Wichita eagle., 1888-06-26
HOME FROM THE WARS.
WICHITA'S SOLDIERS. RETURNED
YESTERDAY FROM THE STEV.
EMS COUNTY CAMPAIGN.
The Face of the Returns Shows the
Bonds Defeated---It Goes to the
Supreme Court---dore
Trouble Expected.

Yesterday morning at o'clock the
Wichita militia men returned ON special
train via Liberal, from Hugoton, where
they had gone to protect the county COM
missioners Of Stevens county, while they
canvassed the vote ON those railroad bonds
The command arrived in Houghton on
Friday, under Col Woodcock, and found
the male population guarding their town
in rifle pits from the expected attack by
the Woodsdale people. They were dis
armed and upon receipt OF telegram the
count did not take place till Saturday when
General Murray Myers had arrived and
assumed command.
It is stated that Col. Murdoch sent Col.
Sam Wood. the leader OF the Woodsdale
faction, that if he wanted to come into
Hugoton to see the vote canvassed. he
would afford him a military escort and
protection. The Hugoton People said if
Sam Wood, Ed Short, the marshal of
Woodsdale, Garrond, the Woodsdale dep
uty sheriff. or Housely, who was another
active man in the Woodsdale faction,
should any of them come into Hugoton,
they would be killed on sight. When
General Myers arrived he countermanded
the order and sent Lieutenants Davis and
h6LCdlt W "OOUStdIC W Gam
Wood of that fact. Wood
and about fifty armed men
We're found waiting to come and
When told, the order was countermanded
Woods said, G. - he would go any
how"
He was told that it would be on his own
responsibility. After coming within
little better than two miles of Hugoton
Woods and the other three named con-
Guided not to come TO the canyass of the
vote but turned back. The rest OF the
party, some forty or more, came on Hugo
ton and as they neared the town were met
by the soldiers on picket, who compelled
them to take off their weapons before they
could enter the town.
The count was proceeded with, amidst
much quiet excitement. The face of the
returns showed that the bonds for the
main line, the one through the north part
of the county were defeated by twenty ma
jority while those for the branch line,
through the south portion of the county
lacked thirty of carrying. One OF the
Woodsdale county commissioners moved
to throw out Hugorton precinct on the
ground of illegal votes cast. The other
Woodsdale member gave a second to the
motion, which the chairman, a Hugonton,
refused to put. The Woodsdale members,
then appealed from the decision of the
chair The clerk, HugontOn man refused
to put the appeal from the chairs ruling,
and thus the matter stands. The Woods
dale people will now take the case to the
supreme conrt where it will be tried on its
merits.
{1x-Il1 boe ts,ssoh afn nlr1ct ion
can be reached, and in the meantime, the
militia officers say there will undoubtedly
be a great amount of trouble in the county.
The people are wrouoht up
to terrible pitch and
threats and counter threats have been
freely made by one side to kill certain ones
on the opposing side, Nearly everybody is
a walking-or rather riding-arsenal. 1t
is feared that regular vendetta will be
inaugurated and many people killed off
before the matter is finally settled.
The military boys, however, had
good time and on the train
coming home when Captain
Richey asked how many men would go
again tomorrow, if called upon, every man
stood up.
One amusing incident occurred at Hugo
ton. Some of the boys had found an old
iron pump with a bell-shaped end, which
fared like twelve pound brass field
piece. They quietly got front
pair of wagon wheels aud mounted
it, Then Lieutenant Metcalf, who is to
have charge of the battery to be organized
in this city soon, took the boys out behind
barn and taught them little artillery
drill.
When no one was expecting anything
the battery was whirled around the corner
and planted directly in front of and point
ed straight at headquarters, the principal
hotel of the town. Everybody, especi-
ally the ladies, on the porch
thought it was genuine cannon, and as
the boys proceeded, with lightning speed,
to charge and ram home what were mag
mary powder and ball. primed and aimed
the piece, and the lieutenant gave the
command 'firep' there was a general fall
ing over chairs, getting under buggies,
running into or around the house, scream
ing and general stampede before any one
knew it was not loaded.
GREAT MACHINE.