Frederick Thompson Horton

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F.T. Horton was an open brethren train dispatcher for Sante Fe railway that lived in Arkansas City, Kansas with an assembly generally meeting in his home. He built on a bluff two miles north of Arkansas City the text "Christ died for the ungodly." It was 476 feet long, 18 feet high and can be read from two miles away. Towards the end of his life, the Railway auxiliary permanently set the stone in concrete at an expense of $250.

Frederick Thompson Horton was born July 11, 1860 in Galesburg, Illinois to Silas Horton (b. 1827 N.Y.) & Clara Jane Thompson (b. 1837 N.J.). He was saved in 1882 at meetings held by John Smith and Charles W. Ross. He lived in Arkansas City, Kansas 1889-1938.

Parents

  • Silas Horton (b. 1827 N.Y.), son of Phoebe Horton (b. 1805 N.Y.); may have enlisted Civil War 1861-1863;
  • Clara Jane Thompson Horton (b. 1837 N.J.)

Siblings

  • Elwood T. Horton (b. 1855 IL - d. 1942 Brooklyn, N.Y.)
  • Clarissa O. Horton (b. 1858 IL), high school teacher 1910 @ Galesburg, IL;
  • William Byram Horton (1862-1936 Galesburg, IL); 1887 @ Chicago, IL m. Verna D. Cater (b. 1865)
    • undertaker
  • Bessie Horton (b. 1870 Galesburg, IL)

Marriage

On May 14, 1884, he married Rose Belle Storm (b. 1860 Walnut, IL - d. 1949). She was the daughter of John Miller Storm (b. 1820 Cooperstown, N.Y. - d. 1907 Arkansas City, KS) & Ruth Elizabeth Parkhurst Storm (b. 1822 NYC, N.Y. - d. 1851 Bureau, IL). The wedding took place at John M. Storm's home in Nevada, Iowa, and officiated by W.D. Payne.

By the time of their wedding, Fred was still living in Galesburg, and working as a train dispatcher for the St. Joseph, Missouri railroad. In 1889, he accepted a position as Assistant to the Chief Dispatcher of the Oklahoma Division of the Santa Fe railway, hence the occasion for his relocation.

By 1898, according to a local phone book from that era, he was living at 324 N. A Street in Arkansas City, with services on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. By that year, he was a train dispatcher for the Santa Fe Railway. See Arkansas City Gospel Hall, KS. The assembly ceased to be listed in the phone book by 1906. Fred also lived at 415 N. B St in 1904. The assembly also met at 118 N. Summit.

Children

Ruth Horton Wolfe

  • Ruth Horton Wolfe (b. 1891 Ark City, KS - d. 1978) m. Clark Earle "C.E." Wolfe (b. 1888 Huron, S.D. - d. 1960 Oklahoma City, OK), son of Horace Greeley Wolfe (b. 1844 Palmyra, Wayne, PA - d. 1899 Ark City, KS) & Bertha Adela Smith Wolfe (b. 1849 Richford, Tioga, N.Y. - d. 1919 Ark City, KS). Horace served in the Civil War with the 31st Wisconsin Infantry (Co. B) of the Union Army. The Wolfe family came to KS in 1895.
    • Rose Ann Wolfe Cavanaugh (b. 1928 Winfield, KS - d. 2016 Edmond, OK) m. James Vincent Cavanaugh (b. 1925 Omaha, NE - d. 1990 Oklahoma City, OK); moved to OKC in 1950;
      • Candice Sheppard (Monahans, TX)
      • Denise Hendricks (OKC, OK)
  • ACDN 1913-3-5: Entertain For Ruth Horton: "Misses Hazel and Lucile Ricker yesterday evening entertained at a kitchen shower for Miss Ruth Horton, whose marriage engagement to C. Earle Wolfe has been announced. The guests were Miss Ruth Horton, Mrs. Fred Horton, Mrs. Orna Lewis, Mrs. Fred Jepson, Mrs. James Tudhope, Mrs. C. Ward Wright, and the Misses Leta Shea, Kathryn Schmidt, Nina Bacon and Hazel Gragg, and Mrs. Ricker."
  • ACDN 1913-3-11: Horton-Wolfe Marriage:

"Miss Ruth Horton and C. Earle Wolfe, two of Arkansas City's most prominent and highly esteemed young people, were united in marriage last evening at 7 p.m. at the home of the former's parents, the ceremony having been conducted by Rev. J.C. Holmes of the Baptist church. Only relatives and immediate friends were present to witness the wedding, which was followed by an elaborate four course luncheon.

