Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-08-01

4
overtaken them. A tear in the eye
or a falter in the voice conveyed to
me more cloquently than words can
emphasize the gratitude, love and
friendship that abides in the
hearts of these men for their
old neighbor, Cyrus Leland. What
tribute to a mans character
is this statement from Mr. J. W. Nc
Clellan: 81 have known Mr. Leland
for more than thirty years In all the
relations of life a better man never
lived. Misfortune has overtaken me
in the past, and when it did 1 went to
my next-door neighbor, Cyrus Leland,
for help-and I got it. When fire
swept me out of business 1 was heav-
lily involved to Mr.. Leland He
Knocked off all interest and reduced
the principal and told me to take my
time for paying it. That's the kind
of man Cyrus Leland is He will
make an ideal governor to whom the
most humble citizen can go for Justice
and square DEAL
While here I hunted up my old friend
Bill Young, the town drayman I'm
Gle Bill is a Democrat but he is a
mighty good man. l talked with Bill
about Uncle Cyl the dray business
and other things. "Well, I'll tell YOU"
he said, speaking of his dray business.
used to haul lot of jugs that would
L.
since Mr.. Leland introduced and
passed the anti-jug law two years ago
the dray business has fallen off more
than so per cent. This is pretty hard
on me, but 1 am getting along toler-
able well. Now, the fellers who used
to get their liquor in jugs have to
hike over to Missouri for their grog.''
After listening to this pathetic story
from this good old Democrat I went
down the street to a quiet spot for
silent meditation. There unused over
the difference between those who set
their mouths going about prohibition
and go off and leave them, and Cyrus
Leland, who effectually put a quietus
on the jug business from border Mis-
souri, towns by legislative enactment
L wish l knew how many men Mr..
Leland has helped in times of financial
stress. Hundreds have borrowed mon
ey, other hundreds have gone to his
store for provisions when in need, and
still others have run accounts with
him for twenty years without a settle
ment In full. What a story his wagon
load of old account books could tell.
Ole Larson, who for several years was
a farm laborer by the month around
Troy, in 1874 bought a farm on time
near Leona in Doniphan county In
1875 the grasshoppers came and ate
everything, and when Larson paid his
AAeSA SkoS AAO hdo I1OIulIlS 10 i've on, and
had no credit in his neighborhood He
came to Troy and told Mr.. Leland his
condition. Leland knew that Ole Lar
son belonged to nationality that re-
garded honesty as a precious virtue
He had faith in the man, and he said
to him: "Ole, there is my store; get
what you want for the needs of your
family" Larson bought at different
times until he owed Leland $3.50. In
1876 he hauled his hogs to the value |
or $l5O to Leland's packing house and |
told him to give him credit on his &C
count. Leland asked him if he did not |
need this money to pay on his farm. |
ole said he did, but he would try and |
get along. Mr.. Leland paid Larson the |
cash for the hogs and that money en-
abled him to save his home. Ole Lar
son now owns three fine farms and |
lives at Leona. Like all other Re
publicans I have encountered here, |
Ole is for ICY" for governor.
When the war closed one of the |
sturdy pioneers of Doniphan county |
was Billy Brown, a colored man who |
was born in slavery in Tennesseee.
and who enlisted from Elwood early
In 1868 In Company F, Eighty-third |
regiment United States colored infant
~, commanded by Captain Adams and
Colonel Crawford. Billy Brown was a
brave and fearless soldier as his rec
OlIy years ago ne went
to work for Mr.. Leland, having charge
OF his hauling about the store and
packing house. Mr.. and Mrs Brown
were the parents of three BOYS. and
they also worked for Leland. Eleven
years ago the father died. Later two
of the boys died. The one living is
still in the employ of Mr.. Leland The
widow of this old soldier, now past 20.
and bowed with grief over the loss
Of her husband and boys, still lives in
Troy. Out in the edge of the town
On side street, sparsely settled, she
ives in little brick cottage 1 went
% this modest home to see and talk
With Mrs. Brown. I told her wanted
% find out what kind of a man Mr.
Leland is. ooh, honey, Mr.. Leland is
he best man God ever let live Mr..
leland has been so good to me and to
all of us. 1 couldn't tell you in a day
low many blessings he has brought to
his little home and the thousand kind
1esses he showered on my dead hus-
oand and boys when they were with
me- mere was choking in the old
throat, and she turned to a
bureau drawer for handkerchief with
which to wipe the tears from her
'heeks- The scene was both dramatic
md pathetic. When she was able to
continue her story she told me that
or thirty years she had lived in that
house, owned by Mr.. Leland. free of
'ent. And that is not ALL" she said:
You see that new room added there?
food Mr.. Leland knew / needed more
Dom and he built that for me. too
3efore my husband died Mr.. Leland