THE WINFIELD COURIER.
[FROM MAY 25, 1882, THROUGH JUNE 22, 1882.]
D. A. MILLINGTON, EDITOR.
ED. P. GREER, LOCAL EDITOR.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
FROM VERNON.
EDS. COURIER. Upon visiting our neighbor Hiram Hopkins, we found him with one leg broken twice, the other broken once, and one of his arms twice. The accident occurred in a grist mill, about ten miles north of Winfield and the Walnut River. His coat tail was caught by a shaft.
Seeing the condition he was in, we felt it a duty as well as a pleasure to contribute to his wants. So we started with two papers. L. A. Millspaugh canvassed the south half of Vernon Township and H. H. Hawkins the north half. We give the names with the amount opposite.
SOUTH HALF OF VERNON TOWNSHIP.
J. W. Millspaugh: $3.00
L. A. Millspaugh: $1.00
J. B. Rithrock: $.50
P. M. Waite: $3.00
W. L. Holmes: $2.00
J. McMahon: $1.50
W. G. Carson: $1.00
A. J. Werden: $.50
J. W. Tyree: $1.00
C. A. McClung: $1.00
A. W. Calven: $1.00
M. L. Martin: $.40
E. Martin: $2.50
TOTAL COLLECTED IN THE SOUTH HALF OF VERNON TOWNSHIP: $17.80
NORTH HALF OF VERNON TOWNSHIP.
Henry and D. G. Hawkins: $5.00
J. B. Corsan [Corson?]: $5.00
D. S. Beedle: $2.00
Wm. Fowler: $2.00
T. Thompson: $2.00
Mrs. J. T. Martin: $.50
Geo. Wilson: $5.00
J. W. Prewitt: $1.00
Geo. Killaugh: $1.00
B. B. Daughter: $2.00
O. [?C.] M. Skinner: $.75
A. S. Beaman: $1.00
Wm. Mock: $1.00
S. P. Case: $.50
D. S. Hanninger: $.25
E. C. Martin: $3.20
W. M. Jackson: $1.00
E. M. Jackson: $1.00
H. O. Wooley: $1.00
M. Nixon: $.50
J. R. Dunn: $5.00
M. L. Clark: $.50
Issac Wood: $1.00
H. Hahn: $.45
H. C. Hawkins: $5.00
P. B. Lee: $1.00
J. T. Carter: $.50
TOTAL COLLECTED IN NORTH HALF VERNON TOWNSHIP: $49.15
Mr. J. Jackson received $15.00 from Winfield, all making $80.30 which was delivered to said Hiram Hopkins. We wish to state in calling on our kind neighbors that some gave all the change they had with them, while others had none; but their will sas good. We send you the above report, once more asking for a little space in your paper, so that our generous hearted people who gave so freely may know that the above amount was delivered to the proper one. We hope he will soon be up and with us again. H. C. H.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
ORCHARD COTTAGE.
EDS. COURIER: Having tired of using the hoe in the destruction of weeds, after resting the physical nature and giving the mental food, by a short time spent in reading, I will now try and collect a few thoughts for the reading of the COURIER.
The last week will, we think, be one long remembered as the cold week of May, 1882. Although two frosts fell the same week, yet we think there was no serious damage in this vicinity, and think the cold, cloudy days were a great blessing, being just what the wheat neded. And now comes just such grand growing weather as the corn needs, such fine weather for the destruction of weeds, and our farmers are improving the time. How much more we would all enjoy life with its varied changes if there were welling up from our inmost souls constantly, such beautiful sentiments of prayer as one expressed by the so called virtuous pagan, Marcus Aurelius, AEverything harmonizes with me which is harmonious to thee, O, Universe! Nothing for me is too early or too late, which is in due time for thee. Everything is fruit to me which thy seasons bring, O Nature.@ If we could but put our whole trust in Him Awho doeth all things well,@ we then could enjoy the recurring seasons with all their varied changes. Spring will soon be past, but let us one and all enjoy to the full its lingering days, the days of bud and blossom, knowing full well that the ripe fruit and golden grain will soon be ours. God pity the man that is ever alloying present joys with anticipating evils.
Harry Hopkins is doing well, and being young will pull through all right.
We learn from Dr. Maggart that the young man on Slate Creek, who accidentally shot himself while out fishing, is still living, and stands a change yet to live, though the wound was a bad one.
Sile Carter and several others now rejoice over the completion of pasture fences. When recently journeying northward, passing Bud Bernard=s place, was surprised to find he had almost completed a snug and commodious house, with good cellar under the entire house. The hedges, groves, and orchards of Vernon are assuming such mammoth proportions that one needs to penetrate them to see all the fine new houses and barns that are being built.
Vernon is becoming somewhat noted for patent right men. Dougherty and Tyre selling patent washing machines in Kansas. Charles McClung has bought the State right of West Virginia, John Circle, Virginia, and Bob Taylor, Kentucky, and are now selling this celebrated washing machine.
And now comes Mr. J. M. Householder with a patent Ahen=s next@ which is quite an ingenius invention. Each nest has a door which the hen opens when she goes in to lay. The fastening of the door is so neatly contrived that no other hen can get in to lay, till the one that is in comes out. We doubt not he will be hailed as a great benefactor by all those who have been put to their wits ends, to keep half a dozen from setting in the same nest. Now we Greenbackers expect soon to capture the government and all its offices if Mr. Householder could so contrive his patent as to keep Republicans out of the government nests, when the Greenbackers get in. There would be millions in it.
Mr. Mears has sold his farm and will move to Belle Plaine.
M. LEWIS.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
UDALL ITEMS.
EDS. COURIER: Once more have the windows of heaven been opened, and the rain descended as it did in the days of Noah; and the result is, Mr. Fitzsimmons= nail kegs are nearly ready to bloom, the drooping rain barrels look wonderfully refreshed, and the festive frog sings merrily as he gazes upon the abundant supply of water, bright water, that is so carefully garnered up in our cellears, and the burden of his son is, AHow is this for drouthy Kansas?@
George Wilson has built a neat little residence, and is now a citizen of this place.
Mrs. Green will start next week for Michigan, where she will spend the summer.
Mr. Hildebrant has moved into his new house, and is spending his leisure in painting it.
BIRTH. This is Mr. Smith. Does he not look pleased? See him smile! Why does he do so? Have the town company shares gone up? No, that is not it. How high he lifts his feet! Is the poor man blind? O, no! I will tell you why he does so. It is a boy of regulation weight, and that is why he smiles and lifts his feet so high. Do you not wish you were a man and had a boy?
Porter Wilson is treating his house to a coat of paint.
Elder Camp, a Christian minister from Belle Plaine, preached at this place last Saturday night and Sunday.
Jim Napier is putting up a dwelling house, which will add one more to our boom.
A social hop is on the program for next week.
Mrs. Campbell has returned from Wichita, where she has been visiting friends.
Mr. John Hale, accompanied by his sister, Miss Mary, of Mulvane, spent Sunday and Monday visiting friends at this place. FRITZ.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882
WILLIAM HOOD.
Giant of the Nineteenth Century.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP, May 10, 1882.
I noticed an article in the COURIER, copy of a telegram from Seymour, Indiana, relative to the death and burial of Wm. Hood, near that place. Also some remarkable feats of his physical prowess.
His real name was Francis. I was personally acquainted with ABill Hood,@ as he was popularly known, when I was quite a boyCfrom some time before 1840 until about 1849Cwhen he was in the prime of life, and a most remarkable man for strength. He was, I am pretty sure, one-eighth African blood, and not very dark at that. He wooed and won the heart and hand of a charming widow who had been twice married before. To overcome a difficulty arising from a clause in the law, forbidding inter-marriage between the African and Caucasian races, they conceived the idea of performing a surgical operation upon the arm of Hood, by opening a vein, out of which flowed the life-blood, which she drank, enabling her to depose an oath that she had African blood in her; whereupon the necessary papers were obtained, and the twain were made one flesh. Mrs. Hood had two children by a former marriage. A son of one of them has been in this county; was in the employ of one of our County officials, and is popularly known about Winfield. They also had some Hood children, one of which was a pretty, blue-eyed, fair complexioned, and straight haired girl that would pass for strictly white anywhere where not known.
My grandfather had a vicious bull, a terror to the barnyard, which he sold to Hood to replace one he had lost from his yoke. When the process of yoking took place, Hood caught him by the horns and held him, while my grandfather and other help secured him in the yoke. I have seen him take a large ox by the horn with one hand, and punish him with a whip in the other, as easily Aapparently@ as I could handle a yearling lamb. In freightin along Neils Creek, on a hot day, his cattle made a dive into the water, upsetting his wagon. He took hold of one wheel at a time and set it back, and with a few impressions from his lash, was in the road again, on his wending way. When his team Agot stuck,@ he would lift it out by main strength.
The most remarkable exhibition of his strength that I ever heard of, was in the process of turning a flat-boat upside down, in the Ohio River at Madison. It was a pre-concerted plan among the hands that when they got the boat up and Hood well under it, for all hands to let go and crush him beneath its weight, which they accordingly did; but to their great astonishment, he stood there in his strength supporting the whole weight until they got ashamed of their conduct, took hold again, and helped turn the boat.
Judge D. M. Hill of Paris, Jennings County, Indian, was a man of extraordinary physical powers, who had much to do with Hood, in testing his strength. I herewith append the Judge=s own language, of incidents that came under his own observation.
CHANT.
SHARPSVILLE, INDIAN, February 16, 1882.
Lucius Walton, Esq.
DEAR SIR: Your letter went to Paris and was forwarded to me at the above named place, where I have been for almost a year.
You write me concerning the exploits of Bill Hood. I will endeavor as best I can to give you what I know about him. His first great deeds, in which he manifested such wonderful power and strength, took place in Vernon. While I was Judge of the Court, he was indicted for an assault and batter with intent to kill John Loyd, a colored man. The State had six negro witnesses and they (three negroes) testified that Bill Hood threw John Loyd over the top of an apple tree. From the examination of the witnesses it appeared that one of the negroes had struck Bill upon the head with a heavy hoe. This Aaddled@ Hood and Loyd rushed at him. Hood caught Loyd and threw him over the apple tree. The jury found him not guilty, as they believed him to be acting in self-defense.
Hood=s weight, when in health, was about 225 pounds. He was 6 feet, 1 inch high, and raw-boned, and the strongest man I ever saw. He was not clumsy.
The case of this ox is this. He bought a wild ox four years old. I, with four other men went with him to help yoke the ox with a gentle one. We hemmed him in the corner of the field. He made a rush to get away and I caught him by one horn, which checked his speed. Hood caught him by the hind leg and held it high up until he was yoked.
Now as to the iron shaft. The shaft lay with each end on a small log at the mill, where it was to be placed in position, about one foot from the ground. Joseph Higgins and Hiram Twaddle were trying to lift the end with a hand spike, but failed. I then took hold of one end of the shaft and lifted one end. At this time Hood came up. I told these men that he could lift the shaft with both of them on it. Bill said he could lift the whole thing by himself. He got as near the center of the shaft as he could and lifted it clear off the logs.
