W. D. ROBERTS.

WINFIELD 1873:

Roberts, W. D., 41; spouse, Phebe, 37.

WINFIELD 1874:

Roberts, W. D., 42; spouse, Phebe, 37.

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

Name age sex color Place/birth Where from

W. D. Roberts 48 m w Indiana Missouri

Phebe Roberts 39 f w Michigan Missouri

WINFIELD 1878:

Roberts, W. D., 46; spouse, Phebe, 42.

WALNUT TOWNSHIP 1881:

Roberts, W. D., 49; spouse, Elizabeth, 50.

WALNUT TOWNSHIP 1882:

Roberts, W. D., 49; spouse, Phoebe, 46.

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.

Unknown: Whether or not the “W. D. Roberts” mentioned in the following item was the same person who settled in Winfield.

[LETTER FROM E. C. MANNING TO VOTERS OF COWLEY COUNTY.]

Cowley County Censor, October 28, 1871.

Three letters are published in the Arkansas Traveler of this week—October 25th—that purport to have been written by W. D. Roberts, Sidney Clarke, and Dan. M. Adams.

Roberts’ letter contains one lie, inasmuch as it states that “we have no personal animosity against Mr. Manning.”

Clarke’s letter contains several lies, the following being the particularly infamous and base one: “Mr. Manning demanded of me personally ‘the sum of $1,000' before he would take a stand in my favor for U. S. Senator.”

Dan. M. Adams’ letter is a lie from first to last. He states that I demanded $1,000 from him before I would vote for Mr. Clarke for U. S. Senate.

I shall speak in fourteen different places in Cowley County between this time and the day of election, Nov. 7th, as per appointment of the Republican Central Committee, and at these meetings will answer this and all other charges that Clarke and his lying followers, and my personal opponents may circulate. The appointments of the Republican Central Committee are in this paper, and I hope to see a large turnout of voters at every meeting. Let the liars and slanderers face the music. E. C. MANNING

Winfield, Oct. 27^th.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

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.

[TEACHER’S INSTITUTE.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 17, 1873.

The Teacher’s Institute of the 13th Judicial District, convened at the Academy in Winfield, on the evening of the 15th. Superintendent Wilkinson was chosen chairman, and Mr. Walton, secretary.

The room was quite full; most of whom were citizens of Winfield. The attendance of teachers was not very full on account of the inclemency of the weather. The chairman stated that Mr. Parmelee, who was expected to lecture to the meeting, was unable to do so.

Participants: Prof. Felter, author of Felter’s arithmetic, sent by State Superintendent McCarty; Major Durrow; Mr. Fairbank.

The following is a list of the names of Teachers present from abroad, who are in attendance at the Institute.

David Coon, of Douglass, Butler County; J. C. Fetterman, of El Dorado, Butler County; S. A. Felter, Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Ida Myres, of Augusta, Butler County; H. C. Snyder of Augusta, Butler County; John Tucker, County Superintendent of Public Instruction of Sedgwick County; Mrs. S. E. Dunhan, of Sumner County; Maj. D. W. Durrow, of Junction City.

The following is a representation of our own county.

Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Hickok, Miss Tucker, Ira D. Kellogg, S. W. Greer, Effa Randle, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Miss Graham, Miss Mollie Bryant, and Maj. J. B. Fairbank, of Winfield; T. A. Wilkinson, County Superintendent of Public Instruction of Cowley County; Misses Hawkins and Worden, of Vernon Township; Miss Ida Daggett, of Floral Township; Mrs. W. E. Bostwick, of Winfield Township.

W. D. Roberts...

[COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 9, 1873.

Board of County Commissioners met at the County Clerk’s office Oct. 6th, 1873. Present: Frank Cox, J. D. Maurer, and O. C. Smith.

Petition of Menor for County Road was granted, with J. H. Land, A. J. Thompson, and W. D. Roberts as viewers. Survey ordered on the 16th of Oct., 1873, to meet at the county Clerk’s office.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, November 20, 1873.

GRAND ANNUAL RE-UNION OF THE SOLDIERS OF COWLEY COUNTY,

ON THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 27, 1873.

