WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.

VOL. 4, NO. 1.

PRODUCED EVERY THURSDAY BY E. C. MANNING.

FRONT PAGE: HISTORY, RESOURCES, AND STATISTICS OF COWLEY COUNTY FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO JANUARY 1ST, A. D. 1876.

On May 30th, 1854, Congress passed "An act to organize the territory of Kansas," thereby creating the territory of Kansas out of a part of what was known as Missouri Territory. The 37th parallel of north latitude west of the State of Missouri was designated as the south line of the territory of Kansas. But the act creating the territory of Kansas, as does also the act of Congress, approved Jan. 29, 1861, admitting Kansas into the Union, which also designates the 37th parallel of north latitude as the south line thereof say: The boundaries of the territory or State, or constitution thereof shall not "include any territory which by treaty with such Indian tribe, is not, without the consent of such tribe to be included within the territorial limits or jurisdiction of any State or territory, but all such territory shall be excepted out of the boundaries, and constitute no part of the State of Kansas until said tribe shall signify their assent to the President of the United States to be included within said State."

At the time the territory of Kansas was created and also when the State was admitted, the Osage Indians owned and occupied a reservation fifty miles wide and over two hundred miles long. This reservation lay within about thirty miles of the east line and about three miles north of the south line of Kansas. Adjoining this reservation on the east and the south lay the Cherokee Indian lands. By the terms of the treaty whereby the Cherokee and Osages were given the lands described it was provided that said lands should never "be included within the territorial limits or jurisdiction of any State or territory."

When Cowley County was organized no relinquishment of rights or modification of treaty terms had been made by the Osages or Cherokees to the territory embraced within its limits.

Cowley County lays wholly upon Osage and Cherokee lands. The Cherokee lands lay adjoining the south line of the county and are about three miles wide, extending from the east to the west boundary.

On July 12th, 1870, Congress passed a law allowing actual settlers thereon to enter from forty to one hundred and sixty acres at $1.25 per acre of the Osage lands within this county. They were required to live upon the land six months, make certain improvements, and enter the same within one year from date of settlement. Subsequently, Congress by joint resolution gave to settlers whose time had expired without entry, a longer time in which to pay for their land. On March 2nd, 1871, the town site laws of the U. S. were extended to the Osage lands.

On May 11th, 1872, Congress passed a law allowing actual settlers thereon to enter from forty to one hundred and sixty acres of the Cherokee lands above mentioned. The terms were similar to the Osage land terms, except that all lands west of the Arkansas River (about 14,000 acres) were sold at $1.50 per acre, and all land east of said river (about 29,000 acres) were sold at $2.00 per acre. All settlement and purchase was prohibited after a certain date. That date expired and many settlers had not paid for the land. The time was extended for payment until the spring of 1875, at which time all unentered land was to have been sold in tracts of 160 acres or less to persons offering sealed bids for the same. By request of U. S. Senator J. J. Ingalls, that sale was postponed. Finally the land was sold to bidders Oct. 30, 1875. The 16th and 36th section in each township was given to the State of Kansas for school purposes and the State sells it to the highest bidder. The Osage lands in the county still remain open to settlement on the original terms. In no other way, except as above stated, could land be obtained in Cowley County from the government.

The Territorial Legislature of 1855 defined the boundaries of Hunter County, embracing the present territory of Cowley and twenty miles of Butler. In 1864 the Kansas State Legislature annihilated Hunter County by extending the boundaries of Butler to embrace all the territory south of township 21, east of the 6th principal meridian, down to the State line and west of range 10. On March 3rd, 1867, the Kansas Legislature defined the boundaries of several counties, and Cowley was among the number. It was named by Gov. S. J. Crawford in honor of Lieut. Mathew Cowley, a soldier of the 9th Kansas regiment, who died at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 1864.

This act made the county thirty-three miles square, bounded on the north by Butler, on the east by Howard (now Elk and Chautauqua), on the south by the Indian Territory, on the west by Sumner counties. At this time there was not a white settler in the county. It was the home of the red man.

In August, 1868, N. J. Thompson, the first white settler, ventured within its limits. He built a house on the east bank of the Walnut River, about one mile below the line. The fame of its many beautiful streams, groves of heavy timber, rich valleys, and inviting prairies was attracting attention in the State. In the spring of 1869 several young men took claims along the Walnut River and built claim cabins. Judge T. B. Ross and James Renfro came into the county in January of 1869 and commenced work upon claim houses into which they moved with their families in the March following. They reside upon the same claims about two and a half miles above Winfield on the east bank of the Walnut. These with Wm. Quimby and family, and Mr. Sales and family, who settled on the Walnut just below Thompson's place in December, 1868, were the first settlers with families of whom any evidence can be found. At this time there was no house on Grouse Creek, nor upon the Arkansas River below Wichita.

Sometime in the month of June, 1869, C. M. Wood brought some flour, bacon, and groceries down to sell to Indians and settlers. He left his goods at the house of James Renfro's and erected on the rise of ground a few rods east of where Bliss & Co.'s grist mill now stands, a small building by setting puncheons in the ground and covering them. He moved his goods into it in July following. The Osage Indians attempted to take some of his goods away from him shortly after and he drove them away, but concluded to return his goods to Renfro's for safety. Soon after the goods were moved, the Indians burned the house down.

In June of 1869 E. C. Manning helped P. Y. Becker erect a claim cabin in a bend of the Walnut River about two miles below Winfield, and on June 11th Mr. Manning, assisted by Becker, laid a claim foundation for himself upon the south end of the present town of Winfield.

In the month of August the Indians ordered the settlers out of the valley and they all moved to the north line of the county, and camped or went into Butler County, except Judge T. B. Ross and family. He affirmed his determination to live and die right where he was. He still lives, though eighty-two years old. He walks as erect as an Indian, and declares that he is going to attend the Centennial this summer.

In the month of November, 1869, several families crept down along the valley and settled on claims in the vicinity of where Winfield now stands. These settlers each paid the Osage chief $5 for the privilege of remaining in peace. These early pioneers were W. G. Graham and family, who came the last of October, and whose wife was the first white woman that settled on Timber (then known as Dutch) Creek. During the next week P. Knowles, J. H. Land, J. C. Monforte, and C. M. Wood came with their families.

A. Howland, W. W. Andrews, Joel Mack, H. C. Loomis, A. Menor, and others took claims during the winter in this vicinity, and the families of those who were married soon followed. They all settled on the claims where they now reside. Mr. Howland built the first frame house in the county. It is his present residence.

In November and December of 1869, E. C. Manning erected a small log building on the claim south of C. M. Wood. It was designed for a claim house and store. During the winter of 1869 and 1870 Baker & Manning kept a small stock of goods therein for trade with settlers and Indians. At that time there was no land surveyed in the county and the settlers marked the boundaries of their claims with stakes driven at the corners, and claim disputes were settled by tribunals, called settlers' unions, or by public meetings before whom the respective claimants presented their cases. C. M. Wood had taken the claim immediately north of where Winfield now stands, which he occupied until he left the county last fall.

About January 10th, 1870, the preliminary steps were taken for organizing a town company and starting a town upon the claim of E. C. Manning. A. A. Jackson owned the claim adjoining Manning's on the east, W. W. Andrews, H. C. Loomis, A. Menor, and P. Knowles held claims adjoining and upon which they still reside. The farm owned by John Lowrey to the west was held by one G. Green.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

About the last day of December, 1869, Judge W. R. Brown, H. B. Norton, T. A. Wilkinson, H. D. Kellogg, John Brown, Moore, and G. H. Norton drove into camp near Wood's residence as members and representatives of the Walnut City town company.

A few leading citizens of Emporia, among the number, C. V. Eskridge, P. B. Plumb, J. Stotler, L. B. Kellogg, H. B. Norton, and Judge Brown and H. L. Hunt, of Cottonwood Falls, had organized a town company and sent the party mentioned down into the Walnut Valley to locate a town at the junction of the Walnut River with the Arkansas River. The map of Kansas at that time showed that the junction was about the center of Cowley County. After some conference with the settlers, the newcomers took five claims adjoining Manning's claim, east, southeast, and south, with the intention of making this the location of the proposed town. In a day or two upon an examination of the country below, the party decided to locate their town at the present town site of Arkansas City.

On January 1st, 1870, T. A. Wilkinson, John Brown, G. H. Norton, and John Strain staked out and claimed the four claims upon which Arkansas City now stands, as the location of the new town. H. B. Norton took a claim adjoining the town site on the north, H. D. Kellogg took a claim south of the town site. When this party arrived at the mouth of the Walnut, they found the bottom and timber claims taken by H. Endicott and his son, Pad, and G. Harmon, Ed. Chapin, Pat Summers [Somers], Mr. Carr, Mr. Hughes, and one or two others.

The Walnut City town company consisted of fifteen members, and the four claim holders mentioned were of the number, and were to hold the claims and enter them for the company. On their way down the valley the party discovered a Walnut City in Butler County, and concluded to change the name of their company to Delphi. On their return to Emporia the name was again changed to Creswell, and by this name the town was known for some months. On applying for a post office, the Post Office department informed Senator Ross, who made the application, that there was a Creswell in Labette County, Kansas, and that no two offices of the same name would be located in the State, and at Ross' suggestion, it was called Arkansas City. When the commission came to G. H. Norton, who was the postmaster named, the town was named Arkansas City. This was in April 1870.

On the 9th day of January, 1870, a party of fifteen men under the lead of Thomas Coats took claims along the Grouse Valley. Their names were John Coats, Wm. Coats, Joseph Reynolds, Gilbert Branson, Henry Branson, Newton Phenis, I. H. Phenis, H. Hayworth, L. B. Bullington, J. T. Raybell, D. T. Walters, S. S. Severson, John Nicholls, and C. J. Phenis.

The Winfield enterprise took form in January of 1870, as did that of Arkansas City. From the start the parties interested in the two prospective towns were shaping events to secure the county seat of Cowley County whenever it should be organized. In February of 1870 a bill was introduced in the Senate of Kansas entitled, "An act to organize the county of Cowley," and making Creswell the county seat. As soon as the news arrived at Winfield, James H. Land, A. A. Jackson, and C. M. Wood traversed the county in three days and took the census of over six hundred population, and reported at Douglass, in Butler County (the nearest place where an officer could be found to administer an oath), on the 23d of February. At that time the necessary papers were made out and E. C. Manning took them to Topeka and presented them to the Governor, who, thereupon issued the order organizing Cowley County and designating Winfield as the temporary county seat. The bill organizing the county got through the Senate but failed in the House.

As specimens of "literature" of that day we produce the following circulars which were issued a short time previous to the first election held in the county, to-wit: May 2nd, 1870.

To the voters of Cowley County:

The Creswell Town Company ask leave to present to you the claims of Creswell as a location for the county seat.

This town is situated on the Arkansas River, twelve miles above its intersection by the State line; said intersection being two and three-fourth miles below the mouth of the Grouse. The Walnut enters the Arkansas at Creswell, and the valleys of other streams on the south side of the Arkansas converge at this point, making it the natural centre of business and population for Cowley County.

Creswell is named as a point upon four chartered lines of railroad, viz: The Walnut Valley Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road; the Preston, Salina & Denver road; the Emporia & Holden road; and the Arkansas Valley, or Fort Smith & Hays City road. It is also confidently expected that this will be the point of crossing for the Fort Scott & Santa Fe road. The Legislature at its recent session, ordered the immediate survey of a State road, by the most direct route, from Emporia to Creswell.

The company have determined to spare no expense or effort to make Creswell the metropolis of the Arkansas Valley. The following are among the enterprises already inaugurated:

Sleeth & Co., of Eldorado, have contracted to put up their steam saw-mill and a shingle- machine in operation at Creswell by the 15th of May.

Daniel Beedy, now a resident at Emporia, has contracted to build a grist-mill, saw-mill, and planing-mill upon the Creswell water-power; to commence by July 1st, 1870.

G. H. Norton & Co. have opened a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, which they pledge themselves to sell at Eldorado prices.

Betts & Fraser, of Eldorado, will at once open a stock of groceries, provisions, and campers' supplies.

C. R. Sipes, of Emporia, has purchased an interest in the town, and is preparing to open at Creswell the largest stock of hardware, tinware, and agricultural implements ever offered south or west of Emporia.

A stock of drugs and medicines has been ordered by responsible parties, and a well provided drug-store will be speedily established.

We are also happy to announce that the best job and newspaper office south of the Neosho will commence the publication of a newspaper at Creswell within the next ninety days.

Max Fawcett, recently of the Neosho Valley (Emporia) Nursery, has transferred his entire interest to Creswell, and is arranging to establish there the largest fruit and nursery concern in Kansas.

L. F. Goodrich, of Emporia, is now at work erecting a feed and livery stable.

A ferry has been chartered, and will be running upon the Arkansas by July 1st.

