Coal in Cowley County, Kansas, Part III

COAL.

PART III.

Excerpt...

[STEAMBOAT: "KANSAS MILLERS."]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 18, 1885.

Mayor Schiffbauer made a few remarks stating what great advantages Arkansas City would gain by having navigation opened on the Arkansas. He stated that Capt. T. S. Moorhead informed him that coal could be bought in quantities for $2, and laid down in Arkansas City so that it could be sold by dealers for $5 or $6 per ton. It was good coal, better than that which we had been paying $8 per ton for. Over 12 tons of the coal had been burned on the "Kansas Millers" and out of that not a clinker had been found. He spoke also of lumber trade with Arkansas. Jim Hill next occupied the attention of the passengers. He was followed by T. S. Moorhead, Dr. Kellogg, Judge McIntire, and several others who spoke in glowing terms of the steamer and the navigation of the river. After the question of building barges had been thoroughly discussed, the meeting proceeded to subscribe stock. Shares were taken until over $2,000 had been subscribed. The sum needed was $5,000. The meeting adjourned then until 7:30 p.m., when they met in Meigs & Nelson's real estate office to finish up the $5,000 stock company.

Arkansas City Republican, July 18, 1885.

In our report of the allowances of the city council last week, we made Ivan Robinson's coal bill read $600. It should have been only $6.

Arkansas City Republican, July 25, 1885.

Ivan Robinson is no longer the proprietor of the Arkansas City Coal Company's yard. Frick Bros., have purchased Mr. Robinson's business. The office is now located at the yards one block west of Summit Street on Central Avenue. Messrs. Frick Bros., are thorough businessmen and gentlemen. They request a share of the patronage in their line of business. They will keep in stock all the time plenty of coal and wood. They also buy grain.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, July 29, 1885.

Arkansas City Coal Co., -Dealers in- Coal and Wood. FRICK BROS., Managers.

Canon City, Anthracite, Pittsburg, Trinidad, and Osage Coal.

Office, Corner Summit St. and Central Avenue.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 29, 1885.

Attention. Having purchased the stock of lumber, together with sheds and improvements, of W. L. Aldridge & Co., we will offer the sheds, coal bins, lime house, and office, also fence, for sale at a bargain to save tearing down. We will also be pleased to see the former patrons of that yard, and will assure them of as honest and courteous treatment as they have been accustomed to receive. Respectfully, CHICAGO LUMBER CO.

Excerpt from an article about "Water Works"...

Arkansas City Traveler, July 29, 1885.

The method for purchasing fuel and supplies for the engine and other works has often been condemned by the city council, when the bills were presented, and a more economical plan suggested. Instead of buying coal, a few hundred pounds at a time and paying retail prices therefore, it was suggested that a contract be made for carload lots. The city has been paying $6 a ton, while slack coal by the carload could be bought for $4. But no arrangements were made to save expense because the franchise granted to O'Neil was operative, and there was an uncertainty how the water business would be finally settled. It is suggested by some that the council began at the wrong end in passing this ordinance before the above mentioned franchise was revoked; but our impression is it has already expired by limitation. Now that an adequate revenue is provided for, and penalties imposed for fraudulent or wasteful use of water, we hope to see order infused where chaos now exists.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Traveler, July 29, 1885.

Bill allowed and ordered paid: Ivan Robinson, coal, $12.50.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 30, 1885.

A burglar in a Chicago court on Wednesday as a wonderful escapist has a record to compare with that of the famous Baron Trenck. Sometimes he has left his place of confinement by way of the chimney; again he has sawed his way out with a red hot poker; and lastly he escaped by placing a pan of coals upon the stone floor of his cell and reducing the stone to lime.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 1, 1885.

Bill of Ivan Robinson of $12.50 for coal, allowed.

Arkansas City Republican, August 1, 1885.

Arkansas City Coal Company have Weir City Nut coal. Just what the farmers want for threshing.

Arkansas City Republican, August 1, 1885.

Frick Brothers are putting up a new pair of scales, at their coal yard.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, August 5, 1885.

The Winfield Telegram mentions Ivan Robinson's sale of his coal business to the Frick Bros., and suggests that Ivan return, like the prodigal in scripture, and resume his journey along the road to wealth at that point. No doubt the fatted calf will be killed when the hopeful youth presents himself.

[ORDINANCE NO. 21: LICENSE TAX.]

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, August 5, 1885.

Coal yards, per annum: $10.00.

[NEWS NOTES.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 6, 1885.

John A. Dutter, a prominent coal operator at Mahanoy Plane, Pennsylvania, has been foreclosed by the Sheriff. His liabilities are about $150,000.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 13, 1885.

In accordance with the act of the Legislature prohibiting the employment of boys under twelve years of age in the coal breakers and under fourteen years in the mines, about five hundred boys were discharged from the collieries in the Shamokin, Pennsylvania, district on the 6th.

[NEW BUSINESS BLOCKS.]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 29, 1885.

The handsome business room, which is almost ready for occupancy, on South Summit street, is that of Frick Bros. The building is 25 x 80 feet, and built entirely of brick. It is two stories high with a commodious basement. Wm. Gall is the architect and contractor. The building has been appelled the Cresswell block. Messrs. Frick Bros. are young and energetic businessmen who came here from Pennsylvania about 12 months ago. They thought Arkansas City was a desirable locality in which to locate. They have faith in the future of our city and have shown it by the willingness to invest a portion of their capital in real estate. Messrs. Frick Bros. are also the proprietors of the Arkansas City Coal Co., and are doing a good business. This new room will be occupied by S. F. Steinberger.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 3, 1885.

