The Globe-republican., 1908-12-31
The OLD TIMER.
rNHE OLD TIMER has warm
place In the hearts OF men, and his
status 10 fixed In history. The

MN OLD 1IMEn mas warm
place In the hearts OF men, and bis
status 10 fixed In history. The
simpler form Of expression 10 used
In designating the individual who has
q commonplace history for the part he
played In a particular community; and
Dodge City was the hub around which
noted characters revolved, from the
southern coast to the Dakotas, from the
Pacific Ocean to The lakes. The history
they made in their individual lives was
the history Of their rendezvous, the
Dodge City Of early days. II was not
creditable as an enduring busis for future
glory, but it is fixed In national reput-
alton. II we are to judge from experiences
of Dodge City visitor Oh q late visit to
the White House. the President, how
ever, is a cosmopolitan, and the role In
In which be forms the most distinguish
Ing feature, is not corfned or limited to
4 single class OF we'll known men. That
Dodge City should have National fame
by reason of the men who were known
as desperate characters In the plains
lines is no discredit 10 the city OF today,
Tor the pages of history are replete with
he chronicles Of bloody antagonies. All
Early struggles were sanguinary, and 1t
required heroism to lay the foundation
Or better state Of society aud upon
which to build cities aud communities 10
he pursuit Of peace and industry. II 10
Tot proftoble or wise to discredit the
means through which Dodge City emer-
red from the mass OF chaos T. the staid
md prosperous city Of the present, saffici-
mt into the day is the evil thereof.
AZ enc page after another 10 turned in
be progress Of events we view the past
With regrets as time and distance has
,rossed out the once seemingly cruel
yents which are only noted ~ the initi.
tive In hewing OH the rough edges Of
Wild and woody career. And the past Is
orgotten In the exercises Of the present
nd In the plan Of the future. IL 10 the
'urden Of the present with which we
leal, and not the means which the
arly settlers crossed the Rubicon.
There is to-day no place In Dodge City |
or Ben Daniels, Mysterious Dave, Eat.
m-up Jake, ben Holiday, Luke Short,
r similar characters: Some are dead,
ONE are living, and some are los'. They
eveloped under the ehdowments OF
hirty years ago or more, when frontier
ie was infested with violent men, who
cid their lives 10 their hands, and who
sttled all disputes and avenged all
Irongs with q loaded gun. The peace
ii and Industrious rule Of the present 10
onducted by the citizens who, put firU
,liance In respect to duty and obidence
, law.
They were those who were always
bident to the finer instincts Of human
ice, and upon whose memory there Is
rateful respect, upon whose characters
the legacy by which the city has thriv-
and prospered. The early ci'ize
Dodge City who respected his neigh
Or and sought the promotion Of the bet
r things OF life, laid the foundation of
Ie city of today. While those fist
lentioned gave nOtoriety the latter have
It the fruits OF toll, industry and non
ty. 1t seemed that both classes have a
ace In the history Of the city, but the
en- who built the city have the affection
I'd esteem of those who survive them
nd 30 fame rests on creditable deede,
I'd while the cut law has passing
while early events are still
esh In mind, the men who gave solitity
ID good character as heritage will en-
IRE so long as the marble shafts 10 the
metery grounds resist the decay ana
rroding Of time. and then some.
There are yet left but few men who
ouldered the responsibility Of thirty
are ago or more. Each year the decim.
Ing hand of time marks tho victim BY
ason Of age and disease, and soon the
l heavy heads, weak frames and wrink.
visage will be consigned to the earth.
10 sting Of death and the victory Of the
ave 10 the tribute at last.
While greatful memory strews flowers
the grave, and sheds tears on the past
Q must view the remnant Of the
rly pioneer with degree Of respect
d kindness. 1t is the old timer who 10
, Gibralter upon which the city 10
titled. 1t Is to him the later settler
,ognlzed an enduring faith In the fut-
, and stability Of city and country.
ID they are not all old men who are
mbered among the survivors Of the
'nlier days. Time has dealt kindly
th them all. Some are yet In the prime
life, they have lost little Of the vitality
life. Energy, activity aud endurance
" still possess; but there are those
% care little for the worlds empty
nors; who have passed the meridian
life; who have bent forms and gray