My weight was 218 pounds. I was much quicker and more active than Hood. He could lift one-third more than I could.
In regard to the saw log. I sold 100 logs to the millers and Hood was hauling them. They sent to me for a log twenty feet long, 2-1/2 feet at the butt. We cut it and I helped roll it on the wagon. It went too far forward. Hood said, AHill, take hold of it and let us move it back.@ I said, AWe cannot lift it.@ He replied, I can lift the big end.@ It was just high enough for me to help lift with my knees. We lifted it clear off the wagon and slipped it back one foot.
At another time W. W. Dixon was boating plank from Rodman=s mill, and the three Rodmans were helping. They were all large men; they ordered Hood around until he got mad and went out on shore. They then tied up the boat and all went ashore. They here got to quarreling and the largest Rodman struck Hood over the shoulder with an oar. Hood caught him by the collar and seat of his breeches and raised him up and brought him down to the earth and would have beaten him to death if Dixon and Chambers had not begged him not to kill Rodman. Hood walked out and offered to fight all of them, but they would not accept his offer.
Hood while hauling goods from Madison and Paris, coming up the hill near the stone quarry, was met by two men who ordered him to give the road for their wagon, and one of them struck his horse on the head with a whip. Hood caught the man and threw him over the cliff. The man did not touch the ground for more than 30 feet; then Hood ran for the other man, who was afraid of him and jumped off the cliff. Hood then went on his way victorious.
Respectfully yours,
D. M. HILL.
[NOTE: SPENT ABOUT 20 MINUTES BACK TRACKING FOR ALMOST SIX WEEKS TO FIND COURIER ARTICLE RE WILLIAM HOOD....COULD NOT FIND IT! LETTER FROM SHARPSVILLE, INDIANA TO ACHANT@...WHO I BELIEVE WAS ALUCIUS WALTON,@ INDICATES TO ME THAT THE REFERENCE RE HOOD MUST GO BACK TO A NEW ITEM SOME 4, 5, 6, 7, OR 8 MONTHS BEFORE. DECIDED TO FORGET IT!]
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Fratracide.
A tragedy occurred in the Choctaw Nation on Monday of last week. Two brothers, named Jefferson and George Finley, while working a corn field, fell into a dispute, when George drew a revolver and shot his brother. George then secured a horse and fled toward Texas. Jefferson died within twenty-four hours. He begged piteously that his slayer should be spared. ADon=t let them hang George if I die,@ he said to his attendants. The Finleys are respectable white people.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
FED OR STARVE.
Gen. Pope has been visiting the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona to find out what is the matter with them that they have to break out occasionally and kill a few miners and freighters. He says of some of them: AThe Muscaleros must be fed or they will starve. The Indian bureau, as it appears, cannot feed them. The army must, therefore, feed them, or a heavy military force must be placed around them to make them starve peaceably. There is yet time to provide for them, but it cannot safely be postponed. It should be attended to at once.@
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
THE PROHIBITION CASESCTHE QUESTION OF THEIR COST.
We have examined the records of the late term of the District Court and find there were fourteen cases on the docket for violation of the prohibition law. Of these, five were dismissed or tried and found Anot guilty,@ and nine were continued to be tried at the next term. One of these was tried and the jury did not agree, and another was found guilty but the court granted a new trial. In the whole fourteen cases the witness fees as claimed amount to $840.00, but this amount will not be allowed, for witnesses claimed for full time in each of several cases. We suppose they cannot charge the county at least for more than one per diem for each day=s attendance. Should the county have all this to pay, it will not probably amount to $400.
The whole cost of juries for the term is $1,137.20, of which $264 is charged to three other cases and as much more would come out of the county had there been no prohibition cases on the docket. The total jury fees properly charged to these fourteen cases would be about $600. The clerks= and sheriff=s fees chargeable to these cases amount to about $200, making a total of $1,200 of costs which the county might have to pay for the term on account of these fourteen prosecutions. The costs properly chargeable to the five cases disposed of is about $150 and this the county will not have to pay. The balance, about $1,050, may be collected of the defendants at the final trial.
Now we do not pretend that the above figures are exact, for the clerk informs us that it is impossible to get the exact figures until the final disposal, for the returns are not all in and of those figures which are given some are liable to be retaxed.
When these cases come up again for trial, they will be quickly disposed of and the additional costs will not be great. These cases presented an entirely new phase of pleadings and much of the time of the late court was taken up in examining and settling the pleadings and determining what they should be. Much time was spent in debating and determining what evidence was admissible. All these matters are determined and now the attorneys will know just what to do and will do it at once. There is nothing in this matter that should deter the prosecuting attorney from doing his sworn duty in cases where he has what appears to be evidence of the violation of this or any other law.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
SKIPPED A LONG EDITORIAL BY MILLINGTON RE CAUSES OF HYDROPHOBIA IN RESPONSE TO QUERY BY RICHLAND CORRESPONDENT.
ALSO SKIPPED AN EDITORIAL RE VICE OF OPIUM EATING BEING LARGELY ON THE INCREASE IN THE COUNTRY.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
WHERE HACKNEY GOT THAT SCAR.
We are asked how Hackney got that scar on his cheek. In reply we copy the following description of the defense of Alatoona [EVERYBODY SPELLS THIS DIFFERENTLY] Pass, from Ambrose= History of the SEVENTH Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. AThe Hills tremble, the fort is wrapped in fearful flame. Amid dying groans, the cannon crashes, to sweep down the angry rebels to a suicidal death. The grand half hundred of the reckless SEVENTH, the undaunted Fifty-seventh Iowa, barricade the Alatoona walls with their frightful steel. The rebels attempt to cross the defences but are thrown back in confusion. They rally again for the third charge. A dispatch read in the fort. >Hold Alatoona. W. T. Sherman.= The Seventh with their sixtee-shooters is running short of ammunition and prepare for the bayonet exercise. The rebels are driven back the third time and prepare for the fourth. The fort has become a vast slaughter pen, but the frenzied rebels are swarming in the breach again. This is the hour that tries our steel. A large portion of the fifteen hundred are killed or wounded. For three hours the battle has raged. Col. Rowell now succeeds in getting the artillery in range again. All ready! Into the rebels faces the death messengers are hurled. The defenders give an unearthly yell and charge with fury. The SEVENTH with their sixteen-shooters are performing the terrible work of death. The six thousand rebels waver, give away, and flee in confusion save those who are dead or wounded and the great battle of Alatoon is over. The survivors of the gallant fifteen hundred wave their tattered banners over the field. We now look around and see the fort dripping with blood. Here Samuel Walker lies cold and stiff. There Edward C. Nichols lies fearfully wounded. Who do we see here, sounded and bleeding? We look again. Our heart beats quick. >Tis the Hackney brothers lying side by side. Here we see the embodiment of incipient manhood. Before the battle they looked like boys, but they look like men now. Look at that cheeck, behold that frightful gash! >Tis a mark of royalty. When future years shall have rolled down the stream of time, and when the country is at peace, on that cheek will be a scar that will lead the mind back to the eventful years that saw this nation leap like a giant from his thralldom of tyranny.@
The loss of the SEVENTH has been fearful. At Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth our loss was heavy but our loss in this battle exceeds our whole loss in those three great battles.@
Then follows a list of 42 killed and 53 wounded of the SEVENTH among which are: ACo. H., Sergeant William P. Hackney, severely wounded.@
Further on we find that the heroic Lieut. John E. Sullivan when dying said: Give my sword to the gallant William Hackney of Company H.@ This battle of Alatoon was fought October 3rd, 1864. Next we find the boy William Hackney on Oct. 5th, 1864, promoted from Sergeant to Captain of Co. H, for meritorious services, and this seems to be the history of that scar.
[KAY...NOTICED SOME SLIGHT VARIANCE IN ABOVE FROM WHAT WE HAD, ESPECIALLY WITH REFERENCE TO AMBROSE= HISTORY...DO NOT BELIEVE IT REALLY CHANGES WHAT WE HAVE PRINTED THOUGH.]
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
SUPERINTENDENCY.
Many persons interested in the welfare of our school system who highly appreciate the excellent qualities of Mrs. W. B. Caton have induced her to consent to be a candidate for county superintendent of public instruction before the Republican convention, and desire the COURIER to announce the fact. Mrs. Caton would feel highly complimented should she receive the nomination, and if elected would use her best endeavors to fill the office successfully; but she will not solicit support or make any canvas whatever. Mrs. Caton is a lady of high character, thoroughly educated, very energetic and successful, and as a teacher, pleasant, lady-like, and helpful, and the fact that she is a woman is not be considered a disqualifaction. Some of the best superintendents in the state are women.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
THE McALLISTER DISASTER.
The cyclone which recently swept over McAllister, a mining settlement in the Indian Territory, on the line of the Missouri Pacific railroad, was even more disastrous than at first reported. The population being small, and the inhabitants being poor, the suffering is very great. The following is a summary of the cyclone=s work: Number of persons killed, twenty-one; number of persons injured, fifty-six; number of persons pecuniarily damaged, ninety-four; number of houses destroyed outside of the mining company=s property, seventy-two; value of dwellingg houses destroyed, $7,689, value of contents, $8,4475, number of buildings lost by the Osage Coal and Mining Company, in addition to the above twenty-eight; value, $11,000; value of livestock destroyed, $591; money lost, $1,608; minister=s library, $100; Sunday school libraries, $50; Church and schoolhouse, $1,700. I. O. O. F. hall, contents and regalia, $1,200. Total loss on property destroyed, $32,622.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
STATE NEWS.
A fast train has been put on the Santa Fe R. R., between Kansas City and Pueblo. It will make the distance of 630 miles in 26 hours, including all stoppages.
An attempt was made a few nights ago to assassinate Governor Overton, of the Chickasaw Indian Nation, by firing into his house. A squad of Indian militia followed the trail of the party that did the shooting and overtook one of them, named Starrs, and killed him.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
PERSONALS.
Senator Hackney went north Monday.
Charley Black left for the east Monday morning.
Mr. Eugene Baird was taken quite ill Monday evening.
There was a light frost on the low lands Monday morning.
The Ivanhoe Club intends giving a picnic sometime next montth.
Miss Allie Klingman started east for a short visit Tuesday morning.
Rooms to rent by Mrs. Julia Shields, West end of 10th avenue.
Riverside Park is in Vernon Township. Vernon wants all the good things.
Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Speed started Tuesday on a visit to friends in Ithaca, New York.
Rev. Morehead of Arkansas City preached in the Methodist Church Sunday evening.
>
Squire Norman came down from Maple Monday and spent several hours in the city.Hudson Bros., have decided to put a handsome clock on their building for the benefit of the citizens.
The examination of teachers ordered by the Board of Education has been postponed until after the normal.
Our Winfield mechanics are building J. G. Wood=s new brick bank in Wellington. Mr. Beaton has the contract.
The Board of Education met Monday evening and elected Miss Clute as one of the city teachers for the coming year.
