EMPORIA NEWS
STOTLER & WILLIAMS, EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS.
[Effective June 16, 1871, Williams leaves News...appears to start a rival paper in a short time...and Stotler resumes ownership...KEEPS STATUS OF EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.]
[FROM JANUARY 6, 1871, THROUGH MIDDLE OF OCTOBER 13, 1871.]
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
The county commissioners of Atchison County concluded negotiations day before yesterday for the transfer of the stock of the county to the A. T. & S. F. railroad company, provided that company commence work on their road between Atchison and Topeka by the first of April next, and complete the road between the two places by the first of May, 1872.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
Mr. Welch, of the Indian commission who has been in Washington examining the records of the Indian office, says Mr. Lang discovered greater frauds in the Southern Indian territory than he (Welch) did in the Northern. He cited one instance where Lang saw $90,000 was paid to Arapaho Indians, of which amount $30,000 was taken by Gen. Blunt on the plea that he had performed legislation at much cost of time and money. Also mentions a voucher found to a rich contractor for $155,000, where the profit must have been over one hundred and twenty-five percent.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
The report of the officers in charge of the National cemeteries show that the remains of deceased Union soldiers are interred in seventy-three National cemeteries, and in three hundred and sixteen local, private, or post cemeteries. The total number of bodies of Union soldiers interred in the United States is 215,555, of which number 152,109 can be identified, while 143,446 remain unknown. It is estimated that 463 scattered bodies remain yet to be interred in National cemeteries. The expenditure in establishing and keeping National cemeteries up to June 30, 1869, was reported at $3,266,370. The amount required for the next fiscal year was estimated at $3,100,000.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
A dispatch from San Francisco states that the Apaches are committing many depredationsCcommitting murders, running off large herds of cattle, etc. A freight train, fully armed, en route to Fort Goodwin, was attacked 30 miles east of Tucson by a large number of Indians, and after a sharp fight, in which one man was killed and two wounded, the Indians got away with some oxen.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.
Prof. Kellogg having resigned the editorship of the Educational Journal, to take effect with the end of the present volume, which closes with the April number, the Association which met in Leavenworth this week, elected, as editors for the coming year, Professors Banfield, of Topeka, and Dilworth, of Emporia. The Journal will continue to be printed at THE NEWS office. . . .
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
W. A. Patrick, of the Cowley County Censor was in the city Thursday. The Censor is paying so well as to enable him to take a holiday tour among his friends east, and he is just returning. He says Winfield is growing wonderfully. Forty houses were under contract when he left.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
PERSONAL. We had a call from F. Young, dealer in books and stationery, at Winfield. He had been purchasing stock in this city, and finds he can do as well here as at more northern points. He also keeps a news depot, and among other papers sells the EMPORIA NEWS. He is doing a good business. All kinds of trade is good at Winfield.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler comes to us, under the new administration of Prof. Kellogg, one of the neatest, brightest sheets in the southwest. Who is doing the writing and superintending of the office, it does not say.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
Hank Lowe has made quite a change in the appearance of the stage office, in the NEWS building, since he took charge of the business of the combined Kansas and Southern Kansas companies. He will be happy to furnish stage room for all parties who desire to visit any points in the south and west. He will there receive orders and cash and furnish the most comfortable transportation without grumbling.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
AMERICUS.
Mr. Freeman starts with his stock for the Arkansas on Monday. He is an enthusiast for that region. His family will follow him soon. [???]
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
From Arkansas City.
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS, January 9, 1870.
DEAR NEWS: We are pained to hear that you have been suffering a little touch of the arcticChave been mourning over nearly a foot of snow.
Well, we are sorry for you. Here in our warm, tropical Arkansas Valley, we have had no snow at all, except a few scattering flakes, that melted as they fell. Roads and weather are lovely.
Arkansas City is growing faster than ever, our seventy-seventh building was raised on the 6th. It is our new schoolhouse, built by subscription, 25 x 40 feet. We have already an excellent school, in two departments. In a few weeks more, this will be the great staging center of Kansas. The consolidated line of the two great companies are to be at once extended from Parker and Eureka to this point; the former line to be pushed on up to Wichita, and another line will speedily be extended to Fort Sill.
Prof. Norton has for several weeks been lying severely ill, unable to sit up or move much of the time. The disease is acute hepatitis. He is slowly gaining, but will not be able to move for some weeks. This is a great disappointment to all who desired him to claims his seat in the Legislature.
Our big new mills are being rapidly built. The immigration is remarkable. The survey of the lands is in progress, and we are beginning to know where our claims are.
A. G. O. A. C.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
The Cherokee Indians want Grant=s treaty ratified. It agrees to pay them $2,500,000 for some 20,000,000 acres of land they vacated in southern Kansas. Their friends at Washington, just now, are numerous.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Red Cloud says his tribe is starving, and wants Government rations. The Crows have stolen sixty horses from them, and two hundred from the Cheyennes. The latter recovered their stock after a fight in which seven Crows and one Cheyenne expired.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
BIG AD. [LOTS OF WHITE SPACE!]
GREAT SLAUGHTER OF DRY GOODS, FURS, DRESS GOODS, FLANNELS, SHAWLS, QUILTS, AND ALL WINTER GOODS! WILL BE SOLD FOR THE NEXT SIXTY DAYS AT AN IMMENSE SACRIFICE!! To Give Room for Our Spring Stock.
NEWMAN & BROTHER.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Prof. Kellogg is making arrangements to enlarge the Arkansas City Traveler to an eight column paper.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
There is not a handsomer or better kept stock of dry goods in anybody=s town than can be seen in Newman Bros.= establishment, this city.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Enoch Hoag, superintendent of Indian affairs, advertises in this paper for proposals for the transportation of government stores from Emporia and Fort Harker, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Upwards of three hundred tons are to be delivered in each of the five succeeding months. See advertisement.
PROPOSALS
WILL be received at the office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Lawrence, for the transportation of Government stores from Emporia and Fort Harker, Kansas, to the Cheyenne, Wichita, and Kiowa Indian Agencies, over the most direct road from the town of Wichita, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Amount of freight, three hundred tons and upwards, to be delivered in good condition, at said Agencies, in nearly equal amounts, each, for the five succeeding months. Proposals to state amount per hundred pounds per hundred miles. ENOCH HOAG, Sup=t Indian Affairs.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
AMERICUS.
The Kaws have been out on the plains hunting, and were caught by the late cold snap away from shelter and feed for their ponies. It is reported that several Indians froze to death. They lost some of their ponies.
Considerable quantities of timber are being taken off the reserve by white men. The Kaws are selling it to them at a mere nominal price. Where is the honest agent who attends to Uncle Sam=s business up there?
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS, January 16th, 1870.
EDS. EMPORIA NEWS: Your readers may feel some interest in a few lines sent you from this new and rapidly settling region of our State. This City, or rather an enterprising settler, built the first house last April. Having to wagon all the lumber from Emporia, 120 miles, until a saw could be started on the ground, one would infer that building must progress slowly. But from various causes, chiefly the favorable climate, soil, water, and timber, emigrants rushed in at such a rate, and demanded so much lumber as scarcely to appreciate the quantity sawed out by that one mill. Of course, the drawing continued, indeed increased, from Emporia. At length a second mill was put to work, and now a third is on the way, and still Emporia sells lumber to our people. There are now near 80 houses inhabited, and 8 or 10 building. The country is fast coming up to the city in the cheerful work of settling. A good woman five miles northeast told me lately that when they built their house, six weeks before, she could see but two more houses, and she could now count fifteen. Even the inhospitable weather of this unusually hard winter stops neither the tide of emigration nor the erection of houses.
The corps of surveyors now in this vicinity will rather facilitate all this progress, since men would rather settle by the lines than risk guessing out their claims. Besides there is now a vigorous movement on foot, and indeed before our Legislature, to open up a great highway from this point through the Indian Territory to Texas for stages, wagons, horsemen, cattle, and a railroad. Congress will be asked to neutralize a strip 10 miles in width, more especially for the accommodation of Texas herds. The distance will be shortened as compared to the old trail, while the annoyance of Indians will be much less, if not entirely avoided. Besides the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad will be completed to Florence at the mouth of Doyle, and ready to transport beeves to the Eastern markets decidedly cheaper than they have been going over the Abilene route. There being a strip of high unsettled land between this place and Florence, an act will be passed by our Legislature allowing herds to be drive along it. All this must make Arkansas City the largest town in Southwestern Kansas.
One week ago 16 or 18 men with 8 teams started in the mildest weather West for buffalo. On Tuesday the wind stormed down from the North and continued till Saturday night. Travelers, and teamsters of all kinds, were driven into the best attainable shelter. The Woolsey House and stable were made more than full. The new City Hotel is warm, neat, and luxurious in all its appointments. A more cozy or better conducted house is not found in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Meigs, proprietors, leave nothing undone to promote the comfort of their guests, even their neat bed chambers are so arranged as to be warmed from the fires below. Two schools and two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, are doing much to aid to the happiness of the people, and soon will all this region, as I am fully persuaded, be behind none in all that makes life desirable.
W. P.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Friday, on motion of Mr. Pomeroy, the U. S. Senate passed a resolution extending, for one year, the time at which settlers on public lands in Kansas and other places are required to make payment therefor. The House will doubtless agree, and the resolution will prove a great relief to thousands of honest pioneers.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
THE SENATORSHIP.
TOPEKA, Jan. 24.
The first vote on United States Senator has just been taken. Before the vote a resolution was passed by the House, requiring the members to take an oath that they were not influenced by offers of bribery. This resolution caused a bitter and excited debate. Several members refused to swear. The halls and galleries were densely packed with people and much cheering was engaged in.
The vote in the Senate was as follows: Caldwell 8, Clarke 6, Crawford 5, Ross 1; 5 scattering.
In the House the vote was as follows: Caldwell 30, Crawford 22, Clarke 21, Ross 7, Snoddy 13; the balance were scattered on some eight or ten candidates.
Clarke has had a big lobby here, mostly office holders and bummers. He went in this morning blowing that he had thirty-seven votes. He is badly beaten and there is no help for him. Caldwell makes a good showing, but as about fifty members have agreed to go against him, it is now doubtful if he succeeds. Crawford=s friends have great confidence. Atchison will not support a Leavenworth man. The border tier is mostly in the same fix, and it is now thought they can both be brought to the support of Crawford.
A few hang to the idea of bringing out a new man, but it is believed to be too late for this movement to succeed. Crawford=s friends will stick to him as long as there is a hope. The Neosho Valley is united upon him solidly except three votes below.
LATER. CALDWELL ELECTED.
