GEORGE JENNINGS.

Winfield, Kansas.

[Brother of Frank S. Jennings, A. H. Jennings, S. H. Jennings, Ed Jennings.]

WINFIELD CITY DIRECTORY 1885:

Jennings Frank S, cigar manufacturer, 914 Main, res 814 e 12^th

Jennings Geo. S, cigar manufacturer, 914 Main, res 814 e 12^th

[Note: Above entries most confusing inasmuch as George S. Jennings became involved with W. F. Wilkinson in the “cigar” business.]

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.

First items found relative to George S. Jennings...

Winfield Courier, March 13, 1884.

Notice for Publication.

LAND OFFICE AT WICHITA, KANSAS, February 6, 1884.

NOTICE is hereby given, that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim and that said proof will be made before E. S. Bedilion, District Clerk at Winfield, Kansas, on Friday, March 14, 1884, viz: GEORGE S. JENNINGS, of Cowley Co., Kansas, for the Lot 2, Sec 2, Tp 34; & W hf of S E qr & se qr of sw qr of Sec 35, Tp 33 S, R 5 E. He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of said land, viz: I. N. Darnall, L. D. Rorick, J. H. Swindler, William Berry, all of Winfield, Kansas.

R. L. WALKER, Register.

Winfield Courier, March 13, 1884.

Notice for Publication.

LAND OFFICE AT WICHITA, KANSAS, February 5, 1884.

NOTICE is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before E. S. Bedilion, District Clerk at Winfield, Kansas, on Friday, March 14, 1884, viz: JOHN H. SWINDLER, of Cowley County, Kansas, for the w hf s w qr Sec 33 and e hf of s e qr Sec 34, Tp 33 S, R 5 E. He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, viz: I. N. Darnall, L. D. Rorick, James Ball, George S. Jennings, all of Winfield, Kansas. R. L. WALKER, Register.

Note: Next item shows “S. H.” Jennings. Think this should be A. H. Jennings...

Winfield Courier, August 7, 1884.

Wilkinson & Co., now occupying the new building of S. H. Jennings, next to L. M. Williams’ drug house, with their cigar factory.

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1884.

George Jennings came down from Carbondale Friday, spending a few days and returning to remain till December.

Winfield Courier, October 30, 1884.

McGuire Bros., A. T. Spotswood, W. F. Wilkinson, Bryan & Lynn, J. C. Long, A. Davis & Co., Rinker & Cochran have just received a lot of the celebrated “Jayhawker, Smoking Tobacco.” It will not bite your tongue nor make your mouth sore. Try it.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 28, 1885.

James D. Byers, who has been drumming for W. F. Wilkinson & Co.’s cigar factory, absconded a few days since with about forty dollars of the firm’s wealth. The cause of his departure is traceable to actions several months old. His folks reimbursed Wilkinson & Co.

FAILURE AT UDALL.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 2, 1885.

The general merchandise firm of Nathan Shriver & Co., at Udall, filed an assignment deed in the Register’s office Friday. Wm. C. Miles is the Assignee. The liabilities are about sixteen hundred dollars, including Wichita firms, over $800; Bliss & Wood, of this city, $27.50; and W. F. Wilkinson, our cigar man, $21.50. The remainder is scattered among creditors in Kansas City, Atchison, and St. Joe. The Bank of Commerce, Udall, is in $106, and J. Snodgrass & Co., that city, $130. The assignment is made to secure a chattel mortgage of A. Smith for $160. The assets are not known, supposedly too small for mention.

ANOTHER HAPPY OCCASION.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 30, 1885.

