Sam C. Hanna

[hldstr]

I found this article while working on a book of history of Attica, Indiana.  I copy it here because it refers to a Sam C. Hanna who, supposedly was an important figure in the history of Howard, Kansas.  Read it if you will and reply to my email address.  Thank you.  Harold R. Long.

The Attica Ledger, 10 May 1918.1

A COWBOY ATTICAN
   VISITS OLD HOME
                  ___________

A BOYISH EXPEDITION THAT
      PROVED EMINENTLY
             SUCCESSFUL
                     _______

   Sam C. Hanna, of Howard, Kansas, is back I Attica going over the scenes of his boyhood days. Harry Fallis, member of one of the pioneer families of Attica and who is now a prominent merchant of Toledo, Ohio, spent a day with him looking up old landmarks.

   Sam left Attica 45 years ago in a prairie schooner and made the entire trip overland to the wilds of Colorado. He and Charley Plowman had poured over Oliver Optic's marvelous tales., with an occasional study of Beadle, and being encouraged by Gabriel Shideler, a lover of nature and an out-of-door apostle, the three of them started "Westward, Ho!" by the only means then available.

They lost their horses, walked much of the way, lived on the products of their trusty rifles and slept in straw stacks. But they were game. They got to the San Luis Valley, in Colorado, and became full-fledged cowboys. At that time that country was controlled by a lawless element and murder, thievery, gambling, and all the evils ever catalogued, were as common and considered as necessary as the three squares a day.

   For years the Attica boys never removed the revolvers from their belts or laid their rifles without their reach. They soon passed out of the tenderfoot period and before they quit the game had their own herds of cattle grazing and had the grit to protect them from both Indian bands and white poachers. They were known up and down the valley and throughout the Texas Panhandle as expert and successful cattlemen.

   Having aided in bringing about civilization in the wild and wooly West, and having secured a competency, they quit the strenuous cowboy life, and moved to Howard Kansas, where both held important public offices and many positions of trust. Gabe, an eccentric character but a man of exceptionally fine qualities, passed away many years ago, and several years since Charley passed on, so that Sam is the only one left of the famous Attica trio that bid a joyful farewell to half a dozen of their envious companions, who followed them across the old covered Wabash river bridge nearly half a century ago. Sam has large faming, banking and other interests in Howard, and has made good financially and in all the walks of life.

The Attica Ledger, 10 May 1918.2

The scenes around his old home are still attractive, though time has made many change, and so his visit in Attica is one of pleasant memories and restful recreation.

   The only graduate cowboy remaining in Attica is Orie Clark, who went through the same exciting times, but is of a different vintage, and when Grandpa Clark switches one leg over the other and closes his eyes there's a reminisce on the way. He and Sam are again living over the old days and hoping Doug Fairbanks will get here before Sam take the back trail.

End of Article

[Janet Harrington]

That is cool.  I know that name of Hanna.  He was a prosperous business man in Howard.

[Jody]

The Hannas lived on "Bankers Row" 

[Flintauqua]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the big barn north of the north end of Wabash still referred to as the 'Hanna Barn'.

[ddurbin]

In the thread about the BIG AIR CIRCUS, from back in late Feb. there are mentions of Sam Hanna and the barn named for him at the north edge of town.

[Janet Harrington]

Yes, you are correct.  That is the Hanna property.  Owned by Jim Perkins and family.