WINFIELD.

FIRES AND EQUIPMENT USED TO FIGHT FIRES.

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

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

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

Cowley County Censor, March 18, 1871.

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

Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.

PRAIRIE FIRES.

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

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

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

Cowley County Censor, Saturday, October 28, 1871.

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

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

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

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

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

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

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

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

Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.

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

Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.

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

Winfield Messenger, October 18, 1872.

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

Winfield Messenger, October 25, 1872.

SAD AFFAIR—BURNED TO DEATH—WILLIAM HUNT.

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

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

Winfield Messenger, November 1, 1872.

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

Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.

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

Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 25, 1873.

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

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

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

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 27, 1873.

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 24, 1873.

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

Winfield Courier, November 20, 1873.

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

Winfield Courier, November 27, 1873.

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

Winfield Courier, November 27, 1873.

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

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

November 21st, 1873.

Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.

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

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.

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

Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.

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

Arkansas City Traveler.

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

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

WINFIELD. FIRE PROTECTION.

Excerpts...

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JUNE 17, 1874.]

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1874.

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

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

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

Excerpt...

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: JULY 6, 1874.]

Winfield Courier, July 24, 1874.

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

Winfield Plow and Anvil, November 19, 1874.

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

Winfield Plow and Anvil, November 19, 1874.

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

RENTS BUILDINGS AND PAYS TAXES FOR NON-RESIDENTS.

Makes Deeds, Mortgages, etc.

Agent for the following First Class Fire Insurance Companies:

Continental, of New York.

KANSAS, of Leavenworth.

AMERICAN CENTRAL, St. Louis.

GLOBE, Chicago, Ill.

Office first door north of Post Office.

Winfield, Kansas.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.

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

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

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

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

The total loss amounted to about twenty-five dollars.

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

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, January 14, 1875.

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

Payment of City Marshal...

Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

January 4, 1875.

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

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

Winfield Courier, February 4, 1875.

Ordinance No. 45, published February 4, 1875.

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

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

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: JANUARY 25, 1875.]

Winfield Courier, February 11, 1875.

JANUARY 25TH, 1875.

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

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

[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS: FEBRUARY 1, 1875.]

Winfield Courier, February 18, 1875..

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

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, March 4, 1875.

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

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

March 1, 1875.

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

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

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

Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.

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

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.

Council Proceedings.

April 19th, 1875.

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

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

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

[FIRE: DESTRUCTION OF BRADISH HOUSE.]

Winfield Courier, April 1, 1875.

FIRE! FIRE!! FIRE!!!

OUR FIRE BAPTISM.

---

Winfield takes a Blaze.

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

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

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

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

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

Thus have we received our baptism of fire.

Winfield Courier, April 1, 1875.

A Horrible Accident.

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

Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.

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

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

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

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

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

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

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

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

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

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

City Marshal to perform duties of fire warder...

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.

[Published May 6th, 1875.]

Ordinance Number 53.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For each commitment: $.25

For bringing prisoner again into court: $.25

For serving each subpoena, first person: $.25

Each additional person: $.25

For impounding first animal: $.75

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

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

Ed. Evans is the new Marshal of Winfield.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

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

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

An Accident.

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

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

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

Winfield Courier, July 1, 1875.

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

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.

City Council Proceedings, July 19, 1875.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fire Extinguishers.

Winfield Courier, September 9, 1875.

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

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Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.

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

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

Minutes of two previous meetings read and adopted.

The following bills were presented to the Council, allowed, and ordered paid.

E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal, month of July: $25.00.

E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal, month of August: $25.00.

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[CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - SEPTEMBER 22, 1875.]

Winfield Courier, September 30, 1875.

Moved by M. G. Troup, and carried by vote of the Council, that the Marshal be instructed to give notice that complaint would be entered against all persons residing in, or liable to pay road tax in the City of Winfield, whose tax was not paid by October 10th, 1875.

Winfield Courier, October 21, 1875.

S. H. Myton has purchased a new fire and burglar proof safe, and now defies these twin fiends.

Winfield Courier, November 18, 1875.

J. C. Fuller’s six thousand pound fire and burglar proof safe has arrived.

Winfield Courier, November 18, 1875.

City Council met November 11th, 1875, at 7 o’clock P.M.

Present: N. M. Powers, J. M. Dever, C. C. Black, Councilmen, and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

There being no quorum present, adjournment to meet on Monday, November 22nd, at 7½ P.M.

The Council would like all the businessmen and citizens generally to meet with them at that time as they think of providing fire apparatus of some kind, and making a special levy to raise money for that purpose, and asks an expression of the tax-payers before it is done. Come out, one and all! B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.

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Winfield Courier, December 23, 1875.

City Council Proceedings.

WINFIELD, KAN., Dec. 20, 1875.

The following bills were presented and, on motion, were approved and ordered paid.

E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal for month of November, $25.00.

A bill of E. R. Evans, for services as road overseer, fifteen days, $22.50, was presented and, on motion, was rejected by Council.

Report of E. R. Evans as road overseer was read and, on motion, was referred back to him with the request that he make an itemized report, giving the name of all persons paying money instead of work, and the disbursement of all such monies by him thus collected.

The following resolution was read, and on motion, was adopted by Council.

Resolved, That the City Council hereby instruct the City Marshal to patrol the streets until 12 o’clock at night, to see that saloons, billiard halls, etc., be closed promptly at the time prescribed by ordinance; to see that there is no danger of fire from hot ashes and fire thrown out doors, or in any other careless handling of fire, and to strictly enforce all ordinances regulating order and quietude in the City of Winfield.

Winfield Courier, January 27, 1876.

STATEMENT

Showing the amount of monies collected by the City of Winfield from May 6th to December 31st, 1875, and the disbursement of the same by the city.

Received from liquor license $600.00; dog tax $24.00; fines $27.00; billiard license, $10.00; auctioneer license, $40.00; show license, $1.00; E. B. Kager, $348.00. Total receipts: $1,050.00.

Paid out on city warrants as follows:

Clerk of election $2.00; Printing $19.47; Recording deed $1.25; Building sidewalk $90.60; City Marshal $319.15; Removing nuisances from the city $5.20; Clerk District Court (costs) $14.50; Repairing public well $15.88; City clerk $106.65; Police judge (costs) $27.70; Stationery $3.50; Padlock $.60; Guarding fire $4.00; City Attorney fees $74.00; Costs city, V. S. Mansfield & others $5.25; Boarding prisoners $5.55; Witness fees $2.50; Blankets for calaboose $3.00; M. L. Robinson, ex-city treasurer $28.85; Amount in city treasure to balance $320.35.

Total paid out: $1,050.00

I, B. F. Baldwin, clerk in and for the city of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, do hereby certify the foregoing is a true and correct statement of the financial transactions of the city for the time aforesaid, as shown by the report of the city treasurer and his receipts and vouchers now in my office.

Witness my hand and seal in the city of Winfield this 21st day of January, A. D. 1876.

B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, February 3, 1876.

Monday night about 9 o’clock when the wind was blowing a gale, the cry of fire rang through the streets of Winfield, and “there was a hurrying to and fro.” A blaze from the top of the Lagonda House was the signal of distress. With ladders and water buckets the roof was soon mounted and it proved that the blaze came from a chimney that was hidden by the observatory on top of the building.

Winfield Courier, April 20, 1876.

The new city administration is going to take some steps toward protecting the city from fires.

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Winfield Courier, April 20, 1876.

City Council Proceedings.

WINFIELD, KANSAS, April 17th, 1876.

City Council met at the City Clerk’s office April 17th, A. D. 1876.

Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, and A. B. Lemmon, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

The Mayor read his annual inaugural address to the Council stating the financial condition of the city for the past year, its present condition, and making many suggestions as to its future.

On motion of A. B. Lemmon, M. G. Troup was elected President of the Council for the coming year.

On motion the Mayor appointed three standing committees of three members each, as follows:

Finance committee: M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers.

Committee on streets, alleys, and sidewalks: C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, and A. B. Lemmon.

Committee on fire: A. B. Lemmon, T. B. Myers, C. A. Bliss.

Bill of Burt Covert, services as City Marshal from March 25th, 1876, to April 17th, 1876, five Saturdays at two dollars a day, was read, approved, and ordered paid.

Winfield Courier, May 18, 1876.

If there had been a fire in town lately, what fun there would have been hunting up the city ladders and buckets. The painters have left them scattered over town. The buckets are used for slop. We hope none of the city council will have any buildings ignited.

Winfield Courier, July 20, 1876.

WILSON has attached to his well a force pump and hose, with which he forces water through his stable and on to the sidewalk in front. It will be convenient in case of fire.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, September 7, 1876.

EXPLOSION. On Tuesday night, of last week, in Green’s drug store, one of the coal oil lamps in the chandelier caught on fire and exploded. The fire was soon extinguished by destroying one or two pieces of bed clothing, and applying a bucket of water. No damage done, however, excepting the counter being considerably scorched and the glass broken out of the show-case.

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Winfield Courier, September 7, 1876.

City Council Proceedings.

Bills of George Grey, one for 40 cents and one for 50 cents, total 90 cents, for removing nuisances from the city, were read, and on motion, approved and ordered paid.

Bill of C. A. Bliss & Co., for well rope, 90 cents; bill of Walter Denning, for services as city marshal, $25.00.

The councils committee on fire department submitted the following report:

To the Mayor and City Council, Winfield, Kansas.

Gentlemen:

Your committee on fire department beg leave to submit the following recommendations:

1st. That the City Council take immediate steps to procure, for the use of the city, one “Little Giant” chemical engine, two dozen rubber buckets, one two-wheel truck for ladders, and the necessary equipage for a hook and ladder company.

2nd. That a convenient and safe place be secured, in which to keep the engine and other apparatus belonging to the fire department.

3rd. That a fire company be organized which shall become familiar with the management of the engine, and in case of a fire shall have entire control of all the machinery of the department and shall use the same as the officers of said company shall direct.

4th. It shall be the duty of the city marshal to see that the equipments for fighting fire be kept safe in their proper place and ready for use at any time. Respectfully submitted,

A. B. LEMMON, C. A. BLISS, Committee.

The report being read, on motion, was received by the council.

On motion of M. G. Troup, the fire committee were instructed to purchase one “Little Giant” chemical engine, No. 3, also one dozen rubber buckets for the use of the city.

On motion, the committee were also instructed to ascertain the cost of a truck, with hooks, axes, ladders, and all necessary equipage, to be gotten up and purchased here at home; were also instructed to find a suitable room, and probable cost of a room, where an engine and equipage can be kept safe, and to report on each at the next meeting of the council.

On motion, the council instructed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance providing for the organizing of a fire company in the city, and present the same to the council at its next regular meeting.

Winfield Courier, September 21, 1876.

Farmers, protect your hay from prairie fires. You all know that these fires are likely to spring up at any time and sweep the face of the country for miles. Plow around your stack yards or burn a wide fire guard entirely encircling them. There are annually destroyed in this county over ten thousand dollars worth of property through neglect of these little things. See at once that the result of your summer’s labor is safe.

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Winfield Courier, October 5, 1876.

City Council Proceedings.

WINFIELD, KANSAS, Oct. 3, 1876.

Present: M. G. Troup, chairman of the council; A. B. Lemmon, H. Brotherton, C. A. Bliss, and T. B. Myers, councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

Committee on fire department reported they could secure a room for the safe-keeping of an engine, and that, in their opinion, a truck and equipage could be built at home for less money than could be bought of A. F. Spawn & Co., of New York. Reports were received, and on motion of H. Brotherton, the committee were instructed to have a truck built and furnish the same with axes, poles, and necessary equipage.

The following bills were presented to the council, read, approved, and ordered paid.

Walter Denning, services as city marshal from Aug. 8th to Sept. 8th: $25.00.

John Reynolds, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.

R. B. Pratt, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.

Jerry Evans, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.

Robert White, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.

Winfield Courier, October 12, 1876.

Winfield is to have a fire-engine. Look out for it.

Winfield Courier, November 2, 1876.

The farmers of Labette County have perfected an organization, known as a Fire Protective Association, the object of which is to prevent the prairie grass from being burnt, except at stated times, as may be ordered by the society, until the eggs of the grasshoppers shall have hatched in the spring, so that the young grasshoppers may be burned, and thereby possibly save the crops next season; and protect their property from the fire fiend that so often sweeps over the prairies of Southern Kansas. We would earnestly urge upon the citizens of each school district in the county to organize such a society, and adopt such rules and regulations as they may deem best as a precautionary measure against an accidental fire. A great deal depends upon organization. A fire can be checked if attacked at the proper time.

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FIRST FIRE ENGINE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, November 9, 1876.

City Council Proceedings.

City Council met at Clerk’s office, Nov. 6, 1876.

Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; A. B. Lemmon, C. A. Bliss, M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, and T. B. Myers, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

On motion the council appointed T. B. Myers, J. P. Short, and R. B. Pratt a committee to test the new fire engine and to report to the council the best manner to organize and conduct a fire company in the city of Winfield.

On motion the fire committee were instructed to procure a place for the safekeeping of the fire department.

On motion the City Clerk was instructed to draw a warrant on the Treasurer for $20.58 freight paid on the fire engine.

Bill of George Brown, 75 cents, repairing city ladders, was read and ordered paid.

Bill of W. Denning, $50.00, for services as city marshal from Sept. 8th to Nov. 8th, 1876, was read, allowed, and ordered paid.

Winfield Courier, November 16, 1876.

The fire extinguisher has arrived. The engine is run by hand. It throws a chemical fluid that will put out any blaze, except a “fire in the rear.” It cost, delivered here, with buckets and ladders to suit, five hundred dollars. Won’t someone set some old shell on fire, just to see the machine work?

Winfield Courier, November 16, 1876.

The Little Giant fire extinguisher was purchased with the proceeds of this year’s saloon license, and not by a direct tax upon any citizen. Winfield is blessed with a Republican administration.

Winfield Courier, November 16, 1876.

Whilst standing near the fire a citizen was heard to remark in reference to the “Little Giant,” which was then playing on it with a full stream of “Chemical compound,” “Every well regulated family ought to have one of those squirt guns.”

FIRE. WINFIELD.

First Use of Fire Equipment. “Little Giant.”

Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.

