Richland Township 1872: James Kelly, 32. No spouse listed.

Winfield 1873: James Kelly, 33. No spouse listed.

Kansas 1875 Census, Winfield Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.

Name age sex color Place/birth Where from

Jas. Kelly 34 m w Scotland Illinois

Martha Kelly 24 f w New York Iowa

[Note: It appears from the old newspapers that James Kelly became the Postmaster at Winfield on January 1, 1876. D. A. Millington became the Postmaster on February 1, 1879.]

[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]

Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.

Last Saturday the Republican Delegate Convention met at this place and, notwithstanding the day was stormy and disagreeable, all the townships were represented except Creswell. The following named gentlemen were the delegates.

Richland Township: James Kelly and Frank Cox.

[COWLEY COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE.]

Winfield Messenger, July 19, 1872.

Committees of the different townships, met pursuant to call. On motion L. J. Webb was chosen chairman, and John Irwin, secretary. On motion, Messrs. Kelly and Kinne chosen committee on candidates. The committee on credentials, reported the following persons as members of the County Central Committee: James R. Bryan, Dexter; L. J. Webb, Winfield; C. R. Mitchell, Creswell; J. B. Nipp, Pleasant Valley; L. B. Wamsley, Ninnescah; James Kelly, Richland; John Irwin, Rock; E. P. Kinne, Bolton.

The remaining townships were not represented. On motion, L. J. Webb was elected chairman of the County Central Committee. L. J. Webb resigned, and James Kelly, on motion, was duly elected chairman. C. R. Mitchell was elected secretary of County Central Committee.

Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.

A Worthy Man. We learn that James Kelly, of Winfield, Kan., is a candidate before one of the Republican Conventions of his state for the office of Clerk of the District Court.

Mr. Kelly was once a resident of this county, and we can assure our Kansas Republican friends that they cannot choose a more worthy, capable, or suitable man for any position to which he may aspire. Kansas republicans are no half way republicans, and in "Jim" they would find no half way candidate.

Mr. Kelly is a man of the true western type, fought his own battle of life, wrung an education between "working spells" amid poverty, grew up to manhood loving free institutions and hating slavery; was an earnest politician in 1860, before he was a voter, and proved his fealty to principle by shouldering his gun when our nation called to arms, and fighting through three years of terrible war. In this county he has held offices of trust, always with honor; and should the convention nominate him, it will have a candidate worthy a Kansas republican constituency. Macomb Journal, Illinois.

[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]

Winfield Messenger, August 30, 1872.

District Clerk: James Kelly 35, E. P. Hickok 19; W. W. Walton 12.

Winfield Messenger, September 20, 1872.

For Representative: J. M. McDermott.

For Probate Judge: T. H. Johnson.

For County Attorney: E. S. Torrance.

For District Clerk: James Kelly.

For Supt. Pub. Inst.: T. A. Wilkinson.

Capt. James McDermott is a citizen of Dexter, where he located two years ago. He is a lawyer of ability and is a member of the Republican party. His course, since he has been among us, has been spotless. He is an old soldier, and the principles for which he fought will always be maintained. He comes from the portion of the county which is this year entitled to the Representative.

E. S. Torrance is re-nominated for County Attorney. Those who know the man are satisfied, and all who feel any interest in our county officers need only to look at his work during the two years past just to be convinced of his worth and ability. He is the "right man in the right place" and the people will keep him there.

James Kelly, of Richland, the Candidate for Clerk of the District Court, is also an old soldier, and a true and tried Republican. He is well fitted for the position, and will be a credit to the county.

T. H. Johnson, Probate Judge, by appointment by the Governor, is nominated for Probate Judge. He was nominated by a larger majority than any other candidate. Suffice it to say, that a majority of the people will think of the Judge as did a majority of the convention, and he will be elected.

Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.

There will be a joint discussion of the political questions of the day between the candidates on the Republican and Liberal County tickets, at the following times and places.

Vernon, at Werden's, Monday, Oct. 14th, 1 o'clock p.m.

Nenescah, Tuesday, Oct. 15th, at 1 o'clock p.m.

Maple, at Bush's store, Wednesday, Oct. 16th, 1 o'clock p.m.

Rock, at Holmes' store, Wednesday, Oct. 16th, 7 o'clock p.m.

Little Dutch, Tuesday, Oct. 17th, 1 o'clock p.m.

Richland, at H. L. Barkers', Friday, Oct. 18, 1 o'clock p.m.

Windsor, at Omnia, Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 o'clock p.m.

Windsor, at Armstrong's, Saturday, Oct 19, at 1 o'clock p.m.

Windsor, Lazette, Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 o'clock p.m.

Dexter, Monday, Oct. 21st, at 1 o'clock p.m.

Cedar, at Patten's, Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, at 1 o'clock p.m.

Spring Creek, at Sutliff's store, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.

Silver Dale, Wintin's schoolhouse, Thurs., Oct. 24, 1 p.m.

Pleasant Valley, at Constant's, Friday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.

Beaver, at Thomasville, Friday, Oct, 25, at 7 o'clock p.m.

Bolton, at Sumner Oaks', Saturday, Oct 26th, 1 o'clock p.m.

Bolton, at Wilkinson's, Saturday, Oct. 26th, 7 o'clock p.m.

Arkansas City, Tuesday, Oct 29th, at 7 o'clock p.m.

Tisdale, Wednesday, Oct. 30th, at 7 o'clock p.m.

Winfield, Friday, November 1st, at 7 o'clock p.m.

By order of the County Central Committee.

JAMES KELLY, Chairman, Republican Committee.

A. A. JACKSON, Chairman of Liberal Committee.

[THE CANDIDATES.]

Winfield Messenger, October 18, 1872.

James Kelly has received encomiums both at home and abroad in regard to his fitness for the position of Clerk of the District Court. Mr. T. A. Wilkinson, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, is one of the leading educators of the county.

[The Winfield Courier was established at Winfield, Kansas, on January 1, 1873, by R. S. Waddell & Co., with R. S. Waddell being the editor. The presses, type, and material were entirely new, and in good condition. On March 27, 1873, the paper was sold to James Kelly, who became the editor. On November 11, 1875, E. C. Manning succeeded Kelly as editor. On August 16, 1877, the Winfield Courier went into the hands of D. A. Millington and A. B. Lemmon, with the former as principal editor. In January 1879 Lemmon retired, having sold his interest to Mr. Millington.]

[COWLEY COUNTY OFFICERS.]

Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.

Judge 13th Judicial District: W. P. Campbell.

Board of County Commissioners: Frank Cox, Chairman; O. C. Smith, J. D. Maurer.

County Clerk: A. A. Jackson.

County Treasurer: E. B. Kager.

Probate Judge: T. H. Johnson.

Register of Deeds: J. F. Paul.

Deputy Register: Jno. W. Curns.

Sheriff: James Parker.

Deputy Sheriff: W. E. Dowd.

Coroner: G. P. Waggoner.

County Attorney: E. S. Torrance.

Clerk District Court: James Kelly.

County Surveyor: Manley Hemenway.

Deputy: W. W. Walton.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 13, 1873.

Judge Kelly, of the District Court, has traded for a slick stand-up hat with a stiff rim. He now says "Good morning, Colonel," with a peculiar French touch that would make a dog laugh.

ON MARCH 20, 1873, IT WAS WADDELL...NOW IT IS JAMES KELLY, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

[THE WINFIELD COURIER, VOLUME I., NUMBER 12.]

JAMES KELLY, EDITOR.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1873.

Valedictory. Today we close our interests and associations with the WINFIELD COURIER, and bid adieu to an extensive circle of true and warm hearted friends. For our course as editor and publisher of a newspaper devoted to politics, the general interests of Cowley County, etc., we refer to our files: there they are, our record, we are proud of them; they suit us exactly; we shall feel gratified if they have suited our readers; but, whether they have or not, there are no erasures to be made, nothing said that we wish to retract. While submitting our views for the criticisms of the public, we have been no tool for any person, faction, or clique; have always said and done just what we thought was best, and just as we shall do hereafter in whatever position we may be placed. For our successor, James Kelly, we bespeak success. He enters here with our kindest wishes in every respect: that he is a reliable man, and a Republican, no one will question. May he be rewarded according to his merit. To all our friends we say most respectful and heart felt adieu. R. S. WADDELL.

[JAMES KELLY: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 27, 1873.

Having assumed control of the COURIER, a word from me now may pave the way for a quicker and better understanding hereafter. Without being advised or solicited to do so, without a word of encouragement, or a promise of help from anybody; without one dollar of aid or the pledge of one dollar from anyone, I have purchased the entire Winfield COURIER outfit, and shall settle down to publishing a newspaper in Winfield in good earnest. I have no friends to reward or enemies to punish; I have no alliances, and seek none; but with steady faith and honest purpose, I hope to win the respect and confidence of all. The COURIER will support no unworthy measures or men knowingly. Its highest and first aim will be to establish a reputation for reliability; then the highway to usefulness to the reader and profit to the publishers will be opened. The COURIER will be the friend of the best interests of Cowley County. In party matters this paper will be Republican and especially solicits the support of the Republicans of the county. Its columns will be open to a respectable discussion of all local questions or matters of general interest. Hoping for a generous welcome to this new sphere, from the people of Cowley, and craving a charitable construction for whatever of censurable character may appear in the paper, I am hopefully and timorously, JAMES KELLY.

Mr. Kelly will fill all the subscriptions for the COURIER as shown by the books.

R. S. W. & Co.

Walnut Valley Times, April 4, 1873.

CHANGED HANDS. The Winfield Courier has changed hands. James Kelly assumes editorial and business control of the paper. Mr. Kelly says he intends to publish a newspaper in Winfield in good earnest. We hope he will succeed.

[EDITORIAL PAGE: JAMES KELLY, EDITOR.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873.

The Town Site. "We see from our exchanges that the impression has gone abroad that the Winfield Town site trouble has been decided in favor of the Town company. Now this impression went abroad from the manner in which the COURIER spoke of the matter two weeks ago. It stated plainly that the decision vested the title in the Town company. This was untrue and published in that sheet with the intention of misleading the public." Telegram.

The following is what we did say as clipped from the COURIER, and any honest man will see the difference between the Telegram and the truth.

"Thus the vexed suit, to set aside the deeds made by the Probate Judge to the Winfield Town company, is now settled, and everybody can take hold to make Winfield what it ought to bethe Queen of the Walnut Valley. We have never taken sides in the controversy, because it was in the courts and different persons had different views.

"Now that Mr. Maris is out of court with his suit, there is nothing in the way of making a prosperous town of Winfield. The Town company is also now in a position where it can afford to be generous and pursue a policy that shall contribute largely to the fullest development of the town."

Now where do we "state plainly that the decision vested the title in the Town company?"

The suit is out of court. The "citizens" and Town company have it within themselves to adjust the difficulty in an amicable manner so that there may be an end to the strife and bickering that have thus far retarded the progress and prosperity of our town, and the COURIER will always be found ready to advocate anything that will tend to that most desirable end.

