The Ransom Journal from Ransom, Kansas • 3

A Study in Values, OUANTRELL'S INDEPENDENCE FIGHT. Noted Guerilla Chieftain Came to Kansas With a Party of Surveyors In the Early Days Was Known as "Charles Hart" Feared by All. and Henderson has orTercl you big lee if you can get the place for him cheap. You've got Haines wln-re y.j.i enn crowd him for money and rompM blm ttj sell, and ou offer me a cl-'ar thousand dollais If I II buv the place and then tniii it over Henderson, for you thjnk may be they'd guess about the coal If Henderson tried to buy it himself, and there nr reasons why you don't want to appear lu it. Is that the way of It? Giny nodded.

Jack was rising to the ball tiulckur tbau he impeded, lie bad been a little doubtful about, disclosing bia hand. Strong was so likely lo have, notions. Hut he seemed to comprehend the situation if he did state the rase somewhat baldly. many duels were fought without the aid of seconds ot the presence of a surgeon Colonel Hughes was killed while leading his men through a cornfield. He was in the act of stepping over a fence when bullet struck him squarely in the forehead.

He threw up his arms and fell back derd," "Buel surrendered at lb o'clock in the moi nlng," continued Mr. Shea. "He had be'Ti fighting Quant roll for several months had often saitl that he Would not show him any mercy if the fortunes of war placed him in bis power. Colonel Hays, who had succeeded Colonel Hughes as commander of the victorious little army, remembered Ihis and he directed Quantrell lo accept lluel's surrender and bis sword. When Quantrell approached Buel, the colonel, with a smile, extended his sword, but Quantrell waved it asitle, saying, in a cherry tone, 'Colonel, 1 don't want, your swortl, keep it.

Buel's men were lined up on the courthouse square and paroled. "I.aler Bill Hallar, one of Quan- By Eleanor Copyriylited 1U03 by The Authors Publishing Company, I. Tin- train came to a standstill i ii 11 1 of tin- lillli, ii painted depot. Only one man stepped oil, and with 'but a moment pause (be train slo.va-eit on again. The stranger stood a moment, glancing half cm iously down the lino ct old.

wooden building that, formed the one at "Same old place," he thought with a half amused dinlle. "It old Rip Van Winkle, had come hai a here after his twenty years sleep hof. never have Known ho heon asleep. It's the old town that has taken a twenty years' nap this time though," he soliloquised. "There is not a new building ami hardly a change of any kind since I left." As be picked up bis grip and towards the old weather-beaten hotel, he became conscious that be was the center of Interest to the loafers loung-tng about the platform.

"Cee-whltaker! if it ain't 1)1; Grey" a voice suddenly exclaimed, and a lull, lank Individual peered a' "But I ain't so poor that I him sharply frnm beneath Hie limp brim cf an old bat; then, evidently satisfied as to the correctness of his conjecture, sprang foi ward and eugcr-ly it a. Led out a hard, horny hand. The stranger turned with annoyance, lie did i. fit relish the familiar greeting and valr.Iy racked his brain to rene'in ber this seedy-looking old man. Hut he was too polite to be rude, ho h.

took the extended hand, whose grasp nearly crushed bis fingers. "It sec n. powerful good to see yon In Brownvilie agin, Dick," the old resident sale, still shaking bis hand, "i heated as how you're a big lawyer now and powerful rich. Well, well, come right up to the house ami liev some dinner with us. Mundy'll be tickled to death to gee ye." But the lawyer courteously declined the proffered hospitality, and without a glance at tn rest of the group who were crowding about him, made bis ay across to the hotel.

An hour later he eatt by the open window of his room meditatively smoking. The half-amused smile returned to his face as he thought of the greetings he had Just received. "I wonder who all the old codgers are, anyway," he reflected. "I'e a dim I lea that I used to know them, but i ve had too much else to think of In the last twenty years to remember I hem now. "I wo.iJor If Jack Strong is still In this little one-horse town," his thoughts tan on.

