A. H. ACTON.

                                                          Bolton Township.

                               Justice of the Peace at Salt City in 1877 and 1878.

Also: O. V. H. Acton and O. B. Acton. Relationship to A. H. Acton not known.

1886: J. W. Acton, East Bolton.

1921: A. G. Acton, Silverdale; Grant M. Acton, Ponca City.

                                                                      —

Bolton Township 1873: Abraham Acton, 41; spouse, Melissa, 35.

Bolton Township 1874: A. H. Acton, 42; spouse, Melissa, 37.

                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.

[GRANGES CREATE COUNTY COUNCIL IN COWLEY COUNTY.]

Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874.

Fifty-seven grange delegates, being nineteen granges repre­sented by three delegates each (the Lazette grange not being represented), met at the Courthouse in Winfield, on Monday, February 2nd, at 11 o’clock a.m., for the purpose of organizing a County council. The meeting being called to order Mr. A. S. Williams was made Chairman, and N. C. McCulloch, Secretary pro tem. The Council was then organized and the following officers were elected: A. S. Williams, Master; T. A. Blanchard, Secre­tary; A. T. Gay, Overseer; W. A. Freeman, Gate-keeper. A. H. Acton of Bolton Township, Simeon Martin of Maple Township, and John Irwin of Rock Township were elected Trustees. A Constitu­tion and By-laws were adopted, a copy of which we are sorry to say we have not yet received. After the matters pertaining to the County Council were satisfactorily settled, they proceeded to choose delegates to the State Council. The following are the delegates chosen: J. J. Johnson of New Salem, B. A. Davis of Silverdale, and Adam Walck of Grand Prairie.

[COWLEY COUNTY GRANGE.]

Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.

County Council.

COUNCIL ROOST, WINFIELD, KANSAS,

10 o’clock A. M., Feb. 3d, 1874.

Pursuant to a call of Deputy J. H. Werden, the delegates from the different subordinate granges throughout the county met at the Courtroom in Winfield. The meeting being called to order by the worthy Deputy, proceeded to temporary organization by electing brother A. S. Williams temporary Chairman, and N. C. McCulloch Secretary pro tem. Whereupon the Master appointed the following committees.

On Constitution and By-laws: J. H. Werden, Jos. Stansberry, and Frank Cox.

Committee on Credentials: W. H. Grow, H. H. Martin, and A. Walck.

Committee on Resolutions: T. A. Blanchard, John Irwin, J. C. Van Orsdal, C. G. Handy, and A. T. Stewart.

Adjourned to meet at 1:30 o’clock, p.m.

1:30 p.m.: Meeting called to order by the sound of the gavel, whereupon the committee on Credentials made the following report and declared the following members entitled to seats.

Pleasant Valley grange: Lucius Walton, E. Frederick, H. H. Constant.

Winfield grange: A. T. Stewart, J. D. Cochran, N. C. McCulloch.

Darien grange: W. H. Grow, John Irwin, Wm. White.

Eagle grange: Daniel Grant, Samuel Jay, J. Tipton.

Bethel grange: Jos. Stansberry, John Mentch, Geo. Yount.

Silverdale grange: B. A. Davis, Wm. Butterfield, S. C. Winton.

Beaver grange: W. A. Freeman, Warren Wood, J. A. McCulloch.

Grand Prairie grange: Adam Walck, W. P. Heath, Thos. Cooley.

Sheridan grange: Jos. Burt, H. W. Stubblefield, W. H. Clay.

Vernon grange: A. S. Williams, J. H. Werden, T. A. Blanchard.

Philomathian grange: H. H. Martin, A. H. Beck, John Boyd.

Richland grange: S. W. Phoenix, N. J. Larkin, Frank Cox.

New Salem grange: J. J. Johnson, C. C. Crow, J. C. Baker.

Centre grange: C. G. Handy, Ed Millard, A. T. Gay.

