People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-01-06
EARLY SETTLEMENT,

NhNAh -
The early settlement OF Sumner
county was gradual evolution. The
first settlers stuck to the bottoms
along the rivers and creeks. The
land along the streams being all
taken, there was slight check and
then an inundation, as it were. The
banks OF the stream overlooked and
once out on the broad prairie the
waves quickly spread to the remote
corners of the county. Osborn town
ship is one Of the upland township:
which accounts for its being foul
years behind the townships along the
Ninnescah and Arkansas.
Among the early settlers of the
township were S. V, and Geo. Walton
both OF whom are now dead; Col.
Burton, who afterwards moved t
ArgOnia and became postmaster anC
died during his term in 1892; Chas
Jordan, and Van Darland now resi-
dents OF Oklahoma; L. n. Swartzel
brother of L. A. Swartzel and James
Swartzel of Caldwell; Mr.. Swartzel
afterward moved tu Missouri and a
few years ago died 10 that state.
Geo. BOwyer, who was murdered by
his Texas herder; this event caused
great excitement at the time (lS79.,
1t grew out Of jealousy. The murder
took place down on the Texas line
The murderer was tried in the Federal
court and sentenced to ten years in
the Federal prison. Bob Lundy was
another well known Cat:leman, and a
very eccentric character. He died at
Caldwell in 1873, and was taken to
Illinois for burial. He had cow
pony called "GOtCh" which knew
almost as much as Lundy. The pony
only had one ear and was known all
over the west. When Lundy died
the pony was taken to Illinois with
the remains and was maintained in
luxury the balance of his natural
life
Billy Jones, who lived several years
in Wellington, was also an early resi-
dent OF Osborn township. Among
the early settlers who still live in the
township are j. H. Parker, Lee Evans
G. L. Hutchinson, Amos Robinson
Seth Hilton, j. +. Barnard, A S. Up
degraff, B. p. Brummett and E. II
Fitzgerald. Mr.. Fitzgerald lived il
Wellington number Of years but two
years ago moved back to Osborn and
now resides on section 81, within d
quarter IF a mile of where he first
located.
j. D. Prunty and H. S. HOuck art
pioneers who should also be mentioned
They both died on their homestead.
since 1890. Mr.. HOuck had beer
elected township trustee in the memo
rable Alliance campaign of 1890, but
died before the time arrived to take
the office. His widow now Mrs. R0ber
CObean, still lives on the old home.
stead. Mr.. Prunty's homestead i!
now occupied by his sou.
A. W. Rose is another old settler Of
Osborn, but now resides over
the line in Sumner township.
Many interesting stories Of print
tive prairie life could be told by al
these parties. Their experiences wer,
rich with novelty and exasperatin.
trial. They have WithstoOd the storm
and drouth, and those who yet liv,
are comfortably fixed for life. Tn,
day Uf primitive hardship is over. ant
their homes are now surrounded B.
schools and churches, railroads ant
postotf1ces. Few of them have re
grets for having entertained the west
ward ambition.
Fist BIRTH, FIRST MARRIAGE, FRS,
DEATH.
The first birth within the territor,
now comprising OSBORN township
was daughter born to Mr.. and Mrs
! Chas. W. Walton-Miss Ellie Walto
born October, 1874. A few year
since she was married to Fred Strong
the telegraph operator at Mayfel
and they now reside in New Mexico.
The first marriage was that Of LIE
Evans and Miss Maggie Snyder
daughter Of G. NJ. Snyder. The
were married by Il. s. Houck, Justic
: Of the Peace, October 10, 1877. The
, still reside In the township.
r The FIRST death within the territor
I now comprising Osborn TOWNSHIP
was that OF ALI xander Milne, whic
3 occurred May q, 1871, one mile We.
Of Mayaeld.