The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-09-19
EVT TIC zLyto tI TIL
Life in Kansas.

Not many miles from this point, on the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road, is the
vicious little city of Dodge. For pure I'M
adulterated cussedness and general devltry it
hasn't its equal on the earth or under it
Mans life amounts to nothing-no, not the
value of counterfeit five cent MCKEE
Roughs and desperadoes hold high carnival,
setting the law and constituted authorities at
defiance Not long ago the sherif-by name
McMasters-had his brother, who was his
deputy, killed in low gambling and dance
house by two men who had suffered real or
fancied injuries at his hands. In cold blood
was he assassinated In cold blood was he
avenged. McNIasters on his return to town
heard from some of the numerous witnesses
full account of the affair. Aiming himself
with Winchester rifle he walked to the room
where the dead body of his brother lay on the
floor, surroundedby loose women and gam
blers, all drunk, and the devils carnival at its
height. McDIasters entered, and without
speaking word, simply glancing at the dead
body of his mothers son, shot one of the
murderers in the head, killing him instantly,
and the second one through the body, as lie
was trying to escape at the back door. He
died in half an hour
The second affair followed close on the first
forty minutes being all the time consumed
Nothing was said. Not man moved. Not
one interfered, for the simple reason that not
man present knew how soon he too might
stand in need of the crowds good will. The
bodies were buried at the same time, one fun
cral answering for three-the same mourner
for all-that mourner the sheriff McMasters
What think the law-abiding citizens of Har-
ford county of such place? 1t is without
the bounds of civilization. No law, no respect
for anything, divine or human. The farther
West you go the worse it becomes Mans
life is nOthng-he carries it in his hand at
all hours, night and day. If you are asked
to drink be you clergyman or layman, tenn
pcrance apostle or total abstinence, and re-
fuse, your refusal is taken as an insult and in
all probability you are shot down before you
can draw your own revolver for self-defencc
This kind of thing is simply atrOcious. No
law to protect you or punish your assailant
Your only safety lies in your quickness in
drawing and the sureness of your aim A
man commits murder and walks the streets
with impunity. Who dares arrest him? In
fact he is honored because mans blood is on
his hands. People look up to him and are
afraid of him, allowing him to act Us plcascs
his self importance. lie compels merchants
to close their stores ut the pistols mouth
He rides through the town filled with villain
GUS whisky, shouting and firing his revolver
promiscuously. If anybody is killed nothing
is said, no attempt at arrest, and there are so
many of the same kidney in the town, ready
to abet the murderer in any effort he may
make at escape, even to more killing. Good
citizens are paralyzed. The roughs and des-
peradoes hold the city.
This is not fancy, but what occurs in the
streets of Dodge almost every day Who
wants to live in such place? What business
can be followed with safety? If one of these
horrible beings comes into his store and de-
mands credit, he can't refuse. 1t would be
dangerous. He must smile and consent.
know what some of our people think and say
as they read this. would feel the same way
myself if two thousand miles from the scene
of action but if in Dodge would do Just the
very same thing as the Dodge people, not
say word, and SO would "our sisters, cousins
and aunts."
Leadville the new found Ell Dorado of the
West, is not one bit worse than Dodge City.
Many people in this part of Kansas have lived
in both places and pronounce each to be the
most Goddess town on the face of this fair
earth. "Hands up" can be heard in Leadville
any hour after dark. The dead bodies found in
the morning, pistol bullet through the head,
tell their own story silently but satisfactory
ly.
heard pretty good story the other day
ofthe high figures demanded for everything in
that exceedingly high town of Leadville.-
Where the town stands is barren of vegeta-
| tomas barren can be. Nothing grows
| All the hay used is cut and baled in and around
Reno county. There it don't cost but a frac-
ton more than one dollar per ton, while at
| Leadville it sells for from one hundred and
sixty to two hundred dollars per ton, accord
| ing to the amount ON hand. Not long since
Chicago drummer drew straw from the
bale of hay standing near to pick his teeth
with, when he was startled out of his boots
almost by q rough voice, Here, you internal
thief, don't you know hay here is worth two
hundred dollars a ton, and you a wasting of it
in that way. I'll blow hole through your
grub-chest if catch you doing that ere
thing agin." The drummer was scared, as
you can imagine, and offered to pay. The
owner kindly accepted, charging him just "one
dollar and fifty cents, gold and silver, for that
single straw" Nice place that for quiet
Maryland gentleman, who keeps one horse ia
| live in.
If a man is satisfied to submit to all such
things simply to make money carry his life
as it were in his coat sleeve; in dread that
his life may pay the penalty for an innocent
word, misunderstood, say if he is willing tC
do all this he can make money, and make II
fast but can the rapid accumulation of wealth
repay one for the tremendous strain on the
nervous SYSTEM think not
Western life, or rather life on the border
will have glamour of romance surrounding
it; just so long rs our boys read dime novels
and witness such plays, in which Western lift
is depicted by such men as Buffalo Bill,
"Texas Jack" and the man named "Frayme,
who so lately appeared on the boards of the
old Holiday Street Theatre, Baltimore
Frayme ut one time lived in these parts ant
quite clever fellow he was Had some tai
ent of certain order and made it pay. III
now lives near Philadelphia, on what he CALI
his "Ranche," surrounded by his dogs. Hi
circumstances; pecuniarily, are very comfort
able
Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack are, according