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.
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GARDEN COMMUNITY CHURCH
Hesston / Moundridge, Kansas