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Frederick Thompson Horton

1,357 bytes added, 21:54, 1 March 2023
Scripture Hill
==Scripture Hill==
The stonework was constructed either in 1889 or 1897, mostly by Fred himself, with sometimes an African-American 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."
* WRT 1902Fred's local cohort was William Charles "Will" Young (b. 1884 Grasshopper, Atchison, KS -4-10: Wichita Eagle: Gospel in Rock: "Entering d. 1941 Arkansas City on the south bound Santa Fe trains the attention , KS), a son of Isaac Young (b. 1858 Philadelphia, PA) & Adeline Belle "Christ Died For the UngodlyAddie"Hines Young (b. 1866 Wolf Creek, formed with large letters on the side of the hill two miles north of townMonroe, [[West Virginia|W.V.]] - d. 1938 Geuda Springs, Sumner, KS). If, upon reaching Wife (1906 @ Arkansas City the traveler looks to the east he will see the words, KS): "Eternity Where"Lucy Delphina Burke Young (b. 1888 IA - d. 1951 Ottumwa, Wapello, IA), on the side daughter of the hill about Cornelius Zachriah Burke (b. 1861 Paris, MO - d. 1945 Fayetteville, [[Arkansas|AR]]) & Jane Mahon Burke (b. 1859 Raloo, Antrim, [[Northern Ireland]]; m. 1887 Monroe, IA; d. 1937 Fayetteville, AR). Will was employed as a mile awayrailroad hostler, who maintains locomotive engines before runs. These words Will & Addie's children were placed on the hills by Fred Horton:* Earl Young (b. 1907 Beaver, Cowley, KS - d. 1932 Arkansas City, a telegraph operator KS). Machinist apprentice in 1930 for the office of the train dispatcher of the Santa Fe railroad in . * 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). Will * Lottie May YoungRakestraw (1913-1977 Arkansas City, a Santa Fe brakeman residing in the same city and [[Thomas Chairs Bush|TKS). Husband: Glenn Owen Rakestraw (b. 1913 Silverdale, Cowley, KS - d. 1993 Arkansas City, KS). * Wilma Jane Young Birchett (b.C1915 Arkansas City, KS - d. Bush]]2001 Victoria, a Texas preacherTX). Husband: Clarence Othel Birchett (b. 1923 Tryon, Lincoln, OK - d. 1985 Victoria, TX).
A representative ===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 Eagle called at Ungodly", formed with large letters on the side of the home hill two miles north of Mrstown. Horton last week and he talked freely of If, upon reaching Arkansas City the motives which inspired him traveler looks to place texts in the rocks where all could east he will see. the words: "Eternity Where"I thought I might be doing something for , on the Lord," he said humbly. Mrside of the hill about a mile away. These words were placed on the hills by Fred Horton lives , a telegraph operator in a comfortable home, the very atmosphere office of which breathes the train dispatcher of his faith and religious zealthe Santa Fe railroad in Arkansas City. On the walls are numerous scriptural textsWill Young, similar to those seen a Santa Fe brakeman residing in the houses of many Christian peoplesame city and [[Thomas Chairs Bush|T.C. On the organ are several song booksBush]], and the family Bible is well dusteda Texas preacher.
When asked how A representative of the Eagle called at the home of Mrs. Horton last week and he formed 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 lettersLord, " he said humbly. Mr. Horton said: "Those letters are simply large piles lives in a comfortable home, the very atmosphere of stone. There are nearly two wagon loads which breathes of rock in each onehis faith and religious zeal. The smallest letters are fifteen feet long and On the largest walls are eighteen feet long. We smoothed numerous scriptural texts, similar to those seen in the face houses of many Christian people. On the letters by filling in the crevices with small stonesorgan are several song books, 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 itfamily Bible is well dusted.
"Do you think any good has been accomplished by these texts?" was When askedhow he formed the letters, Mr. Horton said: "I trust so," was the replyThose letters are simply large piles of stone. "A conductor told me that those texts had caused him to do more thinking about the salvation There are nearly two wagon loads of his soul than anything elserock in each one. The most striking incident that I have heard was that of a man who was nearly run over at smallest letters are fifteen feet long and the Santa Fe depotlargest are eighteen feet long. He attempted to board We smoothed the face of the train while it was letters by filling in motionthe crevices with small stones, but lost his footing and was dragged then whitewashed the front of it so it would present a car length before he succeeded in getting on the car platformglazed appearance. A man on It took us about two weeks to form the platform said to him: "what were you thinking about when dragging and in such danger of losing your life?" "letters, although I was thinking only worked about those words over there three hours each day on the hill" was the reply. He referred to the words, "Eternity Where"it.
"Of what church are Do you a memberthink any good has been accomplished by these texts?", one was asked. "I am not a member of any denominationtrust so," was the reply. "I belong A conductor told me that those texts had caused him to do more thinking about the children salvation of Godhis soul than anything else. There is no authority in The most striking incident that I have heard was that of a man who was nearly run over at the Bible for belonging Santa Fe depot. He attempted to any denominations. I know there are board the train while it was in motion, but lost his footing and was dragged a good many men car length before he succeeded in getting on the churches, but they go farther than car platform. A man on the word of God gives them authority platform said to do. There are him: "what were you thinking about fifteen when dragging and in this city who believe as such danger of losing your life?" "I do was thinking about those words over there on the subjecthill" was the reply. We meet on Lord's day and break breadHe referred to the words, "Eternity Where"."
"Of what church are you a member", one asked. "I was am not a member of a church any denomination" was the reply. "I belong to the children of God. There is no authority in the Bible for five years on my way belonging to perditionany denominations. I was zealous know there are a good many men 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 mechurches, I could only be saved through but they go farther than the merits word of JesusGod gives them authority to do. Now I know that I am saved. There are about fifteen in this city who believe as I can never be lost. Christ bore my sins do 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 deathsubject. For me to go into sin would be like a person leaving a supper table We meet on Lord's day and eating with the swine. I love to please Godbreak 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.