JOHN N. FLORER.
[At One Time Osage Indian Trader.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 15, 1876.
JOHN FLORER, one of the licensed Indian
Traders at Paw-hus-ka, paid this place a visit this week, and made us a
pleasant call. Come again.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 28, 1877.
We are sorry to learn that Ed. Finney
is soon to return to Osage Agency, to take his former place in Florer &
Rankin’s store. His older brother will take his place in the Livery
here. Ed. has a host of acquaintances and warm friends at this place, as
he deserves to have.
[FLEMING REPORTS ON STUBBS/FINNEY WEDDING
AT OSAGE AGENCY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 23, 1877.
It was our privilege to meet the good
people of Osage Agency at the nuptial ceremonies of Mr. Stubbs and Miss
Finney, on Thursday evening, May 3rd, and seldom have we seen a more social
and joyous group of individuals. We were surprised to meet there ladies
and gentlemen who had graced the best society in the land, and others whose
presence would adorn any reputable society.
Our host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Florer,
spared no pains to make everything pleasant for their guests, and how admirably
they succeeded, the good feeling and hearty enjoyment of all present may
testify.
We congratulate our friend, Stubbs, in
his success in marrying into one of the most reputable families of the State
of Ohio. Rev. Mr. Finney and his noble wife, the parents of Mrs. Stubbs,
and “the boys,” known to all, were missionaries of the Presbyterian
Church in the State of Ohio, and their sterling character and earnest piety
contributed in no small degree to the high position which that State takes
today in all questions of morals and religion. Though now in heaven, yet
the impress of their lives and character is reflected in their children.
We extend our congratulations also to
Mr. Ed. Finney and his estimable wife in their recent and happy union, and
take this occasion to assure both of these recently married couples that
the best wishes of their many friends in this community accompany them to
their new homes. S. B. FLEMING.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 15, 1877.
The Vinita Herald, formerly Indian
Herald, published at Osage Agency, says that Mrs. J. N. Florer, Mrs.
J. L. Stubbs, Mrs. J. E. Finney, and others were thrown from a carriage
last week.
[COMMUNICATION FROM PAWNEE AGENCY, INDIAN
TERRITORY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877. Front Page.
Scalp Raising.
PAWNEE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, July 20th, 1877.
Dr. W. McKay Dougan:
I found so much work awaiting me here,
that it has been impossible to fulfill my promise sooner. However, the facts
connected with the meeting of Alexander, Broome, and Walton, with a party
of Osages, on Gray Horse Creek, June 19th, are as follows.
Upon approaching the creek, they were
startled by yells and running horses from the rear, and were at once surrounded
by a dozen Indians, who were mounted, armed, and painted.
They produced a trade dollar of Dunlap
& Florer’s, and from signs made the whites understood that they
wanted to trade it for hair. It was thought best to comply, under the circumstances,
and Harry Broome, for and in consideration of the dollar check, allowed
them to cut from his head a lock of hair.
The Indians were now satisfied and left
while the whites crossed the creek and stopped for dinner. While in camp
they discovered an Indian on a bluff in the distance, who seemed to be signaling
someone on the opposite side of the stream, and as they were about resuming
their journey, they were again approached by Indians; this time three in
number. This party was unarmed, and one of the number spoke tolerable good
English. They were talkative and said a large party of Osages were mourn­ing
the death of a chief. They also stated that they were poor and had no money,
but that they, too, wanted some hair,
so that they could have a dance that evening. Broome was asked to
furnish the article.
They objected to Alexander’s hair
upon the ground that it bore too close a resemblance to the hair of the
horse and Walton was in no trouble as his hair was too short to admit of
a close cut. I have written a faithful account of the affair as detailed
to me by one of the party, in whose word I place implicit confidence. Very
cordially, S. MATLACK.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877.
[From Vinita Herald.]
Indians have sins enough of their own
to answer for without being with those committed by the whites. The border
white man, or plainsman, knows better than to receive money from Indians
as an excuse for supplying them with hair and getting an opportunity to
make impressions that are both false and damaging.
On his return to Pawnee, Harry Broome
stated that he had been scalped by a mourning party of Osages, and then
to put it beyond question, he exhibited the localities which had been shorn
in accordance with his own will, at his own instance, for pay, and also
for the vile purpose of setting a mark of disgrace upon the very people
whose friendship he covets.
Old Mrs. Gossip was among the first to
see how the young man’s head had been skinned, and heard him say (as
she went off into an hysterical tantrum) that it was done by a murderous
band of mourning Osages, and the world was then on wheels. Broome went to
Canaville, Kansas, and made a similar statement of his hairbreadth escape
from death at the hands of Indians on the warpath. Old men who had been
neighbors with Indians for half a century, and must soon go to their graves,
leaving behind them no prospect of sensational inscriptions for their funeral
monuments, felt aggrieved to think that the obscurity of their lives had
been the decree of fate; yet, everybody pitied poor Broome, and were full
of doubt and curiosity as to how he felt as he set under the scalping knife
of a wild Osage.
And as we have seen him passing each week,
carrying the U. S. mail over the same route, nobody knows how we have wished
we could have been brave and distinguished like him. We have admired the
manner in which people approach and address him; we have courted and even
stared at him until now, Stacy Matlack, the Pawnee (Indian) trader, says
that Broome sold his hair to the Indians, and we learn that he was never
scalped at all!
Two or three times a year we read of brutal
murders and robberies of white settlers on the frontier by the Indians.
