Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-13
Tom Smith, Marshal.
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Henry, formerly the ''wheat king" OF
Kansas, but nov the president OF
little private republic down in 'ola
Mexico, as be sat with small circle
Of friends who we're calling up remln'
iscences OF border days in Kansas u
think the man who possessed it to a
greater degree than any one wnom !
ever knew was Tom Smith, the city
marshal Of Abilene, in the early 'os.
was mayor Of the town at the tlme'
and as it was the end Of the cattle
trail it was about the toughest town
on the border. City ordinance would
be posted, only to be openly and
speedily perforated with bullets !
would appoint city marsnals anu
soon receive their designations, mall
ed at the first stopping place where
they rested while winglng their
FIGHT to more congenial cline, I'M
til the better element, which was
sadly in the minority, was almost IN
despair.
lone day | received visit from
Tom Smith, who was then living al
Kit Carson, who said he had come to
apply for the position Of city marshall
which was at the moment, vacant.
Smith was known to every one on
the border as desperate character
and had record as killer. At that
time had not become convinced that
it would be necessary to employ a
known desperate to control the law
less element and | declined the prot
fered services and sent to the chlel
Of police at St. Louis, who was per-
sonal friend, a request that he send
me two Of his bravest men to fill the
offices respectively Of marshal and
deputy. They came and were no soon
er installed than preconcerted eftor'
was made to brighten them out o.
town. The usual result followed and
was again looking for city marshal
We started to build calaboose anc
had it nearly completed, when thu
gamblers and cowboys made an opel
daylight raid and RACED it it to tn
ground. We rallied force, rebuilt
and completed it under strong guard
and that night placed in it a negr'
who had amused himself by shooting
out the street lamps. Later in tn
NIGHT crowd from the negro's Gov
camp rode into town, shooting il
every direction, tore down the Gala
boose and took the negro away witt
them.
..This was too much, and in desper
alton | telegraphed Tom Smith tt
come at once He reached Abilene tn
next morning and presented himsel
at,the mayors office. | requested that
before accepting the position h
spend the day looking over the sltua
ton asking him to report in the even
ing. Shortly after supper he strolle
quietly in and said he guessed h
would tackle the job. ! asked him t
outline to me his plan of action, an
he replied that he had none in partle
ular, but that the first thing to do, il
his opinion, was to enforce the ordin
ance prohibiting the carrying OF fre
arms within the city limits. !ooS
ed at him in amazement, for the e'
posed revolvers were considered a
necessary part Of the average COW
boys makeup as the sombrero or tn
knotted handkerchief at the neck.
".You see, remarked Smith, w
could stand guns alone or whisk
alone. but when there is a combine
ton of these it usually means bloc
shed and as there is no chance to SUI
press the whisky, must get n
Of the guns
THAT night new copies of the ant
gun ordinance we're posted ana u
next morning Smith took the oath {
office and was ready for business, BIT
long before he appeared on the stree
the gang had had heard OF his a
pointment and read the ordinance
and many Of the more boastful ha
declared that the man did not liz
who could make them give U
their guns. Smith was man Of abo'
) feet II inches in height, OF magnl
cent build, deep chested and Wi
sinews of steel. He was an expe
boxer and, in fact, thoroughly trai
ed all-round athlete. Under the mo
....... o;ro,,,, cfononc hp never "