Newspaper Articles from Chautauqua County, page 01.


The Courant, June 6, 1877
HORSE THIEVES

Quite an excitement was created in our city last Wednesday, over the capture by Sheriff Burchfield, of three horse thieves in the northwest part of the county. The circumstances as we gathered them at the preliminary examination are about as follows: On the 26th of May, a man giving his name as O.P. Harsh, of Reno county, Kansas,a boy aged 18 years, by the name of M.J. Culver, whose parents live on Salt creek, Chautauqua county, and an orphan boy about 15 years old, by the name of Ed Green, who came from Reno county, stole three ponies from an Osage Indian, named Tuckaway Gunn, who lives on Mission creek, about twelve miles from the nation line, south of Peru, and started, as they say, for Wichita, passing through this city on Tuesday afternoon. They were followed to this place by Jacob Coffman, superintendent of the Osage tribe, and John Howden, or Peru, and a warrant was issued here for them, by A. Dodd, Esq., and placed in the hands of Sheriff Burchfield, who in company with Coffman and Howden, and John McBee of this city, started Tuesday night in pursuit of the thieves, and succeeded in overhauling them on John Thompson’s place, in the northwest part of the county, just as they were eating breakfast, about daylight on Wednesday morning. No resistance was made, and they were arrested and brought to this city, where they passed a preliminary examination before Justice Dodd, about 11 o’clock each one pleading guilty to the charge against him. After the examination the three thieves were turned over to superintendent Coffman and Mr. Howdon, who started with them for Fort Smith, where they will be tried at the next term of the United States District Court. The youngest boy seemed calm during the whole proceedings, but Culver and Harsh both seemed frightened and were inclined to flinch from the scrutinizing gaze of those who gathered to ace “the horse thieves”.

We have since been informed of their being allowed to go where they pleased, after reaching Chautauqua county, the men having them in charge being told their authority was not sufficient.
Submitted by L. Morgan


Howard Courant, March 19, 1886
A BRUTAL MURDER

(From the Sedan Times Journal)
We have just been given the particulars of one of the most terrible murders ever committed in Chautauqua county. The killing took place on the 19th day of February. The circumstances are about as follows: John Hogan with a wife and six children lived in Lafayette township about 15 miles north of this city and five from Elk Falls. On the day mentioned, Hogan and his wife had some words, and his children testify that Hogan knocked his wife down, beat her and choked her. Hogan locked his children up in an out house, where they were kept about an hour and a half. When released they were told by Hogan that he and their mother were going east, and if they dared to tell anybody of what happened he would kill them all. They were afraid of their father at all times and this threat effectually closed their mouths, though they knew their mother was murdered, and the body, disposed of by the inhuman father. In the afternoon Hogan saddled a horse and rode north to Elk Falls. Here he borrowed $50 at Blake's bank, a man named Keefe signing a note with him for the money. Hogan said that he was going to Morehead, but it is now known that he did not stop there, and his present whereabouts are unknown. The murder was committed on Friday and the children afraid of their father killing them kept silent until last Tuesday, when Lizzie, the oldest girl, told a neighbor that her father had killed her mother, and indicated near where she thought the body was. A search proved that the girl was right. The body was found on Wednesday in a little ravine about one hundred and fifty yards from the house covered with a thin layer of earth. Upon examination the skull was found to be crushed, and aside from this there were no other marks, except on the throat which he had scratched in choking the poor woman. At the coroner's inquest which was held Wednesday evening, considerable evidence was given bearing on the case which would be of interest, but is too lengthy for publication. Among other things the children testified that their father was cruel to their mother and they were very much afraid of him. The verdict of the jury was that Mrs. Hogan came to her death at the hands of her husband. A strong effort will be made to capture the murderous wretch, and we earnestly hope it may be successful. John Hogan is described as a man 45 years old, about 6 feet high, a little stoop shouldered, weight about 170 or 175 pounds; is of a sandy complexion, and wears mustache and chin whiskers, which are rather a dark sandy color; has very heavy eye brows, which nearly meet. Hogan is an Irishman and uses a thick brogue. A liberal reward ought to be offered for the apprehension of the murderer, and no doubt there will be.

It has been ascertained that Hogan took the east bound passenger train at Elk Falls Friday evening, February 19, and that he stayed over Sunday with his sister and brother-in-law near Jacksonville, Illinois, and that he was in New York on Wednesday, February 24th, on which date he wrote and mailed a letter to a neighbor requesting him to take care of his children and stock. It is generally supposed that he has fled to Europe, and that he will soon be captured, as the Commissioners have offered a reward of $500 for his body dead or alive, and the Govenor will probably offer a similar reward.
Submitted by L. Morgan


Cedar Vale Commercial - August 1906
DOCTOR E. M. DONELSON IS SHOT

Dr. E. M. Donelson was fatally shot by Frank Pattison of Cedar Vale Tuesday evening. This was one of the most deplorable and unexpected tragedies ever heard of.

The shooting occurred in front of the Dosbaugh National Bank. Doctor Donelson had just come out of the Kenesson restaurant where he bought some cigars and boiled ham. Frank Pattison was on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant and the two men had some words and walked down the street, side by side, quarreling.

Frank Pattison was on the right hand side and when they were just in front of the upper window of the Dosbaugh bank Pattison grabbed Donelson by the right arm with his left hand, turning Donelson about half way around. At the same time Pattison stepped in front of him drawing a pistol with his right hand from his front pants pocket, raised it up and shot Donelson just in front of the left ear.