"Boor old Jack, I l'uvetj thought of him before In years, I used to think the sun revolved around Jack. Well, I suppose he has v.gitaieti hers until be Is like the rest of thosr fog.es down there. It's a shame too; for Jack was as bright, ambitious a boy as you will often find. If it hadn't been for that conscience of his thit wouldn't let him leave home ef'er Lis fathers accident, he might Lave ruaie way In the world wtta- West. Service of The National Publlsherj upply Co.

out, any trouble." Tt. Uwyer hi cigar iu nilet; -v I.r a tn-. doo; opened and th land-, lord entered with a plletmr 'if water. Grey lazily tinned his he.ul an 1 inquired, "Does Jack St roug II v-i tirt yet?" "Jack S'tone;" he dm-s Brownsv ili wnuldnt Ii; ilie without I'oor c.v, been i.avh.s ha: 1 tcik 'Ms last yai though." Ttie grxs.p-lov.r.g I porch 't t.in--.-! 'ii. e.U- 'he table, of nil to id tumbled tin it.r i lu ne' liaif liy the end of Hint time hi in possession of the pr.inipa! of Strong's Hie during the tw'ily year.

"Until, lo'-l everything he had but the old lion." in that liic. i'id lie? Mad to mortgage Hie boniest nl to uct funds to stork up again, his own laniily and Ilio old folks 10 sunptut. his old father and moth oketi at the idea of leaving Hi. boniest cad. need to sell my self Why isn't he jusl the n.ai.

I in for In Ihis little he iliVqulseii "I can make good use of him ami d-j-blm a good turn ai the tiir.c.". lie smoked on thoughtfully some lime. In ii looked at I.m "Guess' I'll look the old lellow up, he ton-eluded. As he lose he 1 ii i t. .1 coupla-cenlly at the prospeioiis, attired figure reflected in the cracked niirroi and ip piubable contrast his iippe.ii a nee and that of his old on.

He sauntered clowi 1," si reel r.nl into the open in mlcr the udest sign II. SHong" A man In a worn, ill-fiititig suit hastened forward and wrung bis hand heartily, exclaiming. "It, does seem good to sea yon again, Dick old boy. I heard vi were lu town ami I knew you'd rop In. I've walched the door for the last hour." Grey cordially returned the greeting.

For Hie next half hour the two men retailed old times. The lawyer enjoyed a sense of conscious superiority over his old chum. "It's a pity wasted bis life here," he thought, pityingly studying the others careworn face. At last he pulled out his watth and turning to the merchant with a smile remarked, "Now may I talk business to yoi for a few moments?" Strong led the way to the little office at the back of the store. Ills friend carefully closed the door before he sat down; then he spoke In low earnest tones for some time, carefully explaining his scheme.

The merchant listened silently with an expression on his fate that Grey could not fathom. "Do you see?" Grey asked at laat. "You say," Strong began In a queer, oonstralned voice, "that this Henderson baa found out that there's a Tela of coal running through the old Barae plaoe. Old Mr. Barnes doa't know It, Many residents of Independence, slill remember tl.e pleasing id "Charles Hail," who became Quart-trcll, a killer of men ami a raider of towns.

As Charles Hart he mingled ill the society of Hit; best young women and men of the old town lie was magnetic, mild mannered and itnus-utlly intelligent. In his attire he was scrupulously neat and delighted in kid gloves. L'nlil he was forced to I lake to the brush be paid much at tention to the part iu his hair and to 1 Hie polishing of his linger nails. An fid resident of Independence, who is verse to publicity, while discussing the guerrilla recently said: "I have never met a more entertaining man i In 18G1 he appeared lo be about 21 years of age, but be said he was 2. He said he was a graduate of an Ohio academy and that he hud crossed the plains to Kansas with a surveying party.

"He first came to Independence in ISO!) with three other men with the intention, it was slated, of running off some of Morgan Walker's slaves. Walker was a farmer and lived five miles southeast of Independence. Quantrell, ho was I hen known as Hart, informed Walker of the plot and when the raid was attempted Walker and his friends, armed with tihotguns, were waiting for them. Quantrell remained in the real and escaped the volley of bullets which resulted. One of the parly was killed outright and another mortally wounded.

The remaining Jayhawker was ldlled while succoring his wounded comrade. Quantrell was then tin object of suspicion for tin? first time. His loyalty to the South was questioned and in order lo escape harm and possibly death be returned to Kansas. In May or June, SG 1 hv. returned to Independence, still calling himself Charles Hart, and organized Independent company consisting if thirty well-known young men living In Hie eastern end of Jackson county.