Committee on Music. T. A. Wilkinson, Chairman, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Miss Emma Leffingwell, L. J. Webb and John Kirby.

W. D. Roberts...

[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS, JANUARY 6, 1874.]

Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.

W. D. Roberts et al road viewers: $16.50

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

[THE CANTATA.]

Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.

The cantata of Esther the beautiful Queen, which was rendered at the courthouse last Monday and Tuesday nights, was a splendid affair in every instance, and is universally pronounced to be the best home talent entertainment ever given in Winfield. The adaptability of each player to the particular part assigned them was a noticeable feature, and each performed their part so well that we dare not make “any invidious distinctions.”

We cannot however avoid mentioning those who took the more prominent parts. Mrs. M. A. Arnold as Queen, Rev. J. P. Parmelee as King, E. C. Manning as Haman, A. T. Stewart, Mordecai; Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Zeresh; Miss Kate Johnson and Miss Mary Braidwood as Maids of honor; Charles Black, Harbonah (the King’s Chamberlain); Ed. Johnson, Hegei; A. A. Jackson, Hatach; W. L. Mullen, High Priest. They could not be surpassed in any city in the land. Miss Helen Parmelee as organist deserves special mention, as very much depended on her, always prompt, making no mistakes. The chorus was good, and taken as a whole, we venture to say that Winfield will not soon witness the like, and few towns in this country with their home talent could produce so splendid a spectacle. Too much cannot be said in praise of Prof. A. D. Battey, who drilled the class, and superintended the performance to its close.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, July 3, 1874.

In the Courts.

Last Monday night Mrs. W. D. Roberts was brought into her own house—having previously been arrested by officer Bliss of the police force, upon the charge of disturbing the peace. Upon being brought before his honor, Judge Hickok, Hon. S. D. Pryor arose and gave the Court to “understand and be informed, that Mrs. W. D. Roberts, at the county of Cowley, and on the 10th day of May, 1873, and on every Sunday save one, since said 10th day of May, 1873, at the Baptist church in Winfield, she, the said Mrs. W. D. Roberts, in a bold fearless manner, wilfully and knowingly disturbed the peace and quiet of many citizens of Winfield by using her tongue wilfully and fearlessly, in a loud voice, singing songs of praise to God, against the peace and quiet of many saloon-keepers, and contrary to the laws of king alcohol.”

The prisoner was ably defended by Rev. N. L. Rigby. Before the counsel for the defense had concluded, however, the prisoner was discharged.

To show that they didn’t believe her guilty of any crime and as a slight token of their esteem, Mr. Rigby, on behalf of the company, presented her with a beautiful silver cake basket, which was indeed a surprise to Mrs. Roberts, but nevertheless appreciated by her. After the presentation the guests were right royally regaled with Ice Cream and cake. All went home glad that they had been there, and glad that so much affection exists in the human family, and hoping that many such occasions may be experienced “ere the roses droop and die.”

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

[FOURTH OF JULY PREPARATIONS.]

Winfield Courier, June 1, 1876.

Last Saturday, pursuant to call, the citizens of Winfield met at the Courthouse and organized a meeting by calling D. A. Millington to the chair and electing C. M. McIntire secretary.

Committee on Music: J. D. Pryor, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Miss Mollie Bryant.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

[CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.]

Winfield Courier, July 6, 1876.

The States and Territories appeared in the order of their admission into the Union.

Representing South Carolina: Mrs. W. D. Roberts.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, September 14, 1876.

For delegates to the Republican convention of the 88th Representative district: N. C. McCulloch, J. H. Hill, G. S. Manser, J. S. Hunt, W. D. Roberts, Chas. Love, W. G. Graham,

J. M. Baer, G. W. Arnold, E. G. Sheridan. Alternates: I. W. Randall, W. E. Christie, Perry Hill, J. H. Curfman, A. B. Lemmon, Z. B. Myers, A. Howland, J. J. Plank, E. P. Hickok, and Thos. Dunn.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, September 14, 1876.

The following are the delegates to the Republican county convention for Winfield Township.