We, the Town Company of Creswell, furthermore pledge ourselves to erect a first-class stone or frame building not less than thirty feet square and two stories high, suitably arranged for a court-room and county offices; and to deed the same, with one entire block of not less than fourteen lots, centrally located, to the county, to be its property so long as the county- seat remains at Creswell; the building to be completed within six months after Creswell is chosen permanent county seat.

The question of taxation is one of great importance to the people of a young and undeveloped country. It is only at the cost of heavy taxes that the county will be able to erect a courthouse and other county buildings. This expense the Creswell town company propose to wholly assume.

The immediate vicinity of the Arkansas River is the natural location for the cities and towns which are to one day adorn this great valley. The natural centers of population and business will be there. Let us choose wisely, and make a choice which will not speedily be reversed.

We commend these facts and offers to the thoughtful consideration of the voters of Cowley County.

About one week after the foregoing was in circulation, the following humorously paraphrastical circular appeared.

Tu the Voters of Kowley Kounta:

The Ar-ken-saw sitty town kumpeny ask leve tu present tu yu the klaims uv Ar-ken-saw sitty as a lokashun fur the kounty seet.

[Explanashun.Ar-ken-saw sitty wuz fust named Walnut sitty, then it wuz named Delfi, then it was changed to Kreswell out uv respect tu our patriotic P. M. General, and he hez changed the named tu Ar-ken-saw sitty out uv respect tu the inhabitants uv the town, most uv whom lives in Imporia. In konsekence uv this last happy change voters will be perticular tu put "Ar-ken-saw sitty" on their ballots instead uv Kreswell when tha vote fur kounty seet.]

This town is situated very fortunately on Arkensaw river, klose to the State line, and is entirely surrounded by water, interspersed with vast forests uv timber already sawed, and one vast expanse uv unbroken prairie bottom in cultivashun extends on every hand reddy tu be jumped bi actual settlers, making it the natural senter uv bizness and populashun uv Kowley kounty. Among its many uther natural advantages that mite be menshuned is stones, coal, salt, and inluenshal men who reside in Imporia.

Ar-ken-saw sitty is named as a pint on 31 different railroads, amung the number there bein the followin, namely, to-wit, viz: Walnut Valley Branch uv the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, the Preston, Salina & Denver Railroad, the Emporia & Holden Railroad, the Arkensaw Valley or Fort Smith & Hays City Railroad, the Northern Pacific Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, the Illinois Central Railroad, the Emporia & Sandwich Islands Railroad, the St. Louis & El Paso Railroad, the Alaska & Panama Railroad, the New Orleans & Portland (Oregon) Railroad. It is also konfidently expected that most uv these roads will run into the ground at this place, and konsekently Congress has been petitioned to declare this a "port of entry."

The kumpany hev determined tu spare no expence to make Ar-ken-saw sitty the great meat-ropolis ov the Arkensaw Valla. The following are among the enterprizes in-au-ger-ated, (that is bored for):

Slamem & Co. hev kontracted tu put their steam watermill and hair shingling machine in operashun at Ar-ken-saw sitty at 15 minutes past 4 o'clock the 14th day ov Ma.

D. Boon hez kontracked to run a pare uv stones for all kinds of grinding and planing at the Ar-ken-saw wind power; work tu kummence at sunrise Ma 2d. Wind furnished bi the town kumpany.

G. H. Nash & Co. hev opened a box uv unparalleled sope fur the speshal benefit uv Ar- ken-saw travelers, and pledge themselves to sell at Imporia prices and throw in the sand for skourin.

Busted & Flat, of England, will at once open a box uv sardinra and kampers supplies.

C. R. Sucked-in, uv Imporia, hez bot a soft thing here and will open it with ceremony, amid sounding brass and tinkling symbal, at precisely sunrise, July 4th.

A stock of blue mass and quinine has bin ordered bi responsible parties to hold the ager level that dwells in the marshes uv this region.

We are also happy to announce that the best job newspaper offis south uv nowhere will kummence its weakly issues in a da or two or three.

M. Forest is goin tu tare up the ground with his nursery concern at 11 o'clock P. M.

L. F. Gosin is now at work goin tu erect a feed and livery stable fur man and beest.

A ferry bote hez bin caught and will be runnin on Salt river karryin passengers from Ar- ken-saw sitty to Imporia. It starts at 7 A. M., May 3d.

The above may all be re-gharded as sure, sartin, and re-lie-able, so help us G__o in lemons and get squeezed.

We, the town kumpany, with one hand on the Bible and the uther drawin in suckers, pledge ourselves to erect a twelve story bilding, 500 feet square, with a room elaborately furnished therein for every voter in Kowley Kounty where board and washing shall be free; and tu kontane 21 uther large rooms for court hous and kounty offises, containing all the appertenances and appointments that sience, culture, taste, refinement and wealth kan invent, and tu deed the same, with 1,000 acres of land, tu the kounty so long as Ar-ken-saw sitty is the kounty seat. This bilding will be kompleted in twenty minutes after the vote is taken on the kounty seet question.

The question uv taxashun is one uv grate importance tu the people ov a young and undeveloped kounty, and we propose to decrease it bi a division of the kounty.

It is only at a light expence that we erect the above described building, and is nothing tu what we kan do.

The immediate vicinity uv the Ar-ken-saw river is the natural locashun for kounty seets. Think uf this before you vote. This place bein the head uv navigashun uv the Ark-ken-saw river there is no objecttshun tu its being damd; in truth it has bin damd bi several now who have krossed it; this makes it the gratest wind and water site yet discovered in the explored regious uv the earth.

The voters ov Kowley should not trifle about this matter. Choose now, for tomorrow we may be upended and hev to move back to Imporia.

Q. R. DOESTICKS, A. M., F. R. S., President.

P. Z. GUDLEM, B. M. O. I. C., Vice President.

R. L. BEATEM, O. I. L. Y., Secretary.

G. O. LEMON, A. S. E. E. D., Treasurer.

Cowley County was organized Feb. 28, 1870, by the order of Gov. Harvey on petition, and Winfield was designated as the temporary county seat. W. W. Andrews, of Winfield, G. H. Norton, of Creswell, S. F. Graham, of Dexter, were appointed County Commissioners, Feb. 28, 1870, and E. P. Hickok was appointed County Clerk at the same time by the same authority.

The first meeting of the County Board was held March 23, 1870, at the house of W. W. Andrews, at which time W. W. Andrews was chosen chairman.

The following is the first action taken at that meeting, and is the first official record in Cowley County.

"County Commissioners, pursuant to a previous call, met at Winfield on the 23rd day of March, A. D. 1870, at Mr. Andrews'.

PresentAndrews and Norton. County Clerk proceeded to divide the county into three townships, numbered 1, 2, and 3.

No. 1 to include all that part of Cowley County laying north of a line running through the county east and west, touching the mouth of Little Dutch Creek, all north of Little Dutch to be included in said township.

No. 2 to include all south of the mouth of Little Dutch, extending south to include E. P. Hickok's claim, and to within ten miles of the mouth of Grouse Creek.

No. 3 to include all south of E. P. Hickok's claim on Walnut and the lower ten miles of the Grouse and the Arkansas to the State line.

Election in township No. 1 to be held at the house of Edward Phillips, at the mouth of Rock creek. No. 2 at Winfield. No. 3 at Creswell."

This Board of Commissioners ordered an election to be held May 2nd, 1870; at which time the permanent location of the county seat was voted upon, and a full set of county officers were also elected. At that election there were two places voted upon for county seat, to-wit: Winfield and Arkansas City. The former received 108 votes and the latter 55 votes, and the following officers were elected.

Commissioners: T. A. Blanchard, Winfield; Morgan Willett, Rock Creek; G. H. Norton, Creswell; H. C. Loomis, Winfield, County Clerk; John Devore, Creswell, Treasurer; E. P. Hickok, Winfield, District Clerk; T. B. Ross, Winfield, Probate Judge; W. E. Cook, Cres- well, Recorder; W. G. Graham, Winfield, Coroner; F. A. Hunt, Rock Creek, Sheriff; F. S. Graham, Grouse Creek, Surveyor.

There was but one ticket in the field, and 163 was the total number of votes polled. These officers qualified and took possession of the respective offices May 21st, 1870.

T. H. Johnson was appointed County Attorney Sept. 5th, 1870, by W. R. Brown, at that time Judge of this, the 9th Judicial District, of which Cowley was a part.

July 6th, 1870, W. Q. Mansfield was appointed Deputy County Clerk; John Devore appointed J. P. Short Deputy Treasurer, and at the fall election Geo. B. Green was elected County Treasurer, but failed to give bond and qualify; consequently, John Devore held the office until July 2nd, 1872.

Having fully stated the primary organization of the county, the succeeding officers will be given in the order of their terms of office.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

ELECTED. EXPIRED.

T. A. BLANCHARD Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

G. H. NORTON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

E. SIMPSON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

FRANK COX Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

O. C. SMITH Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

J. D. MAURER Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

R. F. BURDEN Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

M. S. ROSEBERRY Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

JOHN MANLEY Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

R. F. BURDEN Nov. 2, 1875.

WM. WHITE Nov. 2, 1875.

W. M. SLEETH Nov. 2, 1875.

COUNTY CLERKS.

A. A. JACKSON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

A. A. JACKSON Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

M. G. TROUP Nov. 4, 1872. Jan. 10, 1876.

M. G. TROUP Nov. 2, 1875.

TREASURERS.

G. B. GREEN Nov. 8, 1870. Didn't qualify.

E. B. KAGER Nov. 7, 1871. July 15, 1874.

E. B. KAGER Nov. 4, 1873. July 15, 1876.

COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

E. S. TORRANCE Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1873.

E. S. TORRANCE Nov. 5, 1872. Jan. 11, 1875.

A. J. PYBURN Nov. 3, 1874.

PROBATE JUDGES.

T. B. ROSS Elected Nov. 8, 1870; resigned Oct. 31, 1871.

L. H. COON Appointed October 31, 1871. Ran away.

T. H. JOHNSON Appointed Jan. 3, 1872, expired Jan. 10, 1873.

T. H. JOHNSON Elected Nov. 5, 1872; expired Jan. 10, 1875.

H. D. GANS. Nov. 3, 1874.

SHERIFFS.

ELECTED. EXPIRED.

J. M. PATTISON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

JAS. PARKER Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

R. L. WALKER Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

R. L. WALKER Nov. 2, 1875.

RECORDERS.

W. B. SMITH Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.

J. PAUL Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

N. C. McCULLOCH Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

E. P. KINNE Nov. 2, 1875.

DISTRICT CLERKS.

E. P. HICKOK Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 10, 1873.

JAMES KELLY Nov. 5, 1872. Jan. 10, 1875.

E. S. BEDILION Nov. 3, 1874.

SURVEYORS.

H. L. BARKER Nov. 8, 1870; resigned July 1, 1871.

D. A. MILLINGTON July 1, 1871. Jan. 8, 1872.

M. HEMINGWAY Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

W. W. WALTON Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 11, 1876.

W. W. WALTON Nov. 2, 1875.

CORONER.

H. B. KELLOGG Nov. 8, 1870. Didn't qualify.

G. P. WAGNER Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.

S. S. MOORE Nov. 7, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.

J. HEADRICK Nov. 2, 1875.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

L. B. WALMSLEY Nov. 7, 1870. July 17, 1871.

A. S. BLANCHARD July 17, 1871. Sept. 4, 1871.

E. P. HICKOK Sept. 4, 1871. Jan. 7, 1872.

E. P. HICKOK Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1873.

T. A. WILKINSON Nov. 5, 1872. Jan. 10, 1875.

T. A. WILKINSON Nov. 3, 1874.

The first political gathering held in the county took place at the log raising of the Old Log Store on the 1st day of April, 1870. It was called a Citizen's Meeting to nominate candidates for the county officers to be elected May 2nd, 1870. It was the only full ticket voted for at that election, and of course all the nominees were elected. There were a few scattering votes cast for other individuals.

The next political gathering that assembled in the county met at Winfield, August 25th, 1870, pursuant to the following call, which was signed by one hundred and two names, and was posted in several places in the county.

"The Republican voters of Cowley County, Kansas, are requested to meet in Mass Convention, at Winfield, on the 25th day of August, 1870, at 1 o'clock p.m., for the purpose of electing the organization of a County Central Committee, whose duty it shall be to call a Convention for the election of a delegate to the coming State Convention, and for the transaction of such other business as shall come before it."

At that meeting a County Republican Central Committee was appointed, of which E. C. Manning was chairman and Wm. Orr was secretary. This committee issued a call for a delegate convention to be held in Winfield September 3rd, 1870, for the purpose of electing a delegate from Cowley County to the Republican State Convention at Topeka, September 8th. Pursuant to that call a convention met September 3rd, and Morgan Willett, of Rock, was chosen chairman and P. J. Raybell, of Cedar (now Windsor), was chosen secretary. This convention chose E. C. Manning as delegate, and Lem Cook as alternate, in the State Convention. About the time that the Republican Mass Meeting call was issued a printed poster, which read as follows, was circulated in the county.

