The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-09-05
SCRAPS OF EARLY HISTORY.
BY THE EI1GTOR.

A few years ago, AL eminent <1licag
yhysician, who was interested III the es
: ta9lishing of a sanltariom in one of tn
cities of Western Kansas, reconMende
80 the writer that a pleasant diversion TO
the patients who were to be cared for il
the sanitarium, would be the reading o
some "reminiscences of the early hsstOr
of the country. This suggestion alway
impressed us that reading some scraps o
early history would be pleasant oecapa
ton Cor well people of reminiscent mood
We do not intend to 60 oyer the grount
with Coronado or follow up the Aztecs
only such things as were in sight by tn,
present generation. We have though
that anything regarding early scenes O.
the country would be profitable reading
as affOrdiDg some contrasts to the presen
condition; though we do not know how
entertaining will be the descriptions.
In the contemplation of this suggestion
we shall meet the objection that the
country has not undergone much change,
excepting in the disappearance Of the
Indian and the buffalo--the drOuth and
the coyote are gentle reminders Of old
times;--but looking back twenty years or
more the conditions are much changed,
and with the modern appliances rs much
as would occur in any new country.
The early settlement of every state in
the Union furnished no comparison to the
settlement of Kansas. Its general history
is familiar. and from the strife occurring
in the establishment of the state grew the
most mOmentous events in the history of
the United States, producing a conflict
unknown III the annals of the history of
nations. 1t is not of the 9e.lrral history
of the state we wish to speak, but of the
immediate surroundings. Western Kan
sas affords the historian fund of facts
for a large volume; but the purpose of
these sketches is simply for local recrea-
ton and Information.
Coming here eighteen years ago we can
from memory give 4 few interesting items
the country, which at that
time was the abode of the now extinct buff
falo. We well remember the crisp Nov
ember morning of our arrival How diff
ferent the atmosphere and how strange
everything appeared.
We had been informed that the land
was well adapted to wheat raising, and
That the country would become one of the |
richest wheat growing sections in the
United States. We have not had reason |
% disbelieve this statement, though the |
progress in reaching that proud position |
N cereal culture is yet to be attained.
The country is passing through those
stages necessary to place it in |
he exalted distinction its early promoters
rad predicted for ii.
-
Dodge City was hardly known to fame
Eighteen years ago, her record was not
'et made; but that made little difference
o us; We wanted new country, and ''to
grow up with it, The genial Hon. NJ.
u. Sutton, a former Missouri neighbor,
md colaborer in the Republican vineyard
nd defender OF the Union agains. Mis-
ouri democracy, had preceded lis more
han two years, and an acquaintanceship
vas easily obtained. and soon we were
ne of the ''Old citizens Dodge had
urious ways of doing things. As we had
raveled some, we were not altogether UNI
amiiar with pioneer life. The city was
Onfined to houses along the two or three
rincipal streets. The antelope and the
oyOte had possession of the hills, and /.
were seen scampering away in /,
all view without molestation. Dodge
'as not progressing, neither was there
ny repugnance to the frontier style.
he architectural beauty had not been
and plainness and frankness
nd generosity were dominant in every -.
base of existence. The wide open sa-
'cn and gambling, the genteel gambler,
r the vulgar courtezan, had an apparent
ffinity; nor were they condemned by the
etter elements. They were allowed as a
art of the assets of the town, until later
ate. when it was necessary to adapt con- =
itions to surroundings and to adjust &C :,
riding to the ''growth of the country"
Some of the ''peculiarities'' of Dodge ;,
ill be discussed later OH. Human nature
developed in frontier town, though
cry one does not run to the bad The :,
leration Of immortality does not always
nply its approval, for the human vices >,
e abhorent to the better sense of nature.
What was to be expected when restraint ;,
as nowhere, and in the early days the :,
influence would have availed ;,
thing. And few wanted restraint.
DOdge's reputation grew on apace, un- ~
the town was known everywhere. Its =,