The alarm of “fire!” rang out on the air Tuesday morning and in a few moments hundreds of our citizens were hurrying in the direction of the smoke, which was found to issue from the roof of Wilson’s building at the corner of Millington street and 11th avenue. There being three or four wells in the immediate vicinity and plenty of buckets in willing hands, the flames were prevented from making much headway till the “Little Giant” appeared, when in a few moments they were in perfect subjection. Meantime the doors, windows, furniture, and paraphernalia belonging to the occupant, John Easton, were taken out and placed beyond reach of the fire. The roof of the house being dry and a light wind blowing from the south, considerable damage was done to the building, estimated at about $100. Mr. Easton says the house caught fire from a defective flue; others say that a pan of hot ashes deposited near the south side of the building was the cause of the conflagration. The “Little Giant” did very satisfactory work.

Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.

A FIRE company should be organized at once. The “Little Giant” is a complete success when properly handled. It needs active, fearless, and experienced men about it to make it real effective. Call a meeting, organize, elect officers, drill, pump, yell fire, and then watch the “squirt gun.” Get more ladders, keep them in a convenient place, and see the boys climb. Make Dick Walker captain, Jim Hill first lieutenant, pay off your insurance policies and—go to bed.

Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.

The ‘pressible John Funk, student, historian, grammarian, and rhetorician of Rock Township rendered distinguished service at the fire Tuesday morning.

First Engine House: “Little Giant.”

Winfield Courier, December 14, 1876.

A neat engine house has been built near Shoeb’s Shop for the accommodation of the “Little Giant.”

Winfield Courier, December 14, 1876.

A large prairie fire was seen raging over in Beaver and Vernon Townships Tuesday. No serious damage has been reported to us.

FIRE DEPARTMENT. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, December 14, 1876.

Read the city ordinance in reference to the organization of a fire and hook and ladder company.

Winfield Courier, December 14, 1876.

Ordinance No. 61.

An Ordinance to organize and govern a Fire Department.

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

SECTION 1. That a Fire Department be organized for the city of Winfield, the officers of which shall be a Chief, an Engineer, a First Assistant Engineer, a second Assistant Engineer, a Captain, a First Lieutenant and a Second Lieutenant. The Chief, the Engineer, and the Captain shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the council, and shall hold their respective offices during the pleasure of the Mayor and council.

SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of the Chief at all times, to see that the inferior officers and the companies of the department perform their duties, and to report any deficiencies to the Mayor and council, to be instantly present at all fires and take full command of the fire department and of all persons who approach the fire and of all property in the vicinity, and to control and direct the means and expedients to be used to extinguish the fire, prevent its spread, and protect persons and property. He shall have power to enforce his orders by using such force as is necessary.

SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of the Engineer to enroll and to keep on the rolls, of such suitable persons as will volunteer, at least twelve persons, who shall, with himself, constitute an Engine Company, of which company he shall be the commanding officer, which company shall elect the First Assistant Engineer and the Second Assistant Engineer, and shall make such by-laws for their government, conduct, inferior officers, special duties and the tenure of office of the officers they elect, as they may deem expedient, consistent with the city ordinances and the laws of the State. It shall be the duty of the Engineer to see, at all times, that the members of his company do their duty, to see that the engine, hose, buckets, chemicals, and other equipments connected with the apparatus for extinguishing fires, are at all times in proper order and ready for action, to call his company together as often as needed and drill them in their respective duties, to be instantly present with his company, hose, buckets, and other equipments at all fires, and to supervise the operations of his company. In case of the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer shall be Acting Chief, with the full powers and duties of Chief.

SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of the Captain to enroll, and keep on the rolls, of such suitable persons as shall volunteer, at least twelve persons, who shall, with himself, constitute a Hook and Ladder Company, of which company he shall be the commanding officer, which company shall elect the First Lieutenant and the Second Lieutenant, and shall make such by-laws for their government, conduct, inferior officers, special duties and the tenure of office of the officers elected by them, as they may deem expedient, consistent with the city ordinances and State laws. It shall be the duty of the Captain to see, at all times, that the members of his company do their duty, to see that the truck, ladders, hooks, ropes, axes, and other implements and equipments connected with the scaling or demolition of buildings are at all times in proper order and ready for action, to call his company together as often as needed and drill them in their respective duties; to be instantly present with his company, truck, ladders, hooks, ropes, axes, and other implements, at all fires, and to supervise the operations of his company. In case of the absence or disability of the Chief and the Engineer, the Captain shall be Acting Chief, with the full powers and duties of Chief.

SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of the First Assistant Engineer to perform the duties of the Engineer when that officer is absent, disabled, or acting as Chief. In the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer, and the Captain, he shall act as Chief with the full powers and duties of Chief.

SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of the First Lieutenant to perform the duties of Captain when that officer is absent, disabled, or acting as Chief. In the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer, the Captain, and the First Assistant Engineer, he shall act as Chief with the full powers and duties of Chief.

SECTION 7. The Second Assistant Engineer, in the absence of disability of the First Assistant Engineer and the Engineer, shall perform the duties of the Engineer; and in case of the absence or disability of all the officers mentioned in Section 6, he shall be Acting Chief.

SECTION 8. The Second Lieutenant in the absence or disability of the Captain and First Lieutenant shall be acting Captain, and in case of the absence or disability of all the officers mentioned in the two preceding sections shall be acting Chief.

SECTION 9. It shall be the duty of each member of each company to become familiar with his duties by drill and practice as soon as practicable, to be instantly present at all fires, and to obey promptly the orders of the officers of the fire department.

SECTION 10. It shall be the duty of all persons who approach the vicinity of a fire to observe order and obey the orders of the officers of the fire department, and assist in the work of the department promptly and faithfully, when called on by the officers so to do.

SECTION 11. Any person who shall disturb the operations of the department at a fire by making noise, or hindering or interfering with its work, or who shall disobey the lawful orders of its officers, shall be punished by fine not exceeding fifty dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding ten days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 12. It shall, at all times, be the duty of the Marshal to keep the property of the fire department in its proper place when not in use, to put the apparatus in proper order for work and so keep it at all times. to attend all fires and act as police under the direction of the Chief.

SECTION 13. The city of Winfield is divided into four fire districts by lines drawn through the city along the center of Main street and along the center of Ninth Avenue. The southeast district is numbered one (1), the northeast district is numbered two (2), the northwest district is numbered three (3), and the southwest district is numbered four (4).

SECTION 14. It shall be the duty of all persons knowing of a fire in progress to cry the alarm “Fire,” and the numeral indicating the number of the district in which the fire is located. Also to immediately cause the bells to be rung, the alarm and the number indicating the district of the fire, in the order as follows, to-wit: Alarm, short pause, number, short pause; repeat, indefinitely. The bell alarm shall be six to eight rapid strokes, and the bell numbering of the district shall be one toll for district 1, two tolls for district 2, etc. It shall be the special duty of such persons as are regularly employed by any authority to ring the bell at the Courthouse, on hearing the alarm of fire, to repair at once to the Courthouse and ring the bell in accordance with the above directions, superseding any other person he or they may find ringing the bell.

SECTION 15. Any person who shall ring any bell in the manner described in section 14 at any time, except as in that section authorized, or specially authorized by the Mayor for practice, and any person who shall ring the Courthouse bell in any manner after 9 o’clock in the evening or before 5 o’clock in the morning, without special permit from the Mayor, or shall raise a false alarm of fire in any manner, shall pay to the city a fine not exceeding $25 and not less than $3.00, or be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding ten days, or both such fine and imprisonment for each such offense.

SECTION 16. The Clerk is authorized to procure 200 printed cards, on which shall be described the several fire districts and the manner of cry and bell alarms herein prescribed, and the regulations herein concerning the ringing of bells, which cards shall be distributed to the citizens of Winfield for their information.

SECTION 17. The sum of $85 is hereby appropriated from the city treasury to pay for building an engine house on the west end of lot 1, block 109, and to pay for the use of the ground on which it stands for two years in advance; and the property of the city connected with the fire department shall be housed, stored, and properly secured in said building, which building shall be the property of the city.

SECTION 18. The engine house shall be secured by a lock having 8 keys only, and the Chief, the Engineer, the Captain, the 1st assistant engineer, the 1st Lieutenant, the 2nd assistant engineer, the 2nd Lieutenant, and the Marshal shall each have charge of one of the keys, and shall always have it with him.

SECTION 19. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER. D. A. MILLINGTON, MAYOR.

Attest: B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.

Approved Dec. 8, 1876.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

It is CAPTAIN SILVERS now: Captain of the Fire Department.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

The fire mentioned in last week’s issue destroyed over one mile of growing hedge for Capt. Greer.

Chief of Fire Department: R. L. Walker.

Captain of Fire Department: H. S. Silvers.

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Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

City Council Proceedings.

The committee appointed to report on place of organization of fire department made their report, which was read by the clerk, and on motion the report was received, placed on file, and the committee discharged.

The Mayor, with the consent of the Council, appointed T. B. Myers to procure names preparatory to organizing a fire company and H. S. Silvers to procure names for the organization of a Hook and Ladder Company to report at the next adjourned meeting of the Council.

Bill of W. Denning, $25, for services as City Marshal, Nov. 8th to Dec. 8th, 1876 was read, approved, and ordered paid.

Ordinance No. 61 was duly approved by the Mayor. In accordance with ordinance No. 61, the Mayor with the consent and recommendation of the Council, appointed R. L. Walker as Chief of the fire department of the city of Winfield, T. B. Myers, Engineer, and H. S. Silvers as Captain, of said fire department.

Winfield Courier, January 18, 1877.

MR. BEN WRIGHT, of Beaver Township, met with a severe loss last Thursday, by the burning of his dwelling house and all its contents. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark falling into the bedding in the upper story of the building from the stove pipe. But recently a prairie fire destroyed most of his corn crop and the last loss is a peculiar hardship.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, February 1, 1877.

EXPLOSION. On last Sunday night, about 10 o’clock, the large lamp in front of Mr. A. G. Wilson’s livery stable caught fire and exploded. Before the stable was reached, the lamp was all ablaze and came tumbling to the sidewalk, throwing the coal oil over the front end of the stable, which caught fire, the blaze extending almost to the roof. The stable, and probably half the block, was saved by the gentleman who sleeps in the office, and who happened to be taking care of a team at the time.

Winfield Courier, March 1, 1877.

Who is Captain of the Winfield Fire company?

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, March 1, 1877.

Last Sunday evening a coal oil lamp which was left burning in one of the rooms at the Central Hotel caught on fire; but fortunately, before it exploded, one of the family entered the room and gave the alarm when it was immediately carried to an open door and thrown into the street, thereby saving any damage.

Winfield Courier, March 8, 1877.

A prairie fire on Tuesday across the Walnut River southwest of town destroyed a stable, a mule, a harness, and wagon, corn, oats, wheat, hay, and farming implements, valued altogether about $400, for Mr. Joseph DeWitt. It also burned considerable hay for Mr. Copple.

Winfield Courier, March 15, 1877.

Will Hudson’s jewelry store has been muchly improved by the addition of a new fire proof safe and a metal show case. Now he can keep watches, jewelry, and other valuables left in his care with perfect safety.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, March 22, 1877.

On yesterday morning, just about daylight, the oil in a coal oil lamp at the Central Hotel caught on fire, but before any damage was done either to person or property, it was carried through two rooms and thrown into the yard.

Winfield Courier, April 5, 1877.

The fire engine house has been improved in appearance by a coat of paint.

Winfield Courier, April 5, 1877.

On last Wednesday night, during the thunder storm, Mr. Strickland, who is living on Judge Saffold’s farm, east of town, was awakened by a very heavy clap of thunder, and in a few moments his attention was attracted by a bright light through the window. He looked out the window and soon discovered that the shed, in which he had something near three hundred sheep sheltered, had been struck with lightning and was on fire. He ran quickly to the rescue, but in spite of all his endeavors about two hundred of his sheep were burned to death.

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Winfield Courier, April 12, 1877.

City Council met at the Mayor’s office pursuant to a special call of the Council April 6th, 1877.

Present: R. L. Walker, Mayor; A. G. Wilson, H. Jochems, A. E. Baird, C. M. Wood, and S. C. Smith, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.

The Clerk read the call for the special meeting and the Council proceeded with the special business by electing S. C. Smith President of the Council.

The Clerk read the following appointments made by the Mayor for the subordinate city offices for the year: City Attorney, J. E. Allen; City Clerk, B. F. Baldwin; City Treasurer, J. C. Fuller; City Marshal, J. D. Cochran.

B. F. Baldwin thanked the Mayor for the appointment of City Clerk, but owing to business of his that employed all his spare time, withdrew his name and suggested the name of Henry E. Asp to the Mayor, who was appointed.

The Mayor appointed three standing committees for the year, as follows, to-wit:

Finance Committee. S. C. Smith, H. Jochems, and A. G. Wilson.

Committee on Streets and Alleys. A. E. Baird, H. Jochems, and C. M. Wood.

Fire Committee. C. M. Wood, S. C. Smith, and A. G. Wilson.

Winfield Courier, May 3, 1877.

The fire company meets Saturday evening at lamp light. All should be present.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, May 3, 1877.

The town was startled by two alarms of fire yesterday. The wind blew stiff from the south and the cry of “fire” was a thrilling signal. The fire company had the engine and ladders bearing upon the smoking roof of Mrs. Bradish’s dwelling in exactly ten and one half minutes from the time of the alarm. The smoke came from a burning chimney that allowed the smoke to pass into the gable of the roof; hence the alarm. The second fire was more serious. Between 4 and 5 p.m., another fire alarm was sounded and the fire company with engine and ladders were only three minutes in getting to the house of Mrs. Tucker and turning loose upon it with their chemicals. Flames and smoke were bursting from every door and window of the house before anything was done to save it, but the little giant and a hundred willing, active hands subdued the flames and saved the house. The damage to furniture and inside woodwork probably amounts to one hundred dollars.

Winfield Courier, June 7, 1877.

[Published June 7, 1877.]

Ordinance No. 64.

An ordinance to prohibit the construction of buildings of combustible material within certain limits in the city of Winfield.

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

SECTION 1. No building shall be constructed or placed upon, except the same be of brick or stone or brick and stone or of other incombustible material with fire-proof roof, upon the east half of block number one hundred and seven (107), one hundred and eight (108), one hundred and nine (109) and one hundred and ten (110), nor the west half of block number one hundred and twenty-seven (127), one hundred and twenty-eight (128), one hundred and twenty-nine (129) and one hundred and thirty (130), within the corporate limits of the city of Winfield, County of Cowley, and State of Kansas; and any person violating this section of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER and Cowley County Telegram.

Approved June 4th, 1877.