Storm or cloud, wind or cyclone, heat or cold can’t check the jollity and genuine sociability of our young folks. Facing a very elevated mercury, the presence of the Italian band imbued them, and Monday an impromptu party was given at the rink—not to dance much, you know, but just to enjoy the charming Italian music. But the charm of Terpsichore came with that of the music and round and round whirled the youth and beauty, in the mazy waltz and perspiration. The rink, with its splendid ventilation and smooth roomy floor, has a peculiar fascination for lovers of the dance, which, added to perfect and inspiring music, easily explains the enjoyment that reigned last night. The ladies, arrayed in lovely white costumes and coquettish smiles, always look bewitching on a summer evening. And right here we know the remark will be endorsed, that no city of Winfield’s size can exhibit a social circle of more beauty, intelligence, and genuine accomplishment—no foolish caste, no “codfish aristocracy,” or embarrassing prudishness. Among those present last night, our reporter noted the following, nearly all of whom “tripped the light fantastic.” Mr. and Mrs. J. F. McMullen, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Oliver, Dr. and Mrs. Emerson, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hosmer, Misses Bertha Williamson, Nellie Cole, S. Belle Gay, S. Gay Bass, Anna Hunt, Edith Hall, Mamie Shaw, Maggie and Mattie Harper, Gertrude and Nellie McMullen, Bert Morford, Nona Calhoun, Emma Strong, Sadie French, Lizzie and Margie Wallis, Nina Anderson, Jennie Lowry, Hattie Andrews, and Belle Bertram; Messrs. Fred C. Hunt, A. D. Speed, Willis Ritchie, D. H. Sickafoose, Amos Snowhill, S. D. and Dick Harper, Eli Youngheim, Ed J. McMullen, B. W. Matlack, T. J. Eaton, P. H. and E. C. Bertram, Everett and George Schuler, Lacey Tomlin, Byron Rudolf, P. S. Kleeman, Harry Bahntge, and George Jennings.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 27, 1885.

George Jennings collared a small boy at Arkansas City yesterday with pretty pond lilies and brought a number home for ornament. They are among the most beautiful of the flower kingdom—of velvety, creamy, bell-shaped blossom that is charming to appearance and odor.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 24, 1885.

Wilkinson & Jennings trimmed up the tree in front of their establishment this morning. This is correct. That tree was trying its best to spread all over Main street and the buildings adjacent thereto, and needed a quietus.

OUR FESTIVE SPORTSMEN.

A Day Amid Shot and Shell.

Game Scarce and Scores Small.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.

The annual hunt of the Winfield Sportsmen’s Club, yesterday, was all in a conglomerate mass on the floor of the Brettun House office last evening, where President Harter and Secretary Glass conducted the count of the terrible slaughter and gave the individual scores. It was a tired crowd of hunters, many of them looking very sad eyed. The unlucky ones swore on a stack of powder that Cowley County is just about gameless—some of them didn’t see a cotton tail all day; yes, some of them didn’t see anything, which is verified by the nonentity of their score; but hardly by the appearance of their ammunition, which seems to whisper, “wasted on the desert air.” But an honest consultation of hunters was unanimous in the verdict that they never did so much traveling for so little game. The game appeared to have been notified of its impending fate and crawled in its hole. Capt. Huffman’s division laid it over Capt. Hunt’s division by a good majority. The losing side sets up the banquet at the Brettun tonight, when a big time is anticipated. James McLain, as last year, bobbed up serenely with the champion score and raked in the gold medal. Dr. Riley, with a score of 20, raked in the tin medal.

THE SCORE.

Huffman’s Division.

P. A. Huffman, 1620; Jas. McLain, 1755; J. N. Harter, 410; Fred Whiting, 665; K. McClung, 765; Chas. Holmes, 730; F. Kessinger, 180; John Eaton, 235; J. R. Handy, 1130; Q. A. Glass, 115; Dr. J. G. Evans, 385; Dr. Emerson, 385; Dr. Riley, 20; J. B. Garvin, 215; T. J. Harris, 65; L. M. Williams, 170. Total: 8,845.

Hunt’s Division.

J. S. Hunt, 595; Jas. Vance, 705; F. Clark (didn’t hunt); Jap Cochran, 955; H. D. Gans, 910; J. B. Nipp, 805; J. Denning (didn’t hunt); Geo. Jennings, 805; M. L. Devore, 320; Geo. Headrick, 390; A. H. Doane (didn’t hunt); Geo. McIntire, 320; G. L. Rinker, 220; J. Barnthouse, 260; Hop Shivvers, 260; D. McCutcheon (didn’t hunt). Total: 6,445.

THE SPORTSMEN’S BANQUET.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.

Thursday night was the occasion of the annual banquet of the Winfield Sportsmen’s Club. The annual hunt occurred the day before, the victors and defeated had received their scores, and now was another meeting, to eat, drink (water), and be merry; the “greenies,” or unfortunates, telling how they walked and walked, and fired and fired, and came out with only a few cotton-tails; and the victors were to explain how they managed it in getting so much salt on the tails of their game. The banquet, of course, was spread in the large dining hall of the Brettun, “set up” by the losing division, under Captain Hunt. Messrs. Harter & Hill did themselves proud in the preparation of the banquet, a magnificent array of about everything obtainable in the culinary art, with waiters most attentive. At nine o’clock the feast began, partaken of by the following.

