Very interesting! It never occurred to me (but probably should have) that Russell was on his way to or from the UPRR construction. Got to go back and look at my reference!
"The interesting history of Nebraska, as well as Iowa, of this early Black Hills gold rush, is related by Dr. Erik M. Eriksson in the Iowa Journal of History and Politics for July 1922. The first expedition from Sioux City assembled three miles west of the Missouri river near Covington, Nebraska, October 16, 1874. Their wagon tops were inscribed 'O'Neils Colonies' in order to give out the impression that their destination was the Elkhorn valley. This expedition fooled the military, reached the Black Hills December 28, 1874, built a stockade and made the first white settlement in the Black Hills. Next April a detachment of United States soldiers surrounded them and took them as prisoners to Fort Laramie, Wyoming."
From Nebraska History, v. 5.
I've found a vague reference to Covington, Wyoming, but I can't prove nor locate the place.
... Covington, Nebraska seems a much more likely spot for Russell to have sent a telegram. ... Don ... As always, I appreciate your encyclopedic knowledge about the UP.
Perhaps one of these mentions of "Covington" could be related.
ReplyDeleteFrom: "Glenn Willumson" Gwillumson@arts.ufl.edu
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! It never occurred to me (but probably should have) that Russell was on his way to or from the UPRR construction. Got to go back and look at my reference!
Thanks very much.
—Glenn
From: kylewyatt@aol.com
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a Covington in Indiana or somewhere nearby. I seem to recall it connected with one of the narrow gauge lines in the early 1880s.
—Kyle
From: "Don Snoddy" ddsnoddy@cox.net
ReplyDelete"The interesting history of Nebraska, as well as Iowa, of this early Black Hills gold rush, is related by Dr. Erik M. Eriksson in the Iowa Journal of History and Politics for July 1922. The first expedition from Sioux City assembled three miles west of the Missouri river near Covington, Nebraska, October 16, 1874. Their wagon tops were inscribed 'O'Neils Colonies' in order to give out the impression that their destination was the Elkhorn valley. This expedition fooled the military, reached the Black Hills December 28, 1874, built a stockade and made the first white settlement in the Black Hills. Next April a detachment of United States soldiers surrounded them and took them as prisoners to Fort Laramie, Wyoming."
From Nebraska History, v. 5.
I've found a vague reference to Covington, Wyoming, but I can't prove nor locate the place.
—Don
From: "Glenn Willumson" Gwillumson@arts.ufl.edu
ReplyDelete... Covington, Nebraska seems a much more likely spot for Russell to have sent a telegram. ... Don ... As always, I appreciate your encyclopedic knowledge about the UP.
—Glenn