WINFIELD.

FIRES AND EQUIPMENT USED TO FIGHT FIRES.

[I have tried to cover fires, fire insurance, fire department hose companies, fire equipment used by Winfield firemen, and in a very few cases some of the nearby township fires. I have also tried to reflect the great danger that could occur due to “prairie fires.” Many of the entries contain excerpts from the “City Officials” who made ordinances and paid for items pertaining to “fire prevention.” It was interesting to note that at first the city marshal was put in charge. The council was faced with “little money” to handle fire prevention. I have tried to separate actual fires in Winfield by showing WINFIELD. FIRE OR FIRES.

I covered items that I found in Winfield Courier and other early Winfield newspapers from 1871 through 1885.

I am working on January 1886 at the moment. MAW August 27, 2001.]

Cowley County Censor, March 18, 1871.

A. H. GREEN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, REAL ESTATE AND FIRE INSURANCE AGENT, WINFIELD, KANSAS. No address given.

Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.

PRAIRIE FIRES.

While fires are raging all over the country and destroying lives by the hundreds and property by the millions, it is not strange that we are called upon to chronicle some of the fire demon’s work in our county. Last Saturday the country between the Walnut and Arkansas rivers was burned over; the loss of property was great, in many instances, the hard working farmer losing all he had except the clothes he wore, and himself and family barely escaping with their lives. We give below a list of these losses so far as we have been able to learn them.

Mr. Spangler lost 60 tons of hay, Mr. Brown 20 tons, Mr. Meeks 90 tons, J. S. Wooley a stable and 10 tons, Mr. Road five tons and a stable valued at $300, H. Hickman lost his house, S. Pennington 6 tons of hay, Mr. Hunt lost a house and 10 tons of hay, Walker lost house, hay, and fencing, Gleason 6 tons of hay, Paul 10 tons, Dunn 20 tons and stable, Dr. Headrick 20 tons, Copple lost house, clothing, and money—all he had; Sargent lost house and clothing. a great many others suffered losses but we have been unable to learn their names and the amount of damages they sustained. This fire is said to have started from a steam saw mill on the Arkansas; the wind was blowing very hard and although most of the farmers had either burned or plowed around their farms as protection against fire, the wind was so high that the flames swept through the tall, dry grass at a fearful rate, and the narrow strips of breaking and ground which had been burned over were no bar to them.

Fires are now burning in every direction and we have no doubt but that the losses given above are a small part of those sustained.

Cowley County Censor, Saturday, October 28, 1871.

A timely act was done last Tuesday evening by burning a fire guard around the town.

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

We notice that most of our business houses on Main street are putting in brick flues. This is as it should be, and will do much to lessen the danger from fire.

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

PRAIRIE FIRES. Last night our citizens witnessed the grandest sight of the season. The grass in Dutch Creek bottom, north of town, was on fire, and the flames reached above the tree tops, illuminating the country for miles around. We have not learned whether any serious damage was done or not.

[A. H. GREEN’S INSURANCE AGENCY, WINFIELD, KANSAS.]

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

It is with pleasure that I announce that the following companies have proved themselves sound and reliable: AEtna of Hartford; Home, of Columbus, Ohio; American, of St. Louis; and Phoenix, of Hartford. The above companies are prepared to meet promptly all their losses by the Chicago fire and have already commenced adjusting. The AEtna will have a capital of near Four Million Dollars when all losses are paid. A. H. GREEN, Agent.

Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.

FIRE! FIRE! Mr. Bartlow’s saw mill caught on fire last Tuesday while the hands in charge of the mill were at dinner. The alarm was quickly given and the fire speedily extinguished. It was rather lucky that the mill was on low ground for the day was one of the most windy that we have had this spring.

Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.