Delegates: J. D. Pryor, W. P. Hackney, J. S. Hunt, C. M. Wood, H. Brotherton, G. W. Robertson, Joel Mack, E. C. Seward, Geo. Youle, W. D. Roberts.

Alternates: W. C. Robinson, R. H. Tucker, J. H. Curfman, B. B. Vandaventer, John Park, C. A. Seward, Geo. Bull, Frank Hutton, J. L. M. Hill, A. B. Lemmon.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, September 28, 1876.

PROCEEDINGS OF REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

Pursuant to a call of the committee of the 88th Representative District, the delegates to the representative convention met in the courthouse at Winfield on Saturday, September 16th, at 10 o’clock a.m. Capt. J. S. Hunt, of Winfield Township, was elected temporary chairman, and Chas. H. Eagin, of Rock Township, temporary secretary.

The committee on credentials reported the following delegates entitled to seats in the convention.

Winfield Township: N. C. McCulloch, J. H. Hill, Chas. Love, J. M. Bair, G. W. Arnold, E. G. Sheridan, J. S. Hunt, W. D. Roberts, G. S. Manser, W. G. Graham.

De Wolf, brother-in-law of W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, October 5, 1876.

Mr. De Wolf, a brother-in-law of W. D. Roberts, has been spending a few days in this community. He is an experienced railroad man, having been in the employ, as conductor, of one of the best roads in Illinois for a number of years. He is enthusiastic for the narrow gauge system, and says that a road of that kind is just what we want in this section. He is a very pleasant and well informed gentleman.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts, John Roberts...

Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.

MRS. JAMES KELLY was presented with a handsome silver cake basket by the members of the Presbyterian choir recently. The choir consists of Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Swain, Misses Jennie Greenlee, and Annie Newman, Frank Baldwin, John Pryor, and John Roberts. The basket is a beauty, and is highly appreciated by the recipient, the choir leader. Mr. Baldwin made the presentation speech, and it is said, by those who heard it, to have been in his happiest manner.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, February 15, 1877.

W. D. Roberts showed us a bottle yesterday containing about fifty young grasshoppers, fresh hatched and hatching. Four and one half days ago he picked a few grasshopper eggs off the top of the ground in Col. Loomis’ field and put them in a bottle near the stove. The eggs had laid on top of the ground all winter, having been thrown to the surface late in the fall by harrowing winter barley. Tuesday night being the close of the fourth day since they were bottled, the hoppers began leaving their shells, and on Wednesday morning by 9 a.m. about fifty were out and more coming. They are perfect in form, with body about the size of a mosquito’s body, and can jump from twelve to twenty inches, owing of course to how well they “get off.” It is not known to what stage of incubation the insects had arrived at the time of bottling.

Winfield Courier, July 5, 1877.

W. D. Roberts threshed the first crop of wheat threshed in this neighborhood the other day. It averaged only eleven bushels to the acre, which is rather poor for Cowley County.

Winfield Courier, September 20, 1877.

Mrs. Mansfield and son, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Black, Mr. C. S. Thomas, W. D. Roberts, Wm. Hudson, and T. M. McGuire are attending the Kansas City exposition.

Winfield Courier, October 25, 1877.

Mr. W. D. Roberts, of this city, has accepted a situation as salesman to Geo. Y. Smith’s store, at Wichita. He is to go to that city the first of next week to enter at once upon his duties.

Winfield Courier, November 8, 1877.

W. D. Roberts returned from Wichita in time to vote. He concluded he could do better here. It is unpleasant for a married man to live so far from home, and for a Winfield man to live anywhere else.

Winfield Courier, May 16, 1878.

W. D. Roberts has gone to Wichita.

W. D. Roberts...

Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1879.

James L. Huey, W. D. Roberts, and W. B. Norman have been appointed by the District Court of Cowley County the committee to condemn the right of way for the Cowley, Sumner & Fort Smith R. R. through this county.

Winfield Courier, May 15, 1879.

Judge Campbell has appointed Messrs. J. L. Huey, W. D. Roberts, and W. B. Norman commissioners to assess damage to land, crops, buildings, etc., by reason of the right of way of the Cowley, Sumner & Ft. Smith R. R. through Cowley county. They will commence their work on the 9th day of June next.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, July 31, 1879.