And until the present Indian policy is perfected (instead of being abolished)
and a provision is made for the care of the reckless whites, will the loss
of life and the destruction of property in the future as in the past occasionally
be cut. In nature prone to evil the hot blood of overbearing whites will
continue to boil over in the way long familiar to the Indians.
Whites have taken but little pains to
instill into the hearts of the Indians a feeling of confidence, but on the
con­trary, they have always tried to perpetuate the feeling of bitterness
and distrust that exists between the two races.
There are now about two hundred and
fifty thousand Indians in the territory of the United States, and they
know and keenly feel their inability to cope with a nation numbering more
than forty millions in the struggle for existence.
This emboldens bad white men to the commission
of murder, treachery, and theft upon the persons and property of Indians.
How then can it be wondered at that they do sometimes retaliate? They are
not, today, accountable for the many blood conflicts that grew out of encroachment
upon the rights of their ancestors by whites in years long gone by; nor
are they answerable for the insatiable desire of the whites to pervert their
innocent, devout, and ancient ceremonies into acts of bloodshed and rapine.
[COMMUNICATION FROM OSAGE AGENCY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 5, 1877.
By a letter from Osage Agency, we learn
that Agent Beede will probably be back in October, as his health is somewhat
improved. The Osages are at present busy putting up hay; the employees cut
and rake it, so that the Indians can stack it. Hiatt & Florer are paying
good prices in cash for wheat. The first issue of beef cattle on the new
contract have been delivered, and the Indians are enjoying “fresh roast
on a stick.”
Arkansas City Traveler, November 7, 1877.
John Florer, the trader at Osage Agency,
is in town.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1882.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. John
N. Florer, U. S. trader at Osage Agency, while in the city last week, and
enrolled his name upon the TRAVELER subscription books.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1883.
J. N. Florer, of Osage Agency, passed
through the city yesterday on his way to Coffeyville to ship cattle.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1883.
Master Walter Osage Florer, of Osage Agency,
and Martin Stillwell, of Newton, Kansas, paid the TRAVELER a call yesterday.
Walter is a son of J. N. Florer, of Osage Agency, and was the first white
child born in the Osage Nation.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1883.
Mr. John Florer, of Osage, and Tom Finney,
of Kaw Agency, were in town this week, greeting old friends and making new
ones. They report a good trade and prosperous outlook at their respective
places of business.
[INDIAN TERRITORY NEWS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1883.
A herd of Chickasaw cattle recently attempted
to cross Mr. John Florer’s range at the mouth of Salt Fork, but Mr.
Florer succeeded in keeping them off. These Chickasaws are through Texans
that are driven into the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations, and after being
held a few months, are driven north. Stockmen are beginning to see that
the loss from fever has been great enough this year to justify them in combining
to prevent the drive. It is thought the herd will cross the Arkansas River
east of Ponca Agency.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1883.
We received an appreciated call from Mr.
John N. Florer, of Osage Agency, one day last week as he was on his way
to Lawrence.
[CATTLE BRANDS/ADS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1883.
We call attention to the new cattle brands
of J. N. Florer, of the Osage Nation, and of the Berry Bros., of Shawneetown,
Indian Territory, which appear this week.
AD. J. N. FLORER. Cattle Brands: F E [E
on side] on both sides and circle on jaw. F on both sides and circle on
jaw.
Horse Brand: J E on left shoulder.
Ranch in Indian Territory; P. O. Address,
Kaw Agency, I. T.
AD. T. E. BERRY & BROS. (Geo. Berry
in charge.) P. O. Address, Shawneetown, Indian Territory, or Pawnee Agency,
Indian Territory.
Cattle Brands: Cross and bell on left
side.
Young cattle brands: With cross and bell
on both sides.
Old stock: B cross on right side and cross
bell on left side.
Other brand: bow and arrow on right side.
Horse Brand: Cross bell on left shoulder.
[FLORER & POLLOCK: LEASE WITH OSAGE.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1883.
Messrs. Florer & Pollock have just
completed arrangements with the tribe of Osage Indians, by which they lease
over 100,000 acres of good grazing ground in the Osage Nation for a term
of ten years, for a yearly consideration of three thousand dollars. We are
glad to note this fact, for while it is a good thing for the gentlemen,
it is equally good for the Indians, who thus realize a handsome profit from
otherwise waste land.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 17, 1883.
J. N. Florer of Osage Agency was in the
city yesterday.
[NEW TELEPHONES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 14, 1883.
Telephonic. Last week the TRAVELER spoke
of a number of new telephones to be put in this week, and of the effort
to have a line run to Ponca Agency. In this issue we wish to present the
claims of the latter line to the citizens of Arkansas City. It is simply
a question of business to the merchants of this city. Mr. P. W. Bossart,
superintendent of the Kansas division, and who is expected here daily, says
that Hunnewell is alive to the importance of connecting the agencies and
cattle ranches south of us with some trading point in the state, and is
doing her best to raise the necessary funds. Now the town that gives the
most assistance to this project is the town that will reap the greatest
benefit. The immense advantages thereby resulting to the agency and stockmen
are self-evident, and that the Territory people will throw all the trade
possible into the city thus reaching out for a closer connection is the
only natural conclusion. There is no doubt that Arkansas City can raise
more money and receive more support at the hands of Territory residents
than any other border town. Mr. J. H. Sherburne, the trader at Ponca, has
offered to give $500 to such an enterprise, and we may safely count on a
liberal subscription from the various cattlemen around that section whose
business interests are connected with those of Arkansas City. This should
be met with a corresponding liberality on the part of our businessmen, which
will insure telephonic connection with various points in the Indian Territory.
