In his introduction to "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher", published in Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, Autumn, 1981, p. 166, C. Robert Haywood states:
"The following is a case history of one such small rancher in southwestern Kansas. The study will remain incomplete, with irritating gaps and intriguing innuendos, because of the sparcity of records. His goings and comings were of considerable interest to the local community and were recorded in the local press and his more notorious exploits were given brief mention in accounts of the rougher side of the frontier cowboy life. Never reaching the importance of a Charles Goodnight or Col. Ike T. Pryor, he has no biography.Yet from the scattered public and second-hand accounts, Capt. Christopher Carson Pepperd (usually referred to as C.C. or Captain) emerges as an authentic representative of the small rancher. He came out of the Civil War as a trail-herd cowboy, established a ranch in the shadow of a larger cattle combination, survived the unpredictable Kansas environment, founded a town, diversified his economic base to include the operation of a hotel and general store, and explored the possibilities of mining. He eventually suffered total economic collapse, and died destitute and alone in a city far from his Kansas activities. Buried in a pauper's grave, he escaped a society that had changed beyond recognition. His particular life with its rags-to-riches pattern was unique, but the general scenario was not unusual. Pepperd stood representative of those who changed the raw prairie from what it had always been to what was then considered a better place to live and to die."
The following chronology, while no substitute for C. Robert Haywood's excellent article, has been assembled by Shirley Brier and Jerry Ferrin from information gathered due to their mutual interest in "Cap" Pepperd's life and times.
1839:
Christopher Carson Pepperd was born to Patrick and Bridgett Pepperd in Lusk, Ireland. -- Clair Pepperd, Comanche County History, page 599.
1850:
"Capt. C.C. Pepperd, a jovial Hiberian, a true son of Erin and withal a good Democrat, came to Cincinnati from the "Old Sod" in 1850, removing to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854 and landing in Atchinson (sic) the same year. He eventually traveled to California and was in Texas in 1872, after which he sojourned three years in Colorado". -- from The Western Star, August 14, 1886, quoted by C. Robert Haywood in "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher". Haywood also notes: "To be in Atchison the year before it was incorporated is, to put it mildly, remarkable but still possible. A three-year stay in Colorado also seems plausible but not in the chronological order given by the editor".
1861 or 1862:
C.C. Pepperd married Annie E. Ewell in Virginia. (-- Clair Pepperd) C. Robert Haywood notes: "Annie Ewell was related to Gen. Thomas Ewell and the romantic picture would certainly be more pleasing if C.C. had been a dashing young officer courting the general's niece rather than a lowly horse soldier. Be that as it may, he did marry Annie Ewell and on that occasion surely used the name of Pepperd. To complicate an already confusing picture, the census of 1880 lists a daughter, Nettie T., who was born in Missouri in 1862, about the time Bowers was transferring from one company to another."April 1861: The approximate time C.C. Pepperd gave for when he enlisted in the Confederate Cavalry, Company E - Arizona Battalion or Guards, under the assumed name of Joe Bowers. He served 4 years and was discharged in 1865. Among the men he served with during the Civil War were James Tevis, Thomas Farrell and George W. Jones. The latter two men were both witnesses for Pepperd's pension claim in 1905. Jones stated that he had served with Pepperd in Arkansas while they were both in Captain Tevis' company. -- Confederate Pension Application #16216.
8 August 1861:
"Joe Bowers (C.C. Pepperd) was mustered into service at Fort Fillmore and served as a private in Capt. Thomas Helm's company of the Arizona volunteers, also known as Herbert's Battalion Arizona mounted volunteers and as the Texas Arizona Battalion mounted Rifles." -- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher". Source: Company muster rolls, "Military Service Records, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
1865:
C.C. Pepperd's son, Richard, "was born in 1865, and the census shows the family still in Virginia, presumably near or with the Ewell inlaws." -- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher".
1 September 1865:
"Joe Bowers" (C.C. Pepperd) was paroled and allowed to return home after his service as a Confederate soldier. -- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher". Source: Parole voucher, "Military Service Records, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
1872:
"By 1872 the Pepperds were in Texas, where, by his own account, C.C. spent his time as a working cowboy, breaking horses, and following the great Texas herds north to Kansas. His presence in the vicinity of Sun city and Ellsworth at a time when they were booming cowtowns places him very much in the center of the cattle industry in the heyday of the open range". -- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher".
15 August 1873:
"C.C.'s other brush with death and the district court involved another gambling affair. This time he was only a witness but it was to one of the most notorious killings in cowtown history -- Billy Thompson's shooting of Sheriff C.B. Whitney, August 15, 1873, in Ellsworth. Although C.C.'s testimony favored the Texas faction, he indicated that he was then a resident of Sun City, but he could not have been more than months away from his trail-herding days. His testimony followed fairly the closely the events as described by others, with an emphasis on the careless handling of the gun by Thompson and the assailant's contrition once the deed was done. Much to the surprise of the roused citizenry of Ellsworth, the final verdict was not guilty. C.C.'s testimony must have played a large role in convincing the jury of the accidental nature of the killing."
-- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher", Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, Autumn, 1981, page 185.Following is a transcription by Shirley Brier of C.C. Pepperd's testimony at that trial:
"By C. C. Peppard (sic), my name is C. C. Peppard (sic), I am a resident of Sun City in the County of Barbour (sic - should be "Barber"), State of Kansas, I was present at the shooting of C. B. Whitney by William Thompson on the 15th day of August 1873 at Ellsworth, Kansas. I was then acquainted with both said parties & with Ben Thompson = shortly before the shooting took place, perhaps fifteen or 20 minutes, maybe longer, Happy Jack and John Stirling said to Ben Thompson & other Texas men there, "get your guns you damned Texas sons of bitches." (-- Objected to by State _______, incompetent, irrelevant, ______ & hearsay. Objection overruled & _____ Prescott Judge.) Ben Thompson at that went and got his gun up at Jake News place & went north of the railroad, near the depot, about this time Billy Thompson went across the street with another gun towards Ben Thompson, about this time C. B. Whitney went to where Ben Thompson was standing after Billy Thompson came up all there in a friendly way & manner crossed the railroad to the south side & went to Jr. Brennan's Saloon, just after they got to the saloon, some one calls out "here they come, look out," or words to that effect. The ones referred to as here they come, were Happy Jack & John Stirling, they Jack & Stirling were then coming rapidly down the street towards Jr. Brennan's saloon with arms. Ben Thompson stepped on to the side walk __ as Happy Jack and Stirling were advancing upon him with weapons in a threatening manner, Ben __ towards Jack , just there Whitney was on the walk towards towards the alley near B_bes store & Billy Thompson was at or near the Saloon door & had his gun in his hand down below his ____ as I thought at or about as low as his hands would allow the gun to be held, he then was standing __ (stricken out )______________, at that time Happy Jack had his pistol out in his left hand & was advancing toward Bill & Ben Thompson in a threatening manner, Billys eyes were fixed on Happy Jack & at that moment Billys gun exploded or went off. The parties Billy Thompson, Whitney & Jack were then in a triangle. As the gun went off, Ben exclaimed something about shooting best friend, just what I did not fully understand. Billy said "I know it, I am so sorry." Whitney said, "He did not intend to shoot me, send for my wife & child." At the time the shooting took place Whitney was looking towards Jack & Stirling & not towards the Thompsons."
View a facsimile of the original document: State of Kansas vs. William Thompson
Source: "Testimony and Records in the Case of State of Kansas vs. William Thompson", records of the Ellsworth County District Court, manuscript division, mss box 173, Kansas State Historical Society.