The Ladies’ Aid Society, of the Baptist church, will give a social and ice cream festival at Sunny Side Home, the residence of Mrs. W. D. Roberts, next Friday evening. The proceeds are to be used in the erection of the new Baptist Church.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, August 5, 1880.

W. D. Roberts has gathered this year from a half acre of ground thirty one and a half bushels of blackberries.

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, December 30, 1880.

With the earliest settlers of Winfield, came Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Millington, since which time their hospitable home has been a favorite with our society people.

At their reception last evening an unusually happy and enjoyable time was had. Mr. and Mrs. Millington, assisted by their daughters, Misses Kate and Jessie, were truly at home in the manner and method of receiving their friends, with a smile and a pleasant word for all. No wonder the hours passed so quickly by. All restraint and formality was laid aside for an evening of genuine good feeling and pleasure.

Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. N. L. Rigby, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Hackney, Mr. and Mrs. Spotswood, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Baird, Mr. and Mrs. Bedilion, Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. McMullen, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, Dr. and Mrs. Black, Mr. and Mrs. Hickok, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Troup, Mr. and Mrs. Scovill, Mr. and Mrs. Lundy, Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon, Dr. and Mrs. Emerson, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Short, Mr. and Mrs. Kretsinger, Mr. and Mrs. Shrieves, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Millington, Mrs. Huston, Miss McCommon, Wirt W. Walton, and J. R. Conklin.

Refreshments were served to the satisfaction and praise of all, and not until a late hour came the “good nights” and the departure of friends for their homes, each of whom will not soon forget the pleasant evening with Mr. and Mrs. Millington. Daily Telegram.

Winfield Courier, February 10, 1881.

CRYSTAL WEDDING.

Mr. and Mrs. Shrieves celebrated the 15th anniversary of their marriage by inviting their friends to attend their crystal wedding on Tuesday evening, February 8th. Accordingly a merry party filled the omnibuses and proceeded to their residence, one mile east of town, and spent an evening of unalloyed pleasure. Mrs. Shrieves, assisted by her sisters, Mrs. Cummings and Mrs. Wm. Shrieves, entertained their guests in a graceful and pleasant manner. Although invitation cards announced no presents, a few of the most intimate friends presented some choice little articles in remembrance of the occasion.

The following were present: Mrs. Hickok, Mrs. Mansfield, Mrs. Butler, Miss Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Kinne, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Wallis, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Spotswood, Dr. and Mrs. Van Doren, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest, Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, Rev. and Mrs. Hyden, Rev. and Mrs. Platter, Mrs. Houston, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Millington, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Black, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Wilson, Rev. and Mrs. Borchers, Mr. and Mrs. Meech, Mr. and Mrs. Millhouse, Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Linn, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Mr. Hendricks, and John Roberts.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts and John Roberts, choir...

[EDITORIAL.]

Cowley County Courant, June 1, 1882.

Thirteen years ago the spot where Winfield now stands was but a place of beautiful prairie, covered with nature’s own green carpet. The buffalo had scarcely retired beyond the Arkansas, and the Osage Indians still lingered on the picturesque banks of the Walnut. The avant courier of civilization, the home hunter, began to come in from the east and from the north, and the aborigine, with his wives and little ones, sullenly bade adieu to his hitherto undisputable possession forever. As if invoking the blessing of Deity upon the enterprise, the town was “laid out” with the north star as a guide. From that day to this, through many troublesome and vexatious vicissitudes and trials, the sound of the hammer has not ceased to be heard, until Winfield today stands second to but few cities in the whole State of Kansas. Happily for Winfield, happily for the State, and happily for mankind, the early setters believed in schools and churches. He might not, and many did not, have any very active belief in what is called the Christian religion, but he did believe in the evidence and fruits of the Christian church, visible, as a mighty factor, in moulding and cementing the various atoms into a healthy, safe, and enlightened society. And while he might not be willing to admit his own need of civilization or Christianization, he was ever ready, ever solicitous, to have his children and his neighbors brought under so good an influence and into so pure an atmosphere.