A line to Ponca Agency means connection with Willow Springs, Ponca, Otoe,
Nez Perce (and in a very short time, Pawnee), the cattle ranches of such
men as Sherburne, J. N. Florer, R. A. Houghton, the Dean boys, and others
whose interests are identical with ours, besides the various new instruments
which will be ordered for parties in town wishing connection with those
points. But we must work for this thing, or Hunnewell will step in ahead
of us, and we will see the importance of it too late.
Get this enterprise on a business basis,
and the telephone company will doubtless make a proposition to the Territory
people by which they may lease the line, have their own central office at
Ponca, and manage the business for themselves. This can be done, and it
will be done. It is only a question of a very short time. Besides forever
holding the trade we already have in this direction, it will bring to our
doors a large increase in revenue. Let Arkansas City merchants display their
wisdom and business sagacity by taking hold of this enterprise and carrying
it to a successful issue.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 28, 1883.
Tom Finney and John Florer, of the Territory,
were in the liveliest city in southwest Kansas last Friday.
[CATTLE LEASES WITH INDIANS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 9, 1884.
As was stated in last week’s Chief,
Hon. Eli Titus visited Sedan for the purpose of closing the contract
for a lease of 81,800 acres of land in the territory. There were present
at the meeting a number of Indian chiefs and the following cattle kings
of Southern Kansas, who leased the number of acres set opposite their names.
Hewins & Titus, of this place, leased 1,800 acres more than any of the
other firms.
Hewins & Titus: 81,800 acres.
Wait, King, and Slaughter: 48,080 acres.
John P. Soderstrom: 65,000 acres.
Carpenter & Loyhe [?]: 50,000 acres.
Florer & Pollock: 75,000 acres.
Crane and Larimer: 80,000 acres.
The price paid per acre is three cents
per year, the leases running ten years. The contract for fencing the land
has been let, and it will be under fence next April. Grenola Chief.
[J. N. FLORER: ENDORSED BY HIS MANY FRIENDS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 30, 1884.
A Handsome Testimonial.
The following from the Independence
Evening Reporter of last Wednesday, will be read with interest and heartily
endorsed by the many friends of Mr. J. N. Florer in this city.
“Our sanctum was lighted up yesterday
by the benign countenance of John N. Florer, of the Indian Territory. Besides
being a ‘lucky dog,’ he is the prince of good fellows, and we
are always more than pleased to meet him. His present visit to our city
has been made memorable by the presentation to him, by the stockmen of the
Territory, of a most elegant gold, hand carved, Elgin watch. The watch was
manufactured especially for the occasion, is eighteen karat fine, and the
case alone weighs 70 pt. It bears the monogram of the recipient, ‘J.
N. F.’ on the outside of the case in elegant design, while on the inside
is engraved with matchless taste, ‘Presented to John F. Florer by his
friends, the stockmen of the Osage reservation.’ It is a princely offering,
and well worthy the gentlemen who made the present, the cost at the factory
being $500. Mr. W. H. H. Larimer presented it yesterday at the Caldwell
House, in impromptu but meek and tasteful remarks. It comes to Mr. Florer
at his resignation as Indian trader at the Osage Agency, as a token of the
appreciation in which his past efforts to do his duty have been held and
an earnest of the good wishes of his friends for his future success in his
new field of labor. Mr. Florer has for thirteen years been United States
Indian trader at the Osage Agency, Indian Territory, and has so demeaned
himself toward all who have come in contact with him, as to win the good
will and respect of them all. The position is not one without its trials
and difficulties, but Mr. Florer has been equal to all emergencies, and
while the moving powers have frequently been changed, he has always been
able to command from his friends those recommendations, which would secure
his reappointment. This alone is the firmest and most telling testimonial
he could have as to his ability, gentility, and business capacities. The
Osage Agency in him sustains a loss they cannot soon replace. He goes to
reside on his ranch near the Kaw Agency, Indian Territory, where he has
75,000 acres well stocked and surrounded by a wire fence.”
The good wishes of a host of Arkansas
City friends follow Mr. Florer in his new enterprise, and with those friends
the TRAVELER joins in congratulating him upon receiving so fitting a testimonial
of his merits. May his good luck continue.
Arkansas City Republican, February 16, 1884.
Mr. J. N. Florer, of Kaw Agency, paid
THE REPUBLICAN an appreciated call.
[JOHN N. FLORER, STOCKMAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, February 20, 1884.
John N. Florer, the lucky stockman, was
in town last Friday and Saturday, letting his friends gaze on that magnificent
gold watch.
AD SHOWN A NUMBER OF TIMES. J. N. FLORER.
Cattle Brands—F followed by F on
its side [F/F] on both sides and circle on jaw.
F on both sides and circle on jaw.
Horse Brand—JF on left shoulder.
Ranch in Indian Territory. P. O. Address,
Kaw Agency, I. T.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 5, 1884.
That prince of good fellows, John Florer,
was in the city Monday after ranch supplies. He was full of business, but
spared time to call upon the TRAVELER, where he is always welcome.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 5, 1884.
Mrs. McCague, of Lawrence, accompanied
by her little daughter, arrived in the city yesterday en route for Kaw Agency,
where she goes to visit her brother, J. N. Florer, and sister, Mrs. T. M.