Doctor Donelson fell to the pavement mortally wounded. This happened a few minutes after five o’clock Tuesday evening, August 28, 1906.

Frank Pattison made no attempt at further violence and gave himself up to the first person presenting himself, which was L. G. Bishop.

Doctor Donelson never regained consciousness after he was shot. Several doctors were at his side in a very few minutes after, but medical skill could do nothing for him. The wounded man was placed on a cot and carried to Doctor (J. C.) Kirby’s office over the Mercantile store where the wound was dressed. He was kept there until about seven o’clock in order that his family could be gradually appraised of the fact and prepared for the shock of seeing him brought home. Doctor Donelson breathed his last about the time he reached home at 15 minutes after seven, about two hours after he was shot.

The fatal shot was fired with a new Iver Johnson, 38 caliber, double action revolver which, according to reports, had been purchased in a hardware store in town not half an hour before the shooting.

Frank Pattison was taken charge of by city marshal White a few minutes after he committed the deed. Later he was turned over to John Burden, deputy sheriff, who accompanied by his son, A. B. Burden took him to Sedan in a rig that night and lodged him in jail.

The trouble which led up to the crime was caused by whiskey. Frank Pattison and his father, G. W. Pattison, have been running a drug store in the Jones building and have been selling intoxicating liquors under a druggist’s permit. Some bad feelings existed between the court at Sedan on Monday of this week for a permit, Doctor Donelson appeared and testified he had bought whiskey at the Pattison drug store without “signing up.” In consequence of this testimony this permit was not renewed.

This, of course, greatly enraged Frank Pattison. He, being a man who occasionally imbibed too freely of strong drink , and in this condition brooded over the matter till his mind became sufficiently unbalanced to commit the deed.

Of course there are rumors of threats on both sides, and it is said that Doctor Donelson thrust his hand in his pocket as though to get some weapon just before Pattison grabbed him by the arm and shot him. Both men were in their shirt sleeves. Doctor Donelson wore a vest and it is reported was entirely unarmed.

The Pattison family came here about two years ago and bought a stock of drugs from Earl Brown, which had previously been the Hohler stock. They are regarded as especially fine people, Doctor G. W. Pattison, father of Frank, is an old gentleman who is very much liked by everyone who knows him. He has been making his home with his son, whose wife is a lady highly esteemed by all.

No one can regret the deplorable occurrence more than Doctor Pattison and Mrs. Frank Pattison. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pattison have one son less than a year old. They were having a new residence built and had it about half completed.

Doctor Donelson was a retired physician, and old resident of Cedar Vale, having lived here about 25 years. In former years he ran a drug store here and had an extensive practice. He was the son of the late Col. Sam Donelson and leaves a wife and one daughter who is married. He has a brother, Walter Donelson, who lives at Cleveland, O. T., who came in Thursday to attend the funeral. He also has a half brother in Kentucky.

The funeral of Doctor Donelson was held on Thursday afternoon, with the services being announced by Rev. Fred Hanger of the Christian church.

The Donelson family has the heartfelt sympathy of a large list of friends and acquaintances in this their sad bereavement.

Doctor Donelson carried a life insurance of $2,000 in the Modern Woodmen and $2,000 in the Workmen lodges, making a total of $4,000 insurance.

Pattison has employed Sproul and Van Tuyl as attorneys to defend him. Rathbun will assist the county attorney in the prosecution of the case.

[Added Note: The few persons living here who recall the shooting are of the opinion that Frank Pattison was acquitted – that he served no sentence for the fatal shooting of Dr. E. M. Donelson. Pattison defended by J. H. Sproul, Sedan attorney, plead temporary insanity.]
Submitted by Peggy Thompson.


New York Herold, July 7, 1890
TWO HERDERS MURDERED

Held Responsible For A Very Fatal Cattle Disease Probably Imported Into Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 6, 1890--On the last day of February last two men named Frazier and Gibson drove a herd of two thousand head of Texas cattle into Chautauqua county, Kan., and placed them in pasture near several herds of native cattle.

According to the sanitary law, if Southern cattle are brought into the State between the first day of December and the first of March, it rests with those injured to prove that the Southern cattle brought the fever into the state, but if the cattle are brought in bewteen the months of February and December, it is considered prima facle evidence that the disease was brought by the herd. The herd brought in by Gibson and Frazier had been in the State less than a month when the disease broke out in the adjoining herds.

As they were within the law, the people in that part of the State who had formed an organization for the purpose of protection against Texas fever took the matter in their own hands and the result was that the two cattlemen were found mysteriously murdered. It is generally conceded that they fell victims to the wrath of the native stock men.

J. F. White, chairman of the Kansas Live Stock Sanitary Commission, has just returned from Chautauqua county, where he has been establishing quarantine, and says that the disease has spread very rapidly. He reports that native cattle are dying off in large numbers in the many small herds in the vicinity of Arkansas City, Guelph, Dexter, Spring Creek and Portland. Out of one herd of eighty-five thoroughbred Hereford cows, valued at from $100 to $300 each, thirty-two have died and thirty more are in the last stages of the disease. About three hundred head have succumbed to the disease so far. The Gibson and Frazier cattle have been divided off into three herds and are closely guarded by deputy sheriffs. The State authorities can do nothing except establish a close quarantine, and this has been done as effectively as possible.

