S. J. RICE.

Bolton Township, Arkansas City.

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

Name age sex color Place/birth Where from

Stephen J. Rice 39 m w Illinois Illinois

Mary A. Rice 32 f w Illinois Illinois

Milburn? L. Rice 14 m w Illinois Illinois

Hattie E. Rice 13 f w Illinois Illinois

Carrie L. Rice 7 f w Illinois Illinois

Stephen A. Rice 5 m w Illinois Illinois

Bolton Township 1876: Stephen J. Rice, 40; spouse, Mary A., 33.

Bolton Township 1878: Stephen J. Rice, 42; spouse, Mary A., 35.

Bolton Township 1880: S. J. Rice, 44; spouse, M. A., 37.

From Margaret Russell Stallard’s book, Remembering Geuda Springs.

Geuda Springs Area 1882-1882.

Township 34 S R 2E

Joseph Rice, Salt City, Hardware Dealer. Settled 1878. From Kentucky.

Salt City Directory 1883.

Joseph Rice. Farmer and dealer in hardware and agricultural implements.

Rice & Risch [Resch]. Dealers in hardware, agricultural implements, etc.

General blacksmithing done with neatness and dispatch. First class in every particular.

NOTE: I could not find “Joseph Rice” anywhere in Cowley County. He might have come from Sumner County. I did find S. J. Rice in Cowley County. He lived close to the Geuda Springs area. His file is shown next. MAW

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.

(?) Rice...

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

Winfield Courier, February 13, 1879.

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

Henry Pruden has sold considerable of his stock and has rented his farm to Mr. Rice for a term of three years.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 20, 1879.

The delegates from Bolton Township to the county convention are D. P. Marshall, Frank Lorry, and S. J. Rice. They were instructed to support Mr. Bonsall for Register.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1879.

Mr. S. J. Rice, one of Bolton township’s farmers, called on us last Friday. Mr. Rice has been rather unfortunate with his crops this year, but has not lost faith in Cowley yet. The festive grasshopper took his wheat last fall, whereupon he sowed flax, under the impression that a grasshopper’s stomach didn’t crave such provender; but Mr. Grasshopper proved himself equal to the emergency, and swallowed the flax with evident relish. Mr. Rice will try it again, however, believing that all countries have some drawbacks, but that no section has fewer than this. We trust that he will meet with better success next time.

[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1879.

Committee on credentials reported the following named delegates entitled to vote in this convention; which report was adopted.

Bolton: Frank Lorry, S. J. Rice, D. P. Marshall.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 1, 1881.

The meeting of stockmen, called for last Saturday, met at 2:30 p.m. in the canal office, and organized by electing Dr. J. T. Shepard chairman of the meeting and Dr. S. F. Curry, of Bitter Creek, secretary. Owing to the press of business consequent upon the round ups now going on in the Territory, the meeting was not as largely attended as could be desired, yet considerable business matters were talked over, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. J. C. Withers [Weathers], S. J. Rice, and Dr. Z. Carlisle were appointed to confer with the Texas cattle men upon the matter in hand. Their report will be submitted at the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the same time and place on Saturday, June 11th, 1881.

[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]

Winfield Courier, November 3, 1881.

CIVIL DOCKET. FOURTH DAY. John J. Clark vs. S. J. Rice et al.

[WEST BOLTON TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “CAESAR.”]

Winfield Courier, December 22, 1881.

Mrs. Rice returned from Illinois last Thursday evening whither she was visiting friends and relatives. She took her family by surprise. She was not expected home for some time, and her sudden return produced very much the same effect as a bomb shell dropped into the “enemies camp.”

December 9th, 1881.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1882.

STRAYS. Taken up by the undersigned, two iron gray mares, about 7 years old, branded I. D. on left shoulder. One of the animals has a sore back. Owners can have the same by proving property and paying charges. S. J. RICE.

West Bolton, April 15th, 1882.

Stephen Rice and family moving to Oregon. Not sure if he was related to S. J.