Committee on Constitution and By-Laws made the following report, which was unanimously adopted.

                                                         CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. The association shall be know as the Cowley County Central Committee of P. of H.

ARTICLE II. The object of this Council is to aid Patrons and persons connected with the business department of our order in buying supplies, in selling, in marketing, and shipping their surplus products, and for mutual consultation and action of all members upon matters that effect their financial interest, and relate to the good of the order.

ARTICLE III. This Council shall be composed of delegates from the subordinate granges of Cowley County and others adjacent thereto, as follows: one for each grange at large and one for each ten members or fraction equal to six, who shall be elected by the subordinate granges at their last regular meeting of the Council in February next following their election, and hold their office for one year, or until their successors are duly elected.

ARTICLE IV. The officers of this Council shall be a Master, Overseer, General Agent (who shall be ex-officio Secretary), Gate Keeper, and an Executive Committee of five, two of whom shall be the Master and Overseer. The Council agent shall be the Assis­tant State Agent within his council district, and shall give suitable bond to the Executive Committee of the Council for the faithful performance of duty. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the first regular meeting after the meeting of the State Grange in each year.

ARTICLE V. This council shall hold its regular meetings on the second Saturday of each month at 10 o’clock a.m. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for doing business.

ARTICLE VI. The Executive Committee shall have the general supervision of the officers of the Council, any three of whom shall constitute a quorum for doing business, and shall have the power to remove at any time the Council and appoint someone in his place.

ARTICLE VII. It shall be the duty of the Council agent to receive, bulk, and forward all orders for goods, under the seal of the State Agency and upon their arrival see that the same are properly distributed to the parties ordering. He shall levy such percent upon goods purchased, and upon products sold through this agency, as the executive committee of the council shall direct, and at the end of each quarter report the total cash value of such purchases, and, sales to the office of the Central State Agency. He shall keep a correct cash account of all money received and paid out by him as Council Agent and keep his books open to inspection at all times by the Executive Committee, and under their direction make arrangements with the retail dealers and business houses of his district for supplying goods to members of the order. He shall open a stock record, keep prices current from different localities that are deemed of importance, attend to the business correspondence of the Council, and perform such other duties as the Executive Committee or Council may from time to time direct, and receive such compensation for his services as the Executive Committee may designate, subject to the approval of the council.

ARTICLE VIII. Any article of this constitution may be amended or repealed at any regular meeting of the Council by a vote of two thirds of all the members present, provided notice of such change was given at some preceding meeting of the Council.

                                                               BY-LAWS.

SECTION 1. Each subordinate grange represented in this Council shall pay to the Council Agent a quarterly due of 25 cents for each delegate.

SECTION 2. Purchasing tickets shall in no case be transfer­able, but all members of the order shall be entitled to one; all tickets to be stamped with the seal of the State Agency kept in possession of each council agent, and when so stamped shall be good in any part of the state; one person is not to be permitted to do business on another ticket, but each individual entitled shall procure a ticket of his own.

SECTION 3. The rules of order of the Kansas State Grange as passed at the last session held July 30th, 1873, and found in the 1st Article of the By-Laws, shall be the rules of the order of this Council, with the following exceptions, viz: Where the word Grange is used read Council and consider the last clause of Section 1 stricken out.

SECTION 4. Order of business of this Council shall be as follows:

1st, calling to order by the Master and examination by the Overseer.

2nd, calling roll and reading minutes.

3rd, report from the Council Agent.

4th, report of the standing committee.

5th, report of special committees.

6th, unfinished business.

7th, new business.

8th, suggestions for good of the order, and financial prosperity of the council.

SECTION 5. The following standing committees shall be appointed by the Master of the Council.

1st, a committee on crop reports and the best method of marketing products on hand.

2nd, committee on warehouses, mills, factories, etc.

3rd, committee on banks, currency, and insurance companies.

4th, committee on taxation, transportation, and needed Legislation.