TOPEKA, Jan. 25.
In the Joint Convention of the two Houses today, at one o=clock p.m., Alexander Caldwell, of Leavenworth, was elected United States Senator from the State of Kansas. The vote stoodCCaldwell 87; Crawford 34. This result was brought about by the failure of those opposed to Caldwell to unite on a man. The fact of this failure became known last night at 12 o=clock, and dozens of men who were Aon the fence@ went over to him. There is very little enthusiasm over the election. Caldwell is principally indebted to Ex-Gov. Carney and his friends for his success. S.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
The Senate is debating the bill to abolish the income tax. It had better abolish the franking swindle.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Much suffering is felt by the Indians, north of the Pacific railroad. They are arriving at Forts Laramie and Fetleman nearly starved and frozen, and are given food and shelter by the military.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Last week, at a point 84 miles from Prescott, Arizona, 150 noble red men surprised a company of U. S. Cavalry, wounded 6 men and two officers, and ran off with 24 horses. Another company pursued the aborigines, and overtook and killed quite a number. [Name of tribe not given.]
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
By order of the President, Red Cloud=s Indians are to be fed this winter on government rations, and 1,000 head of cattle are to be bought and sent to them. The Indians at Fort Laramie are also to be fed, and supplied with enough ammunition to hunt all game except white folks. If the Indians were only allowed their natural rights to scalp and rob the whites, they would not be thus reduced to the deplorable necessity of accepting government beef and hard tack. We look for a sympathetic editorial from the New York Tribune.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Our war news today is very important. Paris offers to capitulate with the honors of war, but the Germans demand unconditional surrender and a cessation of the war. The Emperor and Empress Napoleon have offered these terms on condition that they be restored to reign over what may be left of France, and if the present government does not come to the same terms, the Germans will try to reinstate the Emperor. It is evident that Athis cruel war is nearly over,@ and that it will leave the French the most thoroughly whipped nation of modern Europe, and the new Empire of Germany the leading power of the old world.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Alexander Caldwell, our new United States Senator, is almost wholly a stranger in the world of politics. He is a citizen of Leavenworth, has heretofore devoted his attention to matters of a purely business nature, and has thus acquired a handsome fortune. He is connected with several railroad companies. He was formerly a resident of Pennsylvania. He is said to be a gentleman of liberal culture. We hope he will prove an honest, faithful, and able Senator. No matter how greatly we regret the defeat of Gov. Crawford, we are as heartily rejoiced at that of Sidney Clarke. It will be a long time, will require many wonderful changes in Sidney=s conduct, and much improvement in numerous respects, before he can again be sent to Washington to legislate for the people.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
We have received a document which bears the following title: AJournal of the General Council of the Indian Territory, composed of delegates, duly elected from the Indian tribes, legally resident thereof. Assembled in council at Okmulgee, in the Indian Territory, under the provisions of the twelfth article of the treaty made and concluded at the city of Washington, in the year 1866, between the United States and the Coctan [? Choctaw?] and Chickasaw, Muskogee, and Seminole tribes of the same date.@
The council met on the 27th of September, but did not proceed to business until the 29th, as a quorum was not present until that day. Thirty-six delegates, representing eleven nations or tribes, were present when the organization of the council was completed. Six standing committees were appointed, the titles of which indicate a becoming appreciation of their own wants, while they are endeavoring to assume the habits and conditions that belong to an enlightened people. These committees were constituted as follows.
1. A committee on relations with the United States.
2. On International relations.
3. On Judiciary.
4. On Finance.
5. On Education and Agriculture.
6. On enrolled bills.
That these people have a just appreciation of the value of education, may be inferred from the first resolution they adopted, which was as follows.
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Resolved, That the committee on education be instructed to report in writing, as near as may be practicable, the population of the nations and tribes represented in the general council, the amount of their respective school funds, the number of schools in operation among them, the system under which they are managed, and the general state of education in the Indian Territory.@The second Resolution instructed the Judiciary committee to report a bill, or bills, which should provide for the execution of criminals and offenders escaping from one tribe to another tribe, and for the administration of justice between members of different tribes of the Indian Territory, and persons other than Indians and members of other tribes and nations.
Among their acts was also the following:
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Resolved, That the committee on Education and Agriculture be instructed to report fully, as may be practicable, on the condition of Agriculture in the Indian Territory, including the area of land in cultivation, the crops produced, the different plants and cereals adapted to the climate and soil, and the best methods for cultivating such crops, and of increasing the industry of the people in agricultural pursuits.@The Council adjourned on the 30th of September and reassembled on the 6th of December and remained in session until the 20th, when they again adjourned until the first Monday in June, 1871. While the work of the committee on education and agriculture was by no means complete, they entered upon their labors with such zeal and intelligence as to give a fair promise that much will be accomplished for the promotion of these interests in matters that relate to education and the industrial pursuits.
The expression of the Council was such, however, as to indicate that they have no intention to cease to remain an independent people, so far as their government and their independent mode of life is concerned.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
EXCERPT FROM ALETTER FROM AUGUSTA.@
AUGUSTA, BUTLER CO., KANSAS, January 23rd, 1871.
The consolidated Stage company, now known as the Southwestern Stage company, are erecting large stables here, and intend making this their future headquarters for Southwestern Kansas. They are now running a daily line from this point to Arkansas City, and will establish other lines as the demands of the public seem to require. There are no class of men in the universe whose services are less appreciated then the stage men; they make their daily trip through rain and storm without a murmur or word of complaint, and seldom receive thanks from those they serve. Let us Arender unto Caesar the things that are Caesar=s,@ and give to these faithful and untiring public servants the meed of praise that is their just due.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Mr. Eskridge and Prof. Kellogg went to Topeka Tuesday to look after the interests of the Normal school.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
[SKIPPED BIG ARTICLE RE SURRENDER OF PARIS.]
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
CHICAGO, KANSAS & TEXAS R. R.
A company has been organized under the above name, having for its object the construction of a railroad commencing at Council Grove, Morris County, Kansas, and thence by way of Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Chelsea, El Dorado, Augusta and Douglass, Butler County, Winfield and Arkansas City, Cowley County, and thence on the most direct and practicable route to Florence, near the mouth of the Little Wichita, on Red River, Texas.
The capital stock of said company to be one million dollars.
A meeting of the directors of said company was held at Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Kansas, January 4th, A. D. 1871.
The proceedings of the meeting were as follows.
In the absence of Hon. T. H. Baker, President, Vice President C. A. Britton took the chair. After a lengthy discussion of the project by Messrs. Wood, Baker, Stover, and others, the meeting proceeded with the following action: At the request and recommendation of
G. M. Simcock, treasurer by the charter, William Shamleffer was elected to fill vacancy as director and treasurer. H. L. Hunt was also elected to fill vacancy of director.
S. N. Wood, superintendent, was authorized to cause books to be opened in the Indian Territory and in Texas for subscriptions to the capital stock of the company. Hon. E. S. Stover was authorized to open books in Council Grove, Morris County; H. L. Hunt in Chase County; T. H. Baker in Augusta; H. T. Sumner in El Dorado, Butler County; E. C. Manning in Winfield; and H. B. Norton in Arkansas City, in Cowley County, Kansas.
On motion Hon. E. S. Stover, Hon. James Finney, Hon. S. M. Wood, Hon. L. S. Friend, Hon. T. H. Baker, and Hon. E. C. Manning were appointed a committee to ask the Legislature of the State of Kansas for the passage of a memorial asking Congress to grant the right of way to the above railroad company through the government lands in the south of Kansas and the Indian Territory to Texas.
It was moved and adopted that S. N. Wood, H. P. Dumas, and A. Eldridge be a committee to procure action and the influence of the Legislature of Texas in favor of obtaining the right of way through the Indian Territory and also obtaining a grant of land from the State to the company. The said committee were also authorized to present to the proper authorities the question of getting a transfer of the Atchison branch road as required by act of Congress, running from where said Atchison road crosses the Neosho River to where the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston road crosses the same, to run from Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, by way of the Walnut Valley in Butler and Cowley Counties, to the south line of the State of Kansas.
Moved and adopted that the Superintendent cause a preliminary survey of the road to be made, if the same can be done without involving the company in debt. Moved and adopted that the proper officer, as soon as local subscriptions are sufficient, cause to be let under contract any portion of said road and, also, to negotiate with any other railroad company to construct any part or the whole of said road. It was also resolved that the secretary correspond with the secretary of St. Joseph, Wamego and Council Grove R. R. Co., in relation to the probability or possibility of forming a continuous line of the two roads. It was moved that subscriptions to capital stock of the company be received, payable in county and township bonds, lands, or town lots at their cash value, and that certificates of paid up stock be issued therefor as well as the ordinary subscriptions of stock in money. Ordered that the secretary furnish a copy of the proceedings of this meeting to the newspapers of Morris, Chase, Butler, and Cowley Counties. Moved and adopted that the meeting adjourn subject to call by the secretary.
C. A. BRITTON, Vice-Pres=t.
W. S. ROMIGH, Secretary.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
ON THE WING.
AUGUSTA, KANSAS, January 29th, 1871.
Over a week has passed since an opportunity has presented itself for us to forward an account of our wanderings to the NEWS. Within that time we have traveled through the Walnut Valley from El Dorado to Arkansas City, near the mouth of the stream, and returned to this point; a distance of almost 60 miles.
South of Augusta, a distance of 12 miles, is located the village of Douglass. It is situated on the Big Walnut, at a point almost three miles below the junction of the Little Walnut. The town site is an excellent one, being on a gentle rise in the prairie, and gives it drainage that will, in a great measure, protect it from the mud incident to towns built on the tenacious soil of Kansas.
The storm clouds that covered this youthful village, and enveloped it in gloom a few weeks ago, have all dispersed, giving place to the more genial sunshine of prosperity, and leaving the atmosphere much purer and healthier than before. Unless the stranger asks questions, he would never suspect that such a thing as hanging men by fours was ever resorted to by the quiet working people of this little frontier neighborhood. But the fact that eight men were shot and hung in this vicinity not long ago, can=t be denied; as a consequence, the citizens from Augusta to Arkansas City claim that they have no need of watching stock, but wake from peaceful slumbers to find their horses where they left them the previous night. They go to work in the morning thankfully, remembering long days in the past spent in fruitless search for missing horses.
