Major William M. Sleeth Family.
Kansas 1875 Census Creswell Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth Where from
William Sleeth 41 m w Ohio, Tennessee
Mary Sleeth 27 f w Ohio, Ohio
Maggie Sleeth 1/12 f w Kansas
David Sleeth 49 m w Ohio, Tennessee
David Sleeth, the father of William M. Sleeth, was born in Londonderry, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1800, and was an infant when his parents, in 1801, came to America and located in Guernsey County, Ohio. David Sleeth spent his active life as a farmer in Ohio and died at Cambridge, Ohio, in 1849. He married Margaret McCracken, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1801, and died at Cambridge, Ohio, in 1881. David and Margaret had two children, David Sleeth Jr. and William Sleeth.
William M. Sleeth was born near Cambridge in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1832. His boyhood and youth were spent as a farmer and rural resident.
In 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio Regiment as a second Lieutenant. Sleeth was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1863. He was detailed as acting commissary of Subsistence of the Third division of the Seventeenth Army Corps with the temporary rank of Major. He participated in the engagements of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea.
[As noted later, Major Sleeth was under John A. Logan for three months during the Civil War. See Arkansas City Republican, October 4, 1884.]
[From Civil War Dictionary by Mark M. Boatner III.]
LOGAN, John Alexander. Union General 1826-86, Ill. A lawyer, he fought in the Mexican War and then served in the state legislature and US Congress. He was a Democrat and believed by many to be a Southern sympathizer. Although not in the army, he marched to 1st Bull Run with a Michigan regiment and was then commissioned Col. 31st Ill. 18 Sept 1861. He was wounded leading his regiment at Fort Donelson and commissioned B.G. USV 21 March 1862. He commanded, in the Army of the Tennessee, 1st Brig., 1st Div. (19 April-July1862); 1st Brig., 1st Div., Dist. of Jackson (July-September 1862); and Dist. Of Jackson (September 1862). As Maj. Gen. USV (29 November 1862), he commanded 3d Div. Right Wing, XIII, Tenn. (1 Nov.-18 Dec. 1862) and 3rd Div., XVII (18 Dec. 1862-20 July 1863) during the Vicksburg campaign as well as Sept. 17-November 1863. He commanded the XV Corps 11 Dec. 1863-22 July 1864, succeeding McPherson as commander of the Army of the Tennessee. He was, however, relieved by Lincoln five days later upon Sherman’s recommendation. The latter, while feeling that Logan was a first-rate combat soldier, said that he expressed deep contempt for the necessary though tedious logistical preparation of an army. He returned to the XV Corps, leading it 27 July-23 Sept. 1864 and 8 Jan.-23 May 1865 during the remainder of the Atlanta campaign and on the March to the Sea and through the Carolinas. He again commanded the Army of the Tennessee 19 May-1 Aug. 1865. Resigning 17 Aug. 1865, he re-entered politics as a Republican, serving as US Congressman and Senator for many years. He was the unsuccessful nominee for V.P. with Blaine against Cleveland in 1884. He was one of the organizers of the G.A.R. and was three times its president; helped found the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and began the observance of Memorial Day. Wrote The Volunteer Soldier of America (1887).
Sleeth mustered out in 1865. Returned to Ohio. Then Moved to Tennessee.
Mr. Sleeth mustered out in 1865 and returned to his home state where he taught school for a year. He moved to Fayetteville, Tennessee, where he engaged in the lumber business for three years. There he met A. A. Newman and T. H. McLaughlin, Arkansas City pioneers, who were in business there. Going back to his native town of Cambridge, he married Mary B. Hutchinson on September 6, 1869.
[Note: Mistakes were made relative to Sleeth in some accounts pertaining to him. I have gone digging for correct data and believe the following reflects his movements better in the early years. MAW September 16, 2000.]
[Letter dated October 20, 1869, to Major Sleeth’s brother, David, from Emporia.]
Brother Dave: We arrived here on the next Tuesday after we left Mr. Hastings, being one week on the way. Had to stop at Nashville and then got a ticket to St. Louis and our baggage checked to that place but when we got there our baggage had not come with us. I then got tickets to Topeka and ordered the baggage to be sent to that place as soon as it came up and it did not come to Topeka till Saturday, and then we had to remain there till Monday.
We have had quite a winter since we came here. Monday night it snowed—about two inches on the ground, last Tuesday morning, and the weather has been very cold ever since. Last night it froze pretty smart. It is much warmer today. It has been the coldest weather that I ever felt in any country in the middle of October. The citizens here make great apologies about the cold. They say they never saw the like before. They hold out the idea that this is a very mild climate, especially to persons coming from the north.
I found Newman, Houghton, and company here. They are in the dry goods and grocery business, have two houses, and are doing a very heavy trade. Newman told me that Houghton and himself had cleared about $4,000 apiece in the last year.
I also found Jim Harris at Topeka. He used to work for Bill Johnson and was in the 78th O. V. I. during the war. He said he had been here about a month. He came out to look at the country and was so well pleased he was going to stay. Since the war he has been foreman in Blandy’s machine shop at Zanesville. He is going down to Wichita on the Arkansas river next week and I expect to go with him.
I like the appearance of the country very much but timber is very scarce, none at all, only on the streams. In many places you might look as far as you could see in every direction and not discover a stick or twig of any kind. But the land is the richest and prettiest I ever saw and they have the finest crops of corn I ever saw grow in any country. Don’t think I saw any (unless it was sod corn) that would yield less than 50 bushels per acre and much of it 75 or 100, and they claim to make from 20 to 45 bushels of wheat per acre and other productions in proportion.
There is a great immigration here and the country is just full of land buyers and speculators and land is going up rapidly. We had to travel 45 miles by stage and the country we passed over I don’t think one acre in every two hundred had ever been cultivated, but it was all taken up and held by speculators and they ask from $2 to $10 per acre for it according to quality, etc. Many are going farther south and west.
I think this a very good point, even better than Topeka, the capital of the state. Two railroads will soon be built to this place and both very important ones. And others are in contemplation. I have no doubt but this will be the railroad center of the state. Property, land, etc., is advancing very rapidly here. Yesterday in conversation with a real estate agent, he advised me to go into the stock business. Men can follow it and not own a foot of land. Pasture and hay is free to everybody. But when he found out that I was a mill man, he had a chance by which I could make $10,000 in one year. He had a farm of 284 acres of which 100 acres had the finest timber in the country. He asked $35 per acre for it and claimed that timber land would make 35,000 feet of lumber and 60 cords of wood per acre. Lumber is worth from $3 to $5 per hundred feet, and wood is about $6 per cord. He would engage it all at $5 per cord.
Everybody is busy here and all appear satisfied and say they are doing well. All with whom I have talked say the milling business is the best of the country—they buy wheat at from eight cents to one dollar and grind it and sell the flour at $5 and $6 per hundred pounds.
I wish you were here. I think we would do much better here now than any place else I have been. Harris has been talking to me about milling. I did not give him much satisfaction. McLaughlin is here and is going to stay. I presume we will stay in Kansas too, for a while at least, and I am very anxious to get at some business. Maybe I am too anxious.
Newspaper articles show Sleeth was in El Dorado before coming to Arkansas City in 1870. He and his brother, David, got claims near Arkansas City. Major Sleeth also erected a residence at 325 South Summit Street in Arkansas City.
MAW SEPTEMBER 18, 2000
[NOTE: RKW DETERMINED THAT MAJOR SLEETH’S CLAIM OF 160 ACRES NEAR ARKANSAS CITY WOULD NOW BE BOUNDED BY BIRCH AVENUE ON THE NORTH, F STREET ON THE WEST, CHESTNUT AVENUE ON THE SOUTH AND GREEN FARM ROAD ON THE EAST.]
RKW found that the following story (which came from an oral source) was not true.
Albert A. Newman was also was a very early settler. After coming to Arkansas City, Mr. Newman ordered a grist mill and a saw mill to be delivered from the east. When they were delivered, they were to be placed at the Walnut River on East Kansas Avenue. The saw mill became mired on the crude dirt road and Newman tried to extract it for two weeks. Newman became so disgusted that he sold it to William Sleeth who extracted it.
Little information has been gathered relative to Sleeth in the early years...
Major Sleeth erected his saw mill east of Chestnut Avenue on the bank of the Walnut River and engaged in the lumber business before the end of 1870. This saw mill was water powered and also the first saw mill operating in Cowley County. His brother, David Sleeth, was a partner in the saw mill. David Sleeth took a claim northeast of Major Wm. Sleeth.
Major Sleeth remained in the milling business for two years before selling in 1872 so he could spend more time farming and following other pursuits.
Mistakes occur relative to first bank Sleeth was involved with.
The following is correct...
Albert A. Newman helped to organize the second bank, the Cowley County Bank. This bank became the first organized under state laws. Newman was the President of the Cowley County Bank from 1874 for a number of years. It appears that Sleeth took over as President of bank in 1878. A. A. Newman was one of the founders of the Home National Bank, when it was created later.
An ad placed by the "Cowley County Bank" in 1876 follows...
Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.
COWLEY COUNTY BANK, ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
A. A. Newman, President. W. M. Sleeth, Vice President.
H. P. Farrar, Cashier.
Does a General Banking Business. Interest Allowed on Time Deposits. Domestic and Foreign Exchange Bought and Sold. School Bonds a Specialty. Collections promptly attended to.
Directors: A. A. Newman, Wm. M. Sleeth, T. H. McLaughlin, H. O. Meigs,
R. C. Haywood.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876. At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Cowley County Bank yesterday W. M. Sleeth, T. H. McLaughlin, R. C. Haywood, H. O. Meigs, and A. A. Newman were elected Directors for the year: A. A. Newman, President; W. M. Sleeth, Vice President; H. P. Farrar, Cashier and Secretary.
By 1878 Sleeth and Farrar were in charge of Cowley County Bank...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 18, 1878. Front Page.
ARKANSAS CITY.
[Special Correspondent Kansas City Times.]
The Cowley County Bank is a safe and reliable institution, presided over by Major Wm. Sleeth, with Capt. H. P. Farrar, as Cashier.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 12, 1878.
List of Advertising Business Houses of Arkansas City
Cowley County Bank: W. M. Sleeth, President; H. P. Farrar, Cashier.
First National Bank of Arkansas City.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 11, 1885.
The following are the directors of the First National Bank of Arkansas City: A. B. Johnson, A. D. Prescott, J. P. Johnson, F. W. Farrar, Wm. Sleeth, and H. P. Farrar.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 19, 1885.
W. M. SLEETH, President. ESTABLISHED 1872. H. P. Farrar, Cashier.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, -OF ARKANSAS CITY-
(SUCCESSOR TO COWLEY COUNTY BANK.)
YOUR BUSINESS SOLICITED.
DIRECTORS: A. B. JOHNSON, FRED W. FARRAR, A. D. PRESCOTT,
J. P. JOHNSON, W. M. SLEETH, H. P. FARRAR.
The very last change I had in name of bank and officers follows...MAW 9/11/2000...
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 19, 1887.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, NO. 3360.
WM. SLEETH, Pres.
CALVIN DEAN, Vice-Pres.
H. P. FARRAR, Cashier.
F. W. FARRAR, Asst. Cashier.
PAID UP CAPITAL: $125,000.
SURPLUS: $15,000.
UNDIVIDED PROFITS: $10,000.
[NEWSPAPER ITEMS STARTS ON PAGE 7.]
[GO TO PAGE 28 FOR BANK ROBBERY IN 1878.]
RKW picked up the following information concerning second bank, part of which is incorrect!
In 1883, Sleeth erected the banks’ building which is at the northwest corner of Summit Street and Fifth Avenue. This building was later occupied by the Citizens State Bank and is now occupied by the Union State Bank.
The following contains the facts about erection of the second bank...
[COWLEY COUNTY BANK.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 16, 1884.
COWLEY COUNTY BANK.
The Finest Bank Building in Southern Kansas.
Last Monday morning the Cowley County Bank, one of the oldest and most substantial financial institutions of this county, opened up in their new building on the northwest corner of Summit Street and Fifth Avenue. The progress of this building has been watched with unflagging interest by all of our citizens, as from the first it gave promise of being the finest thing of its kind in the southwest, and is something of which our city may justly feel proud. It is a two-story building with basement, built of the finest pressed brick and dressed stone, surmounted by a tower twenty feet in height, the whole presenting a most imposing appearance. Every detail of its construction points to superior workmanship, good judgment, and taste, with a most admirable arrangement for the transaction of the bank’s business and for the accommodation of those renting the office departments upstairs and down.