There was 38,134 more bushels of corn in Cowley County on the first of March this year than at the same time last year.
Judge Bard is now a Kansas ASojer,@ having been commissioned First Lieutenant of the First Battery by Gov. St. John.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
[MORE PERSONALS.]
Dr. Cooper returned from his eastern sojourn Saturday. He took quite a trip through Florida, as a matter of recreation.
Archie Stewart sold a half section of land in the southwest corner of Richland Township Monday, to Harry Bahntge for $2,850.
Mrs. Dr. Emerson entertained a party of friends at her home Thursday evening. About twenty-five couples were present.
Mrs. C. E. Lobdell and Miss Libbie Ghearart, of Eldorado, came down Tuesday, and will visit several days with Rev. Jones and family.
Messrs. H. S. Frank and Ed. Jennings started for the Territory Tuesday morning, where they will locate a cattle ranche and purchase stock for it.
Axtels= Restaurant is becoming one of the most popular institutions in the city. There are few more hospitable, whole-souled landlords than Axtel.
The rumor that a man in Beaver Township got lost in his wheat field and wandered around two days before he found his way out is probably not correct.
Mitchell County has a farmer, who, failing to raise the wherewith to take in the circus, went home and plowed up the seed potatoes he had planted and sold them.
There will be no service in the Methodist Church Sunday morning, owing to the dedication of the Baptist Church. The regular services will be held during the evening.
And now the old settlers of Vernon are to have a reunion at Riverside Park on Wednesday, the 31st of May. The Vernon folks will have one of the biggest times on record.
Col. S. S. Prouty, one of the veteran editors of Kansas, planted his Aphat@ and jolly form on our editorial throne last week. He came down in the interest of the Bismark Fair.
[BELIEVE IT IS BISMARCK FAIR!]
We undertand that Mr. J. W. Weimer, of Richland, has consented, under the pressure of friends, to become a candidate for the legislature in his district. He is one of Richland=s best citizens.
Arrangements are being completed for panelling the ceiling of the Methodist Church and finishing the tower. These repairs are badly needed and we are glad to see the M. E. Folks waking up to the imporance of it.
Elder A. Crenshaw of the Christian Church preached at Beaver Center last Sunday, and there was one addition by confession and baptism. He lately conducted a meeting at Caldwell, which resulted in many additions.
The Winfield Rifles are re-organizing. About thirty names have been placed on the muster rolls and others are applying daily. There is no reason why Winfield should not carry off the prize for the boss military company.
Archie Stewart has been appointed boss mason of the A. T. & S. F. Railroad on the main line from Newton to Pueblo and the Caldwell and Arkansas City branches. This is a good position and Archie is fully capable of filling it.
T. C. Price, of Vernon, brought us in some specimens of upland early May wheat Monday. The heads were large and nicely filled, and the straw was five feet and an inch long. Mr. Price also brought us a bunch of rye, which stood six feet eight inches high Ain its stockings.@
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
[MORE PERSONALS.]
Mr. G. E. Metzger brought us a bunch of wheat from his farm near Little Dutch Thursday, that measured five feet two inches in height and was filling nicely. It is of the Fultz variety and he has one hundred acres of the same kind.
A number of ladies from the W. C. T. U., visit the jail every Sabbath afternoon and hold prayer meeting. These ladies seem to have started out to lend their assistance in every good cause, and they are doing much to keep the subject of temperance before the people. Our readers will find their column on the fourth page very interestig.
Mr. Will Clark has resigned his position at the New York store and starts this week for his old home in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Clark has been with this firm for the past two years, and by his gentlemanly and obliging treatment of customes has won a popularity as a salesman seldom equalled. He may return in August. Miss Curry and Rizle Beck are the only assistants Aholding the fort@ at present.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
We have received a letter from R. L. Johnson, Jr., who is now at Stockwell, Indiana. He wants the COURIER and is mighty sick of Indiana. Says he never saw such a backward spring in his lifeCfarmers are not yet done plowing for corn, and mud is knee deep. He says corn is worth 72 cents, wheat $1.30, potatoes $44.25, and hay $13 per ton. R. L. Once lived in Pleasant Valley Township, south of town. From the tenor of his letter, we judge he will be back before long.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
MARRIED. Judge T. H. Soward and Miss Libbie E. Smith were married last Thursday afternoon at the Baptist Church, in the presence of a large audience of friends. The ceremony was pronounced by Rev. Cairns in a very impressive manner, after which the bride and groom took a carriage and repaired immediately to Judge Soward=s home, where a party of invited friends gathered to take tea and congratulate the happy couple. Thus one by one the boys begin to look about for someone to establish a household, but very few are as fortunate as Judge Soward.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
If any of our eastern friends, who are so skeptical about Kansas, were to drop into the COURIER office this week, we could show them products that would forever silence any doubts as to this being the best county in the best state in the Union. We have on exhibition specimens of wheat five feet eight inches high, with heads four inches long and showing four grains to the Amesh,@ and fifteen stalks from a grain of seed. This wheat was grown by Mr. Ben Wright, of Pleasant Valley Township, and is of the variety known as AFultz@ wheat. Mr. Wright is not a very tall man, and when he goes into his forty acre wheat field he has to take a compass to insure his bearings.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Henry Paris has purchased the street sprinkling franchise and will immediately prepare for a vigorous campaign on the dust. Hank is one of our most energetic citizens and won=t take hold of anything unless he does it well. We are glad that this business is at last in the hands of a man who has the facilties and the energy, coupled with sufficient local pride to make the thing a success. Let every businessman give Hank a lift in the way of subscriptions to the fund.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
The M. E. Sunday School will have a picnic and basket dinner at Riverside Park June 1st, A. D. 1882.Music, singing, speeches, boat rowing, swinging, dinner, etc., will be the order of the day. A wagon will be provided to carry all the provisions to the ground. Let everyone put card on their baskets with their name in full. Children will meet at the M. E. Churrch 9:30 a.m., to form in procession and march to the grove. Everybody is invited who desires to join with us to have a pleasant time. By order. S. S. HOLLOWAY.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Large herds of Texas ponies are coming in. One of 200 head has been on exhibition at Enright=s stable yards this week. There are some very fine horses in the herd. A gentleman bought a handsome pair of grays Saturday for $125. They were caught with a lasso, thrown down, and the harness put on them and in a short time Hank Paris, who was bossing the job, was driving them around like old stagers.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Will Smith, who has been for the past three years, bookkeeper and part of the time manager of the Chicago Company=s lumber yards in Winfield, has returned to Wichita and is now with the Chicago Company in this city in the same line of trade. His return will be gladly welcomed. Will has a high order of talent, he can run a hotel or a lumber yard with equal skill. Wichita Beacon.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
The markets are about the same as last week. Butter brings 12-1/2 cents, eggs 15 cents, and chickens from $2.60 to $3 per dozen. New potatoes are worth $2.50. Wheat remains at $1.05 to $1.15. Hogs have gone up to $7.00 per hundred for choice. Wool is coming in rapidly and there is much competition among buyers at prices varying from 15 to 22 cents.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Today (Thursday) the A. O. U. W., have their grand picnic, the first of the kind held. Eminent officers of the order will be present, and all other secret societies of this and neighboring cities will participate.
LATER. Owing to the inclement weather, the picnic has been postponed till Tuesday next, May 30th.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
In the suit between Cronk and Constant, of Pleasant Valley Township, before >Squire Soward last week, the jury brought in a verdict of guilty against Constant for tearing down a fence built by Cronk on a disputed strip of land between their farms. Mr. Constant was fined ten dollars, but appealed the case to the district court.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Mr. L. A. Millspaugh, of Vernon Township, will be a candidate for Clerk of the District Court, before the Republican convention this fall. L. A. Is one of the bright young men of our county, and is abundantly qualified to fill the position. He is a practicing attorney, having been admitted to the bar in Burlington, Iowa, and in this county.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
DIED. Mrs. Lizzie Sanborn, wife of J. H. Sanborn, died last week at Mrs. Aldriches. She was boarding here and her husband was in Colorado. The husband was telegraphed for, but did not receive the dispatch until after her death. He arrived here Tuesday, three days after her burial.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
John Allison and wife, of Illinois, conveyed the old Hackney & McDonald Cherokee Strip lands, comprising 3,154 acres, to D. W. Fuller, of Ohio, and Henry V. Louie, H. L. Bennion, and Alexander Fuller, of Grundy Co., Illinois. Consideration: $8,460. The purchasers will fence the track for stock-raising.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
The ladies of the Woman=s Christian Temperance Union will give a musical and literary entertainment in the Opera House on Thursday evening, June 1st. Let none fail to be present and enjoy a rare treat. See program. A special invitation is extended to friends in the country. Tickets 25 cents each.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
It is rumored that the Adams Express Company will withdraw from the Santa Fe road, leaving the express business in the hands of the Wells Fargo. This will transfer agent McRorey to other fields. He is certainly one of the most energetic and faithful of the Adam=s employees.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Frank Chapin, of Pleasant Valley Township, was quite severely poisoned last week by inhaling poison from corn which he was planting and had previously soaked in strychnine to prevent depredations by moles. He is recovering, but it was a close call.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Episcopal Church in the Courthouse on Sunday next, no service in the morning, on account of the dedication of the Baptist Church. Service as usual in the evening at 7:30. Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. All are cordially invited to worship with us. Subject in the evening appropriate to Whit-Sunday.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
We devote a good deal of space this week to county statistics. It is the most perfect index to the condition of the county and what the farmers as a whole are doing, that can be printed, and it will pay everyone to read it carefully and file it away for future reference.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
We were pleased to meet our old friend, Madison Johnson, Friday. He is now located in Butler, and from his looks we infer that time is dealing kindly with him. He used to live in Pleasant Valley Township, and is a brother of Samson Johnson.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
The old widows, I see by one of your late papers, had a May party. It will now be time for the old widowers, afterward will come the old maids, and last but not least, the old bachelors. Don=t all speak at once. DARIUS.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
The contract for building the sidewalks around the school building was let to Wise & Lundy, at 8-3/4 cents per square foot for the 4 foot walk and 10 cents per square foot for 8 foot walk.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
A beautiful 12 stop mirror top parlor organ with two full set reeds for only $60.00. A liberal discount for cash. Inquire of Ed. Farringer at Conservatory of Music.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Lou. Zenor was appointed clerk of the School Board in place of Fred C. Hunt, resigned. It is rumored that Fred intends going to Florida.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
MARRIED. At the Baptist Church, Winfield, May 18th, 1882, by Rev. J. Cairns, Judge Thos. H. Soward and Libbie E. Smith, both of Winfield.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
FOR SALE. Thorough bred bull FLOTILLA=S DON 26573. Also a few cows; 5-1/2 miles northwest of Winfield. S. R. MARSH.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Baden had the first ripe peaches of the season Tuesday. Also ripe cherries, new potatoes, new beans, etc.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
S. P. Strong came down Tuesday to dispose of his wool clip for this year. He got 22 cents per pound.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
A LITTLE AFIGGERIN=.@
Some Interesting, Instructive, and Valuable Information Gleaned From the County
Assessors= Reports.