G. B. SHAW & CO., -DEALERS IN- Lumber, Grain and Coal, 523 North Main Street. Keep on hand a full and complete stock of Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Sash, Doors and Blinds, Fence Posts and Pickets, Mouldings and Battens, Lime, Cement, Plaster, Hair and Building Paper. We also carry a stock of Hard-wood Lumber. Our stock of Ready-Mixed Paints are especially adapted to this climate. We have at all times a full stock of Hard and Soft Coal. We pay the highest market price for Flax-seed, Castor Beans and all kinds of Grain. Call and get our prices. G. B. SHAW & CO. W. O. JOHNSON, Local Manager.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 9, 1885.

A. F. Huse, yesterday, began preparations for his new coal and feed yard next to Braden's stable. He will remove the ell from that frame dwelling, and thus have a roadway to the space in the rear.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Traveler, September 9, 1885.

Arkansas City Coal Co., $27.75; allowed.

G. B. Shaw & Co., $101.83; allowed.

Rev. Mr. Buckner applied in behalf of his brother-in-law, Mr. Huse, for leave to put in scales, and build coal shed and feed bins between the skating rink and Braden's Stable. Leave granted.

Similar privilege granted to George C. Maloney, to put in scales at W. L. Aldridge & Co.'s lumber yard.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 10, 1885.

A Wellington stock company has subscribed $25,000 to bore for coal at that place.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 12, 1885.

J. Holloway, building coal house, $2.50; allowed.

Arkansas City Coal Co., coal, $28.72; allowed.

G. B. Shaw & Co., coal and lumber, $10.82; allowed.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 17, 1885.

A wheel of Quincy Glass' coal dray got tired running Saturday and dropped off. The horse took its place and began to run like a booger, making a few bad mashes. It was one of the "might have beens"easy escape from much damage.

Arkansas City Republican, September 19, 1885.

G. B. Shaw & Co., have on hand a large stock of Canon City, Petersburg, Weir City, Pittsburg, and Anthracite Coal. Leave orders with Ed. Grady or at their office, 700 North Summit St.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 23, 1885.

Leave your coal orders with G. B. Shaw & Co., or Ed. Grady.

G. B. Shaw & Co., have on hand all kinds of coal. Leave orders with Ed. Grady, or at their office on North Summit Street.

Arkansas City Republican, October 3, 1885.

A. F. Huse has opened up his coal yard and is ready for business. Mr. Huse is a young man and the REPUBLICAN hopes he will attain success. His office is on Summit street. Call on him after a perusal of his advertisement in another column.

AD. A. F. HUSE, DEALER IN COAL. Canon City, Anthracite, Osage City, Weir City, and Pittsburg. ALSO Wood, Flour, and Feed. Office first door north of Skating Rink. Give me a Call. Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 7, 1885.

BUILDING ACTIVITY. A Brief Statement of the Building Growth of Arkansas City.

Mr. Gall has finished the plans of J. C. Topliff's new double building south of the Hasie block. This will be in keeping with the elegance of the structure it adjoins, and will be the cause of just pride to our citizens. On the corner just south, the Frick Bros., new building shows off to advantage, and when the upper rooms and basement are finished, will furnish commodious and handsome quarters for the occupants. At the other end of the block, Ed. Grady has begun to dig the foundation for another first-class brick store and residence, and there is talk that Messrs. Chambers, Newman, Hess, and Dunn will join in the erection of three brick stores on the site lately occupied by Mr. Grady as a coal yard.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 8, 1885.

O. J. Dougherty has retired from the coal yard of J. L. Dennis & Co., his place being filled by F. M. Dennis, a brother of J. L. Dennis. O. J. Dougherty will open a yard on Ninth Avenue east, on his own hook. He is a rustler and will readily succeed.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 8, 1885.

The first touch of frigidity swooped down on us Friday, doubling humanity up in a double bow knot, and reminding one of red-hot stoves and gigantic coal bills. The linen- duster and straw hat have about taken their last tearful farewell, though winter proper never sets in in this climate till nearly December first.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.

Monday was the first shriveling day of the season, a strong reminder of winter's frigidity and the ghastly grins of the coal man. Men went around the streets with their hands in their pockets and their backs humped like the apex of a dromedary. The straw hat, gauzy underwear, and linen duster were laid away in their little coffin where rust and moths do corrupt and where the little mouse breaks through and steals. All over town were being huggedwarm stoves. We hate winter. We want perpetual spring, but have little hopes of getting it until we reap the printorial reward and walk the celestial vistas whose entrance is through the pearly gates. And we're in no hurry for the reward, however great. We don't care to quit a sure thing, if it is cold once in a while.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.

O. J. Dougherty is rushing up his coal office and bins on east Ninth, egged on by the appearance of stern frigidity. The coal men are preparing for a picnic and the consumer looks sad. The scales are again bowed down with a guilty conscience.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.

Coal is the burning issue of the hour: and the appearance of the man going after a ton of it with a peck measure is a burning shame.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 21, 1885.

Ed. Grady has sold the fence around his coal yard to W. M. Jenkins, and today it will be removed. Now he wants to sell his office to somebody who will transport it off on a wheelbarrow. Where the ground is cleared of encumbrances, it will be a tempting sale for a grist mill.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 22, 1885.

G. Dougherty and Tilford have completed their coal office. It is as neat as a new pin.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 22, 1885.

QUINCY A. GLASS. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN Drugs, Books, Stationery and Wall Paper. ALSO DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF COAL.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 29, 1885.

'RAH FOR WINFIELD! Her Prosperity Unexcelled! FIGURES WON'T LIE!

The reporter mounting a steed sallied forth early Friday morning to take an inventory of the improvements and new buildings which have gone up since the season opened, and the ones under construction at the present time. Being rushed, we are satisfied many have been overlooked. The valuation given is below the market value rather than above. The following list we know will surprise our own citizens.