The basement (half of which is above ground) consists of two large, well lighted and ventilated rooms, with none of the drawbacks of an ordinary basement. One of these rooms is already rented. The first floor proper consists of three rooms. The front room is 25 x 37 feet, and is used for the public business of the bank. The interior finish of this room is in keeping with the general neatness of the entire building, the office furniture, counters, etc., being of cherry wood finished in finest French plate and ornamental tops. In the southeast corner of this room is a neat alcove compartment handsomely carpeted and separated from the main room by a heavy, low railing, for the accommodation of customers desiring to wait a few minutes. In the rear of the main room is the bank’s private room, 25 x 18 feet, and adjoining this room, with its entrance on Fifth Avenue, is an office room, 20 x 25 feet, which will be for rent when finished. The second story contains seven commodious office rooms, which for the use of professional men have no equal in this county.
Altogether it is the finest bank edifice in Southern Kansas, not excepting those of Wichita even, and speaks volumes for the credit, stability, and enterprise of Messrs. Farrar and Sleeth. The expenses of its construction so far has been about $12,000, in return for which outlay these gentlemen have now a building that would do credit to any city in the land, and one whose rental will bring in a handsome revenue.
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Walnut Valley Times, Friday, March 4, 1870.
Messrs. Sleeth Bro.’s have located their saw mill at the north end of Main street, on West Branch (in Eldorado). Their machinery is all new and in good running order. We speak for them a full share of the public patronage.
Walnut Valley Times, March 18, 1870.
Our friend, Wm. M. Sleeth, is taking a trip to the mouth of the Walnut. We are afraid the Creswell fever will "get him down" there, and his mill too.
Walnut Valley Times, April 1, 1870.
Mr. Wm. M. Sleeth has gone to move his family to Eldorado.
Excerpt...
Emporia News, April 1, 1870.
FROM CRESWELL. [Header had only one "s".]
Cresswell is just beginning to assume the form of a town. The following are some of the latest sensations: Major Sleeth [they had Sleath] & Co. will move their new steam saw mill from El Dorado to Cresswell by the middle of May, and propose to add a shingle machine at once.
Daniel Beedy, of Emporia, will put in a water saw mill, shingle machine, and planing mill this summer and add a flouring mill as soon as there is a prospect of having anything to grind. This will be on the Walnut one mile northeast of town.
Two stores will be opened at once, one a grocery and provision store, the other a general assortment. A hardware and tinware and a drug store will be opened by June 1st.
Negotiations are now in progress which will undoubtedly give us a weekly newspaper and one of the best job offices in southern Kansas, within the next sixty days.
A solid rock-bottomed ford has lately been discovered across the Arkansas River, one half mile below the mouth of the Walnut. This we think will when improved make one of the best water-powers in the State; and now it gives us a good ford in low water and an opportunity to a ferry boat in high water, or perhaps in any stage.
The State Legislature at its last session ordered that a State road be opened from Emporia to Cresswell by the most direct route by the first of August next.
These are only a portion of the enterprises now on foot, but will serve to give you some idea of our progress and prospects. The weather has been fine most of the spring, and building, plowing, etc., is being vigorously pushed. Three buffalo were seen from Cresswell last week feeding on the bluffs south of the Arkansas. But enough for this time.
Respectfully, G. HYDE NORTON.
Excerpts...
Emporia News, April 8, 1870.
[Written for THE NEWS.]
FROM CRESWELL.
Creswell is named as a point upon four chartered lines of railroad, viz: The Walnut Valley Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road; the Preston, Salina & Denver road; the Emporia & Holden road; and the Arkansas Valley, or Fort Smith & Hays City road. It is also confidently expected that this will be the point of crossing for the Fort Scott & Santa Fe road. The Legislature, at its recent session, ordered the immediate survey of a State road, by the most direct route, from Emporia to Creswell.
The company have determined to spare no expense or effort to make Creswell the metropolis of the Arkansas Valley. The following are among the enterprises already inaugurated.
Sleeth & Co., of El Dorado, have contracted to put their steam saw-mill and a shingle-machine in operation at Creswell by the 15th of May.
Daniel Beedy, now resident at Emporia, has contracted to build a grist-mill, saw-mill, and planing-mill upon the Creswell water-power; work to commence by July 1st, 1870.
G. H. Norton & Co. have opened a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, which they pledge themselves to sell at El Dorado prices.
[PETITION: FORMATION OF NEW COUNTY FROM BUTLER/COWLEY.]
Walnut Valley Times, April 22, 1870.
We the undersigned, voters of Butler County, Kansas, hereby express our willingness to aid all in our power in the formation of a new county out of the territory now composing the counties of Butler and Cowley; and to that end we will vote to spare from the county of Butler a fair, equal, and just proportion of our territory to form said new county, taking into consideration the arable land in the county.
D. H. Sleeth was one of the parties to sign this petition.
Walnut Valley Times, May 13, 1870.
Sleeth’s mill has gone to Creswell.
Excerpt...
[LETTER FROM CRESWELL: T. A. WILKINSON.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 3, 1870. Front Page.
[Correspondence of the Times.]
The teams, we understand, have gone to your town to aid Mr. Sleeth in bringing down his mill, and we hope soon to manufacture our own lumber, which will certainly enhance the energy already manifested among businessmen here.
Excerpt...
Emporia News, June 10, 1870.
ARKANSAS CITY.
It now has a splendid steam mill in successful operation, owned by Major Sleeth, late of El Dorado. A shingle manufactory will be in running order in a very few days.
Excerpt from article written by Max Fawcett...
Emporia News, June 24, 1870.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
ARKANSAS CITY, (formerly Creswell), June 9th, 1870.
EDITORS NEWS: We have had more rain here this spring than we have needed, but of course it is all right—"better too much than too little"—but at times it makes things considerably juicy. Our gardens and unfenced small fields of corn are growing finely. The Arkansas River is rising gradually, caused by the snow melting at its sources in the Rocky Mountains, but it is still fordable. Things are livelier here now since the arrival of Sleeth & Co.’s mill. We will soon have one or two more mills to supply the increasing demand for lumber. There are six nearly finished houses on the town site now, and several others commenced, including Col. Wolsey’s [Woolsey’s] hotel.
Excerpt from article written by Max Fawcett...
Emporia News, July 15, 1870.
ARKANSAS CITY ITEMS.
ARKANSAS CITY, COWLEY CO., KANSAS, July 6th, 1870.
The following are among the more than fifty houses now being built, or under contract to be built in Arkansas City.
Norton & Co., a dry goods and grocery store.
Mr. Sleeth, one neat residence finished and another commenced.
[REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.]
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874.
Real Estate Transfers.
The following are the transfers of real estate, as handed us by Curns and Manser of this city.
William M. Sleeth and wife to Rev. David Thompson, lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, Block 42, Arkansas City.
Excerpt...
[ITEMS FROM THE TRAVELER.]
Winfield Courier, September 11, 1874.
Major Sleeth, Mr. Maxwell, and a number of others have corn on the Arkansas that will yield forty bushels to the acre.
Excerpts from long article...
Winfield Courier, October 7, 1875.
THE TICKET.
The ticket nominated last Saturday by the Republican County Convention is, all things, considered, one of the strongest and best ever nominated in the county.
The most important office by far is that of Commissioner. For this office we have three gentlemen in every respect perfectly capable of managing the affairs of the county.
William White, of Rock, although still young, is a man of mature judgment, good qualifications, and with a little experience will make a splendid Commissioner.
Of Mr. Sleeth we know but little, but his friends in whom we have full confidence, assure us that he is a gentleman of acknowledged ability and experience, who will bring to the discharge of his duties that practical business knowledge which is so essential a requisite in a County Commissioner.
R. F. Burden is the present Chairman of the County Board, whose services are before the public. He is a gentleman of good heart and sound judgment, and with an experience of two years cannot fail to give entire satisfaction, at least as much so as mortal man could give on the Board of County Commissioners of Cowley County.
We have neither the time nor space this week which we would like to devote to the different candidates, but will have more to say in the future.
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
FOR COMMISSIONERS:
1ST DIST. - WILLIAM WHITE OF ROCK.
2ND DIST. - WILLIAM SLEETH OF CRESWELL.
3RD DIST. - R. F. BURDEN OF WINDSOR.
CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
ELECTED. EXPIRED.
T. A. BLANCHARD Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
G. H. NORTON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
E. SIMPSON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
FRANK COX Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.
O. C. SMITH Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.
J. D. MAURER Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.
R. F. BURDEN Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.
M. S. ROSEBERRY Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.
JOHN MANLEY Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 10, 1876.
R. F. BURDEN Nov. 2, 1875.
WM. WHITE Nov. 2, 1875.
W. M. SLEETH Nov. 2, 1875.
Following covers first day of meeting by County Commissioners...
Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.
Commissioners’ Proceedings.
OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK.
Winfield, Kansas, January 10, 1876.
New Board of County Commissioners met in regular session. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and Wm. White.
On motion of W. M. Sleeth, R. F. Burden was elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year.
J. S. Hunt, trustee of Winfield Township, appeared and asked the board to repair a bridge built by Winfield Township across the Walnut River south of Winfield. The board, after being fully advised in the matter, agreed to lay the matter over for the present.
W. B. Turner appeared and asked the board to remit his personal property tax for the year 1876, and after being fully advised of the facts in the matter, the board agreed to lay the matter over until the next session of the board.
Petition of R. D. Ford and others, of Vernon Township, for section line road presented, and the board being satisfied that all the resident claim owners had agreed to the location of said road, and that said road is practicable, the same is hereby ordered opened, recorded, and platted; said road to be 50 feet wide.
E. B. Kager, County Treasurer of Cowley County, appeared and asked the board to revoke an order made at the last session of the board requiring the County Attorney to commence an action against said Kager for a fine as provided for in section 6, chapter 8, special laws 1874. The board after being fully advised in the matter agreed to revoke said order upon the following vote: W. M. Sleeth and Wm. White voting aye to the proposition to revoke and R. F. Burden voting nay to said proposition.
The board hereby agrees to appropriate enough money out of the general county fund to pay for the abstract of entries of lands required by law, to be obtained by the county after the 1st day of March, 1876; and the County Treasurer is hereby ordered to pay the amount of money necessary to obtain said abstract.
On motion of W. M. Sleeth, board adjourned till tomorrow at 9 o’clock A. M.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.
COWLEY COUNTY BANK, ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
A. A. NEWMAN, PRESIDENT.
W. M. SLEETH, VICE PRESIDENT.
H. P. FARRAR, CASHIER.
Does a General Banking Business. Interest Allowed on Time Deposits. Domestic and Foreign Exchange Bought and Sold. School Bonds a Specialty.
Collections promptly attended to.
DIRECTORS: A. A. NEWMAN, WM. M. SLEETH, T. H. McLAUGHLIN, H. O. MEIGS, R. C HAYWOOD.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Cowley County Bank yesterday W. M. Sleeth, T. H. McLaughlin, R. C. Haywood, H. O. Meigs, and A. A. Newman were elected Directors for the year: A. A. Newman, President; W. M. Sleeth, Vice President; H. P. Farrar, Cashier and Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 23, 1876.
PRAIRIE FIRE. The grass north of town was set on fire last Friday, and spread to such a width before it was noticed that it could not be checked until it had burned six stacks of hay and about one mile of Major Sleeth’s fence. Other fires have occurred east of the Walnut, burning over a wide scope of country.
Cowley County Democrat, April 6, 1876.
Arkansas City Items.
The school is having a vacation, and Prof. Hulse and pupils are having a few weeks recreation.
The Arkansas River is higher than it has ever been since the white man settled in its valleys. In some places it only lacks a few feet of running over its banks, and is still rising. It is thought if it rises much more, the bridge south of town will be materially damaged.
After some little excitement, caused by the whiskey ring of this place, the following officers were elected to the respective offices.
Mayor: S. P. Channell.
Councilmen: T. H. McLaughlin, W. M. Sleeth, H. D. Kellogg, Dr. J. A. Loomis, J. I. Mitchell.
Police Judge: Judge Christian.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1876.
MAJOR SLEETH is confined to his duties at the Cowley County Bank as Vice President.
[COUNTY OFFICIALS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 22, 1876.
Judge 13th Judicial District: W. P. Campbell.
Board of County Commissioners: R. F. Burden, Robert White, Wm. Sleeth.
County Clerk: M. G. Troup.
County Treasurer: E. B. Kager.
Deputy Treasurer: Jas. L. Huey.
Probate Judge: H. D. Gans.
Registrar of Deeds: E. P. Kinne.
Supt. Pub. Inst.: T. A. Wilkinson.
Sheriff: R. L. Walker.
Coroner: Sim. Moore.
County Attorney: A. J. Pyburn.
Clerk District Court: E. S. Bedilion.
County Surveyor: W. W. Walton.
Examining Surgeon U. S. Pensioners: W. Q. Mansfield.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 29, 1876.
FIRE. Some clothing and other articles took fire at Mr. Coombs’ house, last Saturday, and for awhile required considerable exertion to subdue it. Mr. Coombs is living on Major Sleeth’s farm, in what is known as Pat Somers’ house.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876.