To the Voters of Cowley County:

The members of the Republican party of Cowley County are invited to effect an organization at a delegate convention to be held at Dexter on Saturday, September 3rd, 1870, for the purpose of appointing a County Executive Committee, and electing a delegate to the State Republican Convention, which meets at Topeka, September 8th, 1870.

The Republican voters are requested to meet in primary conventions at 2 o'clock, on Saturday, August 27th, at the following places:

Rock Creek, at Phillips'.

Winfield, at the Court House.

Creswell, at Norton's Store, Arkansas City.

Cedar, at ____________.

Dexter, at Cloud's.

Grouse, at Silver Dale Store.

Ratio of representation, four delegates to each township.

By order of the State Executive Committee,

Pursuant to that notice a convention was held at Dexter on Sept. 3rd. That body selected H. B. Norton as the delegate from Cowley County to the State Convention, and selected a County Republican Central Committee, of which James McDermott was appointed chairman and W. P. Hackney secretary.

Norton and Manning both attended the State Convention at Topeka, but that body accepted Norton as the regular delegate and gave him the seat therein.

Shortly after the Sept. 3rd convention, the chairman of the Central Committee, appointed at Dexter, issued a call for a Republican convention to be held at Winfield, Oct. 3rd, to nominate a candidate for representative and candidates for county offices. The ticket then nominated can be found in the "Annals."

Oct. 8th, a call for a "People's Convention" was issued, signed by W. Q. Mansfield, T. H. Johnson, T. A. Blanchard, James Renfro, James Land, D. A. Millington, Wm. Craig, F. A. Hunt, A. Menor, J. Mentch, T. B. Ross, and H. Wolf.

Under the call this convention met at Winfield, Oct. 20th, and nominated a full ticket, which will be found in the "Annals." The tickets nominated at the two conventions last mentioned, though called Republican and People's, really were composed of partisans to a strife that had been engendered between Winfield and Arkansas City for political and business supremacy in the county. The canvass preceding the election, which transpired Nov. 8th, was very spirited, almost bitter; the principal interest centering upon the candidates for representativeH. B. Norton and E. C. Manning. At that election 504 votes were cast, of which H. B. Norton received 256 and E. C. Manning 248. The remaining candidates upon the "People's" ticket received a small majority except the candidate for Register of Deeds and County Attorney.

When the Commissioners met to canvass the votes after the election, they found the returns to be in a crude and some of them in an unintelligible condition. In the language of G. H. Norton, one of the Commissioners, and a brother of H. B. Norton, "The next returns opened were objected to by Mr. Blanchard (another member of the board of canvassers) on the ground that he did not know where it came from. Upon examination I found there was nothing on them to indicate where they came from. I suggested to the board that perhaps they knew some of the names on the poll book and could tell from them what precinct the returns came from. The other members both stated they did not know any of the names and as I did not, I voted with them to reject the returns."

The rejection of the unintelligible returns gave the "People's" ticket a large majority except in the offices of County Attorney and Register of Deeds. The election of T. B. Ross was contested before T. H. Johnson, County Attorney, presiding as judge, with J. C. Fuller and E. S. Torrance, the incoming County Attorney, then a resident of Arkansas City, as associate judges. The "Court" decided that Ross was entitled to the certificate. Some steps were taken to contest Mr. Manning's seat in the legislature but the idea was finally abandoned.

Up to the 13th day of June, 1870, there were no mail routes in the county. At that time the first mail coach arrived, Parker & Tisdale, proprietors. Previously all mail matter for the settlers in the county came to Douglass, and was brought from there by private hands and distributed among the settlers.

In January, 1871, a U. S. surveying party, under O. F. Short, began the survey of the county. They were followed very industriously by claim hunters, who hoped the survey would develop unoccupied tracts. On the other hand, the settlers were on the alert and many lines were run just in advance of the compassmen of the surveying party, and when a little deviation would leave a squatter on the claim that he wanted, the deviation was sure to be made. As a consequence, the section lines in this county are very crooked.

Though one of the newest, is one of the richest in soil and resources, most prosperous and most promising counties in Kansas. The variety of soil consists of light, warm, sandy loam and heavy, limestone, black loam. A heavy growth of grass from two feet to ten feet in height covers the soil annually and bears evidence of its productive power. All the products of this latitude in the United States do well here. The surface of the country is rolling and in some places along the streams precipitous limestone bluffs appear, from fifty to one hundred feet in height. The bottom and valley lands are considered the best for farming, but all land where the plow can run are considered good.

The streams of the county are as follows: The Arkansas River enters the west line of the county, thirteen miles below the north line, and winding through the southwest portion of the county it crosses the south line thirteen miles east of the west line and enters the Indian Territory. The streams that fall into the Arkansas from the county are Sand Creek, Lost Creek, Beaver Creek, and Evans Creek. The Walnut River, which is an elegant mill stream, enters the county from the north seven miles east of the west line and flows south through the county joining the Arkansas River within three miles of the south line. Falling into this stream from the west are the following creeks: Eight-mile, Maple, Stewart, Crooked, Squaw Creek, Posey, and Camp creeks. The streams that fall in from the east are Muddy, Rock, Darien, Little Dutch, Foos, Timber, Black Crook, and Badger.

Grouse Creek is a mill stream and rises in the northeast corner of the county, running west of south, and joins the Arkansas River at the south line of the county thirteen miles east of the southwest corner. The streams that fall into Grouse from the west are Canyon, Burden, Ballou's, Turkey, Horse, and Silver creeks. Those that flow into it from the east are Armstrong, Fall, Cedar, Plumb, and Crab creeks. Otter, Spring, South Cedar, Coal, and the two Beavers are creeks that rise in the eastern and southeastern portion of the county and flow either to the Caneys in Chautauqua County or into the Territory. These streams are pure spring water, flowing over gravel beds.

The soil is from one to twenty-five feet in depth, and in most places is underlayed with beautiful limestone at a depth of from one inch to ten feet in thickness and which is easily quarried for building purposes.

of Southwest Kansas, more particularly that which lies within a radius of fifty miles of Winfield, is not too dry for crop raising. A residence of sixteen years in Kansas, six of which have been spent at this place, warrants us in saying that no portion of the State in this longitude is blessed with so large an annual rainfall as the region above described. The causes are local. The Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, with their tributaries, are of such impor- tance in volume as to cause more frequent rain showers here than in any locality to the north or west of us. No one contradicts this statement who is familiar with the country. The mean temperature for December 1875 was 66 degrees above zero.

of all kinds do well, not excepting vegetables. But the staple crop is winter wheat. The season of 1864 was called the dry year, but Cowley County alone raised over 200,000 bushels of winter wheat, and the average yield exceeded twenty bushels to the acre of very choice grain. In fact, it was the best grain offered in the St. Louis market.

The winter wheat harvest in this county for the year 1875 exceeded 500,000 bushels, with an average yield of 26½ bushels to the acre. Many fields yielded forty bushels to the acre and one field of seven acres turned out at the threshing machine fifty-four bushels.

The marketable wheat crop this year was sold at Wichita, the nearest railroad point, forty- three miles distant from Winfield, at an average price of one dollar and ten cents per bushel. A man with team enough to do the work can break up the prairie of a 160 acre farm during the months of June and July, and can sow the same in September with winter wheat and harvest enough grain therefrom the next June to pay for his land at ten dollars per acre, after having paid all his expenses and allowed himself a reasonable compensation for his own labor.

a railroad will be constructed into this county, which will add to the market facilities of this region. At present land

in this county. It will not be long before a railroad will reach from this valley through the Indian Territory to Texas, and then Galveston, 700 miles distant, will be our seaport market. When this time arrives land will be worth fifty dollars per acre. It can now be bought for from one dollar and a quarter to ten dollars per acre, according to location, soil, timber, water, improvements, etc.

of all kinds flourishes.

grows in abundance and can be put into hay for one dollar per ton. The ruling price at present for hay is three dollars and fifty cents per ton.

need be apprehended from Indians. The county has been settled for six years and not an Indian outrage has been committed in its borders.

chinch bugs, and other pests are no more numerous than in any other locality west of the Missouri River. The first named have never visited this locality but once, and then they came too late to do much harm. The region of their origin lies hundreds of miles to the northwest, and as they move south, whenever they move at all, they either distribute themselves over the region north of us entirely or arrive so late in this locality as to do no harm. They have moved out of their northwest homes three or four times in the past twenty years and only twice did they get into Southern Kansas.

command from fifteen to twenty-five dollars per month according to the season. Mechanics wages are not so high as in the cities.

can make money very fast here. Persons without money can make money faster than in any locality that we know of in the States east of us. Money brings from twenty to fifty percent per annum interest.

are not particularly needed. There is at present a full supply. Farmers with means are needed; those without means are welcome.

are required to raise crops. A herd law requires stock owners to take care of their cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep. You will drive miles and miles along the road with fields on either side and no fences.

does well here, but every man must take care of his own.

is very scarce. Girls invariably place themselves in the matrimonial market upon arriving in this locality and are soon doing business on their own hook. Two or three hundred very homely, hump-backed, flat-chested, cross-eyed girls could find constant and remunerative employment in the kitchens of this county.

1. TOWNSHIP.

2. DATE OF ORGANIZATION.

3. NO. OF SQUARE MILES.

4. POPULATION AT PRESENT.

5. ACRES IN CULTIVATION.

6. ACRES IN WHEAT, DECEMBER 1875.

7. REAL VALUATION OF PROPERTY (IN DOLLARS).

8. FIRST TRUSTEES APPOINTED OR ELECTED.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #8

BEAVER MAY 16, 1871. 36 410 L. M. KENNEDY

BOLTON APRIL 1, 1872. 50 590 R. I. THEAKER

CEDAR APRIL 9, 1872. 54 220 R. R. TURNER

CRESWELL MAY 23, 1870. 30 799 W. E. COOK

DEXTER APRIL 11, 1871. 72 451 B. F. JONES

HARVEY FEB. 13, 1874. 63 309 G. ATHERTON

LIBERTY JAN. 6, 1875. 48 322 J. A. HILL

MAPLE AUG. 16, 1872. 36 291 D. RUNDELL

NENNESCAH JAN. 1, 1872. 30 292 A. BECKS

OMNIA FEB. 8, 1873. 36 146 W. H. GILLIARD

OTTER OCT. 12, 1872. 81 466 C. H. LEWIS

PLEASANT VALLEY JUNE 27, 1871. 36 319 H. H. CONSTANT

RICHLAND JUNE 27, 1871. 70 599 J. R. THOMPSON

ROCK MAY 23, 1870. 56 724 ED. PHILLIPS

SILVER CREEK AUG. 16, 1872. 36 267 A. P. BROOKS

SPRING CREEK AUG. 16, 1872. 54 239 A. A. WILEY

SILVERDALE NOV. 11, 1871. 54 331 J. H. DAMEWOOD

SHERIDAN JAN. 6, 1873. 36 312 R. R. LONGSHORE

TISDALE AUG. 1, 1871. 41 471 S. S. MOORE

VERNON JULY 3, 1871. 42 563 P. M. WAIT

WINDSOR APRIL 11, 1871. 94 460 I. B. TODD

WINFIELD MAY 23, 1870. 63 1421 W. W. ANDREWS

The county seat, is located in the valley of the Walnut River, about 8 miles east of the west line of the county and midway between the north and south line. Its Main street is 120 feet wide, running north and south, and the remaining streets are 80 feet wide and lay parallel to and at right angles with Main street. The location is picturesque, a little rolling and very healthy. There are over fifty wells on the town site, all of uniform depth (about 22 feet) and yielding never failing and pure, pleasant tasting water.

The following is a short history of the town.

E. C. Manning built his claim house in January, 1870, and moved his family into it March 10th, 1870. It is the house just north of the stage stable in block 108 and is the oldest house in the city. What afterwards became the Winfield town site was then known as his claim.

The Winfield Town Company was organized Jan. 13th, 1872, with E. C. Manning, president; W. W. Andrews, vice president; C. M. Wood, treasurer; W. G. Graham, secretary; E. C. Manning, J. H. Land, A. A. Jackson, W. G. Graham, and J. C. Monforte, directors, and the foregoing named persons with T. H. Baker, S. S. Prouty, Thos. Moonlight, and H. C. Loomis, corporators; and that the object of this corporation was "to lay out a town site on the rolling prairie east of the Walnut River and south of Dutch Creek, the same being in Cowley County and embracing the particular forty acres of land on which the residence of E. C. Manning is situated, with the privilege of increasing the area of the town site as soon as practicable."

In the organization the question of name was discussed, and finally the Christian name of Winfield Scott was honored. He was at that time the minister in charge of the Baptist church in Leavenworth.

In the course of the next four months after the organization, Manning, with the aid of the town company, had surveyed 20 acres of "the particular 40 acres" of his claim into the six blocks along Main street from 5th to 9th streets, and had built the old log store, now occu- pied by the Post Office and COURIER office, and had moved his stock of goods into it. Dr. Mansfield opened a small drug store in one corner of the Log Store May 1st, and shortly after erected a small drug store where the present store stands.

