S Bowman described the origin of the name “Boot Hill” located “in the southeast part of town. In an interview with the Evening Kansan Republican, C. In a 1912 Bowman was again asked about the early cemetery. In an earlier document written by Bowman’s wife, Clare Bates Bowman, she noted that “thirteen persons were reported killed and buried on Boot Hill.” In 1871, the Bowman family lived “in a frame built shack between Main street and the cattle trail.” He estimated “ about a hundred shots must have been fired in fifteen minutes.” An inquest was held the next day, however.” all the men who had been wounded were hidden by their friends and could not be found to give evidence.” Early on Sunday morning August 20, Bowman woke to the sound of gun fire. Bowman shared his eye-witness account of the August 1871 General Massacre. Bowman, on the topic of Newton’s Boot Hill for the 1915 article. The reporter interviewed several other men, including Judge C.S. The clothes identified him.” Jim Martin was one of the men killed in the General Massacre on August 20, 1871. one of the skeletons taken from the know was that of Marten. “There were twelve or thirteen bodies interred there. He noted that “Boot Hill” was “ one of the oldest landmarks of Newton.” He recalled that the bodies had been buried in “wooden boxes and buried in everyday suits, no boots were found to substantiate the early day story.” he asked permission to open up some of the graves in the hill, that he might have some skeletons for his study of anatomy.” He removed three skeletons, one of which he still had at the hospital. Hartley in 1879 and he heard a rumor that “Boot Hill was to be placed under cultivation. As a young medical student, he was working with Dr. The Newton Weekly Republican reported “Boot Hill Being Used for Filling.” The location was described as “just south of the bridge on East street that spans the ravine which has received the name of Slate Creek, is a knoll of ground that was named many years ago and still bears the name of ‘Boot Hill’.” The knoll in question was being leveled and the dirt taken to a property owned by Dr. In 1915, something of a controversy was stirred up surrounding Newton’s Boot Hill. In 1882, he was credited with “arresting four saloon breakers, single handed at one time.” As a reward for his bravery, Mayer received a “gold Marshal’s badge valued at $100.” During his time as Marshal, he saw “ what so many of you did not and never will see” of “ frontier justice.” He noted that during this time “Newton had a nation-wide reputation as a bad town.” “Boot Hill Used for Filling” 1915 He served as Newton city marshal 1873 -1894. Mayer arrived in the summer of 1871 to homestead. In 1908, Henry Mayer recorded his memories of early Newton. Like the story told by Captain Seaton in 1904, all referenced the violence in Newton in the summer of 1871. Many of the old settlers were inspired to tell their stories of the early days of Newton. Stories abounded in the early part of the 20th century. the proprietor said it was nothing.”Ĭaptain Seaton’s story seems a bit fantastic when compared to other accounts. with names of the deceased printed in rude fashion.” The names included interesting descriptors like “Red Eye Pete,” “Brimstone Bill,” “Wild Ike.” Seaton further recalled an experience he had years ago sitting in a store, he “ noticed a skull lying near the road. He reported “although not a man had died a natural death in the town, he counted 63 graves in the town cemetery.” He noted that he “scrutinized the markers” which consisted of “ boards. Seaton claimed to be a first hand observer although he did not arrive in Newton until 1873. He asserted in an interview with the Evening Kansan Republican that “he can hardly agree. In 1904, several articles appeared in the Kansas City Journal and The Atchison Globe that noted that Newton “was never much of a town for shooting in early days.” A man identified only as Captain Seaton felt the need to set the record straight. Reviving Old Stories “ He can hardly agree”
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