1874:
"C.C. came to Comanche County as a full-fledged rancher in 1874. He had accumulated enough capital to drive 500 head of cattle up from Texas and to establish, within a short time, one of the finest ranches in the area". -- C. Robert Haywood, "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of A Kansas Rancher". Haywood noted: "The precise date is undetermined. The Coldwater Western Star put it a year later. Evidence reported elsewhere in this account seems to clearly establish him in the area by 1874."
March and June 1876:
Dodge City Court, Ford County, Kansas: (Page) 28
Criminal Appearance Docket A No. 23 Title of Cause State of Kansas
vs
C.C. PepperdMar. 1876 15 To Transcript and papers filed 1.95 Entry on Appearances Docket .25 Entry on Trial .25 Entry of Index .25 June 1876 17th Precipe filed for subpoena Subpoenas issued .10 for Chas. E. Bassett, Henry Garris, A. J. Peacock
Frank Alley (Reno Co) In behalf of State..50 June 1876 17th Precipe filed for subpoenas .10 Subpoenas issued for Thos. Kinkade,
Thos. Summerfield, Mast Berry
Hamilton Bell, Dave Morrow
Elsworth ____ on behalf of defendant.50 Filing (?) Information .25 ______Costs 1.00 Journal Entry 1.00 6.15 Co. Atty 12.50 Total 27.45 View a facsimile of the original document: State of Kansas vs. C.C. Pepperd
Source: Ford County district court cases (1874 - 1910), criminal appearance, Docket A, case no. 23, manuscript division, mss. box 808, Kansas State Historical Society.
C. Robert Haywood, in "Comanche County Cowboy: A Case Study of a Kansas Rancher", notes: "Apparently while Pepperd was still a trail hand, he and his boss, remembered only as Allen, 'fell out'. The quarrel came to climax in the Saratoga Saloon in Dodge City when C.C. Pepperd grabbed a shot gun loaded with buck shot and unloaded it in the general direction of Allen. Fortunately, the boss was agile enough to duck behind and ice chest which took the full force of the blast. The scars remained in the chest and the counter of the bar for some time, serving as a pleasant conversation piece for many on old-timer explaining the West to a greenhorn. The affair may have resulted in C.C. being tried before the district court. He was a defendant in one case but little is known of the particulars, except that he had a cross section of famous Dodge citizens testifying for him including Hamilton 'Ham' Bell and 'Prairie Dog' Dave Morrow. F.B. Streeter did indicate that C.C. was in a criminal case. The cause might well have been the Saratoga shooting."
Streeter reference: F.B. Streeter to W.S. Campbell, February 13, 1951, "Walter Stanley Campbell Collection", manuscripts division, University of Oklahoma, Norman. (Microfilm copy at Kansas State Historical Society).
14 October 1876:
Mr. C. C. Pepperd, of Comanche county, an unusually enthusiastic Democrat, has been in the City for the past few days. -- Dodge City Times, October 14, 1876. (S.B.)
09 June 1877:
"Mr. C.C. Pepperd, one of the most energetic stock men in the west, was in this city last week. He brought with him from Comanche county 200 head of fine two-year-old steers, which were sold at a good figure on this market." -- The Dodge City Times, Dodge City, Kansas, published 09 June 1877, page 8, column 1. ((S.B.))
18 August 1877:
Mr. C. C. Pepperd, of Comanche county, came up this week to spend a few days in the metropolis among his friends. He reports his 700 fat beeves doing well.
-- The Dodge City Times, August 18, 1877.)
18 October 1877:
Mr. C. C. Pepperd and his brother Lawrence Pepperd, who came out from Ohio about a year ago, came up to the city from their cattle ranch in Comanche county this week, and we regret to learn from them that Spanish fever has visited their herd, the result of which has been the loss of about twenty-five cattle. -- Dodge City Times, October 18, 1877. (S.B.)
17 November 1877:
Mr. C. C. Pepperd expects to go to Texas next spring after a herd.
-- The Dodge City Times, November 17, 1877.)
17 November 1877:
Mr. C. C. Pepperd, of Comanche county, was in the city yesterday. He is looking well, and reports everything flourishing down in his locality.
-- The Dodge City Times, November 17, 1877.)
27 October 1877:
ANOTHER BOLD MURDER. Mr. C. C. Pepperd, a Well Known
Cattle Man, Killed by the
Desperado Henson.The startling news reached us this morning that the well known cattle owner, Mr. C. C. Pepperd, was on yesterday shot and killed at his home in Comanche county, by Dan Henson. Thus another of the notables of Dodge City has passed away. Mr. P. will long be remembered affectionately and otherwise by our citizens, the marks of his shot-gun play with Allen still linger in the counter and ice-chest at the "Saratoga", and his remarkable post mortem examination of the negro whose head, after being slit open with an ax, was chopped off by Peppard and brought to Dodge in a gunny sack, that a post mortem might be held -- the burial of that head 35 miles from the body and seriocomical funeral still lingers among the pleasing memories of our Dodgers.
Mr. Pepperd was a large cattle owner, and though headstrong and impulsive, had many good qualities of head and heart. We sympathize with his family, who are affectionately remembered by all who knew them.
Henson, after the murder, mounted his horse and escaped.-- Dodge City Times, October 27, 1877. (S.B.)
(The man who was murdered was V.P. Wyman from near Belvedere, Kansas. See Letter from Newell Howard to Harve & Nettie Schrock of Wilmore, Kansas. Howard's recollection was that the murderer was known as "Cherokee Bill". Howard's father conducted V.P. Wyman's funeral services.)
10 November 1877
A Mistake and a Retraction. Week before last we made mention in these columns of what was reported to us to be a fact, a cold-blooded bill of detailed particulars-the alleged killing of Mr. C. C. Pepperd, a prominent cattle owner and a gentleman well known in this community. The account was published by us upon the authority of Mr. Harry E. Gryden, an attorney at law and correspondent of a daily newspaper which is democratic in politics and purports to be accurate in giving news. Upon the authority, therefore, of the aforesaid Mr. Gryden, we gave to our readers, with curdling minuteness, the details of Mr. Pepperd's alleged demise, coupling with it an obituary and an account of his life, of which any dead gentleman should be proud, and which would have met with Mr. Pepperd's entire approval, we venture to say, had he really pulled up stakes and crossed the Styx to those elision fields where whiskey flows as freely as water and free lunches are a part and parcel of the daily program. But Mr. Pepperd wasn't dead-that fact we have from a source we dare not dispute, the alleged dead gentleman sends us a post card to the effect that he missed Sharon's ferry boat and was therefore compelled to remain in the land of the living until the next train from Pinto's dark dominions comes along. Furthermore, the herebefore mentioned postcard goes on the state, with considerable and unmistaken emphasis, that he'll settle the bill usually charged for the publication of obituary notices with us when the first opportunity offers. Of course the time is now approaching, in fact we may say it is fairly upon us, when overcoats are a necessity, but as we don't want to wear such an article of apparel made of mahogany or pine, we hasten to pen this retraction and let our readers know that Mr. Pepperd is not dead, and that the bill for the obituary notice can be considered as settled. Whether with malice aforethought and intent to get us in trouble, Mr. Gryden gave us the alleged report of Mr. Pepperd's non demise, we of course do not pretend to say, but if any individual craving further particulars regarding the killing which did not occur, and of which the above article is a retraction, will apply to Mr. Gryden, the detailed facts of what is proved to be a probably unintentional falsehood will be given him.-- Dodge City Times, November 10, 1877. (S.B.)
