Alva Review-Courier -

Yvonne Miller

A STEP INSIDE THE MEDICINE LODGE STOCKADE IS LIKE A STEP BACK INTO HISTORY – Medicine Lodge history teacher Phillip Sill is the epitome of teaching in living color. Retired Kansas National Guard, Sill and his daughter Michele head a realistic display of a "Living History for an 1870s Military." This is at the time of the signing of Great Indian Peace Treaty near Medicine Lodge just to what is now the southeast of town. Sill said the military camped five miles up the Medicine River, which is estimated to be on current ranches owned by Bob Larson and George Catlin. Attica sixth grader Chance Schwein is intrigued, lingering longer than his classmates to learn more. The display of guns and sabers includes some originals from those early days. Most Sill said he owns and uses sometimes to teach about those historical times. A large Kansas map from 1863-1876 helps him show students. The camp had many types of tents. Sill said the big "Sibley Tent" was where one or two senators would stay. The general had one of those big tents by himself.