The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-01-21
OURIOI-D sHsTTLERs.
The Only Living Pony Express
Rider.


The Only Living Pony Express
Rider.
There is probably but few men in the
state, and certainly none in Sank Cen
tire, whose history, if we but had space
to do it justice. would make such inter
esting reading as that OF William Boil
tan of this CITY. Although having been
long and well known here. his retiring
disposition restraints him from seeking
notoriety before the public. therefore
there are but few that know much o:
his past life. 1t is only when in some
quiet nook with oneor two intimate
friends. that ne becomes eloquent in
describing the scenes and incidents of
his lie, and holds ms listener spellbond
while relating his many adventures and
hairbrea 9TH escapes. According to his
belief, founded upon careful inquiry, he
bears the distinction OF being the only
living enc of that band of hero riders
where each one forced 100 mile link in
the almost forgotten great mail chain
known as the Pony Express,
He was born in England in 1921, and
came to Canada in 1887, was married
in 1843, worked ON farm, and at car
penter work, until 1853 when he moved
with. his family consisting of himself,
wife and four children, to Kansas. He
STAYED there but short time and then
moved to Michigan, where his wife died
in 1860. He Immediately went back to
Kansas and in 1862 married again.
His second wife died in 1865. While his
adventures over several state would fill
a volume, it is only with his Kansas
exploits that this article will deal.
One of the most interesting of his
"reminiscences is his election o the office
of sheriff of Nemaha Co., Kansas. In
those days it was no small undertaking
to successfully fulfill the office of sheriff
in any part OF Kansas, particularly in
Nemaha Co. There was no law in the
state but the law of vlgilants, and his
predecessor was in perfect sympathy
with horse thieves, renegade sand thu IS,
50 that anyone arrested always evaded
punishment. When Mr.. Bolton swore
to do the duties OF sheriff, he vowed to
revolutionize this system or die in the al
tempt, although realizing that he had
two very serious dilemas to confront
It was about the time that he was
elected to Office that the yigilants be-
coming tired OF the methods of pastofi.
GERS, determined to take the scale of jus
tieed the hands of the alleged law
and meet out such punishment to srimi
mails as In their opinion the case merited
which was usually hanging. They also
said they would hang the sheriff if he
interierred. On the other hand the
criminal class banded together and said
they would kill any officer who was In.
strumental in bringing to punishment
any one of their gang. A truly interest.
ing position to place a man, but Mr..
Bolton knowing no fear determined to
do his dntv so long az he lived. Shortly
after his election he succeeded in landing
horse thief in all. The news spread
with lightning rapidity, and soon, 500
vigilants gathered on the outskirts OF
the town. Mr.. Bolton fearlessly went
he. nj ..,I 81 = H. 4
they could not have the prisoner. No
sooner had the words left his mouth
than a rope was placed around his neck
and thrown over limb, He never
flinched but appealed to them as men
to give him fair trial in Office, promis-
ing them that if his prisoner was not
legally brought to justice he would
cheerfully give himself into their hands
and they could do with him as they
pleased. His GOODNESS aud reason saved
his lie. The thief had a fair trial and
was sentenced to state prison. This is
only one of the hundred adventures he
had during his term of Office, but it goes
to show the difficulties sheriff had to
contend with during the eos in bleed
Kansas. At the expiration of his first
term he was reelected and succeeded
with the help OF the better element III
breaking up the lawless gangs in the
county. Sometime during his service h.
put the first man in Jail that was ever
legally hung in Kansas.
There are probably but few of the
younger generation that know any
thing OF the ponv express, The line was
esta biished in the sos running from St.
Joe Mo-, to Sacramento, Cal. 1t was
the only means at shat time OF commun-
ication between the east and the ex
treme west. The distance was 1900
miles and was divided into twentv-two
stations. each rider making, with four
change of horses, 100 miles III ten hours.
The life of a rider was fraughr with
danger, every minute both day and
night. Hardly day passed that one
or more Of the brave fellows were either
killed bv the Indians, or fell victim to
the hunger Of wild animals. Woe to the
rider by night who was so unfortunate