Atchison County Biographies
E. W. Howe's Historical Edition of the Atchison Daily Globe
These biographies were originally published in 1896 in the Atchison Daily Globe, written by the editor and publisher, E. W. Howe. In 1916 the biographies were reproduced in Sheffield Ingall's "History of Atchison County, Kansas," with a few updates such as death information.
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R. H. WEIGHTMAN.
One of the most interesting and romantic early-day characters in Atchi-
son county was Maj. R. H. Weightman, an ex-major of the United States
army, who was associated with a famous frontier tragedy. Major Weight-
man was a violent pro-slavery man and had been reared in the South. Before
coming to Kickapoo, where he was connected with the land office, and subsequently to Atchison, he was the editor of the Herald at Santa Fe, N. M., and
also a delegate to Congress from that Territory.
F. X. Aubrey, the other party to the quarrel, was a French Canadian, of
great pluck and energy, and had made a reputation on a wager in 1852, riding
from Santa Fe to Independence, Mo., in a few hours over eight days. The
next year he wagered $1,000 he could go the same distance in less than eight
days. His bet was accepted and Aubrey covered the distance in less than
five days. Following these rides he engaged in the freighting business over
the plains and he and Major Weightman became warm personal friends.
Aubrey later made a trip to California, taking a herd of sheep, which he sold
at a fine profit. It was upon his return from this trip that he and Weightman
had their famous quarrel. The fairest account of this incident appeared in the
Missouri Republican, September 28, 1834, which was in the form of a
communication from a correspondent of that paper, and was as follows:
"The case of Major Weightman."
"Mr. Editor : The deplorable event by which F. X. Aubrey lost his life
and which deprived the West of one of its most energetic and able pioneers,
will not be passed lightly over. The name of Mr. Aubrey had become too
closely identified with all that is gallant, preserving, and � in a western sense,
at least � brave and chivalrous, that his memory and his sudden death should
not awaken painful emotions among all those to whom his name had become
a household word; emotions too painful to expect that, under his influence,
full justice would be done to both parties concerned, when, therefore, an
opportunity is afforded by which the facts, as nearly as we can approach them,
may be investigated, it would seem injustice to withhold these facts from
the public.
"Though, perhaps, less historically known (if the expression be
permitted) than Mr. Aubrey, Major Weightman has peculiar claims upon the
citizens of Missouri, and especially of St. Louis, for demanding full and
impartial justice in this behalf. Without wishing to anticipate the judgment of
your readers, or at all commenting upon the evidence which will be found
below, your correspondent, in view of the grave charge in which Major
Weightman is involved, and the melancholy importance of the event, deems it his
duty, notwithstanding, here to state what may be known to most of your
readers, that Major Weightman, for years, formerly, was a resident of St.
Louis, beloved and respected, almost without any exception, by all with
whom he came in contact.
"Amongst the many of Missouri's citizens who participated in the late
Mexican war. Major, then Captain Weightman, at the head of his Light
Artillery Company, won laurels which placed his name foremost among the
bravest and most gallant in that war. His fellow soldiers still in our midst
will cheerfully bear your correspondent testimony, that Captain Weightman's
gallantry as a soldier and officer was only surpassed by his urbanity and true
kindliness of feeling as a gentleman; and if the evidence adduced upon his
preliminary examination before the examining magistrate should sustain
Weightman's plan of self-defense in the premises, his former friends here
and abroad, and his fellow soldiers, will be glad to learn that the qualities of
heart, for which they used most to prize Captain Weightman, in former years,
remain untainted even now, when his name has become unfortunately coupled
with a most grave and serious charge. May the public judge, and may not
the unquestioned enviable renown of Captain Aubrey's name tend to warp
calm judgment in pronouncing upon the guilt or innocence of the accused.
"The following evidence, being a synopsis of the process verbatim at the
preliminary examination before Judge Davenport, at Santa Fe, have been
transmitted to your correspondent from New Mexico lay a third person, and,
as your correspondent has every reason to believe, may be fully relied on.
It is in the main supported by your former notices published in the Republican
concerning this same transaction.
"The circumstances are these: Major Weightman, hearing of the
arrival of Aubrey, and that he was at the store of the Messrs. Mercure,
merchants at Santa Fe, crossed the plaza to see him, and was one of the first
to take him by the hand and greet him as a friend. When Major Weightman
arrived at the store of the Messrs. Mercure, several persons had already arrived
to pay their respects to Mr. Aubrey.
"Aubrey and Weightman met kindly, shook hands, and conversed
pleasantly for a short time, when something having been said by a third person
about the route by which Aubrey had arrived from California, Aubrey asked
the major if he had yet published his paper in Albuquerque. The major said,
no; that it was dead � had died a natural death from want of subscribers.
Aubrey then said it should have died, because of the lies with which it was
filled. This was said without excitement, When Weightman asked 'What
lies?' Aubrey remarked : 'When I returned from California last year you asked
me for information in respect to my route, and afterwards you abused me.'
This Weightman denied, saying, 'No, Aubrey, I did not abuse you.' Aubrey
then said, more or less excited, "I say you did, and I now repeat, it is a lie,' at
the same time bringing his hand down with force upon the counter.
"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.
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