THE MOUNDS. East of town a mile and a half there are beautiful rows of gentle uprising mounds. The people owning this land are burning off the grass, and the fire, after night, illuminates the town beautifully. These same mounds will one day be the pride of Winfield. Let the persons owning them plant out hedges and trees, and they will not only ornament the town and surroundings, but they will bring three-fold more money to their possessors than the labor would be worth.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.

FIRE. Last Friday night the Walnut Valley Billiard Hall building caught fire in the upper story; but fortunately, was put out before any damage was done. If the fire had got to the roof, with the wind blowing as it was, no device of man could have saved the east side of Main street from Ninth Avenue north. The County Treasurer’s office is kept in the story where the fire started, thus the financial records of the county came very near being destroyed on account of our not having a Courthouse, where such things can be made safe from destruction by fire.

Winfield Messenger, October 18, 1872.

The prairie grass is dead, so look out for prairie fires.

Winfield Messenger, October 25, 1872.

SAD AFFAIR—BURNED TO DEATH—WILLIAM HUNT.

Last Monday night a most terrific prairie fire swept over the country between Silver and Grouse creeks. The wind was blowing very hard, and to put the fire out, or even get out of its way was impossible. Mr. William Hunt was bringing a load of goods from Independence for E. E. Hillis, of this place, and the night being cool, he made his bed by a hay stack and went to sleep. In the night the fire came onto him while asleep, and burned him to death. His team was close by and shared the same fate, and the goods and wagon were entirely consumed by flames. Persons living in the neighborhood knew his situation, and started to rescue him, but no horse was fleet enough to keep up with the fire, so to save him was impossible.

There is too much carelessness in putting out fire at this season, when but few are prepared with fire breaks to defend their property. We have not learned the extent of the damage done by the fire, but with such a wind to drive it ahead, but little property in its track could be saved at all.

Winfield Messenger, November 1, 1872.

FIRE. Repair your flues, rebuild your chimneys, place zinc under your stoves, and take every necessary way to prevent losses by fire this winter.

Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.

Lost by Fire. Wm. Barker, who lives on the Black Creek east of town, lost by fire, his stable, a valuable stallion, and some twenty-five bushels of corn and eight or ten tons of hay. Negligence and absence from home the cause of the disaster. Losses will amount to about two hundred dollars.

Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 25, 1873.

Fire. The following extract from the Kansas Democrat will interest many of our businessmen materially.

“Wednesday evening, this week, Jan. 15th, at about 7 o’clock, the depot of the L., L. & G. railroad was discovered to be on fire. The fire spread over the whole building, and in a short time it was burned to the ground. The business of the day being over, the officers and men had left the building. Before any person could get to the depot, the building was so far burned that but few things could be saved. There was a large amount of goods in store for western towns; Independence freight had all been delivered during the day. The fire might have originated from a spark from the engine that left the depot for Cherryvale about twenty minutes before the fire broke out. The depot building cost about $6,000.”

W. H. H. Maris, among others of Winfield, are probable losers by this conflagration. Mr. Maris started for Independence on Tuesday to look after some teams he sent out for freight three weeks ago that have not been heard of since. We hope the losses sustained will be lighter on everybody than was at first anticipated.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 27, 1873.

Fire. An extensive fire swept over several square miles of prairie immediately east of town last Thursday, doing a good deal of damage to farmers. It came from Timber Creek before a strong northeast wind. Messrs. Swain and Rice had their houses burned down, and Messrs. Matthewson, Thompson, and others, lost more or less fencing and hay.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 24, 1873.

Fire! Fire! was the horrible cry that smote our ear last Tuesday morning and all hands from the Editor to the “Devil” went pell, mell, down the street to assist, if need be, in extinguishing the flames, but fortunately the fire was put out before it could do any damage. The house is occupied by Mr. Suit, Esq., and is a one story stone building. Our citizens cannot be too careful in guarding against fires in this windy country.

Winfield Courier, November 20, 1873.

Terrible prairie fires rage all around us. One ran down the divide between the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers before that heavy wind Monday night, doing considerable damage.