The people in that part of the State are very much wrought up over the fact that the matter has been made public and threaten vengeance upon the men who first gave the news to the press.

Submitted by Lori DeWinkler


Kansas City Star - September 1, 1899
TERRORIZED KANSAS TOWNS

An Indian Territory Desperado Kills Two Officers at Sedan

Independence, Kas., Sept. 1---A desperado named Darnell, living in indian territory, terrorized the little town of Peru southwest of here, yesterday, and rode into Sedan, where officers attempted to arrest him. He shot and killed Marshal Wilson and Sheriff Keymar and has not yet been captured. A reward of $50 has been offered for Darnell, dead or alive.

Submitted by Lori DeWinkler


Sedan Times-Star, May 2, 1912
STORM SWEPT WHOLE COUNTY

From Southwest to Northeast Corner, It Left Death and Destruction All Along Its Path.

MRS. BURCH DEAD; OTHER VICTIMS WILL RECOVER

Storm Area Much Greater Than First Reports Indicated and Property Loss May Reach $100,000---

Scenes Of Ruins Reach From Harrison Township to Salt Creek--- Same Tornado at Ponca City, Okla.

The tornado which swept through Chautauqua County last Thursday evening claimed another victim at 5 o'clock Friday afternoon when Mrs. John Burch, living eight miles north of Sedan, died as a result of injuries received the night before.

The storm covered a much larger area and did much greater damage than the first reports indicated. Instead of starting near Wauneta, as was thought at first in the absence of telephone connection, it entered the county at the extreme southwest corner and swept clear across the country to the north east county line where it wrought damage at Elk City and Lafontaine. In fact, it is now generally believed that it was the same tornado that destroyed twenty-five houses at Ponca City, Okla., at 5:15 o'clock the same evening. In less time than an hour, it had passed over the county leaving in its wake death and destruction. At least twenty persons in this county were injured, two of them fatally. No less than twenty-five houses were swept away.

Four schoolhouses were demolished. Barns, sheds and outbuildings of all kinds were either destroyed or badly damaged. The property loss will reach $100,000 counting crops damaged.

The general course of the storm was from southwest to northeast. At one point southwest of Wauneta, its course was almost due east for a short distance. At Rogers, it traveled almost due north from the schoolhouse to the Holroyd place. Then it turned northeast again and continued that direction until its violence was spent so far as this county extends.

Only here and there did the storm seem to lift and miss anything directly in its path. The first case of this was near W. F. Holroyd's home southeast of Cedar Vale. The storm seemed to divide on a hill and go to the west side. At C. M. Hopkins' place at Rogers, the storm passed on the west side of the hill, leaving his house untouched.

Entering the country south of Cedar Vale the first farm to feel the damage was Tony Montgomery's place. His house is just over the line in Cowley County. His sheds and outbuildings were blown down.

The Adam Ranch was next struck. Here the sheds and smaller buildings were blown down. Here also was the first personal injury. Louie Adam, Jr. was there and sustained a broken hip. Frank Phelps and Darley Short were also slightly hurt.

Taking a straight northeasterly direction, the storm next struck the Adam's schoolhouse, leveling it to the ground.

John Grounds' farm was next visited and only slight damage was done.

At Link West's, which was next in line, the barn and outbuildings were demolished.

On the Williamson Ranch, better known perhaps as the Drumm Ranch, the sheds were blown down and the barn was moved off its foundation.

The first farmhouse to be completely destroyed was next in line on the John Farry place. The tenant is Amos Doty. A. W. Green of Cedar Vale was also there. Both were badly hurt. The house and barn were completely blown away.

The house of M. L. Thompson was next unroofed. Irwin Woods is tenant there.

William Layton's farm was next in line. His house was badly damaged but not wholly blown down. His barn and cribs were destroyed.

O. P. Baldwin's house was damaged, his barn wrecked and his grove uprooted.

On the old C. W. Foster place, Sam West lost his house and barn. He was away at the time.

J. H. Gentry, living on what is known as the Jap Foster place, lost his house, barn outbuildings, etc. Mrs. Gentry was seriously hurt, having her collarbone broken and sustaining other injuries. One of the children, a boy, had an arm broken. Mr. Gentry has lived in the county only a year or two.

Frank Dungan lost his house, barn and other buildings. This is on what is known as the old Dave Gray place. Mr. Dungan's family fled to the cyclone cave and before they got out, it had caved in on them. Large rocks fell on some of the family, but a young girl who had not been struck, by almost miraculous power lifted the rocks off them leaving them all unhurt. It was a most fortunate escape.

M. L. Hankinson's house was next swept away, being leveled.

George West's house and barn came next and both were soon scattered in the wind.

Chart Wendt's house was the next to go.

Across the road, the Silver Prairie Schoolhouse was quickly laid low.

After this came the Squire Wilson house and barn.

Alva Wilson's farm came next and suffered the loss of sheds and outbuildings.

Mrs. D. B. Banning's house was then demolished.

N. Cummings' house was next in the storm's path and it went too.

From there the storm swept through the big Hopkin's pasture to the Rogers schoolhouse and depot, demolishing both. L. S. Holroyd's house was the next object visited and here the fatality occurred when Joseph Borland met his death.

From there the storm continued north, causing minor damages on W. A. Gray's farm. Here it destroyed the original Rogers schoolhouse and old stone building.

The course of the storm then was northeast again and an old abandoned stone house on P. D. Briggs' place was demolished.