[BOLTON TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “CAESAR.”]

Winfield Courier, March 16, 1882.

Mr. Stephen Rice has sold his farm to Mr. Burress, one of the cattle kings of the Territory. Mr. Rice and family will soon move to Oregon. We are sorry to see him leave us, as the place left vacant in society by the removal of his accomplished daughters and estimable lady, cannot well be filled.

Winfield Courier, May 4, 1882.

A Praise-worthy Movement.

GEUDA SPRINGS, April 27th.

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

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

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

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

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

GEO. A. CUTLER, Secretary.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1882.

Mr. S. J. Rice, of West Bolton, placed upon our table some very large samples of Spring onions and lettuce, the latter especially being large and tender, for which we return thanks.

Winfield Courier, July 6, 1882.

We were pleased yesterday with a social call from Mr. S. J. Rice from the very southwest corner of this county, in Bolton Township. Mr. Rice is a substantial farmer, a staunch Republican, a warm St. John man, and a man of ideas and of progress.

[OLD SOLDIERS’ REUNION.]

Arkansas City Traveler, July 19, 1882.

Re-Union. A meeting of Old Soldiers was called for July 18, 1882, at the office of I. H. Bonsall to talk up a Soldiers Re-union.

J. B. Nipp was elected chairman and I. H. Bonsall, secretary, of said meeting.

Motion made by J. C. Pickering, “that we have a re-union of all old soldiers if the late war, residing in Cowley County and vicinity. Motion received a second and was carried by the unanimous vote of all present.

Motion made that the chair appoint a committee to raise funds to cover the expense of said re-union. Motion carried.

The following committee was appointed to collect provisions, fodder, and funds for said re-union: A. A. Newman, chairman, and James Ridenour of Arkansas City; F. M. Vaughan, N. W. Kimmel, and John A. Smalley, of Creswell; August Lorry, J. H. Penton, and S. J. Rice, of Bolton; with instructions to report progress to the executive committee or Secretary as soon as possible.

The following executive committee was appointed by the committee: J. B. Nipp, chairman, M. N. Sinnott, J. W. Gamel, and O. S. Rarick.

Motion made “requesting the papers of Cowley County to publish the proceedings of this meeting, and invite all the townships of Cowley County by their committees or secretaries to open up correspondence in regard to time and manner of holding said re-union.”

On motion J. B. Nipp was elected permanent chairman and I. H. Bonsall permanent secretary of the “Old Soldiers Re-union organization of Creswell Township.”

All township organizations of Cowley County are requested to correspond with said chairman or secretary of Arkansas City.

On motion all soldiers of the late war of Cowley County and adjunct counties are most cordially invited to attend the re-union.

On motion meeting adjourned subject to the call of chairman. J. B. NIPP, Chairman.

I. H. BONSALL, Secretary.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 26, 1882.

Mr. S. J. Rice, of Bolton Township, passed through the city yesterday en route for Palmyra, Macoupin Co., Illinois, where he was called by the sickness of his father. We hope he may find the invalid better than he anticipates.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 18, 1882.

Cal Swarts, G. H. McIntire, P. B. Andrews, S. J. Rice, and others are at Leavenworth attending court as witnesses.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1883.

Capt. J. B. Nipp, on Thursday last, purchased of Mr. S. J. Rice, of Bolton township, two farms, one in Cowley and one in Sumner County, for which he paid $3,000. Capt. Nipp now owns one of the best improved farms in West Bolton and we congratulate him thereon.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1883.

Mr. S. J. Rice, erstwhile one of Bolton’s most energetic farmers, has sold out his farm and purchased Capt. J. B. Nipp’s residence in town, for a consideration of $2,000, and will shortly occupy it himself as a home. We understand Mr. Rice intends to engage in market gardening in this vicinity and make his home in Arkansas City. We heartily wish him success in this undertaking.

[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]

Winfield Courier, September 6, 1883.

Committee on credentials reported the following named delegates and alternates for their respective townships.