The election of city officers passed off very quietly last Monday, with the following result.
FOR MAYOR: S. P. CHANNELL, 49 VOTES.
H. D. KELLOGG, 24 VOTES.
FOR COUNCILMEN:
T. H. McLAUGHLIN, 48 VOTES.
W. M. SLEETH, 48 VOTES.
H. D. KELLOGG, 48 VOTES.
J. A. LOOMIS, 45 VOTES.
J. I. MITCHELL, 49 VOTES.
R. HOFFMASTER, 26 VOTES.
JAS. BENEDICT, 27 VOTES.
L. C. CURRIER, 21 VOTES.
L. C. WOOD, 23 VOTES.
FRANK SPEERS, 24 VOTES.
I. H. BONSALL, 1 VOTE.
FOR POLICE JUDGE:
JAMES CHRISTIAN, 71 VOTES.
Whole number of votes cast: 73.
The city officers now are: S. P. Channell, Mayor; T. H. McLaughlin, W. M. Sleeth, Dr. H. D. Kellogg, Dr. J. A. Loomis, and James I. Mitchell, Councilmen; Jas. Christian, Police Judge.
Excerpts from meeting...
Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876. Front Page.
Full Report of All the Business Transacted by the Board of County Commissioners Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, April 10, 11, and 12.
COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE,
WINFIELD, KANSAS, April 10, 1876.
Board met in regular session. Present, R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, Commissioners; A. J. Pyburn, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Journal of last regular session read and adopted.
Bills were presented and disposed of as follows.
W. M. Sleeth, Commissioner: $15.00
Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876.
The Arkansas River Boat.
Mr. W. M. Sleeth received a letter last week from the parties in Ohio who are building the light draught boat for the Arkansas River, stating that they had employed five additional men, and were pushing the work as rapidly as possible. Mr. Hoyt is now in the East, and will complete all the necessary arrangements soon for the trial trip. Mr. Graverock, of Kansas City, Civil Engineer of the M. K. & T. Railway Company, paid us a visit of several days this week, working up a project for two tow boats to make regular trips from St. Louis. He also visited Wichita, where he received encouragement from some of the most prominent citizens, and a promise of aid towards the project. There is enough corn in Cowley County to load a boat all summer, besides wheat, potatoes, and general produce. The matter has received considerable attention of late and will be thoroughly tested during this year.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876.
Railroad Meeting.
Last Saturday we had the pleasure of meeting Judge N. B. Cartwell and J. C. Pinney, of Longton, Kansas, and M. S. Manwell, of Greenfield Township, Elk County. They came over to Cowley to work up an interest in, and to organize a local company, for the purpose of securing aid to build a branch of the L. L. & G. railroad from Independence to Arkansas City, via Elk River. After talking with our citizens in a called meeting, of which Major Sleeth was Chairman and Joseph Sherburne, Secretary, a party was invited to attend the meeting at Winfield in the afternoon, where Directors of the local company were elected to meet at Canola, Elk County, today. Rev. Fleming and Wm. Sleeth were selected as Directors, from this place, Rev. Platter and M. L. Robinson of Winfield, and Tisdale and Lazette were to elect one each. There are to be thirteen Directors in all: Six in Cowley, six in Elk, and one in Montgomery. After the meeting held at Canola today, we shall know more of it. The line as proposed, is the one needed most, and would meet with more favor in this county than any other proposed route, as it unites the eastern portion of the county with the west. The L. L. & G. Company gives the assurance that if the road bed is graded and culverts put in, they will iron and operate the road. As is generally known, the above company is bankrupt, but the bondholders of the road give the assurance that with what capital they possess and what can be induced, they will build the line. From present indications Cowley County will lend aid to but one project, and that will be the first practical one submitted to the people.
Winfield Courier, April 20, 1876.
Maj. Sleeth and Rev. Fleming were sent to the Canola railroad meeting from Arkansas City.
Excerpt from article...
Winfield Courier, April 20, 1876.
From the Railroad Meeting.
CANOLA, KANSAS, April 18th, 1876.
EDITOR COURIER: The delegates selected in Cowley County met at this point today with the Elk County men, and a railroad company was organized. L. B. Fleming of Arkansas City was selected as Chairman, and R. C. Story, of Lazette, was made Secretary of the meeting. S. M. Fall, E. P. Young, J. E. Platter, M. L. Robinson, S. B. Fleming, and W. M. Sleeth were the delegates from Cowley County. The title "Parsons, Walnut Valley and Southwestern," was given the road, and a committee of three was appointed to draft a charter for the same. By vote of the meeting the capital stock was placed $1,500,000 dollars, and shares at fifty dollars each. The road is to be in at Parsons, run west to Independence, thence to Longton, Elk Falls, Greenfield, Lazette, Tisdale, Winfield, and terminate at Arkansas City.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1876.
COUNCIL ROOMS,
ARKANSAS CITY, April 19, 1876.
Called meeting. Present, S. P. Channell, Mayor; H. D. Kellogg, J. A. Loomis, J. I. Mitchell, Councilmen.
Moved and seconded that Dr. J. A. Loomis be elected President of the Council; carried.
I. H. Bonsall was recommended as City Clerk by S. P. Channell, and confirmed by unanimous vote of Council.
E. D. Eddy was elected Treasurer by a unanimous vote.
The following committees were appointed.
Finance Committee: T. H. McLaughlin, W. M. Sleeth.
Committee on Ways and Means: Dr. Kellogg, J. I. Mitchell, J. A. Loomis.
Committee on Public Improvements: T. H. McLaughlin, Dr. H. D. Kellogg, J. I. Mitchell.
Adjourned to meet at 8 o’clock Thursday evening, April 20th, to receive report on sidewalks from Committee on Public Improvements, and all other business of a general nature that may be brought forward.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1876.
MAJOR SLEETH and Rev. Fleming attended a meeting of the Parsons, Elk River and Walnut Valley railroad Co. at Tisdale yesterday.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1876. Front Page.
Proceedings of a Railroad Meeting Held
At Canola, April, 1876.
The meeting was organized by the election of Mr. Fleming, of Arkansas City, Chairman.
The object of the meeting having been stated, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of N. B. Cartmell and M. S. Manwell, of Elk County, and Mr. Platter, of Cowley, to examine credentials of directors.
The following directors were present.
Longton: N. B. Cartmell and J. C. Pinney.
Elk City: Mr. Wm. Wright.
Elk Falls: R. R. Roberts and L. J. Johnson.
Wild Cat: H. E. Hitchinson.
Greenfield: A. A. Toby.
Lazette: Mr. Fall.
Tisdale: Mr. Young.
Winfield: Messrs. Robinson and Platter.
Arkansas City: Messrs. Fleming and Sleeth.
On motion, a committee of three was appointed to draft a charter. The committee consisted of N. B. Cartmell, L. J. Johnson, and Mr. Platter.
After careful consideration the charter as reported was adopted and signed by the directors and forwarded to the Secretary of State for record.
The company is to be known as the "Parsons, Walnut Valley & South-Western Railway Company." The points to be traversed in Elk County are the Townships of Longton, Elk Falls, Wild Cat and Greenfield. The objective points are Arkansas City, via Lazette, Tisdale, and Winfield in Cowley County.
The prospects for the early construction of the road are considered by the directors to be very flattering.
We are indebted to Mr. L. J. Johnson for the above. We shall probably have a more lengthy report from the Secretary for publication next week. Elk County Ledger.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 17, 1876.
STEAMBOAT.
W. M. Sleeth received a letter from Mr. Hoyt, written at Zanesville, Ohio, in which he stated he had been detained longer than he expected, and would not be ready to start again before two weeks. The boat was built at Plainfield, and had to be taken to Zanesville for final completion. It is 90 feet long, 30 feet beam, and has 19 feet deck, and three foot hole. It draws from eight to nine inches of water, and is capable of carrying fifty tons on two feet of water. The first cargo brought up will probably be salt and lumber.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1876.
FROM THE STEAMBOAT.
Major Sleeth has just heard from Mr. Hoyt again, on the steamboat question. The letter was dated Parkersburg, West Virginia, June 5th, and stated they were coming along all right, until near Gallipolis, Ohio, where the wheel received some injury, and they were compelled to stop six days for repairs. They expect to reach Little Rock, Arkansas, by July 1st, or within the next two weeks. Boats run to Little Rock and Fort Smith, without difficulty, and the only experiment will be from those points to this place, during low waters. When the river is full, a boat of any ordinary size could run on the Arkansas. This enterprise offers the only outlet for our immense grain crop, and is looked forward to with great anxiety by all.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 28, 1876.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS meet Monday, July 3rd. It is a regular meeting, and will probably last several days, as they will have considerable to attend to. The Commissioners are R. F. Burden, near Lazette; Robert White, of Rock Creek; and William Sleeth, of Arkansas City.
Winfield Courier, August 10, 1876.
Delegates.
The following is a list of the delegates to the republican county convention, from the nine townships heard from.
Winfield: R. L. Walker, James Kelly, E. P. Kinne, M. G. Troup, T. B. Myres, C. C. Pierce, Nels Newell, Jno. Mentch, E. S. Torrance, and A. B. Lemmon.
Creswell: I. H. Bonsall, W. M. Sleeth, O. P. Houghton, Geo. McIntire, and Dr. Hughes.
Richland: D. Maher, M. C. Headrick, Alex Kelly, and Dr. Phelps.
Vernon: J. S. Woolley, Fred Schwantes, and J. W. Millspaugh.
Beaver: T. W. Morris and L. Bonnewell.
Pleasant Valley: C. J. Brane and S. H. Sparks.
Nennescah: A. B. Odell and Wm. Bartlow.
Liberty: Sam Pitt and E. C. Clay.
Omnia: E. A. Henthorn.
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Winfield Courier, August 17, 1876. Editorial Page.
COUNTY CONVENTION.
The Republican county convention convened at the Courthouse, in Winfield, on Saturday, August 12th, at 1 o’clock p.m., and was called to order by A. B. Lemmon, chairman of the Republican county central committee. R. C. Story was elected temporary chairman and James Kelly secretary. A committee on credentials was appointed, consisting of Messrs. E. S. Torrance, J. W. Tull, A. B. Odell, T. R. Bryan, and S. M. Jarvis. The committee reported the following persons as having been duly elected as delegates and alternates to the convention.
Creswell: Delegates, I. H. Bonsall, Nathan Hughes, Geo. McIntire, O. P. Houghton, H. D. Kellogg, and Wm. M. Sleeth. Alternates, A. A. Newman, R. A. Houghton, T. C. Bird, W. H. Speers, Elisha Parker, and W. S. Hunt.
[HAYES AND WHEELER CLUB.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 6, 1876.
A meeting was called to form a Hayes and Wheeler club on Friday evening, September 1, at E. B. Kager’s office. Wm. Sleeth was chosen chairman of the meeting. On motion S. P. Channell was elected President of the club; C. M. Scott, Vice President; C. R. Mitchell, Secretary; I. H. Bonsall, Corresponding Secretary; W. S. Hunt, Treasurer.
Wm. Sleeth, E. R. Thompson, and H. P. Farrar were appointed as committee on constitution and by laws.
On motion E. B. Kager, Geo. Allen, Wm. Sleeth, A. W. Patterson, and W. D. Mowry were appointed an executive committee.
On motion E. R. Thompson, H. G. Bentley, and W. D. Mowry were appointed a committee on music, with power to form a glee club.
Moved and seconded that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the TRAVELER; also a notice of the next meeting of the club, and an invitation extended to all Republicans in the country adjoining to join the club.
After listening to remarks from Messrs. Kager, Scott, Rev. Thompson and others, the meeting adjourned, to meet Thursday night, September 7. S. P. CHANNELL, Pres.
C. R. MITCHELL, Sec’y.
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Winfield Courier, September 21, 1876. Editorial Page.
PROCEEDINGS OF REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
Pursuant to call of the County Central Committee, the delegates to the county convention met in the courthouse, in Winfield, on Saturday, Sept. 16th, at 11 o’clock a.m., and organized by electing Capt. J. S. Hunt temporary chairman and C. H. Eagin temporary secretary.
On motion the convention adjourned to meet at 2 o’clock p.m.
2 p.m.; convention called to order; Capt. Hunt in the chair.
The committee on credentials being called submitted the following report: Your committee on credentials find that the following named gentlemen were duly elected as delegates to this convention, and all are entitled to seats therein.
Creswell: N. Hughes, I. H. Bonsall, Geo. McIntire, O. P. Houghton, H. Kellogg, and W. M. Sleeth.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.
MRS. SLEETH returned from Cambridge, Ohio, last Thursday, after a visit of many weeks.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1877.
VISITING. Major Sleeth left yesterday morning to visit his friends in Illinois and Ohio. He will be absent about a month.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 21, 1877.
WM. SLEETH returned from a visit to Ohio, last Friday.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 21, 1877.
