[APPORTI0NMENT BILL.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 3, 1871.
The apportionment bill passed by the Legislature, on Wednesday, gives Butler County one Representative, and places Butler, Cowley, Sedgwick, and Howard in one Senatorial District.
[THE COUNTY SEAT QUESTION.]
WALNUT VALLEY TIMES, MARCH 3, 1871.
Butler County is without a "Friend" in the State Legislature, but in his place we have now a "Baker" and I trust he will provide bread (and butter) for the friends.
Down here in Butler County we always want some excitement, and if we cannot do better, we go at least in for a new County line, or for a new County Seat, or any other question of that kind. And there is no reason why we should not soon try again to have another County Seat.
Eldorado has had the County Seat, and all the honors and profits connected with that institution for several months; the courthouse building will soon be completed, and of course it is high time to look for another County Seat, and have a little fun and excitement, and meetings and speeches, and then a special election, with unavoidable errors in names and numbers of legal voters, and then we build a new Courthouse and so on ad infinitum.
Now I am not a friend of so many special elections (although I can't deny that every special election has proved to be a great medium to increase the number of voters) and I have therefore made up a plan, which will not only satisfy the most fierce County-seat-mover, but at the same time will keep up such a wholesome uninterrupted excitement with the good people of Butler County, that I hope every Butler County patriot will give it his approval and full support. The principle which I have laid at the foundation of my plan is in short as follows:
It is an established fact that a City is a big thing, and a City with a County Seat is a still bigger thing. Therefore, to promote the most possible prosperity in Butler County, we should exercise our most energy to locate in the shortest possible time, the greatest possible number of cities, and everyone of them should enjoy the benefit of a County-Seat, and as we can have only one County-Seat at a time, it explains itself that the County Seat must be of a perpetual shifting nature; thus bestowing its benefits not only to each city where it stops, but (and that is just the principal merit of my plan) this shifting process produces at the time just enough excitement with us Butler County people as to keep life in us. We need some excite ment anyhow. Therefore I think the following simple plan will answer exactly for all purposes.
1. In every Township 6 miles square in this County there shall be located a City at least one mile square, fully surveyed and stakes driven for each city lot; a public square to be re served of at least ten acres, and said City should be located at or near the geographical center of the Township.
2. These Townships are to be numbered, commencing with No. 1 at the North East corner of the County and running West and East in the same order as Sections run.
3. Every one of the Cities in the County shall have the County Seat for a given time, say for one or two weeks every year.
4. As we cannot afford to build forty or fifty Courthouses, I propose to build one Court- house and Jail on wheels, and move said building from city to city to the last number at the south line of the County, and thence backward in the same order to the place of beginning.
5. The Printers in the several cities will print "Courthouse time tables" and also "almanacks" giving in red print the "Courthouse moveing days" in the same manner as the Catholic Calendar gives the days dedicated to the several Saints. Every Butler County citizen would then see in a moment where he could find the Courthouse at a given time. . . . C. H.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, Friday, March 3, 1871.
A. T. & S. F. R. R. at Emporia want teams to transport 150,000 pounds of freight to the South and West.
Walnut Valley Times, March 3, 1871.
Wagon loads of buffalo robes are passing north daily through Eldorado from the Indian Agencies south of us.
[EDITORIAL PAGE: COUNTY SEAT QUESTION.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 3, 1871.
The County Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday of this week, and called an election for April 18th for the removal of the County seat from Eldorado to Augusta. Our County is no exception to all large counties on the question of a permanent location of the County seat. This striving among most towns for the County seat has been a great detriment to the growth and prosperity of our County, and it is to be hoped that the people will give a final stroke and put the matter at rest. . . .
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 10, 1871.
We acknowledge the receipt of the "Elk Falls Examiner," a new paper started at Elk Falls in Howard County.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 17, 1871.
Every issue of the Augusta Crescent contains at least one article denouncing the people of Eldorado and its denunciations always conclude with something on the removal of the County seat. . . .
[COUNTY BONDS FOR BRIDGES.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 24, 1871.
We call the attention of our citizens to an act of the last Legislature authorizing the counties of Butler and Cowley to issue bonds to build bridges, which has become a law by publication in the Kansas Weekly Commonwealth.
The bill was gotten up and put through by Messrs. Baker and Manning, representatives from the two counties interested, and provides that said counties may have an election, on the question of issuing bonds in the sum of thirty-thousand dollars to build bridges in the Walnut Valley.
It does not specify the time of the election, nor the particular locality of the bridges, only that they must be in the Walnut Valley.
We must say that this is a remarkable bill, and passed in a most remarkable manner. We were not aware that any petition had been sent to the legislature asking for such a bill. In fact, we never heard such a project talked about, along the Walnut Valley, and it is certainly not a favorite project with the people off of the valley.
Chelsea has commenced her bridges, and proposes to build them without taxing the balance of the County to pay for it.
Eldorado has just voted bonds to build three bridges, one across the main Walnut, and two across the West-Branch, and the bridges will probably be completed within two or three months.
Towanda and Plum Grove are alive on the subject, and propose to build their own bridges without the aid of the County.
Propositions are being exchanged between Eldorado and Chelsea to join together in building a bridge at or near the dividing lines between the two Townships across the main Walnut.
There has been a good deal said about Augusta building one or two bridges, but as they have established a ferry there, we presume the project has been abandoned, and they now ask that the County build them a bridge. We consider this unfair and shall oppose the project.
It is unfair that one locality shall be taxed to enrich another. The framers of our Constitution were of this opinion when they engrafted into our State Constitution Sec. 8 of article 11, which provides that the State shall never be a party in carrying on any works of internal improvement.
Under this section, the rich and populous portions of the State cannot vote a tax upon the more thinly settled portions, to build up their own locality. This provision is a great protec tion of the rights of the minority against the encroachments of the majority.
The principle is a good one and is just as applicable to counties as to the State. The Legislature saw this and provided that each Township shall have power to build its own bridges.
It is true that a bridge across the Walnut at Augusta would benefit more or less the other portions of the County. So would a bridge across the Missouri at Leavenworth be of some benefit to almost every portion of the state, and yet it would be unconstitutional and wrong for a majority in the Legislature to vote a tax upon the whole state to build a bridge at Leavenworth. It would be equally unjust for the populous districts along the Walnut Valley to build themselves bridges at the expense of the people of Whitewater, Little Walnut, Hickory, and Rock Creek. It would also be unjust to require those Townships that go ahead and build their own bridges at their own expense to aid also in building bridges for other Townships.
Now if Mr. Baker had embodied in his bill the Whitewater and other creeks mentioned above, and made an equal division of the benefits of the proposed taxation, it would not have been open to so much objection; but as it is, we cannot support his bill.
We would be glad to see our sister town of Augusta have a magnificent bridge, but we think they are asking too much, and would advise them to do as we have done; build their own bridge.
[NEWS ITEMS.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 24, 1871.
El Paso is the name of a new town recently laid off in Sedgwick County, on the Arkansas River, thirteen miles south of Wichita.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, Friday, April 7, 1871.
The election to determine whether the County-seat shall remain at Eldorado or be removed to Augusta will take place on the 18th inst. Let every voter remember the day and turn out.
[HERD LAW: COWLEY COUNTY.]
Walnut Valley Times, April 14, 1871.
The Herd law was carried in Cowley County by about fifty majority for the law.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, April 21, 1871.
PRINTED THE COMPLETE ELECTION RETURNS ON COUNTY SEAT ELECTION....FOR ELDORADO: 743; FOR AUGUSTA: 712.
MAJORITY FOR ELDORADO: 31.
Our majority is small, but when we take into consideration that we have fought and defeated two positive propositions, we consider that we have won the most complete victory ever achieved by Eldorado. Not only did we defeat Augusta and the entire southern portion of the County on the removal of the County Seat, but we also defeated the proposition to change the County Lines, this movement alone taking over one hundred and thirty votes from us in the northern and central portions of the County.
Walnut Valley Times, April 21, 1871.
The people in the southern portion of the County have for the last year been at work to secure for themselves a new County to be formed out of the territory now composing the southern part of Butler and the northern portion of Cowley counties. To secure this end the people of Douglass have devoted much time and a great deal of hard work. Eldorado, situated as it is, in the center of the County, could not of course be expected to favor any change in County lines. But as it was concluded by a portion of our citizens that a new County would not be detrimental to the interests of Eldorado, the proposition found favor in the eyes of some of the people in our town, consequently a coalition was formed between a portion of Eldorado and the entire Douglass interest in favor of this new County movement, although it was believed that the proposition could be worked up to a successful issue.
. . . . There is and can be but one county line proposition that stands a ghost of a show of success, and that is the formation of a new County out of Butler and Cowley.
[ARTICLE FROM ARKANSAS CITY TRAVELER.]
Walnut Valley Times, April 21, 1871.
IMMIGRATION. Steadily the throng of covered wagons come pouring down the valley. In spite of the constant effort now being made by interested parties at various points above to turn aside the stream, by the stale old cock-and-bull stories about "sand hills," "alkali," "Indians," and so forth, a goodly proportion of the throng are commencing permanent improvements upon the beautiful lands across the Arkansas. Here is now the best opening in Kansas, which fact the new-comers are not slow in discovering. Traveler.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, April 21, 1871.
We understand that the main traveled road from Augusta to Winfield has been changed to the west side of the river, thus leaving Douglass out in the cold. We wonder if the people of Douglass can tell how this was accomplished.
[BRIDGE BONDS: ITEM FROM THE TRAVELER.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 5, 1871.
