MANNING’S BRICK BUILDING.

                                                                 Winfield.

[Note: Manning’s Brick Building evolves into Manning’s Block and Manning’s Hall or Opera House on upper story. Also included in items: the removal of the “Old Log Store” to a new location. MAW]

First references to Manning’s new brick building...

Winfield Courier, June 24, 1875.

The stone work has been commenced on Col. Manning’s new building.

Winfield Courier, February 24, 1876.

See that fine stone walk in front of Manning and Fuller’s new building—that is to be.

Winfield Courier, August 17, 1876.

The brick work upon Manning’s new building is progressing finely.

Winfield Courier, August 24, 1876.

MR. MANNING gave employment this week to twenty-three hands and five teams.

Winfield Courier, August 31, 1876.

Mr. Todd, one of the bricklayers on Mr. Manning’s building, was laid up this week by a fall.

Winfield Courier, August 31, 1876.

Col. Manning’s new brick is progressing finely, and will be finished on or about the first of October.

Winfield Courier, November 16, 1876.

J. F. HYSKELL put a tip-top tin roof upon Manning’s brick building.

Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.

Messrs. Harter Bro. & Baird have moved into Manning’s new brick building. It is the finest storeroom in the Walnut Valley.

Winfield Courier, February 15, 1877.       

Mr. Manning’s brick business house is now completed and occupied. It cost five thousand dollars and is the largest, most costly, and best finished business house in Winfield. The roof is of tin with standing seam, and is the only tin roof in town that does not leak. Mr. J. F. Hyskell, of this place, put it on. The carpenter work was principally done by John Swain and is a creditable job. The plastering upstairs was done by Phenix & Dewey, the lower story by Simpson & Stewart. Both parties did excellent work. John Reed did the painting. A dozen different brick layers laid the brick. Fred Kropp built the cellar. The building is a credit to the place. We hope to see more and better ones built the coming season.

Winfield Courier, May 10, 1877.

Dissolution Notice. The co-partnership heretofore existing between Drs. W. R. Davis and J. L. Williams under the firm name of Davis & Williams, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. We will both for the present continue to occupy the same office in Manning’s corner brick building. Partnership accounts have been left with Henry E. Asp for collection. W. R. DAVIS.

Winfield Courier, May 17, 1877.

A change will be noticed in Dr. Davis’ card, which appears on the first page.

CARD: W. R. DAVIS, PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, WINFIELD, KANSAS.

Will practice Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics. Special attention given to Surgery and diseases of women and children. Prompt attention given to all calls, day or night. Office in Manning’s Brick Block.

Winfield Courier, May 24, 1877.

A new awning has been erected in front of Manning’s corner brick building.

Reference to Manning brick business house being built on site of “Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, October 25, 1877.

E. C. Manning is making arrangements to build a brick business house on the site of the “old log store.”

Winfield Courier, December 27, 1877.

N. C. Clark, of Vernon, recently found the way to the second story of the “old log store.”

Reference to Manning’s corner brick building...

Winfield Courier, January 10, 1878.

Messrs. McBride and Green, who made the brick for Mr. Manning’s corner brick building, have also the contract for making this season 120,000 bricks for his big block.

Reference to removal of “Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, February 14, 1878.

THE “Old Log Store” will move out and away from its present location on Main street some time in March next. It was the second building erected on the town site of Winfield, and it will be eight years in that month since its foundation logs were laid. Much of the history of Cowley County has been moulded beneath its roof. It has served the purposes of church, schoolhouse, court house, ball room, printing office, store, post office, and political headquarters during these years.

Reference to “Manning Hall” and a two-story brick block...

Winfield Courier, February 28, 1878.

[From the Kansas City Journal of Commerce.]

CENTRAL HOTEL, WINFIELD, KANSAS, February 13, 1878.

A recent census shows a population of 1,611 in this town—an increase of about fifty percent within a year. Without question, it is the most prosperous interior town in the State, and presents more evidence of wealth and permanence and offers greater inducements to businessmen and capitalists than any other.