MAJOR SLEETH and T. H. McLAUGHLIN visited Elk County last week on matters pertaining to the narrow gauge railway from Kansas City.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
CITY ELECTION.
The election of city officers took place last Monday, quietly and peaceably, with the following result.
Mayor: Dr. Kellogg.
Police Judge: Jas. Christian.
Councilmen: James Benedict, H. P. Farrar, James I. Mitchell, H. Godehard, I. H. Bonsall.
There was another ticket in the field, composed of Wm. Sleeth for Mayor, Judge Christian for Police Judge, and A. A. Newman, O. P. Houghton, E. D. Eddy, J. A. Loomis, and J. T. Shepard, for Councilmen; but as one was composed of, or was generally understood to be "license" men, the issue was made "license" and "anti-license," and the vote stood 70 for the former and 41 for the latter. Both tickets were composed of the best men of the community.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
In the race for Mayor last Monday, H. D. Kellogg received 72 votes, Major Sleeth 40, and Rev. Thompson 1.
For Police Judge, James Christian received 112 votes, and Rev. David Thompson 1.
For Councilmen, Jas. Benedict received 72, E. P. Farrar 72, Jas. I. Mitchell 72, H. Godehard 71, I. H. Bonsall 71, A. A. Newman 40, O. P. Houghton 40, E. D. Eddy 40, J. A. Loomis 40, Dr. J. T. Shepard 40, Rev. Wingar 1, Rev. Swarts 1, Rev. Will York 1, L. C. Norton 1, J. C. Topliff 3, Sherb Hunt 1.
[RAILROAD REJECTED.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
The County to be Deprived of a Railroad
On Account of Local Jealousies.
The following letter from the representatives of the Kansas City, Emporia and Southern Railway, to the committee who were sent from this place to overtake and confer with them, explains itself, and it is plain to all under the present disposition of some parties who claim to represent communities, if their course of action is not changed, the county will be deprived of a railroad.
HOWARD CITY, KAS., March 17th, 1877.
Messrs. W. M. Sleeth and T. H. McLaughlin:
GENTLEMEN: As representatives of the company proposing to construct the Kansas City, Emporia and Southern R. R., we thought it unadvisable to submit the matter to the further consideration of the people of your county, owing to divisions arising from local jealousies. In this view we may be mistaken. As you desire, however, to have an expression of your county, we will say that if you act promptly and favorably upon the proposition, the company will build the road. (Signed) C. V. ESKRIDGE. AND J. K. FINLEY.
Excerpts...
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, April 19, 1877.
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session. All the Board present with James McDermott, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Among other proceedings had, sundry claims were presented and passed upon as follows:
W. M. Sleeth, Co. commissioner: $9.00
Arkansas City Traveler, April 25, 1877.
The City Council met and organized last Saturday. Wm. Sleeth was appointed Treasurer and I. H. Bonsall City Clerk. No Marshal or Street Commissioner was appointed. The officers are: Mayor, H. D. Kellogg; Police Judge, Jas. Christian; Councilmen: James Benedict, H. P. Farrar, J. I. Mitchell, H. Godehard, and I. H. Bonsall.
[CRESWELL TOWNSHIP STATISTICS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1877.
Number of bushels of corn on hand the first day of March, 1877, in Creswell Township, 12,535.
Wm. Sleeth and James I. Mitchell have the greatest number of bushels of corn. Mr. Sleeth has 1,500 and Mr. Mitchell 1,200.
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Winfield Courier, July 12, 1877.
County Commissioners’ Proceedings.
OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK,
Winfield, Kansas, July 5th, 1877.
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session. Present: R. F. Burden, Chairman, W. M. Sleeth and William White, members of the board, with James McDermott, County Attorney, R. L. Walker, Sheriff, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Among other proceedings claims against the county were presented to the board and passed upon as follows, viz.
County Commissioner Salary:
R. F. Burden, $24.00; W. M. Sleeth, $24.00; and Wm. White, $24.00.
Excerpts...
[EDITORIAL COLUMNS: THE CONVENTION.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 26, 1877.
On last Saturday the delegates of the several townships, chosen to nominate officers for the Republican ticket, gathered together at Winfield. As considerable interest and strife was manifested among several of the candidates, the members of the convention met early to organize. After considerable dispute, the temporary organization was completed and Mr. Callison, of Spring Creek Township, chosen Chairman, Chas. Eagin, Secretary, with R. A. Houghton and L. J. Webb, tellers.
Dr. Graham was elected Coroner, E. P. Kinne, Registrar of Deeds; Thomas Bryan, County Treasurer; Capt. Hunt, County Clerk; N. A. Haight, Surveyor; Geo. L. Gale, County Commissioner of the first district of Rock, Maple, Vernon, Beaver, and Winfield Townships; Major Wm. Sleeth, Commissioner of the second district, comprised of Creswell, Bolton, Pleasant Valley, Silverdale, Liberty, Spring Creek, Cedar, and Otter Townships; R. F. Burden, Commissioner of the third district of Tisdale, Windsor, Dexter, Silver Creek, and Sheridan Townships.
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Winfield Courier, September 27, 1877.
THE CONVENTION.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Sept. 22, 1877.
The following named gentlemen were nominated by the delegates from their respective districts as candidates for County Commissioners:
1st District: Geo. L. Gale.
2nd District: W. M. Sleeth.
3rd District: R. F. Burden.
On motion convention adjourned.
J. B. CALLISON, Chairman.
CHAS. H. EAGIN, Secretary.
R. A. HOUGHTON, Assistant Secretary.
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Winfield Courier, October 4, 1877.
COWLEY COUNTY CONTENTED.
WINFIELD, Sept. 24, 1877.
To the Editor of the Commonwealth.
Peace and harmony prevails once more in the ranks of the Republicans of Cowley. They met last Saturday, and from the many good men presented, selected the following straight Republican ticket:
For sheriff, Leon Lippmann; clerk, Capt. J. S. Hunt; treasurer, the present incumbent, Thos. R. Bryan; register, present incumbent, E. P. Kinne; surveyor, N. A. Haight; coroner, Dr. W. G. Graham; commissioners, G. L. Gall, and the present incumbents. W. M. Sleeth, and R. F. Burden.
Winfield Courier, October 4, 1877.
The opposite side of this supplement is taken from matter printed in the Commonwealth. The article headed "Cowley County Contented," should be corrected as follows: The nominations for Commissioners should read, G. L. Gale, W. M. Sleeth, and R. F. Burden.
Excerpts...
Winfield Courier, October 11, 1877.
Of the County Commissioners we scarcely need speak. Messrs. Burden and Sleeth will be elected without opposition, and Mr. Gale, of this district, should and will poll the entire strength of the party. He is well known and esteemed as a citizen of Rock Township.
This is the ticket—our ticket, and we shall use all honorable means to secure its election in November.
[PROS AND CONS ON M. G. TROUP RUNNING INDEPENDENTLY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1877.
Troup was in office for four years as County Clerk. The Republicans did not choose him as their nominee—the Democrats repudiated him also as a nominee. COURIER came out with an article attacking Troup. This was denounced by county commissioners:
"This is to certify that we, the undersigned, Commissioners of Cowley County, Kansas, have read an article in the editorial columns of the Winfield Courier, entitled "Crookedness," and find the same to be a gross misrepresentation of Mr. Troup’s official acts concerning the final statement and settlement of Mr. Kager’s account as County Treasurer of said county. Believing in the motto, "honor to whom honor is due," we would further say that no official act of Mr. Troup, in connection with Mr. Kager’s final settlement, would in the least degree indicate in the mind of any fair-minded person that he (Troup) was dishonest, inefficient, or unfaithful in the trust confided to his care; but, on the contrary, his every act in that matter but serves to confirm us in the belief that he has been, and is, a faithful, efficient and honorable public servant." R. F. BURDEN, WM. WHITE, W. M. SLEETH.
October 27, 1877.
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Winfield Courier, November 1, 1877.
TROUP AGAIN.
The following editorial appeared in the COURIER of last week.
"CROOKEDNESS."
Mr. Troup asserts that during his term he has saved this county ten thousand dollars. How, Mr. Troup? When were we in danger of sustaining such a heavy loss? Have you done any more than your sworn duty as an officer? On the contrary, we have just come into possession of evidence that satisfies us that this county did sustain a loss of at least $2,561.20, that is directly charged to either your inefficiency or neglect.
October 23rd, 1876, the retiring county treasurer filed in your office a statement of his business during his term. The board of county commissioners intrusted you to examine that statement in detail, and ordered the county treasurer to refund to Mr. Kager any sum of money you should find due him. You have, or should have, in your office such checks and balances as would enable you to detect at once any error in the county treasurer’s accounts. On the 7th of last December, after examining the statement with Mr. Kager’s attorney, you reported to Mr. Bryan that Mr. Kinne had overpaid the county $522.17, and that that sum should be repaid to him as ordered by the county board. Sometime after this county attorney McDermott called your attention to the fact that Dist. No. 5 had sustained a loss of about $300, and said that it must be an error in your settlement with the county treasurer. You denied this emphatically, and said you knew the statement was correct. Mr. McDermott showed you after your efficient (?) service of three years as county clerk, how to detect such errors, looked up with you the affairs of Dist. No. 5, convinced you that a mistake of over $300 had been made in that instance, and left you to examine the accounts of other districts and see if other blunders had been made.
You then proceeded to make the examination and discovered that in your statement to Mr. Bryan you had made a mistake of $2,561.30, and you reported that blunder to the county board April 11th, 1877. Would the mistake ever have been discovered had it not been for the efficiency of the county attorney? Does not the county attorney deserve the credit for the detection of your blunder and the recovery to this county of the lost $2,561.30? We think so.
Did you save the balance of the ten thousand dollars in the same way?
You are invited to make your defense through the columns of the COURIER.
To this Mr. Troup replies as follows:
TROUP’S DEFENSE.
This is to certify that we, the undersigned Commissioners of Cowley County, Kansas, have read an article in the editorial columns of the Winfield COURIER, entitled "Crookedness," and find the same to be a gross misrepresentation of Mr. Troup’s official acts concerning the final statement and settlement of Mr. Kager’s account vs. county treasurer of said county. Believing in the motto of "honor to whom honor is due," we would further say that no official act of Mr. Troup’s in connection with Mr. Kager’s final settlement would, in the least degree, indicate to the mind of any fair-minded person that he (Troup) was dishonest, inefficient, or unfaithful in the trust confided to his care, but on the contrary, his every act in that matter but serves to confirm us in the belief that he has been, and is, a faithful, efficient, and honorable public servant.
(Signed) R. F. BURDEN, WM. WHITE, W. M. SLEETH.
October 27th, 1877.
Now, Mr. Editor, I deem the foregoing to be a sufficient answer to the villainous article you published last week, and do not care to trespass further on your space with that matter. However, I desire to say that you must be supporting a most odious ticket indeed, if it requires such dirty work to carry it, as you had made use of, in your last issue. Does it not strike you as being a little ridiculous, Mr. Editors, for you to resort to such infamous measures to carry a ticket, that is as worthy of support as you say yours is, in a county where you have a straight majority of 700 votes? Do you not think you could lend more dignity to the exalted position which you hold, at the head of the public education of this great commonwealth, if you were to devote more time to the educational interests of the state, and less to the publication of such articles, as emanated from your fertile brain last week? Is it not, in fine, just a little degrading to the Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, for you to come down here, 200 miles, to do the dirty work for a few political shysters, in a local canvass for county officers? I leave you to answer these interrogations at your leisure.
Now, Mr. Editor, having performed my duties honestly and faithfully, I feel confident that all future discoveries of "crookedness" will have the same foundation of fact, as the one mentioned last week. Having nothing to fear from a strict and impartial inquiry into my official career, I invite you to try again, in your search for "crookedness."
Yours respectfully, M. G. TROUP.
There is no principle of newspaper courtesy that would require us to publish the above strictures on Mr. Lemmon. On the contrary, under the rules of the press we would be justified in refusing to publish the communication, because Mr. Troup has so forgotten that he should be a gentleman, as to call us hard names. However, we waive the discourtesy and publish the article entire. . . .
Arkansas City Traveler, November 7, 1877.
We took from a wagon, a turnip, weighing 6-3/4 pounds, grown by David Sleeth on the Walnut bottom. There were many others in the load just as large.
Winfield Courier, November 8, 1877.
We have been unable to obtain before going to press the full returns of the election in this county last Tuesday, but we can give the result with sufficient certainty. Troup, Independent, is elected county clerk by about 150 majority; Harter, democrat, is elected sheriff by over 100 majority; the republican candidates, Kinne for register of deeds, Haight for surveyor, Graham for coroner, and Gale, Sleeth, and Burden for commissioners are elected by large majorities, and Bryan, republican, is elected treasurer without opposition.
Excerpt...
