This is a reminiscence about life in Abilene, Kansas, during the years 1870-71, as told to H.L. Humphrey by William B. Smith in February 1932, one month before his death. Smith came to Abilene in November 1870 and set himself up in business in the first tin shop in town. Included is a description of the location of some of the businesses, the death of the Marshall, Tom Smith, and a description of a shoot-out involving Wild Bill Hickok

Describes frontier life in Kansas 1866-1869 while Gorden worked as a telegraph operator for the Kansas Pacific Railroad.