[ARTICLE DESCRIBING WINFIELD/COWLEY COUNTY.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873. [From the Atchison Champion.]

WINFIELD, KAS., April 24, 1873. Two newspapers are very well sustained, viz, the Winfield Courier and the Cowley County Telegram. The former has just removed into more convenient quartersover the "Old Log Store"and has a very fine office. This office does the county printing for L. J. Webb, to whom it was awarded. Jas. Kelly is the editor and proprietor. Allison & Steinberger are editors and proprietors of the Telegram, which is a well printed, seven-column weekly, and has a good circulation.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 5, 1873.

At a meeting held last week in the Methodist church by a number of our citizens, it was resolved to have a celebration of the 4th of July at Winfield. A committee consisting of A. A. Jackson, E. S. Torrance, and James Kelly was appointed to correspond with Orators for the occasion. We want to meet our friends from the country, and unless we do something they will goas many of them did last yearto Oxford, Lazette, and other places.

Winfield Courier, July 3, 1873.

Skipped: Editorial by James Kelly in July 3, 1873, issue re problems he had with attorney Sam D. Pryor while Kelly served as clerk of district court. Evident someone lied on journal entry for judgment in the case of Swain vs. TarrantJudge Campbell presiding.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 10, 1873.

RECAP. Thanks are given to the efficient officers and various committees appointed to carry out the programme on the Fourth. Col. J. T. Quarles was Marshal of the day, assisted by James Kelly, Esq., and W. M. Allison.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 28, 1873.

At a meeting held by the children of Winfield on Wednesday of last week in the Methodist Church it was decided to have a picnic in Mr. Andrews's grove on Friday Sept. 5th. The following committees were appointed.

To obtain the grove: E. Freeland and Cora Andrews.

To invite Brass Band: Callie Blandin and Nettie Quarles.

To attend to the dinner: Mrs. Tousey, Mrs. Wm. Maris, McClellan, Blandin, McMaster, Hill, Mrs. M. L. Palmer, Miss M. Bryant.

To attend to the refreshments: Messrs. Quarles, Hill, Baldwin, Ellis, Kelly, Allison, Torrance, Freeland, and Newlin.

To arrange seats, stand, etc.: J. Swain, Jas. Hill, Dever, Saint, Ray, and Smiley.

To arrange the swing, croquet, etc.: J. D. Cochran, Spencer Bliss, Mrs. Flint, Miss Mary Stewart, Rev. Lowery, and T. A. Rice.

Committee to see that the trees are not injured in any way: A. T. Shenneman, Sheriff Parker, M. L. Robinson.

On invitation: Mrs. E. P. Hickok, O. Lowry, M. Dever, Laura McMillen.

Chief Marshal: E. P. Hickok.

The children of the town and vicinity will meet in the Methodist church on that morning so as to start for the grove at 9 A.M. Outside districts are cordially invited to come and join with us in enjoying the day. Per order of the committee.

[SOLDIERS' REUNION.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 2, 1873.

We, the undersigned, late Soldiers of the Union Army, take this method of calling a meeting of the Soldiers of Cowley and adjoining counties to meet at Winfield, October 18th, 1873, for the purpose of getting acquainted and having a good social time.

James Kelly, Co. A, 84 Ill. Vol. Infantry.

[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT: OCTOBER TERM.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 16, 1873.

JAMES KELLY, Clerk. E. S. BEDILION, Deputy.

[THE SOLDIERS' REUNION.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 23, 1873.

Meeting of the Veterans. At half past 2 o'clock the soldiers, to the number of about 150, fell into line at the tap of the drum, and preceded by the Winfield Martial band, marched to the Methodist Church, which had been kindly tendered for their use. The meeting was called to order by T. A. Blanchard. L. J. Webb was chosen Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary.

The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be to organize a permanent Soldiers' Union.

The following were elected to hold the respective offices until the next meeting.

C. M. WOOD, President; Wm. H. H. McARTHUR, 1st Vice President; A. D. KEITH, 2nd Vice President; BEN F. HARROD, 3rd Vice President; JAMES KELLY, Secretary; T. A. BLANCHARD, Assistant Secretary; Dr. W. Q. MANSFIELD, Treasurer; J. W. MILLSPAUGH, Color bearer.

Mr. Wood, on assuming the chair, made a few brief appropriate remarks.

The following were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the next meeting.

A. A. Jackson, L. J. Webb, J. P. Short, E. S. Torrance, and James Kelly.

A rising vote of thanks was tendered to Miss Leffingwell for the music, which was given with a will. The following resolution was offered by L. J. Webb, and unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That we extend a cordial invitation to the soldiers of the Union Army in Cowley County, to meet with us at our next meeting, and to become members of the society; and that the papers of the county publish this resolution and the proceedings of this meeting.

On motion the meeting adjourned to meet at Winfield on the 29th day of November, 1873. C. M. WOOD, Chairman. JAMES KELLY, Secretary.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1873. Editorial Page.

(The editor really blasted the Telegram editor and James F. Paul, present Register of Deeds, re Farmers' Mass Meeting held in Winfield on the previous Saturday.)

"They had their posters printed at St. Louis, and announced in flaming type the most noted speakers of our state to be present, without, to our certain knowledge, previously inviting them. They held a meeting composed almost entirely of Copperheads and Liberal Republicans. A few straight Republicans being in the meeting secured for C. M. Scott, of the Traveler and the Editor of this paper, a place on the committee on Resolutions.

"There was not a single person present at that meeting engaged in agricultural pursuits for a livelihood that we can think of just now, with one solitary exception. We know of a good many substantial farmers in and about town who were not there. We enumerate: J. D. Cochran, A. T. Stewart, John Lowry; C. M. Wood, A. Meanor [Menor?], J. H. Land, Mr. Roberts, and several others whose names we cannot now recall, farmers in about town, of all political groups, that were not present and had no voice in the meeting at all.

"Who did manage it? Farmer Allison and Farmer Paul, gentlemen who perhaps never turned an acre of ground in all their lives, and who are certainly not now for years past been engaged in agriculture. . . ."

Note: Not certain what the next item is all about. MAW

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 30, 1873.

Mr. Chas. A. Roberts came in yesterday, and made such explanations and apologies as to warrant Mr. Kelly in suspending hostilities as far as Mr. Roberts is concerned. But from what we could "nose" out of the affair, there is somebody else in the "fence;" we look for interesting developments soon, as our grand mogul though one of the kindest most reasonable men alive, when he does start, maketh it warm for somebody.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 6, 1873. Editorial Page.

Recap: Due to the vote by farmers dissatisfied with the status quo in Cowley County, William Martin was elected by a small majority as Representative of Cowley County, defeating Captain McDermott.

A Card. WINFIELD, KANSAS, Oct. 27th, 1873.

MR. JAMES KELLY: Sir: On the evening of October 4th, 1873, Mr. W. H. H. Maris told me, in his store, that you would not only lie but steal, and had stolen from him. He did not state when nor howbut stated the amount was two dollars. And that he would be glad to see you kicked out of town. CHAS. A. ROBERTS.

ED. COURIER, Sir: In reply to a card from Chas. A. Roberts, published in this week's issue of your paper, I would say that the statement made therein, is false, and that, according to the best of my recollections, I have never mentioned your name to him, at any time.

To one person, I did remark, that I would just as soon one would steal from me as to collect money from me and keep it, when it was not due him. I said further, that James Kelly had, in my absence, collected two dollars, from my clerk, on advertising my business, when I never had authorized anyone to advertise for me in that paper. I afterward learned that you intended to refund me the money collected.

Now for the benefit of Chas. A. Roberts, I would say, that, hereafter, he should be able to prove his assertions, or be willing to shoulder the responsibility of his own statements.

W. H. H. MARIS, Winfield, Nov. 3rd, 1873.

I was clerking for W. H. H. Maris at the time Mr. Kelly presented his bill for advertising, and remarked to him that I knew nothing about it, but supposed it was all right. Mr. Kelly said if it was not, he would make it right. I paid him the bill. Mr. Maris told me that he had ordered his card out of the COURIER. The next time I saw Mr. Kelly, I told him what Mr. Maris had said. Mr. Kelly told me if that was the case, he could have his money back, and handed me a ten dollar bill. I could not make the change, and he said he would pay it some other time. P. M. SHOLL.

The above speaks for itself. With regard to the advertising, we will simply say that when we bought the COURIER, we found the card of Mr. Maris as well as other businessmen of Winfield, already in it, and that we collected pay for it, never dreaming but that it was all right until Mr. Sholl, Mr. Maris' clerk, of whom we collected the $2.00, told us that Mr. Maris had told him that his card had been ordered outa fact of which we were not awareand immediately offered to refund the money and handed Mr. Sholl a ten dollar bill to take two out of, but he couldn't make the change. We have simply neglected to pay the money to Mr. Maris, and this is all there is of the great, long abusive article in the Telegram, from Chas. A. Roberts.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 13, 1873.

Ordered that the County printing be awarded to C. M. Scott, of the Arkansas City Traveler, and James Kelly of the Winfield Courier as per agreement on file in the County Clerk's office.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 20, 1873. Editorial.

"Another Swindle." The circumstances are just these: A short time ago, our readers will remember the Telegram was made by Mr. L. J. Webb the County printer, the official County Paper. Not liking the Telegram they laid their heads together to concoct some plan whereby they could vent their spite against the Telegram, and thereby deprive it of the County Printing. They agreed to annul the contract with Mr. Webb, but then came a little hitch between Cox and Smith. Cox wanted to award the printing to the "COURIER" and Smith wanted his pet, the "Traveler," to get the benefit of the change. The other Commissioner being absent, neither could carry his point without the assistance of the other, and consequently after a considerable amount of snapping and snarling over the bone, they agreed that both should have his way. As the sequel to this, an agreement was entered into with Kelly whereby he is to receive ALL THE COUNTY PRINTING for which he is to receive the fees allowed by law, and in addition to this five cents per line for all Commissioners' Proceedings. Another contract with Scott of the "Traveler," was also entered into whereby he is to be furnished ALL THE COUNTY PRINTING for which he is to receive the same fees allowed Kelly for the same services. This makes each the "official paper," when the law provides for but oneand by this they pay two dollars where the law allows but one.

