Spring Meeting
The Chapter will conduct its Spring meeting on May 30 at the Fort Larned National Historic Site. At 1:00 p.m., a hamburger feed will be served. Men of the chapter will be in charge of the meal. Following the business meeting, winners of the poster contest will be recognized. A special exhibit of "Pictures and Word Pictures, Crossings on the Santa Fe Trail in Kansas" will be presented, David Clapsaddle speaking on the exhibit.

Sturdevant Monument
The chapter is pleased to announce the installation of a bronze plaque mounted on a limestone post at the former residence of the Rev. and Mrs. Charles Sturdevant, 1120 Toles, Larned, Kansas. The plaque reads as follows:

Home of The Rev. Charles and Sarah Wardell Sturdevant Mrs. Sturdevant was the niece of Zebulon Montgomery Pike

Mrs. Sturdevant was reared in the home of Pike's father, Col. Zebulon Pike. It was there in Lawrenceburg, Indiana that she, a young lady of thirteen, met the Marquis de Lafayette during his 1824-25 tour of the United States. Thanks go to Mildon Yeager for his work in this project, also to the American State Bank which donated the cost of the plaque.

Update on the Pike Plaza
In recent days, the development of the Zebulon Pike Plaza has made significant strides.

1. All concrete work, thanks to Mildon Yeager, Larned, Kansas has been completed.

2. Shelter house donated by the city of Larned, Kansas has been installed.

3. Fort Larned National Historic Site painted the shelter house.

4. Keith Mull of Larned, Kansas has donated funds to purchase the flag pole.

5. Wallace and Betty Cherry, Larned, Kansas have donated funds for the flag.

6. Stone posts have been donated by Dale Wagner, Albert; Rick Schwindt, LaCrosse, Kansas; and the Reinhardt Family of Bison, Kansas.

7. Larry and Carolyn Mix, St. John, Kansas donated funds to purchase stone benches.

8. Cash donations have been received from Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Larned, Kansas.

The Plaza is being established by the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. Plans call for it to be dedicated on October 29, 2006, the final day of the Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous. On that day, a brunch will be served. Following, John Murphy, the country's foremost Pike authority, will speak and a formal dedication of the Plaza will be conducted. Participation in the dedication will be Roy Pike, President of the Pike Family Association.

Zebulon Pike Plaza Web Site
Keep track of the progress at the Pike Plaza by going to the Santa Fe Trail Research Site and click on the Zebulon Pike link.

Winter 2006 Meeting
Fifty-two members and guests were in attendance at the Winter meeting of the chapter at Kinsley, Kansas on January 15, 2006. 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 recipient, 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. Both chapters 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. Acceptance was made from Larry and Carolyn Mix for their donation to the Plaza fund in honor of 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, 2006 the theme "Another Bicentennial: The Zebulon Pike Expedition." The Rendezvous will close on the morning of October 29, 2006 with the program conducted by the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. A brunch will be served along with period music followed by an address by note Pike authority, John Murphy. Subsequently, the meeting will adjourn to the Zebulon Pike Plaza for a formal dedication.

Spring Meeting
Larned, Kansas - 5-30-06

2006 Roster
The new roster for the current year is enclosed. Please notify Traces for corrections or updates.

New Members
Welcome to Sal and Annette Morreale of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

End of the Trail
Sad to report the death of Louis VanMeter, longtime member and past president of the Chapter. Louis, born in Burdett, just west of which ran the Fort Hays/Fort Dodge Trail, was especially interested in that section of the Santa Fe Trail. Our warmest regards to wife Ella and the entire family.

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 our Wet/Dry Routes Chapter projects!

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