Note: The Peabody Gazette gives us some real insight into life in Plum Grove in the late 1870s and early 1880s. In this weekly newspaper, we find columns entitled “Plum Grove Items.” These columns were mostly submitted by two authors. The first contributor signs his name “A Star Cus,” It is easy to deduce from the style the columns are written and the similarity of the name that this is Starchus M. Spencer. The other contributor signs his name “Num Skull.” We are never given a clue as to the identity of Num Skull. In these bi-monthly columns, both of these authors garner a lot of information about the people, the area, and the climate of Plum Grove and its vicinity.
“Since the late rains, our farmers carry smiling countenances. The grumblers have concluded that this portion of Kansas Is neither too hot nor too cold. Too dry, nor too wet, too windy, or too calm, since they have heard of the destructions of lives and property in other States by the storm which occurred two weeks ago last Sunday, the day that we shall never forget as the ‘blowy day for Kansas.'”
The Tornado outbreak of April 18–20, 1880, was centered from Arkansas to Michigan and beyond- judging by the report of “A Star Cus,” Plum Grove must have felt the effect of the “blowy day in Kansas” too -.resulting in 20+ tornadoes and 168 deaths, and 516 injuries.
The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) · April 20, 1880
SUNDAY’S STORM,
A TERRIBLE TALE OF DESTRUCTION.
the town of Mansfield, Missouri suffered fearfully- Immense loss of life and property
DESTRUCTION AT MANSFIELD
St. Loius, April 19- It is reported that nearly the whole town of Mansfield, Missouri, was blown down by a terrible wind storm last evening and then burned, resulting in a frightful loss of life.
FURIOUS HURRICANE
struck the place and leveled all that part of the city lying west of the center of the square flat to the ground; the debris immediately took fire in several areas…
FORTY DEAD BODIES
had been taken out, and many more were supposedly buried in the ruins or burned up. There were many still living imprisoned in the debris of fallen buildings.
A child was found lodged in the crotch of a tree, thirty feet above the ground, but only slightly hurt.
All the physicians of the town were killed, accepting two…
The full article is hard too hard for me to decipher here, but fear not, the brave can see it here The Leavenworth Times.
THE PEABODY GAZETTE
07 MAY 1880
PLUM GROVE, BUTLER CO., KANSAS, 07 MAY 1880
EDITOR Gazette:
PLUM GROVE ITEMS 07 MAY 1880
Since the late rains, our farmers carry smiling countenances. The grumblers have concluded that this portion of Kansas Is neither too hot nor too cold. Too dry, nor too wet, too windy, or too calm, since they have heard of the destructions of lives and property in other States by the storm which occurred two weeks ago last Sunday, the day that we shall never forget as the blowy day for Kansas.
So that “Num Skull” may know the truth regarding our belonging to the greenbacks, we will inform him the party at this place wanted a man of brains. Not having any of that kind in their party, they called on us, and thinking that we might make a few dollars by accenting their offer, went over to their meeting. After finding that we could not better our condition politically or financially, we withdrew. After we left them, the party died a natural death in this county, as there was & c vitality enough in the party to live! Now, “Num Skull,” if you don’t want any more truths told, don’t pitch into it.
👉🏻 C. V. Caln has his residence nearly completed.
Chas. Martin captured and brought Into town a white swan which measured nine feet from the tip of the wing to the tip of the wing and seven feet from its bill to its feet.
👉🏻 Mrs. A. W. Spencer and son Eddie are visiting friends in town.
👉🏻 Mr. Sidney Joseph of West Va. is visiting his father and looking after his land interest, which he owns in this township.
👉🏻 S. M. Spencer has sold his hay to parties who will commence pressing with a steam press next week.
👉🏻 The only marriage that we will notice this week is that of David Cline to Mrs. Jennle Amos.
👉🏻 John W. Daily left last Tuesday to visit his parents, who live in Chester, Conn. Mr. Daily came to Kansas two years ago with a friend by the name of Hotchkiss to enter into business as partners. Mr. Hotchkiss, getting homesick, returned to the land of wooden nutmegs after being in the State for about ten days. Mr. Daily now likes Kansas so well that he will close up his business there and return in about seven weeks and make Kansas his home while on his visit east.
A STAR CUS3.
YOURS,
A STAR✬CUS
𝚨nything for A Quiet LifeΩ 