Finney.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 19, 1884.
Osage Live Stock Association.
At the meeting of the Cherokee Strip Live
Stock Association at Caldwell, last week, the lessees of the Osage, Ponca,
and Nez Perce reservations met at the Southwestern Hotel and organized the
Osage Live Stock Association. Mr. Crane, of Independence, was chosen president
of the association and W. J. Pollock secretary. The following cattle firms
were represented.
1.
Florer & Pollock.
2.
Hewins & Titus.
3.
Crane & Larimer.
4.
Waite & King.
5.
Carpenter & Leahy.
6.
Soderstrom & Shoals.
7.
Osage Brown & Son.
8.
Joe Hurd.
[ALL OF THE ABOVE HOLDING CATTLE ON THE OSAGE RESERVATION.]
9.
T. J. Gilbert & Co., Kaw Reservation.
10. R. A. Houghton, Nez Perce Reservation.
11. J. H. Sherburne, Ponca Reservation.
This association will work in harmony
with other organizations of the same kind, yet it shall be a distinctive
body. It is their intention to admit the Indian cattle owners into membership,
giving them all the benefits and protection enjoyed by their white brethren.
Nothing further than an organization was accomplished at this meeting, when
they adjourned to meet again on Saturday, May 29, at Osage Agency. The men
comprising this association are each and all large cattle owners, are men
of influence and wealth, of enterprise and business acumen, and we doubt
not that the Osage Live Stock Association will soon rank as high and favorably
as does its sister, the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association. Success to
it.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 2, 1884.
Osage Leases.
The following are the gentlemen to whom
the council of the Osage Nation have leased ranges upon the lands belonging
to the tribe.
E. M. Hewins
Wait & King
Carpenter & Leahy
Pollock & Florer
John Soderstrom
Crane & Larimer
Arkansas City Traveler, April 2, 1884.
Osage Live Stock Association.
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, March
29, 1884.
The Osage Live Stock Association met according
to adjournment at the above date and place, with the following members present;
H. H. Crane, W. H. H. Larimer, and J.
H. Pugh, of Independence.
Thomas Leahy and L. C. Wait, of Elgin.
J. N. Florer, of Kaw Agency.
W. J. Pollock, of Ponca Agency.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman
H. H. Crane, after which the minutes of the previous meeting were read by
Secretary Pollock. After an informal talk on matters relating to the organization
and its interests, Mr. Pugh moved that in consequence of the small number
present the meeting stand adjourned, to meet at Osage Agency at the time
of the June payment, with the understanding that Judge T. L. Rogers would
give all parties timely notice of the exact time of such meeting. Adjourned.
W. J. POLLOCK, Secretary.
Immediately after the adjournment Messrs.
Ed. Hewins, John Soderstrom, Joe Herard, and several other parties interested
in stock put in an appearance, and although too late to participate in the
formal meeting quite a little social talk was had on subjects connected
with stock and the range.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, April 9, 1884.
NOT GOING TO GIVE A BREAKDOWN ON BRANDS
COMPLETE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN APRIL 9, 1884, ISSUE OF TRAVELER...TOO MANY...SOME
TOO HARD TO READ! JUST LISTING NAMES!
1. H. H. SHERBURNE.
2. W. J. POLLOCK.
3. R. A. HOUGHTON.
4. C. M. SCOTT.
5. J. N. FLORER.
6. N. W. PARVIN.
7. J. C. TOPLIFF.
8. E. R. DARROUGH.
9. ESTUS BROS.
10. DRURY WARREN.
NOTE: R. A. HOUGHTON SHOWS...Postoffice
address: Arkansas City, Kansas, OR, C. C. ENDICOTT, range manager, Oakland
Agency, Indian Territory. Range on the Nez Perce reservation. OODLES OF
BRANDS!
NOTE: C. M. SCOTT...ON SIDE OF CATTLE:
SCOT. Horse brand, CM on left shoulder. Range 6 miles south of Arkansas
City. P. O.: Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas.
NOTE: J. C. TOPLIFF...LOOKS LIKE TOP ON
SIDE OF CATTLE.
Sheep brand, S & T on left shoulder.
Range 6 miles south of Arkansas City.
NOTE: DRURY WARREN brand looks quite different
on side of cattle. Appears to me like N followed by two sizes of boots.
States: Range on Duck Creek and Chicaskia, Indian Territory. GAVE UP TRYING
TO READ OTHER BRANDS USED.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 30, 1884.
RECAP OF STOCK BRAND OWNERS LISTED IN
APRIL 30, 1884, ISSUE OF ARKANSAS CITY TRAVELER.
1.
J. H. SHERBURNE.
2.
W. J. POLLOCK.
3.
R. A. HOUGHTON.
4.
J. N. FLORER.
5.
N. W. PARVIN.
6.
WILLOW SPRINGS STOCK RANCH [PINK FOUTS, MANAGER]...
NOTED THAT O I L WAS USED ON LEFT HIP OF HORSES AND THAT
O I L WAS USED ON EITHER SIDE OF CATTLE.
7.
J. C. TOPLIFF.
8.
E. R. DARROUGH.
9.
ESTUS BROS.
10. DRURY WARREN.
11. C. M. SCOTT.
12. BURKE & MARTIN - P. O. Address, Red Rock, Indian Territory. Range
on the Cimarron river, south of McClellan’s. Horse Brand: [?] on left
shoulder. Cattle are branded on both sides. [B & M]
13. T. J. Gilbert & Co.
14. J. B. NIPP.
15. STEWART, HODGES & SNYDER, WINFIELD
and ARKANSAS CITY.
