WINFIELD COURIER

[Starting Thursday, March 13, 1879.]

[RAILROAD PETITION: SOUTHERN KANSAS AND WESTERN.]

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

Inasmuch as the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company proposes to construct a line of railroad into and through the county of Cowley, in the State of Kansas, the undersigned, being more than two-fifths of the resident taxpayers of said county, respectfully petition your Honorable Board to call a special election in said county at as early a day as is practicable, and legal, and at such special election to submit to the qualified electors of said county, a proposition to subscribe 68 thousand (68,000) dollars to the capital stock of said Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Kansas, and to issue the bonds of said county in the like amount of sixty-eight thousand (68,000) dollars, in payment of said subscription, said bonds to be delivered to said railroad company for like amounts of the capital stock thereof as follows: Fifty-one thousand (51,000) dollars when said railroad is in operation to the point herein after named, near the city of Winfield, in said county, and the remaining seventeen thousand (17,000) dollars when the said railroad is in operation to the western line of said county.

We further respectfully petition, that in payment of said subscription the county of Cowley shall issue one hundred and thirty-six bonds of five hundred (500) dollars each, payable to said Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company, or bearer, thirty years after date, but which may be paid by the county at any time after ten years, and bearing interest at the rate of seven percent per annum, with interest coupons attached, payable on the first days of January and July in each year; and that the conditions on which said subscriptions shall be made and said bonds issued shall be as follows: That said railroad company shall construct a standard gauge railroad from some point on the east line of said county to the point hereinafter designated near the city of Winfield, and thence to the western line of said county in the general direction of Wellington, in Sumner county, and shall establish at least two depots and side tracks on said line between said eastern line of said county to the point hereinafter designated near the city of Winfield, and shall establish and maintain a depot and side tracks within three-fourths of one mile of the crossing of Main street and 9th avenue in said city of Winfield, and east of the Walnut and south of Timber creek; and shall construct said line of railroad to the above point near Winfield with continuous rail communication from Independence, in Montgomery county, Kansas, by or before the first day of March, 1880, and to the western line of the county by or before the first day of May, 1880.

And said bonds shall not be issued to said railroad company unless it shall have its line in operation to the points above indicated within the time above limited.

And it is to be a further condition of the subscription and issue of bonds hereby contemplated, that said railroad company shall have its line in operation to Elk City, in Montgomery county, Kansas, by or before August first, 1879; to or near Longton, Nov. 1st, 1879; to or near Elk Falls, Dec. 1st, 1879; to the west line of Elk county by or before Jan. 1st, 1880.

We further respectfully petition that said special election may be called in said county in pursuance of the provisions of chapter 107 of the laws of Kansas for 1876, and the several acts amendatory thereof.

That the ballots to be used at said election in favor of said proposition shall have printed or written thereon the words, "For subscription of stock to the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company." And those against the proposition shall have printed or written thereon the words, "Against subscription of stock to the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company." And no vote shall be counted against said proposition that does not contain the above words.

We further respectfully petition your Honorable Board to require said railroad company to give security or make a deposit in money that it will pay the expenses of said special election in case the bonds should be voted and said company should fail to comply with the conditions of the same.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

We always thought that we were offering too much apiece for railroads. We have held that $100,000 apiece was enough to offer them. In 1877 Cowley county offered $120,000 apiece for two railroads and did not get either of them. No company that was able would build a road for that. The Greenbackers told us it was because of the resumption act, and we thought it was because of the greenback agitation: Finally in the fall of 1878 an able company offered to build for $180,000. We thought it too much and would not support the proposition, though no responsible company offered to build for less. We insisted that $100,000 was enough and that $120,000 was the very outside figure which we ought to give, but the pressure was all the other way, and as it seemed to be a question of railroad or no railroad, we finally consented to support the proposition on condition that the amount should not exceed $144,000.

Such a proposition was submitted and we supported it, at least as effectively as anyone else, and the proposition was carried. Since then resumption has actually taken place, confidence is restored, as we said it would be, there is no longer any danger that the howlings of played out politicians will cause infamous legislation on the currency question and millions upon millions of dollars, hitherto hoarded for safety, are now seeking investment. Every railroad route that offers fair remuneration is being carefully explored and the capital is ready for the work and competing against other capital. Two heavy and responsible companies are seeking routes from the east through our county and one of them will build for $68,000. This, we of course consider cheap, but it only confirms our former position that $100,000 to $120,000 was the very extent we should ever have offered for a road through the county.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

MARCH 13, 1879.

As our city is about to assume the dignity of second class, the following will be of interest to our citizens.

Cities of the second class have special laws for their regulation in school matters. The board of education consists of two members from each ward, who hold office for two years, one being elected annually. No member of the board of education shall be a member of the council, and no councilman shall be a member of the board of education.

For the want of room for schools, children between the ages of five and seven may be excluded from the schools. Territory adjacent to cities of the second class may become attached thereto for school purposes only, application being made to the board of education, and the territory, if attached, is entitled to elect two members of the board of education when equaling any one ward in population or taxable property.

The annual election comes on the first Tuesday of April. The bord must organize at its regular meeting in May, and meets on the first Monday of each month. It electts its own officers, excepting the treasurer makes its own rules and regulations, and has sole control of the schools and school property of the city.

A superintendent of schools shall be appointed by the board, shall constitute the committee to examine all applicants for teacher's positions. In other particulars, cities of the second class are subject to laws similar to the general school laws of the State.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

The legislature has authorized the publication of a manual of parliamentary rules for the use and government of the two houses of the legislature and members at the expense of the State. The compilation is to be done by Wirt Walton. It generally takes new members about the whole of one session to "learn the ropes" sufficiently to be able to do the country any good. This work is intended to help them to become useful much sooner. Wirt has become thoroughly well posted and our Solons could have done much worse than putting this work into his hands.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

PRAIRIE GROVE, March 7, 1879.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

Mr. Samuel Watt has a dwelling in process of erection on his eighty acre farm. Sickness prevented Mrs. Ed. Chapin from discharging her duties as governess in Dist. No. 115 last week. Miss Grimes' school in No. 4 in one more week will be enumerated as one of the things that were.

Messrs L. Holcomb and Samuel Waugh last week exchanged places of abode. Dr. A. W. Holland has returned home from his medical course at Louisville, Ky., and assumes the editorship of the literary publication of Thomasville Lyceum. Charles Holcomb is sojourning in the State of Arkansas.

Yes, let us have another railroad election by all means, or some other excitement that will disturb this shotgun monotony.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

Topeka has a distillery.

Galena has the measels.

The fall wheat needs rain.

The peach buds are killed.

Silver Lake has a coal mine.

Lecompton has a brass band.

Sedan expects to get railroad.

Applies are $3 per bushel in Hays City.

Salina expects to be a railroad center.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

McGuire & Crippen had a fine awning put up last week.

Mrs. Whitehead is having a glass front put in her building.

Will Mowry was up from the "head of navigation" Tuesday.

Councilman Gully has erected a fine dwelling on south Main street.

A. H. Green has put a handsome gold leaf sign in front of his office.

Tom Barton proposes to have his street sprinklers in operation by the first of April. He intends to run two this season.

Lem. Cook, one of the "old residenters" of Cowley County, passed through Winfield on Monday for Topeka, which will be his future home.

In the United States the cost for public schools is $2.02 for each inhabitant. The army taxes us $1.39 per head, while whiskey is only $20 a head.

Mr. T. S. Magill, of Miami county, in this state, is visiting his brother-in-law, C. C. Harris, in this city. He is well pleased with the place and prospects and intends to locate.

The board of commissioners met on Monday and called the election on the L. L. & G. railroad proposition, to be held April 29th.

AD: Mrs. Anna Harris/Milliner. Having purchased the millinery stock of the firm of Misses Olds & Currry, I shall put in a/New Stock of Goods, and shall keep a full line of First Class Millinery Goods and Fancy Notions. Hats and Bonnets Trimmed/Dressmaking.

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AD: SOUTHWESTERN MACHINE WORKS/CLARKE & DYSERT, Props./Samuel Clarke/WINFIELD - KANSAS/MANUFACTURE. ENGINES, BOILERS, AND MILL MACHINERY/MACHINE BLACKSMITHING./HARVESTING MACHINERY.NO ADDRESS.

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AD: H. JOCHEMS, DEALER IN HARDWARE, STOVES & TINWARE. Special Attention Given to Guttering and Spouting. East Side Main Street, Opposite Read's Bank, Winfield, Kansas.

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AD: THE NEW CHICAGO BOOT AND SHORE HOUSE, WINFIELD, KANSAS., HAS AN ENTIRELY NEW STOCK OF FIRST-CLASS GOODS, INCLUDING THE CELEBRATED CHICAGO BOOTS & SHOES, and a large line of the famous CABLE WIRE FASTENED GOODS, all bought at the lowest prices for cash. Call and see the Largest and Best Stock of Boots and Shoes ever displayed in Winfield, and get our low cash prices.