All the County in a Nut-shell.
At the present writing all the assessors= reports with the exception of Winfield City, are in, and the abstracts have been completed by the clerk. In going over these books, one can gather a fund of information that is most valuable, and of exceeding interest to those who take an interest in the growth and prosperity of the county. The returns show a most satisfactory condition of affairs. The population has increased during the year nearly half a thousandCwhile the assessed value of personal property will reach twelve hundred thousand dollarsCa most decided increase over last year.
AGRICULTURE.
The returns show 373,697 acres in cultivation in the county. This is 17-1/2 acres for every man, woman, and child in the county, and 70 acres to every horse. There is growing in the county, 35,226 acres of wheat, of which Vernon Township has the largest area, 4,454 acres. In corn we have 111,637 acres, of which Bolton Township takes the lead with 7,571 acres. Bolton also takes the lead in oats, having 514 acres of the 5,141 growing in the county. In rye, Vernon Township has 193 acres to 661 in the county. Irish potatoes are growing on 1,276 acres, and Vernon again lays it over her sister townships with 106 acres. Castor beans seem to be quite popular in Rock Township, as she has 200 of the 656 acres cultivated in the county. We are surprised to find eleven and one-half acres of tobacco growing in the county, of which Sheridan Township has four. As we published several articles during the winter on the subject of raising tobacco for sheep dip, we would be under many obligations to those who are growing it if they would give the COURIER readers the result of their experiments. There seems to be a growing demand for Cowley County sorghum, and we find 1,345 acres growing in the county. One of the most noticeable features in the above figures is the great falling off in the area sown to wheat and the tremendous increase in the cultivation of corn. With our present prospects for bountiful harvests, we will garner about six hundred thousand bushels of wheat and six million bushels of corn, worth three and one-half millions of dollars. This is about $150 for every man, woman, and child in the county from the wheat and corn crops alone. Our old friend over east whom fortune has blessed with thirteen children is in luck. Under a communistic division of our present corn and wheat crop, his share would be worth twenty-two hundred and fifty dollars.
OUR GARDENS, DAIRY, AND POULTRY.
While the men are lording it over the fields and worrying about their corn and wheat, castor beans, and sorghum, Cowley=s ladies are not idle by any manner of means. There is too much independence among our womenfolks for that. While the men were busy in the fields, the ladies were quietly at work making a statistical record that we are proud to record. They made it with 421,799 pounds of butter, 26,822 dollars worth of poultry and eggs, and (with perhaps a little help, grudgingly given by the aforesaid lords of the field) raised thirteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-four dollars worth of Agarden truck.@ If all the butter that Cowley=s thrifty housewives churned during the year 1881 was gathered together in one lot, it would make sixteen carloads and would take two of the largest locomotives of the K. C., L. & S. Railroad to pull it over the Flint HillsCNinnescah Towsnip furnishes the highest figures in the butter list; being 31,850 poundsCor an average of 125 pounds madey by every lady in the township. Richland is a close second with 31,380 pounds. Creswell Township furnishes the highest figures on Agarden truck,@ having raised $3,085 worthCan average of $4.00 per capita. Otter Township takes the lead in the poultry and egg business, having sold $3,570 worth during the year; an average of $7.50 per capita.
LIVESTOCK.
Our livestock interests are increasing rapidly and the exhibit this year is gratifying. We have 20,355 head of cattle, 13,827 head of hogs, 60,666 head of sheep, 5,600 horses, and 27,700 dogs. Windsor township takes the lead in cattle with 1,716; Beaver in hogs with 1,802; Bolton in horses with 381 head; Windsor in sheep with 6,412 head, and Bolton again comes to the front with a dogged perseverance and shows a herd of 166 hungry, howling canines. If any citizen of Bolton wants to immortalize himself, let him kill a dog. We heard of a dog the other day that killed 26 sheep in a single night. If all the dogs in the county were to go out sheep hunting, there wouldn=t be enough sheep by 11,094 to furnish them one night=s amusement. In order to equalize this thing, we must have more sheep and less dogs. We suggest that the same change be made in the dog crop that there has been in the wheat and corn cropCraise less dogs and more sheep for a year or two. We need a dog prohibition law and hereby nominate Cyrus M. Scott, Ezra Meech, and John Stalter as candidates for the legislature on that issue.
FENCES.
In spite of her youth, and the herd law, Cowley makes a pretty fair exhibition in the fence line. We have 231 miles of stone fence, worth $480 per mile; 1,572 miles of hedge fence and about as much more board, rail, and wire fence. We did not make the footings of the board, rail, and wire; but estimate the whole amount of fencing in the county at three thousand miles, worth a quarter of a million of dollars. Windsor Township has the largest number of miles (53) of stone fence and Tisdale the largest number of miles (228) of hedge fence.
CORN ON HAND.
There was on hand in the county on the first of March 218,019 bushels of old corn, worth at the present price $152,613. This is 40 bushels for every horse, and 18 bushels for every hog. We ignore the horned brutes in this calculation and will insist that they live on grass.
DIFFERENCES IN ASSESSMENT.
Some very funny facts are brought to light by striking the average of assessments in the various townships. In Harvey Township we find that the average value of a horse is $47.24, while in Maple Township they only average $21.21 each. In Dexter Township cattle are worth on an average $14.40 a head while in Silverdale Township they drop to $6.36 a head. The last named township, while their cattle are worth less than half as much as Dexter=s, their sheep are worth $1.31 a headCone-half more than in Maple, where they are only assessed at 90 cents a head. In Bolton Township hogs average $3.51 a head while in Sheridan they drop to 83 cents a headCin other words, for taxable purposes a Bolton hog is worth four Sheridan hogs. Here is a problem for our statesmen to exercise their faculties on. Some law should be enacted that will make a hog in Sheridan worth just as much as a Bolton porker, and a Silverdale steer stand up side by side with his Dexter neighbor and take his medicine. Under the present system there seems to be no way by which an equality of assessment can be reached. No two men will put the value of an animal the same. In a township where everyone owns cattle, the prevailing sentiment will be in favor of low assessments on cattle, and the same in other localities where hogs or sheep are largely owned. These differences in assessments are just as great all over the state as in Cowley. Some counties pay less than their proportion of State tax, others pay more.
POPULATION.
The returns of Winfield City are not yet in. The above figures do not include Winfield except in the personal property statement. When these returns are in, they will add considerable to some of the products enumerated aboveCnoticeably, the dog total. We have made no account of the mules and asses because such a statement, with Winfield out, would be as uncertain as the Greenback vote. The returns, so far as taken, indicate our city population to be about 3.000. Below we give the population of the county by townships. It is taken from the returns with the exception of Winfield, which is subject to correction when Assessor Short finishes his work.
Beaver: 729, Bolton 963, Creswell 671, Cedar 695, Dexter 897, Fairview 521, Harvey 617, Liberty 595, Ninnescah 647, Maple 548, Omnia 414, Otter 463, Pleasant Valley 831, Richland 1,009, Rock Creek 673, Silverdale 640, Silver Creek 797, Sheridan 616, Spring Creek 384, Tisdale 822, Vernon 999, Walnut 1,039, Windsor 922, Winfield City estimated at 3,000, Arkansas City 1,356. Total: 21,248.
[FIGURES VERY HARD TO READ...PROBABLY SOME ARE WRONG!]
CHANGING CROPS.
There is an increase since March 1881 of 22,081 acres in cultivation. There are 27,484 acres less wheat growing this year than last, and 17,785 more corn. There was sold last year $8,217 more poultry and eggs in the county than the year before, and 14,501 more pounds of butter. There are 20,355 more sheep in the county this year than alstCan increase of one-third. We haven=t as many hogs by 15,811Cabout halfCas last year. It is quite a study to note the change in the cultivation of certain kinds of corn, while this year we have 111,037 acres of corn. In 1878 we had 13,163 more acres of wheat than corn. In 1879 we had 9,998 acres more corn than wheat. In 1880 everybody planted wheat and we had 5,209 more acres of wheat than corn. In 1881 the farmers changed their minds again and planted 30,592 more acres of corn than wheat. This year the farmers seem to be more in favor of corn over wheat than ever and we find 75,811 more acres in corn than in wheat. The increase in population during the year is about 2,000.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
DEDICATION.
The Grand Baptist Church of Winfield to be Set Apart for the Worship of the
Living God Sunday, May 28tth, 1882.
The dedicatory services of the new Baptist Church in this city will be celebrated on Sunday, May 28th, 1882. Rev. Dr. Peck, of Lawrence, one of the finest pulpit orators of the state, will give the dedicatory address at 11 o=clock a.m., and the Rev. Mr. MacEwen, of Wellington, another distinguished divine, will give the evening address at 8 o=clock. The ceremonies will be of the most interesting character. A large choir, combining excellent musical talent, will Asing the songs of Zion,@ and several clergymen of other churches in the vicinity and from a distance will take part. This is the finest and one of the largest church buildings in Kansas, and has a seating capacity of seven hundred. The seats are of the latest, most unique, and beautiful styleCeasy to sit on and having conveniences formerly unknwon. They are arranged in Crescent form and are easily accessible. The pulpit is a perfect charm, a novelty, and a model of airiness and convenience. The ceiling, panel work, and windows are grandly attractive and well calculated to excite the higher emotions of the human mind. The outward appearance, the towers, gables, roofing, and walls combine in superb proportions.
The Baptists of this place have shown a devotion and a public spirit in erecting this edifice which should be appreciated and admired. They now invite their friends far and near to be present on this their occasion of gladness and triumph. It is expected that many will be present from a distance. Perhaps a special train will come over from Wellington.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Ordained.
At a call of the Wichita Baptist Church last Wednesday, May 17th, a council convened to consider the propriety of ordaining to the ministry the Rev. Mr. Harper, their pastor elect. The council organized by electing Rev. J. Cairns, of Winfield, Moderator, and Rev. D. S. MacEwan of Wellington, Clerk. After a most thorough examination, in which the candidate acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of the council, they voted unanimously to ordain him, in the following order: Sermon by Rev. F. Rice of Augusta; Ordaining prayer by Rev. J. Cairns; Charge to the candidate, by Rev. S. S. Merrifield, of Newton; Charge to the church, by Rev. D. S. MacEwan; Hand of fellowshipby Rev. J. C. Post of Salt City; Benediction by the candidate. Mr. Harper is a young man of fine culture who has been president of an institution of learning in Indiana, and a man of great promise. We congratulate the church in securing such a pastor. FRATER.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Rabies. Last Thursday evening a dog was killed in Pleasant Valley Township after having bitten several other dogs, which will be running rabid in a short time.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
A Grand Temperance Rally!