24 November 1877:
(From the Ellis County Star) The Dodge City Times offers C. C. Pepperd an apology for reporting him killed. If Pepperd still lives we are indebted to him the same extent.
-- The Dodge City Times, November 24, 1877.)
02 July 1878:
C. C. Pepperd from Medicine was in town on Friday. (Medicine Lodge)
-- Ford County Globe, July 2, 1878. (S.B.)
16 July 1878:
C.C. Pepperd Arrested by Wyatt Earp Case: 362.
Offense: 7/16/78.
Court: 7/16/78.
Defendant: C. C. Peppard (sic).
Complaintant: Anna Slater.
Officer: Wyatt Earp.
Offense: Disorderly and Beating Her.
Disposition: Guilty.
Fine: $5.00.
Costs: $7.50.The arrest is noted in the notes Walter Campbell (Stanley Vestal) made of the Dodge City police court docket; the notes are housed at the University of Oklahoma library. -- Reference courtesy of Roger Myers.
Note from researcher Shirley Brier: I wrote to Ford County Clerk on Aug. 8, 2004, for the record of Anna Slater vs. C. C. Pepperd, the county clerk passed the letter on to the Probate court on August 20th, 2004, and to the Municipal court on August 23rd, 2004. All responses were: "No record found."
23 July 1878:
"C. C. Pepperd has been in the city for a week or more, looking into the cattle market. He says he has some fine beef cattle for someone who will pay him his price." -- Ford County Globe, July 23, 1878. (S.B.).
1880
1880 Comanche County, Kansas, Census:
Christ. Pepperd, 41, born Ireland, "Cattle Grower".
Annie E., 40 Born Va., "Keeping House", wife of head of household.
Nettie P., 18, Born Mo., Daughter of head of household.
Richard E. 15 Born Va., Son of head of household.
View facsimile of census record: Cap Pepperd's family in the 1880 Census
November 1880
"Col. (sic) Pepperd, of Big Mule creek, Comanche County, Kansas, came over on Monday for the purpose of signing Riter's bond for his appearance at court. Mr. Pepperd has a herd of about thirty-five hundred head of cattle in Comanche County." -- "Shooting Affray At Sun City", Medicine Lodge Cresset, November 19, 1880.George Riter, for whom C.C. Pepperd posted a bond, shot and killed Lee Adams over a gambling debt in a Sun City saloon ("whiskey shop") which was owned by Lee Adam's brother, Green Adams. Leander and Greenville Adams were sons of the local Baptist minister, Johnson M. "Bud" Adams.
13 July 1882
Cap. Pepperd has disposed of his ranch and cattle on Upper Mule Creek to Mr. Watson and other parties for the handsome sum of $70,000. Lawrence Pepperd we understand has also sold out to the same parties for $17,000. -- Medicine Lodge Cresset, July 13, 1882.
10 May1883
The reported sale of Capt. Pepperd's ranch and cattle on Mule Creek proves to be a mistake. The trade was broken we understand and the price offered for the ranch. The Capt. asking $25,000 for the ranch and range and the offer being $15,000. -- Medicine Lodge Cresset, May 10, 1883.
26 May 1883:
Real estate transfer, Albert Lee Plummer (a single man) to C.C. Pepperd.
Conveys: The SE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Sec 18, and N 1/2 of NE 1/4 and SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 19, in Township 31 South, Range 17 West, containing 160 acres, according to the United States Survey.
Warranty Deed.
Consideration: $1000.00.
Dated: May 26, 1883.
Filed: December 19, 1885, at 1:00 P.M.
Recorded: Volume 3, Page 185.
Acknowledged: May 26, 1883, before J.M. Wilson, N.P., Grayson Co., Texas.
(N.P. Seal)
NOTE: Marital Status not shown in the Ack, body of Instrument shows grantor as a single man.Source: "Abstract of Title To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10, in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof." (Courtesy of Janet Schrock Hubbard.)
25 April 1884:
Christopher C. Pepperd (Marital Status not Shown) to The Western Mortgage and Investment Company.
Conveys: The N 1/2 of NE 1/4 & SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 19, Township 31, Range 17. (with other lands)
Mortgage.
Consideration: $1.00.
Dated: April 25, 1884.
Filed: August 8, 1885, (hour not given)
Recorded: Volume 1, Page 86.
Acknowledged: May 2, 1884, before L.G. Boies, N.P., Barber Co, Kansas.
(N.P. Seal)
NOTE: This mortgage is given under the express condition, to-wit: Said Christopher C. Pepperd has on the 8th day of December 1883, executed and delivered his certain promissory note, as follows:
VIZ: said note for $15000.00 due and payable to Western Mortgage and Investment company (Limited) on the 8th day of October 1884, with interest at 10% from date until paid.
NOTE: See transfer 8 for Release.Source: "Abstract of Title To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10, in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof." (Courtesy of Janet Schrock Hubbard.)
circa 1884:
"Captain Pepperd had a fine ranch and house on Mule Creek. He was offered at one time $125,000.00 for it, and left the county poor. He became a friend of the Coldwater Town Company on account of our being for free range.When we organized Comanche-co. we selected the Captain to be census taker. The census taker was IT when it came to locating a temporary county seat. He was a friend of the then Governor Geo. W. Glick. A Watson, who lived at Belvidere was against Coldwater and for Nescatunga. Mr. Watson made the charge that Captain Pepperd could not read or write and therefore, was not a fit man to take the census. Pepperd withdrew and recommended Tom Taylor, and he was appointed. No one was "overlooked" that favored Coldwater, so we won."
-- Memories of Early Days by C.M. Cade, The Western Star, March 17, 1922.
July 29, 1884:
"Mr. Pepperd, a sinion (sic) pure Democrat and the best hearted and most jovial man in the county made his first visit to the county seat last Tuesday. He owns one of the best ranches on Mule creek and has resided in this county for over nine years. His residence here when the country was a wilderness and afterwards when inhabited by Indians, horse and cattle thieves justly entitled him to his elegantly furnished home and large herds of fat cattle which graze upon his ranch."
--"20 Years Ago", The Western Star, July 29, 1904. (S.B.)
07 March 1885:
Capt. Peppard and lady, also their charming nieces, the Misses Peppard, from Cincinnati, O., were present at the inauguration ball Wednesday evening. -- The Western Star, March 7, 1885. (S.B.).
22 October 1885:
Capt. Pepperd was circulating among friends in this district the 18th Inst.
--The Republican, October 22, 1885. (SB)
03 December 1885:
We had a pleasant call from Col. Pepperd (sic) at our office on Wednesday. He will take a few cattle from Harper into Clark county. -- The Evansville Enterprise, 3 Dec 1885.In the same newspaper, it was noted that C.C. Pepperd had been a recent transient guest at the Evansville Hotel. (S.B.).
02 January 1886:
C.C. Pepperd, and Annie E. Pepperd, his wife, to W.C. Sickles,
Conveys: The N 1/2 of NE 1/4 and SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 and N 1/2 of SE 1/4 and SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 Sec 19, Twp 31, Range 17. (with other lands)
Mortgage.
Consideration: $15000.00.
Dated: January 2, 1886.
Filed: January 2, 1886, at 1:00 P.M.
Recorded: Volume 1, Page 408.
Acknowledged: January 2, 1886, before J.D. F. Jennings, Probate Judge, of Comanche County, Kansas.