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Lynn & Gillelen are making arrangements to bring on another immense stock of goods this spring. J. B. Lynn is now in Chicago, buying goods, and when they open the people may expect some rare bargains. These gentlemen never do things by halves, and besides having the largest store room in southern Kansas, they generally carry a stock that would do credit to Kansas City or Atchison.

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Sam Myton returned from his eastern trip last Sunday, and brought an immense lot of goods with him.

A large stock of confectionery, just received, at Dever's Star Bakery.

We were pleased to meet Mr. J. S. Mann, from St. Louis, last Monday. Mr. Mann intends to engage in business here, and has rented the building belonging to Mr. Hughes on south Main street.

The Winfield Marble Works have some very fine patterns of tombstones, table-tops, etc., on hand now.

C. H. Robinson has returned from a trip to Topeka. He reports everything lively and a great immigration.

And now Sam Jarvis is happy. It's a boy and weighs 12 pounds. Good enough, Sam, and our best wishes are that it may grow up to be as good a chap as its daddy.

MARCH 13, 1879.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

Mr. E. E. Weightman, from Hendall Creek, Penn., has purchased the Wm. Martin farm, west of town, and will remove here some time in the future. Mr. Weightman is a stirring, enterprising man, and we are glad that he has concluded to make Cowley his future home.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

NINNESCAH, March 1, 1879.

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MARCH 13, 1879.

SILVER CREEK, March 10, 1879.

A prairie fire was put out on the 25th of Feb. in the north part of the township, the wind blowing from the northwest a perfect gale, driving the fire through the center and east part of the township, doing much damage. Those suffering most were

H. S. Millard and Daniel Kempton. Mr. Millard lost several tons of hay, one mile of hedge, his team badly burned, disabling them for spring work, and some fruit trees were killed. Mr. Kempton lost some corn and one-half mile of hedge.

We understand that Mr. A. P. Brooks will put out two hundred apple trees this spring. Dennis Cunningham has built a snug little house on his place. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Land, March 3rd, a son, weight 9 pounds.

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MARCH 20, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

We are indebted to Rev. A. H. Walter for the following list of appointments of the M. E. Conference, Wichita District.

Augusta, G. W. Kline.

Belle Plaine, J. W. Cain.

Belleview and Rolling Green (Supply), E. B. Abbott.

Cartwright, Gates.

Caldwell, A. Ryan and Armstrong.

Douglass, C. A. Stine.

East Wichita, H. Waiff.

Eldorado, P. F. Jones.

Plum Grove (supply), J. S. Budd.

Quito, A. Cain.

Sedgwick, D. W. Cameron.

Wichita, J. Kirby.

Wichita Mission, J. W. Stewart.

West Wichita, N. P. Ledrick.

Wellington, J. N. Bolcourt.

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MARCH 20, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

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MARCH 20, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

Eagle: Hon. W. P. Hackney, of Winfield, has been in the city for several days, engaged in a very interesting law suit.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

For more than two months our State Senator, Hon. A. J. Pyburn, has been constantly at his post at the capital. His return to his home and friends is taken as an opportunity for speaking of his work.

Though differing from Mr. Pyburn politically, we take pleasure in commending his course during the winter. In his support of Mr. Ingalls, he obeyed the wishes of a very large majority of his constituents of all parties. By securing the enactment of the law governing the issuance, payment, etc., of school district bonds, he has rendered the entire State a service, this being one of the most important laws enacted by the legislature. Should it ever be our fortune to be again represented in the State Senate by a democrat, we shall hope that Mr. Pyburn will be the man.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

We have the authority of Gen'l. Strong of the A. T. & S. F. R. R. for stating that the extension of the Wichita branch will be commenced at once and that the iron and ties have been contracted for. In view of the building of lines in Kansas this season by this company, twenty locomotives, five hundred box cars, one hundred stock cars, fifty coal and flat cars, fifteen cabooses, five baggage cars, and eighteen coaches have been ordered. The new cabooses are to be the same as those already in use, which are so popular with stockmen. Mr. Strong says that this southern extension of the road will be one of the most important divisions on the line and that within another year, it will, in all probability reach Fort Smith, Arkansas. It might not be out of place for us to add in connection with the above that Gen'l. Strong seemed quite anxious to impress upon our mind the fact that he is specially desirous that the interests of the Company and the people shall be mutual and that a sympathy between them shall become firmly established. Before the next harvest is ready for shipment, another reduction in freight charges will take place; and we are informed further reductions will voluntarily be made as rapidly as the business of the Company will permit.

Gen'l. Strong appears to be very sincere in all he says regarding the welfare of the people along the line of his road, and we believe if his ideas are faithfully carried out, much good will result to all concerned. We found him to be a gentleman in every respect and very frank in expressing his ideas on the subject mentioned in this article.

MARCH 20, 1879.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Cowley County has $35,563.13 in its treasury.

Over 86,000,000 bushels of corn was raised in the State last year.

Twenty-eight thousands acres of blue grass pasture in the State.

Twenty-six and one-half millions bushel of wheat raised in the State last year.

The I. O. G. T. installed their officers for the present term, at Little Dutch, Cowley County, last week.

The state of Kansas has 266,575 children of school age, and 4,520 school houses, or about sixty children to each school.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Smith Bros. have a white and black sign.

Col. Manning came home from Topeka last Sunday.

Senator Pyburn returned home from Topeka last week.

Judge W. P. Hackney has gone to Sedan on legal business.

J. T. Weston has been making some changes in his hardware store.

If you want to learn anything of blooded fowls, ask N. T. Snyder about them.

The Semi-Weekly has moved into its new quarters, just across the street from the COURIER office.

The Yale time lock man has been in the city the past two days regulating the time locks of our excellent banks.

Mr. A. B. Lemmon with his wife and "that boy" arrived in Winfield last Friday evening and will remain until next week.

The COURIER office has the most perfect map plate of Cowley county that has ever been prepared. We shall use it next week.

The receipts for lock boxes at the post office are more than twice as great as they were three months ago; and still there are other boxes for rent.

The show business is getting stale in Winfield. For the past six weeks the opera house has been occupied almost every evening by some kind of a traveling show, and still they come.

The next number of the COURIER will be specially devoted to the interests of Cowley county, and persons desiring extra copies to send to their friends should leave their orders at once.

Why can't our citizens agree to plant shade trees along their front walks? Let all lots that front on any one street be adorned with one kind of tree, and so on, until every street running north and south would have its own kind of tree. Anyhow, put out shade trees.

We would call your attention to the advertisement of Johnston's Great Western Gun Works in another column. Our Pittsburg agent endorses Mr. Johnston as being a reliable and honorable businessman, and one of the oldest and largest dealers in the United States. Send stamp for his large and illustrated catalogue.

Winfield Courier, March 20, 1879.

The residence of Col. J. C. McMullen, when completed, will be one of the most con-venient houses in Southern Kansas. It is lighted throughout with gas, having jets in every room, from garret to cellar, is heated with hot air, and the system of warm and cold water pipes is equal to any we have ever seen. It is a credit to the city, as well as a monument to the enterprise of one of Cowley's oldest and best citizens.

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The Presbyterian Synod of Kansas has appointed a committee and is taking steps toward locating a Presbyterian college somewhere within the limits of the Synod. Emporia has offered $10,000 toward having it located at that place, and Salina proposes to give $15,000.

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Several hundred dollars were paid last week on orders for state school fund, "and still ther's more to follow."

Can't our school districts appoint an "arbor day" for the purpose of planting trees? This is a matter that all good citizens should encourage.

Springs will tell. Go to Wichita in Shinneman & Millspaugh's rigs, as cheap as the stage.

Dr. Hughes, of the Traveler, and Hon. M. R. Leonard came up from Arkansas City last Tuesday.

We have opened a Large, New and Complete Stock of HARDWARE, which we intend to sell at the Lowest Reasonable Rates FOR CASH.

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Mr. Smith, of the "New Chicago Boot and Shoe House," arrived here last week.

McCommon & Harter have a miniature aquarium on exhibition in their front window, in which they have confined serval specimens of that historic fish known as the "sucker."

Col. Loomis and M. Thompson started for Leadville, Colorado, with a carload of pork last Tuesday.

Mr. Will Hudson and Miss Emma Green were married on last Sunday evening.

Bret. Crapster, ye local of the Telegram, has returned from his visit East. We suppose that he has accumulated a "fu of humor and a store of wit" with which he will embellish the columns of the Telegram for the next two or three weeks.

Herrington & Austin have put up a handsome sign over the entrance to their paint shop.

The students of our city schools presented a pleasing sight as they marched up Ninth avenue Tuesday afternoon to witness the phonograph exhibition at the Opera House. There were between three hundred and four hundred in line marching in two ranks. The older students had the lead and as the long line tapered down to the A B C folks, it looked as if the professor in charge or someone else had whittled the school down "almost to a fine point."

