Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-02-21
Elder Nose Kite

our olCeI clIiZtlS Will remember Muse
Kite (who lived III Petersburg Bottom),
the hero OF our States early political
history, who was of stalwart build and
powerful physique; who in 1858 led q
colony of our people 10 Pixies Peak; who
fought the Indians OF the plains and was
shot through the body; who on his re-
turn here after the rebellion was
converted and baptized by Elder
Henshall, of the Christian church at
Petersburg Bottom, and became h reyi-
val preacher Cf celebrity all through this
section. They Will also recall the fact
that, attacked with consumption and re-
duced to skeleton, he was obliged to
remove to the Rockies in the hope of
saving his life. None thought he would
succeed. Last fall, however, the author
of this article met him at the head OF the
Republican river, bigger and more ro-
bust than ever "Why, l thought you
had died of consumption long, long ago,
Elder?'
"Me? 1 never had consumption mani
though people thought that was what
allied me. and thought so,myself. But
the doctors had sent me ON a wild-goose
chase after a dozen other diseases, Just
as fatal, and this was the widest one OF
ALL"
The good Elder then recounted to lis,
in charming vein, his many adventures
IN the rough and ready life he had led,
"but, he said, remarkable as you may
think my warhke life has been, have a
much more interesting story TO tell
you"
"You know what a rough, noisy fel
low / used 10 be; and / could stand any
hardship. Why, on a wager, l have
knocked down an OK and a mule with
my fist. have fought ruffians, border
outlaws and Indians; but / was dogged
for years, by more dangerous unseen
enemy that was ever getting me more
completely IN his clutches. L was shot
by an Indian III fight on the plains,
but that wound healed readily and gave
me but little trouble. After 1 returned
to Kansas and commenced preaching, /
first began to give way. L had dull
feeling, accompanied with pain In the
night side. DIR. Butler, our family ply
slcian, said my liver was out of order,
caused by the malaria Of the bottoms.
l had always had an appetite like an
ostrich, but my digestion became seri-
ously impaired. While on the circuit
preaching, L consulted a doctor, who
said | had dyspepsia. after that, dis
tressing palpitation Of the heart followed,
ana the physician SAID this was caused
by my indigestion and diseased liver
which would probably terminate fatally.
Sometimes L had a rayenous appetite, at
Others none at all. l was feverish and
lhen chilly. My food seemed to do me
no good. A specialist told me L had
tape-wormi Then / WAS troubled with
quent desire to urinate, which was done
with difficulty and great pain. The
specialist said L had touch of the
gravel, caused by use of the alkaline
water OF the plains. l then began to
suffer severe pains III the loins and the
small of the back, accompanied with
sudden attacks OF dizziness during which
/ had to SIT or lie down, to avoid falling.
l was forced to abandon travelling and
preaching because l could no longer
ride on horseback, or trust myself out
alone. l began to be seriously alarmed,
and sought the advice of the most noted
physician within reach, He said that
my frequent horseback riding had iolted
and Jared me until the old indian
wound, which had injured my kidneys,
had become lntlamed. He treated me
with medicines and electricity also but
gave me no permanent benefit Ny
oil l..1-ru aa1 /
TO cough, got very thin and my legs
were ulsagreeably numb. began to
despair. At each attempt to cure, my
ailments became worse, with new symp-
toms. L next consulted celebra ed
physician from the East, who, after
humping and examining me, stated that
was IN an advanced stage of consump- |
ton and threatened with diabetes and |
paralysis! He thought l might possibly |
prOlong my life for year or two, by |
seeking a higher and drier china e. |
This was my condition when the people |
III your part OF the country last summer.
Then l started for the Rockies but |
liked this country, and settled here. at |
first the change helped me, but about
three years ago the benefit ceased.
Then falleu 50 rapidly that 1 could be
out of bed only part Of each day. All
my old symptoms returned. At this
Crisis, party OF Eastern gentlemen, on
a buffalo hunt, made my house their
headquarters. In the party was a DIR,
Wakefield, who informed me that | had
a bad case OF incurable Bright's Disease
and gave me preparation which might,
he said, ease me for a few weeks or
but that was the best that could
be done. l have commenced preaching
again; for l look up the circumstances
and manner Of my cure as a direct in
terposition Of Providence, and to ProYi-
dence are ny services due. That is my
story. 1 think it is a good roman ce-
and much better, for it is true