(Probate Court Seal)
NOTE: See Transfer 10 for Release.Source: "Abstract of Title To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10, in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof." (Courtesy of Janet Schrock Hubbard.)
02 January 1886:
(excerpt) Real Estate Transfers From Dec. 19th to Jan. 1st.
* Albert L. Plummer to C. C. Pepperd se1/4 se1/4 sec 18 & n1/2 ne1/4 se1/4 sec 19, tp 31 r 17 1000
* Geo. W. Snook to C. C. Pepperd nw1/4 sw1/4 w1/2 e1/2 sw1/4 section 26, tp 31 r 17 75.00
* Maria A. Plummer to C. C. Pepperd e1/2 ne1/4 n1/2 se1/4 sec 29 twp 31 r 17 1000
-- The Western Star, January 2, 1886. (S.B.).
12 January 1886:
The Western Mortgage and Investment Company, done by J.A. Forbes, Gen'l Manager.
to
Christopher C. Pepperd
Release of Mortgage
Know all men by these present, That Whereas, Christopher C. Pepperd of the county of Comanche, State of Kansas, did execute and deliver his certain mortgage deed bearing date the 25th of April, 1885 to The Western Mortgage and Investment Company, (Limited) and Whereas The Western Mortgage and Investment Company (Limited) is now the holder and owner of the certain notes in said instrument, described, and Whereas the said Christopher C. Peppard (sic) has paid and caused to be paid to the owners of the said notes the sum of $15000.00 Dollars, with all accrued interest thereon, as promised in said notes, and the debt thereby secured is full paid off, Satisfied and Discharged. Now therefore, the said Western Mortgage and Investment Company (Limited) does hereby by these presents, Remise, Release, and Quit Claim unto said Christopher C. Peppard (sic) the above referred to lands so mortgaged by him to-wit: N 1/2 of NE 1/4 & SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 Section 19, Township 31, Range 17. (with other lands here omitted) In full Satisfaction and Release of said Mortgage, In Testimony Whereof, James A. Forbes, Chief officer and General Manager of the said The Western Mortgage and Investment Company (Limited) with full power and authority in the premises, has hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the fourth day of January, A.D. 1886.
THE WESTERN MORTGAGE & INVESTMENT COMPANY,
By J.A. FORBES, GEN'L MANAGER.
Release of Mortgage.
Filed: January 12, 1886, at 10:00 A.M.
Recorded: Mc'l Volume 1, Page 333.
Acknowledged: January 4, 1886, by J.A. Forbes, General Manager of The Western Mortgage and Investment Company, (Limited) before John T. Harwood, N.P., Jackson Co, Mo.
(N.P. Seal)Source: "Abstract of Title To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10, in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof." (Courtesy of Janet Schrock Hubbard.)
16 January 1886:
"Capt. Peppard was in town a few days since and paid his personal property tax, amounting to $113. He owns about 1,500 acres of land and it is strange to say that not an acre of it was assessed. This is not all but we find the same in regard to the Osage Ranch in Rumsey township, and also the old Edward's ranch in Comanche township, besides many smaller tracts of land all over the county which the assessors failed to assess. This loose manner of doing business has caused this country to lose several thousand dollars which should have been paid in as taxes, and it causes those who are accessed to be dissatisfied. There is nothing just or fair to tax a part of the county to pay the expenses of the whole county, and the very ones who are most able to pay were omitted from the assessor's list." -- The Western Star, January 16, 1886. (S.B.).
01 April 1886:
Wednesday night of last week there occurred one of those diversities common in gambling places, in one of the rooms used for that purpose in this city. A gambler named Dave Speers and Col. (sic) C. C. Pepperd, of Comanche county, got into an altercation over a game of cards. Nick Roberts, who was present, caught Col. Pepperd by the lapel of his coat and his right hand to prevent him shooting, knowing that the Col. was a bad man when aroused, when Speers pulled a revolver and commenced shooting. One shot struck Roberts in the right hand with which he had hold of Pepperd's coat, passing through just above the wrist, and breaking a small bone. In all four shots were fired, but only one took effect, and all were out of Speers' revolver as Pepperd was unarmed. Speers left that night for parts unknown. Nick Roberts is improving and will soon be well unless he meets with some accident.
-- Medicine Lodge Cresset, April 1, 1886. (S.B.)
5 August 1886:
"We learn with pleasure that Miss Maggie Pepperd, who has been lying dangerously ill for some time at the home of her uncle, Capt. Pepperd on Mule creek, is now convalescent. Dr. Morgan was the attending physician." -- The Coldwater Echo, August 5, 1886. (S.B.).
3 September 1886:
Capt. C. C. Pepperd, the Mule Creek cattleman, left at the Review office this week some fine specimens of corn. Whatever the captain does he does well, and when he undertakes to raise corn he raises the biggest in the county.
--The Coldwater Review, September 3, 1886. (S.B.)
1887:
"Kit learned that the Santa Fe Railroad which was building southwest would cross Mule Creek on his ranch. So he and his ranch foreman, Tommy Wilmore, decided to organize a town at the crossing. He and Tommy flipped a coin to determine the name of the town, and Tommy won, and Wilmore it has been. Kit obtained a commission as postmaster for his son and built and stocked a general store for Richard to operate. On July 4, 1887, he organized a big celebration to promote the sale of town lots, apparently with limited success." -- Clair Pepperd, Comanche County History, page 599.At left: Mural painting by internationally-known Comanche County artist Stan Herd on the Wilmore wheat elevator of the coin toss between Cap Pepperd and Tommy Wilmore to decide whether the town would be named Pepperdville or Wilmore. This mural is within sight of the front door of the Wilmore Community Center, home of the world-famous Wilmore Opry.
1887
"Our first teacher was Mattie Wright who afterwards married Tommie Wilmore. The town of Wilmore was named for him, he being a favorite cowboy and foreman for Cap. Pepperd, a big cattleman. Then began the free range fights. In after years those wanting free range wanted herd law (such is life) ... We were fortunate in getting our R. R. done soon. In 1887 they began to build. The camp was just north of our house, and Pepperd and Powell furnished beef for it. Mr. Powell (Will) had a butcher shop in Coldwater. We sold him cattle. Powell and Pyle were very much mentioned in these days with Pepperd and Greenleaf, cattlemen. -- (Excerpt from) "Early Day Memories" by Alice Eyerly Ferrin, The Wilmore News, October 31, 1939. (S.B.)
18 June 1887:
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT WILMORE.
The public are cordially invited to a social picnic at the well known and celebrate groves on Mule Creek. Attractions for both old and young will be provided, including speaking, dancing, horse racing, foot racing, wheel barrow racing, sack racing and numerous other amusements. Good music will be in attendance. Capt. C. C. Pepperd has spared neither time nor means in endeavoring to make this the grandest affair of the season, and will give a grand barbecue in honor of the town of Wilmore. A magnificent circle half mile track has been prepared and purses of sufficient magnitude are offered to attract some of the best horses in the state. Refreshments of all kinds will be furnished on the grounds. Come one, come all, and partake of the fatted ox." -- The Western Star, June 18, 1887. (S.B.)
25 June 1887:
Capt. C. C. Pepperd, was in town a short time this week. He engaged the Nescatunga Cornet Band to play at the celebration at Wilmore the 4th, and ordered an ad., inserted in the Enterprise. When Capt. Pepperd takes hold of anything it has to move and the celebration at Wilmore the 4th., promises to be the most brilliant affair ever held in the county. -- Nescatunga Enterprise, June 25, 1887. (S.B.)