Real estate is appreciating rapidly, and comfortable tenement houses are in demand and high. Some enterprising mechanic with a little capital could make a fortune by building cottages to sell. There are two dozen houses in course of building now, one-half of which are residences to cost from three to seven thousand dollars, and transfers of lots to parties intending to build others are of daily occurrence.

Among the business houses now building or just completed are a brewery, a two-story brick billiard hall, a foundry and machine shop, and Manning Hall, a two-story brick block, 60 x 100 feet, the lower story for stores. Two handsome iron bridges have also spanned the Walnut River since my visit last fall, making three bridges across the river within a mile of town.

Reference to “Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, March 7, 1878.

The “old log store” has for eight long years stayed at home and attended soberly to business, but now is manifesting peripatetic tendencies. The COURIER is in favor of railroads but does not fancy said building as a traveling car, so it has evacuated the premises and gone back to its cradle on Ninth avenue, just east of the stone stable and stone law office, where it will remain temporarily until we can build an office to suit us.

Reference to Manning bringing lumber from Wichita...

Winfield Courier, March 14, 1878.

Col. E. C. Manning went to Wichita last week with teams loaded up with wheat, to bring down the carload of lumber which he expected had arrived. He was obliged to sell his wheat for 65 cents, for which he had been offered 70 at home, and his lumber not having arrived, he bought in Wichita to load his teams back.

Reference to removal of “Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, March 21, 1878.

The old log store has gone to a more northeastern site. Robert Hudson put his log wheels under it last Saturday and it had to budge, heavy as it was. In 1870 this building was about all there was of Winfield. It has done service as store, church, political headquarters, law office, post office, schoolhouse, printing office, and almost everything else, but it had to give place to a more pretentious building. It looks lonesome around the old site.

Reference to Manning’s new brick...

Winfield Courier, April 18, 1878.

Manning has finished the basement walls of his new brick and is rapidly pushing up the main walls.

Reference to Manning’s two-story brick and public hall, with stores...

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 25, 1878.

[Special Correspondence Kansas City Times.]

A large number of good business houses have been built since my last visit here, among which is the fine two-story store by W. H. H. Maris, and occupied by the leading dry goods house of Winfield, Lynn & Gillelen. Also, a large, fine brick hotel, kept by Frank Williams; a large two-story brick by E. C. Manning, who is building a fine public hall, with stores. There is a great demand for business rooms in Winfield, and money could be invested to a good advantage here in putting up buildings. There is an inexhaustible supply of the magnesian limestone, which is equally quarried and which is admirably adapted to building purposes or for flagging. The streets of Winfield are being paved with this splendid stone, giving them a decidedly metropolitan air. Since my last visit two fine churches, the Methodist and Presbyterian, have been built. The schoolhouse is a large, commodious two-story stone, and is occupied by a corps of most excellent teachers. There are about three hundred and fifty pupils.

Livery stable west of Manning’s block...

Winfield Courier, April 25, 1878.

Messrs. Shenneman & Millspaugh have opened a new livery stable just west of Manning’s block.

Robinson, tenant in Manning’s Block...

Winfield Courier, May 2, 1878.

Borrowers will do well to call on Mr. C. H. Robinson whose card “Money to loan” appears in this issue. Mr. Robinson is a gentleman and has many warm friends in Leavenworth and Independence, where he has resided.

AD: MONEY TO LOAN. I am prepared to loan money on improved farm property in Cowley and Sumner Counties, in sums of not less than Three Hundred Dollars, on as good or better terms than ever offered heretofore. Persons wanting to borrow money will do well to call on C. H. ROBINSON, at office of E. C. Manning, Esq., in Manning’s Block, Winfield, Kansas.

Robinson & Mosley, tenants in Manning’s Block, upstairs...

The Daily Winfield Courier, Saturday Morning, May 11, 1878.

Robinson & Mosley removed to Manning’s Block, corner Main St. and 9th Avenue, upstairs.

Manning’s new building...

Winfield Courier, June 13, 1878.

Col. Manning’s new building is rapidly approaching completion and promises to present a fine appearance.

