N. W. HOLMES.

                                                                 Winfield.

Kansas 1875 Census, Winfield Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.

Name                           age sex color                Place/birth          Where from

N. W. Holmes        53?  m     w                  Indiana                   Indiana

Catherine Holmes         47    f      w                  Pennsylvania                 Indiana

Hortense Holmes          16    f      w                  Indiana                   Indiana

Eugenie Holmes            15    f      w                  Indiana                   Indiana

The Winfield township census of 1873 lists Nathan W. Holmes, age 50, and his wife Catharine, age 45.

The Winfield township census of 1878 only lists Catharine Holmes, age 49.  (Apparently Nathan Holmes was deceased.)

Winfield Courier, January 18, 1873.

                                      DIED.  FREDERICK HOLMES, INFANT.

Died of inflamation of the Dura Mater (Otitis), HOLMES, near Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, January 11th, 1873, FREDER­ICK, only son and youngest child of N. W. and Catharine Holmes, aged four years, eight months and seventeen days.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 27, 1873.

The Concerts given by the Sunday School last Thursday and Friday nights were very pleasant affairs. Mrs. E. P. Hickok and Dr. Egbert and Prof. Tyrrel were the leading adult spirits. Misses Blandin and Holmes presided at the piano, with taste and skill. Master Johnson, a lad of about seven years, was the star of the occasion. Mrs. Partington was hard to excel. At the close of the second evening’s exercises, a poem in memory of Mrs. D. P. Manning, composed and set to music, written by Mrs. E. P. Hickok, was sung in quartette very affectingly, Mrs. W. D. Roberts leading.

     [Note: Paper had “Mrs. H. D. Roberts.” Believe it should read “W. D. Roberts.]

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1873.

Mr. Holmes on the Martin farm just south of town is prepar­ing to build a fine large brick house. The foundation is in, and the brick and other material are being put upon the ground.

Winfield Courier, February 4, 1875.

A report was given re pupils attending the grammar and intermediate departments of the Winfield Schools by W. C. Robinson: “The efficiency of our schools is much hindered by tardiness and irregular attendance. Parents will oblige us by aiding in overcoming this difficulty.”

                            Grammar Department: Eugenie Holmes; Hortense Holmes.

[SCHOOL EXHIBITION.]

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1875.

The Public Schools give an exhibition at the Courthouse Friday evening, the 12th of March, and the following is the programme.

Opening song: “Come join our Choral Number.”

Salutatory: Miss Ella Manly.

Song: Primary School.

Essay: “The American Indian”—Fred Hunt.


Violin Duet: Willie Leffingwell and Harold Mansfield.

Recitation: “Paul Revere’s Ride”—Miss Ella Freeland.

Song and Conversation: “The Bell kept Ringing for Sarah”—Miss Mattie Minnihan.

Dialogue: “How they kept a Secret.”—Misses Laura and Ida McMillen, Nellie Powers, Eugenie Holmes, Jennie Hane, Maggie Dever, Mary Cochran and Harold Mansfield. . . .

Other participants:

Mattie Minnihan, Inez Griswold, Harvey Thomas, Eugenie Holmes, Cora Andrews, Jessie Millington, Lillie Ford, Nettie Quarles, I. E. Johnson, Raleigh Millspaugh, and Frank Howland.

Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.

Notice. There will be a meeting of the stockholders of the Winfield Cemetery Associa-tion on Wednesday, March 31, 1875, at W. H. H. Maris’ store. All persons owning a lot in the Winfield Cemetery are stockholders, and entitled to vote at the meeting. A full attendance is requested.

Among the stockholders listed in Cemetery Association: N. W. Holmes.

Winfield Courier, October 12, 1876.

On invitation of Mr. and Mrs. James Holloway, several of our young folks spent last Thursday evening at the residence of Mrs. S. B. Bruner, five miles east of town. Excellent instrumental music was furnished by Mrs. Holloway and Miss Newman, on the piano, assisted by Ed. Holloway and Miss Hortie Holmes with that old fashioned, but always welcome instrument, the violin.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

The Concert given by the M. E. Choir, last Friday night, was a very creditable entertainment. Owing to the extreme cold weather many were deterred from attending. The same cause, we might add, prevented the arrival of “The best talent in the Southwest.” The songs, “Call John,” sung by Mr. Buckman and Will and Ed Holloway, and the “Deitch Jintleman,” by Mr. Buckman, were encored. The “Violin Duet” by the Misses Holmes and Ed Holloway was duly appreciated. Miss Jennie Holmes’ “violin” proved to be a guitar though. As the “Choir,” collectively and individually, have been often mentioned and heard here, we will not particularize but say that they each and all performed their respective parts well.

[RAILROAD MEETING: RESIDENTS OF COWLEY COUNTY.]

Winfield Courier, January 27, 1876.

The undersigned, residents of Cowley County, cordially unite in inviting the citizens of said county to meet in mass meeting at Winfield, on Saturday at 2 P. M.,

                                                          FEBRUARY 5TH,

to take such action as shall seem advisable upon consultation to secure the construction of a railroad into Cowley County. We desire each paper in said county to publish this call, and we hope that every township will be fully represented at said meeting.

Dated January 25, 1876.


WINFIELD: M. L. Read, S. D. Pryor, N. M. Powers, N. W. Holmes, N. L. Rigby, Thomas McMillen, L. J. Webb, Charles C. Black, J. S. Hunt, W. M. Boyer, John W. Curns, G. S. Manser, B. F. Baldwin, J. H. Land, A. H. Green, W. Q. Mansfield, E. C. Manning, S. H. Myton, J. C. Fuller, A. B. Lemmon, James Kelly, W. H. H. Maris, T. H. Henderson, A. N. Deming, H. S. Silver, J. M. Alexander, Amos Walton, D. A. Millington, J. E. Platter, W. M. Allison, And one hundred others.

