The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-24

Friend Gave Him Confederate Bill
which Was Wrapped About Some
Candy and He Exchanged 1t For Genu-
Inc Money as a Joke-Acquitted But
Arrested on Another Charge
In the county Jail is a young man who
is charged with having passed counter
felt money. While going to the probate
judges office to secure a license he was
arrested. The young woman whom ne in
tends 10 wed has some family history,
which, together with his own, reads like
romance:
Sixteen years ago, in 81. John, Kan,
e. B. Marchant Of this city was sitting
in his law office drawing up an affidavit
at the request Of a Mr. Bowker to the ef-
feet that Miss Belle Tolon was Of legal
age. Mr.. Bowker was a cattle man and
he had strapped about his waist a brace
OF six-shooters. While Mr.. Marchant
was drawing up the papers and as Nj.
Bowker sat there waiting, in rushed Mr..
Tolon with a shot gun in mis- hands and
both triggers cooked. Without ado he
Jaughter?'' There was considerable ex-
element in the office, and while explana-
iions were in order the sheriff came in
and disargned Mr. Tolon, Mr.. Bowker
sliding out as the Sheriff came III.
Mr.. Bowker had nephew by the same
name who was a young fellow about 20
years of age. He was a COWBOY, and had
only a few days before returned from
Texas. where ne had bought some cattle
and horses. The young fellow was in
love with Miss Belle Tolon, and they had
decided to get married. AS she was only
about Is years old, her father had objec-
tions to them getting married While
Mr. Tolon was plowing in his field some
few miles southeast of st. John, the
young man rode up to the farm house on
a thoroughbred Kentucky animal and
was leading another fine horse with a
side saddle on him. The girl came out of
the house and was put on the horse and
the two young people started for st. John
to get married. They thought that all
would be in readiness for them, as the
young man had told his secret to his un-
Gle, who had gone on before and intended
TO have the marriage license waiting for
them as soon as they got into town.
Mr. Tolon saw them leave his house on
horseback, and ne suspected that they
were eloping. He quickly unhitched his
plow team and rode as fast as possible
30 his house, where he got his shot gun
and told his hired hand to mount the
other plow horse. They gave chase, but
the young couple mad 100 much the start
Of them. The young people, instead of
going TO st. John, put off into the sand
hills, intending to go into st. John after
nightfall. Mr.. Tolon thought they were
trying 10 work ruse on him, so he and
his hired man kept on until they reached
the town. After he got there is was then
that he rushed into Mr.. Marchant's office |
so unceremoniously. When ne learned |
that mis- daughter was not in town he re-
turned to mis- farm.
Later in the evening the young couple |
came into St. John and were married. |
There was a hilarious time in the town |
that night at the expense Of young Bow |
ker. Mr.. Tolon forgave them and they |
took a quarter section of land just across |
the road from Mr. Tolon. where they |
lived for about four years. Unto the |
young couple was born girl baby. VINO |
today figures is another story. Young |
Bowker became a Baptist and later was |
a minister. He and mis- little I
family went TO Oregon, where the father |
became involved with a woman and af |
forwards was tried twice for his life. He |
was finally acquitted and disappeared.
and has never been heard from since.
His wife returned to her father and two
or three years thereafter obtained a di-
verce. The child was taken by her
grandmother, Mrs. Phillips. at Emporia,
VINO educated her Although her name
was Bowlzer, she took the name of her
and became Miss Phillips.
Not many months ago she returned 10 |
st John to live with her mother. While
there she met and loved F. Manson Nor
gan. While on his way TO get a marriage
license one day last week ne was arrested
for passing counterfeit money and was
brought TO Wichita and lodged in the
county Jail.
He says that one night last week. while
attending country dance. one of the
boys had some candy about which was
some imitation Confederate bills
One of the bills marked SO was given TO
him and he put it in MS vest pocket The
next day he went 10 s.. John 10 get his
license Before he got 10 the
probate judges office ne chanced 10 meet
Mr. II. 8 kephart, whom he knew and
VINO has the reputation Of being quite
oker Mc. Kephart had a ten dollar gold
1ieoe in his hand and asked Mr. Morgan
T he could change it. Morgan said no.
,ut that he could give him a bill OF the
.ame denomination for 1t. This was ac-
'ep;ed. Morgan says that he told Mr.
<ephart thai if he should desire to trade
,ack he would return in about fifteen |
minutes, as he wanted to go and feed
his horses. When ne returned from feed
ng his horses Mr.. kephart said nothing
Loout changing the bin for the coin and
he said Cigars are on you which Mr.. J
<ephart bought They then exchanged I
he Confederate bill for the genuine. Z
According to Morgan's story. the coun-
Y attorney heard OF the matter and had {
im arrested for obtaining money under {
alse pretenses. He was tried and on Mr..
lephart's evidence, he was acquitted.
hen the county attorney had him arrest 9
d for circulating counterfeit money. and i,
slegraphed to the United States marshal
4 Wichita. Morgan was put in jail to
wait tte coming Of the marshal. As he /,
i'd not arrive as soon as was expected.
I0rgan was liberated. However, he had
OF been out bur a very few minutes :
hen the marshal arrived in town and :
e was re-arresied and brought TO this
lty.