H. W. Martin's house and barn were next blown away.

After that came John Burch's place where Mrs. Burch received her fatal injuries. The house was completely destroyed.


Salt Creek Caught Full Force of the Storm…No One Badly Hurt

From the Burch place the storm seemed to lift too high to do any damage until it struck John Atkinson's farm in Salt Creek Township, northwest of Hale. A map will show that from the Burch place to this point the general direction is northeast, although more east that north.

If there was serious damage done across Lafayette Township from the Burch place east, the details are lacking.

At Mr. Atkinson's place two cowsheds were blown down.

The next place was where Wm. Cornelison lives, the old Ruse place, having moved there only recently. His barn was blown down, his sheds demolished and many apple trees uprooted.

Allen McKey's farm was next visited. The barn was soon flattened out, and the front porch was torn off the house. One of his cows was killed and several of the calves were blown so far they have not been found, presumably being dead.

W. R. Crossfield sustained the next damage. The roof was blown off his house, his barns were blown down and about 150 apple trees were uprooted. Several of his horses were badly crippled.

H. L. Pendarvis was next in line. The east end of his house was blown out. Two barns were blown down and the roof was torn off the smokehouse.

Harry Gregory's stone house was nearly all demolished. Two of the boys were in it and had narrow escapes when the wall fell in.

At Ezra Crossfield's half the roof of his house was blown off. His barn was demolished and from 250 to 300 apple trees were uprooted. A. C. Stucker's house was badly damaged. Charles Epperley's barn and corncrib were blown down and much damage was done in his apple orchard.

At W. B. Jay's farm, a part of the top of the house was blown off and a chicken house was destroyed.

E. N. Horton's barn was blown down and his orchard badly damaged.

W. W. Fowler lost a part of the roof of his house and one porch. The flues were blown down.

At George Fowler's the barn was moved off its foundation and a chicken house blown away.

At Elk City much damage was done. The Santa Fe depot was partially unroofed. A part of the brick front of the Woodman Hall was blown into the street.


NOTES OF THE STORM; LITTLE STORIES OF THE WIND'S GREAT DAMAGE

In all probability Joseph Borland was killed instantly. When his body was found by S. E. Duncan and others it lay face downward. The head was covered with lath and plastering but from the shoulders downward the body lay under the heavy section of flooring. Life had been crushed out apparently at the first blow. There had been no struggle. Between the dead man's fingers were sand and dirt where the water had washed it. The body bore at least seven deep cuts and bruises any one of which, it seemed, was enough to cause death. When the lifeless form was raised blood poured out of the mouth, indicating that the internal wounds were even more serious than those which could be seen.

Mr. Borland's remains were taken to the old home at Franklin, Pa., for burial. The funeral party left here Saturday afternoon. The widow was accompanied on her sad mission by two of her brothers, who had come from Dewey and Copan where they are oil workers. E. E. Shannon, living four miles south of Sedan, knew Mr. Borland back east. "Joe was a fine young man," Mr. Shannon said. "I had known him since he was a boy. He was a good worker, honest and clean and steady." S. E. Duncan, for whom Mr. Borland was working, also spoke high praise of him.

The assessment sheets of Summit Township were scattered from one end of the township to the other. This is actually true, for the trustee, Milt Hankinson, lives on the south line and the storm that blew away his home carried off his assessment returns, also. In most cases duplicates had been given the property owners. The returns are supposed to be in by May 1, but in this case more time must necessarily be granted.

Harry Harkrader, who was hurt at the H. W. Martin farm, was brought to Dr. Vermillion's office Saturday evening for treatment. His right side is causing him much pain. He was taken home Sunday.

From somewhere has come the idea - or it might better be call superstition - that no one but the coroner has any right to touch the body of one accidentally killed.

When Mr. Borland's body was found there was for a moment some little hesitation upon the part of a few about removing it. This frequently occurs in accidental deaths. But there is no basis for it where the cause of death is clear. The only purpose in leaving a body until the coroner comes is so he may have evidence as to the cause of death. The testimony of others, however, is equally conclusive, and where the circumstances of any death are known, there is no reason whatever for not taking charge of the remains at once, as was done in this case. Where, for instance, a body is found with the circumstances and causes of death unknown there might be some prudence in summoning the coroner before removing it. But, even in that case the finder is fully warranted in caring for it before the coroner comes, although as a matter of self-protection, he would do well to have others come and note carefully the position and condition of the corpse. The law in no case means nor intends that its provisions should delay the care of the dead.

Commissioner Gray feels elated over the fact that three stands of bees on his farm were not even upset although the trees all around them were uprooted. By some miracle the beehives escaped. Mr. Gray's house was only slightly damaged although apparently in the path of the storm, nearly all of the orchard over the hill north of the house was uprooted. Some of the trees were blown one way and some another, indicating that the storm there was a twister. Charley Gray was in the barn and thought it was going to go, the wind held him tight against the wall when he tried to get out. The barn roof was loosened in many places.

Claud Sharp, who was in the Holroyd house, ran out to the ruins of the barn as soon as he could collect his thoughts, and mounting S. E. Duncan's horse started for a telephone. He had been in bed and had only an undershirt and pants on. He was bleeding from head to foot but never the less made his way in the driving rain to the Hopkins house and from there to the Butcher house, getting a phone connection only at the latter place. The whole neighborhood soon came to the rescue.

The small alarm clock used by Mr. Borland was found in the wreckage of the Holroyd home unbroken and even keeping perfect time.

