Echoes Across the Plains, Part 3

By Dorthy L. Mast

     When the settlers first came to the Kansas plains, they had no idea of the hardships they would be facing.  Many of these settlers had different ethnic back-grounds.  They brought with them the skills, tradition and culture of the land of their origin. 

     Due primarily to the Homestead Act of 1862 and unscrupulous land agents, they believed the land was free for the taking.  The reality of life on the plains was a hard one.  They had to learn to adapt skills, tradition and culture to a different way of like in the new land.  They had no real knowledge of the way of life of the native American, not that the plains was the hunting grounds where large herds of buffalo had grazed. 

     There were several different tribes of Plains Indians.  At the same time, the white leaders of the government were caught up in the great conquest of the land and its riches.  With this purpose in mind, they began planning ways to drive the native Americans from the land.

     The Plains Indians were very knowledgeable and skilled in the laws of nature and knowledge of all living things on the plains.  Their survival skills were far superior to that of the White Man.

Next time:  Conflicts