Saturday, June 27, 2020

For a Yearling, McLouth Takes the Cake.

From the Valley Falls Register, May 30, 1884

The fact has become more or less general that Kansas, especially the eastern part of the state had got over mushroom growth, a growing up in the night, as it were. But here we find in McLouth a fine well-built and enterprising little city of five hundred souls with its hotel, business blocks, elevators, etc., that but one year ago contained less than twenty-five inhabitants. Such is life and such are Kansas business men; this thing will never cease until Kansas becomes one of the greatest and most powerful states in the union.

The Register is booming and it heard McLouth was having a boom of its own so the Register man who takes delight in being around where the booming business is going on, concluded that McLouth was a pretty good place to strike, so he went down there last week and took a hand in the game.

There are no churches or schools there at present but a good graded school building will soon be built and two churches are, or are about to be contracted for and during the year places of worship will be completed.

The McLouth house M. McMaster proprietor is a new house pleasantly situated with the best sample room in the county, the tables are supplied with the best and Mr. McMaster will be found to be an agreeable and accommodating landlord.

The large and extensive farm implement house of Messrs Scott and Cresse is the principal trade feature of the town. These gentlemen deal largely in their line of goods and are known to be men of integrity and of first class business qualifications.

G.M. Woodhull [Woodhead] deals in furniture trunks pictures, he also is prepared to do undertaking. The people in this part of the county will find Mr. W. a fair square dealer and all goods in his line to be as represented; go and see him.

Delaware Grange cooperative store carries a fine line of general merchandise, their stock is new and clean and operated by gentlemen of experience and ability. This system of merchandising is doing a very successful business at this point.

Mr. A. Burt the popular and agreeable druggist located near the depot is having a nice run of trade. He carries a large stock of all the best medicines, drugs and toilet goods to be found in the town.

C. Moser carriage, blacksmithing. This gentleman is turning out some fine work. Mr. M. is a first-class workman, and the public may rely on his work both in style and finish.

—On The Wing

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2007.

McLouth was founded in the 1880s. It was named for Amos McLouth, the original owner of the town site. The first post office in McLouth was established in May 1882.
We had a railroad that ran right through the middle of town. The tracks are the dividing point for the north side and south side of town. Look for the Historical sign showing where the split is at."

Saturday, June 20, 2020

History of Boyle, Kansas


From The Winchester Star, October 9, 1942 (copied by Raymond Riley)

Boyle, Kansas, is located 25 miles west of Leavenworth, the highest point between Leavenworth and Valley Falls. The first post office was located one fourth mile east of the present office; and Mrs. Nancy Kendall was the post-mistress. The office was in the Kendall home, a log cabin, which stood for many years after the post office was established in the early 1860s.

On June 4, 1872, the first train arrived in Boyle with the first mail pouch containing letters and the Leavenworth Times, The Toledo Blade and an Atchison paper. By this time the post office had been moved to Mr. Jack Bates’ store, which had just started. Boyle now had its narrow gauge railroad, running thru a fine farming country in the northwest and east and timber and coal in the hills to the south; and its future looked very bright. Business was good, as lots of corn was shipped out and more hay was shipped out of Boyle than any point between Valley Falls and Leavenworth. Coal was shipped in and sold for ten cents per bushel or ten dollars and fifty cents per ton, on the track. The load limit of a coal car was 16,000 lbs. or 8 tons.


On August 14, 1875, the grasshoppers came. The sky was clouded with them and they left little behind them when they left. There was not much to ship out that year, but a daily train carried the mail, news and friendly good cheer. The two conductors on the run were Al Stokes and Jim Hall, and they were Al and Jim to the Boyle folk. If any of the boys were in Winchester they just got on the train with no cash and were never thrown off, but if the train was not traveling too fast they hopped off in their own yard, otherwise the train stopped in Boyle.

The last day of March, 1876, a great snow fell, drifting and blocking the railroad for two weeks. The store got low on staple goods and so the farmers that could, took their shovels and helped the railroaders clear the track. Mr. Bates had been helping at this work and had shoveled snow all morning, and in the afternoon he dropped dead with a heart attack. Six men, George Griffin, John Sowers, and Bob Kirkpatrick being among them, walked to Valley Falls and carried a casket out on their shoulders. The next day it took four horses hitched to a sled and several men to lay him to rest in Spring Grove cemetery.