Dougherty & Tilford coal office: $800.

Holmes & Son store: $10,000.

Holmes & Son coal and ice yard: $4,000.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 4, 1885.

The present cool weather makes a harvest for the stove dealers and coal merchants.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Traveler, November 4, 1885.

G. B. Shaw & Co., $2; allowed.

Leave was granted Edward Grady to put in scales opposite his brick store on Third Avenue, and build coal sheds.

[AN EXPLOSION IN HUNGARY.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 5, 1885.

VIENNA, October 31. An explosion occurred yesterday at Reschitza, Hungary, in a coal mine connected with the State Railway Works. Thirteen persons were killed and fifteen injured.

Arkansas City Republican, November 7, 1885.

For Anthracite coal, either nut or stove size, go to the Arkansas City Coal Co.

Arkansas City Republican, November 7, 1885.

Arkansas City Coal Co. always keeps blacksmiths' coal in stock.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 11, 1885.

A. H. Doane, of Winfield, has appointed Kroenert & Austin his agents for the sale of a patent kindler. We can recommend it as an excellent article. A small square, ignited and laid in the stove, burns with intense fierceness for ten minutes, and will start a coal fire readily. A package of fifty retails for 15 cents.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 11, 1885.

A HOT BLAZE. The Rink Goes Up and Surrounding Property Destroyed.

Shortly after 10 o'clock on Saturday evening the cry of fire was raised on Summit Street, and in less than five minutes, all the adjoining portion of the city seemed to be ablaze. The fire originated in the rear end of the rink, and before any efforts could be made to extinguish it, the whole building, composed of frame and covering an area 50 by 100 feet, was involved in flame. A light wind was blowing at the time, which carried the burning embers in an easterly direction, and for a time Mr. John Landes' house and other contiguous residences were threatened. A hay stack owned by R. E. Grubbs, standing in the rear of his house, was ignited by the sparks, but was promptly extinguished by Uriah Spray. The intense heat of the flames threatened destruction to the frame building on the north, owned by A. A. Newman, and occupied by A. F. Huse as a flour and feed store. His coal bins were destroyed, and their contents badly injured, but the building was saved from destruction, although badly scorched, by the liberal use of water buckets. Braden's livery and feed stables, next north, were also threatened, and the lessees, Messrs. Ingles & Briggs, turned their animals loose, expecting destruction. But the wind lulled some after the fire broke out, and the danger of its diffusion abated.

Charles Parker's stone building, south of the rink, ignited in the rear, where it was enclosed with fence, it being the intention of the owner to put on an addition. The lower floor was occupied by Parker and Capt. Rarick as a blacksmith shop; in the upper floor, George Ford and Frank Knedler had their carpenter shop. The tools in the blacksmith shop were saved; but the contents of the carpenter shop were destroyed. After the lintels and girders were consumed, the front wall fell, leaving the side walls standing without support. During the night the upper portion of the south wall collapsed, and before this issue goes to press, it is probable the remaining wall will be removed. A hose was attached to the hydrant on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Summit Street, which threw a feeble stream, quite ineffective in preventing a spread of the flames.

The origin of the fire is thought to be incendiary, but there is no present clue to the perpetrator. The rink was owned by J. P. Braden, who had it insured for $1,000 in the Pelican, of New Orleans. J. H. Puncheon lost $150 worth of new furniture, which he had stored in the rink, without insurance. Parker's building was insured in the Washington, of Boston, for $800; and A. F. Huse had his property insured for $600, one-fourth of this amount on his scales and coal bins, and the remainder on his flour, feed, coal, and grain. The insurance on the house expired last week, but because of the high rate, Mr. Newman had not renewed it. The total amount of the loss is set down at $4,000.

A number of hoodlums broke the windows of Neff & Henderson's feed store, and some lap robes and whips were taken from Braden's stable. Dr. Fowler lost the body of his light cart, which was in the carpenter shop for repairs.

J. P. Braden had made arrangements to start pork packing this week, but the destruction of the rink has put a stop to the enterprise.

[EXTENSIVE FIRE.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 12, 1885.

DULUTH, MINN., November 5. The St. Paul and Pacific Coal Docks, situated on Cannon's Point, about three miles from here across the bay, covering an area of five acres and at present carrying a stock of about 160,000 tons of coal, was discovered to be on fire last night, and at a late hour still burning, although tugs and fire engines sent from this city have been throwing streams of water upon the fire for several hours. It is impossible to estimate the probable loss at this writing.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 18, 1885.

J. F. Huse, the coal and seed man, says he does not know against whom Councilman Hight's intimations are aimed, but he is willing to make his solemn affidavit that every man who buys a ton of coal of him gets 2,000 pounds.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 18, 1885.

City Market.

Coal per ton, Canon City: $8.00; Anthracite per ton: $13.50; Osage and Weir City per ton: $6.25. Wood per cord: $5.00.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Traveler, November 18, 1885.

SCALES. A petition was read, numerously signed, asking that all hay scales be removed from Summit Street, and a city scale be erected.

Mr. Hight spoke in favor of the petition. Besides the litter and confusion caused by these scales, there was an inequality of weight by which some persons suffered. A ton of coal was measured out to the consumer with sparing hand; he paid for more than he received. The use of city scales in the hands of a weigher sworn to his duty would ensure justice to all, and remove what is really a serious grievance.

The matter was discussed at some length, and the result was the adoption of a resolution giving the owners of scales twelve months to remove them from Summit Street.

Mr. Searing asked how the gutter was to be laid with the scales in the way. The council instructed him to provide the stone, and the owners of scales would be required to lay it when the impediment was removed.

