Frederic Remington (1861-1909) was a prolific painter, sculptor, illustrator and writer, whose work chronicled life in the American West at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. Certain the American frontier would be lost forever, Remington, set out to tell the story of the cowboy and the American Indian. Remington’s imagery told of the vanishing west and is unequalled as fine art, with “great range and versatility”. Readers of the periodicals, Harper’s, Outing and Collier’s, would be very familiar with his work as an illustrator and journalist.

Remington resided most of his life in the East, but, made frequent trips to the West and Mexico. He even traveled to Cuba and spent a short time as a war correspondent during the Spanish-American war. His only residence in the West, was the time spent as a sheep rancher, on the prairies of northwest Butler County, Kansas.

Frederic Sackrider Remington was born on October 4, 1861 in Canton, New York. Remington was the only child, born to Seth Pierre Remington and Clarissa “Clara” Bascom Sackrider. His father, Colonel Seth Remington, was a journalist, newspaper publisher and civil war colonel. Colonel Remington spent the first four years of the young, Frederic’s life, away at war. His father probably contributed to Frederic’s interest in portraying military conquests and his interest in journalism.

Young Remington was known as a stout and physically active boy, who liked to hunt, fish and camp with his friends. Frederic had a pencil or pen in his hand from an early age, drawing his favorite subjects, soldiers and horses. Remington was sent away to several military schools in hopes he would eventually end up at West Point, but Fred had a hard time concentrating on his schoolwork and would rather sketch or draw cartoons for his friends.

Somehow, at the age of seventeen, Remington convinced his parents to try some formal art training, so he enrolled in the Yale School of Fine Arts in New Haven, Connecticut. In addition to his art studies, Fred excelled as a football player at Yale. At the end of football season in 1879, Frederic went home to Ogdensburg, New York for Christmas. Remington stayed with his father, who was dying from tuberculosis, until his death. Fred’s formal schooling was over.

After the death of his father, Remington and his mother, Clara, moved back to Canton, New York to be near family. Fred’s, grandfather Sackrider found them a place to live. Remington’s, Uncle Mart found him a good paying job. Uncle Mart was only 13 years older than Fred. Mart and Fred were like brothers, hunting and fishing together in the Adirondacks. ^[1]

Remington began courting Eva Caten, a young woman from nearby Albany, New York. Eva and Fred planned to marry, however, Eva’s, father, would not allow it. Because of this snub, as well as, Remington coming into his father’s inheritance, was the motivation for his move to the prairies of Kansas. Fred hoped to make his fortune and prove himself worthy Eva’s hand in marriage.

“My Ranch” 1883, Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, New York

www.fredericremington.org

Remington’s Days in the Plum Grove Community

The following information about Frederic Remington in Kansas relies heavily on information compiled from the notes of Corah Mooney Bullock, Dr. Robert Taft (Kansas Historical Quarterly, May 1948), Frederic Remington’s article “Coursing Rabbits on the Plains” and Peggy and Harold Samuels.

Remington’s foray into Kansas sheep ranching was influenced by the amount of money he inherited. The preferred livestock venture at the time was to invest in cattle ranching. Fred had been influenced by the writings of Theodore Roosevelt and others, who had success with the cattle business. The problem was the cattle business took significantly more money than sheep ranching.

Frederic Remington photo probably taken at Peabody, Kansas.

Fred had kept in contact with a former Yale classmate, Robert Camp, who had purchased a small ranch eleven miles south of Peabody, Kansas and moved there in August of 1882. The young Camp, like many in the area had ventured into sheep ranching. (Camp’s ranch was located on the northwest quarter of Sec, 25, T-23, R. 3) Camp followed his father, who had come here from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later Camp’s father opened a bank in Peabody and the Camp’s became prominent citizens in the Peabody community. In February 1883, Robert Camp agreed to arrange for the purchase of the 160-acre quarter section immediately south of his property.

“Mrs. Bullock’s examination shows that Frederic Remington bought from Johann and Maria Janzen, the southwest quarter of Sec. 25, T-23, R.3, (Fairmount Township, Butler County) on April 2, 1883, for the consideration of $3,400. On May 31, 1883, Remington purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 26, T-23, R.3, from Charles W. and Sara Potwin for $1,250.”^[2]

Remington’s investment in land totaled $4,650. He also had other expenses for livestock and improvements to the ranch. His entire investment in his Kansas sheep ranch was estimated to be $6,050.

