Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-03-21
Life in Kansas.

\ letter written from Sargent's
Station, in the wilds Of Kansas, gives
the particulars of an astounding en-
counter between six desperadoes
and settler. Last week six des-
peradoes, Thomas McLeland, Sam
uel Wright, Jack Stutzman, Thomas
Gitfen, Joseph Clark and a fellow
they call Colorado, undertook to rob
and murder Christopher Gilson.-
They said he killed one Of their
boys, and they would have revenge.
ellison killed a fellow by the name
OF William Clayburn on the 18th of
November last. Clayburn wanted
to murder fellow for his money,
and because ellison stopped him he
turned loose at ellison with a six
shooter, and ellison killed him with
a shot gun. This party last night
made their brags what they would
do to ellison. One proposed to take
him out and go through him in his
own tent. They asked him out to
take a walk, and ellison said, "No,
l don't want to walk out just now"
They replied, "You must" ellison
got his pistols and shot gun, and
said, "Boys, / am ready to walk ont
with you now" ellison then start
ed across the railroad track, and
stayed in car all night. Before
going he made the remark, "You
fellows will haye to fight me to-mor-
row." The party then started off
and cot their needle-guns and pis-
tolls 1.-TWO of each,) and went into ev-
cry house in town, breaking stoves,
smashing the doors and windows,
and drove several men out of town,
robbed others, and made night hid
eous with their yclls. AT 4:3o in
the morning Gibson went over to his
tent, and told fellow by the name
of Pete to go and tell these fellows
to keep away from his tent. lie did
so. They said: "We will kill him
or bust, and will afterward run this
town." At o'clock the six boys
armed themselves with 4 Henry rifle
and two x-sh ooters each, and went
to Gilson's tent to kill him. ellison
was on the lookout for them, hav-
ing two six shooters and Il shot gun
in his hands. AS soon as the party
came up ellison went up and said:
"Open the ball or | willr' Jack
Stutzman drew q bead and fired, but
missed. ellison fired and killed Sam
Wright; fired again and killed Tom
McLeland. Stutznan's shot, how
ever, came past Gilson's head, when
he said: "Close call, boys" and
fired with Il six-shooter, killing Jack
Stu,zman. The balance then ran,
and ellison fired after them, shooting
Joe Clark's arm off. 1t was a battle
of one man against six, with the re-
sult-three killed and one wounded.
The citizens got together and re-
turned Gibson vote of thanks for
the good he had done the country
and himself. Mr.. Criley, General
Superintendent Of the construction
of the A. 7. & S. +. road, presented
ellison with pass for one year.
The citizens presented him with a
$3.50 shot gun. ellison then took
advantage Of his pass and started
for Dodge City, where he was met
by many friends. Taking his trusty
shot gun, he went around and stir
red up the citizens of Dodge, who
turned out, led by him, against the
despcradocs, cut-throats and robbers
Of that place. Over two hundred
shots were fired inside Of ten min
uics. Two desperate characters,
by the name of Texas and Williams,
were killed. The balance Of the
cut-throats ran for life. Gibson IS
from Brooklyn, N. Y, and has a
brother connected with the Brook
lyn Eagle. He is a man that has
always behaved himself, is hard
worker, and a perfect gentleman
He has been in the employ Of the
government since 1893, is highly
mentioned by officers he has served