Volume 10 , Issue 28

Old Fort Supply (Woodward County, OK)

The following information came from an old thesis done in 1941 that I received awhile back from a friend and reader. It was written by William Hankins Hughes, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts and submitted in 1941. It goes back to August 3, 1924, with stories that appeared in the Wichita Beacon Sunday Magazine, concerning "Oklahomans Neglect Historic Fort Supply."

The first story is Wooden Leg Used To Stir Soup, written by Bliss Isely. "D. W. Kygar, 122 South Grove, who formerly lived in Day county, Oklahoma, has brought in a new story of Amos Chapman, one of the veterans of Fort Supply, who is now living at Seiling, Oklahoma. Chapman's right leg from the knee down is artificial, he having lost his good leg at the buffalo Wallow fight.

"Twenty years ago Chapman attended a big Indian Powwow which was attended by many Cheyenne Indians, young men, who did not know the intrepid Amos. As Chapman approached their camp where they were making dog soup in a great kettle, none of the Indians appeared to want him around. They cared nothing for white folks.

Chapman to impress them stepped alongside the kettle and thrust his right leg into the boiling soup, stirring it vigorously. His trouser leg covered the artificial limb and the Indians did not know they were dealing with a man whose leg had no sensation of pain. After he had given the soup a good stir Chapman withdrew the leg, wiped off the soup and sat down in the circle with the bravest warriors.

"Big medicine," grunted the Cheyennes, "No burn leg."

For the "Rest of the Story" check out our OkieLegacy site concerning Old Fort Supply - Woodward County that we transcribed back in 2006.

Does anyone out there remember the Monte Bank and the Monte game table at Supply? Perhaps even some stories of Jim Quinlan, teamster for the United States army? AND... remember the old log house at Fort Supply.

Jim Quinlan was known to run a square game, according to William C. Peacock, scout and plainsman, who knew the keeper of the bank at Old Fort Supply. Peacock's testimony that the game run by Quinlan was always on the square is backed up by Amos Chapman of Seiling, Oklahoma, who spent many long evenings watching the monte game and sometimes engaging in it himself. It was a popular game of the time. Patrons came for miles as Supply was in those days.

Jim Quinlan had tuberculosis. Quinlan lived to the age of 32 years, teaming and running the monte bank before he died. Quinlan had a lot of money in his teamster's bunk when he died. They took him to the Old Supply cemetery up on the hill, buried him in a fine coffin and put up a beautiful granite monument with his money. The stone is still standing and it was carved: "James Quinlan, age 32 years, died July 12, 1877."

In the cemetery is one reminder of the tragic days when Custer fought a desperate battle on the Washita. It is the grave of an Indian beauty. A beautiful marble stone marks her resting place. On the stone are the words: "Toch-e-me-ah, wife of Ben Clarke, died October 5, 1875. Age 22 years."

Other fort Supply Links:
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter I - The Establishment of Camp Supply
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter II - The Washita Campaign
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter III - A Permanent Post
# Old Fort Supply, Chaprter IV - The Later Years
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter V - Life At A Frontier Fort
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