7 July 1887:
WILMORE BARBECUE "Fully 1000 people gathered at the beautiful groves on Mule Creek near Capt. C. C. Peppard's, known as Wilmore, to celebrate the 4th. They came from all directions and assembled under the leafy shade trees which grow so thick along the creek, the speakers of the day were O. L. Tichenor, of Coldwater, and Rev. McWilliams of Nescatunga who made some eloquent and able speeches, also the Nescatunga Cornet Band rendered some very fine music, after speaking and an all around good time, dinner was spread and the roasted ox was free to all who eat meat and most all did. The table set by Curly Hatcher and Wife relieved the wants of a good many, for people seemed to forget about such a thing as dinner until it began to smell like a Nescatunga restaurant around there and been eaten, Jim Gillen, and Pauly got on the scent when they finally stumbled on to Curly's headquarters as did many others who say thanks for his kindness and trouble.
A sparking spring of clear cool water quenched the thirst of the assemblage, while Mule creek with its pure, clear water, full of little fish, its banks lined with beautiful flowers, went trickling by.
After dinner a purse was made up for a horse race and a foot race, after which several races were run, Wm. Robinson of Coldwater winning in the foot race of 200 yards.
Wilmore lies across the creek from the grove on a beautiful spot in the Mule creek valley and a horse shoe bend in the creek. The railroad at Wilmore is completed west from town but east of the town is some of their heaviest work in the county and will probably be two or three weeks before it is completed. There are a couple of business houses already completed at Wilmore, and several others under contract.
The procession began to wind their way in the different directions about 5 o'clock and on the roads for miles could be seen wagons, and buggies making their way toward home. All can say that they had a happy time and enjoyed themselves highly in the beautiful, and shady groves of the Mule creek valley, and when we have occasion to visit that section again we hope to see that town covering 8 or 10 blocks." --Coldwater Echo, July 7, 1877. (S.B.)
12 July 1887:
DISTRICT COURT DOCKET, Criminal Cases:
3. State vs. Patrick Pepperd; assault. S. J. Osborne for plaintiff; Palmer & Blake, Smith & Wallis for defendant.
4. State vs. James Pepperd; assault. S. J. Osborne for plaintiff; Palmer & Blake for defendant.DISTRICT COURT DOCKET, Appearance Case:
60. Patrick Pepperd vs. C. C. Pepperd; on account. Palmer & Blake for plaintiff."... cases to be tried before Judge C. W. Ellis at the next term of the District court for Comanche county, commencing Tuesday, July 12." -- District Court Proceedings -- The Western Star, June 18, 1887.
13 August 1887:
"Captain Pepperd says Powell township will cast her vote at the primaries for McClain, Holderby, Goddard and McIntire, for money marbles, or chalk."Monday Capt. Pepperd left at this office a ear of corn eleven inches in length, containing 16 rows of grain well filled out. Capt. says he has fifteen acres just like it at Wilmore and it will average 65 bushes to the acre. On the same ground last year he raised 75 bushels to the acre. What puzzles the Captain is that ten years ago the same land was barren and though he tried many years he failed to grow anything. -- The Western Star, August 13, 1887. (S.B.).
27 August 1887:
"Capt. Pepperd this week filed an appeal in the register's office to the report of the county surveyors on Township 31, range 17. This is the first appeal of the kind ever filed in the county. The survey was made by C. C. Braden, deputy." -- The Western Star, August 27, 1887. (S.B.).
28 October 1887
EUREKA!
Comanche County's Coal
Find
A MINE OF WEALTH UNCOV-
ERED
The Black Diamonds Show Up
In Superior Quality on the
Ranch of Capt. Pepperd
Near Wilmore.Wednesday last word was received at the REVIEW office that Capt. C. C. Pepperd, of Wilmore, ten miles east of Coldwater, had struck a vein of superior coal with a drill, seventy-five feet below the surface.
Yesterday morning a REVIEW reporter, in company with Glave Goddard, of the Greensburg Rustler, drove out to Wilmore for the purpose of satisfying themselves in regard to the truth of the report. We found Messrs. Hazlett and Miller, owners of the drill, hard at work, and raising superior looking coal. Mr. Hazlett informed our reporter that at twenty feet below the surface the drill encountered and passed through a body of iron eight feet in thickness, then into a kind of clay, then several feet through a kind of sand rock, which lays immediately above the coal. At the time our reporter left the find, yesterday at 1 o'clock p.m., the drill had gone through forty-six inches of very superior coal and yet in it. The thickness of the vein is as yet unknown, but should there not be another inch of coal the find is a valuable one and will be of untold value to this section of Kansas.
Capt. Pepperd owns a large body of land in the vicinity of the find, and the REVIEW extends the Capt. its hearty congratulations, not only on the intrinsic value of the find, but upon his courage in pushing his investigations where scientists said no coal existed. The eight and a half feet of iron was of itself a valuable discovery, but now, connected as it is with this fine body of coal, who can predict the future of the thriving town of Wilmore or of Comanche county.
Old coal miners pronounce the Wilmore coal to be fully equal if not superior to the famous Canon City coal. Several Coldwater capitalists, including John P. Jones and H. H. Rich, were on the ground, yesterday and are deeply impressed with the importance of the coal. Capt. Pepperd will at once make arrangements for a plant of machinery and will work the mine for all it is worth. -- The Coldwater Review, October 28, 1887. (SB)
Also see: Coal Fever in Comanche County, Kansas
11 November 1887
A rich vein of coal has just been discovered near Wilmore, Comanche county on the stock ranch of Col. (sic) Pepperd. A Coldwater REVIEW reporter visited the mine last Thursday morning and said the drill had went forty-six inches in a vein of coal and was not yet out of it. Before reaching coal the drill passed through a bed of iron eight feet thick. The coal is only seventy feet below the surface. This is a valuable find, not only for Comanche county, but for southwest Kansas -- Ashland Hearld.Last Saturday we met a man from Wilmore, the first station east of Coldwater. He showed us a lump of coal taken from 4 ft. vein found at that place, only 100 feet below the surface. This is the best find of the "black diamond" ever reported in southern Kansas. If the coal exists there, as this discovery indicates, the people of Clearwater will find the C. K. & W. a very important road. -- Clearwater Independent. You bet she exists, Bro. Independent, and only 70 feet below the surface.
The coal find near Wilmore, Comanche county, that we reported last week, is a dead sure thing, and the coal is of a superior quality -- much finer than the Canon City coal. --Lexington header.
Being in Coldwater last Wednesday and hearing the interesting rumors of a coal find on Capt. C. C. Pepperd's ranch, we accepted an invitation from our friend, John A. Templeman, to take a whirl out to Wilmore behind his handsome team of Kentucky bred flyers. One hour's drive brought us in sight of an unfurled flag, and its floating folds, combined with the wild veils of excited men, brought to mind vivid picture of the Leadville find of a few years ago. There, in the heart of a beautiful grove of winter coated cotton wood, close to the water's edge of that clear, bright little stream Mule creek, was an eager anxious crowd, among whom we noticed Capt. C. C. Pepperd, owner of the ranch; H. H. Rich, mayor of Coldwater and vice president of the First National Bank of that place; John P. Jones, cashier of the same institution; John P. Kern, the jovial merchant tailor, and quite a large number of strangers.
On examination we found what is pronounced by old miners the finest bank of fire clay in America. The next material they went through was eight or ten feet of sulfur and iron. The coal was struck at about 52 feet from the surface and found to be three feet and ten inches in thickness. We are led to believe this is the strongest vein of coal in the state. Experts pronounce it superior to either Trinidad or Canon City.
