SCOTT
& TOPLIFF SHEEP RANCH.
Also
Coverage on Scott Cattle Ranch.
Involvement of
Scott Due to Windsor and Roberts.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 25, 1880.
Capt. Scott came in from the west last Monday, looking hale and hearty.
Capt. C. M. Scott has purchased 500 acres of land near the mouth of Grouse creek, with a view of making it a stock ranche.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 31, 1881.
Capt. C. M. Scott has been in the eastern part of the county, where he has bought a large tract of land, which he intends to operate as a sheep ranch. C. M. Scott is at home in any kind of stock business, and will make it a success if any man can.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 28, 1881.
Topliff and Scott will ship a carload of fine merino ewes and rams from Ohio next month, to add to their flock.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 28, 1881.
Mr. Stafford, of Harper County, sold his flock of 2,200 head of sheep to C. M. Scott and James Topliff, last week, for nearly $5,000.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 12, 1881.
Capt. C. M. Scott is busily engaged looking after his stock interests these days.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 19, 1881.
On the 24th of this month, Messrs. Scott and Topliff will have a car of fine Merino rams and ewes from Harrison Co., Ohio. They will sell a part of the carload.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 9, 1881.
Charles S. Scott (Nip), brother of C. M. Scott, came on from Cadiz, Ohio, last Friday evening with a carload of 225 Merino sheep, the finest we have seen for some time. Nip is no novice to traveling, having visited Paris, London, and the principal cities of the old country last summer, and this winter will return to New York, where he will remain.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 30, 1881.
Mr. L. H. Scott, of New York, who spent several weeks of last summer in this city visiting his brother, C. M. Scott, is attending Guiteau’s trial at Washington. Mr. Scott was admitted to the Bar of the U. S. Supreme Court, before the full bench, in the Capitol, on the 18th inst. We congratulate the gentleman upon the success he is achieving in his profession.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 7, 1881.
An Excurting Party. Mr. M. M. St. John, brother of the Governor of Kansas; Mr. J. R. Ritchie, Sheriff of Richardson County, Illinois; Mr. C. Fleming, son-in-law of Mr. St. John, and Mr. John P. Higgans, all of Olney, Illinois; arrived in the city yesterday morning and left by this morning’s train for the Indian Territory for a hunt. They will be under the care of Capt. C. M. Scott, which is a guarantee that they will enjoy their holiday. Gov. St. John intended to be of the party, but he felt obliged to forego the anticipated pleasure on account of the Danford trouble. Commonwealth.
The
party arrived in Arkansas City all “O. K.” and in company with Mr. Fred
Whiting, of Winfield, and Capt. C. M. Scott, of this city, immediately started
for the Territory, where they expect to be absent about ten days.
Scott & Topliff sheep ranch south of Arkansas City...
Arkansas City Traveler, January 18, 1882.
Messrs. C. M. Scott and J. C. Topliff spent Sunday last at Harper, whither they went to purchase some sheep to stock their ranch south of town.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 25, 1882.
Capt. C. M. Scott and Postmaster Topliff returned from their sheep buying trip out west, last Friday. C. M. Scott returned to Harper the same day to assist in driving the sheep purchased through to their ranche south of town.
[COURIER
CLIP.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 25, 1882.
Captain Scott, Postmaster Topliff, and Cashier Farrar, of the terminus, were doing our city Friday. Mr. Topliff was going west into Barbour County and Scott and Farrar escorted him this far on his road. He went on alone and anxious friends are praying for his safe return. We don’t think he’ll get lost.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 15, 1882.
We are pleased to see Capt. Scott on our streets again. He reports his sheep as doing first-class out in Harper, but will not attempt to drive them through to his ranch, south of town, till the grass is plenty.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1882.
What haven’t we in Cowley County? In our office is a specimen of zinc ore, from the quarry on Mr. Rathburne’s farm near the head of Cedar Creek, which, in time, will be developed and prove of great value. Lead has been discovered in the same region, and coal has been taken from the hillsides for the past six years. A vein of coal, one-fourth inch in thickness, has also been discovered on Mr. Spray’s farm, three miles east of town, and another vein crops out near the “cut-off” on George Whitney’s and C. M. Scott’s lands. The new foundry men find that the very best of moulding sand can be dug up, by the wagon load, on the Arkansas River, and every enterprise that is started seems to find just what they want right here on our own soil.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 29, 1882.
Our two sheep men, C. M. Scott and J. C. Topliff, left on Monday last for Willow Springs, Indian Territory, on business connected with their large sheep interests. They will probably return to the city tonight.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 12, 1882.
What’s to become of Bolton Township? With Hon. C. R. Mitchell in one end; C. M. Scott in the other; and Amos Walton in the middle.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1882.
Messrs. Scott & Topliff have the boss sheep ranche in this section of country, with sheds and corrals for over 2,500 sheep as well as other conveniences erected at a cost of over $4,000.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 3, 1882.
Ourself and Charles H. Burgess, of Buffalo Bill’s Indian Troupe, accompanied C. M. Scott to his sheep ranche last week and partook of fried bacon, strong coffee, eggs, etc., in a style that proved all hands perfectly familiar with ranching.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 10, 1882.
Sheep shearing at Messrs. Scott & Topliff’s ranch south of town commenced last Friday.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 17, 1882.
I want to contract for 200 tons of hay, to be cut, delivered, and stacked at my Sheep Ranche, in Bolton Township, during the month of July. Distance to haul not to exceed 3 miles. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 31, 1882.
Mr. Knott finished shearing his sheep last week. Mr. Upton has sheared his also, Mr. Crowell has sheared a part of his. Mr. Fouts, Scott & Topliff, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Cole, and others have to shear yet.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 7, 1882.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. J. W. Scott, of Cadiz, Ohio, who is in the city paying a visit to his son, C. M. Scott, so well known in this county. Mr. Scott was returning from a business trip to Texas and dropped in on C. M. as he was returning. The old gentleman is more than three score and ten years of age, but is yet as spry as most of the young men.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1882.
Mr. J. W. Scott, father of our C. M., returned to his home, at Cadiz, Ohio, last Thursday, after a visit in our city of several days. Mr. Scott is one of the most pleasant old gentlemen we have ever met, and we hope he may be spared to visit us again. He was accompanied by his son as far as Kansas City, on his return journey.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 28, 1882.
The awning of the City Hotel shaded the browned countenances of more sheep men last Saturday than we have seen together for some time. There was Andrews, of the placid Grouse creek; Fouts, of the wild Willows; Johns, from the historic Shilocco; Cole, from the romantic Bodoc; Saunders, of High Prairie; Rogers, of Endless View Ranche; Phraner, from Ponca Trail; and Scott, of the State line; while on the street was Majors Harnly, Stewart, and Maxwell. Knott had taken his departure the day before or he would have been there. Wool, tariff, scab, and coyotes were generally cussed and discussed until the supper call scattered them like a bombshell. They were all hungry.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 5, 1882.
Capt. C. M. Scott returned from Topeka last Friday.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 5, 1882.
Capt. C. M. Scott, of Arkansas City, one of the delegates of Cowley County, came up last evening; Capt. Scott is a genial gentleman and has a host of friends in this city.
Commonwealth.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 5, 1882.
WANTED. A Span of large work Mares. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 16, 1882.
Ponies and Horses. I have fifty head of well broken Indian ponies and Texas saddle and work horses that will be sold at a bargain. They can be seen at my sheep ranche 4 miles south and 2 miles east of Arkansas City, on the line of Indian Territory. C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 16, 1882.
Merino Rams. We have 25 head of full-blood Merino Lambs, for sale. Scott & Topliff.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 16, 1882.
Corn. I want to contract for 2,000 bushels of new corn, to be delivered by Jan. 1st, 1883. C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 6, 1882.
WANTED. 1,000 Rails and 250 Posts delivered at our Sheep Ranche within 30 days.
Scott & Topliff.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1882.
The damage to Scott & Topliff’s ranch on the State line last Saturday night, by fire, we are glad to state is fully covered by insurance.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1882.
Sheep Ranch Burnt. At Messrs. Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranche on the State line last Saturday evening some dastardly villain set fire to the stables which were connected with the sheep sheds and a large quantity of hay. However, owing to a fortunate change in the direction of the wind, the fire was kept under control and beyond the loss of the stables and a considerable damage to the sheep sheds, no great loss resulted. The loss is covered by insurance.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 20, 1882.
The loss by the fire at Scott & Topliff’s ranch was paid on last Saturday, just one week after the fire. Scott & Topliff were insured in the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Co., F. J. Hess, agent.
Sheep Ranche six miles southeast of Arkansas City (four miles south and two miles east) on State Line...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 20, 1882.
SPEEDY SETTLEMENT. On the evening of Saturday, September 9th, Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranche, on the State line six miles southeast of town, was fired by an incendiary, and by noon on Saturday of the next week, the agent of the old substantial Fire and Marine Ins. Co., of Springfield, Mass., was on the ground and paid the gentlemen the full amount of their loss, amounting to more than $150. The prompt settlement by the company is very credible to them, and will make friends for them wherever it is known. It pays to keep insured.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 27, 1882.
Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranche, on the State line, six miles from Arkansas City, was fired again last Sunday evening just after sundown, in the same manner and at about the same hour that it was fired two weeks ago. Both gentlemen went over and before morning had the guilty party, who acknowledged the crime, and on account of his age, was permitted to have his liberty. It is understood, and the boy states it, that he was influenced by other parties, and did it under promise of reward.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 27, 1882.
Men Wanted. I want two men to quarry and haul stone, and one reliable man to do general work. Inquire of C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1882.
Messrs. Scott & Topliff shipped a carload of wool from this city this morning. This is the first batch of this year’s clip the boys have shipped so far.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 15, 1882.
Sowing rye, for winter pasture, is fast growing in favor with farmers and stockmen. It is claimed that it pays to sow it for the pasture and straw alone. Mr. Callison and John Scott, of Bolton township, pastured a piece all last winter, and harvested a good crop besides. Mr. Andrews, of Grouse Creek, did the same, and this year put in more than ever. Scott & Topliff have forty acres, for their sheep, that is doing well.
The crucial trip to Washington, D. C., begins...
Arkansas City Traveler, December 6, 1882.
Messrs. N. T. Snyder, C. H. Searing, and Capt. C. M. Scott left on Monday’s train for the East. Before returning all three of the gentlemen will visit Washington, D. C.
Scott’s Ranch, 2500 acres in one body, 12 miles east of Arkansas City...
Arkansas City Traveler, December 6, 1882.
Sheep in the West. A Colorado man, in writing of sheep husbandry on the western plains, says: “Alfalfa has proved to the Colorado ranchman that more sheep can be kept on a given acre of land than was ever dreamed of by the most enthusiastic ranchman of the plains. This plan may be considered by some as visionary and impracticable. It is the only way to meet the continual emergencies now arising in Texas, Colorado, and many other sections now suffering from lack of sufficient feed and shelter; these two are the only lacking essentials to the Texas-Missouri country, and they have to be met somehow.
“Thousands of sheep will be driven this fall to cheap corn in Kansas and Missouri for wintering, and back again to summer pasturage in other States.
“Large capitalists are preparing cattle ranches upon a more secure method for future handling. To do this will necessitate the owning of lands, and the establishing of homes, where comforts and culture may surround the owners of attendants of the flocks. It is the right way, and the sooner adopted by the wool-growers of the South and West, the better. It has been evident to observers that flocks and herds have to go further out, year by year, to find pasturage.
“Some ranges are left as untenable, but subdued and ready for fencing and tame grasses, that, with another system of handling, would support more and better improved flocks than the wild grasses ever did.”
Acting on this plan, and idea, our fellow townsman, C. M. Scott, formerly editor of this paper, has purchased twenty-five hundred acres of land in one body, twelve miles east of this place, and will fence and improve it. C. M. Scott proposes to feed his stock during the winter and shelter them from the storms. To do this he will put in about one hundred acres of rye for winter pasture, and leave the corn stalks in the fields, besides having hay and straw at convenient places. The enterprise is bound to succeed, and we predict his example will be followed by many stockmen.
Related article...
Arkansas City Traveler, December 6, 1882.
Territory Items. The Cherokees, through their agent, Major Lipe, collected $33,000 grazing tax from the cattlemen of the strip during the past season.
John Carmack has been appointed Inspector at this and the Wichita Agency to look after the brands of the Cherokee strip stock association. He has been on duty several weeks.
Chief Bushyhead, in his recent message to the Cherokee council, asks for action toward defining the rights of citizens of the Cherokee nation in fencing in ranges on the strip. The matter being thus brought before the public, has given rise to a general discussion, and the Caldwell papers and the Indian Journal and Cherokee Advocate discussed the matter at considerable lengths in their last issues. Cheyenne Transporter.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 27, 1882.
C. M. Scott is now at Cadiz, Ohio, having left Washington on Friday last in order to spend the Holidays with his parents.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1883.