Manning’s block...

Winfield Courier, June 27, 1878.

CATCH ’EM ON THE FLY! Seven years experience, as a collector of hard notes and accounts in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, warrants me in saying that all collections left with me will be made if possible, or no pay. Office in Manning’s block. A. J. MOSLEY.

Winfield Courier, July 11, 1878.

Manning’s new block begins to show up finely. The walls of the second story are nearly completed.

Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.

Manning is putting up the trusses of the roof on his block of business buildings.

Manning’s Hall mentioned in next item...

Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.

The “Cantata of the Seasons,” under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Kessler, was repeated at the M. E. Church on Wednesday evening of last week with the same eclat which greeted its first appearance. Mrs. Kessler performed exquisitely on the piano, assisted by Mrs. Earnest and Prof. Farringer. The Roberts Bros. furnished string band music of the highest order, while the performance of the vocalists, Mesdames Kelly, Holloway, Buckman, Swain, Earnest; Misses Coldwell, Dever, Stewart, Bryant, Bliss; and Messrs. Roberts, Buckman, Holloway, Holloway, Bliss, Payson, Chamberlain, Harris, Richmond, Root, Evans, and Berkey were very fine indeed. The Cantata company will soon commence to rehearse “Queen Esther” with a view to inaugurate Manning’s Hall, when completed, by the presentation of that beautiful cantata.

Manning’s Opera House mentioned in next item...

Winfield Courier, August 22, 1878.

The braces for the self-supporting roof on Manning’s Opera House are up.

Manning’s new building...

Winfield Courier, August 29, 1878.

The tin is being “plastered” on the roof of Col. Manning’s new building.

Moffitt office moved to 8th avenue, east of “Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, August 29, 1878.

John Moffitt has moved the house formerly used as the office to his lumber yard to 8th avenue, east of the old log store, and has built a new office in its place.

Manning’s new building mentioned in next item...

Winfield Courier, September 12, 1878. Editorial Page.

THE BURLINGTON ROAD. The magnates of the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe railroad arrived sooner than was expected. They came in on Wednesday evening of last week. The party consisted of Mr. Joseph P. Hale, capitalist of New York, Gen. Wm. H. Schofield, of Burlington, president of the road, James Hueston, engineer, and Orson Kent, treasurer. Messrs. Schofield and Kent were accompanied by their wives. The next morning the citizens of Winfield procured teams and took the gentlemen of the party and the gentlemen from Sedan out to several surrounding elevations to view the broad and beautiful valleys of the Walnut and Arkansas. The citizens then met in Manning’s new building, chose R. F. Burden, chairman, and W. M. Allison, Secretary, and were addressed at length by Gen. Schofield. . . .

Post Office, on wheels, to be moved into corner building of Manning’s Block, where wheels will be taken off...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

Our post office on wheels will soon move into the corner building of Manning’s Block, where the wheels will be taken from under and broken up. An extensive book and fancy goods establishment will occupy the front part of the room.

Manning’s Block...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

The great dry goods house of Baird Bro.’s will be fully established this week in the room in Manning’s block, next door north of the one they have heretofore occupied. They make this change to get more room. Mr. A. E. Baird has lately returned from the East where he has purchased a stock of goods of such magnitude that they could not be crowded into the former store.

Reference to “Manning’s Opera House,” “Manning’s hall,” and “Manning’s Block” in next items...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

Manning’s Opera House will soon be ready for business.

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

Jap Cochran had his hand badly mashed Monday while helping to place one of the large stones in front of Manning’s Opera House.

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

Manning’s Opera House is nearly completed. The hall will be the finest in the Great South West. Manning’s block is the pride and ornament of our city.

Reference to Manning’s brick fronting on 9th Avenue becoming a restaurant...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

The wing of Manning’s brick fronting on 9th Avenue will soon be occupied as a restaurant.

Reference to use of north room, Manning block...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

A Kansas City firm will soon put an extensive stock of drugs into the Manning block, north room.