In June of that year Max Shoeb appeared and erected an open log structure where Read's bank now stands, and plied his hammer and anvil therein.

July 4th, 1870, was a great day for Winfield. The first celebration in the county of our national birth day was held under a large bower in the rear of the Old Log Store, and Prof. E. P. Hickok was the orator of the occasion. Soon after this G. W. Green built and moved his family into a little house near where Mr. Gordon now lives, and Max Shoeb moved his family into the nucleus of the house he now lives in. Manning's family had moved into his claim house before this on the 10th of March.

August 20th, A. A. Jackson sold out his claim to J. C. Fuller and D. A. Millington, who, with Manning, made arrangements to lay out more territory as town site and induce persons to settle rapidly on the town sitegiving them the lots they should improve. During the fall of 1870 many persons settled upon the town site and made improvements. We cannot from this on, name all the persons that settled in Winfield in order, as that would be too voluminous, but will name the first in kind, business, or profession.

The first settler in Winfield was E. C. Manning, the first woman Mrs. Delaphine P. Manning.

Max Shoeb was the first blacksmith; Frank A. Hunt, the first hardware dealer; W. Q. Mansfield, the first physician; J. P. Short, the first hotel keeper; A. J. Thompson, the first feed store keeper; Manning the first merchant and P. M.; T. H. Johnson was the first lawyer; B. H. Dunlap, the first livery stable keeper; Judge T. B. Ross preached the first sermon; Rev. A. Tousey, the first resident preacher; Miss A. Marks, of Silver Creek, taught the first school; J. C. Fuller, the first banker; M. L. Palmer, the first tinner and schoolmaster; the first birth was Fred Manning; W. M. Boyer, the first news dealer and book store. C. A. Bliss & Co. bought out the small stock of Baker & Manning in September of 1870, and were the first regular mercantile firm in town and brought in a large stock of goods.

Though this country was practically open for settlement on the passage of the act of Congress of July 15th, 1870, in relation thereto; yet no one knew where his claim lines would run, because there had been no government survey. This survey did not occur until January, 1871. Immediately after the survey D. A. Millington, who was the first engineer and surveyor, surveyed and laid out into town lots and blocks, all the west half of Fuller's claim and east half of Manning's claim (not already laid out), and platted the whole as the town site of Winfield. Settlers continued to locate in Winfield until on the 10th day of July, 1871, there were 72 lots improved with 80 buildings. On that day the town site was entered by the Probate Judge, T. B. Ross.

The city of Winfield was incorporated Feb. 22nd, 1873. The first city election was held March 7th, 1873, at which W. H. H. Maris was elected Mayor.

A. A. Jackson, Probate Judge.

O. F. Boyle, J. D. Cochran, H. S. Silver, S. C. Smith, and C. A. Bliss, for Councilmen.

The Council chose S. C. Smith, its President; J. W. Curns, Clerk; M. L. Robinson, Treasurer; C. W. Richmond, Marshal; and J. M. Alexander, Attorney.

The first annual election was held April 7th, 1873, and the same persons were re-elected to the various offices, excepting that S. Darrah succeeded C. A. Bliss, and the Council re- appointed the same persons to the other offices, with the exception that W. T. Dougherty succeeded Richmond as Marshal.

The second annual election was held April 8th, 1874. S. C. Smith was elected Mayor; N. H. Wood, Police Judge; and S. Darrah, J. D. Cochran, H. S. Silver, R. B. Saffold, and J. P.

McMillen, Councilmen.

The Council appointed J. W. Curns, Clerk; M. L. Robinson, Treasurer; T. H. Suits, Attorney; Z. T. Swigart, Marshal.

Nov. 16th, 1874, T. H. Johnson was appointed to fill the vacancy, N. H. Wood having resigned as Police Judge. W. P. Hackney was appointed Attorney, T. H. Suits having resigned.

The third annual election was held April 5th, 1875. D. A. Millington was elected Mayor; W. M. Boyer, Police Judge; and M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, J. Newman, J. M. Dever, and C. C. Black, Councilmen.

The Mayor and Council appointed B. F. Baldwin, Clerk; E. R. Evans, Marshal; J. E. Allen, Attorney; J. C. Fuller, Treasurer; and M. G. Troup, President of Council.

The present population of the city of Winfield is about 800 on an area of 200 acres. It has 221 buildings among which the most prominent are the Courthouse, built in 1873 at a cost of $12,000, of brick with a showy belfry and cupola, probably the best courthouse in Kansas, costing no more than it did. The residence of J. E. Platter ranks next in value but first in beauty, built in 1874 of brick, ornamented cut stone, costing $8,000. The banking house of M. L. Read is a fine brick structure costing $6,000, and the hardware store of S. H. Myton is larger and equally imposing of brick, costing $6,000. The schoolhouse is a substantial stone structure costing $6,000. The residence of Dr. Mansfield, M. L. Read, C. A. Bliss, D. A. Millington, J. P. McMillen, W. G. Graham, W. W. Andrews, S. H. Myton, and many others are good substantial structures and ornaments to the city.

Winfield is supplied with mail communication as follows: Daily mail by coach from railroad at Wichita to Arkansas City. Daily mail from Florence on railroad by hack. Tri- weekly mail from Wellington to Independence via Lazette. Tri-weekly mail from Winfield to Independence via Tisdale and Dexter.

The first settler in this part of Grouse Valley was John W. Tull, who laid the foundation of the first house. He came in November, 1869. The first regularly ordained preacher who came here in 1870 was Elder Womack, though the first sermon preached was by Elder William Gans.

The M. E. Church was organized at this place in 1873 by Elder Smith.

Doctor T. J. Raybell opened the first store in 1870, and was postmaster at the same time. The mail matter was then brought in from Eureka, 55 miles distant, in the pockets of travelers.

The first person buried in the Lazette graveyard was William Dwyer, early in 1871.

The first blacksmith shop was erected by Edward Sutton in 1870, and also the first saw and grist mill, 6 horsepower, in the same year.

J. W. Tull raised the first crop of corn in 1870.

The first school in the valley was taught by J. W. Tull in 1870.

The first marriage, December 25, 1870, was that of Richard Miller and Flora Dudley, by E. Simpson, the first Justice of the Peace.

The town of Lazette is located in the Grouse Valley, on the Independence and Winfield road, and was laid out in 1871. The first house therein was built by Bartholomew Fritch, who opened the first shoemaker's shop. Town lots are 25 x 120 feet and are held by H. D. Wilkins and S. M. Fall. The town plot covers 160 acres. The schoolhouse was built in 1872 at a cost of $1,500. The first hotel was "The Black Bear," H. D. Gans, proprietor.

The first white family that came into the valley was that of John Thornburgh.

The first printing press put in operation was brought in by J. W. Tull, from whose office the Bugle, the first paper, was published in 1875.

The first wagon shop was opened by Thomas Walch. The valley now contains not less than eight schoolhouses.

R. C. Story, attorney at law; Mc D. Stapleton, merchant, with a large stock of general merchandise; a drug store by J. A. Chapman; a grocery store by M. Hemenway, postmaster; a hotel by Robert Harris; a boot and shoe shop by Bartholomew Fritz; and a wagon shop by Thomas Walch, and a grist and saw mill run by steam, owned by B. H. Clover, are the businessmen and enterprises of the place. A first-class public school is in session from six to nine months of the year.

Is situated in the valley of Grouse Creek 18 miles from Winfield and contains a population of 66. It contains two general stores by Hardin & Co. and F. Henrion, both carrying large stocks; one dress-making and millinery establishment, by Mrs. Black; two physicians, G. P. Wagner and Dr. Rood; one lawyer, James McDermott; one hotel by J. Williams; one blacksmith by J. Graham, and one steam saw and flouring mill; one resident minister, P. G. Smith. It has also a frame schoolhouse in which a school, free to all, is kept for nine months in the year, and having, at the present time, an attendance of 65. It is the intention to grade this school at the beginning of the year. Two churches, the Methodist and Christian, have organizations at this point and maintain regular preaching. There is a considerable sprinkling of other denominations but no organizations as yet. Dexter Grange, No. 1195, P. of H., and Dexter Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., are both located here and both are prospering.

The town plat covers an area of 23 acres and contains about 100 lots. It was surveyed and platted by W. W. Walton, county surveyor, Nov. 13th, 1875, and the plats have not been filed for record yet, but will be in a few days, after which the lots will be offered for sale. Lots will be donated to parties who desire to improve them. The lots on Main street are 25 feet front by 160 deep. The other lots are 50 feet front and of the same depth. The vacant lots are the property of the "Dexter Town Association," and information in regard to them or the town, or county, can be obtained either of P. G. Smith, President, or James McDermott, Secretary of the association.

In the early spring of 1870, when there were scarcely a half dozen families in the fifty miles from the head to the mouth of Grouse Creek, but a great many bachelors living in their rude cabins with scarcely a sign of civilization around them, it was thought by some that the beautiful valley just below the confluence of a stream, which they called Plum Creek, would be a good place to build a town, which should become, in time, the metropolis of Grouse Creek and possibly the county seat. The county was not surveyed at that time and this point was believed to be near the center. All mail for this section was received through the Post Office at Eureka, 65 miles northeast, and the railroad was reached at Emporia, 50 miles further north.

Certain parties at Emporia, hearing of this desirable spot, organized the "Dexter Town Company" in July, 1870. C. B. Bacheller, George W. Frederick, and L. N. Robinson, of Emporia, Alex. Stevens, and Thos. Manning, of Grouse Creek, were the incorporators. This company paid the secretary of State five dollars for their charter and then ceased active operations. It hasn't been heard from since.

The settlers erected the body of a log house and covered it sometime in the spring of 1870. In July of that year Tyler & Evans opened a small store in it. The first house, on what is now the town plat, was built by James McDermott, who moved into it January 25th, 1871. In September, 1870, the post office was established with I. B. Todd as Postmaster, and in March, 1871, the first mail carrier arrived from Eureka. There is now a regular mail three times a week from Winfield. In the fall of 1871 a frame schoolhouse 26 by 40 feet was erected at a cost of $2,000. A six months school was sustained each year until 1874 when the term was increased to nine months.

In February, 1874, Dexter Grange, No. 1105, was organized; and on the 28th of May, 1874, Dexter Lodge, U. D. A. F. & A. M., was established, being constituted under a charter with the number 156, on the 18th day of the next November.

During the summer of 1875 a steam mill was erected, the building of stone, with two run of burrs and a circular saw.

October 21st, 1875, the "Dexter Town Association" was incorporated, and shortly afterwards purchased the land and laid out the town as above set forth. This is a good point for business and businessmen, and mechanics of all kinds will do well to locate at this point.

Dexter Township includes nine miles of the Grouse Valley, all of Plum Creek, nearly all of Crab Creek, and the prairies adjoining, and contains a population of nearly 500. There was harvested in the township last year over 30,000 bushels of wheat and double that amount of corn. Timber is abundant on Grouse Creek and firewood can be bought for $2.50 and $3.00 per cord. Coal can be bought for 15 cents per bushel at the bank 12 miles distant. There is some good land to be had at $1.25 per acre by actual settlers, and improved bottom homes can be purchased at from $10 to $15 per acre. Improved upland at from $3 to $6 per acre.

Tisdale is located on a high rolling prairie at the geographical center of the county. It was first laid out as a town in June, 1871, by the Tisdale Town Company, the charter of the company bearing date June 13th, 1871, with A. D. Keith, as president, and C. R. Mitchell, as secretary. The present secretary is Ed. Milliard. The town site proper contains 160 acres of land laid out in blocks 350 by 280 feet, and contains 14 and 28 lots each respectively, the business lots being 25 by 132 and the residence lots 50 by 132 feet each, making a total of 938 lots in all. The town site was purchased from the government in June, 1872. A post office was established in the fall of 1871 with J. A. McGuire as Postmaster, which position he still retains. Tisdale has a tri-weekly mail with Winfield and Independence, and weekly mail with Eldorado and Arkansas City. Tisdale now contains twenty-seven buildings with a population of 85 inhabitants, four store buildings, one blacksmith and two wagon shops, one hotel, a $2,000 schoolhouse, and boasts of one of the best schools in the county. It has three church organizations and a Good Templar Lodge. Pure water in abundance is to be found at a depth of from twelve to eighteen feet. Coal has been found in small quantities. Silver Creek runs near this place, upon which is located a flouring mill now in operation, Moses Miller, proprietor. J. A. McGuire opened the first store in town and Sam Willeston opened the first blacksmith shop. Mart Elinger erected the first house and Wm. Atter preached the first sermon in the place. The first settlers were S. S. Moore, G. W. Foughty, Sid Moses, and M. Elinger. Mrs. Foughty taught the first school in town.

located about ten miles southwest from Dexter, in the center of Spring Township, is a hamlet of half a dozen houses surrounded by a rich agricultural country. It contains a post office, hotel, store, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, and a first-class schoolhouse.

is located upon a beautiful rise of ground commanding an enchanting view of the Arkansas and Walnut valleys. It is about four miles North of the South and six miles East of the West line of the county. The Arkansas passes about one-half mile West, and the Walnut about one- half mile East of the town site and form a junction about two miles and a half to the southeast.

