JAMES CHRISTIAN.
FACTS KNOWN:
JAMES CHRISTIAN BORN SEPTEMBER 29, 1819,
ISLA LECALE, DOWN COUNTY, IRELAND. SON OF ROBERT AND MARY CHRISTIAN.
1834, AT AGE 15, CAME TO UNITED STATES.
LOCATED IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. BECAME SADDLER.
1842, AGE 23, BEGAN STUDY OF LAW IN
KENTUCKY. HE PURSUED THESE STUDIES UNTIL HIS MEANS BECAME EXHAUSTED AND THEN
ALTERNATED WORK AT HIS TRADE WITH STUDY UNTIL 1851, WHEN HE WAS ADMITTED TO
THE BAR.
1846, AGE 27, MARRIED TO MALINDA G. ROSS,
DAUGHTER OF PHILIP AND REBECCA ROSS.
1851, AGE 32, BECAME LAWYER, COMMENCED
PRACTICE IN MISSOURI.
1854, AGE 35, CAME TO KANSAS AND LOCATED
AT LAWRENCE.
1855, AGE 36, ELECTED FIRST CLERK AND
RECORDER OF DOUGLAS COUNTY AND WAS CLERK OF THE PROBATE COURT.
DECEMBER 5, 1855, AGE 36, ADMITTED TO PRACTICE,
SUPREME COURT OF KANSAS. THIS IS THE DATE THAT THE KANSAS SUPREME COURT WAS
ORGANIZED.
He defended Josiah Miller, editor of a
Lawrence Free State paper, arrested and tried on the 15th of May, 1856, for
treason, and cleared him.
MAY 21, 1856, AGE 37, PRESENT AT THE
BURNING OF THE FREE STATE HOTEL. TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN THE SAVING OF LIVES AND
PROPERTY. SAVED THE LIFE OF SENATOR POMEROY, WHEN THE MOB HAD GATHERED WITH
ROPES TO HANG POMEROY BY GETTING HIM INTO CHRISTIAN'S OFFICE AND HIDING HIM.
ALSO, SAVED JUDGE MILLER OF LAWRENCE.
WINTER 1856-1857, AGE 37/38, MEMBER OF
THE FIRST TERRITORIAL COUNCIL AT LECOMPTON.
FROM 1857, AGE 38, UNTIL JIM LANE DIED IN
1866, JAMES CHRISTIAN WAS A PARTNER OF SENATOR JIM LANE.
He was a member of the Democratic
Territorial convention at Leavenworth November 25th, 1858.
March 1, 1859, eldest daughter George A.,
born at Lawrence.
He was a member of the Atchison
Democratic Convention, March 27, 1860.
1862, AGE 43, JAMES CHRISTIAN WAS
APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN AS COMMISSARY OF SUBSISTENCE IN THE ARMY, WITH
THE RANK OF CAPTAIN. HE HELD THIS POSITION UNTIL 1864, AGE 45, WHEN HE WAS
MUSTERED OUT.
1865, AGE 46, JAMES CHRISTIAN WAS
APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON AS U. S. ATTORNEY FOR DAKOTA TERRITORY.
1875, AGE 56, JAMES CHRISTIAN CAME TO
ARKANSAS CITY.
1879, AGE 60, JAMES CHRISTIAN HAD HIS EYE
SIGHT BEGIN TO FAIL HIM FROM WAR INJURIES.
2/3/1886 daughter Molly Christian married
Phillip R. Snyder.
3/16/1886 daughter Linda Christian
married Will Daniels.
1882, AGE 63, JAMES CHRISTIAN BECAME
TOTALLY BLIND.
1/21/1882 eldest daughter George A., wife
of A. W. Berkey, died.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 25, 1882.
Obituary.
[Eldest
Daughter of Judge James Christian.]
DIED. At the residence of her father, in
this city, on Saturday, January 21st, 1882, at 1 o’clock p.m., of consumption,
George A., [Georgia ?] wife of A. W. Berkey, aged 22 years 10 months and 13
days. The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church on Sunday last,
and the cortege that wended its mournful way towards the cemetery was the
largest ever seen in the city. The deceased lady was the eldest daughter of
Hon. James Christian, born at Lawrence, Kansas, on March 1st, 1859, and was the
first child baptized in the Episcopal Church of that city. During her residence
of several years in Arkansas City, her many sterling qualities endeared her to
all with whom she came in contact; by whom, and the bereaved relatives the
sadness of her passing away should be lost in the contemplation of that future
meeting, where they too, shall stand robed in immortality.
Winfield Courier, January 26, 1882.
DIED. Mrs. A. W. Berkey died very
suddenly at her residence in Arkansas City last Saturday. She had been sinking
for some time with consumption, but it was not suspected that she was so near
death’s door until Saturday morning. Her husband was in Kansas City and was
wired in time to catch the K. C. L. & S. train and came in Saturday
evening, but too late to see her alive. We deeply sympathize with him in this
affliction. Mrs. Berkey was a daughter of Judge James Christian, and was born
at Lawrence in 1859. She was the first child baptized in the Episcopal Church
in the State. The loss of this, his eldest daughter, is a sad blow to the
Judge. She has been the mainstay of his declining years, and since the failure
of his eyesight, she has been almost the only light along the pathway of his
life.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 15, 1882.
Cowley County has the two oldest living
members of the Supreme Court of Kansas. Judge James Christian, of Arkansas
City, is the oldest member; J. Marion Alexander, of Winfield, is the second.
They were both admitted at Lecompton the same day in December, 1855, the first
day the court was organized. Samuel D. Le Compt was Chief Justice, Rush, Elmore,
Saunders, and W. Johnson, associate Justices; Noel Eccleson, Clerk; and Andrew
J. Isaacs, United States Attorney. On the same day was admitted R. R. Reed,
Marcus J. Parrott, Edmund Brierley. But three of the above named gentlemen are
living: Judge Christian, Jude Le Compt, and Col. Alexander.
1895: APRIL 14, 1895, AGE 76, JAMES
CHRISTIAN DIED.
SOURCE:
Civil War on the Western Border 1854-1865
By Jay Monaghan
Boston - Little Brown and Company - Toronto
Copyright 1955, by James Monaghan
Reprinted July 1955
BOOK CAME FROM WINFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Page 21: The Emigrant Aid Company [New
England] began work on a fine concrete hostelry called the Free-State Hotel or
Eldridge House, for the lessee, Shalor Eldridge. The roof of the building was
constructed with portholes at the top of the walls.
Pages 56-57: May 21, 1856.
The proslavery "army" had been
ostensibly a posse under the direction of United States Marshal Donaldson and
Sheriff Samuel Jones. Governor Shannon was conspicuously absent. As a representative
of President Pierce on the eve of a contention in which he hoped to be
renominated, Shannon wished to make no false step. The "army"
encamped, as they had in December 1855, along the Wakarusa, four miles from
town.
The Eldridge brothers, businessmen as
well as politicians, feared the destruction of their expensive furnishings in
the Emigrant Aid Company's hotel. They drove over to the enemy lines to tell
the commanders that they would personally aid in serving any legal warrants
which the officers might have, if their property were spared.
Colonel Harry Titus, a new man who had
been discussed in the Lawrence papers as a Florida pirate, announced
emphatically that the newspaper presses in town would have to be destroyed to satisfy
the boys from South Carolina.
The Eldridges returned to town, fearing
trouble. On Massachusetts Street, the crisis was discussed, and the frightened
citizens, with no leader to advise them, decided to continue the old policy of
nonresistance preached by their imprisoned "Governor" Robinson.
Early on the morning of May 21, 1856, the
citizens of Lawrence saw horsemen in military array on Mount Oread. The rising
sun shone on the grim barrels of cannon pointed toward the city. Red banners
flapped in the wind against the green slope. Far to the south, companies could
be seen marching along the California road, wheeling to the right, coming to
reinforce the "soldiers" on the hill. Soon a few scouts walked into
town, looked around for possible resistance. Reassured by the citizens, they
walked out again. Then United States Deputy Marshal W. F. Fain rode down the
street with a posse in shirt sleeves. He deputized six Lawrence citizens, among
them the Eldridge brothers, to help make arrests.
G. W. Smith, G. W. Deitzler, and others
were apprehended for treason, and the citizens made no protest. The Eldridges
then invited the United States officers to dinner in the Free-State Hotel, and
everything seemed to be progressing peaceably.
At three o'clock in the afternoon Sheriff Jones clattered into town. He
arrested Jacob Branson, who had evaded him since the Barber affair, and still
there was no opposition. Then the sheriff ordered his men in line before the
Free-State Hotel, and called on Samuel C. Pomeroy, reputed agent of the
Emigrant Aid Company, to surrender all arms and the village cannon. Pomeroy
offered to wheel out the cannon but said the Sharps rifles were private
property over which neither he nor the Emigrant Aid Company had any
jurisdiction.
This was unsatisfactory, so the
"army" marched into town with fixed bayonets. General William P.
Richardson, of the territorial militia, was ostensibly in command. At the head
of the regiments and companies rode all the notorious Border Ruffians. With
one of the first battalions came George W. Clarke, Indian agent and alleged
murderer of Barber. With other units rode dignified A. G. Boone, the Westport
merchant. Ex-Senator Atchison led the Plate County (Missouri) Rifles. Dr. J. H.
Stringfellow, the editor, rode with the Kickapoo Rangers, apparently unashamed
of Brown's murder. Then came Henry Clay Pate, editor of the Border Star,
with colors presented his company by the females of Westport. Dark, handsome,
and romantic filibuster Titus rode with Buford's men. Ladies adored his
complexion, but on horseback his increasing girth showed disadvantageously.
Friends wished him luck with the grandiose saloon and gambling establishment he
planned for Kansas City.
Pages 60 and 61:
The sacking of Lawrence frightened
property owners in Kansas City. Townsmen warned the Eldridges to sell the
interest they had acquired in the American Hotel there, lest it be destroyed
and thus give the community a bad name. The brothers realized that they could
not keep Ex-Governor Reeder hidden any longer.
They asked Kersey Coates, the successful
Pennsylvanian, to arrange with a steamship captain to stop for a passenger at a
wharf six miles below town. Then a suit of workman's clothes was purchased for
Reeder. The ex-governor shaved off his distinctive side whiskers. Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Eldridge took his heavy valise between them, walked out the front door,
and crossed the levee to a waiting skiff. The disguised ex-governor came down
the stair later, clay pipe in mouth, ax in hand. In the street a mob was
gathering to hear a speaker blast the abolitionists. Reeder listened for a few
minutes, the picked up his ax and walked to the skiff where his valise was
waiting. The oarsman shoved off and the ex-governor escaped.
Details of the capture of Robinson, the
escape of Reeder, and the sack of Lawrence were on everybody's lips as a
convention of the leading politicians in Illinois assembled on May 29, 1856, to
organize the Republican Party in Illinois and work with the national
organization. Abraham Lincoln, Whig leader in the state, had been loath to
leave his party. Yet he had shown interest in this convention from the first.
Page 91. Among the wagon trains rumbling
into Kansas rode most of the militant free-state men who had fled the
territory. The stubby Scotsman, Richard J. Hinton, was reported to be leading a
party of five hundred footmen armed by the Boston humanitarian, Theodore
Parker. Shalor W. Eldridge, the free-state hotel man, led still another
wagon train with Samuel C. Pomeroy, the Emigrant Aid Company's agent. Both had
witnessed the May raid on Lawrence and gloried in the retribution rolling
across the prairies.
Pages 127-128.
His persistence paid and in April, 1861,
James Henry Lane was elected to the United States Senate, boasting later that
of the fifty-six legislators who supported him forty-five wore shoulder
straps--"Doesn't Jim Lane look out for his friends?" Bankrupt but triumphant, the Grim Chieftain
laid aside his calfskin vest and sealskin coat so familiar to Kansas audiences,
boarded up the small slab-sided cabin on the bare lot he called home, and
borrowing money for a broadcloth suit, set off for Washington. Lincoln had been
President for approximately six weeks when the Grim Chieftain arrived with his
coterie of fellow politicians and newsmen. War clouds frowned blackly over
Virginia. Rebels were reported concentrating to take the Federal arsenal at
Harpers Ferry, and also the navy yard at Gosport. Washington seethed with
hysterical rumors--the White House to be burned, the President
assassinated! Senator Lane sprang heroically
into the breach. He organized his followers and other Kansans in Washington
into what he called the Frontier Guard. Armed with Sharps rifles and cutlasses,
they marched to the Executive Mansion and bivouacked in the East Room, Lane
with a brand-new sword given him by Colonel Hunter, who was still suffering
from his broken collarbone. At midnight on April 18, 1861, the President and
Secretary of War appeared in the door. The guard lined up for review.
Dan Anthony, Thomas Ewing, Jr., Samuel
Pomeroy, and J. A. Cody stood with others in the ranks.
Captain Jim Lane, with a dramatic scowl
on his face, stalked before the detachment. If we must have war, let men from
the Western border start it here!
SOURCE:
WINFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY.
NOTE:
BOOK HAD COME FROM ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN COLLEGE LIBRARY.
BOOK:
PUBLICATIONS OF THE KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
EMBRACING RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY DAYS IN KANSAS
BY SHALOR WINCHELL ELDRIDGE
VOLUME II - 1920
KANSAS STATE PRINTING PLANT
IMRI ZUMWALT, STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA, 1920
Pages 184-187.
QUANTRILL'S
RAID.
Day has just dawned on the 21st of
August, 1863, preceded by a restless and sultry night, with but short
refreshing sleep overlapping the morning hours. Only the earliest risers were
astir. Busy people had just awakened and few had left their rooms. About the
hotels and boarding houses only was the stillness disturbed by the morning
preparations for guests. At the Eldridge House the help were just entering upon
their respective duties and the guests were locked in slumber, when only those
alert or most easily wakened heard a few desultory shots, fired at a distance,
but in a minute followed by volleys much nearer. Then all at once bedlam broke
loose, with whooping and yelling, a storm of promiscuous firing, and the
clattering of a thousand hoofs on the hard-beaten streets as horsemen dashed
through the town, many of them at a mad gait, firing at everyone they saw
running and into every window of the hotel where a head was
exposed.
The first volleys were generally
attributed, by those who heard them, to a company of young recruits encamped in
the town, celebrating their equipment, for which they had been waiting. But the
yells and savage whoops, with horrid imprecations; the clattering of horsemen
and promiscuous shooting, incessant and irregular; the squads dashing through
the streets, intoned with the rolling thunders of the gong that reverberated
through the halls, awoke the slumbering occupants to a full realization that
the fears of the most timid had been surpassed; that what had been conceived
impossible had happened--the bushwhackers, a name expressive of all that was
most atrocious in warfare, were upon them and in undisputed possession of the
town.
The help of the Eldridge House, mostly
colored, with an instinctive dread of the "secesh," as they termed
the rebels, on the first sound of danger took alarm and fled, running to the
brushy ravines and over the abrupt bank of the river. This instinctive dread
doubtless saved many lives, as but few of them fell victims.
As the occupants of the hotel hurriedly
left their rooms and tried to learn the true condition of affairs, the limited
views from the windows overlooking the streets furnished all the information
they could obtain. That that was appalling and gave not the slightest ground of
hope for safety or escape. Even this source of information was curtailed, as
the appearance of a head at a window was certain to draw a shot from the raiders
who were constantly dashing by, and with drawn revolvers intently watching the
building. One glance was enough to reveal the character of the catastrophe that
had come upon Lawrence in its most appalling features. Dead bodies could be
seen along the sidewalks; men pursued and shot down; any attempt at escape only
provoked a fatal shot from a revolver. After the first dash in taking
possession of the town, the raiders, drawn to the business street for the
purpose of looting, closed these posts of observation. But the savage yells and
loud curses, the shots, and incessant clatter of the demon riders, told more to
the ear than could be seen by the eye.
To aggravate the dread produced by what
was seen and heard, there was the uncertainty as to the strength of the
assailants. That they were veritable bushwhackers their manners and their deeds
proclaimed from the first. But what were their numbers? Only those who saw their approach to the town
could even conjecture. It had been held that only an organized army of
considerable strength would dare bring its forces within striking distance of
Lawrence. But what was this body? It was
far stronger than any band heretofore heard of, and to those who saw only the
investment of the town, their numbers were greatly magnified. On their first
attack their columns had spread out like a fan, and with squads dashing at the
top of their speed had within a few minutes taken possession of every quarter
of the place, spreading consternation and marking their course by the dead
bodies of their victims, the piercing shrieks of the wounded, and the cries of
widowed women and orphaned children. The rapidity of their movements and the
extent of their occupancy within so short a time multiplied every estimate of
their numbers; and the boldness of the invasion, the confident manner of the
leaders, with the abandon of recklessness that everywhere marked their
followers, impressed everyone with a sense of a force impossible to resist.
With the first dash of the raiders the
night clerk of the Eldridge House sounded the gong through the corridors with a
prolonged roll that aroused all the sleepers but one--an eminent judge who
slept through the storm undisturbed until wakened by the hostile guard an hour
afterward and marched with the other guests out of the hotel in his stocking
feet.
On an informal consultation it was found
that there were only two muskets that had been retained, contrary to orders, by
members of the military company, but without ammunition. What revolvers were in
possession of the guests were found to be in much the same condition as the
muskets. Even an army officer, stationed for the time at Lawrence and stopping
at the hotel, found his brace of revolvers, like his uniform, only a dangerous
encumbrance, as he had waited for an emergency before supplying himself with
ammunition.
The first swoop of the savage riders
closed all avenues for escaping unobserved. To sally out in a body imperfectly
armed, with no common point of rally or known place of safety, was to invite
extermination from an overwhelming force eagerly watching for such an
opportunity. The ground floor of the hotel was devoted to storerooms, and the
broad stairway leading up to the hotel department offered an admirable
opportunity for defense against assault. This, with the unknown and probably
over-estimated force for resistance which it might contain, saved it from
attack. But a vigilant watch was kept upon it. The bushwhackers' code of
warfare forbade unnecessary exposure, as redemption of prisoners was
impracticable, and wounded comrades would be a fatal hindrance to the rapidity
of their movements. Both cellars and stairways were continuously approached and
seldom entered by them. Fire was a more effective as well as a safer weapon
than revolvers in such cases. The band, drawn together by criminal instincts
and beastly passions, on the first taste of blood gave rein to individual
caprice, many of them indulging boastfully in a gluttony of blood. To Quantrill
and the less brutal of his followers it was the abundant booty, the hundred
columns of curling smoke clouding the sky, the heavens licked by mammoth
tongues of flame, the fiery eruptions of burning buildings announcing the
complete control of the destroying element, the fierce crackling of a multitude
of fires, the muffled thunder of falling walls, and the smoking ruins of a
demolished city, glorying in its name and loyalty, that offered the crowning
triumph of their hazardous expedition.
A review of the situation made it
apparent that indiscriminate killing, only so far as to prevent resistance,
except in the case of soldiers, "red-legs," and certain proscribed
individuals, was an incident rather than a purpose. But the line between
incident and purpose was shadowy and left to be determined by individual
caprice. As it was apparent that any show of resistance could only hasten
impending doom and aggravate the assailants, it seemed to be the instinct of
all to accept their fate and wait with a blind hope for some turn of events.