Now the contract between the county and Mr. Webb, was that ALL such work should be done FREE OF CHARGE. So you see by this contract being annulled and the Commissioners satisfying their feelings of spite, the county now pays two dollars for the same work which they were formerly having done free of charge. Thus the people of the county are put to over $1,500.00 extra expense per year just because Manning and the Commissioners do not like the Telegram. This is economy with a vengeance. Out upon such economy and the men who so defraud the people. The jail is too good a place for such menand indeed we think that hanging is nearly too good. It makes not a cent's difference to us. We were receiving no money for the services we were rendering the County, and consequently can lose no more in the change than any other taxpayer in the county, but we do despise to see any set of men so devilish mean as to gratify their hates at the expense of the people. As the editor of a peoples' paper, we feel that it is our duty to show up all such frauds, and to not be "mealy mouthed" in our criticisms of such officials. These same officials we had occasion to show up several times last winter, and since they have been pretty careful not to dive too deep into the trickery. But now that the election is over and their term of office has nearly run out, they make one grand grab so as to gain all for themselves and friends that it is possible to wrench from the people. And then to enter into these contracts while already under one with Mr. Webb, whereby he can make them pay to him all moneys likely to come to him under such contract. This shows business tact, does it not? It certainly takes two to make a contract and just as certainly one party cannot of his own free will annul such contractand so long as Mr. Webb holds himself in readiness to fulfill his part, just so long can he hold the county for the fees justly due him. If he had broken his contract, they had his bondsmen to go back on. But did they do this? Not much! His bondsmen were Kelly, Manning, and Johnson, and if they sued on the contract, these worthies would stand the loss. By their own action they clearly recognized the fact that Mr. Webb had in every way come up to his contract. Yet they make a show of annulling it, as if he had no right in the matter at all. This arbitrary way of doing things might have been appropriate for the dark ages, but is not to be borne by the people of this age, and these men should be made to pay the amount of extra expense, to which they have put the County. Telegram.

The foregoing tirade from the little boy is piteous. If the Telegram did not lie, it would be out of original matter for its readers. The first lie [We think it best to call things by their right names.] in the above, is the statement that the Commissioners have by their action squandered $1,500.00 of the county money. The contract for publishing the proceedings of the board of Commissioners in both papers at five cents per line amounts to only regular rates for such advertisements in one paper, to-wit: Ten cents per line. The COURIER and the Traveler reach about every intelligent family in the county, and the County Board is desirous that the largest circulation shall be given to its proceedings, and did wisely by directing that the proceedings be published in both papers. And the publication of said proceedings will not amount to one fifth the amount stated by the Telegram. Just so many and no more blanks will be printed and used, and it will make no difference, so far as expense is concerned, whether the Traveler or COURIER does the work. This work will cost the same it always has, so that there is no additional expense here. The balance of the county printing does not amount to enough to speak of. The second lie in the above article is the statement that Mr. Webb had made the Telegram the official paper of the county. Mr. Webb never had the authority to do this, and if he attempted to, he failed. If the county printing had been given to all three of the papers so as to include the Telegram, there would have been no howl. Another lie is that "all the county printing is awarded to the Traveler and COURIER." For the most expensive and extensive of the county printing is the blank work, and of course only so many blanks will be printed in any event no matter where done. Another lie is the statement that this action of the Board causes "the county to pay two dollars where the law only allows one." There are no legal rates for Commissioners' proceedings, and the two papers charge just half regular rates and thereby put the reports of county business into twice as many readers' hands as they would be if published in only one of them, and into four times as many hands as they would be if published in the Telegram. In fact, the Commissioners consider it a more acceptable policy to the people to pay regular rates for publishing the county business in papers having a large circulation and some character than it would be to have it published free in a paper without either circulation or character. Mr. Webb did violate his agreement with the Board of County Commissioners. The assertion that the violation of the contract by Webb made his bondsmen responsible is rather hard on Webb, who is thereby admitted to be irresponsible individually. The Telegram had rendered the county no service, and of course was "receiving no money" for the said service. The Commissioners have done in this matter what they considered for the best interest of the whole county. The falsehoods and howls of the Telegram have not deterred them in the past from exercising their own judgment in such matters. The Telegram would have the people believe that the County Board were bad men, but as one single evidence of their integrity and official ability, we call attention to the beautiful Courthouse erected by them at less expense than any similar building in the state.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 20, 1873. Editorial.

County Printing. At the last meeting of the Commissioners, the award for the county printing was again let. For sometime past the county has had no official paper, and the proceedings of the Board, which the law requires to be published, was left undone. Knowing this to be the fact, we repaired to Winfield and put in the claims of the Traveler for the printing, as it has double the circulation of either of the other two, and is largely taken in parts of the county where the others are not. Mr. Kelly then made his claims that the printing should be done at the county seat, and that the COURIER had a circulation where the Traveler had not, and in order to benefit the greater number of people, it was decided to award it to both, and divide the job work. This, we believe, will give greater satisfaction to all than any previous award, except to the Telegram, who will, more than likely, howl as usual, because he was not there to see that his claims were made known, and again the Traveler is the official paper of Cowley County. Traveler.

Winfield Courier, December 4, 1873. Editorial

The Soldier's Association met at Winfield Nov. 27th, 1873. After falling into line under command of Capt. Wm. H. H. McArthur and preceded by the Winfield Silver Cornet Band, they were marched to Hudson's Hall, the place designated for the business meeting. The Association was called to order by C. M. Wood, President of the Association, who introduced Capt. S. C. Smith, Mayor of Winfield, who in a few happy remarks bade the heroes welcome to Winfield. The Secretary read the minutes of the meeting of October 18th.

Col. E. C. Manning, chairman of the Committee to draft a Constitution and By-Laws, submitted the draft, which was read by sections, etc. James Kelly, Secretary.

Winfield Courier, December 12, 1873. James Kelly, Editor.

The Courthouse is now completed, and the county officers assigned to their respective places. We think that a description of this beautiful structure will not be altogether uninteresting, at least, to the tax payers of the county; although we may say right here, that no pen picture can give more than a crude idea of this splendid building.

The main building is 40 x 50 ft. The foundation is of stone, rubbleworked, cut-stone water-table, door, and window sills. The walls are 16 in. thick, and are of the best quality of brick. The first story is 11 ft. high, and the second 15 ft. The roof is what is commonly denominated double gable truss and heavily iron strapped, and bolted, with a tower 22 ft. high, the foundation posts of which are 12 x 12 inch oak timbers extending clear across the entire width of the building, the whole surmounted by a beautiful weather-vane, constructed by Mr. C. R. Sipes of Arkansas City, and we believe, a present to the county. A hall 8 ft. wide runs through the building, from South to North, with heavy double panel doors at each end. The offices are arranged on each side of the hall, six in number, and are 13 x 15 ft. sq. with two large 10 light windows in each room. The Courtroom proper is on the second floor, and is 37 x 38 ft. in the clear. On the north end, and on either side of the stair landing, are two jury rooms each 12 ft. square, which open into the courtroom by folding doors. The inside is painted both inside, and out, with three coats, and has three coats of plaster, the last a plaster paris finish; and is, on the whole, one of the best, prettiest, and most substantial buildings, of the kindand certainly the best for the moneyin the state. Of the contractors, Stewart & Simpson, we need say but little: their work speaks for them. The brick bank building of M. L. Read, and now the courthouse, will stand as monuments of the skill, honesty, and integrity of Messrs. Stewart & Simpson, long after they will have passed away. The sub-contractors, Messrs. Rice & Ray, carpenters, also deserve special mention. But our space will not permit us to say further than that they have shown themselves to be master workmen, and have done the county a good, honest job.

We cannot close this imperfect sketch without saying a word for our county Board, Frank Cox, O. C. Smith, and John D. Maurer. They early saw that the building of good substantial buildings would be a saving to the county every year. The history of our neighboring county, Howard, is just now a case in point. Election after election has been held, the county seat moved, to use a homely phrase, "from pillar to post." Thousands of dollars annually squandered in vain attempts to settle it. They, in common, with all right thinking men, saw that in a short time the history of Cowley would furnish but a parallel to the history of Howard, and that so long as the county had no buildings of her own, the county seat was simply a bone of contention, to be pulled hither and thither at the whim or caprice of any who might take it into their heads to move it.

The Board of County Commissioners of Cowley County have built a better courthouse, for less money, than can be found in any other county in the state. No stealing, no jobbing, no trickery, of any kind whatever, but honesty, faithfulness, a desire to do the very best for the public have marked the history of the enterprise in an uncommon degree. The Board of County Commissioners deserve the thanks of every taxpayer in Cowley County.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Winfield Courier, Friday, December 19, 1873.

James Kelly was directed to procure appropriate signs and place the same on the office doors of the Courthouse.

The sheriff was ordered to set up the county stove that is in the District Clerk's office in the courtroom of the Courthouse.

James Kelly, Co. printing: $19.50.

Winfield Courier, January 2, 1874. James Kelly, Editor.

A Peep Over the Shoulder. This number completes Volume 1st of the WINFIELD COURIER. One year ago it was started to supply a want long felt, not only in the Republican party, but among businessmen of all shades of opinion, who desired a good advertising medium. . . .

The buildings erected during the year just closed have been of the most substantial kind, the most prominent of which we call to mind, the splendid brick Bank building of M. L. Read; the neat Drug house of Maris, Carson & Baldwin; the magnificent flowering mills of C. A. Bliss and Blandin & Covert; the jail and Courthouse; the residences of Kirk, McMillen, and Dr. Graham. These are but a few of the many built during the last twelve months, and they are such as to do credit to any town in the state. Bridges of magnificent proportions span all main streams on the roads leading to town. . . .

Winfield Courier, January 9, 1874.

Every person in Cowley County who can raise enough money to pay half fare is going to Topeka as a delegate to the third house. Our worthy legislator, Hon. Wm. Martin, and his noon-day shadow, Allison, have already taken their departure and they will be followed in due time by W. W. Walton, R. L. Walker, E. B. Kager, James McDermott, James Kelly, and others too numerous to mention.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.

Jas. Kelly, office signs: $5.00.

Ordered that the personal property assessed to James Kelly be transferred on the tax roll to R. W. Waddell & Co.

Jas. Kelly was permitted to withdraw from the files a bill enacted upon filed January 7th, 1874.

[EXCERPTS FROM "EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE."]

Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874. Front Page.

Special Correspondent, "J. K." sent news from Topeka January 26, 1874, re Kansas Legislature. [J. K. is James Kelly.]

The Senate passed a resolution declaring that members should not draw pay for services not rendered; in other words, should not receive their per diem for such time as they might be absent from the sessions. In the House Mr. Boyd, farmer, from Montgomery County, moved to indefinitely postpone it (which motion would kill it) and the motion carried. Martin of Cowley voted "Aye."

The Senate also passed a resolution that members who had accepted free passes from the railroads and whose passage to and from the legislature cost them nothing, should not draw their mileage of 15 cents per mile each way. This was indefinitely postponed in the House on motion of Mr. Potter, reformer, of Coffey County, the farmers and reformers all voting "Aye."

The "Act to exempt mortgages from taxation," as it is called, has been repealed.

A bill has been introduced into the House to create the county of Yates, including that part of the 20 mile strip which is in Butler County.

A bill has also been introduced to create the county of Elk, out of the north half of Howard. It is waiting the action of the House.