One of the fortunate events of the storm was that when Mr. Duncan and Mr. Roe reached the Holroyd house about the first thing they found was a lantern.

Mr. And Mrs. L. S. Holroyd and son, Lowell, were brought to Sedan Sunday afternoon and are now being cared for at the home of Miss Flora Holroyd. Mr. Holroyd is able to be up. Mrs. Holroyd and Lowell are slowly improving.

The county commissioners have already taken steps toward reducing the taxation on the property destroyed. Practically all of it had been listed by the assessors but not yet copied on the rolls. In very few cases will the insurance carried come anywhere near meeting the loss. Surely those whose homes have been swept away or who have sustained other losses are entitled to this relief.

Coals from the cook stove set fire to the wreckage of the Holroyd house, but the early arrivals soon put the fire out.

The funeral of Mrs. John Burch was held at four o'clock Saturday afternoon at Union Chapel. Burial was made in the cemetery by the church. Although a hard rain was falling there was a very large attendance at the funeral. People were there from a distance of ten miles. The services were conducted by Rev. J. I. Smallwood of Sedan. Mrs. Burch was 21 years old and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Vanderhoof. She had spent most of her life in the neighborhood north of here.

About a year ago Mrs. Burch saved her baby's life in a manner as brave and heroic as any deed of valor ever known. The baby was playing near a cistern and fell through the platform when one of the boards tipped up. Without a moments hesitation, Mrs. Burch leaped down after it. The water was deep enough to come almost to her shoulders and she saved her baby's life by holding it high above the water until help came. She was almost exhausted when lifted out.

The other day when she believed her death was near she prayed that she might live to raise her children. Her dying thoughts were not of herself but only of her babies. Surely such lives, although cut short by some incomprehensible, plan of providence, are not lived in vain for the unselfish devotion of this young mother will always be an inspiration and a benediction.

On Mark Call's place the barn roof was blown off and the orchard was badly damaged. This is just south of Rogers.

Mont Holsten, eight miles north of Sedan, lost all of his buildings except the house and the chimney was blown off that. A wagon with a hay frame was turned up side down and smashed. A buggy was found in a tree with all the spokes gone. A bulldog was blown away and came limping back home the next day with one foot almost cut off.

John Burch's small chicken shed about 100 feet from the house was not damaged in the least.

There is a big rush now for tornado insurance. It costs very little and those fortunate enough to have it certainly appreciate it now in recouping their losses. Many caves have already been begun in all parts of the county.

Sam Tucker was returning home from Texas last Thursday afternoon with a trainload of cattle when he saw a mile away the cyclone that destroyed Ponca City and later did the damage in this county. His train ran along for some time behind the storm while the men watched it from the top of the caboose. Sam says that now he is wondering who would have had to stand the loss, if the train had been blown off the track and the cattle killed. It would hardly have been the fault of the railroad, yet should the owner have to foot such a loss? Mr. Tucker is glad there was no loss but says there could easily have been a lawsuit had there been a wreck due to the storm.

The school boards of the Adam, Silver Prairie, Rogers and Center View districts have already taken steps toward collecting the insurance and rebuilding. The buildings were a complete loss in each case.

The Times-Star is deservedly proud of the manner in which it has covered the tornado news, not only on the extra edition Friday but in this issue as well. Neither expense nor effort has been spared. Knowing that the whole county depends upon it to cover the whole situation it has done so. It has had the assistance of some of the best and most loyal friends any newspaper ever had and to these who have helped in making the success possible, sincere thanks are hereby extended. But compare the Times-Star report today and that of Friday with the reports published in any other Chautauqua County paper and decide for yourself which is the most accurate and complete.

Miss Mary Nautt, who was at H. W. Martin's house, says nearly all the house was blown away before they left it and went to the yard for safety. Something heavy struck her on the back between the shoulders. She also had a bad wound on her left little finger. Mr. Martin was quite badly hurt and came near having a nervous collapse. Dr. Vermillion was called out to see him Tuesday.

Mrs. Borland will probably not return to Sedan. At least she did not intend to when she left here last week for Franklin, Pa., with the body of her husband. Mr. Borland's father was accidentally killed while working in the oil fields in the east; Joe at that time was only 16 years old. He took the responsibility at the head of the family and helped his mother raise the younger children. He was a second cousin of Mrs. Ora Jones of Sedan. Before the family started east last Saturday a prayer service was conducted at the home of Rev. Snapp of the Christian Church.

Mrs. W. A. Gray was in Nevada, Missouri visiting her daughter, Miss Opal, when she received a letter from Mr. Gray telling of the storm. In the same mail came a copy of the Times-Star extra, which was mailed to all subscribers. Mrs. Gray decided at once to come home and in less than two hours was on her way. Miss Ethel Tucker, who was visiting there, also came home then.

The Wauneta correspondent writes: One of the remarkable things about the storm Thursday evening is that nearly everyone had some insurance. Some were well insured and with possibly one exception every building lost was insured which will be a good factor in replacing the lost houses and barns. Another fact is that not a dog lost its life. Each one is reported saved although some did not return until late the following day.


Many Houses Demolished in Country South and West of Wauneta.

The extra edition of The Times-Star issued Friday noon gave a detailed report of the storm's damage from Rogers north. The following is a detailed report from the Layton place north of Hewins, to Rogers:

The storm struck the home of Will Layton, north of Hewins, and blew his house and all of his buildings down. None of the family were seriously hurt.