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MARCH 20, 1879

During the past few days the attention of our people has been called directly to this proposed extension of the Missouri Pacific railroad. The first of this week Messrs. D. R. Garrison and Melville C. Dey, of St. Louis, officers of the proposed road, arrived in the city. They spent a couple of days conferrning with our poeple and on Tuesday evening met a goodly number of our most prominent citizens at the city council room for the purpose of discussing with them the advantages of the contemplated line of road. The meeting was organized by the election of Mr. C. A. Bliss, chairman, and O. M. Seward, secretary. Aftger considerable speech-making, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

In the division of our city into wards, we find this gentleman the only councilman left in the first ward. Mr. Jochems is one of our best businessmen, honorable, fair-minded, of sound judgment, and devoted to the interests of the city. He has been a faithful officer and ward No. 1 should reelect him.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

LITTLE DUTCH, March 14, 1879.

Swift-footed time speeds on and places us in certain positions before we are aware of it; so it placed us in a position to fight fire last night like "gee whiz." The prairie fire burned four straw stacks, a coral, considerable fence, and quite a number of fruit and forest trees for Mr. White.

Yes, it was a hard wind last night; so hard that a "bran new" pair of breeches belonging to one of our citizens went sailing off for another clime.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

WINFIELD, KANS., Marc. 17, 1879.

J. P. Short, taking census, $9.00.

C. C. Stevens, city marshal, $40.00.

John Beckem, removing nuisance, $1.25.

James Walsh, laying crosswalk, $10.00.

All allowed and ordered paid.

On motion Council adjourned to 24th inst.

C. M. WOOD, Acting Mayor.

Attest: J. P. SHORT, Clerk.

PROCLAMATION.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Miss Addie Turner, of Baltimore, and Miss Ray Nauman, of Winfield, are visiting at Mr. Craig's.

Mr. John Ingraham and family have moved from the city of Floral to this neighborhood.

Mr. John Cox is building a very nice stone house.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Mr. Tibbetts has moved to Sumner County. Mr. Ellis has moved on Mr. Waite's farm.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

ED. COURIER: For the sake of our city, it is to be hoped that no mistakes will be made this year by any of our good citizens. Last year our temperance folks with the best intentions, in which they have our sympathies, endeavored to secure a city government which would favor the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors. It is claimed on the part of some that mistakes of managers defeated this ticket.

We will not pause to discuss this point, except to say that it is entirely probable that even had there been the utmost wisdom and skill displayed by those directing the movement, still the opposition ticket would have been elected. Regret it as much as we will, it is not at all certain that public sentiment is ripe for such sweeping measures as absolute prohibition in Winfield.

But passing this all by and looking at the result of the election, we find that nothing was secured except what every good citizen must deplore. We may lay it down as a principle that radical temperance issues raised in an election if not successful will result in giving a thorough-going whiskey city government. Those interested in the support of the traffic rally their forces and nominate a ticket and back it by money or whiskey, and see to it that only those who will stick at nothing to favor them are on the ticket. This was exactly what happened at the last election. The present city government began its work of service for the liquor interest by granting licenses to men on insufficient petitions and with scarcely a pretense of examining some of them. They licensed Page to keep a dram shop, knowning that it was but the cover of a gambling den, and it was asserted by Rev. Risbridge, and has never been denied as far as we have heard, in a sermon soon after the death of Page, that members of the Council and officials of the city accepted private keys to Page's gambling rooms.

Now, in view of these facts, would it not be better for temperance folks to keep out of the spring election with a ticket and accept the best men offered by the citizens at large. They cannot do worse, and they can scarcely have a change without bettering themselves if they do not force temperance into undue prominence. By throwing the temperance vote solid for the best men, we can secure a change, and that is the important thing. We can get men who will see that other interests be protected besides the whiskey interests. PROGRESS.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Mr. P. W. Watkins has shown us plans for a new Presbyterian church at Little Dutch. The plans are well drawn and beautiful. The church will be a neat and imposing edifice to cost about $1500.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

The Presbytery of Emporia will neet in this place April 7, at 7:30 p.m. The session of the Presbytery will be opened with a sermon by the retiring Moderator, Rev. F. P. Berry, of Wellington. The meetings of Presbytery will probably continue until Friday or Saturday. This Presbytery embraces about one sixth of the Presbyterian churches of Kansas, and there are five others in the State. The number of delegates entitled to sit in this body are one minister and one ruling elder from each church.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

WHEREAS, We, the undersigned, believe that everything in opposition to the rights of the laborer is inimical to the prosperity of the community, and

WHEREAS, We further believe that the prosperity of our city and our own individual interests as well, will be more perfectly assured by securing for officials men who can realize the wants and appreciate the necessities of the working classes.

Therefore, for the better protection of our rights and for the better government of our city, be it

Resolved, That we unite our efforts to effect a change in the management of the finances and improvements of our city. And be it further

Resolved, That we, and each of us, sustain and support the nominees of the labor party of the city of Winfield in the coming city election. And be it further

Resolved, That we denounce all kinds of bribery, and all attempts to influence the vote of any man by this means, and that we will support no man who will countenance the use of liquor for the purpose of influencing any man in the exercise of his franchise, or who boasts that he can or has used it for that purpose. C. CAYWOOD, Pres.

L. SPACH, Sec'y.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

The following are the officers of the Cowley County Sabbath School Convention.

President: R. C. Story.

Vice President: W. M. Sleeth.

Secretary: F. S. Jennings.

Assistant Secretary: H. E. Asp.

Treasurer: James Harden.

Executive Committee: R. C. Story, F. S. Jennings, T. R. Bryan, Will Mowry, E. W. Jones, John R. Thompson, and A. S. Williams.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

The following marriage licenses have been granted since March 1st.

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MARCH 20, 1879.

Whereas, the county commissioners of the county of Cowley, State of Kansas, at a special meeting, held March 10th, 1879, made an order of which the following is a copy.

"At a special meeting of the county commissioners of Cowley county, holden at the office of the county clerk in the courthouse in the City of Winfield in said county on the 10th day of March A. D. 1879, there were present: R. F. Burden, Chairman;

W. M. Sleeth and Geo. L. Gale, Commissioners; with E. S. Torrance, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk; a petition was presented to the Board, signed by two-fifths of the resident tax-payers off said county which, with the signatures omitted is as follows: to wit:

"To the Honorable the Board of County Commissioners of the county of Cowley and State of Kansas:

THIS GOES ON AND ON...SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS OUTLINED TO BEGIN WITH...MAIN THING: SPECIAL ELECTION: TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1879.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

FACTS FOR HOME-SEEKERS

MAP AND EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF HON. ALF. GRAY, SECRETARY OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

COUNTY SUMMARY.

vated to taxable acres, 38.25 percent; increase of cultivated acres during the year, 32,697.19.

Baptist: organizations, 11; membership, 375; church edi-fices, 1; value of church property, $2,000.

Congregational: organizations, 2; membership, 26.

Episcopal: membership, 15.

Methodist Episcopal: organizations, 30; membership, 746; church edifices, 2; value of church property, $14,000.

Presbyterian: organizations, 4; membership, 250; church edifices, 2; value of church property, $15,000.

Roman Catholic: organizations, 1; membership, 200.

United Presbyterian: organizations, 1; membership, 40; value of church property, $4,000.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

The question of utilizing the vast, though ever-changing current of water, known as the Upper Arkansas river, flowing through our State from west to south-east, and making it the highway to a southern market, has been a living subject with the enterprising agricultural people of Cowley, Sumner, Sedgwick, and those counties lying along and contiguous thereto, ever since the first settlement of that fertile valley in 1870. Owing to their remote distance from a railroad or a market, and the consequent cost of transporting the vast surplus of wheat raised in Cowley and Sumner, this matter has been of vital interest to the people living within their borders. The subject has been discussed in the field and in the grange; has been the slogan of the country politician and the shibboleth of the farmers. It has been resolved upon by conventions, petitioned for by representatives and memorialized by our State Legislature until Congress has taken the matter under consideration, and appointed a commission of competent engineers to personally visit, examine, and report on the feasibility of opening up the stream for navigation, from some point near the terminus of the Wichita branch of the Santa Fe railroad to Little Rock, Arkansas.

MARCH 27, 1879.

In the southern part of Cowley County, is a town of some 800 inhabitants and is still growing rapidly. New houses are going up every day. It is beautifully situated on a high mound like elevation at the junction of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers, commanding a view of the surrounding country for many miles all round.

It is one of the best locations for a town in the State; high, dry, and healthful. It is in the very best portion of the Arkansas valley a short distance from where that river leaves the State and enters the Indian Territory. It has a class of citizens of unusual intelligence and refinement for a western town. Arkansas City has now as fine business houses as are to be found in the State with large and full assorted stocks of goods.

Arkansas City is represented by one weekly newspaper, the Arkansas City Traveler.

We have the finest school building in the Southwest, costing upwards of $10,000. It is constructed of brick with cut stone corners, two stories high, and is finished in the best modern style.

