Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-22
THE NORTHWEST.
OUR KANSAS LETTER.
LAWRENCE, Kan, May IL. 1884.

LAWRENCE, MAN., MAY 10, loofs
This has been the wettest if not tho
coolest, spring ever recorded in Kansas
Pleasant weather has been the exception
Instead of the rule. Nearly every day
dre was needed for comfort; but very
few days having been warm enough tc
do without. From the first of April
until the present time l think it has
rained, upon an average, every Other
day, and some very hard rains too. But
for all the backwardness of the season
there is plenty of early vegetables in the
market. Trees are i'm full leaf; the prai-
ME is green; and it is said that the rain
has insured the largest wheat crop ever
raised in Kansas. So things are not as
bad as they might be by any means.
1t promises to be an interesting sum-
mer in Kansas in the political line.
The Presidential election would make
HIively in any event, but added to it is
the State election, which promises to be
If unusual interest. 1t is very proba-
bic that the Democrats will nominate
Gov. Click for his own successor, while
the Republicans SO far seem to be di-
videG. The looming men" on their
aide are Hon. s. o. Thacher, of this
place, and Hon. John A. Martin. Mar
tin is recent convert to prohibition,
while Thacher has been one of the
strongest prohibitionists in the State
for years, so the people have more con-
fdence in his prohibition principles
fhan in Martins. Thacher is plain,
solid man, of good mind, logical rath-
er than brilliant speaker, and who has
astrong following among the best men
Of his party. He has served for years
in the State Senate, and has done good
work there.
Governor Click has made good re-
card as the chief executive officer of the
State. He has shown that he under
stood and appreciated the responsible
ay of his position, and has in all instan-
des acted wisely and well. In the great
panic concerning the foot and mouth
disease at Neosho Falls, he made mi
mute and careful investigation in person
going there two or three separate times
and, though personally in favor of it,
enly called the special session of the
legislature after mature delberation,
and after he had received urgent ap-
peals to do SO, from all parts of the
State. 1t was said that at that time he
vas the most popular man in Kansas,
and, though of course the Republicans
will make capital out of it, the fact re-
mains, that though very fortunately,
they were not needed il the instance
eeferred to, there are now some very
much needed and useful laws upon the
Statute books, which should have been
there years ago, and which may save
millions of dollars to the State in case
the dreaded footand mouth disease ever
does strike Kansas.
The robbery attempted, and the muir
der of the bank president and cashier
at Medicine Lodge was one of the bold
crimes on record. The robbers entered
the bank, shot the two men, and, an
alarm being raised, ran to their horses
and escaped, closely pursued by the
Sheriff and the citizens. They were
captured and brought back to twon
about three o'clock p. M, and lodged
in the Cottonwood Jail, which was sur
rounded by mob clamorous for justice
to be meted out to the Williams. Sheriff
Rigg kept the bowling, bloodthristy
crowd at bay from three o'clock till ten,
standing in front of the building with
six-shooter in hand, and doing his best
TO allay the excitement and bring the
mob to listen to reason. Finally they
made a rush from behind, and over
powered him, fastening his hands be-
hind his back, and made for the
wretches within. One, in some way
having concealed revolver, made a
break and ran for his life, shouting as
he went. He did not 60 very far, but
fell riddled with balls.
The others were taken to the nearest
dump Of trees and hung without delay.
Then the mob quietly dispersed, having
taught would-be James boys, that Kan
sas was no place for such bold robberies
IL Missouri Is.
1t was terrible affair all around, but
people are not very sorry the men were
hung. A great deal of cost was saved,
and no doubt justice was done, and
though mob rule is not to be encourag-
ed, sometimes it teaches lessons that
would be learned in no other way.
G. l.. e.
Many ladies admire gray hair-on
some other person. But few care to try
It's effect on their own charms. Nor
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