Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-23
WEAR PORTER WILSON.


The PilgriMs crossed the sea,
To make the West, as they the East
The homestead of the free"
At the home of Judge and Mrs. 0.
L Moore at 1880 last Friday gath
cred large number of friends, in
cluding many from Enterprise and
other parts of the county, to be pres
ent at the funeral services of the late
V. P. Wilson. Their sorrow was sim
cere, their sympathy deep, for to
more than one the acquaintance with
him lying asleep beneath the abund-
ance OF roses ran back for a third OF a
century. Rev. Robt. B Evatt, pastor
Of the First Universalist church Of
junction City officiated, speaking up
lifting words Of the meaning of life
and the nobility Of him whose earthly
labors we're ended. Mrs. j. H. Mes
ley, Miss Grace Peters, Mr.. M. H.
| Malott and Mr.. H. 4. Ellison sang,
one selection being "Only Waiting"
Mr.. Wilson's lifelong favorite. Rev.
DR.. Haithcox offered feeling PRAYER,
and then. borne by the hands Of old
time friends-J. B. Case, W. d.
Nichols, Richard Waring, W. B. Giles,
G. c. Sterl and M. P. Jolley--came
the last scene Of all.-and all that was
mortal was laid away on the morn.
ing-side slope Of the city Of the dead.
Year Porter Wilson was born in
Westmoreland county, Pa, on April
1st, 1928. he died at Colorado City,
Colo, Feb. IA, 1899. In 1888 his
parents moved to Tuscarawas county,
Ohio, then 'far west," and on a farm
be grew to young manhood. He
learned. the printers trade and in
1858 founded the Iron Valley Times
at Dover which he conducted with
vigor that made. his influence wide
ly felt in that section Of the Buckeye
state. The paper was small, only
four pages Of columns each; its sub
scription price was 81 and its starting
circulation 250, rising later to 500
which was considered phenomenal in
those days. The Times was sold
after three years and finally went in
to the hands OF rebel sympathizer
and lost nine.tenths of its subscribers.
Mr.. Wilson took it again but could
not resusitate it. He was later ed
itor Of the Advocate and then started
the Tuscarawas Chronicle. He was
associated with many men ,promi-
nent in Ohio affairs in those days and
was a friend Of Joseph Medll Of the
Chicago Tribune.
In 1870, recognizing the glorious
opportunities of the prairie west, he
organized the Buckeye colony and
came with it to Dickinson county.
The men and women of that colony
have been among the strongest ele-
ments in the upbuilding of Dickinson
and those who are yet with us stand
among the most esteemed and
respected members Of the community.
Mr.. Wilson started the Abilene
Chronicle and the files of the first
year show keen appreciation of the
possibilities of this then wild and
woolly cattle town. Despite the un-
promising character Of the shifting
population of that day he never lost
hope but preached and predicted pros
rity-which has been more than
fulfilled. Later he started the Tope-
ka Times, then coming back to Dick
inson was president Of the Enterprise
town company, being one of the
founders Of the city. He established
the Gazette there and when the coun-
ty seat was finally located at Abilene
moved it here. With his older sons
he conducted it until 1885, taking
part in the political struggles Of those
days in a way that had much effect.
In fact the Republican party Of the
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