Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-10-13
HISTORIC old FORT HAYS
Where Men Fought For the Love Of
Fighting.


Wild Times on the Kansas Border
How q Young New Yorker Was
Scared Out of His Wits-How Old
Roman Nose Was Wiped Out In q
Bloody Battle.
New York Sun.
HAYS CITY, Kan.. Sept. 30.-The ex-
pertinent station Of the state agricul-
tural college and a branch Of the state
normal school have just begun their
second year in possession Of old Fort
Hays, where much history Of the early
days Of the west was made. The long
line of frame houses that served as
officers residences are now used as
homes for the professors or are being
sold to farmers for dwellings.
In q short time there will be little
left Of the old fort. Yet 1t was only
recently that settlers for scores OF
miles depended on the soldiers from
Fort Hays to protect them from the
Indians.
Fort Hays had its real beginning In
1S64-65. At that time post was first
stationed in this county. 1t was called
Fort Fletcher and was built on Big
Greek. about fourteen miles southeast
of this place. It had accommodations
for several companies of troops. and
their mission was to fight Indians.
The post was on the level lands along
the creek. In the summer Of 1875
western Kansas had terrific rains, and
Big Creek became a flood, the wide
prairies were covered and the troops
had to hurry to the uplands to save
their lives. Among the troops were a
number of colored soldiers, and part of
these fingered behind to gather more
of the goods left in camp and were
drowned.
Fort Fletcher was abandoned and
Fort Hays was established near the
city and well out Of danger Of flood,
by Gen. Pope. The garrison remained
there until a few years ago.
The history Of the fort has been
bound up with that Of the town which
bears the same name. Hays City In
the early days was one Of the widest
Of the frontier settlements. and the SOL
diers did not detract any from the pic
turesqueness of its SHINING.
It was one of the Kansas cattle
towns. and the cowboys had full sway
when they pleased. Wild Bill was one
Of its leading men, and was a candidate
for sheriff of the county. but was de-
feated by handler gun wielder, Peter
Eandagan. But the merits of Wild Bill
were recognized by the people Of the
town, who made him marshal.
In this capacity he killed two SOL
diers from the fort, two citizens and
wounded several others. To escape the
officers at, the fort he was compelled
to flee ana was next heard Of at Abil-
enc, where he entered on a career of
more or less credit and a great deal of
notoriety.
So numerous were the killings and
quarrels in Hays that the authorities
established a private cemetery for those
who died with their boots on, and out
on the edge Of the town 1t may yet be
seen. It is known as Boot Hill. and In
it's narrow confines lie forty-five ruff
fans to whom death came while in the
midst Of street orgies that were at once
the terror and disgrace Of the town.
Most notable Of these was Jim Cur
ry who was the leader of the frontier
toughs; man without a conscience
or realization Of fear After he had
committed many murders he was kill
ed by a mob.
1t happened in this way. In the street
he met an inoffensive boy named Estes.
Curry ordered him to throw up his
hands. The boy begged Curry not to
kill him. but Curry calmly put revol-
yer to the boys breast and shot him
dead. The people could stand 1t no
longer. They mobbed him and gave
him a place of honor at Boot Hill.
It was natural that the soldiers
should be mixed up In these troubles
more than was good for them and their
participation in one event Of the towns
history formed one Of the most tragic
chapters in western Kansas history.
1t occurred two years after the estab-
lishment Of Fort Hays at its present
location.
On account Of the Indian troubles 1t
was expected that the post might be-
come one Of considerable Importance.
The government had sent more mill
tary stores to the post than could be
kept in the room prepared for that pur-
pose, and a large quantity was stored
along the track of the Kansas Pacific
railroad, then just completed. The
goods were covered with tarpaulin and
guards were stationed over them.
John Hays. one Of the guards. was
on duty one night, and stepped
across the street to what was called
Tony Drumm's saloon. to see what
time 1t was. Just as he reached the
door three colored soldiers coming
along the sidewalk met him, and af-
ter a few words shot him dead and
passed on.
They were members of the Thirty
eighth infantry. and having come to
town on leave became intoxicated.
They had attempted to enter a dance
hall. but had been thrown out. Then
they had gone into a barber shop.
smashed everything and started to
kill the first man they met. 1t hap
pened to be Hays.
Accompanied by the barber. the
sheriff the next morning went to the
fort and related what had occurred,
demanding that the troops be brought
before the barber for Identification.
All were lined up and the man un-
hesitatingly picked out the three
guilty men.
The soldiers were taken to Hays
City for preliminary examination, but
the proceedings dragged. All day
the lawyers argued. Finally the ex-
animation was continued until morn
ing and the men were locked In
cellar for the night.
During the night they were taken
out of the cellar, carried to trestle