Big Timbers.—Some distance above old Fort Atkinson on the Arkansas river, and about 27 miles from Bent's fort, was a locality known as "Big Timbers." Indians at various times have here met with the representatives of the United States, for the purpose of negotiating treaties. The locality has always been a favorite winter camping place for the Indians, as an abundance of buffalo, antelope, deer and elk feed, wood and water were always at hand for their use. It was the intention of the United States to establish here a military post and postoffice, but this was never done, owing to an unwillingness to disturb the Indians. Lieut. Abert mentions reaching Big Timbers on Jan. 21, 1847. In Nov., 1849, Thomas Fitzpatrick, the celebrated Indian agent, passed by the place en route to Fort Laramie, stopping long enough to hold some conversations with portions of various tribes of Indians found camping here, regarding a proposed treaty. On his return the following year he found there a party of Indian traders and a portion of nearly all the Indian tribes of that country assembled for the purpose of meeting him again in order to ascertain at what time and place the representatives of their Great Father wished to meet them in council, and for what purpose. He remained there nearly a month. The assembly was composed of Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kiowas and Apaches, all of which tribes at that time were very formidable and among the most warlike on the continent. Big Timbers had been the location of some trading house as Fitzgerald makes mention of the ruins of one.