On motion the committee on streets and alleys was instructed to inquire the cost of scales for city use and look up a location.

[HACKNEY, PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP, CORRESPONDENT: "MARK."]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.

When Moses Teter starts out to secure the location of a station, something drops on somebody's toes. As a rustler, Mose ranks Eli. He already purchased a pair of double platform scales for the use of his coal yard.

[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.

The following bill was ordered paid: Q. A. Glass, coal, $3.25.

Arkansas City Republican, November 28, 1885.

Stove wood for sale cheap by the Arkansas City Coal. Co.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 2, 1885.

Huse is building new coal bins to replace those destroyed by the fire.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 2, 1885.

The Mechanics' band serenaded Councilman Hill, on Saturday evening, in recognition of his useful services to the city in fighting down all obstacles and bringing the K. C. & S. W. Railway within our corporate limits. After several pieces had been played, Mr. Hill appeared and thanked the musicians and the crowd of citizens in attendance for the compliment paid. He told of the advantages that would result to our citizens from the operation of a competing line, and predicted that the price of coal would be reduced at least one-third. His speech was heartily applauded. Judge McIntire and H. T. Sumner were called upon, and made appropriate and felicitous addresses.

Winfield Courier, December 3, 1885.

A fine vein of eighteen inch coal has been found at Mulvane in Sumner County. Several Exchanges.

No doubt of it, for several veins of 18 inch coal have at sundry times been found in Butler, Cowley, and Sedgwick counties adjoining, and why should not such be found in Sumner, and especially at Mulvane so near the corners of these four counties. But the trouble is that this 18 inch coal is not a good kind of coal and is of no earthly use for fuel. It usually cannot be distinguished from slate or blue stone, but is so shelly that it cannot be used for building purposes. Its only use is to get up a boom with and even at that it is not equal to our Cowley gold ore and solid silver mines.

Perhaps Mulvane has a duplicate of Bent Murdock's coal hole of a few years ago which had been salted with a few little lumps of Anthracite. It would not take more than six lumps of nut coal to make an 18 inch vein.

Arkansas City Republican, December 5, 1885.

The Discovery of Coal. Drury Warren, who resides in Silverdale Township, on his farm, near the mouth of Grouse Creek, about nine miles east of here, was in the city Wednesday, and informed a representative of the REPUBLICAN that an employee on his farm had found an 18 inch vein of coal, but refused to divulge its whereabouts unless well paid. Mr. Warren refused to credit the story and thought it was only a scheme to extort money. Waldon, the name of the employee, made the discovery while Mr. Warren was in Arizona looking after his cattle interests, and it was only last week that he learned of it. Waldon was so positive in his assertions and made them in such a way concerning the discovery, that later on, Mr. Warren was induced to take some stock in the matter. While in the city Wednesday, he met an ex-coal miner, with whom he made arrangements to have him visit his farm and search for the black diamonds. Waldon has left Mr. Warren's employ, but says he is ready at any time to go and show the whereabouts of the vein, provided he receives the sum of money he asks. If it is not just as he represents it, he asks no pay. We were shown samples of the coal by Mr. Warren, which was furnished him by Waldon, and they in appearance resemble the Canon City coal. It was very hard and the black would not rub off. The miner whom Mr. Warren engaged to visit his farm and make the research, tested the coal, and pronounced it of a better quality than any soft coal we are burning in this vicinity. The REPUBLICAN has always held that there was coal lying imbedded in the hills east of the Walnut, and at different times advocated the boring for it. It was only a few days since that some quarrymen north of town struck a small deposit and brought samples, which are now on exhibition at Ridenour & Thompson's jewelry store and Snyder & Hutchison's real estate agency. Should the discovery on Mr. Warren's farm prove to be a realism, the future destiny of Arkansas City is fixed. With her grand water power facilities, aided by cheap fuel being obtained right here in our midst, there would be no bounds to our growth. We would suggest that the board of trade take steps to assist Mr. Warren in bringing this discovery to light, for the question of getting a cheaper fuel here has long been one of vast importance. Coal is known to exist plentifully in the Indian Territory, and this fact alone is good evidence that there is coal in this vicinity.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Traveler, December 9, 1885.

Edward Grady asked leave to erect an office on Third Avenue in connection with his coal scales. Allowed.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.

UDALL SENTINEL.

A. D. Penland, we learn, has sold his farm to a Mr. Reynolds, of Winfield. Mr. Reynolds is a practical well borer and is going to prospect for coal, a show of which has been found on the Penland place.

[BETHEL, WALNUT TOWNSHIP, CORRESPONDENT: "BLUE BELLE."]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.

Some persons not as honest as they should be stopped at the schoolhouse and gathered some of the furniture and other articles, also some coal, and made their escape unmolested. Of course it is aid to movers.

Arkansas City Republican, December 12, 1885.

The coal prospecting committee is having a prospecting hole dug, but not on the site selected by the meeting. After due deliberation and consultation with a number of the citizens, and experts who have visited Mulvane during the past week, it was thought best to prospect farther south, as that is more in the direction in which the coal appeared to extend from where it was found. A four foot hole is being dug on the west side of First Avenue, one block south of Main street. Fred Webber has contracted to put the hole down to where the rock becomes too hard to pick, for 10 cents per foot, the committee to furnish lumber for curbing. The committee has two offers to do the drilling from where Webber quits. One of the offers comes from parties in Wellington, the other from Winfield. The committee has not yet decided which offer it will accept, or whether it will accept either. Money enough has already been subscribed to put the hole down about 250 feet, at the prices offered. When that depth is reached, if coal is not found, and if the indications are encouraging, more money can easily be raised. Mulvane Record.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Arkansas City Republican, December 12, 1885.