Range on Turkey and Possum creeks, west
of Ponca Agency, I. T.
Horse brand same as cattle.
Ear marks—Smooth crop on left and
smaller fork and over-bit on right. LOOKED LIKE Sh with bar underneath on
cattle depicted.
16. T. E. BERRY & BROS.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, May 14, 1884.
A CORRESPONDENT of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
has been traveling through the Indian Territory on horseback, from agency
to agency, and airing his views in the G. D. His letters are interesting,
but lack the element of truth in many particulars. It is not to be supposed
that a man can gain a very accurate knowledge of an agency and its affairs
on one day’s hanging around. In one of his letters the correspondent
gives Mr. Florer, of Kaw agency, a very complimentary notice, which is all
well and good, but as we have Mr. Florer’s word for it that he never
met this shover of the quill, we are naturally inclined to doubt his statements
when he attacks and abuses equally good men. It is unfortunately true that
these traveling newspaper men always happen to strike the disaffected and
disgruntled portions of a community, either among Indians or white men.
The grumblers are ever to the front. Many statements of the Globe-Democrat
correspondent are merely rumors, and are given as such; others are but
the growlings of uninformed and jealous parties, who lack the ability to
make their own business a success, and seek to hurt others. The pencil pusher
makes out that our friends, J. H. Sherburne and R. A. Houghton, are rolling
in wealth, all of which we hope is so, but we fear it was written more in
a spirit of malice than friendship. The enterprising itinerant reporter
should take more time to investigating, and then his letters, in addition
to being interesting, might be entitled to some weight on the ground of
truthfulness.
Another name that may have to be added
to that of cattlemen...
Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1884.
B. F. Childs has his cattle brand in this
issue of the TRAVELER.
[VERY HARD TO READ...COULD HAVE THIS ALL
WRONG!]
CANNOT MAKE OUT BRAND ON SIDE OF COW ILLUSTRATION.
B. F. CHILDS, Arkansas City, Kas. Range
on Salt, Antelope, and Elm creeks. Ranch two miles below the forks, Osage
Nation. Brand on either or both sides. Holes in both ears. Reward for return
of strays. A. J. HENDERSON, Foreman.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1884.
Capt. T. G. Ayres, of Coffeyville, Kansas,
and Gen. J. E. Ayres, of Cambridge, Illinois, passed through the city last
Saturday in charge of J. N. Florer, who took them down to his cattle ranch
for a pleasure trip. The gentlemen returned last Monday, well pleased with
Southern Kansas and the Indian Territory.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 21, 1884.
John N. Florer, having followed Doris’
circus half through the state, left it at Winfield, and returned to his
wigwam at Kaw Agency last Sunday.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 4, 1884.
G. Y. Smith, one of Kansas City’s
heaviest merchants, was in the city last Friday, on his return home from
a pleasure trip to the stock ranch of J. N. Florer. Mr. Smith, in addition
to his immense Kansas City establishment, has also large cattle interests
in the Territory, and finds time about once a year to come down and hunt
and fish, while he watches his hundreds grow into thousands, and so on ad
infinitum.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 25, 1884.
From Kaw Agency.
KAW AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, June 17.
The tiresome monotony of our usually quiet
village has been somewhat relieved the past few days by an occasional business
transaction and the presence of one or two strangers.
T. J. Gilbert, of your city, was here
one day last week transacting business with the Kaw council relative to
his lease. Mr. Gilbert purposes raising feed inside his enclosure on the
Kaw reservation, and was here asking permission of the council to cultivate
some of the land.
The permit was granted, Mr. Gilbert paying
in addition to the grazing price, 50 cents per acre for all the land cultivated.
Special Indian Agent Folsom, of Washington,
D. C., and Major Haworth, Inspector of Indian schools, arrived here Sunday,
en route to Osage Agency, the former to witness the annuity payment about
to be made to the Osages, and the latter in the interest of the school.
After inspecting the Osage Agency school, Major Haworth will return to Kaw,
where he will perform a similar duty, and from here he goes to Arkansas
City.
A couple of United States officials of
your city were here on Sunday in search of a transgressor of the law.
Mr. T. M. Finney and family were made
very happy on Sunday, the 15th inst. By the arrival of a handsome boy baby.
Both mother and babe are getting along nicely, and our affable Tom is correspondingly
proud.
During the high water, our mail has been
very irregular, consequently the news of the presidential nominations was
tardy reaching us. Upon its receipt J. N. Florer was immediately seized
with a paroxysm of St. Vitus’ dance, and is now laid up from too violent
enthusiastic demonstrations.
The crops are looking fine and grazing
unusually good. Beef cattle are already being rounded up for shipment. J.
N. Florer will make a large shipment this month.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 9, 1884.
J. N. Florer, whose range is on the Osage
reservation, was in the city last Saturday en route for Coffeyville. He
had started 500 head of steers to Coffeyville, from which point he intended
to ship last Monday.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 23, 1884.
J. N. Florer came in from Kansas City
last Thursday, leaving for his cattle ranch the next day. He is having a
“daisy” cattle cut made, which will make its appearance soon.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 13, 1884.
N. McCague, with Bullene & Co., Lawrence,
is taking a vacation with the families of J. N. Florer and D. T. Finney
at Kaw Agency.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1884.
