9/11/12The Last FrontierGold RushesFrontier of miners, cattleman, and farmers, Indians fought to hold back tide of white invasion1849: Gold Rush in California 1858: Gold discovered in Pikes Peak, Colorado1861: Colorado became a territory 1876: Colorado came into union as “Centennial State”1859: Comstock Lode discovered H.T.P. Comstock AKA “Old Pancake” was a one-time mountain man who had drifted to Carson river and talked himself into a share, which then turned out to be one of the most prosperous, and then sold it out for a tiny sum.Gold rush to Nevada1861: Nevada became a territory1964: Nevada came into union (just in time to give its 3 electoral votes to Lincoln)Most important mineral proved to be copperMore mining Boones in ArizonaLawlessness in Mining TownsMining areas usually had no government at all; there was a great deal of lawlessnessHenry Plummer committed >100 murders plus countless robberies in Nevada.Martha Jane Canary “Calamity Jane”, born 1852, fought unemployment by becoming a prostitute, known for her lovers frequently dying under “mysterious circumstances”Cherokee Bill (parents part black, white, and Indian) became a professional killer, killing for fun and for profit. He inspired fear and horror throughout Indian Territory. As his crimes increased, so did reward money for his capture…while visiting Maggie Glass, her cousin Ike hit him over the head, chained him, and turned him over. He was tried at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, before Judge Parker, who sentenced him to hang and declared that the punishment was not nearly enough.Not all the people who went to these mining towns were as desperate as these mentioned, but a lot were outcastsThese towns always had saloons, houses for prostitutes, gambling houses, etc.Black CowboysMost of the first Black cowboys were slavesMany were-Ranchers (Aaron Ashworth was a Black rancher in Texas)-Wranglers-Cooks-Jockeys-SoldiersThere were Black villains as well as heroes.Nat Love was named “Outstanding Cowboy” for his skill in riding and marksmanshipgained from participating in roping contests and shooting contests. He wrote “The Life and Adventures of Nat Love” which became better known in cattle country as “Deadwood Dick.”Mary Fields AKA “Stagecoach Mary” was a 6” tall, 200-pound woman who worked on a freighter, as a stagecoach driver, and then as a laundress at age 70 was a famously good shot.Territories States After Colorado’s admission to the union, there was a long hiatus b/c Democrats were reluctant to make states out of heavily Republican territoriesStates in admitted into the Union:1889-South Dakota-North Dakota-Montana-Washington1890-Idaho-Wyoming1896-Utah (after Mormons abandoned practice of polygamy)1907-Oklahoma1912-Arizona-New Mexico~Now 48 continental states~1959-Alaska-Hawaii Indian Wars250,000 Indians lived off of buffalo herds – food, clothing, and shelterThis region had been referred to as the Great American Desert and was considered unfit for human habitation and therefore perfect for Indians.Indians resented white intrusionPlains Indians were a very formidable foe as superb horseman who were very effective with bows; they rode with both hands free and shooting on the side of theirhorse.August 1862: Murder of 5 whites near New Ulm by IndiansFirst uprising among Sioux of MinnesotaIndians were frightened, divided into two groupsOne group escaped to WestOther group knew whites wouldn’t forgive murders and attacked, led by Little CrowThey were defeated and over 300 Indians were sentenced to death Little Crow killed in 18631861: Arapaho + Cheyenne tribes were persuaded to make room for white advance in Colorado by receding into Sand Creek Reserve1864: Indians began to raid trailTerritorial governor John Evans called out Colorado militia and encouraged certain peaceful Indians to concentrate in certain areas where they would be safe500 Indians reported to Fort Lyon on Sand Creek Reserve, flew a white flag and a US flag above campCommander of US Army in West General Curtis said “I want no peace until the Indians suffer more” Chivington Massacre:Colonel J.M. Chivington, former minister, was more than happy to oblige him-made surprise attack with 900 men on peaceful Indians at Fort Lyon in Sept.Murdered 100-450 men, women, and children “Chivington 1865: survivors surrendered unconditionally and gave up Sand Creek Reserve1867: Congressional Committee began to gather evidence of Indian Wars,Issued report on the Condition of the Indian TribesEstablished Indian Peace Condition, ending Sioux War Decided this was best established at the expense of Indians, they had to movefarther backCongress held at Medicine Creek Lodge in Kansas Ended with agreement that Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho, Cheyenne would all accept lands in Western Oklahoma1868: Conference held at Fort Laramie resulted in peace with the Sioux, who agreed to settle within the Black Hills Reservation in Dakota territory Indian Wars continued in southern plain until Red River War, 1874-1875General Sheridan scattered IndiansGeneral George A Custer led exploring expedition including gold seekers into Black Hills in MontanaCuster and 200 of his men were surrounded by 2500 Indian warriors at the Little Big Horn River and completely annihilatedChief Sitting Bull managed to escape into Canada and return to Sioux territory laterChief Crazy Horse captured 1890: Indian Wars ended with characteristic brutality at Wounded An accidental rifle shot led American soldiers to fire into group of Indians who had come to surrenderAmerican Public Treatment of Indians White hunters began shooting buffalo for sport By the mid-1880s, buffalos were on the verge of extinctionCampaigns against Indians not popular with American peopleHelen Hunt Jackson (novelist, poet) focused attention on Indian cause in a couple of her works, first “A Century of Dishonor” (1881), which was a stinging indictment of American Indian policy. It did help persuade public opinion to try to improve the condition of the Indians. “Ramona” (1884) was a novel about the wrongs inflicted onCalifornia Indians.Valuable natural resources (gold, copper, oil, etc.) were found on some reservationsWell-intentioned reformers tried to “Americanize” Indians. They didn’t understand Indian culture and treated them as individuals instead of a community/tribe.Indian Policy Reservation policy inaugurated by Peace Commission saved money, cost less to house and feed
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