It moved the house of Ira Baldwin off the foundation. Ira had a calf tied to a post not far from the house and after the storm he could not find either the calf or the post it was tied to.

It next struck the old Foster place where Sam West and wife lived. Sam was at the home of his father about two miles northeast of his home. He saw the storm coming and started for home but went only a short distance until he saw it was a tornado. He turned and rode back to his father's cave but when he saw his barn picked up in the air and whirled around like a top, he again started for home accompanied by a neighbor boy. His wife and a little nephew were at home alone. They watched the barn blow away and remained in the house until it was nearly all gone. She then took the little boy and ran outside to where a large cottonwood tree had been uprooted. She got in the hole where the tree roots had been and held fast to the tree with the child between her and it until the storm passed over. She then started to the home of Sam's parents, going across the fields while Sam was going around the road. When he reached his home everything was laid flat, and he supposed his wife and nephew were in the wreckage. He soon found her side combs and other things that made him more sure that she was either buried there or blown away and he was nearly paralyzed with grief. But Dave Gray soon rode up and told him his wife was safe. He then hastened back to where she was. Everything they had was destroyed. They began housekeeping only last winter and the largest piece of their new furniture that they could find was the top of the dresser and what clothing they could find was scattered from where the house stood to and beyond the fence on the Dave Gray place.

The storm swept from there due north to the Jap Foster place where Mr. Gentry lives. The family were in the house but when the wind began to blow in the windows and tear things up, they all ran outside and held to a tree until the storm passed over. Then they saw the house was not torn down although it was terribly damaged. Mrs. Gentry and two of the children were badly hurt. Mrs. Gentry had her collarbone and two ribs broken, and on account of not having proper treatment until the next evening she was in a very serious condition, but is now getting along as well as can be expected. One of the boys had a large splinter run through his elbow and another was bruised up severely but they are all improving at this writing.

The storm next struck the home of Frank Dungan on the old Dave Gray place north of the Jap Foster place. Frank and one of the little boys were not at home. The remainder of the family saw the storm coming and went to the cellar which had a smoke house over it. The storm blew the smoke house to pieces and covered the family with rocks and dirt so that they were all helpless except the oldest girl, who is nearly grown. She extricated her mother who had the baby in her arms. Then the two of them got the other children out and none of them were hurt except one boy who had some bruises and peeled places on his head and face. The little girl was thought to be smothered when first taken out, but was soon all right. Frank's buildings were all destroyed. He had nothing left and large fruit trees were uprooted and some blown nearly across his place.

From here the storm took nearly an eastern course, striking Milt Hankinson's place. Here, as at Frank Dungan's, the scene of destruction was terrible to look at on account of so many large fruit trees being uprooted. Mr. Hankinson had an orchard of about 200 large trees and only three or four were left standing. His buildings were all blown away, but the family were in the cave and none of them were hurt. One curious feature of the storm here was that it took the front room of the house entirely away. This room had a new piano, sewing machine and folding bed in it besides other valuable articles, and they were all destroyed, while it left the floors of both the other rooms and the stove is standing in its usual place unbroken. A low safe stood with dishes in it and these were not broken. One of their horses which was tied in the barn was found some distance from the barn lying on its side gasping for breath but not injured. The other horses and four head of cows were buried in the boards, hay, trees, etc., but were dug out uninjured.

The storm now swept due east to the home of George West. Here the destruction was not so complete. Many trees were broken and uprooted and the barn destroyed, but the house was not hurt. A gallon jug was set down in front of Mr. West's house by the storm. They did not know where it came from.

Jake Wren lives only a short distance south of Mr. West. His barn was shifted several inches off the foundation and his orchard and shade trees broken and uprooted. One of Mr. West's horses was blown over into Mr. Wendt's pasture and badly cut in the wire.

From here the storm traveled north to the home of Chart Wendt. He and his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wendt, went to the cave when they saw the storm and were not hurt. Here was the most complete clean up of all, for the buildings and what was in them were swept away. The house was raised in the air and carried several hundred feet and dropped and then mostly blown away. Everything they had was completely destroyed except the hay press which was setting in the yard was thought to be all right with the exception of the wheels which were broken off and scattered. Mr. Wendt had to go to Wauneta and get clothing before they could change their wet clothes.

The Silver Prairie school house, which was across the road west and a little north of Chart Wendt's house, was a stone building and was blown to the ground. After the storm the large bell was setting over in a meadow north of the school house and the bricks from the flue were scattered in a straight line north from the school house. The bookcase was damaged but the books were taken from the case the next day not damaged at all. Several acres of ground north of Wendt's home and the school house are covered with pieces of shingles of various widths sticking upright in the ground as though some one had driven or put them there.

From here the storm traveled north to the Wilson place where Perry Wilson lived with his aged mother. Here it looked as if the storm had raised a little when it got to the house for it only unroofed the house and the large maple grove was broken off, some trees as high as six or eight feet from the ground and others higher. The smoke house was left standing close to the house. Here were large hedge trees uprooted and carried over the grove into the field east of the house.

Mr. Haines, who lives directly north of the Wilson place, was only in the edge of the storm. His barn was blown down and many of his fine apple trees were uprooted.

The storm went east from the Wilson place to Sycamore and blew away Alva Wilson's barn and sheds, hurting some of his stock, but nothing was killed. A screen door was torn from his house and several windows blown in.

