Volume 15 , Issue 6

Nescatunga, Comanche County, Kansas

Nescatunga was located in Comanche county, Kansas, at Latitude 371415N, Longitude 0991307W. It was the second town in the county. Nescatunga had a good location, none not even its enemies would deny. The following information was found in the Nescatunga Enterprise, published in 1886, Coldwater, Comanche county, Kansas.


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Our Town

Nescatunga possessed as many if not more advantages than any other town in the Comanche county. It was surrounded upon every side with a rich agricultural and grazing region of county. The supply of good wholesome water was unlimited and easy of access. There was an inexhaustible bed of a good brick clay as could be found in the state of Kansas, within the city limits.

It was thought that all that was necessary to convince the skeptically inclined is to point them to the brick kiln in the south part of town and to their splendid two story brick school building. Evansville, fifteen miles distant and Nescatunga were the only towns on the east side of the county. On the west side there were four. Fuel could be purchased cheaper in Nescatunga than in any other town in the county, excepting Evansville.

The growth of Nescatunga had been steady and permanent, and if it continued to grow in the future as it had in the past year, it was thought that in two years it would be a town of two thousand inhabitants. The citizens were encouraged to bring some kind of manufacturing establishment, that would give employment to a number of hands. They were also offered inducements to branches of business that were not represented there. They turned their attention to public improvements, built sidewalks, set out trees on either side of their streets, secured ten acres of ground and laid it out for a public park and planted it to trees. They were also encouraged to secure twenty acres of ground for a college site and after awhile incorporate the town and vote bonds for the erection of a college building, and donate it to parties who would establish a school at this place.

Looking back over the years, they apparently had not made their efforts in the proper direction, and used their means to the best advantage, but it would do no good to growl and pout over past mistakes.

Brutal Murder

Nescatunga Enterprise, July 10, 1886 -- "Last Tuesday, near the town of Comanche City, John Nelson was brutally murdered by one Willis. It seems that there was some feeling of animosity existing between Nelson and Willis. Nelson having been a witness against Willis in a land contest case, as results show the feeling engendered only needed slight provocation to stir up deadly strife.

The facts as near as we can get them regarding the trouble, which resulted in murder, are about as follows: There is a patch of sand plums on Nelson's place; Willis persisted in going there to gather plums, notwithstanding Nelson had notified him that he wanted the plum himself.

On Monday preceding the murder, Nelson's father found Willis gathering plums, and asked him to desist. Willis used abusive language and informed the old man that he would quit when he got ready.

Tuesday, Nelson and Willis met in the patch; what occurred between them is unknown. A couple of men who were gathering plums some distance from where the murder was committed, say they heard the report of a gun and a minute afterwards saw Willis running, gun in hand towards Cavalry creek.

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon some of Nelson's family discovered his dead body. He was laying on his back with his hands over his face: there was a bullet hole in his neck; his forehead had been crushed in with some heavy instrument, and his body had been terribly beaten.

We understand that the two men who saw Willis running away have been arrested. Willis is still at large, a reward of $250 is offered for him.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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