Douglass contains about twenty houses, with all the stores, shops, etc., usually found in such places. In the town there are three general country stores. L. Shamleffer & Bro., brothers of our enterprising friend, Billy Shamleffer, at Council Grove, are carrying on an extensive trade here in dry goods, groceries, etc. They are young men of large business capacity, and are working hard to advance the interest of the town and country. Huffman & Brown are engaged in the grocery and provision business. The Douglass House is one of the best hotels in the valley. C. H. Lamb is the proprietor. Here the traveler finds good beds, good hash, and an accommodating landlord. Mr. Lamb is postmaster and is also dealing in blank books and stationery. The country around Douglass is well settled and supports a good trade. They are in need of a drug store and a shoemaker here; anyone starting a business in either of the above will be liberally supported.
From the mouth of the Little Walnut, the timber becomes heavier the further one travels down the valley.
Ten miles below Douglass we arrive at a trading point called APolk=s store.@ This store is owned by A. V. Polk, a native of Pennsylvania. He has a good location for his stock of goods. The post office here is called ALone Tree.@ This will make a good trading point, and we rather wonder that a town has not been laid off here.
After crossing Big Dutch Creek, a large stream, we found ourself at Winfield, county seat of Cowley County. This town presents an extremely new appearance. In fact, it has been built, with the exception of a very few houses, within the last three months. Some good wooden buildings are being erected. On our road to the mouth of the Walnut, we stopped at the Walnut Valley House at this place. That night was a new experience to us. We have heard of the hair of one=s head being turned gray in one night. Heretofore we were incredulous, but its truth has been demonstrated and we believe it. This house needs Aventilation,@ but we will leave that for the citizens of Winfield to do. We found some enterprising men here, and with their excellent location and rich surrounding country, they will have a city of no mean dimension at some future time. Among some of the principal businessmen of Winfield are Maris & Hunt, dealers in groceries; and Deloss Palmer, formerly of Emporia, dealer in hardware and tinware. W. C. Orr is proprietor of the Indiana House; his table is always loaded with the best the market affords and he spares no pains to make his guests comfortable. The present term of the school here is taught by Miss Mellville. [?Melville?]. A. J. Patrick is publishing the ACensor@ here. This is a good paper and is becoming extremely popular in Cowley and Butler Counties.
Arkansas City has one of the finest locations for a town to be found any place in Kansas, but as this has been written of so often and so extensively, we will pass it for the present. The city contains about eighty houses, some of them are very good buildings. H. O. Meigs has recently erected a large building, in which he has opened the City Hotel, one of the best hotels in the valley; G. H. Hamilton & Co. are doing an extensive business in groceries and provisions; they have a large stock. Charley Sipes is engaged in hardware, etc. Keith & Eddy, a Leavenworth firm, are selling drugs. E. A. Rennin and M. C. McIntire are dealing flour, feed, and groceries. Norton & Bro. are trading extensively with the Indians. The Arkansas Traveler, the property of L. B. Kellogg, of Emporia, published here, is superintended by C. M. Scott, the local editor. Mr. Scott is a first class printer and gets up one of the neatest little papers in the State.
Owing to the bad condition of the roads, our return trip was not as pleasant as dry soil and fine weather would have made it.
G. G. PATTERSON BRIX.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC.
BORDEAUX, Jan. 30. Dispatches forwarded from Versailles, of the 28th, by Jules Favre to the Government at Bordeaux, says a treaty was signed today. There is to be an armistice of 21 days. The national assembly is to be convened at Bordeaux February 15th. The election takes place on the 8th of February. A member of the Paris Government leaves at once for Bordeaux. No person is allowed to enter or leave Paris without a permit from the German authorities. The revictualing of the city will proceed under German supervision. Confidence is expressed at German headquarters that peace has been secured. German soldiers are chagrined at being prohibited from entering Paris.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
Two gentlemen were in our office Tuesday at 12 m. directly from Douglass and Augusta, and inform us that the rumors in circulation here in reference to hanging horse-thieves, etc., are all false.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
The Indians in New Mexico have just run off 3,000 sheep from Belden, and lately attacked a party of 15 gold hunters, killed 2, and are now besieging the rest. A few Quakers ought to be sent there with sugar and ammunition to distribute among these excited red men, and read they sympathetic editorials from the New York Tribune in order to calm their perturbed spirits.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
Fun alive. At William=s Fork, Colorado River, a few days ago, a great fight took place between the Chinamen and the Monhave [?Mojave?] Indians, and the Indians were defeated with a loss of 36 braves. The Chinese lost 21, among whom was their leader, one of the ablest thieves ever born in China, or elsewhere. Now for an epic from Bret Harte, descriptive of this original aboriginal oriental combat.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
FROM TOPEKA.
A concurrent resolution memorializing Congress for the opening up of the Indian Territory, and naming it Lincoln, passed the House and came to the Senate today. It created an animated debate, which was engaged in by Col. Snoddy, Mr. Moore, Mr. Stover, Mr. Prescott, and others. The Senate defeated the resolution, and thereby endorsed the Indian policy of the administration.
The Record of yesterday says it was reported in Olathe that on the day after Senator Ross left Washington, a joint resolution was proposed and rushed through to the House of Congress, confirming the patents issued to the Black Bob Indians. If true, the speculators get these lands and the settlers will have to leave their farms, and if true, does it not account, in part, for the intense anxiety manifested by AOld Beans@ to secure Sidney Clarke=s return to Congress or his election to the United States Senate.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
[Part of this item is missing...all chopped up.]
We clip the following notice of Prof. Norton from the Schoolmaster, an educational periodical published at Chicago.
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Hon. H. B. Norton, late Associate Principal of the Kansas State Normal School, has left, we suspect, forever. When the prospect of wealth appears, most of us kindly accept the situation. His ability and energy to select a spot in Cowley County, Kansas, at the junction of the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers, upon which to build a city. He and his brother, Gould Hyde, put up the first log house in June. Today there are nearly one hundred buildings, including mills, etc. A large trade is already opened with the Osages and Texan drovers. Capt. Norton will handle $30,000 in furs and robes this winter. As the Norton boys have a large share of the land, and as two railroads are sure to pass through their town, we, on the whole, are not disposed to blame the >Sage= for leaving the school room.@Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
EXCERPTS:
Ex-Gov. Eskridge favored the application of the teachers of the Normal School, and also an increase of their salaries.
Mr. Overstreet opposed any increase in the number of teachers or their salaries.
Mr. Kellogg spoke in explanation of the former action of the board.
Superintendent McCarty urged that we pay the principal of the Normal School a respectable salary and then demand that the money shall be fully earned.
Mr. Eskridge moved that the estimates submitted by him be passed upon by items, and the motion was carried.
The following estimates were then adopted:
Salary of Principal: $2,500.00. [Skipped the rest.]
Mr. Overstreet moved that an itemized account of expenses for fencing be filed with the Secretary of the board, which motion was carried.
[SOUNDS LIKE OVERSTREET IS AGAINST KELLOGG.]
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
More aboriginal exploits. On Jan. 14th, near Musale, Montana, a party of Tribune Indians killed Chas. McKnight, and J. K. Ross, shot them full of arrows, and then carved them up with knives.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
FROM TOPEKA.
More About the Normal School.
[Skipping article...seems that Eskridge and Stotler were furnished salary increase figures by Kellogg...Overstreet only heard of meeting after it had started...ended up making Kellogg=s salary $2,000. Many questions raised!]
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
LANDS FOR SOLDIERS.
The Topeka Record of the 5th publishes the bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, granting lands to union soldiers. The bill promises that every soldier and officer who has served in the army of the United States during the recent rebellion for ninety days, and who has remained loyal to the government, shall be entitled to 160 acres of the public lands subject to entry under the homestead laws.
The soldier is allowed twelve months after locating his homestead in which to commence settlement and improvement; second, the time which the soldier was in military service is to be deducted from the five years= time now required to perfect a homestead title; third, the soldier may assign his homestead certificate to any person entitled to avail himself of the provisions of the present homestead law; fourth, the widow or minor orphan children of a deceased soldier are to succeed to all his rights as aforesaid; and fifth, any soldier who is now drawing a pension on account of wounds or disabilities, may enter upon and receive a patent for a quarter section of land by an agent or attorney.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 184 to 2Cthe negative votes being cast by Gibson, of West Virginia, and Smith, of OregonCboth Democrats, of course. What the fate of the measure will be in the Senate cannot safely be predicted; but Washington correspondents assure us that the indications are favorable to its passage.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Congress has passed a bill to pension revolutionary and war of 1812 officers, soldiers, militia, or volunteers, or their widows or orphans, at the rate of eight dollars per month.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Gen. Parker, Indian bureau commissioner, now claims that he has convinced the House committee of investigation that he has properly managed his department. If he and pet Babcock happened to get scalped, the country would possibly survive.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The joint Congressional committee to organize a government for the Indian territory, has agreed upon a bill which is claimed to be superior to the Ockmulgee [Okmulgee] plan, and this adoption will be submitted to a vote of the Indians themselves.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL AGAIN.
A Word from Mr. Kellogg.
EDITOR OF NEWS: Permit me to say a few words in regard to Honorable Jacob Stotler=s small controversy with the Board of Directors of the State Normal School. I deprecate the necessity for thus taking part in a public discussion, which up to this time has had but one participant. However, judgments might differ in regard to the pest policy to be pursued in the management of the Normal School, previous to this time the custom has been for all parties to abide the decision of the Board of Directors, the ultimate authority as provided by law. Mr. Stotler=s ideas suffered a severe defeat by the Board, the vote being four to one against them.
He now takes exception to the deliberate action of a meeting of the Board called expressly to consider the very thing in regard to which he has most industriously endeavored to create adverse public sentiment.
Not only does Mr. Stotler object to this final and authoritative action, but he seems to say that he and Mr. Overstreet will entirely repudiate the decision of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE GRINDS ON AND ON....MAIN THING: SALARIES! Stotler cut them. Reading between the lines, it looks like L. B. Kellogg is not long for the academic world.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
A bill passed in committee of whole in the House yesterday, providing for the appointment of three commissioners to audit claims of losses by Indians between the 1st of January, 1861, and 1871. The Board is to meet on the 1st of June, and make its report to the Governor by the 10th of August. Record.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
H. O. Meigs, of Arkansas City, is in town today. Mr. Meigs is the proprietor of the City Hotel and an active member of the town company.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler reports the death of many cattle in that vicinity from the cold weather. Out of a herd of 2,000, a Mr. Oakes lost 600.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Thirteen singers met Wednesday night at the residence of Mr. A. A. Newman, to rehearse the cantata of AThe Haymakers,@ with a view of giving a concert some evening.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The last sensation in the way of a city is that of the new town of Caldwell, recently laid off in Sumner County.