Winfield Courier, November 27, 1873.

Tuesday night being a “calm still night” was improved by some of the more sensible citizens by burning the grass from around the town to guard against the possibility of having the fire swoop down upon us before a whirlwind. They deserve credit for their energy and forethought.

Winfield Courier, November 27, 1873.

Last Thursday night a terrible fire swept over the country east of town doing considerable damage. The following is a note from one of the sufferers, who lives four miles southeast of Tisdale, who lost nearly everything he had, leaving him in a destitute condition.

MR. EDITOR: Last night a terrible fire swept over the prairie, carried by a powerful whirlwind, completely destroying all my corn, hay, barn, one pair of the horses, chickens, two set of harness, one new wagon and a buggy, plows, corn crib, and a great deal of fencing, and some small articles, leaving me in rather a destitute condition, with nothing but my hands to do with. E. C. CLAY.

November 21st, 1873.

Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.

Mr. Barrett, who lives east of town, last Tuesday set fire to the grass near his house for the purpose of burning off a small space, but the grass being very dry, the fire started off with a flash and didn’t stop where he expected but went flying across the prairie at a lively gait. A large tract was burned before the flames were checked. No damage is known to have been done.

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.

J. J. Dawson, living six miles south of town, had his house with everything in it destroyed by fire last Sunday, while he and his family were at church. The fire is supposed to have originated in a defective flue.

Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.

At nine o’clock Monday morning, smoke was seen issuing from the roof of A. N. Deming’s house; and the cry of fire given. Many persons were close by, some with pails of water, but the majority without. The fire had gained good headway, burning on the under side of the pine shingles and rafters, and was very difficult to get at with water, and but little was accomplished until the arrival of the extinguishers when it was soon subdued. Without the extinguishers, the building in our opinion would have burned to the ground, and we think the City Council never made a better investment than when they purchased them.

Arkansas City Traveler.

The above item from the Traveler brought forth the following remarks from the Courier...

Why isn’t some measure taken by our citizens to guard against fire? There is nothing in this city with which to stay the progress of a fire should one get well started. Ladders are scarce and the wells are not very near together and fire with the aid of a good wind could burn the entire town with but little opposition. We hope our people will give this question their consideration and see if something cannot be done in this matter.

WINFIELD. FIRE PROTECTION.

Excerpts...

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JUNE 17, 1874.]

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1874.

City Council met June 17th, at 4 p.m., in pursuance of adjournment. Present: Mayor S. C. Smith and Councilmen S. Darrah, H. S. Silver, R. B. Saffold, and J. P. McMillen. J. W. Curns, Clerk.

Mr. R. B. Saffold offered the following resolution, which on motion was adopted.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to procure for the city six ladders, to be placed at different business places along Main street, where the use of water buckets can be had, said ladders to be the property of the city and to be under the control of the City Marshal, to be used in case of fire. On motion R. B. Saffold, S. Darrah, and H. S. Silver were appointed a committee to procure said ladders.

Excerpt...

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: JULY 6, 1874.]

Winfield Courier, July 24, 1874.

Committee on ladders to be used in case of fire, reported they had completed the same. They were instructed to place the ladders at such place or places as will be most convenient in case of fire.

Winfield Plow and Anvil, November 19, 1874.

S. C. SMITH. REAL ESTATE, Agt. Large quantity of land for sale cheap, on times to suit purchasers. Also agent for the best Fire Insurance companies of the east. Office over Requa’s clothing store, Main street.

Winfield Plow and Anvil, November 19, 1874.

S. C. SMITH, NOTARY PUBLIC, REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENT.

RENTS BUILDINGS AND PAYS TAXES FOR NON-RESIDENTS.

Makes Deeds, Mortgages, etc.

Agent for the following First Class Fire Insurance Companies:

Continental, of New York.

KANSAS, of Leavenworth.

AMERICAN CENTRAL, St. Louis.

GLOBE, Chicago, Ill.

