This episode recounts several violent incidents in Newton, Kansas, primarily from 1872-1873, highlighting the challenges of law and order in a frontier town. The first case details a shooting involving James Brewer, who was convicted of attempted manslaughter but later pardoned.

The second, more extensive account describes the murder of George Halliday by M.J. Fitzpatrick, who was subsequently killed by the city marshal; this event led to citizens taking direct action against perceived "bad characters" and sparked community reflection on the town's governance and moral climate. Later sources offer recollections of these events and general commentary on the nature of "frontier justice" and the dangers associated with saloons and dance houses, suggesting a period of significant social upheaval and efforts to establish order.

For a self-study / teachers guide and the original source newspaper articles, visit www.PrairieTales.US.

This episode paints a vivid picture of Newton, Kansas, in the early 1870s, initially describing it as an exceptionally lawless "hardest looking town" characterized by violence and vice, including its infamous "Gold Room" dance house. However, the narrative swiftly shifts to detail the town's remarkable transformation toward morality and order, highlighted by the establishment of a thriving Sabbath school.

Concurrently, the newspapers of the day track the tumultuous career of Billy Brooks, Newton's city marshal, a fearless yet controversial figure known for his tenacity and violent encounters, ultimately meeting a violent end himself. The collection also briefly mentions other individual cases of violence involving figures like Frank Mason, Daniel Waddam, and Mr. McClelland, further underscoring the prevalent dangers and rough justice that defined this frontier period before Newton's reform took hold.

For a self-study / teachers guide and the original source newspaper articles, visit www.PrairieTales.US.

This exciting episode provides a glimpse into the turbulent early history of Newton, Kansas, focusing on several true, violent incidents and the town's struggle for order. We document the fatal shooting of A. M. Sweet by "Rowdy Joe," who was acquitted based on self-defense, and the killing of "Cherokee Dan" Hicks by saloon keeper Harry Lovett, also deemed justified, which citizens celebrated. We also highlight the town's incorporation as a city and its aspirations for peace and lawfulness, despite ongoing issues with crime, including suspected counterfeiters and dangerous encounters with Native American tribes.

A very sad and peculiar incident involving an unidentified "Plug Hat Guest" shot for his attire after he got off the train for a short break in the famous town of Newton, illustrates the frontier town's volatile atmosphere.

For a self-study / teachers guide and the original source newspaper articles, visit www.PrairieTales.US.