It is located near Fall River at the crossing of the Texas cattle trail. The town company is principally composed of Southwestern Kansas men. Wm. Baldwin is president, C. F. Gilbert treasurer, and G. H. Smith, secretary. The location is an excellent one, the valley being extremely wide in this vicinity. There will be three stores opened immediately, also one hotel and a livery stable. Liberal inducements are offered to a first-class blacksmith. For information address G. H. Smith, Wichita.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Col. J. C. McMullen, an attorney at law of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Judge Cunningham intended to start Saturday morning on a tour through Sumner County, the promised land in which some of their possessions lie, but when the stage-driver called for them they concluded they would not start that dayCthere being twelve passengers inside of the vehicle and three on the outside. We understand that Col. McMullen is making arrangements to locate in Kansas, and we hope he will.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
GOOD FOR A YEARLING. The Traveler says of Arkansas City:
A
There are now eight dry goods and grocery stores, one drug store, one hardware store, one bakery, two hotels, three boarding houses, one billiard hall, one blacksmith, two shoemakers, two land agencies, two milliners, two saw mills, two meat markets, three physicians, ten carpenters, two tinners, one stone cutter, two masons, and lumber yard, in Arkansas City. Besides these, there are two religious denominations (Methodist and Presbyterian), one primary school, Good Templars Lodge, Literary Society, Anti-Tobacco Society, Singing School, Dancing Club, and various other societies and institutions.@Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Kaw Reserve.
EDITORS NEWS: It is to be feared that your correspondent, AU. Bette,@ forgot the Tenth Commandment when he reached the beautiful lands of the Kaw Reserve, on his recent visit, and looked with such longing eyes at the rich soil. When he became so pathetic over the waste of good land there why did he not think of the millions of acres of equally productive lands held by speculators in a state of nature? The Kaw Indian has just as good a title to the soil of his reserve as Uncle Sam can give to any white man. The Government has no more right to annul the title it has given the Kaws to their lands, and remove them without their consent, than it has to annul the patents by which white speculators hold their Abeautiful prairies.@ What if the Indians don=t choose to cultivate their reserve? Whose business is it? When white people get their titles to land they use their own pleasure about improving it, and thank no one for meddling with their affairs. If Uncle Samuel agreed to feed these Indians, he should live up to his agreement. And we see no necessity for so much growling about a few acres, owned by the poor, degraded, despised Indians, not being improved, when there are so many millions owned by white men, in the same condition. NEOSHO.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
A CARD.
As Mr. L. B. Kellogg, in his strictures upon Hon. Jacob Stotler, in the DAILY NEWS of February 13th, has seen fit to place me in a false position before the public, I take this method of saying that the figures which I submitted to the Board of Directors of the State Normal School, at their late annual meeting in Topeka, January 18th, cutting down the estimates of salaries for Principal teachers, etc., as reported by the Executive Committee in their annual report for estimates for the year 1871, Awas put into my hands and mouth by Mr. Stotler,@ (as Mr. Kellogg declares), is a base falsehood. And further, that what I advocated in the open Board, Aas my own convictions of duty,@ being merely the carrying out of Mr. Stotler=s instructions and advice (as Mr. Kellogg unjustly imputes to me), is also false, as well as unbecoming any man making the slightest pretensions to be a gentleman. I leave the public to decide from the patent facts in the premises, as to whether Mr. Kellogg=s assault upon myself without any provocation, is not to be explained solely upon his own pecuniary interest in the matter or perverted moral sense. . . .
LONG ARTICLE...SKIPPED THE REST!
R. M. OVERSTREET.
Topeka, Feb. 15th, 1871.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
OUR PERSONAL WRANGLE.
Another Word from Mr. Kellogg.
EDITOR OF NEWS: Craving your indulgence and that of the public for this further intrusion, I submit an additional word on the little controversy which has so rapidly degenerated to the rank of an ordinary newspaper quarrel.
I am sorry that the Rev. Mr. Overstreet=s violent ebullition of anger, and uncourteous expressions were of so gross a nature as to prevent any desire on my part for a continuance of the discussion with him. With the permission of the Agenerous public,@ I will, accordingly, using a schoolmaster=s term, dismiss Mr. Overstreet; or, leaving him standing, will excuse myself. I do this without malice, regretfully rather than otherwise, trusting that, should he deem it advisable to publish a second card, he will not so hedge it in by the use of vituperative language as to make it unwelcome handling.
Those of us who have lived in Emporia five or six years are familiar with Mr. Stotler=s plan of conducting a newspaper controversy. If I am not in error, the first articles are composed of ridicule, more or less pointed, as in his communication published yesterday. After one or two of these, he endeavors to bring on a crisis by using foul adjectives, Asmutty@ expressions; school children would speak of it as Acalling names.@ There is always danger of his winding up one of these articles by the statement that no further discussion of this subject will be permitted in his paper. Having entered upon this controversy somewhat deliberately, I feel as though I should like Ato fight it out on this line,@ letting it take as much of the coming spring and summer as may be necessary. Presuming on Mr. Stotler=s good nature, I beg leave to request that he will not shut me off from making a courteous reply, should he deem it of sufficient interest to his readers to continue the discussion, and also that he will not descend from Amaking fun@ to Athrowing dirt.@ I will endeavor not to be burdensome to his paper, and being a Alittle man,@ will content myself with one column to his two, or if this should seem egoism and effrontery, I will endeavor to use two columns to his one.
Recurring now to his communication, I desire to say this: in regard to the general questions at issue, I am willing to rest the case upon the merits of my former article, after correcting one error, notwithstanding Mr. Stotler pronounces it Awild, illogical, and unsystematic.@ Facts constitute strong logic. I fear he uses these words to ward off a conviction to the contrary, though far be it for me to claim any merit for the article, save its rigid adherence to what I deem truth. I would gladly have the public put the two articles, Stotler=s and mine, side by side, and read them together.
The error I would correct is the following: He says I am defeated. I think he is defeated. The Board of Directors voted four to one against him. He now attempts to carry the impression that the action of the Board is not worth anything. Here are his words: AAll the Board attempts is to recommend the estimates. I suppose there is nothing legally binding in the mere recommendation of sums for salaries, etc., and that the legislature is at liberty to fix the amounts.@
Here is the law governing the case:
A
General Statutes of Kansas, edition of 1868, page 590, Section 5. Said Board of Directors shall have power to appoint a principal and assistant, to take charge of said school, without expense to the State, and such other teachers and officers as may be required in said school, and fix the salary of each, and prescribe their several duties. They shall also have power to remove either principal, assistant, or teacher, and to appoint others in their stead. * * * *@POSTSCRIPT. Let me now mention one or two personal items, and I will wait until my turn comes round again.
Mr. Stotler speaks freely of my avarice, my desire for $500, my selfishness. I tried to say in my article that the chief cause of grievance was Mr. Stotler=s cutting away the entire amount recommended by the Executive Committee for the additional assistant. The salary of the Preceptress was the next point upon which I desired a reconsideration. Finally, in regard to that of the Principal, knowing that in case of a vacancy in the office, by reason of my expulsion, resignation, or death, that at least $2,500 would be needed by the Board to secure such a Principal as the school ought to have, and believing that if this institution paid less for similar services than either of the other State institutions, it would be likely to give occasion for individious comparisons, damaging to the rank of this school, I came to the conclusion that no injustice would be done, no extravagance committed, if the salary of that office was placed at $2,500.
It so chances that for the present, I am filling the office. If done, it would give me an additional $500; because of this fact, it becomes easy for Mr. Stotler to raise the cry that I am seeking my own personal aggrandizement. I will not say that I don=t care for the $500. It is worth as much to me, although I may not make as good use of it, as to any other ordinary businessman or laborer in Emporia, and no more. I mentioned that the President of the Illinois Normal receives $4,000. Let me now mention that when that institution began, in 1858, when it had 40 students, the Principal was paid $2,500. When this school began in 1865, a dollar then did go as far as in 1858Cthe salary of the Principal was $1,200. But I do not care to multiply words.
Mr. Stotler ought not to assume the injured air, and raise the cry of Afire in the rear.@ If he is a martyr, in danger of being immolated, he should remember whose hand it was that gathered the faggots and threw the first burning brand; or, replying to him as school children do, I shall find it necessary to say, AYou began it.@ L. B. KELLOGG.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
[SKIPPED STOTLER=S LONG ARTICLE RE Afire in the rear.@ He really did get Adown and dirty,@ so to speak. AS I SAID EARLIER, FIGURE KELLOGG WILL GO!]
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
FORT SILL. Mr. H. Simpson, who brought a load of hides, furs, etc., through from Fort Sill, Indian Territory, for M. G. Mead, called at the office, last Friday, and reports that the Comanches and Kiowas have buried the tomahawk, and are desirous to remove to a new reservation, and that these tribes have borne the blame for many outrages that were committed by other tribes. He says that Indian Agent Tatum is one of the most reliable and efficient employees in the Indian Department, that Wm. Mathison is doing a good business down there, etc. He is going to take a load of goods back with him for Mr. Mathison.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
ANOTHER CHANGE. The Emporia Tribune again changes hands. Messrs. Randall & Miller [who bought out Mains] sell out to E. W. Cunningham, of the firm of Buck & Cunningham, attorneys at law, and E. E. Rowland, who for more than a year past has had charge of the job department of the NEWS office. The Tribune, during the six weeks it was published by Randall & Miller, was very materially improved, a fact that was appreciated by the people, as shown by their enlarged and increasing list of subscribers. . . .
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
Washington specials say the Indian bureau investigation committee will make a report showing immense frauds in that department. Contractors have swindled the government enormously, and the new Quaker-Indian ring is quite as bad as the old one.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
[STOTLER, FROM TOPEKA, AGAIN ATTACKS KELLOGG. MORE OR LESS CALLS KELLOGG A LIAR! SKIPPED ARTICLE.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
HORSE THIEVES CAPTURED.
Office Harper came down on the road yesterday morning from Fort Wallace, in company with another officer from that place, having in charge two notorious horse thieves named Black and Legate. They were captured at Wallace. About a year ago these two men were suspected of having stolen a large number of government horses in that vicinity, and were pursued into Texas, when they escaped capture. The returned to their old haunts a short time ago, and were immediately Aspotted@ and their capture effected as stated above. They were taken to Leavenworth and lodged in jail to await trial. Commonwealth.
This Black is one of the gang who have been figuring rather largely in the Walnut Valley recently, but after the hanging in that vicinity suddenly disappeared. It seems he stopped in the wrong place; he should have gone where he was not known. AOne by one they are passing away.@
[NOTE: FIRST TIME NEWS REALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THERE WAS A HANGING.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
[Skipped Obituary of David Williams, father of the Junior Editor of NEWS.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
THE FORM OF CLAIMS FOR OSAGE LANDS.