Fortunate it was that the early settler had moral courage, although not always a believer in the generally received Christian religion, as a means of salvation, to advocate the building of churches and the maintenance of the Sabbath school. Thus the believer and the unbeliever united to lay broad and deep, the foundation upon which are reared the seven churches of today.

No city in the state of equal population can boast, if boast we may, of so many splendid temples of worship. And the crowning glory of the whole is the magnificent structure, yesterday so solemnly, eloquently, and appropriately dedicated “to the worship of the living God.”

Gazing upon the vast congregation that filed out of that noble pile at the close of the service, our mind wandered back to the handful of communicants who assembled to hear the Rev. Winfield Scott preach the first sermon, which gave our beautiful little city a name.

The Baptist congregation was organized in the fall of 1870, with six or eight charter members, and Alvin W. Tousey as pastor. The meetings were held anywhere, wherever an empty shanty could be found, but often in the then new store of Bliss & Tousey, until the year 1872, when the stone building which stands on the old Lagonda block and now used for a boarding house, was erected and occupied.

The Baptist church has been extremely fortunate in the selection of their pastors. This, coupled with the indomitable energy and perseverance of the congregations, culminated in the erection of the finest church edifice in Kansas. Others may have larger seating capacity, but none of such rare symmetrical beauty of design and finish. The house properly seats seven hundred and fifty persons, and with a slight difference of arrangement will comfortably hold one thousand souls.

The house was filled yesterday long before the time for service to begin. The Wellington people showed their appreciation of such an enterprise by chartering a special car and coming over seventy-five strong. Services were opened by the Rev. D. S. MacEwen, of Wellington. Prayer was offered by the Rev. P. F. Jones, of the M. E. Church, and a hymn was read by the Rev. C. H. Canfield, of the Episcopal Church of this city.

The report of the Building Committee accompanied with the key, was handed to the pastor, Rev. James Cairns, who turned the same over to the trustees. The report shows that the house cost in round numbers, $13,000, which had all been paid, and a balance of $43.17 still remained to the credit of the committee. Is there another church in the state that can make such a showing? No call for money, no frantic appeal for promises to pay in the future; none but the collection for ordinary expenses taken up.

The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. A. C. Peck, of Lawrence, Kansas, from the last clause of the seventeenth verse of the twenty-eighth chapter of Genesis, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” The sermon was one of great power and ability, showing the preacher to be a man of deep erudition and high scholarly attainments.

The choir was composed of Mrs. J. S. Mann, Mrs. H. E. Silliman, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Misses Zulu Farringer, and Josie Bard, and Messrs. H. E. Silliman, Richard Bowles, E. H. Bliss, Forrest Noble, and John Roberts, with Ed. Farringer as organist. The selections were appropriate throughout and finely rendered. After the singing of the grand old hymn, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,” with great force and effect, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. C. R. Canfield, and the vast audience dispersed, feeling that another oasis had been reached on the journey of life, and that another milestone had been passed on the road to heaven.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, July 20, 1882.

Hon. Jas. McDermott, Winfield, Kansas.

DEAR SIR: We the undersigned citizens of Cowley County, Kansas, anxious that an able and faithful man represent us in the coming legislature, and ever mindful of the important legislation that will come before that body, unite in requesting you to become a candidate for the office of Representative from this district, July 11th, 1882.

One of those who signed request: W. D. Roberts.

Roberts, living near Winfield. Must be W. D. Roberts...

Arkansas City Traveler, July 26, 1882.

Mr. Roberts, living near Winfield, has a half acre blackberry patch from which he has picked this season over 80 bushels of blackberries, for which he received an average price of $4 per bushel. This gives him $380 as the yield from half an acre of land.

Winfield Courier, August 3, 1882.

W. D. Roberts sends us a specimen quart of his Kittaninny blackberries, the last of the crop and, we should think, the finest. He had in blackberries only one half acre but from this patch he sold 2,312 quarts, which after paying commissions and expenses, netted him $266.07. Besides he used 120 quarts which if he had sold would have raised the proceeds to $277 or over $550 per acre. How is that for high!

