The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 47

THE SALINA JOURNAL gpieces SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1996 11 On Hallowed Ground Story by Carol Lichti The Salina Journal efore settlers staked the claims and railroads crossed the prairie, the Smoky Hill River valley was a coveted Indian hunting ground that stirred 3ijpody disputes. The skirmishes were so intense that settlers in- William Phillips, who later founded Salina back to explore other areas. in 1857, a fierce Indian bat- 'fle ended the hunting ground dispute and allowed settlement of Ithe Salina area. That battle occurred on a hill in central Salina that now is a city park Indian Rock north of Indian Rock Park 3jLakewood Park, which features lake and native vege- parks have colorful histo- Yhe battle of Indian Rock Information about the 1857 dian battle is signs of limited, but the times materials in Lakewood Park opened in 1 967 with a special cel- that included a 'visit from IHarold who had a TV show, "The Sports- Oman's He iwas one of ithe first an- iglers to fish in the lake and one of the first who left empty- 1 handed. tilO Room of the Salina Public Library, including newspaper clippings and research by the Saline County Historical Society, reveal a bit of the legend that has become known as the battle of Indian Rock.

Members of the Delaware and Pot- tawatomi tribes, who lived in eastern Kansas, were hunting along Spring Creek about 20 miles west of Salina. Spring Creek runs from Brookville to Salina, where it joins Mulberry Creek. The hunters were surprised by a band of Cheyenne, Arapahoe Jmd Sioux warriors led by a JSheyenne chief called Big Chief. MJhose tribes were regarded at the time as "wild." The Delaware, Pottawatomi Kaw tribes, in contrast, were as friendly. They were 'tolerant of the settlement that had been occurring in eastern Kansas.

Initially, Big Chiefs warriors had the upper hand. They drove the Indian hunters east to Dry Creek, west of Salina. The hunters fought from the cover of the creek and sent for the help of a hunting party of Kaw Indians, who lived near Council Grove. Big Chiefs warriors forced the hunters from their shelter in the creek, chasing them across the Smoky Hill River and onto a rocky hill now known as Indian Rock. There, the tables were turned when the hunters were joined by the Kaw hunting party armed with rifles.

Big Chiefs warriors stormed the hill but the rifle fire turned them back, and Big Chief himself was killed in the first charge. Four other attempts to take the hill followed, but the rifle-wielding hunters hidden behind the boulders of the hill inflicted heavy casualties. By the end of the battle, the ground was covered with bodies, the Indians were turned out and the hunting-land dispute was settled. As news of the battle spread, the potential for settlement lured Phillips, who was in Lawrence, to return to the area were Salina would be founded. Phillips came to the Smoky Hill Valley with A.M.

Campbell and James Muir to establish Salina in 1858. Blood and other signs of the Indian Rock battle were still evident on the hill's rocks. A.M. Campbell's wife, Christina, told of gathering arrowheads from the hill. The hill, now the centerpiece of a park that offers a panoramatic view of Salina and its sunsets, is popular not only with sightseers but also hikers and picnickers.

In the early years of Salina, the hill was the location of a water- powered mill and, later, a brick company. The mill gave the hill the name "Upper Mill." The brick company changed ownership and names over the years. They included the Salina Brick and Tile Co, and the Salina Vitrified Brick which closed in 1954 when the company moved to Hoisington. The hill and two-acre pond, ere- it Photo courtesy of the Salina Public Library's Kansas Room (A view of Indian Rock Lake before the park was developed ground it. BATTLE 1857 I stood upon the hill east of Salina known as Glennifer or Brick Plant Hill, where only a few short months before was fought one of the fiercest and most cruel Indian battles known to white settlers; around were strewn thousands of arrows and implements of Indian warfare.

Indian rock, besmeared with-blood, showed the part it played in repelling the repeated savages' attacks. It was here that the Cheyenne made their last attack." Christina Campbell, wife of Alexander Campbell Indian territory -1800 ARAPAHO SKHJXt Republican fltor Solomon River Big Blue River KANSA Kansas River DELAWARE USAGE POTTAWATOMI APACHE Indian Rock Hill became the location of a water-powered mill in the 1870s. The mill gave the hill the name "Upper Mill." In 1899, Salina Brick and Tile Co. and later the Salina Vitrified Brick Co. occupied the hill.

The company closed in 1954. The hill and two-acre pond became city property in the 1920s, a gift from the Campbell family. In 1955, it became Indian Rock Park. Source: Salina Public Library's Kansas Room and "Atlas of the North American Indian," by Carl Waldman ated when the brick companies dug clay and blue shale, was given to the city in the 1920s by the Campbell family. It became Indian Rock Park in 1955.

A park with a lake Not far from Indian Rock is another artificial lake, created by a sand company in 1918, which now is part of Lakewood Park. That park, too, has roots to native people. Early records show that in 1861 the site was part of a 160-acre tract owned by the widow of an Indian who fought in the War of 1812. The widow sold the land for $64. It was a need for sand that led to the creation of the 45-acre lake in Lakewood Park, located north of Iron Avenue and east of Ohio Street.

The Putnam Sand Co. began digging in 1918. After the company pulled out, the property was sold and in the 1950s it became the site of a private, lakeside residence. But after a divorce, the property became available and the city bought it for $140,000 in 1966. The lake used to be 45 acres, but now covers just 12 acres.

In the flood of 1951 a severe flood that occurred before the city's flood-control levee system was constructed water from the river poured over the east side of the lake. The area between the lake and river was weakened and water began to seep from the lake into the river. Ever since, the lake level has fluctuated widely despite efforts to keep the lake full. The lake level depends on the groundwater level and the level of the adjacent river. Lakewood Park opened in 1967 with a special celebration that included a visit from Harold Ensley, who had a television show "The Sportsman's Friend." He was one of the first anglers to fish in the lake and one of the first who left empty handed.

Initially, motor boats were allowed on the lake and the city rented boats. But today, the much smaller lake accommodates only row boats, canoes and boats with small electric motors. The lake is stocked with trout each winter and catfish in the summer. The park is also the site of a nature discovery center, open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday and by RICHAE Salina Journal reservation after hours and on weekends. The park has nature trails, picnic areas, flying-disc golf courses and a fishing pier accessible to those with disabilities. SALINA SUPPLY CO. From "high" flush to "ultra-low" flush SALINA SUPPLY COMPANY has brought you the latest in technology for 77 years. Since 1919 our company has served its customers with the best in service and products.

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