CRESWELL: O. S. Rarick, C. G. Furry, C. L. Swarts, G. W. Ramage, Theo. Fairclo, F. M. Vaughn, I. H. Bonsall, A. B. Sankey, A. A. Wiley, James Ridenour.

Alternates: L. McLaughlin, John Smalley, Frank Schiffbauer, Dave Lewis, Frank Hess, C. W. Burt, R. J. Maxwell, R. L. Marshall, N. T. Snider, S. J. Rice.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 21, 1885.

Councilmen. The following names have been proposed by various citizens as men who would be acceptable as councilmen from the different wards. Many, most of them in fact, are men who would render the city good service in that capacity.

FIRST WARD.

James Hill, James L. Huey, Will L. Aldridge, T. D. Richardson, S. J. Rice.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 8, 1885.

CITY ELECTION.

The Citizens Elect Their Ticket and the Reformers Get Scooped.

Our city election yesterday hinged upon the question of sustaining Mayor Schiffbauer and the council in their water and gas ordinances. The matter has been discussed at some length in the newspapers, and voters have talked the matter over with more or less warmth. The meeting on Monday night was held for the purpose of more fully informing the people of the merits of the case, it being the belief of those who called the meeting that when the action of our city fathers was fully rehearsed, the popular verdict at the polls would be given in their condemnations. Mr. Hill, as an expert, denounced the method for supplying our city with water, as ineffective and obsolete; the contract which binds our citizens to pay for the work he showed to be so loosely worded that no security was afforded the public interest; and the haste with which the business was transacted, he said, naturally begot the suspicion that some secret influence had been at work which the people would do well to rebuke. Judge Pyburn dwelt more especially upon the law governing the case. He declared that since the proclamation of the Governor changing Arkansas City from a city of the third to the second class, no legislative action of the city government had been valid, except the ordinance dividing the city into four wards. This dictum relegated the water and gas ordinance to the region of informality.

This brought Mayor Schiffbauer to his feet, who explained the action of himself and council, and in the brief vindications made some telling points. Mr. Porch also arose to declare that he had money at his command to fulfill the contracts, be the cost what it may; and Mr. O’Neil made the further assertion that gas and water would be furnished our citizens no matter what might be said in opposition.

This exposition, it is to be supposed, was duly considered by the voters, and how it affected their judgment is best shown by the result of the polls. The Citizens’ ticket elected in most the wards, but owing to the late hour of receiving the returns, we can only give the majorities, which are as follows.

CITY OFFICERS.

For Mayor, F. P. Schiffbauer [C] 117.

Treasurer, C. R. Sipes [C & R] 578.

Treasurer, Board of Education, James L. Huey [C & R] 643.

Police Judge, Chas. Bryant [R] 35.

Justice of the Peace, S. C. Lindsay [C] 100.

Constables, Frank Thompson [C & R] 641. J. J. Breene [C & R] 641.

FIRST WARD.

For council: Jacob Hight [C & R] long term, 57.

James Hill [C * R] short term, 57.

For school board: J. W. Ruby [C] long term, 57.

S. J. Rice [C] short term, 57.

The initials in the above statement stand “C” for Citizens’ ticket, and “R” for Reform candidate.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1885.

The City Election. Tuesday the city election occurred. There were only two tickets in the field—the Citizen’s ticket and the Reform ticket, but the supporters of each worked hard for victory. F. P. Schiffbauer was elected mayor by 117 votes.

The councilmen chosen in the first ward were Jacob Hight, long term; James Hill, short term. School board: S. J. Rice and J. W. Ruby.

Arkansas City Republican, June 20, 1885.

J. W. McPherson, of McCoupin County, Illinois, arrived in the city Wednesday. Mr. McPherson is a friend of S. J. Rice. He was well pleased with the fine farms around Arkansas City and will probably locate. He left for home Thursday afternoon. After harvest he will return.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 25, 1885.