Henry Creek ran its course North to South through Remington’s ranch and entered the Whitewater river three miles to the south. The western side of the ranch was unique in northwest Butler County for the steep bluff rising sharply in elevation from the rich soil of the Henry Creek bottoms. The closest settlement was the small town of Plum Grove three miles south of the ranch near where Henry Creek entered the Whitewater. The larger town of Peabody was located twelve miles to the north. Newton, which had been a wild cow town 10 years earlier, was located fifteen miles to the west and El Dorado was twenty miles to the southeast.

Remington arrived in Peabody in early March of 1883. He was greeted by his, friend, Robert Camp and they soon went out to inspect the property, Camp had arranged for Frederic to purchase. The disappointment was immediate. The country had not yet greened up from winter. Everything was brown and dreary. The relatively flat, treeless prairie and the rather stark accommodations of a Kansas sheep ranch must have caused Remington to question the decision to spend his meager fortune on the sheep ranching venture. The depression resulted in Fred holing up in Peabody’s, Duvall hotel for two weeks, despondent and inconsolable.^[3]

The closing date for the ranch purchase was April 2 and Fred seemed to be over his depression. Remington set about acquiring the stock and equipment needed to run his newly acquired livestock operation. He hired two hands to do the day to day work on the ranch, Bill Kehr and William Grandom Scrivner, or “Grand” for short. (His direct descendants new him as Grant.)^[4] Horses were just as important to a sheep ranch as they were to a cattle ranch. In 1948, Dr. Taft interviewed Robert Camp, then over eighty years of age and living in Milwaukee. Mr. Camp related how Frederic Remington loved horses and had exceeding knowledge of them. Wherever the farmers or ranchers of an agricultural community gathered, such as Peabody or Plum Grove, horses were a topic of discussion. Which horse was the fastest or who’s pony was best suited for the job at hand? During his residence in Butler County, Remington “acquired by purchase a small horse of beautiful light gold-dust color, with mane and tail of Naples yellow.” Remington named her Terra-Cotta or Terry for short.^[5]

An interesting paragraph appears in the Peabody Gazette (June 14, 1883, p. 9). “Mr. Samuel Dickerson, our great dealer in Merino sheep, has in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Hamilton, bought a fine lot of land, five miles north of Peabody, on the Marion road, and will make that his stock farm in future. Among his late dealings, he has sold to Mr. Remington 500 head of Merino ewes, to be delivered Sept. 1^st.” The preferred breed of sheep in Kansas at the time, was the Merino. They were known for the wool production, but questionable for mutton. The money was in wool production.

The sheep industry was booming in Butler County in 1883. The statistics show for the year 1883, 68,138 sheep in Butler county, an increase of 15,642 head over the previous year.^[6] The Kansas Agricultural Quarterly, has a section titled “Sheep Husbandry In Kansas”. The section begins, “The unusual demand for literature upon the subject of ‘sheep farming’ in Kansas has made it necessary to again present papers from practical men, engaged in the business, upon this theme.” Remington’s education and experience with the sheep industry may be summarized by this statement in the Quarterly. “One should bear in mind that failure is much easier than success, in the sheep business. It requires the constant care of the flock-master.”^[7] Fred’s impression of the business, from afar, wasn’t in-line with hard work and constant care required to succeed in sheep ranching. The lure of the sheep ranching was strong because of the promise of great returns to investment. Fred probably believed he could make a quick fortune in the sheep business, proving his worth, and bring his bride, Eva out West. The Quarterly, referring to the sheep business, “no business is safer, surer, or more profitable than sheep husbandry in central and western Kansas.”^[8]

Frederic Remington was known as friendly and popular but, could also be moody and melancholy. His sketches included his ranch, his sheep and the neighbors. “He drew the preacher of Plum Grove and Bob Camp’s cook.” His friends said he spent considerable time with his sketch book. His talent seemed to be enjoyed by those who were in his company. It was rumored he painted on anything that gave him the opportunity, barn doors, smooth boards, bare walls.^[9]

On a rainy, stormy, spring day Fred was under shelter from the storm in Camp’s cabin. Robert rode onto the ranch yard on a mule with twin lambs. He arrived with a lamb under each arm. When Fred stepped out of the cabin to see what was going on. He opened the umbrella and spooked the mule. The bucking mule with the rider trying to stay astride his steed while holding onto the two lambs, must have been quite a scene. It is told, Remington immediately put his pen or pencil to paper and recorded the event.^[10]