At the Baptist Church Monday evening, the 29th inst., to be addressed by Rev. Dr. Peck, of Lawrence, and other distinguished speakers from abroad. All citizens are earnestly and cordially invited to turn out to hear these eminent speakers in this holy cause. The speaking will begin at 8 o=clock sharp. By order of the committee.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Notice. The members of the executive committee of the Cowley County Agricultural and Horticultural Society are hereby requested to meet at the COURIER office in Winfield, on Saturday, May 27, 1882, at 2 o=clock p.m., without fail. T. A. BLANCHARD, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Program. Following is the program of the literary and musical entertainment to be given in the Opera House on Thursday evening, June 1st, by the Woman=s Christian Temperance Union of Winfield.
Prayer: Rev. Mr. Cairns.
Operative Medley: Miss McCoy and Mrs. Caton.
A
Rescued@CRec.: Mr. James Cairns.Song: Little Mary Spotswood.
A
The Aged Tramp@: Miss Dunham.Vocal Duet: Miss McDonald and Mr. Connell.
A
A Drunkard=s Deed@CRec.: Mary Greer.A
Our Homes are What Our Husbands Make Them@: Scene.A
Dombey=s Death@CReading: Prof. R. C. Story.A
The Sister=s Prayer@CSong: Lottie Caton.A
Scandal@CSermon, with banjo music: ......@Brudderr Squash@....@Tramway Galop@CDuet: Misses Spotswood and Bedilion.A
I Sue For Damages@CCharacter Rec.: Miss Baldwin.Vocal Duet: Misses Bard and Newman.
A
Garfield and Guiteau@CRec.: Miss Ida Trezise.A
Mozoun Rosi@CSong: Mrs. R. C. Story.A
A Plea for Intemperance@: Mrs. W. B.[? NOT SURE?] Caton.Grand Etrude Galop: Miss Haides Trezise.
Reading: Mr. Jillson.
A
Save the Boy@CVocal Duet: Misses McDonalds.Benediction: Rev. P. F. Jones.
Other county papers please copy, as this is to be a temperance entertainment, and we very much desire a full attendance from the country. BY ORDER OF COMMITTEE.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
BURDEN ENTERPRISE.
The Baxter Springs News sums up the gubernatorial contest in this brief but emphatic style: AWe stop the press and >unlock the forms,= to announce that although we think it a devilish outriage, St. John will get there all the same.@
Sherman Allen, son of Mrs. Fritz, met with a serious accident Saturday afternoon while leading a cow near the railroad. The rope became entangled around his left leg and threw him to the ground, breaking both bones below the knee. Dr. Phelps was called and set the bones and the boy is getting along very nicely.
In order to be strictly constitutional, the people of Kansas have taken largely to developing medicine wells. At Columbus, according to the Courier, they have discovered water of which Aone month=s steady drinking will relieve a man of Greenbackism, and make a respectable man of a Democrat.@ A drinking of the water for three days takes away all bad habits in the way of profanity, tobacco chewing, Sabbath breaking, etc.
L. S. Cogswell, of Omnia, is making one of the best farms in that section of the country. While there he showed us strawberry vines that had been transplanted this spring that were heavily loaded with fine fruit, three year old grapevines transplated last spring with heavy clusters of grapes; he also has a fine young orchard of apple, pear, and cherry trees, besides 600 peach trees. Such improvements as these are what makes country.
MAD DOGS. One night, about ten days ago, B. H. Clover, who lives on Grouse Creek, heard dogs fighting in his yard and got up and drove the strange dog away, not, however, until his own dog had been bitten in several places. Nine days after the dog belonging to Mr. Clover went mad, but fortunately was killed before biting anything. The mad dog was a small yellow dog and when it left Mr. Clover=s house, came up on the prairie west of the creek. Great care should be taken, and any dog showing symptoms of hydrophobia should be killed at once.
SOME TIMBER. We have heard some people complain about the scarcity of timber in Kansas. Now, we want to say, there is no place in Cowley County where a man can go, without having natural timber growing in less than five miles in some direction. In fact, it is a very difficult thing to get out of sight of growing timber. People in the older states, who contemplate coming west, should make note of this. It is much better to stop here where they can buy good land near timber and railroad towns, for from three to ten dollars per acre, than to go further west and get out of reach of everything.
The party last Friday evening at the A. O. U. W. Hall, was a grand success. About thirty couples of young folks were present and the ball passed off without a jar. Several couples from Fairview, north of Winfield, and quite a number from Tisdale and Cambridge were present. Everything passed off pleasantly, and the supper prepared by the Hisler house was all that could be asked. Taken as a whole, the party was a success.
Capt. Barker [??Parker??] relates an incident that occurred in Bolton Township that is a good one. While traveling, soliciting orders for marble work, he stopped at a neat farm house to stay overnight. The man came in and asked him if he was a marble man; being answered in the affirmative, he told him to eat a hearty supper and in the morning he would take him out and show him a row of marble men he was planting; he had already a full row of fruit tree men, but was a little short on marble men, but could fill up the row in a couple of weeks if they kept coming. Capt. Made good his escape and says he is not ready to be planted.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Pioneer=s Reunion.
The pioneer settlers of Vernon Township, in Cowley County, Kansas, will hold a picnic meeting at Riverside Park, in Vernon Township, near Winfield, on Wednesday, May 31st, 1882, at 10 o=clock a.m., for the purpose of organizing an association for mutual friendship and to commemorate in the early settlement of this township. The following is the program of exercises.
1st. 10 a.m., E. D. Skinner, Chairman, calls the meeting to order.
2nd. Enrollment of old Pioneers, who were settled in Vernon Township prior to January 1st, 1873.
3rd. Election of President, Vice-President, and Secretary, by the members enrolled.
4th. Song..
5th. 12 m. Dinner.
6th. 2 p.m. Songs and speeches by Wm. Martin, T. A. Blanchard, Millington, and others.
7th. Essay on the Early Settlement of Vernon Township, by Mrs. John Werden, Mrs. C. A. McClung, and Miss Mina Bliss, who are among the earliest settlers.
All persons who can, whether old settlers or not, are earnestly requested to meet with us, bringing your baskets well filled, and seats so far as convenient.
H. W. HAWKINS,
J. W. MILLSPAUGH,
C. A. McCLUNG.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
Council Proceedings.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY OF WINFIELD, MAY 23, 1882.
Council met pursuant to adjournment. Mayor Troup in chair.
Roll called. Present, Councilmen Read, Gary, McMullen, and Wilson.
Bond of Benjamin F. Harrod as marshal, with Geo. T. Wilson, J. L. Hodges, and J. A. McGuire as securities, was presented and on motion of Mr. McMullen was approved.
Remonstrance of Jno. W. Curns and 17 others against the construction of the stone guttering on the East side of Main street between 7th and 10th avenues was read and placed on file.
Ordinance No. 157 providing for the construction of certain sidewalks therein specified was read and on motion of Mr. Read was taken up for consideration by sections. Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 were adopted. On motion to adopt as a whole on its final passage, the vote stood as follows: Those voting aye were Messrs. Read, McMullen, Gary, and Wilson; nays none, and the Ordinance was declared adopted.
Ordinance No. 158 regulating the storing and keeping of powder was read, and on motion was taken up for consideration by sections. Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 were adopted. On motion to adopt as a whole on its final passage, the vote stood as follows: Those voting aye were Messrs. Read, Gary, McMullen, and Wilson; nays none, and the ordinance was declared adopted.
Ordinance No. 159, Protecting life and property by regulating the maintenance and construction of wire fences and the lariating of stock was read and on motion of Mr. Read, was taken up for consideration by sections. Sections 1, 2, and 3 were adopted. On motion to adopt as a whole on its final passage, the vote stood as follows: Those voting aye were Messrs. Read, McMullen, Gary, and Wilson, nays none, and the ordinance was declared adopted.
The following claims were allowed and ordered paid.
C. W. Nichols, street work: $11.25.
J. H. Rice & Sons, 2 J. P. Dockets: $32.00.
Adams Express Co., expressage: $.90.
C. W. Nichols et al., street work: $17.50.
On motion council adjourned.
M. G. Troup, mAYOR.
Attest: DAVID C. BEACH, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
CATTLE FOR SALE. We offer for sale 45 head of two year old steers, 58 head of two and three year old heifers, 36 yearling steers and heifers and 31 head of milch cows. The above cattle will be found on Grouse Creek in Dexter Township, at the mouth of Crab Creek at Alex Busey=s corral. The cattle will be on sale at that place for ten days.
TUCKER & LEWIS.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
INASMUCH AS THE COURIER HAD BECOME OFFICIAL CITY PAPER, THEY BEGAN TO PRINT UP THE CITY ORDINANCES...157, 158, 159 WERE PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE....I SKIPPED.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1882.
AS USUAL, SKIPPED ALADIES= CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION@ COLUMN.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
CRITICISM UPON OUR LAWYERS.
EDS. COURIER: Please allow the following criticism upon our city lawyersCit is made for their especial benefit. We are proud of them, especially so of some of the young lawyers, therefore desire to have them correct some habits which they have fallen into which, in our estimation, detract from that true refinement which should always characterize the gentlemanCespecially is this true of our public menCthe lawyers of Winfield.
These are my criticisms:
The habit of chewing tobacco during court hours, and spitting and squirting the juice thereof on the carpet and all around them, both while sitting and while speaking, is indulged in by a large majority of our lawyers, especially by some of our most promising young lawyers. This is really offensive to some, who are lookers on, and who are drawn to the court to listen to the forensic efforts of these gifted young men. Another bad habit is the holding of cigars and the stubs of cigars in the mouth, twirling and twisting them around, and anon taking them out of the mouth and putting them back again, as much as to say: AOh! How I love you. How I would enjoy quaffing the smoke you would make, if the court would allow us to burn you; but alas! The court will not, and all we can do is to play sham smoke a little while until we are free from this court restraint, then we will do full justice to your lovely little forms.@ This ttoo is offensive to many of your admiring friends. Another habit we would mention is that of the speaker every two or three minutes stopping in his speech, and turning round to the water pitcher, pour out a part of a glass of water, drink it, wipe his lips and mustache, and then proceed with his speech; and in this way continue speaking, stopping, pouring out water, drinking, wiping lips, etc., until the end. We think it is a foolish habit and in its effect hurtful to those present who desire the highest perfection of manners in those for whom we have the warmest and kindest feelings, and in whom we recognize a very high order of talent. OBSERVER.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
POLOCMORE HYDROPHOBIA.
EDS. COURIER: Mr. Shields, of Polo, has lost two more head of stock caused by the bite of a mad-dog, making in all three head, one calf, one colt, and one milch cow, all valued at $200. Mr. Shields is an honest, hard working man, striving to make his mark, whilst his arm is strong it seems as though fortune had changed for the worse with him. He has the heartfelt sympathy of his neighbors, hoping that he may have no more stock to die from the effects of worthless dogs. Five deaths have been noted among stock in this neighborhood caused by this dreaded disease. Herders should beware of stray dogs and not let them pass through their herds. Dogs are passing in their checks very rapidly in this vicinity. H.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
TISDALE.
