Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-01
A COWBOY GHOST.
In Interesting Bit Of Real or Imag-
mary Ancient History.

y correspondent of tie St. Louis
Gi1be-DemOcrat under date Of July IT
furnishes the following ghost story
with is scene laid III the vicinity
Of Abilene. Whether true or rot tand
some ghost stories are not, 1t will be
interesting because of its local coLOring.
1t is not often that the wild and w0olly
cowboy finds himself in the supeFnat-
| ural held. Life IS for him too much of
a stern reality and the future too little
! specialized on. There is, however, one
good instance of a eattle-herder being
deslrious Of returning to the scenes of
bis early reveis. The story begins
With the days when Abilene was the
Chief city OF Kansas for the cattle trade.
Every year the drive" from the herd
ing grounds Of the southwest brought
not only hundreds eff thousands of cat
tie to this point, but with them were
cdwhoys innumerable.
THE CATTLE TOWN.
The southern part Of the town was
given up to them and saloons were
nearly the only buildings. The famous
! Wild BIZ was city marshal, but even
his ~ell-knOwn deadly aim could not
restrain the mems passions, and shoot
ings were Of nightly occurrence, as
many as five men being killed one even
ing. With the drive" there was In
the fail Of 1865 a young Texan named
John Patone. He was handsome,
muscular and earnest. He seldom
mingled with his fellows and was
almost The only one who saved his
money instead of squandering it at the
bar. During his trip he met and fell
in love with Annie Nelson, waitress
in the largest hotel. She vas some
| what Of q tlirt and encouraged him in
his deYOtiOnS, while at the same time
she was enjoying the attentions Of the
clerk of the same hotel. PatOne did
rot know this, and layiShed money on
her reckiessly. Finally he made up his
mind to marry her on his next trip and
take her back TO the Lone Star state,
where he had fixed up home for her.
With this idea he, having with his
usual Teticence told no one his plans.
came 10 Abilene prepared to complete
the conquest and carry his bride away.
HER LOVER RETURNS.
AS the long train of cattle came
winding over the prairie alGng the
banks Of Holland creek, and reached
within four or five miles of the yards,
a buggy with lady and gentleman
riding therein was met. Patone, can
tering along, picturesque sight on his
pony, came lear the rig and recognized
his Sweetheart and the hOtelclerk. He
stepped, and, though angry at his lady
being found in such company, chatted
a moment. During the talk he said to |
Miss Nelson that he would call that |
evening, when, with an apology, she
introduced the clerk as her husband, !
saying that they had just been married
that day. PatOne WAS angry. Oaths, !
f1pprecatiOns and upbraidingS dubbed |
fFcm his lips in d torrent, until the |
clerk ordered him to cease. Turning
OH the newly made husband the cow
boy used his tongue with Il reckless |
abandon until the clerk, fearing a |
scene, struck The team blow and at !
tempted to leave the half-crazed lover |
AS The buggy cantered away, Patone |
in frenzy uncOiled his lariat and throw |
ing it with an unerring aim caught the !
man around the shoulders. at the |
same time he struck the spurs to lis
pony'S llaDks and sped away in another
direction. In an instant the husband |
of the woman he loved was jerked from
the buggy and Was dangling at the end
of the lariat as Patone's pony raced
madly away. The girl was made i'll
sane by tue SHOCK tuld uIeu SOOn alter.
PatOne was never seen again.
GHOST OF THE MURDERER.
The dwellers Of the vicinity OF the
tragedy aver that at times the ghost of
the murderer returns and canterS
madly along the bottom lands.
dragging The spirit of his rival, which
leaps and plunges along at the end of
the lariat. Lovers shun the spot, for
they believe that it brings ilLluck and
will tend to throw spell of misfortune
over them. \ wide detOur around the
spot is made by the wagon road, and
Patone's ghost is the terror of every
paSser who has the trip to make after
dark.
The Hope Burglary.