A great deal of embarrassment and trouble has been occasioned among the settlers on the Osage lands by the survey recently made by the engineer corps. They find that their original lines did not fall in the correct places, however pleasant they may have or would have been if properly located. Some find that their improvements are in one section, and the larger part of their original claim in another. The idea prevails that they must take a particular quarter of one section, and in order to adjust matters by this rule, they have been trading off, buying up, jumping, and quarreling. To get information in regard to the matter, our townsman, Mr. C. E. Kelsey, addressed Commissioner Drummond a letter, in reply to which he received the following letter.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE, Feb. 15, 1871.
Mr. E. C. KELSEY, Emporia, Kansas. SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst., relative to the form of claims made upon Osage Indian lands.
In reply I say that a claim of 160 acres may be made in one section, or in different sections making 160 acres provided they are contiguous to each other, but not with other lands intervening. Very Respectfully,
WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner.
From the above it will be seen that a man who has made improvements upon his claim does not necessarily lose them if the section or quarter lines happen to divide them from the larger part of the claim. He can retain a forty of one quarter and three forties of another; if it so happens that his claim is divided by the newly established lines; or he can hold his claim if one forty should be in one section and three forties in another, provided, in all cases, that his 160 acres are in one body.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
There is a general feeling of regret for the loss of the Atlantic cables. The French cable is the only reliance for telegraphic communications now with the old world.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
A TRIP TO WINFIELD.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, February 21st, 1871.
EMPORIA NEWS: On last Thursday noon I left your beautiful city in a nice coach, good team, good driver, and good company, Adjutant Morgan and lady, from Cincinnati, for Cottonwood Falls, to establish a journal. In this case the old adageCthe third time breaks the charmCwill, I trust, be verified. The Banner and Index having Aplayed out,@ Mr. Morgan=s enterprise will probably play in, as he has much experience and is a live progressive man.
At Bazaar, seven miles south of the Falls, passengers get from a neat widow a number one dinner. Thence under the care of an excellent reinsman, Mr. Harmon, we moved on through mud and water, till dark overtook us 18 miles north of Chelsea. Finally, in a heavy storm, we lost the road and a passenger got out and found it after quite a search, as he said, with his foot, feeling the ruts. Again the wind and rain drove our horses from the way and our pilot got us back as before with his foot. Finally we reached McCabe=s, and got into Chelsea the next morning for breakfast. Unsightly as this village seemed, travelers are cheered in two ways. The drinking class find at hand a supply, and the sober, literary class, a schoolhouse usefully occupied by some 50 scholars taught by a lady. The streams being too high to cross, we had to lie over till Saturday, when an agent of the stage line took us safely on to El Dorado. This village, some two miles before it is reached from the north, looms into view splendidly; nor does it depreciate as one enters its handsome streets, bordered by neat well built houses. Nature and substantial business enterprise have left El Dorado second to no town in the Walnut Valley.
From a high point a few paces west of Rev. Gordon=s cottage, I enjoyed the most enchanting view seen in Kansas. Being constrained to remain over Sabbath, I attended a school meeting Saturday evening to consider the size, cost, location, etc., of a new school edifice the citizens are about to erect. Comprehending their true interest in this direction, they will build a fine commodious house.
The next day I had the satisfaction of addressing, morning and evening, attentive and intelligent audiences. For more than one hour I was listened to with almost breathless attention, on total abstinence, and then a unanimous vote from a packed house to continue, for several evenings, the discussion. Nor more than I can regret that a note from my son made it my duty to disappoint their wishes, much as I am sorry to learn their need of temperance in El Dorado, no one can truly say, henceforth, that they are unwilling to have it. They stand ready and waiting to hear any good speaker on this reform, and also, as I believe, to adopt any reasonable measures to carry it out. In a few weeks it will be my pleasure to return, and, as Mr. Lincoln said about the peace he desired, to stay until all attainable sobriety is accomplished at El Dorado. Let industry, economy, sobriety, integrity, and purity be cherished in that community, and with its unsurpassed natural advantages, it will be the Eden of the most lively valley in Kansas.
Augusta has made a good start and is running a good race. As it was said of old, AHe who begins aright is half done,@ so may it be of this thriving village. Its citizens are second to none in Southern Kansas in culture and progress. Their school edifice is the largest in the Walnut Valley, and is being furnished in the most approved modern style. All now depends on securing the services of an able principal and a corps of efficient teachers.
I cannot, in closing my brief notice of Augusta, omit to say that since the Land Office has been located in this town, it should remain undisturbed. Nothing, as I believe, is more detrimental to the growth of the West than a restless disposition to change county sites, county lines, offices, and officers are all as nothing before the restless maneuvers of unstable men. In the name of common sense, let us permit things to stand at least long enough to see if they will do well, stase decises is an important law maxim. The people of Augusta, as I think, can be better employed than in trifling for the removal of the county site from El Dorado, and the people of this town could do better than unite with those of Wichita to get the Land Office away from Augusta. Let generous magnanimity take the place of narrow-minded selfishness.
At Douglass, all is now quiet, nor is there reason to apprehend any more trouble.
Winfield goes right on. Its situation is handsome; the surroundings all that could be desired, and the emigration rapid.
In the morning I am going to start for Sumner County, west, where two rival towns are starting up, and all about which, and Arkansas City, I will soon write. W. P.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
Teams are wanted to transport 150,000 pounds of freight to the south and west. For further particulars call at the A. T. & S. F. depot.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
THE INDIANS. We received a call last evening from Ezra Rich, who is direct from Cheyenne Indian Agency. He says the roads in that direction are almost impassable, the worst part being between here and Wichita. It seems the Indians are beginning to feel their Aoats@ and openly avow their determination to take white scalps the coming summer. These threats they have been in the habit of making every year for the past twelve years in order to compel the government to hire them to keep peace by presents of large sums of money, arms, ammunition, etc., and every year they have succeeded. They receive those presents only to use them in taking the lives and property of white people. Only those who are acquainted with all the sickening details of Indian war can realize the extreme treachery and craftiness of the Indian character. However well the government officials may know their objects in making these bloody threats, they invariably recommend the payment to the red devils of all they demand, which mostly proves to be the price of the blood of women and children, and the Government civil service with the Indians= pockets the profits.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Congress has agreed that hereafter no new treaties can be made between the government and any Indian tribe or nation. Present treaties stand goodCthat is, as good as they have ever done.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Indians in Arizona are more outrageous now than they were before. Within two weeks they have killed or captured three different parties of whites, within twenty miles of Florence. The government should not relax its efforts to keep them supplied with sugar, gunpowder, and the New York Tribune.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
Speech of Jacob Stotler, in the State Senate, Feb. 27, 1871.
The committee of the whole Senate having under consideration House bill 171, AAn act in relation to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway company,@ Mr. Stotler said:
MR. CHAIRMAN:
It seems to devolve upon me to at least call the attention of the Senators to the provisions of the measure now under consideration. I can say truthfully that I wish some gentleman better able to perform the task had undertaken it. But I cannot remain silent and allow it to pass without a word of opposition.
This bill is one containing such extraordinary provisions that I cannot, although a firm friend of railroads, support it. I have been especially a friend of the road seeking the passage of this act. It traverses the Neosho Valley, that portion of the State in whose development I feel a special interestCwhere I have resided for fourteen years, and where all my interests lie. If there is one section of the State dearer to me than all others, it is the country which is traversed and developed by the main line of this road, and there is nothing I could do, which would be fair and honorable, that I would not do to further its interests.
I have looked at this bill carefully. I have compared it with the constitution and existing laws, and have consulted some of the best lawyers of the State as to its leading provisions, and I am now prepared to give some of the reasons, briefly, why I oppose it.
This is an act in relation to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, late the Union Pacific, Southern Branch, and the objections to it are manifold and multiform. They may be viewed in two aspects: First, as to its being in conflict with section one of article twelve of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, and therefore being unconstitutional and void; Second, admitting the bill, if passed, to be a valid enactment, then as to the tenor, scope, and effect of its provisions. Let us consider the constitutional point of the bill. Section one of article twelve of the Constitution is as follows:
A
The Legislature shall pass no special act conferring corporate powers. Corporations may be created under general laws, but all such laws may be amended or repealed.@That the bill under consideration is a special act, there can be no doubt. The only remaining question in order to determine its constitutionality is, is the bill one Aconferring corporate powers@; because, if it is such an one, being a special act, it is in conflict with the clause of the constitution just read, and is therefore void. It is either such an act or it is nothing. If it does not confer corporate powers, why is the railroad company clamoring for its passage. So anxious are they that it should pass that their general manager and his employees have spent days here to engineer it through the House.
The first fifteen lines of the first section of the bill, as originally introduced, purports to contain, by way of recitals, certain rights, privileges, and franchises that the company has acquired under and by virtue of, and in accordance with the laws of this State, and in accordance with law, without stating what law of what state. They also purport to contain franchises and privileges under and by virtue of acts of Congress through the Indian Territory; and certain franchises under acts of the Legislature of the State of Texas. We are therefore asked in the next four lines of the same section, to enact that the company shall have the same rights over its whole line that it now enjoys over any part or portion of the same, Aincluding the right to increase its capital stock@; that is, that the company shall have the same rights over that portion of its line that is situated in the State of Kansas, that it has over that portion of its line that is situated in the State of Missouri, as granted to it by the Legislature of that State; that it shall have the same rights over that portion of its line situated in the State of Kansas that it has over that portion that is, or will be located in the state of Texas, Aincluding the right to increase its capital stock,@ as may have been provided by the Stte of Missouri, by an act of Congress, or by the State of Texas. The last four lines of section one of this bill mean just that if they mean anything, and it is but fair to presume that the company knew what it was about when it had this bill drafted and introduced. Do not these provisions confer corporate powers on the company by special act? I submit that they do, and not only singly but in grossCby wholesale.
I am glad to be informed that the committee to whom this bill was referred considers it important to propose an amendment in the eighteenth line by inserting the words, Awithin the State of Kansas@ after the word Athereof.@ But this amendment makes no difference with my opposition to the measure. There are other and worse provisions in it.