Office first door north of Post Office.

Winfield, Kansas.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.

T. A. Blanchard, Esq., has been appointed Agent of the “Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance Association,” of the State of Kansas.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.

A small conflagration, which might have been more serious but for the energetic efforts of those present, occurred last Saturday evening at the store of C. C. Black. Shortly after the lamps were lighted in the evening, Charley Harter bethought him that the chandelier needed filling, and being at the time in the oil business, having just drawn some for a customer, he took a quart measure and proceeded to replenish the illuminator. While thus engaged the oil in the measure unexpectedly ignited from one of the burners, and Charley, with the blazing can grasped firmly in his fist, glided swiftly toward the door. The air from without upon coming in contact with the flames carried them back into the face of the torch-bearer, and compelled him to deposit his burden upon the floor. His somewhat excited tones brought J. J. Ellis to the rescue with a couple of blankets, which he spread over the blaze, overturning the can, and giving the flames a new impetus.

The excitement now became intense, as the window curtain went up like a flash and the fire started along the counter. Jack Cruden pushed the calico from the counter, and grasped a blanket with which to whip the fire into submission.

Tom Braidwood pulled down and dragged out the line upon which was suspended shawls, scarfs, etc., while Ellis leaped the counter and rescued the mosquito bar which hung in front of the shelves.

Just at this juncture a new actor appeared upon the scene in the shape of Burt Crapster staggering under the weight of a pail of water in each hand, a skillful application of which put a dampener upon the ardor of the flames, and quiet was soon restored.

The total loss amounted to about twenty-five dollars.

This experience goes to show that while blankets may be just the thing for extinguishing blazing coal oil, water is what is needed for gasoline. It is a well known fact, also, that as a fire extinguisher, water has but few superiors, and one pail-full at the commencement of a fire is worth a cistern-full when the flames are well underway, and as no precaution has as yet been taken by our citizens, we would suggest that each businessman follow the example of Charley Black by keeping a full barrel of water standing at their doors ready for use in case of an emergency.

We hope our citizens will attend to this matter without further delay. Remember the adage, “An ounce of preventative is worth a pound of cure.”

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, January 14, 1875.

Last Monday evening as we were passing the courthouse, the cry of “fire” startled us and we followed Ed Bedilion and N. C. McCulloch up the stairs of Burt Covert’s residence. As we entered, the table, from which the supper dishes had not yet been taken, and a board partition against which the table stood, were blazing brightly. Mr. McCulloch pulled the cloth from the table and let the dishes fall upon the floor, breaking the major part of them. The blazing cloth he threw out of doors after which the fire was soon extinguished. The trouble was caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. Immediately upon noticing the fire burning down into the bowl of the lamp, Mrs. Covert grasped her babe and with her sister (the ladies being alone at the time) went to the courthouse and informed Messrs. Bedilion and McCulloch of the fact. While they were gone the lamp burst with the above result.

Payment of City Marshal...

Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

January 4, 1875.

Council met at usual hour. Present: S. C. Smith, mayor; J. P. McMillen, H. S. Silver, S. Darah, councilmen; J. W. Curns, clerk. The minutes of last meeting were read and approved.

Z. T. Swigart presented a bill of $40 for services as Marshal for the month ending Dec. 24, 1874, which was referred to finance committee and reported favorably, and allowed.

Winfield Courier, February 4, 1875.

Ordinance No. 45, published February 4, 1875.

45. An ordinance in relation to the duties of the City Marshal, and the Prevention of Fires. “Whenever any person shall make complaint to the City Marshal that any chimney,

flue, or stove pipe within the limits of the city is in an unsafe condition, it shall be the duty of the City Marshal to immediately investigate, etc., and notify the person or persons of the bad condition and that they must immediately repair the same. After notice by City Marshal, if the repairs are not made, that person shall be convicted and fined in a sum not exceeding $50.

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: JANUARY 25, 1875.]