We have the finest and best grist and saw mill in Southern Kansas, one steam saw mill, three Drug stores, three Dry Goods stores, two Hardware stores, one Shoe store, three Grocery stores, one large Furniture store, two Banks, three Blacksmith shops, one Bakery, one Lumber yard, five Doctors, two Dentists, four practicing Lawyers, two Real Estate Agents, three Hotels, two Livery Stables, two Milliners, one Paint Shop, one Photographer, two Harness Shops, one Barber, one Carpet-weaving house, one Gunsmith, two Tin Shops, two Carpenter Shops, one Cigar store, one Billiard Hall, three Churches, one Carriage and Wagon Shop.

The town is not in advance of the country, and must prosper as it becomes settled. It is the southern terminus of four prospective railroads; one from Wichita down the Arkansas Valley, one down the Walnut river from Eldorado, one from Independence via the Elk Valley, and one now building from Kansas City, via Emporia, which will reach this place in time to carry away next year's crops.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

GOES ON AND ON...SKIPPED REST.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

Through the persistent efforts of Hon. Thomas Ryan, four new mail routes have been established in this couty and the lettings for mail services will be made with the general lettings of mail contracts for this spring. The routes alluded to are

1st. Winfield via. Tannehill, Salt City, Guelph, and South Haven to Caldwell, tri-weekly.

2nd. Winfield via. Silverdale and Maple City to Otto, tri-weekly.

3rd. Winfield via. Bushnell, Littleton, and El Paso to Wichita, daily.

4th. Winfield via. Floral to Polo, tri-weekly.

The last has been run awhile semi-weekly before being established by Congress. It will now be regularly let.

The Winfield to Wichita route will be direct and will supercede the route via Oxford and to Arkansas City. A separate daily mail will be established from Winfield to Arkansas City and probably another from Winfield via. Oxford to Wellington. The Wichita mail will probably be required to reach this place at 3 o'clock p.m. and leave at 9 o'clock a.m.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

Fred C. Hunt is writing up the abstract books in Curns' & Mansers' land office.

I. L. Comfort, the Pioneer wood-cutter, is around again looking for wood to cut.

Rev. J. A. Hyden, pastor of the M. E. church, conducted the services at the Presbyterian church last Sunday.

Mr. A. A. Rankin, brother-in-law of our lumberman, Mr. John Moffitt, arrived here Monday evening. He is on a trip of health, pleasure, and a look at the country.

NOTE: OLDEST PRACTICING LAWYER IN KANSAS.

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Linus S. Webb returned to Winfield last week and expects, with no "intervening providence," to remain permanently with us. Mr. Webb made many warm friends during his former residence here.

The credit of getting up this edition of the COURIER is almost wholly due to Mr. Lemmon, who has been in the city for several days and taken cahrge of the matter. The other editor has made the selections from the superintendent's biennial reports without the entire approval of his partner.

We would call special attention to the notices in this issue of Messrs. Gilbert & Jarvis. They are building up a very large business and by their energy and careful attention to their work are winning golden opinions.

GENERAL

REAL ESTATE AND LOAN AGENTS,

WINFIELD, KANSAS.

S. L. GILBERT, Notary Public. S. M. JARVIS, Attorney at Law.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

OMNIA TP., March 16, 1879.

We now have a blacksmith shop in full blast at Baltimore. So much on the strength of an eastern railroad. The extreme modesty exhibited by the L. L. & G., company in only demanding $68,000 is causing some comment among the farmers in Omnia when they consider the fact that the limit fixed by law will not allow us to vote anymore. But, "howsomer," the most of them will vote for the proposition.

One of our estimable ladies, Mrs. A. L. Crow, has been called away by death since our last. Some of our farmers start to Wichita tomorrow for lumber to build a school house in District 109. They expect to build it immediately and have a school this summer.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

There will be a meeting of the citizens of Winfield township at the courthouse on Saturday, the 29th day of March, at 2 o'clock p.m., for the purpose of selecting township officers to fill the vacancies caused by the city becoming a city of the second class.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

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Sometime since we thought of purchasing a new power press for the COURIER but we read the fate of poor Warner and decided to profit by his example. Some years ago W. H. Warner located at Independence and purchased the "Kansan" published at that place. For a considerable time he did well, his paper constantly increasing in influence, circulation, and business. At last Warner became ambitious. He started a daily and bought a power press. As long as his money and credit lasted, everything went swimmingly. After awhile these were exhausted and then he was compelled to stop the daily and sell the weekly. Another took possession of the Kansan and Warner engaged in the patent outside business in Kansas City. Soon he broke again, this time deserting his wife and children, and fleeing the country with a paramour. We sincerely hope that this will not be the fate of our neighbor of the Telegram but for the present we shall use our hand press.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

A new building for the Cowley County Bank, is to be erected on Houghton & McLaughlin's corner lot, directly opposite the Traveler Office.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

The Farms of Cowley County are the pride of her people. In every township may be found men who came here poor, but who by industry, perseverance, and economy have built for themselves homes which neither money nor mortgages can take from them.

We give the following as specimens.

These farms are samples of Cowley county farms. They show what anyone can do here with a little capital backed by willing hands and an earnest spirit. Our valleys and uplands are the pride of the west. Take Rock, Beaver, and Grouse, on the east; Silver and Timber in the center; and the Walnut and the Arkansas for the west; and, with the uplands between these streams, you can find no richer, no lovelier lands on which to build homes, go where you will.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

For the last several days there has been great excitement about the discovery of gold in the east part of Ninnescah township, in this county. It is said to have been discovered in a deep well, while excavating rock; that the rock is a kind of quarts and contains gold to a considerable amount. Other wells have been sunk in the vicinity with like results. Large numbers of persons have visited the location and become convinced that the discovery of gold is a fact. Real estate is changing hands at high figures and at a lively rate.

We are still skeptical on the matter, and, since the result of a former silver mine excitement, the Yates Center silver mines of last year, and the Eldorado coal hole, we do not propose to be in a hurry to endorse the Ninnescah gold mines.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

Allen B. Lemmon, wife and boy left for Topeka last Monday.

Soloman Rodocker, father of D. Rodocker, our photograph man, arrived in this city last Saturday on a visit to his son.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

WINFIELD, KANS., Mar. 24, 1879.

Council met at usual time and place, Mayor Lynn in chair. Present, councilmen Jochems, Manning, and Wood.

Sidewalk contract of Fortner & Cady approved. Treasurer made statement and Clerk instructed to examine same and vouchers, certify to its correctness, and have same published.

The following bills were allowed and ordered paid.

Lynn & Gillelen, mdse. for Mrs. Fox, $2.75.

McCommon & Hartel, stationery, etc. $1.70.

J. P. Short, clerk, $10.00.

J. H. Finch, boarding prisoners, $6.00.

Adjourned to meet April 2nd, 1879.

J. B. LYNN, Mayor

J. P. SHORT, Clerk.

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MARCH 27, 1879.

The following is a list of the principal business firms of Winfield.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1879.

BALTIMORE, Cowley Co., March 16.

Farmers sowing oats and plowing for corn. F. M. Boyer, a leading and respected citizen of Vernon, has located near Baltimore, and is erecting a beautiful stone house, and is going to build a barn of the same material of which he has an abundant supply. John R. Shipman and Chas. Gilliard are doing the mason work.

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APRIL 3, 1879.

The Indian raids on the frontier of Kansas last season has led the legislature to make provision against a repetition of the inroads of the hostile redskins. The following is now a law, and its provisions will, it is said, be immediately carried into effect.

Sec. 1. That the Governor is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such a number of reliable and discreet men as he may deem necessary, not exceeding forty in number, to be under charge of two efficient officers, to be appointed by him, and to be governed by such rules and regulations as are not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the State, to be under his direction armed and equipped, and to act as a patrol guard at such times and places on the frontier as he may direct, for the purpose of watching and reporting the movements of hostile Indians, and, so far as possible, rendering protection to settlers, and giving notice to the Governor and to settlers of the State of any actual or threatened danger from such Indians, and such guard shall be composed of citizens who have resided at least one year in the western part of the state.

Sec. 2. The wages for men furnishing their own horses and equipments therefor shall not exceed $40 per month, the State to furnish camp equipment for such men and horses.

Sec. 4. The captain may appoint four sergeants, which sergeants shall be entitled to five dollars per month extra pay for such service.

Sec. 5. Any officer or any enlisted man in such service, may, at the discretion of the Governor, be discharged from service at any time.

Sec. 6. The sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated as a military contingent fund for the years 1879 and 1880, for the purpose of defraying ex-penses in arming, equipping, with repeating rifle and Colt's navy revolver, feeding and paying the officers and guard hereinbefore provided for. And the Auditor of State, upon receipt of proper vouchers approved by the Governor, shall draw his warrant on the treasurer for such sums as may from time to time be required to carry out the provisions of this act, not exceeding in the aggregate the sum appropriated for such purpose.

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APRIL 3, 1879.

Col. Broadhead, Engineer of the Mo. Pacific extension, and party of twelve assistants, completed the survey of their projected road from Paola as far as Winfield on last Thursday the 27th. inst. He has made a through survey, having been at work on this line of 150 miles for several weeks. He reports the route as entirely feasible and in the main easy of grade.

