Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-07

! Now that Kansas has a population near
Ing the two million mark and is in the
midst of unprecedented prosperity, enjoy
ing the flower and ~fruitage OF all the
podern "conveniences Of living, with only
RSre and there a spot Of virgin soil left
unturned. 1 now in my eightieth year
thought It not amiss to write for your
publication a rev things incident to the
early settlement Of this part of our great
state.
Mrs. E%sslinger, now living In Clay Cen
ter, was the earliest settler in this local
ity. having taken a claim on Parsons
creek north of Clifton in 1868. Mr.. Silvers,
now living in Morganville, also took a
claim near Morganville, the same year,
but soon after ran a ~freighting wagon in
Colorado. Samuel Chester, my father,
my mother and myself settled on Pete's
creek, four miles east OF Clifton, in April
1880, having driven there from Louisa
county, Iowa, with an OK team. I have
resided in this part ever since. Mrs.
Chester also lives In Clifton, Mr.. Chester
having passed away about twelve years
ago.
EARLY Experience.
i will first relate some OF our expert
ences from an agricultural and social stand
point in our attempt to settle a new coun-
try. Our nearest postoffice was Fort Riley,
Il being fifty-five miles. At one time I
made q trip on foot to this station after
our mail and some money we we're ex-
pecting, and was to meet Mr.. Chester
and Mr.. Miller at Cole creek, about sixty
miles from the fort. and we were then
going OF to Atchison together to lay in
some supplies for our families. But when
nA-Nwra ~ 81 pavN I A,V,nA M aanaN
for us, 80 started for Cole creek to meet
my comrades. The day being we'll spent
] did not get far out hat evening. AS
dark began to overtake ms 1 saw a hay
stack some distance from the road and
made up my mind to roll in when q man
appeared and 1 told him OF my inten-
tions, that l had no money, etc, and he
told me he was lonesome and that !
should come and stay with him. l found
him to be a good-natured old batch and
by his kindly treatment was In good shape
for my journey next morning. BY the
next night / got as far as Rock creek
and met a man by the name of Darnell.
This time my reception was not SO cordial,
but 1 finally persuaded him to let me
A1tay with him, but had 1 known the cir
4 eumstances beforehand / question If had
been nervy enough to have placed myself
at MS UleICys
Meet an old Friend.
The next night I expected to meet Mr..
chester and Mr.. Miller at Cole creek, but
/ stopped at a house TO get a drink OF
water and found that the wife had an
uncle by the name OF Bindago Hurst. with
whom I was well acquainted in Louisa
county, Iowa. So I spent the rest OF the
day and night with this family and you car
be assured / was very grateful for thii
Accidental meeting, as such were, indeed
Safrequent in those days. Well. the mex
morning l arrived at Cole creek, but did moi
find my comrades. l inquired of Mr.. Cole
but got no information, so concluded they
must have been compelled to take some
other road on account OF high water, 81
i started on for Atchison alone. 1 wen
as far as Elk creek and worked that after
noon and next day for my board and ar
rived In Atchison the next morning, bu
found I was stu alone. That night