Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-05-27

During pioneer days there were no churches
nor were there any houses large enough to hol'
much of a congregation, but the p ople di'
manage to get together nearly every Slbb nth -
hear a sermon from some one of the few N n
listers then in country.
Rev. S. l.. Adair, brother-in.aw OF JohI
Brown, preached about once month in the
home of John Blunt the father of DR.. jaime.
G. Blunt; Rev. Amos Finch, in the home O
G Gorge Yandel, who then lived on the hill north
of John Wolken, and Rev. L. B. Dennis, in
the home of William Fitten, who then lived
about mile southeast of Berea, and occasion
ally Methodist minister of the name of Bow
ers oficiated.
The United Presbyterans gathered their
forces and built plank church close to where
John Cunningham now lives, and here was es-
tablished the first regular preaching place IN
The whole country, as far as We knew; but be-
fore this plank church was built, the United
Presbyterians used vacant pre.emption cabin
which STOOD about mile southwest of Berea,
where the plank church was built, and which
was used for year, or at least when it was
warm enough to be occupied. The cabin had
no floor, and I now call to mind two young
mothers, who would each spread a shawl on
the ground floor and set their babes on them
and let them amuse themselves by pulling each
Others hair while the minister preached.
One Sabbath, when on the way home from
fervices there, we saw man, horseback, COM
ing hurriedly toward us, and when he came
within calling distance, he called out: "Hurry
home, clean up your guns and make some bull
lets and rendezvous at Greeley ~ Upon in
quiry as to the cause of the trouble, he told us
that some of the Greeley boys were corraled
near where Ft Lincoln was subsequently built.
The day was mild winter day, but as night
approached, the temperature changed and snow
commenced falling. The snow was soft, and
ue lted almost as fast as it fell.
Quite company gathered and started on the
march on foot, having their guns hauled in the
wagons. In the company was young man,
whose name 1 cannot recall who lived in
Greeley with a man named Cotton, who then
lived in log cabin then standing on the lo
where w. E. Palmer has since built a more
modern house. When approaching the point
where our boys were penned In, the suggestion
that the guns be taken from the wagons was
acted upon. This young man
caught hold OF his gun and drew it TO him.
The hammer caught the gun discharged and
,nortally wounded the young man. He died
the next day and was buried there. BY acting
foolshly, he lost his life.
The arrival of the Greeley boys and those
with them soon brought on shooting match.
N ,ne we're hurt but few of the ruffians, and !
hey make great outcry.
Que OF the Greeley boys (and who now lies
in the Greeley cemetery, William G. Nichols
by name, became fearfully alarmed, but con-
,oled the rnffians with the inquiry. "What the
,iv are you here for, anyway" They did
not vouchsae an answer, but hastily gathered |
themselves together and struck bee-line for |
Missouri. The Greeley boys, after burying
lhe unfortunate young man, came back home |
with the unwele ome reflection that foolish !
act cost human life.
Oaly a couple of those who went or that |