USA > Kansas > Wabaunsee County > Early history of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, with stories of pioneer days and glimpses of our western border.. > Part 4
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Sheriff Hull went to Arkansas and on March 23rd placed Gordon behind the bars in the Alma jail.
The "boys" thought Babcock was joking but when he inverted the jail lock-with a big key-hole in the lower end-and began pouring
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
in a charge of powder they concluded to repair to the rear cell for fear of accidents. After inserting a fuse and driving in a pine plug, Babcock wrapped a blanket about the lock to deaden the sound and- well, although Gordon had covered his head with the blankets, he said the explosion sounded like a cannon.
Babcock had verified his statement. The boys walked out and the jail was empty. But time hung heavily on their hands and they went fishing-at any rate the first report from the fugitives came from Nehring branch, up which stream they were leisurely sauntering with fish-poles over their shoulders and one of them carrying a bait can- filled with the remains of their last supper-in the Alma jail.
The trio stayed at Jacob Schreiber's that night and the next morning hired Millard Blankenship to drive them to Carbondale, but Millard, at their request, set the three men out on the prairie two miles southwest of Auburn.
Sheriff Hull was in Eskridge but he immediately offered a reward of fifty dollars each for the arrest of the escaped prisoners, and with half a dozen assistants was soon hot on the trail. All stations between Burlingame and Topeka were watched and nothing being seen of the fugitives the country east of Carbondale was scoured. News that the fugitives were seen traveling east was learned at the first house, prompting a close watch of the Missouri Pacific and Carbondale roads. Nothing resulting it was at once concluded that the blind man- Gordon-was piloting the diamond merchants-Babcock and Holt- overland to Lawrence.
At Lincoln-a small post office, ten miles east of Carbondale, it was learned that a man wearing goggles was taking a rest at a house thirty feet from the roadside. A few minutes later Gordon was comfortably seated in the buggy between Sheriff Hull and the writer.
Then it was a red-hot race for Lawrence-it now being evident that point was the goal Holt and Babcock hoped to reach. The race was a hot one in a double sense. The sweat dripped from the horses' sides as they sped on their way. But soon it was learned that a man driving a sewing machine wagon was inquiring for the same parties and was not far behind the prisoners.
Sheriff Hull, feeling that the capture of the jail birds was assured, gave the team a much needed rest and a light feed of grain-after which the race was resumed. Lawrence was soon reached and when Sheriff Hull drove up to the jail, a familiar rig was hitched to a post. On the tail-board of the machine wagon was the name: "Will Pippert, Alma, Kansas."
Will had overtaken the prisoners riding on a load of wood. As his team was nearly run down he drove leisurely behind the wood wagon for two miles and then startled Holt and Babcock by saying: "Boys,
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
you had better ride with me awhile," emphasizing his request by pointing a shotgun in the direction of the wood wagon. They had no other thought than that Will was returning from a trip in the country after delivering a sewing machine. Had they got sight of that sign on the rear end of his spring wagon things might have been different.
Just three and a half days after the explosion in the Alma jail Sheriff Hull again turned the key on the three jail birds, but he was out just one hundred dollars reward money.
But Gordon's thoughts were with the girl he left behind him- after that buggy ride down in Arkansas. He longed for the invigor- ating atmosphere of the Ozarks. Sheriff Hull thought the trip would be bad for Gordon's eyes but one Sunday (Aug. 18th) he would let him and Babcock exercise in the hallway of the court house while he and Scott Holt-who was about sick with malaria-would enjoy the cool breeze on the front door steps.
Noting the absence of Gordon the sheriff was informed by Babcock that he had stepped out of the back door. Hustling the two prisoners into the jail as quickly as possible Sheriff Hull made strict but unavail- ing search for the runaway.
Cards were sent out but not until Wednesday was the first clue obtained. Frank Blanc brought word that Gordon had stopped Tues- day night at Philip Bach's, leaving at 4 o'clock Wednesday evening. The reward of $100 offered by Sheriff Hull induced a half dozen parties to join in the pursuit, but, Gordon, by his zigzag course and playing the farmer racket-building fence, etc .- gave the boys a merry chase till Thursday night, when he was captured at Council Grove. Friday afternoon Sheriff Hull again turned the key on the slickest prisoner ever landed in the Alma jail.
