Historical Kansas (West Bound) # 99
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 39° 00.078 W 096° 52.915
14S E 683413 N 4319054
Historical marker located in rest area on I-70 westbound at mile 294.
Waymark Code: WM1ZJ5
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2007
Views: 80
Abilene, 20 miles ahead, was a cowtown of major importance in the history
of the American West. During 1867-1871 much of the town was a mixture of bawling
Longhorn cattle and cowhands up from Texas - with numerous, more worldly
two-legged critters in supporting occupations. Abilene's most respected early
lawman was Thomas J. Smith, killed by a half-crazed settler in 1871, contributed
to the town's bloody history by engaging rowdy Phil Coe in a blazing gun battle
at eight feet.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower lived in Abilene from1891 to 1911.
The Eisenhower Home and Museum, the Presidential Library and Chapel, help to
make Abilene a major attraction for visitors from all over the world.
Thirteen miles west of this marker is an exit for Detroit. This
little town was an 1870 county-seat rival of Abilene. The Western News,
Detroit's newspaper, bitterly charged that Abilene was run "by Vagabonds,
Ruffians, Fancy Women, Rot Gut Whiskey and Gamblers." Apparently the
voters liked what was there, for Abilene triumphed!
Milford reservoir is five miles north of this marker. ~ text of marker