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DISCOVERING UNCLE BUFFALO
BILL ALONG THE SANTA FE TRAIL By Mary Emma
Allen
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| An exhibit at the National Frontier Trails Musuem in Independence, Missouri
details the reasons people made the westward movement. Photo Credit Kathleen Walls |
For years, Uncle William Mathewson was only a photo in my grandmother's
album. He and Aunt Lizzie lived in the West,
actually Kansas Territory, I later discovered. However,
as I began to research my ancestry, I found that Uncle William was much more than simply
my uncle who hunted and trapped and traded furs.
As
I researched his life and the area where he lived and traveled, as well as the history of
the Santa Fe Trail, I discovered a fascinating history of our country. I realized that if others would find out about the
areas where their ancestors lived and traveled, they could have interesting jaunts around
the country and the world.
Santa Fe Trail
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A typical trading post of the era at the National Frontier Trails
Musuem. Photo credit Kathleen Walls |
Uncle William "Buffalo Bill" Mathewson , among other things, operated
trading posts on the Santa Fe Trail. He
gained his name of Buffalo Bill long before Buffalo Bill Cody because he furnished buffalo
for the hungry settlers of Kansas in the "starving winter" of 1860-61.
This
made me curious to learn more about this part of the country. My family and I have driven through Kansas and
Oklahoma, areas associated with Uncle William.. Even
though he lived there more than 150 years ago, I can more vividly imagine his and Aunt
Lizzie's life because I'm familiar with the land.
Fort
Larned, Cow Creek Crossing (where he operated one trading post) and Great Bend, are places you can visit today and walk over
the trails of history. You can learn about
the trials and triumphs of the pioneers and those who traversed the Santa Fe Trail.
I've
learned more about Uncle William from historical society and library archives. I found letters where family urged him to come
back home to New York State. My grandmother
saved a postcard she received from him in his elder years.
In those days, people often had photo postcards made to send to
family and close friends.
Peacemaker for Indian Treaties
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The Indians were an important factor in the westward movement. Photo
Credit Kathleen Walls |
As I researched Kansas history, I discovered that the Indians asked for William
Mathewson's presence at treaty sessions because they trusted him. When one tribe was sent from Kansas Territory to
Oklahoma Territory, as a result of a treaty, the story goes that they wouldn't leave
unless Uncle William went with them.
Much
of the natives' livelihood was achieved from trapping, and they trusted only Bill
Mathewson to treat them fairly. As a result,
he founded Fort Sill.
When
you see fur trading records, written in his hand, are history and family history come
alive.
Binghamton, New York
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| An exhibit at the museum explaing how fashions of the times spurred the fur trade and
the westward movement. Photo credit Kathleen Walls |
Then I've visited the Binghamton, NY area, where young Bill spent his
younger years. When he was 19, he headed west
as a fur trapper and eventually joined up with Kit Carson before he became a trading post
owner.
Here
I've tried to visualize the town of Triangle and the home site as they were when
Uncle William and my great grandmother grew up there.
The countryside is etched in my mind since I've traveled the route
across southern NYS through Binghamton to PA and OH many times.
Travel Your Genealogy
Your
ancestors take on more meaning for you if you visit the areas where they lived. You may not find their exact homes, but you can
get an idea of the countryside and gain insight into your heritage.
I've
traveled to many states and learned more about my background and the lives of family  who
lived years ago.
National Frontier Trails Musuem
http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/nftm/
For information about Mary
Emma click here
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