Just before he led his company away he. announced that his name was Quantrell. After that he was often In Independence and his activity caused both Southern sympathizers and Union advocates to fear him. Wherever he went he left a (rail ot blood and he contributed more lo the. reign of terror in Independence during the turbulent days of war than any other man.

It was he who guarded Hie Southern forces from their camp on the Cowherd farm near Lee's Summit to Independence on I he morning of August 11, 18(12, and it was he who led the charge in the bailie which followed. No man fought harder or exposetl his life more recklessly, lie seemed to bo courting death, but it is not recalled that he received so much as a scratch. I-. M. Shea also kue.v Quantrell.

He v.iis in Independence at the time of Hie fight there and he loves to talk uboul it, Ilecently he said: "Colonel James lluel of the Seventh Missouri cavalry was in command of the post at. that time, lie had a forcj of about 1100 men, and with them he hat managed to maintain some sent-; Mance of order in the town which had boon, previous to his coming, almost without law or order A Southern crimp had been established on tin I Cowherd farm, under Hie command ot Colonel I'ptoii Hays The Hag of lha camp was plainly visible from Hie top of tho courthouse iu Independence, liy August 1 Hays hail uitetl about 130 men, not including a guard of thirty of QuantroH's men, commanded by George Todd. "Buol decided lo attack Hay's camp and as a precautionary measure he confiscated every weapon and every round of ammunition his men could find In the stores and i ones of Independence, lie ordered troops from Lexington and Kansas City and prepared carefully in other ways for tha attack. In the meantime Ctonel John I. Hughes succeeded in Ihc command of the camp on the CowTierd farm, and realizing the peril of his position ho decided to attack Buel.

So, early in tho morning of August 11, lS(i2. his force, which had been supplemented by Quant rtll's company, with Quan-tiell himself in elinrge, appeared before lluel's pickets on Hie outskirts of tho city. 1 heard the first shot fired. I was at home anil awake, for I was expecting Hie attack After the first Flint there was a qulul lor a moment anil then a few desultory shots. Ten or fjftenu minutes later tha battle began In riiesl.

Men clashed in squads "I)t you letnembe? wIhti old Barnes lent you the. money to stut out la life?" strong piesontly enquired musingly. 'et I fain 1 I do and It was paid back with Interest long ago. I've loaned a good many people mum iu Hie last ten years, but 1 don eNuect them to bold me lu evet lasting gratitude) for It." A suiilonic smile flitted over his face No, the people, he l-'uned money to didn't usually Ijold him in grateful remembrance. He didn I lend it lo penniless young chaps without securitysuch us be, once was.

either; but it was not neccssaiy to explain that to Jack. "It would break the old people's hearts to have to loao the old place; and they're too oltl to begin life over again. It would mean the poor bouse III a few years." Strong still spoke in a constrained voice. "Bosh! That has nothing to do Willi, the Question. My dear fellow, yoi; must learn lo leave sentiment out ni business or you vvill m-vei along lu world.

All that twaddle about heart-strings anil blighted liws ami the test of that stuiT ioe-n eniin' when it comes lo a uciiiei tns-i ness." Grey smiled 1 1 ri i i i.e. ly across at Strong with lie, nuc-i woi Idly-wise air. liesiilf he went mi alter a moment's iiause. when ii comes to a tpiestion of heai st i i -I guess your falhir's ami mother. lire twilled about as secuielv ul that old place of yous as old Harm and his wife's ara about theirs, -n I I understand that ur place cm-? iT you don't take this chance lo s.r.

It." Then he added: "Well do lake my offer? The merchant's fate ppiwu while. He slowly rose lo In- I t. I stood looking down at (lie, nring him wtlli honest. IiuIium, Grey dimly Wondered why lit se. I lo wither up under (hut ilea; why be who had towered so tar Ibis country storekeeper when l.e ih door, had someway until he seemed a pigmy Leoiii'.

plant. Strong's voice was low and though Intense, when be spoke. "No," he said. "I wont' Yt 1 in poor, but I ain't so pom Hint i-c. to sell my self -respect and evrv finer feeling in my iiaiurc." Siildtuly I I expression changed.

