[SOUTHERN KANSAS. ARKANSAS CITY. THE ARKANSAS VALLEY.]

ARKANSAS CITY.

Arkansas Valley.

From Wichita down the beautiful valley of the Arkansas, in the fairest of September days, is a drive to be long remembered; but the genuine pleasure of this valley ride came at

ARKANSAS CITY,

where I expected to find a rude hamlet of temporary dwellings and a motley group of border men. Miles away, I caught a glance at the stately and elegant schoolhouse, through a vista in the forest, and my visions of faro banks and keno dens; of dance houses, navies, and insolent, swagging ruffians vanished in an instant.

Arkansas City is on the border. The "Nation," as it is commonly called, is only three miles away. These border towns are supposed to be the rendezvous for the cut-throats, thieves, and bandits who seek refuge in the Territory. At Wellington and Oxford I found quiet and order, and an absence of every type of ruffianism or even roughness. Here in Arkansas City is

A MODEL SOCIAL ORDER.

The town has a population of 700, mostly from Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and the Eastern States. They have built tasteful, comfortable homes, fine churches, a splendid high school house, and the streets and lawns are as nicely laid and kept as in a New England village. The public schools are fostered by an educated sentiment and will compare well with the village schools of Ohio and Michigan. Social life is cordial, intelligent, and elevated in tone. Good men and noble women have laid, here, the basis for a rational and enjoyable life. The town is

FINELY SITUATED.

On the West and South is the broad valley of the Arkansas with the shimmer of its waters through intervals in the beautiful walnut groves. Eastward and northward is the matchless Walnut Valley and river, an embodiment of rural beauty. On every side, the table upon which the town stands, drifts downward into the bottoms, the groves and swift waters in graceful slopes. Beyond the waters, are such rolling, grand, and fertile prairies as one may not see again in hundreds of miles of travel. Three miles to the southward you stand upon

THE INDIAN BORDER,

and look out upon the fairest land of the Continent. Plains, valleys, far-reaching rolling prairies, and bright waters flowing over the rocky beds, and groves of tropical fullness under the soft sunshine of almost endless summer. Hundreds of fattening herds are grazing, and there are none to molest. It is a score of miles away to the nearest Indian camp, where sentimental men and women are trying to domesticate and civilize a dirty, dissolute, lazy, lounging, stoical race, who are far less human than a hundred years ago. They are content to remain upon the reservations and eat Government rations, receive their annuities, gamble, drink bad whiskey, and practice the lower vices. A civilized Indian, with a christian sentiment is a rara avis. But the country set apart to the swarthy brutes is fairer than the Eden of Genesis. So, too, is all the country along the Indian border. Over in Sumner county, and down here in this county of Cowley, is a land for the princes of the herds and grainfields. Peace, order, intelligence, and progress are visible everywhere. Every condition to human happiness (save a railroad) is here in full measure. The soil is generous as a garden. Corn is a wonderful growth, wheat takes a bountiful yield. Fruits flourish under these genial skies. I have driven for says in sight of peach orchards that were as rich in foliage as the orange and olive groves of the tropics. Wild grapes of delicious flavor festoon the groves and forests everywhere and may be gathered by the ton. Pasture takes almost an infinite range. It is at least infinite to the vision. Herds of sheep and cattle are growing into wealth for the herdsmen, with hardly an effort at care. Lands range from $4 to $8 wild and $6 to $20 improved.

The Government lands of any value are,

ALL GONE.

The emigrant looks longingly over into the sweet valleys of the Indian "Nation."

"SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR,"

but they are set apart for a favored race, and to him are forbidden ground. Still there are miles and miles of this beautiful

WILD GARDEN

unbroken by the plow and awaiting purchase and subjugation to noble human uses. The lands that may be purchased today at $5 per acre will, in one of the coming days, bring $40 and $50 on a ready market. It is the old process which I have watched with solicitude in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa where the poor pioneer of yesterday has become the opulent farmer of today. There are

OTHER THINGS

to consider, too. Timber is abundant along the valleys. Cottonwood, elm, walnut, pecan, and the oak and ash families are in good supply. Water flows from rocky springs in the ledges and ravines and downward to the river in clear brooks. White and gray magnesian limestone, soft enough for the plane or saw, is found in all the hills and river beds, and finds its way into stores, school houses, churches, dwellings; and valuable beds of gypsum are found in the neighborhood. Such a country, with no season worthy the name of winter, presents almost unrivaled inducements to the settler. Cowley county throughout is almost unexceptionable. Here and there are bold rocky bluffs, but they are crowded with the finest grasses and are just the lands for sheep and cattle ranges. There are settlers in all parts of the country. The farms extend square down to the Territory. Indeed, they take a higher value on the border on account of the unobstructed grazing.

THE CHIEF WANT

is a railroad. Two lines are in early prospect. One from Ft. Smith, up the Arkansas river, and the other a branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, down the Walnut Valley. The latter is already provided for, a portion of the way. With either of these lines Arkansas City and Cowley county will be about as desirable for human abode as any part of the green earth.

THE TOWN

is full of sterling businessmen and has as much personal and public enterprise as any place of its age and size in all the country. It is rather an example in these respects. Most of the businessmen have a social turn, and are cordial and hospitable to strangers.

There are some strong firms here and a heavy trade is carried on in supplies for the Indian agencies in the Territory. I give herewith a commercial review of the city and think it will be seen that her merchants are far above the average both in the character of the men and the volume of their trade. During all my stay in town, I remember but a single case of whining or grumbling about hard times.

The high school is flourishing under the supervision of Prof. Bacon, a recent graduate of old Amherst. It is a happy commentary upon the enterprise, pride, and intelligence of a beautiful town.