SECTION 6. Any of the by-laws may be amended or repealed at any regular meeting, by a majority vote of all the delegates present.

The Council then proceeded to permanent organization by electing brother A. S. Williams, Master; A. T. Gay, Overseer; T. A. Blanchard, Central Agent; Wm. Freeman, Gate Keeper; and A. H. Acton, John Irwin, and H. H. Martin Executive Committee.

The Master appointed the following standing committees: On taxation, transportation, etc., A. T. Stewart, John Irwin, and T. A. Blanchard.

County papers requested to publish. Council closed to meet on second Saturday of February, 1874, at 1 o’clock p.m. A. S. WILLIAMS, Master.

T. A. BLANCHARD, Secretary.

Mr. (?) Acton...

Winfield Courier, June 19, 1874.

A daughter, aged about five years, of a Mr. Acton, living near the south line of the county, was bitten by a mad dog last Friday. The father took the child to Wichita in search of a mad stone, and failing there, telegraphed to various places in search of one, until finally he heard of one in Howard County. He passed through here on Monday last with the child on his way to Howard. The dog was killed after having bitten some domestic animals.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 15, 1876.

LINES TO SUIT. A Little Evidence to Substantiate a Charge.

Mr. Walton, in last week’s Courier, denies the charge of fraudulent surveys, and says: “We defy any man, friend or foe, to substantiate a single charge reflecting upon our honor or integrity in our official capacity.” Now we do not desire a personal wrangle with the man, but since he openly defies anyone to “substantiate a single charge,” we gave place to the follow­ing, which can be verified by several others.

EDITOR TRAVELER: In the Courier of the 9th inst., I noticed an editorial making charges against you, and denying any charges made against Wirt W. Walton as County Surveyor.

In 1874 I employed him to survey a quarter section of land. On the east line, or near the line, there was a very valuable spring. I had my doubts about the spring being on my land, and so told Walton. I also told him that if, on surveying the land, he found the spring to be east of the line, I would like to have the corner so placed as to take in the spring, which would give me a chance to buy the land east of me. This he has sworn to in court in this town. He commenced the survey at a quarter section corner, and ran east 40 chains. This let the spring about ten rods off from me. The chainmen, O. C. Skinner and John Wooley, then stopped, when Walton shouted to them to go on, that he was running to the river. They then surveyed to the river, which was about thirty rods further east. From the river he ran back so as to give me the spring by two rods, and there placed a corner. He then changed the quarter section corner (which he stated he believed to be a Government corner) eleven rods, to correspond with the distance called for by the Government field notes. When the survey was over, he stated to A. H. Acton, of Salt Springs, in substance, that if trouble should follow, the corner he had removed would have to be put back.

I was not satisfied with the removal of the Government corner, and urged him to re-establish it. This he refused to do, stating as a reason that he had made other surveys to correspond with the removal, and it would be too bare-faced to do so. I then employed Mr. Kager to make arrangements to have him come down and re-establish the corner, or I would have him indicted in the United States Court at Topeka. He told Mr. Kager that as soon as the Legislature adjourned, he would come down and make the survey, so that I could establish or identify the corner in the future, as there would probably be litigation about it, and so mark it as a Government corner on the records. I do not say I paid Mr. Walton for making a corner to give me the spring, but I do say that to oblige me, as he thought, he changed a Government corner, or at least a corner that he swore in court had every appearance of a Government corner, and a corner that no one disputed. And if he so desires, a few facts not here stated, that can be sustained, might be given that will put an end to his acting as County Surveyor. WM. B. SKINNER.

[WIRT W. WALTON: SKINNER/MORE FACTS FOR OUR COUNTY SURVEYOR.]

Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.

LINES TO SUIT. A Few More Facts for Our County Surveyor.