Reference to old building back of Manning’s block being removed to make room for a new brick. This must be a reference to “Old Log Store.”...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

The old building back of Manning’s block has been removed to make room for a new brick.

“Old Log Store”...

Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.

Robinson & Miller have a fine lot of furniture for sale at the Old Log Store.

Winfield Courier, October 3, 1878.

In another column will be found the new furniture “ad” of Robinson & Miller, at the “Old Log Store.” These gentlemen have put in a first-class stock of furniture, and are live, enterprising men. They intend to put in machinery for the manufacture of all kinds of furniture. They will undoubtedly do a large business.

AD:      “OLD LOG STORE.” ROBINSON & MILLER.

DEALERS IN FURNITURE, COFFINS, ETC.

All kinds of Furniture made to order in the latest style and finest finish. MATTRESSES made to order. Caning chairs a specialty.

Manning’s new block: Henry Goldsmith to occupy corner; post office rear end of room...

Winfield Courier, October 3, 1878.

Henry Goldsmith, from Clinton, Missouri, will, about the 10th inst., occupy the corner of Manning’s new block with a full stock of books, stationery, tobacco, cigars, and gent’s furnishing goods; also news depot. The post office will occupy the rear end of the room.

Goldsmith’s, corner of Manning’s block...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

Sheet Music at Goldsmith’s, corner of Manning’s block.

Fleming to open drug store in Manning’s block...

Winfield Courier, October 10, 1878.

The great caravan of the season consisted of eleven loads of drugs and fixtures for Mr. Fleming, who will open a new drug store in Manning’s block.

E. E. Bacon joining Goldsmith and post office in Manning’s corner brick...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

E. E. Bacon has moved his jewelry shop into Manning’s corner brick with Goldsmith’s stationery.

J. C. Walter putting in a restaurant in Manning block...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

Mr. J. C. Walter and family left this week for Winfield. Mr. Walter has rented commodious rooms in the Manning block and will open a first-class restaurant, confectionery, and fruit stand, and when our citizens go to this thriving city, they will know where to go to have the inner man strengthened. Mr. Walter is one of the best hotel keepers in the state, and if the Winfield people want to get the most out of his ability, they will persuade him to run their best house. Miss Nellie’s numerous friends will very much regret to lose her from the social circle, and will join us in bespeaking for her a cordial welcome from the young folks of Winfield. We wish Mr. Walter and family abundant prosperity in their new home, and, as it is not far off, we hope to see them frequently in Wichita.

Wichita Beacon.

Under Manning’s Hall: Walter’s Restaurant...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

WANTED. One woman cook and one dining-room girl that understand their business can get from $12 to $20 per month at Walter’s Restaurant, under Manning’s Hall.

Best Bros. Moved to Manning’s block...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

Best Bros. have removed to Manning’s block their stock of Musical Instruments and Sewing Machines. Lowest prices and best goods is our motto.

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

Hurrah! Best Bros. are selling machines of better quality and at lower prices than any firm in Cowley. Call and see them at their new rooms, Manning block.

“Old Log Store” occupants, Robinson & Miller...

Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.

ROBINSON & MILLER have a fine lot of furniture for sale at the Old Log Store.

Walter’s City Restaurant: Manning’s Block (rear of post office)...

Winfield Courier, October 24, 1878.

WALTERS’ CITY RESTAURANT, CONFECTIONERY, AND OYSTER SALOON,

Opens in Manning’s Block (rear of post office), Thursday, October 24, with a new house clean and neat in all its apartments. We hope to merit a share of the public patronage.

Day Boarders Solicited.

Post Office finally located in Manning’s corner building...

Winfield Courier, October 31, 1878.

Last week, Wednesday night, the post office took Greeley’s advice and went west and located in Manning’s corner building. The wheels have been taken from under it, and it looks as if it had made a permanent settlement.

Manning’s Block and Manning’s Brick Building, office upstairs...

[ATTORNEYS’ CARDS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 14, 1878. Front page.

Henry E. Asp, attorney at law. Office upstairs in Manning’s Block, Winfield, Kansas.

