The Western Cattle Trail Association and the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail are excited to announce that the remarkable Dr. Jeff Broome will be our special guest speaker at the Kansas Heritage Center for the Sand Creek Massacre event. The event will take place on Saturday, October 4th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lois Flanagan Room at the Dodge City Public Library.
The Forgotten Heroes of the Santa Fe Trail: Valor at Little Coon Creek by Dr. Jeff Broome
|
Gunfire echoes across the Kansas plains as desperate men take cover behind a barricade of wagons and lifeless horses. With low ammunition and dwindling hope, the situation seems dire—until Corporal Patrick "Patty" Boyle steps forward for a seemingly suicide mission.
Set in September 1868, the Battle of Little Coon Creek recounts how Boyle's bravery turned the tide during a fierce attack along the Santa Fe Trail. As O'Boyle hands over his weapons with the words, "Here, boys, you want them more than I do," he charges into enemy lines to seek reinforcements. Meanwhile, the defenders fight through the night, their ammunition reduced to just twelve rounds by dawn. At the moment of despair, cavalry soldiers appear on the horizon, charging in their white underwear like ghostly rescues. |
Years later, while Corporal Leander Herron received the Medal of Honor for his actions, Boyle—who had passed away before any recognition—remains unacknowledged despite his heroism. Historian Jeff Broome uncovered a rare 1930 radio interview with Herron, connecting us to this overlooked chapter of frontier history. To learn more about "The Forgotten Heroes of the Santa Fe Trail: Valor at Little Coon Creek," including audio interviews with Leander Herron and Jeff Broome, as well as a Harper's Weekly recreation of the event based on the transcripts of the podcast, please visit. This tale explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and heroism, revealing the stories of extraordinary individuals who shaped the West.
| coon_creek_harper_weekly creation.pdf |
A New Chronicler for the Perilous Plains: The Labors of Dr. Jeff Broome, Historian and Philosopher
Penned and Created by Michael D. King
|
In our modern era, there is a tendency to revisit detailed accounts of the Indian Wars as found to be amiable to reflect society's acceptable norms and the philosophical complexities surrounding the often unsettled history of America's western expansion. Unfortunately, this foundational history is often revisited not for genuine understanding but to serve contemporary passions and agendas. Thus, it is significant when a scholar emerges who encourages us to reflect on this period without the bias of modern sentiment, but with a clear commitment to the full, and often painful, truth. One such scholar is Mr. Jeff Broome, whose work on the Indian Wars of the Central Plains warrants serious consideration from anyone seeking a complete and honest account of our national heritage.
|
Dr. Broome's journey from notional philosophical inquiries to the blood-soaked ground of Western history is itself informative. He explains that during his doctoral studies in philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder, he became frustrated with the theoretical demands of his dissertation. This led him back to a childhood fascination with the West. A visit to a local bookstore introduced him to a volume that offered an Indigenous perspective on one of General Custer's battles. This encounter, providing a direct and personal view of a historical event, captured his interest and ignited a new intellectual drive. This was not a mere whim but a disciplined shift from a mind trained to pursue rigorous knowledge, eager for tangible human truths rather than grand theories.
|
To fully grasp the significance of Dr. Broome's historical project, it should be viewed as an exercise in applied philosophy. His academic background includes a serious engagement with the thought of the great Scottish empiricist, David Hume. This connection is of profound importance. As readers of this article will recognize, Hume's philosophy is based on the principle that authentic knowledge must ultimately come from experience; it embodies a deep skepticism toward grand, abstract systems that lack empirical verification. Similarly, Dr. Broome's historical method reflects this skepticism. He is openly critical of modern historical trends that, in his opinion, approach the past with a pre-formed agenda, seeking facts that support a specific political or social argument. Instead of overarching theories, he turns to the most direct and unembellished experiences of the past available: the sworn, first-person testimonies of the victims themselves, preserved in the vast and largely untapped archives of Indian depredation claims. His work serves as a direct application of his philosophical principles, using empirical methods to challenge what he sees as dogmatic and often sentimental narratives in his field. He insists that history must be constructed from the ground up, anchored in primary evidence, no matter how unsettling that evidence may be.
|
This philosophical commitment is not merely abstract; it manifests in years of arduous physical labor. To uncover these neglected voices, Dr. Broome has made what he describes as "multiple visits to the National Archives in Washington, D.C.," dedicating some 60 to 75 days over a decade. This endeavor has been costly, requiring thousands of dollars in copying fees for documents, which he has either carried back in extra suitcases or sent to his study in Colorado. This image of the scholar amidst dusty boxes, painstakingly gathering fragments of past lives, powerfully attests to the seriousness of his purpose. His quest for historical truth is not about elegant theorizing, but about dedicated, costly, and relentless labor.