Nothing seen or heard from without gave any hope other than of fate deferred.
One or two who had escaped from their pursuers and found temporary refuge in
the hotel only added to the gloom by accounts of indiscriminate killing, not
excepting those who had surrendered or made no attempt to escape.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN IS MENTIONED.
The rear windows of the hotel commanded a
view of west Lawrence and gave safe points for observation. No shade trees
obstructed the vision, and Central park was a ravine with scattering trees, filled
with a growth of underbrush. From the upper hall and windows could be seen
squads of riders dashing around from point to point, seemingly in a mad chase
after game with fugitives in a race for life, making for the brushy ravines. A
striking feature of the heartless scene was a lady in a riding habit
contrasting with the careless and dingy garb of her escort, accompanying a
squad and seeming to lead them, riding with the abandon of the boldest raider,
and scurrying from house to house, parleying at each in her circuit of
dwellings in west Lawrence. She proved to be Sally Young, a seamstress who held
a situation at the Eldridge House. She had been enjoying an early horseback
ride with S. S. Horton, and was cut off by a band of raiders closing around the
town. Her escort eluding his pursuers and escaping into the country, she
submitted to capture, and by her dashing fearlessness won over her captors and
drew upon their gallantry for the protection of a list of assumed
"brothers," "brothers-in-law," "cousins," and
"kinsfolk," embracing all the families of her acquaintance whose
names she could recall--among them Governor Shannon, W. H. R. Lykins, and
"Jimmy" Christian.
NOTE:
THERE WAS MUCH MORE TO THIS STORY, BUT I MAINLY WANTED
TO COVER EVENTS UP TO SALLY YOUNG SAVING CHRISTIAN.
IT IS APPARENT FROM READING THIS THAT HE LIVED IN WEST
LAWRENCE.
Comments by Col. Shalor Winchell
Eldridge.
Having completed the railroad contracts
in which for some ten years I had been engaged, I was drawn into this current
of emigration, and in company with S. C. Pomeroy and William Lyman I left my
home in Southampton, Massachusetts, and arrived at Kansas City on the 3rd day
of January, 1855.
While moved as others were, by the desire
to help make Kansas a free state, I felt that I could aid the cause best in the
way of business by accommodating and forwarding immigration, and my special
purpose was to take charge of a hotel in Kansas City which had been purchased
by the Emigrant Aid Company as a part of their establishment. The management
and lease of the hotel had been urged upon me by Mr. Pomeroy, and having known
him from boyhood, the offer was accepted and I set out with him at once to take
over the business. . . .
On approaching Kansas City, Pomeroy, who
had had experience in the southwest and appreciated the estimation in which a
military title is held in the "land of chivalry," turning to me said:
"Eldridge, if you will address me as
'General,' I will reciprocate by calling you 'Colonel.'"
"It is a bargain," said I; and
thenceforth our mutual introductions were in accordance with the strictest
rules of military etiquette. This reciprocal brevet proved as effectual for
both of us as would official commissions, and our military titles, assumed for
diversion, have adhered to us through life.
The only hotel in the town was the Gillis
House, situated on the levee. It had been purchased for the New England
Emigrant Aid Company, to be used as a depot for the "organized
emigration" which they were directing to Kansas. Being satisfied with the
business prospects that appeared so flattering, I accepted a lease of the
property from "General" Pomeroy, who was the financial agent of the
company. The building was renovated, the name changed to "American
House," and reopened to the public with improved service.
The pioneer party of antislavery emigrants left Boston, July 17, 1854,
and arrived in Kansas City, July 30. Mr. Pomeroy remained in Kansas City and
purchased the Union Hotel (now the old Gillis House on the levee), to be used
as a rendezvous for immigrants and agency of the society [New England Emigrant
Aid Society].
The Free State Hotel in Lawrence,
afterward made famous by its indictment and destruction before it had been
opened to the public, was under construction by the Emigrant Aid Company and
designed to be in readiness for the first immigration of the coming spring.
Thinking that it would afford a desirable extension of my business, I effected
a five years' lease of the property and in the autumn of 1855 went east to
purchase the necessary furnishing and equipment for the hotel. Returning in
November, I brought my family, consisting of my wife and four daughters, and
household goods, with the determination of making Kansas henceforth my
permanent home. Accompanying us were two of my former neighbors, Almin Clapp,
who assisted me in business for a time; and one who was destined to become the
founder of the school system of Lawrence and prominent in the religious work
and business affairs of the town, Charles L. Edwards. Mr. Edwards came out as
secretary to General Pomeroy, the financial agent of the Emigrant Aid Company,
and made his home in my family, both while in Kansas City and afterward in
Lawrence. We were also joined by my brother Thomas, who came to take a
partnership with me in business.
Page 89...
MRS.
LEARNARD'S STORY.
NOTE:
MARY SOPHIA ELDRIDGE BECAME MRS. O. E. LEARNARD.
"We came to Kansas City, Mo., in
November, 1855, remaining there at the Gillis House through the winter. About
the first week in May we arrived in Lawrence at the Free State hotel, where we
expected to spend five years. We came from Kansas City in ambulances, arriving
in Lawrence about four o'clock in the afternoon. Instead of staying in the
house a term of five years, we were only permitted to remain about two weeks,
when the hotel was destroyed and we were driven out of our home by a band of
outlaws who acted under the authority of the government of the United States.
This destruction of the town has been named 'the sacking of Lawrence,' and was
one of the numerous attempts of the Proslavery party, then dominant, to overawe
and suppress the free-state sentiment in the territory. Sheriff Jones, who led
the mob, claimed to be acting under an order of the Federal court, based on indictments
against the Free State hotel, Governor Robinson's house, and other buildings,
and the printing presses. The people were powerless to protect themselves, and
it would have been treason to offer resistance. The hotel had not been formally
opened, but was to have been the following week.
The only persons rooming in the hotel,
besides the family, were Charles L. Edward, General Pomeroy, and S. N.
Simpson."
"The hotel was built of stone, three
stories and basement, with a broad hall running through from east to west. On
the right, as one entered, was the reception room; on the left the parlor,
handsomely furnished. Just beyond the reception room was the office, and next
on the same side were the rooms occupied by the family. The stairs to both
upper and lower floors were opposite to our rooms and the office. The dining
room was on the southwest in the basement."
"On the morning of the 21st of May,
1856, as we looked from the west door we saw that the point of Mount Oread was
covered with tents, containing Capt. Wm. P. Fain and his posse of between 400
and 500 men. They could not be dignified by the name of soldiers, for they
really looked like the very offscourings of humanity. We hoped, even then, that
the hotel would not be disturbed. These invaders had been expected for some
time, and I can recall a consultation held between father and mother as to
whether it would not be best for mother to take the children and go down to
Kansas City on a small boat that happened to be here at that time.
"That mother was a woman of sterling
qualities, brave and true! She said, 'We
came here to make this our home, and I believe that it is right for us to stay
until we are obliged to leave.' And we
did stay until we were driven out.
"My father, thinking it good policy,
invited the marshal with his officers to take dinner at the house, in order to
convince the ruffians that the building was not an arsenal--for they pretended
to think it such--but the home of his family, and a place where the weary
traveler could find rest and refreshment. He treated them to the best the house
afforded, and although the food supplies of the town were rather limited,
father had large supplies of everything preparatory to opening the hotel.
"The ruffians accepted the
invitation, but it is needless to say that it did not have the desired effect,
for in a very short time after the family had had their dinner the little bell
boy brought the call bell from the office to the sitting room, struck it as he
placed it on the table, saying, 'Your father has been notified that he will
have just one hour and forty minutes to move his family and furniture.' . . .
My father thought it useless to try to save anything except such articles as
could be carried in our trunks. The excitement gave me strength [she had been
quite ill], and I helped dress my sisters, and they were sent over to Mrs.
Hoyt's back of the hotel. . . ."
-0-
James Christian saved "Senator
Pomeroy" and Judge Miller of Lawrence May 21, 1856, during the period when
the Free State Hotel was burned.
ONLY REFERENCE TO MILLER IS THE
FOLLOWING.
PAGE 52...
"The first attack was by one of the
companies under the leadership of G. W. Clark, a United States Indian agent,
notorious as the murderer of Barber. He had been assigned the destruction of
the printing office of the Kansas Free State, published by Josiah Miller
and R. G. Elliott, that occupied the upper floor over the store room of W. H.
and C. S. Duncan.
"The ruffians ascended the stairs
cautiously as if fearing an ambuscade, but once in the room they vied with each
other in the work of destruction. The press and fixtures were broken up with
axe and sledgehammer. Files and exchanges, with a six months' stock of paper
and a half-printed edition of the Free State were tossed through the
windows into the street and scattered by the winds over the prairie for a mile
around. Cases of type were carried to the river and thrown in. Boxes of books,
constituting a library of 300 volumes, were hacked to pieces with sabers; and
when the destruction was complete, the company marched back to its quarters,
each member carrying a mutilated book on the point of his bayonet. Another
company entered the office of the Herald of Freedom. The red flag of the
South Carolina company was hoisted over the building, and the work of
destruction begun. Everything pertaining to the office was reduced to complete
ruin."
SPECULATION: WAS THE OFFICE OF CHRISTIAN CLOSE TO WHERE
THE NEWSPAPERS WERE? WAS JOSIAH MILLER
LATER KNOWN AS JUDGE MILLER?
JERRY CASE BROUGHT US CLIPPING FROM
JANUARY 2, 1890, TRAVELER...
A
Portrait of Jim Lane.
Sunday's Topeka Capital contained
the following letter from Judge Christian of this city.
Hon. James Christian has given the State
Historical society a photo portrait of General James H. Lane. The portrait
represents Senator Lane as in 1862 standing, robed in military cloak and in
one of the most favorable and characteristic attitudes. He gives the society
also his own portrait, and writes the following letter to Secretary Adams.
"Arkansas City, Kan., December 23,
1889.
"Hon. Frank G. Adams, Secretary of
the State Historical Society.
"Enclosed find two photographs,
cabinet size, of two individuals with whom you were once acquainted, and
doubtless many of the early settlers of Kansas have heard of.
"This one of James H. Lane was taken
in 1862 at Washington, as senator of Kansas, at the age of 47. The other is his
old law partner, your friend, at 70, taken in 1889.
"If you think them worthy of a place
in your society, they are at your disposal.
I am, very respectfully, your old friend,
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
-0-
[FROM JERRY CASE...COWLEY COUNTY
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.]
BOOK:
KANSAS CYCLOPEDIA OF STATE HISTORY...
EDITED BY FRANK W. BLACKMAR, A. M., Ph.D.
VOLUME II OF TWO VOLUMES
STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY - CHICAGO - COPYRIGHT 1912.
Pages 524 ...
Quantrill, William Clarke, THE NOTORIOUS
GUERRILLA LEADER, was born at Canal Dover, Ohio, July 31, 1837, and was the
oldest of a family of eight children. His parents were from Hagerstown, Maryland.
Thomas H. Quantrill, his father, was a tinner by trade, and at one time was
principal of the Canal Dover Union school. His mother's maiden name was
Caroline Clarke. Young Quantrill is said to have enjoyed the advantages of good
training and at the age of sixteen years taught a term of school in Ohio. He
got into trouble and came to Kansas in 1857, working for Col. Torrey in Lykins
(Miami) county. He next taught a term of school in Stanton, Miami county, then
made a trip to Utah and returned with the suspicion of murder clinging to him.
During his residence in Kansas, part of the time under the assumed name of
Charley Hart, he acquired the reputation of a moral degenerate and was regarded
by those who knew him as a petty thief. He narrowly escaped lynching at the
hands of citizens of Independence and Jackson County, Missouri, for the
despicable part he played during the Morgan-Walker episode, in which he led an
expedition into Missouri for the ostensible purpose of liberating slaves,
killing one of his companions, and betraying the others, all of whom were
slain. He joined the southern sympathizers and during the Civil war was at the
head of a band of guerrillas, all of whom were experts in the use of firearms
and fought mercilessly under the black flag. On Aug. 23, 1863, at the head of
his followers, he led an attack on Lawrence, burning the town and engaging in a
butchery without a parallel in modern warfare. On Oct. 6 the same year he made
an attack on the Federal forces at Baxter Springs and killed about 100
defenseless soldiers. During the latter part of the war he and his followers
were driven east of the Mississippi river, and he was captured near
Taylorsville, Kentucky, May 10, 1865, after a fight in which he was badly
wounded. His death occurred at the military hospital in Louisville, Kentucky,
June 6, 1865.
---
Quantrill's Raid. At the beginning of the
Civil war in 1861 William C. Quantrill was living among the Cherokee Indians.
He joined a company which entered the Confederate service, serving for a time
with Gen. McCullough and later under Gen. Price. The discipline of an organized
army was not to Quantrill's taste, however. He wanted more freedom of movement,
especially in the privilege of pillaging the homes of those whom he vanquished.
Gathering about him a number of kindred spirits he organized a gang of
guerrillas and began operations in western Missouri.
As his success became more marked, he
grew bolder and made several raids into Kansas, plundering the towns of Olathe,
Shawnee, Spring Hill, Aubrey, and a few others. Early in March, 1862, his gang
of guerrillas had been declared outlaws by the Federal authorities, but
Quantrill cared nothing for the declaration. None of his raids in 1862
extended into Kansas over 15 miles and the people of Lawrence, being about 40
miles from the border, felt little apprehension that the city would ever be
attacked. True, some precautions were taken to guard against a surprise, but
they were generally of a desultory character and were not continued. When Gen.
Collamore became mayor he secured a small body of troops to patrol the city,
but the military authorities concluded such action was unnecessary and the soldiers
were ordered elsewhere.
On the night of August 19, 1863,
Quantrill assembled 294 men at Columbus, Missouri, where they were organized
into four companies and quietly the plans were made for an attack upon
Lawrence. Two of Quantrill's companies were commanded by Bill Todd and Bill
Anderson, "two of the most desperate and bloodthirsty of the border
chieftains." Other who accompanied
him were Dick Yeager and the James boys, who afterward became notorious. About
5 o'clock on the afternoon of the 20th they crossed the state line into Kansas,
within plain view of a camp of a small detachment of Union soldiers, but as the
guerrillas outnumbered the troops five to one, Capt. Pike, in command of the
camp, offered no resistance, contenting himself with sending word of the
movement to Kansas City. About 11 o'clock that night they passed Gardiner,
where they burned a house or two and killed a man. At 3 o'clock in the morning
they went through Hesper. The moon had gone down, and being ignorant of the
way, they took a boy from a house and compelled him to lead them to Lawrence.
The raiders entered Franklin 4 miles east of Lawrence at the first break of
day, but were very quiet, so as not to arouse attention. Two miles east of
Lawrence, they passed the farm of Rev. S. S. Snyder and shot him in his
barnyard. A mile further on they met young Hoffman Collamore, the son of Mayor
Collamore, who replied indifferently to the queries about his destination and
they fired upon him. Both he and his pony fell, as if dead, but the boy
recovered.
Mr. Cordley narrates that when they drew
near the town they seemed to hesitate and waver. "Coming from the
east," says he, "the town appeared in its full proportions, as the
first light of the morning sun shone on it. It is said some of them were
disposed to turn back. But Quantrill said he was going in, and they might
follow who would. Two horsemen were sent in advance of the troop to see that
all was quiet. They rode through the main street without attracting attention.
. . . They returned to the main body and
reported the way clear. They now moved on quite rapidly but quietly and cautiously.
When they came to the high ground facing Massachusetts street, not far from
where the park now is, the command was given in clear tones, 'On to the
town!' Instantly the whole body bounded
forward with the yell of demons. They came first upon a camp of unarmed
recruits for the Fourteenth Kansas regiment. They had just taken in their
guards and were rising from their beds. On these the raiders fired as they
passed, killing 17 of the 22. This diversion did not stop the speed of the
general advance. A few turned aside to run down and shoot the fleeing soldiers,
but the main body swept on down Rhode Island street. When the head of the
column came about to Henry street the command was heard all over that section,
'On to the hotel! On to the hotel!' At this they wheeled obliquely to the left and
in a few moments were dashing down Massachusetts street toward the Eldridge
house. In all the bloody scenes which followed, nothing surpassed for wildness
and terror that which now presented itself. The horsemanship of the guerrillas
was perfect. They rode with that ease and abandon of men who had spent their
lives in the saddle amid rough and desperate scenes. They were dressed in the
traditional butternut and belted about with revolvers."
These horsemen sat with bodies erect and
arms free, "some with a revolver in each hand, shooting at each house or
person they passed, and yelling at every bound. On each side of the stream of
fire were men falling dead and wounded, and women and children half-dressed,
running and screaming, some trying to escape from danger, and others rushing to
the side of their murdered friends."
When they reached the Eldridge hotel, the
raiders expected resistance and paused a moment in contemplation. Capt. A. R.
Banks, provost marshal of the state, opened a window, displayed a white shirt,
called for Quantrill and surrendered the house to him, stipulating the safety
of the guests. The raiders ransacked the hotel, but Quantrill bade the guests
to go to the City hotel, where they would be safe. The prisoners lost no time
in obeying Quantrill, who, strange to relate, kept his word with them. As soon
as the Eldridge house had surrendered, the raiders scattered all over the town
in bands of 6 or 8, taking house by house and street by street.
Says Cordley: "The events of the
next three hours has no parallel outside the annals of savage warfare. History
furnishes no other instance of so large a number of such desperate men, so
heavily armed, were let perfectly loose upon an unsuspecting and helpless
community."
Instead of growing weary of their work as
the morning advanced, they secured liquor that made them more lawless,
reckless, brutal, and barbarous than when they came. They said they had orders
"to kill every man and burn every house," and while they did not
fulfill their commands, they set about their task as if that were their
intention. They were a rough, coarse, brutal, desperate lot of men, each of
whom carried from two to six revolvers, while many also carried carbines. The
attack had been perfectly planned. Every man seemed to know his place and what
he was to do. So quietly were detachments made, every section of the town was
occupied before the citizens comprehended what was happening. With a very few
exceptions the raiders had their own way. For some four hours the town was at
their mercy--and no mercy was shown. Along the business street they did the
most thorough work, robbing buildings and shooting the occupants. Then the
torch was applied and throughout the town a reign of terror prevailed. Every
house had its story of incredible brutality or a remarkable escape. Many were
saved by their own quick wit and the bravery of the women.
Quantrill did not return the way he came,
for he had information that Maj. Plumb was approaching from the east with a
body of troops. After four hours' horrible work, all ceased their work of
plundering and assembled for departure. To avoid Maj. Plumb they went south,
crossing the Wakarusa at Blanton's bridge. They kept up their work of
destruction as they went away, burning nearly all of the farm houses they
passed. Gen. James H. Lane with a few followers pursued them, as did the
regular troops, but the raiders finally escaped to their hiding places along
the border. Lawrence spent the following week burying its dead, of which there
were 142, as nearly as an estimate could be made. For some time the intense
gloom and grief forbade any thought of the future, but the day came when they
rallied their spirits and rebuilt their town and homes.