Efforts are being made to clear the Arkansas river for steamboat navigation to this point. It is expected this object will be realized. Its consummation will bring a happy day to Arkansas City. This town was settled so late as 1870 and its social and commercial progress is one of the marvels of the Arkansas Valley. The settlement of the country is rapid. The average of cultivated land has been nearly doubled the past summer. Valuable improvements have been made in all directions. The country is fast taking the appearance of a great garden. Orchards are coming into bloom and fruition. Miles and miles of Osage orange hedge outline the farms and highways, young forests are dotting the grand prairie, the summers compass two-thirds of the year, and winters are but a reproduction of the Northern Indian summer. The winter wheat fields are as verdant as the forest in mid summer, and the benediction of heaven is upon "everything and all."

[THE SCHOOLS OF ARKANSAS CITY.]

We take pleasure in presenting to our readers, on this, our first issue for the year 1877, a stereotyped cut of the Arkansas City Public School Building. An edifice that not only Arkansas City, but Cowley county may justly feel proud of.

We have often felt a desire to present to the eye a view of our schoolhouse, knowing that no description by pen or pencil could give so adequate an idea. With the sight of the eye, all the details are taken in at a single glance, the length, breadth, and height, all appear at one view.

The building is fifty feet square, two stories high, with an observatory on top. In front is a projection, or tower base, of ten by sixteen feet, in which is the main stairway leading from the second story; so that in case of fire, the pupils in the upper story could have a safe and free egress from the building. In case of an alarm or panic, there would be no danger of a jam or closing of the entrance, as the stairway is wide and commodious, and the doors all open to the outside.

The building is of the best of brick, with our beautiful magnesia limestone corners, caps, and sills. The foundation and basement is of stone, well laid in mortar, with cut stone foundation above the ground.

The building is intended to be heated by furnaces, but at present is heated by stoves. It is finished in the best of manner and furnished with all the modern improvements of seats, desks, maps, charts, etc. The school at this time is composed of but two departments: principal and primary. The former is under the superintendence of Prof. H. M. Bacon, a graduate of Amherst College, Massachusetts. The primary department is in charge of Miss Georgia Christian, a thorough instructor of "little ones," who has over sixty pupils on her rolls, with an average attendance of forty-five days.

Prof. Bacon's department is generally well attended, his daily average being about 47, with over 60 enrolled scholars. The building, which undoubtedly is the finest in Southwestern Kansas, was erected in the summer of 1874, at an entire cost of over $10,000. The contractors were Dusing & Ashton, of Lawrence, superintended by Judge McIntire, of this city, a practical workman, to whom in part we are indebted for so good a job at so little cost.

The first principal at the opening of the school was Prof. E. W. Hulse, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, assisted by Miss Lillian Norton of this place.

The building is comparatively new, being opened in October, 1874, and is capable of accommodating 250 scholars: 150 in the lower room and 100 in the upper room.

We copy from the first annual circular, published in 1874, a general statement, which is as true today as at that date.

"Arkansas City is now provided with the best educational facilities to be found in Southern Kansas. The new school building is one of the best in the State, and provided with all needful furniture and some illustrative apparatus excellent in quality. The corps of teachers is sufficiently strong for the present needs of the school, and will be enlarged as the necessities of the case may require. Boarding accommodations are such in variety and quality as to suit the public."

[MINERS IN THE BLACK HILLS.]

General Crook's annual report says: The miners in the Black Hills did not violate the Sioux treaty till long after the Indians had ceased to regard it, and they have not suffered as much from the Sioux since they went to the Hills as they did while living on the border.

He also calls attention to the fact that his command, of less than one thousand, fought and beat Sitting Bull's band in the battle of the Rose Bud several weeks previous to Custer's disaster. He seems to think the Government has treated the Sioux nation with unparalleled liberality, which they have repaid by raids along the border of their reservations, limited only by the endurance of their ponies.

[RED CLOUD'S FRIENDLY INDIANS ON THE WAR PATH.]

Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 30. A courier in Ft. Laramie, from Red Cloud agency, reports that two couriers, a mail carrier and a wood chopper, left Sage Creek early Christmas morning. Two hours before sundown they were struck by a party of thirty friendly Indians within sixteen miles of Red Cloud, who killed the two couriers, named Dillon and Reddy; and also mortally wounded the mail carrier, who had two sacks of matter; and likewise severely wounded the wood chopper.

The wounded only arrived at Red Cloud day before yesterday. Being exposed during the interval to intense cold, they were severely frozen. They report hearing more firing in their rear an hour after being attacked. It is supposed that other parties not yet reported were attacked.

[ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, FORMERLY JEFFERSON BARRACKS.]

[MORE ABOUT WIRT W. WALTON AS COUNTY SURVEYOR.]

Now that he has so completely vindicated Mr. Walton, we have to say we can prove he did say so, and we give his letters as written to us Nov. 20th and Dec. 3rd. The Courier is noted for the faculty of "brining men around," and the cause of Seward's change we can't account for.

First Letter from Seward.

WINFIELD, November 20, 1876.

SIR. Today, for the first time, I find in the Cowley County Telegram a report said to have been published in your excellent paper, to the effect that I said W. W. Walton had moved a corner stone for money. Said statement is false, as concerning my having said so--though there has been such report.

For the facts, I would refer to G. W. Melville, now at Wichita, having a farm on Posey creek, where said surveying is said to have been done. Now I have no particular regards for Walton, or the tribe he is now connected with, in proof of which, though I am a Republican, I helped to elect your townsman, Hon. A. J. Pyburn, instead of one of my own party in whom I had no faith. I say this to prove my interest in the welfare of the people of this county. Yet I cannot permit my name to be abused and scandalized as it has been in the Courier, a paper which I ceased to take on account of the low origin of its contents.

Please rectify said mistake of the reporter.

Yours, with regard,

CHARLES A. SEWARD.

WINFIELD, December 3, 1876.

