100 years ago
June 28, 1906
Last week's Jetmore Republican gave a long account of the murder of M.T. Rankin, brother of George Rankin — mentioned in last week's RECORD. The facts as brought out by the coroner's jury show that the deed was entirely unprovoked. Mr. Rankin was a candidate for Sheriff and in order to defeat him, Kit Carson, the man who killed him, had been circulating scandalous stories regarding him. He boasted that if he could get Rankin alone he could make him admit they were true. To this end he had four men conceal themselves in a hay mow, and got Rankin to come there on the pretext of desiring to talk a horse trade with him. Upon his refusal to admit the charges he opened fire upon him. Rankin was unarmed, as Carson knew. There is evidence that Rankin was in possession of facts involving Carson in certain criminal transactions, and in this is supposed to be the motive for the crime. Mr. Rankin has live in Hodgeman county since 1883. The Jetmore Republican says of him: "Mr. Rankin was an affectionate husband and father and one of our best citizens. He has been prominently identified with the affairs of this county ever since he has been a resident of it. He was a member of the Jetmore Lodge, I.O.O.F. and was prominent in the affairs of the Hodgeman county Cattle Growers Association and in the Fair Association. His death will be greatly regretted by all who knew him. He was killed on Saturday, June 26th, 1906, aged 46 years, 4 months, and 5 days. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. T.A. Spence, and burial took place in the cemetery here."
Robert Florer expects to move his billiard parlor to the Healea building now being built east of Sheldon's jewelry store.
William Brewer sold one car load of Colorado horses he was bringing here for public sale last Saturday, before he reached Marion. He had about thirty at the stock yards for sale Saturday, and stopped the sale when about half of them were sold. The horses brought from 45 to 60 dollars.
Hugh Hazleton's boy fell from a horse last Tuesday and broke an arm, near the elbow.
A lady who lives on the hill phoned to one of her neighbors the other day to inquire if her children were there. The neighbor lady has a number of children and it happened that just at that time children from the whole neighborhood were congregated there, and the neighbor lady jokingly replied "yes, we have children to burn over here." The maid, who is not as thoroughly tutored as she might be, heard the remark and solemnly warned a neighbor not to let her children go over to Mrs. Blank's as Mrs. Blank might burn them. As the boys say, "this is a true one."
Mr. Williams, the man who bought the "Wible farm" west of town of M.R. Osborne several months ago, sold it this week to Geo. M. Penland. The consideration was $4,150.
Kansas is to have direct long distance service to Chicago and New York east, Pueblo and Denver, west, Texas and Oklahoma City on the south. The Bell Telephone Company is building a direct line from Kansas City to Chicago. All the toll lines of the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company will connect with it at Kansas City.
The Minstrel show last Monday night is not regarded as the best ever. In fact, it is quietly hinted, that it was punk.
They have a machine at the Agricultural College which milks the cows. Think of that! A mechanical device which does the meanest, hardest and dirtiest place of work known to the farm. It is an engine from which radiate a lot of rubber tentacles capped by suckers, four of which are assigned and attached to each cow. As many cows can be "pailed" at one time as there are "suckers," depending upon the power of the engine. In a few minutes the cow is so dry she cannot spit or moisten her cud. So dry her hide must be moistened from the outside to hold bran. So dry her tail would burn like a flambeau. No man, no maid, no stool, no swear; the fly and the flea and the gnat and the mosquito can bite and sting themselves for the want of something better. The old cow's tail can wave and swish and whistle in the air, doing damage to no one morally or physically. The engine will just puff away. What a surprise this new order of things would be to the old time bossy who has done so much to morals while contributing so much to the physical welfare of the generations, past, present and future.
Arrangements are being made for a big celebration at Elk on the 4th. A fine program is being prepared and there will be amusements for all provided. A good time is promised for all who come.
A young farmer living near Marion was arrested last Tuesday for mistreating a horse, and fined $25 and costs in Justice's court.
The editor of this agricultural weekly is billed to perpetrate a speech upon a long-suffering people at Lincolnville on the 4th. All people will be compelled to leave brick-bats and eggs outside the grounds.