The petitions signed by our people praying for an extension of the time in which to make payment for our lands, was put into the shape of a concurrent resolution, and offered in the Senate by Senator Murdock the second day of the session and laid over one day under the rules. The next day it was taken up, adopted, and sent to the House, where it was referred to the Judiciary committee, which committee reported it back recommending its adoption. Since then nothing has been done with it. It might have been adopted in five minutes, at any time, but it seems to be left to float around loose, without anyone to look after it, and today, the fourteenth day of the session, it has not yet been adopted.

Our Representative, Mr. Martin, has introduced a bill to vacate the state road from Ninnescah to Winfield. He tried to introduce it under the head of "Presentation of Petitions," and sent it up to the Clerk's desk, but it was returned with the information that it was out of order. Afterward he was more fortunate and succeeded in getting it in. J. K.

Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874. James Kelly, Editor.

THE COUNTY DEBT. We understand, since our arrival at home, that an effort is being made to have Mr. Martin procure the necessary legislation allowing the Board of County Commissioners to fund, or rather bond, the county indebtedness. We do not believe that the people of Cowley County wish this thing done. Twelve months ago, the circumstances were altogether different. Then we had a Courthouse to build and many thought it necessary to provide funds for that. But now that our county buildings are all complete, we can see no necessity for it. We are very well aware that it would be money in the pockets of a few, for instance, county officials, who have to take most, or all their fees, in scrip. But we are now hopeful that the tax next year, with care and economy, will clear the county almost, if not altogether, of debt. In the present state of affairs we would not favor any bill authorizing the Board to bond the debt without first submitting the question to a vote of the people of the county. And we hope that whatever legislation Mr. Martin secures in that particular will provide that the question be so submitted. We would be glad to hear from our readers on this subject, that we may act understandingly in the matter and take such action as will place the county on the best financial basis having due regard for those who hold the county's "promises to pay."

Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874.

James McDermott, E. S. Torrance, W. W. Walton, and James Kelly returned home last Monday night.

Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874. Editorial.

THE OTHER SIDE. The editor of the Telegram is howling at the COURIER, charging it with having so much influence with the granges of Cowley County, and Representative Martin, as to prevent the bonding of the county indebtedness. Among other idiotic statements he asserts that it would take a direct tax of, from seven to ten, percent to pay the county indebtedness, which he asserts is $28,000. This modern Euclid don't know that a tax of one and one-half percent upon the taxable property of the county would raise $30,000. The valuation of the property of the county last year was $1,260,963.33½. There were entered, prior to March 1st, 1873, 1,240 tracts of land, which were taxable last year; since which time, there has been entered and placed on the county clerk's books 722 other tracts. Now, it is safe to estimate that the value of all property will have risen in the same proportion, or seven- twelfths more property for the purposes of taxation, then last year. This would give us a total valuation of $1,902,823. Then, including what mortgages can be taxed, and we have an aggregate in round numbers of $2,000,000. Then on a valuation of $2,000,000, a levy of one and one-half (1½) percent, instead of 7 or 10, as the Telegram has it, would wipe out the debt. Pick your flint and try it again, brother Allison, or come over and take lessons in Arithmetic of our devil. But we do not propose to make any extra levy this year, to pay off the entire debt. If we can pay one-half this year, and the remaining half, next, we can do so, and scarcely feel it.

We were not aware that the COURIER had so much influence with Mr. Martin, last winter, as to deter that gentleman from putting an enabling act through the Legislature. Had we then but known, the COURIER's most potent influence, we would have certainly used it to prevent the passage of some of the outrageous measures that were enacted last winter. And, perhaps, had we been employed by certain scrip holders to go and stay in Topeka all winter, to run the Representative from Cowley, and see that he put a bond bill through, and then failed, after all our peculiar efforts, we might howl too.

[Note: This issue had two articles relative to stupidity on the part of the County Board in giving county printing to Allison. It worked! Kelly got printing soon after.]

Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874. James Kelly, Editor.

The Indian Territory. The Kansas City Times says that "the people of Kansas are almost a unit in favor of the Indian Territory." If it means that the people of this state are in favor of the opening of the Indian Territory to general settlement, its assertion is absurd. Not one in ten is in favor of any such thing. Atchison Champion.

The Champion might go still further and truthfully say that the only support any such movement has in the states comes from a class of roving and impecunious political adventurers who are seeking new fields wherein to plant themselves. That is the only element in the state which favors opening and organizing the Territory. Paola Spirit.

No sensible Kansan wishes to see the Territory, just south of us, opened up, not because it is a better country than this, for it is not. But because people would make a rush down there all the same, leave pleasant homes here, and although at the end of the year they would find themselves willing to come back, the mischief would be complete. No, gentlemen, none but the politicians about Washington and the hangers-on and loafers about our own towns wish to see the Territory open for settlement.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874.

James Kelly, District Clerk: $2.90; $12.00; $2.00; $2.00; $9.30.

James Kelly, Printing: $35.00; $12.50; $7.90; $2.25; $6.25; $6.75.

Winfield Courier, May 1, 1874. Editorial.

As we promised our readers last week, we now lay before them a statement of the cost of Stationery, Printing, etc., since the 1st day of January, 1873. This includes books that have ben ordered for the County Clerk and Treasurer's offices, and probably some others.

R. S. Waddell & Co. $125.12

W. M. Allison 76.08

C. M. Scott 295.00

James Kelly $238.81

Total: $740.01

Brayden & Burford, Indianapolis, Ind.: $ 77.65

Dodsworth & Co., Leavenworth, Kansas: $594.40

Crane & Byron, Topeka, Kansas: $1,013.90 Grand Total: $1,688.95

It must now be borne in mind that included in the county printing is the item $229.25, for advertising the delinquent tax list, every dollar of which the county gets back. Several other items included in the printer's bill which the county does not lose, as, for instance, in the case of rejected road petitions, etc., where the principal petitioner has the cost to pay.

We are inclined to take the most liberal view of the amount that went out of the county in that time and allow two thirds of the amount for books, legal cap, ink, pens, pencils, etc., which could not be had here, and that leaves us the sum of $562.98½ that should have been paid to some printer in Cowley County. Now, we do not mean to say that the above sum has been thrown away, by no means; but on the other hand we suppose the county has got value received for its money. But, we do say that the work can be done in Cowley County just as well and for the same price. Then, why not have it done here? Echo, please answer. As we said last week, no agency in a county does so much to settle up that county as its newspapers. Then why not give them all the encouragement possible and the crumbs which will fall from the county table, anyway? We hope that those who have charge of county affairs, will, in the future, look at the subject in a higher, broader sense than they have heretofore.

Winfield Courier, May 8, 1874.

Fishermen are happyexcept Manning and Kelly, who went angling the other evening and didn't get a bite.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS .]

Winfield Courier, May 22, 1874.

James Kelly, county printing: $242.65; $17.00; $2.50; $34.00.

Winfield Courier, June 12, 1874.

At a meeting of the officers of the Soldiers' Association of Cowley County, held at Winfield, June 4th, 1874, it was decided to have the reunion of the Association at Winfield July 4, 1874. All soldiers are cordially invited to attend and participate in the exercises of the day. Citizens are cordially invited, and the Patrons of Husbandry are especially invited to come and take part in the general exercises. A programme will be published in due time.

C. M. WOOD, Pres. JAMES KELLY, Secretary.

[PROCEEDINGS OF 4TH OF JULY PLANNING COMMITTEE.]

Winfield Courier, June 12, 1874.

M. L. Robinson, James Kelly, and J. T. Hall were appointed a committee to procure speakers.

L. J. Webb and James Kelly were appointed a committee on artillery.

James Kelly offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That we extend a cordial invitation to the several Granges of the county to attend and participate in the celebration.

[COMMUNICATION FROM S. M. FALL RE TROUP ARTICLE.]

Winfield Courier, June 19, 1874.

COMMUNICATED. LAZETTE, KANSAS, June 15th, 1874. BRO. KELLY: In answer to an article which appeared in your paper June 12th, written by one M. G. Troup, we would say that the spirit of his piece is not good, and any man to read it carefully can see that it is a boastful, headstrong, lengthy, labored article. Said committee considered it would be much better, and give more general satisfaction to be governed by instruction and advice from the County Commissioners, than a swell headed County Clerk, who repeatedly refused to let us have paper, pencils, receipts, etc., which we were justly entitled to in the prosecution of the work. If we had prosecuted the work in a way that Mr. Troup wanted us to, instead of the Commissioners, we would have been first rate fellows. But because he could not run the committee and Commissioners to whitewash the thing and have it said that he is the Grand Mogul of the whole concern, he became impudent and sulky. A man that undertook to find a delinquent list and upon trial couldn't find a correct one, and yet swore he knew he was right and the committee a set of fools, and did not know anything about it, this committee has no use for. I would suggest that brother Troup part his hair in the middle, take county scrip, and buy a new plug hat, let Cowley County furnish him a gold headed cane, in order that he may walk about the city, put on style, and be more in his natural element. I do not wish to enter into a long personal dispute or quarrel in this matter, but if brother Troup don't go a little slow, he will be shown up in a more minute and particular manner at no very distant day. Respectfully, S. M. FALL.

Winfield Courier, July 31, 1874.

To Our Patrons. In order to simplify our business, and make it more agreeable to publisher and patron, we have agreed, from and after this date, to charge the uniform price of ten cents per line for each and every insertion for local or special advertising.

(Signed) W. M. ALLISON, Cowley Co. Telegram.

JAMES KELLY, WINFIELD COURIER.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.

Messrs. E. C. Manning, B. F. Baldwin, and James Kelly, senior quill driver of this paper, left this city last Monday morning for Wichita, then to take the train for other parts. Mr. Baldwin to visit his mother, who is very ill at her home in Illinois, and Mr. Manning and Kelly to attend the State Convention at Topeka of which Mr. Kelly is a member.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

Mr. Kelly, the senior editor, has been very sick the past few days, but is recovering at present.

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

Mr. Kelly, the Sen. editor, has been up in the north part of the State all of this week. Numerous reports are in circulation as regards his business. Some who pretend to be posted state that he will undergo a great and wonderful change in his relation to the world and particularly to one of the gentler sex. We await further developments.

[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT: SEPTEMBER TERM.]

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

JAMES KELLY, Clerk. E. S. BEDILION, Deputy.

[THE POST OFFICE RING.]

Winfield Courier, September 25, 1874. [Editorial by James Kelly.]

The readers of the COURIER will bear witness to our patience under the slanderous misrepresentations of the Telegram and its allies, for two years past. We have hoped in forbearance to avoid a conflict with the "ring" that keeps that paper on its legs. Long since the people of the county withdrew their support from it on account of its personal abuse and unreliability. For more than a year it has been kept running by desperate makeshifts, by moving from room to room, and from garret to cellar about town because it could not pay rent. By paying its employees with promises, by borrowing material, by taking continuances in court against creditors who were trying to compel it, or its editor, to pay their honest debts, and with the aid of all the subterfuges, practiced only by scoundrels, backed by a ring that we hereafter describe in detail, it has succeeded in maintaining a sickly existence.