J. N. Florer and wife passed through the
city for Chicago last Thursday. J. N. has just shipped 100 head of fat steers
to the Chicago market.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 17, 1884.
John Florer and Ed and Dave Finney were
in town last Friday and Saturday, as jolly as ever.
Arkansas City Republican, September 20, 1884.
John Florer was up from the territory
Tuesday, and his talk on the Oklahoma country to a visitor attracted quite
a crowd in front of the Leland Hotel.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 8, 1884.
Osage Live Stock Association.
Quite a number of the stockmen of the
Osage Nation and vicinity met in the council rooms at Osage Agency September
30, 1884, for the purpose of taking steps toward forming an association
having for the object the mutual benefit and protection of those engaged
in stock raising on the Osage and contiguous reservations.
The meeting was called to order by the
temporary chairman, Col. H. H. Crane, with Col. W. J. Pollock at the secretary’s
table.
On motion, the above named gentlemen were
unanimously elected as permanent chairman and secretary, with Mr. J. N.
Florer as treasurer.
Motion of Mr. Florer: That the membership
fee to this association be $2. Adopted.
Motion of Mr. Hewins: That any member
of the Osage Nation, any Indian owning stock, or any person rightfully occupying
ranges on the Osage, Kaw, Cherokee, Ponca, and Nez Perce reservations may
become members of this association upon payment of $2 to the treasurer.
Adopted.
Membership fees were then paid by the
following named stock men and stock firms, who were enrolled by the secretary
upon the books of the association.
NAME
POST OFFICE ADDRESS.
W. J. POLLOCK
PONCA AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
FLORER, GOULD & AYRES
KAW AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
JANE BENVENUE
KAW AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
B. F. CHILDS
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
VIRGIL HERARD
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
GUS CHOTEAU
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
LOUIS ROGERS
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
ANTONIE ROGERS
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
JUDGE T. L. ROGERS
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
HEWINS & TITUS
CEDARVALE, KANSAS.
W. S. BROWN & SONS
INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS.
CRANE & LARIMER
INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS.
H. ROBERTS
KAW AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
W. P. MATHEWS
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
J. H. SHERBURNE
PONCA AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
WAIT, KING & PUGH
ELGIN, KANSAS.
ELGIN CATTLE CO.
ELGIN, KANSAS.
T. J. GILBERT & CO.
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
R. A. HOUGHTON
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
E. M. MATHEWS
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
C. N. PRUDOM
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY.
On motion of E. M. Hewins, Col. W. J.
Pollock was appointed a committee on constitution and by-laws, to report
at the next meeting of the association.
On motion of E. M. Hewins, J. N. Florer
was authorized to get up a brand book, to include the brands of all members
of the association who send their brands to him on or before November 10,
1884. Any person owning stock, not a member of this association, desirous
of having their brands inserted in the brand book, under the head of “Miscellaneous
brands,” can do so by sending description of brand and four dollars
to J. N. Florer, treasurer of the Osage Live Stock Association.
On motion of Mr. Hewins, Mr. Florer was
appointed a committee to give the stock men of the above reservations and
others interested notice of this action of the association in such manner
as he deems best.
On motion of E. M. Hewins, the chair appointed
the following gentlemen delegates to attend the national live stock convention,
which meets at St. Louis on November 17, 1884:
Col. W. J. Pollock, L. C. Wait, ____ ____
Carpenter, J. N. Florer, W. S. Brown, and W. H. H. Larimer.
On motion of Mr. Hewins, the chairman,
Col. H. H. Crane, was added to the above delegation as an honorary member.
On motion of Mr. Florer, the meeting was
then adjourned to 9 o’clock a.m., of December 29, 1884, to meet at
Osage Agency, Indian Territory. W. J. POLLOCK, Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 22, 1884.
A Correction.
In the report of the proceedings of the
Osage Live Stock Association some two weeks since the types read:
Any person owning stock, not a member
of this association, desirous of having their brands inserted in the brand
book, under the head of “Miscellaneous brands,” can do so by sending
description of brand and four dollars to J. N. Florer, treasurer of the
Osage Live Stock Association.
It should read two dollars instead of
four, and new members of the association can have their brands inserted
by sending them with two dollars to the TRAVELER office. If the parties
desire more than one brand cut or any additional brand block, they will
be charged at the rate of two dollars for each additional cut and 50 cents
for each brand block. Additional stamps not requiring cuts or blocks, no
extra charge. Brands will be received up to December 1, 1884.
Arkansas City Republican, October 18, 1884.
J. N. Florer, fresh from the territory,
perambulates our streets this week.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 5, 1884.
J. N. Florer was in the city Monday.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 3, 1884.
John N. Florer and wife were in the city
Saturday.
Arkansas City Traveler, Supplement, December 24, 1884.
FLORER, GOULD & AYRES.
Post Office Address: Kaw Agency, Indian
Territory, Via: Arkansas City, Kansas.
[BIG ILLUSTRATION OF COWBOY ROPING A CALF...ON
SIDE OF ANIMAL THERE APPEARS TO BE TWO “F”s ....FIRST F IS UPRIGHT/SECOND
ON ITS SIDE.]
CATTLE BRAND: 0 on both side and jaw,
and [OBSCURED ... LOOKS POSSIBLY LIKE F F - OR ELSE F R] on both sides.
DUE TO ILLUSTRATION I BELIEVE THE CATTLE BRAND IS “F F” AS SHOWN
ON ILLUSTRATION.