So far as we have talked with the people from various parts of the county, the general feeling seems to be one of opposition to the issue of bonds for the building of bridges. In a very short time, the railroad will have reached Newton, on the Little Arkansas, just seventy- one miles northwest from here in a straight line, while Florence is eighty-five miles, and Cottonwood Falls full a hundred miles distant. So far as mail and railroad matters are concerned, we shall not long need the bridges. We are now, as heretofore, in favor of immediately building them; but the utter impossibility of obtaining any assurance in regard to the equitable division of the money, stands in the way. We think the project will be defeated. Arkansas Traveler.
NOTE: THERE EVIDENTLY WAS NO PAPER PRINTED MAY 12, 1871.
AT ANY RATE, IT IS MISSING!
NEXT ISSUE HAD THE ANSWER: THE TIMES WAS NOT ISSUED LAST WEEK, FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT WE HAD NO PAPER TO PRINT IT ON.
[RAILROAD MEETING.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 19, 1871.
There will be an informal meeting of the Corporators, Stock-holders and Directors of the Chicago, Kansas and Texas Railroad, at Eldorado, May 22nd, 1871, one o'clock P.M. It is hoped that every locality from Council Grove to Arkansas City will be found represented.
[HERD LAW.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 19, 1871.
PAPER PRINTED THE ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A HERD LAW IN THE COUNTIES HEREIN NAMED: MARSHALL, REPUBLIC, DICKINSON, BUTLER, COWLEY, SEDGWICK, NEOSHO, WILSON, ALLEN, MITCHELL, AND ROCK CREEK Township IN COFFEY County, AND SO MUCH OF MARION AS IS NOT INCLUDED IN DOYLE Township IN SAID MARION County, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF AN ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT IN RELATION TO FENCES" FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE APPROVAL OF THIS ACT.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 19, 1871.
Daily stages are now running from Florence to Arkansas City, via Eldorado, and all points in the valley south of us, and are carrying daily mail. The Wichita mail and passengers will be carried by this route until the Railroad is completed to Newton, which will be in about one month.
Walnut Valley Times, May 19, 1871.
The Southwestern Stage Company will, after next Monday, make regular daily trips from Florence to Arkansas City, via Eldorado and the towns south. They have Concord coaches, good horses, and careful drivers, and will make quick time. They are running a daily line of stages from Humboldt to this point, connecting with stages from the west and southwest. These two lines from Florence and Humboldt will carry passengers to all the principal points in Southern and Southwestern Kansas, and make connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., also with the M., K. & T. and L., L. & G. Railroads at Humboldt.
[REPORT FROM "D. D. M." - CORRESPONDENT OF THE STATE RECORD.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 26, 1871.
Winfield is the County seat of Cowley County. Last October the site was an unbroken prairie, now it contains half a hundred houses. C. A. Bliss, formerly of the firm of Bliss & Lee of Topeka, is the postmaster and stage agent, and has besides a large stock of goods, and is getting rich, I think. He says anybody that can't make money in that country, should have a guardian appointed to take care of him. He is a generous and true hearted man, and is well deserving of success.
As evidence of the public spirit of the citizens, I will relate an incident. The Baptist Society had a festival recently to raise a little money towards building a church. A cake to be given to the prettiest girl, brought to the treasury $158, and the total contributions of the evening reached upwards of $300.
Among the principal men of the town are Col. Manning, Col. Alexander of Leavenworth, D. A. Millington, and J. C. Fuller, of Fort Scott, who are all members of the town company.
The town site of Winfield is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. From an eminence on Col. Alexander's claim, adjoining the town, the view is perfectly enchanting. Wells and springs abound, one of the latter flowing from a hillside into a deep rocky basin, in volume sufficient if carried into pipes, to supply the town.
But enough for the present. If the readers wish to see the land of promise, the country that in a few years will be conceded to be the Egypt of Kansas, let him visit the Walnut Valley, running through the counties of Butler and Cowley. The route is by cars to Florence, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, thence by stage. D. D. M.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 26, 1871.
Arkansas City is building a pontoon bridge across the Arkansas River at that point.
Walnut Valley Times, May 26, 1871.
The contract has been let for three Tubular Arch, Wrought Iron Bridges, across the streams in Eldorado Township. This will make our town accessible from all points at all times.
Walnut Valley Times, May 26, 1871.
BUFFALO. This is the name of a town which has just been located on the west bank of the Arkansas River, in Sumner County, fifteen miles northwest of Arkansas City. E. R. Trask is one of the founders and will start a paper there. Trask has considerable reputation as a builder of towns. He has not undertaken a job of this kind yet that failed. This new town is on the site of Buffalo Bill's old camping ground.
[ARTICLE RE NEW MAIL ROUTES.]
Walnut Valley Times, May 26, 1871.
Messrs. Baker and Manning secured the passage of a bill in the Legislature, last winter, for the location of a State road from Florence to Arkansas City, and had J. C. Lambdin, of Eldorado, J. M. Herman, of Augusta, and D. A. Millington, of Winfield, appointed viewers. These gentlemen have just located this road, making the distance from Eldorado to Florence thirty-one miles. The Stage Company, in the meantime, have opened a daily route from Florence to Eldorado, and made the necessary arrangements for a permanent line from Florence to Arkansas City, via Eldorado, Augusta, Douglass, Walnut, Lone Tree, Rock, and Winfield.
Prominent gentlemen of this Stage Company came to Eldorado and said that if we would make them a donation of lots, they would establish a daily line from the railroad to our town; and that they would also build their repair shops and offices here, and make this town the Headquarters for all their lines in this portion of the State. We proceeded to "shell out" town lots to the number of twenty-five. We are well satisfied that Eldorado cannot influence the Stage Company to run their lines either by the way of Chelsea or Plum Grove. We expect to get a new route opened from Eldorado via Little Walnut, Hickory and Rock Creeks to Elk Falls, in Howard County. This will supply a large portion of the southeastern part of the County with mail, direct from the railroad. The people on Little Walnut and Hickory Creeks have not had any mail facilities, whatever.
It takes time and work to establish mail routes, and it is necessary for the people to act harmoniously if they expect to secure what they want.
[FIGHT WITH THE OSAGE INDIANS: REPORT FROM LAWRENCE TRIBUNE.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 2, 1871. Front Page.
The following is extracted from an official letter received at the office of the superinten dent of Indian affairs, giving an account of the attack recently made in the Indian Territory upon a party of Osages by white men, on the 13th inst.
No-pa-walla, chief of the Little Osages, and some of his men, ten in number, started in the morning from their little village, which is about eight miles south of the Kansas line, to trade robes and furs at one of the border towns of the state. They were met when about two miles on their way by seventeen border white men, armed with guns and revolvers, who demanded the return of a horse which they alleged had been stolen by some of the Osages. The chief assured them that his braves at the camp would find the horse for them if it was in their herds. The white men after consultation presented their arms and ordered the Indians to dismount, which some of them did; and others attempted to escape. The whites commenced firing at the Osages, and pursued them, the Indians making no resistance whatever, as they were unarmed. The chief was wounded slightly in the shoulder.
Two of his men, inoffensive and peaceable like himself, were badly, if not fatally wounded, and another was pursued to the river and killed. Another saved his life by diving into a lake.
Some of the Indians escaped to the village, and amidst great excitement about seventy- five warriors left in pursuit of the whites, and overtook them before they reached the state line, and as they refused to stop and deliver the ponies and robes which they had taken, they were fired upon by the Osages. One white man was killed, and two were taken prisoners; five horses were captured. The remainder of the marauders made their escape and spread the report that the Indians were perpetrating a general massacre of the women and children of the border.
The Indians released the two prisoners whom they captured, and also have given up the horses taken by them in the fight.
A delegation from the settlers on the border have brought down to the agency the pony which the thieves and murderers took with them, and seemed desirous of doing all they could to restore friendly relations with the Indians.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 2, 1871.
Mr. Shannon informs us that the road from Augusta to Eldorado is being worked upon, and he has put in bridges in all bad places for the Southwestern Stage Company. This gives us a good road from here to Eldorado. Crescent.
Walnut Valley Times, June 2, 1871.
Judge Webb has declared the Herd Law unconstitutional in Cowley County. It is claimed that two of the three judges of the Supreme Court of the State hold that it is Constitutional. This is all that we know about it.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 9, 1871.
The State road as located from Florence to Arkansas City, is said to give dissatisfaction at Douglass and other points in the valley.
Walnut Valley Times, June 9, 1871.
The people of Arkansas City are putting a pontoon bridge across the Arkansas River at this place. They propose making their town the initial point for the Fort Sill mail and stage route.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 16, 1871.
The Arkansas Traveler claims that the L., L. & G. Railroad will come to Arkansas City and secure the cattle trade.
Walnut Valley Times, June 16, 1871.
L. J. Webb assumes the editorial chair of the Cowley County Censor, hereafter. Mr. Webb is an old typo, and an experienced newspaper man.
Walnut Valley Times, June 16, 1871.
TISDALE. This newly-organized town starts with flattering prospects. It is located at the exact geographical center of Cowley County, on a beautiful plain adjacent to Silver Creek. The best of timber, and all sorts of building material, are abundant and the surrounding country is unsurpassed. A large two story building, with glass front, finished off in the best manner, is now in process of construction and a hotel, sawmill, blacksmith's shop, and other necessary improvements, are fully provided for.
Walnut Valley Times, June 16, 1871.
The supreme court has just decided the "herd law" to be unconstitutional, as being in conflict with the first clause of section 17, article 2 of the constitution, which provides that "all laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation throughout the State."
Emporia News.
We do not know where the News gets the authority for the above statement. We are of the opinion that the Supreme Court is not in session and will not be until July.
[ELDORADO IN RUINS.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 23, 1871.
FROM THE TIMES EXTRA of June 17th.
Last evening Eldorado and surrounding country was visited with one of the most terrific storms ever known in this part of the State. About 8 o'clock in the evening a storm came up from the northwest, accompanied with wind, hail, and rain, and before the people had time to make any preparations for it, the hurricane swept through the town. . . . The roar of the storm was terrible, and the earth seemed to tremble beneath our feet.