The contracting parties received many beautiful presents among which were some resident lots in the 600 block on South D street, a gift from the groom's mother. Mr. Wolfe will, in the near future, build a home on these lots. For the coming several weeks the newly wedded couple will make their home at 402 North A street, near the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Horton.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Earle Wolfe have lived in Arkansas City for many years and have the best wishes from their large number of friends for a long and happy married life. The groom is one of Arkansas City's prominent business men, being one of our leading shoe dealers."

  • ACDN 1920-8-17: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Horton went to Winfield this afternoon to spend the evening with their daughter, Mrs. Earl Wolfe who is in the Winfield hospital recuperating from an operation in which her right eye was removed. Mrs. Wolfe was accidentally hit in the eye last Thursday afternoon while playing golf. She is much better and will be taken to her home in a few days."

Rachel L. Horton Justice

  • Rachel L. Horton Justice (b. 1897 Ark City, KS - d. 1979 Oklahoma City, OK). First Presby. Ch., retired VP @ Mullenix Co. Husband (1922-1924+ @ Tulsa, OK): Roy L. Justice (b. 1889 Oak, Smith, KS - d. 1931 Esbon, Jewell, KS), a son of John B. Justice (b. 1850 Laurel Gap, Greene, TN - d. 1916 Esbon, KS) & Julia Ann Campbell Justice. Roy's grandfather, Jacob Justice, was a blacksmith in 1850 at Laurel Gap. In 1924, Roy worked as a clerk for Palace Clothiers in Tulsa. By 1925, they had moved back to Arkansas City, in 1928 Rachael was a bookkeeper for the William H. Fleeson Clothing Co.
  • ACDN 1920-8-17: Miss Rachel Horton of Winfield and her guest Mrs. Gene Lockwood of Kansas City were in the city yesterday visiting Miss Horton's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Horton."


Death

Words In Season 1938 obit: "Arkansas City, Kan. – “On Jan. 22, Fred T. Horton passed home to be with Christ. Age 77 years. An outstanding man among us for godliness. Born at Galesburg, IL. Saved 56 years ago at meetings held by J. Smith and C.W. Ross. A train dispatcher for 45 years for Santa Fe R.R. He built on a bluff 2 miles north of Arkansas City where he lived for 49 years, the text, “Christ died for the ungodly.” It was 476 feet long, 18 feet high and can be read two miles away. An invalid for 3 years and no longer able to take care of text, the Railway auxiliary permanently set the stone in concrete at an expense of $250. T.C. Bush spoke to a large company at the funeral services."

Scripture Hill

The stonework was constructed either in 1889 or 1897, mostly by Fred himself, with sometimes a friend helping him who had a wagon. It took seven months to build and whitewash. In addition to 476 feet long and 18 feet high, the letters are 12 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. It was rebuilt thrice over a 30 year period, and the stone is from the hillside where it stands. It is said that "his wife and kids would hitch the horse to the wagon and head to railroad yards to pick up Father for supper. Afterward, he'd be off to the hill, on foot."

Fred's local cohort was William Charles "Will" Young (b. 1884 Grasshopper, Atchison, KS - d. 1941 Arkansas City, KS), a son of Isaac Young (b. 1858 Philadelphia, PA) & Adeline Belle "Addie" Hines Young (b. 1866 Wolf Creek, Monroe, W.V. - d. 1938 Geuda Springs, Sumner, KS). Wife (1906 @ Arkansas City, KS): Lucy Delphina Burke Young (b. 1888 IA - d. 1951 Ottumwa, Wapello, IA), daughter of Cornelius Zachriah Burke (b. 1861 Paris, MO - d. 1945 Fayetteville, AR) & Jane Mahon Burke (b. 1859 Raloo, Antrim, Northern Ireland; m. 1887 Monroe, IA; d. 1937 Fayetteville, AR). Will was employed as a railroad hostler, who maintains locomotive engines before runs. Will & Addie's children were:

  • Earl Young (b. 1907 Beaver, Cowley, KS - d. 1932 Arkansas City, KS). Machinist apprentice in 1930 for the railroad.
  • Eva Mary Young Rader-Connell-Overbey (b. 1910 Arkansas City, KS - d. 1988 Caldwell, Canyon, ID). Husband: Gilbert Edgar Overbey (b. 1911 Sumner Co., KS - d. 1977 Burden, Cowley, KS).
  • Lottie May Young Rakestraw (1913-1977 Arkansas City, KS). Husband: Glenn Owen Rakestraw (b. 1913 Silverdale, Cowley, KS - d. 1993 Arkansas City, KS).
  • Wilma Jane Young Birchett (b. 1915 Arkansas City, KS - d. 2001 Victoria, TX). Husband: Clarence Othel Birchett (b. 1923 Tryon, Lincoln, OK - d. 1985 Victoria, TX).

1902 Wichita Eagle article

WRT 1902-4-10: Wichita Eagle: Gospel in Rock: "Entering Arkansas City on the south bound Santa Fe trains the attention of "Christ Died For the Ungodly", formed with large letters on the side of the hill two miles north of town. If, upon reaching Arkansas City the traveler looks to the east he will see the words: "Eternity Where", on the side of the hill about a mile away. These words were placed on the hills by Fred Horton, a telegraph operator in the office of the train dispatcher of the Santa Fe railroad in Arkansas City. Will Young, a Santa Fe brakeman residing in the same city and T.C. Bush, a Texas preacher.

A representative of the Eagle called at the home of Mrs. Horton last week and he talked freely of the motives which inspired him to place texts in the rocks where all could see. "I thought I might be doing something for the Lord," he said humbly. Mr. Horton lives in a comfortable home, the very atmosphere of which breathes of his faith and religious zeal. On the walls are numerous scriptural texts, similar to those seen in the houses of many Christian people. On the organ are several song books, and the family Bible is well dusted.

When asked how he formed the letters, Mr. Horton said: "Those letters are simply large piles of stone. There are nearly two wagon loads of rock in each one. The smallest letters are fifteen feet long and the largest are eighteen feet long. We smoothed the face of the letters by filling in the crevices with small stones, and then whitewashed the front of it so it would present a glazed appearance. It took us about two weeks to form the letters, although I only worked about three hours each day on it.

"Do you think any good has been accomplished by these texts?" was asked. "I trust so," was the reply. "A conductor told me that those texts had caused him to do more thinking about the salvation of his soul than anything else. The most striking incident that I have heard was that of a man who was nearly run over at the Santa Fe depot. He attempted to board the train while it was in motion, but lost his footing and was dragged a car length before he succeeded in getting on the car platform. A man on the platform said to him: "what were you thinking about when dragging and in such danger of losing your life?" "I was thinking about those words over there on the hill" was the reply. He referred to the words, "Eternity Where".

"Of what church are you a member", one asked. "I am not a member of any denomination" was the reply. "I belong to the children of God. There is no authority in the Bible for belonging to any denominations. I know there are a good many men in the churches, but they go farther than the word of God gives them authority to do. There are about fifteen in this city who believe as I do on the subject. We meet on Lord's day and break bread."

"I was a member of a church for five years on my way to perdition. I was zealous in my religious life and would go to prayer meeting, rain or shine. But the time came when I found out that I was lost and that nothing could save me, I could only be saved through the merits of Jesus. Now I know that I am saved. I can never be lost. Christ bore my sins on Calvary 1,900 years ago before I had committed my sins. He bore all the sins which I should commit from the date of my birth to the hour of my death. For me to go into sin would be like a person leaving a supper table and eating with the swine. I love to please God."

Upkeep

Several church groups and civic organizations (including the Boy Scouts) have maintained the lettering over the years. Awhile back, some folks installed three crosses near the stonework that they have lit by kerosene certain times of the year. Passenger trains no longer travel in the area, although freight trains still use the tracks, which have been moved some. Motorists can see the lettering when traveling on the nearby US Hwy bypass, especially during the Autumn months.

