Jesse Chisholm: Ambassador Of The Plains

241 Pages·2005·10.9 MB·English

by  Stan Hoig

Jesse Chisholm
This only known photograph ofJesse Chisholm was taken in 1867 at Leavenworth, Kansas,a lter
an illness and a long wagon trip. Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Stan Hoig
Jesse Chisholm
Ambassador of the Plains
University of Oklahoma Press
Norman
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-PublicationD ata
Hoig, Stan.
Jesse Chisholm, ambassador of the Plains/ Stan Hoig.
p. cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8061-3688-X (paper)
1. Chisholm,J esse. 2. Frontier and pioneer life-Great Plains. 3. Great
Plains-Biography I. Title.
F593.C523H65 1991
979'.02'092-d~20
CBI 90-27722
CIP
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the
Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library
Resources, Inc.
Originally published as Jesse Chisholm: Ambassador of the Plains, copyright O 1991
by the University Press of Colorado. Copyright transferred to the University of
Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University, copyright O 2005. All
rights reserved. Manufactured in the U.S.A.
To My Brother
MELVIN E. HOIG, JR.
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Contents
Preface
Prologue
1. The Chisholms and the Cherokees
2. Frontier Fever
3. Beyond the Cross Timbers
4. The Canadian River Advance
5. Serving Sam Houston
6. In Search of Sequoyah
7. Council at Comanche Peak
8. A Visit to Washington
9. Comanche Captives
10. On the Gold Rush Trail
11. Diminishing Frontier
12. War on the Comancheria
13. Between Loyalties
14. In the Cause of Peace
15. Trail to Immortality
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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Preface
Jesse Chisholm lived most of his life on the far frontier and, often,
beyond. Though he left behind no diary, letters, or other personal
record, it is possible to follow the trail of Jesse Chisholm in his long
and interestingjourney through the early West and to document the
role he played in its history. Indian and military documents, mem-
oirs and recollections of those who knew him, early-day newspapers,
and other research instruments that bear his imprint allow us to
learn much about Chisholm through his participation in the events
of his day and through what his contemporaries said about him.
However, in the interest of honest history, I restrain myself from
speculative interpretation of his character.
A special problem embedded in a study of Chisholm's life is that
a good deal of faulty information and romantic speculation has
surrounded him during the century and more since his death. Much
of this has been repeated so often, and by legitimate historians, that
it has become accepted as fact. My search for the truth about
Chisholm has been extensive and deep; it has uncovered a great deal
of long-buried and forgotten information regarding this important
frontiersman. Where I challenge accepted information, I stand upon
my sources, which have been traced to their most primary point
whenever possible.
A researcher can only be dismayed at losses of irreplaceable
material. Historian Grant Foreman relates: "I located a daughter of
Jesse Chisholm, named Mrs. Thomas, living a mile or two south of
Prague, Oklahoma. I asked her if Jesse Chisholm left any old papers
when he died. She said, Yes there was a trunk full that we kept in
the house for many years until the house burned and they were
destroyed.'
"
As always, successful research depends greatly upon the profes-
sional and generous assistance of those who store and maintain
historical records. Particularly I wish to thank the persons who have
been helpful at the following institutions: the Oklahoma Collection,