“At this Weightman, who was sitting on the counter, five or six feet from Aubrey, sprang down and approached Aubrey, who had been standing near the counter, and taking a glass from which Aubrey had been drinking (a toddy), threw the contents in his face. Weightman immediately stepped back, when Aubrey drew a pistol (Colt’s belt pistol), the first shot from which took effect in the ceiling (supposed to have gone off while cocking). Weightman then drew a knife, and before another shot could be fired, closed with Aubrey and stabbed him in the abdomen, and soon after seized Aubrey’s pistol. “The Messrs. Mercure rushed on and seized the parties. Aubrey rapidly sank, and as soon as he relinquished his pistol Weightman said: ‘I did it in my own defense, and I will go and surrender myself to the authorities,’ which he did, accompanied by his friend, Major Cunningham. Aubrey died in a few minutes. He received but the one blow. Major Weightman has carried a bowie knife for his own protection for a year past, believing it to be necessary for him to do so. This was stated as the cause of his being armed. Aubrey was of the number of those who were inimical to him. The relations between Aubrey and Weightman had been heretofore of the most agreeable character.” Major Weightman was a resident of Atchison only a few years. At the outbreak of the war he joined the southern army, and lost his life in the battle of Wilson’s Creek. CHAPTER XIII. AGRICULTURE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT. AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY—SCIENTIFIC FARMING—FARMERS, THE ARISTOCRACY OF THE WEST—MODERN IMPROVEMENT—TOPOGRAPHY—SOIL—STATISTICS.