The second section, in substance, provides that the company may have its place of business outside of the limits of the State, and may hold its meetings and elections of stockholders and directors outside of the Stte, and in short, perform all its corporate business outside of the limits of the sovereignty that created itCthe State of Kansas. It is, as I am informed by some of the most eminent lawyers in the State, a fundamental principle of the law in relation to corporations, that they must dwell and have their place of business in the place of their creation, and it was so decided, I believe, by our Supreme Court, last summer, in the case of the Land Grant, Railway and Trust Company, against the Board of County Commissioners of Coffee County. I have searched in vain through the act of 1865 in relation to corporations, under which this company was incorporated, and through the act of 1868, in relation to the subject, to find any statutory variation of the principle of the law of corporations which I have just stated. I cannot find in any act of the Legislature of the Stte of Kansas, either general or special, any provision authorizing the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, or the Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch, to hold their meetings for the election of Directors or for any other purpose, outside of the limits of the State of Kansas. It seems to me conclusive, as an argument, that the company did not and do not possess this power under or by virtue of any provision of the law now in existence. If they do, why ask us to confer the power upon them by this special act? I cannot find the chapter, section and page where this right is given by any statutory provision, and it is plain to me that it does not exist independent of statute. I challenge the supports of this monstrous billClearned attorneys though they beCto point to the provision in the laws of the State of Kansas where authority is given to this company to hold their meetings and transact their corporate business outside of the limits of the State of Kansas. They cannot. There are no such provisions. This bill will give the company such authorityCa corporate power not before possessed by itCor section two is meaningless. It does, then, confer additional Acorporate powers@ on the company, and being a special act, is in contravention of section one of article twelve of the constitution of the State of Kansas, and if passed would be void. We have hd many eloquent appeals from Senators on the floor, during the session, in behalf of the sacredness of our fundamental law, and I warn members of this body who have made such appeals not to turn their backs upon the constitution at this late day, by voting for this bill. Let them be true to the record they have made as expounders of that document. Let Senators who have defended the rights of the people so ably on this floor, as against corporations and monopolies, look well to the provisions of this act before the conclude to vote for it. Many able speeches have been made within the past few days against the bill for taxing railroad property. Here is one whose provisions are ten fold worse in their consequences upon the rights of the people, and as a precedent, than that was in its worst phase. I ask those who were ready to defend the rights of the people then, to be true to those rights now. The unconstitutionality of this bill seems to me to be as conclusive as a demonstration in mathematics.
The third and last section proposes to authorize the company to classify its directors, and to rescind such classification; also to classify its stock by the issue of Apreferred shares.@ I cannot find in any statute of the State of Kansas any authority given to the company to perform these corporate acts, and I am informed that such authority does not exist independent of statue; and again I say, that the fact of the company asking us to confer such power upon them by this act is conclusive to me that such corporate power does now exist, else why ask us to give them, by this bill, what they have already? This section will confer corporative powers not before possessed by the company. This cannot be denied, successfully. Being a special act, and conferring corporate powers in this section, it is unconstitutional and void, as violating the section of the constitution of the State I have already quoted. If anything more were needed to make the argument conclusive, I will refer members to the case of the city of Atchison against Bartholow as reported in the fourth volume of Kansas reports, page 124, and particularly to that portion of the opinion of the court as delivered by Chief Justice Crozier, on ages 141 to 147, inclusive, where our Supreme Court has passed upon the precise question, and held such legislation as is contained in this bill to be void. I suppose this decision will settle the character of such legislation. It certainly ought to. But it may be contended that this bill does not confer corporate powers, but only regulates those already conferred; or that it does not create a new corporation, but only regulates one already in existence. These precise points were considered by the Supreme court of the State in the case above referred to on page 146 of the fourth Kansas report, and it is there determined that no additional corporate powers could be conferred by special act. Thus much as to the constitutionality of this bill.
I now propose to consider, briefly, the tenor, scope, and object of other provisions of this bill, admitting, for the sake of this argument (which I deny as a fact) that the bill would be a valid enactment if placed on the statute book. The first section contains numerous recitals to which I have before adverted as to certain proceedings had, or attempted to be had, consolidating other companies with it, extending its line, etc., which, we are told in those recitals, was all done Aaccording to law.@ Now the object of these recitals is perfectly plain, I am told, to lawyers, and it is this: to obtain a legislative recognition of the validity of all these proceedings, and so far as such recognition can, to heal any defect that may exist in such proceedings. In the courts of the Stte of New York, it has been decided (in the absence of all constitutional provision prohibiting the conferring of corporate powers by special act) that a subsequent legislative recognition of a corporate body, cured all defects in its organization, no matter how great such defects were, nor how wide a departure there had been from the law, or whether the law had been observed at all or not; or, in other words, that the legislative recognition operated as a creation of the corporation. This is what is intended by the recitals in the first section, and also to estop the Stte in any future proceeding from denying the validity of the corporate organization of the company, and the validity of its various proceedings of consolidation, extension of its line, etc. Of course, I am not arguing that such would be the legal effect of the act because I believe the whole act would be utterly void, even if passed, as I have before endeavored to show; but for the purpose of the argument on this branch of the subject, I am assuming it to be a valid enactment, if passed. But treating it as a valid act, these recitals will have the precise effect I have indicated, and I, for one, am opposed to all such left-handed, back-door legislation.
The second section of the bill, as I have before stated, provides that the company may holds its meetings and transact all its corporate business outside of the limits of the State. Now, it seems to me that this would, in effect, be a simple surrender, by the State, of all control over this corporation which was created under its laws, and still permit it to exercise all its corporate powers and functions in the State. Suppose it should become necessary, either at the suit of the State, or of an individual, to investigate the corporate acts of the company, to ascertain whether some of its assumed corporate acts were not void, as being beyond the corporate authority conferred on it, or whether certain attempted proceedings on the part of the company were not in violation of its charter, and whether, by such attempted violations of its charter, the charter itself had not been forfeited, how would it be possible by the process of the courts of this State to obtain possession of the corporate records for such investigation. Again: at least two of the counties of this StateCMorris and LyonCare large stockholders in this road, the first to the amount of $165,000, and the latter to the extent of $200,000. Suppose the courts shall decide the bonds issued to pay for such stock valid, and the counties held as stockholders, and it should at some future time become necessary, by reason of the mismanagement of the company, or a misapplication of its funds, for those counties to vindicate their rights as stockholders in the company, by investigating the acts and doings of the corporation, as shown by their corporate records, how could those corporate records be obtained for the purposes of such an investigation by the use of any process of the courts of the State? For the purposes of such investigation, the second section will compel the parties desiring it to resort to the courts of New York City or State, or such other place as the company may remove their corporate records to, under the extraordinary provisions of this extraordinary act. Nor is the contingency I have last supposed very unlikely to occur. Speaking for Lyon County, which I have the honor to represent here, I know that if the courts shall decide that she is a stockholder and is legally liable to pay the bonds which have been issued in payment of $200,000 stock; she will vindicate her rights as a stock-holder of the company, and I do not propose, by my vote, to force her to go to the courts of some foreign jurisdiction. I am perfectly well aware that this bill provides for an office in the State where process on the company may be served. But the cases I have supposed are those in which it would be necessary to get hold of the corporate records of the company. And I assert that it would be utterly impossible, in the event this bill shall be passed, for any party to a suit against the company in a State court to compel the production of the corporate records. Perhaps some of the gentlemen may recollect that Daniel Drew, in the Erie Railroad war, set at defiance the whole power and process of the State of New York by quietly taking the corporate records of the company into the State of New Jersey. I only use this as an illustration that in a certain class of cases it is absolutely necessary that the court should obtain possession of the corporate records of a company. Neither do I forget that probably, in point of fact, the corporate records of this company are continually kept outside of the limits of this State. I answer that this is done in direct violation of law, and for the doing of which, in my opinion, a court of competent jurisdiction might, in a proper proceeding, declare the corporate rights of the company forfeited.
Upon the principle, I suppose, of reserving the best to the last, the third and last section of this bill opens up richer than either of the two preceding ones. It provides that the company may classify its directors and rescind such classification, and classify its stock by the issue of Apreferred shares.@ This is the Jim Fisk-Jay Gould doge pure and simple. If some of the directors are not pliable enough to suit the purposes of those who manipulate the affairs of this company, straightway a classification of directors will be made and capital stock increased, if necessary for that purpose, so that the obnoxious directors become restive that classification is rescinded and a new one made, and so on indefinitely. The provision amounts to a perpetual lease of power to those heavy stockholders who control large quantities of stock. This provision allowing the company to classify their stock by the issue of Apreferred shares@ simply amounts to a license to the big fish to swallow the little fish at their pleasure. If enacted, it will enable the persons who manipulate the affairs of the company to Afreeze out@: and Agobble up@ the counties of Lyon and Morris, and the other smaller stockholders, so far as their stock is concerned. For a full and complete history of the working of such a scheme, I would refer to the history of the Erie railroad controversy, as managed by Jim Fisk and Jay Gould.
I believe the only reason why this bill has any support is that it may result in some local benefit. I submit that localities had better do without railroads for a while than to inaugurate, in the management of railroads in this State, the provisions of this act. I have no sympathy whatever with the Ahowl@ that is often raised against railroads as Asoulless corporations,@ but I do not propose to support any measure which will, in effect, if it has any effect at all, pass the people over to the railroads, body, soul, and all. It is argued by some that the stock owned by counties in these railroads is of no value. The Legislature of the people is the last body in the world that ought to encourage that sentiment. The people look to the Legislature for protection. They ask that we shall not discriminate unfairly and to the injury of their interests in favor of railroads. It is urged, also, that this company has done much in a short time for the development of the State. This is true, and for this the company should have and do have all praise. They shall always have my vote for anything they want that is reasonable and just. They ought to be encouraged in every reasonable way, by the people, but they ought not to ask the passage of such an unfair, unreasonable, and dishonest measure as this. They are a growing power. Their interests are managed with as much shrewdness as any other interest in this State and I do not propose to give them the advantage over the people which this bill seeks to give them. I do not propose, by my vote, to re-enact the history of the Erie railroad in Kansas. Nor is it to the interest of railroads themselves, to enact such laws as this. As a friend of railroads, I vote against it. If the railroad interests commence the fight to get possession of this State, as they did of Illinois, they will soon find the people of the State clamoring for a new constitution, in which document, when adopted by the people, their Adeath warrant@ will be inserted, as it was in the new constitution of Illinois. I warn them not to bring on such a fight in Kansas, as they will inevitably be the Achief mourners@ after the conflict is over.
These considerations, crude and imperfect though they be, are some of the reasons why I oppose this bill. I consider it the greatest Arailroad swindle,@ so to speak, that was ever sought to be enacted in Kansas, and therefore I shall vote against it.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
THE APPROPRIATIONS.
The appropriations so far reported, and agreed to by one or both of the Houses, are as follows.