Dear Sir. I do not want you to make a correction of the statement published in your paper in regard to Walton moving a Government corner stone for money. I have heard such a report. That is all. Your reporter made a mistake when he said I had made such report to him, knowing the same to be true. I did not, neither do I think Walton a proper person for County Surveyor, for in my opinion he is not an honest man. Trusting you will correct the mistake (?) made by your reporter, I subscribe myself,

Yours, with respect,

CHARLES A. SEWARD.

[CORRESPONDENCE FROM "L." - SALT CITY.]

The mystery still continues about the man found in Salt creek, supposed to have been murdered, but the case is being worked up, and from what I can learn, it will soon be unraveled.

[CORRESPONDENCE FROM "C" - WINFIELD.]

On the morning of the 28th, Mrs. A. B. Lemmon and her sister, Miss Kate Millington, left our quiet city for Topeka, accompanied by W. W. Walton, our Chief Clerk and assistant State Superintendent, in embryo.

On the evening of the 29th we had a Rail Road meeting at the M. E. Church, which was largely attended by the businessmen of this city, which proceeded as follows. Dr. Davis was chosen chairman and B. F. Baldwin, Secretary. On motion a committee of three was appointed on resolutions, namely M. S. Robinson, E. C. Manning, and Judge McDonald, who reported a set of resolutions in favor of making an earnest effort to secure R. R. communication and recommending the appointment of a committee of five, whose duty it should be to devise some feasible R. R. project and report on or before Feb. 1st, 1877. D. A. Millington, J. E. Platter, M. S. Robinson, Judge McDonald, and J. B. Lynn on said committee, when meeting adjourned to the call of the committee.

Don't fret the "Wah Hoss's" but give them peas and let us have a rest. Yours, C.

LATER. Jan. 1st, 1877. Our R. R. committee met this morning and organized by electing J. E. Platter, President, and D. A. Millington, Secretary, and adjourned till this evening. C.

[MORE ABOUT WILL BILL, KILLED BY JACK McCALL.]

A Deputy United States Marshal, with a posse of five men, has started in pursuit of John Varnes, now on the "new stampede," who is charged with having procured the death of Wild Bill by paying a sum of money to Jack McCall, alias Sutherland, for committing the deed.

It appears that some time ago, Wild Bill and Varnes had a difficulty in Denver, and the animosity between the two was augmented by a dispute over a game of poker at the Senate saloon, in this city, a short time previous to the death of Wild Bill, at which time Bill interfered in a dispute between Varnes and another man. Bill covered him with his pistol, and arrogated to himself the position of umpire, after which friends interfered and ended the difficulty.

It is not necessary to speak of the arrest and trial of the murderer McCall. Suffice it to say he was arrested by the United States authorities at Cheyenne and taken to Yankton for trial. It appears that he now desires to turn state's evidence, and charges Varnes with having paid him money to murder Wild Bill.

[TRIAL OF A. F. HORNEMAN FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF W. E. DWYER.]

[COMMENTS BY CLARK & WILLIAMS/REAL ESTATE DISTRIBUTION.]

[BLACK HILLS TERRITORY.]

The Black Hills Territory is to be constituted by act of Congress, and miners are to be invited to take possession. They need very little invitation, however. Most of them will invite themselves if the Indians will only hold off.

[PERSONALS.]

BUCKSKIN JOE and the boys with their ladies had a dance after the M. E. Festival on Monday evening.

The Courier writes its own communications from Sheridan and Beaver townships denouncing W. P. Hackney.

ANOTHER GROCERY is to be opened in Pearson's building soon after R. A. Houghton & Co. move to their new quarters.

"TOM" FINNEY is back at Osage Agency again as though it was his fate to be there. We regret to lose him from our social circle.

J. L. STUBBS and Miss Thompson were up from the Kaw Agency this week. J. L.'s headquarters are at Pawhuska, but he goes over to see the Kaws once in awhile.

[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 3, 1877.]

The amounts of the receipts of the M. E. Festival, as handed in by one of the committee, was as follows.

Amount received for supper: $54.45

Amount received for apples: $.90

Amount received from Post Office: $2.53

Amount received from cake sold at auction: $1.10

Amount received from cake voted to oldest resident: $13.20

Amount received from butter duck sold to highest bidder: $4.00

Amount received from grab bag: $4.61

Amount received from art gallery: $9.20

TOTAL RECEIPTS: $89.99

A picture was sold for $2.40, and other minor articles, making in all the whole amount of receipts, $92.99. The $13.20 cake was voted to Mrs. Lucy Endicott (oldest resident), and Marshall Felton received the $1.10 cake, as it was sold to the highest bidder. Mr. Dupey bid off the duck.

GREAT CREDIT IS DUE MRS. A. A. NEWMAN and other members of the managing committee of the festival on Christmas night for the faithfulness with which the discharged their duties, and for their diligence in striving to make it pleasant and entertaining for the great crowd present. The proceeds of the Presbyterian Festival, after all expenses were paid, amounted to a fraction over $100.

The marriage was one that has been for some expected, and was not a matter of surprise. The intimate friends and relatives of both parties were invited in, and after a few very appropriate remarks by the clergyman, they were pronounced one. The happy couple will take up their abode at the residence of the fortunate bridegroom, and Dayton's society will have an additional valued member and esteemed lady, while her friends here regret her departure.

O. P. JOHNSON, AN INDIAN SCOUT OF CONSIDERABLE RENOWN, dropped down from the Centennial last week. He expects to join McKenzie's command, and go north after Sitting Bull. O. P. has seen considerable service as a scout, and is recognized as one of the best in this section. At one time he was with Custer during the trouble in the Territory, and later acted with Gen. Miles.

C. M. WILKINSON, (Mac), a former resident of this place during the corn bread and molasses siege, came down from Albert Lea, Minnesota, to see the green grass and verdant blooming roses, but found he was a month or two ahead of time this year.

