President Donna Otto. Vice-President Scott Brosowske. Secretary Mary Ruth Carter. Treasurer Pamela Allison. Publications Rolla Shaller

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "President Donna Otto. Vice-President Scott Brosowske. Secretary Mary Ruth Carter. Treasurer Pamela Allison. Publications Rolla Shaller"

Katherine Casey
6 years ago
Views:

1 The Newsletter of the Panhandle Archaeological Society Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 President Donna Otto Paleoindian projectile points from the Texas panhandle courtesy of Scott Brosowske Vice-President Scott Brosowske Secretary Mary Ruth Carter Treasurer Pamela Allison Publications Rolla Shaller Newsletter Editor Jerry Leatherman

2 Page 2 Inside Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Next PAS Meeting Pages 3-6 February 19 - Panhandle Archaeological Society meeting at Amarillo Public Library, 413 Southeast 4th St., 2nd Floor. The Guest Speaker will be Marisue Potts, Texas Historical Commission Steward and owner of historic Mott Creek Ranch in Motley County. Archeological Investigations at the Colonel John L. Gregg Battle Site (41RD77), Randall County, Texas, By Alvin Lynn and Rolla Shaller. Part III of III. To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Page 7 Page 8 Minutes of the January meeting of Panhandle Archaeological Society. Invitation and call for papers to: Southwestern Federation of Archeological Societies 50 th Symposium Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 9:00-4:30 Page 9 50 th Annual Symposium of the Southwestern Federation of Archaeological Societies staffing assignments sign-up information. Page 10

3 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 3 Reprinted with permission from the Texas Historical Commission. Archeological Investigations at the Colonel John L. Gregg Battle Site Part III (41RD77), Randall County, Texas, By Alvin Lynn and Rolla Shaller. View to the southeast from the bluff top showing the escarpment and the beginning of the Palo Duro Canyonlands. The easternmost limit of the site is in the foreground. Miscellaneous Several pieces of miscellaneous brass, iron, and lead materials from the site were collected and recorded. Some of these have yet to be identified, so they may or may not be associated with the 1872 battle. As stated previously, agricultural artifacts of a more recent manufacture and present-day debris were not recorded. Continued on page 4

4 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 4 Conclusions The site area has been greatly impacted not only by nature but also by man. It is safe to say that over the past century plow zone movement has shifted all of the recovered artifacts from their original locations. What remains unique is that there was still a definite pattern of occupation at the battle site. The portion of the site containing large amounts of spent military cartridges seems to suggest that only an outer segment of the encampment was actively engaged in the battle. Still, the question remains as to why more artifacts were not recovered from the overnight encampment of more than 225 military personnel and livestock traveling with 38 wagons. Were these other artifacts washed away by previous floods or collected in the past by other individuals? The small number of Kiowa projectiles at the site limited to two.50 caliber bullets, three percussion balls, and three.32 caliber rim fire cartridge cases may confirm a report that most of the Indian s gunfire was aimed high. The use of muzzle loading weapons by the Indians may also explain the lack of more Indianassociated cartridge cases at the site. The night attack was probably only an attempt to harass the troops by stealing the military livestock. It is likely that the Indians retreated from the battle once they realized they were not only outnumbered but also outgunned. The military artifacts recovered at this Randall County site and the terrain that matches Colonel Gregg s records provide reasonable evidence that it is the location of the 1872 battle between Kiowa Indians and Colonel John I. Gregg s Eighth Cavalry. Acknowledgements This material was originally presented as a paper at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Federation of Archeological Societies. In 2004 the paper was published as Historical Background and Archeological Investigations at the Col. John I. Gregg Battle Site (41RD77) in Transactions of the 39 th Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas. We would like to thank the Midland Archeological Society for permission to publish this revised report in the Steward. The cooperation of the landowner as well as neighboring landowners is essential for any survey of this type. We could not have been more pleased with the landowners who allowed us access to their property: Vicki and Terry Funk; Edward Burgess, whose property contains a known military trail that descends from the north; Hugh Lackey, land tenant of the Blackburn family s property, which extends to the east and to the south of the site; and Myrl Goodwin, on whose property we located the 1872 Gregg battle site. Continued on page 5

