Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21

abilene isn't much like the Abilene of a
third of a century ago. said Col. ]. w.
Burton, former well-known Kansas poll
tician at the Normandie. In the old days
it was the hottest town of its size in Amer
lea. The cowboys were the ruling factor,
and municipal government went to very
loose ends.
wild Bill was city marshal Of Abilene
at one time. and his never-failing sight,
when applied to the barrel of six-shooter,
had a tendency to bring some semblance to
order out of the usual chaotic lawlessness
that pervaded the town. What he said
was law in itself, and the one who disre-
garded his utterances was quite apt to be-
come possessor of small claim in the
cemetery that had been opened on a rise
of prairie ground just outside the town.
Wild Bill was just the kind of a man for
the times While many persons owed their
death to his unerring aim. he was far from
being bad man at heart. Bill had heart
as big as an ox's, and it could be touched
as easily a woman's.
"One of the best marshals Abilene had in
its young days. when every one carried
gun or knife in his belt, was Col James
McGonigal, who is still living in Kansas
with good health. a jolly nature and le-
gions of friends. He was one Of the
founders of Colby
Col. Burton says there is a desire on the
part OF many Kansans to have the state
divided into two federal judicial districts.
Speaking Of the business condition of Kan
sas. he said:
ITO use vulgarism of the day, our peo-
pie have money to burn. If you of the
east want to borrow money, and have good
security, We have millions to loan YOU
L believe we are in better condition than
the east. for we were the first to feel the
hard times. and are the first to emerge
from them"
Ppc In
said Mr.. Hoke Smith, former Secretary
II the Interior. at the Riggs few nights
ago. THE mills and manufactures of the
south are running on full time and have
all the orders they can attend to. Were
cents the south would be today the most
prosperous country on the face of the
earth"
Il see there Is considerable talk on the
part OF the republicans of Wayne county of
running former Representative M. L. Smy-
ser of Wooster for Judge Of the common
pleas court to succeed Judge Pomerene, who
died few days ago." said James F. Will
son OF Ohio at the Ebbitt. "Smyser is an
able lawyer. and made a good congress-
man He is law partner Of Capt. 8. A.
Mcclure, also former representative who
has been mentioned as a possible choice
OF the democrats and anti-Hanna republic
cans In the Ohio legislature for United
States senator. because of his pronounced
free silver views. Mcclure, while support
ing the republican ticket last fall, was a
most persistent advocate of the free silver
fallaey In his speeches on the stump"
Mr.. H. B. Hyde. president Of the EQuit-
able Life Assurance Association Of New
York, with Mrs. Hyde and Miss MaIlen
has been spending few days seeing the
sights OF the national capital having
apartments at the Arlington The party
was present at the reconvening of the
House last Tuesday. They will spend the
winter at Jekyl Island.
Bishops John C. Cranberry, Robert K.
Hargrove and w. w. Duncan Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South, have been