Chas. H. Payson, attorney at law. Business in state and federal courts promptly attended to. Collections solicited and abstracts prepared. Office upstairs in Manning’s brick building, corner Main Street and 9th Avenue, Winfield, Kansas.

E. S. Torrance, attorney at law. Office upstairs, in Manning’s brick block, Winfield, Kansas.

Col. Robinson moved to A. H. Green’s office, one door south of Read’s Bank...

Winfield Courier, November 21, 1878.

Col. C. H. Robinson has moved his office from Manning’s block into A. H. Green’s office, one door south of Read’s Bank. When you want money, give him a call.

Manning’s Opera House: Opening Night Announced...

Winfield Courier, December 5, 1878.

MANNING’S OPERA HOUSE. Opening Night. This magnificent building is nearly completed and the citizens of Winfield and vicinity propose to make up a social party and give the hall an opening benefit on MONDAY EVENING, DEC. 16, 1878. The proceeds will go to seat and light the hall. This is a praiseworthy effort on the part of our citizens to place the hall in an excellent condition to hold lectures and other social and literary performances therein. Col. Manning has expended some twelve thousand dollars on the building. How much this enterprise has involved him in debt we do not know, but we may well believe that he has exhausted himself both financially and physically in the construction of this building. No one believes that the hall is ever going to pay five percent on its cost, but it is a grand thing for our city and the citizens can well afford to raise the means to provide seats and chandeliers which will cost about $500. This hall is probably the largest and finest in the State. The whole room is 50 x 100 feet, with ceiling 20 feet high. The stage is 20 x 50 feet and has two dressing rooms beneath. The auditorium is 80 x 100 feet and will seat more than 800 auditors. It is finished in the best of style and is convenient of ingress and particularly of egress, for the wide doors open outward making it impossible to block up the outlet in case of a panic. Let every citizen turn out and make the social a success. No dancing will be permitted until after 10 o’clock.

Manning’s Opera House. Opening Night Changed...

Winfield Courier, December 12, 1878.

MANNING’S OPERA HOUSE. Opening Benefit.      The citizens of Winfield and vicinity purpose giving an entertainment benefit on TUESDAY EVENING, DEC. 17, 1878, at Manning’s Opera House, to show their appreciation of the enterprise of a citizen who has erected a magnificent hall in our city.

COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS: E. P. KINNE, JOHN HOENSCHEIDT, R. L. WALKER, J. W. McDONALD, W. M. ALLISON.

COMMITTEE ON REFRESHMENTS: A. A. JACKSON, MRS. DR. BLACK, MISS MARY STEWART, FRANK WILLIAMS, MRS. JAMES KELLY, MRS. J. C. FULLER, MRS. T. A. WILKINSON.

COMMITTEE ON TABLE: MRS. A. J. THOMPSON, MRS. P. STUMP, MRS. C. A. BLISS, MRS. J. M. PEED, MRS. J. H. OLDS.

DECORATING COMMITTEE: MRS. W. Q. MANSFIELD, C. E. STEUVEN, J. M. REED.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: ROBERTS, WILKINSON, AND CRIPPEN.

VOCAL MUSIC: PROF. C. FARRINGER, MRS. JOHN SWAIN, G. H. BUCKMAN, MISS JENNY HANE, MISS MAGGIE DEVER.

COMMITTEE ON TOASTS: D. A. MILLINGTON, GEORGE W. ROBINSON, F. S. JENNINGS.

RECEPTION COMMITTEE:

Winfield—J. B. Lynn and O. M. Seward.

Arkansas City—C. M. Scott.

Dexter—Dr. Wagner.

Lazette—Mc. D. Stapleton.

Douglas—Neil Wilkie.

Oxford—Dr. Maggard.

FLOOR MANAGERS: W. GILLELEN, A. H. GREEN, AND L. S. COOK.

PROGRAMME.

Doors thrown open at 7 o’clock.

Opening overture (orchestra) 7:30.

Social intercourse and vocal and instrumental music from 7:30 to 8:30.