A
Washington special says that Capt. Scott, of Arkansas City, Kansas, is there to
consult with the Interior Department respecting the conflicting leases of land
in the Indian Territory made by the Cherokee authorities to various cattlemen
in Kansas and Missouri for grazing purposes. This is the inauguration of a big
fight between the original lessees, who are small cattle owners, and the large
companies, who are striving to acquire control of these lands to their
prejudice. Courier.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 10, 1883.
The Secretary of the Interior positively declined to approve the lease of the Standard Oil Company to the land they proposed to fence south of the State Line at this place. They were just one day behind C. M. Scott’s visit.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 17, 1883.
On the 24th of October, Frank L. Ide, of Nebraska, drove one thousand sheep through this place, on his way to Texas. A few weeks since he wrote to C. M. Scott, from Henrietta, Texas, that he got through with the flock in twenty-four days, and lost but three. He sold 100 “culls” in Henrietta at $4 per head. He says there have been 35,000 Mexican and half-breed sheep sold there last fall, and they have just commenced. He says it is as warm there now as in May in Nebraska.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, February 21, 1883.
Wire Fence Again. Senator Roberts, of Pennsylvania, accompanied by Mr. Windsor, arrived at this place Tuesday of last week, and remained several days looking up their interests in the stock speculation they are about to engage in, in the Territory south of this place. It was the intention of these gentlemen to fence in all that country west of the Arkansas River, and north of the Ponca Reserve, as far west as the Shakaska River; but another Cherokee, Mr. Mills, laid claim to the range as far east as Bitter Creek, and that portion of it was abandoned. The original intention as suggested by Mr. Gore, superintendent of the company, was to run the fence on the divide between Deer Creek and Chilocco, leaving a strip about four miles wide on the State Line. After losing the Shakaska country, he was overruled in this and the posts were set about one mile below the line, cutting off the ranges of Mr. Chambers, Mr. Hill, Scott & Topliff, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Parvin along the State Line, who had paid the Cherokee tax, besides a number who hadn’t paid, and several in the Territory who had paid. This wanton overriding of the rights of these gentlemen naturally produced trouble and the Secretary of the Interior interfered and stopped it.
Mr. Roberts then came out to see what had been done, and returned with the conviction that the people had not been treated fairly, and with the determination that they should be, and the result is that the rights of all those who have paid the tax will be respected. C. M. Scott’s range will be left entirely out, as well as all of his neighbors, and the fence placed west of the Ponca road and south of Chilocco Creek.
There is a disposition with some to crush out the company entirely, which is wrong. These gentlemen have the same right to the unoccupied range as anyone when they have paid the tax imposed by the Cherokees, and as long as they hold themselves within the bounds of right, without infringing on others, we would rather have them there than not have them. That the Cherokees have a right to impose a tax is recognized by the Department of the Interior, and having that right, it is clearly a matter for them to decide the terms and the parties to whom the grazing permit is granted. Those having paid the Cherokee tax are protected, and we cannot well see what more could in justice be demanded.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 21, 1883.
Messrs. Scott & Topliff were exceptionally fortunate in not losing any sheep during the last bad spell of weather. The reason, however, is not hard to find for these gentlemen had taken the necessary precaution to secure themselves from loss.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1883.
Stockmen’s Meeting. Pursuant to call a number of stockmen met at the office of C. M. Scott, in Arkansas City, Kansas, and organized by calling Mr. John H. Tomlin, of Winfield, to the chair and C. M. Scott, Secretary.
The following gentlemen were present: W. J. Hodges, John Myrtle, John Love, J. M. Love, Weathers, Tipton, Chinn, Wicks, Drury Warren, Hugh McGinn, J. H. Saunders, Moorehouse, Dr. Carlisle, and others.
On motion a committee of three was appointed to settle all claims of stockmen with the parties proposing to fence, or any other whose interests might conflict.
Committee: W. J. Hodges, Chairman; Drury Warren, and C. M. Scott.
Mr. Weathers thought the Oil Company had no right in the Territory, and did not believe in adjusting matters with them. Thought they should not be recognized in the meeting at all.
Mr. Hodges thought if they paid the tax and complied with the law, they had as much right as anyone to the unoccupied range, and that we should not expect the range to lay idle, and that it would not, and anyone claiming it and paying for it would be protected, whether they were of Kansas, Pennsylvania, or England.
Mr. Chinn said if a man paid, he had no protection against Texas cattle, to which Mr. Hodges replied; only through the Stock Association.
Mr. Warren didn’t see any harm in the Oil Company occupying the range as long as they interfered with the rights of no one legally there.
Mr. Love is on the west side of the range they propose to fence. He hasn’t paid his tax. When he stopped there, he did not expect to remain long—was going farther west, but finally concluded to remain. He then rendered payment to the Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation, and his offer was refused, although he was first on the ground, and had conflicted with no one; and after they had refused, the grant and privilege was given to Mr. Gore. He did not believe in discriminating in favor of a monopoly, and that too, when they were not on the ground, and have not yet a hoof of stock on the range. He said there was no fairness in it, and that the Oil Company were only acting fair since they could do no better. That they had tried to shut out all alike and would have done it if they could, and he appealed to the stockmen to stand by him as he had stood by them.
Mr. Hodges thought Mr. Love’s case one of merit, and that his right would not be ignored.
On motion the meeting elected Mr. Tomlin, Mr. Love, and C. M. Scott a committee of three to forward the grievance to Major John Q. Tufts at Muskogee, Indian Territory.
On motion Drury Warren, Mr. Wicks, and Mr. Weathers were appointed a committee of three to attend the meeting of the Cherokee Strip Stock Association, to be held at Caldwell March 6, 1883.
The following resolutions were introduced and passed.
Resolved, That it is the sense and desire of this meeting that no quarantine ground be established east of Bitter Creek.
Resolved, That no through Texas cattle be permitted to be driven along the State Line east of Bitter Creek, or within four miles of the line during the summer months and that we will use our best endeavors to prevent such doing.
Resolved, That each and everyone of us become a member of the Cherokee Strip Association, and that we stand by one another in the protection of our rights.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1883.
John Q. Tufts, U. S. Indian Agent at Muscogee, Indian Territory, has written C. M. Scott, asking that the grievances of the several parties in the Indian Territory, south of Arkansas City, be written and sent to him as he was unable to meet the parties at this place.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 14, 1883.
Michael Harkins writes C. M. Scott from Lamar, Missouri, that stock hogs are held at 6 cents per pound, yearling steers at $10 to $22, cows and calves $30 to $45, Farm Horses, $75 to $125, Yearling mules, $70 to $80, sheep, $2.50, by the block, and very little stock of any kind for sale.
[SCOTT’S STOCK FARM: CATTLE AND HORSES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 14, 1883.
A Desirable Stock Farm. The two thousand acres of land on the State Line twelve miles east of this place, known as Scott’s range, is one of the most desirable locations for stock that we know of in this or any other section of country, and we are glad to know that gentleman will stock it with the best of cattle and horses. Adjoining it on the south is the Kaw Indian Reserve, where stock can roam at will. We know of no more beautiful sight than to see the herds grazing undisturbed on this elevated plain, when the earth is covered with a carpet of green for miles around. It is the home of the stockmen and land of the free. A little figuring will soon convince anyone that stock pays, and that too, largely accounts for the large number that are engaging in it. A cow worth $25 brings a calf worth $10 in one year, at a cost of only $3 for keeping the cow. A calf at $10 in one year is worth $20. In two years it is worth $30; and in three years brings from $40 to $60, which has cost not to exceed $10. There are losses, of course, but in many cases no occasion for it. Hold the cattle in the State during the winter where hay, corn, and fodder can be had and shelter provided; and it will pay forty percent on the money invested, from one year to another.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 14, 1883.
Milch Cows. I have three good milch cows, with calves at their sides, for sale at my sheep ranche. C. M. SCOTT.
Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 15, 1883.
THE WIRE FENCES. Agent Tufts’ Report to Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
UNION AGENCY, MUSKOGEE, INDIAN TERRITORY, March 1, 1883.
SIR: Referring to cattle letter dated January 6, 1883, I have the honor to report that I have visited the lands known as Cherokee land, west of 96 degrees, and find there a large number of cattle, estimated to be 300,000, ranging on the Strip. About 200,000 are there by and with the consent of the Cherokees, and on which there was paid a grazing tax to the Cherokee authorities of about $41,000 during the year. About 100,000 cattle on these lands belong to citizens of Kansas, who turn them loose on these lands and pay no tax.
After a careful investigation, I have to answer the questions submitted in the above official letter as follows.
1. How much fencing has been done?
Answer: 950 miles.
2. To whom do the fences belong?
Answer: To citizens of the United States and a few citizens of the Cherokee Nation.
3. Name each and all companies or organizations claiming to own fences and the quantity of wire in each.
Answer:
Comanche pool, 55 miles.
Bollinger & Schlupp, 60 miles.
Drumm & Snyder, 50 miles.
Miller & Pryor, 45 miles.
B. H. Campbell, 30 miles.
George Thompson, 40 miles.
S. & Z. Tuttle, 58 miles.
Bridge & Wilson, 45 miles.
Bates & Co., 33 miles.
Hewins & Titus, 60 miles.
Cobb & Hutton, 56 miles.
C. H. Moore, 24 miles.
George Miller, 72 miles.
H. Hodgson, 35 miles.
Dean Bros., 40 miles.
E. M. Ford, 87 miles.
C. H. McClellan, 72 miles.
G. Greever, 60 miles.
T. Mayhew, 37 miles.
4. How long since fencing was commenced?
Answer: During the spring of 1882.
5. What effect has such fencing had upon legitimate travel and upon mail routes?
Answer: There are but two mail routes through the land in question: from Caldwell, Kansas, to Ft. Reno and points beyond; from Arkansas City to Nez Perces Agency. There are no fences within two miles of either road. There are no other roads for legitimate travel across these lands. Pastures are supplied with gates for the use of parties traveling through. The fences do not interfere in any manner with legitimate travel or mail routes.
6. What effect has the wire fences on the reservation of destruction of timber on said lands?
Answer: Timber extended only along the water courses, and for miles into the Territory along the state line of Kansas, has been destroyed by parties from Kansas, who have used it for fuel and fencing. Much of this valuable lumber has been taken from the Cimarron River, a distance of sixty miles from the Nation line. Unless this wholesale destruction of timber is stopped, it is safe to state that all timber on these lands will be destroyed within three years.
While the value of this timber to those who steal it is not great, its value to the country can hardly be estimated, and whatever disposition is made of these lands ultimately; the supply of water will determine its value for any purpose.
There is no law in the statutes of the United States to punish for stealing timber from the reservations of any of these five civilized tribes, and it is very evident there never will be any, and these people from the states will continue to destroy this timber as they are now doing until it is all gone.
Where ranges have been fenced, the cattle men neither cut timber themselves nor do they permit anyone else to do so; and in my judgment, if the fences now on these lands are permitted to remain, and others are permitted to fence under proper instruction, it will put an effective stop to the destruction of the timber on these lands, and as these cattlemen place fire-guards around their ranches, the young growth of timber will add much to the value of the lands.
I respectfully recommend that the fences now on these lands be permitted to remain, and that others desiring to fence their range have permission to do so.
1st. Permission from the Cherokee Nation must be obtained.
2nd. That no fences shall be erected within two miles of any post road.
3rd. If any parties fencing their range cut or permit any timber to be cut within their pastures, they shall be subject to removal from the Territory and the fences destroyed.
4th. All fences shall be removed at once from the Territory whenever those in possession shall be notified to do so by the department.
The effect of a settlement of this matter in this way will be that the Indian office will not be called upon every few months to remove from the Territory cattlemen who refuse to pay tax. The Cherokee National will collect double the tax; the destruction of the timber will be effectually stopped, and the young timber protected from fire.
The only opposition I found to this fencing was from those who claimed that the timber on these lands belonged to anybody that got it, and from those who live in the states and own large herds of cattle on these lands and refuse to pay tax.
The Pennsylvania Oil Company, who attempted to fence without permission from the Cherokee authorities and enclose the ranges and owners of small herds of cattle on which they had paid Cherokee tax, have agreed to settle with those whose ranges they had intended to enclose in their pasture, and obtain permission of the Cherokee authorities, or go else-where for their range.
This arrangement satisfies Mr. Scott and others, who complained to the Department of the action of the Oil Company; and if permitted to do so, will fence their ranges during the coming summer.
Very respectfully, JOHN Q. TUFTS, U. S. Indian Agent.
To Hon H. Price, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.
Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 22, 1883.
