Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-05-24
WHISKY HOWE.
a Kansas Sketch.
BY ARTHUR c. GR1sso1L

Ralph Reynolds was young, strong,
brave, and pOor-so he went west and
secured a fertile claim for a song in the
northern part of the prohibition State
of Kansas.
The young homesteader was possessed
Of those great virtues, intelligence and
energy, and fortune decreed that he
should prosper. But the country was
wild, and his success was attained only
by the experience of much hardship and
danger.
A stirring episode which occurred
when he had been in the State but
few months, may be found not uninter-
esting, as illustrative of his experience
and, also, Of a peculiar phase of Kansas
life.
He made the acquaintance of a man
by the name Of jackson Howe, a rough
old customer who lived neighbor to
him-that is, but two miles away,-and
although he was old and iIliterate, he
was no worse than the majority Of the
inhabitants of the neighborhood, and
Ralph was never unsoci&I to him.
to the young man, and, when not under
the influence of liquor, took pleasure in
visiting him and receiving him in turn
at his home. When he was in liquor he
was gruff and insulting.
Ralph was at first at loss to know
where the old man got his whisky, and
also where others of his neighbOrs, who
were frequently drunk, got theirs. He
knew that the laws of Kansas imposed
heavy penalties for the handling of
liquor in any form in the State, and it
was generally supposed that there were
neither bottles nor barrels within its
lines.
AS his acquaintance continued with
Howe the secret of the matter was made
known to him. Nebraska. which was
not prohibition State, was only twenty
miles away to the north, and barrels
were hauled over the State line, with
out any undue ostentation, and their IL
icit contents dispensed to thirsty
friends and neighbors at the usual
handsome profit.
In the eyes of the law jackson Howe
was q criminal.
The grand jury at X, which town
was about ten miles to the east, had in
dicted several of his ilk, first and last,
who were now serving out their SEN
fences in the penitentiary; but, al
though Howe had been conducting his
unlawful trade for many months, he had
yet to suffer at the hands of the author
tiles.
When Ralph became acquainted with
the state Of affairs he felt that it was his
duty to report on his neighbor and have
him punished; but, on reflection, his
mind underwent a change, for he rea-
soned that his interference would &C
complish no particular or lasting good,
and he would make almost all of his
neighbors his enemies, a result which,
rough though they were, he was anxious
to avoid, in consideration of his future
peace and happiness.
As Ralph would never drink, the old
man had fears lest he would cause him
trouble, and one day brought mp the
matter; Ralph assured him that his secret
was quite safe with him, and the fellow
dropped back into his cherished secu.
rity.
As time passed, Howe did thriving
business, and the debauches of himseE
and neighbors became more frequent.
One evening a man dressed like g
tramp called at young Reynolds cabin
and asked to be directed to Howe's
claim. He was given the desired In.
formation and went on his way.
A few nights later, as Ralph sat be
fore his fire reading, his door was IN
tremendously opened and jackson
Howe, drunk and carrying a large re-
volver in his hand, entered.
Ralph saw at once that there was tc
be trouble of some kind.
But he spoke pleasantly, as usual
and offered his visitor chair.
81 hain't come hyer ter sit down an
bangle my feet, returned the man II
coarse tones. ~Fm hyer ter settle witt
you, you imp ov perditioni"
Ralph laid aside his book.
"What have I done. Jackson2" he in
CURED