Walnut Valley Times, June 23, 1871.
NO PAPER. We will not publish a paper next week, for the following reason: J. M. Satterthwaite, Jasper Soule, and M. T. Bonar, compositors in the TIMES office, each had their houses blown down on the 16th, and it will be necessary for them to have a few days out of the office, etc.
NOTE: NEXT ISSUE, JULY 7, 1871, WAS HANDLED BY THE BROTHER OF THE EDITOR [M. M. MURDOCK, EDITOR OF THE OSAGE CHRONICLE]. THE TWO BROTHERS WERE WITH THEIR SICK FATHER AT EMPORIA WHEN THE STORM HIT ELDORADO...WHILE THERE, A TELEGRAM CAME STATING THAT THE WIFE OF T. B. MURDOCK WAS IN A DYING CONDITION AND THAT THEIR BABY WAS DEAD.
"The family of our brother consisted of himself, his wife, a little niece of 11 years whom they were raising, a little daughter between three and four years of age, the babe, about fourteen months old, and a young man employed in the TIMES office, J. W. Hart by name....." [PITIFUL! T. B. MURDOCK ARRIVED TO FIND THE LITTLE CHILD DYING...HIS WIFE WAS RESPONSIBLE, USING A RAZOR TO CUT THE LITTLE GIRL'S THROAT...TURNED OUT SHE HAD BECOME DERANGED AFTER THREATS ON MURDOCK'S LIFE BY THREATS FROM DOUGLASS OVER COUNTY LINE DIVISION, ETC.]
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, July 7, 1871.
W. P. Campbell has nearly recovered from the injuries received in the late storm.
[ITEMS CONCERNING EDITOR/LATE WIFE.]
Walnut Valley Times, July 14, 1871.
T. B. Murdock, the editor of the TIMES is absent from town and will not return for several days.
Walnut Valley Times, July 14, 1871.
DIED. On last Sabbath, July 9th, 1871, FRANK C. MURDOCK, wife of T. B. Murdock, aged thirty years. Our readers are already aware of the sad circumstances surrounding Mrs. Murdock's death; therefore, further comment at this time is unnecessary.
[RAILROAD CONVENTION AT DOUGLASS.]
Walnut Valley Times, July 14, 1871.
At a railroad meeting held at Winfield on the 8th inst., it was resolved to hold a railroad convention at Douglass on the 22nd inst., composed of twelve delegates from Cowley and fifteen delegates from Butler County; to meet as aforementioned and consult as to the best plan to secure the immediate construction of a railroad down the Walnut Valley. The several localities will see to it that representatives are in attendance.
[OSAGE, NEOSHO AND WALNUT VALLEY RAILROAD.]
Walnut Valley Times, July 21, 1871.
The above Railroad Company was organized this week, and will receive its charter from the State within the next few days.
Prominent Railroad men are interested in this organization and give assurance that the road will be built as soon as the franchises are worked up. This road is to start from Ottawa, and run up the Marais Des Cygnes Valley to Arronis, in Osage County, thence up the Neosho Valley to Emporia, thence up the Cottonwood Valley, crossing over to the head of the Walnut and passing directly to the mouth of the steam, via Chelsea, Eldorado, Augusta, Walnut City, Douglass, Winfield, and Arkansas City.
The Directors of this Company are: R. M. Kelsey, of Franklin County; J. Mather Jones, of Osage county; F. R. Page, C. V. Eskridge, Gov. S. J. Crawford, E. P. Bancroft, and E. B. Peyton, of Lyon County; M. Vaught, T. B. Murdock, J. D. Connor, and Hon. T. H. Baker, of Butler County; D. A. Millington and H. G. Norton, of Cowley County.
One hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in bonds have already been voted to secure the building of this road from Ottawa to Emporia. Lyon County will give one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the continuation of this road to the west line of the County in the direction of the Walnut Valley. Should the counties of Butler and Cowley each vote two hundred thousand dollars in bonds to this road, it will be built the entire length of the Valley within fourteen months. We are assured that the Company proposing to build this road will commence at Emporia and build both ways. We consider this road a feasible one that will reach the Valley sooner than any other, giving us a shorter route east, with better connections than any route now proposed. We shall give further particulars next week.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, Friday, August 4, 1871.
Mr. Murdock, of the Eldorado TIMES, owing to his late family misfortunes, desires to sell out his interests there. So we understand from private sources. Parsons Sun.
We have received several offers for the TIMES office of late, but have refused to sell. Our town was nearly destroyed by the late storm, and business is prostrated; we have had two County seat elections within the last eighteen months; have passed through two exciting political campaigns; have had a big land office removal fight on our hands; and above all have lost by death those who were near and dear to us; yet, the TIMES office is not for sale. If our office is sold at all, it will be by the Sheriff. We came to Eldorado to stay, and expect to publish the TIMES as long as it is supported by the people.
NOTE: AUGUST 4 EDITION HAD MORE ABOUT RAILROADS...DECIDED TO SKIP ALL OF THIS EXCEPT FOR A PORTION OF ONE ARTICLE...
RAILROAD CONVENTION HELD AT DOUGLASS, ON THE 22ND OF JULY, WHEREIN RESOLUTIONS WERE ADOPTED....
E. C. Manning, of Cowley County, stated that he was not a delegate from that County, but as an individual he was in favor of a proposition to vote bonds to any company, or to the first company, that would build a road down the Valley.
Gentlemen present at once showed to the meeting that bonds thus voted would be worthless.
T. H. Baker, who made a long speech, was opposed to anything anybody or any project that did not centre in the Chicago, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, of which he has the honor to be President, we believe.
We were sorry that Mr. Baker attempted to drag old issues into the meeting, but were satisfied that he represented the sentiments of the people of Augusta, as he was repeatedly cheered during his speech. Mr. Shannon, Receiver of the Land Office, wanted three Railroads at Augusta, and was therefore opposed to this one without the others.
At the close of the meeting, Mr. Baker introduced a resolution to the effect that the commissioners be petitioned to submit a proposition to the people of the County to vote $200,000 in bonds to the Chicago, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, and that a meeting be held at Eldorado on the 12th to select four new directors for said Company; and that a committee of one in each Township in the County be appointed to obtain subscriptions to said petition.
This resolution was carried, after which the convention adjourned.
We are thoroughly convinced that the people of this Valley cannot be united on the Chicago, Kansas & Texas project unless the company is reorganized and a new charter obtained, giving us the privilege of building a road to other points besides Cottonwood Falls, if we desire to do so.
[STATE NEWS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 4, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler says that driving on the trail has slacked up very suddenly. Last week thousands of cattle were passing along the route every day. This week not one herd has passed, and it is said that the driving is about over for this season.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 4, 1871.
Arkansas City is growing very fastso is Wichita.
Walnut Valley Times, August 4, 1871.
Arkansas City is in trouble. One quarter section of the town-site has been "jumped." The company propose to make the fellow jump off of it right lively.
[ITEM FROM THE ARKANSAS CITY TRAVELER.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 4, 1871.
From Capt. Robinson we learn the following particulars of a shooting affray that took place between G. W. O'Bannon and Geo. Peay, in Caldwell on the evening of the 3rd instant. Peay, being under the influence of liquor, and having a spite against O'Bannon, had been following him for some time, and trying to pick a quarrel with him. The first affray took place in the store of Dagner & Stone, when O'Bannon struck Peay on the head with a revolver. Peay after being struck rushed into the street and got a large stone and came at O'Bannon again, when O'Bannon snapped a revolver at him which failed to be loaded. At this critical moment the bystanders interfered and parted them. Peay then declared that either himself or O'Bannon would not live longer than 10 o'clock next morning.
In the evening, an hour or so after the occurrence, they met again on the street, when Peay made another attack, and was shot; the ball entering the left side. After he had fallen O'Bannon stepped up to him and gave him a second shot; the ball entering the left thigh, ranging upward. Peay died in a few minutes and was buried the next day. O'Bannon has left the country. Arkansas Traveler.
[STATE NEWS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 11, 1871.
E. M. Godfry, who resides about three miles north of Arkansas City, on waking up one morning last week, found that he had a rattlesnake for a bedfellow.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 11, 1871.
The Walnut River is not a navigable stream.
Walnut Valley Times, August 11, 1871.
The people of Arkansas City, Cowley County, are giving watermelon parties.
Walnut Valley Times, August 11, 1871.
The Cowley County Censor has changed hands, Patrick having sold out to Messrs. Webb & Doud.
Walnut Valley Times, August 11, 1871.
At a meeting of the "Citizens Association" of Winfield, Cowley County, the following resolution was adopted.
Resolved, That the little clique of land speculators and political shysters that have brooded over the destinies of the town since its organization, shall no longer control its affairs, so far as the influence of a great majority of the substantial citizens can prevent it. That one of the pleasurable pursuits of the members of this association will be the combing, curbing, and pinching on the lowest back seats, in all town and public affairs, the speculating sharks and members of the "town ring" who have of late been ruling in our midst; as well as to place in positions of honor and trust, within our gift and influence, the good and honest citizens of our town and County; and that we will sustain the good people of Winfield in improving and building up and controlling the town, and in their future endeavors to make it a place worthy of the patronage and support of the citizens of the surrounding community and the County at large.
[WALNUT VALLEY RAILROAD.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 18, 1871.
At the Railroad meeting, held at the Courthouse on Saturday, August 12th, W. T. Galliher, of Little Walnut Township, was chosen Chairman, and H. E. Stoddard, of Towanda, Secretary.
After considerable discussion a motion that the convention proceed to organize a Walnut Valley Railroad Company with a charter to extend from "at or near the northeast corner of Butler County to Arkansas City, via Chelsea, Eldorado, Augusta, Walnut, Douglass, and Winfield," carried. It was decided that it should be the number of incorporators of this organizationseven from Butler and six from Cowley County. Winfield and Arkansas City were notified to select each three incorporators for this Company.