He held out 'lis hands willi a tpiii Impulsive menl Inward the man who had Ins boyhood's cbiini Hud hero, whiV his lace took tin a look ol ycurniu pity. Dick, oh! chum'" That va all ho said; hut the words held a of disappoint nieiit. They were the requiem over a shattered Ideal. Giey stared wonderingly. The man who should have been awed by his manifest superiority and have envied him his prosperity was looking nt him with pity struggling against contempt in his face.

Someway, he couldn't adjust bis thoughts to their former complacency "That's all these confounded villagers know about business, anyway," lie thought, contemptuously, as be reached for his hat. Sickness Made Them Generous. When Ilio government ship Dolphin was coming homu from Cuba, carrying Secretary of War Moody, Senator Hale of the naval com milieu and Speaker-elect Cannon, siiiiio rough weather was encountered. Just previous to the coming of (he storm the statesmen namud had been discussing the proposed building of six balllo-fhips. Messrs.

Hale and Cannon succumbed to seasickness. When suffering had become too intense In be borne any longer In silence "I'ncle Joe" called out to Secretary Moody: "Say, Moody, If you will get us to shore quickly I'll give you six battleships next winter." "I will make a better bill than that," exclaimed Senator Hal. "I'll favor twenty battleships If the secretary will only keep this ship still for half aa trell's men, and Captain Breckinridge of Buel's command, met on the street and were discussing the situation when a soldier, riding a fine horse, which had been the property of Breckinridge, came in sight. Breckinridge cried out: 'Hi, there! Where did you get my horse? Off with you! I intend that, horse for Bill The soldier dismounted and Ilallar look isissession of the animal. "The sword incident ami the horse iresenlation, together wi the fact i hat Buel had been caught 'napping caused the arrest of both and Breckinridge for betraying Hie post into the hands of Quautroll and they were taken to St.

Louis, where a ourl-marlial resulted in their acquittal." Shortly afier the battle of Mr. Shea went I. exile. Tin Union forces were again in control in Independence, ami when the now famous order No. 11 was issued many of Hie Southerners were compelled to leave, Mr.

Shea among the number. "That order," said Mr. Shea, "was issued by General Ewing and it commanded every man to prove his loyalty or leave the county. I was ordered to leave, but being a man of peace I went to Captain Reese, then the commander of the post, and explained my posit ion. 'Mr.

he said, 'I know of no reason why you should leave the country, and if you wish lo remain I shall give you all the protection in my power." The following Sunday morning my friend, John Cushenberry, was shot and killed by one of Reese's men in front of the Noland hotel at the corner of Main street and Lexing-j ton avenue, and I decided to leave I went lo Howard county anil engaged i in I ho tobacco business. When quiet. was assured to Independence I returned p.nd have been here ever since." A historian thus describes the battle of Independence: "The attacking party came in on Spring street. Captain Hart of St. Joseph was at the head of the column which was approaching the public square, on Kast Miiple street.

The Federal guard at. the jail fired and Captain Hart fell, mortally wounded, the first of a long list of fatalitiiM among officers on thai. day. The little army now dashed up lo tho square and rode to the south side, where Quantrell formed his men hastily into platoons. Colonel Hughes had required of Quantrell but two duties, namely First, lo pilot the command safely to Independence; second, lo cut off Buel from his regiment and hold him away.

Quantrell went past Buel's at full run. Roscen-wald'B guard fired into the passing troops and Kit Chiles fell dead on the street, but no halt was made until the Confederates ran into the Federal encampment. The first volley was delivered with terrible effect upon the Federals sleeping in their tents. Captain Breckenridke exclaimed: "Boys, we are surrounded, and we had belter surrender." But Captain Axline called out in a loud voice: 'Boys, rally behind the rock fence." Axllne's order was obeyed. The tents were abandoned and the battle at ouce as sumed the form of a regular siego and defense.

At almost the first volley Colonel Hughes was shot in the forehead and died instantly. Colonel Hays assumed command and for four or five hours the fighting was incessant. Five times Hays lei his coin-wand against that rock fence and.