Letter from E. J. Broaddus to French Tipton | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Mr. Broaddus discusses at great length the events surrounding his father's exploits in the 1820s, up through his return to Kentucky in 1872. Primarily they regard his father's trip from Old Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe and Mexico with a party of traders that included Kit Carson. His father's arm was shattered while trying to fend off an animal. See the Yates' letters for more details on this chain of events. Medical attention was delayed and his friend Thomas Talbott, who had no surgical experience, amputated his arm. The letter then goes on to discuss other Broaddus family members, and E. J.'s civil service career. Also mentioned are William Sherley "Old Bill" Williams, John C. Fremont, and the Rocky Mountains. Note that the letter incorrectly identifies French Tipton's address; he lived in Richmond, Kentucky.

Transcript:

Chillicothe Mo. July 4th, 1892

French Tipton, Esq.

Richmond Mo. [sic]

Dear Sir -

Your favor of the 7th inst. at hand. In reference to my father's trip to Santa Fe somewhere about 1820 as near as I now recollect the facts are about as follows. My father at that time was a resident of the state of Missouri. With a party of Santa Fe traders, including Kit Carson, he left what is known as Old Franklin, Mo. with goods packed upon horse and in wagon for Mexico. After having accomplished about half the distance in attempting to get his gun from his wagon, to shoot some wild animal that had invaded the camp of the traders, it was discharged shattering his right arm. In this condition he was hauled in his wagon, for the company did not stop on account of small matters, until it became apparent to him, that unless his arm was amputated he would not live to get to Santa Fe where it was expected he could receive surgical aid. He therefore called upon a friend by the name of Thos Talbott to cut of [sic] the arm. Talbott not being a surgeon and not having any confidence in his own skill refused at first to undertake the work. But my father convinced him that he would die unless the operation could be performed at an early day. The subject of this sketch had already considered the difficulties of the situation and had formed a very ingenious plan by which the operation could in his opinion be successfully performed. He directed the operation himself. It was as follows = to improvise a saw from a butchers knife to saw of [sic] the bone and to stop the bleeding of the arteries and veins by heating the king bolt of the wagon and searing them. The operation was successfully performed and he continued his trip to Mexico, sold out his goods with the others and returned to Mo. In 1827, he returned to Madison Co. Ky, where he died at a ripe old age in Dec 24 in 1872. It may be also remarked that Williams who was Fremont's guide in his celebrated exploring expedition through the Rock [sic] Mountains was the guide and Indian interpreter of the Santa Fe traders with which my father was connected. Andrew Broaddus was a man of Herculean strength, proud and imperious, with unbending will and apparently insensible to pain or fatigue. Kind and ever generous to the poor, but haughty with his equals.

As for myself - I was born in Madison County June 19th 1836. Read law with the Hon. Curtis F. Burnam at Richmond Ky and was admitted to bar in March 1858. In April 1867, moved to Chillicothe Mo. where I have sinced [sic] lived. In Nov 1874, was elected judge of the 17th judicial circuit of the state for term of six years. In 1890 elected mayor of the City of Chillicothe for one year. On the 17th of Sept 1891 was appointed judge of this 17th judicial circuit upon petion [sic] of the the [sic] members of the bar by Gov D. R. Francis to fill the unexpired term of Judge James M. Davis who resigned on account of poor health. I am now a candidate for renomination in what is known as the 7th judicial circuit, the state having been redistricted. Since my appointment; the circuit is the largest in the state presided over by a single judge. It is composed of Clay, Ray, Caldwell, Daviess and Livingston Counties. I have already been endorsed for nomination by three out of the five counties. The circuit has nearly 6000 Democratic majority - I am a widower with nine children, two of whom are married. When I look over my past life and find how much I might have, and how little I have achieved I feel greatly discouraged. I hope you will be satisfied with the imperfect sketch I have given you. I will want a copy of your history when you get it completed.

Yours Truly

E. J. Broaddus

PS. Please see Jerry Broaddus who can give you a better history of my father than I can - I have not time to revise what I written. EJB