A man and his wife were camped near Sycamore. They lay down behind a pile of gravel and held to a telephone pole until the storm was over. They were both hurt but not seriously. Their bed clothes, suit cases and many articles were blown into the creek. They were taken to the home of Mr. Brunger until they were able to travel.

From here the storm traveled north east and blew down Dave Call's hen house.

But the next scene of destruction is at the Banning home where Mrs. Banning lived with her two sons in a stone house. The house with the other buildings was all destroyed. Mrs. Banning protested against going into the cave so the boys took her into the cave and held her there. Here were two almost new buggies demolished and one cow had her neck broken. Another was mud all over but was not seriously hurt.

Nate Cumming's home was the next in the path of the storm and it was completely destroyed. There was nothing left standing on the place. There were only three of the family at home, Mrs. Cummings, her daughter, Ada, and her grandson, Willie Goodwin. They did not see the storm and knew of no danger until it struck the house. When they became conscious of their surroundings they were all out in the Cedar trees northeast of the house. Mrs. Cummings was nearly stripped of her clothing and was struck across the chest with something heavy, but was not seriously hurt. Willie had a small cut and bruise near the corner of his mouth but aside from these they were not hurt. Their surrey was blown over on the buggy and both were smashed. The buildings, furniture and clothing were blown all over Mr. Hopkins' pasture. Mrs. Cummings had put down a new carpet only two days before and it was found over in the pasture a great distance from the house.

While searching out there in Mr. Hopkins' pasture for Cummings' goods, a book back was found with Will Layton's name on it, which had been blown ten or twelve miles and dropped there.

In all the course of the storm the most pitiful looking objects were the chickens. Of course many were killed but most of the survivors were muddy and stiff and some crippled.

One lady while helping to gather up clothing enough to fill the needs of the family saw a gingham waist on the roots of a mulberry tree that had been uprooted by the storm. She went to get it and found it spread out like some one had spread it out to dry, and when she lifted it she found lying underneath the waist a hand mirror, unbroken, and a hat pin.

One man who was at the Cummings place that night, after the storm had passed, made the remark that the only things he saw standing were two hogs and a hen.

From Cummings' the storm followed up the ravine in Hopkins' pasture. Wherever it went it swept the fences, phone lines and telegraph lines. Mr. Pierce and Less Pumpelly, who live due east of George West's place, were not in the path of the storm, but both suffered some damages. At Pierce's the house was shifted on the foundation and some small out buildings were blown away. Less Pumpelly's hen house was destroyed and many smaller objects overturned.

Submitted by Atcha Nolan


Fort Worth Star-Telegram ~ July 20, 1921
FAMILY DROWNS IN KANSAS CLOUDBURST

INDEPENDENCE, Kan., July 20---Bodies of Mrs. William Wood, her father, John Pennil, and Mrs. Wood's two small children, who were drowned near Cedarvale Monday night when a cloudburst brought a wall of water down Cedar Creek, on the banks of which they were camping, were recovered yesterday. The body of Mrs. John Pennil has not been recovered.

Henry Wood, the only member of the party to escape, after taking his children to what he believed high enough ground to be safe, returned to see his wife and her parents swept away in the flood. When he tried to return to his children, he saw a wave of water carry them away also.

The family was traveling from Bartlesville to Blackwell, Okla.

Submitted by Lori DeWinkler


Dallas Morning News, December 19, 1921
KANSAS MAN KILLED IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT

Muskogee, Ok., Dec. 18---A. W. Kirk of Elgin, Kan., was instantly killed tonight when a car he was driving went off the road into a small stream at Yahola, Ok., ten miles west of here. His wife and one child were injured and three other children slightly bruised. Kirk was pinned under the car and drowned.

Submitted by Lori DeWinkler


Plain Dealer - May 23, 1908
TWO WOMEN CLAIM INCUBATOR BABY

UNITED STATES COURT WILL DECIDE QUESTION THAT WAS PUT TO SOLOMON

Real and Adopted Mothers Have Waged Four-Year Legal War

CHICAGO, May 22---The fate of the famous incubator baby of the St. Louis World's fair will be decided in a few days by the United States court of appeal at Minneapolis.

The decision will determine finally whether the baby .shall belong to its real mother or to the woman who adopted it. Four courts already have attempted to decide this question. An Illinois circuit court decided the child belonged to its real mother. The Ilinois supreme court reversed this decision and gave the baby to its foster parent. A district court in Kansas decided the baby belonged to its adopted mother. The Kansas supreme court gave it to its real mother. At present under the egis of the Kansas superior court the real mother and child are now living at Sedan, Ks.

The incubator baby, now grown to a pretty girl of four years, was born in a St. Louis hospital, Feb. 15, 1904. While the mother, Mrs. Charlotte Thompson Bleakley, lay ill, the hospital matron stole the baby and sold it to the baby incubator company of the world's fair. A dead baby born in the hospital, it was alleged, to Edith Stanley, an actress, was substituted. Mrs. Bleakley was told her baby died. The baby in the incubator thrived and Mrs. James G. Barclay, a wealthy woman of Buffalo, decided to adopt it. Mrs. Bleakley signed a deed, waiving all claims to the incubator baby. She was convinced it was not her child.

But Mrs. Bleakley became suspicious finally. She went to the St. Louis hospital, where the matron admitted the incubator babe was the child born to Mrs. Bleakley. When she learned the real mother had come to claim her offspring, Mrs. Barclay fled, it is said, with the infant from St. Louis. They were halted at Rock Island with a warrant charging kidnapping. The Rock Island court restored the baby to Mrs. Bleakley, who took it to Lawrence, Ks.