[EDITORIAL COLUMNS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 14, 1877.
Winfield did not support the Republican nominee for Commissioner of District No. 1, as well as might have been expected, but Mr. Gale, of Rock Township, was elected "all the same, all the while."
Major Sleeth and Mr. Burden take it as a matter of course proceeding and don’t seem much elated either way.
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[CORRESPONDENCE.]
Winfield Courier, November 15, 1877. Editorial Page.
LITTLE DUTCH, Nov. 3, 1877.
Now, Mr. Editor, you would like to make the people of Cowley County believe there was something wrong about the commissioners. You say that but for the efficiency of the County Attorney, the county would have lost so much money, and in another column you attempt to show dishonesty on the part of Mr. Troup and the board of commissioners in the matter of the duplicate tax roll.
It is a little strange that, lawyer as you are, you are not aware that you are getting your efficient County Attorney in a fix, as he is the legal adviser of the board who indorsed the claim "County liable." I believe that better men than Messrs. Sleeth and Burden for commissioners never were or will be elected to that office in this county, and such stuff as the COURIER contained in relation to them is mere trash fabricated for electioneering purposes.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 21, 1877.
TWENTY-SIX BUILDINGS UNDER WAY.
A BUILDING ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED A FEW WEEKS AGO, and entered into by twelve parties, agreeing to build a house each. Since then fourteen more have declared their intention to build. The original twelve were: S. P. Channell, W. M. Sleeth, A. A. Newman, L. H. Gardner. O. P. Houghton, Gardner Mott, H. P. Farrar, Silas Parker, J. L. Huey, C. R. Sipes, R. C. Haywood, and James Wilson
The additional fourteen are: J. C. McMullen, Thomas Baird, J. Dodwell, Mrs. Dean, C. C. Wolf, E. J. Fitch, Mr. Ray, Wm. Speers, T. A. Gaskill, D. Logan, J. T. Shepard, Kendall Smith, Jas. Benedict, David Finney
Mr. Gaskill has his house almost enclosed, and the foundations and preparations are being made for several others.
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Winfield Courier, November 22, 1877.
Claims Presented for Election Services.
OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK,
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Nov. 9, 1877.
The Board of Commissioners met in special session. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and William White, Commissioners; James McDermott, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk.
Winfield Courier, January 10, 1878.
The present board of county commissioners have been in regular session this week for the last time, and in reviewing their proceedings for the past year we are impressed with the good judgment they have displayed in the disposition of a great variety of difficult cases, and their general efficiency in conducting the business of the county. We do not believe there is a county in the state that has been better served by its board of county commissioners. Mr. White retires with the approval and confidence of the people, while Messrs. Burden and Sleeth, together with Mr. G. L. Gale, will constitute the board for the ensuing term, which gives the assurance that the affairs of the county will be equally well managed for two years to come.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 16, 1878.
[For the Traveler.]
The U. P. Congregation of Arkansas City.
About five years ago this congregation was organized with a membership of eleven in full communion. Wm. M. Sleeth and W. Shaw were elected ruling elders. In 1874 the congregation, with aid from the Board of Church Extension, and the generous assistance of friends of religion here and elsewhere, erected a fine church edifice at a cost of about $3,000. Under the fostering care of the Presbytery of Neosho, in furnishing supplies of gospel ordinances, the congregation has increased in numbers and wealth so as to justify them in calling one to take the charge and oversight of their spiritual interests.
Their choice fell on R. S. McClanahan, a licenciate of Monmouth Presbytery, after they had had a trial of his qualifications to edify them for upwards of eight months. The presbytery having ordained and installed him as pastor, it is hoped that the pleasure of the Lord will prosper through his instrumentality. He has the confidence of the congregation and the community, as a man of fair gifts and decided piety. May the relation lately formed between him and them be prosperous and happy.
Two good men, Mr. Leander Finley and Mr. R. L. Marshall, were added to the session or eldership of the congregation last week, and a comfortable communion was held here yesterday, Rev. J. A. Collins, of Americus, assisting.
A good Sabbath school and weekly prayer meeting are kept up in the congregation. The congregation, being in such good working order and situated in one of the best parts of the State, with a fair prospect of new accessions of members, it is hoped that the congregation will take root downward and bear fruit upward, to the praise of God and the salvation of man.
DAVID THOMPSON.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 16, 1878.
The new Board of Commissioners met last Monday and organized. Mr. Gale is the only new member, as Major Sleeth and R. F. Burden were re-elected.
Excerpt...
Winfield Courier, January 17, 1878.
Commissioners’ Proceedings.
Monday, the 14th. New board: R. F. Burden, chairman; W. M. Sleeth and G. L. Gale. Appointed John B. Lynn and Frank Williams to assist Judge Gans in counting the county funds; appointed Jas. L. Huey trustee of Creswell Township, vice Leonard, resigned; let the pauper contract to Butterfield, of Silverdale Township; let the medical attendance to Dr. Shepard, of Arkansas City.
Excerpt...
Arkansas City Traveler, January 23, 1878.
[From the Winfield Courier.]
Monday, the 14th. New Board: R. F. Burden, chairman, W. M. Sleeth, and G. L. Gale. Appointed John Lynn and Frank Williams to assist Judge Gans in counting the county funds; appointed Jas. L. Huey trustee of Creswell township, vice Leonard, resigned; let the pauper contract to Butterfield, of Silverdale township; let the medical attendance to Dr. Shepard, of Arkansas City.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 23, 1878.
Maj. Sleeth sent three loads of hogs to Wichita yesterday.
Excerpt...
Winfield Courier, January 24, 1878.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Claims allowed Jan. 10.
Co. Commissioners: W. M. Sleeth, $30; W. White $45; R. F. Burden, $45.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1878.
The election of city officers took place last Monday with the following result.
MAYOR: JAMES BENEDICT, 61; W. M. SLEETH, 37.
COUNCILMEN: J. T. SHEPARD, 63; WM. SPEERS, 59; THOS. BERRY, 63; C. R. SIPES, 58; I. H. BONSALL, 61; S. P. CHANNELL, 40; A. A. NEWMAN, 37; H. P. FARRAR, 37; E. D. EDDY, 37; T. H. McLAUGHLIN, 40.
POLICE JUDGE: JAMES CHRISTIAN, 84; TIMOTHY McINTIRE, 12.
Total number of votes cast: 98.
It is generally supposed that the officers elected will favor granting a saloon license on a proper petition.
Excerpt...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 18, 1878. Front Page.
ARKANSAS CITY.
[Special Correspondent Kansas City Times.]
The Cowley County Bank is a safe and reliable institution, presided over by Major Wm. Sleeth, with Capt. H. P. Farrar, as Cashier.
Excerpt...
Winfield Courier, April 18, 1878.
Commissioners’ Proceedings.
We are indebted to W. R. Stivers, the efficient assistant of the county clerk, for the following report.
The board of commissioners of Cowley County met in regular session at the county clerk’s office on the 8th day of April, 1878. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and George L. Gale, commissioners; James McDermott, county attorney, and M. G. Troup, county clerk.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 8, 1878.
The young folks had a May picnic in Sleeth’s woods last Saturday, and a merry time was had. Swings were fixed for those who delighted in such sport, and the boys were ready to swing the fairer ones; a croquet set was on the ground, and the mallets and balls were in constant use—added to which, and of far greater importance, was the bountiful dinner prepared by the young ladies, washed down with lemonade. Though "ye local" did not reach the grounds until long after the dinner hour, he and his friend were left in undisputed possession of the "scraps" in the baskets, and they managed to make out a meal. We would again solemnly declare, however, that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, neither one of the gentlemen swallowed that apron.
P. S. We have been told that there was a fishing party, on the same day, further up the river, near Newman’s mill. They succeeded in catching a bob-tailed fish and shooting a small snake, after six hours of steady application, and are inclined to think the average fishing party a snare and a delusion.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 15, 1878.
MAJOR WM. SLEETH is one of the delegates to the National Presbytery, to be held at Cambridge, Ohio, and is now on his way to that place, with his pockets full of Cowley County wheat and hands full of Travelers and circulars describing this wonderful wheat growing region. His wife and child accompany him. Mrs. Sleeth will remain during the summer, but the Major will return within four weeks, probably by the way of Little Rock, Arkansas, in order to have a talk with the steamboat men of that place.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 22, 1878.
Our town at this time faithfully illustrates the lines of the Irish poet:
"The rich may ride in chaises,
But the poor must stay at home, be J____s."
During the past week some ten of our leading businessmen’s wives have gone east and north to spend the summer: Mrs. O. P. Houghton, Mrs. J. L. Huey, Mrs. R. C. Haywood, Mrs. A. A. Newman, Mrs. H. P. Farrar, Mrs. M. Rexford, Mrs. David Thompson, Mrs. Ed. Thompson, Mrs. Wm. Sleeth, Mrs. S. P. Channell.
In about a month from now, what a rich harvest it would be for a traveling show to come along that had attractive female performers. The poor women that are left will have to confine themselves to such home pleasures as picnics and yachting up and down the river on Speers & Walton’s elegant little steamer, while their more favored sisters are inhaling the cool breezes of Lake George and the St. Lawrence River, and feasting on codfish and New England herring.
MRS. JUDGE CHRISTIAN has gone north (to Winfield), also, for a few days, on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. A. W. Berkey.
Mrs. Cramer has got married and gone East also (across the Walnut).
Winfield Courier, May 23, 1878.
Arkansas City takes a holiday trip today. Maj. Sleeth and wife go to Ohio, Mrs. Channell, Mrs. Thompson, and David Thompson go to Canada, Mrs. Newman and Mrs. Haywood go to New England, Charles Gallert and others to California, S. P. Channell goes to Oregon, Dr. Shepard and wife go to Missouri.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 5, 1878.
Arkansas City takes a holiday trip today. Maj. Sleeth and wife go to Ohio; Mrs. Channell, Mrs. Thompson, and David Thompson go to Canada; Mrs. Newman and Mrs. Haywood go to New England; Charles Gallert and others go to California; S. P. Channell goes to Oregon; and Dr. Shepard and wife go to Missouri. Courier.
What a lonesome time Scott will have now he is left are all alone. Eldorado Times.
We don’t propose to be left. We’ll excurt and visit the sunny clime of the Lone Star State. You had better come along, Mr. Times. We’ll sleep you in the open air and share our grubs with you, for the sake of your company.
Winfield Courier, June 6, 1878.
Mr. G. L. Gale and Mr. R. F. Burden were in town last Monday and Tuesday to equalize the assessments. Mr. Sleeth was absent.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 12, 1878.
List of Advertising Business Houses of Arkansas City
Cowley County Bank: W. M. Sleeth, President; H. P. Farrar, Cashier.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 19, 1878.
MAJOR SLEETH returned this week from Cambridge, Ohio, where he has been for several weeks past.
Excerpt...
Arkansas City Traveler, June 19, 1878.
FOURTH OF JULY!
A Grand Union Sunday School Picnic.
A general invitation is extended to the Sunday schools in this vicinity and surrounding country to unite in holding a basket picnic in Sleeth’s woods, on July 4th. The committee on general arrangements appointed the following committees, who are requested to enter at once upon their respective duties.
Committee on Programme.
Wm. Sleeth, Miss Clara Finley, Miss Ella Grimes, Miss Eva Swarts, Mrs. Wm. Wilson, Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. L. McLaughlin, Cal. Swarts, R. J. Maxwell, and W. L. Mowry.
Committee on programme are requested to meet at the M. E. Church on Friday evening at 8 o’clock, to arrange programme for the day.
Winfield Courier, July 4, 1878.
The County Commissioners have been in session this week. We are not able to get a report of their proceedings for this issue. It will appear next week. Mr. Gale is in feeble health, but Messrs. Burden and Sleeth are in good condition.
Winfield Courier, July 11, 1878.
That Trip on the "Aunt Sally."
We "let off" our surplus patriotism on the Fourth by going to Arkansas City and taking a ride on the "Aunt Sally" beneath the classic shades of the "raging Walnut." The said "Aunt Sally" is not exactly like the Sound steamers that ply between Fall River and New York. We did not see the elegant staterooms, dining-hall, furniture, and such; but she paddled along just as well as though arrayed in gay plumage. The passengers stood up on deck and sweltered in the heat; taking two or three small showers for variety; then the whistle made most unearthly screams and the band played patriotic airs. The boat was manned by Channell, Sleeth, Swarts, Farrar, Mowry, and many others of the old sailors of Arkansas City. Many Winfield ladies and gentlemen were on board with us, exhibiting more enthusiasm, we thought, than did our "seaport" friends. When we returned to the landing, Bonsall was on hand with his camera to take a picture of the boat and its passengers, but we shall never believe he got a good picture until he furnishes us with a copy. When that infernal whistle shrieked, it was with difficulty that we prevented our unsophisticated Winfielders from following the example of the Indians down the river by jumping off and wading ashore. Troup jumped about 18 feet, Harris 14, Baird 12, Bliss 10, McMullen & Lemmon 3, Hudson 2. The rest of them were on the other side of the boat and we were not able to record their feats of ground and lofty tumbling.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 7, 1878.