Owing to the extreme scarcity of news, I have not troubled you of late. No one born, married, or died in this part of the country for a long time. Crops are all good and the health of community excellent, so I have nothing to write about, as the herd-law is about worn out.
I see some of your correspondents are presenting the claims of their friends for the position of County Superintendent, and I note that one is quite strong on Tom Rude. For information I would ask, what are Tom=s qualifications? I=ve no doubt but that he is a good fellow, but is he capable? Does he stand high in grade? Has he plenty of good common sense? Is he a fair businessman? In regard to the lady recommended, I question the propriety of electing a lady to that office. I noticed quite a list of aspirants in the COURIER sometime since, among them are parties that are not competent to teach a primary and they fully expect to make a good race through their political friends. One of your correspondencts says Athe Republican party can afford to give the office to a certain candidate out of compliment.@ The Republican party may afford it, but the people cannot. At no time since the county has been organized has there been the need of a good thorough-going superintendent that there now is. As a people we are getting careless about our schools, and they are falling into the hands of soft pated sentimentalists that have conceived the idea that they are called to fill a high mission and spend the most of their time looking above the common duties of life. The result is, high toned teachers and poor schools. What we want is good square sense. We would not allow a person to train a colt simply because they held a No. 1 certificateCwe would find out what they knew about colts. Yet we ask but one question about teachers, is the certificate all right? Of how much more value are our children than colts?
A. T. Gay, A. G. Davis, R. H. Moore and their wives went fishing last week and got wet, that was all.
Long Charley Humphrey is with us again.
Mr. Goodrich and daughter have gone to Nebraska to visit friends.
Sadie Davis, one of our Tisdale girls, is teaching near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Bartlow is getting around after a long sickness, notwithstanding his illness, he succeeded in locating two good men in this neighborhood.
Bro. B____ swears by Cowley County and Tisdale Township. I would say, for the benefit of peddlers, that they had as well stay away from this locality; a good many of us wear thick boots No. 10. X.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
MRS. CATON FOR SUPERINTENDENT.
EDS. COURIER: I was much pleased to notice that our very efficient and talented Mrs. Caton was a candidate for County Superintendent of public instruction. While we would not in any way say one word in opposition to any of the candidates already announced, we feel contrained to say a few words unasked in favor of Mrs. Caton for our next County Superintendent. The writer of this was a resident of Peoria County, Illinois, for a number of years. The most efficient Superintendent, and one who did the most to advance the cause of education in that great and populous county during all our stay there, was a lady superintendent. Mrs. Caton is well known by our people, especially so by the citizens of Winfield. When I say that Mrs. Caton possesses all the qualifications of a first-class County Superintendent, one of whom all our people all over the county would justly be proud, I think I speak only the sentiments of every person who has had the privilege of becoming acquainted with her. She undoubtedly possesses eminent abilities and fair fitness to give increased character and lustre to the great educational interests of our county, for which our present superintendent, Mr. Story, has done so much, and so well. We speak for Mrs. Caton a hearty and unanimous endorsement by the good citizens of our great and rapidly growing county, who desire the broadest and largest educational culture for all the children, and that they see to it, that she is made by their votes our next County Superintendent of Public Instruction. THE PUBLIC GOOD.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
PRAIRIE GROVE.
EDS. COURIER: The chronic grumbler is at rest. No drought, no chinch bug. Everything is lovely and tghe goose hangs high. Crops of all kind booming, farmers happy. I see by some of your correspondence that millet is not being sown for fear of chinch bugs. That is bad policy, for if ye Asow not neither shall ye reap.@ My advice to such farmers is, if you have millet seed, sow yet. Sow any time between this and the 15th of June, and my word for it, you will thank Chip Basket for urging you to duty. Farmer friends, remember there are but two ways of successful battling with the mean little pest, viz.: starve or feed them. I choose the latter. By feeding heavy, some will remain for the feeder. Always remember, the more sown the more you are likely to reap. The idea that millet or wheat brought them into our county is a mistake, for they were here in the prairie grass before either were sown in the county. Two past seasons being favorable to their increase, we have more than usual this year. We predict less damage than usual this year. Plenty of rain, which we are now getting, destroys the young, the old, and the eggs; so for a year or two we will be comparatively free of the pest.
Let everybody work for the success of our County Fair. Col., let=s hold a vet=s reunion this fall during the County Fair. Yes, beat the reveille and let us begin to rally for the grand reunion at Topeka. I also advise that someone be appointed immediately to gather grains for the State Fair. Let the county be fully represented in stock, grain, and produce.
CHIP BASKET.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
OTTER ITEMS.
EDS. COURIER: Everything is prosperous and encouraging with us now since the chinch bugs are moving. Everybody plowing corn. Millet up in most places. Heavy rins of late.
It seems as though Heaven has delivered us from one pest only to subject us to a worse calamity, for there is a Greenback speaker at large in the land.
Nelton and Wirt Bacon started for the great southwest lately. They have many sincere friends at home, whether they are so fortunate as to meet many abroad or not.
John Dosbaugh; otherwise known as the Ason of thunder from Rock Creek,@ shipped his cattle a few days ago. They were pronounced Atiptop A and if they were not first-class, they should be, for John is one of the successful feeders.
We would like to have St. John come down here and raise the natives awhile. Nearly all the Democrats and a host of sore-headed Republicans, who are now ailing with the chronic Greenback, anti-monopoly croak, are opposed to St. John as a man; are opposed to his principles, no matter in what light those principles are viewed; are opposed to every progressive movement from whatever direction its course. Besides prrohibition is known to be essentially a Republican measure; for the Democratic party never had a leader who was disposed to look to anything better than he was used to, which Heaven knows is low enough, and never had a man who was willing to sacrifice his own conviction in deference to the people=s opinion and the people=s welfare, as Senator Hackney did. Let us hope that like pink eye and epizootic, these degenerate political contagions, which strike and take effect only upon men of poor moral constitutions may spedily run their course and leave the field opened for the operations of worthier combatants. SAM.
[This communication did not fall under our notice in time for last week=s paper, but it is good enough to keep and we would like to hear from ASam@ again. ED.]
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Osage Orange Hedges.
In the early history of this country, when the French from Canada were making their explorations in the Mississippi Valley, they foundnear a village of the Osage Indians a tree grown to the height of thirty or forty feet, the foliage and fruit of which so closely resembled in appearance the orange, that it has received the popular name of AOsage orange.@ The wood of the tree has a fine grain, is tough and very elastic, and was used by the Indians for bows. From this fact it received the French name Bois d=Arc, which has been corrupted into Bodark, by which name it is in some sections now called. The tree belongs to the natural order of Urticaceae [?NOT SURE OF WORD?] and was named by Nuttail, Machura Aurantiacia, [?THEY HAD A COMMA AFTER NUTTAIL?] in honor of William Maclure, an American geologist. It is, however, generally known as the Osage orange. Although this tree naturally grows to a good size, it bears cutting in exceedingly wel, which together with the fact that its branches are well furnished with strong thorns, renders it peculiarly adapted for hedges, especially in the Middle and Southern States. It does not succeed as well in higher latitudes, for, while quite hardy after two or three years= growth, the young plants are rather tender.
This tree does not perfect its fruit unless male and female trees are growing in the same neighborhood; but there is no difficulty in getting good seed from perfect oranges, or purchasing from any dealer in seeds. If there be any question about the quality, it can be settled, and always should be, by mixing them with moi9st sand and putting them in a warm place. If good, they will sprout in a few days; if not, they will become soft and rotten. The seed will keep a year or two under proper conditions, but much that is worthless is sold, and it is always best to test it, as it is labor and time lost to sow unsound seeds, as well as a disappointment and aggravation.
For hedges the seed is sometimes sown in the rows where it is to remain; but we think it is better to raise the plants in beds and transplant them. The beds should be prepared in fine rich mold, with great care, and the seeds sown as early in the spring as convenient; they should be placed about two inches apart, in drills sufficiently far apart to admit of cultivation, as the young plants must be carefully tended and all weeds kept down during the summer. At one year old, plants should be large enough to set in a hedge. In the meantime the place where the hedge is to be established should be plowed several times during the summer, the grass, weeds, and sods killed out, and fertilizers applied. In short, a nice, rich, friable bed should be prepared for the reception of the plants. The latter may be set in the fall or early spring in the South, but in the more northern states the spring is the time. The tops of the plants should be cut off to within six inches of the ground; both because they will then be more likely to live, and because they will throw out more branches. If there are any long central roots, usually called tap roots, these should be shortened, leaving none over a foot long. When the plants are ready, prepare the hedge bed by harrowing or otherwise leveling it, and draw a line along its center, by which dig out a trench to a depth sufficient to accommodate the roots of the plants, which should be set ten inches apart, and quite as deep as or a little deeper than they were in the seed bed. The rule should be to set them so that when the ground has settled, say in two or three weeks, the plants would be in the same relation to the surface as in their original position. The soil should be placed firmly about the roots, and with such care that every little root or fibre should come in contact with it. When the plants are small and have few fibrous roots, they may be planted with a dibble much more expeditiously than with a spade, but while we might compromise and consent to the use of the trowel, be believe that the best results can be obtained by the proper use of the spade.
Many will not like the trouble of raising the plants from the seed, and, indeed, in many cases it will be preferable to buy them from nurserymen, which can usually be done for $3 or $4 per thousand, and in considerable quantities for less. A thousand plants will set more than fifty rods, and the cost of making a bed and raising plants would pay for a good many thousand, even if you are successful, which is not always the case. Beside, in buying them you gain a year at least in time. Some have tried raising plants from cuttings of stems or roots, but this method is so uncertain that we cannot advise any to try it. When the plants are well established, which they should be after one year=s growth, they should be trimmed in just enough to give them a goodly shape, cut in after years they will, in consequence of their robust growth, require to be well cut into form in the spring before the leaves start, and perhaps receive a little trimming in during the summer.
Some have objected to the Osage orange as a hedge plant because of its tendency to sprout freely from the root. Whiloe this occasions some labor in cutting out such sprouts as come where they are not wanted, those that come within the limits of the hedge growth serve to thicken and improve it. As an ornamental tree the Osage orange has its objections, in that its branches are inclined to spread too widely to give it an attractive form, but the bright, glossy green of its foliage and the golden hue of its fruit in a measure compensate for this. By proper treatment it can be trained into a very attractive bush, ten or fifteen feet high. To do this, cut a strong growing plant back severely for several years, which will cause it to throw out several years of careful attention, but the result will be ample compensation therefor. You will have, if you choose, a gigantic bush, dome-shaped, beautiful in foliage, through which, in its season, will be seen an ample supply of golden fruit, tempting to the sight, if disappointing to the taste. New York Sun.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
PAYNE=S CAPTURE.
Secretary Lincoln has information that Payne and twenty other colonists, while attempting to invade the Indian Territory, were captured by troops sent out from Fort Reno, and taken back to Kansas. The authorities had not decided what disposition to make of them.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
HACKNEY. Accounts from all parts of the state are very flattering for Hackney. He has plenty of friends, who desire his nomination not only because of friendship but because, as they say, he is a fighter and a rustler and has the nerve and ability to do the right thing; whatever the opposition.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
SUPERINTENDENT.
