Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-08-10
Chalk N[SON
MEETS TRAGIC END
FORMER MARSHALL COUNTY
MAN, AND WELL KNOWN HERE,
KILLED IN KANSAS.
THROWN FROM HORSE
THE CAUSE OF DEATH
Was Prominent in Kansas. an Elk.
Sheriff, and Former Member Of TIE
leaisiaturs--Also Prominent in Ma.
sonic Circles, Having Thirty. third
Dsarss-has Had interesting Career.


The close OF life that had been
filled with excitement came In tragic
way Friday at Dodge City. Kan, when
Chalkley NJ. Beeson. son OF Mrs
Martha Beeson, and brother OF Gen.
b. a. and w. B. Beeson and Mrs. sarah
Arney, Of this city. was killed by being
thrown from his horse.
The news was learned in telegram
received by General Beeson today.
"Chalk" Beeson, as he was known by
his personal and political friends, had
a most interesting career. ana Tor many
years had lived the life OF a western
ranchman. He was himself COWBOY.
and in the early days, before ne became
prosperous, rode the plains as ala the
other Cow punchers' whenever the
roundups or other duties called MIN.
He was sheriff Of Ford county for 1ouf
years prior to about twelve years ago.
and four years ago finished his second
term In the Kansas Legislature In
connection with his service as a legts-
lator the interesting incident was
learned that, in the lower house, Bee
son was the dean Of six cowboy mem
bers-Beeson, Of Ford: w. n. Weldon.
Of Clyrk; w, w. Martin, of Morton;
Fred Friar, OF Wichita: Il. B. Camp
bell. of Meade, and Sherman Williams
Of Stanton. And the six cowboy mem
bers were the real things" too-there
was no make believe about it. All had
seen actual service In the saddle ana
were proud cs It.
Native Of Ohio.
Like many of the sturdy pioneers OF
the early days in this county "Chalk
Beeson was from Columbiana county,
Ohio. where he was born April "a. lS4s
He came with his parents. Mrs Martha
and the late Samuel Beeson. to this
county lin 1855, settling in Liscomb
township. After ne grew to manhood
Mr.. Beeson went west, to Colorado. and
finally landed in Ford county. Kansas
where he settled in 1868, near Dodge
CITY, He bought a ranch, added to 1t
gradually, and was soon engaged IN
the cattle businessyon big scale. One
thousand or more head of cattle were
always kept on the place in addition to
other livestock,a6nd at the time OF MS
death Mr.. Beeson was an extensive
land and stock owner.
Had "kilisd HE Man."
Like many another plainsman and
sheriff of the earlier days In the west.
"Chalk" Beeson had KILLED his man"
The killing, however. came in the line
of duty, and for this Mr.. Beeson was
always thankful 1t was while he was
sheriff that this tragic Incident oc-
Cured. The victim Of the sheriffs bull
let was a member OF the notorious
Doolin gang, which had terrorized that
part Of Kansas for many years the
gang had robbed a bank at Spearville.
on Ford county. Beeson, as sheriff.
went after the party with posse.
Beeson met up" with one Of the MEM
bers Of the gang. who opened fire on
the officer Beeson brought his man
down and took the body into Dodge
City.
Organized Cowboy Band.
When Dodge City was wild and
woody" and the dance halls and gamb-
ling houses were running wide open.
music was a feature much sought az
ter. and the proprietors Of the places
sent least" for musical talent. This
caused Beeson to conceive the idea Of
organizing cowboy band. A musician
himself. he selected dozen cowboys.
taught them to play different instru-
ments and the band later became ia
nous thruout the country. 1t was
made the official band Of the National
Stock Growers Association and at
tended every convention held for many
years. This band also played for the
Inauguration of President Harrison in
1889. nine years after Mr.. Beeson or
ganized it.
Took Grand Duke on Hunt.
When Grand Duke Alexis. Of Russia,
came to this country to make his IA
nous buffalo hunt. "Chalk" Beeson
was chosen as the man to pilot the
party, which comprised. among other
members, Gen. Phil Sheridan and Gen.
George Custer. Beeson knew every
buffalo wallow and trail east OF the
Rockies. He took the party to Kit
Carson, Colo, and in one days hunt
ing the party killed 200 buffalo.
Leaves Widow and Two Sons.
Mr.. Beeson Is survived by his widow
and two sons, Merritt and Otis Beeson.
Mrs. Beeson was formerly Miss Ida
Gauze. Of Albion. Aside from his
mother and the two brothers and sis
ter residing here. there are living three
other sisters-Mrs. Mary Dickson, OF
Boise, Idaho: Mrs. Anna Walden. OF
Seattle; and Mrs. w. I. Lybarger. OF
Usage.
Mr.. Beeson was prominent in the
Masonic fraternity. being thirty
third degree Mason.
Funeral Monday Afternoon.
Mr. Blossoms funeral will be held
Monday afternoon. and Gen. b. A. Bee
son and Mrs. Arney will leave this
evening for Dodge City to be present