The shaft is located on section 27, township 31, range 17, west, on the land of Capt. Pepperd. It is about two miles east of Wilmore, the first station east of Coldwater on the Mulvane extension, and is 18 miles south and 6 miles east of Greensburg. After satisfying ourselves as to the truth of all reports we accepted Capt. and Mrs. Pepperd's cordial invitation to dinner, thereby teaching the genial Capt. that newspaper men knew better how to appreciate a good dinner than a coal find. -- Greensburg Rustler. -- The Coldwater Review, November 11, 1887.
25 November 1887:
Capt. Cicles has returned to his home in Texas, but not without making arrangements for mining Wilmore coal. -- Coldwater Review, November 25, 1887. (S.B.).
2 December 1887:
The coal famine still rages. We went to the hub Thursday for a load of coal, we got two hundred pounds, all the dealer could possibly let us have. We hope Capt. Pepperd will develop his coal mine in a short time so that we will not be compelled to depend upon a railroad to bring in our supply of coal. -- Nescatunga Enterprise, December 2, 1887.
8 December 1887:
Capt. Pepperd is as enthusiastic as ever over his coal fields. He says he will in a few weeks be supplying our market with a superior quality of coal. -- Coldwater Review, December 8, 1887. (S.B.).
16 December 1887:
- Wilmore Notes : Capt. Pepperd has received his iron tubing from Kansas City and it is being driven as fast as possible.Ed Patterson, of Texas, is here. He is a son-in-law of Capt. Pepperd, and likes Kansas very well, but can not appreciate the refreshing breeze.
Capt. Pepperd has shipped one hundred pounds of his fire clay to Wichita to be tested. If it proves to be a good quality of clay there will be a mill here next spring to work the large clay banks on his place.
Ed Patterson is having a well drilled on his place, and he purposes to go to coal or china.
Capt. Pepperd struck coal in the second shaft on his place this week. By an agreement with certain railroad men, he was to stop work as soon as coal was reached and notify them of the fact, when they were to take the matter in hand and work through the coal, satisfying themselves that coal existed as claimed by Capt. Pepperd. There is no fraud about these coal beds as any interested parties can now discover.
-- Coldwater Review, December 16, 1887. (S.B.).
6 January 1888:
Mr. Ed Patterson has returned to his home in Texas. He went south just ahead of the storm.Capt. Pepperd of Wilmore, dined at the Merchants yesterday. He reports everything lovely in his section.
Coal in Comanche. (Wichita Eagle.) That coal has just been discovered in Comanche county there is no longer any doubt. As to its extent that is to be determined. Mr. J. R. Grant, of Coldwater, who is in the city on business connected with the new find, and as director of the new company which has been incorporated, informs us that the coal croppings are about fourteen miles northwest of Coldwater on a branch of the Kiowa creek, and about ten or eleven miles south of the Rock Island road. Thirteen well defined veins of from one to three inches crop out within a four foot pacing. Specimens of the coal lie on our table. Blacksmiths who have tested it pronounce it superior for heating purposes and more lasting than any now shipped into that section. A tunnel three by six feet has been started and is being pushed several feet each day, and which follows the veins. The rock formations of the vicinity are sandstone and slate. Experienced miners say that the indications are that a good workable vein of coal will be struck if the croppings are followed far enough into the hill. A good coal mine in Comanche county would be equal to a good gold mine.
Mr. Grant, who is up for the purpose of having stock certificates printed, informs us that a coal company composed of reliable men has been incorporated under the name of "The Eagle Coal and Mining Co.," with a strong board of directors. The following named gentlemen compose the officers. President, Vernon Miller; vice president, Jos. Grant; sec.; J. W.. Grant; treas., A. Darroch.
The Eagle will keep its readers posted upon this new find, as the work is to be presented vigorously.
-- Coldwater Review, January 6, 1888. (S.B.).
18 January 1888:
Capt. Pepperd will, in a few days make public a few revelations that will set Wilmore sailing with a full sail and a stiff breeze.Workmen on the Patterson shaft are laying off, having been disappointed in getting their drill.
-- Coldwater Review, January 18, 1888. (S.B.).
20 January 1888:
Quite a surprise was tendered Mrs. C. C. Pepperd one night last week, by her many friends coming in and taking possession. A nice time was spent till the clock chimed two when they returned to their homes.Capt. Pepperd made a business trip to Greensburg and Kinsley last week.
-- Coldwater Review, January 20, 1888. (S.B.).
27 January 1888:
Capt. Pepperd, of Wilmore, and A. Howard, of Howard's ranch, placed their autograph's on the register at the Merchants Tuesday.Captain Pepperd, of Comanche county, spent the last day or two in this city. The Captain has recently discovered a thirty-two inch vein of coal on his ranch and is, of course, happy. He purposes to work the vein himself and to keep the control of it in his own hands, although he has had some very advantageous offers from the railroad companies operating in that part of the state. -Kinsley Mercury
-- Coldwater Review, January 27, 1888. (S.B.).
3 February 1888:
Miller and Brown passed through a six inch vein of coal in the shaft they are sinking for Capt. Pepperd, at the depth of 46 feet. there is good indication for striking a larger vein in the shaft than the four foot vein that was struck in the first hole. Comanche county should be very grateful to Capt. Pepperd, for he has done more than any other man in the county toward developing our coal beds. -- Coldwater Review, February 3, 1888. (S.B.).
10 February 1888:
Capt. Pepperd felled the champion tree of this county one day last week. It made twenty five cords of stove wood. Who can beat that?The wolves killed a fine cow for Capt. Pepperd one day last week.
-- Coldwater Review, February 10, 1888. (S.B.).
24 February 1888:
Capt. Pepperd made a business trip to Greensburg Wednesday.-- Coldwater Review, February 24, 1888. (S.B.).
2 March 1888:
A few days since a couple of REVIEW pencil pushers drove out to the flourishing little town of Wilmore, ten miles east of Coldwater, on the C. K. & W. railroad.We were kindly received and hospitably entertained by T. W. Porter, proprietor of the Wilmore House, and after partaking of an excellent dinner, we spent some time among the various places where coal drills had been or were at work. Nearly all those places had been abandoned by the drillers on account of quicksand that was found in such quantities that the sand pumps failed to be of any use, and put a stop to further development by the ordinary prospect drill. Capt. Pepperd has abandoned the drills and is now sinking a shaft on the creek below the place of original discovery with every prospect of success.
Capt. Pepperd says he is making no talk about his coal discoveries, but when the time comes he will be heard from. The Capt.. has labored under many discouragement's, but is undismayed and is presenting his investigations with commendable zeal.
-- Coldwater Review, March 2, 1888. (S.B.).
9 March 1888:
The railroad officials of the Rock Island and Santa Fe companies are here this week testing the coal.-- Coldwater Review, March 9, 1888. (S.B.).
9 March 1888:
Developments of the Coal Find. Eds. REVIEW: - Have drilled twenty-one inches into solid coal and are not through it yet. A Rock Island and also a Santa Fe expert were here and did the work, and they are satisfied with the find. They have gone back after other machinery and will return in a few days to finish drilling through the coal.
Respectfully,
R. E. PEPPERD. Wilmore, Kans., March 8.The REVIEW is much gratified to hear the above. The gentlemen present remained long enough to be thoroughly satisfied with the genuineness of the find. Mr. Pepperd can now make satisfactory arrangements with capitalists to open the mine.