R. L. WALKER, Mayor.

Attest: HENRY E. ASP, City Clerk.

Winfield Courier, June 14, 1877.

Frank Baldwin has purchased the large fire proof safe formerly owned by Chas. C. Black.

First Fire Alarm Bell.

Winfield Courier, June 21, 1877.

The city fire alarm bell arrived yesterday morning. It is a good sized bell for the purpose, weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, June 28, 1877.

At the party on last Tuesday evening, at Dr. Black’s, a coal oil lamp was accidentally knocked from a table and broken, the oil of which caught on fire. The fire was extinguished before any serious damage was done.

Winfield Courier, July 5, 1877.

The new fire bell was elevated to position by Marshal Cochran last week. It weighs 225 pounds and possesses quite an alarm tone.

Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877.

Mr. D. A. Millington will lecture before the teachers and citizens at the Courthouse on Friday evening next. Subject: Prairie and Forest Fires.

Winfield Courier, September 13, 1877.

Fire Company meeting tomorrow (Friday) evening.

Winfield Courier, October 4, 1877.

The residence of our esteemed citizen and ex-hardware dealer, Mr. N. M. Powers, four miles west of Winfield, was destroyed by fire on last Saturday. The fire is supposed to have originated from a defective stove pipe and was under such progress when discovered that but little could be saved and the clothing of the family, bedding and furniture, excepting an organ and some small articles, were lost.

Winfield Courier, October 4, 1877.

Our readers will not fail to notice the new advertisement of M. L. Read, which has appeared in the two last issues. It contains an excellent cut of Mr. Read’s substantial bank

building. Mr. Read is a substantial banker, does business in a substantial way, has a substantial safe that neither fire nor burglars can penetrate, and a time lock that will keep the cashier and his assistant from delivering up the contents of the safe during the night, though strongly persuaded by an exhibition of shooting irons.

Winfield Courier, November 15, 1877.

The city ordinance published this week repeals the fire ordinance which forbade the building of frame or wood buildings on the eight most central blocks along Main street. We think the city council should now pass an ordinance forbidding the construction of such buildings on the east half of blocks 108 and 109 and on the west half of blocks 128 and 129.

Winfield Courier, November 29, 1877.

We know of a house in Winfield that is occupied both for a residence and stable. The people occupy the front and the horses and hay the rear rooms. This should not be allowed, and especially on Main street, as buildings in the immediate vicinity are endangered by fire.

Winfield Courier, February 21, 1878. Editorial Page.

[Published in the Winfield Courier Feb. 21, 1878.]

ORDINANCE NO. 73.

An Ordinance to Prohibit the Construction of Buildings of Combustible Material Within Certain Limits in the City of Winfield.

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

SECTION 1. No building shall be constructed or placed upon the east one-half of block number one hundred and eight (108), or upon the east half of block number one hundred and nine (109), or upon the west one-half of block number one hundred and twenty-eight (128), nor upon the west half of block number one hundred and twenty-nine (129), within the corporate limits of the City of Winfield, in the County of Cowley, and State of Kansas, except the same be of brick or stone, or brick and stone, or some other incombustible material, with fire-proof roof; and any person violating this section of this ordinance shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.

SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication once in either the Winfield COURIER and Cowley County Telegram.

Approved February 18, 1878. R. L. WALKER, Mayor.

Attest: HENRY E. ASP, City Clerk.

[VERNON CORRESPONDENT: “REX.”]

Winfield Courier, March 28, 1878.

Prairie fires illuminate the horizon every evening. Do not burn the grass till after the 1st of May and it will be free of weeds for pasture or hay, besides retaining the moisture which the April zephyrs will evaporate.

Winfield Courier, April 11, 1878.

The new city council met on the 3rd inst., and organized. Hon. J. B. Lynn, mayor, in the chair; present councilmen, T. C. Robinson, G. W. Gully, H. Jochems, C. M. Wood, and E. C. Manning. C. M. Wood was chosen president pro tem; J. P. Short, clerk; J. C. McMullen, treasurer; and N. C. Coldwell, attorney. The following committees were constituted: Streets and alleys, Messrs. Wood, Robinson, and Manning; Finance, Manning, Gully, and Wood; fire department, Jochems, Gully, and Robinson.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, April 18, 1878.

Commissioners’ Proceedings.

We are indebted to W. R. Stivers, the efficient assistant of the county clerk, for the following report.

The board of commissioners of Cowley County met in regular session at the county clerk’s office on the 8th day of April, 1878. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and George L. Gale, commissioners; James McDermott, county attorney, and M. G. Troup, county clerk.

The board took $5,000 fire insurance policy on the courthouse in the American Central Insurance Co. for a period of 3 years, and paid therefor the sum of $100.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, April 25, 1878.

The ringing of the fire bell last Friday called out the engine and hook and ladder companies to the South end of town. The burning out of a chimney was the extent of the fire, but the boys were on hand just the same.

Winfield Courier, July 11, 1878.

Johnston & Hill’s furniture shop continues to travel. This time he has gone down south of the M. E. parsonage, and the stock of furniture has gone into a building near the old Farmers’ Restaurant. Their new fire-proof building near the Williams House is progressing finely and will contain a large stock in due time.

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, July 11, 1878.

Council Proceedings.

The question of Firemen working out road tax was discussed, but no action was taken.

Winfield Courier, July 11, 1878.

COMMUNISM.

Some Scoundrel Fires Several Stacks of Wheat.

At about 10 or 11 o’clock last Saturday evening, J. G. Titus, who lives about two miles southeast of town, returned home from this city, and seeing several of his wheat stacks on fire, seized his double-barreled gun and with some of his men rode on horse back rapidly to the scene of the fire. Finding that nothing could be saved, they immediately commenced scouting around to find, if possible, the incendiary. Soon Mr. Titus came across John W. Blizzard and fired at him. Blizzard, terribly frightened, held up both hands and begged for his life; and under the fear and excitement of the moment confessed before Titus and some of his men that he (Blizzard) had set the stacks on fire. Blizzard was brought to town and lodged in jail. There has been a bitter controversy and lawsuit between Blizzard and Titus, in which Blizzard was not successful, and we are told he had threatened revenge. We do not know the merits of the controversy, nor do we think that the confession is conclusive against Blizzard, but we have this to say: that if Blizzard actually fired the stacks, he can have no excuse and should be punished to the very extent of the law. The man that is so degraded as to destroy property merely for revenge has no right to live outside the penitentiary. We understand the loss is about 900 bushels of wheat.

Blizzard had his preliminary examination on Monday before Justice Buckman and was bound over to court in $800. Failing to procure bonds, he was returned to jail.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, July 18, 1878.

Lamp Explosion in By Terrill’s Livery Stable.

The alarm of fire Sunday evening was occasioned by a lamp explosion in By Terrill’s livery stable. A bracket lamp hanging in the office was observed by one of the boys to be burning up very high; and he undertook to carry it out of doors, but was compelled to drop it on account of the heat. The lamp immediately exploded into atoms, scattering the burning oil all over the office. Prompt and energetic action of the boys in smothering the flames averted what might have proved a terrible disaster.

This incident, together with others of recent occurrence, leads us to believe that we are using coal oil, or petroleum, of an inferior quality. . . .

Winfield Courier, September 19, 1878.

Fire.

For the last three days we have been almost smothered with smoke from somewhere. We have examined our premises more than once to see if they were not on fire. No fires were seen on the prairies far or near, and it was a great mystery where all the smoke came from. We are now informed that the prairies of Northern Texas and the Indian Territory are being overrun by fires that have been sweeping the country for several days.

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, October 10, 1878.

VERNON TOWNSHIP, Oct. 1, 1878.

Vernon has been inflicted with an agent selling Prof. Ostrand’s non-explosive powder for use in coal oil lamps to prevent explosions. We had supposed that this humbug was exploded long ago. Ask your merchant for 1502 fire test oil, and use a burner with a tube or passage parallel with the wick, tube to carry the gas as fast as generated to the flame of the lamp wick and consumed, and you will have no use for such frauds as the above.

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

S. C. Smith, having resumed the Fire Insurance business, starts out with the old and reliable Niagara of New York. If you want your property safely insured, he will attend to it in the most satisfactory manner.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, October 31, 1878.

Serious Fire.

On last week Wednesday evening about 10 o’clock a fire occurred in the new barn on

J. C. McMullen’s place in the west part of the city. The barn was a large building, well constructed, had been used as a shop by the mechanics at work on his palatial residence nearby, and there were shavings and pieces of lumber therein; besides, it was stored nearly full of the fine work for the house such as mouldings, inside finish work, windows, doors, and ornamental work for ceilings, paints, oils, carpenter’s tools, and a large quantity of house furniture and winter clothing. Two boys were to sleep in the building as a guard, and as they were about to retire, to finally extinguish their light, one of them blew down the chimney of their kerosene lantern, which exploded, setting fire to the surrounding inflammable material, and the building was completely enveloped in flames before any force could arrive to extinguish them, and the building and contents were totally destroyed. Loss about $2,000. McMullen, Swain, Barclay, and Hetherington are the principal losers. A more serious loss of Mr. McMullen is not of a nature to be estimated in cash, consisting of family mementoes, which had accumulated for generations.

Winfield Courier, November 28, 1878.

Prairie fires are numerous.

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, November 28, 1878.

Tisdale Items.

On Saturday last this part of Tisdale Township was visited by a prairie fire of the most vehement kind; in fact, we were favored with two fires, one from the south, which did not do any great amount of damage that I heard of, and one from the north, which has done more toward wiping out the Greenback party then all the campaign speeches. The fire started two miles north of town, coming south and slightly east. The veering wind gave it a broad front, which headed for George Divilbliss’s hay stacks and house, but was here stopped by Messrs. Gould, Burleston, and Moses. A small point crossed the road west of Divilbliss’s house and was burning slowly down a ravine, guarded on each side by breaking. Here it was stopped by Napier, Wilson, and Gould. After that was checked, we went back and back-fired against it on the line running west and between John King’s and Mr. Divilbliss’s farms. While at work there we saw a signal flag, started for the danger, and found the fire had crossed the line again and was burning on Mr. Hodges’ north quarter and running south across Mrs. Newton’s farm. Knowing that the buildings on Newton’s farm were not burned around, we put our horses to the run, hoping to get there in time to save the barn, in which was Mrs. Newton’s wheat (nearly 70 bushels); Mr. Armstrong’s harvester; and about 100 bushels of corn belonging to Mr. Bush. In spite of the speed of our horses—and they were good ones—the fire drove us south of the barn; but here we got ahead, and passing the fire rode back and began firing. Just as we began to hope all was safe, another head-floe struck us fairly, drove us from the work, and caught the barn and granary (the granary was covered with straw and the barn was a Kansas concern, built of poles, with straw sides and top); so the only thing left was to sand away and think of the flames that lit “the battle’s wreck.” Then we fired around the house and saved it. A summary of the loss sustained on these two places gives the following: 70 bushels wheat at 45 cents, $31.50; 100 bushels corn at 20 cents, $20.00; 1 harvester, nearly new, $150.00; granary and barn, $45.00; hay burned on the two farms, estimated at 65 tons, $97.50; E. A. Millard, 1 coat, pair of gloves, etc., $7.00; A. T. Gay, 1 pair pants and pair of boots, $8.00; total $359.00. Besides this, corn burned in the field, hedge and fruit trees killed will make an aggregate of $500.00. As the fire passed on toward the south it again

“Wrapped the ship in splendor wild

And caught the flag on high.”

That is, it burned a hay stack for J. A. McGuire. I have not been able to learn of any other damage, and do not know who set the fire out.

Excerpts...

[THE COURTHOUSE TO BE REPAIRED.]

Winfield Courier, January 16, 1879.

The plan calls for a wing 20 x 20 feet, two stories high, on west and east side of old courthouse; also two sets of vaults for the safekeeping of all the records, documents, and funds of the district clerk, county clerk, register of deeds, probate judge and treasurer.

The vaults mentioned will be built independent from the balance of the structure and made fire-proof, and the treasury vault is to be made fire and burglar proof. These vaults alone were needed long ago and are worth to the county at least double the amount of the supposed cost of the whole repairs and addition, which is estimated at about $3,000, for it is a known fact that if fire ever would break out in the building the whole records would be unsafe, and if destroyed, would cost the county at least $10,000 to restore them.

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1879.

Some hoodlums on a bender last Sunday night pulled down and destroyed the fire ordinances, required to be kept posted in public. Don’t these gentlemen know that they have been guilty of a very grave offense?

Winfield Courier, April 3, 1879.

G. S. Manser’s fine residence narrowly escaped destruction by fire last Thursday near midnight. It seems that a kettle of ashes was standing outside and the wind blew fire out of it into a lattice where it kindled and flamed up. Someone passing saw it and gave the alarm and the fire was extinguished at once.

MORAL: You cannot be too careful about securing your ashes.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, April 3, 1879.

A small house south of town near the residence of Mrs. Holmes was destroyed by fire on Friday last. It was owned by Mrs. Catharine Holmes, worth about $250, and occupied by Mr. Cummings. The alarm was given by someone who noticed the smoke from a window in town and in two minutes the fire companies with their engines and trucks were on the way. After a race of three-quarters of a mile, the men came up exhausted and the building was nearly burned down so there was nothing to do but to return. Mr. Cummings lost nearly all his household goods and $50 in cash. No one was at home but the wife.

Winfield Courier, April 24, 1879.

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

Excerpt...

[COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.]

Winfield Courier, May 8, 1879.

Committee on wells reported in favor of sinking four or six wells within the fire limits. Report received and committee further instructed to locate the wells and advertise for bids.

Winfield Courier, June 12, 1879.

Lawyer Allen has bought a new safe to protect his books, papers, etc., from fire and burglars. There is not much danger of the latter, for there isn’t a burglar in Christendom who could read Mr. Allen’s writing and tell a $10,000 note from an antidote for poison.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, June 26, 1879.

Quite an excitement was created Tuesday by the burning of T. A. Wilkinson’s stable in the rear of his house on Mansfield street. Their little boy, Sammy, wanted a bonfire, and taking some matches up in the hay loft, collected a bunch of hay in one corner and touched it off. Seeing that he had a little more fire than he bargained for, he tumbled head long out of the loft and soon the whole barn was in a blaze. The fire company (?) was on hand with the soda fountain in a short time, but too late to save the stable. Mr. Klingman’s residence came very near being ignited, the fire being so hot that it scorched the paint, but by saturating the roof and sides with water, it was saved. This should be a warning to our city authorities to provide some effective means for controlling fires, which are liable at any time to break out and sweep whole blocks.