Edward Grady was granted permission to put up an office on third avenue in connection with his coal scales.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 17, 1885.

The coal mine at the state prison in Lansing, Leavenworth County, has an average output of 7,500 bushels of coal daily. There are 275 prisoners at work in the mine. One day last week, the state received 4,497 bushels, there was shipped outside of that 2,215 bushels, and about 400 were sold to wagons. The earnings of the institution, including hire and labor by contractors, was over [?] or about $60 an hour.

Arkansas City Republican, December 19, 1885.

Edward Grady has opened up his coal business again.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 23, 1885.

Coal Discovery. Coal of good quality and in paying quantity has recently been found in Ford County, near Dodge City, and Wellington and Newton are going to bore for coal. Wichita has a fifteen hundred foot hole in the ground, but no coal. Coal veins of eighteen inches in depth are being worked near Cedar Vale, twenty miles east of this place, and it is said there is an eighteen inch vein on Drury Warren's farm, at the mouth of Grouse Creek; also a six inch vein in the bed of the Arkansas River, near Probasco's farm, on Grouse. Again there are indications on the Walnut River, within one mile and a half of town, which makes coal a certainty here if it was only developed.

[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 24, 1885.

Pauper claims of J. W. Johnston, coffin, $10, and W. G. Graham, coal, $1.50, were referred to County Commissioners for payment.

Arkansas City Republican, December 26, 1885.

The Mulvane Record of the 12th last says:

Since the discovery of coal in Mulvane, it appears to have become fashionable for other folks to find coal also. The Arkansas City REPUBLICAN gives an account of an eighteen inch vein of extra good coal being found near the mouth of Grouse Creek, about nine miles east of Arkansas City. The man, who claims to have made the discovery, refuses to make known the locality without a certain sum of money. It is said that the quality of the coal is equal to the Canon City coal.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, December 30, 1885.

VOTING PRECINCTS: First ward: Office of Illinois Coal Co., North Summit Street.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 30, 1885.

Good news for housekeepers! A. F. Huse gets his coal over the K. C. & S. W. Railroad, and now sells at reduced prices.

Arkansas City Republican, January 2, 1886.

Wm. O'Sullivan, of Gunnison County, Colorado, arrived in the city a few days ago to stay. Mr. O'Sullivan is a brother-in-law of George Maloney. They are the proprietors of the Illinois Coal Company. See their ad. elsewhere.

AD. THE ILLINOIS COAL COMPANY, DEALERS IN Canon City, Osage, and Pittsburg Coal; also, Wood, Posts, and Feed SOLD CHEAP. On North Summit Street.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 6, 1886.

A. F. Hess keeps Canon City coal.

[PETROLEUM.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

OIL IN WYOMING. Some of the Modest Claims of the Inhabitants of the Big Horn Basin.

[Lander (Wyoming Territory) Special.]

A spring of almost pure petroleum has just been found in the no wood district of the Big Horn Basin. For more than a year past expectation in our oil circles has been on tiptoe in regard to the oil developments of the Big Horn country. Today sees these expectations far more than realized. The spring just discovered is phenomenal. Along the base of a high bank there stretches for one hundred and fifty yards continuous oil fountainsnot the muddy, crude stuff usually submitted to the refiners from the oil wells, but oil itselfpure, smooth, and glistening. Beneath the surface of the ground there seems to be a huge natural refinery in active operation. So pure is the oil as it wells forth that a quantity of it poured upon any hard, smooth substance can be converted into a clear, steady flame by the touch of a match. The fountains are prolific, sending forth full and steady streams. All along the line of output the oil can be dipped up at the rate of a quart per minute. A flattering peculiarity is that it has apparently no residuum. The soil over which it flows shows no deposit of baser ingredients. Asphalt itself, so common as a residuum in all the hitherto found petroleum of this region, is not to be seen. In the employ of Messrs. Conant & Anton, the lucky discoverers and locators, was an old oil expert who has spent years in the petroleum fields of Pennsylvania. He says his experience had failed to prepare him for any such sight, and values the fountains as they stand at one hundred thousand dollars. The owners have given their discovery the name of "The Bonanza Oil Springs." The locality in which they are situated, some one hundred and fifty miles due north of this point, owing to promising indications, has lately been the great attraction of oil men, and it is now said that these same indications print to the existence of other springs in the same district, even larger and more valuable than those already conferring a fortune upon the lucky finders. Day by day is demonstrated the fact that beneath the surface of the Big Horn Basin lie exhaustless hoards of coal and petroleum. Rich developments are but questions of short time, and soon capital's stream will flood the now waste places and reap therefrom a golden harvest.

[CHARGED TO THE KNIGHTS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

DENVER, COL., December 31. This morning at three o'clock three masked men entered the engine room of the Marshall Coal Company's works near the town of Brice, forty miles from Denver, and captured the engineer and took him several hundred yards away and tied him, then returned and set fire to the hoisting works. The engine house, tramway, and several cars were completely destroyed, throwing several hundred men out of employment. Three weeks ago the wages of the men in these mines were cut down, when the Knights of Labor ordered a strike. The miners, rather than be without work at this time of the year, refused to obey. They continued to work, and this morning's outrage is supposed to be another outcropping of the Rock Springs troubles instigated by the Knights of Labor.

[FIRE AND CASUALTY.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, December 30. Patrick Cosgrove, aged thirty-five, employed at a furnace in Niles, Ohio, was overcome by gas this morning and fell twenty-five feet, striking on his head, and breaking his neck. Fire at the Peacock coal mine, near Mineral Ridge, Ohio, destroyed all the buildings, causing a loss of $10,000 and throwing one hundred men out of employment.

