Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-22
TALE OF ALOST TOWN
II Was a Lively Place While 1t Was
on the Map.
Known M Runymede, Kansas, ana
Was the Abode of Many lmi-
tation Cowboys and Coun-
terfeit bad Men.

saws the Philadelphia Press.
Capt. Charles Seton, yho was form
erly an officer in the British army, re-
turned recently to this country and
when he, read Of a hunt for lost towns
in Kansas he told the following story
about Runymede:
"You must first know" said ne,
that Runymede was a combination
Of British inexperience, British cred
ulity, British money, considerable
cockneyism and ludicrous attempt
10 live on foolish hopes and foolish
promises.
"The immigrants who came from
England to Kansas expected TO grow
rich over night and then return TO
England TO live on champagne and
yenison.
ut took two years to wear of the
varnish. break the bank and turn out
the lights. And Rome-or ! should
say Runymede-howle in the inter
val.
"Runymede was created by a north
Of ireland agitator named TURNKEY
who had lost money in the cotton
business in the United States his
son Edward bought 1,700 acres OF land
at st.5O an acre in Harper county, and
began advertising in England that he
was lord of western paradise, WheIe
golden birds sang in the trees and sll-
YER rivulets ran tinkling to the sea.
'.For $500 a year he engaged to
teach the sons Of English gentlemen
the mysteries of successful farming
and stock raising, provide for thelr
physical needs and administer such
educational tonics as would enable
them to hold the winning hand
wherever they might be-
"Runymede, u miles northwest oil
Harper. in the middle Of boundless
prairie, with only one tree IN slght'
was founded as the center OF TINS en-
terprise. and at Runymede congregat-
ed the good souls who listened 10
Turnley's tinted tales.
at was to be the great commercial
depot of the west. 1t was with glow
ing hearts that my party Of 10 men
and women sailed from England IN
Nav. 1889. for the new world.
$50 anxious was to find agreeable
quarters at the end Of my journey
that. with fearful extravaganza, l
sent long cablegram to TURNKEY TO
build me a house forthwith and have
Il ready for me upon my arrival
When / reached Runymede there was
no house in sight, and we were glad'
likewise Disguised to find lodging az
the ranch house, where we braved the
terrors OF corn bread and fat bacon
until houses were built.
"some Of us had considerable
money. None Of us had any financial
sense. While we waited for miracle
to be performed that would trans
form our arid home into blooming
Garden. and the town of Runymed'
into a vast metropolis, we Toasted an'
danced and made merry. We enjoyed
ali the sports dear to English heart
and dressed in the wonderful gar
ments we had brought from the liant
whose white cliffs look across tn
channel to Calais.
kansas was known as q prohibl
ton state. and one guileless fathe
thought that Runymede would be tn
salvation Of his son, who had acquire
. a big thirst for liquor. The lad kep
the trail hot between Runymede an
Harper and maintained an irrigatin
plant that would have oyerwhelme
, the children of Israel. He always ha
some kino Of jag.
: Kansas prohibition was a failure
I Runymede. The good livers brougt
/. whole cargoes of the very best whisk
from Chicago One youth fell heir
$4,000 a year. and the thermomet'
IN Runymede went up several degree
What a time he had.
) "The men imagined that they We
: in The very heart of the west, whel
the blood ran widest and reddes
They wore cowboy outfits, and an a
senal of guns and knives ratified
| them as they walked. They won
moi 90 outside the house unless arm
to the teeth. They were fond Of pc
ing for their portraits in photogral
galleries at Harper and Wichita, al
| Itremble even now at the terrible do
peradoes that gaze at me from t
faded pictures. Capt. Faulkner W
an especially ferce-looking 'cowbc
and was almost afraid Of himst
when in fun regaha.
"Every fortnight there was racir
Runymede had a steeple course viii
afforded much amusement. T
riders bedecked themselves in all I
glory of Solomon. John Lobb was
beau of the steeplechase. Upon o
occasion he appeared wearing VIII
stiff-bosomed shirt, collar and
flowing neektie, a black alpaca co
checked trousers that reached b
; way to his knees; white socks, dai
Z ing pumps, a granger hat and Law
: der kid gloves.
!. 'Dick Watinage, who affected &C
: HOY hats and a Notwithstanding b