It is proposed to fully organize this company and then submit a Bond proposition to vote bonds to this local organization in order to secure the immediate connection of a road down the Walnut Valley.
NOTE: ALL SORTS OF PLANS FOR RAILROADS DURING THIS PERIOD
OF TIME...MANY OF WHICH WOULD END UP AT ARKANSAS
CITY. INASMUCH AS NOTHING CAME OF IT, AM HENCEFORTH
GOING TO SKIP ALL ITEMS ABOUT RAILROADS.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 18, 1871.
The election on County-seat comes off in Cowley County on the 22nd. Tisdale and Winfield are the competitors.
[LETTER FROM "S. W. T." - DOUGLASS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 25, 1871.
ONLY PRINTING A PORTION...
The question to be discussed in the canvass this fall will be of vital importance to our people and the main and most important question with us is, will the people give us a new County or will we still have to go 25 or 30 miles to get to the County seat. Simple justice, it seems, would warrant a division of Butler and Cowley counties; the former alone comprising an extent of territory larger than one and almost as large as others of the eastern States. We cannot think it prudent to hold it together under the jurisdiction of one County Court.
Now gentlemen, we want a new County; not for the purpose of building up or enriching any particular individual, but because the necessities of a large population demand it; and you will be but doing an act of justice to give it to them; besides it will settle at once the vexatious and expensive question of locating and re-locating the County seat. That question however will never be at rest as long as the county remains at its present dimensions. . . .
[E. C. MANNING: ARKANSAS TRAVELER/"KOWLEY COUNTY CENSOR."]
Walnut Valley Times, August 25, 1871.
"Mr. E. C. Manning bought the Censor office about two weeks ago, and placed it in the hands of Mr. Webb to manage it, while he (Manning) will do the editing under the cover of Webb's name." Arkansas Traveler.
Of which, we most blandly say, it is a base falsehood, and our neighbor knew it before it published what it thought would work down deep in the minds of the people, and have a tendency to injure the reputation of the Censor, which is striving to establish among its many patrons. Kowley Kounty Censor.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, August 25, 1871.
Winfield holds the County Seat in Cowley County by 150 majority.
[THE NEW COUNTY MOVEMENT.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 1, 1871.
It is generally known throughout this County that a movement is on foot to form a third County out of the territory now comprising the Counties of Butler and Cowley. The people residing in the southern portion of this County demand a fair and equal division of territory, so that a new County can be formed from the two Counties named. No lines have, as yet, been designated; but from all that we can learn, Butler County is expected to give a strip ten or fifteen miles wide to form this new County.
Citizens residing in various portions of the County are favorable to this proposition, believing it is the only way to put a stop to our local quarrels. Others are bitterly opposed to the movement on the ground that Butler County is not large enough to divide. In order to settle the question, it will have to be brought fairly before the people. From every indication some of the people of the Southern portion of the County will make it an issue this fall. We have such assurances from many of the leading men who are interested in this matter.
We will keep the readers of the TIMES posted on this movement, and will be prepared, when the proper time comes, to take sides on the question.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 1, 1871.
Winfield received 247 majority for the County-seat at the recent election.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
The citizens of the southern part of this County held a meeting in Douglass, at which a large number of the citizens of Cowley were present, and nominated W. P. Campbell of Eldorado as a candidate for Representative. They also resolved to make a united effort to secure the formation of a new County out of Butler and Cowley. This meeting presents to the people of Butler County a most important and well defined issue this fall, and the subject deserves the candid consideration of all our people. The proceedings of the meeting are published in full in this issue.
[MEETING AT DOUGLASS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
At a meeting of the friends of a new County held at Douglass, Butler County, September 2nd, 1871, S. W. Taylor, Esq., was called to the chair and W. H. Huffman appointed Secretary.
The Chairman proceeded to call the House to order, and explain to a large assembly of citizens of Butler and Cowley counties the object of the meeting.
On motion of C. A. Stine, it was agreed that we invite all good citizens of Butler and Cowley counties to cooperate with us, and help us to organize a new County.
It was moved and seconded that the Chairman appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. G. D. Prindle, M. W. Brown, and D. P. Warrenburg were appointed on said committee, who after considering, presented the following preamble and resolutions.
WHEREAS, The counties of Butler and Cowley comprise an extent of territory thirty- three miles in breadth and 76 miles in length, containing almost three thousand square miles, being larger in extent than some of the eastern states, and whereas the people of this section of country have to travel, some as far as thirty-five miles, to get to a County seat, at a very great expense, besides having to submit to other innumerable inconveniences; Now therefore be it
Resolved, 1st. That the formation of a new County out of the southern part of Butler, and northern part of Cowley counties, is indispensable to the future prosperity and well being of the people of this part of the valley.
Resolved, 2nd. That the question of a new County is with us paramount to all other issues, but at the same time we are willing to harmonize with the Herd Law element in the County of Butler.
Resolved, 3rd. That our demand for a new County is reasonable and nothing more than justice will warrant and that we will not relax our effort until the aforesaid new County is
established.
Resolved, 4th. That we regard W. P. Campbell of Eldorado as being the most available man to represent the people of Butler County in the next Legislature of the State.
Resolved, 5th. That we will support no aspirant for any office either County or state at the ensuing election, or at any subsequent election, who opposed the formation of a new County, but will vote our united strength against any and all such aspirants for office.
Resolved, 6th. That all the people of the aforesaid counties of Butler and Cowley admit that the said counties are inconveniently large, and that in time a third County must be formed, therefore we believe that while the counties are unincumbered by any public debt, now is the best time to establish permanent County lines, so that each County may assume and pay the public debt that must of necessity be created in the future.
Which resolutions were read and adopted without a single dissenting voice.
At the suggestion of A. J. Uhl, it was agreed that we meet Tuesday evening the 12th of Sept. for the purpose of considering whether we will run a candidate for the office of County
Treasurer.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
W. H. HUFFMAN, Secretary.
At the same meeting Professor Shotwell was requested by a unanimous vote to retain the office of County Superintendent.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
J. P. Short is about to refit the Walnut Valley House, at Winfield.
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
A new town has been laid out at the salt springs, in the southeast corner of Sumner County, called Salt Springs City.
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
At a large meeting of the people of Arkansas City, held August 28th, A. D. Keith, H. O. Meigs, and Judge McIntire were elected directors in the Walnut Valley Railroad Company.
Walnut Valley Times, September 8, 1871.
We have received a personal letter from L. B. Kellogg, in which he says the people of Emporia feel confident of the speedy building of the railroad from Ottawa to that place, and its extension down the Walnut Valley to Arkansas City, within twelve months. Traveler.
[KILLED AT DOUGLASS: J. W. DOUGLASS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 15, 1871.
J. W. Douglass was killed at Douglass on Friday night, last, by John Cline. The particulars, as near as we can gather them from the conflicting reports, are these: On Friday evening, about 10 o'clock, while hunting for stray cattle, Mr. Douglass met a man with something under his arm which he seemed to wish to conceal. The suspicions of Mr. Douglass were immediately aroused and he inquired, "What have you under your coat?" The man replied, "Chickens." Mr. Douglass then inquired where he got them and the man pointed to a house about one-half mile distant belonging to a Mr. Long.
They, Douglass and Cline, started for Mr. Long's, who had retired. They called him up and he said he has sold no chickens that night. The three then started for Douglass, but Mr. Cline, not wishing to go there, drew a revolver and shot Mr. Douglass, the shot taking effect in the abdomen.
Mr. Douglass dropped and exclaimed, "I'm shot!" In a moment he was on his feet again pursuing Cline, who turned and fired a second time, the ball taking effect about four inches above the other one. Mr. Douglass dropped and Cline escaped.
As soon as it was light, a party of men from Douglass took Cline's trail and followed him some twelve miles southeast where he was overtaken and brought back to Douglass. On Monday morning he was brought before a justice for examination but wavered an examination and was committed to jail. He was brought to Eldorado on Wednesday.
Mr. Douglass lived until Tuesday morning. He was a prominent citizen of Douglass and much respected by those who knew him.
[A STRANGE STORY: JOHN BROOKS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 22, 1871. Front Page.
A refugee from the wild Indians of the plains, calling himself John Brooks, arrived last Saturday, and left the same night en route for Illinois. He walked across from Fort Leavenworth, and was come across in the country by a couple of young gentlemen of the Gordon family, who learned his story; and becoming interested, aided him to town. Here they took steps to enable him to prosecute his journey to Illinois, where he supposes his family formerly lived.
He tells a strange story. When he was six years old, as he supposes (he is now 22), his father, with the family, left Illinois to cross the plains to California. There were four of them: father, mother, sister, two years old, and himself. They joined a train and had arrived at a point beyond Salt Lake. Here while the train parked, his father went out to bring in a mule. He was fired on by the Indians and fell. His motherholding his little sisterwitnessed it. She ran out to her husband, followed by little John. The Indians seized the infant sister, dashing out her brains against a tree, and snatching up John, turned and fled.
The Indians proved to be a band of Sioux under Red Cloud. They took him to their village, where he was adopted and raised by Red Cloud. The Indians had six other white prisonersfive boys and one girl. By conversing with each other, they preserved their knowledge of the English language.
John was badly treated until he became large enough to take care of himself. Red Cloud's boys, especially, delighted in beating him, and otherwise abusing him. So with the Indian who boasted of killing his father. He taunted John with the possession of his father's scalp. Little John treasured the matter up, and swore, when old enough, to revenge his father's murder on this Indian.