In 1875 the legislature of Kansas
appointed a commission "to examine and certify the amount of losses of
citizens of the State of Kansas by the invasion of guerrillas and marauders
during the years 1861 to 1865." The
towns molested had been Lawrence, Olathe, Humboldt, Altoona, Paola, and Fort
Scott. In 1887 the legislature enacted a law providing for its assumption and
payment of these claims for losses.
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Lawrence, the county seat of Douglas
county, an incorporated city of the second class, is one of the oldest and most
historic cities in Kansas. In June, 1854, a few days after the passage of the
Kansas-Nebraska bill, the New England Emigrant Aid Society sent Dr. Charles
Robinson and Charles H. Branscomb to select a location for a colony. Some years
before that Dr. Robinson had passed the place where Lawrence now stands on his
way to California, and that spot was finally chosen as a site for the proposed
settlement. The first party of emigrants arrived on July 31, 1854.
Not a house had been erected and 25 tents
were pitched on the north end of Mount Oread, where the state university now
stands, to afford shelter while the first rude cabins were being built. The
second party of 114 persons arrived on September 9th, and a meeting was held on
the 18th to organize a town company. Two days later an organization was
effected, and on the 25th the work of laying out the city was commenced. The
new town was named Lawrence, in honor of Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston, Massachusetts,
who had been active in the movement to colonize Kansas with people opposed to
slavery.
About the time the survey of the city
began, a boarding house was opened by Mrs. Levi Gates and Mrs. William Bruce,
two women who came with the first party of colonists. A little later a second
hotel, called the "Astor House," was opened nearer the Kansas river.
By cold weather Lawrence had a population of 750.
The fact that Lawrence was settled by
free-state men drew forth the wrath of the pro-slaveryites against the
prospective city. In fact, before the first settlers arrived, some Missourians
had crossed over into the territory and gone through the form of taking claims
under the preemption laws, but very few of them complied with the provisions of
the law with regard to occupancy.
The first emigrants from New England found
two of these men--John Baldwin and a man named Sears--on the site of Lawrence.
The latter had improved his claim of 160 acres to some extent. Mr. Branscomb
bought this claim for $500, which was paid from the treasury of the society,
but Baldwin refused either to sell or to submit the question to the courts or
to an arbitration committee. Associating with him a lawyer and a real estate
speculator, the three proceeded to lay out a rival town, which they named
Excelsior. They attempted to remove a tent belonging to the aid society, but
were prevented, and Baldwin threatened to call to his aid 3,000 Missourians,
who would expel the free-state men. This did not intimidate the Robinson party
and Baldwin finally withdrew.
On Oct. 9, 1854, Dr. Robinson, S. Y. Lum,
John Mailey, A. D. Searle, and O. A. Hanscomb were elected trustees of the town
association, and on the 30th another party of 230 people arrived from the East.
On Jan. 16, 1855, the first free school was opened in a room in the rear of Dr.
Robinson's office with E. P. Fitch as teacher, and by Feb. 1 three newspapers
had been started--the Herald of Freedom by George W. Brown, the Kansas Pioneer
by John Speer, and the Kansas Free State by Miller & Elliott.
In March, 1855, a census was taken, the
district in which Lawrence was situated reporting 369 voters. With the opening
of spring a number of new buildings, including a hotel and several business
houses, were commenced. Three mail routes were established, connecting
Lawrence with Topeka, Leavenworth, Osawatomie, Fort Scott, and Kansas City.
Great progress was made during the summer and early fall, but late in November
came the Wakarusa war, which kept the people of Lawrence in a state of siege
for over a week, causing them to fear for the safety of their lives and homes.
The Free State hotel, built by the
Emigrant Aid company at a cost of some $20,000, was completed in the spring of
1856. It occupied the site of the present Eldridge House, and it was badly
damaged by a posse under Samuel J. Jones, sheriff of Douglas county, on May 21,
under pretense of serving some writs. At the same time the newspaper offices
were dismantled, the presses broken to pieces, the type thrown into the river,
stores and dwellings were looted, and Dr. Robinson's residence was burned.
Although Lawrence was incorporated by the
first territorial legislature, the citizens never organized under that charter,
because they refused to recognize the authority of a legislature elected by
alien votes. For the same reason they also refused to accept an amended charter
at the hands of the second session of the legislature. In 1857, realizing the
need of a better municipal government, the citizens adopted a charter for
themselves. This brought them into direct conflict with the territorial authorities
and for a time serious trouble was threatened.
The free-state legislature of 1858 passed
a charter bill, which became effective on Feb. 11, and on the 20th was held the
first city election. C. W. Babcock was elected mayor; Caleb S. Pratt, clerk; Wesley
Duncan, treasurer; Joseph Cracklin, marshal; Robert Morrow, P. R. Books, L. C.
Tolles, E. S. Lowman, John G. Haskell, M. Hartman, Henry Shanklin, A. J.
Totten. S. W. Eldridge, A. H. Mallory, L. Bullene, and F. A. Bailey, councilmen.
The legislature of 1860 "amended and
consolidated the several acts relating to the city of Lawrence" into one
act of 114 sections which was approved by Gov. Medary on Feb. 27. It defined
the corporate limits of the city as follows.
"Beginning in the middle of the
Kansas river, opposite a point where the east side of Maryland street
intersects the south bank of said river; thence south to the shore, and in the
east line of Maryland street 4,290 feet to the south side of Adams street; then
west 5,310 feet, to the west side of Illinois street; thence north 3,380 feet,
to the south side of Warren street; thence west 4,560 feet; thence north 5,500
feet; thence east 5,620 feet, to the Kansas river; thence continuing to the
middle of the same, and down said river to the place of beginning."
The first state legislature passed a bill
submitting to the people the question of the location of the permanent seat of
government, and on Nov. 5, 1861, Lawrence received 5,291 votes for the state
capital to 7,966 votes for Topeka.
The legislature of 1863 located the state
university at Lawrence, and on Aug. 21 of that year occurred the most disastrous
event in the city's history, when the guerrilla leader, Quantrill, with a large
force of ruffians, made a raid on the town, destroyed a large amount of
property, and killed a number of citizens.
THERE WAS MORE, BUT I QUIT AT THIS POINT.
Wakarusa
War.
During the summer and fall of 1855,
excitement ran high in Kansas on account of the struggle between the
free-state and pro-slavery parties. Several events occurred which made strife
between men of opposing political interests more bitter. Charles W. Dow, a
free-state man, was shot by Franklin N. Coleman, a pro-slavery leader of
Hickory Point, in a dispute over a claim. This occurred on Nov. 21, 1855, and
was the beginning of a series of difficulties which led to the Wakarusa war.
The culminating event was the rescue by free-state men of Jacob Branson, with
whom Dow had lived, after his arrest by Samuel J. Jones, sheriff of Douglas
county. Jones at once started for Franklin with his posse, and sent a dispatch
to his father-in-law, Col. Boone, at Westport, Missouri, asking for aid to
recapture Branson. Word was also sent to Gov. Shannon at the Shawnee Mission,
for 3,000 men to put down the rebellion at Lawrence. There are people who
believe that the whole affair was planned as a trap to catch the free-state men
and to serve as an excuse for the destruction of Lawrence.
Without ascertaining the actual condition
of affairs, the governor issued a proclamation calling out the militia of Kansas--which
really meant the ruffians of Missouri--to put down the rebellion at Lawrence.
The people of Missouri were ready and were not long in responding to the call.
Holloway, in his History of Kansas, says,
"For two or three counties back from the western line of Missouri, troops
were sent fully equipped and expecting to fight." In three days some 1,500 had rushed across
the border and were confronting Lawrence. Said Gov. Shannon: "Missouri sent not only her young men,
but her gray-haired citizens were there. The man of seventy winters stood
shoulder to shoulder with the youth of sixteen. There were volunteers in that
camp and fray." The main camp of
the besiegers was near Franklin, about 3 miles southeast of Lawrence, and the
other wing was in position near Lecompton, under command of Strickler and
Richardson.
In Lawrence preparations for defense were
going on. As soon as it was learned that a force was gathering on the Wakarusa,
all those concerned with the rescue of Branson were requested to leave
Lawrence. This was done to show that the town had taken no part in the rescue.
A committee of safety was appointed which
organized the citizens into guards of 15 or 20 men in a squad, by enrolling
them and taking their residence, so that they could be called out at any
moment. In this way they were enabled to pursue their business and still be
ready to take up arms at a signal.
The news of the threatened invasion and
the intention to destroy Lawrence spread rapidly through the territory, with
the result that the free-state men rushed to the aid of the besieged, until
there were probably 800 men armed and equipped for defense in the town.
The committee of safety appointed Dr.
Charles Robinson commander-in-chief of all the forces, with Col. J. H. Lane
second in command. Lyman Allen commanded the Lawrence Stubbs; Samuel Walker,
the company from Bloomington; Maj. Abbott, the Wakarusa company; a man named
Shore, the Ottawa Creek company; McWheeney, the company from Palmyra; and the
Pottawatomie company was under the command of John Brown, who arrived with his
four sons, arms, and ammunition just as the treaty of peace was about to be
signed.
Every house was filled with soldiers and
the free-state hotel was used as a barracks.
Five redoubts were built, which commanded
every approach to the city. The largest was erected on Massachusetts street
near the crossing of Pinckney. It was circular, made of hewn timber, against
which an earth embankment was thrown up about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide at
the top, while surrounding it was a deep entrenchment. It was designed as a
retreat for the women and children in case of an attack. The second line of
works was on Massachusetts street, consisting of three rude forts in a line
across Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island streets coinciding to that of
Henry street. The third was a circular redoubt built on an elevation a little
north of Henry street between Massachusetts street and was built to repulse an
attack from Mount Oread, should one be made in that direction. The fifth was on
Kentucky street, commanding an entrance from a ravine on the west. A cannon
which had been sent to Kansas City was also smuggled into the besieged town.
The siege was really commenced on
Saturday, December 1, 1855, and lasted about a week. The forces on both sides
were prepared for war. The defenders spent much time in drilling and
strengthening their position, while the invaders waited the command of Sheriff
Jones to move upon Lawrence. The Sharp's rifles that had been shipped to
Lawrence from New England became of immense value at this time, as the fear of
them kept the enemy from a sudden attack.
Blackmar, in his Life of Charles
Robinson, says: "It was a strange
spectacle, almost a comedy had it not been so near a tragedy, and in any case
was certainly a travesty on free government, for the United States Senator
Atchison to be commanding this singular horde, while Governor Shannon was
hurrying other commands to the scene of war. There was no excuse for it all.
The rescuers of Branson had left the town, and there was not a day in which
Jones might not go through Lawrence unmolested in doing his duty. He actually
did go to the town and return without being disturbed. Gov. Shannon became
alarmed first for the safety of the attacking Missourians, and second for the
safety of Lawrence. He sent to Col. Sumner, at Leavenworth, for United States
troops, but Sumner would not come without orders from Washington."
From the surrounding towns Lawrence
continued to receive reinforcements, who were usually surprised to find that
the inhabitants were strictly on the defensive instead of the aggressive as
reported by the pro-slavery men. Finally the citizens sent a delegation to the
governor to acquaint him with the true situation. Being incredulous, he was
persuaded to go to Lawrence to see for himself, and upon his arrival was amazed
at the situation. The besiegers and besieged were brought into conference by
him.
The governor, Col. Boone, of Westport,
Missouri, Col. Kearney, of Independence, Missouri, and Gen. Strickler, of
Kansas, were duly conducted to Lawrence and to the rooms of the committee of
safety in the Free-State hotel. Dr. Robinson and Col. Lane conducted the
negotiations on the part of the free-state men, as members of the committee of
safety, and after both sides of the question had been discussed, the governor
suggested that a treaty be drawn up and signed by the leaders, which was done.
Blackmar, in his Life of Charles
Robinson, says: "It was an
excellent way out of a dilemma, but here was another scene in the drama of
spectacular government; the town of Lawrence in rebellion, treating with the
Kansas militia, the latter commanded by officers living in Missouri."
The good will of the people of Lawrence
and their genuine desire to settle the war was shown by the treaty. After it
was signed Robinson and Lane accompanied the governor to the camp of the
militia, where Gov. Shannon persuaded them to accept the treaty and withdraw.
This was not easily accomplished, but the Missourians finally started for home.
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Pomeroy, Samuel Clark, pioneer and United
States senator, was born at Southampton, Massachusetts, January 3, 1816; was
educated at Amherst College, and in 1840 became an enthusiastic opponent of
slavery. He was present when President Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska bill,
and remarked to the president:
"Your victory is but an adjournment of the question from the halls
of legislation at Washington to the prairies of the freedom-loving West, and
there, sir, we shall beat you." To
assist in carrying out his prophecy he left Boston in August, 154, with 200
people bound for Kansas, and upon arriving in the territory located at
Atchison. He canvassed the Eastern states in the interest of the free-state
cause; was one of a party arrested by Col. Cooke on the Nebraska river in
October, 1856, but was released by Gov. Geary upon his arrival at Topeka; was a
member of the Osawatomie convention in May, 1859, that organized the Republican
party in Kansas, and served on the first state executive committee of that
party. In connection with his management of the aid committee for the relief of
the people of Kansas in the great drought of 1860 he was charged with irregular
conduct, but was exonerated in March, 1861, by a committee composed of W. W.
Guthrie, F. P. Baker, and C. B. Lines. On April 4, 1861, he was elected one of
the first United States senators from Kansas, and was reelected in 1867. During
the troubles over the Cherokee Neutral Lands, many of the people of the state
lost confidence in Mr. Pomeroy, and in 1873 he was defeated in reelection to
the senate by John J. Ingalls. It was in connection with this senatorial
election that State Senator A. M. York of Montgomery county made his
sensational charges of bribery against Senator Pomeroy.
The charges were investigated by a
committee of the United States senate and also by a joint committee of the
Kansas legislature. On March 3, 1873, a majority of the former committee
reported that "the whole transaction, whatever view be taken of it, is the
result of a concerted plot to defeat Mr. Pomeroy." Three days later the
committee of the state legislature reported Mr. Pomeroy "guilty of the
crime of bribery, and attempting to corrupt, by offers of money, members of the
legislature." He was arraigned for
trial before Judge Morton at Topeka on June 8, 1874, but a change of venue was
taken to Osage county. After delays and continuances the case was dismissed on
March 12, 1875. On Oct. 11, 1873, while the political opposition to Mr. Pomeroy
was at its height he was shot by Martin F. Conway in Washington, the bullet
entering the right breast, inflicting a painful but not serious wound. Conway
claimed that Pomeroy had ruined himself and his family. After the bribery case
against him was dismissed, Mr. Pomeroy returned to the East and died at
Whitinsville, Massachusetts, August 27, 1891.
-0-
Miller, Josiah, who started one of the
first newspapers in Kansas, was born in Chester district, South Carolina,
November 12, 1828. He was educated at the Indiana University, where he
graduated in 1851, after which he also graduated at the law school at
Poughkeepsie, New York, and in August, 1854, he came to Kansas. As his father
had been waylaid and mobbed because of his anti-slavery views, it was but
natural that Josiah should be an ardent opponent of slavery, and on January 5,
1855, he began the publication of the "Kansas Free State" at
Lawrence. A pro-slavery jury found an indictment against him for maintaining a
nuisance in the publication of this paper, and on May 21, 1856, his printing
office was destroyed by the territorial authorities. In that year he made
speeches in several states for John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate for
president, and in 1857 was elected probate judge of Douglas county.
In 1861 he was a member of the first
state senate, but resigned his seat in that body to become postmaster at
Lawrence. While in the senate he was chairman of the judiciary committee. In
1863 he was appointed a paymaster in the army, with the rank of major, and in
1806 was elected a member of the legislature. His death occurred at Lawrence on
July 7, 1870, after having a leg amputated. The inscription on the monument
erected to his memory in Oak Hill cemetery credits him with being the author of
the motto, "Ad astra per aspera," on the Kansas seal of state.
-0-
Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.
Business advertisement for "James
Christian, Attorney and Counselor, Arkansas City, Kansas. Formerly of Lawrence,
Kansas."
Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876.
James Christian was elected Police Judge
with 71 of the 73 votes cast.
Letter from Christian:
ARKANSAS
CITY, COWLEY CO., April 29th, 1876.
DEAR STANDARD: Of late I have been
somewhat remiss in giving you items from this section of the State. In fact,
there was but little to write about, and items of news are like cat feathers,
few and far between.
Our town is decidedly dull; you can
scarcely see a farmer in town, and when they do come, all the talk is about
wheat harvesters, reapers, droppers, headers, and such like.
Our merchants are doing little, except
Channell & Haywood, and the Benedict Brothers, agricultural implement
dealers. They seem busy putting up machinery for the farmers. Our streets are
blocked up with great big things that look like walking wind mills, but there
will be a demand for them all. You can have no conception of the enormous
amount of wheat to be cut in this county, besides rye and barley. I have no
doubt but that hundreds of men and machines from the northern parts of the
State could find profitable employment during the harvest in this county. There
must and will be a scarcity of hands and machines, there is so much to cut and
so little time to do it in.
Our weather is now very warm and grain
coming on rapidly. Rye, barley, and wheat are now heading out. The rye and
barley will be ready to cut in three weeks from this time, and wheat from the
1st to the 10th of June. In riding over the country, you will see wheat in all
stages of height, from eighteen inches to four feet. A better prospect for a
full crop was never seen in Southern Kansas than at present.
I meet a farmer, asking him how much
wheat he has in this year, his answer is, "Well, I have only about 120
acres myself, but my neighbor A has 170 acres, and B., just east of me, 150
acres, and a man across the creek has over 200 acres all looking
splendid."
One man on the Walnut has 430 acres in
wheat, old Mr. Holmes. How is that for high in a five year old county?
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 12, 1876.
WANTED. A girl to do house work at El
Paso; enquire of William Marshall, the stage driver, or James Christian, at the
Express office, Arkansas City.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 12, 1876.
We would call attention to Judge
Christian's call to the farmers, and hope they will respond liberally, as it is
for the general good of our county that this grain is to be forwarded. Bring in
your samples.
NOTICE:
To the farmers of Creswell and adjoining
townships.
GENTLEMEN: I want to get a few samples of
this year's crop of wheat threshed from the stack—say about a pound each—to be
sent to New York, at the request of a prominent gentleman of that city, for
inspection. Please send me your name, the number of acres raised, the quarter
section, township, and range where raised, and greatly oblige yours,
JAMES
CHRISTIAN,
At
the Express Office, Arkansas City.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
For Police Judge, James Christian
received 112 votes, and Rev. David Thompson 1.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1876.
"SO FAR, SO GOOD" [Judge
Christian] notified C. M. Scott that Miss Georgie Christian, engaged as
assistant teacher in the Arkansas City schools, is perhaps the only native born
Kansas teacher in the State. "The practice heretofore, in all parts of the
State, has been to send East and import a teacher, with little or no experience,
while we have native talent at home in persons that are fully capable and need
the situation."
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
NEW ARRIVALS. On the night of the 29th of
March, at the residences of two of our citizens, Judge Christian and J. M.
