Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1910-07-09
Webb McNal1 Is Dead

Webb Nc Nall, who died at his
home in Gaylord, last Friday,
was well know to many Osborne
people. Webb was a great char
acter Possessed of practical
no eduction, he was able to hold
his own in debate with the
strongest men of the state. He
went to Smith county in 1871
and the advance in the price of
land made him wealthy. He was
a companionable and genial fel-
low and thousands of people
over this part of Kansas will re-
gret to hear that he is no more.
HOld F'luke" always played an
important part IN every cam
paign in which McNall was in
terested in recent years. Old
Fluke" was horse owned by
McNall. 1t seemed that McNall
was a deputy sheriff in Smith
county in the early days and one
time he put in a account for the
service of subpoenaeS that look
ed out of proportion to the time
in which the service could be
performed In order to do the
work it appeared that he had to
ride "Old Fluke" about a thouS-
and miles a day And so McNall
with his trusty steed became
about as famous as Sheridan
dash to Wincheste ter. So thrill
ing was his ride tLat it drove
Frank Jarrell to write the follow
ing poem" on the affair:
Listen, my children. I'll tell
you all. of the wonderful ride of
Webb McNall; of his I'd horse
'Fluke," with his lightning
speed, horse of wonderful pow
er and breed Twas in Smith
county in days old, that Webb
and Fluke" made the ride so
bold. A case was called in the
court out there, and people in
facts were needed to swear 1t
matters not now what case was
tried, that lost Importance com
pared with the ride of Webb and
Fluke" DER the prairie bare. in
their natural haste as they cleft
the air) Subpoenas were issue
ed. an awful lot; how many
there were I've now forgot.
How said the judge as he
stroked his chin, can these
writs be served in time to be-
gin?" Then up spoke Webb in a
positive tone: I'll serve EN-
alone; for my trustv Fluke so
true and game will carry me
swift DER valley and plain" He
took the the writS and mounted
his steed and started forth with
incredible speed. Ger gulch
and hill and valley and slough
they started forth and old
'Fluke'' flew. They Travelled
the country round about and
woke the farmers with neigh and
shout They scattered sub
poenas over the plain; 'Fluke''
went so fast that Webb never
drew rein. They finished their
job, and did il brown, and, fresh
as ever, struck back to town
Then Webb called out for paper
and quill, and squaring himself,
made out a great bill. His bill
strung out SO heavy and long, the
court officials thought something
was wrong. WeOO, SdlO U06
Judge, as he shed tear now
amt you putting this rather
dear''? why mo-" said Webb,
in an injured tone, you want tC
remember .tain't me alone, foI
there's my 'Fluke the speedy
old nag. Old Fluke comes in
for share of the swag." Well,
they paid the bill-an awful sum
twas more than twenty horses
could well have run, and over the
country far and wide, they talk
ed and marveled about the great
ride. How did they do it; GOD
knows on high. Some say old
Fluke' was able to fly. If he really
did fly that night. they all admit
twas grand old fight. And il
Smith county, to this day yet
when there comes day that is
dreary and wet, the loafers de-
light to tell all of the wonderful
ride of Webb McNall. Osborne
Farmer.