HORSE BRAND: J F on left shoulder.
Arkansas City Traveler, Supplement, December 24, 1884.
BRANDS LISTED.
1.
LOVE BROS. [J. D. LOVE/F. A. LOVE]
2.
DRURY WARREN.
3.
WILEY & HARKNESS.
4.
B. F. CHILDS.
5.
J. A. SHOWALTER.
6.
PINK FOUTS.
7.
STEWART & SNYDER.
8.
T. E. BERRY & BROS.
9.
H. R. DARROUGH.
10. C. M. SCOTT.
11. J. C. TOPLIFF.
12. ESTUS BROS.
13. BURKE & MARTIN.
14. W. J. POLLOCK.
15. J. H. SHERBURNE.
16. R. A. HOUGHTON.
17. HEWINS & TITUS.
18. FLORER, GOULD & AYRES.
Arkansas City Republican, January 10, 1885.
Hugh McGinn, of Florer, Indian Territory,
was in the city the first of the week. He left $5 with us for two copies
of the REPUBLICAN. He is an employee of Florer, Gould & Co.’s ranch.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 28, 1885.
John N. Florer was up Sunday.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 11, 1885.
Ware & Pickering started twelve teams
loaded with coal and salt for Florer, Gould & Ayres’ range yesterday
morning.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 11, 1885.
Stockmen, Attention!
OSAGE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, March 7, 1885.
The members of the Osage Live Stock Association
are requested to meet at Osage Agency Friday, March 27, promptly at 9 o’clock,
to transact business of importance.
Wm. Pollock, Secretary.
J. N. Florer, Treasurer.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 1, 1885.
Osage Live Stock Association.
Pursuant to call the above association
met at Osage Agency on March 17th, 1885, with the following members of the
association present or represented: G. M. Carpenter, L. C. Wait, Wm. Larimer,
Virgil Herard, J. H. Pugh, Julian Trimbly, John Soderstrom, T. J. Gilbert,
J. N. Florer, H. N. Hampton, P. Revard, P. M. Matthews, Gus Choteau, W.
J. Pollock, A. C. Stitch, E. M. Hewins, R. T. Hampton, T. L. Rogers.
In the absence of the president and secretary,
L. C. Wait was elected to the chair, pro tem, and H. P. Standley, acting
secretary pro tem.
Meeting called to order and minutes of
previous meeting read and approved.
The report of committee on by-laws received
and action taken upon the same section as read, after which they were adopted
unanimously as a whole.
In accordance with section 3 of the by-laws,
the president appointed the following gentlemen as the Executive Committee
for the transaction of the general business of the association until its
regular meeting Sept. 30th: W. J. Pollock, G. M. Carpenter, H. H. Crane,
Julian Trimbly, Virgil Herard, Judge Rogers,
and E. M. Hewins.
On motion the acting secretary was elected
as honorary member of the Association.
On motion of J. N. Florer, seconded by
T. J. Gilbert, it was decided for the purposes of the spring round up, that
the Osage reservation should be divided into five districts, and the Kaw
reservation into one, and each district send one man, each leaseholder on
the reservation to send one man, and Messrs. Brown and Herard each to furnish
four men for the round up, to meet at Osage Agency on Monday, May 18th,
1885.
On motion of J. N. Florer, seconded by
T. J. Gilbert, that the Arkansas City TRAVELER be the official paper of
the Osage Live Stock Association. Carried.
After the transaction of some other minor
business, the meeting adjourned.
Below we append, by request, the names
and addresses of the members of the association at this writing.
Florer, Gould & Ayres, Kaw Agency,
Indian Territory.
Col. W. J. Pollock, Ponca Agency, Indian
Territory.
T. J. Gilbert & Co., Arkansas City,
Kansas.
Mrs. Jane Benvenue, Kaw Agency, Indian
Territory.
B. F. Childs, Arkansas City, Kansas.
Virgil Herard, Elgin, Kansas.
Elgin Cattle Co., Elgin, Kansas.
Wait, King & Pugh, Elgin, Kansas.
Gus Choteau, Pawhuska, Indian Territory.
Louis Rogers, Pawhuska, Indian Territory.
E. M. Matthews, Pawhuska, Indian Territory.
C. H. Prudom, Pawhuska, Indian Territory.
Pat Rogers, Pawhuska, Indian Territory.
Hewins & Titus, Cedar Vale, Kansas.
W. S. Brown & Sons, Independence,
Kansas.
Crane & Larimer, Independence, Kansas.
Hy Roberts, Kaw Agency, Indian Territory.
Harrison H. Hampton, Bartlesville, Indian
Territory.
J. H. Sherburne, Ponca Agency, Indian
Territory.
C. M. McClellan, Otoe Agency, Indian Territory.
R. T. Hampton, Bartlesville, Indian Territory.
Drury Warren, Arkansas City, Kansas.
Peter Revard, Elgin, Kansas.
Harkleroad & Irons, Arkansas City,
Kansas.
Jos. Greenlee, Kaw Agency, Indian Territory.
John Soderstrom, Farm Creek P. O., Kansas.
C. W. & W. W. Sholes, Fredonia, Kansas.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 8, 1885.
J. N. Florer, of Kaw, paid us a pleasant
call yesterday.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 8, 1885.
J. N. Florer left yesterday for Chicago,
intending to return in about two weeks.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 8, 1885.
