The Life of Hon. William F. Cody | Page 8

which we reached, after resuming our
journey, was within twenty miles of Weston. We had been stopping at

farm houses along the road, and could not get anything to eat in the
shape of bread, except corn bread, of which all had become heartily
tired. As we were driving along, we saw in the distance a large and
handsome brick residence. Father said: "They probably have white
bread there."
We drove up to the house and learned that it was owned and occupied
by Mrs. Burns; mother of a well-known lawyer of that name, who is
now living in Leavenworth. She was a wealthy lady, and gave us to
understand in a pleasant way, that she did not entertain travelers. My
father, in the course of the conversation with her, said: "Do you know
Elijah Cody?"
"Indeed, I do," said she; "he frequently visits us, and we visit him; we
are the best of friends."
"He is a brother of mine," said father.
"Is it possible!" she exclaimed; "Why, you must remain here all night.
Have your family come into the house at once. You must not go
another step today."
The kind invitation was accepted, and we remained there over night. As
father had predicted, we found plenty of white bread at this house, and
it proved quite a luxurious treat.
My curiosity was considerably aroused by the many negroes which I
saw about the premises, as I had scarcely ever seen any colored people,
the few, being on the steamboats as they passed up and down the
Mississippi river.
The next day my father and mother drove over to Weston in a carriage,
and returned with my Uncle Elijah. We then all proceeded to his house,
and as Kansas was not yet open for settlement as a territory, we
remained there a few days, while father crossed over into Kansas on a
prospecting tour. He visited the Kickapoo agency--five miles above
Weston--on the Kansas side of the Missouri river. He became
acquainted with the agent, and made arrangements to establish himself

there as an Indian trader. He then returned to Weston and located the
family on one of Elijah Cody's farms, three miles from town, where we
were to remain until Kansas should be thrown open for settlement.
After completing these arrangements, he established a trading post at
Salt Creek Valley, in Kansas, four miles from the Kickapoo agency.
One day, after he had been absent some little time, he came home and
said that he had bought two ponies for me, and that next morning he
would take me over into Kansas. This was pleasant news, as I had been
very anxious to go there with him, and the fact that I was now the
owner of two ponies made me feel very proud. That night I could not
sleep a wink. In the morning I was up long before the sun, and after an
early breakfast, father and I started out on our trip. Crossing the
Missouri river at the Rialto Ferry, we landed in Kansas and passed
along to Fort Leavenworth, four miles distant.
CHAPTER II
EARLY INFLUENCES.
General Harney was in command at Fort Leavenworth at the time of
our visit, and a regiment of cavalry was stationed there. They were
having a dress parade when we rode up, and as this was the first time
that I had ever seen any soldiers, I thought it was a grand sight. I shall
never forget it, especially the manoeuvres on horseback.
After witnessing the parade we resumed our journey. On the way to my
father's trading camp we had to cross over a high hill known as Salt
Creek Hill, from the top of which we looked down upon the most
beautiful valley I have ever seen. It was about twelve miles long and
five miles wide. The different tributaries of Salt Creek came down from
the range of hills at the southwest. At the foot of the valley another
small river--Plum Creek, also flowed. The bluffs fringed with trees,
clad in their full foliage, added greatly to the picturesqueness of the
scene.
While this beautiful valley greatly interested me, yet the most novel
sight, of an entirely different character, which met my enraptured gaze,

was the vast number of white-covered wagons, or "prairie-schooners,"
which were encamped along the different streams. I asked my father
what they were and where they were going; he explained to me that
they were emigrant wagons bound for Utah and California.
At that time the Mormon and California trails ran through this valley,
which was always selected as a camping place. There were at least one
thousand wagons in the valley, and their white covers lent a pleasing
contrast to the green grass. The cattle were quietly grazing near the
wagons, while