RAISE CORN. The experience of many stockmen on the Cherokee Strip has demonstrated the fact that it pays to feed sufficient, at least, to keep stock in good condition. And now that all matters relating to the occupancy of the Strip have been satisfactorily settled, whatever the weather may be next winter, the majority of the stockmen on the Strip will make an effort to feed, if for no other purpose than to keep their stock in good heart during the hard season. Some will feed to supply beef cattle for the early spring demand, and as all must buy at the nearest home market, it is plain that the farmer on the border who raises corn this year, and plenty of it, will strike a bonanza. Stock raising and stock feeding must be the future policy for this country, and it can only be made so by raising grain for home consumption instead of for shipment.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 28, 1883.
Tufts Report to Interior Secretary Relative Wire Fences.
The following synopsis of Agent Tufts’ report to the Secretary of the Interior on the question of Wire Fences in the Territory, will doubtless be of interest to many of our readers.
It is estimated that 300,000 head of cattle are being herded on the Strip, 100,000 of which do not pay taxes to the Cherokees. There are 950 miles of fencing belonging in the main to citizens of the United States, and all of which has been put up in the past year. These parties are supplied with gates for traveling through, so that they do not interfere with legitimate travel or mail routes. Agent Tufts thinks that these fences will be of incalculable good in restraining the cutting of timber which has been ruthlessly going on in the past, and therefore says: “I respectfully recommend that the fences now on these lands be permitted to remain, and other parties desiring to fence be permitted to do so subject to the following conditions.”
“1st. Permission from the Cherokee Nation must be obtained.
“2nd. That no fences shall be erected within two miles of any post road.
“3rd. If any parties fencing their range cut or permit any timber to be cut within their pastures, shall be subject to removal from the Territory and the fences destroyed.
“4th. All fences shall be removed at once from the Territory whenever those in possession shall be notified to do so by the department.
“The effect of a settlement of this matter in this way will be that the Indian office will not be called upon every few months to remove from the Territory cattlemen who refuse to pay tax. The Cherokee Nation will collect double the tax; the destruction of the timber will be effectually stopped, and the young timber protected from fire.
“The only opposition I found to this fencing was from those who claimed that the timber on these lands belonged to anybody that got it, and from those who live in the States and own large herds of cattle on these lands and refuse to pay taxes. The Pennsylvania Oil Company, who attempted to fence without permission from the Cherokee authorities and enclose the ranges, and owners of small herds of cattle on which they had paid Cherokee tax, have agreed to settle with those whose ranges they had intended to enclose in their pasture, and obtain permission of the Cherokee authorities, or go elsewhere for their range.
“This arrangement satisfies Mr. C. M. Scott, and others, who complained to the Department of the action of the Oil Company, and if permitted to do so, will fence their ranges during the coming summer.”
Arkansas City Traveler, April 11, 1883.
“Farmer” Scott sold two fat hogs last week weighing 765 lbs. for 6½ cents, per lb. C. M. says there is more money in raising hogs than running a newspaper.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 25, 1883.
Cowley County Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
Winfield, Kansas, April 12, 1883. At the Annual meeting of the members of the Association, held at the Courthouse in this place Tuesday, the following persons were elected Directors for the ensuing year: R. B. Pratt, Fairview; Jas. F. Martin, Vernon; J. L. Hodges, Winfield; B. F. Wood, Winfield; C. M. Scott, Creswell; R. W. Stevens, Richland; Jas. B. Schofield, Winfield; J. L. Stewart, Ninnescah; Henry Harbaugh, Pleasant Valley. A quorum of the Board being present, the following officers were then elected: President, Henry Harbaugh; Vice President, B. F. Wood; Secretary, Ed. P. Greer; Treasurer, J. W. Millspaugh. A meeting of the Board of Directors was called for Saturday, April 28, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the Courier editorial rooms. It is important that every member of the new Board should be present and qualify. ED. P. GREER, Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1883.
There is no mistaking C. M. Scott’s cattle, as they all bear the name of their owner on their sides, with the exception of one letter, Thus, S C O T.
[SEEKING STOLEN INDIAN PONIES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1883.
STOLEN. On Tuesday, April 24th, three white men drove off from the Osage Reserve, 50 head of Indian ponies, unbranded, and with them four large mules, brand O S on hip and H on the jaw. They passed through McLeland’s pasture, on Black Bear Creek, and then headed toward Caldwell. They shot the colts following the mares, on the way. Among the number were several spotted and white ponies. Any information should be sent to C. M. SCOTT, Arkansas City, Kansas, or L. J. MILES, Osage Agency, Indian Territory.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1883.
MILK COWS. Ten head of good fresh Milk Cows, with calves at their sides, can be seen on the Walnut, opposite Ayres’ mill, that are offered for sale by C. M. SCOTT. Mr. Poulton, living on the place, has charge of them.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 30, 1883.
D. W. Lipe, Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation, writes C. M. Scott that the bill leasing the lands west of the Arkansas River to the “Cherokee Strip Association” passed the council but had not been signed by the chief yet. Mr. Lipe thought he would be in Caldwell June 30th.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 30, 1883.
Capt. C. M. Scott recently received some Bermuda grass roots from Texas and presented us with several of the same. This grass is said to be as good as blue grass for lawn purposes and at the same time is much more capable of enduring dry weather without injury. Mr. Hargis, of Wellington, has a lawn of this grass which cannot be beaten anywhere.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 13, 1883.
The last issue of the Geuda Springs Herald bears date of April 27th on the outside and on the inside it is dated June 8th. We take the following from the inside: C. M. Scott, J. C. Topliff, and J. T. Gooch, of Arkansas City, were callers at this office last Tuesday, while we were out in the country. Call again, gentlemen.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 13, 1883.
Messrs. Scott, Topliff, Mowry, and Thompson, accompanied by the Misses Dent, Gardiner, Burrows, and Peed, visited Winfield last Friday to attend Prof. Farringer’s concert, and we have no doubt enjoyed themselves immensely, especially on their way home by the silvery light of the moon.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 13, 1883.
A number of farmers are experimenting with blue grass, orchard grass, timothy, and clover this year. Mr. Topliff has a fine stand of orchard grass on his farm, in Bolton Township, of eighty acres or more. C. M. Scott sent to Texas for Bermuda grass roots and is setting it out on his ranche property. It is said to be of very hardy growth, spreading rapidly, and enduring the driest weather.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 20, 1883.
C. M. Scott is in St. Louis.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 20, 1883.
Messrs. Scott & Topliff yesterday shipped to St. Louis two car loads of sheep.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 27, 1883.
C. M. Scott returned from Saint Louis last Monday, where he had been to dispose of some sheep.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 4, 1883.
Charlie Moore, an Otoe chief, writes C. M. Scott offering a reward of $10 each for the recovery of one black and brown horse, 6 years old, and a sorrel horse, with white spot in forehead, 8 years old. The horses were lost from Ponca Agency June 27th.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 11, 1883.
C. M. Scott returned from Caldwell yesterday, where he has been for about a week watching the sales of stock. He brought back with him one hundred head of cattle and some horses.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 18, 1883.
SADDLE HORSES. I HAVE A FEW HEAD OF GENTLE SADDLE HORSES FOR SALE AT FROM $35 TO $60. ALSO A GOOD TEAM. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 25, 1883.
James Cady, representing Greenfeldter & Rosenthal, boot and shoe house of Chicago, Illinois, was here last week for the first time. In addition to being a traveling man, Mr. Cady is a fine artist, and an adept in pencil sketching, having performed considerable work for Harper’s Weekly and Scribner’s Monthly, under the marks of J. C. He is an old friend of C. M. Scott’s, having taught school in Cadiz, Ohio, and boasts of thrashing C. M. more times than he has fingers and toes, and don’t think now he gave him enough.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 25, 1883.
POLAND-CHINAS. Charlie Hilliard and C. M. Scott purchased from Stewart & Co., of Wichita, one male and two female thoroughbred Poland-China pigs, weighing about 30 pounds each, for $80, and had them expressed to this place, where they are being cared for in the most approved style. They are said to be the best stock in the country; the male pig being sired by “Black Jack,” registered 779, owned by C. W. Jones, Richland, Michigan; with dam “Garfield,” No. 957, owned by A. C. Moore, Canton, Illinois. C. M. also has a fine blood Jersey Red.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 25, 1883.
A $500 Accident. An accident resulting in the loss of some 250 head of sheep occurred at Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranch last Sunday. It would seem the sheep were crossing a small creek as was the usual custom when they became frightened and piled up and before anything could be done, the above number had been trampled to death.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1883.
C. M. Scott went to Caldwell Monday to appear before the board of arbitration of the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 12, 1883.
C. M. Scott has been putting in his time surveying his cattle ranch in the eastern part of the county, south of Maple City.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 26, 1883.
Last Saturday we welcomed to Arkansas City once more Rob. P. Scott, brother of our Capt. C. M. Scott. Rob has not graced the western world since 1879, when he and his valiant brother put in their time shooting buffalo on the present townsite of Caldwell. Time has changed, but Rob is as irrepressible as ever, and we wish him a pleasant time during his anticipated month’s visit to southern Cowley.
[ATLANTIC & PACIFIC RAILROAD.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1883.
The chief engineer of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad writes C. M. Scott from Vinita, Indian Territory, that the road is just completed to the Arkansas River and four miles beyond to a stock yard, and that the work will now be suspended until spring, when it will be resumed.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 24, 1883.
Mr. R. P. Scott, who has been beaming on our moral burg for several weeks past, will leave in a few days for his Baltimore home much to the regret of his many warm friends here.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 24, 1883.
Col.
Windsor, of the cattle firm of Windsor & Roberts, made his first visit to
the Agency this week. His firm is now holding on Preacher Creek, formerly the
range of Gorten Bros. Cheyenne
Transporter.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 2, 1884.
The Fuller ranch of 3,000 acres of land on Rock Creek, south of Maple City, was sold last week to Messrs. Taylor, Wilkie, Martin, and others, of Cambridge, Ohio, for $21,000. The same gentlemen got Messrs. Libby & Moody to “set a price” on their farm of 800 acres, which was “set” at $10,000. They purchased that also. Also a ranch in Greenwood County. The gentlemen are friends of Maj. Sleeth, C. M. Scott, and others here and are good substantial men.
[C. M. SCOTT INCREASING HIS HOLDINGS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, February 13, 1884.
C. M. Scott continues to add to his domain east of the Arkansas River. Last week he purchased James Brown’s improved farm, and Mr. King’s prairie land, which shapes him out almost in a square of about 2,800 acres of as fine grazing land as can be found in the state. Before another month he will have it all enclosed with a barb wire fence and begin stocking it with cattle and horses.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 20, 1884.
Horses. I have ten head of well broken, gentle saddle horses, which I will sell for cash, or on time. I will be in town Saturdays and Mondays. C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 27, 1884.
W. J. Murphy, of Fort Worth, Texas, writes C. M. Scott of this place that good smooth prairie raised yearlings can be contracted for spring delivery at that place for $15 per head in bunches of not less than 500.
Arkansas City Republican, March 8, 1884.
The
company from Arkansas City to attend the Camilla Urso concert Tuesday evening
were: Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Newman, Mr. and Mrs. Beall, Mr. and Mrs. C. H.
Searing, Mr. and Mrs. Landes, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Farrar, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Coombs, Mr. and Mrs. Kroenert, and Mrs. C. R. Sipes, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ayers;
Misses Abbie Hamilton, Beck and Anna Hunt, Ed. G. Gary and Miss Fowler; Ed.
Kingsbury and Miss Barnett; C. M. Scott and Miss Gardiner, J. C. Topliff and
Miss Walton, F. J. Hess and Miss Johnson; and George Cunningham. The party
represented Arkansas City’s best people, and all seemed to enjoy the visit and
concert immensely. They spoke in the highest terms of their entertainment at
the Brettun. The accommodation train on the Santa Fe was held for them and all
returned that evening. Winfield Courier.
Arkansas City Republican, March 15, 1884.
J. B. Nipp and A. A. Wiley have been absent this week, at the Stockmen’s Meeting at Caldwell.
Arkansas City Republican, March 29, 1884.
Capt. C. M. Scott leaves this morning for Leavenworth.
Arkansas City Republican, April 12, 1884.
Council Meeting. The City Council met Wednesday evening and settled up their old business, and allowed a number of claims. They also ordered the city engineer to make a survey, and estimate the probable cost of draining the slough west of the city, and to sit up nine permanent cornerstones from which to make future surveys. They quit-claimed to C. M. Scott some city lots that were sold for taxes; and ordered an old boiler belonging to the city to be sold for 1½ cents per pound. They canvassed the vote of last Monday for city officers and the new officers were installed. The new council will meet next Monday night and organize.
Scott Cattle Ranch now 3,000 acres in one body...
Arkansas City Traveler, March 26, 1884.
C. M. Scott has added another quarter section of land to his Otter Creek ranch, making now about 3,000 acres in one body, one third of which is black loamy plow land and the balance good grazing.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 2, 1884.
C. M. Scott left for St. Louis last Saturday morning with 450 sheep, which he will dispose of in that city.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, April 9, 1884.