Editor Traveler: For some inscrutable purpose, Providence sent W. W. Walton into the world, scarce half made up in brains, to vilify and abuse others through the columns of his dirty sheet, and as he has seen fit to attack me personally, I claim your indulgence to reply.

Every sentence contains a lie. To his first charge of leaving Illinois, I will only say that I was not the clerk in the House of Representatives who was kicked out of the back door of a fourth rate hotel at Topeka for having a mass of corruption in his room.

He lies when he says I sold land (or told him I did), describing it by metes and bounds. Walton swore that the corner he moved “had the usual marks of a Government corner.” You may believe him under oath or not, as you like.

He lied when he said I tried to steal land of Mr. Acton. I never claimed an acre of land that Mr. Acton claimed, or thought I owned any, until Walton, while surveying for Mr. Acton, cut off several acres of Mr. Acton’s land and gave them to me; and if I “tried to steal the land,” it must have been through this County official that I did it. I still hold the land, given me by this honest official, which (as he says) I tried to steal.

He was either a dishonest scoundrel in giving me Mr. Acton’s land, or a liar in making the charge.

I tried “to steal land from Mr. Myers.” Had he let the old corner stand, I should not have got the springs by eight rods, according to the field notes. He moved the corner about eleven rods and I now hold the springs (worth to my place five hundred dollars) by about three rods; so the fact still remains, that by moving the corner eleven rods, he gave me the spring by about three rods. Many thanks, Mr. Walton, whether you were paid for it or not.

Now, I assert that he lied, or ought to have known it was false, when he said I had a suit with Mr. Kay and had the costs to pay. The court, as the records show, ordered the costs on Mr. Kay, who paid them like a man. By his bungling, or ignorance of surveying (more likely the latter), he succeeded in getting us into trouble. Mr. Kay is out of pocket fully two hundred dol­lars, which he would have in his pocket today, but for that swell head, who promised to see him out, only to send him a bill of over ten dollars for his lordship’s attendance as witness.

He lied, and knew he was lying, when he said any one of the witnesses, either directly or indirectly, uttered a single word under oath that could be construed as reflecting on me.

He utters one truth when he says he was a witness in that case. He was, and he swore that “he had pencilings of the Government field notes.”

Finally, this brainless figure-head of the Courier says, “The TRAVELER gave Skinner a terrible skinning a short time ago.” This statement will be branded as a lie by every reader of the TRAVELER.

Come out, Wirt, for once, and act the man. Don’t try to cover your tracks by the old cry of “Stop, thief!” For your sake, and with the sincere hope that you may reform, I will not in this place ask you to explain how it is that your bills, to the extent of fifty dollars at a lick, are rejected by the County Commissioners. I will not produce the records to show that you have taken hundreds of dollars out of the tax-payers’ pockets, to pay for platting private surveys, and to which you had no legal right, whatever.

Now, Wirt, if you will reform, I will not speak of your survey where W. T. Estus, J. C. Smith, and others were interested—never lisp a word about little wash bills. And should you ever become a candidate again, you might get more than one vote in East Bolton—always provided that you can convince the public that you have truly reformed.

Wm. B. SKINNER.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.     

There were two law suits last Thursday. One before Judge McIntire, between Capt. Chenoweth and A. H. Acton, in reference to some taxes, and the other before Esquire Bonsall. The latter was brought by J. M. Felton against McCracken, of Lazette, for taking a watering pail. The defendant plead his own case, and was discharged, free of costs.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877. Front Page.

Coal at Salt City.

SALT CITY, KAS., April 28, 1877.

At a meeting called for the purpose of taking action with regard to the organization of a coal company at this place. On motion Mr. L. Small was elected Chairman and W. E. Chenoweth, Secretary.

A letter was read by Mr. Wm. Berkey, from Todd & Royal, with regard to their proposition, on the shaft already begun. Short speeches were made by the following named persons, concerning the past, present, and future coal prospects: Messrs. Foster, Broadbent, Acton, Mills, Ward, Berry, Chenoweth, Berkey, Reynolds, and Lewis. A lively time was had.

