The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-31
POPULAR AUTHOR
MIXED IN DETAILS
Oklahoma Story in Scrib
ner'S Marred by GIar-
ing Inaccuracies

In Oklahoma IAN idyl ~ the raiIie
in three lights The story begins
with the marriage at Manhattan. Kas.
OF two young people on the day OF
their graduation from ;he Kansas
State Agricultural college The bride.
groom, a sturdy young Kansan has
been reared on a farm and az the col
lege has completed course which
hes given him knowledge of the
theoretical, as well as practical, side
of farming The young woman has
been graduated from the culinary.
domestic sciences and similar depart
ments conducted for women. She
was Keatucky girl and possessed
the beauty, vivacity and love Of out
door freedom for which women Of the
blue grass state are famed
The wedding, which took place in
n Menhattan church, and at which the
president Of the college oniciated
was attended by a large number Of
the college students The departure
of the bridal couple on their welding
journey attracts IN eentire student
body and town The journey is made
in a prairie schooner drawn by Two
stout horses, Fastened to the tail
board are two othef horses. a good
mare and a handsome year-oid colt,
which was a purchase Of the bride and
which she named Kentucky, in honor
of her native state The couple have
$4,000 and are bound for Western
Kansas, led "by two stout hearts and
by four strong young arms to wrest
livelihood-nay a fortune, perhaps
from the prairies OF the West.
The idea Of possible failure has not
suggested itself to these happy, low
ing young people, but away out in
Cimarron county hey were to find
that life was not all roses. 1t was the
old old story. Five years of freez-
ing winters, burhing summers,
drouths and storms emptied their
purse and constant labor and toll
brought only misfortune.
The second flight witnesses the
emigration Of this couple and their
ehildren-they haye two now-still
farther toward the southwark There
is soon to be an Oklahoma Opening"
and they are once again in quest OF
fortune. The man has grown haggard
and the woman has been robbed Of
the brightness of youth, yet neither
has lost hope. They reach Arkansas
City late in the summer and prepare
10 make a run into the promised
land" On the eve of he opening day
in fortune again oyertakes them. In
climbing down the river bank to get
wate9 fos his team the unfortunate
man falls and breaks his arm. This
accident brings farewell to all his
hopes and he gives away 10 his great
disappointment. He Is forced TO
abandon all ,dea of participating in
the run" and ia his desperation he
is almost ready to give up the whole
battle. But the wife proves herself
a thorough heroine Against her hus
bands protests she declares her de-
termination to act as his substitute
She saddles Kentucky. dons a suit Of
her husbands clothing, purchases a
pair OF mems boots and is ready for
the race for a home A negro boy is
hired to follow her with the wagon
and the children and her husband is
10 follow as soon as he is able.
When the signal gun is fired at
noon the woman is on with the crowd
OF claim seekers. Her des ination is
Guthrie. With breaking heart, but
imbued with grim determination, she
has a mad ride across the miles and
miles Of prairie Kentucky soon leads
all Of his competitors in the race and
gets beyond her control, but she
clings 10 the saddle and guides him
nnerrlngly tOwa-d the goal AS they
near Guthrie, two men riding bron.
chos appear close behind Now sne
drives the spurs into her animal and
Kentucky gallops into the tented city
well in the lead. The woman springs
10 the ground and drives stake
which she had placed under the sad
dies into a choice lot
The rider OF one of the bronchos
a cowboy arrives and demands .
the lot He says it Is the best ip
Guthrie. When he sees the owner is
a woman he is greatly surprised and
demands a kiss Ia return for the .
favor he promises 10 permi, her TO re
tain the claim She agrees to this .
fsanaaction, but FIRST Insists upon tell
lntr hfr story. She raIatae fho ,pholf 7