Note: I did not give a breakdown on brands complete with illustrations in above-noted issue. There were too many and they were very hard to read. I am just listing names. MAW
1. H. H. SHERBURNE.
2. W. J. POLLOCK.
3. R. A. HOUGHTON.
4. C. M. SCOTT.
5. J. N. FLORER.
6. N. W. PARVIN.
7. J. C. TOPLIFF.
8. E. R. BARROUGH.
9. ESTUS BROS.
10. DRURY WARREN.
NOTE: R. A. HOUGHTON SHOWS...Post office address: Arkansas City, Kansas, OR, C. C. ENDICOTT, range manager, Oakland Agency, Indian Territory. Range on the Nez Perce reservation. OODLES OF BRANDS!
NOTE: C. M. SCOTT...ON SIDE OF CATTLE: SCOT. Horse brand, CM on left shoulder. Range 6 miles south of Arkansas City. P. O.: Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas.
NOTE: J. C. TOPLIFF...LOOKS LIKE TOP ON SIDE OF CATTLE.
Sheep brand, S & T on left shoulder. Range 6 miles south of Arkansas City.
NOTE: DRURY WARREN brand looks quite different on side of cattle. Appears to me like N followed by two sizes of boots. States: Range on Duck Creek and Chicaskia, Indian Territory. Gave up trying to read other brands used.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 9, 1884.
C. M. Scott got back from St. Louis O. K. This local is paid for.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 30, 1884.
RECAP OF STOCK BRAND OWNERS LISTED IN APRIL 30, 1884, ISSUE OF ARKANSAS CITY TRAVELER.
1. J. H. SHERBURNE.
2. W. J. POLLOCK.
3. R. A. HOUGHTON.
4. J. N. FLORER.
5. N. W. PARVIN.
6. WILLOW SPRINGS STOCK RANCH [PINK FOUTS, MANAGER]...
NOTED THAT O I L WAS USED ON LEFT HIP OF HORSES AND THAT
O I L WAS USED ON EITHER SIDE OF CATTLE.
7. J. C. TOPLIFF.
8. E. R. BARROUGH.
9. ESTUS BROS.
10. DRURY WARREN.
11. C. M. SCOTT.
12. BURKE & MARTIN - P. O. Address, Red Rock, Indian Territory. Range on the Cimarron river, south of McClellan’s. Horse Brand: [?] on left shoulder. Cattle are branded on both sides. [B & M]
13. T. J. Gilbert & Co.
14. J. B. NIPP.
15. STEWART, HODGES & SNYDER, WINFIELD and ARKANSAS CITY.
Range on Turkey and Possum creeks, west of Ponca Agency, I. T.
Horse brand same as cattle.
Ear marks—Smooth crop on left and smaller fork and over-bit on right. LOOKED LIKE Sh with bar underneath on cattle depicted.
16. T. E. BERRY & BROS.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 7, 1884.
C. M. Scott and R. A. Houghton made a purchase of five head of Polled Angus males at Wellington last week. The cheapest animal sold at Mathews’ sale of imported Galloway stock, last Saturday, was a yearling calf for $350.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 28, 1884.
Capt. C. M. Scott is buying cattle right along, and intends shortly to have 1,000 head on his stock farm east of the city.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 4, 1884.
Scott & Topliff began shearing their sheep this week. They will not be through before the middle of this month.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 4, 1884.
Mr. R. A. Moore has our thanks for a fine supply of superb new potatoes—the first of the season. They were raised on Capt. Scott’s ranch east of the city.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 2, 1884.
Ad. One of my black Polled Angus male calves (unbranded) has strayed from my pasture on Otter Creek. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the frisky animal will confer a favor by letting me know of it. I also have some yearlings branded SC on left side that are missing.
C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 9, 1884.
Scott & Topliff will put up 800 tons of hay this summer.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 30, 1884.
Arrest of the Stevens-Mills Cattle. Complaint having been made to F. P. Schiffbauer, justice of the peace of Creswell Township, that a herd of fevered cattle were within the state, the justice notified the county attorney, who ordered Deputy Sheriff Rarick to take charge of the same and hold them until they could be inspected as provided by law in article 9, chapter 105, of the general statutes, which relates to Texas cattle.
The justice thereupon appointed C. G. Thompson, C. M. Scott, and Henry Endicott as an investigating committee, who proceeded to the east part of town, where the cattle were held, and after examination submitted the following report.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INSPECTORS.
We, the undersigned board of inspectors, appointed to inspect the cattle under charge of Deputy Sheriff Rarick, as fevered cattle, held on complaint of S. C. Murphy, have to say that we proceeded to where the cattle were, and found that they were the property of W. M. Stevens, of Coffeyville, Kansas, and A. Mills, of Chetopa, Kansas, and numbered 1,020 head, that 800 of them were shipped from Mississippi in February, 1884, and 220 head were shipped from the same state in April last; that the 800 were wintered in Labette County, within this state, and all the number, 1,020, held on Russell Creek, Indian Territory, two miles below the state line; that there had been but three deaths, where held, and no cattle had died from fever in their neighborhood; that they had not been in contact with fevered cattle, and that the 25 graded bulls turned in this spring were still living in the herd; that at this time there were but six lame ones, caused, in our judgment, by driving over rough, stony ground; that at this time we could not discover any sign of fever among them, and that we recommend they be released from custody.
C. G. THOMPSON, C. M. SCOTT, HENRY ENDICOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 20, 1884.
Scott & Topliff last week purchased N. T. Snyder’s large bay horse, “Pedro,” at a cost of about $600.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 20, 1884.
C. M. Scott returned from Caldwell last week with 174 horses and mares for his ranch on Otter Creek.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 20, 1884.
Captain
C. M. Scott, of Arkansas City, came over last Friday and purchased one hundred
good mares of Dick Edwards. On Saturday he sold fifty of them and bought one
hundred more from the same bunch. He takes a turn at the horse market once in
awhile, and always comes out on top. Caldwell Journal.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1884.
C. M. Scott was at Caldwell again last week, looking after 100 head of horses, in obedience to a telegram.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1884.
Ad. I want 200 bushels of Rye. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 30, 1884.
The farmers and stockmen of Silverdale Township, south of the Maple City road, have organized themselves into a protective association to prevent the killing of game on their farms and ranches, and offer $10 each for every prosecution made by any member of the association, and agree to stand by the person prosecuting to the very end of the law. Among the prime movers in the matter are I. D. Harkleroad, John Irons, Mr. Showalter, C. M. Scott, Drury Warren, Estus Brothers, Squire Coburn, and others. This will put a stop to a number of hunters camping on the farms and staying as long as a quail can be seen.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 24, 1884.
C. M. Scott and Frank Hess, while wandering around in Winfield last Friday, began “bantering” each other about taking out a marriage license, “just for the fun of the thing,” you know. Neither would back down, and the result is each has a license. Frank thought he had a pretty good joke on Scott until he learned that C. M. Scott had made up his mind not to waste that two-dollar certificate, but to go ahead and get married within the time allowed by law, and now F. J. Hess begins to think that after all it was a job set up by Scott. The trouble with Frank is that the other half of his license lives in a state over which that paper has no jurisdiction; and just what to do with it is a puzzle.
Scott’s Ranch on Otter Creek, 12 miles east of Arkansas City...
Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranch, 7 miles southeast of Arkansas City...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 24, 1884.
Ad. Corn! Corn! Corn! I want to contract 18,000 bushels of corn in the crib where it stands, or to be delivered on my ranch on Otter Creek, 12 miles east of Arkansas City, and 2,500 bushels at Scott & Topliff’s sheep ranch, 7 miles southeast of Arkansas City, on which I will make advance payments. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 1, 1884.
Ad. FEEDING WETHERS. We have 300 fat wethers it will pay some farmer to feed.
SCOTT & TOPLIFF.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 8, 1884.
MARRIED. Married at the residence of the bride’s aunt, Mrs. G. C. Alexander, by Rev. S. B. Fleming, on Thursday, October 2, Mr. C. M. Scott and Miss Maggie M. Gardner.
This is a wedding which has been long expected, and in which both bride and groom are well and favorably known by our entire community. It seems queer to think of C. M. Scott as married, when for fourteen years he has withstood the blandishments of the fair sex, but he has been finally led captive by a most charming and estimable lady, and we can do no less than join with their hosts of friends in wishing them every blessing allotted mortals in this world.
Arkansas City Republican, November 8, 1884.
A man and a boy, on C. M. Scott’s ranch, became involved in a dispute Monday morning, resulting in the man striking the boy and getting arrested.
Arkansas City Republican, November 22, 1884.
C. M. Scott received a carload of blooded stock from Ohio Monday, which he placed on his ranch out southwest [southeast] of town.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 19, 1884.
A car load of stock came in Monday from Ohio for C. M. Scott, containing the original Hambletonian trotting horse, “Forest King Jr.,” and some thoroughbred male and female cattle, and some Southdown and Shropshire rams. The stock will be placed on the Otter Creek ranch one mile east of the mouth of Grouse Creek.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 26, 1884.
C. M. Scott received by express from Washington, D. C., two Scotch Collie shepherd dogs, that are the pups. They will be trained to drive either sheep or cattle.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 17, 1884.
Capt. C. M. Scott and wife will leave this week for a ten day’s visit to relatives and friends in Cadiz, and other cities of Ohio.
Arkansas City Republican, December 13, 1884.
C. M. Scott, and wife, will spend the holidays at Cadiz, Ohio. His two brothers, Rob and Nipp, leave for Europe January 1st.
Arkansas City Traveler, Supplement, December 24, 1884.
BRANDS LISTED.
1. LOVE BROS. [J. D. LOVE/F. A. LOVE]
2. DRURY WARREN.
3. WILEY & HARKNESS.
4. B. F. CHILDS.
5. J. A. SHOWALTER.
6. PINK FOUTS.
7. STEWART & SNYDER.
8. T. E. BERRY & BROS.
9. H. R. BARROUGH.
10. C. M. SCOTT.
11. J. C. TOPLIFF.
12. ESTUS BROS.
13. BURKE & MARTIN.
14. W. J. POLLOCK.
15. J. H. SHERBURNE.
16. R. A. HOUGHTON.
17. HEWINS & TITUS.
18. FLORER, GOULD & AYRES.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 8, 1885.
MISTAKEN IDEA. From a squib published in the Arkansas City Republican some weeks ago, we clip the following:
“The COURIER has always ignored Arkansas City and made fun of her. Arkansas City can get along without Winfield, but can the COURIER get along without Arkansas City?”
If the person who wrote the squib knew anything of the history of Cowley County, and especially of the COURIER, he would not have penned it. The COURIER has never since the old matters of County Seat and other purely local feuds were settled, said ought adverse to the growth and prosperity of any portion of our splendid county. On the other hand, it has taken great pride and assisted not a little in promoting the growth and advancement of Arkansas City, Burden, Udall, and every other portion of the county. The COURIER recognizes the fact that no community can build permanent prosperity by tearing others down. Such policy is pursued only by narrow-minded bigots, and not by persons of sound mind and liberal views. Arkansas City has enjoyed its full share of our general advancement. This has been brought about by the indomitable energy of such men as Sleeth, Newman, Matlack, Hill, Huey, Cunningham, Hess, Scott, and a score of others whose faith in the future of the city has been shown in works, the successful prosecution of which left no time, if the inclination existed, to snarl and growl at their neighbors. This is indulged in only by the lesser lights who come in to enjoy the benefits of other’s industry and find a fruitful field in promoting discord where harmony should prevail. We are glad to know that no respectable portion of the people of our sister city indulge in the small and contemptible feelings which seem to inspire the Republican man.”—COURIER.
We cut out the foregoing, not to give publicity to the little mistake of our sister city’s editors little spat, but to give the sensible words of the COURIER. We believe that Judge Millington, in these few lines, gives the true secret of success in any new town or county. Perhaps no two towns in Kansas are better examples of the truth of his statement than Winfield and Arkansas City. We well know of another town not far off which took the Killkenny cat code. Its citizens’ best abilities were taxed to the utmost on all improper occasions to prove that about all the other citizens of the place were just the wrong men for the places they occupied. Strangers were too polite to disbelieve them, and located elsewhere. Although located on the best townsite in Southern Kansas and surrounded by the best four townships of arable land in the state, it grew less, until it had driven away or buried in contempt the last one of the Kilkennys, when it commenced again to grow, and will yet be one of the prettiest little cities in the state. Its motto should be “Quarrels killed me once; Quit quarreling or die again.”
