The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-17
Man Hunt Failed
Story Of Early Days
in Southern Kansas.

Newton, Kan, when II was Ine emu u
the cattle trail, says the New York sun
IN due time Wichita was made nearer
shipping place for the Texas rangers ana
Newton became dead town. Nike Neigh
er promptly moved TO Wichita and soon
became chief ringmaster of the town as
marshal Soon Mike and the enc OF the
trail moved 10 Caldwell. Whether be-
cause of his fame or because his name
was. pronounced mayor, or from the fact
that he opened the most popular saloon
in town. the citizens decided at once that
Nike Meigher was the best available man
10 deal with the reckless and irresponsi-
HE characters Of the cattle trail. He was
elected mayor by reclamation and in
stalled into Office with an enthusiastic
JusiIlads Of revolver shots followed with
free whisky for the rest Of the day.
Before the end OF the year Caldwell
had become a thriving town and lad
broken the record for dead cowboys. Mike
Neighev did his share of killing for the
sake OF peace, and among the men to
h.s credit was Sill Powell chum Of
jim Talbot.
Jim has sent word by me- said Bill
the Kid, some months later, leaning ia
miliarly over the bar, as Mike produced
the BEETLE and set out the glass, ito tell
you that it's death on sight between you
and him"
''An right" replied Mike Meigher; tell
Jim that he can ind me here any time
ne calls. It's a fair field and no favor
and the fellow that's standing up after
the frsc shot must treat the crowd"
Everybody knew both men. and during
the next summers drive the town was
thrown into a fever by the report that
jim Talbot had arrived. Most OF the
citizens found a sudden interest in sheir
homes or were unusually busy in their
places Of business. However, there were
enough interested in the promised show
10 keep Mike Meigher's saloon crowded
ali day. It was an hour or more after the
lamps were lighted that evening before
Jim Talbot stalked in. His hands were
dangling by his side and Mike Meigher
made no move to draw a weapon. The
crowd was disappointed. Instead Of shoot
ing each other the two avowed enemies
took d drink together. After some com
monplace conversation, tehy went over to
a poker table and joined the game. An
expectant crowd gathered around.
has - q ENS- NV II ~ AANE III
marked Talbot. II sent my family up
here a week ago. and guess III make it
ny home"
Mike Meigher congra tUIated him, and,
as chief officer of the city, welcomed him
as one Of their citizens. Friendly drinks
were ordered for the table. and the dis
gueted crowd was so sure that peace had
been established and the feud forgotten
that in the course Of an hour or two all
but the players had gone home.
There's my pile" said Talbot, placing
all his money on jack pot out OF which
all the players had withdrawn excepting
the two men.
Take back your money" said Meigher,
pushing the bills back; I've got You beat
and I don't want all you've got
HE showed down a royal straight dusn.
Talbot began to swear.
Don't use such language In here" said
AIeigher. ITS against the rules of the
house
Talbot grew more abusive, and began
to pound the table with his fist
"lf you cart act more decent than that
you've got to get out of the game" re-
turned MeiEheU
Talbot sent forth another string OF
oaths, and Meigher reached across the
table. drew in the desperado's chips and
counted out their value in money. which
he showed across the table to him Tai
bots hand flew TO his revolver.
Don't do that. Jim said Frank Evans.
touching him on the shoulder we don't
want any trouble in here tonight between
You and Nike. You are drinking too
much. Let me take YOU home and in the
morning YOU viii think better Of it."
Without word the desperate turned
on mis- heel with Frank Evans and left
the saloon. They went 10 a newly occu-
pied house on the outskirts Of the town,
where the angry man promised TO go 10
bed and behave himself. Frank Evans
returned to the saloon.
'.Dor't you trust Jim Talbot a hair 5
breath" he said. warninsiy 10 Meigher.
lie means TO kill you at the first chance
and no peiut Of honor goes with him.
Meigher shrugged his shoulders.
If he can do IT, he's welcome" was
the response of the man who was credit
cd with not being afraid Of anything that
ever drew breath. Il was not long past
m;GTight. and the game had continued
wi-Iout further interruption. Several Of
With7a: interruption. Several Of Talbpt's
men had come in. played a few rounds
and then withdrawn 70 80 to other sd
looms. Meigher and Frank Evans went
home. \ few minutes after their depart
uce jim, Talbot returned and demanded
10 b., iet into the game where he remain
ed till after daylight As De left the sl-
loon &c, his breakfast he saw John WI
.rr~
the DEPUTY, taking two OF his men u the
Lookup
Boys. set your guns,' he cried. spring
ing behind the curaiug OF the public well
in front Of Giimore's barn. where he was
Joined at once by Bu5d Hill Both be-
san firing at the marshal.
This is the opening az the game 10 Kill
you" said Frank Evans TO Maigher as
they ran into the saloon go get their rifles
Don't you see that they are not tryiag 10
hit Wilson. They want YOU % come into
the fray and then they viii down you
The marshal was returning the shots
vigorously and q num5er of the citizens
Joined in Talbot's men gathered around
him and q fusiliade Of revolver shots fol-
lowed. none of them intended % Kill
M.-ht- rushed out II the saloon FOL
bowed by his men. When he appeared in
,aa er5o door he threw his hands and
:5l farNard dead. as TIE sound of a rifle
r---clG them.
Immediately the desDersdoes mounted
their horses and -o1e dsay - the out
skirts ~ the town and empued their
weapons at everything in h.sht- 4 posse
ot citizens mounted horses and went after
them The t.UrsUers did not come in sight
@. The fleeing men until iusc boforc night
and they came 10 bay in 3. blowout on
the toy OF sand hin In this natural
17-t.ieati}a they kept ths citizens out
az range urtf fr----a.s -srss an Then