The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-27
SOME WICHITA NICK-NAnrEs


lam Griffenstein the father of Wichita
was known in the early days. 1t was
given him by the Indians.
-Four Eyes"-He was usually called
"Old -Four Eyes" The most famous auc-
tioneer in the southwest He wore spec
tacles and was called -Four Eyes by the
cowboys, who saw mighty few spectacles
In those days. -Four Eyes was "A charac-
ter. He had a voice which was ire
mendous and far-reaching ana could be
eloquent over spawned bronchc if neces-
sary- He advertised himself for years by
a sign at the corner Of Main and Doug
las reading, iii, Auctioneer,"
&C. String Jack'-One Of the first stage
drivers in and out Of Wichita. Why the
name was given to him, no one surviving
can tell. He was a small man with a big
heart. He died ten years ago.
Shanghai Pierce'-Shanghai Pierce
was d famous cattleman. who spent much
of his time in Wichita. He was from
Texas and you could hear him in quiet
conversation seven or eight blocks, hence
Shanghai He is still living.
"Wild BilI'-AIr. Hitchcock. so called on
account of his general witness. Wild
Bill, before he became famous in the
cattle towns further north held forth in
West Wichita where he was called by
that name and where it probably origin
ated.
Curly MarshaH'-Marshal kept
dance hall in West Wichita. He died
natural death and was puried with more
pomp and glitter than has been given
anybody before or since.
"Rowdy Joe''-The keeper Of dance
hall on the north side of Douglas avenue,
just west of the big bridge. Rowdy Joe
was all his name implied. With all his
ferocious nature, he escaped violent
death and as late as six years ago was
living peacefully in Colorado. where his
name was not known.
"Red''-Red. whose name was Beard
and whose father founded Beardstown.
Illinois, took his name from the color
If mis- hair, and was an early day char
acter. He was killed by Rowdy Joe.
Tiger Bil''-The name given to ". p
Campbell when he was district judge by
Colonel Sumner of Butler equity, who de
sired TO portray his ferocious nature when
aroused. The name was carried along for
years in the brains Of merely q few old
settlers. When Campbell began his IA
NOUS prohibition fight. the Eagle revived
It and its use became widespread. In
many instances being twisted around to
"Bill Tiger"
Farmer DoOlittle''-Farmer DoOlittle,
the local writer has for real name. to
sign to deeds and such, George IT. Litz-
enburg He had a farm in the southern
part of the county and when he first
began to write communications to the
Eagle he subscribed himself Farmer
Doolittle." The town has held onto that
nickname with wonderful tenacity, refus-
ing to call him anything else.
Dynamite Dave"-This was Dave
'.eahy's nickname hut he gradually out
lived it Il came from the fact that dur.
ing one of Irelands campaigns he wrote
q
the Irish dynamiters.
Jim SteeT'-The well known original
boomer Of Wichita had for his right name
j NJ Steel His first name was John.
but the cowboys and the rest Of the town
nistooi< the period between lhc and he
NJ for al i. and he was always known IS
jim Steel.
Little Smith''-H- was lin Stecrs first
partner IN real estate. He was little tel
low and was known everywhere as Little
Smith. No one knows what mas beCo-ne
of him He pre-empteI the quartz sec
ton of land watch les north OF O. X
street and east o. La3reace avenue.
buffalo BuI'-For a sh prt time in the
early history of the Cit William Ma thew
son was known as RuFalo Rill. Tho fact
that cody stole he name 5 ve'ilnown.
"Hutch"-WHliam Hu.2alusnn. the first
printer in Wichita. vas known by no
other name.
whitley Rupp''-An early day gambler.
one now in the city remembers.
Barney Kelly'-Wichl.a gave this name
10 the politician preacher. It was very
offensive TO him. His name was Bernard
and he did not like Barney. For that
reason the town. which never liked Kelly,
persisted in using II.
Commodore Woodmau'-W. c. Wood
man was known by this. He lived on the
river hank. and had a little steam yacht.
Commodore" which was the town joke
finally grew into a regular practice and he
was so known to the Jay o. his death.
Father BHss'-The town 50 knew him
every one doing him the honor of regard
Ing him in the light OF pater famllias. NJ
character of early Wichita was better
known. He held onto ne tenaciously. He
was something Of "a doctor. He also Great
cd a riot on one occasion by attempting
dentistry on cowboy with a common
pair of pinchers. one OF his follies W..
the collection Of buffalo horns. In Il Pc
clliar little building right where the Sedg
wick building now stands. Father Bis.
collected these buffalo horns until b,
had il full What became of them is no
known. He is last remembered as situn,
next the pulpit in the Methodist church
where the congregation had provided han
win bis leather chair.
Uncle Johnny Carpenter'-He Is know
10 all the people in the county as Unch
toby rlls- U.l,N The men who use j