Victors: P. A. Huffman, captain; Jas. McLain, J. N. Harter, Fred Whiting, K. McClung, Chas. Holmes, F. Kessinger, John Eaton, J. R. Handy, Q. A. Glass, Dr. J. G. Evans, Dr. Emerson, Dr. Riley, J. B. Garvin, T. J. Harris, L. M. Williams.

Defeated and had to set ’em up: J. S. Hunt, captain; Jas. Vance, F. Clark, Jap Cochran, H. D. Gans, J. B. Nipp, J. Denning, Geo. Jennings, M. L. Devore, Geo. Headrick, A. H. Doane, Geo. McIntire, G. L. Rinker, J. Barnthouse, Hop Shivvers, D. McCutcheon.

Judge Soward, an old member of the club, Ed. G. Gray, the scribe and a few others, were admitted to the feastorial court as guests.

The feast over, Judge Gans, in a happy speech characteristic of the Judge, presented James McLain, whose score of 1755 made him the champion “sport” of the club, with the gold medal, a beautiful solid shield, engraved: “Presented to James McLain by the Winfield Sportsmen’s Club, for the highest game score, in 1885.” Jim was all “broke up,” as he should be, and asked John A. Eaton to the rescue for a response. John is always equal to any occasion and set the crowd in a roar with his unique remarks. Then came the presentation of the tin medal to Dr. Riley, for his lowest score of 20. Judge Soward’s wit bubbled out in a speech very witty and sparkling, full of happy hits. The Doctor’s response was very appropriate. Lively toasts on the “pot-shot,” the “professional shot,” and various subjects were dissected by Huffman, Vance, Emerson, Nipp, and others. It was a very happy occasion throughout, one to be long remembered.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.

George Jennings has left us a wonderful freak of nature: a flat Osage orange plant, with branches like the curing horns of a deer. It resembles a cactus very much, but it thousands of prickers are more venomous. George got it on the Territory line, when on his recent hunting tour.

G. O. CLUB PARTY.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 24, 1885.

The G. O. Club met Thursday eve in the very agreeable home of Miss Mary Randall. It was a thoroughly enjoyable party of our liveliest young folks, proving conclusively that the young ladies are adepts in arranging social gatherings. Those who enjoyed the occasion were: Misses Josie Bottom, of Ponca; Margie Wallis, Hattie Stolp, Leota Gary, Emma Strong, Jennie Lowry, Nona Calhoun, Bert Morford, Eva Dodds, Minnie Taylor, Ida Johnston, Nellie Rodgers, Anna McCoy, and May Hodges; Messrs. Harry Dent, of Ponca; P. H. Albright, Chas. F. and Harry Bahntge, Willis A. Ritchie, P. S. Hills, Ed. J. McMullen, George Jennings, Will Hodges, Fred Ballein, Harry Sickafoose, Frank N. Strong, Lacey Tomlin, Addison Brown, Livey Buck, and Frank H. Greer. The admirable entertainment of Miss Mary Randall, nicely assisted by her sister, Miss Ella, made all perfectly at home, with genuine jollity supreme. Cards, music, “the light fantastic,” supplemented by a choice luncheon, filled up the evening splendidly. The young ladies made an unique “hit” in this club. It is the alternate to the Pleasant Hour Club, managed by the boys. But there is more hearty sociability about it. Meeting at the homes of the members gives better opportunity for widening friendships. The Opera House, where all is form and dancing, gives a perceptible stiffness and chilliness that never exhibits itself in a private home. Yet the Pleasant Hour Club has succeeded in banishing much of this restraint—in trying to melt the cast that is always likely to exhibit itself at such parties. The social life of our young folks is more general this winter. Entertainments and parties are thick—something about every evening in the week.

SOCIETY MOVEMENTS.

The K. P. Ball at A. C. a Grand Affair.

Winfield and The Terminus Mingle.—The Frigidity Broken.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 24, 1885.