John grew up and was a skillful hunter. He wanted to marry the white girl, but Red Cloud desired another wife, and took her himself. Soon after, about three months ago, he returned one day from a hunt, and riding by the lodge of the Indian who had killed his father, was accosted about that terrible tragedy. He dared the Indian to fight. The Indian seized his gun, and John drew his revolver. The Indian fired, but missed. John put a ball through the Indian's head, and then turned and fled. He had a good pony, but quick pursuit was made. Several times he was on the point of capture, but saved himself by shooting down the pony his nearest pursuer rode. In this manner, before the pursuit was abandoned, he shot down six ponies.
The Indian village from which he escaped, he says, was somewhere near the head of the Yellow Stone River. He struck for the Platte. He fortunately encountered a detachment of Federal troops coming into Fort Leavenworth. He accompanied them.
John Brooks does not know whether his mother was killed, but he recollects that his father came from Illinois. He is going there, with an indefinite idea that somewhere in Illinois he will gain tidings of his father's or mother's family. His appearance is rather prepossessing, and very well agrees with his story. Jefferson City (Missouri) Times.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 22, 1871.
"Winfield and Arkansas City ought to stop fighting each other, and join forces to secure the Valley Railroad. Will you meet us halfway, friends?" Arkansas City Traveler.
"Well, now, that sounds like it. Of course we will meet you halfway, and shall be glad when the day comes that will see Arkansas City and Winfield working together to promote their own and the interests of the County." Winfield Censor.
Now, gentlemen, you begin to talk business. Butler County means business on the Walnut Valley Road. Join with us and help build this road at once.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 22, 1871.
The preliminary examination of John Cline for the shooting of J. W. Douglass, before Justices Knowles and Johnson at Eldorado, resulted in his being bound over to court to answer the charges of murder in the second degree, and bail fixed at $6,000.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, September 29, 1871.
T. K. Johnson [Johnston] has been appointed postmaster at Winfield.
Walnut Valley Times, September 29, 1871.
Arkansas City proposes to organize a Masonic Lodge.
Walnut Valley Times, September 29, 1871.
Winfield proposes to issue bonds and build a five thousand dollar schoolhouse.
Walnut Valley Times, September 29, 1871.
The town difficulties at Winfield are about settled and everything said is to be lovely.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 6, 1871.
E. C. Manning is a candidate for the Legislature from Cowley County.
Walnut Valley Times, October 6, 1871.
In the case of John Cline for shooting J. W. Douglass, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the 2nd degree.
Walnut Valley Times, October 6, 1871.
Emporia has voted, by a heavy majority, to aid the Osage, Neosho & Walnut Valley R. R. enterprise. It now remains for Butler and Cowley counties to do their duty, and in our judgment a railroad from Ottawa to Arkansas City may be pronounced a sure thing.
Arkansas Traveler.
Walnut Valley Times, October 6, 1871.
THE NEW Township. Sixty petitioners, residing in the east portion of Eldorado Township, have asked the County Commissioners to cut our Township in two in the middle. The job was worked upon the sly and can be called a first-class fraud. The proposition is to form a Township within one mile of town. Our Township is none too large nownot as large as the majority of Townships in the Countyand to attempt to cut it in halves is the most ridiculous movement we have heard of lately. We will have more to say on this subject hereafter.
[COWLEY COUNTY: ARTICLE BY ARKANSAS TRAVELER.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 13, 1871. Front Page.
Cowley County is proposing to itself a new departure this fall by inaugurating an era of good-will and friendly feeling to take the place of the strife and bitterness which hitherto have so strikingly characterized the political relations of the different sections of the County. The feeling seems to prevail that peace is better than war, and that the people should have a word to say in the management of political affairs.
At Winfield, up to the present time, Manning's voice has alone been heard, and heard in such a way as to stir up animosity.
The rivalry between that place and Arkansas City had been of the most unwholesome sort.
It is high time to end it. Let us be friends. Let us work for the common good of ourselves and the County. We are assured that this is the feeling at Winfield, and we believe it is to be the sentiment here.
The truth is our interests are identical. Above all else, Cowley County wants a railroad; and she wants it now. Several railroad enterprises have been taken up, more or less, including that of a trunk road extending up and down the Walnut Valley. This valley road is the one which will best accommodate the largest number of the citizens of the County. It is, therefore, the road which the County desires most of all to obtain; and, fortunately for us, it is the road easiest to be obtained. We have simply to join with our neighbors of the north end of the valley, vote a reasonable amount of County bonds, and the road is ours.
Winfield and Arkansas City are alike and equally interested in this movement. The leaders of the People's party, at Winfield, have assured us most emphatically, and without reservation, that they will cooperate with us in pushing this railroad matter to a successful issue this fall. Now let us take hold and assist them in breaking up the influence of the Ring.
Arkansas Traveler.
[THE BOND PROPOSITION CARRIED.]
Walnut Valley Times, Friday. October 13, 1871.
The proposition submitted by the County Commissioners to take stock to the amount of $200,000 in the Walnut Valley Railroad Company and issue the Bonds of the County therefor, was carried in this County by a small majority on last Tuesday. This secures to the Walnut Valley a Railroad within a short time. We have great faith in this Railroad and have every assurance that it will be built with the aid that it will receive.
It now remains for Cowley County to vote Bonds to aid this road. Leading citizens of the County assure us that it will be done at once.
On the line of the Osage, Neosho & Walnut Valley Road, coming from Ottawa, via Emporia, we will have $750,000 franchises. On the proposed road from Topeka, via Burlingame, Americus, and Cottonwood Falls, we will have local aid to the amount of
$700,000. We have every reason to believe that we can put our road under contract within the next ninety days.
Estimated Majority for the Bonds: 50.
[CHICAGO IN RUINS.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 13, 1871.
Below we give the terrible account of the late fire in Chicago. The fire commenced on Saturday evening and burned until Wednesday.
Chicago, October 8, 1871, 12:30 a.m. The most terrible conflagration ever occurring in this city broke out about an hour and a half ago, and having already swept over six entire blocks, is still raging with almost unabated fury. . . .
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 13, 1871.
Eldorado Township polled three hundred votes for and six against the railroad bonds.
Walnut Valley Times, October 13, 1871.
Dr. H. D. Kellogg, of Arkansas City, passed through town yesterday.
Walnut Valley Times, October 13, 1871.
LABORERS WANTED. Another surveying outfit is to be recruited at Arkansas City, within the next end days, and in a few weeks thirty hands can secure work on the Arkansas River Truss Bridge.
[PEOPLES' CONVENTION: WINFIELD.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1871. Front Page.
The delegates from the several precincts to the Peoples' Convention met at Winfield on Saturday, Sept. 30th, at 2 o'clock, P. M., and nominated the following officers:
For Representative, Judge T. McIntire, of Arkansas City.
For County Clerk, A. A. Jackson, of Winfield.
For Treasurer, E. B. Kager, of Arkansas City.
For Register of Deeds, J. H. Paul, of Vernon Township.
For Supt. Public Instruction, I. P. Hickok, of Winfield.
For Coroner, Manley Hemingway, of Windsor Township.
For County Commissioners for District No. 1, Mr. Phillips; District No. 2, H. L. Gilstrap; District No. 3, E. Simpson.
The ballots were as follows:
For Representative, J. H. Paul, 18, T. McIntire, 22, J. B. Fairbanks, 8, R. B. Saffold, 2.
For County Clerk, A. A. Jackson was elected by acclamation.
For Sheriff, first ballot, a tie, second ballot: James Parker, 25, James Hart, 17.
For Treasurer, Kager, 32, J. P. Short, 11.
For Register of Deeds, J. F. Paul, 22; T. A. Hunt, 15; W. H. Dobyns, 4.
Manley Hemingway, I. P. Hickok, and three Commissioners were elected by acclama tion.
This ticket gives more general satisfaction, and is a fairer distribution of offices than any ever before nominated. Arkansas Traveler.
[EDITORIAL PAGE: NINETY-TWO MAJORITY.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1871.
The official vote on the Railroad Bond Proposition, as canvassed by the Board of County Commissioners shows there was a majority of 92 for the Bonds.
[THE ISSUE: W. P. CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1871.
Elsewhere in this paper will be found the announcement of William P. Campbell, of Eldorado, as a candidate for Representative from the 74th (Butler County) District.
For the last four years the people of this County have been continually agitating the question of a change of County lines of Butler County. From the fact that many schemes are on foot to form new counties, we conclude that the people of the County are dissatisfied with its present proportions. It is needless to say that the people of the southern portion of this County are the only ones demanding a changewe hear of it everywherehave heard it for the last three or four years. The only question with us to determine is, what will be for the best interest of the majority of the people of this County.
So far as we are personally concerned, we would prefer to have the County lines remain as they are. But that is not the question. Owing to the geographical situation of the County, and to the diversity of interest of those who reside in it, can we succeed in putting an end to the continual local quarrels that are forever going on in this County? We think not.
Not only do we hear of the proposition to form a third county out of the territory now comprising the counties of Butler and Cowley, but we hear of movements on foot to cut this County in two in the middle, making two counties of it. The people will never consent to have it cut in two. The proposition before the people of this County then is, shall we consent to give sufficient territory off the south of Butler County to form a new county out of the territory now comprising the counties of Butler and Cowley. This County is 33 miles wide, by 42 miles long. Cowley is 33 miles wide, by 36 miles long. Should we consent to the above proposition and give our proportionate share of territory, Butler County would still be one of the largest and best counties in the State.
The people of the southern portion of this county demand a new County. They have some rights that we are bound to respect. All the settlers in the northern portion of Cowley County want the third county. Shall we give it to them, or shall we go on as heretofore and expend thousands of dollars every year to keep up our County seat and County-line fights?
W. P. Campbell, who is announced as a candidate for the State Legislature, is thoroughly committed in favor of the third county. He was brought out by the people in the Southern portion of the county and proposes to make the fight on the third County issue. Should he be elected, he will endeavor to secure the formation of the new County; so voters who support him, cannot be deceived on this question.