Article mentions W. D. Roberts, J. C. Roberts, and C. A. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, September 21, 1882.

GENTLEMEN: In making my report to this society I would be glad to give in detail somewhat of a description of the condition of the orchards I visited; but this report should not be of sufficient extent to embrace so much. I will say, however, that the orchard of W. D. Roberts was literally loaded with the finest fruit. I obtained very fine specimens of Hubbardson’s Nonsuch, Maiden’s Blush, Pennsylvania Red Streak, Limber Twig, and Willow Twig apples. He had many other varieties in full bearing; but not desiring to get all the varieties from one orchard, I then visited Mr. L. E. Gilleland, two miles northwest of Winfield, where I found the finest apples I ever saw; and I do not say this to depreciate in any sense the productions of other orchards. Mr. Gilleland has earned the success he has attained, and well deserves it. One variety of apples (Gloria Mundi) produced single specimens that weighed one and one-fourth pounds, and measured sixteen inches around. I also got fine samples of Ben Davis, Wagner, Grindstone, Kansas Keeper, McAfee’s Nonsuch, and Willow Twig.

From J. C. Roberts: Northern Spy, Rambo, Janet, Yellow Bellflower, Little Romanite, and Maiden’s Blush apples and very fine Bartlett pears.

From C. A. Roberts: Hay’s Winter Wine, Willow Twig, and Wine Sap apples.

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, April 26, 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Roberts entertained a large party of friends last week, Wednesday evening, in a pleasant style. They are not so far out of town that omnibuses cannot reach them and the busses were loaded. The members of the party were delighted with their entertainment.

Winfield Courier, June 7, 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Roberts entertained a number of friends at their beautiful home southeast of the city Monday evening. It was a very pleasant social gathering—such a one as always occurs under the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts.

Winfield Courier, June 28, 1883.

W. D. Roberts was offered seven thousand five hundred dollars for his eighty acre home adjoining town, but refused. His place isn’t for sale.

Mrs. W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, August 16, 1883.

At the last regular semi-annual election of Directors of the Ladies’ Library Association, the following were elected for the ensuing year.

Miss Lena Walrath, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Mrs. M. J. Stimpson, Mrs. A. D. Hendricks, Mrs. J. B. Scofield, Mrs. D. L. Kretsinger, Mrs. Whitney, Mrs. G. H. Allen, Mrs. A. H. Doane, Mrs. S. W. Greer, Mrs. Judge McDonald, Mrs. F. K. Raymond, Mrs. Will Strahan. Mrs. A. J. Lundy was elected Secretary to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Trimble. One hundred dollars worth of new and popular books have just been ordered. This is the time for you to secure your ticket for the year. Mrs. E. T. Trimble, Secretary.

Winfield Courier, April 17, 1884.

Mr. W. D. Roberts had a letter last week from his sister in Indiana in which she says it was snowing and only a few farmers had commenced to plow for oats. Quite a contrast to bright and Sunny Kansas, where the oats, grass, etc., are green and luxuriant, and many farmers have their corn all planted.

Winfield Courier, June 12, 1884.

Mrs. De Wolf and Miss Roberts, of Des Moines, Iowa, are visiting their sister, Mrs. W. D. Roberts.

Winfield Courier, July 10, 1884.

Mr. W. D. Roberts brought us in some samples of “Yellow Harvest” apples from his orchard Tuesday. They were fine, large, and of splendid flavor.

[NOTICE: BLISS & WOOD.]

Winfield Courier, July 17, 1884.

NOTICE.

To the following named owners of land, and to all other persons whose land may be affected by the proceedings herein mentioned:

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT Charles A. Bliss, Benjamin F. Wood, and E. Spencer Bliss have presented to Hon. E. S. Torrance, Judge of the District Court of Cowley County, Kansas, their petition in writing, setting forth all statements required by law, and asking to have condemned to them the right to build and construct to a height two (2) feet higher than its present height, and to forever maintain at such height, their mill dam across the Walnut River, said dam being located on the north half of the northeast quarter of Section No. 29, in Township No. 32, South, of Range No. 4 East, in Cowley County, Kansas, to thereby raise the water in the channels of the Walnut River and Timber Creek, above said dam, the purpose of raising said dam as aforesaid being to provide water power additional to that now owned and used by the petitioners above named and obtained by means of said existing dam, wherewith to run and operate the machinery in a large flouring and grist mill and grain elevator owned and operated by said petitioners and located upon the tract of land aforesaid; that pursuant to the prayer of said petition the said Judge has appointed the undersigned as Commissioners to meet at the place where said dam is proposed to be raised, on the Twenty-sixth (26th) day of August, 1884, and then and there to inquire touching the matters contained in said petition. And you are further notified that the undersigned Commissioners will meet at the place where said dam is proposed to be raised, on the Twenty-sixth (26th) day of August, 1884, and then and there inquire touching the matters contained in said petition, and examine the point at which said dam is proposed to be raised, and the lands and the real estate which will probably be injured by raising said dam to the height petitioned for, and hear the allegations and testimony of all parties interested, and make a separate assessment of damages which will result to any person by raising said mill dam to the height petitioned for, and its maintenance forever. And in case such work shall not be completed on that day, said Commissioners will continue the same from day to day until finally completed.

The numbers or descriptions of the tracts of land owned by non-residents of said county which will be affected by raising said dam as aforesaid, together with the names of the respective owners thereof prefixed thereto, are as follows, to wit:

B. B. Van Devender, part S. W. ¼ and part S. E. ¼ Sec. 21 and part S. W. ¼ Sec. 22;

John Sickles, part S. W. ¼ Sec. 21;

J. B. Corson, part N. E. ¼ Sec. 20;

The Southern Kansas Railroad Company; part N. W. ¼ Sec. 28, all in Township 32, South, of Range 4 East;

L. Farr and J. Addison Rucker, part S. W. ¼ Sec. 31, Tp. 31, S., of R. 4E.;

M. M. Wells, part S. W. ¼ Sec. 21;

Elizabeth Taylor, part S. W. ¼ Sec. 17 and part S. E. ¼ Sec. 18; and

Elijah Taylor, part N. E. ¼ in Sec. 18, in Tp. 32, S., of R. 4 E.

Witness our hands this 8th day of July, 1884.

HENRY HARBAUGH, W. L. WEBB, W. D. ROBERTS, Commissioners.

McDonald & Webb, Attorneys for Petitioners.

W. D. Roberts...

Winfield Courier, August 21, 1884.

Special Meeting Horticultural Society.

W. D. Roberts exhibited Maiden Blush apple and Martha grape.

Winfield Courier, October 2, 1884.

W. D. Roberts came in last Friday from a visit in Monticello and other places in Indiana. He reports an immense Blaine plume in the cap of “Ingeany,” with enthusiastic Republican meetings everywhere.

Excerpt from a lengthy article: W. D. Roberts...

The Citizens of Winfield Gather En Masse to Welcome the College Committee.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 18, 1885.

Among the more potent factors in obtaining this great enterprise for Winfield were the soliciting committees who circulated the sub-papers with wonderful energy and success. They raised nearly twenty thousand dollars in this way—almost every man, young and old, in the city made good subscriptions, with many donations from the ladies. Nothing could more plainly demonstrate the great liberality and public spirit of our citizens. There is no doubt that without such assiduous labor on the part of these soliciting committees, Winfield would never have got the college. The committee for Winfield city were: Capt. J. B. Nipp, Judge T. H. Soward, Judge H. D. Gans, Capt. T. B. Myers, Prof. A. Gridley, J. E. Conklin, Frank Bowen, and J. E. Farnsworth. Those soliciting in adjacent territory, as near as we can ascertain, were: Rev. B. Kelly, Col. Wm. Whiting, Rev. S. S. Holloway, Rev. J. H. Snyder, A. H. Limerick, J. A. Rinker, T. J. Johnson, Dr. S. R. Marsh, J. W. Browning, J. A. McGuire, George Gale, D. W. P. Rothrock, D. A. Sherrard, D. Gramme, W. E. Martin, A. Staggers, W. D. Roberts, E. M. Reynolds, J. C. Roberts, and C. Hewitt.