Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-07-30
SKETCH BOOK OF BAXTER.
NO. II.

on the etxttee was coHpieteu' ou'
this week we have made very int
eresting discovery.
We learned that Major Phelps
came here in 1898 and spent two
years, and then moved into the
country and last year returned to
Baxter Springs. This presents us
with a very interesting character
for our sketch book. Major Phelps
was born in 1916, the year that In
diana became state, a year propi-
tious for universal peace and pros
perity, the year that witnessed the
election of Monroe as the fifth pres
ident of the republic. The war OF
1912 had closed with Jackson's vic
tory at New Orleans. The battle OF
Waterloo had been fought and the
disturber of Europe was banished
TO st. Helena.
The first twenty-three years of his
life was passed in Seneca county,
New York, when he moved to the
northwest corner of Pennsylvania
and engaged in the lumber bust.
ness. His next business was con-
ductor on a rail road. He was then
promoted to state superintendent
of the road, as like the canals II was
the property of the state. In 1858
he conducted government train
across the plains to Utah with gov
eminent supplies for the army. He
then returned to York state and
took a contract for building Sec
ton of the Atlantic and Great West
ern. About the time that was COM
pleted the civil war called him to
the army and Abraham Lincoln ap-
pointed him quartermaster with the
rank of captain of cavalry and it
was confirmed by the senate. For
that very responsible position he
had to give bonds for $4,000. Be-
sides being quartermaster he was
at times in charge of the commits
sary department. He was ordered
to report to Rosecrans in West Vir'
ginia, who during the FIRST two
years of the war, made a record, but
at the terrible battle of Chickamau.
qua was only saved by Gen. Thorn.
as. The first and second years he
was under Gen. Cox, who became
secretary of the interior under
Grants administration. As quar-
termaster he found himself on the
move, some times on the banks OF
the Ohio river, at Gayondotte, which
was burned by the enemy, then
back again in West Virginia. While
at Princeton they were driven out
by the confederate General Viii.
liams, and Gen. Cox with his divi-
sion fell back TO Flat Top noun
tain. From there he was ordered to
Raleigh for supplies, thence to
Antietam after the battle. It was
after this long march he was ap.
pointed major on the staff of Gen.
eral Milroy.
Their next resting place was
Charleston, the capitol of West Vir.
ginia. Major Phelps was left in
charge of that place. Here the
reader may recall the stirring pc.
litical events during the war of this
new state of Virginia. 1t was while
Charleston he became acquainted
with Hayes and Mckinley, both
since, presidents of the United
States.
From Charleston he was sent tC
Parkersburgh, thence to Beverly
where he was under Gen. Kelley'l
command. While stationed at thi.
last place occurred one of the mos
interesting episodes of his military
career. There they were taken pria
oners by Gen. Rosser, who has re
Gently received an appointment IL
the army. While they were being
marched out where the confederate
forces were standing, Gen. Rossel
and one of his aides rode up ant
handed the reins of their horses e
the major and one of his men Il
hold until their return. The shades
of evening were stealing over then
when they concluded to leave tn,
horses and make for the brush and
liberty. In two days they found
themselves again with the uniUr
flag. Mrs. Phelps had been with
him for some time and short tim,
previous he had drawn $4,000 from
the government, depositing all bu
$1,000 in the bank at Parkersburg
and had placed 81 500 10 the hand
of his wife instead of In the mill
tary chest, but when the confeder
ates found the chest empty the,
compelled Mrs. Phelps to disgorg'
and also to give up her gold watch
which was valued at $50, and som
other valuables. This event was Il
March, 1895, and in April the wa
closed.
From the army he retired to fin
farm In New York, but in 1888 sole
Il and with the vast numbers com
ing West he came to Baxter; henc'
he is numbered in the sixties. Thu
major will be eighty-two years ole
TUuU IA.