The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-12-27
A LUCKY HOosIER.
indianapolis Journal .


Col John P. st. John, the newly elect
ed governor of Kansas, has a history
that is full of local interest. His early
boyhoOd was spent on an island in White
river, near Waverly, few miles south of
this city. His father, Samuel st. John,
was very poor, but by prudence and care,
managed to raise a family of a half a
dozen children. The old gentleman was
an eccentric character, and enjoyed a
large acquaintance through central Indi-
ana. Mrs. st. John was an amiable wo-
man in every respect, and John inherited
from her qualities of determination and
frmness which proved of untold service
to him in the battle of life. When about
twelve years old the boy left home to
hew his way through the world. He
first set about the acquisition of an edu-
cation, and in a year. or two settled in
Olney, Illinois, where he remained for
several years. He married when nine
teen years old, and q few months later,
when his young wife died, he took it in
to his head to ego vests The Califor-
MIA gold excitement was at its height
when he started in 1850. He reached the
west bank of the Mississippi river with
just one five-franc piece in his pocket,
and this comprised his entire possessions
He obtained employment as teamster
He drove team across the plains, and
on reaching Humboldt, demanded his
discharge and a settlement. With the
wages he received he purchased small
herd of lame cattle, which he dOctored
and fed and finally sold for $500 in cash.
With this capital he entered into specu-
latiOns among the mines, with almost
unvarying success. He was into every
thing that promised a quick return, and
made money rapidly-Epending it, how
ever, about as fast as he made it. He
remained in the mountains for nearly
four years, enduring every kind of hard
ship and meeting with adventures that
would make one of Beadle's yellow-back-
ed heroes turn green with envy and hide
his diminished head in shame. He liked
the dash and energy of his new life until
he CHANGED to encounter band of sava-
ges one day, under circumstances that
threatened to cut his career short once
and for all.
He had struggled further from camp
than he had intended, and about as he
was thinking of returning, he was horri-
fed to find that the Indians had placed
themselves between himself and friends.
Flight was the only alternative, and he
adopted that course. He was fleet on
foot and tough as a pine knot, and finely
tired the Indians clear out. The chase
lasted for forty-eight hours, and when
St. John at length found a refuge, he
was nearly dead from exhaustion. The
ground was covered with snow and ice,
and part of the journey having been
made in his bare feet they were cut to the
bone, and it was six months before the
plucky fellow was able to be about.
Shortly after this st. John concluded to
| go to South America. He took passage
in sailing vessel which was wrecked
/ among the Sandwich Islands, leaving
him 5000 miles from his native land,
without cent or stitch of clothing.
He worked his way back, returning to
Illinois, entered into the practice of the
law at Charleston, where he remained
until the breaking out of the war, when
he enlisted and rose to the rank of
colonel, serving with distinction. AT
the close of the war he settled in In
dependence, Missouri, where for several
years he carried on g fight with the
bushwhackers of that region. Killing
was their delight, but by his open dar-
ing st. John won their respect to a Ger
/ tain degree. He had several desperate
encounters, however, and he eventual
ly determined for the sake of his family,
he having married . second time, 10
move ont of the country. He accord.
ingly took up his abode in Olathe,
| Kansas, seven years ago, and at once
entered into politics. He gained wide
nOtOriety by the part he took in the
prosecution of the charges against Sena-
tor Pomeroy. He became personally
very popular in Kansas, and as announc.
ed IN the beginning of this notice, has
been chosen Governor of the State.
Col. St John is forty-seven years old,
rather below the medium hight, strongly
| and compactlY built, with light hair and
blue eyes. His fsce is the very picture
Of geniality and good humor, and
he is full Of the quality known as per-
sonal magnetism He has several rela-
tives in and about this city, who have
watched his career with interest and
pride. Moses @. McLsne mot the cap
tain,l of this city, is his half brother
| and Mrs. William Boaz is his sister.