William Couch
From
William Lewis Couch (b Wilkes County, N. C. 1850 d Oklahoma City 1890) fled to Butler County, Kan. from Reconstruction North Carolina with his family. He built a successful livestock business but was attracted to the Boomer movement in the 1880s, ultimately becoming a Moses-like figure to the Boomers after the death of David L. Payne. He served as mayor from April 27, 1889 - November 11, 1889. He was shot over a disputed land claim a few months later and died of his wounds April 21, 1890. William Couch is [buried] in Fairlawn Cemetery.