Lucinda Shriver Clifford, daughter of Ingraham and Vilinda Shriver, were ranchers and neighbors of Fred Remington. Lucinda recalled there were a number of settlers in northwestern Butler County from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Young men with names of Hamilton, Goodrich and Camp. ^[11] These young men spent much time together hanging out at the Remington ranch, other neighboring ranches or Plum Grove. The young bachelors needed a way to blow off steam and entertain themselves. Boxing was a sport enjoyed by Remington and his friends. Fred hosted boxing matches at the ranch in the evenings and on Sunday’s. He was skilled at boxing and at one time had hoped to make a name for himself in the sport.^[12]

Young bachelors, James Chapman, from Illinois, and Charlie B____ an Englishman, accompanied Frederic Remington on his many adventures. Fred Remington wrote “Charlie B____ was your typical Englishman, and the only thing about him American was the bronco he rode. He was the best fellow in the world, cheery, hearty and ready for a lark at any time of day or night. He owned a horse ranch seven miles down the creek, and found visiting his neighbors involved considerable riding; but Charlie was a sociable sole, and did not appear to mind that, and would spend half the night riding over the lonely prairies to drop in on a friend in some neighboring ranch, in consequence of which Charlie’s visits were not always timely; but seemed never to realize that a chap was not in as good condition to visit when awakened from his blanket at three o’clock in the morning as in the twilight hour”^[13]

Evidently Remington had to do the cooking for himself and the ranch hands. This is a story recalled by the daughter of a neighboring rancher. The youngster visited the Remington ranch to share two loaves of freshly baked bread. As she entered the house Frederic dumped a basket of unwashed, dirty potatoes into a pot on the stove. She was aghast that Fred would cook unwashed potatoes and asked, “why don’t you wash the potatoes before you cook them”. Remington replied, “Wash them? I should say not. I’ve tried them both washed and unwashed and they taste better unwashed. Have you ever tasted boiled unwashed potatoes?’ The young lady agreed she had not. “Well tell your mom to cook them that way and you’ll see, and besides, it takes time to wash them”^[14]

The routine of everyday life on the ranch seemed to bore Remington. Frederic left the ranch with a friend, George Shepherd to travel the country to the “south and west”, possibly into Indian territory. (Peabody Gazette, July 3, 1883, p.5) They then traveled to the west and visited New Mexico Territory, returning through Dodge City.

Fred’s uncle Lamartine made the journey west to visit the Remington ranch in the early fall of 1883. (Peabody Gazette, October 18, 1883, p5) Fred was especially close to his uncle. Lamartine was close to Fred in age and they had many interests in common. The trip to Kansas did not turn out so well for Lamartine. After a trip to Peabody, they were caught in a cold fall thunderstorm, causing Lamartine to fall ill. The illness eventually became what was diagnosed as tuberculosis and led to his death after he returned to New York.

Coursing Jack Rabbits and Racing Horses

It was in mid-October a memorable experience occurred for Frederic. One he wrote about 4 years later in an article for Outing, (May 1887) entitled “Coursing Rabbits on the Plains”. Coursing jack rabbits was a unique sport where the participants were mounted on horses with a long pole or stick. The rider would attempt to dispatch or touch the unfortunate rabbit with the “lance”. This must have required a great deal of skill from the rider, as well as a quick and nimble pony.

As the story is told, we learn there are seven mounted participants, who plan a full day of chasing jack rabbits in the Plum Grove area. Participants included Frederic, riding “Terra-Cotta”, Bob Camp, Bill Kehr, riding “Prince”, James Chapman, John Smith, Phip, Bob Camp’s cook riding “Bob” a mule and Charlie, an Englishman, riding a blue mare.

Remington details how the sport is played and tells a tale of what young men did for sport on the prairies of Kansas. As the story unfolds, the seven end up at a neighbor’s ranch. “Old” John Mitchner was new to the area. John asked the group to stay for dinner and they accepted. While they were waiting for dinner to be cooked the conversation turned to horses. After looking over John’s horses, the group began to tease John about the condition of his horses. John replied, “Wall, my hoss stock ain’t nothin’ to brag on now, because I hain’t got the money that you fellers down in the creek has got fer to buy ‘em with, but I’ve got a little mare down thar in the corral as I’ve got a notion ken run some shakes.”

This was enough of an invitation the group needed for a horse race and the wagering commenced. Jim put up Push-Bob and Bill Kehr joined in and bet Prince could beat old John’s mare and Push-Bob. Dinner was abandoned and John went down to the corral to for his horse. When the saw how “old and decrepit” the horse John was going to race, they could barely contain themselves with their good fortune and among the others who wagered their horses, Remington put up his Terra-Cotta. Remington agreed to fire the starting shot.