Mr. Campbell is the choice of the people of this town for Representative and will be supported by them almost unanimously; as also will this third County movement. Prominent men from every portion of Butler County are in favor of making the issue on County lines this fall, and they have signified their willingness to support Mr. Campbell. We are satisfied that he will be elected to the Legislature by a round majority.
Should Mr. Campbell be elected on this issue, we are of the opinion that he will succeed in securing the new County. Therefore, those who vote for Mr. Campbell, vote for the third County, and also for the settlement forever of all our local difficulties. Those who vote against him, vote for a continuation of an endless fight in the County. Of the two propositions, we shall certainly do what we can to secure the election of Mr. Campbell to the Legislature.
[EDITORIAL PAGE: DIVISION.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 27, 1871.
The citizens of Augusta propose to join with Eldorado to cut the County in a novel shape. They propose to commence on the fifth standard parallel on the west line of the County; thence running east 12 miles; thence south six miles; thence east nine miles; thence south six miles; thence east to the east line of the County. By looking at the map it will be seen that this gives Towanda, the lower part of Whitewater, the whole of Hickory Creek, and the lower part of Little Walnut, to the lower County.
Augusta would expect to be the County seat of this new County. They urge that the direction of the streams and the topography of the country, point this out as the only fair and practicable division. It may be, but the State has generally adopted the square form, in the formation of counties, and we would prefer it. Taking into consideration the flint hills on the east lines of the County, we think that three counties can be formed out of Butler and Cowley and each of them be of convenient size, and about square so far as the population is concerned.
Of course, no division can be made that will suit everybody, but it seems to us that the last mentioned plan would suit the greatest number. We regard division in some shape as inevitable, and believe that the sooner it can be accomplished, the better. We believe that Mr. Campbell, if elected Representative, will make as fair a division, and one as advantageous to Butler County, as any man we could send to the Legislature. We, therefore, hope that the people will elect him, and give an opportunity to settle this vexed question forever. Many think that it will be impossible for him to get a new County without the consent of Cowley. Perhaps so. Let us give him a trial, and if he fail, no harm will be done those who oppose division. If he fails, that may settle the question. If the people in the southern part of Butler and northern part of Cowley really desire a new County now, we are willing they should have it, so they do not spoil our County. This is the sentiment of a majority of our disinterested citizens. Mr. Campbell is a young man, with a reputation for honesty and fidelity to pledges to build up; he has never, to our knowledge, shown a disposition to deceive the people of the County; we believe him to be a man who will not betray a trust confided to him. From all that we have heard we believe that he will be elected by a handsome majority. This is at least our sincere wish.
[A VINDICATION: J. W. DOUGLASS.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 27, 1871.
An article in the Wichita Videtee concerning the assassination of J. W. Douglass, on the night of September 8th, calls for a response, that justice may be done to the living and dead. There are gentlemanly blackguards and falsifiers, who can report scandal in polite, or at least decent terms; but this article was evidently written by one abhorring truthone who delights in exhibiting his depraved, brutal, and malicious character to the public; and one who fears not to temper in scurrilous language with the name of the dead.
Mr. Douglass first came from New York to Kansas, in 1867, with little else but an honest purpose, an indomitable will, a strong hand and heart. He was in E. H. Durfee's employ a short time, then struck out for himself. At Ft. Zarah, he kept a ranche, a good stock of goods, and had a heavy trade. In the spring of 1868, just after he had newly stocked his ranche, and invested all of his means, the Indians burned him outhis valuable horse was stolenhe merely escaped with what clothes were on his person. By a tedious process his horse was recovered; and since his location here, two ponies have been stolen from him; and an attempt to take his third pony, by his murderer, was made.
Since his entrance to the army, his life has been an eventful one; one episode being his confinement in that horrible den of southern barbarity, "Salsbury prison," for five months; and in this country his life has been one succession of losses and misfortunesall of which he has bravely faced, never yielding to despondency.
From his claim, which was laid out as the town-site, he has always given lots to whoever would build on them, no benefit occurring therefrom to the donor. He was always ready to lend assistance: it was often sought, and never in vain.
That evening before he was shot, he was very cheerful, and had an unusually gay frolic with his little boy; in fact, he was in remarkably exuberant spirits. His wife, though, felt an unwarrantable sadness and presentiment of coming evil, all day.
Of his going out to find his pony cut loose and gone; his tracking the thief, and the terrible result, nothing need be said as the arrest, on the following morning, of Cline, the abundant testimony, and his subsequent trial and conviction of murder, fully testifies. It is reported that this is not the man's first crime, as he committed murder in Iowa.
Mr. Douglass, our friend and brother, is gone from earththe "boatman pale" has carried him over the riverand he is exploring the vast unknown realms, where he will know care and trouble never-more. Before the death agony had dimmed his eye, or sealed his lips, he looked through the crystal of the future and became resigned to leave the world that had but recently seemed so bright to his mortal vision.
Always prompt, frank, energetic, and genial, we miss him sadly; one and all. Mother and brother, in the far-away childhood's home, will look no longer for his return to them; his brother and sister here, can meet him no more, his voice can no more mingle with theirs in the melodies they have often sung together; and last, his young wife, to whom he was all in all, alone with her fatherless babeonly those can know his loss who have passed through the same ordeal, and upon whom the shadow of the same life, sorrow has fallen.
He had his faults, as have we all; but we can only remember him with kindness, gratitude, and love, for his good deeds and many noble qualities; and will perpetuate his memory by this attestation of his worth as a man and a brother, in the community and the home circle, where his vacant chair reminds us of his grave, his peaceful resting place, at last, on the lone hillside.
[Note: Some of the articles called the murderer Cline; others called him Kline. ]
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, October 27, 1871.
Rev. Stine, of Douglass, was in town this week.
Walnut Valley Times, October 27, 1871.
The following are the nominations of the Cowley County "REPUBLICAN CONVEN TION." For Representative, E. C. Manning; for County commissioners District No. 1, Frank Cox; District No. 2, Lucius Walton; District No. 3, R. Maurer; for Sheriff, Thomas A. Blanchard; for County Clerk, John W. Hornbeak; for Register of Deeds, John Irwin; for Treasurer, A. H. Green; for Superintendent Public Instruction, John Dudley; for Surveyor, W. W. Walton; for Coroner, Dr. G. P. Wagner.
[THE THIRD COUNTY.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
The Cowley County Censor, published at Winfield, in answer to our article in the TIMES, of two weeks ago, on the proposition to form a new county out of the territory now comprising the counties of Butler and Cowley says:
"We regret exceedingly that the citizens of Eldorado favor a division of that County and this. We cannot agree with the TIMES that all the settlers in the northern portion of this County want a third County, thereby reducing this County.
"True, there are many near the northern boundary who are anxious for a division, but not all. Again, we think those of both counties who favor this movement ought to consider well the matter before they act. . . .
"Nearly all of the counties in Southwestern Kansas must have county buildings which will cost large sums of money. In large counties the tax upon the people for this purpose will be comparatively small. In small counties the same amount of taxes must be paid, as it is all important that every county have good, substantial buildings for county purposes. Take the case in hand for instance. Butler County we are told, has to send her prisoners to Emporia for want of a jail. This County has to do the same thing. Both need courthouses and county offices. Both counties are large, and can well afford to erect these buildingsgood ones, too, and at once. If the counties are divided, the cost will be much more and the taxes will consequently be much higher. To the people this is an important question. We cannot afford to burden ourselves with taxes merely to gratify some town wanting the county seat, when there are so few to be benefitted, and so many who will be injured.
"We hope that Mr. Campbell will be defeated. We are confident that the people of Cowley will oppose any change in County lines."
Bent Murdock, editor of the Walnut Valley Times, commented as follows.
"We have every reason to believe that nine-tenths of the settlers residing in the northern portion of Cowley want this new County. The formation of the proposed new County will not affect Butler County in the least. The land in the southern portion of this County has never been taxable and has therefore been of no particular benefit to us. By giving the new County, we would yet have a County larger than three-fourths of the counties in the State. We want peace. The people of Butler County have been in a continual uproar for the last two years on this County-line and County-seat question. We see nothing but trouble in the future. So long as these counties remain as large as they are, we may expect war, unless the people become satisfied that the lines cannot be changed. We have not undertaken any underhanded game to divide Butler County.
"Mr. Campbell is an open and avowed third County candidate. He was brought out as such and is stumping the County on the third County issue. He has invited the anti-division candidate to meet him at every post-office in the County and discuss the question at issue. We are satisfied that a good majority of the people of this County will favor Mr. Campbell's election to the Legislature, on the third County issue. Let us then as men who desire peace and prosperity, who desire to see the question settled at once and forever, support W. P. Campbell for the Legislature.
NOTE: FOR SOME TIME THE EDITOR OF THE WALNUT VALLEY TIMES HAS BEEN MAKING IT CLEAR THAT HE HAS NO USE FOR MR. ISAAC MOONEY OF AUGUSTA AND HIS CRONIES...THEY HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT THORN IN HIS SIDE FROM "YEAR ONE" AS THEY WANT THE COUNTY SEAT TO BE AT AUGUSTA.
[CAMPBELL & MOONEY: THE MEETING AT TOWANDA.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
Messrs. Campbell and Mooney, our candidates for Representative, were advertised to speak at Towanda last Friday evening. Quite a number of our citizens attended the meeting as did citizens from Augusta. About fifty persons were in attendance at the meeting, including several ladies.