Winfield and Arkansas City were quite different. Two of her citizens might be like Mark Twain’s twin bull pups, want to chaw on the same bone and fight terribly over it, but if an outsider interfered, they were a double barreled unit until they used him up. We know Arkansas City when it was principally sand dunes and a section of very poor prairie, but it was not the proper thing to tell Capt. Scott, Amos Walton, or Maj. Sleeth. We were a little too smart to tell them so when it was eight or ten miles to the next place where we could get rations for ourself and team. I suppose they had their private bone, and had private fights, but they did not call on any outsider to settle it, nor did they advertise their little difficulties. If any of their men wanted an office, you might depend on a solid delegation, and if nominated by his party, he was elected if the city and one or two townships near it could cast votes enough to do it.
We have known Winfield ever since it was a prairie of tall grass, a lob cabin store, Max Shoeb’s cabin blacksmith shop, and a few cottonwood shanties that kept the coyote out till the owner could go out and show some new men a very fine claim. But the town company were “one man” when Winfield’s interests were at stake, whether you struck Millington, Fuller, Alexander, Mansfield, or Jackson. Winfield was the exact center of the Union in general and South Kansas in particular.
The fertility of soil was proven by great stalks and ears of corn that were raised just north of the townsite (perhaps much nearer Emporia). The health proven by Drs. Mansfield and Graham; the morality by Ross; the loyalty of the people by Col. Manning. In short, if it was necessary to prove anything to catch a newcomer, they knew just where to get the evidence and got it.
It became necessary to have a paper so their stories would not conflict, so the COURIER was started and Jim Kelly put in charge; one of the jolliest, social editors in the state. The power behind the throne was Millington, to write heavy editorials for the eastern people to read, Mansfield to write articles comparing favorably the climate and health of Winfield to the Italian skies, the robust health of the English and Scotch, proving the almost impossibility of a foreign consumptive to die here; Manning and Alexander to write up the loyalty and far-abiding qualifies to the people, with Wirt Walton to write up the immense area of arable lands going to waste in the flint hills, Dick Walker to do the same for the Arkansas Valley. And they had a score or more to work up the special good qualities of the city, of the county, or of the Walnut, Arkansas and Grouse valleys. In short, every man in the town was a committee of about ten to prove Winfield the great future and Max Shoeb was there to translate it into Dutch if necessary. If a storm came, and the Walnut ran four feet deep across the townsite, it was found upon the next issue of the COURIER, that a reliable Indian chief said the like had not happened once before in a century or more. If a drought as in 1874 came, Arkansas City and Winfield could forthwith have an Indian scare and have the young men ordered out at good wages and rations for themselves and horses, till the next corn crop was safe. Winfield and Arkansas City today are monuments not only to the pluck, energy, and faith of their friends but to that unity of action and the sacrifices of that little narrow selfishness so common in little towns. We have much of the same spirit in Burden, and it will be our endeavor to encourage this unity that should exist. Burden Exchange.
Arkansas City Republican, January 10, 1885.
C. M. Scott and wife returned from their Ohio visit Monday. C. M. says it has been colder here than it has been in the Buckeye state, while he was there.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 24, 1885.
For seven weeks it has been a continuous cold, freezing weather, which is very hard on cattle. C. M. Scott says that our last snow storm was exceedingly severe on cattle and he thinks the worst has not yet been realized from its effects. He is feeding his cattle daily to the amount of $50. C. M. either has lots of cattle or they eat a fearful sight.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, January 28, 1885.
Mr. Editor: Below is an article copied from the American Agriculturalist on “catching a wild cow,” which we commend to some of the cowboy readers of the TRAVELER.
CATCHING A WILD COW. Mr. F. W. Godsal, Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, wished to know if there is any plan or trap for catching a wild cow by the head, and holding her in order to milk or otherwise handle her.
“Have a set of stanchions set in some shed, or even an open yard, into which the cow may be driven. Then if food is placed in front of the stanchions, she will be forced by hunger to put her head through, and then by pulling a cord, the movable stanchion may be shut, and the cow caught. You will have a good time ‘gentling’ her, but be patient and do not strike her, or hurt her in any way. One blow or kick will undo all the progress towards taming her you can make in half a day. Tie her legs to milk her, but do not hurt her.”
We would say to the gentleman of Canada that if the cow has to be caught very often, he had better practice throwing a rope, and when he gets so he can rope a wild steer from horseback, and tie it down in three minutes by the watch, he is becoming an expert.
C. M. SCOTT.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 29, 1885.
It is now eight weeks since cold weather set in, during which time the ground has been frozen and covered with snow almost continually. The rain and sleet storm of January 15th was the hardest of any on stock. Cattle in the Territory have suffered terribly, both for food and water, and the end is not yet. Predictions are made that the average loss will be thirty-three percent on through cattle and horses. Rube Houghton, C. M. Scott, and others will bring their stock to the State to be fed.
Arkansas City Republican, January 31, 1885.
C. M. Scott informs us that a large number of his cattle have their feet frozen so badly that they have to be helped up when down. He says the feet when knocked together emit a sound similar to the cracking of stones. He thinks when warm weather comes, the frozen feet will come off.
Interesting livestock figures: sheep, horses and mules, cattle...
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, January 28, 1885.
Live Stock Figures. The fourteenth annual report of the Kansas City Stock Yards, lately issued, has some very interesting figures. The total receipts of cattle at the yards in 1871 were 120,827; in 1884 nearly five times that number, or 533,526. The number of hogs received in 1871 were 41,535; in 1884 the number was forty times as many, or 1,793,556. Sheep receipts in 1871 were 4,527, increasing to fifty times the number in 1884, 237,964. Of horses and mules the number received in 1871 was 808, and in 1884 the number increased to 28,196, over thirty times the receipts of the former year. The number of carloads of stock of all kinds received in 1884 was 55,257, which would be equivalent to 2,761 trains of twenty cars each; or, if all were put in one train, allowing thirty feet to the car, the line would be 1,666,870 feet, or 504 miles in length—about equal to a train whose engine is in St. Louis, Missouri, and the rear car in Wichita, Kansas.
Of the total number of cattle shipped into Kansas City last year, the Santa Fe road carried 343,561, or half the total number, which was 490,081. The number shipped over the other railroads to the Kansas City Stock Yards was as follows: Missouri Pacific, 56,909; Union Pacific, 63,253; Southern Kansas, 88,243; Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf, 33,569; Kansas City, St. Joe & Council Bluffs, 10,546.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 4, 1885.
POLAND CHINA. I have six thoroughbred Poland China male hogs, I will sell at a bargain. C. M. SCOTT.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 2, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers for the past week, as taken from the official records, and furnished the COURIER by the real estate firm of Harris & Clark.
W. H. Speers and wife to C. M. Scott, lots 3, 4, and 7-8, block 106, Arkansas City. $14.00.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1885.
C. M. Scott purchased this week five carloads of shelled corn for use on his ranch, paying therefor in the neighborhood of $1,000.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1885.
For the information of farmers and stock breeders, we will say that the Clydesdale stallion, “Pedro,” owned by Mr. Prescott, of Illinois, and known as the Snyder horse, last summer, was purchased by Mr. C. M. Scott, who has him for his exclusive use. Mr. Scott will, however, offer the services of his thoroughbred Hambletonian trotting stallion, “Dick,” for a limited number of mares this season.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1885.
“Last night,” says the Emporia Republican of April 7, “as the eastbound train on the Santa Fe was slowing up at the new depot, a fifteen year old lad, Robert Mitchell, from Arkansas City, attempted to step to the platform. Just as he stepped, the train gave a slight jerk, and he was thrown to the ground and a wheel passed over his foot, badly crushing it. Dr. Burke was summoned and amputated several of his toes and performed the other necessary operations to render the patient as comfortable as possible. He was then taken to the Palace Hotel.” The boy formerly worked for C. M. Scott on his ranch and only left his employ last week.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers for the past week, as taken from the official records, and furnished the COURIER by the real estate firm of Harris & Clark.
R. Thompson and wife to C. M. Scott, lots 25 and 26, block 1, Arkansas City. $10.00.
H. O. Meigs and wife to C. M. Scott, lot 29, block 129, Arkansas City. $20.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 7, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers for yesterday as taken from the Records of the Register’s office.
C. M. Scott et ux to Simon N. Bone, lot 21, blk 117, Arkansas City: $45.
C. M. Scott et ux to Dr. E. Orndoff, lot 20 and portion of lot 21, blk 117, Arkansas City: $45.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 14, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott and wife to L. S. Cary, lot 9, blk 13, Arkansas City: $25.00.
C. M. Scott and wife to L. S. Cary, lots 10, 23 and 24, blk 13, and lots 17 and 18, blk 10, and lot 28, block 96, ex pt of lot 28 block 96, Arkansas City: $325.
C. M. Scott and wife to Wm. L. Krebs, 10 acres off a side of lots 5 and 6, 1-35-3 e: quit claim: $50.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 21, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott and wife to A. P. Houghton, lot 25 blk 63, Arkansas City: $75.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 4, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott and wife to Manford Anderson and Samuel H Hines, lot 4, block 77, Arkansas City, quit-claim: $10.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 4, 1885.
SCOTCH COLLEYS. I have a litter of thoroughbred Scotch Colley shepherds, from imported stock, that will be sold at $10 each. C. M. Scott, Arkansas City, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 11, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott and wife to James Hendricks, lots 5 and 6, blk 37, A C: $95.00.
Arkansas City Republican, June 20, 1885.
There will be a meeting of the stockmen holding stock along the state line and in the territory at the office of C. M. Scott, Arkansas City, Kansas, Saturday, June 27, for the purpose of taking measures to prevent the driving of through stock over their ranges. On the same day a live stock association will be formed in room No. 3 over Hasie Block.
[Note: I could not find a follow-up report on the meeting of stockmen on June 27, 1885. There was a report on the live stock association that was formed. MAW]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 25, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers, filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott et ux to Nancy J Thompson, lots 19 and 20, blk 195, Ark City: $70.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 2, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds yesterday.
C. M. Scott et ux to B W Matlack, lots 5 and 6 blk 122, A C, quit claim: $1.00.
Arkansas City Republican, July 4, 1885.
BIRTH. Last Sunday morning Mrs. C. M. Scott gave birth to an eight pound girl babe. Mother and babe doing nicely; but Capt. is losing flesh daily.
Arkansas City Republican, July 4, 1885.
As per announcement in REPUBLICAN, those interested in the stock trade met in room No. 3 in the Hasie Block last Saturday for the purpose of organizing a live stock exchange. W. M. Snyder was chosen chairman and Frederic Lockley, secretary. After considerable discussion of the benefits of a stock exchange by those present, a motion was made and adopted to appoint a committee on organization and the Chair appointed Geo. E. Hasie, H. P. Farrar, and N. T. Snyder. Amos Walton, Maj. M. S. Hasie, and T. L. Hill were selected as a committee on constitution and by-laws. N. T. Snyder, W. M. Snyder, and Pink Fouts were chosen as a committee on the furnishing of the room. No other business coming before the meeting, it adjourned until Saturday.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 9, 1885.
The Board of County Commissioners have been in session since Monday. Most of the time has been occupied examining and allowing claims against the county.
Tax sale of lot 15, block 143, to C. M. Scott, in 1881 was declared “off” and money ordered refunded.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 9, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
B. W. Matlack to C. M. Scott, lot in blk 93, Ark City, quit claim: $1.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 9, 1885.
Capt. C. M. Scott, of Arkansas City, has an addition to his ranch. It is a beauty and couldn’t be bought at any price. C. M. is said to be recovering from his exuberance at its advent. A lovely little prattling daughter is enough to upset most anybody.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 16, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Cyrus M. Scott to Isaac W. Stamper, lot 25, blk 133, A. C.: $30.00.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 18, 1885.
The Cattle Question Decided.
WASHINGTON, July 11. The Secretary of the Interior has sent the following telegram to W. A. Towers and Thos. A. Lee, committee for the stock association at Kansas City, Missouri.
“I have carefully considered your telegram of the 10th inst. The animal industry bill prohibits the driving, from one state or territory to another, of any live stock by any person knowing them to be affected with any contagious infections or communicable disease. Owners whose herds are forcibly stopped in the Indian Territory declare their cattle are not so affected. The people of Texas, Colorado, Missouri, and other states have equal, if not a greater right, to drive their live stock not infected with a prohibited disease through and over the trails of the Indian Territory and the neutral strip, as you have to occupy those lands without your leases from the Indian tribes. An inspector has been sent to open and keep open the trail for the passage of cattle. If the people who are occupying those lands with their herds continue their forcible obstruction of trails, measures will be taken to remove them and their herds at once.”
The following instructions were also telegraphed to Inspector Armstrong at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, in the Indian Territory.
“Owners of cattle, driving herds northward through the Indian Territory and public land strip north of the Pan-handle complain their passage on and over established trails in the vicinity of Ft. Supply is obstructed by parties holding cattle on these lands. Go at once to the origin of the disturbance and take active measures to open and keep open for all cattle having no infectious disease all established trails that may be found closed or obstructed in any way except by proper and competent authority of the United States courts having jurisdiction. Notify offenders that their stock will be removed from the territory at once if they continue the obstruction of established trails.” (Signed) L. Q. C. Lamar, Secretary of the Interior.
