The Topeka state journal., 1903-01-31

In the spring of 1881 having been ex-
literature, giving in detail glorious ac-
counts of free land adventure and for
tune in Kansas ranching, the western
fever set in and in partnership with a
younger brother, ranch was estab-
lished at the head of the Pawnee creek
III what was then Buffalo county.
There was at that time few buffalo
on the range. enumerable bands OF wild
horses and antelope always in sight
The new life was full of excitement and
the brothers pgospered.
An event in the terrible blizzard of
January II and 49, 1888, the oldest set
tiers Of Garden City are fond of relat-
ing, is of the thrilling ride of Capt.
Churchill of fifty miles with the ther-
mometer around 25 degrees below zero.
y ride for a doctor to save the life of
a neighbor ranchmans wife. At times
the horses heads could not be seen.
Starting at midnight the mission was
completed In twelve hours to Garden
City and return. It may be judged the
weather was bad when q neighbOr by
the name of Wolf near DightOn lost his
way from the house to the stable, and
was frozen to death. A boy of Elder
Newly down the creek was lost going
to the spring. Many others were caught
out and badly frozen.
In those days, as a basis of supplies
towns as far east as Great Bend. Larn-
ed and Dodge City, but in q little time
as Garden City. but In a little time
Dodge City notwithstanding its doubt
full reputation in those days. became
the favorite point socially for at least
one member of the Churchill firm.
Dodge City was then as she is now,
able to take care of the stranger with
in her gates. and give them a good
time. Business men were generous and
cordial to deal with-the country was
rOsperOus-mOney was plenty. There
was a good and a bad side to Dodge,
one could have his own choice, there
was no cOmpulsion to 90 to the bad.
One of the enterprising merchants and
founder of the first hardware and lum-
Der business IN Dodge City, and Incl
dentally in western Kansas. and who
was one of the first county commission
ers of Ford county, was F. c. thinner
mann, and to his beautiful home sur
rounded with trees and flowers and
vineyards, Captain Churchill was fire.
quently invited In this home he was
entertained with true western hospital
ity. Coming from the rough ranch life,
and the tiresome drive over the monot-
onous prairie of fifty miles often in the
hot sun, the welcome seemed like an
other world to the bachelor ranchman.
He was fond of children and in this fair
home was a little girl Of eleven. To this
little one the captain spun many yarn
and tale OF fairies. and of the sea and
enchanted islands of the deep.
The boom was coming to Kansas, the
great tidal wave Of emigration was
sweeping over the west. The govern
ment land was being rapidly taken up
by farmers, the sod was being broken
on all sides of the Churchill ranch and
/ the ranging of stock on government
land was becoming a thing of the past,
and in the spring of 1885 Captain
Churchill sold out his ranch and cattle
interests, returned to Boston and took
! charge of q steamer in week after arr
rival. The little girl with the black
/ eyes. curls and merry laughter out IN
/ Kansas was not forgotten.
In the following two years there oc-
Cured one of the proudest events IN
! the captains steamboat career which
took place in Boston in the year 1887.
being presented by the Massachusetts
Humane society with a silver medal for
saving life ia Boston harbor. The Bos-