Winfield Courier, August 28, 1879.

Mr. Frank Barclay is engaged in putting the new force pumps into the city wells. Better hang a squirt-gun on each pump to be used in case of fire.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1879.

Mann’s clothing store narrowly escaped being burned last Thursday evening. The clerk, after blowing out the lights for the night, had occasion to relight one of them and threw the match on the floor. After blowing out the lamp and going out, he happened to look back and saw the fire blazing up above the counter. Help was called and the fire was extinguished without serious damage being done.

Winfield Courier, October 30, 1879.

M. L. Read’s bank is having a very large vault built in the rear of the bank. It is 8 x 14, the floor and walls of solid masonry and will be entirely fire proof.

Winfield Courier, December 18, 1879.

A fire alarm and a runaway made things lively Saturday evening.

Winfield Courier, December 25, 1879.

The city pumps would be very effective in case of fire; provided the fire was started around the pumps.

Winfield Courier, January 15, 1880.

There are a large number of deeds and mortgages lying in the recorder’s office uncalled for. They have been recorded and paid for but the owners keep neglecting to call for them. This is something that should not be neglected. If the records should be destroyed by fire, all the deeds in the office would go with them, leaving no clue to the titles, whereas if the parties had the deeds in their possession they would be safe. We would again urge that parties having deeds at the recorder’s office should call and get them, and thereby save endless litigation in case of fire.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, January 29, 1880.

About three o’clock Monday afternoon the unwelcome sound of the fire bell brought everybody outdoors to see what was the matter. It proved to be a fire in Col. Manning’s barn, a shed building near J. C. McMullen’s residence, in the west part of town, which was nearly consumed before the alarm sounded. The stable contained a pony belonging to Benny Manning, a mule belonging to Mr. Lindsay, a pair of harness, saddle, and bridle, a lot of corn, and some household furniture that was stored in the granary. The fire was started by Freddie Manning, a little boy nine years old. He had rolled up some paper in the form of a cigar, and after lighting it, dropped the match into a bunch of straw. The sufferings of the animals in the barn were intense, but not very prolonged. This is the second time that our town has been treated to a first class fire through the carelessness of children playing with matches. The roof of Col. Manning’s house nearby was scorched and the building narrowly escaped being burned.

[THE COURTHOUSE.]

Winfield Courier, February 5, 1880.

With Col. Alexander we think it time something was done about the courthouse. The county has records that have cost thousands of dollars, and their loss would entail upon the citizens of the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in almost endless litigation. Were the courthouse the safest building in the county so far as the danger of falling is concerned, it is not a safe place to store the records. We commend the manly course of our correspondent in writing over his own proper signature. Like him we were skeptical about the dangerous condition of the courthouse, but we were always ready to urge that vaults should be constructed to preserve the records. We think the time has come when the courthouse should be reconstructed under the supervision of a competent civil engineer in such manner as to save the present building and add to it what is needed, and we urge the matter upon the immediate attention of our county commissioners.

[WATCH THE FIRES.]

Winfield Courier, February 5, 1880.

We have thus far escaped prairie fires this winter and the past fall, but from this time out there is more danger. This man wants a tract burned over to give his stock fresh range of green grass unmixed with dry in the spring. That man wants the dry grass burned off so that it will not be in the way of his plow. Another wants a strip burned to protect his property from a general fire that might sweep the country. Travelers and tramps are liable to set fires wantonly. The amount of old grass on the prairies is heavy, and fires once started make winds which carry burning fragments over barriers, and there is danger of wide-spread conflagrations. In such case the fires will be so hot as to destroy much of the roots of the grass, and the new grass which subsequently springs up will be thin and light, leaving the ground almost bare. The rays of the sun will heat the earth thus unprotected, and warm air will constantly rise, thus preventing the condensation of the vapors passing over us, and there will be no rain during the summer months, and our crops will fail.

A general fire passing over this county this winter or spring would damage our farmers millions of dollars in its immediate and remote effects, though not a building, stack, fence, or implement should be destroyed.

Then watch the fires. Do not set fires for any purpose. Prepare all the breaks and guards against fires possible. Punish everyone who sets fires to the extent of the law.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, February 26, 1880.

Last week Mr. N. Fuller had the misfortune of losing his house and everything it contained by fire. He was away from home when it broke out and no help being near, the fire had undisputed sway.

Evidently the following fire occurred after previous issue of paper...

WINFIELD. FIRE.

[Central Hotel. Two Articles Regarding Fire.]

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1880.

The fire at the Central, last week, was started from a stove pipe passing through a tin ventilator in the upper floor. The roof was kept saturated with water, which prevented the fire from breaking out until the “Little Giant” could be brought to bear upon it from the inside, when it was quickly extinguished. Several idiots seemed determined to smash in the windows on the north gable, and it required the most strenuous efforts of the members of the fire company to prevent it. Had they done so, and given the air a chance to fan the flames, the building could not have been saved.

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1880.

About five o’clock last Thursday evening the Central Hotel was discovered to be on fire. In a few minutes after the alarm sounded, and before the fire had got fairly under way, several hundred men were on the ground with buckets and the “Little Giant” fire engine, and in a short time had it completely under control. A good deal of unnecessary damage was done to the furniture by reckless parties, who tore down window curtains, smashed the sash, and did many other things entirely uncalled for. The fire has served to show the utter inefficiency of the means provided to extinguish it. The wells and pumps on which has been squandered a large amount of money were useless, some of the wells being dry and others, where the hose was attached, the force of the pump was too weak to raise the water as high as the building. It is very certain that had the fire occurred at midnight, instead of in daylight when hundreds were on the streets to help extinguish it by hand, a large portion of the business part of our city would now be but a mass of ruins. Let us take this as a warning, and at once cast about for some effective means of protecting ourselves against this devouring demon.

Winfield Courier, March 18, 1880.

Last Saturday evening, about six o’clock, the residence of Mr. J. H. Land, northeast of town, was burned to the ground. The fire probably caught from the flue in the roof of the house, and but very few people arrived before the fire was well under way, but little of the furniture was saved. The loss is in the neighborhood of $1,200.

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1880.

The Central Hotel is now fully repaired and ready for another fire.

[REPORT FROM “MAC” - VERNON.]

Winfield Courier, April 1, 1880.

Prairie fires are raging, which afford beautiful scenery at night. At times the whole country seems to be on fire, but as yet they have done no damage in this vicinity. The people have learned by sad experience to be more careful about protecting themselves against prairie fires than they used to be. If the grass which is being burned every year in our county could be utilized in the way of pasturage, it would amount to thousands of dollars.

[If it were a fact well known that every time fire was set on the prairie, it would surely destroy lives, buildings, fences, and machinery, we imagine that we would be better off than we are as it is now. It is strange that men cannot see that every time they set a prairie fire, they are contributing towards making their section of country, like that from one to three hundred miles west of us, comparatively rainless and barren. ED.]

Winfield Courier, April 15, 1880.

It has been suggested that the city dads make an appropriation to buy oil for the fire engine and ladder truck. They need it.

FIRE. WINFIELD.

Winfield Courier, April 15, 1880.

John McMahon, who broke jail with Rhonimus, but was recaptured, attempted to burn out the sill which holds the bars over the jail window one day last week. The fire was discovered and put out before much damage was done. Johnnie now languishes in a grated cell on limited diet.

The following lengthy item gives some insight into history of fires in county...

ADDRESS BY D. A. MILLINGTON AT WINFIELD, KANSAS, APRIL 17, 1880,

ARKANSAS VALLEY EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 22, 1880. Front Page.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Association:

Your committee has assigned to me the task of opening at this time the discussion on the subject: The future Possibilities of Agriculture in the Arkansas Valley.

You now find yourselves in the eastern part of the Kansas division of that valley, surrounded by richly-carpeted fields of wheat, prairies thickly covered with luxuriant grass, trees gay with emerald foliage and variegated bloom, corn just shooting up from a thousand fields, and vegetation generally luxuriant and full of promise. You will also observe that the prairies are thickly covered with a mulch of old grass. This section last year produced the heaviest crops of corn and grass ever known, while almost all kinds of cultivated crops were notably good. Last year we had warm nights in summer and frequent and heavy rains. From April 1st to November scarcely more than a week elapsed at any time without rain.

It cannot be denied that the western part of this valley was less favored last year; that there, practically no rain fell for many months, that the corn crop was an entire failure, that most other crops were very light, and that the nights all summer were too cold to permit of a good corn crop even had there been plenty of rain.

Why this difference? It is well known that the land in that section contains all the elements to produce corn and any other kind of crop that can be successfully raised here, and, I might say, anywhere else. It is well known that with plenty of moisture and sufficient warmth, nights as well as days, the productions of this valley all along the line, in every variety, would be wonderful. But says one: It does not rain, and there is no way to help it except by expensive irrigation, and the nights are cold, which cannot be helped. Let us examine this subject a little, for this is the point to which I propose to address myself for the few minutes assigned to me.

One night, in November, 1873, I stood upon the high mound you have observed just east of this city, and watched for hours the progress of a general prairie fire. My eye traced the long serpentine lines of flame meandering over hills and valleys; here sinuous and wavy, there strangely bent in wild, zigzag forms; yonder slow and sinister, creeping down a declivity; hither rushing fiercely up a hillside; thither flaming high in the air along a ravine of rank, tall grass, far to the east and to the west, in glowing, seething, surging masses extending—far to the south, the rear folds flashing and raging—far to the north. The front loops rushed madly on, and I was spell-bound and awed by the gorgeous beauty and sublimity of the scene.

Such marvelous spectacles might be viewed with unmixed delight were it not for their terrible effects. The immediate destruction of fences, trees, hay and grain stacks, buildings, stock, and even life, attending such fires, are minor evils compared with those which follow more remotely.

In 1873 these prairies now about us had a growth of grass heavier than in any previous year, furnishing fuel for the hot fires which swept this entire section completely bare before the spring of 1874. The fires were so hot as largely to kill the roots of the grass and when new grass grew in the spring, it was only in little bunches, leaving most of the ground entirely bare, which so remained all the season. Therefore, we had from May to October cold nights, hot days, and practically no rain. The corn crop was, of course, a complete failure, and other crops shared its fate. Wheat only, having got well along in the colder months, gave a moderate crop. This was the year of drouth for this section, the last it has had and I think the last it will ever have.

In 1874 but little grass grew and fires could get no headway; besides more effort was made to prevent prairie fires, and this section was not burned over. The roots spread some, so that in 1875 the ground had more new grass in addition to the growth of the past year, and was much better covered; therefore, we had considerable rain and better crops.

The improvement continued in all those respects through the years 1876, 1877, and 1878. More patches of ground were plowed, more roads were traveled, more firebreaks were made, more effort was made to prevent fires year by year, and though the food for the flame became greater year by year, we had but little ground burned over, so that in 1879 we started in with the ground heavily mulched with old grass, and with new grass springing up thickly, and as a consequence we had the plentiful rains and abundant crops which I have described, and now the whole surface not plowed is thickly studded with grass, with the exception of small tracts which have been ignorantly or carelessly burned off.

Does not this description of this section in 1873 and 1874 describe also the condition of the counties further west in 1878 and 1879?

Writers on physical geography attempt in various ways to explain why some countries are deserts. One theory is that the vapor-laden air currents from the tropical seas in passing over high mountains are chilled and robbed of their moisture, which falls on the mountains, leaving nothing in these currents to fall and water the countries that they afterwards pass over; that in north latitudes the tropical currents flow in a general northeast direction; that the Himalaya mountains take all the moisture from them that would otherwise fall on the desert of Gobi, and the Cordilleras of Mexico and New Mexico absorb the moisture from the currents that pass over the country between here and the Rocky Mountains.

I regard much of this as sheer nonsense. In the times of the Carthaginian Empire the country between the Atlas mountains and the Mediterranean sea at Tripoli was a fruitful country, with plenty of rains, supporting a population of more than sixty millions of people quite civilized for those times, but the Atlas mountain stood there then the same as now when that same country is almost a rainless desert with only thirty thousand inhabitants.

The whole region from the Western Sahara to the Northeastern part of Gobi, eight thousand miles long and one thousand miles wide, is one vast desert, broken only by fertile belts along the Nile and Euphrates rivers, the Mediterranean and other seas, and the mountain ranges from the Caucasus to the Himalaya, yet in the western and central parts it has no mountain ranges to steal its vapors.

But this country was not always so. Far in the midst of this rainless desolation are seen by the traveler over these hot sands the lonely minarets and columns of polished marble and skilled masonry, the monuments which mark the grave of a dead and buried metropolis, Palmyra, the once beautiful city of the palm groves, with a population of half a million, in the midst of a productive and delightful country. Other ruins found here and there all over these desolate plains, mark the sites of a hundred other ancient cities, many of them prehistoric and unknown to tradition. Even in the heart of the Sahara are found evidences of fertility and civilization in times remotely ancient to the times of the pyramids. But wars have depopulated and desolated these once fertile regions; fires have denuded the land of forests and grasses; and year after year the annual fires have swept away the vegetation. The earth has become hotter and dryer, rains have diminished and ceased to fall, and the land has become what it is today.

This idea of the effect of denuded earth on climate is not a chimera. It would take many days to rehearse all the evidences in its support, and a still longer time to prove one fact inconsistent with it. The well known facts of science also prove it correct. It is well known that the direct rays of the sun do not appreciably heat the atmosphere in passing through it to the earth, for the upper regions of the air are always very cold. But the sun’s rays do heat rock, sand, and any kind of bare earth intolerably hot, and the air coming in contact with these, becomes heated and continually rises, and the cooler air flowing in to fill the place is in turn heated.

You have doubtless known a large conflagration toward which the wind blew strongly from every direction. Land which is covered by trees in foliage, or covered by green or dry grass, straw, or other vegetation, does not get heated to any considerable extent; neither does it get cold. Go out in the afternoon of a hot day and find the bare earth cracked open, hot and dry to the depth of many feet, and if you find a spot where a mulch of straw has lain for a month, you will find beneath the straw the ground moist and cool. Replace the straw and go again in the early morning, and you will find the bare ground quite cold, and the ground under the straw apparently as warm as in the afternoon before. The bare earth has absorbed the heat from the sun during the day and has radiated that heat into space during the night. The straw has done neither to any considerable extent, so that the earth it covers has changed its temperature very little. This explains what makes extremely hot days and cold nights in desert lands, and comparatively cooler days and warmer nights in lands well covered by vegetable matter.