The ostensible purpose of its being is reform in politics and abuse of Manning. The real purpose of its being is the maintenance of the "Post Office ring" in Winfield. This ring has no influence in the country whatever except through it organ, the Telegram.

If a democrat in Pleasant Valley wants an office, he knows he must get it without the aid of the republican partyhence he comes to town, joins the post office ring in the abuse of the republican party, and says that Manning runs it. This is reported to the Telegram and at once Mr. Democrat is called a hardy son of toil, and a good man for some office. No questions are asked about his qualifications in reading, writing, or spelling, nor is his past character looked into. It is enough to know that he is opposed to Manning.

If a bull-head from Tisdale Township wants an office, whose ignorance and stupidity makes him a failure as a farmer, and who cannot get an endorsement from any intelligent man in the county, he at once seeks the P. O. ring, puts in some heavy anathemas against the Republican party in general and Manning in particular, and he is at once reported to the Telegram as a good man from Tisdale to work up the reform ticket in that locality.

If a bummer of Arkansas City, who has been kicked out of the Republican party for incompetency, ignorance, and rascality, wants an office, he writes an abusive article about Manning specially, and the Republican party generally, signs himself "Republican" or "farmer," sends it to the Telegram for publication, whereupon the P. O. ring set him down as one of the "good, noble, and true," men of Creswell Township who are disgusted with conventions and party lines, and who will make a good candidate on the "reform" ticket for some office.

Now and then a man who has voted for the Republican ticket for years from principle, is proposed for some office, and is beaten in convention because some other man is thought to be better, and he in a fit of passion and disappointment will fall to berating the Republican party or some of its members, whereupon the P. O. ring and Telegram fall to besliming him and convincing him that he was beaten by a trick, and that merit has no show in the Republican organization, and his only hope is to be a "reformer."

When the creditors of Allison or the Telegram press too hard upon the concern for pay, postmaster Johnston, or M. L. Read, step in with either cash or security and give relief. They can't afford to have the thing go down. Thus the P. O. "ring," by management, and the Telegram by blowing, have made and are making perpetual war on:

1st. The Republican party of Cowley County.

2nd. On the financial interests of Cowley County.

3rd. On the material development of Cowley County.

4th. On the business prosperity of Winfield.

Now we propose to show how it is done, and to show up the men who are doing it.

As to the first charge: the Republican party of Cowley County is or should be composed of men who adhere to the principle and policy of the national party, and carrying its principles and policy into Cowley County affairs, they demand that honest, competent, and honorable men be put in office, and that the public money be economically used, and strictly accounted for. That manufactories be fostered and markets for produce be established. To this end has the COURIER labored. To this end have the active members of the party devoted their energies politically. We challenge from anyone a successful contradiction of this statement.

The P. O. ring and the Telegram, have done for two years, and are still doing their best, to destroy the Republican party, and to defeat its noble mission. Two years ago this fall the

P. O. ring opposed the Republican nominees and worked up the liberal ticket and supported it. Capt. McDermott, the Republican nominee, was elected to the House in spite of them. As a member of the legislature from Cowley County he sent forty copies of the Commonwealth every week during the session, to the Winfield post office for distribution among the people here that they might know what the action of their representative was. Postmaster Johnston did not distribute those papers, but destroyed them, and Capt. McDermott knew nothing of it until his return. Not one word of reproach can be raised against Capt. McDermott while a member of the legislature.

Nor can one word of reproach be truthfully said against any of the county officers elected by the Republican party two years ago, save it be some acts of the county board.

Now we declare that neither the Republican party nor any of its active members were responsible for the actions of the board which were subject to criticism. The county board was composed of two men, Messrs. Cox and Maurer, who were elected by the Republican party, and Mr. Smith, the other, was elected on the liberal ticket. There are but one or two acts of that board that can by any stretch of the imagination be subjected to justifiable censure. One is the erection of the courthouse, without authority from the people, another was extravagance in purchasing books and blanks for the county officers.

For the first act, Col. J. M. Alexander and the P. O. ring are responsible. They are the parties who more than anyone persuaded Mr. Cox to make the contract with the city of Winfield to build a courthouse and jail.

Mr. Maurer, one of the Republican commissioners of the county, never consented to the movement. This action of the board was taken, too, in the face of a protest against it, signed by several prominent Republicans of Cowley County, E. C. Manning among the number.

The Telegram at the time endorsed the action of the board, and ridiculed the protest. This action of the P. O. ring cost the county $12,500.

For the second act A. A. Jackson, a Democrat, elected on the "people's" ticket, is responsible. He was familiar with the wants of the various county officers, and ordered books and blanks at pleasure. He obtained the confidence of the board and either recommended all the books and blanks that were ordered or else ordered them himself, and afterwards obtained the sanction of the board by stating that they were necessary. Jackson made a certain percent on all the books and blanks ordered by him by special arrangement with the various firms from which he ordered them. Jackson was one of the Telegram's pets at that time and a howler against the Republican party, and of course that paper had no word of censure for him. By this arrangement the county lost several thousand dollars.

The two acts above mentioned are all that could in any fairness be censured, unless it be claimed that the salaries allowed some of the county officers be considered too high. This may be true, but no party is to blame for that. Col. Alexander and other pets of the Telegram told the board that the salaries allowed the County Attorney and Probate Judge ought to be allowed, and several Republicans, among the number, E. C. Manning, discountenanced all these propositions, and Col. Manning declined to accept one half of the salary of the Probate Judge, notwithstanding he was entitled to it under the terms of his partnership association with Judge Johnson. He told Judge Johnson at the time that the salary was too large and he would not have a cent of any such money. So much for Colonel Manning, who we think deserves this mention at our hands, in passing, as he has been accused by the Telegram and its snuffers with being at the head, or bottom, of all the rascality ever perpetrated in the county.

An examination of County Clerk Jackson's books, which was demanded by the COURIER and Mr. Troup, the Republican County Clerk, who succeeded Mr. Jackson, developed the fact that Jackson's books, through incompetency, criminality, or both, were in a scandalously incorrect condition, and that J. P. Short, Deputy County Treasurer, had embezzled several thousand dollars of public money. Short was not a Republican elect, but was a member of the P. O. "Ring," a pet of the Telegram, and a howler against the Republican party.

An investigating committee of three, two of whom, the Chairman and one other member, opposed the Republican party last fall, has thus far failed to find anything wrong with the affairs of the Republican county officers although they have been in session several months.

The Telegram is for anybody or anything that will keep T. K. Johnston in the Post Office at Winfield, and serve the interests of its masters, Read & Robinson, and Alexander & Saffold.

When the COURIER expressed the sense of the Republicans of Cowley County, by reproaching Judge Lowe, our member of Congress, for his vote in favor of the salary gain bill, the Telegram made haste to endorse Judge Lowe, and the P. O. Ring sent Lowe a marked copy of each paper. About that time there was an effort made to put Johnston out and put in somebody else, but it failed through Lowe's influence. Lowe was told that all the Republicans wanted was a man in harmony with the party, no one was particular about the individual. But the COURIER had incurred Mr. Lowe's displeasure for denouncing him in common with the other salary grabbers. This coupled with the "Ring" endorsement of him saved T. K. At the present hour, after abusing the Republican administration, national, state, and county, for two years, the Telegram hoists the Republican State ticket because it knows it will be elected anyway. This is done to get Governor Osborn's endorsement to keep Johnston in the Post Office. It then hoists J. K. Hudson's name, a newspaper publisher, as a candidate for Congress because he is a "farmer," and hoists R. B. Saffold's name for State Senator because he is a "reformer," and opposed to the Republican party; while H. C. St. Clair, the Republican nominee, is a practical farmer and a patron of husbandry.

Now the Telegram and the "ring" are moving everything to organize an opposition to the Republican party of Cowley County this fall. Why? Because the Republican party won't endorse Johnston, a man bitterly obnoxious to the public, and notoriously dishonest, as postmaster; won't give the carpet-bagger from Leavenworth, Alexander, an office; won't favor the bonding of the County debt so as to enable Read & Robinson, and a few non- residents, to convert the several thousands of dollars of Co. scrip that they hold, into cash. These are the real reasons, no matter what their pretended reasons are. This disposes of charge No. 1.

Now for charge No. 2.

At the time the County Board let the Courthouse contract, Read & Robinson, bankers, were behind the scenes with the money bags. No one would take the contract unless the scrip could be cashed. Read & Robinson, bankers (known as M. L. Read), took the scrip at 65 cents on the dollar. They got it all. In August of last year, the Telegram "Ring" tried to hold a "farmers" political meeting at Winfield. They partially failed of their purpose. Rev. William Martin was one of the speakers of the occasion. The "ring" saw that Martin was the kind of stuff to make an available candidate out of, for the Legislature. He was just about stupid enough to be "above suspicion." So T. K. Johnston went out to the old man's home shortly after the meeting to interview him. He found the old man "sound," found him possessed of that qualification without which no "reformer" in Cowley County is considered sound, that is, he was opposed to Manning (that he didn't know why he should be, doesn't matter), and were he not a Reverend, might be induced to curse him, which would make him the more desirable. Anyway, he would oppose him and that was a good start in the right direction (although Manning was an invalid in the state of New York at that time and had been all summer, but at last accounts he was alive and consequently dangerous); then he would keep T. K. in the Post Office, and favor bonding Read & Robinson's scrip, and besides was "above suspicion." But the old man didn't want to be the representative, or said he didn't, nor would he consent to run. T. K. came back gloomy. The horizon about the Post office was beginning to get somewhat cloudy. By a little strategy, however, by representing to the old man that the people considered him "above suspicion," and demanded that he make the sacrifice, the old man yielded. "Reform" delegates were worked up in Martin's interest, and he was nominated. By Telegram falsehoods he was elected, and almost the first thing he did was to try to bond the scrip. The Telegram, backed by Read & Robinson, at home, and Allison at his elbow at Topeka, helped him. But the COURIER and the people opposed the measure and he failed.

Last week the Legislature met in extra session to relieve the destitute. Martin went to Topeka. Just before he went to take his seat, he had an interesting interview with members of the "ring." We understand they went in a carriage to his residence in the country and what took place at that interview, of course we can't tell, except by what the Hon. William did when he reached Topeka. The second bill introduced into the House was "House bill No. 2 by William Martin to bond the debt of Cowley County." It is no measure of relief, no stay of law, no postponement of taxes, no appropriation for the needy, no act of any kind for the relief of the poverty stricken of Cowley County, but an act to convert the scrip of Read & Robinson, Geo. L. Thompson, J. C. Horton, et al, into Cowley County bonds. This, too, in the face of the well known opposition of the taxpayers of Cowley County to bonds of any kind.