Winfield Courier, February 11, 1875.

JANUARY 25TH, 1875.

Council met at 7 o’clock p.m. in pursuance of adjournment. Present: S. C. Smith, mayor, R. B. Saffold, S. Darrah, H. S. Silver, councilmen, and J. W. Curns, clerk. The minutes of last meeting were read and approved, after which the following business was taken up.

Bill of Z. T. Swigart for services as marshal for month ending January 24, 1875, of $40.

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: FEBRUARY 1, 1875.]

Winfield Courier, February 18, 1875..

Ordinance No. 45, in relation to the duties of the city marshal and the prevention of fires, was read by sections and duly passed. Said ordinance was passed by the unanimous vote of the council.

It was moved and seconded that on and after Feb. 1st, 1875, the city marshal’s wages be reduced to $30 per month. Motion prevailed.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, March 4, 1875.

The dwelling house standing east of L. J. Webb’s, occupied by Mr. Fortner and owned by Mrs. Flint, caught fire this morning, but was put out without its doing much damage.

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

March 1, 1875.

Council met at the usual hour. Present: S. C. Smith, Mayor; R. B. Saffold, J. P. McMillen, H. S. Silver, Councilmen; J. W. Curns, Clerk.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Z. T. Swigart presented a bill of $40.00 for services as Marshal for the month ending February 24, 1875, which were referred to the finance committee, who reported favorably thereon, and said bill was allowed.

Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.

Our new city dads mean business. They have provided by ordinance a time for holding their regular meetings, and by another they prescribe the duties of the various officers of the city, and the Police Judge, Clerk, Marshal, and Treasurer will have to give bonds. ’Tis well.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.

Council Proceedings.

April 19th, 1875.

The Council met at Curns & Manser’s office at the usual hour. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, James M. Dever, Councilmen.

The following bills were presented and referred to the finance committee and reported favorably thereon and allowed.

An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal, and City Attorney for the city of Winfield, and defining the duties and pay of the same, and providing for bonds of city officers was presented and read. On motion said ordinance was referred to a committee of the whole.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

[FIRE: DESTRUCTION OF BRADISH HOUSE.]

Winfield Courier, April 1, 1875.

FIRE! FIRE!! FIRE!!!

OUR FIRE BAPTISM.

---

Winfield takes a Blaze.

Last Sunday night, about 12 o’clock, the Bradish House, one of the largest hotels in this city, was discovered to be on fire. The proprietor, Mrs. C. M. Bradish, made the discovery just as the fiend was getting well under way and immediately gave the alarm. Soon the deep tones of the Courthouse bell conveyed the fearful tidings to the entire city. Men and women, standing not on the order of their going, but with a garment stuck on here and there, rushed to the scene. Every effort was put forth to subdue the flames, but without avail, and the bystanders turned their attention to the protection of the nearest buildings.

Fortunately the night was calm, with what little wind there was blowing from exactly the right quarter. It seemed, indeed, that this, our first misfortune, had been largely mixed with mercy. For it is conceded by all that had the wind blown from any other quarter, or had it been as strong as usual, at least half of the city would have been now in ashes.

Several incidents connected with the fire we think worth relating. Mr. S. H. Myton, who roomed there, on hearing the alarm, hastily dressed himself by sticking but one leg in his pantaloons, drew one suspender between his legs and the other over his shoulder. Thus arrayed he mounted gallantly on the roof, and, with water supplied him by Mr. B. F. Baldwin, succeeded for a time in keeping the fire at bay. But, alas, his victory was of short duration. Just as he had received a fresh bucket of water, he missed his footing and tumbled head over heals to the ground. Curiously enough Mr. Myton sustained but little injury from his perilous fall.

Another: the next morning Mr. Isaac L. Comfort, who boarded there but slept in another part of the town, started as usual for his breakfast, entirely ignorant of the destruction of the house, and did not discover it until he had reached the ashes. His feelings can be better imagined than described.