On motion of Mr. Wm. Berkey, an election of five directors for a coal company was ordered. This resulted in the selection of the following gentlemen: George Reynolds, J. H. Hudson, Robert Mills, L. Small, and Wm. Berkey.

Moved and seconded that H. B. Pruden be the Treasurer of the company. On motion, W. E. Chenoweth was chosen Secretary.

Messrs. Berkey and Mills were instructed to confer with Todd & Royal and make arrangements with them on a proposition to proceed with the old shaft.

Motion made by Mr. Lewis that the two men who confer with Todd & Royal meet the Board of Directors on Saturday, May 5th, 1877, at 10 o’clock a.m., and give their report of the result of the conference, and that they invite Todd & Royal to meet the board at that time in the schoolhouse at Salt City.

Motion carried that there be a meeting of the citizens of the vicinity, and all interested parties, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the same place, May 5th, 1877.

Moved and carried that the Arkansas City Traveler, Winfield Courier, and Oxford Independent be requested to publish these minutes.

On motion the meeting adjourned. L. SMALL, Chairman.

W. E. CHENOWETH, Secretary.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 28, 1877.

MARRIED. On Sunday, November 11, at the residence of A. H. Acton, in Sumner County, Kansas, by Esquire Acton, Mr. James C. Brian to Ada Morton; all of Cowley County.

[STABBING AFFRAY AT SALT CITY.]

Arkansas City Traveler, February 6, 1878.

Last Saturday night William Skinner and Hugh Steiner, aged about eighteen years, met in Frank Waldo’s store and engaged in some bitter words against each other. The bystanders knew that an ill feeling had existed between the two since the 4th of July, at which time the boys had a quarrel at a picnic, and thinking there would be trouble, sent for A. H. Acton, Justice of the Peace. Mr. Acton soon came and separated the two, took the pocket knife from young Skinner, and handing it to his son, asked Skinner to go home with him.

As they were turning to go, the knife was handed back to Skinner by Acton’s son. As soon as Skinner got the knife, he made a rush at Steiner and stuck him between the lower ribs, at the same time exclaiming: “There, d__n you, take that!” Steiner than ran out of the store accompanied by Acton’s son.

From the store they went to a hay loft, and hid by crawling under the hay. The matter was talked over, and it was concluded that it would not do to let it pass unnoticed, and a warrant was issued for the arrest of the avenger. After some searching, they were heard talking in the hay loft, and constable Sam Axley ordered them to come out. Young Acton did so, but declared that Skinner was not there. A lantern was procured, and the constable went into the mow and Skinner came out and gave himself up.

It was a very unfortunate affair, and the parents of both parties feel deeply aggrieved. There is too much of a desperate spirit manifested among men, and generally indulged in by boys to shoot or use a knife on the slightest provocation, that should be discouraged by all law-abiding citizens.

[COMMENTS ON SALT CITY STABBING: SKINNER/STEINER/ACTON.]

Arkansas City Traveler, February 13, 1878.

A Card.

Editor Traveler: In your notice of the stabbing affray at Salt City, the inference would be that Willie Skinner was entire­ly in fault, and as it may be judicially investigated, it is but justice to both parties to state the facts.

Until the day of the trial, I did not know of any difficulty on the 4th of July, and all I now know is what Mr. Steiner told me. Doubtless Willie Skinner was badly to blame for the language used on that day; but it is also a fact known to many that it would not have occurred but for the whiskey sold at the picnic, to minors and others, that day.

On Saturday last I sent Willie Skinner to Salt Springs, and in the evening he was in Waldo’s store. Some boys, ready to get others into trouble if they can escape, went to the church where Hugh Steiner was, and by rapping on the window and loud talk, succeeded in stopping the discourse and attracting Steiner’s attention. Steiner left the church and went with the other boys to the store, where the trouble began.