MR. SPRAY, OF KAW AGENCY, has been suffering from pneumonia for several days past, and at one time was not expected to live. Dr. Hughes was finally sent for, and has since made two visits to the Agency, and reports Mr. Spray is now improving.

BRIDGE. We learn that Mr. Newman gave a bond agreeing to complete the Walnut River Bridge for $2,000. He expects it to cost him $2,500, but is willing to pay the additional $500 rather than not have a bridge.

R. A. HOUGHTON will remove his grocery store to the room formerly occupied by A. A. Newman, and open up another fresh lot of the best brands of sugar, coffee, tea, tobacco, flour, and all kinds of eatables.

FARMERS will notice that Morgatt & Rentschler have a meat market for their accommodation, where they can buy meat at Granger prices, and receive cash for hides, tallow, furs, etc. Try them.

AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. I have the honor of acknowledging, with gratitude, the receipt of a beautiful album, presented by the rising generation of Arkansas City. Hoping that the future will record noble deeds in the life of each one, and that my early acquaintance will redound to the good of mankind, I am,

respectfully,

DR. NATHAN HUGHES.

January 1, 1877.

[RAILROAD TO COWLEY COUNTY: ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE.]

Arrangements Being Made.

Prof. L. B. Kellogg, of Emporia, writes to his brother, Dr. H. D. Kellogg, of this place, that definite and positive arrangements are being made with Eastern capitalists for a railroad from Emporia to Arkansas City, and that they are at work making out the proper papers to close a contract for building and operating the road before the winter of 1878, or in time to carry next year's wheat crop. The proposition will first be submitted to Lyon county, then Butler or Greenwood, and then to Cowley. It is generally understood that it is to be a narrow gauge, and that its course will be down the Walnut Valley. The Eastern capitalists are at Emporia, and Mr. Kellogg says it looks as though the road would be built. They can't get here too soon to please us.

[ITEMS FROM THE INDIAN HERALD.]

Spotted Tail wants pay for the gold in the Black Hills.

The Indians have sold over 20,000 pounds of pecans to Hiatt & Co.

The payment of annuity money and the issuing of blankets is over and the Osages are quiet.

This is freezing winter weather, but Osages strip to the breech cloth before running foot races.

Indians should not be compelled to attend court in the State any more than whites should be compelled to come here to attend court.

J. W. Burns, of Coffeyville, Kansas, has the contract for building 100 rods of fence and roofing a portion of the school building at this place.

[ADS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 3, 1877.]

MORGAN & RENTSCHLER,

PAWNEE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, Dec. 21st, 1876.

For the benefit of the citizens of Arkansas City and vicinity, I hereby give the information that the laws regulating Indian trade prohibit any person or persons whosoever, without a license granted by the Indian Department, from trading with Indians in the Indian country, and any person violating the law at this Agency will be speedily punished.

S. MATLACK, Trader.

I have read the above notice, and believe the trader is justified to protecting his guaranteed right under the law.

W. BURGESS,

Dec. 21st, 1876. U. S. Indian Agent.

T. M. CONCANNON,

Osage Agency, Indian Territory.

[ITEMS FROM THE INDIAN HERALD.]

Sitting Bull is resting.

Osage Indian dogs are part wolf.

Osages want to go to Washington.

The Osage Legislature is in session.

Osages are drawing new blankets.

The Osage annuity payment is over.

Osages are no longer in pursuit of buffalo.

Osages call the spirits of the dead witches.

Spotted Tail says that his country is covered with gold.

Spotted Tail and his people were warmly welcomed by the Creeks.

Santanta, the Kiowa chief, hung himself recently, but was discovered and cut down.

Ing gro heh tow ah is the Osage name, for "Dead folks" town" or "Happy Hunting Ground."

John Twogiver is a full blood Mexican, and the Comanches sold him to the Osages when a little child.

Spotted Tail wants to see President Grant before deciding upon matter of his removal to this Territory.

[GEN. CUSTER'S CAMP PET.]

Gen. Custer's camp pet during the last Yellowstone campaign was a famous dog, which had been given to him by a Bismarck Judge. Ten days after the massacre on the Little Big Horn, the dog returned to Fort Lincoln, a distance of 500 miles, in search of his master.

[CORRESPONDENCE FROM "ROBINSON CRUSOE" - TERRITORY.]

The snow storm in this vicinity was terrible, lasting four days. The thermometer, Thursday and Friday nights, was below zero. Freighters have suffered much from the cold, many of them having their feet frosted. John Lane, a cattle boy coming down the trail, was badly frozen in the feet and ankles. Two companies of Infantry passed down today for Reno, having been out in all the storm.

Last week the old ranch was honored with a pleasant visit from a company of ladies and gentlemen from Caldwell. Such music, dancing, and sport as were enjoyed while their visit lasted does not often fall to our lot. I was sorry I could not follow them to the State, to partake of the feast I presume they will have over the 200 turkeys which the hunters bagged while here.

The old man who was murdered near this place was named

Warnemaker. Dick Simpson, the murderer, was captured at Jacksonborough, Texas. Respectfully,

ROBINSON CRUSOE.

[INTERESTING STORY FROM EAGLE ABOUT YOUNGER BOYS.]

That Wichita was chosen by the Younger and James Brothers as the theatre for the bold robbery committed and terrible tragedy afterward enacted at Northfield, we have the most satisfactory evidence.

To the failure of the First National Bank are we indebted, alone, for an escape from robbery if not bloodshed.

We believe it is not known to our City Marshal or police, to this day, that Cole Younger and a portion of the Younger and James gangs, consisting of three afterwards hung, and the two now in the penitentiary, were in Wichita at the time of the failure of the First National Bank, for the sole purpose of going through that institution. The fact of the large amount of money necessary to move the Texas cattle and the vast amount of grain that found a market here, no doubt convinced them that Wichita was the most favorable point for the nefarious job.

