The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-20
CONTRIBUTED BY A LIAR.

Over in West Wichita. a little back
from the river at Maple street bridge are
the crumbGng foundation and last vest
ige of ruins of an old mill. Most of the
debris has been removed. and only little
remains OF the old building whero for
many years was heard the merry hum OF
industry One cold winter night just
eight years ago II burned to the ground
and was never rebuilt. II stood in little
grove of scrub oak and tangled ehaparral
which always skirts the river in prai-
rie country. Up 70 about year before
the fire there stood. a few yards away
from the old mill and running along the
bank parallel with the river. n row Of
twelve large cottonwood trees. standing
there majestic and grand amid the
stunted and gnarled underground. Around
and interviewer with the history of these
dozen cottonwoods is one of the most ro-
mantle and tragic tales rarely heard. ev-
en- in the land rich in the rosy colors Of
tradition and legend since and before the
advent Of Coronado. The story is known
to but few in this city. and now even the
giant trees have been feIled all save one
which was shlvered by lightning in the
summer OF 1856. AS told BY one who was
present at the eventful and dramatic
scene. the story Is as follows: Long years
ago during the early overland trails
through the boundless west. when long
emgrant trains united their forces for
mutual protection against Indians and
wolves. a party Of Connecticut adventur-
ers joined one Of these caravans and sail
ed for the Pacific coast. In the party
was a rich retired manufacture from
New England going IN search Of health
which too close application 20 business
had caused him 70 lose With him was
an only child. a beautiful and accom-
plished daughter OF probably eighteen
years. Her mother had long been dead
and she had come 70 minister 70 the last
wants OF the death stricken father. Some
where this side Of the river thsir train
was Joined by another coming up from
the south and bound the same way. In
this last party was young man just
from college and also en- route for the
golden fleece. II IS hardly nscessary 70
say that these two young people At once
went at Fl TO get all tangled up in the
may meshes OF the net Of love. u was
mutual and natural Both were finely Cd
ucated. spirited and unreasonable. and
well. things took their usual course
The irascible papa however. ffoWne9
down on this new state az affairs. and
glared down At the uudaunred young
man The latter only pressed both his
suit and the form q his love all The
more impetuously until az last a truce
was declared between the old mar and
the fearless young one Ey the tine they
reached the Arkansas ths Toer bad ahoa'
gwen Up the idea % winning the stubborn
parents consent. and vas nearly dsfe--
mined % take b'E daughter without g.
However. ore evening r. TIRE early iwi-
nght the youth presented himself al the
camp Of the girls father and for ths las;
time piteously beFEed. when civilization
should again be reached. that BE be ~
81 the hand q the lovely daughter The
p1iuiznt oid man hoped % auiet forever
the plead.ngs Of the youth and U1ads him
this startling proposition ~ dawn ere
next day the intrepid youth vas to'sks
twelve Young cottonwoo5 shoots ard 80
them oct in r5w along the river f-oat
and the expressed stipulation va that
70 tao ~ them shosll8 bs farther apart
han the other tzo Before witnesses
IL vas thoroughly underwood sas agreed
that a.. iais should be Accomplished with
mathematical nicely, the precision z1t
perfect correctness % TIE artist % pre-
vail corps CO government e7T5nse-s -
tie party Should - re referees aad
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