THOMAS S. SLAUGHTER.

 

On the 25th day of February, 1903, at his residence in this city, the subject of this sketch departed this life.

 

Captain Slaughter, as he was familiarly known by the old settlers of this county, among whom he had lived for more than 35 years, was born April 1, 1830, at Lancaster, Ohio, wher the early part of his life was spent. He learned the printer's trade and about the time he reached his majority he purchased the Lancaster Weekly Gazette, and at once changed it from a weekly to a daily paper. After running the paper for about three years, he sold it and soon after in 1855 he married Miss Maria Louise McAboy of Lancaster and removed to Minnesota and engaged in the real estate business and while in such business he laid out the towns of Cambridge and Anoka.

 

In I860, in company with Governor Marshall of Minnesota, he founded the St. Paul Press, now the Pioneer Press, one of the most influential newspapers in the northwest. In August, 1862, he told his interest in the Press, and enlisted in tne army, becoming a member of Company I, Sixth Minnesota Volunteers, of which company he was elected captain. Upon the eve of the departure to the Minnesota contingent for the south, the Sioux Indians left their reservation and began a general massacre of the whites in all the outlying settlements. The Sioux Indians at that time had their reservation in the state of Minnesota and Governor Ramsey telegraphed President Lincoln, asking the use of the Minnesota Volunteers to put down the uprising of the Indians, which request was granted, and Captain Slaughter and his company served through the Sioux campaign.  At the close of this campaign the Minnesota troops were ordered south and the Sixth regiment, to which Captain Slaughter's company took part in the battles of Missouri and Arkansas  campaign, serving in all three years, and until the close of the war when be received an honorable discharge.

 

In June, 1867, he and his family came to Johnson county, settling on the Black Bob reservation. He represented the interests of the settlers on the reservation for many years, during which time his duties required his presence in Washington, D. C., and he formed a large acquaintance with the leading men of the country. It was largely due to his untiring efforts and devotion to the settlers that the long controversy concerning the land upon which the people had settled, was finally successfully terminated in favor of the settlers.

 

In 1883 he removed with his family to the city of Olathe, where he resided until his death, which was caused by pulmonary trouble. His devoted wife who had been his helpmate for forty years died in this city on December 19, 1894. Five children were born to Captain Slaughter and his wife, all of whom survive. They are Dr. Robt F. and Dr. Chas. V. Slaughter, both of Tonganoxie, Ka., Thomas S., Flora and Minnie L. Slaughter, all of whom reside in Olathe. During the last few years of Captain Slaughter's life he was a confirmed invalid, but the fortitude which had sustained him during a busy and eventful life never deserted him and he was never heard to complain. He was one of the most prominent men in the county during the counnty's most precarious hitory and his sterling character and rigid integrity endeared him to the hearts of many and he died leaving a host of friends to mourn his loss. 

 

Olathe Mirror

March 12, 1903

Page 6, col 4