[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

Q. A. Glass, coal, $3.25.

[OLD BOREAS LOOSE.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

Yes, we have had a lovely winter so far, almost continual autumn. Surprises are said to be the spice of life. Perhaps they are. But the surprise Old Boreas has heaped upon us, all in a pile, doubled everybody and everything into a double-twisted, double-concentrated bow- knot. Wednesday night a genuine, Simon-pure, old fashioned Kansas blizzard struck the town on the northwest corner. Old Boreas came down on his muscle, his breath laden with snow and ice, scooped up among the rugged hills of Alaska and the bleak prairies of Manitoba and Dakota. It howled and shrieked around the corners and split in thin whistles among the telephone wires, driving everybody indoors, except the "oldest inhabitants," who appeared to be perfectly at home. Two or three of him struck THE COURIER with the declaration that this was the only day of the winter that reminded him of old times. Yes, it was a regular. It made ground hogs, Jack rabbits, and coyotes hunt their holes and the old family cat crawl under the stove. The little birds that only a day or two ago were swindled into the belief that this was to be the mildest winter for many a year, winked and blinked and tucked their heads under their wings, looking stiffer'n a poker. The benign countenance of the stove was the sweetest consolation. No business was done and nobody appeared to care. The clerks gazed listlessly out of the store doors and shivered at the prospect without. The center of the street was as uninviting as the ragged edge of a barbed wire fence. A gentleman just from Bliss & Wood's mill declared that the streak of smoke issuing from the smoke stack of the mill was solidified and the boys, dressed in buffalo coats and caps and pants made of coon skins, were amusing themselves by sliding up that column of smoke and climbing down. A gentleman had a gun repaired at Plank's and loaded it up to see how it would work, but the blaze froze into an icicle at the muzzle before it could escape. The head of the only whiskey barrel in town was knocked in and the stuff chopped out with a hatchet and sold at fifty cents an inch. A beer keg in a church member's cellar froze solid, bursted, and the explosion tore up the whole neighborhood, like a dynamite invasion. The only drink that wasn't frozen was kerosene oil, which, with ice pudding and frosted pancakes, have been the diet of the day. The intellectual machinery of poor e. c. is all frozen into a conglomerate mass and can't be thawed out before the Fourth of July. Everybody swears that all the matches in town have been consumed trying to thaw out the coal to make it combustible. The electricity froze around the instruments in the depots in great chunks. All the concentrated lye and plug tobacco in the town is frozen solid and dead hogs stand around on their hind feetin the butcher shops, while dogs' tails about three feet long and as stiff as pokers, stick out of the sausage grinders. The merchants declare the necessity of keeping red hot pokers to run down the throats of their customers to thaw out their talking apparatus so they can tell what they want. We hear that Arkansas City held a mass meeting today, around a red hot stove, to talk up the feasibility of moving their town to South Africa, while it is froze up into a little round ball about as big as your fist. The Telegram is said to be one solid cake of ice and no editorials need be expected before the next Democratic convention. Every news item in town is frozen up so tight that a fifty horse power engine couldn't phase 'em. We haven't told half. And it wasn't a very cold day either.

[PITY THE POOR DURING THIS STORM.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

When we think how many families there are in this world who want for fire and food during this stormhow many little ones cry around a mother's knee for bread, how grateful we should be for the blessings God has given us, and in return for these blessings, should we not search out the needy and see that they have provisions and coal? God will reward the man who not only pities the poor in word, but reaches his hand into his pocket and pays for something that will bring comfort and joy to these needy ones. We haven't much use for the man who sits in his cosy room before the fire smoking his pipe with ease and saying, "Oh, how I pity the poor, who probably are now hovering over a half smothered coal of fire without fuel with which to enliven and strengthen the fast dying spark," and never offering to help from his bountiful stove those who are so deserving of his aid. Let us try and make these people feel that they are in a land of sympathy, where the feeling for our fellow man is warm, and our appreciation of comfort is shown by our acts of charity. "The poor we have with us always," so let us each hunt out some one family who needs assistance and bring sunlight and joy into some home where all is darkness and gloom.

[GIST OF THE NEWS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

COLLIERIES DROWNED OUT.

HAZELTON, PA., January 6. Last night's rain storm did a vast amount of damage throughout this section of the anthracite coal region. Five of the collieries of A. Pardee & Co. are completely drowned out, the water having entered the mines from a large creek which burst into an old breast of the Laurel Hill workings, and poured steadily through this opening from twelve o'clock Monday night until six o'clock last evening. Twenty-three mules were drowned and all the pumps were submerged. The Crystal Ridge, Sugar Loaf, Sandy Run, Audenried, Honeybrook, and Stockton slopes are also flooded. The water again broke into the Harleigh and Ebervale mines, which were recently flooded, and the situation is now more serious than before. All the pumps are lost and the water is rising rapidly. It is impossible to say what the losses will aggregate, but it must necessarily be heavy.

REACHED ITS HEIGHT. LAND SLIDES AND WASHOUTS.

EASTON, PA., January 6. Yesterday afternoon the Lehigh River here was sixteen feet high, and the Delaware River eighteen feet. The first floors of several mills were covered with water, and work has been suspended. Trains on the Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroads are delayed by land slides and washouts. The coal and freight trains on the latter road have been abandoned.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

A number of suffering families have been found since the beginning of this storm. What condition more desperate than to face such awful frigidity with no coal and little provisions in the house. Marshal McFadden found two or three families of such today, and supplied them on his own responsibility. The marshal and that natural philanthropist, Capt. Siverd, have been busily looking after the poor, all day. Our people are too generous and noble- hearted to let any suffer whose wants are known.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

Tickled? Don't he look like it? Look at that grin as broad as Main street on his handsome phiz! See him tip toe. You can see in a minute that something peculiar, out of the general routine of drugs and coal, has struck him. He is Quincy A. Glass, and as he wildly gesticulates, accompanied by that gigantic smile, you rapidly perceive it's a boy, regulation weight and as pretty and rosy as a spring daisy. Born yesterday.