Several of the boarders sustained more or less loss by the burning of clothes, trunks, etc. Mrs. Bradish succeeded in saving considerable furniture. The house and furniture, we understand, is mostly covered by insurance.

Thus have we received our baptism of fire.

Winfield Courier, April 1, 1875.

A Horrible Accident.

W. K. Davis, Esq., a worthy citizen of our county, living some twelve or thirteen miles from this place, met with a shocking accident last Saturday. It seems that the prairie fire had been burning for some time in his neighborhood, but Mr. Davis, being well prepared with “fire-breaks,” felt little, if any, uneasiness so far as his premises were concerned. But the wind blowing in the direction of his house blew a spark from the fire, which lodged in his stable door, some seventy-five feet distant. The stable being constructed of hay and dry as a powder-flask, ignited in an instant, and was just getting under headway when discovered. Mr. Davis, seeing the stable doomed, ran to liberate a pair of mules which were at that moment in the stable, and succeeded in cutting one of them loose. When he approached the other, however, it kicked him in the breast and head, knocking him down. The poor man, notwithstanding his injuries, was still sensible enough to see his peril, crawled out through the scorching flames, which by this time had assumed fearful proportions. Mr. Davis reached the open air with his life only. His eyes, ears, nose, hands, and feet were burned to a crisp. And even should he recover, it will be at the expense of the above members. The mule which he failed to liberate perished in the flames, together with harness, plows, and other farming implements, hay, etc., as well as a crib of seventy-five or one hundred bushels of corn. Mr. Davis is now lying in a very critical condition with but little hope of his recovery.

Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.

From our exchanges we would gather that more people have burned up in prairie fires this spring than ever before.

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

W. M. Allison presented a bill of $4.60 for printing; Z. T. Swigart presented a bill of $40.00 for marshal; John Austin presented a bill of $1.50 for removing dead dogs; all of which were referred to the finance committee.

It was moved and seconded that the Council go into the committee of the whole to consider the Ordinances in relation to license. A motion was made to amend by inserting the words “with the Mayor in the chair,” which carried. The question recurring on the original motion with the amendment was carried.

After duly considering the subject of licenses, the committee prepared an Ordinance in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquors, and one in relation to the appointment, duties, and pay of city officers, which were recommended for passage by the committee.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

The Council met at council room, May 1st, in pursuance of adjournment. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, Councilmen; J. W. Curns, City Clerk.

The bill of John Austin of $1.50 for removing dead dogs, bill of Z. T. Swigart of $40.00, services as Marshal for the month ending April 24th, 1875, bill of W. M. Allison of $4.60 for publishing election proclamation, were reported favorably on by the finance committee and duly allowed and ordered paid.

Council met May 3rd. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, and J. M. Dever, Councilmen. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a clerk, treasurer, marshal, and city attorney, and defining the duties and pay of the same, was read and duly passed. The vote on the final passage was as follows: Yeas, Dever, Black, Powers, Troup. Nays, none.

City Marshal to perform duties of fire warder...

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

[Published May 6th, 1875.]

Ordinance Number 53.

An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a clerk, treasurer, marshal, and city attorney for the city of Winfield, and defining the duties and pay of the same, and providing for bonds of city officers.

Be it Ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Winfield.

SECTION 1. The mayor with the consent of the council shall appoint the following city officers, to-wit: A clerk, a treasurer, a marshal, and a city attorney, whose terms of office shall each respectively be one year, but shall expire on the first day of May next ensuing after he shall enter upon the duties of his office.

SECTION 2. Before any person appointed as provided in the preceding section, shall enter upon the duties of his office, he shall take and subscribe an oath to be filed with the clerk to the effect that he will support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Kansas, and perform the duties of his office (naming it) to the best of his ability.