There are some parts of the route which will require a considerable expense in grading, but not so much as to effect the prospects of building the road in a nearly direct line. He will make a return survey varying his route somewhat to ascertain if there is a better line for a part of the way without varying the route materially from a direct line. Col. Broadhead is an accomplished engineer of large experience and has the full confidence of the company.

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APRIL 3, 1879.

The election last Tuesday was very warm and excited, but everything went off pleasantly. The result was:

1st w. 2nd w.

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The laboringmen made a very good ticket for city officers, but some of the leaders in the movement had made such remarks about the determination of the laborers to rule the city in their own interests, while one of their resolutions would bear the same construction, that suspicion was cast upon all the laboring men on the ticket that if successful we should be subjected to high taxes and enormous debts for the purpose of making more work and higher wages for the laboring men.

For this reason the ticket became at once very unpopular (though injustly) and of course was badly beaten at the polls.

APRIL 3, 1879.

There were 1,452 names signed to the L. L. & G. railroad proposition in Cowley county.

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APRIL 3, 1879.

Mr. Olds is building a fine residence on 8th avenue.

W. O. Johnson is happy. It's a boy and tips the beam at eleven pounds. Next!

The surveying party of the Missouri Pacific railroad passed through Winfield last Thursday.

Judge James Christian visited the metropolis last Friday and reports the seaport as flourishing.

Mr. I. C. Loomis, father-in-law of J. C. McMullen, and wife, started for Colorado last Monday to visit a daughter, and will be absent several months.

A team belonging to Mr. Pierce became frightened last Saturday and kicked around in Main street at a lively rate with the wagon at their heels, but fortunately no serious damage was done.

Smith Bros. have erected, at considerable cost, large bulletin boards on all the principal roads leading into Winfield. These gentlemen have a splendid stock and intend to let the people know it.

We regret to announce the death of Mrs. J. P. McMillen, of pneumonia, at her residence in Colorado. Mrs. McMillen was one of the old residents of Winfield, and leaves a large circle of friends in this community who mourn her loss deeply.

The Citizens Bank has declared a dividen of 10 percent, being the net earnings on its capital for the six months ending March first, 1879. This is a splendid showing and goes to prove that Winfield has the soundest and best conducted banks in the state.

J. C. Walter, just west of the post office, is not content with catering to the wants of the inner man but gratifies his catholic tastes by making a kind of conservtory of choice flowering and foliage plants. Some of these are very fine; we noticed particularly his calla lillies, carnations, and fuschias. He has a standing offer of $50 for a certain was plant. Call and see this collection by all means.

E. E. Bacon, in the P. O. building, has now a complete stock of clocks, watches, and jewelry which he offers for sale lower than ever. The clocks were made expressly for him and are bettern than any made for ordinary retail trade. They have polished steel pinions, pivots and plates. He is the only watchmaker in southern Kansas who has served a full apprenticeship in a watch factory [American] and has twenty-three years experience with fine and complicated watches. He is constantly doing work for other watchmakers in the state.

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APRIL 3, 1879.

WINFIELD, KANS., March 24, 1879.

To Hon. J. B. Lynn, Mayor of the city of Winfield.

The undersigned would respectfully submit herewith his report of his receipts and disbursements as Treasurer of the City of Winfield up to the present date as shown by the enclosed itemized statement.

J. C. McMULLEN,

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

H. Holtby is increasing the area of his orchard by the addition of 300 fruit trees.

Beaver's literary institutions at the Tannehill and Enterprise school houses, after a pleasant and interesting winter session, have adjourned, to meet again when another season's crop is garnered.

Miss Grimes' school at Centennial closed last Saturday with a dinner entertainment...Clara Browning received an excellency for scholarship.

Mr. Rufus McCulloch has disposed of his farm to a representative of the "Hoosier" state; consideration, $650.

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A certain farmer in the "bottom" makes a plow boy of his wife.

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Last Thursday Mr. Charles Whitson was permitted to pull in the traces with Miss Dessie Williams, Rev. Hopkins officiating. Here is our cup [?], Charley, and may you and your estimable lady's efforts in the future be crowned with success.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

RAILROAD BUILDING.

When at home two weeks ago we talked with many who feared that the proposed railroad from Wichita to Winfield would not be built within the time agreed upon. We were surprised to find so many residents both of the city and of the country distrustful of the intentions of the Santa Fe company. To all such we stated that on account of their attempt to secure occupants for their immense tracts of land in western Kansas, the company could not afford to advertise our county by beginning the construction of their road into it until the rush of the spring immigration is over, but that we were confident the road would be completed the coming summer.

Last Friday we called upon General Manager Strong, and were assured by him that our statement of the case was entirely correct, and that the engineers were then at work making the survey of the route. Mr. Strong stated that the materials for the construction of the road have already been purchased and that he expected within two weeks to send to the COURIER advertisements for bids for the grading. He says that the work on the extension will be pushed rapidly until the road is completed, and that if we said to do so he would yet put ten thousand dollars into the hands of our county treasurer as a forfeit to the county if he fails to have the cars running to Winfield by the 30th of September next.

Mr. Strong is a frank, outspoken man. He means exactly what he says, and we are just as confident that our "pass" is to be made "good to Winfield" within six months as we would be if the Santa Fe company had a forfeit of one hundred thousand dollars in the hands of our county treasurer.

The construction of this road is assured. It is a thing of which no man in the county should have any doubt. We believe that the ones who have charge of the enterprise will have the cars running to Winfield long before the fall immigration to the State will begin. The same things that cause delay in beginning work are arguments in favor of the rapid construction of the road when it is commenced.

COWLEY COUNTY FARMERS, YOU WILL CERTAINLY MARKET THIS YEAR'S CROPS AT WINFIELD. Cut out these lines and paste them in your hats so that you may refer to them occasionally for encouragement. The same labor that produced and marketed twenty acres of corn last year will double that number this. Instead of being compelled to freight your wheat, forty, fifty, or sixty miles to dispose of it, lying out of doors at night and being exposed in all kinds of weather, you will market your crops at home hereafter and enjoy your evenings with your families.

This spring every available acre of ground should be planted to some kind of paying crop. We should strain every nerve to make our productions as great as possible. The railroad will be of little value to us if we have nothing to ship. This summer breaking plows should be kept moving. (We have taken the advice we give you and shall have every tillable acre of our "points" put into cultivation this season.) Next fall we should sow one hundred and fifty thousand acres of fall wheat. With a home market our surplus from this crop alone will put us almost out of debt. If we continue in the future, industrious and frugal as we have been in the past, we shall find our county just entering upon an era of prosperity and development such as we have not yet known. Let all plans be made and work done as if the road was already constructed, for the highest authority in connection with the enterprise says it shall be pushed rapidly to completion. We give you not hearsay evidence, but the frank, honest statement of the man who controls.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

Some of our exchanges are disposed to criticize us for not exposing what they call "the fraud" in relation to the gold excitement in this county. Now we are ready to expose the fraud when we find it out and have satisfactory evidence of it and not until then. We have stated and reiterated our belief that no native gold has been found in this county and we should think that people at a distance, knowing that the publishers of papers in the immediate vicinity of the object of excitement do not believe any gold has been found, would be very slow to drink in the wild reports that are circulated. Evidently some persons believe there is gold here and as we do not know who circulates the reports nor whether these are honest or dishonest in their expressed opinions, we have no one to charge with fraud.

We suppose that some persons who are as incredulous as ourself have helped to circulate these reports or at least have failed to express the incredulity from a desire to induce people from a distance to visit this county. We highly disapprove of such conduct and motives. We do not wish to induce people by any kind of misrepresentations to come here. If any man thinks of coming to this county to dig for gold, we hope he will not come, for he will only be disappointed and go away cursing the whole county as a fraud.

If any man wants to find productive land at low prices, land that will produce abundant crops of wheat, corn, and fruit, we want him to come here for he will find that all the encomiums of Cowley lands are true and he will give a goodly report of the county.

Let us tell the truth, the whole truth if we can, and if that will not induce a sufficient immigration we can well afford to wait.

Now we will give some reasons for our belief that no native gold has been found.

We have seen a great many specimens of rock from the Goldore diggins, said to be gold bearing quartz, but by all the appliances which our chemistry here can command, not one particle of gold has been discovered in them, and what is more, not one particle of quartz has been found connected with any of them. The rock called quartz is limestone more or less crystalized. There have been two or three specimens of gold-bearing quartz shown, but it was certain that they had been imported, for they were entirely unlike any rock found in this county.

Three thousand dollars or more has been brought from the East to this place, by persons connected with this matter, and deposited in Read's Bank and has been checked out from time to time, but the real estate sales at prices from $1,600 to $16,000 per quarter section appear to have been sales only in name. We cannot find that more than $400 or $500 altogether has been actually paid for land. The $16,000 offers were made in such a way that no prudent man would for a moment think that he could actually get that amount for his land and if any attempted it, they did not succeed.

