Scholar’s research

(Editor’s Note: Atlanta historian Dr. Dan Wimberly wanted to find out more about the Sulphur Fork Factory located near the fork of the Sulphur and Red Rivers, 1817-25. Here are some of the highlights of his findings.)

“The Sulphur Fork Factory, located near the confluence of the Sulphur and Red rivers, was used in preparation ‘For Peace, Civilization and Expansion.’ ... Most of the primary information comes from the Letterbook of the Natchitoches-Sulphur Fork Factory, 1809-1821. The Letterbook reflects problems involved with the Sulphur Fork factory personnel.

“It was hoped that trading posts would supply goods at fair prices in exchange for pelts .... Native Americans would receive tools and farming implements needed to facilitate the change from hunting cultures to settled agricultural peoples. Thus, they would be less vulnerable to corrupt whites, especially whiskey traders ... and governmentally unsanctioned frontier merchants.

“... trade goods consisted of gun flints, powder, shirts, blankets, scarlet cloth, calico shaws, stitching thread, rifles, ivory combs, needles, iron pots and cow bells.

“However, some local merchants viewed the trading posts as competition.

“On May 4, 1819, a communication mentioned the buildings at Sulphur Fork. The main structure was two-storied, 19 x 39 feet constructed of hewn pine logs. A gallery, nine feet wide, extended along the length of the house. The factory agent lived on the second floor, the first floor used for a store and lumber storage. There was a house for pelts, 13 x 18 feet two stories high. A cook house measured 16 x 16 feet and had a chimney of ‘cat and clay’. Finally there were two cabins used for storage.

“Hopes for a successful factory failed to materialize. First, the agent had difficulty securing laborers ... Assigned army troops proved reluctant to take orders from him and did not care to work on projects. Civilian laborers were difficult to hire. No replacements arrived for discharged soldiers. By 1819, only eight soldiers and a corporal remained.

“... it was difficult to get supplies. It sometimes took six month for orders to arrive. The trip (from Natchitoches to Sulphur Fork) by keel boat through the raft could be made but conditions were complicated. Supplies that did arrive were not always implements that would induce tribesmen to give up hunting. Pelts were subject to worm infestation. By the time they reached a buyer downriver, their conditions sometimes made them unacceptable.

“Finally, government policy toward Native Americans was evolving. ... enticing them to voluntarily relocate west. Congress created an Indian civilization program. ... constructed a string of frontier forts from Minnesota to Oklahoma to protect each other and whites. Spain was not interested to garrison many troops, reducing the threat of foreign intervention.

“Considering these developments, the 28 factories which had been established were abolished. Sulphur Fork closed as a government agency in 1822. .... though it continued under private operation for about seven years until 1825.”