5 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 5 Mr. Goodwin s support included mowing areas of the site with heavy vegetation and informing us in advance of construction projects, which included excavation of a stock pond and trenching for a water pipeline across the site. During the latter stages of our investigations, Mr. Goodwin and his brother Earl obtained permission to donate a day of their time to lead the researchers into eastern New Mexico to the former location of Fort Bascom and the general area of Colonel John I. Gregg s 1872 Summer Camp for the Eighth Cavalry by the Canadian River. Mr. Goodwin s support never once faltered during the many trips made onto his property in search of the battle site. We especially appreciate the enthusiasm he expressed at the end of each day as we reviewed our finds and his plans to donate the collection of artifacts to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, where they will be available for future studies. We also extend our thanks to Texas Historical Commission Archeologist Brett Cruse for his advice, assistance in the field, and technical assistance in producing the artifact distribution map. Especially to our wives, Nadyne Lynn and Sidney Shaller, we express our deep gratitude and love. They understood the importance of our research, provided technical assistance, edited countless drafts of this report, and had evening meals prepared regardless of how late we returned home from the field. We will forever be thankful to all these individuals for their support in making this project a success. References Cruse, J. Brett, Patricia A. Mercado-Allinger, Douglas D. Scott, and Pamela Folds 2000 The Red River War Battle Sites Project, Phase 1. Report submitted to the National Park Service, Washington, D.C., Texas Historical Commission, Austin The Red River War Battle Sites Project, Phase 2. Report submitted to the National Park Service, Washington, D.C., Texas Historical Commission, Austin. Gregg, Colonel John I Report of a Scout to the Vicinity of Quitta Que, September 17, File 4548, Adjutant General s Office, Record Group 94, National Archives. Kirkland, Turner 1989Dixie Gunworks, Inc.: Catalogue. Union City, Tennessee. Continued on page 6

6 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 6 Koster, John (editor) 1980 The Forty-Day Scout: A Trooper s Firsthand Account of an Adventure with the Indian-Fighting Army in the American Southwest. American Heritage, 31 (4): Logan, Herschel C Cartridges: A Pictorial Digest of Small Arms Ammunition. Bonanza Books, New York. Lynn, Alvin, and Rolla Shaller 2004 Historical Background and Archeological Investigations at the Col. John I. Gregg Battle Site (41RD77). Transactions of the 39 th Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas, edited by Pinky Robertson, pp Midland Archeological Society, Midland. McGuinn, William F. and Bruce S. Bazelon 1988 American Military Button Makers and Dealers; Their Backmarks and Dates. BookCrafters, Inc., Fredericksburg, Virginia. Thomas, James E. and Dean S. Thomas 1996 Civil War Bullets and Cartridges. Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

7 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 7 PANHANDLE ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Minutes Jan 15, 2014 The meeting was called to order by President Donna Otto at approximately 7:10 p.m. at the Downtown Amarillo Library Second Floor Board Room. Guests and members were greeted. There were 20 in attendance, and two visitors were introduced. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced. Regular meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month. (Feb. 19, March 19), Amarillo Public Library. April 26, 2014 Perryton Stone Age Fair, Museum of the Plains, Perryton, TX 10 am - 5 pm Contact Scott Brosowske (806) May 3, th Annual Symposium of the SWFAS PAS Host, PPHM Oct. 3, 2014 Adobe Walls Sesquicentennial MINUTES: Minutes from the previous meeting were published in the PAS Newsletter. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as published. TREASURER REPORT: Balance as of 1/1/14 was $3,213.14, with net income for 2013 of $ She has an annual accounting for the year and these reports will be filed. There are some dues and donations to be deposited. She will work to update the membership list with the latest dues paid. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Rolla Shaller was not available to provide a report. OLD BUSINESS: SWFAS Meeting. Paul Katz. Paul passed around a listing of delegation of tasks prior to and during the meeting. Members were requested to sign up for a task, and to consider possibilities for field trips. PAS Membership List. Pam will update NEW BUSINESS: Next month's Program - Marisue Potts, Texas Historical Commission Steward from Motley County will talk of the history and archaeology of Mott Creek Ranch, including work by Rick Day and his wife. ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Curator of Archaeology at PPHM is Veronica Arias, Ph.D. in Anthropology from H University of New Mexico. She grew up in the Texas Panhandle; parents currently live in Bushland. March Flint Hills Conference at Fort Osage, MO Alvin Lynn's book, "Kit Carson and the First Battle of Adobe Walls", published by Texas Tech, is available for pre-order on Amazon with release date of June 15, MEETING ADJOURNED: There being no further business or announcements, meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Donna Otto