Similar obstructions of trails under Secretary Teller’s administration last year existed, and action similar to the instructions contained in the above order was taken, trails being opened by Inspector Benedict, who led a number of droves over the trail.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 18, 1885.
The Cattle Trail Trouble.
DODGE CITY, KANSAS, July 11. The situation as between the Northern ranch owners and through Texas drivers remains unchanged. The matter has been by Commissioner Cook adjourned over until Monday morning, at which time the case will proceed unless amicable arrangement can be perfected. A very large number of cattlemen on both sides of the case are now in the city. Col. J. R. Hallowell and Charles Hatton, United States attorney and assistant, are both here for the government, and Capt. J. G. Waters is pitted against them for the Texas drovers on the defense. Fifty-four thousand cattle have been stopped on the trail in the Indian Territory and Cherokee Strip. The matter is assuming colossal proportions. The design of the cattlemen is to exclude all cattle from those parts in Texas liable to communicate Texas fever and the Texas drovers are as persistent in demanding a free passage to market for the cattle of that state. It is expected that something decisive would have been received from Washington today, but at this hour it has not come. The delays to the Texas drovers are costing them at least $1,000 per day for the mere detention.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 18, 1885.
The corn prospect is good. Several farmers who have called on us during the last week inform us that they have fields which will average from 59 to 65 bushels per acre. The wheat crop is much better than had been expected.
Arkansas City Republican, July 18, 1885.
The Cattlemen’s Side.
KANSAS CITY, July 9. The following, which will be published here tomorrow, is the telegram to which Secretary Lamar replied today, as mentioned in the Washington press dispatches.
Kansas City, July 10. To Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, Secretary, Department of Interior, Washington, D. C. The letter of Representative Sayers of Texas, July 2, also the telegrams of Sayers and Governor Ireland of July 3, concerning the Texas cattle trail obstructions, contain many wrong and misleading statements. The sketch showing the trail is decidedly wrong. The official Cherokee map mailed you proves this. The herds in question are not above suspicion. These cattle do impart fever. The opposition to the passage of the cattle is made solely from the fear of fever, all charges to the contrary notwithstanding, and can be clearly and satisfactorily proven. The same cattle have been repeatedly stopped and turned from passage across Texas by injunctions within the state of Texas by Texas citizens. Large numbers of cattle not infected have passed without opposition. The trail agreement at the Dallas convention was made solely on the part of the Texas men, who were not affected. Those on the border were decidedly opposed to it. All offers to establish a trail for this class of cattle from the south to the north line of the state of Texas were largely opposed and defeated by Texas men. The trails used heretofore are cut off at the Kansas line by the quarantine law. The land within these trails in the Cherokee Nation, composing nearly 1,000,000 acres, is paid for by the lessees. By sufferance Texas herds both infected and uninfected were allowed to follow these trails heretofore and ranchmen made no objection to the passage of cattle on these trails. But when attempts are made to push out sideways from these trails, through the pastures, opening new trails three to five miles wide, through lands for which rental is paid, and where no trail ever existed, spreading disease, decided opposition is met. That the opposers are perfectly right cannot be disputed when all of the facts in the case are known clearly. Hundreds of law abiding citizens occupying the country in question, with valuable herds representing a lifetime of savings, deserve protection more than a few traffickers in infectious cattle. The few northern Colorado speculators bought their Texas cattle, expecting to enter Colorado in direct violation of their own state laws. But the southern Colorado men are determined that the law shall be properly enforced, and the passage of these cattle through Bent and Las Animas prevented. Clearly then their getting through the Territory will avail nothing. Occupants of the country through which it is wanted to pass the infectious cattle have suffered enormous losses from year to year by Texas fever from the slight contacts with the before mentioned trails, and hence know full well the wholesale destruction that would result from permitting infectious cattle to pass over their ranges. The charge that the opposers of the passage of these cattle are doing so to depreciate prices in order to buy cheaply is a misrepresentation. Not one of them wishes to purchase such cattle. Reference is made to the recent unanimous opposing of the resolutions by their association. The driving of these cattle from one state or territory to another is a palpable violation of the animal industry law. The occupants of the country feel that the attempt of Texas to force infectious cattle upon them, involving losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars to themselves and parties throughout the entire country without remuneration, is an injustice and an outrage and demands that before the government sanctions it or becomes a party to it a full investigation be made in support of the facts as herein stated. The occupants ask only for a fair hearing. The reasonableness of their demand is shown by the quarantine laws of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and the territories north, and also the fact that the same cattle cannot get passageway through the state of Texas, except by railroad.
(Signed) W. A. TOWERS, T. A. LEE, Committee for Live Stock Association.
Arkansas City Republican, July 18, 1885.
Another Protest. KANSAS CITY, July 11. The following was telegraphed the Secretary of the Interior tonight.
KANSAS CITY, July 11. HON. L. C. Q. LAMAR, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT INTERIOR, WASHINGTON, D.C. Your telegram of the 11 last was received. Our message seems to have misconstrued, and it is manifest that we have unfortunately failed to state the actual situation so as to be understood at Washington. We now wish to state most respectfully, but also most distinctly and positively, that there are and have been no obstructions to the passage of herds over any trails which have ever been used. No objection is made by ranchmen to the passage of cattle over old trails. Your inspector will not find them open. We desire to make ourselves clearly understood as stating to you that the owners of these infected herds are now attempting to drive and scatter them through pastures and over ranges where no trails have ever been made. We invite your special attention to this fact which we think cannot have been understood by you. Past experience teaches emphatically that this means the wholesale destruction of the cattle ranging thereon, and which have been placed there with leases made with, at least the tacit approval of the government, and in the belief that the established trails for the passage of cattle would continue to be used, and without any apprehension that herds would attempt to leave such trails and be driven through their pastures. The truth of the statements of this and our first can be established to your satisfaction, and we respectfully ask you a careful examination of them before any summary measures, intimated in your message, be adopted. The herds being driven up are infected and their owners know it, and their assertions to the contrary are simply pretenses. The experience of years must be ignored to credit such statements.
(Signed) W. A. TOWERS, THOS. A. LEE. Committee for the Live Stock Association of southern Colorado, Kansas, Northern Texas, Missouri, and the Indian Territory; representing 2,500,000 or 3,000,000 head of improved American cattle.
Mr. Lee, in an interview tonight, cites in support of the statement made to Secretary Lamar the resolutions adopted by the various cattle associations of southern Colorado, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and northern Texas, last spring, all uniting in a determination to prevent the passage of southern Texas cattle over their ranges. He asserts that the only interference which has been offered is in preventing infecting cattle from leaving the trail and crossing pastures where there is no trail. He also states that Secretary Lamar’s order today is similar to that of Secretary Teller, and the latter’s was an order to open an old trail which had been sometime enclosed within numerous fenced pastures, while Secretary Lamar’s order is to open a trail, which, as is maintained, the citizens have not attempted to close.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 22, 1885.
STRAYED. June 20th; from my pen in Arkansas City, a 100 pound male Poland China pig, with no marks. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 29, 1885.
C. M. Scott added 175 acres to his Otter Creek ranche last week by the purchase of Charles Galloway’s farm.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 30, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
C. M. Scott et ux to Arimantha Williams, lot 19, blk 63, A. C.: $75.00.
More about cattle associations, troubles...
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 1, 1885.
ST. LOUIS, July 4. A meeting of the cattlemen leasing land in the Indian Territory was held this morning at the rooms of the National Cattle Growers Association to discuss the president’s proclamation declaring the Arapaho and Cheyenne leases void and ordering all cattlemen removed from the reservation within forty days. The proclamation was warmly discussed and another meeting will be held tomorrow, when the committees from Kansas City and St. Joseph will be present, and a course of procedure adopted. The cattlemen claim that it is impossible to move 300,000 or 400,000 head of cattle inside of forty days, and say they have no place to move to, as all ranges in the Territory and Texas are now crowded and Kansas and Colorado are quarantined against Texas cattle, while in New Mexico there is a strong public feeling against the cattle, even if there were room there. Missouri has about $800,000 invested in cattle in the Indian Territory. The St. Louis interest is about $500,000.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 1, 1885.
Some time ago Asa Burr purchased four lots of J. C. Topliff, C. M. Scott, F. J. Hess, and T. H. McLaughlin. He paid half cash and gave his note for the remainder.
Burr was of a business turn of mind and proceeded at once to purchase lumber to build a house, getting it on time. Wednesday he traded the house to a negro by the name of Banks, who lately moved here from Winfield, for stock. He never told Banks that the property was encumbered in any way except by a mortgage of $80. With the exception of the $80, he declared the title to the property good and gave a warranty deed when he held no deed himself. The same night, succeeding the day of trade, Burr harnessed his team, purchased provisions, and skipped.
No one knows in which direction he went, but several men are very anxious to ascertain his whereabouts. Some think he started for Nebraska, where he has a claim; and others believe he went to the northwest part of the state. He informed a man by the name of Patterson that he intended to burst the town wide open before he left it.
Banks is the greatest sufferer by Burr’s leaving. His house is covered with liens, mortgages, etc., to the sum of about $356. Bob Maxey is a sufferer, also Dave Beatty, and quite a number of others. If Burr should be arrested, he will most likely serve a time in the penitentiary if it is proven he was attempting to defraud the parties interested, and it is the general belief he has gone for good.
Additional 175 acres: cattle ranch on Otter Creek...
Arkansas City Republican, August 1, 1885.
C. M. Scott has purchased 175 acres of land adjoining his cattle ranch on Otter Creek from Chas. Galloway.
Question
of legality of Indian Leases arises...
Arkansas City Republican, August 8, 1885.
The Cattle Leases. From the Fort Scott Monitor.
The Topeka Journal says the Monitor is in favor of the dishonest leases. There is no truth in that. The Monitor believes the leases illegal. If they are legal, the government is bound by them and to eject the leases is an outrage. If they are illegal, and their existence caused the Indian trouble, then annul them out in forty days. The order is the act of tyrants clothed with a little brief authority. The cattle cannot be moved out in forty days, nor in 100 days, and the editor of the Journal knows it, and to attempt it is to destroy millions of dollars’ worth of property, and we say to the Journal what the country will soon understand: that the order was issued through ignorance or from bull headed cussedness and will recoil with the force of a cyclone upon the administration, if it is enforced.
Arkansas City Republican, August 8, 1885.
The Indian Land Leases Invalid. WASHINGTON, August 1. Attorney General Garland, to whom the secretary of the interior referred the question of the power of the interior department to authorize the Indians to lease their lands for grazing purposes, has transmitted to Secretary Lamar an opinion, in effect that no such power exists under the law.
The questions referred to the attorney general were whether there was any law empowering the interior department to authorize the Indians to enter into a contract with any parties for the lease of Indian lands for grazing purposes; also whether the president or interior department has any authority to make a lease for grazing purposes of any part of any Indian reservation, or whether the approval by the president or secretary of the interior would render any such lease made by the Indians with other parties, lawful and valid.
“The questions,” writes the attorney general, “are propounded with reference to certain Indian reservations, namely:
“First. The Cherokee lands in the Indian Territory west of 96 degrees, longitude, except such parts thereof as heretofore have been appropriated for and conveyed to friendly tribes of Indians.
“Second. The Cheyenne and Arapaho reservation in the Indian Territory.
“Our government has even claimed the right and from a very early period its settled policy has been to regulate and control the alienation or other disposition by the Indian nations or tribes of their lands. This policy was originally adopted in view of their peculiar character and habits, which render them incapable of sustaining any other relations with the whites than that of dependance and pupilage. There was no other way of dealing with them than that of keeping them separate, subordinate, and dependent, with guardian care thrown around them for their protection. Thus, in 1873 congress in confederation by proclamation forbade ‘all persons from making settlements on lands inhabited or claimed by Indians without the limits of jurisdiction of any particular state, and from purchasing or receiving any cession of such lands or claims without express authority and directions of the United States in congress assembled,’ and declared ‘that every such purchase or settlement, gift or cession not having the authority aforesaid null and void, and that no right or the title will accrue in consequence of any such purchase gift, cession, or settlement.’
“By section 4 of the act of July 22, 1790, the congress of the United States enacted that no sale of lands made by any Indians or nation or tribes of Indians within the United States shall be valid to any person or persons, or to any state, whether having the right of pre-emption to such lands or not, unless the same shall be made and duly executed AT SOME PUBLIC TREATY, held under the authority of the United States.
“Similar provisions were again enacted in section 8 of the act of March 1, 1793, which by its terms included any ‘purchase or grant of lands, or of any title or claim thereto, from any Indians or nation, or tribe of Indians within the bounds of the United States.’
