Emporia News,
January 17, 1868.CHICAGO, AND THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE R. R.
No country west of the Mississippi about which we have any information, gives more reasonable and certain promise of early and rich development than that through, and toward which the line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road is to be pushed. There is certainly no part of Kansas so promising to railroad enterprises as the Southwest. And why? The moment the road reaches the Arkansas River, which it will do within a distance of 125 miles from Topeka, it will intersect the immense present trade in cattle, hides, furs, and Indian goods from Texas, and the intervening Indian country, and be the sure means of increasing that trade, within a very brief space of time, at least five hundred percent. Fifty thousand head of cattle from Texas yearly is a moderate estimate for the next ten years, judging from the last two years= actual observations. This trade now goes to the Union Pacific (Eastern Division) for its outlet.
From the point where the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road crosses the Arkansas RiverCbetween the mouth of the Little Arkansas, where all this Texas and Southern trade comesCto the nearest shipping point on the Union Pacific, is at least 100 miles, or nearly the same distance as to Topeka. Consequently, no possible contingency can arise by which the Union Pacific road can obtain this trade, when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe is once in operation to that point.
This Southwestern and Texas trade being only just begun, and forming as it does, one of the very important items in the business of the Union Pacific road at this time, what may we reasonably expect it to be in two or three years hence, with the advantages the construction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road will give it?
It is but a very reasonable premise that whatever tends to promote the interest of the Union Pacific, Eastern Division, will prove equally of interest to St. Louis. And, in a like manner, whatever tends to promote the interests of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road, will have a similar realizing interest in Chicago. In other words, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, St. Joe and Hannibal, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy roads make up one line of road, while the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific make up another. St. Louis has said, by her pushing the U. P. westward to Pond Creek, thence southwesterly to Santa Fe and Albuquerque, that this immense Texas trade, Indian trade, and the great salt region, were items of no special importance to her. Has she not shot the Aarrow beyond the mark@Cwhen she so adroitly managed to run completely around what is today the most attractive region of the West?Ca region having within its limits a salt plain 50 by 100 miles in extent, which only needs railway communication to develop untold treasures; which only needs labor and other means of transportation to be able to supply the world, if necessary, with salt, in quality and cheapness unprecedented. Besides the truly wondrous salt plain, in this region inexhaustible quantities of lead, tin, iron, and copper are known to exist; and, to some extent, gold and silverCa region containing, in soil, minerals, and other resources, advantages second to none other, and at once attractive; where capital invested will yield handsome returns, and where labor will meet with ready remunerative demand.
The day is not far distant when old Mexico will become a part of the dominion under the Government of the United States. Its mineral wealth alone makes its acquisition desirable and certain. It is today without a rod of railway. The Government of old Mexico would gladly give its pledge for money and land in aid of a railway through its domain to the Pacific coast. It would, indeed, be no very difficult task to obtain from the old Mexican Government a charter for a railway with an endowment double in extent, both in money and land, to that of the Union Pacific.
Who is there so blind as not to comprehend the immense advantages to accrue from a railway communication with that country? And who cannot see at a glance that among all the projected lines of railway west of the Mississippi, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe line is the only one whose line points directly to the Pacific coast through the dominion of old Mexico?
If this be true, who cannot see the direct interest Chicago has in this road? Take down your map for a moment and examine this idea. Look for Chicago, then Quincy, then Atchison, Topeka, Emporia, the mouth of the Little ArkansasCcrossing the salt plain to the north bend of the Canadian River (where you strike Fremont=s road); thence crossing the Canadian, keep on in a southwesterly direction of the boundary of old Mexico; then on the Pacific coast at the foot of the Gulf of CaliforniaCor strike the Gulf of Guaymas, no matter whichCand then determine in your own mind if you can, that this is not the shortest, most practical, best, and easiest constructed route to the Pacific waters. Then think of what peculiar advantages the route will have by reason of the items before mentioned as to salt and mineral resources, and as to what old Mexico would most gladly do in such an enterprise in the way of subsidies, and ask yourself is this not a feasible, tangible thing?
Is it possible that Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, New York, and Boston have been asleep in this great interest?