In March, April, and May, 1869, H. C. Endicott, Senior, Geo. Harmon, W. Johnson, Ed Chapin, Pad Endicott, Pat Somers, and J. (Z.) K. Rogers took claims along the Walnut in the vicinity of the present town. H. C. Endicott built the first house in that part of the county. In September following Z. K. Rogers died at Endicott's house: the first death in the county.

On January 1st, 1870, the first stake was driven in the town site by the town company. On March 1st, 1870, G. H. Norton built the first house on the town site, which he occupied as a residence and store. It is now occupied by Mrs. Gray. G. H. Norton, appointed in April, 1870, was the first postmaster. The town site is one mile square. Its streets are laid out north and south and east and west. The main street traverses the summit of the mound upon which the town is located. During the summer of 1870, the town grew very fast and in the fall there were about forty buildings up. It soon became, and remains, the outfitting point for intercourse with the Indian Territory, and a very large and important trade centers there from this county, and from the Agencies and Government Surveying expeditions located and operating in the Territory below. Settled at the outset by an energetic and intelligent people, they soon brought about them the evidences of cultivation. The finest schoolhouse southeast of Emporia adorns the town site; constructed of brick with cut stone trimmings, designed by J. G. Haskell, the first architect in the State; its attractive and inviting form is a noble monument of the present, and promising prestige of the future.

A splendid brick church, the best edifice of the kind in the country, a substantial frame church, a cut stone bank (J. C. McMullen's), the City Hotel, a three-story structure, kept by Mantor & Son, the Central Avenue, a commodious two-story building, Houghton & McLaughlin, immense dry goods store, J. H. Sherburne & Co.'s two-story business house, J. C. McMullen's elegant private residence constructed of brick with cut stone trimmings, costing $6,000, are among the most prominent and expensive of the buildings upon the town site. It contains about 550 population.

In 1870 the following enterprises were established and were the first of the kind in the city: C. R. Sipes' hardware store; Sleeth & Bro. saw mill; Richard Woolsey, hotel; Newman & Houghton clothing house (first in the county); Paul Beck, blacksmith shop; E. D. Bowen grocery store; Keith & Eddy drug store; J. I. Mitchell Harness shop; T. A. Wilkinson, restau rant and boarding house; Wm. Speers, first ferry across Arkansas River.

The first bank and brick residence were built by J. C. McMullen in 1873. The first temperance meeting was held Feb. 21, 1871. W. P. Hackney was the first lawyer; Dr. John Alexander the first physician; Mrs. S. P. Channell opened the first millinery store. The first Sunday school was organized in Rev. B. C. Swarts' cabin, T. A. Wilkinson, superintendent; first jeweler, Perry Woodyard.

Creswell Grote, born October 5, 1870, was the first native of the town. On the 20th day of July, 1871, the town site was entered at the Augusta land office. June 10, 1872, it was incorporated as a city of the third class. First city election took place July 1st, 1872. A. D. Keith, mayor; Amos Walton, police judge. The office of mayor is successively filled by A. D. Keith (second term), H. O. Meigs, S. P. Channell, Judge Timothy McIntire has been police judge since April 8, 1873.

There are at present four newspapers published in this county, three of which, the COURIER, Plow and Anvil, and the Cowley County Telegram, are published at Winfield; and the fourth, the Arkansas City Traveler, is published at Arkansas City. The first paper published in the county was the Cowley County Censor, the first number of which was issued at Winfield, Aug. 13, 1870, by A. J. Patrick, who was the editor and proprietor. The Censor was a six column paper. The first two numbers were printed at Augusta, the type having been set up here and sent in galleys to Augusta. Number three was printed here on the historical press of Kansas, the history of which is given by S. S. Prouty as follows.

"Rev. Joseph Meeker brought the first press into Kansas Territory. This was in 1834. Mr. Meeker was a missionary to the Ottawa Indians. The Ottawa Mission was near where the town of Ottawa now stands. Mr. Meeker, a long time prior to the commencement of settlement by the whites, printed a book with that press.

"The State of Kansas should recover that Meeker press and preserve it at the capital. Kansas will have a centennial some day. From Meeker the press passed into the hands of George W. Brown. In 1857 Brown sold it to S. S. Prouty. Prouty owned the press for years, and used it in the publication of the Freemen's Champion and the Neosho Valley Register. Prouty sold it to S. Weaver, who used it at Lecompton. From thence it went to Cottonwood Falls, and from thence to Cowley County. It is now supposed to be in the Indian Territory, on its march of conquest. It was a Seth Adams manufacture, oval at the top. There were twenty stars on it, indicating that at the time of its manufacture there were twenty states in the Union. This was in 1817, as the twenty-first State was admitted in 1818."

Prouty's supposition that the press was in the Indian Territory was not correct. About eighteen months ago it was sold by S. C. Smith to W. H. Kerns, Smith having taken it under a chattel mortgage given by Kerns in January, 1873. Kerns took it to Missouri, where at last accounts he was publishing a paper with it.

Patrick was succeeded by L. J. Webb as editor of the Censor, June 3, 1871, and on the 5th of August following, Webb & Doud bought Patrick out and continued the publication of the paper until the 26th of the month, when E. G. Nichols succeeded Doud, and the firm became Webb & Nichols. In the month of September following the paper was enlarged to seven columns. January 6th, 1872, Webb and Nichols sold out to W. H. Kerns, when the Censor ceased to exist. January 13th Kerns commenced the publication of the Winfield Messenger, a seven column paper, and on the 4th of July, the same year, was succeeded by Yale Bro.'s, who published until the 5th of December, when they broke up and moved the office and material, except the old press, to McPherson County.

The next paper after the Censor was the Traveler, a six column paper, the first number of which was issued August 24, 1870. We believe it was the first paper printed in the county, coming out a few days before the third number of the Censor.

The Traveler was published by M. G. Mains, with H. B. Norton as editor and C. M. Scott as local. On the 15th of December, 1870, L. B. Kellogg succeeded Mains in the proprietor ship and became the editor, with Norton special contributor and Scott local. On the first day of September, 1870, Scott bought Kellogg out, since which time he has carried on the paper alone.

Number 1, volume 1, of the Telegram, was published at Tisdale on the 12th day of September, 1872, by W. M. Allison. Five numbers were issued at Tisdale, and on the 28th of November No. 6 was published at Winfield by Allison. In the month of January, 1873, Allison associated with him A. H. Hane, under the firm name of Allison & Hane, who published the paper until the 20th of March, when Hane was succeeded by A. B. Steinberger (now of the Howard City Courant). Allison & Steinberger dissolved July 3, 1873, since which time Allison has published the Telegram. The press on which the Telegram is now published is of the same manufacture and age of the Meeker press. Allison has edited the paper since it started.

On the 11th day of January, 1873, R. S. Waddell & Co. started the COURIER at Winfield and continued its publication with R. S. Waddell editor and J. C. Lillie local editor until March 27th following, when James Kelly purchased the office. Kelly at once assumed the publication of the paper, editing it himself, with V. B. Beckett local. Beckett did the locals until March 4, 1875. Kelly conducted the paper alone from that time until July 1st, when Wirt W. Walton became and has ever since been local editor. On the 11th of November last E. C. Manning became editor and publisher.

On the 19th day of November, 1874, the Plow and Anvil made its first appearance, with Col. J. M. Alexander editor and proprietor. Col. Alexander was succeeded by Amos Walton and C. M. McIntire, the present editors and proprietors, April 22 last.

The Censor was, and the Traveler and COURIER are, republican in politics. The Messenger was, and the Telegram and Plow and Anvil are independent in politics.

The Baptist denomination perfected its organization in the county at Winfield, in October 1870. Rev. Winfield Scott, the pastor at Leavenworth, was present and superintended the organization, and preached the first Baptist sermon delivered in the county. The Baptists at that time commenced and subsequently completed a tasty stone church building. The Baptists now have societies organized at Baltimore, Floral, Mount Zion, Maple Grove, Maple City, Pleasant Valley, Rock Creek, Silver Creek, Timber Creek, and Winfield. The enrolled membership numbers 325, and there are at least 175 Baptists outside of the organizations, making a total of 500.

The society at Winfield was organized in May, 1870, by Rev. B. C. Swarts with three members, two full members and one probationer. This was the first organization in the county. In September followingthe membership having increased to tenthe construction of a house of worship was decided upon. In May, 1871, a church building was completed. In March of 1871, the Kansas M. E. conference appointed Rev. L. A. Smith to fill the charge. Rev. Wm. Armstrong succeeded him; and in Aug. 1872 Rev. Williams took charge; and following him was Rev. John Lowrey in March, 1873. In March 1874, Rev. J. McQuiston was placed in charge, and finally in September, 1875, Winfield became a station with Rev. J. C. Adams as pastor. The Winfield society contains 56 members and owns a church and parsonage valued at $1,500.

The M. E. denomination have organizations in the county, located as follows: One at Winfield, Little Dutch, Limbocker's Schoolhouse, Fee's Schoolhouse, Thomasville, Maple City, Coburns, Bolton, Dexter, Lazette, New Salem, South Bend, Arkansas City, Baltimore, and Rock Schoolhouse. The estimated membership is 400 in number. The society at Arkansas City own a parsonage.

Of Presbyterian church organizations in the county there are five, viz: One Cumberland Presbyterian church, located on Silver Creek, and ministered to by Rev. Nance. One is a United Presbyterian church and is located at Arkansas City, and was organized by Rev. Mr. Collins, of Lyon County, in the fall of 1872. The other three belong to the Presbyterian church and are located in Winfield, Arkansas City, and one eight miles north of Winfield, known as the Walnut Valley Church. The aggregate membership of the three churches is something over two hundred. Both the Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian churches at Arkansas City have good church buildings, completely furnished and free from debt. The Presbyterian minister who first labored in this county, as far as we can ascertain, was the Rev. A. R. Naylor, who came in the fall of 1872 and remained six months. His first sermon was preached in the Baptist church in Winfield. The Presbyterian church at Winfield was organized January 19th, 1873, and the one in Arkansas City shortly after, by Rev. A. R. Naylor. The Walnut Valley church was organized March 1st, 1874, by Rev. J. E. Platter, who is its present minister, and also has charge of the society at Winfield. At the latter place a large brick church is in process of erection.

The Church of Christ, or Disciples, have eight organizations, as follows: Winfield, Vernon, Dexter, Floral, Lazette, Baltimore, Rose Valley, and Maple, with a membership of 309. There are also in the county an unorganized membership of about 300, who have not determined upon a place of meeting: making a total membership of 609. They have eight preachers, viz: J. H. Irvin, J. J. Goodwell, Wm. Marquis, Samuel Cutsinger, and John Blevins. The first discourse delivered in the county by a Disciple minister was by Elder Womack, now deceased, in the summer of 1871, in the old Town Company building, Winfield. The congregation in Winfield has now a neat, comfortable frame building, valued at $800. The distinctive plea of the Disciples is the Bible, and the Bible alone, as an all sufficient rule of faith and practice.

The Congregational denomination has one church organization. It is located in Winfield. Its organization was perfected in January, 1871, S. B. Johnson, Pastor. J. B. Fairbank and A. Howland, Deacons. It became a chartered corporation June 13th, 1873: Directors A. Howland, J. B. Fairbank, James A. Kirk, Ed T. Johnson, Ed W. Perkins. Rev. J. B. Parmelee became pastor in 1873. Mr. Parmelee moved to Indiana in the spring of 1875, since which time the church has been without a pastor.

The Catholics have a mission established here, with service once a month by Rev. Schurz, of Wichita.

On the 29th day of October, 1870, a dispensation was granted to J. S. Hunt, A. H. Green, Enoch Maris, and eight others for a lodge at Winfield. J. S. Hunt was appointed W. M.; A. H. Green, S. W.; and Enoch Maris, J. W. On the 17th day of October, 1872, the lodge obtained a charter under the name of Adelphi, No. 119, with the following charter members: J. S. Hunt, A. H. Green, Enoch Maris, C. A. Bliss, A. A. Jackson, W. M. Boyer, H. Shaughness, I. L. Comfort, E. Adams, Thomas Hart, W. S. Huff, S. H. Revis, T. A. Rice, and J. Traxler.

The same officers were installed under the charter and held their offices until Jan. 1st, 1873, when Enoch Maris was elected W. M.; W. M. Boyer, S. W.; and T. A. Rice, J. W.

January 1st, 1874, Enoch Maris was re-elected W. M.; T. A. Rice, S. W.; and W. G. Graham, S. W.

January 1st, 1875, L. J. Webb was elected W. M.; W. G. Graham, S. W.; and J. E. Saint, J. W.

