Major Wynkoop Explains the Origin of the Canard.
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Major Wynkoop Explains the Origin
of the Canard.

Major Wynkoop Explains the Origin
of the Canard.

    Major Wynkoop called at this office on New Year's morning and made an explanation of his share in giving currency to the exciting canard of last week.
    He says, that while in the theatre on Monday evening, Mr. Hayman told him, that he Hayman had just taken a Mexican to Father Machebeuf, to whom he told the story of the "Rise," adding that "your soldiers are fighting like the devil." A few minutes afterward, meeting Mr. Ferrell, the local agent of the COMMONWEALTH, Major Wynkoop, told him the Mexican's story, but without giving his authority, at that time. He says that during the evening he made arrangements to be ready for a start for the relief of the Fort in the morning. He went to Col. Chivington's house late at night, but seeing no lights, concluded that that officer had retired, and so concluded to await orders, rather than awake the Colonel. That later at night he became suspicious that he had been "sold," and thought to come around to this office to contradict the report, but considered it too late.
    On Tuesday, on meeting Mr. Ferrell at Bard's Billiard Rooms, he explained to him the origin of the canard, which was as follows:
    Lieut. Col. Tappan of Fort Garland, sent a Mexican with dispatches to Col. Chivington, concerning the re-enlistment of veterans, urging him to make all speed. The courier lost his horse in the deep snows of the Sangre de Christo Pass, and footed it to Zan Hicklan's on the Green Horn. Arriving there more dead than alive, his feet and legs being badly frozen, he employed another Mexican to bring the dispatches on, and it is supposed, told him this story for the purpose of hastening him. Indeed it seems to have had the effect, for he arrived here in a little less than two days--a feat which seems almost incredible. As soon as he arrived, not being able to talk much English, he got Mr. Hayman to take him to Father Machebeuf and there related his marvelous story of revolt and blood, which we published next morning.
    All the next day we remained in our room, but no explanation came. Just at night we sought one at Head Quarters. Colonel Chivington who had not heard the story of the Mexican, assured us that there was not the slightest shadow of truth in the report.
    In the evening, we penciled an article which was rather severe upon the Major. It was already in the hands of the compositor when Mr. Ferrell told us of his interview with Major Wynkoop at the saloon, but with far less clearness, forgetting entirely the important point that the Major had received his information second handed, and not from the messenger.
    With the emphatic assertion of the Colonel opposed to what as repeated to us was more of an apology than a vindication, but with the most earnest desire for Major Wynkoop to be set right before the public, we suppressed the indignant article in type, substituting the following:
    Major Wynkoop owes it to himself to explain over his own signature, his share in what appears to be an attempt to "sell" the public. He assures us he can do it, and for the honor of the service to which we owe so much, we shall most cheerfully give him every opportunity.
    Two days passed by, but the Major did not see fit to respond, he thinking the apology made to Mr. Ferrell sufficient. The News came out with a pleasant article, laughing at us for being "sold." The editor of the News and Major Wynkoop are known to be upon intimate terms. This convinced us beyond a doubt that the Major's gay and festive disposition had led him a step beyond the bounds of propriety, and in our reply to the News we laid the blame of a wilful design to humbug the public where it seemed to belong.
    The public will readily see, however, from the above detailed statement, that Major Wynkoop is clearly innocent of inventing an exciting canard, or of giving publicity to what he knew to be such; and that had he accepted, in the kind spirit in which it was given, the invitation to make a written explanation (not apology) of the facts, he would at the same time have done what was simple justice, to the public, and have spared some mortification to his own feelings.
    We could not, if we would, disguise the satisfaction which it affords us to set the Major right before the public.


Source:

Unknown, "Major Wynkoop Explains the Origin of the Canard," Daily Commonwealth, Denver, Denver County, Colorado Territory, Monday, 4 January, 1864, Page 2.

Created April 9, 2007; Revised April 9, 2007
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