Let these great cities but give to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad the assistance of their good wishes, with such endorsements as their unbiased judgment shall dictate, and before ten years shall have passed away, all and more than this article contemplates will have become a reality. Chicago Republican.
Emporia News, June 25, 1869.
BALLOON ASCENSION. We are informed that arrangements have been made to send up a large balloon on the evening of the celebrationCJuly 3rd. The balloon has been ordered.
Emporia News, November 5, 1869.
CHASE COUNTY. Three candidates for Representative: F. B. Hunt, A. S. Howard, and Capt. H. Bradley. Mr. Hunt was elected.
County officers elected: Commissioners, G. W. Brickell, H. E. Snyder, and H. L. Hunt.
Treasurer: U. B. Warren.
Sheriff: F. E. Smith.
Emporia News, November 19, 1869.
[An accusation came from H. Brandley of Matfield Green, Chase County, Kansas, dated November 7th to Editor Stotler re dirty campaign run by H. L. Hunt, Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, stated that Hunt virtually ran the ticket that was elected: H. L. Hunt and H. E. Snyder as Commissioners, etc.]
Note: Editor Stotler stated: AIn another column we publish a communication from Chase county. We know nothing of the matters spoken of, and do not wish to be understood as endorsing it.
Emporia News, April 29, 1870.
A Washington foundry has been making use for some months past of petroleum for fuel. It is said to work like a charm, to be cheaper than coal, and to dispense with firemen, coal heaving and other labor connected with the use of coal.
Emporia News, June 3, 1870.
We observed a large steam boiler and the machinery for a saw mill of no small capacity, this week, at the depot. On inquiry we learned that it was billed to W. H. Speers & Co., and destined for some point on the Little Walnut.
Emporia News, July 1, 1870.
PAPER AT ARKANSAS CITY. We understand Mr. Mains, of the Emporia Tribune, has accepted the liberal offer of the Arkansas City (formerly Creswell) company, and will start a new paper there by the first of August. He has already ordered the materials. The addition of a live newspaper to that town will help it out wonderfully.
Emporia News, September 23, 1870.
Editorial re starting a daily press...Emporia Daily News, September 22. They have joined the Associated Press and made arrangements for all the news from Europe and the Eastern States. Starting on a test basis only.
Emporia News, September 23, 1870.
Eighteen hundred tons of Indian supplies are to be stowed at Sioux City, Iowa, before the close of navigation.
An accurate estimate shows that each Indian in the United States costs the Government $350 annually.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
[SKIPPED BIG ARTICLE RE SURRENDER OF PARIS.]
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC.
BORDEAUX, Jan. 30. Dispatches forwarded from Versailles, of the 28th, by Jules Favre to the Government at Bordeaux, says a treaty was signed today. There is to be an armistice of 21 days. The national assembly is to be convened at Bordeaux February 15th. The election takes place on the 8th of February. A member of the Paris Government leaves at once for Bordeaux. No person is allowed to enter or leave Paris without a permit from the German authorities. The revictualing of the city will proceed under German supervision. Confidence is expressed at German headquarters that peace has been secured. German soldiers are chagrined at being prohibited from entering Paris.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Congress has passed a bill to pension revolutionary and war of 1812 officers, soldiers, militia, or volunteers, or their widows or orphans, at the rate of eight dollars per month.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
There is a general feeling of regret for the loss of the Atlantic cables. The French cable is the only reliance for telegraphic communications now with the old world.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
A TRIP TO WINFIELD.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, February 21st, 1871.
EMPORIA NEWS: On last Thursday noon I left your beautiful city in a nice coach, good team, good driver, and good company, Adjutant Morgan and lady, from Cincinnati, for Cottonwood Falls, to establish a journal. In this case the old adageCthe third time breaks the charmCwill, I trust, be verified. The Banner and Index having Aplayed out,@ Mr. Morgan=s enterprise will probably play in, as he has much experience and is a live progressive man.
