Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-07-23

~ times IN1t WutH ml1lnI tNl4 uAQ
overtak6n them A tear Ii the eyr
or falter In the voice conveyed L
me more cloquently than words can
emphasize the gratitude love and
Friendship that abides In tho
hearts Of these men for theiI
old nelghbor, Cyrus Leland. What
q tribute to q mans character
! Is this statement from Mr.. '. W., Nc
Clellan: u have known Mr.. Leland
for more than thirty years. In all the
relations OF life a better man never
lived. Misfortune has oveftaken me
in the past. and when II did I went ia
my next-doOr neighbor, Cyrus Leland.
for helpr-and 1 got II. When FIRE
swept me out Of business was heay-
lily involved to Mr.. Leland He
knocked on all interest and reduced
the principal and told me to take my
time for paying 1t. That's the kind
Of man Cyrus Leland Is. He will
make an ideal governor to whom the
most humble citizen can 60 for Justice
and q square deal"
While here hunted up my old friend
Bill Young, the town drayman. I'm
Gle Bill Is Democrat, but he is q
mighty good man. talked with Bill
about Uncle Cy," the dray business
and other things. well, I'll tell you"
he said, speaking Of his dray business,
II used to haul lot Of jugs that would
come off'n trains from st. Joe, but
since Mr.. Leland introduced and
passed the anti-jug law two years ago
the dray business has fallen on more
than so per cent, This Is pretty hard
on me, but 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 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 quietus
on the jug business from border Mis-.
souri, towns by legislative enactment.
/ wish 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 settle.
ment In full. What 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 farm on time
near Leona in Doniphan county. In
1875 the grasshopperS came and ate
everything, and when Larson paid his
he had nothing to live on, and
had no credit in his nefghborhood. He
came to Troy and told Mr.. Leland his
condition. Leland knew that Ole Lar
son belonged to a nationality that re.
yarded honesty as q 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 untw he owed Leland $3.50. In
1875 he hauled his hogs to the value
of $3.50 to Leiand's packing house and I
told him to give him credit on his &C.
count. Leland asked him II he did not
need this money to pay. on his farm.
Die said he did, but he would try and
rot along. Mn: Leland paid Larson the
ash for the hogs and, that money en-
lbled him to- save his home. Ole Lar
ION now owns three fine farms and
ives at Leona. Like all other Re.
'ublicans J have encountered here,
Die is for .Cy" for governor. +
When tho war closed one Of the
turdy pioneens Of Doniphan county
vas Billy Brown, colored man who
vas born in slavery In Tennessee,
nd who enlisted from Elwood early
n 1868 in Company r, Eighty-third
egiment United States colored infant.
y, commanded by Captain Adams and
,olonel Crawford Billy Brown was a
rave and fearless soldier as his rec.
I'd shows. Forty years ago he went
0 work for Mr.: Leland, having charge
his hauling about the store and
acking house Mr.. and Mrs. Brown
Tere the parents Of three boys, and
hey also worked for Leland. Eleven
ears ago the father died. Later two
( the boys died. The one living Ia
I'LL in the employ OF Mr.. Leland. The
'idow Of thiS old soldier, now past 10,
nd bowed with grief over the loss
her husband and boys, still lives in
roy. Out in the edge Of the town
n a side street, sparsely settled, she
yes In little brick cottage. / went
, this modest home to see and talk
18th Mrs. Brown. told her \ wanted
find out what kind of "A man Mr..
Gland is. "Oh, honey, Mr.. Leland ia
le best man God ever let live. Mr..
Gland has been so good to me and to
Il Of us. couldn't tell You in a day
DIV many blessings he has brought to
lis little home and the thousand kind.
esses he showered on my dead huR
and and boys when they were with
Ie." There was a choking IN the old
oman's throat, and she turned to a
ureau drawer for handkerchief with :,
hich to wipe the tears from her
ieeks. The scene was both dramatic
I'D pathetic. When she was able to
,ntinue her story she tsld me that .
u thirty years she had lived In that
ouse, owned by Mr.. Leland, free Of
mt. "And that Is not an" she said: 4
You see that new room added there! I,
God Mr.. Leland knew I needed more
lom and he built that for me. too. Q