Practically all the rain which falls in this whole region comes from within the tropics in the Pacific Ocean. The local evaporation comparatively amounts to nothing. The perpendicular rays of the sun falling upon the ocean causes an immense evaporation, and the rare and heated air rising heavily laden with vapor, parts and flows north and south. The current, moving first northward, bends eastward, and in passing over us is always and constantly moving to the northeast.

In this latitude it is always, in the warmer months at least, so laden with vapor that at any time the sudden condensation of the vapors directly over us would deluge the country; and this is true in similar latitudes, whether fertile or desert. When these vapors are chilled, they always produce rain; the greater the chill, the greater the rainfall. Where these currents pass over well covered earth where little warm air is rising into them in the daytime, and little radiation of heat from the earth into them during the night, in that higher, cooler region, various slight causes will give them enough chill to cause some condensation and frequent rains fall. But when these currents pass over large tracts of bare ground, the rising hot or warm air by day, and the radiation of heat by night, keeps them warm enough so that they never chill, except in rare cases of unusual convulsions, and there it rarely or never rains.

Kansas was once much less fertile, had much less rainfall than it has now. The Great American Desert was no myth. Fifty years ago it extended eastward into Missouri. But settlements slowly advancing have tended to circumscribe the fires which annually had swept these broad plains, and the desert has slowly retired.

Prior to 1856 Eastern Kansas had less rain than Western Kansas has now. Then the mesquite was found along the “Big Muddy” and the blue joint was struggling for a foothold. This grass has since marched westward a considerable more than half the length of the state, and sent its advance pickets even to the western line.

In 1870 I passed over Sumner County when the uplands had only here and there a little clump of blue joint, too distant apart to be neighbors. Now that same land is thickly swarded with it. Population has hardly kept pace with it in the march. It is the avant coureur of the change of climate which is taking place. The old mesquite grass is too slight a covering, too gauzy for virgin earth, yet it was so fine that the fires ran over it every year.

The blue joint well grown makes a covering indeed. It is the herald of rains, warm nights, corn, and fertility. Save it as you would your greatest blessing. Let not fire destroy its roots or its dead growth of last year. Let it remain as a protection, a mulch to the land. Do not burn it off that your stock may get new grass unmixed with it, nor that you may better break your prairies. Turn it in for it is a capital fertilizer and even then tends to keep the land cool. Make fire breaks in every direction. Make the man odious who sets a prairie fire. Enforce all existing laws against him and make others more stringent. Educate the people, and by constant assaults upon their understandings, drive home the knowledge of the consequences of prairie fires.

The future of this valley for agriculture is full of promise. In the present course of events, the time is surely coming when its climate shall be equable and more delightful, and its products of corn, wheat, and other cereals, of fruits of almost every nameable kind, and vegetables of almost every kind for this latitude, shall flourish and produce equal to those of the best districts of earth. Surely will come the day when this whole valley will be cultivated and improved so that the traveler in passing through any part of it, will pass a succession of groves, cornfields, orchards, wheat fields, meadows, barns, fine residences, flocks and herds, and a large population of happy, wealthy, and intelligent people. It will be the great cultivated garden of Kansas.

The people who are now in it and those who are yet to come can hasten this time many years. United action will bring it along in a few short years. Shall it be done?

Note: The following disastrous fire has been covered before when research was done on “Hotels,” and is already listed on Dr. Bottorff’s web site. I am repeating it again in order to assist in keeping dates in chronological order and because there were several supporting items concerning the fire...MAW

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1880.

Last Thursday night, between 11 and 3 o’clock, Winfield was visited by the most disastrous conflagration yet happening within her borders. The fire started in the old log store, one of the landmarks of the town, and for years occupied by the COURIER, but was now being used by F. Leuschen as a cabinet shop. The fire is supposed to have originated from the old rags, oil, and varnish in the shop. The alarm was given before the fire was thoroughly underway, and had those first on the ground been furnished with decent appliances, it might have been controlled, saving thousands of dollars worth of property. The old log building was like a tinder box and made a very hot fire. Next to it on the east were two buildings, one belonging to C. L. Harter and occupied by the moulder at the foundry, the other owned and occupied by Robert Hudson. These buildings were both destroyed, but the contents were saved.

Immediately west of the log building, across the alley, was an old livery barn belonging to Hackney & McDonald, which was the next to go.

From this the fire was communicated to the Central and Lindell hotels. As soon as it was evident that the hotels must go, the work of getting out the furniture began. Carpets, bedding, crockery ware, and furniture of all descriptions were tumbled promiscuously out of windows and doors into the street, much of it being broken and smashed. The hotels being dry, pine buildings, burned rapidly, sending up large cinders which fell in different parts of the city, making the utmost vigilance necessary to keep them from igniting buildings three blocks from the fire.

When the two hotels caught, everyone turned their attention toward saving the buildings on either side of the street. They were covered with men who handled buckets of water and barrels of salt, and by their exertions prevented the fire from spreading and destroying the larger part of the business portion of our city.

The old part of the Central Hotel was owned by Jas. Jenkins, of Wisconsin. The new part of the Central Hotel was owned by Majors & Harter. They had sold out to A. H. Doane, and were to have given possession Saturday morning.

The Lindell Hotel was owned by J. M. Spencer, and was leased by Jas. Allen one month ago.

Our citizens generously opened their homes to the homeless people, and accommodations were offered for more than was needed.

The following is a list of the losses and insurance.

Captain Stevens, store, loss $1,000; no insurance.

Fred Leuschen, furniture store and dwelling, loss $1,200. Insurance on stock, in Home, of New York, $300.

C. L. Harter, tenant dwelling, loss $300; no insurance. Tenant had no loss except damage.

Robert Hudson, dwelling, loss $800. Mrs. Hudson removed most of her furniture. No loss except damage. No insurance on either house or contents.

Hackney & McDonald, livery stable occupied by Buckhart, loss $800; no insurance.

Central Hotel, main building: James Jenkins, loss $3,500; insurance, $1,500 in the Atlas.

Central Hotel, Majors & Harter portion: loss to building, $2,500; insurance, $2,100, as follows: Westchester, Springfield Fire & Marine and Hartford, $700 each. [Their insurance was on building and furniture.] The loss of Majors & Harter in excess of their insurance will be upwards of $3,000.

PUZZLING! $2,100-INSURANCE...AND YET $700 EACH ($1,400)...DOES

NOT COMPUTE WITH $2,100 INSURANCE...COULD BE THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN $2100 AND $1400 WAS INSURANCE

ON CONTENTS!

J. M. Spencer, Lindell Hotel, loss $2,500; insurance $1,000, as follows: Fire Association, $500; Phenix, of Brooklyn, $500; James Allen, loss $1,000; insurance, $800.

Policies are in the agencies of Gilbert, Jarvis & Co.; Curns & Manser; and Pryor & Kinne. The companies are all first class, and the losses will be promptly adjusted and paid.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1880.

Mr. Frank Finch was severely burned while trying to get some of the furniture out of the Central during the fire last week. He was in the east wing of the building and the roof fell in on him. He is recovering rapidly and will be out again in a few days.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1880.

The fire of last Thursday night is a warning that should be heeded by our council at once. When the property of every citizen is in danger, some action should be taken to provide adequate means for its protection. Had we possessed an effective and authoritative fire organization, with appliances and water at hand, much of the property now in ashes might have been saved. Will we act now, or wait until another and costlier warning is given, when we must stand idly by and see our fair city swallowed up by the flames without being able to raise a hand to save? It is with you, gentlemen of the council, to decide and act.

Winfield Courier, May 13, 1880.

The insurance commissioners of the various companies interested in the late fire have been busy adjusting their losses during the past week. They are at present mostly paid off.

Winfield Courier, May 13, 1880.

Mr. Frank Finch was on the street Monday for the first time since the fire. He has lost that handsome mustache which so heightened his beauty in the past: a prey to the raging flames. Frank says if he is spared by a kind Providence, he will immediately begin the cultivation of another.

Winfield Courier, May 20, 1880.

The opera house at Winfield, Kansas, owned by Col. Manning, now in the Manzanares mining district, and Mr. Bear, was eaten up by the fiery element the other night. Loss, $1,800; insurance, $300. The origin of the fire is supposed to be a spontaneous combustion of paints and oils in a furniture store. Las Vegas Optic.

Col. Manning’s opera house block could not be bought for $30,000. It is well insured. It is not “eaten up” by fire or by anything else. We don’t know Mr. Bear. [THINK THEY CONFUSED MT. WITH MR.] He may be “eaten up by the fiery element,” but he has no interest in the opera house so far as appears. [Courier.]

Winfield Courier, June 24, 1880.

Cole’s circus has erected very extensive bill boards on the lots made vacant by the fire. They advertise heavily.

Winfield Courier, June 24, 1880.

The water works boom at Emporia last week was a big thing, and the committee which attended from here say that had we had one of the six streams thrown during the trial test, our late fire could have been subdued without one-tenth of the damage being done.

Winfield Courier, September 9, 1880.

That well at the mound is a “big bore,” that is to say, it is 200 feet deep and 11 inches in diameter. If the water would only gush out of that hole, if only some hidden force would send an 11 inch solid column of water 200 feet into the air to fall in rain and spray, there would be a chance of getting some water for the city. But it does not act that way, strange as it may seem, and we must look to some other source for our fire department supply.

Winfield Courier, October 14, 1880.

Pryor & Kinne have furnished their office with an immense fire and burglar proof safe, one of the largest in town. Fred Kropp had the contract for putting it into the second story from the ground, and did the work without a Jar. Fred understands the business.

Winfield Courier, November 11, 1880.

After next Tuesday the rural newspapers will be filled with the annual wail, beseeching farmers to avoid starting prairie fires. The Winfield COURIER doubtless has a double leaded warning already in type, backed by scientific argument that would cause the Sphinx to cover itself with a wet blanket were it stationed where the Walnut River and Timber Creek bifurcate. Clay County Dispatch.

That is so Wirt. We advise you to fight fire awhile to get used to it and help save your part of the country from drouth next year.

Winfield Courier, November 25, 1880.

The Telegram urges the necessity of water works, or some adequate means of controlling fires. Its warning is a timely one and should be heeded. The season of fires is now upon us, and we may be called upon at any minute to turn out and help save our city from this devouring element. In what condition are we to meet it? Most of the wells along Main street are dry, hence the “soda-fountain” would be useless. We would just simply have to stand in the street and let the raging demon work its own sweet will. We have had one costly warning: shall we fold our arms and wait for a more disastrous one? Now is the time to act, we willingly join hands with the Telegram in urging this matter upon the citizens.

Winfield Courier, December 23, 1880.

The new courthouse vaults are the finest in the State. They are large, roomy, and completely fireproof, built up from the ground, and arched over with solid masonry. The walls and ceilings are twenty-four inches thick, laid up with brick, and filled in with dry sand.

Winfield Courier, December 30, 1880.

The dwelling of Peter Sipe, five miles north of town, was destroyed by fire on Christmas day. All it contained is lost, besides his provisions for the coming year. Mr. Sipe is an industrious, hard-working man, and this is a sad calamity to him.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1881.

We had quite a fire scare last Monday. The alarm sounded, men rushed through the streets, the engine and ladder truck were brought out and pulled away, and a big crowd accumulated, and then shrank away. It was Mr. Scovill’s fire burning out of his store.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1881.

Rev. Solomon Ferguson’s house was destroyed by fire last week. The family had built a large fire in one of the rooms and gone into another. The pipe became so hot that it set fire to the roof, and before it was discovered, was beyond all hopes of control. The house was a fine new one costing over $1,500. Mr. Ferguson is absent at Eureka Springs, his health being poor.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1881.

We are obliged to chronicle another disastrous fire. Rev. S. Ferguson, one of our old citizens, is at Eureka Springs for his health. His farm is 4 miles northeast of here, and last year he rebuilt his house. Yesterday morning while Mrs. Ferguson was getting water, she fell and struck her head, injuring her severely. She was taken to the house and an extra fire built up and the heat set fire to the floor where the pipe passed through. The flames gained headway so rapidly that nothing could be saved from the upper story and but little from the main floor. The total loss was fully $800, on which there was no insurance. In this instance one accident followed another, and if it had not been for Mrs. Ferguson’s injury, the fire would probably have been subdued before total destruction followed.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1881.

Christmas Day was a disastrous one for Peter Lipe and family, who live six miles north of Winfield. They went to a neighbor’s to eat their Christmas dinner, and he saw a house on fire which he supposed was the schoolhouse, but on approaching it he found it to be his own house. The building, furniture, and quite an amount of wheat was burned, making a total loss of the property destroyed about $800, on which there was an insurance, with Gilbert, Jarvis & Co., for $200.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, January 20, 1881.

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. Winfield has in the past been unusually fortunate in having had but few accidents resulting in the loss of life. We are sorry to be obliged to chronicle one which is the most horrible that can befall a human being. A colored girl, working in the family of W. C. Carruthers, is the victim. Last Thursday evening while working about the stove, her dress in some manner caught fire. Messrs. Harris and O’Hare were spending the evening at Mr. Carruthers’, and while engaged in the parlor with the ladies, they heard terrible screams from the kitchen. The next moment the colored girl burst into the room enveloped in flames and rushed through into an adjoining bedroom. Mr. Harris tried to get the piano cover to throw around her, but it was fastened to the piano. In an instant the girl rushed back through the parlor into the dining room and jumped into a tub of water which was standing near. The gentlemen followed her, pushed her down into the tub, and with the water put out the flames and tore the charred remains of clothing from her. The skin was burned to a crisp and partially adhered to the clothing. Her screams were horrible and roused the whole neighborhood. The next morning she was removed to the poor house. Dr. Davis says she will not live. Several articles in the rooms through which she passed were set on fire. The girl was one of the “exodusters,” and has been here about five months.

Excerpt...

[THE MONITOR’S LOCALS.]

Winfield Courier, January 20, 1881.

DIFFERENT ACCOUNT RE COLORED GIRL GETTING BURNED!