Charge No. 3: they make "war on the material interests of Cowley County." To this we say, that by stirring up strife, by seeking to promote personal ends, by detracting from the influence of those who would work unselfishly for the welfare of the whole county, they prevent that material development that awaits us if our people would work and counsel together.

The one overshadowing interest to Cowley County, after the distress of the present hard times is provided for, is the building of a railroad through the Indian Territory. The Republican party is turning its attention to this question.

The P. O. ring and the Telegram are too busy looking after county bonds and "available men" who are "above suspicion" to pay any attention to it. The "ring" delegates to the "reform" congressional convention (Allison and A. Walton) did not go to Emporia and demand a recognition of the interests of Cowley County in that convention. They remained at home still looking for available men who were "above suspicion," and to help Johnston watch the post office for fear Manning might steal it in their absence.

Cowley was not represented in the convention that nominated J. K. Hudson. What did these fellows care about a market for the farmer's produce so long as they could get their votes? On the other hand, the Republicans sent active, able men to represent them, in the Republican convention at Emporia. Those delegates demanded that the candidates should be pledged to a railroad direct to Galveston, through the Indian Territory. The majority of the delegates in that convention lived on railroads that already lead to Galveston, and defeated the Cowley County resolutions offered by Col. Manning.

Now the Telegram jeers those delegates for their failure. The Telegram and the P. O. ring sneers at the efforts made to wake the people of Cowley up to the importance of this question.

As to the fourth charge, "war on the business prosperity of Winfield."

The P. O. ring, and the Telegram, in order to divert attention from their real designs, must abuse and malign someone, and these are generally the best men in town and county. A. T. Stewart, J. B. Fairbank, C. M. Wood, Rev. Parmelee, C. A. Bliss, W. M. Boyer, and others, together with all the county officers it could not control, have suffered calumny at its hand. The people of the county are taught that the citizens of Winfield are thieves and cutthroats. This drives people away from the town. This divides our people among themselves. It prevents a cooperation among the citizens of the place in any laudable endeavor, either charitable, educational, religious, moral, or social, or for the general prosperity of the place. No one can deny this.

The COURIER has endeavored to establish good feeling among our own people, and to show to the people of the county that there was no cause for bad blood between town and country. It and its friends have received nothing but abuse in return.

The cabal that backs the Telegram in its baseness has its head and front in Alexander & Saffold, Read & Robinson, and T. K. Johnston. This "ring" is what Alexander calls the "respectable faction in the Republican party."

We have written what we have written in calmness, after carefully considering the whole subject. We have no desire to make personal assaults on any man. But we have come to the conclusion that longer submission to the assaults of this "ring" upon us, through their mouth- piece, would be cowardly. And in the interests of the people of Cowley County, who have so long been mislead by the misrepresentations of this "ring," we herewith fire our first shot.

Winfield Courier, September 25, 1874.

Astronomers tell us that the planet Jupiter has four satellites, whose apparent motion is oscillatory. That is, they weave first one way from Jupiter, and his attraction being so great as to force them to return, they fly back with such velocity as to carry them beyond when they are compelled to return again, and so continue. All but one are represented as being larger than Jupiter. Singular as it may appear we have an imitation of this wonder in the animal kingdom. Jupiter and his satellitesManning and his delegates: Walton, Boyer, Kelly, and Webb. Telegram of Sept. 18th.

The curious orthography of the word "satellites" in two places in the above extract and the remarkable discovery that three of Jupiter's satellites are each larger than Jupiter, are earmarks of such ample proportions as to convince us that none other than the celebrated "God bless the Grangers" Alexander could be its author. As that would-be candidate for Congress and the State Senate has a hankering for the office of County Attorney, we suppose that Webb must be the smaller satellite referred to.

Winfield Courier, September 25, 1874.

MARRIED. Our Editor has gone from the midst of his bachelor friends and become a quiet, steady going benedict. On the 15th inst. he was married to M. E. Arnold of Iowa and with his wife returned home last Friday. We might have given him some highfalutin sendoff if the Telegram hadn't slopped over in such a sickish manner, but under the circumstances, we don't think it necessary, so we will say that Mr. Kelly was fortunate in his selection, and we wish them both a long and pleasant life.

[CAMPAIGN MEETING: NELSON ABBOTT COMES AND GOES.]

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874.

Nelson Abbott came to Winfield the day that September left. Wednesday night the courtroom filled with voters to hear Nelson speak. Besides some things that Nelson isn't, he is a candidate on the "reform" ticket for Secretary of State. Nelson is some things, but he isn't a good many things. He is the publisher of a democratic paper in Atchison, he is an awkward public speaker, is doing the republican ticket much good, and is a fair specimen of the "reform" genius. He isn't an honest man, he isn't doing his cause any good, he isn't paying off those lottery tickets, isn't telling the truth one-third of the time when he talks, isn't fooling anybody with his lies, isn't going to be elected secretary of state.

He opened his remarks by saying that last fall the reform party had only county organizations throughout the state, and that said reformers were successful in electing their candidates in a majority of the counties. This being true the reformers had a majority in the Legislature. He then charged this same legislature with authorizing Barbour and Harper counties to issue large amounts of bonds, fraudulently. That was the work of the reform legislature, Nelson, and not chargeable to the republican party. He then charged the republican party with robbing the school fund of 500,000 acres of land and giving it to railroads, but forgot to tell us that Sam Crawford, who is now a noisy reformer, was governor at the time and signed the bill, and that F. W. Potter and dozens of other blatant reformers were then members of the legislature and voted for the bill and held the law to be constitutional.

But the wind was badly let out of Nelson when Mr. Kelly, the senior editor of this paper, who knew Abbott in Macomb, Illinois, took the floor and told the audience that Abbott published a scandalous, copperhead paper in Macomb during the war, and only saved his press by taking the oath of allegiance. He stated that Abbott's paper counseled resistance to the draft, advised desertion, and so incensed and encouraged the copperheads at home as to cause the murder of W. H. Randolph, the deputy provost marshal. He also accused Abbott of selling lottery tickets to dispose of his own property in Macomb, and then sold the property at private sale and left the country with his ticket money in his pocket.

Abbott denied all these charges, but Mr. E. P. Kinne of Arkansas City, who also knew Abbott and his history, happened to be present and at once arose and verified Mr. Kelly's statement.

Great applause followed Mr. Kelly's exposure of Abbott. From this time on the meeting became boisterous but good natured. Judge Ross, the chairman, got "on his ear" and defended the old time democracy in eloquent terms, and urged the people to disregard party lines and unite on honest men for office. The Judge's enthusiasm and rough hewn sentences, frequently brought down the house.

R. B. Saffold, democrat, and Allison's candidate for the state senate, made a few remarks.

Capt. Jas. Christian, of Lawrence, happened to be present, and was called out. His speech was humorous and well put, its criticisms being divided not equally between the republican and reform parties. He was a democrat and took no stock in either. He admitted that Abbott might have been a bad man, but if he was trying to reform himself now and live an honest life hereafter, he should be allowed to do so.

The Winfield band discoursed sweet music for the occasion. Taken altogether the meeting was cold comfort to Abbott and his followers, and it were far better for Nelson and his cause if he had never seen Winfield.

Date out of order, but it pertains to above item...

The Commonwealth, Thursday Morning, October 8, 1874.

When Cusey gets to be governor, his first official act will probably be to send a squad of militia down to Winfield, in Cowley County, with orders to shoot Jim Kelly, of the Courier, on the spot. Jim has been conducting himself in a manner that no rinderpest governor can ever excuse. He attended a reform meeting at Winfield the other night, and had the audacity to jump up in the midst of the exercises and reach for the political scalp of Hon. Nelson Abbott, the leading orator of the occasion, in a way that the average Kansas reformer doth most despise. Kelly knew Abbott of yore, it seems, in the pleasant pastoral village of Macomb, Illinois; and he improved the opportunity at Winfield to indulge in a few mighty interesting reminiscences concerning the said Abbott's conduct in those days. He stated, among other things, that Abbott published a scandalous and virulent copperhead newspaper at Macomb during the war, in which he counseled resistance to the draft and advised desertion from the army, and so encouraged and emboldened the copperheads of that section as to lead to the murder by them of one W. H. Randolph, deputy provost marshal for the county. Also, that he (Abbott) got up a lottery scheme to dispose of his property in Macomb, and then, after selling a considerable number of tickets, sold the property at private sale, and skipped out of the country with the ticket money in his pocket. Abbott vehemently denied the truth of these accusations, and then Mr. E. P. Kinne, who also knew Abbott in Illinois, promptly arose and verified Kelly's statements; and Kelly said that any citizen of Macomb at the time alluded to will cheerfully corroborate all the charges.

At the risk of being accused of aiding and abetting in the work of confusing the counsels and exciting the passions of the reformers, we have to say that we think Kelly did a very proper and very effective thing in telling Abbott's audience those little stories of the olden time. It was a lick straight from the shoulderthe kind Jim Kelly always strikesand will give Abbott and his friends something to think about that is practical in its nature and full of interesting suggestions.

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874.

Programme of the Literary and Musical Entertainment to be given at the Courthouse in Winfield, in connection with the Teacher's Institute, for the benefit of the Public School Organ fund, on Wednesday evening, October 7th, 1874.

Listing participants only. Prof. E. J. Hoyt, leader, orchestra; Glee club; poem by W. W. Walton, essay by Miss Melville of the Emporia State Normal School, song by Mrs. Russell of Wichita and Prof. E. W. Hulse, essay by Miss Jennie Greenlee, duet and chorus by Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. T. A. Wilkinson, instrumental music by Miss Ora Lowery and T. A. Wilkinson.

A farce in one act, "Specter Bridegroom, or a Ghost in Spite of Himself," was put on by T. A. Wilkinson, James Kelly, W. W. Walton, V. B. Beckett, A. H. Hane, Fred C. Hunt, Mrs. James Kelly, Mrs. Flint.

Single tickets 50 cents; 75 cents for gent and lady. Children half price.

Winfield Courier, October 9, 1874.

A large and enthusiastic meeting greeted our candidate for Congress. The Winfield Silver Cornet Band discoursed some of their delightful pieces.

James Kelly, secretary of the Republican Central Committee, conducted. Maj. J. B. Fairbank was elected chairman, who, in a few happy remarks introduced Judge Brown. Next speaker was Hon. Ed. Russell, of Leavenworth. Col. H. C. St. Clair, the republican candidate for state senator was next, followed by L. J. Webb.

Winfield Courier, October 9, 1874.

A CARD. WINFIELD, KAN., Sept. 28, 1874. Editor Traveler: Dear Sir: In looking over a copy of the COURIER of last week, I see there are certain charges made against myself and others. Which charges, in so far as they relate to myself, I pronounce untrue from beginning to end; except one, and that is that I offered a bill in the special session of the Legislature providing for the funding of our county debt. And if this was criminal, I have only to say to the COURIER that I did so after consulting with prominent Republicans in reference to such a bill, and being encouraged by them to make such a move, I call upon the COURIER man to make goods his charges. Very respectfully, WM. MARTIN.