News

  • ACDT 1893-7-17: "Arkansas City has a Y.M.C.A. organization again. A few days since a committee of five young men, Fred Horton, Dr. W.H. Stauffer, Charles Rarick, Art Cornish and E. Danley met and concluded to resume the Y.M.C.A. in this city again. Fred Horton was made chairman and Eugene Danley secretary. The committee has rented the rooms in the third story over the post office and they are now open. The Y.M.C.A. library is also open at the room."
  • ACDN 1911-3-18: "Mrs. Fred Horton and daughter Rachael left this morning for Topeka for a short visit with Mrs. John Hudson."
  • ACDN 1911-5-30: "The Fortnightly Club had a delightful meeting at the club room in the Library building yesterday afternoon. It was guest day and many of the members availed themselves of the privilege of bringing a guest. The program was a good one. Excellent papers were given by Mrs. Thomas Baird and Mrs. W.F. Stubbs and Mrs. E.L. McDowell read a story in dialect by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The music of the afternoon was especially enjoyed. Mrs. Horton, who is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Fred Horton, sang: 'If I Were A Rose'. Mrs. Fleming sang, 'Sing Me A Song Of The Sunny South', and the High School Orchestra played two numbers. The guests included Mrs. Allie Moore, Mrs. C.E. Spicklemeyer, Mrs. Fred Horton, Mrs. John Kroenert, Miss Margaret Henneberry, Mrs. Virginia Pottle, Miss Davenport, Mrs. Terwilliger, Miss Hodge, Mrs. Blount, Mrs. J.A. Bradfield of Kansas City, Mrs. C.S. Scruton, Mrs. W.B. Horton Of Galesburg, IL."
  • ACDN 1911-6-10: "Fred Horton and daughter Rachael went to Ponca City last night. Mrs. W.B. Horton of Galesburg, Ill., came up from Oklahoma City, last night and stopped at Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hortons."
  • WDFP 1915-2-17: Arkansas City News: Engagement Announced: "Mrs. Fred Horton and Mrs. Earl Wolff gave a dinner last evening at the former's home, 324 North A street, to about thirty guests, at which the engagement of Miss Hazel Ricker and Fred Lewis were announced. The quartete abites were very artistically decorated in red and white hearts and candies. The place cards were two hearts, a red and white, tied together, on which the announcement was written in verse. An elaborate and delicious three course dinner was served to the guests. The out of town guests were Miss Virginia Clark of Wichita, Mrs. Clyde Higgins of Wellington, Miss Ruth DeTurk of Winfield, and Mrs. Archie Caveny of Topeka."
  • ACDN 1922-8-2: "Mr. and Mrs. Pete Lewis and Miss Lucille Ricker left this noon, overland for St. Paul, MN and the Great Lakes. They expect to be gone a month. Mrs. J.H. Ricker and Mrs. Fred Horton expect to join them later, going via Santa Fe."
  • ACT 1929-7-4: "A lot of boys didn't know what a half dollar was, never having inspected one. Two boys found a half dollar on the day before the Fourth in front of Fred Horton's house, in the sand in those by-gone days. Mr. Horton is the man who put the sign "Christ Died for the Ungodly", on the hill north of town. He had other quotations from the scriptures on a sign on a building in the back yard of his premises."
    • Our Record: "In 1929, Frederick joined T.C. Bush of Waxahachie, Texas to minister in the Midwest to several small assemblies in Kansas, Missouri, then at Fort Worth, Texas.


Also See

  • Words in Season: Aug. 1965 & Aug. 1972 contain tributes to F.T. Horton.

Hill

Sources

  • Ancestry.com
  • Findagrave.com
  • 1904 OB AAB
  • Newspapers.com
  • Our Record
  • Words in Season: 1938
  • Jack Dickson 2-28-2023
  • Winfield Daily Free Press: 1915-2-17
  • Arkansas City Daily News: 1911-3-18; 1911-5-30; 1911-6-10; 1913-3-5; 1913-3-11; 1920-8-17; 1922-8-2
  • Arkansas City Tribune: 1929-7-4
  • Arkansas City Daily Traveler: 1891-7-17
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