[A VEIN OF FIRST-CLASS COAL STRUCK ON IMBECILE HILL.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

We have found coal. For years and years philosophers have argued that Winfield and surroundings were underlaid with coal. But nobody could be found who would sink money in a prospective hole. The state, unconsciously, has done it. David Dix, digging the well at the Imbecile Asylum, yesterday, struck a 6-inch vein of first-class hard coala solid strata. It is very similar to the Cannon City coal so popular here. It was tried and burns splendidly. The vein is just 145 feet below the surface at the foot of the Imbecile mound. Signs of coal have been noticed before on the road down. The indications are that this is only the first layer of a rich bed of coal. Prospectors and capitalists are considerably worked up and it will probably be an easy matter to organize a big stock company for further investigations. There is no doubt that we have plenty of coal under us. All we have to do is to dig for it.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.

A. H. Doane has sold his coal business to Ivan Robinson. Mr. Robinson is well known here and will carry on the business satisfactory to all. A. H. will be a man of leisure for a few days. It will seem very queer to think of A. H. out of the coal business. For five years he has been one of our prominent fuel dispensers.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 16, 1886.

REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

Statement of the amount of orders issued, to whom issued, and for what purpose issued, on the bond funds for the building of the Central or Stone School Building, between June 24, 1884, and December 19, 1884; and orders issued to teachers from October 1, 1884, to June 3, 1885. Also, amount orders issued on the Incidental fund from July 10, 1884, to June 3, 1885. This is the best the present board can do. Not having any receipts recorded on the district clerk books, drawn from the county treasurer, we can give nothing but the one side.

AMOUNT OF ORDERS ISSUED JANUARY 8, 1886.

MO. DA. YR. TO WHOM ISSUED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE ISSUED. AMOUNTS.

Nov. 2, 1884 300 pounds coal: $49.89.

Nov. 14, 1884 Searing & Mead, thirty-three tons coal: $101.06.

Feb. 25, 1885 Searing & Mead, 14,630 pounds coal at $6.00 Per Ton: $43.86.

April 28, 1885 Arkansas City Coal Company, fuel: $158.50.

April 30, 1885 Arkansas City Coal Co., one ton Pitts coal: $6.75.

Arkansas City Republican, January 16, 1886.

The denizens of Winfield claim they have found a 6-inch-vein of coal. It was discovered at a depth of 150 by a man who was digging a well for the Imbecile asylum. We can beat that down at Arkansas City. We know of a man who discovered a half-ton of coal at our back door last week while we were asleep. A half-ton discovery will beat a six inch one all to pieces. The man who found our half-ton vein did not have to dig 150 feet down in the ground either.

[WE MUST DIG.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 21, 1886.

Careful examination, by experts, of the Imbecile Hill coal, proves it to be a first class qualityas good as can be found anywhere. There is no doubt that we have been quietly sitting over a large bed of coal all these years. What we want to do now is to form a company and dig. You generally have to "dig" for everything in this country. The man who won't dig always gets left. If a solid six inch vein of coal can be found, as in the Imbecile well, 145 feet down, what will be the result farther down? The shaft at the Kansas penitentiary is a thousand feet deep, seven hundred feet of which was thrown out at great expense with but slight prospects. The beds once reached, the supply is inexhaustible. Let's dig.

[KELLOGG, VERNON TOWNSHIP, CORRESPONDENT: "ICN."]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 21, 1886.

The Grange Mill is building up a large custom trade. They are also dealing in coal, which is sold for fifty cents a ton less than the same can be bought in your city. They have lately erected a good dwelling house for their chief miller, and so the good work goes on.

[STORMS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 21, 1886.

SUFFERING ON THE PLAINS.

KANSAS CITY, MO., January 13. The Times says: Reports have been received which indicate that the recent storm was the worst that was ever experienced on the Kansas plains. Colonel S. S. Prouty, editor of the Dodge City Cowboy, arrived from Dodge City today, and states the death and destruction wrought by the storm is something fearful and positively without a parallel in the history of the State. At Dodge City the velocity of the wind was forty-four miles per hour, and the mercury ten degrees below zero. Business throughout the western half of the State has been paralyzed for two weeks past. Three hundred men during the worst part of the storm were engaged in clearing the track at Spearville, near Dodge City. In many sections on the Santa Fe line the snow plow was ineffective and the snow had to be cleared by the slow process of shoveling. The stage from Fort Supply, which was due at Dodge City Wednesday last, did not arrive until Sunday. The driver encountered the blizzard in Clarke County and took refuge with his horses in an abandoned dugout, where he remained for forty-eight hours without fuel or water. Near the dugout in which the driver was cooped up lived an old lady and her two daughters. In an attempt to reach the house of a son on an adjoining claim, the two daughters perished in the storm. The mother managed to reach her son's house, but was terribly frostbitten and is in a critical condition. The bodies of the young women have been recovered. Many persons who were out in the storm are missing, and it is thought they have perished. The suffering among the new settlers on the plains is beyond description. Most of them had erected mere wooden habitations. Coal is the only fuel that can be obtained, and in many instances it has to be hauled seventy-five to one hundred miles. In Wichita County a family of sevenfather, mother, and five childrenwere frozen to death. The stock interests in Western Kansas, particularly the range cattle, have received their death blow if the reports of the damage from this storm are true. The irrigating ditch a short distance from Dodge City is filled for miles with cattle frozen to death. They had taken refuge in the ditch from the terrible wind and there died. Many of the small herds of the new settlers have been entirely destroyed.

