Jones & Plummer Trail – Legends of America
The Jones & Plummer Trail, a significant artery of commerce and travel in the late 19th century, stretched southwest from Dodge City, Kansas, through the Oklahoma Panhandle, and into the vast expanse of Texas. This vital route played a pivotal role in the development of the region, serving as a lifeline for buffalo hunters, merchants, the U.S. military, cattle ranchers, homesteaders, and even outlaws seeking refuge.
The Genesis of the Trail: Buffalo, Treaties, and Trade
The story of the Jones & Plummer Trail is inextricably linked to the tumultuous era of buffalo hunting in the American West. In 1873, the U.S. government, driven by a desire to displace Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, openly encouraged the hunting of buffalo south of the Arkansas River. This policy was a blatant disregard of the Medicine Lodge Treaty, a solemn agreement that had guaranteed hunting grounds to the tribes "as long as water runs and grass grows."
The government’s strategy was simple yet brutal: decimate the buffalo population, the primary food source for the Native Americans, and force them to relinquish their claims to the land. The devastating impact of this policy was immediate, sparking a series of retaliatory raids led by Comanche Chief Quanah Parker and his warriors. One such raid targeted the trading post at Adobe Walls, Texas, in June 1874, leading to its abandonment and the urgent need for a new commercial hub.
Enter Charles "Dirty Face" Edward Jones and Joseph H. Plummer, two former buffalo hunters with an entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing the growing demand for supplies in the burgeoning Texas Panhandle, they established a dugout store at the mouth of Wolf Creek in the fall of 1874. This humble establishment became the nucleus of the Jones & Plummer Trail.
From Dugout Store to Thriving Trade Route
The Jones & Plummer store served as a vital trading post, providing guns, ammunition, and essential supplies to buffalo hunters, settlers, and travelers. The store also featured a bar that sold whiskey and acted as a collection point for dried buffalo meat, tongues, and hides. With Dodge City serving as the western terminus of the railroad line, the trail became the crucial link for transporting goods to the store and shipping valuable buffalo products back to the railhead.
Charles Jones took the lead in charting the course of the trail. As the partners made repeated trips between Dodge City and their store, the constant passage of wagons gradually carved deep ruts into the prairie sod, creating a clear path for others to follow.
The Route: A Southwestward Journey
The Jones & Plummer Trail followed a southwestward trajectory from Dodge City, closely paralleling Crooked Creek. It crossed the Cimarron River at Miles Landing in Meade County, Kansas, before venturing into the Oklahoma Panhandle. From there, the trail continued south-southwest to the site of present-day Beaver, Oklahoma, where it forded the North Canadian River. It then proceeded due south for 30 miles to what is now Booker, Oklahoma. Passing Brubaker Lake, the trail turned southwest towards Gillalow Lake and finally reached the Jones & Plummer store on Wolf Creek, just east of modern-day U.S. Highway 83. The trail was eventually extended further south to Mobeetie, Texas, bringing the total length of the route to approximately 168 miles. The burgeoning town of Mobeetie attracted even more freighters to the trail, solidifying its importance.
Advantages and Challenges of the Trail
The Jones & Plummer Trail quickly gained popularity among freighters for several compelling reasons. It was well-marked, making navigation relatively easy. The watering places along the route were spaced closer together than on many other trails, ensuring that travelers and their animals could stay hydrated. The terrain was generally flat and smooth, facilitating the movement of heavy freight wagons.
However, the trail also presented its share of challenges. The most dangerous aspects of the journey were the six flowing-stream crossings, which could be treacherous, especially during periods of heavy rain. The trail’s shifting sands posed another significant obstacle, particularly after storms when streams widened and filled with quicksand, threatening to engulf wagons and livestock.
More Than Just a Freight Route: Outlaws and Lawmen
While the Jones & Plummer Trail primarily served as a commercial artery, it also attracted a diverse cast of characters, including outlaws seeking refuge. By the late 1870s, the Jones & Plummer store had earned a reputation as a safe haven for criminals looking to hide and replenish their supplies. In the winter of 1878, the legendary lawman Bat Masterson and a posse from Dodge City pursued a gang of train robbers along the trail, only to lose them at the store, highlighting the challenges of enforcing the law in the vast and sparsely populated region.
From Trade to Ranching: The End of an Era
The Jones & Plummer store thrived until the end of 1877, when the buffalo hunting era drew to a close. Recognizing the changing economic landscape, the partners transitioned into cattle ranching, converting their store into a ranch headquarters. However, the partnership eventually dissolved in 1887, leaving Jones to continue ranching for two more seasons before selling his holdings.
Legacy of the Trail: Commerce, Community, and Development
Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Jones & Plummer Trail left an indelible mark on the region. During the peak freight years of 1880 to 1886, the trail served as the primary supply route for crucial projects, such as the construction of Fort Elliott, a military outpost that played a vital role in maintaining peace and order on the frontier. Troops in the field, hunters, ranchers, homesteaders, and the residents of growing towns all depended on the goods transported along the trail.
The sheer volume of freight that passed along the Jones & Plummer Trail was remarkable. At its peak, an estimated 150,000 pounds of goods were shipped along the trail in a single week, demonstrating its critical importance to the regional economy. Five towns were eventually established along the trail, relying on it as their primary artery for commerce and travel. After 1879, the trail was used by mail contractors, and in 1886, P.G. Reynolds established a major stagecoach route from Dodge City to Mobeetie, further enhancing the trail’s significance.
Beyond freight and passengers, the Jones & Plummer Trail also served as a route for cattlemen driving herds north to the Dodge City stockyards, contributing to the growth of the cattle industry in the region. The trail was used by both merchants and big ranchers, and its traffic increased significantly as homesteaders began to pour into the area, seeking new opportunities on the frontier.
The Fading of the Trail: The Railroad’s Arrival
The Jones & Plummer Trail served the region for approximately 20 years, throughout the 1870s and 1880s. However, its importance gradually diminished with the arrival of the railroads, which offered a faster and more efficient means of transporting goods and people. While local traffic continued for some time, the era of the wagon-road economy as a significant economic force came to an end.
Today, the Jones & Plummer Trail exists primarily in the realm of history and memory. However, its legacy endures as a testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial spirit of those who shaped the American West. It stands as a reminder of the vital role that trade routes played in connecting communities, fostering economic development, and transforming the landscape of the frontier.