Last night about nine o’clock the home of W. C. Carruthers was the scene of a terrible event. C. C. Harris and Joe O’Hare were visiting at the house and they heard screams from the dining room. They rushed to the door and a living mass of flames burst into the room and ran screaming through the parlor and into the bedroom. It was the colored servant girl who had set fire to herself from the stove. After reaching the bedroom, she jumped on to the bed, but before any relief could be given her, she jumped up and ran through the rooms into the kitchen and jumped into a tub of water. By this time, Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers, who had gone to bed, came rushing to the scene. Mrs. Carruthers commenced tearing the clothes from her, and she and her husband pressed her into the water and extinguished the flames. Judge McDonald, from his residence on the opposite side of the street, heard the screams, saw the flames, and reached the unfortunate girl about the same time Mrs. Carruthers did. He gave what assistance was possible. Doctor Davis was called, and he says the girl was literally roasted alive, and will die as a result of her injuries. The rooms were set fire to in several places, but the flames were extinguished without any serious damage. The authorities took the case in hand, and have removed the girl to the poor house, which is the best under the circumstances. Her name is Ann Garr, and of large and strong build. She came here last summer with a party of “exodusters.” Her present sufferings are frightful and death will be a relief.

[DON’T BURN THE PRAIRIES.]

Winfield Courier, January 27, 1881.

We would call attention to the statement of A. A. Wiley, and many others state the same, that in the fall of 1879 the whole country of the Indian Territory south of us was burned over. It is well known that the greater part of the prairies of this county were also burned over. The same thing happened in the fall of 1873. Since then there has been no year in which these fires were general in the country about us and southwest of us except the fall of 1879.

The summer of 1874 was our dry season when most of our crops failed and we were surrounded by distress and want. The editor of this paper spent a great deal of time during the fall of 1874 obtaining and comparing information, statistical and otherwise, with regard to all countries which have suffered for want of rain, so far as such information was in his reach. He examined the theories of the writers on physical geography carefully, examined and compiled the facts, and gave the general conclusions to which he arrived in a lecture which he subsequently delivered to the teachers association in this city; to the affect that always in those countries where the ground is well covered with forest or vegetation, whether dry or green, there is always plenty of rainfall, and in countries where dry ground, whether rock, sand, or clay prevails, there is little or no rain; that in a country which is bare one year and covered the next, will be drouth one year and plenty of rainfall the next; and he predicted that for the future of our country in those years following the widest range of prairie fires, there would be the greatest drought; and in those years following least prairie fires, would be most rain.

He reasoned that as there is always during the spring and summer months enough moisture in the vapor of the upper currents, which are always passing over us in a northeast direction from the equatorial seas, to deluge the whole country if rapidly condensed; that as this is the source of nearly all our rainfall, that all other sources are “but as a drop in the bucket!” The vapor in these upper currents must be more or less condensed while passing over us or we can have no rain.

He called attention to the facts that on account of electrical and other changes in the atmosphere, there condensations would frequently take place if not prevented by warm air rising into them or the radiation of heat from the earth; that the direct rays of the sun do not heat the atmosphere, nor to any considerable extent ground covered by forests or vegetable matter, but that they do heat bare ground to a very important extent; that the air is only heated by coming in contact with something hot, as heated earth; that hot air rises and warms the vapor laden currents, preventing the chill which condenses the vapors; and that therefore it cannot rain on wide tracts of bare earth except in times of rare and violent convulsions. The predictions he made that year have been verified every year since.

In the fall of 1879, the prairies around us and southwest of us were generally burnt over and the result was very little rain and failure of crops in 1880 following. Since 1879 he has frequently repeated these views in the COURIER.

The outlook is now bright for 1881. The prairies are not yet burned over. Do not let any fire get out this winter and spring if it can possibly be prevented. Do not say it is a mere hobby but act on it if possible this year and see the result.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, January 27, 1881.

ANOTHER BURN OUT. Wednesday morning most of our citizens on striking Main street discovered that there had been a fire during the night; that Sheel’s furniture store, Rhodes’ coal office, and Graham’s meat market were a smoking mass of ruins.

To most everyone this was a surprise, as no alarm was heard during the night. The fire-bell was frosty, and although it was rung long and hard, yet the sound could not be heard more than two blocks away. The fire machines were got out, but unfortunately they are of the kind that won’t operate successfully without water, and as that article is very scarce at present, the machines were useless.

The Buildings were old frame ones, dry as tinder boxes, and burned rapidly. The fire is supposed to have caught from the stove in Rhodes’ coal office. It was discovered about three o’clock in the morning and was under full headway.

Mr. Sheel loses his building and stock, estimated at about $3,000. He is insured for $1,000. Mr. Rhodes loses his building, worth about $2,000. Mr. Graham’s loss is about $500.

The brick houses on either side of those burned were hardly scorched. This is a splendid opportunity for a lecture on our means of controlling fires, but we desist.

Excerpts...

[THE MONITOR’S LOCALS.]

Winfield Courier, February 3, 1881.

The council have called a meeting of the citizens to meet in the council rooms on next Tuesday night to consider the matter of protection against fire. Turn out and show that you feel some interest in the matter.

Daniel Sheel does not propose to retire from business, but is already making arrangements to open a new store and cabinet shop. Our city would feel it a loss to lose Mr. Sheel from our list of businessmen.

You cannot keep George Rhodes down. Though burned out Wednesday morning at three o’clock by fire, he has secured office room from Quincy A. Glass and was again filling orders for coal. It has only been about two months since he purchased the burned property from his former partner, A. Hughes.

Lou Zenor and Lawyer Knight were early on hand at the fire. Lou succeeded in saving a coon-skin and carrying it across the street, while Knight struggled with a baby’s rocking chair.

Ivan Robinson is just boss when it comes to working at a fire. He saw the danger to Glass’ awning and he grabbed a small club and went to work trying to beat it down. There were three fellows on top if it at the same time, and fortunately for their necks, Ivan failed in his desperate effort.

Scene of the fire Wednesday morning: Two emotional young ladies standing near the burning buildings as the Winfield fire department came clattering up with the chemical engine. “Oh!” says one, “they’ve saved the sausage stuffer!” “Why, no, my dear:” said the other, “that is Quincy Glass’ soda-water machine.”

The fire on Wednesday morning was a practical illustration of our helplessness in case of a conflagration. The business portion of the town was saved more as the result of favorable conditions than anything else. A strong wind was blowing from the north, and the heat on the stone wall on the south was great enough to crack the wall, and partially calcine the stone. The Turk will see the destruction of hundreds of buildings and ascribe it to “fate,” or as a punishment sent on them by Allah. We believe the Lord protects and helps those who help themselves. Let us not be like the Turk, but show ourselves the intelligent, practical businessmen we are, by guarding against a conflagration that may destroy the business portion of our beautiful city.

At about three o’clock Wednesday morning the night watchman discovered the building owned by G. A. Rhodes on Main street to be on fire. The alarm was quickly given, but owing to the cracking of the fire bell, it was of short duration, and but a comparatively small crowd was in attendance. The flames were first discovered in the rear of Graham’s meat market, and from that it communicated to Rhodes’ coal office and then to Daniel Sheel’s furniture store. The further progress of the flames, both north and south, was stopped by stone walls. The “engine” was not in working order, and did nothing. All the crowd could do was to save as much of the contents of the buildings as possible, and watch them burn. The losses and insurance is as follows:

George Rhodes, building, office furniture, and fixtures, $700. No insurance.

Mr. Graham, meat market, furniture, fixtures, and stock, $350. No insurance.

Daniel Sheel, building, value $500. Insurance $200 in the Lancashire, Pryor & Kinne, agents. Stock, an insurance of $1,000 in the Home, of New York, Gilbert, Jarvis & Co., agents. Total loss on stock unknown.

Bahntge building on the north, slight damage to wall and awning.

George Ellsberry’s building on the south, a damage of about $150 to wall and awning. Insured.

Mr. Bryant removed a portion of stock. Loss unknown.

NOTE: MONITOR ARTICLE VARIES QUITE A BIT FROM COURIER...STATES

FIRE STARTED IN MEAT MARKET; NOT IN RHODES’ COAL OFFICE.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, February 17, 1881.

We narrowly escaped a fire Monday. The house in which Mr. Scovill resides, on east 11th avenue, caught fire on the roof, but prompt work and plenty of water near at hand saved the building. After the fire was out, the hook and ladder truck appeared upon the scene. The fire engine at station No. 1 was frozen up so that it was not taken out of the fire department building. Probably the engineer had been out Sunday night and had not kept her steamed up. The damage to the building is slight.

New Fire Bell To Be Purchased.

Winfield Courier, February 24, 1881.

The city council has appointed a committee to purchase a new fire bell. Let us have a good one this time: one that can be heard all over the city.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, April 7, 1881.

Mrs. Saint had a little scare on Tuesday morning. Smoke was discovered coming into the room from the walls of her house, and investigation disclosed a fire within the walls, extending from the base up between the studs and rafters entirely to the top of the roof. John Moffitt was called, and with three other men who happened along, cut holes in the siding and roof and with water extinguished the flames. It was a close call. The fire originated in some ashes which the girl had thrown out close to the house, and which had not been observed by Mrs. Saint.

Winfield Courier, April 7, 1881.

The Brettun House had a narrow escape from fire last week. The tinners at work on the roof went to dinner, leaving their furnace sitting on the pine sheeting. While they were absent some coals of fire rolled out, setting the pine on fire, and it had been fanned into a blaze when discovered. It was a narrow escape.

New Fire Bell Arrives.

Winfield Courier, April 14, 1881.

The city received the new fire bell Tuesday. It is much larger than the old one, and of much better material.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, April 21, 1881.

We were treated to a little blaze Friday afternoon. The house of Mr. Caywood, on fifth avenue, caught fire from the flue and burst into a blaze. It was dry as tinder, and burned rapidly. Ye local owned property next door, which was considerably scorched, and had it not been for the efforts of the crowd, it would have gone up in smoke. We speak from experience when we remark that it’s mighty consoling to be well insured under such circumstances. Mr. Caywood was insured for $300, which covers about half of his loss.

Fire Bell Tower to be Erected.

Winfield Courier, April 28, 1881.

The council has awarded the contract for the erection of the fire bell tower to I. W. Randall. It will be thirty feet high, and will be put up in the rear of Max Shoeb’s blacksmith

shop.

Winfield Courier, May 5, 1881.

A man cried out: “Fight! Fight!” on east Ninth avenue Saturday afternoon. Everybody ran, and it looked so much like a fire that J. P. Short made a break for the engine house, and started east with the soda fountain. He returned the same evening.

New Fire Bell In Use.

Winfield Courier, May 12, 1881.

The new fire bell has been hung in the new tower, and some new hand has been tormenting the life almost out of us by ringing it for the last three days. If the thing doesn’t stop, we will demand our “devil” to give it a taste of real fire.

Winfield Courier, May 26, 1881.

A watch is on guard at the Brettun House night and day, now, to prevent fire or meddling with the building.

Winfield Courier, June 16, 1881.

George Rhodes found Monday morning his coal on fire at the bottom of the pile in such situation that only spontaneous combustion could account for it. It was a bin of Osage coal. This is not the first case of spontaneous combustion in a coal pile. The burning of the Normal Institute at Emporia two years ago was started by spontaneous combustion in the coal bins.

Winfield Courier, July 14, 1881.

We wonder why the bell ringers at the Presbyterian church and courthouse don’t do their duty. They don’t ring their bells half of the time. We have even known one of them to stop ringing in an hour and a half after commencing. But, to be serious about it, we don’t wonder the bell ringers look thin and worn with continued out work. It seems to be their rule to ring as long as they have strength enough left to pull the cord. We rather like a moderate amount of bell ringing. The fire bell never rings more than twelve strokes at a time and is real nice. We could stand twelve strokes at a time and even up to twenty-five from the other bells without grumbling; but when they both get to going at a time on a Sunday evening, and vie with each other to see which will hold out the longest, we feel so wicked that there is no use for us to go to church. But we have a plan by which we can fix one of them.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, August 11, 1881.

Last Thursday evening was a meeting at the Presbyterian church conducted by ladies for the ostensible purpose of raising money for the heathen, or rather for foreign missionary work. The exercises had proceeded so far that a collection was about to be taken up when the fire bell rang violently, and the whole congregation rushed out to see the fire. A lamp has bursted at the Hoosier grocery and set fire to the inside of the building. Before the crowd arrived the fire was extinguished, and the funds intended for the heathen were either saved or invested in ice cream.

[REPORT FROM “MRS. RUSTIC” - FLORAL.]

Winfield Courier, August 11, 1881.

Last Thursday Mr. Yarbrough met with quite a loss while at a neighbors. Two small children, being the only ones at home, obtained matches and set the house on fire. The children escaped unharmed. Mrs. Yarbrough then returned; and in trying to save what she could, rushed into the fire. A can of kerosene oil exploded in her face, burning her face and lungs very badly. She is improving slowly although not out of danger.

Cowley County Courant, November 17, 1881.

A stranger looking at a town for the first time said to a citizen: “What are your facilities for extinguishing a fire in this place?” The reply was, “Well, it rains occasionally.” We were forcibly reminded of the above reply at the Opera House last night. Several hundred people were packed together in a room with comparatively low ceilings, a large number of gas jets were burning, and the sole means of ventilation was, that an inside hall door was opened occasionally. There was not a window up or down, the ventilator in the ceiling was closed, and the audience compelled to sit and breathe and re-breathe the foul air. The builder of the hall, having provided no proper system of ventilation, should provide a manager or janitor to look after he comfort of the audiences, and by raising windows and using what other means were at hand endeavor to keep people from being asphyxiated by foul air.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Cowley County Courant, November 24, 1881.

Last Saturday morning about three o’clock, J. W. Curns was aroused by a peculiar roaring which at first he took to be a train coming in on the Santa Fe, but soon his house was lit up and arising he discovered the dwelling opposite, in the block north of M. L. Robinson’s house, a mass of flames. O. H. Herrington and others were soon on hand, but it was too late to do anything but to take measures for the protection of the surrounding buildings, which fortunately were some distance off. The building burned was a story and a half dwelling, not yet completed, and belonged to John A. Case, a young unmarried man who was building it to rent. Mr. Case had been lathing the day before and securely fastened the doors on quitting work, and there was no fire nor smoking in the building yesterday. He attributes the fire to the work of an incendiary. There was a carpenter’s insurance risk of $800, which will about pay the loss.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Cowley County Courant, December 1, 1881.