Address (welcome and congratulatory), J. W. McDonald, 8:30.

Banquet and Toasts, 9 o’clock.

Dancing to commence promptly at 10:30.

Tickets to social entertainment and supper, per couple, $1.50.

Dance, per couple, $1.50.

Tickets sold separately, so that only those who wish to remain and take part in the dancing need purchase dancing tickets.

A general invitation is extended to the public to participate in this entertainment.

E. P. KINNE, Chairman, Committee of General Arrangements.

Winfield Courier, December 19, 1878.

The opening benefit of Manning’s Opera House was a success. A large concourse of people assembled notwithstanding the zero condition of the atmosphere outside, and all seemed to enjoy the occasion.

Winfield Courier, December 19, 1878.

The oration delivered by J. Wade McDonald at the opening of Manning’s Opera House on Tuesday evening was peculiarly fine, and was delivered in the happy manner so characteristic of the orator.

Winfield Courier, December 19, 1878.

The Georgia Minstrels are receiving the highest encomiums of the press for the excellency of their performances. For fun and amusement they are said to have no superiors. They perform at Manning’s Opera House Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings of this week.

Winfield Courier, December 19, 1878.

The Cantata of the Flower Queen. This beautiful cantata will be presented to the citizens of Winfield and vicinity at MANNING’S OPERA HOUSE, on Thursday and Friday evenings, December 26 and 27. It will be performed by a full orchestra of the best musical talent in Winfield, under the direction of Prof. C. Farringer. The proceeds will be applied to organize a permanent musical society at this place. Tickets will be on sale at McCommon & Harter’s drug store.

Winfield Courier, December 19, 1878.

SANFORD’S ORIGINAL GEORGIA MINSTRELS.

At Manning’s Opera House, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—Three Nights Only—Dec. 19th, 20th, and 21st.

Behold our list of specialty artists:

Master George Freeman, the champion Boy Cornet Soloist.

Prof. T. M. Nickels, Ethiopian Comedian, whose oddities never fail to set the house in an uproar.

Mr. F. A. Lyons, Banjo King and Musical moke.

Mr. Joe Love, Old Man specialty, and only true interpreter of Stephen Foster’s Southern Ballads.

Mr. Alex. Reynolds in original essences of old Virginia, whose negro specialties will convulse the most skeptical with laughter.

Our Quartette: R. A. Johnson, T. M. Nickels, Mrs. Sylvester, T. Richardson.

Mrs. Sylvester in her own specialty, entitled “Quicksteps in the Sand.”

Don’t fail to see our parade on day of each performance.

An entire change or program every evening.

Admission 50 cents. No extra charge for reserved seats. Tickets for sale at Goldsmith’s Book Store, post office building, on days of exhibition.

Remember the dates, December 19th, 20th, and 21st.

Winfield Courier, December 26, 1878.

The opening benefit of Manning’s Opera House on Tuesday evening of last week was a success. Notwithstanding the cold weather, there was quite a crowd in attendance, the banquet was excellent and highly enjoyed, and the young folks “tripped the light fantastic toe” until “the wee sma’ hours.”

“Old Log Store”occupants, Robinson & Miller...

Winfield Courier, January 2, 1879.

[This issue listed Courier advertisers.]

ROBINSON & MILLER occupy classic ground. They are in the old log store of historic associations, and they honor their hall by turning out to their customers the best kind of furniture at satisfactory prices.

Myton, previous occupant of “Old Log Store” visits...

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1879.

J. A. Myton, of the old firm of Myton & Brotherton of the Old Log Store of “Auld lang syne,” is here visiting his cousin, Sam, and his many friends. Mr. Myton is in business at Casey, Ill., and is very sorry he ever left Winfield.

Manning’s Opera House...

[DEUTCHER UNTERHALTUNG VEREIN - WINFIELD]

Winfield Courier, January 23, 1879.

