MORE ABOUT MAJOR FOSTER

It will be of local interest to many to know Maj. Foster and his brother were
desperately wounded at the Battle of Lone Jack and their lives were saved
by Cole Younger. Maj. Foster himself, long after the war gave the facts to the
Springfield Leader as follows.

Foster and his brother lay beside each other in a hut when a young
Bushwacker, who had been their enemy at Warrensburg before the war
entered. He was half drunk, and had a pistol in each hand. He was swearing
that he was going to kill the Fosters. "He caught sight of us lying there, and
rushed over." related Maj. Foster. "His eyes were fiendish, 'Say your
prayers--you' he shouted, 'you die this minute!'

A young fellow suddenly rushed forward, "You d----d coward" he said. In
moment he had seized the rowdy, disarmed him and knocked him headlong
through a window. The he stood guard over us. 'My name is Cole Younger'
he said, ' and I pledge my name for your security.'

I thought I was mortally wounded and confided to Younger that I has some
$700 and a watch and chain and my brother a considerable amount of
money which we would like sent to our mother in Warrensburg. Cole
Younger took the money and valuable and four days later my mother
received them."

"Maj. Foster never forgot this act of honor and kindness." The Springfield
Leader continues. "When they were imprisoned he zealously sought a
pardon for them and when things looked blackest, he at Cole's request, sent
them, his photograph. Cole framed it in his cell.

Maj. Foster died at Oakland, CA the day before Christmas [December 24,
1902]

Lee's Summit Journal
January 9, 1903
Friday


            MAJOR FOSTER DEAD

The hero of Lone Jack on the Federal side, was Maj. Emory S. Foster. That
he was a hero and gallant soldier is known to all. He died last week. He it
was who was challenged by and fought a duel with Maj. John Edwards,
caused by an editorial controversy arising from an invitation to Jeff Davis to
deliver an address at the Winnebago, Illinois fair. This duel was bloodless
but gave rise to considerable fun for the newspaper brethren because of the
origin of the "line shot". Foster and Edwards afterward became good friends.

Lee's Summit Journal
January 2, 1903
Friday