Holloway, each of said families have two additional mouths to provide for. The
youngsters are all pert and lively. With this kind of immigration, Cowley will
soon take rank with the most populous counties in the State.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
FLORAL
P. O., March 25, 1877.
MR. SCOTT: Although not a constant reader
of your paper, I see it occasionally, through the friendship of my old Kentucky
friend, James Christian, of your place. I see your people are advocating a
railroad down the Walnut Valley, and I saw your petition and signed it last
week, but at the time I told Mr. Christian that I would vote against it. But I
have been considering the matter over in my own mind, and have come to the
conclusion to vote for the bonds.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1877.
CITY ELECTION. The election of city
officers took place last Monday, quietly and peaceably, with the following
result.
Mayor: Dr. Kellogg.
Police Judge: Jas. Christian.
Councilmen: James Benedict, H. P. Farrar,
James I. Mitchell, H. Godehard, I. H. Bonsall.
There was another ticket in the field,
composed of Wm. Sleeth for Mayor, Judge Christian for Police Judge, and A. A.
Newman, O. P. Houghton, E. D. Eddy, J. A. Loomis, and J. T. Shepard, for
Councilmen; but as one was composed of, or was generally understood to be
"license" men, the issue was made "license" and
"anti-license," and the vote stood 70 for the former and 41 for the
latter. Both tickets were composed of the best men of the community.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 11, 1877.
Railroad
Matters.
The committee who went from this place to
Augusta, learning that Mr. Young and Gov. Eskridge intended going to Winfield
to confer with the people of that place, at the urgent request of one of the
citizens and a member of the Railroad Committee of Winfield, sent word for a
delegation to come up to agree to a new proposition. A number went, but upon
their arrival, found that no agreement could be made, as the Committee of
Winfield had stated they could entertain any proposition from the north, as
they had one from the east. Mr. Young and Gov. Eskridge then came to this place
and submitted the proposition to Creswell Township to build their road down the
west side of the Walnut by township aid. The same proposition will be submitted
to Rock, Nennescah, Vernon, Beaver, Cresswell, Bolton, and probably Pleasant
Valley Townships, and if the aid is rendered, the road will be built.
In the evening a large and enthusiastic
meeting was held at the church, during which a stirring speech was made by Mr.
Eskridge, and remarks by Mr. Young, Rev. Fleming, Judge Christian, Amos
Walton, Mr. Channell, and others, after which a committee of eleven were
appointed as follows, as Managing Committee, with power to appoint Finance,
Canvassing, and Sub-Committees: Dr. Hughes, O. P. Houghton, C. M. Scott, A. A.
Newman, James Christian, J. C. McMullen, S. B. Fleming, M. R. Leonard, Amos
Walton, R. C. Haywood and S. P. Channell.
The Committee then elected Dr. Hughes,
President, J. C. McMullen, Vice President, Amos Walton, Secretary, and R. C.
Haywood, Treasurer. The hour being late, the Committee then adjourned.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 25, 1877. Front Page.
To
the Citizens of Cowley County.
A
FEW FACTS ON RAILROAD.
Citizens of Cowley County, let us reason
together. Do you really and sincerely want a railroad into or through our
beautiful county? If you do, act like
sensible men. Come out in your might and crush the hired minions that are
trying to deceive you by false propositions and bogus companies, not worth a
dollar. Men who may mean well enough, but who could not raise a dollar for any
such purpose to save their necks from the halter.
I do not wish to impugn the motives of
any man, but when I see men act as some are acting in this county, I am
constrained to believe that they are dishonest, for no honest man will
sail under false colors. No honest man will be untruthful; these men are not
deceived as to the ability of the men comprising the Parsons Narrow Gauge
Company, commonly termed the East and West route. Several of them are good fair
men, but they do not pretend to be capitalists or have a dollar to put into
railroads, and should they ever get to Parsons, there is no evidence that they
will build a narrow gauge any farther. Then where are you? Where is Parsons,
pray? A station on the M. K. & T. R. R., at the junction of the L. L. &
G., thirty-five miles southwest of Fort Scott, in Labette County, one hundred
and forty miles from Kansas City, the market town of Kansas and the New
West.
But to resume, Cowley County is comprised
of twenty-two municipal townships, and a population of over ten thousand five
hundred souls, if everyone has a soul, which seems doubtful by their
act. Seven thousand five hundred of the population is in the Walnut Valley. A
road up and down the valley would accommodate two thirds of our present and
prospective resident tax payers and build up two prosperous towns where the
comforts and conveniences of civilization would center for the benefit of the
great farming and producing class of the country as well as the improvement of
our species.
All these benefits must be thwarted to
gratify a hell engendered spirit of revenge of a few sore head politicians and
disappointed office seekers whose principles are rule or ruin.
Citizens of Winfield and Cowley County, the day is coming, and is not far
distant, when you will curse in your bitter wrath the memory of the men that
are now plotting your destruction under the false and delusive pretense of
being your friends.
Take down the map of your county, examine
it closely, see where its best lands lay, see for yourselves if you are not
blinded by local prejudices or actuated by the most vindictive hate to a sister
village of your own county, that can in no shape or manner be a rival to your
commercial and financial prosperity where the bulk of our population lays.
Don't let passion subjugate your judgment, you have the County Seat, the public
offices, and a favorable location for a thriving business town.
Without descending to particulars and
statistical information on the comparative cost of broad and narrow gauge
railroads, we will state the cost per mile for what is termed standard and
three feet gauge over the same character of country; the former costing $9,944,
the latter $5,951, or in about the proportion of five to nine, a little over
half. The cost of equipments of the two roads would be a little more in the
proportion of three and a half to four and a half. The cost of standard gauge
being $9,944 per mile, and thirty miles through our county, amounts to
$298,320, while a three feet gauge would only cost $178,530, leaving a balance
of $119,790, near $120,000 for the road alone without equipments or rolling
stock, this $120,000 would be dead capital that we would have to pay interest
on in the shape of passage and freight, money that the farmers and traders have
to pay the railroad, for all freight and passage money is intended as interest
on the capital invested. The more that is invested in the road, the more is to
be paid by the producer and trader. The buyer and seller in this, as in all
business transactions, will invariably look for the consumer to pay the tariff,
and the mass of mankind are consumers. Do not then tarnish your good name by
such a suicidal course, such a dog in the manger policy.
Abandon your trumped up East & West
company, you know that it is a myth, an iguis pat-n-us, a jack-nith o lantern.
Unite with the friends of Cowley County
in putting through a proposition that will accommodate the great bulk of our
citizens. As I said before, two-thirds of our voters and taxpayers reside in
the Walnut Valley. This section of our county, as you all know, is the great
wheat and grain producing region. East of the Walnut is more broken and better
adapted to stock raising, a species of farming that does not so early need a
railroad, but which it will have in due season. . . .
Signed: JAMES CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 25, 1877.
The City Council met and organized last
Saturday. Wm. Sleeth was appointed Treasurer and I. H. Bonsall City Clerk. No
Marshal or Street Commissioner was appointed. The officers are: Mayor, H. H.
Kellogg; Police Judge, Jas. Christian; Councilmen: James Benedict, H. P.
Farrar, J. I. Mitchell, H. Godehard, and I. H. Bonsall.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1877.
BRAKE DOWN AND UPSET. On last Friday
morning Judge Christian and the editor of this paper started for Tisdale and
Howard County in a light spring buggy.
After traveling some fifteen miles, the spring of the buggy was broken
by a sudden jar, and they were compelled to return for repairs. While returning
on the east bank of the Walnut, the wheel slipped somewhat, throwing the weight
on the broken spring, which was in front, causing the buggy to instantly
capsize. Mr. Christian was thrown a considerable distance, striking the ground
on the back of his head and shoulders, but soon recovered himself. The editor
went with the buggy and alighted very easy. The horses did not make much of an
effort to run, and in a few minutes the buggy was arighted, and they came into
town balancing the vehicle by both sitting on the same side. This made the
second fall Scott has received on the east bank of the Walnut within the last
year, and the second upset Judge Christian has experienced within the past few
months.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1877.
The editor and Judge Christian made a
visit to Chautauqua County last week, going by the way of Silverdale, Maple
City, Otto, and Cedar Vale to Sedan. They were absent three days.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1877. Front Page.
Be
Sure You're Right, Then Go Ahead.
Citizens and voters of Cowley County, I
am a railroad man in favor of a narrow gauge up and down the most densely populated
portion of our county: the Walnut Valley, the wheat growing region of our
county. But I must confess I was forcibly struck with the remark of a gentleman
in the northeastern part of our county a few weeks ago.
"My friend, I have taxes enough to
pay now. I sell all I can raise here at home. This county is emphatically a
stock raising country; we don't need a railroad. I make more money in raising
cattle and hogs than I can in raising wheat to sell. Enough to bread myself,
and family is all I want, and my stock can walk to market. I am perhaps the
largest taxpayer in my township, but I find no difficulty in getting along
without a railroad. The distance to market don't bother me, and I have as much
to sell as any of my neighbors. My experience is that the man who has nothing
to sell is the furthest from market. My neighbor across the creek is just the
man for you to call upon. He has nothing to sell, neither grain nor stock, but
he is crazy for a railroad."
These remarks took me back, as they were
too true.
I remember, when a boy in my native land,
of seeing a tavern sign called "The Four 'Alls.'" It was the picture
of four men, each rigged out in the toggery of his respective calling. One had
a crown on his head, and under him the words, "The king rules all;"
another had a gun on his shoulder, and under him the words, "The soldier
fights for all;" the third had a big book in his hand, and under him the
words, "The preacher prays for all;" while the fourth fellow was
represented as wearing a long-tailed coat and bearing in his hands a bag of
money, with under him the words, "The farmer pays for all."
Yes, my farmer friends of Cowley County, in this land of civil and religious
liberty; in this land of freedom, as well as in monarchical old England, you
have the inestimable privilege of "paying for all."
If there is any railroad built through
your county by the aid of railroad bonds, you will have it to pay for. Then
exercise your prerogative, and say where it shall run to do the greatest good
to the greatest number, and also what description of road you want. Don't let a
few town lot speculators bulldoze you out of what your sense of right and
justice demands. Demand that the road, if built, shall run where it will do the
most good to the farmer, the produce raiser for and life sustainer of all.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877.
Council met in regular session, at the
office of I. H. Bonsall, Monday, May 75h, James Benedict acting Mayor; J. I.
Mitchell, H. P. Farrar, Ho. Godehard, I. H. Bonsall, Councilmen.
Judge Christian reported on his trip to
Winfield to redeem city lots sold for taxes, but not paying all taxes due, they
were not redeemed.
Bill of E. D. Eddy allowed.
Bill of R. C. Haywood, $6.65, referred to
Finance Committee.
Petition of L. W. Currier's for dram shop
license, containing 125 names, referred to City Clerk, I. H. Bonsall, and City
Attorney, Amos Walton.
On motion the Council adjourned to meet
Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877.
The following parties received
certificates at the examination held in Winfield on the fourth and fifth
instant.
First Grade: Miss Lena Bartlett, Miss M.
E. Saint, Winfield; Mr. W. E. Ketcham, Maple City.
Second Grade: Anna O. Wright, Carrie Dixon,
Georgia Christian, Stella Burnett, Arkansas City; Sarah Hollingsworth,
Polo; Lucy Bedell, Lazette; Mary Pontius, Winfield; Veva Walton, Oxford; Adelia
Eagin, Rock.
[ATTORNEYS IN ATTENDANCE AT DISTRICT
COURT.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 23, 1877.
The following attorneys were in
attendance upon the present term of the District Court: Hon. Alfred L. Redden, of Eldorado; Mr.
White, Howard City; Judge M. S. Adams, Wichita; Mr. McBryan, Sedan; Hon. C. R.
Mitchell, Amos Walton, Judge Christian, E. B. Kager and Col. McMullen, of
Arkansas City; and Messrs. Hackney & McDonald, Pryor & Pryor, Jennings
& Buckman, Pyburn & Seward, Jas. McDermott, Henry E. Asp, E. S.
Torrance, J. E. Allen, L. J. & Linus Webb, D. A. Millington, A. H. Green,
W. M. Boyer, J. M. Alexander, of Winfield.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 6, 1877.
M. E. SOCIAL. A social will be given
under the auspices of the M. E. Church, at Pearson's Hall, on next Wednesday
evening, June 13th, to which all are cordially invited. Ice cream will be
served at fifteen cents per dish, and lemonade at five cents a glass, so that
it will come within the reach of all. A programme has been arranged for the
evening exercises and amusements guaranteed. Anyone who attends and does not
speak during the evening will be entitled to a treat. The proceeds will be
devoted to paying for the erection of the new church, which we all take pride
in seeing completed. Come one, come all, and enjoy a pleasant evening.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 20, 1877.
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN BOLTON. On the
fourth of July the citizens of Bolton will have a celebration at Captain
Smith's grove and spring about a mile south of the bridge. Judge Christian is
to deliver the oration. Amos Walton and other speakers are invited to address
the crowd. A good time generally is expected. All are cordially invited to
attend, and join in the festivities. Come one, come all, bring your baskets and
have a jolly time.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 27, 1877. Front Page.
Communicated.
"Our neighboring village of Freedom
was the scene last Wednesday of a remarkable golden wedding—remarkable in the
fact that the mother of one of the contracting parties was present. It is rare
enough in itself that a couple celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their
marriage, but rarer still that a parent lives to an age to see a son or a
daughter become one of the principals to such a golden wedding and the parent
be present on the occasion. Indeed, such a sight might not be seen again in a
life time. The parties to the Freedom celebration were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Kelly, and the aged parent who was present on the occasion was Mrs. Black, the
mother of Mrs. Kelly, who has passed the Centennial year of her
existence."
We take the above from the Pittsburgh Leader
of the 10th inst. Of late years in this country quite a stir has been made
through the press about silver and golden weddings, and occasionally a diamond
wedding, and some remarkable instances of longevity.
But these events in the "Old
Country" create no such excitement. I was once present at the christening
of a child in the old home of St. Patrick. When the ceremony was over and the
feasting commenced, someone suggested the propriety of taking the ages of its
progenitors then present, and the length of time the parents had been married.
The father and mother had been married 30 years, the grandfather and
grandmother 65 years, the great grandfather 83 years, the great grandmother
having been dead some years. I have heard the term given to 25, 50, and 75
years of married life, but am at a loss what term to apply to this case of 83
years of married life. Here was an old gentleman 105 years old, who could have
celebrated his 83 years of married life. A fact well known in the neighborhood
of St. John's Point, Parish of Russglass, county Down, Ireland, 45 years ago.
Another remarkable case of longevity, as
well as fecundity, upon this side of the "Herring Pond" came under my
own observation shortly after my marriage in 1846. We paid a visit to my
wife's grandmother, an old lady then past 90. Quite a number of the relatives
sat down to dinner, having assembled to congratulate us upon our union, as
well as to pay their respects to old "Grandma," as she was familiarly
called. At the table sat the old lady, then past 90 years of age; next to her
sat her oldest daughter, a married lady of 72 years; next to this lady was her
oldest son, aged fifty years, grandson of the old lady. Beside this gentleman
sat his daughter, 28 years old, and at her side was her little son, 6 years
old.
"Grandma" could thus tell her
grandson to help his grandson, all at the same table: five generations. Her 72 year old daughter
was amongst the first babies brought into Kentucky. This venerable lady of some
90 years, accompanied by her husband, came with Daniel Boone and settled at
Boonesborough at an early day. In their long march from Virginia, traveling by
night and laying by during the day for fear of the Indians, "old
Grandma" rode a pony loaded with all their worldly goods while her husband
walked alongside with his trusty rifle.
The old lady known as "Grandma"
died of old age in the bosom of her family to the fifth generation.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[I FOUND THIS ARTICLE MADDENING TO
FOLLOW...REWROTE PART OF IT IN ORDER TO MAKE SOME SENSE OF IT...CHRISTIAN
REFERRED TO THE DAUGHTER OF "GRANDMA" AS "MRS. W."...WISH
HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE FULL NAME OF MRS. W. AND FOR THAT MATTER,
"GRANDMA."]
[ANOTHER MADDENING FACT: JAMES CHRISTIAN WAS MARRIED IN 1846...HIS
LAST CHILD, BORN IN ARKANSAS CITY, APPEARED IN 1877...SEE ONE OF THE COLUMNS IN
PAPER...31 YEARS AFTER HE WAS MARRIED!]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 4, 1877.
JUDGE CHRISTIAN's daughter, who has been
a missionary to Egypt, spent a few days with her parents this week.
[BOLTON TOWNSHIP CELEBRATES FOURTH OF
JULY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 11, 1877 -
FRONT PAGE.
The
Fourth of July in Bolton.
[For the TRAVELER.]
A
WOMAN'S VIEW OF IT.
Mr. Editor:
I attended the Fourth of July in Bolton
last Wednesday, and took a few notes I want to tell you. I did not go for fun; I
did not go for frolic; but for sober, solid information and instruction, and
to see the people and things. I saw you there, to begin with, and concluded
from appearances that the local department of the paper would be neglected, as
you had your hand full, mind full, and from the monstrous basket you towed
around, I took it for granted you would soon have a stomach full. An editor is
always hungry, they say, and I believe it.
But I don't want to write this article entirely about you, for there
were others equally as handsome as yourself and lady.
Do not censure me if I am too critical,
for you know half a woman lives for is to see and be seen, talk a great deal,
and hear much more. Men are slow, stupid beings, capable of talking only one at
a time, but we, the fairest of God's creatures, can talk all together.
Isn't it delightful to go to a picnic,
sit down under a shady bough, and watch the people, and make comparisons? I had
just such a location when I made these notes.
First on the scene was Mr. Skinner,
senior. You can assure yourself he would be first if he came at all. Then came
Frank Denton, Mr. Parvin, Capt. Hoffmaster, Mr. Steiner, and "Jim,"
with their amiable wives all neatly dressed. Soon after came what the TRAVELER
has dubbed the "young bloods" of Bolton and Creswell.
There was that wild and reckless Will
Stewart, who drives as though he was running a passenger coach, followed by
modest (?) O. C. Skinner and the constable of your town, with gayly attired
ladies.
Soon the dignity of Creswell appeared,
with covered carriages and fine horses.
Among them Col. McMullen, Dr. Alexander, Rev. Fleming, O. P. Houghton,
and last, but not least, his Honor, Judge Christian, and Amos Walton, speakers
of the day.
I did like Judge Christian's oration, and
was surprised at the ability of the old gentleman and his powers of delivery.
Anyone could see it was a speech prepared by hard study, and a great amount of
reading. If the ground committee had done their duty and prepared seats, many
more would have heard the speech, but for elderly per-sons to stand in a grove
without a breath of air stirring is too much for comfort, much less to pay
attention to an oration.
Among the audience there was the handsome
young widow with money to loan, the belles of Bolton and their adored, the boisterous
town roughs, and wives of distinguished citizens, who came alone, leaving their
husbands to remain at home to look after the "by-bie." There were
good, bad, and indifferent persons among the crowd. At the table also was a
sight. On one side, mild, kind, and lovely women could be seen, and nearby the
uncouth, voracious individual whose mouth looked as though he had his throat
cut, every time he opened it.