They were in our place between two and three weeks. One of the party was very genteelly dressed, and acted and talked like an intelligent businessman, and he posted himself as to the ins and outs of all our banks. Another of the party was genteel shabby--a man at least forty-five years old, whom one would have judged to have seen better days. The latter wanted land, but was not averse to taking a drink with the boys. The others we know nothing about, and don't know that we ever saw them. They were at no time together. Their arrangements, so far as known, were to have gone through the National Bank in daylight, upon the programme carried out at Northfield, where it will be remembered, a portion of the gang rode up and down the street, yelling like demons and shooting off their pistols, playing drunk, while others, during the street excitement, entered the bank and robbed its vault and killed the cashier.

We venture the assertion that it was a good thing for them that the bank busted, while it might have been a good thing for the bank's stockholders and officers had they succeeded. Upon the one hand, our officers and people would not have been panic stricken or stood, for a moment, any such nonsense as shooting revolvers on the open street, while on the other hand, the bank, just before closing, was very short of money, and had the robbers went through it, nobody but themselves and officers would have known how much they got.

[ARTICLE ABOUT CHOCTAW INDIANS.]

[THE LORD'S PRAYER: OSAGE LANGUAGE.]

In tah tsa un-co-tah pe mo-heh mo she-tah ing sheh.

Shah sha e-tah-tsa o ho-pa-sa-low:

O wah tun kah lee-tah-tse tsa-low;

Mo heh mo she-tah hah-co-tse-tsa-tah a-co-tse tsa-low:

Hum-pah-la-cah wah-chu-tsa on-co-tah-pe hum-pah

ca-sah-ne wah-q-pe-o:

Osh-cah pe-she on-le-she-lah-pe-keh wah-lo-stah-pe

com-bli-o, Osh-cah pe-she wak-she-lah-pe-ka ong-co-lah-pe-o:

Osh-cah pe-she o-wah-gle-ho-wah-pe-lin-cah, Osh-cah

pe-she geh-tse-tah heh-wah-gle ste-stah-pe-o.

[M. E. CHURCH AT WINFIELD - LAYING THE CORNERSTONE.]

[POSTPONED: CLARK & WILLIAMS' ENTERPRISE.]

To the 22nd of February, 1877, Clark & Williams' enterprise. On the above date it will positively take place.

CLARK & WILLIAMS.

December 27th, 1879.

[EDITORIAL FROM BEACON RE COLD WEATHER.]

ALSO, AM SKIPPING ITEMS CONCERNING DEATH OF COMMODORE VANDERBILT.

[PERSONALS.]

The gentle zephyr of Sunday morning last came near blowing out the front of Newton's shop.

MR. NAIL had his foot damaged by the falling of a cake of ice while packing it in Mitchell's ice house.

JAMES MITCHELL has 100 tons of ice in his house on the Walnut. It is nine inches thick and clear as crystal.

R. A. HOUGHTON made cash sales last Monday to the amount of over $100. He is now occupying the room one door north of the post office.

CHEAP FOR CASH. M. S. FARIS & CO., are anxious to close out their winter clothing and gents' underwear, and will offer bargains worth looking after. Their stock is full and complete. Store opposite the Post Office in Channell & Co.'s former place of business.

Membership in Presbyterian Church had increased from 27, twenty-one months ago, to nearly 90 at present. The Ladies' Society of the Presbyterian Church, organized some fourteen months ago, realized about $427 during that period.

"Rev. Fleming has preached more than 150 sermons since his location with us, but we doubt if he ever delivered a more powerful one than that of last Sabbath."

THE LARGE STOCK OF GOODS OF A. A. NEWMAN & CO., SOME $10,000 WORTH, RECENTLY PURCHASED BY HOUGHTON & McLAUGHLIN, IS NOW BEING REMOVED TO THE GREEN FRONT, UNTIL THE NEW BRICK STORE IS READY FOR THEM ON THE OPPOSITE CORNER.

This, with their own stock of goods, has so crowded their store as to make it almost impossible to get around, and in order to dispose of them before spring, they offer better bargains than any other house this side of Emporia, notice of which will be seen in their new advertisement. This firm was well named "Old Reliable," having commenced here at the first settlement of the town six years ago, occupying a small room in the building now owned by L. C. Wood, and doing mostly their own hauling.

Business began to increase on their hands so rapidly that they were obliged to have an addition to the building, in all 50 feet long. This store was occupied three years, when, their business still further increasing, they were obliged to build the present large business house, known as the "Green Front," with several store-houses to hold their immense stock of goods, and now for the fourth time they are compelled to look for larger quarters.

We believe this firm has built up its present very large trade by straightforward dealing, treating all alike, and giving everyone the worth of his or her money. In spite of hard times, grasshopper, and Indian raids, and while nearly every house has changed hands one or more times during the past six years, the "Old Reliable" still holds together, and will continue to hold on to the last--giving all the most goods for the least money of any house in Cowley county.

NOTE: MOVING FOR THE FOURTH TIME!

NINETY-NINE YEARS OLD. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS PAST, NANCY McGUIRE, GRANDMOTHER OF MRS. BAKER, has ben living at this place, and caused no particular notice. She is a native of Ireland and came to this country about one year ago. From her childhood she has enjoyed good health, and is now as strong and spry as most women are at fifty years of age.

She was born in August, 1777, and is now over 99 years of age. At the age of fifty, she frequently walked eight miles to market and back in one day, carrying a pail of butter. She now does her own washing and housework, and bids fair to live to be a centenarian. Her habits are very regular and if she can have bread, buttermilk, and potatoes, she has all she desires.

MARRIED. GOOCH-TAYLOR.

The happy couple have our hearty congratulations, and we trust that many years of wedded life are in store for them. Harold Gooch was one of the first in this section, and is remembered by many of our citizens.