In a recent interview with author Michael King, Dr. Broome discussed his writing methodology, highlighting the influence of 20th-century British philosopher and journalist Brian Magee on his approach, particularly regarding Indian war history. Dr. Broome referenced the Actonian Mandate, which he attributes to Magee's interpretation of Lord Acton's philosophy: “One should learn as much from writing as from reading.” This assertion underscores the critical role of writing in fostering a structured and comprehensive understanding of a subject.
Dr. Broome elaborated that the act of writing necessitates an organized examination of the chosen topic, compelling the writer to engage with the pertinent literature thoroughly and leave no significant gaps in coverage. This disciplined approach not only motivates a meticulous attention to detail but also ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information presented. Most importantly, it fosters deep critical thinking, enabling the writer to synthesize ideas and evidence into coherent and persuasive constructs. This robust framework for research and composition is integral to Dr. Broome's scholarly work.
In a review by Mr. David Dixon, the Western Historical Quarterly notes that Dr. Broome's stated objective is to counter a scholarly trend that has "diminished or discounted the degree of suffering endured by the settlers in favor of emphasizing the horror and despair experienced by the Indians." Therefore, Dr. Broome's work is not just an addition to the existing narrative; it is a courageous intellectual intervention aimed at restoring balance and complexity to a story that has been oversimplified by modern ideology.
Dr. Broome elaborated that the act of writing necessitates an organized examination of the chosen topic, compelling the writer to engage with the pertinent literature thoroughly and leave no significant gaps in coverage. This disciplined approach not only motivates a meticulous attention to detail but also ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information presented. Most importantly, it fosters deep critical thinking, enabling the writer to synthesize ideas and evidence into coherent and persuasive constructs. This robust framework for research and composition is integral to Dr. Broome's scholarly work.
In a review by Mr. David Dixon, the Western Historical Quarterly notes that Dr. Broome's stated objective is to counter a scholarly trend that has "diminished or discounted the degree of suffering endured by the settlers in favor of emphasizing the horror and despair experienced by the Indians." Therefore, Dr. Broome's work is not just an addition to the existing narrative; it is a courageous intellectual intervention aimed at restoring balance and complexity to a story that has been oversimplified by modern ideology.
|
In examining Dr. Broome's volumes, readers must confront the stark reality of life on the frontier. He meticulously details the suffering endured by the noncombatant civilian population during the Plains Wars. This pain is the central theme he explores, sharing the harrowing accounts of those pioneers who were simply trying to forge a life along the nation’s expanding frontier.
While Dr. Broome vividly recounts the actions of Indian war parties, his strongest critiques are aimed not at the declared enemy, but at the very institutions of our own government. He shifts the focus from the chaos of battle to the cold calculations of bureaucracy, raising important questions about civic duty. Through his comprehensive study of Indian depredation claims, Dr. Broome reveals a systemic and heartless failure of the Federal government. He underscores a significant and deeply ironic injustice embedded within the redress system established for the victims of the frontier wars. |
In closing this profile, it is essential to recognize Dr. Jeff Broome as a distinctly American intellectual figure. He is a philosopher who engages with history not in the quiet of a seminar room, but in the dusty, chaotic archives of the past. He is a historian who approaches his subject without a political agenda, driven instead by a philosopher’s commitment to evidence, rigor, and truth. Through his extensive work, he has emerged as one of the most important and thought-provoking chroniclers of the 19th century’s most defining and violent conflicts. His scholarship demonstrates that the most profound philosophical questions—surrounding justice, suffering, truth, and memory—are often best understood through the specific, tangible, and deeply human stories of history.
|
The ultimate value of such scholarship is its contribution to a mature and honest national memory. In an era that often seeks comfort in simplification, Dr. Broome offers no such solace. He refuses to portray the history of the American West as a simplistic tale of noble heroes and villainous foes. Instead, he insists on presenting the complex, contradictory, and often tragic evidence found in historical records. He describes a world filled with brutal violence and profound suffering, governmental failures and individual resilience, cultural clashes, and human tragedy. By doing this, he provides the nation with not just a comforting myth, but a solid foundation of historical truth. It is upon this foundation that a durable, self-aware, and truly civilized republic can be built and sustained.
Dr. Broome's project aligns perfectly with the goals outlined in this article. Like the writers, editors, and artists who have worked to inform the American public about the moral complexities surrounding the historical accounts of the Plains Indian Wars, Dr. Broome is dedicated to the belief that an informed citizenry is essential for a functioning republic. By uncovering the overlooked perspectives of the Plains, correcting the historical record, and advocating for the unvarnished truth about the Indian depredation claims, he is providing an important civic service. His work contributes a significant, thought-provoking, and enduring chapter to our ongoing understanding of the truth surrounding the Indian Wars of the Central Plains. |
Pictured are Dr. Jeff Broome and Chris Daring Bloome
|
|
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Contact Website Administrator Mike King [email protected]
|
|