The Courier response: The above we take from the Traveler. Why send your denial to the Traveler, Mr. Martin? Why not send it to the paper which made the charges you complain of. The fact that you sent it to any other paper than the COURIER, shows either that you do not understand the common courtesies, or that you are a moral coward. No doubt it would have been just what you wished if your card in the Traveler should by some chance have escaped notice. It would have left you with a challenge out, of which we knew nothing, which might materially assist you in securing another nomination.

You start out by saying that the COURIER's charges in so far as they relate to you "are untrue from beginning to end, except one, etc." Now, Mr. Martin, what are the charges made against you by the COURIER? As you have not the manliness to say what they are, we shall make them specific.

1st. "That you are but the pliant tool of T. K. Johnston and the P. O. `Ring.'" Do you deny that you were consulted by them as to your being a candidate last fall?

2nd. "That you were just stupid enough to be above suspicion." Do you deny that? True it is rather a hard personal charge to make against you. But you are a public man, Mr. Martin, and have to put up with the criticisms of the public, whether you will or no.

3rd. "That you went to Topeka last winter cocked and primed, with Allison, your adviser, at your elbow, to pass a bill funding the county debt." Do you deny that?

4th. "That you accepted a pass from the A. T. & S. F. railroad, and drew your mileage besides." Do you deny that?

Now allow the COURIER to propound to you a few pertinent questions which you can answer by yes, or no.

Did you accept a pass on the railroad to Topeka and return, during the extra session?

Did you draw mileage to the amount of $67.50?

And did you not know that the condition of that pass was that you were not to draw mileage from the state?

Haven't you consulted T. K. Johnston and other members of the Winfield P. O. Scrip "Ring," as to your being a candidate again this fall?

You are welcome to the columns of the COURIER, Mr. Martin, in which to answer all their queries. At the request of a mutual friend, Mr. Martin, we had intended to let you drop into that obscurity from which, for the good of yourself and certainly for that of Cowley County, you should never have been called. But your card in the Traveler, releases us from any promise we made to let you alone in the future, and we are now ready to deal with you the same as we would with any other public man.

We have no desire to accuse you of dishonesty, Mr. Martin. What we do accuse you of, is that you allow yourself to be made the tool of a few renegade republicans and democrats, such as constitute the P. O. "Ring" here in Winfield.

Winfield Courier, October 9, 1874. Editorial by James Kelly.

MANNING vs ALLISON. Col. E. C. Manning had Allison of the Telegram arrested last Saturday on charge of libel. The ground for the charge was an article in the Telegram of the 2nd inst. We are sorry that Col. Manning saw fit to take the course he has in the matter. We advised him otherwise, but he thought different.

We were satisfied that that was just what the "ring" in their desperate strait wanted. Something that would create sympathy for their champion. We understand that they (the ring) justified Allison on the ground that Col. Manning wrote the "ring" expose for the COURIER, and that he is in the habit of writing our articles for us.

Now while we take it as quite complimentary to have writers of such well known ability as Col. Manning, Maj. Fairbank, and D. A. Millington credited with the authorship of our articles, yet we will say once more, that no man writes our editorials for us (except when we may be absent, and our local attends to that) and nobody knows this better than the P. O. "ring." If they are not satisfied that we have the ability to show them up, we invite T. K. Johnston, J. M. Alexander, or any other members of the "ring" to call on us any week, and we will give them permission to look over our shoulder while we tell the public of their many rascalities.

So far as the article which appeared in the COURIER two weeks ago is concerned, we never dreamed of claiming any merit save that of telling the truth in a straight forward manner. In that article was nothing disrespectful of anyone. Nothing libelous. The "ring," instead of denying the charges we made, piled all the abuse they could think of on Manning, of course. The "reformer" boor of the P. O., who would today be a pauper were it not for the Government pap furnished him by the republican party, has vilified and abused for the last three years, knew that what we said about him was too true for him to risk a denial, and consequently, the article is devoted to the abuse of Manning.

In the suit now pending between Manning and Allison, we have no part or interest. Col. Manning is perfectly able to take care of himself and fight his own battles. But we do think that he, as a private citizen, is entitled to the protection of the law he has invoked. Were he before the public for an office, or even the editor of a country newspaper, there might be some excuse for this wholesale abuse and calumny. But without any public good to be attained, there can be no excuse.

Winfield Courier, October 9, 1874. Editorial. James Kelly, Editor.

Both Sides. T. K. is managing things pretty fine now to keep himself in the P. O. He hoists the name of J. K. Hudson for reform candidate for Congress in his official organ and he runs around and tries to hire the band, after we had engaged them, to play for Judge Brown. That way he thinks he is safe. Should Brown be elected (which he will be by a big majority), T. K. will come in on the score of friendship, and should Hudson chance to be the man, T. K. has but to show that the P. O. organ supported him, and he is all right.

Winfield Courier, November 12, 1874.

SACRAMENTO, Cal., Oct. 31, 1874. JAS. KELLY, Esq.: Dear Sir: You will perhaps be surprised to hear from me, but as I want to get the home news and know of no better medium than through the sheets of the COURIER, we want you to send it to us for three months. I don't like this country as well as Cowley County, to live in, but having a chance of going into something that has the prospect of paying well, we shall most likely stay through the winter. Although this has the name of being a great wheat country, the yield wasn't near as much per acre as it was in Cowley, and if the farmers would grow the white varieties of fall wheat, there is no place in America that would beat them in quantity or quality; in fact, for a farming country we have seen nothing like it since we left, and the farmers who stick to it will become wealthy, as the old pioneers are here. The fruits and vegetables are in great abundance here, but they can be made just as much so there. All that is needed is time and energy. The weather is delightful here. We had two or three day's rain about a week ago, the first rain of the season, though earlier than usual. As it is about mail time I will have to close. Respectfully yours, ED. T. JOHNSON.

Winfield Courier, November 19, 1874.

A Pleasant Time. Upon the invitation of the Maple Grove Grange of this county, a party consisting of Prof. Wilkinson, Mrs. Wilkinson, E. S. Torrance, Esq., Miss Helen Parmelee, ourself, and Mrs. Kelly attended the open session of that grange last Monday evening. This grange is held at what is called Ferguson's schoolhouse in district 45. The schoolhouse is, perhaps, one of the best in the county outside of Winfield and Arkansas City. It cost the district nearly $1,000 in bonds. On our arrival we found the house full to overflowing with big and little grangers, the sons and daughters of honest toil. The Grange was called to order by the Worthy Master, Mr. James H. Land, who briefly announced the object of the open session. An opening song being sung by the members, and prayer by the Chaplain, the grange was declared ready for business. First a lecture was given by Mr. Frazier, in which he depicted the oppression and tyranny of today as equaled only by the oppression of the colonists in the days of King George the III. That it was the laboring men and farmers of that day who threw off the galling yoke just as the farmers and laborers of today would break the chains with which they are bound. Next came a song by Mr. McCune. Then instrumental music by Professor Wilkinson and Mrs. Kelly. An essay was read by Mrs. Amanda Roberts on the old, old theme of "Woman's Work." This to our mind, was the best production of the evening. Her essay was well prepared, and aside from a pardonable embarrassment, well read. The whistling "Plow Boy," was then sung, after which a speech by Mr. T. J. Johnson. Then a paper entitled "Boys on the Farm," was read by Mr. C. A. Roberts, which was quite humorous. Prof. Wilkinson made a short speech in which he advised the farmers to begin the work of reformation at home, and not mix the "tailings" with good wheat, nor sell half hatched, for fresh eggs. When the regular order had been gone through with E. S. Torrance, Esq., ourself and several others were called out but declined to make speeches. The thanks of the Grange was voted to the party from Winfield for the music furnished, when the meeting was closed in Grange order. The Winfield party are under obligations to Mr. David Ferguson for transportation to and from the meeting.

Winfield Plow and Anvil, November 19, 1874.

County Officers.

Judge 13th Judicial District.W. P. Campbell.

Board of County Commissioners.R. F. Burden, M. S. Roseberry, John Manly.

County Clerk.M. G. Troup.

County Treasurer.E. B. Kager.

Deputy Treasurer.Frank Gallotti.

Probate Judge.T. H. Johnson.

Register of Deeds.N. C. McCulloch.

Supt. of Pub. Inst.T. A. Wilkinson.

Sheriff.R. L. Walker.

Coroner.Sim. Moore.

County Attorney.E. S. Torrance.

Clerk District Court.James Kelly.

Deputy Clerk.E. S. Bedilion.

County Surveyor.W. W. Walton.

Examining Surgeon, U. S. Pensioners.W. Q. Mansfield.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874. Editorial. James Kelly.

"We have been a citizen of Cowley County for upwards of four years."

How about the time you spent in Leavenworth, when you left here cursing the country, the town, and everybody in it?

"We have intended for a long time to start a newspaper in Winfield. . . . This intention has been accomplished sooner than we expected."

Yes. Allison was down with a libel suit on his hands, his paper attached, so he couldn't run. That was your favorable opportunity to start a paper on the ruins of the Telegram.

"We have never intended to build up by tearing someone else down."

You didn't intend it when you tried to throw Allison out and get your carpetbag paper installed in its place? And why was it necessary for Mr. Allison to replevin his subscription books from your clutches?

"When a newspaper has outlived its usefulness, its best service to humanity is to die. And when it is dead, a decent respect for its memory leaves nothing to be done but to bury it out of sight."

The above is aimed directly at the Telegram. Everybody familiar with the facts know full well that Alexander as much as any man alive helped to kill the Telegram. In fact, Alexander is so far gone in sin, that his connection even with a newspaper, would be sure to kill it.

"We cannot consent to support a bad man for an office because he belongs to a certain party."

Then you will never support yourself for an office.

"Capacity and integrity in a candidate, should govern the people's support of him."

Alexander just fills half that bill. He has the capacity (of stomach) without the integrity.

"We cannot descend to the muddy pools of blackguardism through this journal, nor can we condescend to loan its columns to others for such a purpose."

Of course a man who has never been above the "muddy pools of blackguardism," couldn't descend to it. Alexander did not hesitate to enter the "dirty pool of blackguardism" when he could shift the odium and responsibility on somebody else. He could take advantage of Allison's absence to fill the Telegram with dirty blackguardism, and then forge Allison's signature to it. Descend, indeed!

"It requires both heart and brains to print a newspaper that a decent man or woman can read without a blush."

So it does. That is the very reason we do not believe that you can run a decent paper. It is much harder for a man like you, whose mouth is daily filled with oaths, imprecations, and blasphemyto say nothing of course vulgarityto conduct a paper free from blackguardism.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874. James Kelly, Editor.

"Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may" is the motto of the carpetbag paper of this town. And it is wonderful with what exactness, the editor of that murky sheet, unwittingly describes himself, in an article, this week entitled "The Slanderer." We quote:

"Whose tongue out venoms all the worms of Nile:

Whose breath rides on the posting winds, and doth belie all comers of the world.