At Bazaar, seven miles south of the Falls, passengers get from a neat widow a number one dinner. Thence under the care of an excellent reinsman, Mr. Harmon, we moved on through mud and water, till dark overtook us 18 miles north of Chelsea. Finally, in a heavy storm, we lost the road and a passenger got out and found it after quite a search, as he said, with his foot, feeling the ruts. Again the wind and rain drove our horses from the way and our pilot got us back as before with his foot. Finally we reached McCabe=s, and got into Chelsea the next morning for breakfast. Unsightly as this village seemed, travelers are cheered in two ways. The drinking class find at hand a supply, and the sober, literary class, a schoolhouse usefully occupied by some 50 scholars taught by a lady. The streams being too high to cross, we had to lie over till Saturday, when an agent of the stage line took us safely on to El Dorado. This village, some two miles before it is reached from the north, looms into view splendidly; nor does it depreciate as one enters its handsome streets, bordered by neat well built houses. Nature and substantial business enterprise have left El Dorado second to no town in the Walnut Valley.
From a high point a few paces west of Rev. Gordon=s cottage, I enjoyed the most enchanting view seen in Kansas. Being constrained to remain over Sabbath, I attended a school meeting Saturday evening to consider the size, cost, location, etc., of a new school edifice the citizens are about to erect. Comprehending their true interest in this direction, they will build a fine commodious house.
The next day I had the satisfaction of addressing, morning and evening, attentive and intelligent audiences. For more than one hour I was listened to with almost breathless attention, on total abstinence, and then a unanimous vote from a packed house to continue, for several evenings, the discussion. Nor more than I can regret that a note from my son made it my duty to disappoint their wishes, much as I am sorry to learn their need of temperance in El Dorado, no one can truly say, henceforth, that they are unwilling to have it. They stand ready and waiting to hear any good speaker on this reform, and also, as I believe, to adopt any reasonable measures to carry it out. In a few weeks it will be my pleasure to return, and, as Mr. Lincoln said about the peace he desired, to stay until all attainable sobriety is accomplished at El Dorado. Let industry, economy, sobriety, integrity, and purity be cherished in that community, and with its unsurpassed natural advantages, it will be the Eden of the most lively valley in Kansas.
Augusta has made a good start and is running a good race. As it was said of old, AHe who begins aright is half done,@ so may it be of this thriving village. Its citizens are second to none in Southern Kansas in culture and progress. Their school edifice is the largest in the Walnut Valley, and is being furnished in the most approved modern style. All now depends on securing the services of an able principal and a corps of efficient teachers.
I cannot, in closing my brief notice of Augusta, omit to say that since the Land Office has been located in this town, it should remain undisturbed. Nothing, as I believe, is more detrimental to the growth of the West than a restless disposition to change county sites, county lines, offices, and officers are all as nothing before the restless maneuvers of unstable men. In the name of common sense, let us permit things to stand at least long enough to see if they will do well, stase decises is an important law maxim. The people of Augusta, as I think, can be better employed than in trifling for the removal of the county site from El Dorado, and the people of this town could do better than unite with those of Wichita to get the Land Office away from Augusta. Let generous magnanimity take the place of narrow-minded selfishness.
At Douglass, all is now quiet, nor is there reason to apprehend any more trouble.
Winfield goes right on. Its situation is handsome; the surroundings all that could be desired, and the emigration rapid.
In the morning I am going to start for Sumner County, west, where two rival towns are starting up, and all about which, and Arkansas City, I will soon write. W. P.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
KANSAS ITEMS.
Eighty-six newspapers are published in Kansas.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
The Topeka Commonwealth says that the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company are attaching automatic brakes to all trains. This road is said by those who know to be one of the best constructed of any west of the Mississippi, and for sterling enterprise the company can=t be beat. Lawrence Journal.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
STATE ITEMS.
The Fort Scott Monitor says the survey of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad line in Texas is completed from Preston, on Red River, where the line leaves the Indian Territory, to Austin, crossing the Brazos River at Waco.
Baxter Springs is to have another railroad. The Atlantic & Pacific folks are to build a line across to that point. The contract has been made with the Missouri Construction Company, who are competent to put the work through in sixty days.
Paola men have laid out a new town in Sumner County called Wellington.
