KANSAS INDIAN TREATY

IN 1825 PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE APPROVED A BILL PROVIDING FOR THE SURVEY OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL FROM MISSOURI TO NEW MEXICO AND THE MAKING OF TREATIES TO INSURE FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH INDIANS ALONG THE ROUTE. A MILE WEST OF THIS SIGN, ON DRY TURKEY CREEK, A MONUMENT MARKS THE SITE OF A COUNCIL ON AUGUST 16, 1825, BETWEEN U. S. COMMISSIONERS REEVES, SIBLEY AND MATHER, AND SON-JA-INGA AND FIFTEEN OTHER HEAD MEN OF THE KANSAS OR KAW NATION. NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONDUCTED THROUGH "OLD BILL" WILLIAMS, A NOTED GUIDE AND TRAPPER. FOR A CONSIDERATION OF $800 IN CASH AND MERCHANDISE THE CHIEFS PROMISED THAT THE TRIBE WOULD NOT MOLEST TRAVELERS. EARLIER, AT COUNCIL GROVE, A SIMILAR TREATY WAS MADE WITH THE OSAGE INDIANS.