The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-27

McKeever still kept his seat but he was
not perfectly comfortable. One move
ment more and down went the boat
with both men. Representative Nc
Keever went under the water until only
the crown of his hat was visible, then
he rose to the surface and stream of
water spouted from his mouth like that
from a hydrant under fire pressure He
tried to swim but his heavy shoes
pulled him down until his mouth again
filled with water. The women scream
ed and turned away their faces and
Chairman John Clancy of the Republi-
can county central committee started
train of thought to secure a candidate
for the legislature in place of the nom
inee who was houndering helplessly in
the water, but when they looked once
more the portly form of the young
statesman was on terra f1rma. His
clothes were dripping but his face wore
a relieved expression.
HE was all right" said Tom Doran.
GAS soon as he got his breath he
f1oated."
Representative NfcKeever climbed up
on the high bank and sat there shiver-
ing and neither threats nor entreaties
could persuade him to go near the wa
say, Frank said John CLANCY as
he returned to camp, 4 just saw some
poison ivy out there in the woods but
it ran up a tree and was saved" This
remark was addressed to the man
with large sized fear of ivy poison.
The young man did not enjoy this
pleasantly but he glanced at the pimple
on his wrist and the hunted look re-
turned. The next day he secured
bottle of carbolic acid which he applied
to his wrists with such success that he
soon had several large blsters to show
to his tormentOrs. He had been told
that carbolic acid was sure cure for
ivy poison.
Tom Doran reported the next day the
discovery of a bee tree only two or
%S7e5 fTraT1 1a n
Saturday night was selected as the
time for cutting the tree and robbing
the bees of their wealth Never did
bandits make more careful plans. A
package of sulphur, a cross-cut saw, an
axe and two buckets were secured.
Mr.. Will Clancy and Miss Marie
Brooks, Mr.. Charles Lagerstrom and
Miss Bessie Stewart arrived that day
and were allowed to join the bee hunt
ing party. How anxiOusly the crowd
awaited the coming of darkness. The
ladies were to be allowed to occupy
seats of honor on the side hill out of
reach of danger. There was but one
lantern and Tom Doran carried that.
He piIoted the crowd across the stream
and over rocks and fallen logs ike q
Daniel Boone. There were a few falls
to be sure but no one was killed. After
inspecting several dozen trees Porter
Cook sounded the war whoop which
meant that the enemy had been dis
covered. His headquarters were IN a
mans head was a hole in the body or
the tree where several thousand bees
seemed to be doing picket duty. An
improvised torch was dipped in the
sulphur and placed in the hole after
being lighted. The sentries disappear
ed and two stout men started to saw
off the tree. In few minutes 1t Went
down. A fire was started near lhe
fallen trunk and the saw was again put
to work and the body of the tree was
cut off above the hole in which the
bees had been seen. Here Tom Doran
took the axe and split the trunk AS II
fell apart the bees which had been IN
retirement swarmed out. A lump or
honey large enough to be attractive
was also revealed. The bees covered
the ground like a carpet Porter Cook
was the first victim. I'm hit, said ne
as he slapped the calf of his leg. one
Of the insects had taken refuge in his
trousers leg.
they began to do more effective work
Every few minutes the solemn stiffness
Of the night was interrupted by shrek
which indicated that another brave
man had fallen. These were greeted
spectators on the side hill together with
III concealed giggling by the heartless
visitors from town.
John CLANCY ran to the top of a hill |
only to find that he had been chased
oy MOSQUITO instead of a bee. VIII |
CLANCY put his hand against tree but
met a warm reception from one of the
bees which was waiting for him. AIteT
he battle was over the roll was called |
and it was found that only one man |
was missing and he was afterward
found safe at the camp. Sheriff COOK |
had been wounded three times, Tom |
Doran twice and nearly all those &C
lively engaged had scars or swollen |
laces the next morning. But nearly |
% pounds of the finest honey ever seen |
YES secured and there was honey on |
he table at every meal after that
A bathing place just in front of the |
lamp was kept in a constant state OF |
.ommotion. Bathing suits which Wouio
or the first time.
County Treasurer H. Nj. Phillips and |
Police Judge Ferry and Mr.. and Mrs
;. r. Love joined the party on sunday
breaking camp and the ride home
vas erected without incident.