The latter statement could be corroborated by two well-known citizens of Alma, who had joined in the search. Seeing a man walk- ing along the road they concluded that hundred dollars was as good as theirs, but when he passed under the wire fence and began building fence they concluded he was a genuine granger and owner of the farm. Asking him the way to Council Grove, his ready answer seemed proof positive that he wasn't the man they were looking for.
On making inquiry at the next house for Gordon they were asked if they hadn't seen him a short distance down the road. On driving back the bird had flown-but not far away-Gordon was lying in a washout just across the road-waiting for his pursuers to tie their team and continue their search afoot. If Gordon couldn't take his best girl buggy riding he would take an airing on his own account. He was tired of walking.
At the close of the October term of court Gordon took a ride-to Lansing.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
Bitten by a Tarantula.
In the fall of 1891. some Alma boys went down into Oklahoma, and on their return had a good deal to say about the fine climate, the rich soil, and the flocks of wild turkeys in that country, but one of their number was mum about his narrow escape from the bite of a taran- tula. The boys had lain awake until a late hour regaling our tender- foot with stories of huge rattlers, centipedes and tarantulas, and when the occupants of the tent were aroused a few hours later by a series of blood curdling yells, they were prepared for the worst. Ten- derfoot had been bitten by a sure-enough tarantula. A light was struck and there were two plainly visible marks on the calf of the leg, where the monster spider had inserted his fangs. The remedies at hand were few, but the boys did their best to save the life of their comrade. They bound salt on the wound and poured about a pint (all they had) of axle grease down the throat of the suffering victim. Then the patient was dosed with wahoo bark, the bitterest decoction a man ever swallowed, but the boys had a desperate case on their hands and a successful termination could be hoped for only by resort- ing to heroic measures.
The patient was awful sick-from the effects of the axle grease and the wahoo but he got over it and on his return-with his com- rades-to Alma there were no visible evidences of the terrible ordeal through which he had passed while down in Oklahoma. But no sooner had he arrived in Alna than he availed himself of the oppor- tunity to interview one of our attorneys-to see if he couldn't make a state case against the boys for the trick they had played upon him. The boys had stuck a couple of pins an inch or so into his leg, and the joke being too good to keep, they had given the whole thing away. When George Tenderfoot came to town he invariably brought his shotgun along, giving it out that he was hunting prairie chickens, but the Oklahoma crowd had important business elsewhere until the victim of their joke got out of town.
Doctor Syntax is a permanent resident of Oklahoma now-in fact has lived there several years, but he has never yet been called on to administer another dose of axle grease to save a patient from death from the bite of a tarantula.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
The Lesson of Sam.
Sam wasn't what some people deem fit to call a "calamity howler" but one of the boys who had heard every day of the prosperous condition of our people.
But somehow Sam didn't share in that condition of prosperity to any great extent. So it was quite natural that he should swipe some of the good things around him.
For instance, one of his neighbors possessed a turkey that was fair to look upon. This particular turkey was of the feminine gender, and she looked forward to the time when the eggs on which she was setting should be transformed into a brood of rambling turkeys.
But Sam had an eye on the eggs, and their peculiar speckled appearance created a desire within his breast to own the whole bakery. In this case the thought was father to the wish and Sam lost no time in carrying out that wish-and the eggs went along for company.
But the eggs looked lonesome. Sam had heard the song-"What is home without a mother?" and he thought of the motherless turkeys that he would have on his hands in case the eggs should hatch without the assistance of Mrs. Turkey.
Now, Sam is of a sympathetic turn and the thoughts of the trials and hardships of a dozen orphan turkeys prompted him to look out for a mother to the prospective waifs.
It struck him that his taking the eggs had thrown the old turkey out of a job, and, probably, this prompted him to give the turkey that laid the eggs the preference in letting the job out.
At any rate the turkey went the same route taken by the eggs, and that is what got Sam into trouble.