There were several changes after Mr. Bates’ death, with different persons operating the store and post office, among them being John Boyle Sr. and John Boyle Jr., W.T. McClure, Frank Carr, Sam Heney, Newton Henry, a Mr. McCreary, and now Mr. C.A. McNeal and wife, who have been there forty years, and can sell you anything from a paper of pins to a gang plow. So Boyle still has the post office, general store and a good Methodist Church where Sunday School and church services are held every week. I always had respect for the Lord’s day and a community of generous people, and always enjoyed being at my hometown and birthplace.

John J. Ingalls once said, “God could have made a prettier place and a better place to live in, but I am sure he never did.”

—W.S. Fulton in the Valley Falls Vindicator

This story appeared in "Yesteryears" in October 2014.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Valley Falls Bank Robbery, 1890


The Valley Falls Register, Friday, March 7, 1890

From The Valley Falls New Era,
March 8, 1890
Just before six o’clock last Saturday afternoon John Coen, cashier in the bank of Hicks, Gephart & Co., pale and trembling rushed out of the front door of the bank and told passers by, as best he could, that the bank had been robbed of a large sum of money a few moments before. He first saw A. Harmon and L.M. Tutt. The startling news spread rapidly; guns and revolvers were in hand, and everybody soon on the lookout. But the fleeing robber escaped from sight by dodging three blocks east passing out at the stock yards. Darkness came on. Telegrams and telephone messages were sent in various directions giving notice of the robbery. Armed men were detailed to scour the country and board every out-going train. The hours wore on. Finally at midnight a dispatch from Meriden 15 miles distant, gave the information that a stranger, answering the description of the robber had stopped there and gone to bed in the hotel. He had told the night operator that he was a “slicker.” Suspicion was fastened upon the stranger. How to capture him was the question. The officials at Meriden asked for help from Valley Falls, and Joe Summerville and Hal Shire volunteered to do the work and left in a buggy at 1:30 p.m. They arrived at Meriden between four and five o’clock and consulting constable Garber and landlord Garber, of the American hotel, laid their plans to capture the bold bad man. And they planned wisely and safely. But would they get the right man! The robber had left word with the clerk to call him at 5 a.m. as he wished to go to Atchison on the morning train. He slept up stairs. At the appointed hour he was called by the clerk, arose promptly, dressed himself and walked down stairs into the office, where the brave deputies were stationed, armed with double barreled shot-guns, heavily loaded. The robber cheerily bade the clerk good morning closing the door behind him. At the same time he was ordered to throw up his hands and he saw, doubtless to his complete surprise, that he was covered by two sudden-death-dealing weapons. He haulted not nor held up his hands, coolly and silently walked toward the stove, crossing his arms and reaching to his side coat pockets for his pistols. Again he was ordered to throw up his hands and again he refused, hoping, perhaps, to un-nerve the deputies, or by a skillful maneuver draw his double action revolvers and stand an equal chance with his captors. To him it must have been an awful moment. To surrender would be to expose his guilt — not to do so he might escape. His time had come; the triggers were pulled, simultaneously, and the heavy report from two shot guns sounded the knell of his departure into eternity. The daring robber fell backwards, dead, his feet near the stove. He raised his head and shoulders slightly from the floor and sank back stilled in death. One full charge entered just above his heart and the other in part, his right shoulder. The body lay there until noon, when county attorney Gephart, and witnesses from here, arrived to attend a coroner’s inquest and examine the effects of the dead man. $2,812 was found on his person, all in his boots except $24, one package of $500 in bills, having the bank wrapper on it, endorsed 2-27-1890 – Coen; that is on Feb. 2nd [27th?] 1890, Coen counted that package. The other packages were recognized. The robber had $1,000 less than it was supposed he had, Coen in his excitement having over looked the package in the safe.

From The Valley Falls
New Era
, March 8, 1890
A coroner’s inquest was held before Justice Fraser, and the following verdict was rendered. State of Kansas, Jefferson county. An inquisition holden at Meriden in Jefferson county, on the body of an unknown person there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oath, do say that the dead man is to us identified as that of the robber of the Hicks, Gephart & Co. bank at Valley Falls, Kan., on March 1, and killed by a gunshot wound while attempting to escape arrest at Meriden, Kan., in apprehending him as said robber.
We find that said killing was lawful and justifiable in every respect.
We further find that said death was not felonious.
In testimony whereof the said jurors have hereunto set their hands, the day and year here below written. March 2, 1890. Abraham Mosier, foreman; Robert Smith, George W. Potts, Nathan Glenn, George A. Smith and D.H. Fraser, justice of the peace, acting coroner.
The man was identified as the robber beyond all question.