There were many strangers I had never
seen before, and familiar faces I have not had the pleasure of seeing for some
time. One fine appearing, Christian looking gentleman, I learned, was from
Illinois, and others I was informed lived across the Arkansas. Understand me
when I say across the Arkansas, to mean on the north side, for I am a resident
of Bolton township.
But I have scarcely referred to my notes.
Rev. McClanahan, a new preacher, began the exercises with prayer. The
Declaration was then commendably read by Mr. Parvin, of our side; then the
brass band of your place, after a series of toots, and yells for
"Charley," "Frank," "Ret," "where's Lyman
Herrick?" and "where's Ed. Thompson?" worked up a tune. We supposed "Charley" and
"Frank" and "Ret" to be single men, and imagined they might
be promenading with someone's sister, but we do not know it. Yes, they worked
up a tune finally. I would give you the name of it, if I could, but I could not
find anyone who knew it.
After prayer, Dr. Shepard, who was
appointed Chairman, introduced Hon. James Christian. His speech lasted about
half an hour, and was appreciated by all who heard it. Hon. Amos Walton then
spoke in a strong, pleasing tone, after which the gathering began to separate
and seek their homes.
This, Mr. Editor, is all I have to say.
If at any future time you wish me to express my sentiments, I may be in the
mood to favor you. I desire to thank the people of your township for the
patriotism they manifested in coming to Bolton township for a Fourth of July
Celebration when they couldn't have one at home, and the good wives of the
Bolton men who worked to make it a success.
I also want to say that the visit paid us
by your most estimable ladies, Mrs. and Miss Revs. Thompson, Mrs. Fleming, Mrs.
Shepard, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Sipes, Mrs. McMullen, and a number of others, will
be returned, as they added much to the enjoyment of the occasion. I also desire
to thank the band boys, for they meant well in their heads, but their hearts, I
fear, troubled them. There were a number of young ladies, also, whom I would be
gratified to have call on me at any time, and the young boys know they are all
cherished and loved by
AUNT
MARY.
[COMMUNICATION FROM "C. C. H."
- BOLTON TOWNSHIP.]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 11, 1877.
BOLTON
TOWNSHIP, July 5th, 1877.
Today finds us in Bolton again, enjoying
the luxuries of which all practical grangers have a bountiful supply about
harvest time. Harvesting has been going on at a rapid rate during the past two
weeks. Many farmers are done cutting wheat, and some have already commenced
stacking. Mr. Parmer has cut 200 acres of wheat with one Marsh harvester and
has a greater portion of it stacked. Mr. Dave Marcie is nearly done heading his
400 acres. Polk Stevens has been running his harvester day and night during the
past week. He says he will get away with 275 acres with one machine.
The wheat crop is light this year, caused
by the recent heavy rains. Corn and oats promise a good yield.
We had the pleasure of attending a picnic
in Capt. O. C. Smith's grove, on Spring creek, yesterday, the 4th. Owing to the
committee being busily engaged, the grove was not very well prepared.
Notwithstanding the limited preparations made and the heat in the grove, the
participators in the picnic seemed to enjoy themselves finely. The programme
for the day was somewhat varied on account of the band boys being unable to get
over until noon. The exercises of the day commenced with prayer by Rev.
McClanahan. Then came Lieut. Thos. S. Parvin, who read the Declaration of
Independence, which was listened to with extraordinary patience, as Mr. Parvin
is an elegant reader. Next in order was dinner, which consisted of every
variety of goodies, which are too numerous to mention. After dinner we listened
to a very interesting, eloquent, and patriotic discourse, delivered by Judge
Christian, of Arkansas City. Then came the band boys with a recital of
"The Red, White, and Blue," which seemed to cheer all present, even
the "old folks." Next in order was a speech from Mr. Amos Walton, who
spread the eagle in the most elegant manner, after which lemonade, ice cream,
music by the band, etc., until evening, when everybody went home with a
gladsome heart.
The citizens of Bolton tender their many
thanks to the gentlemen, speakers, and the band for their favors. More anon.
C.
C. H.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 11, 1877.
JUDGE CHRISTIAN has been appointed a
Justice of the Peace for Creswell Township by Gov. Anthony, and James Huey a
Notary Public. Both appointments were well bestowed.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 1, 1877.
We are under obligations to Judge
Christian for helping us out during a rush, this week. Mr. Christian is an old
newspaper man, and works in harness now as well as he did years ago.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 1, 1877.
All the candidates that come to town seek
Judge Christian's office. Whether they are afraid of being brought before him
in his official capacity as Police Judge, or want him to help them in the
canvass this fall, we cannot say. Judge is a Democrat, but somehow the
Republicans court his acquaintance all the same in a fall campaign.
[LETTER FROM JUDGE CHRISTIAN TO AN OLD
FRIEND.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877.
Old friend—I am truly pleased to hear
from you, and to find that you are still in the land of the living. Your discovery
of my whereabouts is somewhat romantic. I hardly supposed any of my old
friends would find me out, away here on the border of the Indian Territory, the
south line of the State; but it is hard for a man to get out of reach in this
country, so that he cannot be found out, if he has done any deviltry (unless he
is a Bender). I had lost sight of you entirely, not having been in Missouri
since the war, and not much then except passing through.
But I am pleased to hear that yourself,
wife, and family are all well as this leaves me and mine.
I am not as fortunate as you are, I have
no boys—never had a boy—nor none married, so that I have not even a son-in-law,
nor de facto.
But to business. Doctor, I hardly know what to say, as I am not
sufficiently informed of how you are situated or what kind of a location would
suit you, etc. Whether you want to make stock raising the principal business or
main idea, or only incidental to your practice, all that I can say is that in
my judgment Cowley county is by nature and locality, one of the best counties
in the State.
The crops are generally good. Wheat has
for the past five or six years been the great crop, but for the last two years,
it has not proved as abundant as formerly. This season and last has produced
the most abundant corn crop. Oats this season have been extraordinarily good,
last year they were a failure. But like all new countries, money is very scarce
and times dull. Things go very slow, but this is the case in all strictly
farming communities. Kansas is no exception to the rule. Our farmers are
terribly in debt. This county, as you are doubtless aware, was formed out of a
part of what was the OSAGE INDIAN RESERVE, and when opened to settlement, seven
years ago, all the poor men, poor devils, and poor farmers in the land flocked
in to take claims. The consequence was they had no money to pay for it when the
land came into market. They had to borrow of the shylocks, who also smelt the
carrion afar off, and came also to loan money at from thirty to sixty percent,
per annum interest. This debt has never entirely been removed, although many
changes have taken place. Old notes have been renewed, interest paid on it, but
still there is the same old debt. Then our people run wild about agricultural
implements and machinery. Every new thing that comes along that eases labor and
can be bought on credit, they buy. This is another curse by way of indebtedness
that hangs over our community, although it will prove a blessing to the great
mass of consumers around us, but ruin to the few that are involved in buying.
I send you a little map of the county, so
that you can see the location of the various towns, streams, etc., giving you
much information that you wanted to know about. I also send you a copy of the
TRAVELER, published in our town, that will give you much information. You had
better send $1 and take it six months. It is a live paper for a village
newspaper, gives you just such information as emigrants desire.
P. S. We are well supplied with M. D.'s.
We have the scriptural number—seven of them—and but little sickness, except the
usual concomitant of the Western States, chills and fever. We have no malignant
diseases in this locality.
If you think of locating in this part of
Kansas, first come and see for yourself. We have no railroad at present nearer
than sixty miles, but a good prospect for one from Kansas City, via Emporia, to
this place, in the next twelve or eighteen months. The distance is now
traversed by stage, daily—fare $5. This is a fair country to look upon, and as
good as it is fair. We have a delightful climate. Good society for a new
country—
much better than usual. People from every
State in the Union, with the cream of her Majesty's subjects from Canada.
Our kind regards to all.
Your old friend,
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
There is a reference to Judge Christian
being a soldier in the Traveler of Sept 2, 1877.
[COMMUNICATION FROM JAMES CHRISTIAN RE
RAILROAD VOTE.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1877 - FRONT PAGE.
COMMUNICATED.
Something
to Think About.
Citizens of Cowley County, on the 18th of
September you will be called upon to accept or reject the proposition to vote
$120,000 in county bonds to the Kansas City, Emporia and Southern Narrow-Gauge
Railroad.
The great question with Kansas men when
asked to undertake any proposition, and a pertinent one it is too: Will it pay?
This is the principle that should govern your action in accepting or rejecting
the proposition that will be presented to you on the 18th day of September. It
is an enterprise that has for its object the noblest aim that can animate
patriotic and christian men,—The public good—The development of our country's
resources and prosperity,—The happiness and comfort of our fellow men.
Over six thousand years ago, on the
flowery banks of the river Euphrates, in the Old World, the command of Heaven
was given, "Be ye fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the
earth and multiply therein." Since that day until this, man has been
engaged in developing the powers of earth and her capacity to bring forth abundantly
for the comfort and convenience of man. The same power that gave this command,
has also said: "I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the
face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding
seed to you shall be for meat." That is, it shall be your staff support
and sustenance on the earth.
In sustaining this enterprise, in voting
for these bonds, you are not only carrying out the decrees of Heaven, but you
are developing the resources and material prosperity of our common country;
increasing the comfort and convenience of yourselves and neighbors. In voting
for these bonds you are not injuring any other locality, but simply building up
your own and your neighbors’ fortunes.
Cowley County is a distinct organization
and must act through the joint body of her electors as one man.
The proposition submitted to you is a
fair and honest one, doing the greatest good to the greatest number.
Our county is 34½ miles from east to west
and 33 miles from north to south.
The aggregate wealth of our county is
$1,962,078.25. Of that wealth $1,502,868 lays in the three west ranges of
townships through which this road is to run, so that no man in either of these
three ranges can possibly be more than nine miles from a railroad. About the same proportion of the population
of our county lies in these three western ranges of townships, so that if that
portion will be most benefitted, it will also have the most to pay. As 4 to 1
of the population and valuation of our county is embraced within these western
townships, or in the Walnut valley, how can injustice be done to anyone by
voting these bonds?
But, says the prudent, cautious
calculator, "Will the benefit accruing to the people of the county by the
construction of this road be more than counterbalanced by the outlay?"
This is a very proper inquiry and one that should receive due consideration
from every man before depositing his vote on the proposition.
To what extent will the grain raiser of
the Walnut valley be benefitted by the construction of the Kansas City, Emporia
and Southern Railroad?
One source of profit, and the greatest
one to the farmer, will be a home market for all his surplus produce, with the
cash in his fist, a commodity that he rarely handles now.
The price of the wheat crop will be
considerably enhanced by reason of the great reduction of freights which will
inevitably follow the construction of this road and the consequent destruction
of the oppressive monopoly now enjoyed by the A. T. & S. F. R. R.
The increase of wealth and population
that follow all such enterprises will have its effect here as elsewhere; the
impetus to business; the advance in value of your present property, all demand
that you should not throw away the present golden opportunity. "Strike
while the iron's hot!" "Make hay while the sun shines!" Homely
adages, but none the less true.
Vote for the bonds and you will have the
road with all its advantages. . . .
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[COMMUNICATION FROM "LITTLE
DUTCH" - WINFIELD.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 5, 1877.
I thought a line from the hub would not
be amiss. Court is now in fair running order.
Judge, lawyers, clerks, sheriff, and reporters all had a good time on
Monday night, drinking the health of C. C. Black, who was admitted to the bar
that day, and at night invited others to a much more acceptable bar.
I notice a number of foreign gentlemen
present in court this term—Adams of Wichita, Redden of Eldorado, Christian,
Mitchell, and Kager of the Sand Hills, George and Willsey of Sumner, and perhaps
others that I did not know. Our own lawyers were out in force, and I believe we
have nineteen or twenty of them, and five more admitted this term—Charley Black
and Charley Eagin on examination, and O. Coldwell, N. C. Coldwell, and John T.
Mackey on certificate. If Cowley is not well regulated, it will not be for the
want of lawyers. We have one to every 35 persons in the county—not a bad
showing.
Well, Judge Campbell is shoving things
right along. Two horse thieves already provided with a home on the Big Muddy.
The Hill and Galliotti case was settled before coming into court, Hill taking
the child and Frank the mother—an equal division of the property. It is said Hill pays $500 for his little joke
of false warrantee of the article recommended. Since the settlement,
the child has died, leaving all parties disconsolate.
A number of jury trials were had, but
general satisfaction was not given. Your townsman, lawyer Kager, got scooped by
an American citizen of undoubted African descent. I thought Kager in the place
of poor dog Tray—his associations beat him.
The case of Mrs. Renfro against her
father-in-law, James Renfro, came out victorious. Juries have a wonderful leaning to young
widows. You had better been more generous, James.
Our town is still going ahead. Several
new buildings going up: candidates as thick as ever. Shenneman is the best looking man on the
track, but Troup wears the best clothes; old Tom Bryan has the most belly and
stomach, and is the surest to win; Kinne don't say much, but he has lots of
friends, and I should not be astonished if he makes the riffle much easier than
last time. A good many are running just for the fun of the thing—don't expect
to be nominated, but want to get acquainted in the hope that the lightning
might strike them in the future. Our Bill is still slashing around, supporting
the hand that furnishes the supplies.
LITTLE
DUTCH.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 3, 1877.
MARRIED. On Wednesday evening, Sept. 26,
1877, by Rev. Samuel D. Fleming, at the residence of the bride's parents, MR.
ARISTUS (A. W.) BERKEY and MISS GEORGIA H. CHRISTIAN, both of this place. Mr.
Berkey is well known and respected at this place and in the county, as an
enterprising and reliable man, and his bride is the daughter of Hon. James
Christian, one of the oldest residents of Kansas. The happy couple are favored
with the good wishes of the whole community, and especially by the printer
boys, who were made the recipients of a bountiful supply of palatable eatables.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 17, 1877.
Lecture
for the Benefit of the Church.
Judge Christian will deliver a lecture
in the new Methodist Church, on Friday evening, October 26, on "The
Curiosity of Names," the proceeds to go towards finishing the church. Admission 20 cents, or 30 cents a couple.
Children 10 cents.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1877.
In behalf of the Ladies Society, we
desire through the columns of your paper to tender our sincere thanks to Judge
Christian for his interesting lecture; also Mr. and Mrs. Berkey for their music
last Friday evening.
MRS.
L. A. ALEXANDER, Pres.
MRS. J. GIBBY, Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 7, 1877.
The election at this place yesterday
passed off very quietly and pleasantly. The votes polled lacked about seventy
of being the entire vote of the township. Some little strife was made for the
offices of constables and justices of the peace. The following is the vote on
township officers.
Trustee. M. R. Leonard, 203.
Treasurer. L. Finley, 119.
Clerk. W. D. Mowry, 197.
Justices: I. H. Bonsall, 166; James
Christian, 120; T. McIntire, 107.
Constables: Geo. McIntire, 185; James Morgan, 133; W. J.
Gray, 82.
Road Overseers: J. W. Hutchinson ‑‑; Capt. Bird,
7.
There were two justices and two
constables to elect.
The November 7, 1877, issue of the
Traveler listed Linda Christian as one of the high school students with the
highest standards.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 5, 1877.
Court
Proceedings.
WINFIELD,
KANS., Dec. 3, 1877.
Friend Scott:
I thought that a line from the capital
would not be unacceptable to your suburban paper. Court is now in full blast, although there is
but a light docket, only two criminal cases and 42 civil cases. One-fourth of
them are in the hands of your town lawyers—C. R. Mitchell and James Christian.
They are the only lawyers from a distance in attendance so far. The prospects
are gloomy for a lively term, as it is now raining with little appearance of
clearing off. Our streets are muddy, and travel to and from the courthouse is disagreeable.
Very few persons in town from the country, so that altogether things look and
feel gloomy. But your correspondent feels happy as all Christians should.
I send you a list of all the jurors for
this term. Williams, the negro who stole Coryell's horse, has been arraigned,
and plead guilty; has not been sentenced yet. He seemed the best humored
criminal I ever saw. When called up, he looked as smiling as if going to a
frolic.
LIST OF JURORS. Wm. Butterfield, Chas.
Roseberry, Add Smith, E. Baldwin, J. W. Ledlie,
Lafayette Baldwin, G. W. Bennett, G. B.
Green, P. C. Clark, N. E. Newell, R. R. Longshore,
Thos. Hart.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 12, 1877.
The addition to the old Meigs building,
now the property of Mr. Tisdale, the proprietor of the stage line, adds very
much to the looks of things on that side of the street. When it is painted up
completely, this will be one of the neatest store rooms in town. Judge
Christian, the agent of Mr. Tisdale, cannot bear to see anything under his
charge so slipshod. Hence this improvement.
[THE METHODIST FESTIVAL.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 2, 1878.
The festival given by the ladies of the
Methodist Society, on Christmas Eve, was an occasion long to be remembered by
those who attended—and it seemed as if "all the world and his wife"
were there. The house was uncomfortably crowded with people, old and young, who
had come to partake of the bountiful feast prepared for them, and witness old
Santa Claus distribute his presents from the immense tree that stood at one end
of the room, literally loaded down with handsome silverware for fortunate
wives, valuable books for relatives and friends, besides an endless variety of
dolls and toys to make glad the hearts of the little ones.
Supper was served from early in the
evening until everybody was satisfied, when the distribution of presents was in
order. Mr. Charles Swarts, in snow-white head dress and an overcoat liberally
sprinkled with cotton, personified that mythical friend of the children, Santa
Claus, and looked like a first cousin to a Polar bear, fresh from the land of
the Esquimaux. It would be useless to
attempt an enumeration of the presents. Nearly every man, woman, and child
received something of greater or less value, to remind them that
"Christmas comes but once a year;
When it comes, it brings good cheer."
The fancy table was well supplied with
ornamental articles, which the fair ladies succeeded in selling to the
bachelors and young men as particularly useful to persons situated as they
were. The gentlemen in question had no other course than to hand over the cash
and pocket the article, but just how an old woman hater was to be benefitted by
paying fifty cents for an embryo apron made to pin around the neck, is a
problem that remains unsolved.
On this table was a veteran law book, 131
years old, contributed by Judge Christian for exhibition.
Over the table hung a beautiful chromo,
donated by Mr. E. D. Eddy, and to be given to the prettiest baby in the room.
This question was decided by voting (ten cents for each and every vote), with
the privilege of repeating ad infinitum), and resulted in favor of
Claire, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Mitchell.
In the contest for the quilt, which was
to be given to the handsomest old lady in the room (another dime affair), Mrs.
Alexander came out victorious.
The charade was acted very creditably,
but the noise of the crowd was so great that few could hear enough to enable
them to guess the word. Miss Decou's surprising efforts at harmony, however,
were heard above the multitude.
We understand the Society cleared about
eighty dollars altogether, which will be applied to finishing their new
building.
[AD:
CHOICE LANDS FOR SALE IN COWLEY AND SUMNER COUNTIES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 9, 1878.