Postage: $600.00
Legislative Expenses: $32,000.00
Safe: $4,000.00
Normal School: $8,675.00
Executive and Judicial Department: $50,055.00
Insane Asylum, current expenses: $13,631.00
Blind Asylum: $8,403.36
Penitentiary: $35,000.00
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, current expenses: $14,800.00
Miscellaneous: $13,204.66
Insane Asylum: $40,000.00
State Normal School: $8,966.70
Expenses of Committee of Investigation to Deaf and Dumb Asylum: $256.75
Printing: $35,000.00
Newspapers: $6,000.00
Indian Commission: $500.00
State Agricultural and State Horticultural Society: $2,000.00
Seed Wheat: $6,000.00
State University, current expenses: $17,664.00
TOTAL: $296,165.46
The appropriations yet co come in will not, it is thought, increase the aggregate to much beyond $300,000.
The tax levy agreed upon by the committee of ways and means for the ensuing year is as follows: three and five-sixth mills for current expense; one mill for interest on public debt; one mill for school purposes; one-sixth of one mill for sinking fund; total, six mills. The amount of the levy list last year was seven and three-fourths millsCone and three-fourth mills more than this year. The estimated valuation of property in the State for 1871 is $15,000,000, which, at the rate of levy agreed upon, will yield a revenue of $690,000.
The cutting down of the appropriations and lowering of the tax levy for the current year is largely due to the efforts of Hon. Elijah Sells, chairman of the ways and means committee. Mr. Sells is one of the best financiers and practical legislators in Kansas, and his services this winter entitle him to the thanks of the people throughout the State. Record.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
NINTH CENSUS OF THE UNION...
Kansas 1860: 107,206
Kansas 1870: 362,872
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The heathen Chinee in San Francisco had a grand free fight Sunday, with knives, bars of iron, etc. Both sides were finally dispersed by a shower of brickbats thrown by their mutual friends from adjacent roofs. A number of the rampant Johns were badly injured, but no pig-tails were lost.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The 7th cavalry, Gen. Sturgis commanding, which has been doing frontier service for five years, is ordered to go to the south. The companies at Fort Leavenworth will go by river to Louisville, and those on the plains will follow as soon as possible. The 6th cavalry from Texas will relieve the 7th.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The bill passed by the late Congress to incorporate a southern Pacific railroad, has been signed by the President. The title of the company is, AThe Texas Pacific Railroad.@ The main line is to run from El Paso, in Texas, to San Diego, California, with branches to New Orleans and San Francisco. There is no money subsidy, but land grants amounting to about 16,000,000 acres. The State of Texas also grants a liberal amount of land. The track is to be built of American iron. The time is not reported, or the names of the charter members, but there is no doubt but what the road will be speedily begun, and completed within a few years. The race will be between it and the Northern Pacific road, engineered by Jay Cooke & Co. By 1880 at fartherest we may count upon three grand trunk railways from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Leavenworth Commercial has passed into the sole proprietorship of Geo. F. Prescott. Although of bad politics, it is nevertheless a good paper, and we wish it well under its new management.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Both of the Topeka dailies come to us materially reduced in size. The Commonwealth is now an eight column and the Record a seven column paper. The latter has made another change also, viz: from a morning to an evening paper. The reasons that have induced the publishers to make these changes are of a pecuniary nature entirely. Their patronage in the matter of advertising has greatly diminished with the past few months, and retrenchment in some shape became a necessity. Both of the Topeka Dailies are ably managed in their editorial departments, and we hope that such prosperous days may soon come to them again as shall compel them once more to enlarge their dimensions.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.
The failure of the bill for an appropriation for the enlargement of the Normal School building at Emporia has given disappointed aspirants for legislative honors an excellent opportunity to criticize the course of our representatives in the Legislature this winter. And the facile manner in which misrepresentations (which in this case is but a mild term for falsehoods) are made to constitute the principle part of these criticisms, is not a little remarkable considering the high character of the critics. It is alleged that while our own members had failed to secure appropriations, others had succeeded; while the real facts are that no appropriations were allowed for any educational institution, except for current expenses. The committee recommended $50,000 for the State University and $25,000 for the Normal. The legislature thought it best to trample upon both.
The spirit of that body seemed to be to grant just as few appropriations as possible, and therefore no educational institution received any pecuniary assistance further than what was absolutely necessary to meet current expenses, and the estimates of the committee in this regard were materially curtailed in every instance. When, therefore, it is intimated that our members failed to secure the passage of measures which would have greatly benefitted our town and portion of the State; while at the same time the passage of like measures for the benefit of other localities was secured, it is plainly to be seen that the facts are willfully misrepresented. In fact, this is only one of the many ways of blowing one=s own horn. It is saying, in substance: AThis thing ought not to have been; and if the dear, but deluded people had only sent me up there, it would not have been. I would have got that bill throughCI who am so familiar with all those under currents that lie beneath the mere surface of politics, and whose depths so short a man as Stotler and so good a man as Overstreet are not supposed to be able to explore. I would have got even a larger sum for the Normal School than $25,000, and the Principal should have had his salary raised to $2,500, and the salaries of the other teachers appropriately increased.@
[IT IS APPARENT THAT STOTLER IS ONE NASTY MAN WHEN CROSSED!]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
THE SIGNAL FLAG.
Major Whittle relates this incident, upon which a beautiful song is founded.
During October, 1861, just before General Sherman began his famous march to the sea, while his army lay encamped near Atlanta, the army of Hood passed the right flank of Sherman=s army, gaining his rear, commenced the destruction of the railroad leading north, burning blockhouses and capturing the small garrisons along the line. Sherman=s army rapidly followed Hood, to save the supplies and post at Altoona pass, a defile in the Altoona mountains.
General Corse was stationed there with a brigade of troops, in all about 1,500 men. A million and a half of rations were stored there, and it was highly important that the pass should be held.
Six thousand men were detailed by Hood to take the position. The works were completely surrounded, and summoned to surrender. Corse refused, and a sharp fight commenced. The defenders were slowly driven into a small fort upon the crest of the hill. Many had fallen, and the fight was becoming hopeless. At this movement one officer sighted far across the valley, upon the top of a high mountain fifteen miles distant, the fluttering of a white signal flag. The signal was answered, and the message was waved across from mountain to mountain. AHold the fortCI am coming. W. T. Sherman.@ The news was at once given to the soldiers, cheers went up, every man rallied, each nerved with the strength of three men, and under a murderous fire, with half the men in the fort killed or woundedC
Corse himself shot three times through the head, and Colonel Tourstelatte, the second in command, badly woundedCthey held the fort for three long hours, until Sherman=s advance guard came up and the enemy retreated.
No incident of the war better illustrates the inspiration imparted by the knowledge of a commander=s presence, and his cognizance of our position, and his readiness to succor the weakness in which we struggle.
[KAY...ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF WHAT HACKNEY WENT THROUGH...Article said Altoona Pass...article also said Colonel Tourstelatte...which differs from Hackney story.]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Normal School building appropriation bill was defeated in the House Wednesday, the vote standing 37 to 33.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Of Mr. Woodard, of the Kaw Agency, we learn that several of the Cincinnati excursionists have taken claims on the Kaw Reserve with the avowed intention of making their homes there. This is pretty cool. Today the agent will gently send them off of the land of the noble Lo.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
We were informed this morning that two parties, each composed of a small company of men, start today for Texas, for the purpose of purchasing Texan cattle. One of these parties has been fitted out by Messrs. Black & Kelsey, Cowan and others, and the other by Messrs. Hanna Bros. Each party will bring back a herd of 1500 cattle.
[Note: Before this it was apparent there was a movement against any Texas cattle in or near Emporia. Wonder what happened?]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Newman=s Bro.=s sidewalk was piled high with boxes, the other day, from which people said they had received new goods. They keep the neatest store in Kansas, and if they do not have the best of goods, good taste goes for naught in purchasing, and everybody!Cwell, everybody says they do keep good goods.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
ARAPAHOES AND CHEYENNES. A letter from Enoch Hoag, Superintendent of Indian affairs, dated yesterday at Lawrence, says the following telegram had just been received from the Commissioner of Indian affairs at Washington, D. C.
A
A party of Arapahoes and Cheyennes have left Laramie for Southern Cheyenne Agency. They will be in northwestern Kansas very soon. Send Kaw Agent to meet them without delay and accompany them to said Agency. Also give as much notice as possible through papers that these Indians desire to pass peaceably to said Agency.@Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
A fresh lot of squatters have taken possession of the Kaw Reserve, mostly members of the excursion party that came to Council Grove from Ohio last week. Delegations with petitions have gone to Washington to try to induce the department to open these lands to actual settlers. We sincerely hope they may succeed. It is high time something was done with this Reservation. The Indians are ready and willing to go away and give them up, and the retaining of them in their present condition is doing nobody any good. If opened to settlement early this spring, hundreds of farms would be commenced and improved this year. We understand the marshal has ordered the settlers off, but the thing will have to come to a head before long.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Aset of war@ is now on the Kaw Reserve. The settlers commenced building houses, and showed signs of permanency that called for the assistance of troops again. Yesterday, or the day before, the troops were promised by the agent and other officials; but they did not put in an appearance, and the settlers begin to suspect thee is Amore talk than cider.@ A big meeting was held on the reserve on Monday, and resolutions for mutual protection adopted. We hear there are three hundred more squatters on the way hither from Cincinnati, and the numbers already Aupon the line@ are daily augmenting. AThe war is already upon us,@ and the motto of the squatters appears to be, Alet it come.@ If this movement should result in opening up the Reserve to actual settlers, it will be a great blessing to the country. At any rate, it has the sympathy of the people in its favor.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Senator Caldwell has introduced a bill to allow the Kansas Pacific railroad to build a branch to the Arkansas River.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
The board of Indian commissioners is to meet in Washington on the 15th to accept the new powers conferred upon it by the recent action of Congress.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
KANSAS ITEMS.
Eighty-six newspapers are published in Kansas.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
General Sherman has news from Camp Supply, in the Indian Territory, which indicate a renewal of the Indian war this spring.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
[Local editor, H. W. McCune, ended his employment with the NEWS with this issue.]
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
A large number of wagons filled with immigrants passed through town Monday morning, bound for Cowley County, Kansas. Most of them intend to locate near Arkansas City. There were probably thirty or forty teams.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Immigration to the west and southwest was never larger than at present. Long lines of immigrant wagons may be seen passing through town every hour or two. Some of these newcomers stop with us, but the majority are bound for the valley of the Arkansas.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Mr. James A. Hadley, for some time past employed as traveling agent for this paper, has ceased his connection with us and intends going to Wichita or Elgin for the purpose of carrying on the lumber business.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
FOR THE NEWS.
