A life sketch written by granddaughter, Verda Noble, to honor her grandfather on his 80th birthday
1866
Hard Times
In 1866 his landlord asked him what he would take to move out and let he and his bride move in. He thought $25.00 would probably be enough as the grasshoppers had destroyed his crop, but was only offered $20.00, so he took it and that constituted the pay for his summer’s work. He then moved his wife back with her parents to help win..Read More
The Grasshopper Scourge
On the 11th of September 1866 they were holding a Baptist Association at A.D. Simmons’ home. Some of the women stepped out of the house and ran back in saying they thought the end of the world was coming. They thought it was snowing in hot weather because the sun was dimmed, but it was the first arrival of the grasshopper pest. They soon alighted..Read More
1865
The Township Assessor
The township assessor came to assess A.D. Simmons, and he asked who the young man was. A.D. told him it was his new son-in-law. Then the assessor asked him, “Has he anything?” When told he could see him, he asked.”Young man, what have you to be assessed?” Overton answered, “I have a silver watch, a six shooter and a wife.” The state script he drew..Read More
Courtship and Marriage
In the spring of 1865, Larkin and Nancy Ellison decided to immigrate to Oregon and on the 16th day of May they started from Atchison with a light wagon and team of fine mares, for the family and two heavy wagons with two yoke of oxen and one of cows which belonged to Overton and had the provisions for six months. They went as far..Read More
1864
The “Price Raid”
During 1864 Overton drilled every two weeks and in October was called out with the State Militia on the “Price Raid.” Starting from Atchison with the 12th Kansas Calvary and furnishing his own horse they went to Wyandote, now Kansas City, Kansas. They crossed the Kaw river on a pontoon bridge. The Captain, Asa Barnes gave the order: “Saddle, prepare to mount! Mount forward, March.”..Read More
1863
Hemp
On August 4, 1863 “Uncle Abe” set the slaves free. After returning home, Overton crossed over into Missouri and broke hemp for the slave holders as the slaves had emigrated to Kansas (a free state). After breaking hemp three or four days, Overton bought a calf and continued working and buying calves until he owned fourteen head of steers. He took them to Kansas, and..Read More
Santa Fe Trail – Crossing the Plains
The drivers knew something was coming for the wagon boss warned the boys to fill up canteens, coffee pot and vinegar kegs with water. They were going a shorter route home. So, on Friday about sunrise they started on in the Horn Alley or Sand Desert of Texas. They drove the oxen without feed or water the entire trip through the desert, not even stopping..Read More
Santa Fe Trail – Traveling to Fort Union
They traveled two hundred miles directly west, crossing at old “Bense Fort”. They went over the summit of the Cascade or Raton mountains which was a mile high. Their night in the mountains was anything but pleasant. Overton first saw some young pine trees freshly pealed and was told it was bear work, then he heard a noise like a small log chain rattling, it..Read More
Santa Fe Trail – Traveling through the Indian Camp
They traveled five miles through the wigwams and wickiups as they continued their journey along the old Santa Fe trail. While passing along, Overton saw six or seven small Indian boys with bows and arrows shooting summer sparrows. They picked some of the feathers and down off and were eating them raw, with the blood running down their cheeks. The old squaws, who had babies..Read More
Santa Fe Trail – Quite a Bad Scare
While in camp an Indian came to Overton and said, “See!” placing his hand on Overton’s buoy knife. As he took it the Indian ran the point of the dagger through Overton’s shirt bosom. He felt like the Indian wasn’t going to kill him so stood very bravely but knew he could if he wanted to. Then he withdrew it and said, “Woo Woo, Hoo!”..Read More