“The provision was further extended by section 12 of the act of May 19, 1796, so as to embrace any purchase, grant, lease, or any other conveyance of lands or of any title or claim thereto. As thus extended, it was re-enacted by the act of March 3, 1799, chapter forty-six, and also by the act of March 30, 1802. (Chapter 30, section 12.)
“In the above legislation provision in terms applied to purchases, grants, leases, etc., from individual Indians, as well as from Indian tribes or nations, but by the twelfth section of the act of June 30, 1834 (chapter 164), it limited to such as emanate ‘from any Indian nation or tribe of Indians,’ and the provision of the act of 1834 just referred to, have been reproduced in section 2,116, Revised Statute now in force.
“The last named section declares: ‘No purchase, grant, lease, or other conveyance of lands or any title or claim thereto from any Indian nation or tribe of Indians, shall be of any validity in law or equity unless the same be made by treaty or constitution.’
“This statutory provision is very general and comprehensive. Its operation does not depend upon the nature or the extent of the title to the land which a tribe or nation may hold, whether such title be fee simple or right of occupancy, merely, is not material. In either case the statute applies. It is not therefore deemed necessary or important in connection with the subject under consideration to inquire into the particular right or title to the above mentioned reservations held by Indian tribes or nations respectively which claim them, whatever right or title there may be, these tribes or nations are precluded by the force and the effect of the statute from either alienating or leasing any part of its reservation, or imparting any interest or claim in or to the same, without the consent of the government of the United States. The lease of the land for grazing purposes is as clearly within the statute, as a lease for any other, or more general purposes, and the duration of the term is immaterial. One who enters with cattle, or other live stock, upon an Indian reservation under a lease of that description is made in violation of the statute, is an intruder, and may be removed therefrom as such, notwithstanding his treaty of consent with the tribe. Such consent may exempt him from the penalty imposed by section 2117, revised statutes, for taking his stock there, but it cannot validate the lease, or confer upon him any legal right whatever to remain upon the land, and to this extent, and no further, was the decision of Judge Brewer in the United States vs. Hunter, 21, Fed. Rep. 615.
“But the present inquiry in substance is whether the department of the interior can authorize these Indians to make leases of their lands for grazing purposes, or whether the approval of such leases by the president or secretary of the interior would make them lawful and valid, and whether the president or the department has authority to lease for such purposes any part of the Indian reservation. I submit that the power of the department to authorize such leases to be made, as that of the president or secretary to approve or make the same, if it exists at all, must rest upon some law and therefore be derived from either treaty or statutory provision. I am not aware of any treaty or provision applicable to particular reservations in the Union that confers such powers. The revised statutes contains provisions regulating contracts or agreements with the Indians and prescribing how they shall be executed and approved in section 2,103. But these provisions do not include contracts of the character described in section 1,116, hereinbefore mentioned. No other power appears to have been conferred by the statute upon either the president, the secretary, or any other officer of the government to authorize or approve leases of lands held by Indian tribes.
“The absence of such power was doubtless one of the main considerations which led to the adoption of the act of February 18, 1885, chapter 90, to authorize the Seneca nation of New York Indians to lease lands with the Cattaragus and Alleghany reservation and confirm existing leases.
“The act just cited, moreover, is significant as showing that in the view of congress, the Indian tribes cannot lease their reservations without the authority of some of the United States.
“In my judgment, therefore, each of the questions proposed in your letter should be answered in the negative. I so answer them.”
Additional 427 acres added to Scott’s cattle ranch...
Arkansas City Traveler, August 19, 1885.
Snyder & Hutchison, a few days ago, sold C. M. Scott another piece of land, 427 acres in extent, the property of A. T. Stewart, of Kansas City, to add to his cattle ranch.
More
about cattle troubles...
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, August 19, 1885.
Territory Cattle. FT. SCOTT, Aug. 14. Two train loads of cattle from the Indian Territory, numbering 900 head, passed through this city tonight en route to Chicago, being the first to make their exit from the Territory under the president’s order. These cattle were brought over the St. Louis, Ft. Scott and Wichita railroad from the ranche of the Austin Cattle Company, 165 west of Anthony, Harper County. The trains made an average of nineteen miles an hour from Anthony to Ft. Scott. The St. Louis and Wichita road have secured a driveway from the Territory line to their stock yards at Anthony.
427 acres added adjoining Otter Creek Ranch for $3,200...
Arkansas City Republican, August 22, 1885.
C. M. Scott purchased 427 acres of land, adjoining his Otter Creek Ranch, of A. T. Stewart, of Kansas City, Monday, for $3,200. Snyder & Hutchison were the sale agents.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Trial
Docket September Term, 1885, Commencing Sept. 1st.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 27, 1885.
2053. C M Scott vs H P Farrar et al. Mitchell & Swarts for plaintiff; A. J. Pyburn for defendant.
Arkansas City Republican, August 29, 1885.
Samuel Newell and F. J. Hess visited C. M. Scott’s Otter Creek Ranch Wednesday. Mr. Newell took his departure Thursday for the east.
Scott & Topliff’s Sheep Ranch, state line; Scott’s Cattle Ranch, on Otter Creek...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 2, 1885.
TEXAS HORSES. I have 150 head of unbroken Texas Horses and Mares, that I will dispose of on reasonable terms. Part of the stock has been wintered here, and are all in good condition. They are not ponies, but good sized animals, half domestic. Part of the stock can be seen at my SHEEP RANCH, on the state line, two miles east of the Ponca road, or at my CATTLE RANCH, on Otter Creek, two miles east of the Arkansas River on the state line.
C. M. SCOTT.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 3, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
D. P. Marshall et ux to C. M. Scott, lot 20, blk 28, A C, quitclaim: $1.00.
Involvement by Scott with potential railroad...
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 5, 1885.
The bonds for the Verdigris Valley, Independence & Western Railroad was carried through Woodson County on Monday and Tuesday by good majorities. This insures the building of this line of road from Leroy to Yates Center, Neodesha, and Independence this fall. It is intended to run this line east from Independence. Now is the time for Arkansas City to strike for an east and west road. C. M. Scott has corresponded with this company to some extent and it has signified its willingness to come this way if any inducements are held out. The charter of the company allows it to construct its line to Deep Hole in Clarke County.
Delinquent
tax sales...
Arkansas City Republican, September 5, 1885.
Tuesday was the day for the sale of delinquent taxes at the county treasurer’s office. The bidding was quite lively. C. M. Scott and F. J. Hess were the principal buyers from here.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 10, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
C. M. Scott et ux to Herman Trafflick, lot 20, blk 129, A C: $50.00.
C. M. Scott et ux to P V Healy et al, lots 25 and 26, blk 107, A C, quitclaim: $10.00.
Scott’s railroad involvement...
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 12, 1885.
Independence & Southwestern Railway. A state line railroad, and direct outlet east, and a chance for southern Cowley County to have a road. The following letter explains itself.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, Sept. 7, 1885.
C. M. SCOTT, Arkansas City, Kansas.
DEAR SIR: Your favor to Mr. J. L. Barnes of 27 inst. is before me, and I am permitted to advise you that charter for the line you name is now filed and your city a point in the line. The road begins at a junction with Southern Kansas at Independence, thence via Peru, Sedan, Cedarvale, Arkansas City, Caldwell, Kiowa, Englewood, and on to the west line of the state, with a branch in your county to Winfield and a branch from a point at or near your city to Wellington, and a branch from the most practicable point in Harper Co., north or northwesterly to Harper and Anthony. We shall submit a proposition soon in Chautauqua County, if they want the road. What will your people do for such a road? We are not the Southern Kansas railroad, but in perfect harmony with them. The directors here are Joab Mulvane, Pres., Jno. R. Mulvane, J. P. Griswold, C. F. Parmelee, Secretary, E. M. Hewins, and C. M. Turner, Chautauqua, and J. W. Donlavy, Independence. I shall be pleased to hear from you, and any information you may have. It is important that the people of your county and Chautauqua do not tie themselves up by voting as to parties or railroad companies having no credit, money, or backers to build anything and thus shut out legitimate enterprises. Yours Respectfully, JOAB MULVANE, Pres., Independence & Southwestern Railroad Company.
Last visit by Scott’s father...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 16, 1885.
M. J. Brown and wife, parents of Dr. C. D. Brown, arrived in the city on Monday, and will be the doctor’s guests for two weeks. They are from Cadiz, Ohio, Mr. Brown being cashier of the Farmers’ and Mechanics’ National Bank of that place. They were accompanied by J. W. Scott, also of Cadiz, father of our fellow townsman, C. M. Scott. We hope the party will enjoy a pleasant visit.
Arkansas City Republican, September 19, 1885.
J. W. Scott, father of C. M. Scott, of Cadiz, Ohio, arrived in the city Thursday on a short visit.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 8, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
C. M. Scott to A. Lowe, lot 22, blk 50, A. C., quitclaim: $25.00.
Cyrus M. Scott to Thomas A Gaskill, lots 15, 16, and 17, blk 135, A. C., quitclaim: $150.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
C. M. Scott et ux to Wm H Johnson, lot 13, blk 34, A. C.: $35.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 12, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Lauretta S. Cary to C. M. Scott, w hf se qr 35-34-5e, 80 acres: $270.00.
Scott’s lease with Cherokee Nation for 5,043 acres...Started Sept. 15, 1884...
Arkansas City Traveler, November 25, 1885.
Leasers Not Interfered With. It has been a matter of considerable interest of late to know whether the government would respect the leases of cattlemen made by the Cherokee Nation. Last week two teams hauling hay for C. M. Scott from Chilocco Creek to the Walnut River (near this place) were compelled to unload; and the hay baler’s teams, going into the Territory to bale the same hay, were turned back by the soldiers. Others hauling wood and hay were served the same way. Learning the facts, Mr. Scott went to the commanding officer, Capt. J. M. Hamilton, of the 5th cavalry, and presented a lease on 5,043 acres, made by the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association, of which he is a member, with the Cherokee Nation for four years from Sept. 15, 1884, and asked permission to go ahead with his work. Capt. Hamilton said he had no authority to interfere with the leases of licensed parties and gave a written permit to bale the hay.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 25, 1885.
The corn market was lively last Saturday and went from 28 to 30 cents per bushel. There were more buyers than corn, and some of the heaviest feeders only secured enough to last a few days, and were compelled to look elsewhere. The result of this insufficiency was seen in the arrival of three carloads on Monday for C. M. Scott, and we understand other shipments are to follow for Major Miles, Keeler, and other consumers.
[TORRANCE, WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, CORRESPONDENT: “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.
C. M. Scott made a delivery of beef cattle for the Osages recently, from his Otter creek ranche. They were contracted at $2.85 per hundred.
Arkansas City Republican, November 28, 1885.
C. M. Scott purchased 1,000 bushels of corn up at Mulvane and had it shipped down Tuesday.
Winfield Courier, December 3, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
C. M. Scott et ux to Charles Stanton, lots 17 and 18, blk 121, A. C.: $60.00.
C. M. Scott et ux to F. W. Farrar, lot 11, blk 62, A. C.: $105.00.
Arkansas City Republican, December 5, 1885.
C. M. Scott invested $50 in blue grass seed. He intends to sow it on his ranch east of the city. Others should follow C. M.’s example.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.
CIVIL DOCKET. FOURTH DAY.
C. M. Scott vs H. P. Farrar et al, Mitchell & Swarts pros; A. J. Pyburn defense.
Arkansas City Republican, December 12, 1885.
C. M. Scott received 1,000 bushels more of corn from Mulvane and Belle Plaine Tuesday evening and 1,000 last night.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 24, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Cyrus M. Scott et ux to John Hilliard, lot 1, blk 93, quitclaim: $1.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 14, 1886.
C. M. Scott went up to Winfield Tuesday to attend court. He was called up in behalf of a Kiowa Indian, who was arrested some time since over at New Salem for attempted burglary. The Indian is unable to talk English; therefore, C. M. was sent up to plead his case. The case came up before Judge Torrance Tuesday, but was postponed for a few days. The Indian told C. M. that he was over to Salem, and as it was cold, he went into the store to warm. When it became time for the proprietor to close up business, he drove him out, and that he camped outside in front of the store window. During the night the red-skin was awakened by someone walking in the store. He got up and went to the window and struck a match, holding it up by his face so whoever was in there could see who it was. The owner of the store supposed the Indian wanted to burglarize him and blazed away with a shot gun, perforating an ear of the Indian. This scared poor Lo so badly that he scampered off and found lodgings in a corn-shock. Next morning he was arrested and now stands committed, awaiting trial. A. C. Republican.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 28, 1886.
A jury was empaneled this morning and the trial of George Callum, a half breed Pawnee Indian charged with breaking into a store at New Salem, began. Cal Swarts had been appointed by the court to defend, but taking sick this morning, Lovell Webb was appointed. The Indian is a young fellow about twenty years old and can talk and understand but little English. The defense brought C. M. Scott up from Arkansas City to interpret.