-- Coldwater Review, March 9, 1888. (S.B.).
16 March 1888:
R. E. Pepperd and J. B. Beely have received the furniture for their real estate office. We wish the gentlemen unbounded success.Capt. C. C. Pepperd, of Wilmore, was an entertaining caller Tuesday and gave us some valuable information in regard to the coal recently discovered on his ranch. The Capt. is on high spirits and will soon be in position to open up the rich deposit. He thinks the chances good to get the division of the C. K. & W. at Wilmore, and should he succeed in doing so Wilmore will fly.
-- Coldwater Review, March 16, 1888. (S.B.).
23 March 1888:
R. E. and Capt. Pepperd made a business trip to Kinsley last Saturday.-- Coldwater Review, March 23, 1888. (S.B.).
15 June 1888:
R. E. Pepperd made a trip to the I. T. last week.-- Coldwater Review, June 15, 1888. (S.B.).
22 June 1888:
Capt. C. C. Pepperd and A. M. Anderson, of Wilmore, were among the enthusiastic democrats at the meeting.-- Coldwater Review, June 22, 1888. (S.B.)
September 1888
After efforts to develop the coal deposit on his land had been defeated by a "strong flow of artesian water" and by collapsing quicksand, C.C. Pepperd sold his land holdings to S.A. Gibbs and returned to Texas. -- "Coal Fever: Fuel Scarcity in Early Southwestern Kansas" by C. Robert Haywood, Spring 1980 Kansas History", Spring 1980, Vol.3, No. 1. (Source: Land records, Comanche County Registrar of Deeds; Pepperd Family History.)
12 October 1888:
Capt. Pepperd, of Wilmore, was an enthusiastic attendant at the democratic speaking Tuesday evening. The Capt. is a whole team within himself.
-- The Coldwater Review, October 12, 1888. (S.B.)
1889:
"By 1889 Kit was discouraged. The free range was gone, blizzards had decimated his herds, and his investments at Wilmore had not been profitable. So he rounded up what cattle he had left and drove them to Texas. There he fell upon hard times and in his latest years he existed on a Confederate pension." -- Clair Pepperd, Comanche County History, page 599.
29 May 1889:
W.C. Sickles, and B. Gibbs, and wife S.A. Gibbs
to
C.C. Pepperd, and wife.
Release.
Consideration: full satisfied
Dated: May 27, 1889.
Filed: May 29, 1889, at 5:30 P.M.
Recorded: Mc'l Volume 2, Page 327.
Acknowleged: May 27, 1889, before G.W. Cruthcher, N.P., Dallis (sic) Co., Texas.
(N.P. Seal)The above transcription of Transfer #10 is incomplete and will be added later when scans of the rest of the pages of the Abstract of Title are received. Source: "Abstract of Title To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10, in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof." (Courtesy of Janet Schrock Hubbard.)
1 June 1889
"One of the biggest real estate deals of the week was recorded Wednesday between C. C. Pepperd of Mule Creek in this county, and L. G. Bois, cashier of the Edwards County Bank. Mr. Bois purchased the entire ranch and buildings of C. C. Pepperd, consisting of 1,320 acres on Mule Creek. The consideration was something over $10,000. The purchaser will have immediate control of the ranch, while we are informed that Capt. Pepperd will remove to Texas." -- The Western Star, June 1, 1889. (S.B.)
12 October 1889:
Capt. C. C. Pepperd, of Wilmore, was in the city Tuesday. He was accompanied by Hon. B. Gibbs, ex-lieutenant-governor of Texas, a relative of the capt., who is looking after his large interests in the county.
-- The Coldwater Review, April 12, 1889. (S.B.)Reference: L.E. Daniels, Personnel of the Texas State Govenment With Sketches of Representative Men of Texas, (San Antonio: Maverick Printing House, 1892), pp. 51-53.
1889 - 1894:
Dallas, Texas, Directory 1889-1894. Annie E. Pepperd, (Mrs C. C. Pepperd). Boards Edward M. Patterson. Year: 1889-1890.
Miss Maggie Pepperd. Boards Edward M. Patterson. Year: 1889-1890.
Richard E. Pepperd. Boards Ed. M. Patterson. Room 145 1/2 N. Akard. Occupation - Driver. Year: 1893-1894. Business name: Fleishman & Company. (S.B.)
Dallas Texas City Directory: Ed. Patterson - Location r. 250 Camp between Griffin, N. Akard Ave. Occupation - Real Estate Owner. Yr. 1889-1890. 1891-1892: Same listing. (S.B.).
Note: No doubt this Ed Patterson is the same man mentioned in The Coldwater Review, December 16, 1887: "Ed Patterson, of Texas, is here. He is a son-in-law of Capt. Pepperd, and likes Kansas very well, but can not appreciate the refreshing breeze." He also owned land in Comanche County: "Ed Patterson is having a well drilled on his place, and he purposes(sic) to go to coal or China." -- The Coldwater Review, December 16, 1887. It appears that Ed Patterson was the landlord who "boarded" Annie, Maggie and Richard Pepperd at the time.It is known from The Coldwater Echo, August 5, 1886, that Capt. C.C. Pepperd had a niece named Maggie: "We learn with pleasure that Miss Maggie Pepperd, who has been lying dangerously ill for some time at the home of her uncle, Capt. Pepperd on Mule creek, is now convalescent. Dr. Morgan was the attending physician." Though there may be no connection, the following record is notable: "1880 Census, New Orleans, La.: John Pepperd, 47, born Ireland; Johanna, 37, born Ireland; James, 18; John, 16; Thomas, 15; William, 11; Joseph, 9; Kate, 6; Mary, 4; Maggie, 2.." (S.B.)
5 February 1898
The Western Star reported the death on the previous Tuesday of Patrick Pepperd, father of C.C. Pepperd and 8 other children; he died in Comanche County, Kansas. -- Obituary. (S.B.)
8 September 1905:
Christopher Carson Pepperd applied for a Confederate pension for his Civil War service before Judge E.B. Ritchie, County Judge, Palo Pinto County, Texas. In his application, he swore that he was 67 years old; that his post office address was Mineral Wells, Texas and that he had continuously resided there for four years; that he had never applied for nor been rejected for a Confederate pension; that his occupation was "Tamale Vendor"; that his physical condition was poor and that he was unable to do physical labor; that his disability was caused by "infirmities incident to old age'; that his command was originally organized in Arizona; that he "Enlisted April 1861, was discharged in '65, Served 4 years" in the Cavalry; that he served in Company E - Arizona Battalion of Guards; that he had not received any veteran's pension or land donation; that he owned no real property; that he had not transferred any property in the previous two years; that his wife owned the lot and house where they lived, valued at $600.00; that he received no income; that he was indigent and destitute; that he was unable to earn his support by his own labor; that he had not transferred any property to become a beneficiary of the pension act; that he had never deserted the Confederacy; that he had continuously been a bona fide resident of Texas since January 1, 1880; and there is no answer of his recorded to the question as to whether he was a bona fide citizen of Texas at the passage of the Act of May 12, 1899. His application was supported by the sworn affadavits of C.M. Harris and H.C. Herndon and by the "Affadavit of Physician" of Dr. E.P. Bass that he found " him laboring under the following disabilities which render him unable to labor at any work or calling sufficient to earn a support for himself: He is decrepit and infirm, his infirmities resulting from old age." -- Confederate Pension Application #16216.