For the present year J. S. Hunt was elected W. M.; J. E. Saint, S. W.; and A. B. Lemmon, J. W.

The lodge now has forty-six members and is in a healthy condition morally and financially.

About one year after the organization of Adelphi, a dispensation was granted to the craft at Arkansas City, and in due time they received a charter under the name of Crescent Lodge, No. 133, with O. S. Smith, W. M.; E. B. Kager, S. W. Dexter Lodge is spoken of elsewhere.

On the 15th of March, 1875, a dispensation was granted M. L. Read, H. P.; M. C. Baker, K.; John D. Pryor, Scribe; W. C. Robinson, C. H.; A. Howland, P. S.; W. G. Graham, R. A. C.; J. W. Johnston, M. 3rd V.; P. Hill, M. 1st V.; A. A. Newman, member. October 19th, a charter was issued to them under the name Winfield Chapter, R. A. M., No. 31; and on the 26th of the same month the Chapter was instituted by J. C. Bennett, of Emporia. A list of the officers for this year was published last week. This branch of Masonry here is in good working order and in a healthy condition financially.

Winfield Lodge, No. 101, was organized by P. S. M., W. A. Shannon, of Augusta, Kansas, Feb. 18th, 1873.

The charter members were J. J. Williams, S. A. Weir, C. W. Richmond, C. C. Stephens, and A. S. Williams. Upon the evening of the organization, John Swain, Max Shoeb, and J. W. Curns were initiated upon petition. The lodge has steadily increased in numbers until it now contains thirty members.

Winfield Lodge was organized in March, 1874, by N. K. Jeffries, D. G. W. T. On the evening of the organization, Rev. J. McQuiston was chosen W. C. T. and Mrs. A. Gordon, V. T. The lodge was organized with twenty charter members. It now contains ninety members in good standing. There are also two other organizations in the county. One located at Little Dutch, the other at Darien, in the Walnut Valley.

There are five bridges in the county, all wood structures. Two span the Walnut near Winfield, built in 1872, at a cost of $6,000 each; one crosses Timber Creek north of Winfield, costing $2,500, built in 1873; one crosses the Arkansas River south of Arkansas City, at an expense of $15,000, built in 1872; the fifth crosses the Walnut River east of Arkansas City, at a cost of $5,000, erected in 1873.

There are seven grist mills in the county, four water power, three steam power. C. A. Bliss & Co. are proprietors and C. A. Bliss and J. C. Blandin were the builders in 1872 and 1873, of the four-story stone mill on the Walnut adjoining Winfield. It rests upon a solid stone foundation at the south end of a beautiful stone dam. The mill contains three run of burrs, merchant and custom bolt, $1,200 Middlings Purifier (the only one at work in the State at this time). Its daily grinding capacity of 24 hours is over 1,000 bushels of grain. This is the best water mill in southern Kansas. The mill is valued at $24,000.

I. E. Moore is proprietor of the Tunnel Mill, built by Covert and Koehler in 1872 and 1873. It is a three-story, substantial frame building containing two run of burrs driven by the water of the Walnut flowing through a tunnel beneath a narrow neck of land three quarters of a mile south of town. The mill is valued $16,000.

Wm. Speers is the proprietor of a substantial steam grist and saw mill, located upon the town site of Arkansas City.

All of these mills manufacture a superior brand of flour that has favorite reputation in Kansas City, which it reaches via Wichita over the A. T. & S. F. R. R.

B. H. Clover, at Lazette, has a flourishing saw and grist mill run by steam. Carter Bro.'s, at Dexter, also have a grist and saw mill driven by steam power, built in 1875 by Meigs & Kinne. Moses Miller is the proprietor of a small grist mill on Silver Creek, southeast of Tisdale.

Steam saw mills are located on Grouse Creek as follows: Sherman's, six miles above Lazette; Ward & Smiley, two miles below Lazette; French & Stalter, three miles further down; Lippmann's, ten miles below Dexter, and Samuel Jay, at the mouth of Grouse. These with a steam saw mill, owned by W. H. Keiser, about four miles above Winfield on the Walnut, constitute the mills of the county at this date.

The first schoolhouse built in the county was in school district No. 37, called Bethel schoolhouse, in 1871. At present there are seventy schoolhouses in the county, constructed at an average cost of $1,000 each. They are chiefly tasty frame buildings, painted white. There are one hundred and eight organized school district and 3,555 children of school age in the county. The law requires that at least three months school be taught in each district annually. The average wages paid teachers is forty dollars per month. Good teachers find ready employment. The highest salary paid to a teacher in the county is one thousand dollars per annum.

In the order of their terms we give the names of the men who have represented the county in the Kansas House of Representatives: E. C. Manning, 1871; Judge T. B. McIntire, 1872; Capt. James McDermott, 1873; Rev. Wm. Martin, 1874; Hon. T. R. Bryan, 1875.

April 28, 1873, Vernon, the first subordinate Grange, was organized; A. S. Williams, master. In November following Silverdale and Bolton Grange were organized. We have not been able to learn who were the first masters.

The following Granges were organized by J. L. Worden, deputy.

Nov. 24, 1873, Bethel Grange, Joseph Stansberry, master.

Nov. 25, 1873, Maple Grove Grange, James Land, master.

Dec. 8, 1873, Floral Grange, James Van Orsdell, master.

Dec. 9, 1873, New Salem, J. J. Johnson, master.

Dec. 18, 1873, Richland, S. W. Phoenix, master.

Dec. 26, 1873, Beaver, W. A. Freeman, master.

Dec. 29, 1873, Eagle, J. Tipton, master.

Jan. 9, 1874, Bluff, T. C. Bird, master.

Jan. 10, 1874, Winfield, A. T. Stewart, master.

Jan. 15, 1874, Grand Prairie, A. Walk, master.

Jan. 16, 1874, Darien, Wm. H. Grow, master.

Jan. 17, 1874, Omnia, N. J. Thompson, master.

Jan. 20, 1874, Philematheon, H. H. Martin, master.

Jan. 27, 1874, Lazette, J. Clover, master.

Jan. 27, 1874, Center, C. G. Handy, master.

Jan. 30, 1874, Sheridan, Joseph Burt, master.

Jan. 30, 1874, Pleasant Valley, H. H. Constant, master.

Feb. 4, 1874, Walnut Valley, G. S. Story, master.

Feb. 5, 1874, Little Dutch, John Manly, master.

Feb. 9, 1874, Nennescah, L. B. Goodrich, Secretary.

Feb. 11, 1874, Creswell, A. J. Burrell, Secretary.

Feb. 12, 1874, South Bend, J. S. Hill, Secretary.

Feb. 13, 1874, Aurora, C. G. Oliver, Secretary.

Feb. 14, 1874, Gore, G. A. Keeps, Secretary.

Feb. 18, 1874, Union, G. W. Ballou, Secretary.

Feb. 21, 1874, Pleasant Grove, S. B. Littell, Secretary.

Feb. 24, 1874, Enterprise, T. M. Summers, Secretary.

Mar. 13, 1874, Crooked Creek, James Burns, Secretary.

Mar. 16, 1874, Dexter, T. A. Bryan, Secretary.

Mar. 17, 1874, Liberty, E. Newlin, Secretary.

Mar. 18, 1874, Silver Creek, S. M. Jarvis, Secretary.

Mar. 19, 1874, [Location not given], Thomas R. Sharron, Secretary.

Mar. 24, 1874, Washington, L. T. Wells, Secretary.

Apr. 1, 1874, Eureka, W. R. Wickersham, Secretary.

Apr. 8, 1874, Maple City, W. E. Ketchum, Secretary.

Apr. 9, 1874, Grouse Creek, J. R. Pickett, Secretary.

Feb. 16, 1875, Prospect, John Linton, master.

Feb. 27, 1875, Rose Bud, J. R. Kistler, master.

Mar. 18, 1875, Spring Creek, A. A. Wiley, master.

The order is prosperous and growing. There are about one thousand members in the county.

The Cowley County Agricultural Society was organized Aug. 19, 1871, and on Aug. 31 the directors elected the following officers: M. M. Jewett, president, A. T. Stewart, vice president; D. N. Egbert, secretary; A. B. Lemmon, assistant secretary; J. B. Fairbank, corresponding secretary; J. D. Cochran, treasurer, C. M. Wood, superintendent.

Some preliminary meetings were held for the organization prior to the first date given. On the 12th day of October, 1872, the first fair was held. The Society had purchased twelve acres of land south of town and constructed a high, tight, pine fence around it, and cleared an elegant race track thereon. This occurred in 1872, after the Society was incorporated under State law in May 7th and 8th.

At that time A. T. Stewart became President; C. M. Wood, Vice President; J. D. Cochran, Treasurer; D. N. Egbert, Secretary. The second Agricultural Fair, held under the Society, transpired 15th to 18th of September, 1872.

Arkansas City, Baltimore, Cabin Valley, Cedar Creek, Dexter, Grouse Creek, Lazette, Little Dutch, Maple City, Moscow, New Salem, Ninnescah, Otto, Polo, Red Bud, Rock, Silver Dale, Tisdale, Vernon, Winfield: 20.

[EDITORIALS. E. C. MANNING, MANAGER.]

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

There is no frost in the ground. The weather is warm and just right for wheat growing. The 45,000 acres of winter wheat in this county looks as green as grass in June. Enoch Willett finished sowing a large field Dec. 1st and it is all up, and growing finely.

Last Friday we undertook the task of issuing a Centennial COURIER this week. From various sources and at different times a history of the county has been suggested. An intention exists somewhere to present the January, 1876, issue of the Kansas journals in a bound volume at the Centennial. It has been suggested that these volumes contain histories of the counties and cities in which they are printed. We waited until the very last hour before moving to issue such a sheet, in the hope that other and abler hands would undertake the enterprise. In common with all others, we are proud of the progress Cowley has made. We were in at its birth, it will be in at our death. We helped to cut its swaddling clothes, it shall furnish our winding sheet. Containing as it does the elements and resources of an empire, if wisdom prevails in the councils of its people, an unequaled future awaits it.

The most gratifying encouragement has been extended us by all with whom we have come in contact in our efforts to secure data and information for this issue of the COURIER. We do not now remember a single ungenerous or discouraging word. We hope it will be received in as kindly a spirit. Gotten up in such haste, of course it could not be perfect. We have done the best we could in the time given us. By consent of patrons we have left out this week three columns of regular standing advertisements. We hope our readers will not forget them. Boyer & Co.'s news depot and book store, the best and most complete institution of the kind in the county, is one that was set aside; a long list of lots and land in Manning & Walton's double column real estate advertisement is another. The last named firm have some very choice tracts of land for sale at exceedingly low prices. A list of land furnished applicants and correspondence promptly answered.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 6, 1876.

On the 19 inst., as Mr. S. M. Fall and daughter were returning from Dexter, an almost fatal accident befell them. Somebody had very carelessly left a dead calf in the middle of the road near George Gardenhire's, at which Mr. Fall's mules took fright, jumped back so suddenly that they snapped off the tongue of the buggy, and then started forward on a run. By main strength Mr. Fall turned them into the fence, which the buggy struck with such violence as to throw him out on the ground. Fortunately the mules there became disengaged from the buggy, and continued their run unincumbered. Mr. Fall was insensible some little time from the force of the fall, but suffered no other injuries than severe bruises, while his daughter escaped without any damage, though greatly frightened.

At the last meeting of the literary society, at the Gardenhire schoolhouse, the question, Resolved, That the old bachelors should be compelled to support the old maids, was debated, and, of course, decided in the affirmative. The discussion is said to have been heated and able.

Quite a respectable club has been gotten up here for the weekly Commonwealth.

Several interesting shooting matches have lately been held in this neighborhood, and our "crack shots" carried off many a turkey.

On the eve of the 24th a pleasant dance was held at Harvey Ramage's, and another in Cedar Valley at Mr. Buddell's.

The initiary steps to a number of heavy law suits were lately taken by parties in the valley; but unfortunately, the dread of justice to be dispensed by A. J. Pickering's court caused the contending parties to compromise.

Among the distinguished parties who have lately returned to Lazette are the following: Frank Wilkins, Indian Territory; T. Hemenway, Allen County; Lee Wade, Humboldt; Dennis Cunningham, Illinois; H. M. Rogers, St. Joseph; and Joseph Fritch, from Texas.

On the 26th, Rev. Mr. Swarts held religious services in the schoolhouse, and announced his appointment for January.

Corn still stands at 20 cents in our market. Apples range as high as $2.00, while peanuts are a drug at 75 cents.

Rev. David Dale has sold out his stock of ponies, and is determined to "jockey" no more this side of Arizona.

The Arizona company held a pigeon-shooting match on the open square south of town Saturday last.

On Christmas the Lazette Bugle blew its first notes. It is small but quite lively. J. W. Tull is bugler in chief.

[PERSONALS: WIRT W. WALTON, LOCAL EDITOR.]