So Sam was allowed to rest in the Alma jail to ponder over the penalties attendant upon ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, wondering whether the reform movement had anything in store for him, or mayhap, he was thinking of the effect the Mckinley bill would have on unhatched turkey eggs.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
Item in Signal, April 26, 1890: One day last week, as a man on a tricycle, accompanied by a jug of snake bite antidote was going towards Manhattan he met a freight train going in the opposite direc- tion at the rate of 35 miles an hour. As there was not room on the track for both-the train and the tricycle-there was a collision. When the lone passenger saw that something must happen he grasped the treasure most dear to his heart-the jug, and, shutting his eyes, was just preparing for a jump, when the locomotive struck the bow of his craft. Instead of landing on terra firma, as he intended, he found himself sprawling on the cow-catcher, with his head jammed against the boiler-but the jug was all right. The tricycle was thrown on top of the bank. When the train men went forward to pick up the pieces, they found the jug's contents in good condition, and the man, save a few contusions on the head, able to take a rational view of the situa- tion. After a mournful glance over the remains of his tricycle, he said: "Boys, that was a narrow escape, let's take a drink."
Years ago Wabaunsee county had an oil excitement. The party responsible for it had a few weeks before unearthed a bonanza in the way of an ochre bed that had failed to meet the expectations of the finder. But the prospect for oil was more flattering. In this case the oil was to be seen floating on the surface of a spring from which the water supply for the family was wont to be taken. But the oil float- ing on the surface imparted such a disagreeable flavor to the water that it was no longer fit for drinking purposes. An old oil expert was called in and when he stated that the offensive odor was a peculiar property of coal oil in its crude state the property owner was more than ever convinced that he had a bonanza on his premises. But further investigation by the expert disclosed the source of the offen- sive oil. It came from a point not far above the spring, where lay the decaying carcass of a skunk. And thus was blighted the fond hopes of one who proved to be the innocent victim of Wabaunsce county's first oil excitement.
But another oil excitement brought better results. It came to the people of Alma-in a well, this time. The water tasted so strong of coal oil that nobody could drink it. The suggestion that some joker had poured oil into the newly dug well was unheeded. One wiseacre said there was more oil in that well than in all the houses and stores in town. The news spread far and wide. A company was formed and a hole was bored 600 feet deep. But instead of coal oil, salt was found. Then came the Alma salt works with an output of thirty barrels of prime salt a day-an industry that might have proven a very large infant-and it all grew out of that pint of coal oil, that, in a joke, Mr. Fred Link poured into the well he was digging for Mr. John Winkler.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
DR. M. F. TRIVETT, Eskridge.
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JUDGE THEODORE S. SPIELMAN, Alma.
MR. P. L. WOODY, Snokomo.
MRS. P. L. WOODY, (deceased ), Snokomo.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
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MR. S. H. FAIRFIELD, Alma. Former Register of Deeds, and County Treas.
MR. C. O. KINNE, P. M., Alma. Former County Clerk.
MR. ROBERT STROWIG, Paxico. Former County Commissioner.
MR. DOW BUSENBARK, Editor Eskridge Star. Former County Superintendent.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. CHAS. B. HENDERSON, Alma.
MR. ARTHUR S. ALLENDORPH, Alma.
MR. J. H. JONES, Pavilion. Former County Attorney, and Surveyor.
MR. B. BUCHLI (dec'd), Alma. Former County Surveyor.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. WYATT ROUSH, Alma. Clerk District Court.
MR. T. J. PERRY, Alma. County Superintendent of Schools.
MR. B. BUCHLI, Alma. County Clerk.
MR. JOS. LA FONTAINE, Alma. County Treasurer.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. FRED FREY. Sheriff, Alma.
MR. FRANK SCHMIDT, Under Sheriff, Alma.
MR. FRANK WIEDEMANN, Deputy Sheriff, Alma.
MR. FRANK CLAYTON, Deputy Sheriff, Alma. FRED AND THE THREE FRANKS.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. JAMES CARROLL, Alma.
MR. FRED. A. SEAMAN, County Attorney, Alma.
MR. WILLIAM DREBING (deceased ), Halifax.
MR. MICHAEL HUND (deceased ), Newbury.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. J. B. FIELDS, Alma.
MR. OSCAR SCHMITZ, Alma.
MR. P. P. SIMMONS, Eskridge.
MR. H. B. CHANNEL, Chalk.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
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MR. J. W. ROBERTSON, Eskridge.
MR. MARK PALMER, Eskridge.
MR. WM. T. ECKLES, Eskridge.
MR. ROSS McCORMICK, Alma.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. ED. CAMPBELL, Eskridge.