The supremacy and power of mind over matter were strikingly illustrated during last Sunday's services by the undivided attention which A. A. Newman's dog, "Bob," paid to Mr. Fleming's remarks. He has evidently been the object of much careful training at home, and know how to listen respectfully, though his exploring propensities will sooner or later lead him into difficulty.

[THE KAW LANDS.]

[METHODIST CHURCH AT WINFIELD.]

The spire of the Methodist Church at Winfield is to be 100 feet high. The corner- stone is to be laid on the 10th inst. by the Masons.

[MURDERED? BOLIVAR B. PAYNE AND FAMILY.]

[ITEMS FROM THE LAZETTE BUGLE.]

Our schoolhouse caught fire the 15th inst.

SILVER MINE IN COWLEY. What is reported to be a silver mine has been found near the east line of Cowley county on a tributary of the Cana. The precious metal crops out in three places in the banks of the stream, varying in thickness from four to eight inches. If such be the case, the eastern part of Cowley is not so far from no place after all.

On the 12th instant a prairie fire swept over the country on our north, devouring everything on its way. John Cooper is one among the many who suffered from its devouring elements, losing hay, grain, stable, harness, combined reaper and mower, and other farm implements. This should serve as a warning to all concerned. The guards should be made early in the fall for protection. Mr. Cooper has resided in this county four years, and has been partially burnt out three times.

[EDITORIAL COLUMNS.]

Eleven miners came into Camp Brown on the 6th after supplies, from the head of Wood river, Wyoming Territory, and brought coarse gold with them. The report about thirty men now in the diggings, working with rockers, making ten dollars per day and upwards. One man found a nugget weighing thirty dollars. The party report no snow on the mountains, and very little in camp. They will return immediately.

SURE ENOUGH! WIRT W. WALTON IS LISTED AS CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE ORGANIZATION, STATE OF KANSAS.

Legislative Summary. In the Senate the principal business was the announcement of the standing committees. H. C. R. No. 1, in relation to the Osage ceded lands, adopted by the House, was concurred in by the Senate, and President Salter [Lieutenant Governor M. J. Salter] thanked the Senators for their prompt action in behalf of the settlers.

In the House two long resolutions were introduced by Mr. Hubbard, one in regard to the Indian policy in the Indian Territory, and the other in regard to the construction of railroads in the Territory.

[PERSONALS.]

MR. V. HAWKINS has his new house almost completed.

JAMES HUEY will move to and reside on his farm east of the Walnut next month.

JUDGE CHRISTIAN and Mr. Mantor have been confined to their houses for several weeks.

FIFTY teams will start for Fort Sill this week, loaded with flour. They will all go together.

The band boys' entertainment will be given as soon as Newman's building is plastered.

The wind last Monday night took the roof off of Mrs. Wright's addition to their stone house.

REXFORD and ADAMS had their ears slightly frozen while coming from Newman's mill last Monday.

AN INDIAN makes his will by giving his ponies to his friends before he dies, and if he recovers, he claims his property again.

THE STORE HOUSE OF HOUGHTON & McLAUGHLIN, SOUTH OF THE "GREEN FRONT," HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A MEAT SHOP. HENRY ENDICOTT, PROPRIETOR.

AGENT SPRAY has finally convinced a number of the Kaw Indians that it does no good to choke their best ponies to death over the graves of deceased Indians.

A. A. NEWMAN has the entire contract for furnishing flour to the Pawnees, Cheyennes, etc., having purchased Houghton & McLaughlin's, and R. C. Haywood's interests.

CHETOPA, a noted chief of the Osages, is very low with consumption, and is not expected to live. He is one of the most intelligent and probably the best Indian of the Osage tribe. The members of his band are daily mourning for him, and paint their faces. If he dies, there will probably be the largest mourning party organized that has ever left the Agency. The Agent has been assured by leading men of the tribe that they will not commit any depredation when the mourning party goes out, but that they will merely go through the form of sending an enemy's scalp with him to the happy hunting grounds. On such an occasion, it can hardly be expected that they will lay aside all religious rites and the established customs of their forefathers, and we would not like to be caught in the Territory alone while the party is out.

"Che-to-pa" means four lodges, and the name is derived from the old chief attacking and capturing four lodges of his enemies many years ago. He will be remembered by many of our citizens, who always had considerable esteem for him.

ALLOWANCE should be made for the miscellaneous bitter and personal attacks of the Courier on public and private citizens. Ever since the election the defeated editor has not really been himself. Wrapped in his shawl, he stands about the corners snapping and snarling at everyone. Occasionally he endeavors to smile, but the attempt is so feeble that it causes sorrow to the bystanders. There was a time, his friends say, when he was affable and agreeable, but a gloom came over his aspirations, and he stands, as it were, alone, crestfallen, and bereft.

Wm. White, Master.

Ed. Green, Overseer.

G. N. Fowler, Lecturer.

C. C. Krow, Steward.

H. L. Barker, Assistant Steward.

S. H. Sparks, Chaplain.

Jas. O. Vanorsdal, Treasurer.

Calvin Coon, Secretary.

F. Schwantes, Gate Keeper.

Mrs. Vanorsdal, Ceres.

Mrs. Barker, Pomona.

Mrs. White, Flora.

Miss Birdzell, Lady Assistant Steward.

[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 17, 1877.]

ICE. MORGAN & RENTSCHLER have an ice house near the Central Avenue Hotel, and 150 tons of very clear Walnut river ice packed in it. The experiment of keeping ice over two winters will be tried by some parties. Last summer were was no ice in the market, owing to the mild winter before.

[STORY ABOUT "JONES, THE SHEEP MAN."]

"Boarders Wanted."

The above described "gentleman" will be remembered by the people of this place, as "Jones, the sheep man," who vacated his boarding place without leaving the usual recompense.

[FROZEN TO DEATH: SON OF E. CONKLYN, FARMER, NEAR WICHITA.]