[BLIZZARD.]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 23, 1886.

A mother and two small children were frozen to death in their claim shanty, ten miles northeast of Garden City. Their supplies of food and coal were exhausted, and the father had started to Garden City for both. He is still missing and it is believed he is frozen, and thus an entire family is swept away.

Two men named Meller and Powelson had a terrible experience in a journey from WaKeeney to Scott City. They traveled together until 1 o'clock Thursday morning, when Meller gave up and sank to the ground. Powelson tried to urge him to another trial, but his entreaties were of no avail, so he started on alone. Meller remained where he was until 1 o'clock in the afternoon, when he summoned up strength to rise to his feet. He walked a short distance when he stopped and cut his boots of his feet, and found that one of them was frozen stiff. He hung his boots around his neck and started on. His gloves were so frozen that he could not get them on, so he was compelled to go barehanded. He kept on his journey until the breaks of the Smoky Hill River was reached, when he struck the camp of a number of Scott City gentlemen, who were prospecting for coal. They took him into the camp and poulticed his feet, hands, and face, which were badly frozen. When he had related his story, Isaac Ruddock, one of the prospectors, started for Scott City in quest of aid for the frozen man and for men to search for Powelson. When Mr. Ruddock reached Scott City and related the state of affairs to the citizens, a large number started in search of the missing man. The horses are also missing, and it is believed that both man and horses are dead. It is said that Mr. Powelson had several hundred dollars on his person. The relief party brought Meller in from camp, and it is thought his life will be saved.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 27, 1886.

Go to A. F. Huse for Anthracite coal.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 27, 1886.

OUR SUFFERING COMRADES. An Appeal for Aid in Behalf of Poor and Disabled Ex-Soldiers.

At a meeting of the Arkansas City veterans of the G. A. R., held on Saturday evening, reports were made by the adjutant (Dr. C. R. Fowler) and the relief committee of the sickness and destitution of several of the members. The officer of the day also mentioned several cases of extreme want suffered by old soldiers and their families, in whose behalf he had asked assistance of his neighbors and friends and been refused with the reply: "These men are members of your own Grand Army post, their proper resort is to your post treasury." It being the belief of the members that this idea quite generally prevails, and withholds assistance from deserving men who have a special and a lasting claim on the sympathy of their fellow citizens, the undersigned was instructed by unanimous vote of the post to lay the case of these sick and destitute veterans before the public and invoke aid in their behalf.

It should be borne in mind that upwards of twenty years have elapsed since the victorious arms of these veterans suppressed the rebellion and delivered our country from the assaults of traitors. In the flush of life they parted from friends and renounced the joys of home, counting no sacrifice too great to assure the safety of an imperial country. Four years of toilsome marches, exposure, and heroic daring restored peace to the country, and those who survived the conflict returned to their homes. But this exhausting and dangerous service by flood and field shattered the constitutions of many of these patriot soldiers, and the inroads of a quarter of a century have so told upon their enfeebled frames, that we find many of these war warn veterans now unable to earn their support.

It is true the Grand Army of the Republic is organized, among other things, to relieve its distressed members, but what is the recourse of these dependent persons when the post treasury runs dry? On Saturday bills were allowed for coal to warm the hearths of several without fuel, for groceries where the family was suffering for food, for medicines prescribed by the physician. It should be remembered that the post fund is made up by trifling quarterly dues paid in by members, some of whom make a positive sacrifice in maintaining their good standing. There are a number of well to do ex-soldiers in our community whose more ample means could relieve the cost of its chronic condition of impecuniosity; but most of these, from indifference or some other cause, fail to muster with their more constant comrades, and their sympathies are not touched by the reports of destitution and suffering made at the post meetings.

This appeal is made to all classes of the community. We profess to hold in grateful remembrance the heroic services of these sons of the Republic, who at the call of arms counted no cost, but held their duty to country before that due to parent, wife, or child. The soul of the student thrills as he reads of the lofty patriotism and unyielding endurance of ancient Greek and Roman when beleaguered foes threatened their homes and altars; but, be it remembered, that no time is recorded in history when the fires of patriotism burned more brightly; when the defenders of country exposed their breasts to death and danger with more unselfish alacrity; when, in short, a whole people seemed infused with a sublimity and devotion which places that era in the world's annals among the grand and heroic. Men and women of mature life remember that trying period as a national transfiguration; it consecrated home and country to our affections, and exalted the participants in the conflict to the highest level that human frailty can attain.

Those war worn veterans, who gave health and strength to the cause of their countrywho sacrificed their future usefulness that our liberties might be preservedare left as a sacred legacy to the care and gratitude of their fellow countrymen. This appeal is for aid in their behalf. The reports of the relief committee represent that as many as a dozen of these patriot soldiers are suffering, with their families, the direct want during this inclement season. They need coal, provisions, and clothing, and the treasury of the Grand Army post has become exhausted in ministering to their needs. Money is not asked to relieve their distress, but such contributions of food, wearing apparel, and fuel as will drive the gaunt wolf of famine from their doors, and diffuse a sense of comfort in homes where misery now holds sway.

Comrade G. W. Miller, quartermaster to the post, will receive contributions in behalf of these suffering members, and use the utmost vigilance in placing them where they will do the most good. Let not this appeal fall on unheeding ears.

In behalf of Arkansas City Post, No. 158, G. A. R.

FREDERIC LOCKLEY, Sergeant Major.

[MARKET.]

Arkansas City Traveler, January 27, 1886.

Coal per ton, Canon City: $8.00; Anthracite: $18.50; Osage and Weir City: $6.00; Pittsburg: $5.25; Wood per cord: $5.00.

[THE COAL EXCITEMENT.]