The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-01-25
From Kansas,
CoNCoRDIA, KANSAS,
January Is, 1883.

Please apply the inclosed to my
credit for the Standard. 1t affords
me pleasure to read in every number
something that reminds me of some
person or place with which I was once
familiar. | saw in a late number of
the Standard mention made Of Mr..
I. L. Hughes selling his fine property
between Portland and Jefferson Fur
mace. If [ am rightly informed, it
must be on, or near, the place where
John killed the bear, between sixty
and seventy years ago, and about the
first time Of my carrying gun in the
woods. 1 was hunting the cows, a
thing we had to do almost every day
in summer time. l found them, north
Of the path, and west of where it
crossed the branch leading to Black
Fork, and was about to start them for
home, when | saw some animal close
by me, with its fore-feet on log, and
its head towards me. 1t did not seem
to notice me, its attention being more
with the cows. | rested the gun
against a tree, took aim, though I
don't suppose saw sight on the
gun. 1t snapped, being an old flint
lock. l made ready and tried it again
that time it went. When the smoke
cleared off and I got my eyes open, l
could see nothing of my game. l
loaded the gun as soon as I could, and
walked round so that | could see over
the log. There it lay, with its head
the other way from what it was when
l shot. [ saw it gaping. That was
enough. [ went no closer, but put
for home, and told father [ had killed
something - did not know what.
When he saw it, he said it was about
a 'two-year-old bear. Some one re-
marked that John would make a
hunter; but that was the first and last
wild bear I ever saw. As for deer, !
never killed many; they were too
sharp for me-. There are no deer in
this part of Kansas, but wolves and
jack rabbits are plenty.
We have been here now over foul
years. In that time have been back
once to Minnesota, had pleasant
trip, enjoyed it finely, as I always dc
travelling, when I have good health
and pleasant weather.
Crops are fair and business lively
here. For some time past about
$4,000 bushels of corn have been mar.
keted in Concordia every week, and
that, too, while many Of our best far.
mers are holding back for higher
prices. Hogs and cattle come next
They are plenty. We are having E
dry winter, no rain since early in the
fall, and but little since last July
Roads dry and dusty.
Last Sunday 1 heard the Rev. and
noted Boston Corbet preach. HI
lives in this neighborhood, and preach.
es frequently. He made an oratior
here last Fourth of July, in which he
made this allusion to Booth. He said
it took year to get Guiteau out Of
the way. 1t wasn't so II years ago
He is a little eccentric-wears long
hair, parted in the middle.
My best wishes for the STANDARD
and all old friends.
JOHN MAcKLEY.
Ny sheet is full, so I thought
would scribble few lines more fol
friendship. I was to Joe's few days
ago. He lives eight miles out in the
country. The road is hard and smooth
as board, and strewed all the way
with corn. | saw many cribs Of corn
all without covers, and many piles of
husked corn lying on the ground.
This is the case all over this country
The boys have a half section of
land in Wolf Creek Valley. They
paid $500 for it. They call it worth
$4,000 now. Joe is now teaching
singing school, has three schools,
sings every night. The Concordia
Empire says: Joseph Mackley is
teaching singing school south of
town, with marked success. Joe is a
splendid musician, and all who pat
ronize him will get their moneys
worth" Joe's have two children, one
of their own, and one they have adopt
ed. The latter is boy, and the most
promising child ever saw, Of his age.
Nothing is known Of his parentage.
He was found when an infant, on the
doorstep Of lady in one Of the large
cities of the West. They call him
Charley Albert. I do not know but
what if he could have the same educa-
ton of his great uncle Moses, he
might put him in the shade, at forty
years old. So much for a start for
new race Of Mackleys. J. M.