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

The Sunday School will meet at the Courthouse at half past two o'clock P. M. in future. The first bell will be rung at two o'clock. They are getting a new library.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

LATEST STYLE SUITS at $10 to $15, at Requa's.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

At their regular meeting last Friday night, No. 282 of the A. G. J. S. Bazique, elected the following officers for the ensuing year: J. D. Pryor, King; James Simpson, Grand Khedive; F. Gallotti, Sir Scribe; J. Ex Saint, G. Master C.; W. W. Walton, G. Commander; B. F. Baldwin, G. Generalissimo. After which work was done in the Marquis degree and brother W. C. Robinson made Knight of the Red Hand. Refreshments were taken at the St. Nicholas.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

IF YOU WANT a good hat, a cheap hat, a coarse hat, a black hat, a drab hat, a high hat, a low hat, or any other hat, go to McMillen & Shields.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876. Special Notice. Judge McDonald can be found in my office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week after January 15th, 1876.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

IF YOU DO WANT a good glove, a fine glove, a Buck glove, a sheep glove, a dog glove, a casimere glove, a woolen glove, a kid glove, or any kind of a mitten glove at a job lot price, we say go to McMillen & Shields.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

A lady's fur cape. The owner should pay for this notice and prove ownership to the property and get possession.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

NOW IS THE TIME, and the very time, to buy shoes cheaply while McMillen & Shields are determined to sell at some price to make room for more goods. Look to your interest and fail not.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

There will be an installation of officers of Winfield Chapter No. 31, at Masonic Hall, of Royal Arch Masons, on Saturday evening, January 8. All R. A. M's. in good standing are cordially invited to attend.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

What they say about us in connection with the Journal Clerkship of the House:

"Wirt W. Walton, of Winfield, Kansas, will be a candidate for Journal Clerk of the House. He filled that position with credit during the session of 1873 and 1874. He is a newspaper man of good ability, and will probably be elected." Commonwealth.

Mr. Walton is a good and rapid penman, a correct accountant, and can be relied on. We should like to see him go in. Arkansas City Traveler.

*** Is one of the ablest and most reliable young men of the southwest. Parsons Sun.

*** Has filled the place with credit to himself and the House. Spirit of Kansas.

*** Local editor of the Winfield COURIER, has filled the position once, rendering satisfaction to everybody. He is a good scholar, wields a facile pen, etc. Sumner Co. Press.

*** We do not believe his superior for that position can be found in the State. Larned Press.

*** Besides being a Southwestern Kansas editor, he has had experience in the discharge of the duties of the position, which is invaluable in a clerkship. Wichita Eagle.

*** We vote "Aye!" North Topeka Times.

*** We insist that the members of the South, if not those of the entire State, give him their warmest support. North Topeka Times.

*** We insist that the members of the South, if not those of the entire State, give him their warmest support. Elk County Courant.

Thanks, gentlemen, thanks! Meet us at Popindick's on the evening of the 10th inst.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

IT HAS BECOME a matter of history that McMillen & Shields deal in a good article of goods and do a fair, square business.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

WALKER - WEBB. Tuesday evening, January 4th, 1876, at the residence of the bride's brother, L. J. Webb, by Rev. N. L. Rigby, Mr. R. L. Walker and Miss Sadie A. Webb.

Everybody in the county knows Dick Walker and no one has more friends than he. They all rejoice at his good sense and good fortune in selecting a companion for life. His new wife, though not one of the "old settlers," has many friends in our midst and quietly captured the Captain that all the girls were going crazy after. "Still waters run deep."

GRAHAM - PATTEN. At Dexter, Kansas, January 1st, 1876, by Elder J. Jones, Mr. John Graham to Miss Martha E. Patten, all of Dexter.

BROWN - DAGGETT. At the residence of L. J. Spahr's, Timber Creek, Dec. 29th, 1875, by R. Thirsk, Esq., Mr. Lafayette Brown, formerly of Olathe, Kas., and Miss I. E. Daggett, formerly of Cordona, Illinois.

After partaking of refreshments the happy couple started for their future home near New Salem, Kansas, amid the hearty congratulations of their many friends and relatives.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

TO GET BARGAINS in felt skirts, balmoral skirts, white merino knit skirts, white tucked skirts, linen handkerchiefs, cotton handkerchiefs, Hamburg edgings, Saxony edgings, rushing, belts, jewelry, and dry goods, groceries, and notions generally, you will have to go to McMillen & Shields.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

Just received, at Mrs. L. H. Howard's, a nice assortment of Ready-made Cloaks.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

Go to McMillen & Shields and get 15 yards of good Calico for $1.00.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

W. L. Mullen would inform the public that he is closing out his entire stock of staple Groceries at the lowest rates for cash, with a view of engaging in a business more congenial to hiswell call and see the goods. He is bound to sell them between now and Spring at some price. Remember the place, the same old stand, East side main street, Winfield, Kansas.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

A NEW STOCK of wagon material, direct from Indiana, at prices to suit the times, at George Brown's wagon shop, next door to Shoeb's blacksmith shop.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

OH SAY! Now that the Holidays are coming, hadn't you better call on Mrs. Kennedy's fashionable Millinery Emporium, and purchase one of those beautiful hats? Or perhaps a plume, a sash, a bolt of ribbon, or something else that's nice? Remember the place. Four doors north of C. A. Bliss & Co.'s.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

HURRY UP and get some of those nice stylish ribbons of Mrs. Kennedy before they are all gone.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

In beginning the "Centennial year," with an enterprise like the one we have engaged in this week, it is but right and proper that we make honorable mention of the men who, by giving us their patronage, have greatly helped us in the "financial" part thereof.

Alphabetically arranged, they appear as follows.

ALLEN, JNO. E., ex-Deputy U. S. Collector, and County Attorney of Putnam County, Illinois, came here in March, 1874, and engaged in the practice of his professionis now City Attorney. He commands the respect of many acquaintances.

AUSTIN, DR. W. E., has been here but a year and a few months, yet he has a good practice. He moved from Oxford here, and from Oswego to Oxford.

BAKER, THOS., City Tonsorial Artist, has the best shop in town, and, as he deserves, the best custom.

BALDWIN, B. F., Druggist, City Clerk, etc., successor to Maris & Baldwin, moved from Cherryvale, Kansas, February, 1873, bringing his goods in one wagon. He now has the largest and finest drug store in the city. To those who do not know Frank Baldwin, we will say that he is a reliable, accommodating young gentleman and one of the promising businessmen of our city.

BLACK, C. C., Merchant, City Councilman, and a "jolly good fellow," graduated at Hampton College, Rock Island Co., Illinois, and came to Cowley and herded forty "cattle on a thousand hills" during the fall of 1875, engaged in the mercantile business January, 1873, with J. J. Ellis, whom he has since bought out. He now runs his mammoth store, assisted by the clever Charley Harter as chief salesman, and Fred C. Hunt as assistant, singly and alone. It's useless to wish that trio success.

BLACK, DR. GEO., is a graduate of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Medical College. Is an old and reliable practitioner and has his share of the practice here.

BLISS, C. A. & Co., of which C. A. is "which," is made up chiefly of those western elements, called faith, pluck, and gritthe greatest of which is "grit." The elements he has had to contend with would have sunk an ordinary businessman, but he still swims. At the time he built, his was the largest store in the county, the finest residence in the county, and his mill, of which we are all so proud, is one of the best in the state. He furnishes employment for a dozen handsis always improving and enhancing the value of his property, thereby adding much to the material wealth of our city. He has done more toward building up the town of his adoption than any one man in it. Success to C. A. Bliss, his salesman, J. Ex Saint, and all the boys connected therewith.

BONANZA BILLIARD HALL, recently opened up with A. O. Baily, proprietor. It is an orderly-kept room, and is a good place to spend an idle hour.

BOYER & Co.'s News Depot and headquarters for stationery, notions, etc., is the neatest room in the city. W. M. Boyer is one of the pioneers of the town, has held the office of J. P. continuouslyis now Police Judge, attorney at law (does not practice), and one of the most popular businessmen in the city.

BROWN, GEO., was the first wagon maker in the countyhas worked here at his trade ever since. He is honestwell, everybody knows Geo. Brown.

BROTHERTON & SILVER represent the only exclusive grain and feed store in the Valley. Mr. Brotherton has been a merchant in Winfield since it was a city and long before. Mr. Silver, ex-Township Trustee, is a live go-ahead man. The pair go well together. Give them your patronage.

CEDAR GROVE Nursery, with Judge Gans as proprietor, has the lead of anything of the kind in the county. Buy of Gans, he will do well by you.

CENTRAL AVENUE HOUSE of Arkansas City, is the most popular house, has the most popular landlord, viz.; Will D. Mowry, and is in fact the best hotel in the Walnut Valley.

CHANNELL & Co., hardware merchants, Arkansas City, have the reputation of being fair dealing men. They have the best store in the city and hence have the largest trade. S. P. Channell is the present mayor, one of the "antique" fellows, and his partner, R. C. Haywood, is a live business young man.

COMFORT, I. L, still liveth, and the "Old Boy," as we printers call him, handles the saw or the roller as nimble as a 19 year old. He is the best type-roller or wood sawyer in Southern Kansas. "Good day, sir; I must be going."

CURNS & MANSER do a general real estate and abstract business. They are reliable, live businessmen, and as such succeed in anything they undertake.

DEVER, J. M., is one of the aborigines, as it were; is always ready to help in any public enterprise. When you want anything in the Notion line, call on him and he'll call on you.

EASTON, John, the only gunsmith in the countyyou have to patronize him; but John is a good workman and will do the fair thing for you.

FRIEND, F. M., watchmaker and jeweler, having just arrived from Carthage, Missouri, stands ready to make his work speak for itself. Having begun right, advertising in the leading paper, we bespeak for him success.

FULLER, J. C., is the proprietor of the Winfield Bank, the first bank in Cowley County; established in the spring of 1871. Of it we need say nothing; words of ours would add little to its prestige. He is also a co-partner of the town and one of its leading citizens. May the town become full of Fullers like J. C.

GILLELAND, T. E., the first boot and shoe man, exclusive in the county, has a large trade and is doing a thriving business. He has just finished a residence and is now one of us "for life or during the war," in prices.

GRAHAM & HARE, physician and dentist. Dr. Graham was the first M. D. in the county; came here in October, 1869, and has been identified with every public interest since. He was one of the few men who had the grit to stay here and see this country through its chrysalis state. He reaps the reward now. Dr. Hare is a young man of good business habits and is a professional dentist.

"GRANGER Saloon," is one of the most quiet, orderly saloons in the valley; Joseph Likowski, proprietor. It is the oldest in the county; has paid an immense revenue into the city coffers.

GREEN, A. H., ex-Postmaster, ex-Captain, U. S. A., etc., lawyer, druggist, and insurance agent, arrived here February 8, 1871, and commenced selling drugs the following day.

HILL, JAMES. Everybody knows "Jim" Hill, of the popular St. Nicholas restaurant.

HILL & CHRISTIE are the champion butchers of the city. They are straight forward businessmen and, although "new comers," are doing well.

HUDSON, ROBERT, contractor, has put up more substantial buildings than any man in town, and the best of it is, he furnished the "wherewith" to do it. He owns them. He will soon take charge of the "Valley House" and run it on Canadian principles. He is one of the original originals.

HUDSON & BROWN do a prospering business at blacksmithing. They are accommodat ing and reliable. "Give the boys a chance."

HUNT, G. W., is the best tailor in town.

HOUX, DR. JAMES O., is the oldest dentist in the county; keeps a neat office, does good work, and is "one of the boys." Give him a chance, too.

HOWARD, Mrs., milliner, has a suit of nice rooms on main street filled with goods pleasing to the ladies' eyes; call and see them.

JOHNSTON, J. W., cabinet maker, built the first shop in the city; does good work; is reliable; came here to stay; is glad of it. Bully for Johnston!

KENNEDY, Mrs., has a lady's furnishing store and millinery rooms; keeps up with the styles, buys the best and sells the best. Is the widow of the late L. M. Kennedy, who was one of the pioneers of Cowley and the first settler in Beaver Township.

KINGSBURY, C. H., says it in poetry better than we can tell it in prose.

LYNN, J. B. & Co., one of the leading houses in the county; is progressive and liberal. Hurrah for Lynn!

MANSFIELD, DR. W. Q., the oldest druggist and physician in the city, sold drugs to the aborigines; is one of Winfield's best citizens and warmest friends. Nothing that will materially aid in the prosperity of the town or country escapes his notice. Long live the Doctor!

MARIS, W. H., the leading lumberman in the county, is a popular gentleman and commands the confidence and respect of the entire people. His business increases with years. He came here when Winfield was in her swaddling clothes.

MILLINGTON, D. A., co-proprietor of the town; one of its strongest helps in its hours of need and now its mayor, is one of the leading lawyers in the city; invested his capital; brought his family; risked his all in an early day; he now begins to "reap the harvest." We most heartily wish those old pioneers, pater families of this town, of which he is one, unlimited success.