It is easy to get up an excitement. The same man, whoever he is, wrote under different assumed names to the Eldorado, Topeka, Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago papers, giving exciting accounts of marvelous gold mines, and people from a distance rushed in here and by their curiosity and enthusiasm convinced some of the weaker vessels of our county that there might be gold there.

We do not understand how anyone except the saloonist at Goldore and the hackmen can make anything out of the fraud, if it is a fraud at the bottom, but we do not believe there is a particle of native gold or quartz within ten miles of Goldore.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

There are one hundred and seventeen school districts in this county. Around the school house in each of these a grove should be planted this spring. If the ground has not been broken or is not fenced, then the district board should see that it is put in cultivation; at the next annual meeting provision should be made for the fence and a year hence the trees should be planted. Delay not but go to work at once.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

Messrs. Curns & Manser last week made the "boss" real estate sale of the season thus far. They sold for Wm. Vandeventer the farm northeast of the city entered by A. D. Speed to Judge Ide of Leavenworth for $6,200. cash down.

We congratulate our friends Curns & Manser not only on the splendid business they are doing but on the fact that they are locating the best kind of citizens. Judge Ide will make this place his home in the near future.

APRIL 10, 1879.

Wheat in Cowley county gives promise of an extraordinary good crop.

More miles of railway will be built in Kansas this year than in any year since 1873.

APRIL 10, 1879.

Wallace Miller is on the street with a neat dray.

C. R. Mitchell and C. M. Scott were in town last Monday.

Messrs. Lofland & Gale have the finest one-horse turnout in town.

Sixty-nine new buildings going up; and still we have no railroad.

Mr. By Terrill is training a trotting horse that bids fair to become a "rattler."

Mr. Old's house, when completed, will be the finest frame residence in the city.

The Methodist church has been repaired and now presents a very attractive appearance.

Mr. Kretsinger, ye local of the Telegram, has built a neat residence on Manning's addition.

Miss May Benedict, of Arkansas City, spent last week at this place, visiting Miss Jennie Lowry.

Mr. James Baldwin, brother of our fellow citizen, B. F. Baldwin, has been in town several days.

A. H. Beck has built a photograph gallery back of Bahntge's building, and will open out in a few days.

Mr. Dan Miller, our enterprising blacksmith, is erecting a neat residence just back of his shop on Main street.

Dr. W. T. Wright, late of Bushnell, Ill., has opened a City Infirmary in the rooms over Mrs. Stump's millinery store.

Mr. Timme, late of Chicago, has fitted up a room in Manning's block and will engage in the merchant tailoring business.

Mrs. Kretsinger has moved her millinery store to the room recently occupied as a photograph gallery on Main street.

Still they come. The stages are crowded, the hotels are crowded, and the land offices are crowded with people looking for homes.

You may move your fences into the street, to protect your trees, but you must build a stile or put up a turn-table on the sidewalk.

The Supreme Court of the State of Kansas has decided that a city is liable for accidents to persons injured by sidewalks being out of repair.

Mrr. E. C. Seward is building a large two-story frame building, 25 x 80, on Main street, opposite the Central Hotel. This will be the largest frame store-building in town.

The four-horse coach comes in loaded down every evening with persons from the east who have heard of the splendid seven-year-old farms in Cowley county and come to see for themselves.

J. H. Berkey, of Monticello, Wisconsin, is in town, visiting his cousin, A. W. Berkey, and looking at the country. Mr. Berkey states that there is quite a colony of Wisconsin folks making preparations to come to Kansas this spring and that Cowley will surely catch most of them.

We would call the attention of our readers to the card of Dr. J. J. Wolfe. The Doctor is one of the best practitioners in the State, and has operated successfully on some of the most difficult cases to which flesh is heir to. We would advise the afflicted to give him a call.

CARD: J. J. WOLFE, M. D., Physician and Surgeon. Especial attention will be given to the Diseases of Women, Children, & Surgery. Office in the building formerly occupied by Drs. Pittman & Metcalfe, east side Main street, Winfield, Kansas.

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Mr. H. B. Lacy hopes to be soon "on the bench" as he has filed papers declaring Police Judge Boyer not eligible to the office, having served as judge at the election, and that he, having received the largest number of votes (5) was entitled to the office.

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Miss Clara Brass, sister of Mrs. S. E. Kretsinger, accompanied by Master Lamar Kretsinger, returned last week from Perry, Kansas. Miss Brass brought with her a well assorted stock of millinery goods, purchased in St. Louis and Chicago during her absence.

Winfield Courier, April 10, 1879.

On Friday evening last week the young people assembled at the residence of Mrs. M. L. Robinson and a most delightful evening was spent. An elegant supper was served at ten o'clock, after which the tables were removed and the dining room given up to dancing, which was kept up until a late hour.

The entertainment given by Mr. Jennings' Sunday school class in the Opera House last Thursday evening was a decided success. It consisted of singing, tableaux, and recitatins, all of which was well performed. The proceeds, above expenses, amounted to something over forty-five dollars, which will be expended in repairing the parsonage.

Mr. L. Well, of the Herald Des Westens, of Kansas City, called on us last Friday. He is engaged in getting up an edition to his paper which shall give a description and history of this county. His paper is a first class German paper and as we have a first class German population, we suppose it will have many subscribers here.

Mr. Henry Goldsmith visited Independence last week, leaving for his return on Friday morning. He says that the L. L. & G.

R. R. Co. are receiving large quantities of ties and other material for building the road to Winfield, and that they promise that the cars shall be running into Louisburg township by the first of May.

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We want the people of Winfield to park every street in the city at once. Ten thousand shade trees should be planted in our town this spring. Will not the Mayor appoint an arbor day and let all of us engage in a tree-planting frolic? If well managed, it would be the best day's work for the town that could possibly be done. The COURIER will do its share, not only of the talking, but also of the tree planting.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

General Blair, attorney, and Major Gunn, engineer of the

L. L. & G. railroad extension to this place, were in town last Friday and report everything "booming" in relation to their work. Louisburg township, in Montgomery county, voted their bonds by a three-fourths majority. They think that the Elk townships will be carried by even greater majorities. Sumner county is active in the preparation to submit a bond vote and will no doubt put her shoulder to the wheel.

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J. P. SHORT.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

Jno. McKee - Clara B. Limbocker.

Chas. B. Whitson - Josephine Williams.

W. W. Huss - Isabelle Birdzell.

Geo. W. Cunningham - Nellie R. Lent.

L'Doray Randall - Nettie A. Smith.

A. A. Thomas - Mary A. Hensley.

Geo. Henscel - Mary Darst.

Jno. Moffitt - Emma Saint.

A. J. Ramey - Lorinda J. Green.

Jno. A. L. Williams - Lavonia T. Merier.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

Prairie Grove Literary adjourned until first Tuesday evening in November. Question discussed, "Resolved, That Cowley county is not justifiable in voting $68,000 to an east and west road." The Judges went to sleep, and when they awoke they decided in the affirmative, notwithstanding the bonds will carry in April. A pleasant time was had and all seemed to enjoy the occasion.

We have been going through the fiery ordeal for three or four nights, many hedges and some orchards having been burned.

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APRIL 10, 1879.

Everybody going wild with excitement over the big bonanza south of here. The air is full of all sorts of reports regarding the richness of the new mines. It is reported that wagon loads of stone have been carried away in the pockets of the many visitors, what for your humble correspondent faileth to know. Reports of fabulous prices being offered and refused for real estate in and adjoining the reputed mines are rife, and readily gobbled down by the ever credulous. Every road leading in the direction of the mines is fast assuming the appearance of a regular stage route owing to the immense travel over them. Just where all this excitement or hubbub will end there is no telling at this time. As to the existence of gold there we are not prepared to say, but there is one thing we do know, that there is gold there or somebody is badly sold, but it "ain't we'uns."

Weather dry and cool; late wheat suffering badly for want of rain. Farmers busily engaged in planting corn or preparing ground for planting. Considerable corn already planted. Peaches all killed by late frosts. Oats coming up quite slowly owing to the dry weather.

People getting somewhat impatient to learn of work commencing on the Santa Fe road; begin to think it has played out. All ready and willing to vote for the eastern road, which is considered by all to be the road we need and ought to have. Immigrants coming in quite lively already. Among the latest arrivals in this line is a man now stopping east of Red Bud who has imported a fine large Kentucky jack, said to be the largest one in the country. REFLEX.

Maple Tp., April 5, 1879.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

Notwithstanding the vagaries of Kansas weather, I beg leave to predict a dry spring - up to date.

The farmers are nearly all done planting corn. Garden sauce is somewhat backward, owing partly to the seeds being still in the papers.

E. A. Millard is clerking for John Mac. Phil Hedges is working at his trade. Our blacksmith is nursing a sprained hand.

R. A. McKanna was in town Saturday. R. A. has moved on his claim south of town and proposes to make a home of it.

Amasa Thomas and Mary Hensley were married on the 30th ult.