Esquire Acton stopped the disturbance, and Willie Skinner left for Acton’s house. Steiner, urged on by others, followed after and declaring the thing must be settled, raised his hand as if to strike. Then came the trouble. No “rush for Steiner;” no “d__n you, take that.”

Such, Mr. Editor, any responsible citizen of Salt Springs will tell you, and many will state further that Willie Skinner did only what the most of older men would have done. No trouble would have occurred between the boys had it not been for the meddlesome interference of others, who are far more to blame than either of the boys.

Three Justices sat on the trial, and fined Willie Skinner $10, which fact ought to satisfy any man that the blame was not entirely on one side. I will say that the father of Hugh Steiner acted like a gentleman, and reported the fuss as brought on by others. WM. SKINNER.

O. V. H. Acton???...

[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]

Winfield Courier, February 13, 1879.

SALT CITY, KS., Feb. 11, 1879.

The Lyceum elected new officers on last Friday night, as follows: President, James Lobdell; Vice Pres., O. V. H. Acton; Sec., Jas. Wilson; Treasurer, Dr. Arnold.

O. B. Acton???...

Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1879.

Hotel Arrivals.

The following is a list of arrivals at the hotels since May 8th, 1879.

CENTRAL AVENUE HOTEL. O. B. Acton, Salt City.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 25, 1880.

DIED. At Salt City, Feb. 22nd, 1880, an infant child of A. H. Acton.

Winfield Courier, May 4, 1882.

A Praise-worthy Movement.

GEUDA SPRINGS, April 27th. EDS. COURIER: Pursuant to the notice given after Divine service on Sunday last, a meeting was held at Odd Fellows’ Hall, Geuda Springs, on the 24th inst., to take steps toward building a large Booth or Tabernacle near the Springs, for religious worship. The object of the meeting was explained by Rev. Mr. Post and Dr. Cutler, after which the meeting was organized by electing Rev. McCamey president, and Dr. Cutler, secretary. After full discussion a committee of seven, consisting of Messrs. Cutler, Rice, Berkey, Snider, Acton, Mills, and Notestine were appointed an executive committee, to have the management of the building and the control of the same after being built.

On motion it was resolved to build Booth or Tabernacle with a seating capacity of two or three thousand.

On motion Bros. Post, McCamey, and Broadbent were appointed a committee whose duty it shall be to invite prominent ministers of all denominations to hold divine services in the tabernacle.

On motion the 3rd Sunday in May was fixed upon as the time for holding the first religious worship in the tabernacle, at 10 o’clock a.m. The committee was instructed to advertise the fact in the state papers.

On motion the meeting adjourned. J. W. McCAMEY, President.

GEO. A. CUTLER, Secretary.

Question: Item shows “O Bacton.” Could this have been “O. B. Acton”???...

Arkansas City Republican, February 14, 1885.

Santa Fe ships this week 1 car of cattle and 7 or 8 cars of hogs. O Bacton shipped the cattle, Barnett and Neff & Henderson the hogs. [O BACTON...???]

Arkansas City Traveler, October 21, 1885.

Letter List. Letters remaining uncalled for in the post office, Oct. 17.

Included on list: Mrs. Mary Acton.

J. W. Acton, East Bolton Township???...

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, May 22, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.

J. W. Acton, of East Bolton, came into our office this morning and reports the disappearance from his farm one of his black pony mares last Sunday night. Whether she was stolen or whether she has strayed off, he is unable to say. Mr. Acton offers a liberal reward for her return.

1921.

A. G. Acton, Silverdale; Grant M. Acton, Ponca City...

Arkansas City Daily Traveler, Thursday, October 27, 1921.

Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Acton of Silverdale received a telephone message last night announcing the arrival of twin baby girls at the home of their son, Grant M. Acton, of Ponca City.

[Above item was the last one that I found on “Acton.” MAW]