After appealing the case in the Illinois court, Mrs. Barclay went to Lawrence and began action for the possession of the child. Judge Smart there decided the adoption was legal and gave the real mother six hours in which to surrender the baby. While a deputy sheriff waited in the Bleakley home, Mrs. Bleakley slipped out a back door with the child in her arms and escaped on a train. By means of the bogus arrest by a bogus officer, it is alleged she had herself conducted safely past the pursuit throughout Kansas and Missouri into Illinois, where the court had recognized the validity of her claim. For several months she and her child lived happily at Rock Island until the supreme court turned the child over to Mrs. Barclay.

Meanwhile an appeal had been taken in Kansas and the supreme court of that state had upheld the claims of the mother. Mrs. Bleakley fled in disguise back to Kasnas where she now lives.

Mrs. Barclay has spent $50,000 in her fight for the baby. She calls the child Dorothy Edith Barclay. Its real mother, who is poor, has spent $5,000 in defending her claim. She knows the child as Marion Roberta Bleakley. Several famous Kansas lawyers have handled Mrs. Bleakley's case free of charge. About $5,000 has been contributed to help her by public subscription.

Submitted by Lori DeWinkler


The Courant, April 7, 1875
A BRUTE OF A FELLOW

The Journal of last week says: “A brute of a fellow, by the name of John Rainwater, residing in Sedan township, was arrested and tried on Wednesday, charged with committing a rape upon his own daughter, a girl of fourteen years. The girl testified against the father, who was bound over to appear at the next term of court, and committed in default of bail. Sheriff Titus went with him to the Allen county jail.”

Submitted by L Morgan


Elk County Citizen, May 21, 1896
MURDER NEAR ELGIN

Last Thursday evening about ten o’clock, just across the line from Elgin in the Indian Territory, George E. Smith received his death wound at the hands of Sam Magee.

The tragedy occurred at a prostitute’s _______, only a few hundred feet from the state line. Several of the boys about town, most of whom were decidedly under the influence of bad whiskey were there, but a few of them are accessible to a reporter and but few facts in the matter will be learned until the case is brought into court.

As far as could be learned Sam Magee and his victim had some trouble at a dance in the Territory about three weeks ago, and from that time they had been hostile to each other. Meeting at the camp of infamy across the line they had some words, and one report has it that Smith, drawing his gun said, “There is the d--s--of a b--, I’ll fix him now,” and snapped at Magee, when Magee shot him twice, one ball entering the abdominal cavity by breaking the eighth rib on the left side piercing the left lobe of the liver, and coming out between the 5th and 6th rib on the right side, and causing his death.

The other and probably the last shot just creased his left shoulder.

Another story is that Smith had no gun with him, and just abused Magee with his tongue.

Before his death the wounded man told his sister that Magee shot him, when asked why he simply said “we had some trouble.” He died about 5 p.m., Friday.--Sedan Lance
Submitted by L. Morgan


Howard Courant, January 15, 1897
MURDER TRIAL

John New is out of jail and has gone -----departed hence without delay. If he told the truth, or rather if his diabolical tale even approximated the truth, he was and is a great scoundrel; if, as a great many people profess to think, his story was totally untrue and he made the tale about John Frazier’s murder out of whole cloth, he is one of the greatest scoundrel’s unhung.

If he is guilty or innocent of complicity in the murder of W. H. Gibson and John S. Frazier, now that he is once more free to go and come as he pleases, he will surely be one of the most wretched men in existence; if he was telling the truth on the witness stand, he stands a self confessed murderer, if he lied on the witness stand, he was endeavoring to convict of murder a number of perfectly innocent men. In either event the poor scoundrel will certainly have a hard time of it for the rest of his life.--(Sedan Times-Star)
Submitted by L. Morgan


El Dorado Times, Saturday, January 13, 1934
SUDDEN DEATH OF FARMER IS TO BE PROBED

Investigation is Started After Body of Chautauqua County Man is Found
2 Bullet Wounds
One is in the Groin and the Other in Back of Head; Gun Found on Body
Arkansas City, Kans., Jan. 13 - Chautauqua County officers are investigating today the death of Roy Hillyard aged 20 years, who was found dead near the Hillyard farm at Cedarvale, late yesterday with a bullet wound in the groin and one in the back of the head.

He at first was thought to have been killed accidently in opening a gate, but when the body was taken to a mortuary here, the bullet wounds were discovered. A gun was found lying across the body and a discharged shell was found nearby. The parents said that their son had no known enemies.

Submitted by Peggy Thomas


Cedar Vale Star, August 6, 1886
ROCK SPECIMENS

Mr. John Pack has several specimens of stone found at a depth of one hundred feet, in his well in Morton county, several of which have indications of the presence of silver. He thinks of having them assayed.
Submitted by Atcha Nolan



The Moline Advance, February 13, 1913
SATTERLEE - TURNER MARRIED

John A. Turner and Miss Eva Satterlee were married at Emporia Thursday of last week.

Mrs. Turner is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Geo. Satterlee and has lived all her life in the Belknap district south of town and was very popular in that community.

Mr. Turner formerly lived at Belknap but has been in business with his brother at Ellinwood, Kansas, for the past year. The happy couple left Thursday for Ellinwood, where they will make their home. The best wishes of a host of friends follow them.
Submitted by Dan Durbin



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