BANK ROBBED!
THE COWLEY COUNTY BANK ROBBED OF $2,000!
IS IT THE JAMES BOYS?
A SECOND NORTHFIELD.
No Blood Shed, But Everything Done Quietly in Broad Daylight.
Generally speaking, there is little to create an excitement in our town, though we live on the border of the Indian Territory, the harbor for all horse thieves and desperadoes who are fleeing from State Justice.
Last Wednesday, however, our people were rudely awakened from their dream of security from invasions by lawless characters, by the report that the Cowley County Bank had been robbed in broad daylight, and that the robbers were heading west with their booty as fast as their horses could carry them. The particulars, as near as we can gather, from the thousand-and-one statements afloat, are as follows.
At ten minutes of ten o’clock on that morning, four horsemen rode into town, two of whom put up at Finney’s livery stable, and gave orders to have their horses fed immediately, but not unsaddled, as they would want them soon. Behind each saddle was a two-bushel seamless sack and a pair of over-alls, and small saddle bags were attached. They inquired particularly as to the time of day, and also were anxious to gain all the information they could concerning a herd of ponies near Caldwell—the exact location, condition of ponies, etc.
The other two ponies were taken to a different portion of the town, and left standing.
One of the two men who stopped at the stable was known by Mr. Finney as a person who used to herd for Mr. Smythia several miles south of here, who went by the name of Jim Kennedy. This man is about five feet, eight or nine inches in height, dark complexion, with dark brown moustache and chin whiskers trimmed short, and is probably between thirty and thirty-five years of age. The other one was nearly six feet in height, sandy complexion, with light brown moustache.
At five minutes after 12, just after Major Sleeth, president of the bank, had gone to dinner, a man stepped into the bank and requested Mr. Fred Farrar (who, in the absence of his brother, H. P. Farrar, acts in the capacity of cashier) to change a twenty-dollar bill. Mr. Farrar seeing that the bill was genuine, turned to make the change, when the man exclaimed roughly: "Here! Hand that bill back!" Naturally a little surprised, Farrar looked up, only to see the muzzle of a large seven-shooter staring him in the face; and before he could recover from the shock, two men, each with their revolvers cocked and pointed at him, stepped around the counter and politely invited him to come into the back room. Realizing in a moment that resistance was more than useless, Mr. Farrar coolly replied: "All right, sir," and walked back, when one man guarded him, while the other went through the safe, taking all the money that he could find, the third man standing guard at the door. By the time the money was taken, the fourth man, who had been standing with the other two horses on the corner some fifty yards south, walked into the bank, and two of the robbers waited with Mr. Farrar while the other two went for the horses. Bringing the horses up to the door, they all mounted, turned to Farrar, and with a polite "Good day, sir," they galloped off. The whole proceedings in the bank had not occupied over five minutes’ time.
Mr. Farrar immediately gave the alarm, and in an instant all was confusion. Men rushed up and down the streets in search of horses and fire arms, seemingly bereft of their senses. C. R. Mitchell and J. A. Stafford were first in the saddles, and started after them in the direction of Salt City. Stafford caught a glimpse of them, and cutting across the country, came near enough to them to fire, which he did. The leader looked around at him and coolly remarking, "You G_d d____d son-of-a-b___h," leveled his gun and returned fire, the bullet singing past Stafford’s ear, but not striking him. As all the party stopped, Stafford thought he had better go behind a small mound of sand, and just as he dropped down, another bullet from the robbers threw the sand all over his face. Mr. Stafford returned this shot, when the men touched up their horses and galloped easily off. By this time a crowd of our citizens had arrived on the spot and all joined in the chase.
After they had passed the "jack oaks" northwest of town, the pursuers could find no trace of them, and concluded they were hiding in the oaks, when they turned back and sent word to town for more men and guns—that they had the robbers corralled in the oaks.
Here is where the great mistake was made, as the thieves were still going toward Salt City, and crossed the ferry at that place shortly after 1 o’clock.
By this time Bolton Township was aroused, and Frank Lorry, with two more farmers, in company with Mr. Knight, of this place, started west, keeping near the line. They soon struck the trail of the robbers, and hearing that they were not more than a mile ahead, Mr. Lorry told a Mrs. Lucky to send her husband to town for reenforcements. Mrs. Lucky ran half a mile, with her baby in her arms, to where her husband was plowing, but for some reason he did not come in.
When this party arrived at Peters’ ranch, on the Shakaska, some 20 miles west, Mr. George Peters turned out with them and rendered most valuable assistance in the pursuit, besides furnishing feed for the worn-out horses.
They followed them until Thursday night, when the robbers gave them the slip at midnight, and got away, though the party would have chased them to Fort Sill had the reenforcements been sent. But not meeting these, and their own horses being completely worn out, the party of four were compelled to return. They desire to return hearty thanks to Mr. Peters for his assistance, and are enthusiastic in his praises.
Our men did not discover their mistake until too late to catch up with them, though the party in pursuit crossed the Salt City ferry one hour and a half behind them.
Mr. Farrar described the man who presented the bill as being 5 feet, 10 or 11 inches in height, well built, dark complexion, black moustache and goatee, and with a scar on his right cheek. Another man was described as being about 5 feet, 7 inches, light complexion and smooth face. The fourth man was described as being nearly 6 feet tall, and wore a moustache.
Some think the leader was one of the notorious James boys, but there is nothing reliable as to this. However that may be, it was about the coolest piece of business our citizens ever witnessed, and despite the hot weather, they are not desirous of seeing another.
A reward of $100 each for the robbers, dead or alive, has been offered; and $500 for the return of the money, or a proportionate sum for what can be regained.
Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.
The county commissioners have been in session this week. Present: Burden, Sleeth, and Gale.
Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.
A BOLD ROBBERY.
Unknown Robbers Go Through a Bank at Noonday.
The James Boys Outdone.
On Wednesday, July 31, 1878, at about half past 12 o’clock, four strangers effected the robbery of the Cowley County Bank at Arkansas City. The amount of money obtained is said to be $2,300. The robbers were seen in town during the forenoon; two of them entered a saloon, called for beer, drank, and sat down in the saloon for some time. The other two walked around town together; and at one time came into the saloon and called for beer, but pretended not to recognize their pals sitting there.
At dinner time two brought out their horses from a stable and hitched them not far from the bank. The two others came towards the bank from another direction and hitched their horses in another place. A drug store is next door to the bank and the salesman was at the door. One of the robbers called for quinine, saying he would step in and get it in a few moments, and the druggist went into his store to weigh it out while the customer patrolled the sidewalk.
Another robber went into the bank, where Mr. Farrar was alone in attendance, Mr. Sleeth having just gone to dinner, and presented a $20 bill, requesting small bills for it. Mr. Farrar proceeded to make the change, but immediately a revolver was presented at his head and silence commanded; at the same time two other robbers appeared with cocked revolvers. One of them led Mr. Farrar into the back room while the other two went through the safe, which was open. They took what money there was to be readily found and then Mr. Farrar was brought out to the door and required to sit down. The robbers made some jokes, thanked him for his kind attention, and promised to call again when they wanted more money. They bade him good-bye, mounted their horses, and rode together out the south side of town, then around to the west side and north past the cemetery. They were each armed with revolvers and a long range rifle.
The alarm was immediately given, and in a very few minutes a large number of men were on horseback, with such arms they could get hold of quickly, in pursuit. Messengers were at once sent over the river into Bolton Township to notify Frank Lorry and Rudolph Hoffmaster and rouse the people with the view of cutting off the retreat into the Territory. Others, including Mr. Sleeth, the president of the bank, rode rapidly up to Winfield for help to head them off in case the robbers should go north toward Wichita. A considerable numbered followed rapidly on the track of the robbers.
Mr. Stafford nearly overtook the robbers and got two shots at them; but they turned on him and fired a rifle shot, just scratching his cheek, and another throwing dirt over him, as he lay close to the ground in the grass to avoid their shots. The robbers then rode on, as other pursuers were coming up. At one place they rode into a grove or ticket and the pursuers immediately surrounded the grove and believed they had corralled their game. They spent a hour or more in searching the thicket, and finally determined that the robbers were not there. They then pursued on to the Salt City ferry. There they learned that the robbers had crossed more than an hour before and had turned southwest through Salt City in the direction of the Territory.
Messrs. Lorry and Hoffmaster had collected a number of men in Bolton and were patrolling the road all the way from Arkansas City to South Haven, two of their men having crossed the robbers’ tracks nearly half an hour before they got along; but their place of crossing this line was so uncertain, it was scarcely possible that Lorry’s men should be at the right place at the right time, so the robbers crossed their line and passed on into the Territory; but Lorry and his men soon got together and pursued.
Burt Covert and others, of Winfield, started out west from Winfield to intercept the robbers, if they went north. They rode over to the Arkansas River and discovered that the robbers had escaped across the Salt City ferry going southwest. Covert and C. G. Holland, of Beaver, having first-class horses and courage, pursued some thirty miles into the Territory and long into the night, until Covert’s horse got so sprained in crossing a bog that he was unable to proceed except at a slow and limping gait. They therefore abandoned the pursuit.
On Friday following Frank Lorry returned. It appears that they got a long ways ahead of the robbers in the Territory and therefore lost all track of them. They therefore abandoned the pursuit and probably passed them on their return.
It is believed that at least one of the robbers was a James. It is evident that they are experienced hands at the business.
Humorous story relative to Sheriff Harter at time of Arkansas City Bank robbery was told one year later...
Winfield Courier, October 23, 1879.
A good joke is told on Charley Harter about the Arkansas City bank robbery. After the news had arrived, Charley met Burt Covert on the crossing of Main street and Ninth Avenue, his face pale and hair disheveled, and grabbing him by the arm, said: "B___; B __Burt; Read’s Bank has been robbed; five hun__hundred dollars reward, get Dick Walker and go after them quick." Burt and Dick went after them while Charley, after his "excitement" had subsided, learned that it was Arkansas City, instead of Winfield, that had been raided, and immediately took steps to capture them if they came within two blocks of Main street.
Back to correct sequence of newspapers in 1878...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 11, 1878.
SORROWFUL NEWS.
Major Sleeth received news last night from Mrs. Sleeth, now visiting in Cambridge, Ohio, that their child was about to die.
[COMMUNICATION FROM "I. H. B."—CORRESPONDENT.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 25, 1878.
Arkansas City, Sept. 23rd, 1878.
Dear Traveler,
In company with R. A. Houghton, Wm. Sleeth, and Jas. Christian, your correspondent paid a flying visit to the ship yard on the west bank of the Arkansas River opposite the town, and there found Cyrus Wilson busily engaged in building a steam boat for John McClaskey and J. H. Seymour. The boat is intended to run between Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas, and Little Rock, Arkansas. The boat is a trifle larger than Aunt Sally. The ribs and hull are constructed of good oak lumber and will be a good substantial boat, 85 feet long and 22 feet beam. The hull is 83 feet by 16 feet on the bottom, and 85 feet by 18 feet on the deck, and with the machinery on board, will draw less than eight inches; the bow is not square like the Aunt Sally, but built with a "Model bow." Messrs. McClaskey & Seymour deserve a great deal of credit for rushing this enterprise as they have. Being men of limited means, they have shown true western pluck in taking hold and working out of almost nothing this boat, and the public should give them all the aid in their power to enable them to put on a good and serviceable piece of machinery.
Their intentions are to put on McClaskey’s saw mill engine and load the hull with wheat and go to Little Rock and with the proceeds of the sale of the load of wheat purchase two good engines suitable for the work and finish the upper part of the boat down at some saw mill where good pine lumber can be had at reasonable figures.
I think it would be a good plan for the different parties holding wheat notes given to induce boat building to sign them over to Messrs. McClaskey & Seymour to apply to finishing this boat and make sure of having one boat at least on the river this fall.
Most all signing these notes would consent to their transfer to the first boat as that was the object in donating the wheat. Now is the time to push this work on to a successful issue and it should not be allowed to fail for want of means to finish the boat and put on board good powerful engines that will enable them to handle the boat in all stages of water. Bring along your wheat and put this work on a sure basis. I. H. B.
Winfield Courier, November 21, 1878.
Our County Board.
We cannot forbear a word of commendation for the fearless, just, and manly course of action of our county commissioners in relation to the two railroad petitions which were presented to them last Monday. There was a struggle between the partisans of the two roads for priority in the time of holding the elections. The advocates of the road whose petition was first presented were present in force, demanded immediate action, and got hot and clamorous. They indulged in insinuations and threats against the board, and more particularly against Mr. Burden, who told them to go ahead and execute their threats for he would not act until he had time to consider the matter and to advise with the county attorney, who was absent that day. The matter was postponed until the next morning, when the county attorney was present and the board had carefully examined and considered the matter. The order for the election was then made under the condition and understanding that a stipulation should be filed limiting the amount of bonds to be voted to that road to $144,000. The board did right, as they always do.