In Honor of the Dead Hero. The Grant mass meeting of the citizens at Highland Opera House Thursday evening was well attended. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schiffbauer and Judge Sumner was chosen chairman and Frederick Lockley secretary. The meeting was held in respect of the dead hero, Gen. Grant, and to make preparations for the observance of his funeral. Remarks were made by Chairman Sumner, Revs. Fleming, Campbell, and Buckner, T. J. Stafford, and others. Committees were appointed as follows.

On arrangements: A. J. Pyburn, Cal. Dean, Frederic Lockley, Revs. Campbell, and Buckner, Al. Mowry, and Maj. Sleeth.

On resolutions: Frederic Lockley, Judge McIntire, and Maj. Sleeth.

The G. A. R. appointed the following committee on arrangements, which unites with the citizen’s committee. Dr. C. R. Fowler, J. P. Musselman, Jim Ridenour, S. J. Rice, S. C. Lindsay, D. D. Bishop, and Col. E. Neff. The committee were instructed to meet at the Mayor’s office yesterday morning at 9 o’clock and report, and the meeting adjourned.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, December 30, 1885.

Mayor’s Election Proclamation.

NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ANY OF THIS! MAYOR SCHIFFBAUER SET SPECIAL ELECTION FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1886, AFTER A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION...J. P. WITT, PRESIDENT OF BOARD; ALEX WILSON, CLERK OF BOARD. THEY WERE ASKING FOR BONDS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES. ALSO, GATHER THEY WERE ASKING FOR A NEW SITE FOR A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.

VOTING PRECINCTS:

First ward: Office of Illinois Coal Co., North Summit Street.

Second ward: Office of Thompson & Woodin, East Fifth Avenue.

Third ward: Office of J. H. Hilliard, West Fifth Avenue.

Fourth ward: Office of the City Livery Stable, West Central Avenue.

JUDGES AND CLERKS:

First ward: S. J. Rice, J. P. Eckles, and W. D. Kreamer as judges; and A. E. Kirkpatrick and M. B. Vawter as clerks.

On December 29, 1885, Mayor Schiffbauer had an “Election Proclamation” printed. Could not read it in that issue. However it was reprinted in January 6, 1886, issue.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 6, 1886.

Mayor’s Election Proclamation.

WHEREAS, on the 28th day of December, 1885, at a called session of the Board of Education, of Arkansas City, county of Cowley, and state of Kansas, the following proceedings were had and entered of record among the proceedings of said Board of Education.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the city of Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas, that it is necessary in order to raise sufficient means to purchase a new site for school building, and for the erection of a new school building thereon, and for the purchase of necessary furniture for furnishing same, and, as the purpose of funding the outstanding indebtedness aside from bonded indebtedness of Central or West school building, that it is necessary to issue the bonds of said city of Arkansas City for this purpose, and in amount as follows: For the sum of $5,000 [? Looks like $5,000 ?], for the purpose of funding the said indebtedness against said Central or West school building; and for the sum of $11,000 for the purpose of purchasing site, erecting building, and furnishing same as above mentioned. Said new school building to be located in second ward of said city of Arkansas City. That said bonds be issued in denominations of One Thousand Dollars each, and bearing interest at the rate of 6 percent per annum, payable semi-annually, and said bonds to become due and payable sixteen years from date of issue, and the city shall reserve the right to pay one bond each year payable at the fiscal agency for the state of Kansas, in the city of New York.

Therefore, be it resolved, That the mayor of the city of Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas, be, and is hereby requested to call an election in accordance with the law in such cases made and provided, of the qualified electors of said city for the purpose of taking the sense of said city upon the foregoing resolutions.

By order of the Board. J. P. WITT, President of the Board.

ALEX WILSON, Clerk of Board.

December 28th, 1885.

