Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, April 19, 1925, Page 3

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1925 HIS The old Fort Caspar bridge west of the present ci! —Copyrighted’ by y of Casper as it a fare. Buildings of the fort can be seen in the distance. (Continued From Page One) which changed the “a” to “e” in citizens and children the story of|the last syllable and this spelling early pioneer days when the immi- grant ancestors of many were in the establish n Mok has become permanent it is explained furthe d, s thick of their struggles to occupy | history. the land. The movement to secure and pre- serve the site of the old fort was | States started in October 17, 1922, suggestion was made by A. J. Mok- ler, member of the historiacal so- ciety, and a pioneer resident, in ad- dress before a Casper Chamber of Commerce forum meeting. In the Indian fight in which Col- ling lost his life, 27 other United soldiers were killed and when the | scalped, 11 were wounded and one was missing. It is supposed that the missing man was taken to an Indian village to be tortured, accord- ing to the history. The bodies of Lieutenant Collins ‘The chamber acted favorably on|@nd ‘his men were buried on the the suggestion and the matter was referred to the board of directors. A committee to study the matter was appointed and this body with the clty council visited the site. ground where they had fallen. To quote the history further: “The exact spot where the body of Caspar Collins was found cannot The | be marked for it is unknown. John council later purchased the fort site|C- Friend, when he was here July for park purposes. Nothing further was done until on a date last month when a com- mittee from the Natrona County His- torical society comprised of R. S. Ellison, W. 8. Kimball, Thomas Cooper and A. J. Mokler visited Mr. and Mrs. Mills and secured their con- sent to donate the site of the old bridge and the strip of land which will connect with the portion of the old fort site that was purchased by the qity council for park purposes. Mills consented to the donation readily and the deed was drawn and given into possession of the society two weeks ago. The gift comprises in all about three acres and is regarded as one of the most historical pieces of land in this part of the country. It is located just outside of town one and one-half miles up the North Platte river. One of the reasons why the his- torical society is so anxious to pre- serve it and the bridge, is that this city recelved its name from the fort and the fort, in turn, was named in honor of Lieut. Caspar Collins, of the eleventh Ohio cavalry, who was killed near the fort ih.a battle with the Indians on July 26, 1865. Memory of the young Heutenant was preserved because of the herote circumstances under which he met his death. Mokler’s “History of Natrona County”’a copyrighted book, quoted by the author's permission describes the circumstances under which Col- lins met death as follows: “Platte bridge was about one and one half miles above the the site of Casper and was used as a crossing by emigrants bound for California and Oregon over the Trail. A.post had been estitblished there not only to care for the telegraph line, but to protect travelers from the period- ical outbreaks of the Indians. It was nearly 60 miles east of the Sweetwater and over 100 miles west of Fort Laramie and by July 24 the Indians had collected in large numbers across the river from the post. Three or four hundred of them came across the river on the 2th and a fight ensued in which a Cheyenne chief was killed and scalped and on the 26th occurred a desperate and bloody battle in. which Caspar W. Collins was killed. Col- ling was not attached to the sfort, but was returning from his station at Sweetwater from Fort Laramie where he had just been comr ed first Heutenant fajor Anderson, in go out to bring in a wag ound for the fort from Sweetwater nd Lieutenant Collins asked to be allowed to lead the party. He was only a boy and the men at the fort tried to dissuade him from going but he was finally permitted to go. This was heroism, but before the day was done he distinguished him- self by an act of rare heroism that cost him ‘his life. “When the little rescue party gone a short way from the they found there were hundreds of had fort, Indians waiting for them. After putting up a game resistance, they tried to return to the fort. Lieu tenant Collins saw one of his me shot from ‘his horse and he went to plek him up. “This action drew the fire of the Indians and thus frightened his horse so that {t shied and ran When they found the poor boy's body the next day, it contained 24 arrows. Resides, his mouth had been burned by powder which was one of the brutalities often inflicted by the noble redskins on their | tims “On November 21, 1866, Major General Pope named the post Fort Caspar in an order as follows “*The military post situated: at Platte bridge, between Deer and Rock creeks, on the Platte river, will hereafter be known as Fort Caspar, in honor of Lieutenant Cas. par Collins, 11th Ohlo cavalry, who gallantly lost his life while gallantly attacking a superior force of Indians at that place.” The city thus derived {ts name from old Fort Caspar, The present spelling of the name ‘resulted from mage of the Chicago, Burlington and .Quinty ~ Railroad compan 5, 1920, sald that “the distance from the north end of the bridge to where he was found wag variously esti- mated from two to four miles.’ So long as the body was recovered, the distance and the exact spot were matters of indifference to us at that time. It has been more than 50 years since the battle and all the old land- marks’ are gone.’ Further the history says: “The old abandoned military post, which is now known as Fort Caspar, Was first established in the summer of 1858. It was then known as Mor- mon Ferry. In March, 1859, an or- der from the department was giyen to abandon the post at Platte bridge, and from this order it is evider that Louis had built bridge in the winter of 1858 and '69 and the name of the post was ac- cordingly changed.” That the bridge was built by Guin- ard, French Canadian, as a purely commercial enterprise and that fpoimn the tolls it produced he grew wealthy is indicated=by the fact that he charged a toll of from $3 to $10, the amount depending on the height of the river, the history records. Many of the old stone piers of the bridge yet remain on the site. It was constructed at a cost of $60,000 by Guinard and is held to have been the finest structure of the time in this part of the country, Guinard, who formerly owned and operated a toll bridge over the Sweet- water river near Independence Rock built the structure after a bridge built by John Reshaw in 1854 had been burned py the Indians in 18 During these years and prior to that time, Reshaw lost a considerable amount in tolls to the Mormon im- migrants who had established a ferry across the river, Mokler’s his- tory says. The Reshaw bridge was constructed at a point several miles below the Mormon ferry, A legend recalled by Mokler relates that after Guinard had rown wealthy his mind became unbalanc- ed and one night he went to the bridge, his pockets filled with gold dust and under the light of the moon he leaned over the bridge railing and said the river, “You have 1 wealth; I now give back to you a tithe,” and then he cast handfuls of gold into the water The history comments as follows: “The story had been often told and there being no one to deny that Guinard did it, the legend must stand vouis Guinard who bullt the orth of Mort | ve the credit for hay- | he gained PIONEER _HISTORIC BRIDGE SITE DONATED BY A. J. Mokler, used ppeared in the*days of In ing his bridge, which, in would be termed profiteering. ‘Therefore it would seem that in those days human nature wag just the same as it is now in regard to charging excessive prices. But, with- al, it must be noted that there he been some change, for there is no record of the profiteers nowadays re- turning a tithe of their wealth from whence it came, or even of their casting bread on the waters they should have been taught to do.” Guinard & squaw man, the history says, and {t is related that a nephew of his déscribed how the Platte river later collected’ its toll from Guinard by being a means of his death. “My uncle. and my father went out on the bridge one night to have a talk and my uncle ‘fell’ over into the water and was drowned. My father then took charge of the store at the trading post nea y the fort, which was owned by my uncle, and he also took charge of all his other property. My father was,not mar ried at that time but he later mar- tied a’squaw and a number of children were born.” Mokler continues in comment the effect that the father doubt to was no apable of causing his broth- I’ into'the river and drown The old bridge was wel! ted of log timbers hewn from moun tain trees. The abutments made of cribs filled with stones. Many of the men and women im- migrants would not pay the toll pric on either the Resban on the Platte were bridge unless the river was They would swim their or cross on rafts or the old Mormon ferry, before the latter was destr¢ ed by Reshaw, the history says All types of men aml women crossed the river in the long trip over the Oregon, trail. Most of them traveled {n the old prairie schooner, others were on horseback and son were afoot. Many died and ~ th were burled by the wayside. Mokler tells the story of the ec: centric and frugal Scotchman who trundled his belongings in a wheel- barrow across the continent. When a-kindly traveler asked him to ride in his prairie schooner, the Scotch- man refused on» the grounds that “all their wagons would break down anyhow soon a8 they reached the mountains All buildings at the as fort and the Platte bridge were burned by the Indians after fort was» aban doned in 186 s late as 1898 some of the walls of the old adobe build- ings were still standing, but there were eventually destroyed by 5 tlers, Mokler says. Thomas Mills, the doner of the bridge site, declares no,road con- templated in the county would be of such benefit to citizens as the one “EAT AND GET WELL” ver was a title more fitting subject ‘than this title to DIABETES There are no “ifs” or “ands” abc what you should eat and what ye should not eat. what poor immig 42nd Street, New Yo he Casper Sunday Cribune proposed by the historical society, provided the proposed replica of the old bridge were also constructed. “People living across the river in that section cannot. reach Casper except by a roundabout way,” Mills sald. . “It would also preserve one of the most historical-spots on the Yellowstone highway. The old fort site with some work could-also be'made a most beautiful spot. If for no other reasons’ than/ those of its historical significance, it is a spot that could probably win na- tional fame in years to come’ and would be a favorite place to be vis- ited by tourists. No bridge in the county is needed as badly as one at*this place. / It ts undgrstood that steps will be taken in a short time to induce the county and city authorities to adopt Proposal of the historical society. —>—__—— RELATIVE OF COOLIDGE IS NEAR DEATH MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 18.