After Mr. Mooney had spoken, Campbell replied in his usual forcible manner. These gentlemen were followed by Messrs. Herman and Brown, of Augusta. Judge Lauck was then called for. He commenced speaking and after he had occupied the floor several minutes, Mr. Campbell arose to a point of order. He said that the meeting was called by himself and Mr. Mooney and was to be a joint discussion. He further stated that he had no objections to Mr. Lauck speaking if he would be allowed to answer him. Lauck refused to yield and Campbell vigorously claimed his right to speak. Campbell stated that he had arranged for the meeting and would not be brow-beaten by a rabble.
Lauck then said: "Do you call the people of Augusta a rabble?" In the meantime he took up a glass and made a motion as though he was going to throw it at Mr. Campbell.
Campbell made no reply. Lauck again leveled the glass at Campbell and repeated the question, "Do you mean to call the people of Augusta a rabble?"
Campbell took hold of a chair with both hands and exclaimed, "I do."
Lauck then threw the glass with all his force at Campbell's head.
Campbell, by a dexterous movement, threw up the chair and the glass was dashed to pieces against the leg of the chair.
Campbell immediately recovered himself and "went for that Heathen Chinee" with a desire to set him up in business. He gave him a sounder on the cope with the chair, which most effectually settled the hash of the fighting Judge. After this the meeting adjourned.
Our man Campbell don't propose to be bullied by Augusta or anybody else, and the quicker the people find it out, the better. Hereafter pugnacious gentlemen will better understand the situation.
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
Messrs. Campbell and Mooney, candidates for Representative, spoke at Augusta last Tuesday evening. We had hoped that Mr. Campbell could speak there without being insulted and abused, and when some expressed fears that he would be maltreated there, we always urged that there was no danger. That the people there had too much sense to permit such a thing to happen. In fact, we didn't believe that they had a rowdy mean and cowardly enough to attempt such a thing, but in the last supposition we were mistaken.
After Mr. Mooney made his speech, Mr. Campbell arose to follow. Before he had spoken a word, a lawyer of Augusta, surrounded by a lot of roughs, arose and asked him if he considered himself as addressing gentlemen or a rabble.
Mr. Campbell answered that he supposed the majority present were gentlemen, but a large portion he believed to be a set of ruffians. He stated that he had not come there to fight nor to quarrel, but to peaceably discuss with Mr. Mooney the local issues of the County. It was their meeting and their town, and if they desired to hear him, he would speak.
Another lawyer sung out in the audience: "God damn it! Go on with your speech!" Mr. Campbell then remarked that he felt himself competent to satisfy any gentlemen that took any exceptions to anything he had said or done, at the proper time. Several threats were made at this time.
Dr. Whitehorn then rose and said that he was sorry to see any disturbance. That he hoped the people of Augusta would not disgrace themselves, but would let Mr. Campbell speak. He stated that he and Col. Baker had attended a meeting at Eldorado on Saturday evening and no man raised so much as his little finger to cast an insinuation or insult, but they were treated as gentlemen in every respect. Mr. James and Col. Davis and others then spoke in favor of permitting Mr. Campbell to speak, and through their influence the effort to get up a row failed and Mr. Campbell was allowed to proceed.
We are glad there is a little manhood and generosity in Augusta, and sorry to know that they have men who make pretensions to a position in society, so mean and contemptible as to try to take advantage of a man in Mr. Campbell's situation last Tuesday night.
[E. C. MANNING IN TROUBLE.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
E. C. Manning, of Winfield, was nominated at a Republican Convention held in Cowley County, for representative to the Legislature from that County. Some of the people were of the opinion that Manning would sell his vote for cash. A gentleman by the name of W. D. Roberts, who wrote to Hon. Sidney Clarke to make inquiries about the matter, received the following replies from Hon. Sidney Clarke and from Dan. M. Adams.
We publish all three letters as taken from the Arkansas City Traveler.
HON. SIDNEY CLARKE, LAWRENCE:
DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned, having been reliably informed that Col. E. C. Manning wanted the sum of $1,000 to vote for you for the United States Senate, during his membership thereof at the last Legislature, beg leave to ask if this be true. We have no personal animosity against Mr. Manningon the other hand, supported him last fall, with the understanding that he was a Clarke man, believing it was the least we could do to show our gratefulness to cast the vote of Cowley County in your favor, after you had so highly favored us in securing titles to our lands.
Mr. Manning is spoken of as a candidate again this fall, and we desire an answer to the above question for our own personal satisfaction and guidance, and unless it should be necessary to use the same, it shall go no further.
With great respect, we have the honor to be your obedient servants.
Respectfully refer to Maj. Dan'l M. Adams, President of Kansas Valley Bank, Topeka, Kansas.
Will you have the kindness to state the facts in the case (endorsed in this letter) for the information of the people of Cowley County.
Mr. Manning demanded of me personally the sum of $1,000, before he would take a stand in my favor for U. S. Senator. I told him he was elected to vote for me, and that I was not able, and that I could not and would not pay it; that every foot of land occupied by his constituents had been severed from the grasp of the monopolists by the fight I made for the people, and that I would appeal to them if he betrayed his trust and voted against me. I told him I was willing to pay, if I was elected, any legitimate election expenses he might have incurred, within the limit of my means, and asked him to confer with you. Please state whether he made any demand on you or not. Yours Truly, SIDNEY CLARKE.
October 9th, 1871.
In answer to this I have to state that Col. E. C. Manning came to my room at the Tefft House, in this city, a few days previous to the Senatorial election, last January, and demanded of me the sum of $1,000 before he would even vote for Sidney Clarke for U. S. Senator, saying, `You have the money, I know it, and I need it, and will have it.' I told him Mr. Clarke was poor, and his friends had no such sum to pay him, or any other persons; after which Mr. Manning made some remarks reflecting severely upon Mr. Clarke for his meanness, and left my room.
Manning, in answer to the above, published the following communication in the Cowley County Censor of October the 28th.
Three letters are published in the Arkansas Traveler of this weekOctober 22nd-that purport to have been written by W. D. Roberts, Sidney Clarke, and Dan. M. Adams.
Roberts' letter contains one lie, inasmuch as it states that "we have no personal animosity against Mr. Manning."
Clarke's letter contains several lies, the following being the particularly infamous and base one: "Mr. Manning demanded of me personally the sum of $1,000 before he would take a stand in my favor for U. S. Senator."
Dan M. Adams' letter is a lie from first to last. He states that I demanded $1,000 from him before I would vote for Mr. Clarke for U. S. Senator.
I shall speak in fourteen different places in Cowley County between this time and the day of election, Nov. 7th, as per appointment of the Republican Central Committee, and at these meetings will answer this and all other charges that Clarke and his lying followers, and my personal opponents, may circulate. The appointments of the Republican Central Committee are in this paper, and I hope to see a large turnout of voters at every meeting! Let the liars and slanderers face the music.
Winfield, Oct. 27th.
[$300,000 IN COUNTY BONDS ASKED FOR RAILROADS!]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
Just on the eve of the election we find that the Augusta people are circulating a petition to the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Butler County, asking them to submit a proposition to the qualified voters of the County to take stock in a railroad from Eureka to Augusta, and from Peabody to Augusta and the south line of the County, to the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars.
We herewith print the petition so that our readers may know just what it is:
To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners in and for the County of Butler and State of Kansas.
The undersigned, citizens and electors, of the County of Butler and State of Kansas, would respectfully ask that an election be ordered by your Honorable Body for the purpose of ascertaining the sense of will of the electors of the County and State aforesaid upon the question of the County of Butler subscribing stock to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars (One hundred and fifty thousand dollars each) to the Eureka, Augusta and Southwestern Railway Company and the White Water and Walnut Valley Railway Company, and issuing the bonds of the said County therefor upon the conditions, restrictions, and terms hereinafter set forth, to-wit:
1st. Said bonds shall be taken at par by said Railroad Companies.
2nd. Said bonds shall be made payable, principal and interestthe interest payable semi- annuallyin the city of New York.
3rd. Said bonds shall run for thirty years, and shall bear interest at the rate of 7 percent annum. . . .
Editor T. B. Murdock responded:
Augusta proposes to rule this County or ruin it. The citizens of Augusta don't care what becomes of the County provided Augusta is cared for. Of course they cannot carry this bond proposition but it shows just what they would do if they had a chance.
[EDITORIAL CONVENTION AND EXCURSION.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
RECAP: MURDOCK ATTENDED THE EDITORIAL CONVENTION AT LAW RENCE WHERE ABOUT 80 EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS WERE PRESENT.
BIG EVENT: THEY WENT BY THE M. K. & T. RAILROAD COMPANY FOR A VISIT TO FORT GIBSON, INDIAN TERRITORY, AND WERE ENTERTAINED BY MAJ. R. S. STEVENS AND MAJ. JOHN CARLAND, COMMANDING AT FORT GIBSON, ETC.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT:
T. B. Murdock and sister, Walnut Valley TIMES.
S. R. Mayberry; M. M. Murdock, wife, and daughter, Osage CHRONICLE.
Jacob Stotler and lady, Emporia NEWS.
NOTE: NO ONE FROM WINFIELD OR ARKANSAS CITY.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
The Salt River Steam Boat will leave with a heavy load of passengers next Tuesday evening.
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
W. P. Campbell don't scare worth a cent, as some of his enemies have discovered.
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
MARRIED. At Eldorado, October 29th, by the Rev. P. Hathaway, Mr. John Small, of Butler County, to Miss Eliza J. Brown, of Cowley County.
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
The division shriekers want peace. Let them have it in a glorious anti-division victory. Let the people rally at the polls and bury the divisionists so deep that to them shall never come a resurrection. Augusta Republican.
We want peace and we are going to have it. We want this County-seat and County-line question settled forever; and we propose to settle it by electing W. P. Campbell to the Legislature.
Walnut Valley Times, November 3, 1871.
The "ring" that now advocates division has been the cause of more trouble and taxation to Butler County than any other source. Let the people squelch it at the polls.
Augusta Republican.