Now, therefore, I, Franklin P. Schiffbauer, mayor of the city of Arkansas City, county of Cowley, and state of Kansas, in pursuance of the above foregoing proceedings, and by virtue of the statutes in such cases made and provided, do hereby proclaim and make known to whom it may concern, that on Monday, the first day of February, A. D., 1886, there will be held in said city an especial election upon the proposition as set forth in the foregoing proceedings of said Board of Education. Said election to be conducted in the same manner as provided by law for the election of city officers, except that the returns shall be made to the Board of Education for the purpose of taking the sense of said city upon the question of issuing such bonds. The ballots to be used at such election shall be in the following form, to-wit: Those voting for the proposition shall have written or printed thereon, the following words, “For the bonds for school purposes,” and those voting against the proposition shall have written or printed thereon the following words, “Against the bonds for school purposes.”

The following places are hereby designated as voting precincts for said election in the different wards: First ward at the office of Illinois Coal Co., North Summit street; second ward at the office of Thompson & Woodin, East Fifth avenue; third ward at the office of J. H. Hilliard, West Fifth avenue; fourth ward at the office of the City Livery Stable, West Central avenue. And I hereby appoint the following named persons to act as judges and clerks of said election: First ward, S. J. Rice, J. P. Eckles and W. D. Kreamer as judges, and A. E. Kirkpatrick and M. B. Vawter as clerks. Second ward, L. E. Woodin, J. J. Clark, and Chas. Bryant as judges; Oscar Titus and Dell Plank as clerks. Third ward, James Benedict, M. C. Copple, and John Love as judges; F. Speers and Frank Thompson as clerks. Fourth ward, S. C. Lindsay, A. A. Davis, and D. E. Sifford as judges; Alexander Wilson and Wm. Blakeney as clerks.

Given under my hand at my office, in said city of Arkansas City, this 29th day of December, 1885. F. P. SCHIFFBAUER, Mayor.

Arkansas City Republican, May 15, 1886.

Since S. J. Rice removed from the First Ward, it became necessary that he should retire from the school board. Last Monday evening he tendered his resignation and Dr. Geo. Westfall was appointed to fill the vacancy.

[ARKANSAS CITY: REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.]

Arkansas City Republican, May 22, 1886.

LOWE, HOFFMAN & BARRON.

W. R. Herniman to S. J. Rice, 2 lots, $200.

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

James H. Baker sold to Mrs. Mary A. Rice two acres of land north of town for $500.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 18, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.

Mrs. Mary Rice left on the 6 a.m. train on the Santa Fe for Bloomington, Illinois, to visit friends and relatives.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, February 19, 1887. From Saturday’s Daily.

J. F. Delzell was badly hurt yesterday. He was digging a well at S. J. Rice’s place north of town when the bail of the bucket, used for drawing out the dirt, broke and fell on him. It struck him on the back and he is just able to walk. The bucket fell about 15 or 20 feet.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 12, 1887. From Saturday’s Daily.

Real Estate Transfer.

Lot in Vineyard to S. J. Rice for $1,000.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 12, 1887. From Thursday’s Daily.

S. J. Rice sold his 10 acres of land north of the town to G. J. Gaskill, of South Bend, Indiana, this morning for $10,000. Eight months ago Mr. Rice bought this property for $3,500.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 12, 1887. From Thursday’s Daily.

G. J. Gaskill, of the Grand Trunk Line railway, with headquarters at South Bend, Indiana, arrived in the city last evening. He is out here on a vacation and is spending it in buying Sand-hill property. He has already bought $10,000.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 19, 1887. From Monday’s Daily.

Robt. Corlett and brother sold their 160 acre farm to S. J. Rice for $8,000. It lies three miles west of Arkansas City.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 26, 1887. From Friday’s Daily.

Johnson, the colored man, up for selling intoxicants, was convicted this morning on two accounts in Judge Kreamer’s court. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $200. The following are the names of jurymen: E. W. Vaughn (colored), A. Dodd, P. B. Andrews (colored), A. G. Lowe, Geo. W. Spruill, Bradford Beal, Geo. Allen, G. W. Herbert, P. Thompson, J. C. Pickering, C. Atwood, and S. J. Rice. There was talk of appealing, but at time of going to press the necessary bond had not been filed.

[Above item was the last one found relative to S. J. Rice. MAW]