Newspaper:  Cheyenne Transporter, Published Semi-monthly
Darlington, I. T., W. A. Eaton, Editor & Publisher
Sold to George W. Maffet, April 25, 1882
Lafe Merritt, Local Editor, Subscription, $1 Per Year, In Advance.
Cheyenne and Arapahoe Agency, Darlington, Indian Territory.

Copyright 2002, Barbara Clayton.  This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb
Archives.  CheyenneOkie@aol.com
********************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the
written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the
submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this
consent.  The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to
store the file permanently for free access.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/
********************************************************************************

September 4, 1885

History of the "Cheyenne Transporter."

  This issue completes the sixth volume of the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER.  The
paper since it was founded has seen many changes in this portion of the
Territory; the constant coming and going of strangers, the many changes of
government and school employees, Indian traders and government contractors.
We have noted from time to time in our columns the various improvements and
progress made by both Indians and whites around this Agency.  A glance back
at the six complete volumes of the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER is both interesting
and instructive, revealing not a few incidents and facts in the six years'
history of the country.  The history of the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER since its
commencement is as follows:
  In the year 1879 an amateur entertainment was given by the Arapahoe school
for the purpose of raising funds to buy a magic lantern for the amusement
and instruction of the Indian school children.  The sum raised was more than
sufficient for the purpose, and by unanimous consent of those interested, it
was decided to purchase a printing press and print a school paper.  Mr. J. H.
Seger, who had the matter in charge, purchased a small Model job press and a
few fonts of type, procured the services of a printer and the first issue of
the paper was made Dec. 5, 1879, it being a miniature sheet 5 1/2 x 7 1/2
inches with four pages.  The editor was Rev. Alfred Brown, superintendent of
the Arapahoe school, and the paper stated in its prospectus that it was
originated to show to eastern people what was being done by the mission
schools in the heart of the Indian Territory.  Although the CHEYENNE
TRANSPORTER has gone through a number of modifications during its six years
of publication, this object has always been a leading feature -- the work
accomplished at the schools and Agency in the cause of Indian advancement.
The paper was soon found to be too small for the object sought, and was
enlarged to its present size Aug. 25, 1880, a new office and larger press
being purchased by the various Agency and school employees on a joint stock
plan and a printer was employed to take charge of the office.  The expenses
soon became so heavy that the stock holders donated the entire office to the
printer, W. A. Eaton, in consideration that he would bind himself to continue
the publication of the paper.  Mr. Eaton continued the publication of the
paper until April 23, 1882, when, wishing to leave the Territory, he sold it
to Mr. George W. Maffet, the present proprietor.  (Messrs. Maffet and Eaton
had before been intimately connected in journalism.)  The CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER
was then placed in the hands of Lafe Merritt local editor and printer, who
has ever since been in charge.  While a miniature, the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER
was published at the Arapahoe school building, but when enlarged in 1890 it
was moved into the open attic of the Agency saw-mill.  Afterward it occupied
a small school house building owned in common by the citizens of the Agency,
and soon after purchased by the present proprietor (the citizens wishing to
open school in the building) the office was moved into a tent, and to prevent
the premature death of the paper, its present quarters were built for its
occupancy in Oct., 1883.  Besides having a general circulation at the various
agencies and military posts of the Territory, the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER has a
very large list of subscribers in the eastern states among people interested
in the Indian service and Indian work.  The support of the paper outside of
its subscription list consists of a large advertising patronage at Caldwell
and Arkansas City, Kansas, freighting headquarters for the Territory, besides
the advertising patronage of Indian and post traders.  Considerable job
printing is also turned out by the office.  Besides this, the CHEYENNE
TRANSPORTER has always been a medium for publishing stock brands -- first
from parties driving large herds across the reservation on the Texas trails;
since then from stock owners of Kansas and the Cherokee Strip who were liable
to lose stock on this reservation by drifting south, and lately from the
various cattlemen who have procured grass leases on all the Indian Territory
reservations.  So much for the history and standing of the CHEYENNE TRANSPORTER.
  We are led to this subject by being investigated in common with everybody
and everything on this reservation by the Interior Department, and having gone
over the ground we publish the subject matter, as it may be of interest to many
of our readers to learn the origin and history of the paper.