MR. A. T. TAYLOR, Eskridge.
MR. C. C. GARDINER, Bradford.
MR. J. J. MITCHELL, Eskridge.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
MR. AND MRS. GEO. S. CONNELL, Paxico.
MR. AND MRS. CHAS. BURGETT, Eskridge.
MR. JOHN A. HANKAMMER (dec'd), Farmer Township.
MR. ADAM KRATZER (dec'd). Hendricks Creek.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
A Just Tribute to the Germans.
Signal, Jan. 2, 1892: Our German residents, who are engaged in the business of farming, are proverbially thrifty and successful. We were led to reflect upon the reason for this recently when going through a comparatively new region that had been lately settled by them. The fields, to be sure, were clean and well cultivated, but not so strikingly different from others in this respect as to care for special comment; but every farm possessed a good barn. The houses were small, and cheap, as a rule, and no more money had been expended on them than was required to make them serve the stern necessities of life, but the barns were large and substantial, and, what is more, they were utilized. The crops were housed in them, and not left exposed in the fields. There was room for all the stock, so that it could be kept clean and comfortable. We presume these barns had been built only by the most stringent self-denial. Perhaps money had been bor- rowed and the farm mortgaged to do it. If so, it was the part of wisdom for it is just as true that a good barn will earn double the interest on the cost each year as it is true that a poor farm will make a poor farmer .- Extract from an Exchange.
The above will apply to the situation in Wabaunsee county as well as anywhere. The foundation for the thrift that is characteristic of our German residents lies in the fact that their live stock-the great- est source of income are well cared for and comfortably housed. They are not of that class of farmers who sell off their corn in the fall and the hides of their cattle in the spring. Though the above was writ- ten years ago no more fitting tribute could today be paid our thrifty German farmers, who have done more than their share to transform bleak prairies into comfortable homes no longer typified by the squalid structure of pioneer days. Thrift, born of frugality, is evidenced in the substantial stone residence or frame mansion, that compared with the former homes of our people, are palatial in appearance, to say nothing of their comfortable surroundings.
The following extract from the Kansas City Star, published in the Signal a few weeks subsequent to the above is a deserved tribute to our German fellow citizens that we feel constrained to insert here. "In a hasty estimate of the German character as developed in this country
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
it may be said that its leading traits are honesty, truthfulness, thrift and devotion to home and family. The German, whether as an em- ploye, in business for himself, or in the pursuit of a profession or science, is a steadfast worker. He aims always at a competence, but he never seeks it through devious methods. He saves his money, but he does not cheat himself or his family to do so. His home is always as good a one as his means afford without extravagance. His family is contented and happy because he shares with his wife and children the fruits of his labor. He has a high idea of principle and is carnest and enthusiastic in his advocacy of what he believes to be right. He is a good citizen, is deferential to the law, tenacious of his own rights, but tolerant of the rights of others, and seeks all the honest comforts which are to be found in life for himself, his family, and his friends.
How the Old Pioneer Lived.
Prompted either by verdancy, or a proneness to ask questions, inquiries are often made as to the numerous expedients resorted to by the old pioneers that the wolf, hunger, might be kept at bay.
The people living today in Wabaunsee county capable of giving to the questions asked answers based on personal observation and experi- ence are few in number, and these are fast passing away.
If we would inform ourselves from first hands the time is oppor- tune and the occasion pressing.
Though reluctant to review the hardships of the early days there are those among us who could relate incidents that would impart a Munchausen flavor to the recital and yet be as worthy of credence as gospel truths.
And yet these seeming hardships were not without their compen- sations. But a little reflection suggests the doubt as to the existence of any greater hardships in the experience of the old pioneers than have characterized the lives of those who may look upon their own period of existence as golden in comparison. If the viands were few the appetite was good and digestion was never impaired by partaking of a multiplicity of dishes, some of the ingredients of which wouldn't pass muster before a board delegated to examine into their hygienic value.
Modern methods and scientific research have but evolved such breakfast delicacies as toasted wheat flake from that which the
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
pioneer housewife still regards as far superior -mush and milk-often with the milk wanting. The modern epicure is over ready to extol the merits of the Mexican tortilla but is oblivious to the toothsome- ness of a dish of parched corn-and yet it is simply a case of "before" and "after" taking. One is rendered edible before grinding, and the other, after being ground in a Mexican hand mill. But our fore- mothers used a coffee grinder and never dreamed that the product wasn't palatable and wholesome till their grandchildren began to enumerate the hardships endured by the old settlers.
