1871-10: 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.
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