Judge Lawrence, of Ohio, who has been engaged by the Settlers= Protective Association on the Osage Ceded Lands to conduct the contest of title to these lands against the railroad companies, addressed the people of New Chicago on Saturday last.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
A gentleman who returned from the Southwest a day or two ago, gives the following description of the new town of Newton, which is to be a point on the A. T. & S. F. railroad. He says there are two buildings completed and four under way. In the two that are completed, whiskey is sold. Two of those that are under way are to be used for whiskey shops. There are two tents in the town in which whiskey is sold. At Florence he met a man going out to put up a building in which he was going to start a saloon. From the indications so far Newton will be a right lively little place.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
BUFFALO. This is the name of a new town which has just been located on the west bank of the Arkansas River, in Sumner County, fifteen miles northwest of Arkansas City. E. R. Trask is one of the founders and will soon start a paper there. Trask has considerable reputation as a builder of towns. He has not undertaken a job of this kind yet that failed. This new town is on the site of Buffalo Bill=s old camping ground.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
ADVERTISING. Emporia businessmen believe in printer=s ink. They use it liberally. There is not a town of its size in this or any other State that pays more for advertising. Besides supporting two papers here, one of them a daily, we find Emporia advertisements in the following Southern Kansas papers: Cottonwood Falls Leader, Florence Pioneer, Marion Center Giant, El Dorado Times, Augusta Crescent, Winfield Censor, Arkansas City Traveler, Wichita Vidette and Tribune, Eureka Herald, and Neodesha Citizen. Emporia has done not a little to aid in establishing and maintaining the press of Southwestern Kansas.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
The Arkansas Traveler says that 400 calves were shot out of one herd, during the drive from Texas to Kansas, last month. All young calves are shot as fast as they are born, so as to be rid of and allow the cows to be driven.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
The El Dorado Times says that a brother of the celebrated Indian warrior, Black Hawk, is buried near that town.
Emporia News, September 1, 1871.
The Frontier base ball club of Winfield played a match game with the ARackensacks@ of Arkansas City, for the championship of Cowley County. The game resulted in favor of the ARackensacks,@ the score being 42 to 79.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
It is stated that a large number of squatters have gone over into the Indian Territory and staked off and settled upon claims. Under what authority they went, we cannot ascertain. We are of the opinion that this territory will soon have to be opened for improvement. It cannot lay idle many years. But until it is fairly and honorably treated for, or the consent of the Indians obtained, no white man ought to be allowed to go upon the land. It is reported that the government will immediately order the trespassers away.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
GRANT=S INDIAN POLICY.
Much has been said against President Grant=s Indian policy. It is not the custom of our Western people to look with any degree of favor on anything that does not tend to the extermination of the Indians, or at least, to the driving of them to the confines of the Western wilds. That the country must be given up by them to the advancing army of progress, no one doubts. They must die out or become civilized. It may soon be said that the red man, in his native condition, Ahath not where@ to shoot the buffalo or chase the antelope.
When the President proposed to practically turn the management of the Indians over to the Quakers, there was a general expression of dissatisfaction, and manifestations of derision, at least in the West. We had been having years of border war. Our Western prairies had been drenched with blood. The exposed settlements were unsafe places, and it was but natural that Awar to the knife, and the knife to the hilt,@ should be the popular cry among us. When it was proposed to send the Quakers out among them with the olive branch, the idea was scouted. The general and speedy failure of the new President=s Indian policy was predicted. The President went ahead, however, with characteristic persistency, determined to give the Quakers a fair trial.
The result is before us, and every candid man must admit that there is a better feeling today on the part of the Indians toward the whites than has been exhibited for ten years. The grass for two summers has come and gone, and the Indians have remained comparatively peaceable. With the exception of a few instances in the extreme Southwest and Northwest, there has been no disturbances more than would naturally occur in the most peaceable time. In the early spring of the last season the air was filled with rumors of Indian wars that would take place this year. To the South and Northwest general trouble was anticipated. But lately reports reached us of a severe fight in Lower California. This proved to be entirely false. Recent reports from different sections of the country inhabited by the red skins shows that the Quaker agents are ever on the alert to avert any Aspeck of war@ that may arise. Instead of loafing about the agencies, and engaging in schemes to swindle the Indians, as too many of the agents did under the old regime, they are constantly engaged among the Indians, in trying to turn their minds to the arts of peace, and in attempts to instil into their rude and savage natures a desire for the pursuits of civilization. One fact stands out in Abold relief,@ and that is that the Quakers do not hesitate to go singly among the wildest tribes. The Indians seem to have the utmost confidence in the broad-brimmed hats, and we have no instance of the betrayal of that confidence to record.