A good deal of low test coal oil is still being sold in our city, and while such practice is in violation of the law, certain dealers will continue to sell an inferior quality of oil as long as it can be purchased for a few cents less on the gallon. About the only way for purchasers to do is when they find that the retail dealer has sold them a poor quality of oil, is to seek some other merchant. A number of accidents from this course have already occurred here, and we are liable at any time to have an extensive conflagration from this cause. Last evening there was an explosion of a small hand lamp at the residence of Mrs. Conklin, and it was only the presence of mind and nerve of her mother that saved the destruction of her house. While the oil was blazing, she threw the broken lamp out of the window and put out the fire.

Excerpts...

[COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.]

Cowley County Courant, December 22, 1881.

Petition of Frank Barclay and 55 others, asking that the stacking of hay be prohibited by ordinance within the city limits, was presented.

Remonstrance of W. T. Roland and 62 others, against the passage of such an ordinance, was also presented.

On motion of Mr. Hodges, the petition and remonstrance were referred to the committee on fire department.

On motion of Mr. Gary, the matter referred to fireman committee, at last meeting, were continued in their hands until the next meeting.

The following bills were allowed and ordered paid.

W. M. Bousman, examining flues, $7.60.

Winfield Courier, January 5, 1882.

INSURE Your Dwellings, Barns, Churches, Schoolhouses, Crops, and Stock against loss or damage by Tornadoes, Wind Storms, Fire, and Lightning, in First-Class Companies, represented by GILBERT & FULLER, WINFIELD, KANSAS.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, January 26, 1882.

John Haney’s house came near burning up the other day. The fire caught in the roof, dropped through on the bed, and burned up some of the family’s clothes before it was detected and put out.

Winfield Courier, February 16, 1882.

A fire Tuesday night destroyed a stack of hay belonging to S. D. Klingman.

Winfield Courier, March 2, 1882.

CHINCH BUGS.

One of our New Salem friends called on us last week and desired us to advise the farmers to burn off all the prairies immediately in order to kill off the chinch bugs. He said the chinch bugs are thick among the roots of the grass all over the prairies and thinks that if they are not destroyed by prairie fires, it will be impossible to raise a crop of any kind this year.

We are not going to advise the burning off of the prairies. We believe that outside of the dangers of destruction to property, the general burning off of the prairies of this county now would do the county more damage than the chinch bugs could do in forty years, with early planting of crops. We are willing that the farmers should burn off strips of land not more than two rods wide around their fields, first plowing furrows to prevent the fire from escaping outside of the strips, but further than that we protest against prairie fires. We suppose as a rule, most of the chinch bugs will be found on these strips. We have no idea that they are in considerable quantities far from the borders of the fields.

In the next place, we have very little faith in fires as a remedy for chinch bugs. They are a migrating insect, and in hot, dry weather, will go where they can find plenty of feed such as they want. In the winter and in cold or wet weather, they remain in a dormant or semi-dormant condition and do little or no damage. If there was not a chinch bug in this county now, there would be plenty of them when hot and dry weather comes. They will immigrate from somewhere in untold numbers and do all the damage that the present crop can do. The burning off of the prairies will bring the hot and dry weather much earlier, continue it much longer, and make it more severe than it would be if the old grass should remain as a mulch to keep the ground cool and moist. Besides when the earth is denuded by fires, the ground gets hot and heats, the air in contact with it, and the heated air rises and prevents the condensation of the vapors over us into rain, prevents rainfall, as we have shown in our articles on “climate and rainfall.” The less rainfall we have in the spring and summer, the more damage will be done by chinch bugs. The only protection our crops can have against chinch bugs is in growing, early, while the ground is cool and moist, and in keeping the ground cool and moist as long as possible. When the wheat is ripe and the corn and other crops well grown before the chinch bugs get to work, they can do but little damage, and will soon depart to other sections where the people burn off the prairies and plant late, and where the air is hot and dry and the growing crops are young and tender.

When all the farmers understand the science of this matter and act upon it, doing their work thoroughly and when it should be done in such a country as this is, there will be little complaint about chinch bugs and poor crops.

Cowley County Courant, March 23, 1882.

The building occupied by Hudson Brothers for the past six years as a jewelry store is being moved out to clear the way for their large stone business house. One by one the old frame fire traps give away and good buildings take their places.

Cowley County Courant, March 30, 1882.

Prairie fires appeared at nearly every point of the compass last evening, the horizon appearing one circle of light.

Winfield Courier, March 30, 1882.

W. J. Bonnewell called last Saturday and gave us an account of a fire in the bend west of here which destroyed about twenty-five acres of valuable young timber and did much other damage. Any man who will set out fires in the rank old grass and let it run is either a careless “cuss” or a scoundrel. “You pays your money and takes your choice.” The damage is not only to the owners of the property, but to the whole community.

Windmills.

Cowley County Courant, April 13, 1882.

Some of our citizens, among whom are Sam. Myton, M. L. Read, J. L. Horning, Robinson, and others, are not going to have their yards dried out anymore, nor take chances on being burned out by a fire. They are having windmills put up and making extensive private water works improvements around their premises. Frank Barclay has just received the piping for the completion of these works.

Winfield Courier, April 20, 1882.

The County Commissioners have under consideration the erection of a windmill and a large water tank on the Court House grounds, the water to be used in case of fire and to irrigate the grounds. They have been offered quite a sum for the water privilege for street sprinkling purposes—enough to pay 15 or 20 percent on the investment. They meet Saturday to receive bids for the mill.

Excerpts...

Cowley County Courant, April 20, 1882.

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

Petition of E. P. Hickok and ninety-seven others, asking that the Council cause to be removed the powder house in the south part of Winfield, between Main and Millington streets, was read, and on motion of Mr. McMullen was granted, and the Attorney was instructed to prepare an ordinance providing for its removal to as great a distance from the city as the general safety demands, and the laws of the state will permit.

The special committee, appointed to confer with the County Commissioners relative to the construction of a tank and windmill on the courthouse grounds, reported adversely to the city having any connection with the matter. On motion, the report was adopted and the committee was discharged.

The City Attorney was, on motion of Mr. Read, instructed to amend the ordinance relating to fire limits, so as to bring it within the provisions of the statute concerning the same.

The Mayor then made the following appointments of standing committees for the ensuing year.

Finance: Gary, McMullen, and Wilson.

Streets and Alleys: Read, Gary, and Wilson.

Public Health: McMullen, Read, and Gary.

Fire Department: Wilson, Gary, and McMullen.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, May 18, 1882.

Council Proceedings.

Council met in regular session and was called to order by Mayor Troup. The following officers answered to the call of the roll: Councilmen Read, Gary, and Wilson, and City Clerk.

An ordinance relating to the storing of powder within the City limits was read, and on motion was referred to the Committee on Fire Department and City Attorney for modification and revision.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, June 8, 1882.

Lightning struck Geo. Youle’s house, went through the floor and set fire to some straw in the cellar last Thursday night. Nobody hurt.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, August 17, 1882.

HUNGRY FLAMES!

One of the Leading Industries of Our Town and County Destroyed by Fire.

The Winfield City Mills a Mass of Ruins.

Last Sunday morning about three o’clock, our citizens were startled by the clanging of the fire bell—that harbinger of woe which brings a chill to the hearts of all who hear it. Soon hundreds of feet were hurrying toward the bright red glare in the west part of the city, where the Winfield City Mills, one of the largest and best equipped institutions of the kind in the state, was being rapidly devoured by the angry elements. It was a grand sight—the old mill enveloped in flame, which made things as bright as day for a distance of three blocks, and lit up the faces of the four or five hundred by-standers. The first question asked by everyone was, “How did it catch?” Various rumors were floating around. One was that the safe had been broken open and robbed, and the robbers set the property on fire. This proves to be a mistake and the question is still an open one. The mill had been shut down for two or three days while some machinery was being connected, and no one was in the building that night. The idea of spontaneous combustion seems to be most generally entertained. The miller was just getting ready to start the engine, as the water was getting low. It had not been run for a year and he was having it taken apart and oiled. A car of coal was shoveled up in one corner of the engine room, and from this probably the fire originated, just as that of the State Normal building at Emporia. The fire evidently originated either in the boiler room or office, as one of the first on the ground says the flames were just breaking into the mill, while the small building was enveloped in fire.

The mill was a magnificent piece of property and was grinding at the rate of seven hundred bushels of grain per day, and of the very finest quality known to the trade. They found a ready market for all they could do. The mill itself is a complete loss. Part of the walls are still standing, but are cracked and ruined by the heat and will have to come down. The boilers are safe and it is thought that the engine is not seriously disabled. The dam is not damaged. The elevator is safe and the franchise as good as ever. The mill was insured for $10,000, the damages are fully thirty thousand dollars.

The loss is great, not only for Messrs. Bliss & Wood but for the community at large. The demand for wheat by Bliss & Wood has tended to keep the price at its best.

THEORY OF THE FIRE.

It is the opinion of those who have most critically examined the matter and are best qualified to judge of the case that the Winfield Mills were fired by burglars. Two suspicious looking strangers were seen in town during the evening before, dressed in a way which might be called a cross between the cowboy and the citizen; one rather tall and the other thick set. They were seen in the weeds back of a dwelling in the west part of town during the evening, and again on the outskirts of the crowd near the mill while burning, when some ladies heard one of them say to the other, “Let us go nearer,” and was answered, “No, they will see my face.” The theory of spontaneous combustion of the coal heap is pronounced untenable, for the coal is not burned yet but remains intact where it was left in the northeast corner of the wing. The shavings about the bench in the east part of the wing near the coal had not taken fire when the first of the crowd arrived at the premises after the alarm was given. The office was in the south side of the middle of the wing in which were the safe and desks. Those who first arrived at the fire saw into the office through the windows and there saw the safe door open and the books and papers from the safe scattered across the floor. They also saw the desk. Two of its drawers were on the floor and another was on the top of the desk. It happened that only about $25.00, and that in silver, was in the safe and a few dollars for ready change was locked in a drawer of the desk. No silver could be found in the ashes after the fire, but two nickels were found not at all melted. In short, there was so little combustible material about the wing that the fire could not be hot enough to melt silver. A check book which belonged in the mill was found in the street twenty rods away, and some weigh checks belonging to the mill were found almost up to Main street. The fire evidently originated in the wing and spread rapidly into the main building, so that it is evident the fire was not caused by spontaneous combustion of dust in the mill like the Minnesota disaster. The theory is that these two strangers broke into the wing through a window, that the safe was only locked on the first turn, and that by trial of turning slowly, the burglar caught the first combination and opened the safe; that the desk lock was picked and the burglars, not satisfied with their little booty, concluded to make a bonfire and draw the people of Winfield away from their homes to give an opportunity to go through some residences. But if this was their game, it was nipped by Shenneman, who, on the first alarm of fire, organized a force of thirty special police to patrol the city.

Winfield Courier, August 17, 1882.

Mr. R. B. Wood, of Wilshire, Ohio, honored our office with a call on Tuesday morning. He is the father of our townsman, B. F. Wood. It was his misfortune, after traveling a thousand miles to visit his son, to arrive just in time to see a large property interest of that son in the Winfield Mills swept away by fire. He is so pleased with this country that he proposes to move here with his family to spend the remainder of his days.

[Skipped the events after the fire.]

Winfield Courier, August 17, 1882.

Fire Insurance. S. L. Gilbert, represents the N. Y. Underwriters, Pennsylvania Fire, Phoenix of London & Union of California. Insure your property with him.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1882.

Water Works.

Mr. Frank Barclay is circulating a petition to the Council to grant him the right of way to lay water mains through the streets and alleys of the city. He proposes, if this right of way is granted, to go immediately to work and put in a complete system of Water Works for the city at a cost of not less than fifty thousand dollars. He asks this right of way, and a company stands ready to put the works in at once. Mr. Barclay has purchased the mound east of town, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, where he will locate the reservoir. The water will be pumped from the river into this basin and conducted by mains throughout the whole city. The height of the mound will give the hydrants on Main Street a throwing capacity of sixty-nine feet, which will make a magnificent power for fire protection. The water will be furnished private residences at a cost of not exceeding six dollars per year. We regard this as one of the most important enterprises for the welfare and prosperity of our city ever inaugurated. The fire protection alone will be worth thousands of dollars. As it is now, we are liable at any moment to be swept out of existence, without being able to raise a hand to stay the devouring element. With the pressure Mr. Barclay claims, an ordinary fire could be drowned out in fifteen minutes. Aside from this the works will be of priceless benefit to us for household purposes, for irrigating gardens, grounds, and public enclosures, and make Winfield as attractive as any city in the country.

Excerpts from very long article...

Winfield Courier, December 28, 1882.

THE WATER-WORKS.

Address of the Senior Editor of This Paper to the City Council Tuesday Evening, December 26th, 1882.

Much stress is laid on the alleged reduction in insurance rates on goods and other property which would be caused by the erection of water-works.

As the effect would be the same whether the works were built and owned by the City or by Frank Barclay & Co., the insurance question cuts a small figure in this case; but we are informed by insurance agents that there would be very little reduction of rates in any case, and absolutely none unless the city should organize a paid and efficient fire department. The water-works is the engine, but the engine is useless in extinguishing fires without the accessories of a trained organization ready to use it at all times night and day; and it needs all the aids of hose, hose reels, hook and ladder company, etc., that any other fire department does. It must be remembered that all this costs money and taxation, so that what the owners of goods may reduce from their insurance fees they must pay in additional taxes.

We are told that $3,000 or even $6,000 a year is a consideration not to be compared with the dangers of losses from fires. Here we take issue. It is doubtful if all the losses from fires in excess of the insurance, in all the past history of Winfield, would amount to $3,000, much less to $3,000 a year. In calculating the chances of such losses, to put them as high as $1,000 per year in our present condition, would be extravagant. Of course, it is possible that a loss of many thousands should occur in any one year; so it is possible that a cyclone may destroy nearly every house in the city, but these chances are so remote that they do not affect our calculations or probabilities to any great extent and should not.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, January 4, 1883.

[From Green’s Real Estate News.]

BRETTUN HOUSE.

This building is constructed of the celebrated Cowley County stone, covering an area of 55 x 100 feet, three stories high with English basement, south and east fronts, and double deck eight foot piazza along the entire front.

The entire building is heated by steam, and lighted with gas. Each room is furnished with fixed marble basins and soft water. Stand pipes with hydrants on each floor. The boiler and engine house is built separate from the main structure, thus avoiding danger by fire.

All slop and waste water is taken from the building through waste pipes and under ground drains, which are double trapped against sewer gas.

Excerpts...

Winfield Courier, January 4, 1883.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

A New Water-Works Proposition.