CHOICE
LANDS FOR SALE
-IN-
COWLEY
AND SUMNER
COUNTIES.
One-fifth of the purchase money required
as FIRST PAYMENT,
Balance on FIVE YEARS' TIME.
Below will be found a partial list of our
lands and town lots, both improved and unimproved, we have for sale. This
property is situated in the most desirable portion of Kansas, the great
Arkansas River Valley, and adjacent thereto. The climate in this locality is
unsurpassed, and the land is as fertile as any in the West. This portion of
Kansas is keeping pace with the civilization of the age in building Railroads,
Churches, and School Houses. Come here
if you want a very desirable home for a very small amount of money.
West ½ of section 36, township 34, south
of range 3 east; 230 acres, joining Arkansas City; all bottom land; plenty of
water and timber; 100 acres in cultivation; very desirable tract of land; price
$3,000. As soon as a railroad reaches here, this place will be worth double
this sum.
S 1/23 of SE 1/4 sec. 5, tp 34, S R 3 D.
This tract is in the finest portion of the Arkansas Valley. Known as the Sweet
land; price $600.
E ½ of NW 1/4 sec 5, tp 34, S R 4 E. Upland; known as the Waldo tract. Price $300.
NW 1/4 sec 31, tp 33, S R 3 E. Very fine
bottom land; plenty of timber and water; price $4 per acre; known as the McLane
tract.
SE 1/4 sec 22, tp 34, S R 4 E. Seventy
acres in cultivation; good house, plenty of water, price $1,300; 3-1/2 miles
east of Arkansas City; known as the Kerr place.
E ½ of SW 1/4 sec 17, tp 35, S R 4 E. All
in cultivation; on State line; a most excellent piece of land for stock: $700.
SE 1/4 sec 7, tp 34, S R 3 E. This is a
most excellent tract of land near Salt City, in an excellent neighborhood;
price $1,200. Known as the Sweet farm.
Lot 1 and 2, and S ½ of NW 1/4 sec 13, tp
35, S R 4 W, in Sumner county, Kas.
Known as the James W. DeHoney tract; price $400.
NE 1/4 sec 9, tp 35, S R 2 W, in Sumner
county, Kansas; known as the James R. Prange farm; price $400.
Lot 2 block 80; lot 25, block 132; lots 5
and 6, block 17; lots 9 and 10, block 150; and 5 acres of timber land on
Arkansas river, near Max Fawcett's farm.
NW 1/4 sec 11, tp 35, S R 3 E. Known as
the Buckwalter farm; price $1,500.
NE 1/4 sec 13, tp 34, S R 4 E; 80 acres
in cultivation; price $800. Known as the W. G. Gooch tract.
NE 1/4 sec 33, tp 33, S R 5 E. Known as
the Park farm; price $300.
E ½ of NE 1/4 sec 7, and W ½ of NW 1/4
sec 8, tp 35, S R 4 E. Known as the Edwards land; price $600.
NW 1/4 sec 27, tp 34, S R 4 E. Thirty
acres in cultivation; price $1,200. Inquire of Rev. David Thompson.
Inquire
of J. C. McMullen or Jas. Christian, Arkansas City, Kansas.
NOTE: I DID NOT LIST ALL THE PROPERTIES IN AD!
Arkansas City Traveler, January 23, 1878.
JOHN W. SMITH, who organized and was
Master of the first lodge of the Free Masons, in Kansas, died at Keokuk, Iowa,
recently, aged eighty-nine years. He had been a Free Mason sixty years, and the
lodge he organized in Kansas was at White Cloud in 1854 Ex.
Judge James Christian, of this place, was
the first Master of the fourth lodge organized in the Territory of Kansas, and
helped to organize the first Grand Lodge in Kansas—having the second
dispensation issued by the Grand Master of Missouri to organize a lodge in
Kansas; but owing to political troubles, his lodge was numbered six on the
list, it being located in that abolition den, Lawrence. Even Masons then were
not disposed to do justice to locality. But times have changed since then. In
looking over some old Grand Lodge reports, we noticed the name of Brother James
Christian as Master of Sharpsburg Lodge No.
11, in Kentucky, in 1849, and of Prairie
Lodge No. 90, in Missouri, 1850.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 20, 1878.
THE TRIAL OF BILSON AND RIDENOUR was held
at Pearson's Hall last Wednesday afternoon and night. County Attorney McDermott
prosecuted the case, with C. R. Mitchell defending Ridenour, and Amos Walton
defending Bilson. Judge Christian and I. H. Bonsall were the judges. Bilson was
bound over to appear at the next term of the District Court, in the sum of $600,
and failing to obtain bail, was committed to jail. The evidence was not sufficient
to convict Ridenour, and he was discharged. In searching Bilson's property, in
Mrs. Williams' boarding house, some goods were found that had been taken from
Charley Balcom's house some time ago, also some articles that were taken from
A. K. Melton's trunk.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 13, 1878.
PARKER's pony ran off with Judge
Christian's sled Monday. The last seen of the pony, he was going towards
Norton's, getting up a pretty good motion.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 27, 1878.
On complaint of Wm. Gray, city marshal,
L. H. Gardner was arraigned before Judge Christian on Monday last for selling
intoxicating liquors without a license. Amos Walton acted as attorney for the
city, and C. R. Mitchell for the defendant. After hearing the testimony, the
evidence failed to sustain the charge, and Mr. Gardner was discharged. The cost
will have to be paid by the city. It is the opinion of the Police Judge that no
one can sell liquor without a license under the city ordinance, for medical
purposes or otherwise. This will compel all drug stores to take out a license,
unless the ordinance is amended.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 27, 1878.
Stolen
Horses Recovered.
Friday afternoon two well appearing young
men rode into town horseback, and stopped for the night. In the morning they
attempted to sell their horses very cheap, claiming they were from Sumner
county and needed money. In the meantime a postal card was received stating that
two horses, a sorrel horse with white face and a bay horse, had been stolen
from Thayer, Kansas, about 100 miles distant. One of the horses had been
purchased in the meantime by Mr. Riddle, the dry goods merchant, who traded a
suit of clothes for it. The postal card was directed to the City Marshal, and
was handed to Wm. Gray, who, with constable Morgan, examined the property,
found the description almost exact, and arrested the two men in the saloon
without resistance. They had a preliminary trial before Judge Christian and
were bound over to appear at the next term of the District Court to be held in
May. In default of bail, they were committed to jail. The countenances of the
two were not of the best, and their demeanor before the Justice's court was such
as to make anyone believe they were guilty, as they declined to give their
names or answer any questions. Before taking them to jail, Mr. Riddle recovered
the clothes he had traded them, but is out the $4 in cash he gave as booty.
[ARTICLE BY JAMES CHRISTIAN RE KANSAS
HISTORY.]
TRAVELER, APRIL 3, 1878.
[For
the Traveler.]
A
Scrap of Kansas History.
FRIEND SCOTT: As the Historical Society
of Kansas seems desirous of scraps of the unwritten history of Kansas, to illustrate
the lives and acts of its early settlers, I propose to give through your paper
a little light on one of the saddest events that ever occurred in the early
days of Kansas settlement.
I mean the death of Gaius Jenkins at the
hands of James H. Lane, familiarly known as "Jim" Lane. The circumstances
of the killing, the supposed causes that led to the terrible calamity, the
trial of Lane before Justice Ladd, and all the facts connected with it, were
published in the papers of that day, so that a republication of these facts
would throw no new light on the subject. But as nearly all the principal actors
in the drama are now in their graves, I now propose to give a little scrap of
history—a link in the chain of causes that produced that
catastrophe—that came under my own
observation, and of which I had personal cognizance at the time.
Those familiar with the early events in
Lawrence will remember that shortly after Col. Lane settled in that place, in
the spring of 1855, one of his children died and was buried on his claim, a
short distance southwest of the old "log house" he then lived in.
Around the little grave was a neat paling fence.
In the fall of that year the "Kansas
troubles" commenced. Col. Lane was, as all will remember, absent much of
the time during that winter and the following year of 1856, and his family,
with the exception of little Jennie, was then in Indiana. During the troubles,
and while Lane was absent pleading the cause of the Free-State party, Jenkins,
being a settler on the same claim, took forcible possession of Lane's log
house, and plowed up and cultivated the land that Lane had broken up, and on
which his child was buried.
In 1857, on the return of Lane and
family, all traces of the grave were gone, having been plowed over and
cultivated the previous year, and the fence removed so that not the faintest
trace of where the grave was could be found.
Lane and myself spent several days
hunting and digging about where we supposed the grave was located, and both
came to the conclusion that the body had been dug up, as no trace of the coffin
could be found or any part of the paling fence. When we concluded it must have
been raised by someone, Lane instantly laid it to Jenkins, his enemy and claim
contestant. I shall never forget the
expression of his face as, with compressed lips, he exclaimed:
"Such a G_d d_____d ghoul is not fit
to live! If I was only certain that he dug up my child out of revenge on me, I
would kill him at first sight."
The tears started in his eyes. I tried to
calm him by telling him we might be mistaken in the exact distance from the
house—that as the ground had been plowed over, and no mound perceivable, the
body might still be there.
"Yes," said he, "but why
did the d____d brute tear the paling away, and plow over the grave so that it
could never be found?"
This was a conundrum that I could not
answer, but had to admit it was a most beastly and inhuman act. The remembrance
of that child's grave still rankled in his breast against Jenkins until the
fatal encounter in 1858, when Jenkins was slain.
"General" Lane, until the day
of his death, believed that Jenkins dug up the child and threw it away. Whether
he was guilty or not, God only knows, but these are the facts as I saw and
heard them. Lane, with all his faults, was a loving and an affectionate father,
passionately fond of his children.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1878.
The election of city officers took place
last Monday with the following result.
MAYOR: JAMES BENEDICT, 61; W. M. SLEETH,
37.
COUNCILMEN: J. T. SHEPARD, 63; WM. SPEERS,
59; THOS. BERRY, 63; C. R. SIPES, 58; I. H. BONSALL, 61; S. P. CHANNELL, 40; A.
A. NEWMAN, 37; H. P. FARRAR, 37; E. D. EDDY, 37; T. H. McLAUGHLIN, 40.
POLICE JUDGE: JAMES CHRISTIAN, 84;
TIMOTHY McINTIRE, 12.
Total
number of votes cast: 98.
It is generally supposed that the
officers elected will favor granting a saloon license on a proper petition.
[LETTER—JAMES
CHRISTIAN TO LAWRENCE STANDARD REPRINTED.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 17, 1878.
The
Great Valley.
ARKANSAS
CITY, KANSAS, March 28, 1878.
[From
the Lawrence Standard.]
ED. STANDARD: In the past 48 hours we
have had copious showers. The ground is now soaking wet, and it is pouring down
rain. This insures our wheat crop, unless some unforeseen event happens to
injure or destroy our prospects. Our wheat crop never looked better at this
season of the year. In many places it is two feet high, much of it jointing.
But the oldest inhabitant never heard, saw, or dreamed of such a season as
this. Our peach trees are nearly all out of bloom, and the leaves are out quite
green in the woods; some trees, as the maples, are almost in full leaf. The
prairies are quite green—as much so as I have seen them in May. Our farmers are
preparing for harvest already, selecting their reapers, harvesters, and headers. This season nearly all the harvesters are
supplied with self-binders. In a few years, if our agricultural machinists keep
on inventing, our farmers will have nothing to do but oversee and give instructions,
ring a little bell, and the horses will hitch up themselves and go to work,
plow and sow, reap and mow, and haul the grain to market.
Our implement dealers have the sidewalks
encumbered with plows of all descriptions—
breakers, stirrers, sulky, and gang plows
of all kinds, patterns, patents, and descriptions, besides a lot of implements
that I don't know the use of.
With such machinery skillfully handled in
our productive soil, with seasonable weather, who can contemplate the amount
of produce that Cowley County might raise and export? Oh, if we only had an
outlet down the Arkansas river to New Orleans direct, instead of going 1,100
miles around by way of Kansas City and St. Louis to get there! It is exactly
the same distance from this place to Fort Smith, Arkansas, as it is to Kansas
City, Missouri, and precisely the same distance to Napoleon, at the mouth of
the Arkansas, that it is to St. Louis.
At Napoleon we are only 615 miles above New Orleans—48 hours by
steamer—while St. Louis is 1,240 miles, usually six days by steamer.
With the Arkansas River open for
navigation from this place or Wichita to the mouth, there need be no famine in
China, India, or elsewhere. The fertile valley of the Arkansas, like the Nile
of old, would be the granary of the world. Its mild and healthful climate,
rich and productive soil, must soon attract the attention of emigrants to its
mines of hidden wealth. If our
Government would spend one-fifth the amount in the cleaning and improving of
our noble river that she does on some eastern harbor or ocean project, our most
sanguine hopes would be more than realized, and it would pay the world at large
in getting cheap food for the starving millions.
We want no protection from the Government
for our labor. All we ask is a cheap outlet to the sea, the highway of nations,
down to the Father of Waters. Broad or narrow gauge railroad bonds may, like
physic, be thrown to the dogs.
I see your people and Kansas City are on
the right track—the agitation of river navigation and improvement. It is the
poor man's best hold. No pooling or combination in that. The mud scow and the
floating palace have the same rights there. It is open to all, like the king's
highway—the rich man's coach or the tinker's cart. Keep the ball rolling.
Hurrah for Eads and river navigation.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, APRIL 24, 1878.]
GOODS uncalled for at the Express office
in Arkansas City. Parties will please
call and get them.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN, Agent.
S. P. Channell, 3 packages.
Mansor Rexford, 1 package.
Ellen M. Finney, 1 box.
Thomas Brown, 1 box.
F. Sommers, 1 box.
Benedict Bros., 1 package.
James Root, 1 seine.
Ellen Bank, 1 trunk.
A. Wilson, 1 package.
J. A. Loomis, 1 package.
[MORE BUSINESS NOTICES/ADS: TRAVELER, APRIL 24, 1878.]
For
Sale at a Bargain.
230 acres of land joining the town site,
80 acres improved, 70 acres of timber, and a stone house in town with 4 lots;
one of the best corn farms in the county, all for $2,500. Inquire of Judge
Christian, Arkansas City, or at the Citizens' Bank, Winfield. Also 40 acres of growing wheat on this tract,
price $3.00 per acre.
J.
C. McMULLEN.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 5, 1878.
YANKED UP. Two very smart little cowboys
from Texas, by the name of Graves and Freeman, shipped too much tangle-foot
aboard last Monday evening, and with carbines strapped on their backs, rode up
and down the street inquiring for "that G__d d____d city marshal."
Morgan stepped up to them, pulled one of them off, ordered the other one pulled
off, and they followed him to the Police Court with about as much nerve as a sheep,
doubtless satisfied in finding him. They were afterwards "found" by
Judge Christian to the tune of eight dollars each. Don't try it again, boys.
Carbines behind a man don't scare anybody up here.
[BUSINESS NOTICE: JAMES CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 5, 1878.
Notice
to Trespassers and Wood Thieves.
I have been duly appointed agent of
Michael Harkins for the sale and care of the "Gallert Island," and
that I will prosecute to the extent of the law, all trespassers found on said
land cutting or destroying the timber, or hauling off down timber without my
authority.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 3, 1878.
A Mr. Osborn was up before his honor,
Judge Christian, and deposited $5.00 for the privilege of filling his hide with
Patterson's forty-rod corn juice.
[JAMES CHRISTIAN TELLS
"MURDOCK" ABOUT AUNT SALLY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 10, 1878.
A
STEAMBOAT FROM LITTLE ROCK.
Arrives
at Arkansas City.
A
Spicy Letter from the Hon. James Christian,
Who
Tells All About It.
ARKANSAS
CITY, June 30, 1878.
FRIEND MURDOCK: The steamer "Aunt
Sally," from Little Rock, arrived this morning. Our town is mad with excitement. Men, women,
and children, some on foot, some on horseback, others in buggies and wagons, rushed
"pell mell" for Harmon's Ford on the Walnut, to witness a sight that
our people have thought of, dreamed of, and prayed for for the last six or
seven years: a real, living, breathing steamboat; as the children sometimes
say, "a sure enough steamboat."
There she was, puffing and blowing like a
thing of life. Some two hundred people rushed on board and examined her all
over, from deck to Texas—cabin, engine, boiler, water wheel—all were
scrutinized. They were in her and all over her.
Steam being up, the captain invited all
hands to a ride up the Walnut as far as Newman's mill and back. The bank was
lined with people and the yells and cheers of those on deck and those on shore
made the welkin ring. It was hip!—rip!—huzzah!—one after another. A general
good time was had.
In the afternoon three hundred persons
went aboard by invitation, for a ride down the river. Our cornet band did
their best tooting on the occasion. Everything was hilarity and joy.
Little preaching was heard in Arkansas
City today, you may depend. "Aunt Sally" was in everybody's mouth.
She will stay until after the 4th, and
will try to get up and see Wichita, if possible. The boat is owned by Captains
Burke and Lewis, of Little Rock; is 85 feet long, 18 feet wide, and draws 14
inches light, and about two feet when fully loaded; carries 40 tons; made the
run from Ft. Smith to this place in six days; met with no difficulty or
obstructions on the way; the pilot thinks the river even better above than
below Ft. Smith.
At this stage of water a railroad is
nowhere alongside of a steamboat. Hurrah for the navigation of the Arkansas! It
is no longer a matter of speculation, but is now a fixed fact—a reality. The
"Aunt Sally," the pioneer steamer of this great Southwestern river,
has proved it.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[A MILKING MACHINE: JUDGE CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 24, 1878.
A
Milking Machine.
Arkansas City is still in the lead. Some
few evenings ago we noticed quite a large crowd in front of our office, and
bent upon seeing what was going on, we rushed to the scene of the excitement,
and soon discovered the cause—rather, a cow and Judge Christian with his
milking machine in full operation, making the lacteal fluid pour a continuous
stream into the pail, and completely draining the cow's udder in a few minutes.
This is a very simple apparatus, though
very ingenious, consisting of four little silver tubes about two inches long,
closed at one end, but open at the other, with a small gum tube some eight
inches long fastened to each of them.
The end that is inserted into the teat has three small holes on each
side, into which the milk flows, thence through the rubber tubes into the pail.
All four of these rubber tubes are so fastened together that the milk from all
the teats flows in one continuous stream into the pail.
It is an English invention, manufactured
at Sheffield, and sold by an agent in this county: price $5. It looks like a big price for so
small an article, but Judge Christian says he would not take double what it
cost and do without one, as a child of eight or ten years can milk fifty cows
in one evening by the aid of this invention, and experience no fatigue.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 21, 1878.
The following gentlemen were elected
delegates and alternates to the Democratic Convention to be held at Winfield,
August 24th, 1878. Delegates: W. Green, Noah Kimmell, Pat Somers, Judge
Christian, T. McIntire, and S. B. Adams. Alternates: Amos Walton, John Gooch,
E. M. Godfrey, J. Holloway, J. W. Hutchinson, and J. P. Eckles.
[RAILROAD MEETING WITH SANTA FE: COMMITTEE REPORTS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 4, 1878.
To
the People of Cowley County.