Here are the words of Frederic Remington:

“The three racers came up to the scratch, Bill and Jim sitting their sleek steeds like centaurs. Old Prince had bristled up and moved up with great vim and power. Push-Bob swerved about and stretched his neck on the bit. The boys were bare-footed, with their sleeves rolled up and a handkerchief tied around their heads. Old John came prancing out, stripped to the waist, on his mare, which indeed looked more game when mounted than running loose in the corral. The old man’s grey, thin locks were blowing loose in the wind, and he worked his horse up to the scratch in a very knowing way. We all regarded the race as a foregone conclusion and had really began to pity the old John’s impoverishment, but still there was the interest in the bout between Prince and Push-Bob. This was the first time the victors of the Whitewater Bottoms had met, and was altogether the greatest race which the country had seen in years. How the boys from the surrounding ranches would have gathered could they have known it, but it is just as well that they did not; for as I fired the gun and the horses scratched away from the mark, Old John went to the front and stayed there to the end, winning by several lengths, while Prince and Push-Bob ran what was called a dead heat, although there was considerable discussion over it for a long time afterwards. There was my dear little Terra-Cotta gone to the hand of the spoilsman, and the very thought almost broke my heart, as I loved that mare as I shall never love another animal. I went back to the corral, sat down and began to whittle a stick. It took Bob and Charlie a half an hour to walk the quarter mile back to the ranch. Bill and Jim said nothing kept them from flying the country to save their horses but the fact they had no saddles.”

The six men were left to look at “Old” John’s corral and his newly obtained herd of stock as he reminded them dinner was ready. The story goes they had lost their desire for dinner and started their long walk home. Phips’ mule was used to carry the saddles for the other 5 back home. The story of the horse race and wager made it to the small village of Plum Grove before they did. The next day as they were headed to Hoyt’s store, they could hear John telling the story and the sound of loud laughter coming through the window. The men decided to turn around and head back home rather than face the humiliation of the Plum Grove citizens.

Christmas 1883

The following account is from Corah Mooney Bullock.

My father, who was Clerk of the District Court in El Dorado at that time, had a passing acquaintance with Fred Remington (as he was generally called here) and Father was at least an onlooker at the epic trial. The trial however was not held in district court, but in the justice court, under the jurisdiction of Justice of the Peace Charles E. Lobdell, who afterward became prominent in Kansas. I have heard my father mention that Mr. Frank S. Allen, donor of the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, was one of the jurors. The trial lasted two days and resulted in a hung jury. It was never retried. It is understood Remington paid all costs.

A Christmas Eve festivity had been arranged by residents of Plum Grove, and that night the schoolhouse was crowded to its small capacity. Young Remington and all “the boys” were there. Also, a prominent bald head, an object of their dislike. Probably a few drinks had made the group more boisterous than usual. The target was irresistible. Large paper wads and mud balls began aiming toward the shining dome. Such conduct of course could not be allowed. The offenders were asked to leave. This public remonstrance increased their obstreperosity. Outside the building a pile of straw was discovered, brought up before the front door of the building, and set afire. A near panic ensued.

Mention of this affair always spread a smile over my father’s face. He considered it a prank. An outlet of Westernism.

But it was not so esteemed by some present. Warrants were sworn out for the arrest of the perpetrators.

The following article comes from the Walnut Valley Times, El Dorado, January 11, 1884:

“Some of the youngsters up in Plum Grove, on Christmas Eve at an entertainment in the schoolhouse, behaved in a most unseemly manner, judging by report, and got up a row which assumed almost proportions of a riot. The matter has culminated by a suit in the district court; Fred Remington, William Kehr, John Smith, Chester Farni and Charles Harriman being the defendants. The first trial resulted in disagreement of the jury. Another trial is set for February 4^th, 1884. The boys are a little wild and woolly occasionally in the northwest”

Mrs. Bullock also provides this story, “An Eyewitness Sketch” by H. A. J. Coppins.

A short time before his death, Mrs. Bullock had the opportunity of an interview with H. A. J. Coppins who was present at the Plum Grove schoolhouse party.

“Plum Grove School was situated on the town site of Plum Grove, a place of a few houses and two stores.

I drove in a lumber wagon with my sister Dora and a neighbor boy, James White, about five or six miles to attend the Christmas entertainment. (Our school in our district was Four Mile School).

The house was crowded, packed, and jammed. Being a stone building, the windows were deep and filled with children, standing.

The room was warm, and the windows were let down from the top. The house stood north and south—fronting south.

The fire was built immediately in front of the door—the only exit.

I thinking I was the first one to see the blaze—flames leaped visibly through the transom. Someone yelled, “Fire!” Children in the windows could see the flames and became panicky. Everyone went wild.