We are glad to see so much interest manifested in the matter of candidates for county Superintendent, and hope it is all in the interest of the schools rather than personal interest of special candidates. On the outside one correspondent asks: AWhat are Tom Rude=s qualifications?@ While we are not a special advocate of Mr. Rude, we will answer that we know him well, that he is a good fellow, is capable, stands in high grade, has plenty of good common sense, is a fair businessman, and will get our most cordial support if nominated. We indorse all that has been said of Mrs. Caton in his paper and former numbers. There are other good candidates for the place whom we shall notice as they present themselves.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
A SMASH-UP. [EDITOR MILLINGTON WAS INVOLVED IN THIS WRECK...GATHER IT WAS DURING A TRIP TO OR FROM THE NEOSHO VALLEY EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING.]
It was our fortune to get involved in a railroad smash-up last Saturday morning on the Fort Scott and Wichita road about three and a half miles east of Iola. It was a freight train which left Fort Scott at 6:35 in the morning, consisting of six cars loaded with iron and ties and a passenger coach used as a caboose in which were some fifteen passengers and some train hands. Among the passengers were two ladies and two young girls. The road was new and it had been raining heavily several days so that the earth in the grading and embankments was soft and mushy. The train ran rapidly until it reached La Harpe, seven miles east of Iola, where it had to switch off and wait an hour for the east-bound passenger train. When that had passed our engineer pulled out and ran at a tremendous rate, faster than we had ever known a passenger train to run, and an old engineer among the passengers estimated the rate at fifty miles an hour. The result was what we expected, and the only thing strange about it was that the disaster did not come sooner and was not much worse.
The two rear cars were swaying and bouncing about until the next to the rear car got off the track, and almost the first bounce uncoupled from the rear car. The latter bounced tremendously and went over to the left down a seven foot embankment and was literally crushed to splinters. The momentum was so great that it plowed along in the ditch about sixty feet before it fully stopped, the rear portion of the car was left about sixty feet behind the balance of the car in which were the passengers, who were thrown violently together in a confused mass with flying splinters, the mashed up seats, a shower of glass from the windows, baggage, and stoves, in undistinguishable confusion. We immediately set to work assorthing the passengers from the debris and helping them out amid the pouring rain. For a wonder no one was killed, but all were more or less injured orr bruised, shook up is no name for it. One gentleman had a rib broken; one lady, Mrs. Kauffman, wife of the editor of the Garnet Plaindealer, received a fearful blow on the chest, a little daughter of Mr. McElroy, editor of the Humboldt Union, had a limb considerably bruised, which she endured with the fortitide of a heroine. Mrs. McElry did not appear to be much hurt. We regret to say that our friend, E. A. Henthorn, of the Burden Enterprise, besides being otherwise bruised, was kicked in the eye by a woman. We do not know what the provocation was, but knowing his former good character we are disposed to give him the benefit of the most charitable construction. The COURIER editor had the fortune to land on his cheek, and was thus saved from harm. The track ws torn up, but the passengers waded in mud six inches deep forward to the engine and piled upon it and into a car loaded with ties and were pulled rapidly into Iola, where they escaped from that dangerous red-headed engineer, vowing that they would not trust themselves again behind an engine which he ran for ten thousand dollars apiece.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Railroad Taxation.
In another place we give the comments of the Topeka Capital on an article in the Kansas Educationist written by Prof. R. C. Story on the subject of the distribution of the taxes paid by railroads. We have for some time been fully impressed with the injustice of taxing the whole county equally to pay the interest and principle of railroad bonds and then giving the benefit of school and township taxes which are collected of the railroad, only to those school districts and townships through which the road passes, and we had determined to air this subject well during the coming canvass with the view of securing such legislation in relation bo these matters as shall be just and fair to all the districts and townships in the county.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
CHURCHES AND INDIAN AGENTS.
Secretary Teller has decided that hereafter the selection of Indian agents will not be made upon recommendation of church organizations. Speaking upon this subject he said: AI think it has been a signal failure. The repeated changes in agents indicate this. The official life of an agent has not exceeded an average of eighteen months for a number of years. An agent would not get fairly acquainted with his Indians before he would be found to be incompetent, and turned out. This system involves also divided responsibility between the departments and the churches. I think the department should be held responsible for the character of its employees, and it can certainly select just as good men as churches can.@
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
ABOLITION OF POSTAGE ON NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES.
Postmaster General Hows [? NOT SURE THEY GOT NAME RIGHT?] has recommended to Congress to abolish all postage on newspapers and magazines, transporting them through the mails absolutely free to all subscribers whether within or outside of the county of publication.
At first blush this would seem to the country newspaper man to be a good thing, but when we presented the matter in a short speech to the Neosho Valley Editorial Association last Friday, that body of editors unanimously passed a resolution opposing the measure and asking our congressional delegation to oppose it.
The points to which we call the attention of Western newspaper men are these.
Under the present postage laws, newspapers and magazines are passed through the mails to subscribers free within the counties of their publication and at the rate of two cents a pound all over the United States and territories outside of the counties of publication. The great Eastern Jourrnals even now flood the whole country with a tremendous quantity of these periodicals through the mails at rates probably less than one half of what it actually costs the government to transport them and therefore at the expense of the letter postage. The country and Western newspaper men are working in compettion with this enormous flood of papers sent among us by these great eastern monopolies.Practically all the paper and material we use in Kansas in the manufacture of newspapers, comes from the east, and we have to pay more than two cents a pound in freights on it. If we buy of paper mills nearer home, we pay just enough higher than eastern mills charge to make up the difference in freights, so it amounts to just the same thing as though we bought everything in New York and paid more than two cents a pound to freight our whole supplies to Kansas. So even now the government is granting an exclusive privilege to these great eastern publishing houses in transporting their paper to compete with ours in the mails at less rates than we can get in any way, even by the slow freight lines. If we ask the government to transport our paper, it charges us sixteen cents a pound and limits us to four pound bundles, so of course we cannot avail ourselves of the mails to any considerable extent because we print our papers here and after transportation while they print before transportation and theirs is transported through the mails as printed matter. Of course, we cannot put our papers into the eastern markets to compete with them at home, if for no other reason, because we have to pay transportation both ways while they can compete with us at our home with transportation only one way and that at the lowest rate. In this matter they now have a fearful advantage of us already.
But it is now proposed to crush us out by making their transporttion entirely free at the expense of the government while we are still to be compelled to pay present rates of transportation from the east all because our paper is printed in the west instead of the east. And this is not all.
While we would have to pay all our own transportation and the government would pay theirs, it would tax us to help carry their papers free. Thus it is proposed to build up the enormous monopolies of the east and crush out the local newspapers of the country and the west. The argument used by these eastern monopolies in favor of free transportation of newspapers and magazines is: that these are great educators and it would encourage the cause of education and the dissemination of knowledge.
Have not we in the West and in the small towns of the whole country as good a right to educate our people and disseminate knowledge among them as has the New York Herald and that class of monopolies. Those papers do not and cannot furnish our people with all they want to know, nor with the most important information to our people, the local matters of the county, and a great variety of matter which only local newspapers can furnish their readers. We have as good a right to a bonus for funishing our local readers with this matter as has the New York Herald for furnishing them with reports of speeches and similar matter which we do not give. Certainly it I an outrage to tax us to give the great monopolies of the east a bonus to help them compete with us. If the government would also transport our unprinted paper to us free as well as their printed paper to compete with ours, then the advantage it now proposes to give them would not be so great, and it might enable us to furnish our readers all the information these great eastern papers are giving, in addition to the local matter of value which they do not and cannot give. If any deserve a bonus from the government, it is the weak rather than the millionaire.
Hitherto the post office department has not been self-sustaining because of the cost of transportation of this second-class matter at rates so much less than it actually costs the government. It is now hoped that the profits on letter transportation will be sufficient to more than cover the deficiency in newspaper postage receipts and it is now proposed to collect enough revenue from postage on letters to carry the enormous bulk sent out by those great publication offices free. The reason and justice of this does not appear. If the department is in danger of creating a surplus revenue that it does not known what to do with, would it not be a little more honest to reduce the rates of postage on letters than it would be to make the letter writers pay a bonus to these great monopolies? Common honesty would require that the reduction be made in favor of the overtaxed instead of in favor of the undertaxed.
We call upon our brethren of the press to look into this matter and raise their voices against the proposed outrage, and we call upon our delegation in congress to defeat the measure.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
EMPORIA CONVENTION.
The Republican convention of the third congressional district met at Emporia at 10 o=clock a.m., of May 24th and organized temporarily with Gen. Harrison Kelly, of Coffey, in the chair and T. B. Wall, of Wichita, secretary.
D. B. Jeffreys, of McPherson, R. McCause, of Edwards, H. E. Cowgill, of Coffee, J. T. Showalter, of Sumner, and James McKee, of Harvey, were made a committee on credentials.
GOES ON AND ON LIKE THIS....GIVING COMMITTEES [PERMANENT ORGANIZATION, RESOLUTIONS...NO ONE FROM COWLEY COUNTY MENTIONED].
Hon. T. J. Anderson=s Modoc club then entertained the crowd with songs in the most inimitable style which were enthusiastically received and then in response to calls, speeches were delivered by Hons. Hanback, Hackney, Peck, Jetmore, Kelly, Ady, and Stewart.
The committee on credentials reported. We do not give space for the report but the persons who represented Cowley County were: D. A. Millington, A. B. Elliott, P. M. Waite, L. B. Stone, C. R. Mitchell, A. B. Steinberger, E. A. Henthorn, and W. P. Hackney. The report was adopted.
D. A. MILLINGTON WAS ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE FROM COWLEY COUNTY.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
A NEW AMENDMENT.
In the last number of the Educationist, Prof. R. C. Story, superintendent of public instruction for Cowley County, discusses a new amendment proposed by him regarding the payment of taxes applied for the maintenance of the schools. His idea is that whenever a municipality, city, township, or county shall, by the voting of bonds, create a property upon which taxes are levied, such property shall be taxed for the benefit of the public schools; that all property now in counties, townships, or cities which has been brought into the same by reason of the voting of bonds shall be taxed for the benefit of the public schools of the corporation voting the bonds. An amendment to the State constitution embodying the above is what Prof. Story wants, and further than that, he would compel officials to turn all fines and forfeitures into the school fund of the county; he also favors the levy of a State tax of two mills for the support of these common schools.