For years past there has been a considerable frigidity between Winfield and Arkansas City society. Why this was, couldn’t be explained. Invitations to social events of note passed back and forth, but fell on the desert air. The ice had got to be a foot thick. It is now broken: completely melted, on the part of Winfield. Friday night did it. It was the occasion of a ball and banquet by the Knights of Pythias, of Arkansas City. This Lodge is composed of many of the Terminus’ most prominent men. A grand affair was assured. A number of Winfield’s young folks determined to participate, in answer to hearty invitations. A very happy and mutually agreeable party was made up, as follows.

Mrs. Riddell and Misses Julia Smith, Margie and Lizzie Wallis, Sadie French, Jennie Lowry, Emma Strong, Nona Calhoun, Bert Morford, and Anna Hunt; Messrs. J. L. M. Hill, E. B. Wingate, Willis A. Ritchie, Wm. D. Carey, Tom J. Eaton, Chas. F. and Harry Bahntge, Byron Rudolph, P. H. Albright, George Jennings, Eli Youngheim, and THE COURIER scribe. They went down on the K. C. & S. W., arriving at 7 o’clock, and were handsomely received. This ball and banquet was the biggest social event in Arkansas City’s history. The entire management was perfect under the careful attention of—

Executive committee: A. Mowry, G. W. Miller, and Geo. S. Howard.

Reception committee: John Landes, J. L. Huey, H. P. Farrar, A. J. Pyburn, S. F. George, and F. E. Balyeat.

Floor managers: C. C. Sollitt, F. W. Farrar, T. B. Hutchison, Thos. Vanfleet, and W. E. Moore.

Over a hundred couples of the best people of Arkansas City participated—its youth, beauty, and vivacity. Many of the ladies appeared in elegant costume. The music was furnished by the Wichita Orchestra. The Winfield folks were made perfectly at home and given every attention. Our girls “shook” the Queen City fellows for the handsome ones of the Terminus, and our boys put in the time admirably under the charming presence of the A. C. girls. It was a hearty mingling that made many agreeable acquaintances and completely broke the distant feeling heretofore existing socially between the two cities. The Terminus certainly shows enticing sociability—a circle of handsome, stylish, and genial people, whom the Winfield folks are most happy to have met on this occasion. The banquet, set by H. H. Perry, mine host of the Leland, was fit to tickle the palate of kings—everything that modern culinary art could devise. At 3 o’clock the “hub” folks boarded a special train on the K. C. & S. W., which the managers of that road had kindly furnished for the convenience of the visitors, and were soon landed at home, in the sweet realization of having spent one of the most enjoyable nights of their lives. A jollier crowd of young folks than went down from here would be exceedingly hard to find. The got all the enjoyment there was in it. The A. C. people were delighted with the visit and expressed a warm desire and determination to return the compliment at the first opportunity. This is the inauguration of a new social feeling between the two towns.

TAKE NOTICE.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

The co-partnership heretofore existing under the firm name of Wilkinson & Co., cigar manufacturers, is this day dissolved by mutual consent, George S. Jennings retiring from the business. W. F. Wilkinson will continue at the old stand and assume all liabilities and collect all debts due the firm. W. F. Wilkinson, George S. Jennings, Winfield, Jan. 1^st, 1886.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

P. A. Earl and Elothea Nichols; Geo. S. Jennings and Virginia R. Lowry are the latest matrimonial victims of the Probate Judge’s office.

MORE ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

The bridesmaid of today is a bride tonight. It has been vaguely hinted that the deed was contemplated. The “best fellow” of the contract has carried around with him a faraway look, as if expecting something very unusual—something of life-time moment. Now it is all over. Rev. H. D. Gans was called in Friday evening last and Mr. George Jennings and Miss Jennie Lowry were united in heart, hand, and fortune. It occurred at the home of the bride’s parents, Capt. and Mrs. John Lowry, in the presence of only immediate relatives. Both are well known and popular among our young folks. Miss Lowry has grown to womanhood in Winfield, is a graduate of our High School, and has always been active in the city’s society. Mr. Jennings is a brother of the Senator, A. H. and S. H., and one of Winfield’s best young men—frugal, genial, and sturdy—just the kind of young man that oftenness make successes in life. THE COURIER, with many friends, wishes Mr. and Mrs. George Jennings all the happiness and prosperity obtainable in a long life.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 28, 1886.

The judges of the bridge election are under obligations to W. F. Wilkinson for a box of fine Havana cigars that went the rounds this afternoon—as a stimulus to the bridge business.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 11, 1886.

Geo. Jennings left Monday for Seattle, Washington Territory, to be gone a few days on a sight seeing expedition.