I realized in a minute that there was no real danger.

I will always remember Doc. Seaman (physician of Plum Grove). He began trying to quiet the audience. Desperately jumping upon a long bench, he walked up and down, waving his arms and shouting, “For G—‘s sake, SIT DOWN! The schoolhouse isn’t on fire!”

Finally, folks were quieted, and the program continued.”^[15]

D. M. Greene purchased the Remington Ranch. Photo Peabody Historical Museum

The Christmas episode in Plum Grove and the public embarrassment, probably sped Remington’s exit from Kansas. Fred lost interest in sheep ranching and with the coming spring quickly found a buyer for his ranch and sheep. A auction was held, and Remington was on his way. Local resident, John Claassen was the sale clerk at the auction and kept a teacup as a memento, which is still in possession of the family. Remington’s ranch was sold to D. M. Greene.

Kansas’ influence on Frederic Remington

The question may be asked. How did Frederic Remington’s short time in northwest Butler County, Kansas influence his life and art? Almost anything tangible has disappeared over time. The house still stands, although greatly changed from Remington’s time. The ranch buildings from his time are gone, however the land Frederic Remington once called “My Ranch” remains.

There are stories of Remington sketching the locals in the community, but none of those works of art seem to have survived. Frederic Remington’s rise to prominence was more than a decade after he left the small Plum Grove community.

A story from the Scrivner family. The Scrivners’ lived just a mile to the North of the Remington place. William Grandom Scrivner or Grant Scrivner, The Scrivner family had a Remington work of art in their possession until the June 8, 1941 Tornado destroyed their home. The Scrivner family believes sketches Frederic produced of their ancestor, Grant Scrivner were the basis of the iconic, “Bronco Buster” bronze.

It can easily be argued, Frederic Remington’s failure at sheep ranching, was the greatest contribution the Plum Grove community made to the life and legacy of the great artist he became. If he had succeeded in ranching, would the world be aware of the artist, and documentarian of the West, Frederic Remington?

2018 photograph of the Remington house. The right half of the house was originally a story and a half. The early 1900’s addition included a wrap-around porch and a full second story. The door on the right is the same door seen in Remington’s sketch.

Remington’s influence on Kansas

Understandably, most residents of the small northwest Butler County community of Plum Grove and the larger surrounding community did not realize Frederic Remington would enjoy the fame he would come too in another decade or so. He was, seen as a troublemaker by many, because of his youthful, carefree lifestyle. Many of the characters in Fred’s tales would move on like he had, to find their fortunes elsewhere. A few remained and realized over time, the celebrity, Frederic Remington had once lived in this community.

In 1962 the community consolidated many of the small country schools and the schools in the towns of Potwin and Whitewater into USD 206. This district included the small country school of Plum Grove. The little school Fred’s mischief may have ended his time in the community. The district honored Frederic Remington by choosing his name as the school’s name.

Sources:

Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, New York

Frederic Remington A Biography, Peggy and Harold Samuels, 1982 (p32-47)

The Collected Writings of Frederic Remington, Edited by Peggy and Harold Samuels, 1979 (p1-10)

The Kansas Historical Quarterly, May 1948, Robert Taft (p.113-137)

Peabody Historical Museum, Peabody, Kansas

Notes and research from Corah Mooney Bullock

1. Frederic Remington, A Biography, Peggy and Harold Samuels, p.23-28 ↑
2. Notes of Cora Mooney Bullock, p. 2 ↑
3. Frederic Remington, A Biography, Peggy and Harold Samuels, p.38-39 ↑
4. Ibid, p. 40 ↑
5. Kansas Historical Quarterly, May, 1948, p.121 ↑
6. Fourth Biennial Report of the State Board of Agriculture for 1883 to 1884 ↑
7. Kansas Agricultural Quarterly, First Quarter, 1883, p. 55 ↑
8. Ibid, p.55 ↑
9. Notes of Cora Mooney Bullock, p. 4 ↑
10. Frederic Remington, A Biography, Peggy and Harold Samuels, p. 41 ↑
11. Ibid, p. 4 (William Grandom Scrivner was also known as Grant Scrivner to his descendants.) ↑
12. Frederic Remington, A Biography, Peggy and Harold Samuels, p. 43 ↑
13. Outing, Coursing Rabbits on the Plains, Frederic Remington, April 1887-September-1887, p. 112 ↑
14. Kansas Historical Quarterly, May, 1948, p.127 ↑
15. Notes of Cora Mooney Bullock, p. 7-8 ↑