The Deutcher Unterhaltung Verein of this city has engaged Judge Miller, of Eldorado, to deliver a lecture on the subject, “Unwritten History of Kansas,” on next Friday evening, at Manning’s Opera House. The Judge has secured the reputation of being one of the best lecturers of Kansas, and has received crowded houses and the commendations of the press wherever he deliv­ered one of his spicy lectures.

Judge Miller is one of the first settlers of Kansas, coming here in 1853, and during his practice as a criminal lawyer has received ample experience to be able to give a history of Kansas which will be of interest to every Kansan; but as this lecture is arranged by our German Society, who make a success of everything they under­take, we are assured that the lecture will receive a crowded house. We understand that this lecture is the first of one of the so-called “Home Lectures,” and the price of admission is fixed so low that everybody is enabled to attend.

[Note: At this point I stopped covering Manning building, block, Opera House, etc.]

THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE “OLD LOG STORE...

Note: There are two different articles on this disastrous fire at Winfield. The first appeared in the Arkansas City Traveler.

[WINFIELD’S FIRE: REPORT TAKEN FROM WINFIELD TELEGRAM.]

Arkansas City Traveler, May 5, 1880.

About 11 o’clock on last Thursday night, as the citizens of Winfield were wending their way home from the Opera House, the alarm of fire was given, and soon thereafter our beautiful little county seat was the scene of a most destructive conflagration. The fire originated in the furniture store of Fred Leuschen, on Eighth avenue, immediately in the rear of the Central Hotel. The cause of its origin no one knows. Mr. Leuschen says there has been no fire in the lower portion of the store where the fire broke out. The supposition is that a spontaneous combustion of the material used in varnishes, stains, etc., and like stores was the cause of the fire. The flames spread rapidly, it being but a few minutes before the entire building was entirely enveloped. Mr. Leuschen’s family, who resided in the second story of the building, barely had time to escape with their lives. All their personal effects were entirely consumed.

Immediately east of the furniture store stood two frame dwellings, which it was impossible to save. They were owned by Messrs. C. L. Harter and Robert Hudson. The furniture being all carried out, these gentlemen sustained no great loss except that of the buildings. On the west of the building, where the fire originated, stood the livery stable of Hackney & McDonald. The contents of this place were removed, with the exception of a few bushels of grain and some hay. After this latter building took fire, it became evident that the Central Hotel must also yield a victim to the fell destroyer. The work of removing the contents began at once. Hurrying to and fro through the hallways of the building was a score or more of half dressed women, carrying in their arms bundles of clothing, and crazed with excitement and fear, presenting a spectacle that baffles description. Carpets were torn up, and with the beds and bedding, hastily carried into the street opposite the building. By the time this work was completed, the east wing towered up a waving mountain of flames. Harter & Majors had just completed the sale of this hotel to Mr. A. H. Doane, of Danville, Illinois; but as the transfer had not yet been made, the loss falls upon the old proprietors.

The Lindell Hotel, adjoining the Central, soon gave way before the flames, though, as in the case of the Central, all the contents were carried out of reach of the fire.

The value of the buildings destroyed was between $10,000 and $11,000, with an insurance of only about $4,400.

Winfield Courier, May 6, 1880.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The following is a list of the losses and insurance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

           DIFFERENCE BETWEEN $2100 AND $1400 WAS INSURANCE

           ON CONTENTS!

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

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

Cowley County Courant, November 17, 1881.

Mr. T. H. B. Ross took in Winfield last Friday in the interest of our school district. He says there has been many changes there, but few of the old “boys” are left, and Winfield does not appear now as it did in 1870-74. Caldwell Commercial.

Well, that’s a fact; there have been a good many changes in and around Winfield since those days. The old log store has been reduced to ashes, and some of the boys who used to gather there evenings to play “California Jack” and speculate on the future price of corner lots in Winfield, now take their wives and children to the theater in the fine Opera House that has arisen on the site of the old store. Max Shoeb’s blacksmith shop has given place to Read’s bank; the Walnut Valley House, as a hotel, has passed away. Likewise, the firms of Manning & Baker, U. B. Warren & Co., Alexander & Saffold, Bliss & Middaugh, Hitchcock & Boyle, Maris & Hunt, Myton & Brotherton, and Pickering & Benning. S. H. Myton is about the only one that is left. Tisdale’s hack, which came in whenever the river would permit, has given way to our two railroads; Tom Wright’s ferry, south of town, has been replaced by a handsome iron bridge, and Bartlow’s mill and its crew have disappeared.