Winfield Courier, September 7, 1876.

MR. MANNING threshed ten acres of Little May wheat last week that yielded 28½ bushels to the acre, machine measure. He also threshed from a thirteen acre field 23 bushels to the acre. Mr. Holmes, living south of town, threshed 30 bushels to the acre.

[DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.]

Winfield Courier, September 28, 1876. Editorial Page.

Winfield: J. W. McDonald, J. B. Lynn, J. D. Cochran, J. W. Curns, N. W. Holmes, C. C. Black, A. J. Thompson, Wm. Dunn, T. B. Ross, G. W. Yount.

Winfield Courier, October 12, 1876.

On invitation of Mr. and Mrs. James Holloway, several of our young folks spent last Thursday evening at the residence of Mrs. S. B. Bruner, five miles east of town. Excellent instrumental music was furnished by Mrs. Holloway and Miss Newman, on the piano, assisted by Ed. Holloway and Miss Hortie Holmes with that old fashioned, but always welcome instrument, the violin. Several sweet songs were sung by an impromptu choir, after which came refreshments, followed by a laughable “Deitcher” song by the inimitable Mr. Buckman. The evening passed very pleasantly to all.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

                                                             The Concert,

Given by the M. E. Choir, last Friday night, was a very creditable entertainment. Owing to the extreme cold weather many were deterred from attending. The same cause, we might add, prevented the arrival of “The best talent in the Southwest.” The songs, “Call John,” sung by Mr. Buckman and Will and Ed Holloway, and the “Deitch Jintleman,” by Mr. Buckman, were encored. The “Violin Duet” by the Misses Holmes and Ed Holloway was duly appreciated. Miss Jennie Holmes’ “violin” proved to be a guitar though. As the “Choir,” collectively and individually, have been often mentioned and heard here, we will not particularize but say that they each and all performed their respective parts well.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 15, 1877.

The following are the teachers attending the Cowley County Normal.

Winfield. Misses Ella C. Davis, Mary Pontious, Fannie Pontious, Mina C. Johnson, Alice Pyburn, Lusetta Pyburn, Mattie E. Minnihan, Lissie Summers, Mattie E. Walters, Rachel E. Nauman, Allie Klingman, Alice A. Aldrich, Genie Holmes, Ella E. Scott, Ella Hunt.

Winfield Courier, February 1, 1877.

DIED. At his residence, on Monday, January 29th, of pneumo­nia, Mr. N. W. Holmes.

Mr. Holmes was loved and respected by everyone that knew him, and his death is deemed a great loss to our community. He leaves a family to mourn his loss, who have the heartfelt sympa­thies of the entire community.

Winfield Courier, January 17, 1878.

PROBATE JUDGE’S OFFICE. During the past week Judge Gans received first annual report of Oldham, administrator of estate of N. W. Holmes, filed and approved.

Am guessing they are referring to residence of N. W. Holmes, deceased...


Cowley County Courant, March 16, 1882.

Mr. S. P. Jennings, who lives on the old Holmes place south of town, was last Saturday night the victim of one of the most bold and daring robberies and of the most dastardly character that is recorded in the annals of crime. During the night a band of separate and hungry men forcibly entered the chicken coop and stole eighteen chickens, cleaning out the ranch, and leaving it as desolate and chickenless as the grave. Age or sex was not spared; the old and the young, the low and the high, the tough and the tender, were swooped down upon by the invaders and torn from their peaceful and happy home. The outrage stands out in the light of the nineteenth century a dark blot upon American civilization. Brave roosters and fair hens were cut off in the plentitude of their existence. The penitent and impenitent were alike taken. The repentant hen who had gone to sleep happy in the resolution that she would lay more eggs in the future, and the belligerent rooster who had promised himself a free fight in the morning, shared alike the horrible fate that awaits stolen chickens in general. Such a sack was never seen since Rhoderik Dhu laid waste the pleasant hamlets of the Lowlanders, or the itinerant preachers of Indians struck terror to the yellow legged chickens of the backwoods. Never before has such a case of “fowl” play been brought to our notice. There is every reason to think that Jesse James and his villains are at the bottom of this. The last train robbery at the Blue Cut brought but little money, and these hunted desperadoes are probably at some rendez­vous on the Walnut, tearing those innocent and unfortunate victims of their red-handed crime, limb from limb. The coop that once held a happy family is now desolate and empty, and where once resounded the happy cackle of the rooster and the clarion notes of the hen is heard nought but the mournful echoes of the passing sounds. Mr. Jennings has the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in this prostrating blow that has left his heart and hen coop such an aching void.

Winfield Courier, April 3, 1879.

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

Winfield Courier, May 12, 1881.

HARD TO READ: THINK IT SAYS...On Monday Mr. Jennings, brother of our county attorney, purchased the Holmes property adjoining the city on the south, for $3,150, cash in hand.

Winfield Courier, February 2, 1882.

Miss Eugenie Holmes, of Shelbyville, Indiana, is here visiting her sister, Mrs. M. A. Oldham. She has just arrived from Howard, where she visited Mrs. E. W. Holloway, whom we are glad to note is recovering from her severe illness.

Winfield Courier, February 16, 1882.

Miss Eugenie Holmes left last Tuesday morning for her home at Fairland, Indiana.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 25, 1885.


Mrs. Ed Holloway, nee Miss Hortense Holmes, with her six-year-old boy, Eugene, arrived Sunday morning from Sedan and is a guest of Miss Jessie Millington.