The Committee appointed in this city at a
railroad meeting, held on the 10th of June, 1878, to conduct all the
correspondence with the president of the A., T. & S. F. Co., in relation to
the extension of a branch road through this county, in observance to their
instructions respectfully submit the following report.
Under date of Aug. 20th, the President of
the Santa Fe Co. writes us that his company are now engaged in negotiations
with the people of Sedgwick county for an extension of that branch down the
Arkansas Valley to this point, and thence to the southern boundary of this
county via Arkansas City. The Santa Fe Co. also contemplate at no distant day
to form a connection with the Fort Smith and Little Rock Co., and thus give us
a southern connection. If the pending
negotiations with Sedgwick county fail, then the Santa Fe Co. propose to extend
the El Dorado branch of their road down the Walnut Valley, and on South as far
as above indicated. In either event the people of this county will be
benefitted by the extensions. We must
bear in mind, however, that our present efforts depend largely upon the success
of President Nickerson's negotiations with the people of Sedgwick or Butler
counties, and if they should obstinately refuse to co-operate and furnish the
requisite aid, our failure to secure a branch road can in no wise be attributed
to the disinclination of the Santa Fe Co. to help us.
President Nickerson is of the opinion
that if his present efforts are crowned with success, he will be able to
complete the road to this point during the ensuing year! Nevertheless, he calls
our attention to some obstacles which may interpose, which he can neither foresee
nor control. Among these are "strikes," stringency of the money
markets, and the difficulty of obtaining "ties."
We felt authorized to assure President
Nickerson that our people would certain co-operate with his company whether the
extension came from Wichita or El Dorado, that you would subscribe to the
extent of $4,000 per mile for each mile of completed road, and as to time,
interest on bonds, and all matters of mere detail, that you would deal with a
liberal and considerate spirit.
We deem it not improper to add that the
Santa Fe Co. is now building a western extension to the Rio Grande, at or near
Albuquerque; and so soon as the Southern Pacific is extended east from Tunice,
they propose to form a junction, and thus give to the people of Kansas an
outlet to the Pacific and the rapidly developing great west for their success.
The most casual observer, therefore,
cannot fail to realize that if the national objects of the Santa Fe Co. can be
carried out, the people of this county, by a subscription to one road, will
secure three outlets, East, West, and South.
Trusting that our action thus far may
meet your approbation, we respectfully suggest that each of the township
trustees, and other representative men of the county will meet in this city on
Thursday, the 5th of September, 1878, and take such further action as may be
deemed requisite.
COMMITTEE: J. B. HOLMES, JAS. CHRISTIAN,
J. B. LYNN, A. A. JACKSON, C. M. WOOD,
C. COLDWELL.
[RAILROAD
VERSUS STEAMBOAT: ARTICLE BY JAMES
CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 2, 1878.
Railroad
versus Steamboat.
Almost every paper that you pick up has
something to say on the dull times, the finances, and what will bring about a
change for the better.
Almost every locality has its local
hobby, to better the condition of the country, and some localities have one
advantage and some another.
But let us examine our own selves. Let us
view the situation of our own home, Arkansas City and southern Cowley. What
are our own wants, and under what disadvantages do we labor? Have we not the
best county of land in the State? Have we not as mild and salubrious a climate
as any in the United States? Have not our farms produced the most enormous
crops of wheat, oats, corn, and vegetables for the past few years? Is forty to
fifty bushels of oats to the acre not satisfactory to the farmer? Is twenty to
forty bushels of wheat to the acre not sufficient? Is fifty, seventy-five, and
one hundred bushels of corn to the acre not enough to compensate for the labor
expended? Is it not a fact at this time that our land fairly groans with the
weight of produce on hand waiting a purchaser or an outlet to market?
Situated as we are on the southern line
of the State on the banks of the Arkansas River, right reason and common sense
would dictate that our best hold is down the river by some means, either by
flatboat, steamboat, or both combined.
The want of transportation is wasting the
abundance of food for the people, keeping our farmers poor with thousands of
bushels of grain on hand, while others at a distance are starving for the grain
which is wasting on our hands for want of means to get it to market.
It would seem like a work of superogation
in this enlightened age to undertake to convince anyone of the cheapness of
water transportation over railroad transportation, but we will give one example
that must convince the most stupid and pigheaded of its truth.
The British Commercial Reports give the
case, showing actual shipments at paying freight rates of one-half million tons
per mile.
British Commercial Report No. 10 for
1875, under the title of "Proposed Inland System of Navigation,"
says:
"As to relative costs of transport
by water and railways, an instance is given of a case in point. A Cincinnati
steamer with her tows laden with coal from Pittsburgh, was passing down the
Ohio River, bound to Orleans, distant from Pittsburgh about 2,000 miles. The
cargo consisted of 336,000 bushels of coal weighing 13,440 tons. This coal was
being transported to New Orleans at 5 cents per 100. At this very moderate rate
the down trip brought to the boat and barges $13,440, considered a remunerative
trip by the owners. Now, to have carried such a freight by rail would have
demanded a force of fifty trains, or 1,344 cars, with 10 tons each. At $2.00 a
car, with 10 tons freight, to be carried 2,000 [which is even lower
transportation than can be profitable on the railroads], this cargo would have
amounted to $268,000, making a difference of more than $250,000 on the
transportation of the cargo by one cheap steamboat and her barges.
Cost by rail . . . . $268,000
Cost by water . . . 13,440
Gain by water: $254,520
Now, such being the case, what is the
duty of the farmers of southern Cowley, Sumner, and Chautauqua counties but to
bend all their energies, concentrate all their means to the establishing of a
line of boats on our river that will afford us a means of getting all our
surplus produce, of whatever description, to market. It is every man's
interest! It is every man's duty to contribute what he can towards such an
object. Almost an existence depends on it. The price of farm products rise or
fall in proportion to the accessibility to a market. Thus corn in Cowley County
today is only worth from 12 to 15 cents per bushel, while on the Mississippi
River, it is worth from 55 to 65 cents a bushel. Wheat is a drug at home here
at 40 cents, while on the Mississippi it is worth 90 cents to $1.25 per bushel.
Do you ask the cause? I answer high railroad freights. But, says the farmer,
what can I do toward reduction of freights? We cannot build steamboats. No, but
you can contribute your quota to help those who are willing to put their means
into a boat as an experiment to test the feasibility of river navigation.
Two of your neighbors, Messrs. Seymour
& McClaskey, are now building and have on the "ways" a boat 82
feet long and 18 feet wide, built in a neat and substantial manner by a
competent boat builder. The material used is good sound white oak lumber, sawed
at their own mill. The bottom, sides, ribs, etc., are to be decked with pine,
and equipped with a good 20 horsepower engine and boiler temporarily until she
can be got to where a more powerful engine and boiler can be procured. These
men mean business, they are your neighbors, and have no greater interest in the
prosperity of the county than you have, and no more means to spend, yet they
are willing to risk their all—you ought to be willing to risk something to help
them.
A little from everyone would help these
men, and encourage them in their noble enterprise. Will you do it? I doubt not
but that you will come up like men with your little 5 or 10 bushels of wheat,
or the cash if you prefer it. It is money well spent. It will be like bread
cast upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days a rich harvest of
good.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
[NOTICE BY JAMES CHRISTIAN: FOR J. W. FRENCH.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1878.
Fair
Warning Notice to All.
I have been appointed agent of J. W.
French for the protection of his land, and will prosecute to the utmost extent
of the law all persons found trespassing on said land, either cutting down
timber, poles, or sapling, or hauling away timber, wood; laying or being on
said land (that is, the land formerly owned by J. C. McMullen).
JAMES
CHRISTIAN, for J. W. French.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1879.
We would call special attention to the
legal card of James Christian. Mr. Christian is a Kansan of the times that
"tried men's souls" and is well known throughout the state as a talented
attorney and orator.
CARD:
JAMES
CHRISTIAN,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, Arkansas
City, Cowley County, Kansas, Judge of the Police Court. Justice of the Peace,
Notary Public, and Land Agent. Also, Agent for the "Home Insurance"
Company of New York, and Phoenix of Hartford, Conn. Will attend promptly to all
business in his line. Oldest practicing lawyer in Kansas. Charges, moderate.
[JIMMY CHRISTIAN - ATTORNEY FOR KEOKUK,
CHIEF OF SAC AND FOX.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 28, 1879.
THE
RIGHTS OF INDIANS.
The decision at Omaha, that the Indians
have the same right to go where they please as whites, brings to mind a similar
decision by the Supreme Court of Kansas, some ten years ago.
Keokuk, a Chief of the Sac and Fox tribe,
wanted to go to Washington to see his "Great Father." The Indian
Agent said Keokuk should not go because there was no appropriation to pay his
expenses. Keokuk said he would pay his own expenses and started, and got to
Lawrence, where the Agent had him arrested and brought before a U. S.
Commissioner who put him in jail, as Jimmy Christian, his attorney said,
"with thieves, robbers, and other vile characters." After a few days
he was discharged under a habeas writ. He brought suit in the District Court
for false imprisonment. He got a judgment against the Agent, and the case was
taken to the Supreme Court of Kansas. Judge Kingman, in rendering a decision
sustaining the judgment of the court below, said he could find no law to make
it an offense for an Indian to go to Washington if he wanted to and paid his
own bills.
He said that under no law, human or
Divine, could he be subject to arrest and imprisonment by anyone. The opinion
concluded by saying: "His rights are regulated by law for redress, it is
not in the power of any tribunal to say you are an Indian and your rights rest
in the arbitrary decision of executive officers, and not in the law." The
case is reported fully in the 6:h Kansas reports, page 94. Commonwealth.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 2, 1879.
Greased
Pole Exhibition.
Mr. Editor, I hope that the greased pole
exhibition will be left out of the programme on the 4th, as no good can result
from it, but possibly harm. A few years ago at Lawrence an exhibition of that
kind was had, which resulted in the death of two promising and ambitious
little fellows, and the lasting injury of two or three others. The winner of
the prize died within 24 hours, and the most successful competitor within three
days, by overexertion in trying to climb, encouraged by the cheers of the thoughtless
crowd that was urging them to their own destruction and loss of health. The
tears and cry of the father of one of the boys who related to me the cause of
his son's death, I can never forget. Not being present, he could not prevent
it. His boy came home, went to bed, but never got up. He lingered three days,
then died. The blood almost burst from his face through the skin. I hope it
will not be permitted to go on.
JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 7, 1879.
The Arkansas City Democrat, of
last week, contains the following personal:
"Judge Christian is Express and
Stage Agent, is an old stand-by, and has stood by and seen many things that we
now read about: in the early history of Kansas, has taken by the hand each of
the 17 Governors of Kansas; knew intimately all the leading spirits that
figured in Kansas trouble and early history; is now the oldest member of the
Supreme Court of Kansas; was admitted the first day that the Supreme Court was
organized, in July, 1865; was the first County Clerk and Register of Deeds in
Douglas County, also Clerk of the Probate Court at its organization; served
nearly four years in the late unpleasantness as Captain and Commissary of
subsistence under a commission of Abraham Lincoln; was afterwards appointed and
commissioned United States Attorney for Dacotah Territory by President Johnson,
but declined the appointment on account of the climate, "preferring
Southern Kansas without a commission, to Decotah with one."
Arkansas City Traveler, September 17, 1879.
Judge Christian and Amos Walton are at
Lawrence, attending the Old Settlers' meeting.
[Note: Author not given. Believe,
however, it was Judge Christian. MAW]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 24, 1879.
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Our
Quarter-Century Celebration.
It seems but right that a few words
should be devoted this week to a celebration of the building of an empire in
the short space of twenty-five years, to the growth of a State that has
outstripped even prophecy in the grand development of material wealth and
population, which has sent Kansas forward like a boom to the front ranks with
her sister States. And it was well that on the morning of her twenty-fifth
anniversary, the booming of a cannon should bring together the remnants of that
little band, who, through the days of fiery trial, laid the foundation for the
grand structure over which they were to rejoice in the two days following.
It was first in order to install Charles
Robinson, first free state governor, as president, and then a long list of
vice-presidents—every name a reminiscence of early times. But stop, till we say
it done one good to see an old white-haired fellow rush across the grounds and
make a jump for the hand of a comrade whom he had not seen for all the years
since they had struggled together in 1854 and 1855: “How are you? Where do you
live? How many folks you got?,” etc. Reunion; yes, it was here.
Then comes Governor Robinson's
introduction, strong, solid, and good—making them rejoice that much had been
accomplished and much was promising for the future.
Then comes Mr. Forney, a grand old man,
resembling Mr. Greeley in appearance, and much more in action, independent of
all parties. When Kansas needed him most, he gave us history of the past truth,
which we needed to know, and promise for the future which we hope to realize.
The grand old hero looked out over that vast audience as though he had a right
to be a part of them, and he had.
Then comes an old man bent and gray, but
with fire in his eyes yet, and the introductory says Julian of Indiana, and the
whole of that vast audience did homage to the man whose whole life has been
devoted to the cause in which the "Kansas Struggle" furnished the
solution. We cannot particularize.
Gov. St. John compared our State as
between 1856 and today in a rousing speech; Sidney Clarke paid a fine tribute
to the grim chieftain, but Sidney could not forget the present animosity
sufficiently to do justice to the living as well as the dead; he will learn
more as he grows older.
Gov. Crawford read a glowing tribute to
the man he introduced, but soared too high; we thought he had a broken wing.
Honest, old John Speer hovered around, introducing in a homely phrase, but
making everybody feel that it was good to be there.
The music was simply grand—worthy of
special note, a piece, a small piece of the band that played a funeral march
for the first dead martyr of Kansas. Then came a Kansas singer—a new settler—a
young lady raised on Kansas soil, whose fame will reach farther than the West.
Then came Edward Everett Hale, fresh from
the "classic city," to tell of the organization and work that founded
the city of Lawrence, and staid with the State until the banner of freedom
floated from border to border. To show the state of feeling both with the old
and the new, every mention of the first Kansas Senator, now dead, called for a
response from the audience. To show the complete interchange of feeling and the
complete burial of all former antagonism, almost every speaker connected the
name of Jas. H. Lane with that of Charles Robinson.
Then came the barbecue. That ox was
roasted whole, and wasn't very good either, but then it was a communion table
at which every old Kansan felt like taking a "chaw."
It has come and gone—a reunion which
Kansas can never know again. The twenty thousand people have melted away to
their homes and old settlers have taken each other by the hand, most of whom
will never celebrate another; but for years, as the scent of the flower remains
when the form is gone, so will the lingering sweetness of these rejoicings in
and renewal of old time friendship come back to the survivors. And so the old
and the new once more blend and start anew to realize a grand march in the next
quarter-century, that will realize the dream and the prophecy of that just
past.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 1, 1879.
A party of four, consisting of two men
and two "soiled doves" from Wichita came to our town Monday
afternoon. Meeting one of our citizens on horseback, they took him from the
horse and beat him without mercy. On complaint, they were arrested and brought
before Judge Christian for investigation. The Judge has an eye to this kind of
business, and will receive the endorsement of every good citizen in placing his
seal of condemnation upon the disorderly characters who attempt to "run
the town" in their interest. This investigation resulted in the modest
little fine of $47.00, which was promptly paid without much chin music. We
understand that the livery was the recipient of about $15.00 from the party for
transportation to Winfield. Next.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 22, 1879.
The northeast corner of Summit Street and
Central Avenue, now occupied by Judge Christian, has been purchased of Mr.
Sodon by Frank Speers, for $1,000.
[APPEAL FOR HELP FOR JUDGE CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 28, 1880.
A
Fair Appeal.
Would it not be fair and generous
considering the length of time that Judge Christian has been with us, and the
many efforts that he has made to build and uphold the city, now as he has grown
blind in the service to give something towards restoring his sight? In making
the journey for this purpose, he will necessarily have to take his daughter
along, and the expenses will be heavy—more than he can do at present. But not
more than this whole-souled generous community can do if they try.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 4, 1880.
Miss DeGrasse and T. A. Wilkinson have
very kindly offered to come down and give a concert for the benefit of Judge
Christian. The bar of Winfield have responded to the wants of the Judge with
alacrity and generosity, and we hope our people will not remain behind in the
good work.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 4, 1880.
James
Christian Blind.
The following from the Arkansas City
TRAVELER is the first intimation we have had of the fact stated.
"Would it not be fair and generous,
considering the length of time that Judge Christian has been with us, and the
many efforts that he has made to build and uphold the city, now as he has grown
blind in the service, to give something toward restoring his sight? In making
the journey for this purpose, he will necessarily have to take his daughter
along, and his expenses will be heavy—more than he can do at the present, but
not more than this whole-souled, generous community can do, if they try."
"Jimmy" Christian used to live
in Lawrence, and is well known in Eastern Kansas. We believe that if an effort
was made the lawyers of this part of the State would add to the fund proposed. Commonwealth.
A subscription is in circulation for the
benefit of Judge Christian, and we hope the public will respond generously to
the call.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 11, 1880.
Marshal Gray collected for the benefit of
James Christian and paid over to him, taking his receipt therefor, the sum of
one hundred and sixty-five dollars and twenty-five cents.
Judge Christian and daughter left here
last Monday for Pittsburg [Pittsburgh], where he expects an operation for the
removal of cataract from his eyes. He requests us to state that during his
absence his address will be Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, care Duquesne Bank.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 11, 1880.
Remember the concert at the M. E. Church
on Friday night for the benefit of Judge Christian. Prof. Wilkinson and Miss
DeGrasse of Winfield, assisted by the world renowned Prof. Hoyt, will make it
entertaining to all lovers of music, and as the cause for which they labor is
for the relief of suffering humanity we hope the public will give them a full
house. These distinguished musicians offer their services gratis and the M. E.
denomination, resolved not to be outdone, make no charges for the use of their
church. The people of Arkansas City are renowned for their kindness of heart
and readiness to assist the unfortunate. Go "Cast thy bread upon the waters
and it shall return unto thee after many days."
Arkansas City Traveler, February 25, 1880.
Pittsburg
Pa. Feb. 18, 1880.
Dr. Nathan Hughes:
On leaving home I promised to keep you
and my friends posted in regard to our movements.
I arrived here on Sunday the 15th about
noon, and soon found our friends, all well and hearty.
We were very much fatigued from our long
journey, but after a days rest we were both all right again.
On yesterday I called upon the most
eminent oculist in the City, and after a consultation with him, and an
examination of my eyes, he informed me in case of an absolute necessity an
operation could be performed now with safety, but that in his judgment the
cataract was not ripe enough to perform the operation with perfect safety; and that
it would be much better to wait six or eight weeks longer, until the cataract
would become quite ripe.
I am not in a situation to take any risks
in the matter, as almost my life is at stake on the success of the operation.
He gave me good encouragement and had no doubt that when the cataract became
ripe and no unforeseen impediment he could give me the sight of one eye as good
as ever—under no circumstances would he operate upon both of them at the same
time, nor indeed would he operate upon the second eye, if the first was an
entire success, that one good eye was better than two impaired eyes, he never
advised an operation upon the other eye, if a man had one good one.