MITCHELL, C. R., is the leading lawyer in Arkansas City. All business left to brother Mitchell will receive due attention. He is one of the rising young men of the southwest, "furthermore, deponent sayeth not."

MORRIS & ROBINSON, liverymen. O. N. Morris came from Grantville, Kansas, two years ago, entered the above mentioned business immediately, and has continued in it ever since. He is prosperousconsequently happy. Will Robinson, his partner, came here in an early day; his marriage notice will be seen in another column.

MULLEN, W. L., is closing out his stock of dry goods; he will engage in the pleasant occupation that Abraham of old followed for a living, viz.; keeping cattle. Success to him in the new enterprise.

McBRIDE & GREEN, brickmakers, having just come among us, we will say that they are enterprising, live boys, and we predict for them financial success.

McMILLEN & SHIELDS left Ohio in November, 1872, and after taking a general look through the entire western country, concluded that Cowley County and Winfield was good enough for them, so they drove their stakes accordingly. They are now taking the annual inventory of their dry goods, groceries, etc., to see how much they have lost; and still they are happy.

McMULLEN, J. C., the first banker in Arkansas City, built the first brick residence in the town. He came from Clarksville, Tennessee (but not a native thereof), September, 1871. The bank is in a flourishing condition, pays more taxes thanbut we promised not to draw comparisons.

NATIONAL Saloon of R. Ehret, east side Main street, Winfield, is run in a manner creditable to the proprietor and the town.

PRYOR, JOHN D., is the agent for the several musical instruments, several insurance companies, and a resident land agent at Winfield; is junior member of the Bar firm of Pryor, Kager & Pryor; is a graduate of the Chicago commercial college and consequently "one of the boys," with a full-grown business head on him. (Copyright secured.)

PRYOR, KAGER & PRYOR, attorneys at law, successors to Pryor & Kager, are classed among the best firms that practice at our Bar. They are solid and reliable.

RANDALL, I. W., shoves the jack-plane and does good work. Try him and see.

READ'S BANK is conducted on business principles; does business in the first brick building built in our town, and is owned by M. L. Read, Esq., one of our leading citizens. M. L. Robinson is the urbane cashier and Will C. Robinson his gentlemanly assistant. The bank is in a flourishing condition.

ROBERSON, N., harness dealer, everyone in Cowley knows "Nate." He keeps a No. 1 shop, is accommodating and energetic. It's useless to tell you to trade with himyou'll do it anyhow.

RODOCKER, D., photographer; the only one in the city. His work speaks for itself; praise not necessary.

SHERBURNE & STUBBS, of Arkansas City, is one of the leading dry goods and grocery firms of that place. They are clever young men and have done much toward the building up of their town.

SHOEB, MAX, the first "pioneer" blacksmith in the county; built first stone building in county (his present shop), when the wolves howled their requiems to the tune of his busy hammer. (Patent applied for.)

VARNER, S., dealer in harness, etc. Sol came here early, worried through the grasshopper year, and now stands flat-footed with any of them. "Pluck will win."

WALKER, W. H., proprietor of Arkansas City livery stable, is one of the ancient landmarks of that place. He knows every traveling man from St. Louis, west. Stop with him, he will do the fair thing by you.

WEBB, L. J., the irrepressible, ex-newspaper editor; the jolly, hilarious, "one of `em" when among the boys; the solid businessman, when "it's business," and the acknowledged leading criminal lawyer in the district, still liveth. His origin, like "Topsy's," we know not. He has always been here and expects to remain here till he istranslated.

WHITEHEAD, Mrs. S., keeps a good stock of millinery goods at the old stand. The ladies all know where it is.

YERGER, J. N., the oldest jeweler in the city. Orders promptly filled.

MANNING & WALTON (that's us) do a general real estate and intelligence office business. Correspondence solicited. Send stamp for reply. All questions promptly answered.

Thanking the above named advertisers, one and all, for their liberal patronage, we wish them a Happy Centennial, a Happy New Year, and many returns of both.

[LOCAL NOTICES.]

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

EVERYTHING from a pair of Overalls to a complete Wedding Out-fit to be found at C. A. Bliss & Co.'s.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

One-half section bottom land; 80 acres cultivated. Also the Tryon Farm. Both timbered and watered.

Oct. 8, 1875.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

NEW HATS! NEW HATS!! Have you seen those new hats at C. A. Bliss & Co.'s?

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

WANTED. 25 or 30 yards of good rag carpet. Apply at the post office.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

MONEY to loan for one, two, and five years, by Curns & Manser.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

Mr. Ira E. Moore is now prepared to furnish the city with milk. All those who wish it delivered at their residence can leave their orders at the Post Office.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

HARNESS at Varner's for less than they can be purchased at any other store in town.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

"STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT" by buying your whips, bridles, etc., of Varner.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

Fourteen yards of the best Prints for One Dollar, and all other goods in proportion, at J. B. Lynn & Co.'s. All woolen goods down to bed rock prices for the next 60 days at J. B. Lynn & Co.'s. Come one, come all!

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.

MRS. L. H. HOWARD has removed her fashionable Millinery Store five doors north of her old stand, where she will be pleased to see her old customers and as many new ones as may be pleased to call and examine her new stock of fall goods.

[COMMUNICATION FROM GRAND PRAIRIE GRANGE.]

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876. Front Page.

At a meeting of Grand Prairie Grange No. 881, held Dec. 23rd, 1875, the following preamble and resolution was adopted.

WHEREAS, the Cowley County District Grange, held Dec. 2nd, 1875, passed a resolution purporting to be the sentiments of the Patrons of Cowley County in regard to the construction of a railroad through our country, and that the agricultural interests of our country demand such legislation of the Kansas Legislature as will enable a majority vote to extend such aid as will secure the completion of such a road at the earliest possible day, and

WHEREAS, Such measures are in direct opposition to the very principles of our order that of bonding the "tiller of the soil," encouraging the monopolists and maintaining the speculator. Now, be it therefore

Resolved, That we, the members of Grand Prairie Grange, No. 881, do most emphatically denounce such resolution as an imposition, and contrary to the sentiments of the members of this Grange, and the public generally.

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to furnish a copy of this preamble and resolution to the Cowley County Telegram, and Winfield COURIER.

[COMMUNICATION FROM T. A. WILKINSON.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 13, 1876. Front Page.

Under the above caption, in the Plow and Anvil of last week, Mr. Amos Walton made some statements, which, if true, would prove me to be a scoundrel, if not a thief. I desire Mr. Walton to print this in order that it may reach the same readers that have already been excited, and wrongfully influenced by the animus of his motive, which will appear plain to all. I think all fair minded readers will say that he ought, at least, to have called upon me for an explanation of what to him seemed so grave an offense. No thief ought to be convicted without a fair trail. But Mr. Walton rushes my name into print as a man who, not only has stolen from the county treasury, but who has knowingly and wilfully sworn falsely in order to clear away the obstacles that stood between him and the object of his theft. His article reads just as it should read after my official conduct had been thoroughly investigated, my own defense carefully weighed and found wanting, and a verdict of culpable guilt rendered against me. Under such circumstances Mr. Walton's course would be justifiable.

But even his friends will not, I think, agree with him in his ungenerous attack upon me without first learning both sides of the case.

I am charged by Mr. Walton with having drawn $1,200 as Superintendent of Public Instruction, when I should have drawn but $1,000. He claims that if I had excluded Arkansas City and Winfield from the enumeration of persons over five and under twenty-one years of age, I could have drawn legally, only $1,000; but contrary to the law, I enumerated the children in those two cities, and thereby unlawfully drew $275.00 from the county treasury.

He further states that the number of persons over five and under twenty-one years of age, as shown by official documents for the year 1874, was 3,030. Excluding 300 for the incorporated cities of Winfield and Arkansas City, would leave 2,730. It requires 3,000 in order to entitle the Superintendent to $1,200 a year, and with 2,730 he is entitled to but $1,000, and states that I really drew $1,200.

My annual report shows no such figures as Mr. Walton states. He either ignorantly or wilfully states falsely. My annual report for 1874 shows 3,555 persons over five or under twenty-one years of age. Now, taking out 369 for Winfield and Arkansas City, we have for the year 1874, 3,186 persons over five and under twenty-one years of age.

Mr. Walton quotes the law relating to incorporated cities. Winfield and Arkansas City are cities of the 3rd class. On the 16th day of December, 1873, I wrote to the State Superintendent in regard to this very matter, and for the very purpose of avoiding the crime Mr. Walton so maliciously charges me with.

The following is an answer to my letter.

THOS. A. WILKINSON, County Supt. of Cowley County, Winfield, Kansas.

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 16th received. The affidavit with a decision of the Attorney General has been sent you some time since. Cities of the "3rd class" are to be included in the enumeration to determine the salary of County Superintendent. They have no right to elect a separate Superintendent to do the work of the County Superintendent.

Your obedient servant.

The above letter, even if the cities of Winfield and Arkansas City were enumerated in 1873, would at least exonerate me, I think, from the charge of theft or a desire to defraud the people of Cowley County.

This letter was submitted to the County Commissioners and County Attorney, which determined their action in regulating the County Superintendent's salary.

I only hope Mr. Walton will always be as careful as I desire to be in matters of duty to my fellow man.

You have scented and barked up the wrong tree, Amos. The coon you are after is somewhere else. Take a glance in the looking glass.

[EDITORIAL COLUMN; E. C. MANNING, EDITOR.]

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

On the 3rd of December last, Gov. Osborn restored James Dall, of Cowley County, to citizenship. He has previously been discharged from the penitentiary.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

COL. MANNING, of the Winfield COURIER, seems to be jealous of Eldorado, Wichita, Emporia, The Eagle, News, and Times, the Murdocks, Stotlers, and everybody else. We can inform him that he cannot build up his paper or town either by fighting other localities. Eldorado Times.

Py shimmeny! ish dat so?

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad opened its line to Apishapa, Colorado, 42 miles west of Las Animas, January 8th, and commenced running their passenger trains at once. Apishapa is only 40 miles from Pueblo. The weather is splendid and the road will be completed and running to the Rocky Mountains by the 1st of March next.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

A DISPATCH from Lawrence, Kansas, dated Jan. 8th, says: "It is rumored here that intelligence has been received from Washington that the Supreme Court, by a vote of 7 to 2, had decided the celebrated Osage Ceded land case in favor of the Railroad Companies." If this is true, what will the politicians down that way do for thunder hereafter?

[OXFORD ITEMS.]

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

The mill is receiving the machinery and rapidly approaching completion.

Mr. C. W. Cook has moved with his family to the regions of the Chikaskia, near Caldwell.

The Masonic fraternity have recently organized a Lodge and claims to be in good working order.

Capt. Brown was one of a hunting party who recently invaded the buffalo regions out west a hundred miles or more. They brought back in good order but nary buffalo.

[PERSONALS: WIRT W. WALTON, LOCAL EDITOR.]

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

Prof. Hoffman is among us again.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

The Walnut is running at an extra stage of water.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

There is no prospect of a corner on ice thus far.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

DR. AUSTIN has removed his office to one door south of Bliss & Co.'s store.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

MR. JAMES LAND killed three shoats this week weighing 1,010 pounds net.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

HILL & CHRISTIE killed a Poland China hog this week that dressed 601 pounds.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

D. A. MILLINGTON has been appointed U. S. Commissioner for this section of Kansas vice Kellogg, resigned.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

Last Saturday Mr. T. A. Henderson took possession of the Lagonda House and on Sabbath the house was full.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

A fellow giving his name as John Tolls is in jail on the charge of stealing a horse from Sam Endicott.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

On Lord's day, January 15th, at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M., Elder John Blevins will preach in the Christian chapel, Winfield.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

Several large corn cribs are being built and filled, in Winfield. It takes a good many bushels of fifteen cent corn to make a large pileof money.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

The new Board of County Commissioners met last Monday and organized by re-electing R. F. Burden, chairman. The county never had a more competent Board.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

LUNATICS. Sheriff Walker has two lunatics on his hands, Frank Bungdefer, from Otter Township, and Scott Biggs. The State Insane Asylum is full or they would go there.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

Under the charge of Revs. Platter and Adams, a revival meeting is in progress in Winfield that excels in interest and results anything ever experienced here. We hope no one will discourage the good work.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

T. B. MYERS is the Centennial painter of Winfield. He has just completed the best job in town. See how Kelly's residence shines! Mr. Myers is an old painter, but had to quit the business years ago on account of his health.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

MYERS, DAY & THOMPSON, of Cedar Township, have taken a contract to stir 400 acres of land on the Kaw reservation in the Indian Territory at $2 per acre. The Kaw reserve joins the county on the south, and east of the Arkansas.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

JUDGE R. B. SAFFOLD has left this place to take up his residence in San Francisco, California. The Judge was a public spirited and kind hearted citizen. He leaves many friends behind him who wish him great success in the future. He rented his farm to Mr. Strickland for three years.

Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

A FINE social ga