The anti-division candidate for Representative (Mr. Mooney) was in favor of a new County a short time ago. The people of Augusta, who are now opposing division, have been at work for the last two years to cut Butler County in two in the middle, and if they ever get the power, they will do it. So vote for Mr. Campbell and make a fair division of the territory.
[EDITORIAL PAGE: THE ELECTION.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
The returns from various portions of the County are not yet all in, but enough is known to satisfy us that Isaac Mooney, the Anti-Division candidate, is elected to the Legislature by a small majority. Considering that one year ago there were not three hundred votes in the County for division, we think the friends of the movement did well.
We are of the opinion that W. J. Cameron, candidate for State Senator, received a majority of all the votes cast in this County. J. M. Alexander will conclude that honesty is the best policy, in the future.
[AUGUSTUS OTTENOT SENTENCED.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
AUGUSTUS OTTENOT, one of the Eldorado ballot-box stuffers, was sentenced by the U. S. district court at Topeka, to six-months imprisonment in the state penitentiary and to pay a fine of $250. He was charged with placing 246 illegal names on the poll books of the Eldorado voting precinct in this County last year, and convicted. We understand that more of the ballot-box stuffers of that place are under indictment, and we hope they will be con victed and likewise punished. There is no safety for this nation, and republican institutions are a farce, if such practices are to be tolerated. It is far better to lose a battle with right on your side, than with a victory through fraud or crime. Augusta Republican.
We will inform the Republican that Augusta stuffed the ballot-box in the spring of 1871, on the courthouse bond proposition. Augusta set the example and Eldorado followed. It is very pretty to talk about "Republican institutions," and "star spangled banners," when referring to poor Ottenot, but if the editor of the Republican will look at home he will find quite as much fraud and corruption there as he thinks he sees at Eldorado. Furthermore, we will state that some of the citizens of Eldorado are under indictment for ballot-box stuffing. When the gentleman talks ballot-box stuffing, let him remember that Augusta was the first town in this County to stuff the ballot-box.
[OTTENOT GONE UP.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
We learn from Topeka, that Ottenot, the great ballot-box stuffer, has been sent to the penitentiary. From the proceedings of the United States District Court at Topeka, we take the following.
In the case of the United States against Augustus Ottenot, charged with placing 246 illegal names on the poll books of the Eldorado election precinct, in Butler County, Kansas, at the November election, 1870, for representative to congress, governor, and other officers, the defendant, Ottenot, was convicted and sentenced by the court to six months in the penitentiary in the State of Kansas, and to pay a fine of $250.
The defendant in this case was indicted under the act of May 31st, 1870, known as the "enforcement act of congress for the protection of the elective franchises and the civil rights of citizens." It is the first case of the kind that has been brought in the United States court of this district, and is probably the first case in which punishment has been inflicted on the party for violation of the law in a northern state. The law was passed more expressly to protect the colored voters of the south, and to permit them unmolested to freely exercise their newly acquired right of suffrage. In pronouncing the sentence upon the defendant, who is a young man of twenty-five and formerly a practicing attorney, Judge Delahay gave him some excellent advice and counsel.
[PERSONALS.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
The division of Butler County is postponed to a more convenient season.
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
The Cowley County Censor has greatly improved in appearance lately. It is now a large, handsome sheet, and is edited with ability. It ought to succeed under the present manage ment.
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler says that on Saturday evening, 28th ult., as Mr. McGay was returning home with a wagon load of corn, intoxicated, he fell from his seat upon the whipple-tree, and then to the ground. As he struck the earth, the wagon wheel passed over his neck and jaw, breaking both and causing instant death.
Walnut Valley Times, November 10, 1871. NOTICE.
Notice is hereby given that by order of the Directors of the Walnut Valley Railroad Company, books will be opened for the purpose of subscribing to the Capital Stock of the Walnut Valley Railroad Company, at the following named places on the 11th day of December, 1871, to-wit:
Post-office, Chelsea;
L. B. Snow's office, Eldorado;
Post-office, Augusta;
Douglass House, Douglass;
Alexander & Saffold's office, Winfield;
Keith & Eddy's Drug Store, Arkansas City.
Dated Augusta, November 4th, 1871.
C. N. JAMES, Secretary.
[COWLEY COUNTY CENSOR: SOLD OUT.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 17, 1871.
Under the above heading, the Cowley County Censor has a long article accusing the people of Arkansas City of being in league with Eldorado to elect Cameron to the Senate, we make some extracts.
"One of the many evidences of double dealing with the people of Arkansas City and its home candidate practiced is the manner in which J. M. Alexander, of this place, was treated. The Colonel was the regular nominee of the Republican party for State Senator. His name was printed upon all the regular Republican tickets, but the "People's" tickets, which were printed in Arkansas City, did not contain the Colonel's name.
"Colonel Alexander, in his speech at Winfield, explained the duplicity of Arkansas City, and charged them with being in league with Eldorado to elect Cameron, who was running for Senator from this district, as the division candidate. The result has proved that Arkansas City was working "on the sly," for Cameron. A letter was seen in Arkansas City by one of our citizens the same day that Mr. McIntyre [McIntire] was here, in which the whole programme of electing Cameron to the State Senate was set forth. The vote of Arkansas City, on Tuesday last, shows how innocent or ignorant Mr. McIntyre must have been. It shows how deep they have buried the hatchet of discord. It shows how much they are opposed to a division of this County. It shows how well they have sold those citizens of Winfield and the County, who cooperated with them in good faith. It shows how well Colonel Alexander divined their motives, and how well deserved was the scoring he gave them at the meeting here the night before the election. Cameron, the candidate who is in favor of a division of our County, received one hundred and sixty-six votes in Arkansas City, while Colonel Alexander, who is opposed to such division, received four votes. The Colonel has, in the past, been the friend of that little burg; perhaps he will not be in the future."
Editor Murdock responded:
We profess to know something about the movement to elect Cameron to the State Senate, and will try and enlighten the Censor on the subject.
According to the decision of the Attorney General, and prominent lawyers of the State, the new apportionment for Kansas will not go into effect until next year. Three or four politi cians in this new Senatorial District came to the conclusion, a few weeks before the election, that a senator might get his seat this winter, if elected from this District.
A call was published, signed by Hutchinson of Wichita, McDermott, of Cowley County, and Lauck of Butler County, calling a Senatorial Convention at Douglass, to nominate a State Senator for this District. We referred to the call at the time, and stated that the new apportionment did not go into effect until next year, and of course we were not entitled to a new Senator. We also stated that the gentlemen above named had no right whatever to call a convention to nominate a State Senator. We never learned who went to Douglass to the Convention, but know positively that the Republicans of this County were not represented at the convention.
After the announcement that Col. (?) Alexander, of Winfield, was nominated for Senator, for this District, we at once determined not to support him. We know nothing of Alexander only from hearsay. He may be a Republicanhe may be a good man, and in every way worthy of being nominated for State Senator, but we will not support men for office under such circumstances.
Had he been properly nominated, by the Republicans of the District, we would have supported him.
But a few days before the election we of Eldorado Township concluded to vote for our fellow townsman, Judge W. J. Cameron. Letters were written to Arkansas City, Wichita, and to Sumner County, stating that the Republicans of Butler County were not in favor of Alexander, and would not support him. It was also stated that we would vote for Cameron. Judge Cameron was not announced, as a candidate, but at the same time, he scooped Alexander in this County. We are glad to know that Arkansas City, and other towns in the District, did not support Alexander. We do not know who is elected, but we do know that Butler County squarely repudiated Alexander. We hope the editor of the Censor will not abuse Republicans of Cowley County for refusing to vote for a man who was improperly brought before the people. We hope that no Republican paper in this District will support any measure that smacks of fraud, or corruption.
[TRAVELER RESPONSE: COL. ALEXANDER'S NOMINATION]
Walnut Valley Times, November 24, 1871.
The Censor takes Arkansas City to task for voting against J. M. Alexander for Senator. "The Col. was the regular nominee of the republican party for State Senator," says the Censor. We know something about this regular nomination. Four Winfield men, on their way to Augusta stopped for dinner at Douglass, where they met and talked with three citizens of that place about political matters, including that of a nomination for State Senator.
These four Winfield men suggested that Alexander would be a good man for the place. The three Douglass men thought Mr. Taylor of Douglass would be a good man for the position. After dinner the four set out for Augusta.
That week the Augusta paper came out with a report of a Senatorial Convention held at Douglass, at which the gallant Col. Alexander was enthusiastically nominated by the Republicans of Sedgwick, Butler, Howard, and Cowley counties! Arkansas Traveler.
[NEW PAPER AT WINFIELD.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 24, 1871.
NEW PAPER AT WINFIELD. We had a pleasant call from Mr. Mugford, late of the Oxford Times. He was on his return from St. Louis, where he bought a new outfit for his new paper at Winfield, which will soon be issued. The office has already gone forward. Mr. Mugford is a good fellow, a No. 1 printer, and makes an excellent paper.
[SOUTHWESTERN KANSAS: COWLEY COUNTY.]
Walnut Valley Times, November 24, 1871.
Portion of an article that dealt with Howard, Cowley, Sumner, Greenwood, and Sedgwick counties.
From the Cowley County CENSOR.
The County Commissioners of Cowley County have submitted a proposition, to be voted on, on the 19th day of December, to issue the Bonds of the County to the amount of five thousand dollars to build a jail at Winfield.
1. Bing Esq., of Independence, called on us yesterday. Mr. Bing has rented the building now occupied by Mr. Triplett's Billiard Hall, and will at once bring on a large stock of dry goods and clothing. Mr. Bing is well known in business circles in Eastern Kansas, and we are glad he concluded to stop among us.
We are pleased to learn that some of our citizens are getting up a genuine "New England Thanksgiving Dinner.&