Every new building erected on Main street now is not, as then, dedicated with a dance, nor do married women attend them with children in arms, nor do they deposit their kids in the laps of blushing bachelors and join in all hands around. Our Justices of the Peace, when about to unite a loving couple, don’t tell them to “stan” up thar an’ I’ll fix you.” Our butch­ers, now, don’t go down behind Capt. Lowery’s house, shoot a Texas steer, cut him up with an axe and sell out the chunks before they are done quiver­ing. The writer does not, on nights like Thursday last, rise up from his bed of prairie hay and water, in a little wall tent, and light out for the log store to get out of the wet. All of that kind of fun has passed away and we have had a new deal all around. Some of the men that in those days were frying bacon and washing socks in their bachelor shanties, are now bankers, postmasters, district judges, and palatial hotel keep­ers. The vigilantes are not now riding over the country every night making preparations to go to Douglass and hang its princi­pal citizens. The bad blood stirred up by the memorable Manning-Norton contest for the Legislature has long since been settled. Winfield and Arkansas City have buried the hatchet; Tisdale, ditto. Our merchants don’t sell Missouri flour for $6 per sack, corn for $1.50 per bushel, and bacon for 33½ cents per pound. Bill Hackney (now the Hon. W. P.) does not come up every week to defend Cobb for selling whiskey in Arkansas City without a license. Patrick, the editor of the Censor, (our first newspaper) and Walt Smith, the proprietor of the “Big Horn ranch” on Posey Creek, have both gone west to grow up with the country. Fairbanks’ dug-out has been in ruins for years. Dick Walker is still running conventions, but not here. A. T. Stewart is no longer one of the boys. Speed, with his calico pony and big spurs, is seen no more on the Baxter Springs trail. Jackson has laid down the saw and plane and joined the ranks of the railroad monopolists. Colonel Loomis has shed his soldier overcoat. Zimri Stubbs has climbed the golden stair, Nichols is married, Oak’s cat is dead: in fact, Bent, there is nothing anymore like it used to was in Winfield.

Winfield Courier, February 22, 1883.

Echoes From the Past. We have before us bound files of the COURIER from the first copy, issued ten years ago. They contain an ever-varying panorama of the life and growth of Cowley and her people, of peculiar interest to the old residents, and replete with incidents and anecdotes of early life for the new-comers.

In the issue of March 27, 1873, Mr. James Kelly modestly announces in a half column salutatory that he has bought the COURIER, and has “no friends to reward or enemies to punish;” and in a card below R. S. Waddell, the founder of the paper, says his last say.

January 25, 1873, we learn that “Wirt W. Walton has been successful in his canvass for Journal clerk of the House of Representatives.”

A little farther on we learn that “Dr. Geo. Black, hailing from Iowa, has settled among us.”

April 24, 1873, was the COURIER’s first experience in house-moving, and we are informed that “The COURIER office is now removed to the Old Log Store, and we are now in better shape than ever to entertain our friends.”

For many years the Old Log Store continued as the COURIER headquarters, and from it each week issued scathing articles on the “Post Office Ring” and the “Court House Ring,” and various and sundry other “rings,” which then, as now, tried to gobble up everything in sight.

The subject which seemed to engross most of its attention during these pioneer times was that of encouraging immigration and railroads. Week in and week out we find one, two, and three column articles setting forth the beauty and fertility of Cowley County and the splendid commercial advantages of Winfield, while upon the fourth page was kept standing a long “Description of Winfield and Cowley County.”

The issue of April 17, 1873, seems to disclose the COURIER’s first leaning toward prohibition, as we find that “Mr. Bellmore sent us a keg of beer and we have been happy ever since—salubriously happy.”