The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-10-25
w AK > URiEO.
Historic Old Fort Hays--.Where Men
Fought for the Love of Fighting
New York Sun,

Hays City, Kan. Sept. 30.--The
experiment station Of the State Ag-
ricultural College and 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 aye
now used as homes for the professors
or arc being sold to farmers for dwell
iDgs.
In q short time there will be little
left Of the old fort. Yet it 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
1864 60. At that time post was first
stationed in :his county. 1t was
called Fort Fletcher, and was built On
Big Creek, about fourteen miles
southeast of this place. 1t had ac-
commodatioDs 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
1876 western Kansas had terrific rains,
and Big Creek became q food, TIE
wide prairies were covered and the
troops had to hurry to the uplands to
save their lives. Among the troops
we're 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 we'll out Of danger Of fooG i,
by Gen Pope. The garrison remained
there until few years ago.
The history Of the fort has ben
bound up with that Of the town llioh
bears the sams came. Hays City in
the early days vas one Of the Widest
Of the frontier settlements, and the
soldiers did not detract any from the
piotureequeness Of its SHINING.
It was one Of the Kansas cattle
towns, and tho 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 defeated by a handler gun
wielder, Peter Lapdagan. But The
merits Of Wild Bill We're recognized
by the people of the town, who made
him marshal. " s..:..- -.
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 compel.
led to fee aud vas next heard of ct
Abilene, where he entered on q es. ser
of more or less credit and great
deal OF notoriety. =. +. s.: st: g.. +:
So numerous were the killings and
quarrels in Hays that the authorities
established private cemetery fol
those who died with their boots on,
and out Ion. the edge Of. the town Ii
may yet be seen. Il is known aa
Boot Hill, and 10 it's narrow eoni1nv.
lie forsy-fve rufiians to whom death
| came while in the midst OF street
orgies that were at onoe the terror and
Disgrace of the town. ;. .;.s !:
Most notable Of theae was Jim Cur.
~, who was the leader Of the Frontier
toughs; . msG without q conscience
or realization: Of islr. After he had
committed many murders he was kill:
ed by q, mob. + :, & Is: 3 St ;:;;I &: l.. 81.
It happened in this way. &: Tn the
street he met al inoffensi ve boy named
Estes. Curry ordered hin, 10, throw
up his hands. The boy begged Curry
not to kill him, but Curry oalmly put
revolver to the boys breast and
shot him; dead. The paopla could
stand 1t no longer. They mobbod him
and gave him 6 place of honor 81 Boot
Hill. = 81. ; 5 q 3, %S*5!$ 5IIf f i. S E
It was natural that tha aoldiers
should be- mixed up 10 these troubles
more than Was good for them, and
their participation id: one event 81 the
town'a history formed one o. the most
tragic ehspters + in Western Kansas
history. It occurred tHo gears after
the. esteh eh!!shmens of Fort Hays AZ t5its
present location S. y 81 : ii
On aceonnt Of ,he Indian troab blas
IL vas expected: eliat The post might
become one Of: seonsid derable imperf'
anse. The govsrhmlsnt lad D D ssnt
mora military stores ~ tho poas shan