Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-10

offence and defence, and tried to
shoe the marauders away, but like
Mark Twain's attempt in Palestine to
call back pennies given to beggars
whom be learned were imposters, it
was q lamentable failure. What
could the poor woman do but surren.
der Internationally, 60 back to her
kitchen and have q hard cry!
Some Of our good people in the
suburbs Of Abilene thought to hide
their grapes and peaches by covering
with sheets. Vain hope! In less
than five minutes after the Hoppers
caught sight Of those sheets, they
we're so full Of holes they wouldn't
hold corn fodder and Tor the next
five minutes the feasters gave their
undivided attention and great energy
to harvesting the crop Of fruit and
foliage as we'll, leaving deuuded trees
with peach pits swinging from naked
limbs, a CHASTITY skeleton Of blasted
hopes and vanished expectation. For
further particulars you are referred
to Hon. Judge Mahan who was pres
ent and passed judgment upon their
criminal proceedings.
On another Of these typical hot
days at the time Of grasshopper in
vasion, we made trip to the south
part Of the county in the company Of
one A. B. Keith, representative Of a
Chicago syndicate that contemplated
purchasing what was known as the
Scotch Colony lands. A brief history
Of these lands and why 80 called may
be Of interest.
On the Slst day Of December, 1869,
one Alex Mcdonald, representing a
company of Scotch farmers who con-
templated emigrating to America,
filed in the office Of the register OF
deeds contract with the U. P. R. R.
company for the purchase of 46,s2S
acres OF land in the southwest town
ships Of Dickinson county and south
east townships of Saline county, for
which he agreed to pay on April LIST,
1870, the round sum Of $4,000 as a
one-ffth purchase price Of said lands.
$4,000 Of this sum was paid in hand,
and an additional $4,000 was paid
subsequently, making $40, paid on
contract.
Tradition says that on Mr.. Melon
AIDS return to Scotland he entered
politics, was elected to parliament,
and severed his connection with this
company as manager For this or
some other reason the company de-
iaulted in payment Of balance due
April LIST, 1870. The money was for
feited and the lands reverted to the
railroad company.
Afterwards, in 1872 or early in 1873,
a syndicate Of Chicago capitalists was
formed to repurchase these lands and
locate a colony Of Michigandcrs.
When the panic Of 1873 struck the
and knocked the bottom out
Of speculative enterprise, number
Of stockholders from necessity or
choice withdrew; but the remaining
thought to 70 ahead with
the undertaking. This was the com.
pany represented by Mr.. Keith.
We had previously entered into an
agreement with him. Keith was to
10 the settlers act for this, colony
when 1t came and our trip was for the
purpose Of organizing a town COM
oany and iurthering the enterprise.
We reached our destination about
noon. 1t was an intensely hot day
md Mr.. Keith drank freely oigypsum
water, the only water to be had. For
his imprudence he paid the penalty
II three days severe sickness, not
dangerously Ill, but maddeniugly UNI
comfortable.
After dinner at Mr.. Porter Scog-
rms we called a meeting OF the resi-
lent farmers at the Watt school house
n Holland township. Some two
lozen gentlemen responded. Our
Meeting was after night and our only
light small lamp meagerly supplied
With oil, gave out feeble uncertain
light which impaired to everything a
epulchral and ghost-like appearance.
On looking around for writing ma
erials, we found paper and ink but
10 pen. Al this crisis Mr.. Keith
anne to our rescue by whiting
zen out Of a stick Of wood. With this
Implement the town compact was
written and signed by those present