SECTION 3. Before the entering upon the duties of his office the following named officers shall each file with the clerk, a bond to the city of Winfield, with security approved by the council, to the effect that he will faithfully perform the duties of his office (naming it) and will deliver to his successor in office all moneys, books, papers, and other property pertaining to his office, in amount as follows, to-wit: The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of $2,000. The marshal shall give bond in the sum of $800. The police judge shall give bond in the sum of $500.

SECTION 7. It shall be the duty of the marshal to serve all processes issued by the police judge, to attend the police court at its sittings, to arrest persons found disturbing the peace, or violating any of the city ordinances, bring them before the police judge, and make complaint against them, to keep a vigilant watch to prevent violations of the city ordinances, and guard the interests of the city, to collect fines, costs, and taxes, when required by the Mayor, Council, or police judge, and pay the same over to the city treasurer without delay, to perform the duties of fire warder, of pound keeper, of street commissioner, and of road overseer, and to perform any duties which usually pertain to the office of city marshal and policeman.

SECTION 8. The pay of the marshal shall be a salary of $25.00 per month, which shall be in lieu of all fees, costs, and other claims, for services chargeable to the city, and shall be entitled to the following fees to be charged as cost.

For arresting each person, bringing him before the police judge, and making complaint: $1.00.

For attending police court in contested trial, each day: $1.00

For each commitment: $.25

For bringing prisoner again into court: $.25

For serving each subpoena, first person: $.25

Each additional person: $.25

For impounding first animal: $.75

For impounding each additional animal, in same lot, owned by same person: $.25

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

Ed. Evans is the new Marshal of Winfield.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

Our new Marshal is superintending the building of some much needed culverts on our streets, and is having some good work done.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

An Accident.

Thos. Baker, our tonsorial artist up on the north end of Main, is the kind of a man ye local likes to see in a town. If business is dull, the farmers too busy with their crops to come to town, no row, no dog fights, no accidents to report; in fact, nothing occurring from which a man even with a fertile imagination could work into a readable local, then is the time when such men as our friend Baker turns on with something to stop the cry of the devil for “copy!”

Last Friday night in filling the gasoline lamps of his billiard hall while they were burning, the gas in the can caught fire (the most natural thing in the world), and the flames flew in every direction. Several persons rushed in, the flames were subdued in a moment, and a general conflagration nipped in the bud.

No damage done, only a little scare caused by carelessly filling a burning lamp is the verdict.

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

Dog Notice. Notice is hereby given to owners of dogs upon which the tax has not been paid, that all dogs will be shot, when found without the tax tag upon them, on and after the 1st day of July. ED. EVANS, Marshall.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.

City Council Proceedings, July 19, 1875.

Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, and C. C. Black, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

The following bills were presented, referred to the finance Committee, and reported favorably on by them, and duly approved and ordered paid.

Bill of Z. T. Swigart, services as Marshal, 7 days, ending June 7th: $5.90.

Bill of E. R. Evans, services as Marshal, 23 days, ending July 1st: $19.10.

Bill of S. H. Myton, fixtures for public well: $2.70.

Bill of Ge. Gray; removing dead dogs: $1.00.

Bond of E. R. Evans, as Marshal of the City of Winfield, was duly approved by the Council.

Fire Extinguishers.

Winfield Courier, September 9, 1875.

In reply to a letter of Frank Baldwin’s, of this place, the general agent of the Babcock Fire Extinguisher, writes that if Winfield will get up a club and order one dozen, they can have them for the low price of $420. The regular retail price of these extinguishers is $500. This would make a saving in cost of $80 by buying now. This is something that our city has long needed. We have nothing to protect us from a fire. Our wells, situated as they are, wouldn’t supply water enough to put out a burning lamp in two hours’ time. This matter should be attended to at once.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.

City Council met pursuant to adjournment Thursday, September 9th, 1875.

Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; Mayor M. G. Troup, J. M. Dever, C. C. Black, and W. M. Powers, councilmen; B. E. Baldwin, City Clerk.

Minutes of two previous meetings read and adopted.