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.

This episode compiles real-life newspaper accounts detailing multiple violent incidents occurring in central Kansas during early 1872. It documents several cases, including the "Ward & Keener" shooting where a fatal altercation involving a stagecoach employee, a man named Taylor, and an innocent bystander named Merrill resulted in two deaths. We also recount the "Joseph Grisel" shooting, a case of domestic violence or jealousy where Joseph Grisel was severely injured, and the "Mrs. Lebigre" accidental shooting in a Newton hardware store.

Finally, we include a cautionary notice called "ABOUT ALLEGRO (E.J. Harrington)", a newspaper correspondent accused of blackmail, revealing concerns about public trust and journalistic integrity in the burgeoning American West.

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

These newspaper articles paint a vivid picture of frontier justice and the notorious reputation of Newton, Kansas, in the 1870s. The text details the stark reality of capital punishment by hanging, emphasizing the grim finality and public spectacle of such events, as well as the immediate, visceral reactions of both the condemned and the onlookers.

Beyond formal executions, this episode also highlights instances of vigilante justice and extreme violence, showcasing the brutal capture and lynching of a murderer. Throughout, the pervasive theme is Newton's struggle with its image as a "rough town" rife with vice, lawlessness, and frequent deaths, despite efforts by local authorities to downplay these reports.

The excerpts collectively portray a volatile period where public order was precarious, and the frontier environment fostered both formal and informal methods of dealing with crime and maintaining a semblance of control.

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This episode shares exerpts from various 1871 Kansas newspapers which paint a vivid picture of Newton, Kansas, presenting it as both a "saintly town" striving for morality and a volatile frontier settlement grappling with lawlessness. Reports detail an organized attempt to burn Newton, a counterfeiter successfully passing fake currency, and recurring instances of violence, including a suspected murder of James Beam that later proved to be a misunderstanding. Despite attempts by officials like Judge Muse to portray a quiet and prosperous community, the articles frequently highlight a lack of effective law enforcement, with crimes often going unpunished due to a general fear of ruffians and a scarcity of detectives. The collection concludes by noting a significant influx of railroad workers, suggesting a future where "honest labor" might bring improvement and a "healthy, vigorous spirit of Christianity" to this tumultuous town.

Visit www.PrairieTales.US to download a self-study / Teacher's guide and the original source articles.

These newspaper excerpts from 1871-1878 chronicle several violent incidents in Newton, Kansas. We first look at a domestic dispute where Bill Dow was shot by Lottie Foster. Separate reports document suicide attempts, one by a German woman using chloroform and another by two women at a dance house who took poison. Most extensively, multiple sources recount the murder of Assistant City Marshal Carlos King by Thomas Edwards at a dance hall in September 1871. Later articles reveal the posthumous controversy surrounding King's death, with his widow and attorney facing arrest for allegedly defrauding the government by claiming his death was service-related to secure a pension.

Visit www.PrairieTales.US to download a self-study & Teacher's Guide, as well as the original source articles referenced in this episode. A handy episode guide is also available.

This episode, taken from actual newspaper articles from the day, paints a vivid picture of Newton, Kansas, in 1871, portraying it as a raw and wild frontier town with a reputation for lawlessness and vice. The articles highlight instances of swift, extralegal justice like the hanging of a horse thief, as well as the thriving gambling culture, especially centered around the "Gold Rooms." Contrasting views are presented, with some publications condemning Newton's lack of morality while others, writing from Newton itself, embrace its "wickedest city" moniker as a source of identity and even prosperity, fueled by the excitement of the Chisholm Trail and the influx of diverse characters seeking fortune and adventure. The tragic story of Annie Glinn also reveals the harsh realities faced by some inhabitants, particularly women, in this unforgiving environment.

This episode is sponsored by Enduring Love Memorials of Newton, Kansas.

For a study guide, teachers guide, and original source articles for this episode, please visit us at www.PrairieTales.US