Prof. Story gives some interesting figures, which are worth its inclusion. In February last, for example, California disbursed State school fund to the amount of $1,482,883, or over $7 per pupil. In the month following Kansas apportioned $125,882, being thirty-six cents to each pupil. California in 1880 spent $18.06 upon each scholar enrolled; Massachusetts, $16.86. In 1870 Kansas= expenditure for each scholar enrolled was $10.644; in 1875, $6.98; in 1880, $6.45; in 1881, $8.01. The writer wants to know, if in the light of these facts, Kansas is moving in the right direction, and intimates strongly that she is not. If the expenditure in either California or Massachusetts be taken as a standard, our=s falls far below it. But then it should be remembered that the conditions differ in different states. From the old Bya State has often come the cry that education there was too costly; that other States who paid less secured for their children as good an education in every way. Then again, the question might be asked, how much better an education does the Massachusetts child get for $16.86 per year than the Kansas child for $6.45? The writer correctly says that taxes in Kansas are sufficiently high, and school taxes are generously levied by the people of the State. Our school fund, when it reaches the ten million period, will yield large returns; yet it should be remembered that at the same time the school population of the State will be proportionately larger. The question Prof. Story asks is, how can we secure an ample school fund without increasing the burdens of taxation and waiting fifty years to attain the results.
Another subject discussed in connection with the main question is the inequality of taxation, particularly as it effects the various townships in those counties which vote for railroad bonds. At the present time there is railroad property in Kansas valued at over $25,000,000, upon which taxes were paid to the amount of $740,786.57 in 1881. This money was distributed through sixty-three counties. While in many instances, the railroads were secured by the counties themselves voting bonds, in many other cases they were voted by townships and cities. On July 1st, 1880, the bonded indebtedness of the counties of the State, in the main created by the voting of railroad bonds, was $7,339,666. Here is brought forward the unjust feature in this matter, and the writer takes Cowley County as an example, which will do for all the other counties of the State where township bond voting has been the rule. In that county twenty-eight school districts secure the taxes on railroad property, while one hundred and thirty-four pay the bonds and the interest thereon. One-fourth of the districts of the county get the benefit of this property, while all help alike in bearing the burden of the bonds. Thirteen townships get taxes on his property, while eleven do not see a single cent of it. In nearly every railroad county in the State, therefore, one-fourth of the school districts reap a fruitful harvest from railroad property, while the other three-fourths help pay the bonds and get no benefit whatever therefrom. Prof. Story considers this to be a situation of affairs for which there is neigher excuse nor justification and to remedy this is his idea in bringing forward the amendment quoted in the first part of this article. It is a subject that merits careful consideration. Topeka Capital.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
THAT SCAR.
Since we gave a history of Hackney=s scar last week we have heard from more than a dozen men who partook of that Alatoona fight and knew the circumstances we then gave. Each one of these would do any amount of hard work with a will in order to secure Hackney=s nomination ton congress.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
STATE NEWS.
It is rumored that Capt. Payne and his Oklahoma band have been arrested by United States authorities.
Geo. Cody, who claims to be a cousin of the famous Buffalo Bill, is now confined in the Atchison County Jail on a charge of burglary.
A party of 100 men left Concordia to join Capt. Payne in the Indian Territory. They are well equipped, and say they apprehend no difficulty.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
PERSONALS.
John B. Walker, of the terminus, was in the city Tuesday.
The Archery Club had their first meeting this year on last Friday.
Miss Kate Millington left Wednesday for a few week=s visit to Fort Scott.
Mr. S. H. Wells, Dexter Township=s trustee, spent Sunday in the city.
A correspondent in the Traveler, nailed not only one lie but several lies at one full swoop last week.
A remonstrance has been presented to the Council against the proposed guttering of Main Street.
George Schroeter has put the new town clock in place and it is now marking off the hours with regularity.
A correspondent goes for the lawyers a little on the first page this week. Read it boys, and profit by the remarks.
We are glad to see W. J. Wilson again at home after a Atwo week=s visit@ to New York. He didn=t get married after all.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
[MORE PERSONALS.]
Mr. Ed. Farringer manipulated the organ at the Baptist Church last Sunday. Ed is becoming quite celebrated as a composer.
The Board of Directors of the Fair Association met at the COURIER office Saturday, but owing to the rain there was not a full attendance.
Any person wanting wheat cut with a header, call on A. A. Knox or Z. T. Whitson, Pleasant Valley Township, four miles southeast of Winfield.
W. H. Clark, from Baird=s store, starts east this week to Pennsylvania to remain all summer. He expects to return in the fall and take his old position.
Secretary Blanchard of the Fair Association, is up to his eyes in work, getting the premium lists ready. He is bound to make the fair this year a success.
Knott Bros., of Arkansas City, have an advertisement in this issue offering their fine flock of sheep for sale. Sheep men would do well to look them up.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Bitting and son, of Wichita, and Miss Julia Deming, of Pierce City, Missouri, passed through Winfield on Saturday morning en route for Geuda Springs.
Frank Small, who was sentenced to the penitentiary from this county some three years ago for killing Starbuck, has been released, having shortened his term by good behavior.
Mr. J. W. Weimer, of Richland, made us a pleasant call Friday. J. W. Is actively in the field as Richland=s candidate for the Legislature, and if selected will make a valuable member.
If the cold weather lasts all summer, our young people will wear themselves out dancing. They had another party at the Opera House last Monday evening, which was a very enjoyable affair.
After the rain Saturday a gentleman passing along 8th avenue noticed some boys picking up little fish out of the pools. How the fish came there is a mystery, unless they came down with the rain.
Wm. A. Herpich, from Delevan, Illinois, has rented rooms in Hudson Bros.= new building, and will open a merchant tailoring establishment therein. He comes highly recommended as a first-class tailor.
The school at Excelsior schoolhouse, in district 9, closes a week from Friday, on June 9th. In the evening the young ladies of the district will have a concert and ice cream supper, to which all are invited.
Geo. Schroeter received last week a magnificent Atransit@ for taking observations of the sun, and will hereafter keep correct Asun time.@ George displays commendable enterprise in matters of this kind.
Jim Finch is the victim of a very serious accident. While alighting from a buggy Saturday he slipped and fell, breaking his leg in two places. He is now laid up for repairs, and is suffering considerable pain.
The Board of Directors of the Fair Association will meet at the COURIER editorial rooms at 2 o=clock Saturday, June 10th. All the members are earnestly requested to be present as business of importance will be transacted.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
[MORE PERSONALS.]
Some weeks ago, Mr. Wm. Gates, of Beaver Township, lost his pocket book, containing $80 and a check for $50. Whoever found the book can identify it by the check, and should return it to Mr. Gates, as he can illy afford to lose it.
We are glad to be able to say that Mrs. Carruther=s motherCwhose illness called Mrs. Carruthers to Canada a few weeks agoChas so far recovered as to permit of her daughter=s return. She arrived on the Wednesday evening train, much to the delight of her interesting family.
Judge McDonald received a pressing invitation last week to deliver the occasional address at the reunion of his old regiment, the 10th Illinois Infantry, on the 13th of June. Owing to important business before the U. S. Court, which meets at Leavenworth about that time, he was compelled to decline the honor.
Messrs. Cronk and Constant had another suit last Thursday. Constant had taken up some of Cronk=s hogs which he found running on his land, and advertised them as strays. Cronk reprieved them, and hence the suitt. Under the instructions of the court, the jury brought in a verdict for Cronk, and Constant pays the costs.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Frank Manny has a new monkey which he received from New York last week. Frank has been disconsolate ever since the boys fed matches to his other monkey and made a first-class corpse of his little form. We hope Frank will be happier now, and that the present monkey will be spared to brighten and cheer his declining years.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Captain Chas. E. Stueven, of the Winfield Rifles, holds three commissions won in the Volunteer service, and one commission as Captain in the United States Army, to which position he was appointed by President Johnson in 1865, but which he resigned soon after, having had enough army life and wishing to engage in business. Charlie escaped being a Anabob@ by a very tight squeeze. He was in nineteen of the heaviest battles of the war, and assisted in twenty-two skirmishes.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
The party given on last Thursday evening by Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Bahntge was one of the most enjoyable ever given here, and was looked forward to with pleasant anticipation for some time previous, for it is a well known society fact that Mrs. Bahntge=s charming little house with its merry occupants insure a lively time to their fortunate guests, and last Thursday evening was no exception to the rule. The evening was spent in dancing and other amusements, while a refreshing repast was served at a seasonable hour which was fully appreciated, and at a late hour the company dispersed, with hearty thanks to their kind host and hostess for the very pleasant evening spent. We append a list of those present.
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Robinson.
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Read.
Mr. and Mrs. Spotswood.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckman.
Judge and Mrs. Soward.
Dr. and Mrs. Emerson.
Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe.
Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Hunt.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Robinson.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. M. Whitney, of Wichita.
Mrs. Carson, of Cherryvale.
Mrs. Hackney.
Misses Nettie McCoy, Jennie Hane, Ama Scothorn, Kate and Jessie Millington, Margie and Lizzie Wallis, Belle Roberts, Florence Beeny, Josie Bard, Sadie French, Hila Smith.
Messrs. W. C. and Ivan Robinson, L. D. Zenor, L. H. Webb, Henry Goldsmith, C. C. Harris, W. H. Smith, C. E. Fuller, Jas. Lorton, C. Campbell, C. H. Connell, S. E. Davis, R. M. Bowles, Eugene Wallis, and O. M. Seward.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
The personal property of Leavenworth County is assessed at $1,323,079. This is about the same as Cowley. Leavenworth City returns $24,000 in notes and mortgages! Winfield City returns $43,000 of the same kind of collateral. Leavenworth returns $15,060 in money! Winfield $27,000. Leavenworth returns $25,000 in stocks! Winfield $22,000. Such assessment as has been made in Leavenworth is an outrage on the taxpayers of the state. That Leavenworth City, with her 20,000 inhabitants should show up but little over three times as much personal property as Winfield, with only 3,000 population, bears evidence of the most glaring discrepancies in listing the property.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
Messrs. T. R. Bryan and A. P. Johnson went over to Dexter last Wednesday and then the windows of heaven were thrown open and the waters poured, and the classic Grouse Creek became so full that the said gentlemen found themselves water and mud bound beyond the raging flood and could not get home. Sadly they wandered up the left bank and over the Flint Hills until Saturday night, when they found the city of Cambridge, where the K. C. Passenger train rescued them and brought them back to the bosoms of their long neglected families.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
M. W. Babb is canvassing the question of a creamery for Winfield. He proposes to establish the creamery and buy cream of the farmers, delivered at their doors, paying them therefor by the inch. An inch of cream, in the pans which he will furnish, will make a pound of butter, and he proposes to pay for the cream as much as the farmer can get for the butter. These creameries have been very successful in other localities and will certainly prove a success here, besides furnishing a market for cream. Mr. Babb deserves encouragement in this enterprise.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
A number of old soldiers met Monday evening in Judge Soward=s office and organized AKilpatrick=s Post, G. A. R.@ A number of the old boys were present and for an hour or more after the meeting the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, and a dozen others were fought over in story and reminiscence. A charter has been applied for and as soon as the necessary papers arrive, the old soldiers of the county will be notified and a complete organization effected.
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1882.
The sidewalks in the outer part of the city are so lined with weeds and grass that it is very difficult for ladies to travel them in wet weather without suffering the misf