In 1867, Capt. Albert Barnitz of the 7th Cavalry described Fort Wallace, Kansas as ”a little garrison that had become quite worn out” by the dangers and anxieties of the constant threat of attack from the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Kiowa tribes.
As the Hutch News reports, the Native Americans were protecting their prime buffalo hunting grounds against the travelers.
Thursday kicks off five days of events called “The Great 1867 Fort Wallace and Western Kansas Exposition,” which will highlight the region’s historical significance through speakers, guided bus tours and history performances, as well as the grand opening of Fort Wallace Museum’s new exhibit and the unveiling of Jerry Thomas’ life-size bronze statue of scout William Comstock, one of George Armstrong Custer’s favorite scouts.
The little town of 50 people, 43 miles east of the Colorado border, is preparing for as many as 1,000 or more people to attend the event.
High Plains Public Radio will be broadcasting live from the museum on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. CST.