade teacher who always lends support to this event.

Celebrities in Our Midst
The chapter can take pride in the appointment of Tom Giessel, chapter member, to the office of Vice President of the Kansas Farmers Union Board of Directors. Tom will fill the unexpired term of recently deceased Vernon Deines. Tom will be no stranger to the KFUB having served as Vice President from 1983-2000. Congratulations, Tom.

Also to be congratulated is David Cross, long time chapter member. David, recently elected as President-Elect of the Kansas Livestock Association, has held many offices in KLA over the past years. Our warmest regards to David.

Update on Plans for Zebulon Pike Plaza
Several items require the attention of those interested in the Zebulon Pike Plaza.

1. The wooden posts have already been removed from the west side of the Plaza site and replaced with limestone posts. Chain has been swaged between the posts.

2. A Plaza Committee has been appointed to work with President Clapsaddle. Members include: Dale Otte, Dick King, Tom Giessel, Mildon Yeager, Leo Oliva, and Larry Mix. The locals have agreed to pour the concrete for the construction of sidewalks and Larry Mix will be in charge of the website dedicated to the Plaza. Leo Oliva will prepare the script for the signage.

3. Large limestones have been purchased from a supplier at Bazine, Kansas to be used in construction of the benches at the plaza.

4. Mildon Yeager has donated a large piece of limestone for an entrance sign at the plaza. Tom Giessel has inscribed the stone as follows: Zebulon Pike Plaza.

5. The date of the 2006 dedication of the Plaza has been changed from October 28 to October 29. That date was the day Pike crossed the Pawnee.

6. As previously announced, dedication plans call for the attendance of Pike family members and an address by the nation's leading Pike authority, John Murphy, Colorado Springs, CO. We are also pleased to announce that Jon and Betsey Goering of Newton, Kansas will present a program of period music.

7. The base for the shelter house has been poured.

In addition to the above mentioned committee members, other chapter members who have helped with the work include Bob Rein, George Elmore, and Don Prescott.

Dues are Due to the
Fastest Hand in the West
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. Dues and email addresses are welcome.
"Printable Dues Form".
Do Not send our dues to the Santa Fe Trail Center

Thank you for supporting all of the chapter projects!

Winter Meeting Minutes
Fifty-two members and guests were in attendance at the Winter meeting of the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter in Kinsley, KS on January 15. Special guests were members of the Fort Dodge/Dodge City/Cimarron Chapter. Following a covered dish dinner, the business session was conducted.

The Faye Anderson Award was presented to a worthy recipitant, George Elmore.

A motion passed which provided for the installation of three additional interpretive markers; Fort Atkinson, Fort Mann, and the Santa Fe Trail Survey Campsite just east of Dodge City. The Fort Dodge/Dodge City/Cimarron Chapter will share in the costs of the markers.

Announcements were made relative to the Robert’s Trunk and I Heard A Coyote Howl Learning Units being used at Larned’s Northside School, also the poster contest now under way at Larned’s Middle School.

Larry and Carolyn Mix have donated funds to purchase the benches at the Pike Plaza in honor of Charles E. Mix, Larry's father and the donation of the Plaza flag by Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Cherry.

The Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous was discussed as follows. The dates will be October 27-29, the theme "Another Bicentennial: The Zebulon Pike Expedition". The Rendezvous will close on the morning of October 29 with the program conducted by the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. A brunch will be served along with period music followed by an address by noted Pike authority, John Murphy. Subsequently, the meeting will adjourn to the Zebulon Pike Plaza for a formal dedication.

Santa Fe Trail Research Site
"E-Mail & Home Page"
Larry & Carolyn Mix
St. John, Kansas
© "Forever"