[BACKGROUND ON ANDREW J. PYBURN, STATE SENATOR OF KANSAS.]

Andrew J. Pyburn was born September 12, 1837, in Andrew county, Missouri; received an academical education; read law at Bedford, Iowa; was admitted to the bar in 1870, and practiced at Bedford for two years; removed to Cowley Co., Kansas, in 1872, and has since practiced his profession at Arkansas City and Winfield; has served as County Attorney for one term; and was elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 1876.

[HOTEL TO BE BUILT BY WILLIAMS AND REV. PLATTER IN WINFIELD.]

Messrs. Williams and Rev. Platter will commence the erection of a hotel building on the corner of Main Street and 10th Avenue, as soon as the weather will permit. The building is to be 25 feet wide, 70 feet in length, and two stories in height, to be constructed of brick and stone with cut stone corners. This will be quite an attractive building and a great improvement to South Main street. Telegram.

[COUNTY ROADS.]

[DEADWOOD, IN THE BLACK HILLS, DESCRIBED.]

[MISCELLANEOUS.]

Some person or persons drove off Mr. Huff's team from the school house at Salt City Sunday evening, Jan. 14th, and at noon, Monday, he had no trace of them.

Jack McCall, the murderer of Wild Bill, is to be hanged on the first of next March. He says his name is not Jack McCall, but refuses to give his true name.

[PERSONALS.]

REV. RIGBY, of Winfield, has invented a patent safely lamp burner. [LOOKS LIKE SAFELY...???]

The small bridge north of L. C. Norton's is being repaired. It needs it.

SOLD. Charles Parker sold his house and lot to Hermann Godehard.

Some thief helped himself to 45 bushels of Wm. Kay's wheat last week.

Two doors south of Sid Major's hotel is the best livery in Winfield.

The brother of Mr. Baldwin died at the Central Hotel in Winfield on the 12th.

FRANK GALLOTTI sold his interest in the clothing store at Winfield to Mr. Wallace.

BENEDICT & Co. have a good, cheap, wooden pump, just the thing for farmers.

MR. MITCHELL's daughter, who was so badly burned last week, is slowly recovering.

[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 24, 1877.]

The Pawnee and Kaw Indians adorned our streets all day last Sunday and Monday.

T. C. BIRD traded 80 acres of land north of town for A. O. Porter's blacksmith shop.

TO FT. SILL. JOSEPH SHERBURNE left for Fort Sill this morning. He expects to be absent two weeks.

75,000 pounds of flour left this place for Fort Sill last week, to supply the hungry Cheyennes and Arrapahoes.

VISITING. Major Sleeth left yesterday morning to visit his friends in Illinois and Ohio. He will be absent about a month.

THE ARKANSAS CITY BANK has a number of tracts of land taken on mortgages that can be bought far below the actual value.

[SUICIDE: HELEN GREY.]

The suicide of Helen Grey, of South Haven, has caused considerable excitement and comment in Sumner county. It was a cool, deliberate case of life taking, brought on by the only imprudent act of her life through the conniving influence of a base deceiver. The young lady made every preparation to leave the world, and dressed herself for the grave. She then made her last request and dying statement.

FULL ACCOUNT OF HER SUICIDE:

On Saturday, the 13th inst., Helen Grey, living sixteen miles west of this place, took strichnia and caused her own death, while her parents were absent from home. The victim was loved and respected by all who knew her, and was far above shame or reproach. The family were formerly from Iowa, and moved to their present location (3-1/2 miles southeast of South Haven) early in 1876, accompanied by a young friend and neighbor named August George, who settled on a tract of land nearby and boarded with the family. Young George and Miss Helen became very intimate, and as time wore on, the young lady became very much attached to him, and an engagement of marriage followed. All went well until four months ago, when George disappeared. Nothing unusual was thought of his absence, however, as he had talked of going to Waterville, in this State. But as the time of their marriage drew near, Helen grew uneasy, but not sad, until two weeks ago, when she received a card from her betrothed, saying "they would never meet again;" that he intended going to California, and would never marry her. The members of the family were all absent, except an innocent little girl six years of age, and the unfortunate young girl took advantage of the opportunity to destroy her life by her own hands.

Before committing the sorrowful act, she calmly seated herself at the table and write the following letter to her sister, in which she warns her to beware of deceivers, and asks forgiveness for herself and the destroyer of her happiness.

Your Dear Sister, HELEN.

Your Neglected

HELEN GREY.

[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 24, 1877.]

FIRE. On Tuesday evening of last week, the cry of fire was raised and a number rushed to the scene of action, among them Al. Mowry with an extinguisher, and the flames were soon subdued. The scene of the excitement was Mrs. McCoy's kitchen, which caught fire from the stove pipe. The extinguisher did not have a chance to play on the flames; but the fact of its being on hand, proves it was well placed in a convenient location.

In company with the gentlemanly manager of the "City Livery, Feed and Sale Stable," and two other gentlemen, we took a short ride to the spot on the divide where Arkansas City was to be, in case Max Fawcett's grape line survey of years ago made us in the Territory. The place has changed somewhat, and is now almost forgotten by the oldest residents. "Ed." drove the sorrels, and the ride was quick and pleasant.

FLOUR MILL. Mr. Johnson & Lewis, of Elk Falls, are building a good grist and saw mill, on Mr. Mann's farm on Grouse creek. Work on the dam has begun. It is estimated the cost of the mill and dam will reach $16,000. By cutting across a bend in the creek and building a twelve foot dam, he gets a fall of nineteen feet and eight inches.

Frightful Accident. A lamp exploded last week in the hands of Mattie Mitchell, daughter of James I. Mitchell, burning her face and arms frightfully. Mrs. Mitchell ran to her assistance and smothered the flames with her dress.