The following are the names of some of the students in the Apreparatory department@ of the AKaw College@ on their reserve: Oshunga, Sinjalo, Moshoyolla, Sinjoshingah, Hewahkahgah, Cihegahche, Ladohoja, Kawnsayolla, Wahgahma, Ischaga, Tahtunggah, Gahskahchid, Dodale, Wyissa, Wahshonkiah, Bahahgheah.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
On Tuesday, 7th, a party in the interest of the K. P. railroad, from Lawrence, passed through Park City en route for the southern line of the Indian Territory. Their object is to straighten and shorten, as far as possible, the Texas cattle trail from the point it enters to Abilene. They have with them a full supply of sign-boards and such other things as are necessary to plainly indicate the changed and shortened route to the drovers. The party assured those interested in the matter in Park City that the bend of some fifteen miles, caused by the old trail passing through Wichita, would be cut off, and that their proposed route would cross the Big Arkansas River at Park City and the Little Arkansas at the mouth of Emmet=s Creek, about four miles above Sedgwick City. The new route will be almost an air line and will save about eight days drive.
Emporia News, March 24, 1871.
GOV. ESKRIDGE=S TIRADE.
Mr. Eskridge chooses to take advantage of the temporary absence of Mr. Stotler to ridicule his course as a member of the last Legislature, and to assail by cowardly innuendo, rather than by open manly charges, his private character. He also deals Mr. Overstreet a left handed blow as often as he can find it convenient, and lastlyCso great is the personal malignity of this disappointed politicianChe goes out of his way to pay his compliments to the Daily NEWS, stigmatizing it as AJake=s $12 per annum imposition,@ insinuating that the proprietors are a set of swindlers, having endeavored to filch from the taxpayers by colluding with the publishers of the Tribune in order to obtain exorbitant prices for doing work for the City and County. To give vent to all this personal animosity his eminence occupies three columns of solid brevier in the last number of the Tribune. . . .
As to Mr. Eskridge=s strictures upon Mr. Stotler=s course in the Legislature, we shall have nothing to say, preferring that Mr. Stotler, who is abundantly able to defend himself, should make, with his own pen, whatever reply he may deem best. Neither do we deem ourselves called upon to say anything in Mr. Overstreet=s defense, as that gentleman, having proved himself more than an equal match for the Governor in the contest for Representative last fall, will undoubtedly be able, if he should choose so to do, to vindicate his course as our Representative, and to prove to the same constituents who put him up, and Eskridge down, that so much of this lengthy criticism as is devoted to Mr. Overstreet is incited by a feeling of hatred and chagrin that still lingers as a puerile consequence of a humiliating defeat.
[ARTICLE GOES ON AND ON FOR TWO WHOLE COLUMNS] It is followed by another article re Eskridge espousing the cause of L. B. Kellogg, and resuming the small controversy about the Normal School, where the Prof. broke down. Article written by R. M. Overstreet.
Emporia News, March 24, 1871.
[Skipped a big article re Park City getting A. T. & S. F. R. R., making it a railroad center. They are to have a road: Ft. Scott, Park City & Santa Fe Railroad. If we were really concentrating on railroads, the ideas put to citizens of Park City would be worth printing. They talk about the Arkansas Valley & Rocky Mountain Railroad...it will start at Napoleon, Arkansas, on the west bank of the Mississippi, and south bank of the Arkansas Valley to Little Rock, thence to Fort Smith, thence to Fort Gibson, in the Indian Territory, thence to Park City, traversing the entire length of the valley on to the Rocky Mountains. Talks about the largest ocean steamer that visits the port of New Orleans running up the Mississippi, at all seasons of the year, as far as the mouth of the Arkansas to Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkansas River.]
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Says the Arkansas City Traveler: AOne week ago there were but two houses on the south side of the Arkansas River. Seven can be counted now.@
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
At the time of the township election on the 4th, the counties of Cowley, Marshall, Republic, Dickinson, Butler, Sedgwick, Neosho, Wilson, Allen, Mitchell, and Mason, in this State are to vote on the herd law passed for them last winter. Several counties in the State already have a herd law, adopted by a vote of the people.
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
Hear the local of the sprightly Arkansas City Traveler:
GOING AHEAD. Over 90 buildings upC40 more in progressCheep buffalo robesConions sprouting, hens cackling over their silver fruitCbig catfish walking uptownCfive stage linesCbig, new millsCtown crowded with teamsChogs are becoming abundantChow is that for the Queen of the Arkansas?
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
[An attack is made by Stotler on Eskridge...or else the junior editor...but the wording is more that of Stotler...very nasty...very sarcastic as usual. SKIPPED.]
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
H. B. Norton spent a few days here this week. He is as enthusiastic as ever for the Arkansas Valley, and Arkansas City in particular. He says there are now over ninety buildings in the City, and more going up. Shares are selling rapidly. Norton & Bro. are doing a large trade, as is every business house in the town.
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
[Noticed change in ad...It is now McMillan & Cochran, wholesale and retail grocers. Evidently the ex-preacher found a new line of work as a legislator.]
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
On the 4th, Gen. Sherman will start on a tour of inspection throughout the frontier in Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas, and Nebraska. He will go out via St. Louis and New Orleans to San Antonio; thence west and north up to Nebraska, and back to Washington. Col. R. B. Marcy, inspector general of the army, and Col. J. C. McCoy will accompany him.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
IMPORTANT LETTER ON THE OSAGE LANDS.
The Washington correspondent of the Lawrence Journal writes to that paper saying that Senator Pomeroy informed him that the Commissioner of the General Land Office has made a decision, of which, if it be acted upon, the settlers on the Osage diminished reserve will be glad to hear. This decision as furnished by the Journal correspondent is as follows.
1. All settlers upon the Osage diminished reserve and trust lands, who have settled upon these lands previous to the passage of the act for the disposal of these lands, will not be required to make payment on the 10th of April, but will be required to make payment on the 15th of July, 1871. In other words, payment is postponed from April to July.
2.All who settled upon the lands subsequent to the passage of the actCJuly 15th, 1870C
will have until one year from July, 1871, to make payment, or until July 1872.
3. The department construes the provision for re-entry in square form to mean as follows: Entries can be made in legal subdivisions. A settler can take four forties in a row, if there is no settlement on either of the forties. The quarter-section cannot be entered in ell shape, but can in the form of a parallelogram, or, of course, in square form, as provided by the act.
4. Actual settlement is a condition precedent to entry. Actual settlement is to be construed to mean six months continuous occupation and residence, and actual improvement of the lands to be entered.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
TRUST LANDS.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENERAL LAND OFFICE, March 16, 1871.
Register and Receiver, Humboldt, Kansas:
GENTLEMEN: By the twelfth section of the act approved July 15th, 1870, making appropriations for the expenses of the Interior Department (pamphlet laws, page 363), provision is made to continue the disposal of the Osage trust lands upon the same terms as the Adiminished reserve,@ therein provided for. By these terms payment is to be made within one year from the date of act, or one year from date of settlement where made subsequent to the act.
By this extension, settlers on the Atrust lands@ need not make payment for their claims prior to the 10th of April next, the time when the resolution of the 10th of April, 1869, expires.
You will, therefore, allow no claims after the 10th of April, unless you shall have received definite instructions under the act of July 15th, 1870, which instructions are for the present delayed, in anticipation of additional action by Congress amending said act.
The AOsage lands@ (first article treaty 1865) are not covered by said act of July, 1870, consequently the settlers upon said lands must make proof and payment prior to the 10th of April next. Very respectfully,
WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner.
Humboldt Union.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
It is no secret that Prof. Kellogg intends to resign his position in the Normal School at the end of the term to commence next Monday. He has received several offers of more remunerative positions lately. But it is his intention, we believe, to go to Arkansas City.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
The April number of the Kansas Educational Journal has just been issued from this office. With this number the management and editorship of this excellent monthly pass from the control of L. B. Kellogg to that of Messrs. Banfield & Dilworth. Prof. Kellogg has had charge of the Journal for about four years, and that it has prospered, grown better and better with each succeeding year, its numerous readers will all agree. [Paper did not say who would print the Journal after Kellogg departs.]
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
RECAP: Meeting held re devising means to prevent the introduction of Texan cattle into the Emporia locality contrary to law. Committee formed.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
City Election Results.
Mayor: Wm. Jay.
Police Judge: E. W. Cunningham.
City Marshal: Wm. Gilchriest.
City Treasurer: Noyes Spicer.
Constables: Evan Davis and T. Johnson.
R. M. Overstreet was elected to the School Board in the Second ward, long term.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
AMERICUS.
The report having reached us that the large body of lands in Lyon and Morris counties known as the Kaw Trust Lands will be in market for actual settlers inside of thirty days, people are rushing upon them to take claims, and cabins are going up like mushrooms all over the tract. There are upwards of 200,000 acres in this body, and a good deal of good land, approaching within one mile of Americus. The whole tract will doubtless be claimed and occupied within sixty days. There is now no prohibition from settling on these Trust lands, and if the present report is true, the settlers will get them at Government price. The Kaw Reserve, it is now supposed, will have to stand over another season.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Sioux Indians have just massacred two parties, comprising 15 white men, on the divide between the Yellowstone and Muscleshell River, Montana.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Max Fawcett left upon our table a specimen of hydraulic cement, taken from his claim near Arkansas City. He has a ledge on his place that crops out above the surface for a distance of one hundred rods. Being in doubt as to what it really was, he took a specimen to Prof. H. B. Norton, of Arkansas City, who pronounced it hydraulic cement. In order to feel yet more certain, he took it to a Professor in the Normal School at Bloomington, Illinois, who is a first class geologist, and he pronounced it to be the same that Prof. Norton thought it was. This cement is a matter that being made of hydraulic lime is very extensively used for cementing under water, but is not abundantly found anywhere else in this country, we believe, except in Michigan. It may prove of no inconsiderable value to Max. We hope it may.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Read the splendid large advertisement of Messrs. Newman & Bro. They have just received as fine a stock of dry goods as has ever been brought to this market. Silks and poplins, prints and ginghams, broadcloths and cassimeres, doeskins and tweeds, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and carpets of all kinds and qualities fill their fine storeroom on Sixth avenue as it has never been filled before. Their stock of millinery is also unsurpassed. It would take all the fine words in the dictionary to appropriately describe the beautiful things Mrs. Newman can show you if you will drop in to see them. Their prices are most reasonable.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Kaw Trust Lands.
We have received the following communication from G. M. Simcock relative to the Kaw reserve. We give it a place in our columns with pleasure.