Pass what strictures we may please upon Grant=s Indian policy, it seems to us it is a gratifying success.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
NEWS announced that the railroad election passed in Emporia and Lyon County for the proposed railroad from Ottawa to Emporia, and thence on through the Southwestern counties of Kansas.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
Shoo Fly City, on Shoo Fly creek, in the southwest part of the county, we learn, is growing, and is bound to make a business point. Success to Shoe Fly. Belle Plaine Herald.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
MORANTIC. The Chetopa Advance tells how Aa wealthy and cultivated Maiden@ come it over Col. Downing, Chief of the Cherokees.
A
Col. Downing, Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was married some two weeks since to Miss Ayers, a wealthy and cultivated maiden lady of Philadelphia. The affair has a spicing of romance. The lady met the handsome Chief (then, and until recently, a married man) some years since in the Quaker city, and became deeply interested in him and his distant people. With the resolution of devoting her life and wealth to the advancement of the Cherokees, she removed to Tahlequah, where she has since lived, and where she has been most active in promoting the religious and educational welfare of the nation. Some years ago she adopted young Lewis Downing, son of the Chief, a bright and promising boy, and has since watched over his training and education with more than motherly care. A year ago she built, ostensibly for him, an elegant residence overlooking the beautiful village, and furnished it with artistic taste. A few months since occurred the death of Mrs. Downing, a full blood Cherokee. And now at the proper time, the Chief leads to the altar his old admirer, and the course of true love does run smooth.@
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
[BIG ARTICLE ABOUT CHICAGO MADE DESOLATE FROM FIRE OCTOBER 8TH.]
[WINFIELD/MANNING.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 4, 1873.
About 18 miles below Douglas we come to Winfield at the mouth of Lagonda creek, formerly called Dutch creek. Here we found A. A. Jackson running the store of Baker & Manning during the absence of Col. Manning, who has gone to Manhattan after his family. We counted several new houses going up at Winfield.
[LETTER FROM CRESWELL: T. A. WILKINSON.]
WALNUT VALLEY TIMES, JUNE 3, 1870 - FRONT PAGE.
[Correspondence of the Times.]
LETTER FROM CRESWELL.
…..
Capt. Norton, the Professor's brother, of whom we have spoken before, is noted for his energy and perseverance, and is doing much for the enterprise by imparting to others considerable of that go-ahead spirit which characterizes his general movements, and which is so necessary to give vitality to any great project when in an embroy state.
Thus you can easily see that we are not even now devoid of the advantages of good society, and I might say in a general way that Kansas is not being settled up after the old order of things.
In this State, under the present system, we are simply transplanting in great numbers, very rapidly, too, the youngest, best, and most enterprising portion of eastern society into new and better soil, for development. Kansas is being settled up by people who have left their aristocratic armor behind, and have come with open hearts and hands to aid in building up society, and seeking only to draw lines of distinction between virtue and vice, morality and immorality.
The poor man here actually enjoys what he simply hears tell of in the more eastern States in a sort of beautiful theory, or tradition of times gone by, viz: opportunity to improve his condition if he will. There is a kind of mutual dependence existing in all new countries that compels humanity to manifest its noblest and most liberal, whole-souled, benevolent qualities. Liberality, generosity, and charity pervades the public mind, of necessity, and the best impulses of our nature are developed and brought into action by the very requirements of our social condition.
In the east men's fields are fenced to keep out their neighbor's stock, and their hearts are also hedged in by a wall of selfishness and aristocratic austerity that prevents their neighbors, if they happen to be poor, from offering, or obtaining that sympathy that binds human hearts together.
As far as my experience goes, society in Kansas is free from such corruption, and being no longer infected by border ruffianism, Quantrell raids, or drouth, she will this year receive an impulse which shall continue to move her onward and upward until she attains the rank of one of the first States in the Union.
….
T. A. WILKINSON.