Competent engineers tell us that a force which would throw water sixty feet high, directly from the main, would not throw water ten feet high through three hundred feet of hose, and that the shorter the hose the higher it would throw. It is then of the greatest importance as a fire protection that the hydrants be near together, and that they be much oftener than six hundred feet apart along the mains. The right to put in two to every block along Main street, and one to every block where pipes are laid on other streets, might double the value of the works for fire purposes, yet not cost the city over $75 in all for each extra hydrant, instead of $1,500 each, as under the Barclay ordinance.

Excerpt...

[WATER WORKS.]

Winfield Courier, February 1, 1883.

SOME PERTINENT ITEMS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCE NO. 167:

SECTION 1. That the right of way along the streets and alleys, and the privilege to construct, operate, and maintain a system of Water Works within the corporate limits of the City of Winfield, for supplying the City and citizens with water for domestic, sanitary, and other purposes, as well as for the better protection of the City against disaster from fires, be and is hereby granted to Frank Barclay, J. L. Horning, J. Wade McDonald, W. C. Robinson, J. B. Lynn, W. P. Hackney, and M. L. Robinson, of the City of Winfield, Cowley County and State of Kansas, their successors and assigns for the term of ninety-nine (99) years from the passage of this ordinance.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, February 15, 1883.

Frank Manny came near losing one of his hot-houses Sunday night. Someone had laid a wet coat on one of the flues, and during the night it caught fire. The fire spread to the greenhouse and before it was discovered much damage had been done.

Winfield Courier, March 22, 1883.

The horizon is brilliant with prairie fires every evening.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, March 22, 1883.

Some fiend tried to burn up Robinson & Morey’s brick-house Tuesday evening. The fire was started about the center of the sheds and engine house and burned through one side, leaving a hole in the building about ten feet square. The fire went out of its own accord. The fire was started on the inside of the building and the draft through from both ends carried it out. It is only a miracle that the building and machinery were not destroyed. A fellow who would do this kind of business ought to be harshly used if apprehended. The loss of this institution would be a severe stab to the material interests of our city. It is hard to assign any object for incendiarism in this case.

Winfield Courier, March 22, 1883.

The Council had a lively time on Monday evening with an ordinance letting the Brettun House block out of the fire limits. Charley Harter had erected an ice house to which Dorley, the carriage maker, objected, claiming that it added to his insurance rate. He had Harter up before the police court, so the matter was brought to the Council for adjustment. Holders of eight out of the twelve lots in the block were in favor of letting Harter have his ice house, so the matter was laid over till next meeting with the understanding that the suits be dropped and it be then passed.

Excerpt...

Winfield Courier, March 22, 1883.

Council Proceedings.

An ordinance was presented, relating to fire limits, and was postponed until the next meeting.

Winfield Courier, March 29, 1883.

Council Proceedings.

CITY OF WINFIELD, MARCH 23, 1883.

Council met in special session, on call of the Mayor.

The proposed ordinance amending the ordinance relating to fire limits was taken up for consideration by sections and sections 1, 2, and 3 were separately read, considered, and adopted by an affirmative vote of the three Councilmen present. The ordinance as a whole was then submitted to a vote upon its final passage with the following result: Those voting aye were Councilmen Wilson, Gary, and McMullen; nays one, and the ordinance was declared passed and approved by the Mayor.

The Mayor stated that he would, with the consent of the council, remit the fine assessed by the Police Judge against C. L. Harter for a violation of the ordinance relating to erection of buildings of combustible material, for the reason that the erection was an ice house necessary for the use of the hotel operated by Mr. Harter. On motion, the Council consented to such remission by an affirmative vote of the three Councilmen present.

On motion the Council adjourned. M. G. TROUP, Mayor.

Attest: L. H. WEBB, City Clerk.

Winfield Courier, April 5, 1883.

Frank Bowen appeared on the streets Monday with a big red fireman’s hat. This is a nucleus for a fire-brigade.

Winfield, Courier, April 19, 1883.

During the storm Friday night the lightning struck a millet stack at E. P. Young’s. It ran down through the center of the stack, setting fire to the middle of it. Mr. Young and a lot of his neighbors cut the stack in two and succeeded in stopping the fire.

Excerpt from article reflecting that 40 hydrants were placed in Winfield...

Winfield Courier, April 19, 1883.

Location of Hydrants.

The apportionment of hydrants leaves the part of the city east of the schoolhouse entirely unprovided for. It will take forty more hydrants to give these citizens the fire protection necessary.

Excerpts...

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, April 26, 1883.

The mayor allowed the standing committees for the ensuing year as follows.

On streets and alleys: Wilson, Kretsinger, and McGuire.

On finance: McMullen, Kretsinger, and Wilson.

On fire department: Kretsinger, McMullen, and McGuire.

On public health: McGuire, McMullen, and Wilson.

I covered in full the next item, as it contains some very important moves by the City Council of Winfield relative to “fighting fires.”

Winfield Courier, May 10, 1883.

[At City Council Meeting.]

J. Wade McDonald, attorney for the Winfield Water Company, appeared and filed and presented to the mayor and councilmen a notification and request from said Water Company, in the words and figures following, to-wit:

Office of the Winfield Water Company, Winfield, Kansas, May 7th, 1883.

To the Honorable Mayor and Council of the City of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas:

GENTLEMEN: You are hereby notified and requested to proceed with all practicable dispatch to have condemned in the name of the City of Winfield, the right to perpetually divest from the Walnut River, at a point thereon northwest of the north end of Walton Street, of said city, all such quantity or quantities of water as may be necessary to enable the Winfield Water Company, its successors or assigns, to supply the said City of Winfield and the inhabitants thereof, with water, in pursuance with the provisions of ordinance numbered 167, of said city.

This notification and request is made in pursuance with and under and by virtue of the provisions of section 14 of said ordinance, numbered 167.

The Winfield Water Company by M. L. ROBINSON, President.

Attest: CHAS. F. BAHNTGE, Secretary.

And thereupon upon motion of Councilman McMullen it was ordered by the mayor and council that the city do forthwith, by Joseph O’Hare, Esq., city attorney, present, in the name of the city, a petition to the Honorable E. S. Torrance, judge of the district court of the County of Cowley, State of Kansas, requesting the appointment of three commissioners to lay off and condemn to the use of the city the right to forever divest from the Walnut River at a point thereon northwest of the present north end of Walton Street of said city, so much of the water of and from said stream as may or shall be or become necessary to forever supply from day to day and from year to year said city and the inhabitants thereof with an abundance of water for the extinguishment of fires and for domestic, sanitary, and other purposes as specified and provided for in and by ordinance numbered 167, of said city.

On motion, the Mayor, Councilmen Kretsinger, and Mr. J. P. Short were appointed a committee to examine the question of providing the city with fire hose and carts.

G. B. Shaw & Co., were granted the privilege of erecting a windmill in the street near their place of business, subject to removal on order of council.

The Mayor appointed Giles Prater city marshal and street commissioner for the ensuing year, and on motion the council confirmed the appointment; the mayor then appointed E. S. Bedilion city clerk for the ensuing year, and the council refused to confirm, there being two votes for confirmation and two against; the mayor then appointed D. A. Millington city engineer for the ensuing year, and the appointment was confirmed by the council.

The city attorney was instructed to present an ordinance to prevent children from being on the streets at night. On motion the council adjourned.

Attest: L. H. WEBB, City Clerk.

Winfield Courier, May 10, 1883.

Acknowledgment.

I take this method of acknowledging the prompt payment in full for my loss by fire to my dwelling house and contents, and desire to say to my friends and the public, if they seek reliable and prompt insurance, to insure in the German Insurance Company, of Freeport, Illinois, and with our townsman, Noble Caldwell, the company’s agent for Cowley County.

J. W. COTTINGHAM.

Winfield Courier, May 31, 1883.

Insure your property against loss by Fire, Tornadoes, Wind storms and Cyclones, with S. L. Gilbert.

Winfield Courier, July 5, 1883.

Jno. D. Pryor, buys and sells real estate. Also writes fire, life, tornado, and windstorm insurance. [Had lands listed for sale in ad.] Call on or address, JNO. D. PRYOR, Winfield, Kansas.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, July 26, 1883.

Quite an excitement was caused Saturday by an alarm of fire. A very high wind was prevailing at the time, and had a fire ever got under headway, a large destruction of property would have been the result. The fire came from James Kirk’s mill, on Eighth Avenue. James F. Martin was in the lumberyard opposite and saw smoke arising from the roof around the smoke stack in time to give the alarm before it blazed up. But little damage was done.

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[CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, August 9, 1883.

The bids for fire department supplies were referred to the fire department committee.

Contract for New Hose Carts and Fire Hose.

Winfield Courier, August 9, 1883.

Messrs. English Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri, were awarded the contract by the City Council to furnish the city one thousand feet of fire hose and two hose carts. The hose purchased is the celebrated Excelsior grade manufactured by the Boston Belting Company, who are the oldest manufacturers of fire hose in the country. The hose carts are of the Silsby Manufacturing Company’s make. The names of the manufacturers in each case is a guarantee of strictly first class goods. Messrs. English Bros. were represented by Mr. Maynard Miller, a gentleman thoroughly posted in this business.

[CITY COUNCIL.]

Winfield Courier, August 23, 1883.

At the special session of the council Monday evening, a tax levy of 5 mills for general purposes, 2½ mills for fire department supplies, and 5 mills for paying off the Carpenter judgment, was made—12½ mills in all.

An application for levy for water works rents was made and earnestly pressed by councilman Kretsinger, but the council seemed to think it was time enough to make the levy after the contract had been completed and so sat down on the proposition very hard.

Hose Carts and 1,000 ft. of Hose: $1,400.

Winfield Courier, September 13, 1883.

Our New Water-Works.

The two hose carts and one thousand feet of hose for the city, representing fourteen hundred dollars, arrived Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon the hose was attached to the fire-plugs on Main street, the pressure put on, and the street fairly deluged with the bright, clear water of the Walnut. Solid streams shot over a hundred feet into the air with terrific force. It was indeed a grand sight to see the crystal drops sent whirling through the air from the five or six plugs running at once. Only a third of the power of the huge engine was brought to bear and yet so strong was the force that the nozzle of the hose at several different times downed the efforts of four or five men and they went sprawling around over the ground like some great serpent. The “fire company” turned the stream on everybody who ventured near enough, and the number of “drowned rats” was appalling to see. It produced much jovial excitement and was engineered by our city marshal, G. W. Prater. A constant pressure is now kept on the pipes and over fifty persons have taken water. Many lawn sprinklers are now affording relief from the brazen elements. But one leak has been found in the entire piping since the first test, which certainly reflects great credit upon the workmanship of Mr. John Maxwell, the contractor. The next thing in order to the completion of our fire department is the organizing of a fire company; this done, we can down any blaze that pokes up its head. The extraordinary ability of the superintendent, Frank Barclay, as a draughtsman, plumber, and machinist has been finely demonstrated by the quality and adeptness of the water-works machinery. Frank’s knowledge in this line can’t be beaten.

Winfield Courier, September 20, 1883.

Fire, Tornado & Cyclone insurance in best companies. S. L. Gilbert, P. O. Building.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, October 18, 1883.

An Explosion.

Rev. D. Thomas’ parlor cook stove exploded last Thursday morning, throwing over a coal oil lamp and setting the whole room on fire. He had just started a fire in it, put in some meat, closed it up tight, and gone out. There were a number of cartridges on a shelf which were ignited and went off, making the neighbors think a small battle was raging in that vicinity. The damage will be upwards of fifty dollars.

WINFIELD. FIRE.

Winfield Courier, October 25, 1883.

A small fire occurred at Charlie Black’s residence Wednesday morning. The family were away and conductor Lockwood was sleeping in the house. He came in after leaving the train and built a fire in the parlor stove before retiring. The fire got too hot and set the wall ablaze. The siding had to be torn off and about $25 worth of damage done in putting it out.

Winfield Courier, November 1, 1883.

A delegation of Newton officials, consisting of Messrs. N. J. Burdick, Jas. Geary, and W. P. Walters of the city council of Newton, Charles Bucher, city attorney, and W. D. Tourtillott, county commissioner, were in the city Tuesday, their object being to inspect our system of waterworks, with a view to adopting this or a similar system in that city. The waterworks officials took them in hand, showed them the extent of the pressure by attaching the hose to a fire-plug, and gave them facts and figures relative to the cost and success so far of our works. The gentlemen have examined the works at Topeka, Emporia, and other places. They expressed themselves highly pleased with our works, and it is probable that Newton will adopt the same system and have waterworks in the near future.

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Winfield Courier, November 15, 1883.

Council Proceedings.

Petition of M. J. Stimson for permit to erect frame building within fire limits, was rejected by the council.

The following bills were allowed and ordered paid.

Frank Barclay, piping, etc., to drinking fountains: $34.75.

Two Fire Companies Proposed.

Winfield Courier, November 22, 1883.

Fire Companies.

It is getting about time to organize fire companies in this city. We have the water, the hose, carts, and every necessary appliance except men to handle them. Let the Council, or someone in authority, arrange for the organization of rival companies, one in each ward, and get up some life and competition in the matter. The insurance rates have already been reduced from fifteen to twenty-five percent, but if some means of handling our fire protection is not speedily perfected, the old rates will be restored. Let everyone take hold of this matter and let us have two fire companies.

Winfield Courier, November 22, 1883.

Go to J. F. McMullen, 9th ave., Winfield, Kansas, to insure against Fire, Lightning, Wind storms, Cyclone, or Tornado in the GERMAN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY of Peoria, Illinois.

WINFIELD. POTENTIAL FIRES.

[Next Two Articles.]

Winfield Courier, November 29, 1883.

Dr. Taylor discovered an incipient fire on Tenth Avenue last week that might have proved very destructive. Someone had thrown hot ashes out in the alley running from 10th to 9th Avenues near the rear of Hendrick & Wilson’s hardware store. The live coals in the ashes ignited some loose trash and the whole was just ready to break into a blaze when the Doctor passed by and gave the alarm. Had it got started, the row of wooden buildings between the Torrance-Fuller block and Baird’s would have certainly gone, and while it would not have been much of a loss to the city, it would have been severe on the owners and occupants. The moral which adorns this tale is, don’t throw live coals out until they are dead, or strangle them before you leave them.

Winfield Courier, December 6, 1883.

Someone threw a cigar stump into a pile of straw in the alley back of Baden’s headquarters, which came near making a first-class fire, but was discovered in time.