The cavalry station located on the grounds of the TB Ferguson Home Museum, served an important purpose for buffalo soldiers who patrolled from Forts Reno, Sill and Supply. Before the construction of these four-cabin relief areas along the North Canadian River, there was little shelter between forts. An example of the hardships encountered by the 10th Cavalry is found in William H. Lecke’s “The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Negro Soldier in the West,” which is available at the Watonga Public Library.
“In January, 1873, John D. Miles, who had succeeded after Brinton Darlington’s death (Darlington Indian Agency north of El Reno), as agent to the Southern Cheyenne and Arapahoe, complained to (Lt. Col) Davidson that there were five “ranches” selling whisky to the Indians on the norther border of the Reservation. He wished these places broken up and the owners arrested. Davidson ordered (Lieutenant Richard H.) Pratt to take a detachment and carry out the agent’s request. With temperatures well below zero, Pratt and twenty troopers, bundled in the heaviest winter gear, two wagons and an Indian guide left to find the “ranches”.
A severe and cutting north wind made the march a miserable one, but it also confined the peddlers to the cabins and Pratt was able round up fifteen intruders, a large quantity of foul whisky, late-model rifles, revolvers and ammunition, and considerable stores of sugar, coffee, and bacon, as well as buffalo robes and cattle which the Indians had traded.
In extreme cold, Pratt and his men convoyed peddlers, supplies and cattle back to Camp (Ft.) Supply. Thirteen (of 20) buffalo soldiers were hospitalized at once for severely frostbitten hands and feet…..The peddlers were sent for trial to Topeka, KS, where each was fined ten dollars and sentenced to a month in jail.”
The “cabin” at the TB Ferguson, one of four originally on the North Canadian four miles west and one north of Watonga, were, according to Ellen Shaw’s book “This Old House in Watonga” built in the 1880s, short years after the above action. These cabins, with interlocking corner joints, no doubt added comfort, shelter, food and fresh mounts to the buffalo soldiers patrolling to keep peace among the Indians. The story of how this cabin arrived at the museum is for another day.
Join the community coffee at the Ferguson Home Museum at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20 and take a tour of the museum, “The Pride of Watonga.” Community coffees are open to all members of the community, and everyone is welcome.