These same granddames never dreamed that it was a hardship to wear old clothes, when-there were no callers, or, if so, all met on a common level-the one being no better apparelled than the other. But those who would withhold their approval of the early-day diet of pumpkins and bread might well bear in mind the fact that some- times there was a variation in the bill of fare-often the bread was lacking. If there was a dearth of cream to render the dish of pump- kin more palatable there was no gormandizing, and, perforce, no dyspeptics-hence no doctors needed, and the services of no under- taker in demand.
While enumerating the hardships that fell to the lot of the old pioneers don't forget the absence of purse proud capitalists with mortgages to foreclose, hence from the sheriff or constable there were no unwelcome calls, or, in fact, calls from officials-would be-or other- wise-except those of biennial recurrence characterized by a periodical and newly excited interest in the health of the youngest baby, or the outlook for crops, and-votes-and the latter, merely incidental.
The old pioneer will tell you truly that there were no hardships in the early days that would embitter the cup of happiness as do the trials of today. If there was isolation, there was, also, contentment. If of luxuries there was a dearth, no canker of debt-worm followed in the wake of the few that were the more heartily enjoyed by reason of that scarcity.
The pioneer's strong arm and earnest endeavor laid the foundation upon which was builded the happy home-where, in later years, sur- rounded by those held above all things else most dear, he laid himself down to rest. When the last of his kind shall have been gathered to his fathers may the living be ever mindful that he left no legacy that he would not have them enjoy to the full. In their behalf he labored. For them he passed through the many trying ordeals that lay in his pathway.
That our own journey through life might be all the more enjoyable the old pioneer endured every hardship without a murmur. He obeyed uncomplainingly the Biblical injunction to earn his daily bread
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNGEE COUNTY, KAN.
by the sweat of his brow and found enjoyment therein. Let us emu- late his example: do homage to his memory, and endeavor to enjoy with him his reward in that home beyond the Grave.
Our Resources and Prospects.
Of resources we have:
810 square miles of territory.
A desirable climate and a soil of unsurpassed fertility.
Well tilled farms and an industrious, energetic people.
A plentiful supply of good water, excellent natural roads and un- limited facilities in the line of building material.
Good health for all and ample wealth as a certain reward for the frugal and progressive people of every class who choose to cast their lot with us.
As to our prospects:
Possessing many natural advantages and having but few draw- backs Wabaunsee county stands second to none as a desirable location for the homeseeker. While fortunes are not made in a day with us there is in store for the honest, industrious and deserving a life of happiness, contentment and prosperity.
We enter here no appeal for an influx of population. We speak in the interest of no land agent or syndicate. Our duty is simply that of a recorder of facts relating to the past and the present. We are will- ing that the future shall take care of itself, believing as we do that we have a future and such a one as can but be based on a solid foundation.
The foundation is already laid. The brawn and muscle of pioneers of 35 and 40 years ago begun the work that has been so creditably carried forward by their successors. There is no lack of material for the completion of the structure and we have no fear as to the handi- work of the builders of the future.
Our natural resources are unsurpassed, and our acquired facilities are unexcelled. We need but to continue what has already begun.
Right here we are reminded of a remark handed down by one of our best informed German citizens of years ago. He went down at Platte Bridge but his words still live.
In his broken English the Sebastian Nehring of years ago said: "This is a good country-much better in many respects than the Fatherland. The vine-clad hills of the old country are not so rich as
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
the rocky hills of Wabaunsee county. Children now living will one day see these hills covered with the vine and great clusters of the grape will hang pendant on the hills that are now bare."
And Sebastian Nehring believed in that which will ere long come true. The development of our resources may be less rapid than he thought but it will come. Look back ten years and see how marked the change. Another decade farther back and yet more marked may be seen the changes time has wrought. Ten years again and we are lost. No school houses, and churches, none. The deer and the ante- lope are seen on our hills and the buffalo is not far away. And the Indian, though not hostile, his presence is a suggestion of danger that is not all a myth.
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