A. O. PORTER sold his blacksmith shop to T. C. BIRD, and CHARLES PARKER leased his to WILSON and WOODARD. RUDOLPH HOFFMASTER wants to sell his. The building, trading, and selling of blacksmith shops has been exceedingly lively during the last year.

It was reported that one of Pinkerton's detectives was in town last Thursday. The Salt City mystery and several other matters need looking after, besides the many depredations daily committed in the Territory.

HON. C. R. MITCHELL is a member of the Committee on Appropriations, Educational Institutes, and Revisions of Laws. Hon. L. J. WEBB is a member of the Committee on Printing and State Library.

MR. D. A. MILLINGTON, one of Winfield's most prominent and successful attorneys, thinks Cowley county must and will have a railroad within the next eighteen months.

[NOTICE TO BRIDGE BUILDERS: BRIDGE, NEWMAN'S MILL.]

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Township Officers at the office of T. McIntire, until Thursday, March 1st, 1877, at 12 o'clock m., for the purpose of building the superstructure of a bridge, of either iron or wood, across the Walnut river, at or near Newman's mill: the bridge consisting of two spans, one ninety-four feet and six inches; and the other forty-five feet and six inches in length. Plans and specifications, with bonds for the completion of the bridge, must accompany each and every bid. The Board reserving the privilege of rejecting any and all bids.

T. McINTIRE, Trustee,

W. D. MOWRY, Clerk,

WYARD E. GOOCH, Treas.

[JACOB COBAUGH DESERTED BY WIFE, HANNAH COBAUGH.]

in Arkansas City.

NOTICE: This is to certify that my wife, Hannah Cobaugh, did shamefully, and without just cause or provocation, desert my bed and board, and openly elope with another man, and thereby destroy the comforts of home and family ties so dear to all. Hoping I shall never see the perfidious creature again, I hereby caution all honest and virtuous women against trusting her around their homes, or she may be the cause of destroying their future happiness, as she has done with others who have been deceived by her smooth and Christian-like ways.

JACOB COBAUGH.

[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 24, 1877.]

A little compulsory education would be beneficial to some children in this vicinity. It is an injustice to keep them away from school.

ELDER WILLIAMS was arrested for assault and battery for whipping one of his pupils in school, last week.

One of our blacksmiths put on forty-one horse shoes one day last week.

[ITEMS FROM THE INDIAN HERALD.]

Osages killed on buffalo.

The Indian pecan trade is over.

Sleigh bells jingle in Pawhuska.

Some Osage words resemble German.

Mourning Indians are wailing in the snow.

White Hair says the ice is 14 inches thick.

Most of the Osages have gone to their lodges.

59 Indian children are in school at this place.

Locher Hargro, Governor of the Creek Nation, has been impeached.

It is said that 12,000 Sioux Indians will come into the Territory next May.

Many houses built by the late Agent Gibson for the Osages have been abandoned.

CHE-TO-PAH, CHIEF COUNSELOR OF THE OSAGE NATION, who gave Agent Beede and Governor Joe a horse each as the last act of his life, is dead.

Oliver S. Hiatt, of Fairmount, Kansas, is now Superintendent of the Pawhuska school, and will remain until the return of Supt. Huddleston, from the Kansas Legislature.

Hon. Aaron Huddleston, Superintendent of the Osage School at this place, has gone to Topeka, where he will represent the people of the 16th Representative District in the Kansas Legislature.

[MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS...INCLUDING SENTENCING OF HORNEMAN.]

Judge Campbell sentenced A. F. Horneman, convicted of an assault with an intent to kill, to five years in the penitentiary. J. I. Fink, convicted of horse theft, to the same period. Johnson, who confessed himself guilty of forgery, to one year in the State prison. The present term of the court has been more than usually fruitful of trials, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Wichita Beacon.

The El Paso bridge is being thoroughly repaired or straightened up, quite a force of men being now employed in the work. The trouble seems to have been the foundation of shelving soap stone or slate upon which an upper side pier rested, and which washing out, caused a sag, swinging the entire structure out of plumb. The bridge will be made as good as new. But we are down on toll bridges when they can possibly be avoided, and we believe the county ought to own that bridge too. Eagle.

[DEATH OF CHETOPAH.]

[PERSONALS.]

The late P. P. Bliss, the song writer, was a cousin of C. A. Bliss, of Winfield. Press.

JAMES McDERMOTT, COUNTY ATTORNEY elect, has removed to Winfield, where he will remain permanently. Courier.

R. C. HAYWOOD has purchased the blacksmith shop formerly owned by A. O. Porter, and later by T. C. Bird. We believe Haywood will endeavor to give satisfaction.

THE PUBLISHER OF THIS PAPER started for Fort Sill, last Wednesday morning, in company with J. H. Sherburne. They purpose returning in about two weeks, no preventing providence.

[VAN KELSO.]

We are now informed that the entire account as given by him was false; that there was a lady of the above name who died there, but of a true and proper disease, and not by suicide. How true this is, we cannot say. We are loath to believe that even such a consummate imbecile as Kelso would thus deliberately strike at the reputation of a girl, and she in her grave at the time.

He had further informed the folks that his "darling wife" was to be here on last Wednesday's stage, and set about preparing a room for the two; but when the vehicle arrived (the stage, we mean), he evinced no desire to rush out and welcome her (the wife, this time), saying that he had concluded to meet her in Missouri.

Acting upon this determination, he collected the few accounts owing him (he was also a vendor of "Havana" cigars), and Thursday morning saw him safely off. But for the fact that he hadn't brains enough, he might have attempted to "fleece" some of our citizens. As it is, there are two boxes of cigars in the Express office, held for charges, and bearing his name, but that amount is probably a permanent investment for somebody.

Gone to meet Jones, "one of the representative men of Ohio."

[MR. J. C. FRAKER, LATE PRESIDENT, FIRST NATIONAL BANK, WICHITA]