The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-17
WICHITA ONCE WAS WICKED.
An Incident in the Town Mrs. Mr.
ton Is Reforming.

| ton Is Reforming.
(Frorn the New York SUM-
Wichita, Kans., has had more than its
share of notoriety in the last forty days
on account of Mrs. Carrie Nations efforts
to close its saloons: nevertheless it is a
reformed town compared with what it was
| thirty-fiye years ago. Then it was the
| southwestern terminal of the only rail-
road running from the Missouri River to
/ that part of the State. Beyond it were
miles and miles of country where the
prairie fox, the muleteer, the fugitive, and
/ the Indian met face to face.
! Wichita was wooden town The streets
were wide and laid out on air lines. Gam
/ bling houses were as open as drug stores.
Saloons occupied a good share Of the
/ buildings fine business district.
| II one rode walked two miles the
/ street on which one started ran into some
trail, or lost itself in chapparal. After
| that the traveller kept his hand on his gun.
Up from the matted grasses and out of
I the bitches there came. regardless of sea-
! son, men who never went unarmed; men
| who lived and died in their boots. The sad
( die was their lodging place. They rode
/ into Wichita in couples or troops, accord
ing to the object of their invasion. They
/ had the freedom of the town while they
/ were there. When they depleted the stock
/ of liquor in the saloons and broke the faro
! banks, they made q racetrack of the main
street. The day wound up with a fusillade.
I The dead were left where they fell. The
| living disappeared in clouds OF dust kick
/ ed up by fleet horses. There was no pur
| suit.
One night a stranger from the East reg
istered at the "only frst-class hotel in the
city and asked fer room. the land
| lord showed him to his quarters. more
! like a stall than room.
| Got gum" asked the landlord.
The guest said no.
| "i'H loan you one, said the landlord
and he laid 6-shooter on the head OF the
/ bed IF you hear any noise don't ask
any questions. Just shoot. Don't make
any difference which way you aim. They'll
come in from all directions. Can you
shoot? Ever kill anybody"
The stranger said that he had not pulled
a trigger in years, and of course he said
No to the second question.
"Ain't a preacher. are your asked the
landlord in surprise and contempt.
The stranger denied having any such
Gazing.
Then what in hades are you doing out
here with no gum Numbered the propri-
etor. you tenderfoot come out here and
expect me to keep you from being killed.
And I've got to kill half dozen of these
friends of mine who spend their money in
my house TO protect such fellers as youi
l say it's a shame.
He banged the door as he went out. The
stranger went to bed in his boots. On
such occasions time doesn't count II is
just one long stretch of suspense without
beginning or end. Therefore the stranger
had no way of knowing how long he had
been in his bunk when he, heard the sound
of eowhide boots. Then the door, home
made affair without fastening, opened. 1t
was the landlord.
"Sleep?' the landlord asked.
The stranger said mo
Reckon you won't get much, the land
lord continued Lot of the boys just
come in with the gals. Want to have a
shakedowu in the eatin' room. Guess
you'd better skin out and jine EN-. Fact
is, stranger. I'm a committee of one from
the gang to ak you to jine. It'll save
lot OF trouble if you come right away"
The stranger accepted. He had only to
readjust collar and tie and his toilet was
complete.
Better belt the gun on you said the
landlord, pointing out the weapon he had
lent. Reckon you wouldn't know what to
do with it if thar was any occasion. But
itll make the boys think more of you if
they see you wear a gun
Then the landlord led the way to the
dining room. Fifty cowboys. several
greasers and some women were there.
The landlord stood In the doorway with
the stranger and raised his right hand.
The signal stopped the music and the
dance Then the room filled quickly with
powder smoke. The cowboys had saluted
the stranger. --.-'. ..
When the smoke had cleared out. sew
eral of the cow-gentry surrounded the
stranger and took him to the centre of the
room. The women circled about him in
a peculiar sort of dance, In which the
arms were in motion as much as the feet.
One of the women took of the strangers
hat and whirled II toward the ceiling
When it came down it wouldn't hold wa
ter. 1t had been a target for the COW
gentry while it was in the air.
After this incident there was d lull The
stranger was bland. |
Boys line up the ladies for refresh ,
ments." he said. ..
The entire roundup went to the bar |
meekly The treat was accepted IN ST |
lence Then the dance was resumed and !
the stranger found himself an hon2red |
guest The landlord bowed to him when !
il wac all over.
You've done nue. proud" he said. Il al
low owe you weeks board, or more If |
you like"
The stranger waved for the landlord to
stop. and went to bed. He remained sew
eral days, and was the recipient OF every |
attention as long as he stayed.