Burden cannot be persuaded or intimidated into any action until he is sure it is right, and will do right and for the best interests of his county whether it suits his personal interests or not. The same may be said of Gale and Sleeth. A better, truer, more efficient board of county commissioners no county ever had.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 27, 1878.
A fire that had been started in a rubbish pile back of Dr. Shepard’s on Saturday afternoon broke away and ran towards Mr. Sleeth’s house, creating some alarm, but no damage.
[COUNTY OFFICERS.]
Winfield Courier, January 2, 1879.
Judge 13th Judicial District.—Hon. W. Campbell.
Board of County Commissioners.—R. F. Burden, G. L. Gale, W. M. Sleeth.
County Clerk.—M. G. Troup.
County Treasurer.—T. B. Bryan.
Probate Judge.—H. D. Gans.
Register of Deeds.—E. P. Kinne.
Supt. Pub. Inst.—R. C. Story.
Sheriff.—C. L. Harter.
Coroner.—M. G. Graham.
County Attorney.—James McDermott.
Clerk District Court.—B. S. Bedilion.
County Surveyor.—N. A. Haight.
Deputy County Surveyor.—J. Hoenscheidt.
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1879.
Arkansas City Items.
Our Representative, M. R. Leonard, W. M. Sleeth, of the county board, and Col. W. M. Whiteman, Ponca agent, passed up to Wichita on Friday.
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1879.
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session [January 6, 1879]. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and G. L. Gale, commissioners, James McDermott, county attorney, and M. G. Troup, county clerk.
Among other proceedings had, bills against the county were presented and passed upon by the board as follows.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: PAID $51.00 EACH.
Winfield Courier, March 20, 1879.
COWLEY COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL CONVENTION.
The following are the officers of the Cowley County Sabbath School Convention.
President: R. C. Story.
Vice President: W. M. Sleeth.
Secretary: F. S. Jennings.
Assistant Secretary: H. E. Asp.
Treasurer: James Harden.
Executive Committee: R. C. Story, F. S. Jennings, T. R. Bryan, Will Mowry, E. W. Jones, John R. Thompson, and A. S. Williams.
Winfield Courier, March 20, 1879.
NOTICE: SPECIAL RAILROAD BOND ELECTION.
Whereas, the county commissioners of the county of Cowley, State of Kansas, at a special meeting, held March 10th, 1879, made an order of which the following is a copy.
"At a special meeting of the county commissioners of Cowley County, holden at the office of the county clerk in the courthouse in the City of Winfield in said county on the 10th day of March A. D. 1879, there were present: R. F. Burden, Chairman; W. M. Sleeth and Geo. L. Gale, Commissioners; with E. S. Torrance, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk; a petition was presented to the Board, signed by two-fifths of the resident taxpayers of said county which, with the signatures omitted is as follows: to wit:
"To the Honorable the Board of County Commissioners of the county of Cowley and State of Kansas:
"Inasmuch as the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company proposes to construct a line of railroad into and through the county of Cowley, in the State of Kansas, the undersigned, being more than two-fifths of the resident tax payers of said county, respectfully petition your Honorable Board to call a special election in said county at as early a day as is practicable, and legal, and at such special election to submit to the qualified electors of said county, a proposition to subscribe 68 thousand (68,000) dollars to the capital stock of said Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Kansas, and to issue the bonds of said county in the like amount of sixty-eight thousand (68,000) dollars, in payment of said subscriptions, said bonds to be delivered to said railroad company for like amounts of the capital stock thereof as follows: Fifty-one thousand (51,000) dollars when said railroad is in operation to the point herein after named, near the city of Winfield in said county, and the remaining seventeen thousand (17,000) dollars when the said railroad is in operation to the western line of said county.
THIS GOES ON AND ON...SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS OUTLINED TO BEGIN WITH...MAIN THING: SPECIAL ELECTION: TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1879.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EDITIONS, THUS FAR...SHOWS PICTURES OR SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS: READ’S BANK, WINFIELD; THE "AUNT SALLY;" ARKANSAS CITY SCHOOL BUILDING; COURT HOUSE AT WINFIELD; AND LATEST REVISED MAP OF COWLEY COUNTY ON FRONT PAGE.
[COURT HOUSE NOTES.]
Winfield Courier, May 15, 1879.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS [CITY ONLY].
W. M. Sleeth and wife to W. S. Houghton, lots 5 and 6, blk. 142, Arkansas City. $40.
Winfield Courier, May 22, 1879.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS [IN THE CITY]
D. H. Sleeth to W. M. Sleeth, lot 26, blk 81, Arkansas City. $600.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 28, 1879.
Real Estate Transfers.
D. H. Sleeth to W. M. Sleeth, lt. 26, blk. 81, Ark. City.
Abbie Tales et al to W. M. Sleeth, lot 8, blk. 71, Ark. City.
M. G. Troup to W. M. Sleeth and H. P. Farrar, lot 11, blk. 80, lots 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, blk. 19, and lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, blk. 16 and lot 9, blk. 55, Ark. City.
M. G. Troup to W. M. Sleeth and H. P. Farrar, lot 11, blk. 80, lots 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, blk. 10, and lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, blk. 16 and lot 9, blk. 55, Ark. City.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 16, 1879.
Mr. Sleeth is erecting three new houses west of town for renting purposes. Messrs. Parker and Canfield have the contract.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 16, 1879.
Persons having subscribed aid to the cyclone sufferers in Butler County and not yet paid the same will please call at Cowley County Bank and pay, so that the funds may be sent at once. W. M. SLEETH, Treasurer.
Excerpt...
[ARTICLE RE ARKANSAS CITY FROM CHICAGO PAPER.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 13, 1879 - Front Page.
The Cowley County Bank, organized in 1872, and conducted with marked ability by its founders up to 1877, is a strong concern, and has a very high standing in business circles. Its capital and franchises were purchased in 1877 by Wm. M. Sleeth, its President, and H. P. Farrar, Cashier, who have continued its management up to the present, with distinguished ability and success. It has ample capital, a large and growing local patronage, a liberal line of collections; like Read’s bank at Winfield, has burglar proof safes, secured by Yale time locks, and is firmly entrenched in the faith of the business community. Both of the gentlemen named are closely and largely identified with the city and county, are men of rare business tact, decided public spirit, and sterling personal character.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 13, 1879.
Today at 1:30 p.m., Ed Bouton will give an exhibition of the merits of the Hapgood sulky plow on W. M. Sleeth’s farm east of town, and all farmers interested should make it a point to be on hand.
Winfield Courier, September 11, 1879.
The delegates from the Second Commissioner District met and organized with H. L. C. Gilstrap in the chair.
W. M. Sleeth, the present commissioner from that district, was put in nomination, but declined to be a candidate.
A vote was then taken, resulting as follows.
Henry Harbaugh, 18; T. H. McLaughlin, 9; W. E. Chenoweth, 2.
Mr. Harbaugh was declared the nominee.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 24, 1879.
Hon. M. R. Leonard, Hon. C. R. Mitchell, Maj. Sleeth, and Col. Haywood are at Topeka, looking after railroad interests.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 26, 1879.
On Friday night last, a man giving his name as ______, drove down to David Sleeth’s wheat-bin and attempted to "lift" a load of wheat from David. But David always sleeps with one eye open, and soon discovered that the fellow had made a hole in his bin without lawful authority. David and the man took a night walk up to town in search of a Justice, but failing to find one, the fellow was allowed to go on parole, to appear the next morning. But the next morning the fellow was non est, though it is said that he resides east of the Walnut.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 14, 1880.
The new County Board of Commissioners met at the courthouse on Monday. Commissioner Sleeth retired and Commissioner Harbaugh took his place. Indications are that Mr. Harbaugh will make a first-class commissioner. The county printing was let to the Semi-Weekly, at legal rates.
Winfield Courier, January 15, 1880.
W. M. Sleeth retires from the office of County Commissioner, in which he has served his county faithfully and efficiently. His own district has been especially well represented. He will now partake of the business prosperity of his town and county, which he has done much to promote, and we wish him abundant business and success.
Excerpts...
Arkansas City Traveler, February 4, 1880.
Wedding Bells.
GOOCH - HOUGHTON. Married on Wednesday evening, February 4th, at the First Presbyterian Church in Arkansas City, Mr. Wyatt Gooch and Miss Hattie Houghton, by Rev. McClung.
LIST OF PRESENTS.
Dr. and Mrs. Shepard and Maj. Sleeth and wife, willow chair.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 24, 1880
At a meeting on Tuesday night convened for the purpose of nominating a strict temperance ticket for the city election, the following nominations were made:
Mayor, William Sleeth; Councilmen, O. P. Houghton, T. H. McLaughlin, Charles Searing, Leander Findley, D. Berger. Police Judge, M. Stanton.
[Note: Am uncertain about Leander Findley. Believe it should be "Finley." MAW]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 19, 1880.
The ladies’ union temperance meeting will be held at Major Sleeth’s tomorrow at 3 o’clock.
[REPORT OF CITY TREASURER.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 30, 1880.
Report of City Treasurer for the Month
Ending June 21, 1880.
Received from Co. Treasurer Bryan—
City Tax: $466.20, Sidewalk Tax: $43.50. Total: $509.70
Received from City Treasurer Sleeth, 1879 balance: $772.59
Received from Sanford, balance on license: $100.00
From sale of bonds: $4,600.00
From A. Chapel, Mayor, on license: $6.00
From A. Walton, license: $3.00
Total: $5,991.29
By City Scrip issued for trade and commerce: $4,576.97
BALANCE IN TREASURY: $1,414.32 H. P. FARRAR, Treasurer.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 18, 1880.
Messrs. Farrar & Sleeth have hitherto confined themselves to a strictly banking business, loaning but little money on real estate. As will be seen by their announcement in another column, they are now prepared to loan home money on real estate at the low rate of ten percent. No more favorable terms can be had anywhere in this part of the State than at the Cowley County Bank.
AD: W. M. SLEETH, H. P. FARRAR,
COWLEY COUNTY BANK,
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
DOES A
GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS.
Interest Allowed on Time Deposits,
DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
EXCHANGES BOUGHT AND SOLD.
COLLECTIONS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.
CORRESPONDENTS:
THIRD NATIONAL BANK, New York.
BANK OF KANSAS CITY, Kansas City, Mo.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 29, 1880.
Major Sleeth and brother, David, are in Kansas City. The latter gentleman has been suffering severely from catarrhal affection, and is undergoing treatment for the same in the above city.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 10, 1880.
We take much pleasure in drawing attention to the new "ad" of the Cowley County Bank. This is one of the oldest as well as most reliable banking firms in the county and under the management of Major Sleeth as president, and H. P. Farrar as cashier, enjoys a large and lucrative patronage.
AD: COWLEY COUNTY BANK,
W. M. SLEETH, President. H. P. FARRAR, Cashier.
Arkansas City, Kansas.
A GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED.
INTEREST ALLOWED ON TIME DEPOSITS.
EXCHANGE ON ALL EASTERN CITIES.
COLLECTIONS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.
Your business solicited.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 17, 1880.
We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. A. B. McCandlass, of Columbia City, Iowa, an old friend of Major Sleeth, who has been visiting in this city during the past week and looking after his landed interests in this vicinity. The Doctor is a good Republican as well as a genial gentleman.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 24, 1880.
The contract for putting up the tank, windmill, and other apparatus for the city waterworks has been let to a Mr. Mason, who is connected with the Fairbanks scale firm. As we understand it, it has been decided to put up an "Eclipse" windmill over the well which will work a force pump that will throw the water into a one thousand barrel tank, to be placed near Major Sleeth’s residence, from whence a pipe will be laid down Summit street to Central avenue. A fire and house hydrant will be placed on the corners of Summit and Fifth and Central Avenues, thus affording an ample supply of water in case of a fire in the business portion of the city. The stone foundations for the windmill and tank and digging trenches for the pipes are to be executed by the city outside of the contract.
[CHRISTMAS TREE ACTIVITIES: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.]
Arkansas City Traveler, December 15, 1880.
CHRISTMAS TIME.
The names of the various committees having in charge the Christmas tree festivities to be held at the Presbyterian church, were handed in last week, but were unavoidably crowded out, and are presented in this issue, as follows.
Committee on Procuring Tree: Messrs. John Walker, M. B. Vawter, S. B. Reed, A. Gardner, R. Hutchison, C. L. Swarts.