The above is a diagram of the room in the hotel where the robber was shot.
Dark lines indicate the doors, dotted lines the windows.
D, door where he entered from stairway;
Os, where he fell;
S, the stove;
G, constable Garber;
B, Summerville’s position;
A, Shire’s, though on north porch, door open;
dash lines to the right, stairway.
The room is about 11x13 ft.

The robber had on a new short leather coat, lined with red flannel, dark checkered pants, knit jacket, wore boots and rubbers, and a felt hat. He was seen here Saturday morning wearing the same suit. When he committed the robbery he wore a black turban cap, brown denim coat and slate colored overalls, covering his face with a red handkerchief.

HOW IT WAS DONE
The “slicker” did his first work well; but fell down at last. He took breakfast Saturday morning at the Octagon hotel and afterwards he played checkers with young Smith. He gave his name as D. Smith. He wore then, the same suit he died in. Shortly after 10 a.m. he went to Coy, Hutchins & Co’s., clothing store and bought a 10 cent red Martha Washington pocket hand kerchief, displaying a small roll of bills and getting change for a $5. bill. He then visited each bank and took observations. He then visited several stores in town, his face covered with the red handkerchief. People who noticed him supposed he had the tooth-ache or mumps. About noon he hired a saddle horse at Harman’s livery stable, still disguised, saying he wished to ride to the country two miles to look at some cattle. He rode all about town and studied the surroundings, no doubt. About one o’clock he hitched the horse to a telephone pole in front of the Crosby’s bank, where it is presumed that he first intended to make a haul; but owing to the large number of farmers in town and a special meeting of a horse company in lawyer Hamble’s office, in the rear of the bank, he gave that up after waiting two hours for an opportunity, and returned the horse at Harmon’s suggestion. He probably intended to escape on the horse if he could rob that bank. 

He tried another plan, and entering Hicks, Gephart & Co’s. bank between four and five o’clock, called for and secured a $2.00 draft on New York. John Coen, the cashier, was alone, Dr. Gephart, being absent at Oklahoma. Claiming to be chilly and suffering with neuralgia he entreatingly asked permission to sit by the stove in the office and warm. This was granted, and he soon complained of growing very sick and enquired when the doctor might arrive. The cashier did not suspect his intentions though the robber lingered by the stove; but however told him he’d better go to some restaurant or other place to warm. The stranger pleaded to remain. Several parties saw him sitting in the rear office, but suspected nothing. Closing up time came on and the cashier proceeded to cast his balances and place the books, money, etc., in the vault. He closed the front door and had entered the vault to close the time safe, about this time growing rather nervous about the presence of the “sick” man. What could he mean? Suddenly his visitor appeared at the vault door with a revolver in each hand remarking, “That is a nice place you are in; a very secure place;” and John saw two pistols in his face. He was powerless to resist. The robber said, “please hand out $10,000.” John replied that he did not have that much. “Then,” said the robber, “give me what you have and put it in this sack.” John proceeded to do so. The robber then proposed to lock John in the vault, but relented and locked him in the bank telling him he would leave the back door key by a tree and warned him not to give the alarm until he got away. But the alarm was given all the same, soon as possible, after unbolting the front door. The robber fled south one block and dodged eastward three blocks to the stock yards where, it was learned afterwards, he lay hiding for some time, under the chute of the A.T&S.FE stock yards. There he removed his disguise, and left a black cap, denim coat, overalls and red handkerchief in the white cotton bag, where they were found by Jim Falls, Tuesday morning. The draft, also, was found there, torn and twisted. Who he is and whence he came has not yet been ascertained.