8 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 8 You are invited to attend the Southwestern Federation of Archeological Societies 50 th Symposium Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 9:00-4:30 [Friday evening social, informal Saturday dinner, Sunday tours to Alibates Ruin 28 or Adobe Walls] Hosted by the Panhandle Archeological Society at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, TX Proposals for individual papers are now being accepted on any topic relating to the cultural or natural history of the Federation region of western Texas and eastern New Mexico. Presentations will be 20 minutes in duration with five minutes between presentations. Papers accepted for presentation will be published in the Transactions of the 50 th Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas, available in The submissions should be on a CD, DVD or 3.5 diskette in Microsoft Word format at the conclusion of the symposium. Please submit your abstract using this form. Abstract deadline is March 1, AUTHOR(S): ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: HOME PHONE: OFFICE PHONE: FAX: AFFILIATION (to be included in the program): PRESENTATION TITLE: ABSTRACT (maximum of 200 words): PROJECTION MEDIUM: PowerPoint 2003 PowerPoint 2007/2010 slide projector IS THE PREFERRED METHOD OF SUBMITTING YOUR ABSTRACT INFORMATION. Attach the completed form to your message and the information to.katzes-priam@msn.com If it is impossible for you to submit by , please mail a hard copy of this form to Paul Katz, PO Box 1535, Panhandle, TX Address questions and comments to the above or

9 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 9 On Saturday, May 3, the PAS will be hosting the 50 th Annual Symposium of the Southwestern Federation of Archaeological Societies. It is a milestone event for the Federation, and we want it to be a memorable one for the participants and the attendees. You can make this happen by helping with one (or more) of the many tasks that must be done beforehand. Most of these tasks are listed in the accompanying table, grouped into committees. The names already in the table are members who signed up at the last meeting. If there is something that you are good at doing and you would like to participate, please send an to or call President Donna Otto, who will be coordinating the committee activities: Ottotomfarm@aol.com or (806) Please provide both your address and a telephone number so that we can contact you with more information about your committee s activities. Thank you for your cooperation. COMMITTEE TASKS STAFFING Book sales PAS and SWFAS publications Donations and funding identify potential donors; solicit funds; Friday social find location; make arrangements Pam Allison Lunch prepare list of restaurant options with map; take orders and deliver Board lunch Lodging prepare list of lodging options and Bill Webb Photography pictures of speakers; pictures of field Joe Cepeda Program solicit participants; get abstracts; schedule presentations; prepare and Rolla Shaller Paul Katz Publicity write press releases; submit to media Registration prepare name badges; register attendees; collect registration money Caryn Henslee Dick Carter Sessions Timekeeper; introduction of speakers Dick Carter Sunday tour(s) decide on venue(s); find guide(s); Welcome bags, door prizes, silent auction solicit items; prepare bags; door prize tickets; display auction items Audrey Taylor Elaine Maples

10 Volume 33 No. 11, February 2014 Page 10 February 19 - Panhandle Archaeological Society meeting at Amarillo Public Library, 413 Southeast 4th St., 2nd Floor. The Guest Speaker will be Marisue Potts, Texas Historical Commission Steward and owner of historic Mott Creek Ranch in Motley County. March 19 - Panhandle Archaeological Society meeting at Amarillo Public Library, 413 Southeast 4th St., 2nd Floor. March Flint Hills Conference at Fort Osage, MO April 16 - Panhandle Archaeological Society meeting at Amarillo Public Library, 413 Southeast 4th St., 2nd Floor. April 26 - Perryton Stone Age Fair, Museum of the Plains, Perryton, TX. 10 A.M. 5 P.M. Contact Scott Brosowske (806) May 3-50 th Annual Symposium of the Southwestern Federation of Archeological Societies at PPHM. See details on Page 12. May 21 -Panhandle Archaeological Society meeting at Amarillo Public Library, 413 Southeast 4th St., 2nd Floor.

PASTIMES. Newsletter of the Panhandle Archaeology Society February 2016 Volume 36 Number Two. PRESIDENT Scott Brosowske. VICE PRESIDENT Veronica Arias

PASTIMES. Newsletter of the Panhandle Archaeology Society February 2016 Volume 36 Number Two. PRESIDENT Scott Brosowske. VICE PRESIDENT Veronica Arias PASTIMES PRESIDENT Scott Brosowske Newsletter of the Panhandle Archaeology Society February 2016 Volume 36 Number Two VICE PRESIDENT Veronica Arias SECRETARY Mary Ruthe Carter TREASURER Pam Allison PUBLICATIONS