W. T. Finney, of Kaw Agency, accompanied
by his wife and child and Mrs. Florer, left on yesterday’s train for
Lawrence. We are sorry to learn Mrs. Florer has been ill for several weeks
past, but hope the trip may result in a speedy convalescence.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 22, 1885.
J. N. Florer was in the city Saturday
on his return from Chicago. He started for the Kaw Agency Sunday morning.
Arkansas City Republican, August 15, 1885.
Johnnie Florer and family passed through
the city Thursday en route for Kaw Agency.
Arkansas City Republican, September 5, 1885.
J. N. Florer and T. M. Finney were in
the city from the Territory the first of the week.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 25, 1885.
JUSTICE ON THE PLAINS.
A Cattle Thief Passes in his Checks.
Some brief mention has been made in the
press of the fatal shooting of Frank Pappan, a Kaw half-breed, about two
weeks ago. The particulars of the tragedy, as they come to us from the territory,
show that a man in Elgin, Kansas, named Lew Wait, had a beef killed in his
pasture by Pappan and a companion, named Al Linscott. Depredations of this
nature have been extensively carried on at the cattle ranches, and the owners
have been on the alert to discover the thieves. Suspicion attached to Linscott
and a fellow herder called Barra Kid, it being remarked that cattle mysteriously
disappeared whenever they undertook the guardianship of herds. These robberies
were talked over in the cow camps, and various theories suggested, but the
operators were deft enough in their movements to escape detection. The mystery
prompted a young man, named Cy Stevens, who had a taste for adventure, to
set himself about the task of discovering the cattle thieves. He hired himself
as a cowboy to John N. Florer, whose ranch is on the Osage reservation;
and Linscott and Barra Kid being fellow employees, he had an opportunity
of overhearing some of their conversation. From the intimations that reached
his ears, this amateur detective concluded that these men were concerned
in the numerous cattle depredations, but before he could lay any plans to
catch them, the parties slipped off to Texas.
Our informant was unable to give dates,
but his information is that they returned from their wanderings, and settled
down at Shawneetown. Here they made the acquaintance of Frank Pappan, and
enlisted his services in their cattle lifting operations. Cy Stevens had
mentioned his discoveries to the cattle owners interested, and when the
daring raid was made on Lew Wait’s pasture, suspicion was at once directed
to the perpetrators. There was a general turn out of the cowboys and Pappan
and Al Linscott were corralled in a blacksmith shop. The administration
of justice was swift and sure. Revolvers were pointed at them from all sides,
and the command given that they hold up their hands. The surprise was complete,
and the two men had no chance to parley. Hands were uplifted in token of
submission, but it was noticed that the half-breed grasped a revolver. The
code of the plains condemns this as an act of treachery, and an immediate
fusillade extended him on the earth in the agonies of death.
We have not heard that any proceedings
have been instituted against these avengers. Among a herder community, horse
and cattle stealing is regarded as a far more heinous offense than murder,
and the ridding the neighborhood of such a pest is popularly regarded as
an ample justification of the deed.
Note: Article shows that Florer was on
the Osage reservation. Believe this is wrong. Everything shows that his
mailing address was Florer, Kaw Agency, Indian Territory, at the time above
article was printed. Also, in studying all the entries, believe the name
is “Wait” as corrected by me and not “Waite” as article
showed in paper. MAW
Arkansas City Traveler, January 27, 1886.
Johnny Florer and J. E. Finney, both experienced
Indian traders, of Gray Horse, spent a few days in town last week, and put
out for home on Monday.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 10, 1886.
J. E. Finney came in from the Osage agency
yesterday, and reports Grouse Creek booming. Being unfordable, he abandoned
his team and crossed in a boat. Lumber has been ordered in town for dwelling
houses for himself and J. N. Florer; but the roads in their present condition
are impracticable for hauling a load. Chilocco Creek is also a torrent,
and the stage from Ponca was delayed last evening, the driver fearing to
cross it in the dark. He arrived in town this morning.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 31, 1886.
John N. Florer and W. H. Gambell came
in from the Osage on Thursday. The latter is bookkeeper to the trading firm
of Hale & Phillips. They report Agent Hover still absent in Washington,
and matters at the agency preserving their wanted quiet
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 10, 1886. From Friday’s
Daily.
Chas. Schiffbauer and Johnnie Florer came
up from Kaw Agency this evening to join a tea (?) Party at the residence
of his Honor, Mayor Schiffbauer.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 29, 1886.
About two weeks ago two saddle ponies
were missing from the cattle ranch of Florer, Gould & Ayres, on the
Kaw reservation, and the manager of the ranch, Capt. A. J. Hersey, thinking
they were stolen and believing he knew the thief, came to town as soon as
he missed the animals, to have the thief arrested. He found the man he wanted
in the city, but the missing ponies were not in his possession. Leaving
him to be shadowed by the officers, Capt. Hersey returned home after a day’s
stay here to make further search for the ponies. Last Wednesday he wrote
to Sam Burris, informing him that he had found the ponies in the Osage country,
making their way to a ranch, but whether they had been stolen or turned
loose, he was unable to say. He ordered the watch on the suspected party
removed, and this ended the matter.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 6, 1886.
John N. Florer, from the Osage Agency,
was in town on Monday, having brought a young daughter with him to attend
school.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 15, 1887. From Wednesday’s
Daily.
Col. John Florer arrived in the city last
night from St. Louis, where he had been, en route for Gray Horse, Indian
Territory.
[The above is all that I have thus far on John Florer. MAW]