79. Jarviz Creek and Chavez Murder

Santa Fe trader Don Antonio José Chávez was the victim of Missouri ruffians in 1843. When Antonio José Chávez departed on his last trip, he carried four pounds of gold dust in his pouch.  The Missouri men he met in present-day Rice County left Missouri with the intention to attack the spring caravans of Mexican traders due shortly from Santa Fe.

The international incident occurred where Owl Creek crossed the Santa Fe Trail near the present city of Lyons, Kansas. Don Antonio José Chávez made two mistakes in 1843 as he set out from Santa Fe for Missouri: the caravan left too early in the season and with too few men. The caravan originally numbered 20 men, two wagons and 55 mules. However, after bitter cold caused frostbite and killed most of the mules, 15 men deserted on the plains. These events put them at a disadvantage when they encountered the Missouri marauders. Chávez was killed in the encounter. A search of the dead man and found a money belt containing 39 gold doubloons. This initiated another search of the wagon, where the thieves found about $3000 of gold dust in a trunk to split between the remaining members of the gang. The body of the unfortunate Chávez was tossed into the gully of Owl Creek. The murderers were eventually caught and punished for the murder.

For more information:

Click here to download a copy of the Quivira Chapter brochure The Chávez Murder. (2 page PDF)