Committee on Receiving Presents: Misses Clara Finley, Alma Dixon, Kate Hawkins, May Roland, May Benedict, Lizzie Guthrie, Mary Thomas, and Messrs. F. W. Farrar, C. M. Swarts, Dr. Vawter, Robert Maxwell.
Decorating Committee: Mr. and Mrs. Searing, Mr. and Mrs. Matlack, Mrs. Haywood, Mrs. Shepard, Mrs. Cypher, Misses Mary Parker, Angie Mantor, Carrie Benedict, Annie Norton, Mattie Mitchell, Linnie Peed, Flora Finley, Albertine Maxwell, Sadie Thomas, Linda Christian, Annie Hutchison, Mary Theaker, Emma and Susie Hunt, Ada Easterday; Messrs. E. G. Gray, W. D. Mowry, John Kroenert, J. D. Houston, George Howard, D. Cunningham, James Leonard, Will Peed, J. C. Topliff, Dick Chamberlain, Irving French.
Distributing Committee: Mr. and Mrs. Standley, Mr. and Mrs. Bonsall, Mr. and Mrs. Gooch, Mr. and Mrs. Sleeth, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mantor.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1881.
The following was the ticket put in nomination at the Republican township caucus held last Saturday in this city.
Trustee: Uriah Spray.
Treasurer: William Sleeth.
Clerk: W. D. Mowry.
Justice of the Peace: S. J. Mantor.
Constables: G. H. McIntire, E. M. Bird.
[TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.]
Winfield Courier, February 17, 1881.
Below we give a list of township officers elected at the February election. In some of the townships the Justices hold over.
BOLTON: Trustee, J. M. Sample; treasurer, A. Mowry; Justice, J. H. Titus; clerk, A. Buzzi.
CRESSWELL: Trustee, U. Spray; treasurer, W. M. Sleeth; clerk, W. D. Mowry; Justice, T. McIntire.
[ARKANSAS CITY WATER WORKS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 27, 1881.
OUR WATER WORKS.
A GRAND SUCCESS AND A NOTABLE ACQUISITION TO
ARKANSAS CITY.
There are few things more conducive to the well-being of a community than a plentiful supply of pure water, for domestic and public use, as well as for the protection afforded against the spreading of destructive fires. Situated as we have hitherto been, dependent for our supply of this necessity of life upon several deep wells, which, although fully adequate for all ordinary wants were of necessity almost useless as a protection to property from fire, made the urgency of our need for something more effective than the existing supply more and more apparent each day.
But the old has given place to the new, and today Arkansas City can boast the possession of as fine and effective a system of water works as can, of the like caliber, be found anywhere. It is now scarcely a year since the project of supplying the city with water was first broached, yet that short time has sufficed, thanks to the energy and public spirit of the ex-Mayor and City Council, in conferring upon the city the inestimable advantages of an unlimited supply of pure spring water. The works, of which a short description is herein given, were put in at a total cost to the city of about $1,700, counting in the $300 expended on the well. This outlay will be far more than recompensed in the event of its preventing one destructive fire, let alone the advantages daily conferred upon our citizens.
The machinery necessary to the pumping of the water into the tank consists of an "Eclipse Windmill," supplied by the Fairbanks Co. This windmill, which is run by a wheel 14 feet in diameter, is automatic in its action, and therefore needs no attention or regulation other than to be started and stopped.
This part of the works is located near W. H. Speers’ mill, and the supply of water is furnished from a spring that has never, in the past twelve years, been known to fail. It may be well to mention, that though the pumps were kept constantly going last week, no visible effect was observed in the level of the water of the spring.
The tank, or reservoir, is located on South Summit Street, and has a capacity of 993 barrels. It is constructed substantially of pine, is fourteen feet in height, well painted and mounted upon a stone foundation, also fourteen feet in height. It is estimated that the level of the water is forty feet above the road level at the fire plug on Matlack’s corner. There are three fire plugs on Summit street, at the intersection of Central, Fifth, and Sixth Avenues, with three family hydrants between them.
Messrs. O. P. Houghton, W. E. Gooch, and Maj. Sleeth have already laid the water into their residences, and as soon as the pipes are laid on other thoroughfares, a matter now under consideration, we think the expense of running the works will be more than covered by the amount paid for this privilege alone.
At this writing the tank, which has been gradually soaking, is full to its utmost capacity, in which condition it will in the future be kept.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 15, 1881.
O. P. Houghton traded the one-half of the Cowley County bank site to Messrs. Farrar and Sleeth for a house and two lots in the northwest part of town.
Excerpts from a lengthy article...
[OPINIONS RELATIVE TO THE CANAL IN ARKANSAS CITY.]
Winfield Courier, August 11, 1881.
For a few days there has been "music in the air" and charges flying thick about that the Arkansas City Water Power Company was making an attempt to freeze out the city’s interest and get full control of the canal property. The feeling seemed to be that there was a swindle out somewhere and for the past week we have been receiving communications and questions from subscribers at Arkansas City asking for information on the subject. We resolved at once to investigate and publish the facts.
Monday morning a reporter examined the records relating to the different transfers between the city, the canal company, and the stockholders.
We found that the principal instruments on file were: First, a deed from the City to the Arkansas City Water Power Company covering the right of way for the canal. The consideration named is $327.25 in cash, and 800 shares of $25 each, of stock in the company.
Second, a trust deed, executed in favor of Calvin Hood and Geo. A. Newman, of Emporia, covering the canal, right of way, and all the property pertaining thereto and improvements made in the future thereon.
The trust deed is executed for the purpose of securing fifty $1,000 first mortgage bonds, drawing seven percent interest and payable in twenty years. The deed also pledges the revenues derived from the property first to the payment of interest, and the residue to the creation of a sinking fund for the redemption of the bonds.
This trust deed, executed as it is, annihilates the stock, as it takes the dividend from the stock and applies it to the payment of, and interest on, the mortgage bonds. It is, in effect, collecting the revenue for years to come in advance.
After an examination of the records, it looked very much as if the city held $20,000 of worthless stock, which could in no event bring any revenue. At noon we took the train for the city to interview the parties interested and gather such facts as might be learned of the condition of affairs.
Upon arrival there we found much uneasiness among the people, and the city government and canal company at swords points. Every citizen we met had a different theory as to the "intentions and designs" of the canal company. One asserted that the company had built the canal with the citizens money and had enough left to pay handsomely for their trouble, and that now they had mortgaged the concern for $50,000 and pocketed the proceeds. The opinion of this calculating citizen was that the five members of the canal company had cleared about $10,500 each on the transaction. Another, a very vehement gentleman, who looked wise and talked "around the corner" told us, with a "wink and two nods," that the "scheme" was to let the interest payments go by default, the property be sold, and the company would buy it in for a song and thereby wipe out the city’s interest.
MAJOR SLEETH,
Another of the canal company, was found in his office. He greeted us cordially and talked frankly, fairly, and earnestly about the matter. He said that he had taken hold of the matter because he felt that it would be a benefit to the city; and that he had, aside from investing money of his own in the enterprise, entered into bonds and contracts for the creation of the water power. That he and other members of the company were perhaps as large property holders as any in the city, that a large share of the burden of taxation would fall upon them, and that they had every interest of the city as well as the enterprise at heart. He further said that he regretted the feeling of distrust existing in the community, that the canal must be made a success or everything would be lost, as the string of public credit and private subscription has been drawn to its fullest tension, and a recoil would snap it asunder. That under such circumstances, it behooved every citizen to put his shoulder to the wheel and help push, instead of throwing cold water on those who did. The major’s talk was forcible and logical and convinced us that he, at least, was true to the public cause, which, if successful, will be of lasting benefit to the city.
MR. HILL.
In the afternoon we drove with Mr. Sleeth to the works, and found Mr. Hill hard at work by the dam site, superintending the repairs being made on the structure. An appointment for the evening was made to talk over the situation.
Mr. Hill was on hand promptly at the appointed hour, and in a clear and vivid manner gave us a complete history of the scheme from the beginning. He said that he came to Arkansas City, not to work, but to rest. When he came the possible existence of water power was being talked of. Knowing that he had experience in such work, he was asked to take the water level. He did so, and reported about a twenty feet fall from the Arkansas to the Walnut. An engineer was then brought from Kansas City, who again took the level, with the same result.
Mr. Hill, the engineer, thought a canal would be practicable and that 500 horse power could be secured. He then told the city that if they would issue $20,000 bonds, he would take them, furnish the balance of the funds needed, and enter into a contract, secured by a $20,000 bond to be approved by the city officers, to furnish 500 horse power. The bonds were voted, he took them, and commenced operations.
He approached the leading men of the town to take interest with him and they did so; a stock company was organized, the city receiving $20,000, and the company retaining $30,000, or a controlling interest.
Regarding the cost of the work, Mr. Hill said that the total cost up to this time was about $40,000; $18,000 of which had been realized from the city’s bonds.
The matter of the trust deed was then mentioned, when Mr. Hill said: "Herein lies the whole difficulty with the city. Although I have talked to the council for hours, I have failed to make them understand the necessity of issuing mortgage bonds.
"In the first place, we have yet to make a tail race before the power is available, which was not contemplated by the contract with the city. In the next place, mills must be got here to utilize the power or no revenue can be derived from it. Many of these enterprises will need assistance, and as the city is in no condition to do so, we must either do it ourselves and carry the city’s stock, or let the enterprise go, with the revenue which might be derived from it.
"To get out of this difficulty, we resolved to issue mortgage bonds and hold them in the treasury to be used for this purpose. The mortgage would cover the city’s interest in the canal as well as ours, and all would bear the burden alike. We have the bonds, all signed up, in the treasury, ready to be used whenever, and wherever, the interests of the project demands. Now this is all there is in this trust deed. It was certainly the best and only policy to pursue.
"The city’s interests are as fully protected as those of any other stockholder. Twenty thousand of the fifty thousand bonds now in our safe belong, in a certain sense, to it, to be used for the purposes specified in this trust deed: namely, the improvement and embetterment of the property.
"The only trouble with the city officers and the people is, that they do not understand it. They seem to think that this mortgage business is a scheme to wipe out the city’s interest in the canal; and this is about all the thanks we get for pushing the matter through.
"We have contracted to furnish 500 horse power, and we propose to do it. Already we have leased power to two mills for $3,100 per annum, and have 400 horse power left to be used as fast as we can get mills to use it. If we succeed in disposing of the full power, at say, fifty horse power to the mill, it will give us ten mills and an annual revenue of $15,000. This will pay interest on the bonds, provide for the sinking fund, and leave a handsome dividend on the stock. This is all there is of it. If the city acts fairly in this matter, all will be well. If it does not, I shall not answer for the consequences."
Winfield Courier, September 22, 1881.
Mr. Henry Karnes, of Cresswell township, brought us a sample of his wheat, raised on Major Sleeth’s farm. He had 40 acres of Walker wheat, which yielded 32 bushels to the acre. The wheat was bright and plump, and as fine as any we have ever seen.
Winfield Courier, November 17, 1881.
Major Sleeth spent several days of last week in the city as a witness before the court on the Lennox forgery case.
Cowley County Courant, November 17, 1881.
Maj. Sleeth is up from the head of nation, shaking hands with his many friends in this city.
Cowley County Courant, December 22, 1881.
W. M. Sleeth was appointed administrator of the estate of C. W. Drennan, deceased.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 30, 1881.
Building Association.
The above Association held a meeting last Friday evening and proceeded to organize forthwith into working shape. The results of the meeting being too voluminous for insertion in this body of paper, will be found embodied in the Supplement which is published this week, and to which we direct the attention of our readers.
CHARTER.
FIRST. The name of the corporation shall be "The Arkansas City Building and Loan Association of Arkansas City, in Cowley County, Kansas."
SECOND. The object of this association is the accumulation and loan of funds, the erection of buildings, and purchase and sale of real estate for the benefit of its members.
THIRD. The place where its business shall be transacted, shall be in Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas.
FOURTH. It shall exist until the monthly installments and interest, fines, and profits shall amount to one hundred dollars per share for each share of stock which shall be issued under its charter, and not to exceed twenty-one years.
FIFTH. The number of its directors shall be nine. Those elected for the first year shall be W. M. Sleeth, T. McIntire, H. D. Kellogg, I. H. Bonsall, J. T. Shepard, Wm. Kreamer, John Williams, Marshall Felton, and Jas. Benedict.
SIXTH. The amount of its capital stock shall be $50,000, to be divided into two series of two hundred and fifty shares of $100 each, to be paid in monthly installments of one dollar per share. The capital stock shall be issued in two series of twenty-five thousand dollars each, at such times as the association by its by-laws may provide and direct.
NOTE: BY-LAWS HAD 13 ARTICLES.
Winfield Courier, December 15, 1881.
Major Sleeth took in our city again last week.
Excerpts from a long article...
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, December 21, 1881.
OUR CANAL.
Last week witnessed the completion of an undertaking that will exert an influence on the future of Arkansas City, and raise