Wichita daily eagle., 1885-10-06
IN NEMURiUM,

On last Sabbath afternoon there was borne
to the silent city Of the dead upon the east
ern hill, all that was mortal of Lillian Math-
ewson, lady whose most romantic and
eventful life for nearly twenty-five years has
been spent in this valley, whose life has been
full of kindness and good deeds, and who
possessed all the heroism of the ancient
Saxon race from which she came.
In 1864 she was married to VIM. Mathew
son, a lion-hearted plainsman, who owned
the Cow creek and Walnut creek ranches on
the old Santa Fe trail, and who was chief Of
scouts for the United States troop. engaged
in fighting the wild Indians, who at that
time swarmed over the plains. With him
she shared the dangers OF the plains and
expert in the use of knife and revolver, on
more than one occasion, stood by her hus-
bands side and helped beat back the savage
foe who attacked their home or camp.
While living at Walnut Creek Ranch
many Of the noted men Of the nation were
her guests, and eat at her table. Among
others, Gen. Sherman, Gen. Hancock, Gen.
Candy, who WIS afterwards killed in the
lava beds of Oregon, and many Others, in
cIud,ng Henry NJ. Stanly, who afterwards
| won such renown in the wilds of Africa
| spent several weeks at her house, and from
| her obtained much of the information he
| furnished eastern papers, of savage life on
the plains. Col. J. ii. Leavenworth, the
noted Indian agent, made his home at theil
house, and by their influence and assistance
| of Mr.. Mathewson was enabled to reach
| and negotiate treaties with hostile tribes.
Mrs. NJ described Stanley as he appeared
in April, 1861, as a very pleasant black
eyed, dark-haired young man, who little
| thought he should attain the worldwide
| renown of later years. While at Walnut
| creek ranch, she became successful and
| favorite trader with the Indians who called
her "Marr Wissi' or golden hair, while her
husbands name was ''Sinpsh Gilbah," the
| 'long beard dangerous" man, whom they
both admired and dreaded, and who seemed
| to have charmed life, as many predatory
While upon the plains Mr.. Mathewson
was instrumental in rescuing fifty four
white captlves from Indian captivi-
ty, and these poor abused discreped
creatures were fed and clothed and cared
for by Mrs NJ. as a mother would care for
her children. Her kindness and generosity
| TO those in need or distress was only limited
| by her ability TO aid them. No one ever
went from her camp hungry.
In 1869, during her husbands absence al
Fort Sill, she took claim and held it til
his return, on which part of the city o!
| Wichita is now b lit, and which she occu'
pied as her home until her death. She wa:
one of the most active and energetic mem
bers of the Old Settlers association from tht
first, but for the las. few years poor health
| and the care of her children confined her tC
her home.
| If there is reward for brave
and heroic life, and good deed
done here, she need have no fear in enter
ing the other life. In this life she proved
herself mother to the orphan and friend
less, and it may be satisfaction to he
friends 10 know tha, her little children she
| leaves behind are with kind, loving friends,
! who in their care will try and repay he
kindness extended under similar atilctioi
many years ago. May she rest IN peace.
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