— Physicians today abandoned hope for the recovery of Marshall H Coolidge, a kinsman of President Coolidge. He lapsed into intermittent. un- consciousness two. weeks ago, fol- lowing a long illness and has mained at the point of death since. Marshall Coolidge has Mved ir Minneapolis 35 years and headed t firms dealing extensively la is and real estate. president the fre descendants from England in 1630. 0 in farm Both he and of John Coolidge, who came to America Young Women’s Christian associ- ation, corner of First and Wolcott streets. Office telephone 1458. Gen- eral secretary's telephone 281J, Calendar for the Week. Sunday. Girl Reserves’ vesper 3:80 o'clock. service at Monday. Hiking club, business women and teachers, at 5:30 o'clock. “Reading Bat’ at 7:30 o'clock. Tuesday. Business English, social psychol- ogy and Burlington gym class and club meeting at 7:30 o'clock. Wednesday. Women's study group at 9 a. m. Y. W. C. A. gymnasium class at 7:30 o'clock. Thursday. North Casper gymnasium class at 330 o'clock. Friday. study group Advisers’ at 7:30 ° lock Saturday. Girl Reserves’ hike, at 8:30 o'clock. Vespers Today. Indications are most favorable for an interetsing program and a large attendance at the vesper service wHtich will be conducted by the Girl Reserves at the Methodist church this afternoon at 3:30. The girls will provide the special features includ- ing short talks, special music and the impressive recognition service for new members. The meeting has been planned for Sunday afternoon to make possible the attendance of parents and friends of the girls who do not usually have an opportunity Such popular spring materials as Printed Silks, Chiffons, Georgettes, Tub Silks, Flat Crepes, Molly o’ Crepes, Crepe Back Satins, Satin Faced Cantons, Crepe Failles and Silk Bengalines are included in this tremendous showing. Many a woman is keeping youthful today in spite by taking regular adjustments It has truthfully been said that Chiro- practic “adds years to life and life to years.’ DRS, J. H. & A. G. JEFFREY CHIROPRACTORS Suite 312 Midwest Building Elevator Service—Rest Room of a burden of year: to keep well. Phone 706 for Con Appointment IMMA Y. W. C. A. ACTIVITIES to_know the Girl Reserve program. they h Girl Reserve Hiki The monthly social affair ofthe Girl Reserves will be the center, ot the club activities this week. A hike to take place nr t Saturday, has been planned by the Freshman .di vision for all members of the club Girls who can go will be asked to “sign up" at the high school early this week so that those in charge may be able to plan an abundance of food to satisfy the appetites pro- voked by a genuine hike to the mountains. Other members have shown much enthusiasm concerning the prospective hike and it is ex pected that a large number. will in- dicate their intention of going ” Reading Bat. | Exceptionally: interesting evenings have been enjoyed by the group meeting each Monday evening for the study of plays. The fact that each subject is completed in one evening ‘should make the attendance at this group much larger than it has been. Any one may ‘attend any evening. Tomorrow evening, Miss Martha Darrah of the high school will pre sent the modern play, “Dear. Bru- tus.” This will be a splendid prepar- ation the play by the senior class this sea- son. Hiking Club. The organization of a hiking club requested by some of the girls, occurred last Wednesday when th s enthusiastically » to sponsor a group. Thero will be no special re quirements for joining the club, the organization being. op to any busi ness men or teachers whether ve been members of the gym- | for enjoying the rendition of | nasium class or not. The group will leave the Y. W. C. A, tomorrow eve- ning at 6:30 for the first hike and each Monday evening until the close of the Wednesday evening gymnas- {um class when the hikes will occur on Wednesdays. Each one will take her own lunch for the evening n: wh the NEW STATIONS BROADCASTING By ROBERT MA 1925, Consolic Association) WASHINGTON, Apri! 18.— new broadcasting stations were we! affair. omed on the air this week by the department of commerce. Coincident with the announcement of the new , it was sald by officials of rtment of Exclusive Funeral Chapel Free Use of Chapel such | | PAGE THREE despite warnings against further congestion, no relief was in sight. One of the new stations fs a class B plant—the Sanger-Malson Blanche mouthpiece of New Orleans, wht after a little Juggling of waye lengths tor hay Initials into th 1 letters, and have begun. operation watts Hig tion has tested its lu The stations one of which, WMBE Bal Chicago,; other ‘oor, transfer of KWG, from clars C to c! continue to op will » National Dairy oxposition for 1d tn Indlanape. Invalid Coach Service Lady Assistant THE LORTON FUNERAL HOME | First Class Service PHONE 899 Our cApril Sale of Women’s and Misses’ or store. at Will continue all this week. Regular prices were up to $65.00 Newest styles and newest colors for after- noon, for informal daytime wear, for party wear, for sports wear, for motoring, for office —— | Extra Special Values All This Week in Hats and Outer Apparel 333 SOUTH BEE pring [Dresses Scores of charming frocks for every cccasion have been added’ from other higher-priced lines for this week’s shoppers. | GEORGE LORTON, Proprietor business | Reasonable Prices Day and Night HST. CASPER, WYO. | | Itprery!! ha baay!