After leaving the Kidder site, continue on down the gravel road unitl reaching pavement at old U.S. 24. Continue west to the town of Goodland, Kansas. Stop here to visit the county museum, and resupply at the WALMART store. Then go south on highway 27 through the rolling plains, to Sharon Springs. From Sharon Springs take highway 40 east to Ft. Wallace. Drive through the town and see the old courthouse as shown above.
Just north of Sharon Springs, after driving many miles through western Kansas, anticipation began to heighten, as I finally cast my eyes upon the great Smoky Hill River. I was somewhat disappointed to see that this historically significant river, which played such an important part in Kansas history, at this time of year(early October), was bone dry! Does anyone know why the state highway department misspelled the name of the river. All accounts that I have read use the spelling- "Smoky."
After crossing the "Smoky Hill" a ranch is found nestled on the south bank, just like in the 1800s. Is this a family ranch handed down through generations? Did the ancestors have to protect themselves from marauding Indians?
About 9 miles east of Sharon Springs is the town of Wallace and the Ft. Wallace museum and park. The museum contains a wealth of antiques relating to Kansas pioneer history, and literature relating to Ft. Wallace and the area history. Adjacent to the museum is a relocated Butterfield stage station as pictured below.
All that remains of where Ft. Wallace stood is this view of a plowed field. The tree line in the distance indicates the location of the Smoky Hill River. The view across the plains towards the distant bluffs is awe inspiring. This photo does not do justice to the panoramic view.
Entrance to the Cemetery at Ft. Wallace. The cemetery lies to the north of the main fort.
This cenotaph was erected in the cemetery in 1867 to honor the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry and the 7th Cavalry who were killed by Indians in the area. The soldiers remains were removed to Ft. Leavenworth after Ft. Wallace was closed in 1886. The civilian graves remain, however. Adjacent to the old military cemetery is the cemetery presently used by the town of Wallace, Kansas.
While Custer was heading east to check on Libbie, Benteen was bringing cholera to Ft. Wallace.
The German family was moving from their homestead in southeast Kansas to Colorado via the Smoky Hill trail. Approximately 20 miles from Ft. Wallace they were attacked by a party of Cheyenne led by Medicine Water. The father, mother, and two of the seven children were killed. The remaining four girls were captured by the Indians and later returned. The bodies of the slain were initially interred at Monument Station. In March 1876 the remains were moved to the Ft. Wallace cemetery.