NOTES
  • It is the boldest bank robbery on record.
  • The $2.00 draft was in favor of S. Robertson, Ottawa, Ks.
  • It was a lucky thing that Coen was not locked up in the vault.
    From The Valley Falls Register,
    March 7, 1890
  • Art Mason went to Meriden Tuesday and got two or three negatives of the unknown man and made some good photos of him.
  • Chief Gardner viewed the dead man Sunday to see if he was among his list of crooks.
  • Among the robber’s effects was a silver watch bearing the initial R; a two-foot rule marked S.R.; a registered letter receipt with the names D. Smith and S. Robertson, Ottawa, Kans., to Burlington. He wore a home made shirt lined with part of a flour sack, branded Starre & Co., San Francisco.
  • When people from abroad heard of the robbery many remarked, “The robber will be in great luck if he escapes. Valley Falls will shoot.”
  • Charley Williams went to Meriden on a freight train, stopped off awhile and went to Topeka on the passenger, and the operator there was well prepared to suspicion the “slicker,” when he stopped in half an hour afterwards.
  • Constable Stockwell went to Leavenworth via. the N.W. freight at midnight. He was at Police headquarters Sunday morning and learned by telephone of the death of the robber.
  • Hal Butts and Dr. Swallow drove to Boyle and Winchester. They noticed a horse hitched at a farm house, knocked and inquired if a stranger was there. The four young gentlemen, playing “high five” were badly frightened.
  • Deputy Fred Diehl was to go to Atchison on the morning train but the work was done before the time for the train.
  • Will Posey drove to Oskaloosa and back by one a.m. and brought over attorney Gephart. They had a cold ride.
  • “You won’t, will you” was the signal for the deputies to shoot, if the robber refused to hold up his hands and surrender.
  • We understand that certain parties, at Meriden, are talking to the effect that the robber could have been taken alive. They should have tried the job and not allowed help to come from Valley Falls.
  • The latest is that the body of the robber of the Valley Falls bank has been identified as that of *Sharon Robertson, a farmer living near Ottawa. He was one time P.M. at Homewood.
SECOND INQUEST
Monday and Tuesday it was reported that the robber had shown a large roll of bills in making purchases during the day before entering the bank, and as the bank had not shown conclusively how much they had lost, they had become owners of money not belonging to them. Also that the shooting had been done with unjustifiable haste, without warning, that the parties doing it had said they had come to kill him and had done it.
These ideas were set forth to the coroner in a petition, and he decided to hold a second inquest to decide firstly if the bank had returned to them more than they had lost, and secondly if the pursuers had given sufficient warning before shooting.
The jury at the second inquest consisted of four of the former jury with two new men.
The second inquest was held Thursday much to the annoyance and inconvenience of the Valley Falls people. Attorney Myers appeared in behalf of the Bank, and Coroner Balsly began examining the witnesses, E.M. Hutchins, J.W. Falls, ’Squire Frazier, John Coen, Constable Garber, Summerville and Shire. The examination of the two latter is said to have been quite severe causing some excitement. Their testimony is substantially given in these columns.
Mr. Sharrard of the Meriden State bank was next called as an expert to examine the balance book of the Valley Falls as to the amount as to amount of balance on hand March 1st and 3rd.
His report satisfied the jury that the bank was not in possession of any money not belonging to them.
The other personal effects were returned to the keeping of the coroner.
The jury after two hours deliberation brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death by the hands of said Shire and Summerville, and that the killing was not felonious.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2014.

*Shanon Robison was identified as a resident of Franklin County.

From The Ottawa Daily Republic, Saturday, March 8, 1890

The news was at first incredible but a Republican representative instituted a search which terminated in proving that it must be none other than Shanon Robison of this neighborhood. Because of the seriousness of the charge, pending further investigation, but little was said publicly about the unfortunate circumstances.

Shanon Robison is well known here, his father being an old resident of Homewood. About three years ago the old man bought Mr Guy’s stock and afterwards his son Shanon became postmaster. Since then they went to California but the son came back last August and went to live with his father-in-law, Mr Shaw on Sac Creek west and south of Princeton.

During the winter he made various excursions through the state ostensibly to purchase a farm. Very recently he negotiated with Mr Haigler of Harrison township, but had not completed the bargain Friday morning, 7th instant. He said then he was going away for a day or two, and was expecting some money, after which he would make a final deal.

On Monday of last week, Feb 24, he and his wife, quite a young woman, probably eighteen years old, were in the city and made numerous calls on our merchants. Mr Forbes had sold him various bills of goods, which he always paid, but he acted so strangely that he did not care to trust him longer.

The sad events have astonished everybody, for all the parties connected are people of good standing. The surviving widow and child, as well as the other relatives, have the sympathy of a large number of friends.