13 November 1905:
County Judge E.B. Ritchie, Palo Pinto County, Texas, recommended that C.C. Pepperd's application for a Confederate pension be approved as he was "lawfully entitled" to it and was not disqualified for it by any provisions of the Confederate Pension Law. On the same day, a "Certificate of Commissioners" signed by S.S. Abernathy (spelling?), B.J. Whitaker, J.P. Rounder (spelling?) and C.C. Withers recommended approval of the application. -- Confederate Pension Application #16216.
20 March 1906:
C.C. Pepperd's Confederate Pension Application #16216 was disapproved by E.A. Bolmes, Chief Pension Clerk, and J.W. Stephens, Comptroller.
31 July 1906:
C.C. Pepperd was notified that his Confederate Pension Application #16216 had been disapproved.
24 January 1909:
E.B. RITCHIE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
MINERAL WELLS, TEXASJan. 24th, 1909
Capt. E.A. Bolmes,
Austin, Texas.Dear Sir: --
I herewith hand you the papers in re the application of C.C. Pepperd for Confederate pension. This application was originally made while I was county judge, and was rejected because of a finding that the applicant was not indigent within the meaning of the law. You remember perhaps a conversation had with you by the writer with reference to this matter while I was in Austin last summer. Recently while the Governor was her he was made personally acquainted with the circumstances by members of the local camp of the U.C.V. and promised to see you with reference to the matter, and if he has not already seen you with reference to the matter, he doubless will do so.
The facts are that Capt. Pepperd has an invalid son, and an invalid wife to support, and is unable to work himself. He has absolutely no means of support except that he vends hot tamales upon the street and makes a few dimes that way. His situation is really a pitiable one. The small place which he renders for taxes is the place where they live, and is his wife's separate property, and this can be easily established to your satisfaction if you require evidence beyond the sworn statement of the application that it is not the property of the applicant. I think it would perhaps be proper to reject the application of one whose's wife has property in her own right in sufficient amount and value to aid materially in the support of the family; but in the present instance the house hardly makes a decent shelter for them and of course produces absolutely no revenue that can aid in the support of the family.
I will be glad if you will reconsider the application and grant the old man a pension if you can do so consistent with your duties.
Yours truly,
E.B. Ritchie
-- Confederate Pension Application #16216, page 13.
25 May 1915:
Cap Pepperd left his home in Fort Worth, Texas, to visit relatives in Comanche County, Kansas.In C.C. Pepperd's Confederate Pension Application #16216, he stated "...that on the 25th day of May, 1915, the affiant left his home at Ft. Worth, Texas for the purpose of visiting relatives in Coldwater, Kansas and remained with said relatives until the 2nd day of August, 1915, when he returned to his home at Ft. Worth, Texas".
3 June 1915:
Captain C. C. Pepperd, one of the pioneer settlers of Comanche county, arrived here the first of the week on a visit with relatives. He is an uncle of Tom, Will and Nick Pepperd and of Mrs. J. Maple. Captain Pepperd settled in the eastern part of this county several years before the county was organized (about the year 1875) and lived here until about the year 1889. His home is now in Mineral Wells, Texas. It had been sometime since he was here, and he was surprised at the many changes in the way of improvements in the town and all over the county during the past fifteen years. He found quite a number of the old timers with whom he was well acquainted 25 years ago.-- The Wilmore News, June 3, 1915. ("Coldwater Notes", from The Western Star.) (S.B.)
14 July 1915:
Thos. Wilmore, of Del Norte, Colo., arrived here Tuesday for a visit with relatives and old friends. Mr. Wilmore is one of Comanche county's oldest settlers, and the man which our town is named for, and all his old friends will be glad to see him. -- The Wilmore News, January 14, 1915. (S.B.).In C.C. Pepperd's Confederate Pension Application #16216, he stated "...that on the 25th day of May, 1915, the affiant left his home at Ft. Worth, Texas for the purpose of visiting relatives in Coldwater, Kansas and remained with said relatives until the 2nd day of August, 1915, when he returned to his home at Ft. Worth, Texas". Thus, both Cap Pepperd and his friend Tommy Wilmore were visiting Comanche County, Kansas, at the same time and, presumably, would have had the opportunity to visit with each other then. According to Willis E. "Gene" Wilmore, grandson of Tommy Wilmore: "We do know that Cap and Tommy remained friends until Cap went back to Texas and Tommy went to Colorado".
02 August 1915:
Cap. Pepperd concluded his visit in Comanche County, Kansas, and returned to Fort Worth, Texas.In C.C. Pepperd's Confederate Pension Application #16216, he stated "...that on the 25th day of May, 1915, the affiant left his home at Ft. Worth, Texas for the purpose of visiting relatives in Coldwater, Kansas and remained with said relatives until the 2nd day of August, 1915, when he returned to his home at Ft. Worth, Texas".
05 August 1915:
"We are glad to say that Mrs. Hattie Pepperd who has been in the hospital for some time is reported much better and is coming home soon." -- The Wilmore News, August 5, 1915.
28 August 1921:
Christopher Carson Pepperd died in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. -- Clair Pepperd, Comanche County History, page 599.He is buried in Lot 9, Space 2, Section 12-E, Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth, Texas.
View a large image of his gravestone, courtesy of Ms. Chase Bridges.
View the death certificate of C.C. Pepperd, courtesy of Shirley Brier, who noted: "He was 82 years old. I can't make out the name of his residence, but it appears to be a club. He was in the 7th ward at St. Joseph's hospital. The informant was Guy Price Jr.; C.C. Pepperd's occupation was watchman. It also says, 'during early life const. contactor.' He died of acute gastritis."
30 August 1921:
Captain C. C. Peppered, 82, employee of the Northern Texas Traction company, who died Sunday morning in a local sanitarium from an attack of acute indigestion, will be buried Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The funeral services will be held at St. Patrick's Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN PEPPERED TUESDAY
Captain Peppered in his early days was in the livestock business in Arizona and actively engaged in protecting the frontier against Indian attacks. He enlisted in the Confederate Army from that state.
-- Fort Worth Record, August 30, 1921. (This obituary appears as it was printed, including the spelling of his surname.) (S.B.)
Related Histories:
Christopher Carson "Cap" PEPPERD
Confederate Civil War Veteran, Cowboy, Bronc Buster, Trail Driver & early (1874) Comanche County rancher. Founder of the city of Wilmore, Kansas. He lost his fortune in the 1887-1888 Coal Mining Fever in the county. Also see: A Chronology of the Life & Times of Christopher Carson Pepperd, State of Kansas vs. C.C. Pepperd, 1876, Testimony of C.C. Pepperd: State of Kansas vs. William Thompson, The Death Certificate of C.C. Pepperd. and The Gravestone & Burial of C.C. Pepperd.
Thomas Jackson "Tommy" WILMORE & Some of His Descendants
Surnames: Baker, Casey, Ferrin, Houser, Miller, Pepperd, Peterson, Ray, Widaman, Wilmore & Wright.
To the following described Real Estate situated in Comanche County, Kansas: Abstract of Title
to-wit: the North Half (N 1/2) of Lots 5-6-7 and 8, in Block 10,
in the original townsite of Wilmore, as shown by the recorded plat thereof.
Notes:Captain James Henry Tevis is buried in the Desert Rest Cemetery, Bowie, Arizona. He was a member of Company A, Col. Herbert's Battalion, Arizona Cavalry. His gravestone reads: "Tevis, Father; born 1837 - died 1905". A history for him may be found on pages 62 and 63 of Cochise County Arizona Past & Present..
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This page was last updated 24 Sept 2006.