Kings, Queens, and states; Maids, Matrons, nay,

The very secrets of the grave this viperous slanderer enters."

Alexander has set himself up as a teacher of morals. Well, Aleck is about as competent to teach morals as any man we know of, he has been so immoral that he can warn the young how to avoid the filthy sluices he has passed through.

Now that our people have got a nice moral home paper, we expect to see it introduced in our Sunday schools this winter in place of the children's papers heretofore taken there.

The Leavenworth carpet-bagger used to think nothing too vile or mean, to say about a Newspaper publisher. Wonder if he thinks so now.

Alexander is now publishing Major Hudson's old campaign speech as an editorial.

[SUIT: PRYOR AND KAGER, PLAINTIFF, VS. THOMAS L. CLARK.]

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.

RECAP: Samuel D. Pryor and Eustace B. Kager, partners, under the firm name of Pryor and Kager, plaintiffs, versus Thomas L. Clark, defendant. James Kelly, Clerk, District Court, with Pryor & Kager, plaintiffs, as attorneys, notify Thomas L. Clark he has until Dec. 15, 1874, to answer to suit for judgment against him of $300 with interest from Oct. 1st, 1874, on the following real estate: Lot number three (3) in Block number eighty (80) in Arkansas City...the same to be sold to satisfy judgment.

Winfield Courier, December 3, 1874.

A large meeting of ladies was held at the residence of Mr. C. A. Bliss today to organize a society for the relief of the poor. Mrs. Huston presided and Mrs. Rigby acted as secretary. The society was permanently organized with Mrs. C. A. Bliss as President and Mrs. N. L. Rigby, Secretary. They called it the "Winfield Ladies Aid Society."

The city was divided into four wards, thus, all the territory lying east of Main street and south of 9th Avenue, to constitute the 1st ward; East of Main street and north of 9th Avenue, the 2nd; west of Main street and north of 9th Avenue, the 3rd; and the remainder, the 4th ward. Committees to solicit aid, and hunt up the needy, were appointed as follows: for the first ward, Mrs. Dever, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Platter, and Mrs. Robinson. For the second: Mrs. McClelland, Mrs. McMasters, and Mrs. McRaw. For the third, Mrs. Mansfield, Mrs. Kelly, and Mrs. Mullen. For the fourth, Mrs. Dr. Black, Mrs. Williams, and Mrs. Flint. The Society meets every Friday afternoon, at the house of Mr. Bliss.

Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.

There will be a literary, musical, and dramatic entertainment given in behalf of the public school organ fund of Winfield, under the management of the Winfield and Arkansas City literary and dramatic clubs, at the courthouse in Winfield, immediately following the holidays. A full programme will be appear in the next issue of the COURIER.

JAMES KELLY, T. A. WILKINSON, E. W. HULSE. Committee on management.

Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.

Relief Meeting. At a meeting held at the office of Curns & Manser on last Saturday, the following action was had. On motion of Col. E. C. Manning, H. S. Silver was chosen chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary. The object of the meeting was stated to be for the purpose of appointing a committee to act in the matter of relief for Winfield Township. On motion the following gentlemen were elected such committee: Robert Weakley, Jas. H. Land, S. D. Klingman. On motion meeting adjourned, sine die. H. S. SILVER, Chairman.

JAS. KELLY, Secretary.

Winfield Courier, January 21, 1875.

James Kelly, late District Clerk of Cowley County, turned the office over to his successor, Mr. E. S. Bedilion, on the 19th inst.

Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.

DIVISION OF THE COUNTY. All last week, rumors were rife to the effect that an attempt was being made to divide Butler County on the twenty mile strip, take six miles off the north end of Cowley, and out of said territory, form a new county. Several gentlemen living at the north side of our county came into this office during the week and informed us of the fact, but at the same time we could not believe that the report had any well grounded foundation. Saturday, however, D. A. Millington, Esq., received a letter from Captain Shannon, of Augusta, Butler County, warning him that such a move was on foot, and asking our cooperation in frustrating the measure. Mr. Millington circulated a remonstrance against any attempt to change the boundary lines of Cowley County, which remonstrance received three hundred signatures in a very little while. A meeting was called the same evening at the courthouse, which was numerously attended notwithstanding the fact that only a few hours notice had been given. The meeting was organized with D. A. Millington as Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary. A resolution was unanimously passed, opposing the giving away of any part of Cowley County. Speeches were made by A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and others.

The meeting resolved unanimously to send Col. E. C. Manning to Topeka to watch our interests. Nearly enough money was subscribed on the spot to pay his expenses. A committee consisting of A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and Wm. Rogers were appointed to canvass the town to raise the balance needed. These gentlemen, acting with their usual zeal and energy, did their work before they slept that night, and the result was that Col. Manning was in Topeka Tuesday noon. Now we defy any committee to best that time. The meeting acted wisely in sending Col. Manning. He has brains and experience and is perfectly able to cope with all the divisionists they may send from Butler County. We have not heard from Col. Manning, but expect to before going to press.

Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.

Herd Law. MR. EDITOR: I saw a communication in the COURIER of Dec. 8th from Longhorn (ashamed to give his legitimate name) asking a repeal of the herd law. He commences: "Fellow farmers," then "chinch bugs, drouth, grasshoppers, blinky milk, fatting pigs on grasshoppers at one cent per pound," and about going to "wife's folks." Then talks about "mild climate, sparkling pure water, rich fertile land, making rails on shares, stone fence," then after all the good and bad things, asks the question, "Is the present herd law suited to the best interests of the people of Cowley?" Then to prove that the herd law is a great curse, he commences with a lingo of slang that the farmers won't put out hedges, and about hard times and mortgages, taxes, big cattle men, and what kind nature has done for us, a hundred and one other good and bad things. Just sum it all up, add it together, divide it, and then multiply it, and what does it amount to? Just this: Ought from ought and nothing remains. I am not acquainted with the gentleman but think he is either a fool, insane, or destitute of a good moral principleeither one is bad enough! Does the herd law curse all these things? If it does, it must be a terrible thing in its nature. One of his arguments is making rails on the shares. I ask, where would he make them, in Indiana or maybe in the great valley and tributaries of Silver Creek, in Cowley County, with only a few twisty elms and sycamore trees, with a little underbrush? I have been a citizen of Cowley County for most five years. I live near the Walnut River, which has more timber on it than all the other rivers and creeks in the county, and by strict inquiry, I can't hear of one man who will let timber to be split into rails on the shares, or any other way. Every sensible, intelligent man knows that the rail timber and saw timber is about used up, and what is left is of very little account for anything much less for rails. How foolish and inconsistent some men do talk. Selfishness and self-interest causes a great many men to become dishonest, one side, all for me and mine. Longhorn well knows that there is not enough of rail timber in the county to fence one township against a Texas steer. Do be honest and consistent, if you never accomplish your ends. After he gets through with his rails on shares, he then says there is such an abundance of splendid rock for fence building that costs nothing. He did tell one truth, there is an abundance sure enough. I suppose Longhorn has a good supply on his own farm. Suppose there is, who is able to fence his plow land with rock, put in his crops, cultivate and harvest them, all against the first of November next, pray tell me? I wonder if Longhorn is. I think not. Talk about fencing with rock, supporting his family, raising a crop, and many other things to be attended to, all in so small a space of time, is not talking good sense; and just passing through terrible disaster and scourge, when starvation is staring nine- tenths of the farmers in the face, children crying for bread, thinly and poorly clad, not bed clothes enough to keep them warm at night, and nearly all their farms heavily mortgaged, paying a terrible interest, trying to get through this disaster so as to raise another crop to keep them and their families alive. And we are not one-fourth of the way through yet after all these hard things and hard times, in the midst of poverty and want and famine, still want to help a worse curse upon the poor farmers. It is more than flesh and blood can bear only to please a few and only a few, selfish, designing, plotting, speculators, who, to accomplish their hellish ends, would drive three fourths of the people out of the county. Talk about stock men helping to pay our taxes. Big cattle men, there is no truth in it. Those who own large herds of cattle do not pay any taxes on them. If they are assessed, they manage to run their cattle out of the county before tax paying time. One of our township assessors told me that it was no use to assess these big stock men, for they managed to clear out before tax paying time. And if some of us don't see fit to invest our means in stock, whose business is it? We all have some stock and may have more, if we please to. If you want to have large flocks and herds, go ahead, we can't all be big men. One of our most successful stock men told me it always paid him big to hire herders, and corral his cattle at night. It made them more gentle and tame and he always knew where they were and lost none. And if we are so unfortunate that we can't have but small herds, four or five of us little one horse men can club together and hire a herder. And we can raise you big stock men cheap corn to winter your longhorns on. I believe it is possible that a man can own large herds and flocks and still be an honest man. Old Abraham, the father of the faithful, was rich in flocks and herds, and according to bible history was a very good man. Why was he? Because he kept herders all the time, day and night. And you, who are rich in stock, must have herders all the time or you can't be honest. If you don't, your longhorns will eat us little men up. So how can you be honest? Some of this same clique call little stock men paupers. I wonder if they understand the word pauper. I think not. I understand the meaning of the word skunk, and we have quite a number in Cowley County. I have been a citizen of Kansas for fifteen years, have never left, never intend to. I made my way through the big war on our border, and the big drouth in sixty. I had to battle with the noted Quantrill and all the bushwhackers. I faced the music and am now passing through another disaster, and thank God, I am well and hearty and feel good for several more years of hardships. But after all my combats, I, with others, now have the devil to fight with his long horns. A cloven foot. I intend to fight it out on this line if it takes the next five years. J. M. BARRICK.

[BILL UNPAID: T. B. MURDOCK, ELDORADO, KANSAS.]

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.

ELDORADO, KAN., Mar. 19, 1875. ED. COURIER. Dear Sir: On the 9th of August, 1870, I printed and sent to your county 1,500 personal property statements (Assessors blanks) on the order of your county clerk. I sent down the bill with the blanks ($17.50). I have repeatedly made out my bill, sworn to it, and sent it to your county clerk, but your commissioners have never allowed the bill. Last year I sent the account to L. J. Webb, and asked him to see to it for me. He wrote back to me that it was outlawed, and that the commissioners refused to pay it. I wish to ask your people a question or two through your columns: In the first place, I printed the blanks in good faith for your county before you had a printing office to do it for you in your own county. I have made no fuss about the bill, believing your commissioners would pay it. I write to ask some gentleman in the county to appear before the commissioners at their next meeting and ask them if they will pay it, and inform me through your columns what they say. The bill is just and right, and ought to be paid. I cannot afford to lose it. My bill, $17.50, with interest at ten percent for four and a half years, will be $26.85. The question arises, does your county pay its honest debts, or does it take advantage of the statute of limitations, and stand its creditors off from time to