NORTHEAST NINNESCAH, Mar. 11

All quiet along the Cowley, Sumner and Ft. Smith R. R.

We keep hearing that they are going to work in a few days. We are very hopeful and think we shall see one of these days the dirt shovelers coming across the prairies going toward Winfield, the iron horse following close in the rear drawing a train of 75 or 100 cars loaded with land agents and money loaners; but stop, we will tell them about the gold, and perhaps they will be either lawyers or doctors.

APRIL 10, 1879 - FRONT PAGE.

PRAIRIE GROVE, April 7, 1879.

Prairie Grove organized a Sabbath School last Sunday.

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APRIL 17, 1879.

The Walnut Valley Times of Eldorado, in speaking of the movement to locate the Presbyterian college at Winfield, talks to us Winfielders thusly.

"If your people are united and are willing to put up a good bonus, you are sure to get this important institution located near your enterprising city. We see that the census, taken a few weeks ago, shows that you have over two thousand population in Winfield. This must be gratifying.

We also observe that you have organized your town into a city of the second class.

From the returns of your spring election, we observe you poll five hundred and fourteen votes in your city.

Happy town; happy people; allow us to congratulate you that you have no "wicked ring" in your town that is endeavoring to destroy it. Permit us to hope that your people may always be united and that the spirit of public enterprise may always control the actions of your public men."

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APRIL 17, 1879.

APRIL 17, 1879.

The letter of Col. E. C. Boudinot gives considerable information in regard to the Indian Territory. Colonel Boudinot is a Cherokee by birth, an orator, and a statesman. His letter shows that 12,000,000 acres of land within the Territory do not belong to any of the tribes, but are absolutely government land.

This would make 75,000 farms of 160 acres each, or enough for 75,000 families of five persons each, making homes therefore for three hundred and seventy-five thousand persons. These lands it will be remembered are entirely exclusive of any and all reservations of whatsoever kind.

Of the remaining 29,000,000 acres of the different reservations, it is proposed to set apart 100 acres for every man, woman, and child. This would require 10,150,480 acres, as the Indian population is only 48,736, whites 876, negroes 5,000. So far providing all these with their 160 acres each, there would still remain within these reservations nearly 19,000,000 acres for white settlement, in addition to the 12,000,000 above referred to. This would make 118,750 farms of 160 acres each, and counting five persons to a family would make homes for 593,750 persons. This would leave all the Indian lands still intact, and to each Indian family of five persons a farm of 800 acres as they would have 160 acres for each man, woman, and child.

APRIL 17, 1879.

Drs. Pitmann & Metcalf have left with their ladies for Colorado.

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Since the commissioners allowed the claim of the Walnut Valley Association, this agricultural society now have the funds on hand to pay up the premiums awarded at their fair last fall.

P. M. Waite, of Vernon township, will be a prominent candidate for nomination for the office of sheriff before the republican convention this year. He is well qualified in every way for the position.

The Telegram advises our ladies to organize an archery club. We advise them instead to practice with the pistol and be prepared for the trams which will surely infest this city on the approach of the railroad.

Mr. A. DeTurk, of Pleasant Valley township, has one of the finest farms in Cowley county. Mr. DeTuck came here about a year ago from Indiana, bought land in Pleasant Valley, paying $2,300 for 140 acres, built a house, granary, and other buildings, costing about $3,000, and is making other very substantial improvements. He has one of the finest vineyards in the country, a splendid bearing orchard, fine hedges, and everything in first-class order.

April 17, 1879.

The city council on last Monday evening resolved to tax peddlers and merchandise auctioneers $20 per day for selling on the streets of the city. Correct.

Ed. Nickerson was confirmed as assistant marshal and H. S. Silver as street commissioner.

The city marshal's salary was fixed at $430 per year; the city assessor, $2 per day, not exceeding thirty days; street commissioner, $1.50 per day, not exceeding thirty days; city engineer, $3 per day, not exceeding thirty days.

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APRIL 17, 1879.

On and after May 1st mails will leave Winfield for Wichita Sunday mornings at 8 o'clock; and mails will arrive at Winfield from Wichita and be distributed here at about 5 1/2 o'clock p.m., after which the Winfield post office will be open one hour for delivery.

D. A. MILLINGTON, P. M.

APRIL 17, 1879.

At a meeting of the stockholders held in this city on the 14th inst. the following were elected officers of the Walnut Valley Fair Association.

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APRIL 17, 1879.

Wirt W. Walton made a flying trip home to Winfield, arriving last Friday evening and leaving Sunday morning. His brother, Tell, had been in the employ of the A. T. & S. F. railroad company in the engineer corps at Grand Canon, Colorado, for a few weeks, and Wirt had got him transferred to the engineer corps on the Winfield branch. He came down with Tell and left him with the corps, which was at work a few miles this side of Wichita, establishing the line in this direction. Wirt is looking hale and hearty after his arduous services as chief clerk of the mob called the House of Representatives. He has finished up the journal of the House and left it with the state printer. He will now devote himself to his task of making a manual of rules for the guidance of our future legislators.

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APRIL 17, 1879.

Addie Turner is quite low with the heart disease; the Dr. calls twice a day during the week and three times on Sunday. We think it likely she will recover.

Dr. Irwin likes the smell of the peach blossoms around Mr. Craig's. Father Beck and family will soon move to Washington Territory. Mr. Pixley and Family of Winfield have moved to this neighborhood.

Ett Johnson and family have moved to Coffey county.

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APRIL 17, 1879.

LITTLE DUTCH, April 14, 1879.

The De Moss family gave a musical entertainment here on the 5th inst. which was highly appreciated. The Good Templar lodge of this place is in a flourishing condition. T. J. Floyd's school is progressing finely.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

THE COURT HOUSE.

Under this head the Semi-Weekly dishes up a column and a half editorial to prove that the county ought at once to go to a large expense in building additions to, and in remodeling the courthouse.

It says that "whoever is responsibile for building the courthouse where it is, with a swamp between it and the business portion of the town, demonstrates his unfitness to be entrusted with public interests, and has a small soul; that "Winfield has in days gone by been cursed by incapacity and cupidity;" that the courthouse, the school house, and the lost bridge "are the ear marks that indicate jobbery and rascality, "the indubitable evidences of "gigantic fraud" in those responsible for their construction.

About three months ago the editors of the Semi-Weekly came to this place utter strangers to the people of this city and county and found the city so prosperous and promising, the result of the labor and exertions of its earlier citizens, that they concluded to establish themselves here and reap a part of the harvest these earlier citizens had sown. Finding that in their gleanings they did not at first accumulate sheaves very rapidly, they concluded that the fault must be in the rascality and incapacity of those whose labor sowed the seed, and hence, we have this wholesale attack upon our best and most valued

citizens.

Here we have an array of names honored in this community, names of men never before charged with rascality and incapacity, men in whom we older settlers believe and trust and yet the sages of Mt. Pulaski in three short months have seen through all these men and found them guilty of incapacity, unfitness, jobbery, rascality, and gigantic fraud.

It may be that these gushing freshmen meant to attach these pet words to other than those mentioned above, to the members of the "Old Town Company, or rather Town Association," for instance. If that is the case, the records are open to inspection and we state distinctly that no member of the Winfield Town Association had any connection whatever with the building of the courthouse except to give a deed of the half block of land on which it stands to the county, and two lots on which the jail stands to the city, (all they ever agreed or were ever expected to give) in compliance with the bargain between the city council and county commissioners, that the county should build a courthouse and the city a jail in which the county should have a right to keep prisoners. One of them protested against the building of the courthouse.

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[AN EAST AND WEST ROAD.]

Winfield Courier, April 24, 1879.

To the Voters of Cowley County.

On the 29th of this month you will be called upon to cast your ballots for or against the proposition to exchange the bonds of your county for $68,000 of the stock of the Southern Kansas and Western Railroad Company. It is your duty to prepare yourselves to vote intelligently, and in order to assist you in doing so, your committee, appointed to look after the railroad interests of your county, desire to advance a few reasons (which appear to them to be well founded), why this proposition should receive the favorable consideration of every vote in the county.

In the first place, the proposed road is greatly needed to advance the material interests and welfare of the people. It is to extend through the county from east to west, affording this county a connection with all the eastern roads running through Missouri to the Mississippi river; with the projected road through southern Missouri to Memphis and with the M. K. & T. road running through the Indian Territory to Texas, with a Ft. Smith connection soon to be made which will open up to us the long coveted market of Little Rock and other coveted southern points.

The advantages to be derived from these connections, in bringing to our doors the cheap lumber from the pineries of Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, the superior coal of the eastern counties, reduced freights from St. Louis and the east, and in the transportation of our own exports to a favorable market, certainly cannot be over-estimated.

