The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-19
A TALE OF TWO CITIES.
Badgertown, Alkali City and tho
County Seat Contest.

For some time Badgertown had en-.
tertained the most perve-se antagon.
ism toward Alkali City, and. on the
other hand. Alkali City had looked
upon Badgertown with the supremest
contempt.
Each town regarded the other as a
trespasser and a menace to the pros
perity of Cactus county, and each
claimed the sovereign right to become
the county seat when the new county
should be organized.
'tJist ter think" exclaimed Nathan
SlSidmore, the mayor of Alkali City, ''uv
a town of only seventy-four inha bi.ants
claimin' the right ter the county seat
over city Nv nearly a hundred popu-
lation- Hits preposterous!'
Hits outrageous, an deserves the
contempt Nv every intelligent squatter
on Coyote Prairie, observed Bill Bar
ondollar, muscular six-footer from
Missouri, who had cast his fortunes
with Alkali City. Seems ter me-" he
went on, that hits nothin' better an
confidence game ter git strangers ter
stop in Badgertown.
Why" he continued, getting
warmed up with the subject, the
mayor nv Badgertown has had the gall
ter actually ask strangers ter come thar
an meek thar homes. Had a circular
printed, which sez that the town is on
the eve Nv great boom-finest loca-
tion on Coyote Prairie, rich soil, fine
water. Italyon climant. an the only
live city in Cactus county! Blame take
the onery cuss! Hain't AIkali City in
Cactus county? Hang my looks if it
amt downright insult ter"
BILL" interrupted the mayor, re-
moving the cob pipe from his mouth
and fixing look of incredulity upon
the speaker, ''ken We produce that cir
cular?"
''Hyar it is" responded Barondollar,
drawing out greasy, well-worn docu-
ment from his pocket, and handing it
to the mayor.
Nathan Skidmore took the paper and
read it through with q thoughtful coun-
tenance.
''Tll be hangedr' he broke forth. eff
1t amt enough to send every cuss in
Badgertown ter the pen'tentiary-hit
just is-er I'm liar an don't know nv
own name!' and he shook his fist in
the direction of the despised city.
''The correct thing ter do, accordin'
ter my judgment" pursued the mayor,
lis ter call "A meetin' NV the board Nv
trade NV Alkali City an provide meas
ures fer the abatement NV public noos-
ance, an think
''Badgertown would come under that
head" broke in Barondollar.
Nathan said Barondollar, ''by
what method would ye perpose ter set
tie the difficulty?''
This" and Nathan Skidnore tapped
a six-shooter that hung at his side.
Barondollar nodded his approval of
the mayors method" and the two
for the night, Barondollar
going to his cabin, short distance
away.
The next day, at an early hour, a
meeting of the Alkali board of trade
was called, and its members assembled
in Bill Barondollars cabin.
The mayor was the first to address
the meeting.
'Feller citizens an mem bers Nv the
board Nv trade" he began, I'VE hev
net fer the consideration Nv ques.
ion which is Nv the most vital impor-
lance for every citizen of Alkali City.
it seems, hev issued cir
.ular which reflects on the good NV this
,ity, an, as l am honored bv bein' the
,hief magistrate NV the same, I feel
that, in justice ter myself and worthy
teller citizens, some action should be
-aken at once ter vindicale ourselves in
he eyes of the world an the intelli-
gent squatters of Cactus county.
How shall this be accomplished?"
the official, when the eDthu-
.iasm had subsidized
4 can't meek no speech" said Jim
Budlow, but I'm hyar ter say that |
ndorse every word our honorable
mayor hev sed. an / think we orter
orm ourselves inter an inyestigatin'
,ommitty an ride over to Badgertown,
IN If they don't 'pologize an meek
amends for their conduct, meek an ex-
ample out ov en-
My Idly, egzactly." chimed in Bill
and this opinion was
speedily ratified by the entire crowd.
Then the meeting adjourned
A half hour later delegation of
lrmed and mounted men, headed by
he mayor. left AlkaIi City and galloped
witty toward Badgertown
Boys" says Barondollar, ''it they
Ion't do the square thing
Fix 'em so they'll wish they had
'roke in Joe Budlow, jerking his hand
n the direction of q heavy six-shooter
hat protruded from under his loose
oat
We air ter do nothin' without orders
rom me, !" said the mayor. in voice of
omuand. I'm the commander nv
his company, an I'll give the orders at
he right time
\ cluster of miserable little shan lies
catered about the wind-swcpt prairie
we're all the indications of town to be
eeu- In front of one of these shauties
little crowd of men were collected,
in low tones
The men from Alkali City ap-
'roached. The mayor was the first to
peak Stepping to the front of the
rowd he said:
Gentlemen os Bad-ertown, ye see
'ctore ye, commiity Nv citizens nv
Alkaii City, appointed by the board nv
rade ter investigate the lynn an
l.nd'rous stories We have been circu-
attn reSardin' our city, an ter ask We
er 'pologize in fttin' manner er suffer
Ae conseoueaces-which means that