He also informed me that generally there
is no more difficulty to be apprehended from the removal of the cataract,
properly ripe, by a skillful operation than there was in drawing a tooth.
Under these circumstances I will be
detained longer than I expected, and as the distance is too great and the
expenses too heavy to return home and then return and make another trip.
I am enjoying myself as well as could be
expected under the circumstances, owing to the dark atmosphere and smoky clouds
that overhang Pittsburg. I do not see as clearly as I did at home, in the pure
clear atmosphere of Arkansas City.
Pittsburg is now booming; her foundries
and manufactories are all running on full time, and have orders on hand that it
will take them months ahead to fill. Everybody here seems busy and contented.
Pittsburg has improved most wonderfully in the past few years. Streets that, on
my last visit, some fifteen years ago, were lined with little, dingy, one-story
frame buildings, are now hemmed in by five- and six-story buildings whose
architectural beauty and magnificent adornment absolutely astonish a
frontiersman, like your humble servant, but enough for the present.
Thanking you and the many friends in
Cowley county for the kindness and generosity exhibited in my behalf, I remain
yours truly,
JAS.
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 14, 1880.
We are informed by Mrs. Christian that
the operation on the Judge's eyes for the removal of cataract has resulted in
the restoration of his sight. He is now in the hospital at Pittsburg
[Pittsburgh], but his early return to this place is expected.
[LETTER FROM JUDGE JAMES CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 23, 1880 - FRONT PAGE.
FROM
JUDGE CHRISTIAN.
ALLEGHENY
CITY, PA., June 15, 1880.
Editors Traveler: I have been here four months tomorrow in this
busy, bustling city where all is life and activity. Still there is little going
on here of a local character that would be interesting to parties at a
distance. It is true that great improvements have taken place in this city and
vicinity, in fact and in reality. Pittsburgh, properly speaking, extends
twenty-five or thirty miles up and down the rivers, whose junction meet at old
Ft. Duquesne in the forks of the Alleghany and Monongahela.
When I arrived here in February, the iron
interest was booming. All the factories were running night and day, straining
every nerve to fill the demand. About the first of April the boom
"busted," and the iron and metal ware took a fall. Nails can be now
bought here for about half what they cost in February. The rolling mills are
still running, however, on full time, but there is not that rush that there was
some time ago.
You learned from the telegraph the three
great events that occurred the past week, the unexpected nomination of
Garfield, by the Republicans, and the jollifications over the event; the great
oil conflagration at Titusville, Pennsylvania, by which 250,000 barrels of oil
were destroyed, worth $1,000,000; and the Narragansett horror on Long Island
sounds, by which some one hundred lives were lost.
Occasionally a word is said, by the
papers, on the Whittaker case. The people generally do not concur with the
court of inquiry that Whittaker cut off his own ears to create sympathy for him
on his examinations.
The experts, however, are still at work,
not examining the marks upon paper, but the marks upon his ears. Some of them
think they discover tooth marks. If this be so the public may change their
opinion and agree with the court that Whittaker, in a fit of despondency,
"chewed off his own ears." This is the only conclusion that I can
come to. The affair from beginning to ending has been a disgrace to our nation,
and those connected with the shameful mockery of trial. Blue blood has trampled
in the dust a black skin.
[Note: The Whittaker case was covered
extensively in eastern papers. Whittaker was a Negro cadet at West Point. The
following appeared about the time Christian wrote his letter: “The
investigation in the Whittaker case at West Point still goes on, the latest
being the fact that five experts have examined the note of warning sent to
Whittaker and all conclude in stating that it is in his own handwriting.” MAW]
I leave here in a few days for home, but
I am sorry to say with little brighter prospects than when I came. I have had
two operations upon the right eye with no apparent benefit, but the eye is so
weak from the operation and the inflammation that followed it, that it would be
difficult to say positively what will be the result. Time alone will determine
that.
Yours
Respectfully, JAS. CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 30, 1880.
Judge Christian has returned to his home
in this city, and we are sorry to say has not been benefitted by the operations
performed upon his eyes so far.
[Note: Judge Christian’s eyesight began
to fail in 1879. He became totally blind in 1882.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 13, 1880.
Judge Christian has moved his office back
into his old quarters, over Mantor's grocery, where he can be found during the
day. Parties wishing any kind of deeds or papers drawn up should give the Judge
a fair share of their business. His age and affliction constitute a double
claim upon our people, and it can be met with no extra cost to our citizens but
a little thoughtfulness when needing anything in his line.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1881.
A concurrent resolution was introduced in
the House last Friday, which was adopted, memorializing Congress to grant a
pension to James Christian, of this city.
Winfield Courier, February 3, 1881.
The senate passed last Thursday the
senate concurrent resolution presented by Mr. Hackney, memorializing congress
to grant a pension to James Christian, of Arkansas City. Mr. Christian was
formerly the law partner of Gen. James H. Lane, at Lawrence. He was captain and
quartermaster in the Union army during the war, from which he retired with
clean hands but impaired constitution. He lost his property in Lawrence by
raids and other misfortune, and since then has moved to Arkansas City, where in
his age and poverty he has become legally blind, probably the remote result of
exposure during the war; but as he will not answer to this, he does not get a
pension. The senate did well in passing this resolution.
Winfield Courier, February 3, 1881.
In the House on Monday, S. C. B. No. 20,
requesting Congress to pass an act placing Jas. Christian on the U. S. pension
rolls was read. Mr. Lemmon asked that the resolution lie over as Mr. Mitchell,
who resided at the home of James Christian, was absent. Mr. Russell hoped Mr.
Lemmon would withdraw his motion, as many of the members of this House knew old
Jimmy Christian, and he wanted a chance to vote for it. Mr. Lawhead moved that
the name of Mrs. Martha Angell be added as an amendment, and made a strong and
earnest speech in support of the motion. Mr. Houston did not think it right to
make a Christian carry an Angell on his back; that she could soar on her own
wings. Mr. Legate did not favor the amendment; it was too much of a
combination. The motion to concur was lost, 44 to 50.
[CAPT. JAMES CHRISTIAN OF ARKANSAS CITY:
RESOLUTION PRESENTED.]
TRAVELER, FEBRUARY 9, 1881 - EDITORIAL
PAGE.
A resolution was before the legislature
requesting Congress to pension Capt. Jas. Christian, of Arkansas City.
"Jimmy" Christian, as he is familiarly called by the old settlers of
Kansas, served through the war in the Commissary Department. Unlike some others
who bore the rank and received the pay of a Captain, Jimmy didn't know how to
save $200,000 or $300,000 in three or four years on a salary of $125 per month.
He came out of the service as poor as when he entered it, with no blot or
blemish upon his name as an officer or a man. Now he is old, worn out, and
blind, and his blindness results from disease contracted while in the service.
It would seem under these circumstances a mere matter of justice for the
legislature of Kansas to press his case upon the attention of Congress, particularly
when we have so many big, double-fisted, healthy men, who have not performed
one-half the service Capt. Christian has rendered his country, drawing pensions
for imaginary injury.
Caldwell Commercial
Winfield Courier, March 10, 1881.
The resolution asking that James
Christian be placed on the pension rolls finally passed both Houses.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 6, 1881.
A
NO. 1 FAMILY PONY FOR SALE CHEAP.
I will sell my dun mare and colt, also a
good half worn top buggy and harness, at a bargain. Anyone wanting such can see
them by calling on me, at the first white house north of the schoolhouse. JAMES
CHRISTIAN.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 11, 1881.
Entertainment
for Judge Christian.
Go to The Entertainment At the M. E.
Church, Tomorrow, Thursday evening, For the benefit of Judge Christian.
The following is the proposed programme.
Full Chorus: Ladies and gentlemen.
Instrumental: Mrs. Baker and Mr. Griffith.
Aileen Allena: Song and chorus—gentlemen.
"The Irish at Home," with
anecdotes—J. Wilson.
Quartette: Gentlemen.
Reading:
Mrs. Farrar.
Instrumental: Mrs. Baker and Wm. Griffith.
Singing:
Ladies.
Solo:
Mrs. Eddy.
Reading:
Irish story—Jas. Wilson.
Grande Finale Musicale:
Ladies and Gents.
Winfield Courier, September 15, 1881.
We notice that Capt. James Christian has
taken C. C. Rolland as a law partner. The latter must furnish the eyes, but the
former can furnish a goodly amount of legal knowledge and experience. We wish
them great success.
Cowley County Courant, November 24, 1881.
Capt. James Christian, the oldest living
member of the Kansas bar, will speak at Manning's opera house Friday night on
Ireland and the Irish.
Winfield Courier, November 24, 1881.
Judge James Christian will lecture in the
Opera House next Friday evening on the subject, "Ireland and the
Irish." The Judge is a pleasant speaker and handles his subject well. He
has met with affliction in the almost total loss of sight, and deserves, and we
trust will secure, a large audience. The admission is twenty-five cents.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 30, 1881.
Judge Christian's lecture at Winfield
last Friday night was a decided success, as it undoubtedly deserved to be. Net
proceeds, $80.
Cowley County Courant, December 1, 1881.
Capt. James Christian, who lectures here
Friday night, has a history which many Kansans would be glad to have coupled
with his biography. He is the oldest member of the Kansas bar, and was for some
time during the early days of Kansas, the law partner of Jim Lane, and was
identified with many of the early hardships of our now proud, prosperous state.
He was one of the first to take up arms in defense of the Union, and like his
distinguished countryman, Gen. James Shields, left no stain upon the flag of
his adopted country, save that of his own blood. He served for a long time as
assistant commissary of subsistence, and left the service a poor man, which was
surely an unusual occurrence. He defended Josiah Miller, editor of a Lawrence
Free State paper, arrested and tried on the 15th of May, 1856, for treason, and
cleared him. Succeeded F. Chapman as a member of the Council, January 28th,
1857.
Was a member of the Democratic
Territorial convention at Leavenworth, November 28th, 1858. Was the Democratic
nominee for Judge of the Fourth Judicial District in 1859, and defeated by
Solon O. Thatcher, of Lawrence, receiving 1,782 votes to Mr. Thatcher's 2,568.
Was a member of the Atchison Democratic Convention, March 27, 1860.
Commenced the publication of the Lawrence
State Journal in partnership with Milt Reynolds, in June, 1865. Was
vice-president of the National Union State convention at Topeka, September 20,
1866. Was again defeated for Judge of the Fourth District, November 3, 1868,
this time by O. A. Bassett, of Lawrence, who received 4,584 votes to the
Captain's 1,960, and met with the usual Democratic success in Kansas (defeat)
until December 6, 1870, when he was elected as a Trustee of the State
Horticultural Society at Manhattan.
While in the Union army, the Captain
contracted a disease from which he has since suffered, and which three years
ago resulted in the loss of his eye sight, one of the greatest calamities that
can befall any man. Many of our people know Capt. Christian, and few Kansans but
have heard and read of him. All who can should attend his lecture Friday night.
Winfield Courier, December 1, 1881.
Judge Christian's lecture last Friday
evening was tolerably well attended and the audience was very well pleased with
it. Over a hundred tickets were sold that were not taken in at the door. The
net proceeds were $80.35. Senator Hackney and all the members of the bar took
hold of the matter with a will and furnished out of their own pockets money to
pay half rent and other expenses, so that the Judge might get the total
proceeds.
[CAPTAIN JAMES CHRISTIAN.]
Arkansas City Traveler, December 7, 1881.
Capt. James Christian has a history which
many Kansans would be glad to have coupled with his biography. He is the oldest
member of the Kansas bar, and was for some time during the early days of
Kansas, the law partner of Jim Lane, and was identified with many of the early
hardships of our now proud, prosperous state.
James Christian was one of the first to
take up arms in defense of the Union, and like his distinguished countryman,
Gen. James Shields, left no stain upon the flag of his adopted country save
that of his own blood. He served for a long time as assistant commissary of
subsistence; and left the service a poor man, which was surely an unusual
occurrence. He defended Josiah Miller, editor of a Lawrence Free State paper,
arrested and tried on the 15th of May, 1856, for treason, and cleared him. Mr.
Christian succeeded E. Chapman as a member of the Council, January 20th, 1857.
He was a member of the Democratic Territorial convention at Leavenworth
November 25th, 1858. He was the Democratic nominee for Judge of the Fourth
Judicial District in 1859, and was defeated by Solon O. Thatcher, of Lawrence,
receiving 1752 votes to Mr. Thatcher's 2568. He was a member of the Atchison
Democratic Convention, March 27, 1860.
James Christian commenced the publication
of the Lawrence State Journal in partnership with Milt Reynolds, in June
1865.
He was vice-president of the National
Union State convention at Topeka, September 20, 1866. He was again defeated for
Judge of the Fourth District November 3, 1868, this time by O. A. Bassett, of
Lawrence, who received 4,584 votes to the Captain's 1960, and met with the
usual Democratic success in Kansas (defeat) until December 6, 1870, when he was
elected as a Trustee of the State Horticultural Society at Manhattan.
While in the Union army, the Captain
contracted a disease from which he has since suffered, and which three years
ago resulted in the loss of his eye sight, one of the greatest calamities that
can befall any man. Many of our people know Capt. Christian, and few Kansans
but have heard and read of him. Cowley County Courant.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 4, 1882.
Judge Christian was made happy on
Christmas by the receipt of a draft of $56 from his old friends and fellow
citizens of Lawrence, Kansas. It was a tribute well merited.
Cowley County Courant, February 9, 1882.
The first child baptized in the Episcopal
Church in Kansas was a daughter of James Christian, now of Arkansas City.
Cowley County Courant, February 23, 1882.
Cowley County has the two oldest living
members of the Supreme Court of Kansas. Judge James Christian, of Arkansas
City, is the oldest member. J. Marion Alexander, of Winfield, is the second.
They were both admitted at Lecompton, the same day in December, 1855, the first
day the court was organized. Samuel D. LeCompt was Chief Justice, Rush, Elmore,
Saunders, and W. Johnson, Associate Justices; Noel Eccleson, Clerk; and Andrew
J. Isaacs, United States Attorney. On the same day was admitted R. R. Reed,
Marcus J. Parrott, and Edmund Brierley. But three of the above named gentlemen
are living: Judge Christian, Judge
LeCompt, and Col. Alexander. Traveler.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1882.
Judge Christian gave his lecture on
"Ireland and the Irish" at the M. E. church Monday night. For various
reasons it was interesting and all went away satisfied that they had heard it.
His historical review gave one a new conception of the antiquity of the Irish
race. They are as remarkable as the Jews for the vitality of their facial
peculiarities. The Judge gave us a graphic picture of the habits, customs,
strength, and weakness of the peasantry. The speaker lost the location of his
audience, and turned his face and spoke almost entirely to the empty benches in
the "amen" corner of the church. This touched us as quite pitiful. We
are glad to say that he realized about $35 net, and we hope he may succeed as
well and better elsewhere in the State. Beacon.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1882.
The law firm of Christian & Holland
have dissolved. The junior partner, C. C. Holland, left for Aberdeen, Dakota
Territory, where he will probably locate. He is a young lawyer of ability and
energy and will win success and friends wherever he goes.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1882.
Judge Christian returned to his home
Friday, looking hale and hearty. While absent he visited Wichita, Emporia,
Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, and was cordially received at all places.
Mrs. Christian accompanied him; she had not seen Kansas City for thirty years
and consequently noticed many changes.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1882.
In a recent issue of the Down Recorder,
published at Downpatrick, Ireland, we noticed an address presented to Mr. John
Richard McConnell upon the occasion of his erecting a new Post Office building.
Mr. McConnell has been Postmaster of Downpatrick for the past seventeen years,
and this address was presented by the patrons of the office as a token of their
esteem and regard. It was also accompanied by a substantial token, a purse of
sovereigns and a locket for Mrs. McConnell.
Downpatrick is the native town of our
townsman, Judge James Christian, and from him we also learn that the Mr.
McConnell above named is the brother of Mrs. John W. French, of this place, and
it is safe to say that he (Mr. McConnell) has no sympathy with the Land
Leaguers.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1882.
A righteous decision, and one that will
be highly appreciated, not only by the recipient and his family, but by the
entire community, and his host of friends all over the State.
It is with great pleasure we announce the
gratifying intelligence that the Commissioner of Pensions has placed upon the
roll of Invalid pensioners our old friend, Judge Christian, of this place, who
has been totally blind for the past four years, from injuries received while a
Captain in the U. S. Army, some 19 years ago. This, indeed, will be gratifying
intelligence to his many friends all over the State, who for the past two years
have anxiously waited for the result. We take this occasion to say that no
decision by the Commissioner of Pensions for several years has given such
universal satisfaction to the people of this State. It was mainly through the
untiring efforts of our distinguished Senator P. B. Plumb and Representative
Ryan that the above result has been brought about, and we hereby tender them
the thanks of this entire community, and assure them that their efforts will
not be forgotten soon by the voters of Southern Kansas, irrespective of party.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 21, 1883.
Judge Christian strained his back while
attempting to lift a barrel of water that was frozen, last week, which laid him
up for several days. Since then he has removed to his own house, under his own
roof once more, to the south part of town, in the property known as the
Woodyard house.
Winfield Courier, November 22, 1883.
A List of Pensioners, Cowley County,
showed that James Christian was entitled to a pension of $72.00 per month,
effective November 1882, for total blindness from sunstroke. He received back
pay of $1,200.
Winfield Courier, June 7, 1883.
Judge Christian walks pretty well for a
blind man. Every morning he can be seen on the porch of his house with his hand
on a stretched rope pacing forward and back for an hour or more. He walks sixty
yards a minute, or 500 yards in sixteen and two-thirds minutes, 3,600 yards per
hour, and in the course of a year would walk 766 miles. His new home affords
him more pleasure than the small room he occupied on Summit street, and he has
improved it so that it is one of the most attractive places in town. He enjoys
good health, has a pleasant home with his family about him, and tries to make
the best of life under his affliction. Now that he is in prosperity, so to
speak, he has not forgotten the friends that aided him, and always speaks in
the kindest terms of Senator Hackney, Hon. Thos. Ryan, Senator Plumb, and
others who placed him in the circumstances he is today, where we earnestly
hope, by the will of the Almighty, he may live and die in peace. Traveler.
Arkansas City Republican, March 20, 1886.
MARRIED. Wednesday evening at the
residence of the bride’s parents, Miss Linda Christian and W. A. Daniels were
united in marriage by Rev. J. O. Campbell. A number of invited guests were in
attendance and the bridal couple were the recipients of many handsome presents.
The bride is the daughter of Judge James Christian. The groom is a salesman in
the clothing emporium of Youngheim & Co. The REPUBLICAN wishes Mr. and Mrs.
Daniels all the possible happiness of married life.
Arkansas City Republican, March 19, 1887.
Judge Jas. Christian sold 50 x 90 feet of
his lots with a frontage on 3rd Avenue to T. E. Elgan, of Ohio, for $3,200.
Judge James Christian, born September 29,
1819, died April 14, 1895. He was buried in Riverview Cemetery at Arkansas
City. His death was a quiet and peaceful one. He breathed his last on Easter
morning at 6:15 o’clock.
His wife is buried beside Judge
Christian. We do not know her birth and death dates.