But will the road be built if the bonds are voted? This query, owing to the singularly modest demand of the company in asking but $68,000 for building nearly forty miles of first-class road, using steel rails, and overcoming the Grouse hills, may well be repeated and answered doubtingly by the reflective mind. Nevertheless, we can confidently assure you, fellow-citizens, that if the bonds are voted in Elk and Cowley Counties, the road will not only be built, but will be completed considerably ahead of time. A letter just received by the chairman of this committee from Major O. B. Gunn, chief engineer (and who, we may justly add, stands at the pinnacle of his profession), whose honor and truthfulness are unimpeachable, says: "I told your people that while our proposition was for the first of March, we should expect to reach Winfield by the 1st of January; but I am able to say that if the bonds are voted all along the line, so we can spread out, we shall try to do even better than I stated."

How do we know that the company mean business, and that the road will be constructed if the bonds are voted? We know it on business principles. The company is backed by representatives of some of the best railways in the country, and possessed of immense capital. The building of this road is necessary to the welfare and prosperity of other roads owned by these backers. The company have deposited with the Winfield Bank the amount of money fixed by the county clerk to pay the expenses of the election, provided the bonds are voted and they fail to comply with their agreement.

The company has placed in the hands of T. H. Bryan, county treasurer, a certificate of deposit of the banking house of Armour Bros., Kansas City, payable to the order of the county treasurer, for $10,000, dated April 12, 1879, to be forfeited to the county, provided the bonds are voted in Elk and Cowley counties, and the company fail to build the road as stipulated.

The contract for the construction of the road from Independence west to the Elk county line has already been let, to be commenced immediately, and the ties and steel rails for the same are purchased and waiting to be used.

But some men say that the voiting of this subsidy, though small, will, added to that already voted to the Cowley, Sumner & Ft. Smith company, increase and make our taxation burdensome. Let us see if it will. We propose to make a plain statement of figures that cannot lie, nor be controverted.

The interest on $68,000, for one year, at 7 percent, amounts to $4,760. The road will be assessed at not less than $6,000 per mile. Taking 38 miles as the least length (a low estimate) of the road, the assessment will amount to $228,000. We will average the tax at $3 on the $100 valuation, as some townships pay more, and some less. The tax on the road then will amount to $6,840, or $2,080 in excess of the interest! It is easy to see that this excess, each year for 30 years, without any accumulation of interest, would nearly extinguish the whole debt. But used as a sinking fund, which under the present law, it must be, and availing ourselves of the wise provision in the proposition, giving the county the privilege, after ten years, of paying off the indebtedness, as we become able, no one need feel the least apprehension that the county is assuming more than she is able to bear; but that, on the contrary, she could not do a wiser thing for her future welfare and prosperity, than to buy the construction of this road with her bonds, getting the stock of the company to boot, which may not be considered, by any means, worthless. The time may come when the stock of a first class road like this one, and backed by unlimited capital like this, will be worth nearly par.

Committee.

J. M. ALEXANDER.

M. L. ROBINSON.

E. P. KINNE.

T. K. JOHNSON.

R. L. WALKER.

[RAILROAD BUSINESS: GROSS EARNINGS OF SANTA FE.]

APRIL 24, 1879.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

A Sunday stage is in operation between Winfield and Wichita.

A college is about to be established at Winfield. It will be under Presbyterian auspices.

A railroad bond election is to be held in Cowley county on the 29th. The company agreet for forfeit $10,000 if they do not carry out their promises.

The two banks of Winfield have been consolidated and will now do business under the name of the Winfield Bank. The capital stock is $50,000.

An Odd Fellows' celebration will take place at Winfield on the 26th. It is expected that the lodges of Sumner, Sedgwick, Butler, and Cowley counties will all participate.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

Will Holloway is keeping books for Gilbert & Jarvis.

Judge H. G. Webb, of Oswego, was in the city last week.

Turner Bros. have put up a mammoth sign in front of their store.

Mr. Gilbert, of Madison, Iowa, is visiting his son, S. L.

Gilbert, of this city.

The Episcopalian services at Manning's Hall last Sabbath were well attended.

Look out for tramps. They are arriving in the county in considerable numbers.

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The click of the croquet mallet is heard throughout the land; and the lover of "Methodist billiards" quietly takes a hand.

The District Court sits a week from next Monday. A full docket of the business before the court will appear in the COURIER next week.

The parties who sent deeds of land to the Kansas City King, who offered $100 per acre, had their deeds returned because there was no King to be found there.

Sonebody lost a $40 promissory note and somebody else lost a $10 bill at the post office last Saturday. Both are found and are in the post office ready for delivery to the owners.

Mrs. H. P. Mansfield returned from Michigan last Friday. She has been roaming in the rural districts and eating maple sugar some weeks and returns fair, healthy, and happy and reports a joyous visit.

Messrs. Gilbert & Jarvis have secured the agency for several of the leading fire insurance companies of the country, among which are the "Orient," of Hartford, and the "Connecticut," of Hartford. Persons desiring to insure will do well to call on them.

Now that the fishing season has commenced, and we watch the earnest but weary fisherman returning with a few sun-fish and occasionally a bass or small cat; we are firmer in the opinion that Newman's dam at the mouth of the Walnut should be supplied with a fishway. While our river and creeks are almost destitute of fish, and the lover of the sport must content himself with a few hard-earned finny specimens, and the lover of the fish go hungry, the river below the dam at Arkansas City fairly swarms with fish every summer. With a clear run from the Mississippi, the number that enters the Walnut must be great; and this was evidenced last summer when Arkansas City turned out over a big fish excitement and found the waters below the dam so full of fish that they rushed into the river and caught them in their arms. Our streets were graced with fishmongers from Arkansas City every day, and we could only gaze in wonder and pay ten cents a pound for glorious fish that should, according to all equity, have waved their tails in our own waters. We like fish, but do not like the idea of paying ten cents a pound for what rightfully belongs to us, or risk immediate death munching the bony bodies of little sun-fish. This is a subject that interests not only the people of this place, but the state at large. No better way could be found in which to stock our river and creeks with fine fish than by the opening of this dam at the mouth of the Walnut. Mr. Newman is violating the law and laying himself liable by not furnishing his dam with a proper fish way, and we think if he has any interest in the matter of stocking our streams with fish, he will do the necessary work. We spoke of this last summer, and we are of more opinion than ever that this is a matter of some importance.

APRIL 24, 1879.

On last Sunday a gentleman by the name of Myer drove down to the river, near the Tunnel mills, to wash his buggy, and not being acquainted with the "lay of the land," got a little too far down and drove into the "whirlpool" just above the mill, which is about ten feet deep. Soon after getting into deep water, the two outside tugs became loosened, causing the tongue to drop down and run into the ground. The horses were unable to swim out and were drowned. Mr. Myer came here from Lawrence, brought his family with him, and is now left almost without anything. He deserves the sympathy of the entire community.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

Mr. Lemmon has sold his interest in the COURIER office, and this week Mr. Millington becomes sole editor and publisher of the paper.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

APRIL 24, 1879.

Persons wishing to telegraph to any point will be accommodated with all the information and conveniences at the Winfield post office, where their dispatches will be received and for-

warded. Dispatches left with the postmaster before 7 1/2 o'clock in the morning will be passed over the wires on the evening of the same day.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

J. C. Walters' show windows, just west of the post office, have been gay and gorgeous with the rarest flowers and flowering plants for the last few weeks. What struck us as exquisitely splendid was a blossom of a Mexican cactus and some clusters of fuschias. Mrs. Walters is having a considerable demand for geraniums, carnations, and other sets.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

OMNIA TOWNSHIP, April 19, 1879.

The new school house in district 100 is completed, and last Sabbath witnessed the organization of a Union Sabbath school therein, with the following officers.

Superintendent, A. L. Crow.

Assistant Superintendent, J. C. Stratton.

Chorister, J. A. Bresecker.

Secretary and treasurer, E. A. Henthorn.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

James Wilson and Ed. Hill have dissolved partnership.

Dr. Carter has left our vicinity.

Dentist Sam Wells is doing a driving business, namely driving a team hitched to a plow and other farming implements.

A. B. Taylor is teaching school in district 39. We saw him a few days ago in our midst shaking with the ague.

Henry Bowman has traded his team of horses to Charley Roberts for a span of mules. It was as good as a circus to see and hear them "dickering."

Mr. Newberry has got the gold fever badly. We hope the castles he has built in mid air will prove a success, but we fear his visionary allurements will overcome his better judgment, if it has not already done so.

Miss Belle Curfman has about recovered her former good health.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

APRIL 24, 1879.

From Mr. J. H. McGuire, of Dexter, we learn of the sudden death on Monday of Mr. William Hill, of Otter township, at his home. He was apparently well and about his work but a few minutes before he died. It is thought that diseased lungs was the cause.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

We call attention to the advertisement of the letting contracts for the grading and other work on the railroad from Wichita. These contracts will be let Saturday of this week and then the dirt will fly.

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APRIL 24, 1879.

By an almost inexcusable oversight the account of the proceedings of this meeting was left out of our paper last week. The Presbytery convened April 8th at the Presbyterian Church in this city and adjourned on the 11th.

SKIPPED THE REST.

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