The jury in the case of the Kiowa half-breed Indian, George Callum, brought in a verdict of acquittal. The defendant was charged with breaking into Maris’ store at New Salem. The evidence showed that the Indian was up from the Territory hunting work, and made his bunk on the ground under the store window. During the night he got cold, and hearing someone in the store, tapped on the window. The boy sleeping in the store thought him a burglar and blazed away with his revolver. The concussion broke the pane, but he thought the Indian did it. Callum is a youth of twenty and can talk but little English. C. M. Scott interpreted and Lovell Webb defended. Jailor Finch sent the Indian down to the Chilocco Indian school today.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 4, 1886.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Lizzie E. Keith et al to C. M. Scott, lots 21 and 22, blk 17, and lot 23, blk 78, A C, quitclaim: $25.00.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 10, 1886.
The Cadiz (Ohio) SENTINEL gives the notice of a jersey cow.
“M. J. Brown has a Jersey cow that gives four gallons of milk per day. Mrs. Brown made a test of one gallon of her milk, which gave 1 pound and 3 ounces of butter, equal to 33 pounds and 4 ounces in seven days. Who can beat it.
“The owner of this valuable animal is father to Dr. D. C. Brown, of this city, and he is under engagement to furnish her first bull calf to C. M. Scott, and her first heifer calf to his son, the doctor. This will be useful stock to introduce in the county. Mr. Brown, we are informed, has refused $500 for this successful butter producer.”
Arkansas City Traveler, February 24, 1886.
C. M. Scott looms up as the inventor of an instantaneous stock marker for marking cattle, sheep, or hogs by placing a nickel plated button or washer in the ear stamped with the number and owner’s address. It is conceded by all who have seen it to be the neatest and best marker made. It is now being manufactured by his brother, R. P. Scott, 67 German St., Baltimore, and will soon be placed on the market, at which time we will have more to say of it.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 24, 1886.
Wanted. One hundred head of native yearlings, steers preferred. Inquire at Brown’s drug store, North Summit Street, on Saturday of each week. C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Republican, March 6, 1886.
Anyone having 100 head of native steers to sell can find a purchaser by calling on C. M. Scott at C. D. Brown’s drug store on Saturday.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 18, 1886.
Our Land Slides Monday represent the biggest sale of land yet made in Cowley, six thousand acres for fifty-eight thousand dollars! Five years or more ago Dr. Mendenhall and J. E. Conklin bought at special U. S. sale this tract of land in Cedar township, for one dollar an acre. It is rough and fit for nothing but grazing excepting a patch here and there. They held it two or three years and sold it to the New Jersey Cattle Company, a corporation chartered under the laws of New Jersey. The got seven dollars an acre—a nice little profit of thirty-six thousand dollars, barring a thousand dollars or so for taxes. Now the New Jersey Cattle Company have sold the tract to Manning S. Coules, a heavy capitalist of Rich Hill, Missouri, getting $9.66½ an acre—a nice little profit of sixteen thousand dollars, with a small subtraction for taxes. C. M. Scott, at the same special U. S. sale, bought 4,000 acres in Silverdale township of the same kind of land at one dollar an acre. He has been offered eight dollars an acre and wouldn’t take it.
Arkansas City Republican, March 20, 1886.
W. J. Johnson, a man who has been in the employ of C. M. Scott for some time, was arrested Monday morning by Marshal Gray for beating his wife. He was taken before Judge Kreamer, but the prosecuting witness failed to appear, and he got off by paying costs.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 31, 1886.
Stock Notes. C. M. Scott purchased one hundred yearling steers of Samuel Endicott, offered for sale a few weeks since, and last week purchased Joe Garris’ yearling steers and heifers, paying $10 and $13 per head.
Arkansas City Republican, May 8, 1886.
Item from 32. Mr. Gee sold 10 acres of land to C. M. Scott for $500. How we boom.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 11, 1886.
C. M. Scott started last week for Fort Smith, Arkansas, but was detained by the washout on the Frisco road. He grew tired of the detention, and returned home, intending to make a later start. The Winfield Visitor speaks of our pioneer townsman as D. M. Scott, the Indian interpreter.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 18, 1886.
Stock Notes. That new Victor hay press on the street last Saturday belonged to C. M. Scott, who will bale one thousand tons of hay this fall.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 25, 1886.
A SWINDLER EXPOSED.
How He Played Out in This City, and Tried His Game in South Haven.
The South Haven New Era, a few weeks ago, made the following announcement.
“Mr. Landes, of the Arkansas City Roller Mills, was here the fore part of the week, establishing an agency for his flour and arranging to buy wheat for his mills. Mr. J. B. Walker will buy wheat for him.” This seemed a nice thing for Johnnie. He had gone to that thrifty burg, played out and penniless, where he rented a vacant room and blossomed out as a real estate agent. In this city it was said by the few persons who know of the appointment that Mr. Landes had got hold of the wrong man, which fact would soon be impressed on his mind, as no one ever had dealings with this very plausible gentleman without being outwitted by him.
C. M. Scott laughingly tells of one of Mr. J. B. Walker’s operations. A few years ago he came back to the city from a visit to his parents, who are said to be high toned and well-to-do. He was busted, as usual, and appealed to Mr. Scott to befriend him. His suggestion was that the latter supply him with a stock of cord wood from his sheep ranch on the Grouse, deliver it in town, in some wood yard that he would procure, and as the wood was sold, he would pay over the cost price. The proposition struck Mr. Scott favorably, and he furnished his impecunious petitioner with 100 cords, for the cutting and hauling of which he paid out $250. When he came to town, at brief intervals, he would call at Mr. Walker’s wood yard, where he would find a few cords sold; but his beneficiary was never ready to pay, assigning as a reason he had not collected on his sales. Finally something engaged Mr. Scott’s attention for several weeks—sheep shearing it might be, or a trip to Texas to buy ponies—and when he next visited the wood yard, he found sixty cords of his wood gone, and Mr. Walker still unable to pay over a cent. He then fully comprehended the character of the man he was dealing with, removed what wood there was left on hand, and figured up the cost of his experience at $150.
Mr. Walker was taken into the employ of the TRAVELER a few months ago, on a solemn promise to reform his evil ways, behave sober and uprightly, and turn over every dollar he received. Johnnie has the character of being a rustler, and this editor was told by a number of old citizens who knew the man well, that if we could keep him from stealing and getting drunk, he had the skill to rake in business. But we found, after a very brief acquaintance, that this faculty had deserted him. A man who loses self-respect, who indulges the basest appetites, and lives a life of fraud and deception, cannot retain usefulness. His bad habits pervade and saturate his moral system, and he is only fit for the state to take care of.
Mr. Walker left the city when he found his dishonest practices were discovered, and a notice was published in the TRAVELER to caution the public against paying him money. Hearing of his removal to South Haven, we notified him that unless an accounting was made without delay, he might look for arrest to answer to the charge of embezzlement. This seems to have caused some alarm in his breast, as the following letter was sent in quick response.
SOUTH HAVEN, KANSAS, July 23, 1886.
Mr. Lockley, Arkansas City, Kas: DEAR SIR: Yours received. As I have not one dollar in the world on hand, I can’t go to see you until I can earn some. I have some business that will bring me something when finished, and when I get it will go to see you. I can’t find any memorandum book as yet, but will hand it up; it may be in Arkansas City yet, as I have some old papers there. The reason I did not go and see you was on account of that notice you published. It made me feel so bad that I just wanted to go away, and my poor wife suffered terribly over it. I knew it would never do for me to try to do anything in Arkansas City again. I felt bad enough to almost resort to desperation, and do yet. If times are good, I can do pretty well here and get even with the world again and make a new start; and I hope that no misfortune will overtake me now as it would nearly kill my wife, who feels bad enough, anyhow. I am trying to do what is right, and to become a sober, temperate, reliable man.
If you can give me a short time till I can do something (business is dull now), I will try and see you as soon as possible. Such a thing as you propose would do great harm to me, my family, and my old mother. Will get the memorandum book as soon as I can find it, and make the account up and send it to you. * * * Please write me by return mail. We get only one mail by railroad each day, and the mails close outward before the mail arrives.
Respectfully, J. B. WALKER.
His tender consideration for his wife and mother is very touching, but when the writer’s heartlessness is known, and his utter disregard for their happiness, his sheltering behind these innocent women is the resort of a craven.
On Saturday we heard that he had been removed from his purchasing agency for the Arkansas City Roller Mills Co., and meeting Mr. Landes on the street, we inquired whether his company had been added to the list of this deft operator’s victims. He laughed at the idea. “I knew my man too well,” he said, “to give him any show to rob me.”
“Then why his dismissal?”
“Well, complaints were continually coming to us of his being drunk on the streets, and it also came to my knowledge that he had been trying a gouge game on the bank; so on his general misbehavior, I thought it was time to get rid of him.”
“He has not succeeded in fleecing you, then?”
“No. Mr. Hill has for some time felt an interest in the young man, and been desirous of befriending him. When he recommended the appointment of Johnnie as purchasing agent at South Haven, he thought he had secured the services of an energetic, enterprising man, and he instructed me to place $2,000 to his credit. Mr. Hill is not very often caught napping; but when he places confidence in a man, he is willing to give full play to his energies. I gave Johnnie credit at the South Haven bank, but instructed the cashier, Capt. Hunt, not to cash any of his checks unless accompanied by a weigh bill properly signed as a voucher. This went well enough for awhile, then he began to try his tricks. He sent a check to the bank for thirty odd dollars without a weigh bill, which Capt. Hunt refused to cash. Then he sent in another check for a smaller amount, also without a voucher, and this was refused. This being reported to me, I stopped his game by dismissal, and I am not aware that the company is out a cent by his operations.”
The English have a saying, “What is bred in the bone won’t come out of the flesh!,” and we fear that dishonesty and general worthlessness are so inbred with our South Haven real estate operator that his flesh will never be purged of the moral infection.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, May 22, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
Miss Lucy Walton purchased two resident lots across the canal from C. M. Scott, paying for them $100.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, May 29, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.
T. C. Bird purchased five acres of M. G. Gee’s farm across the Walnut River Monday. He gave $1,000 for it. Mr. Bird a year ago sold the entire farm of 160 acres to Mr. Gee for $4,000. Several weeks ago Mr. Gee sold 10 acres to C. M. Scott for $500. He has left 145 acres of good land, besides getting almost half what he paid for the farm for 15 acres.
Scott-Burress trial...
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 19, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.
The Scott-Burress trial occupied the attention of Judge Kreamer’s court all day Saturday, extending late into the night. It was a trial to see who was the owner of a pony worth about $75. The case was decided in Scott’s favor. The defendant will ask for a new trial and failing, will take an appeal.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 19, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott informs us although awarded the pony in the dispute in the cause of Scott vs. Burress, by the jury, he is in as bad a condition as before the trial. Burress has taken the animal to the Territory. Scott will sue for the value of the animal now.
[GROUSE CREEK CORRESPONDENT: “JUMBO.”]
Arkansas City Republican, June 26, 1886.
Will Miller has gone to work for a month at the Scott ranch.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 3, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
C. S. Rogers, an employee at C. M. Scott’s ranch, while riding a fractious horse yesterday, had his elbow of his left arm dislocated and one finger. He came to town and Dr. Brown repaired the damage.
Arkansas City Republican, July 31, 1886.
Burglars entered the residence of J. M. Grove and C. M. Scott last night. At the former home they obtained $14.75 in money and a pair of pants. At the latter they obtained only $1.75 in money. Money appeared to be all they were after, as they left all jewelry alone. At both houses an entrance was effected through the window by cutting the screen. C. M. Scott informs us that the burglar got the worst of the bargain at his house, and that he should have known better than to have entered an ex-newspaper man’s residence. No clue has been obtained as to who committed the deed.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 7, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.
Grouse Creek Items. July 29, 1886.
J. N. Badley has taken a job of bailing hay for C. M. Scott.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 4, 1886. From Thursday’s Daily.
Andrew H. Reed, a carpenter employed in building a house for C. M. Scott on his ranche east of the city, had a severe accident happen to him Tuesday. He was on the roof and leaned over to pull a nail out of a cornice board. The nail came out easier than he anticipated and the hard pull he gave to extricate it caused him to lose his balance and pitch forward onto the ground. He fell a distance of twenty-five feet, alighting on his head and shoulders. When picked up by C. M. Scott, he was unconscious; but restoratives were applied and in due time he was brought to. Mr. Scott made an examination and learned there were no bones broken. No physician was summoned and C. M. began the treatment of the case himself. His patient was able to sit up in bed this morning and in a few days C. M. thinks he will be around all right again.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 4, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
This afternoon a team belonging to C. M. Scott came dashing up Summit Street at break-neck speed. At halfway between Central Avenue and 5th Avenue, the runaway team got H. Stuart, the real estate agent, and his calico mare in front of them, and it was good amusement for the spectators to witness the latter’s efforts getting out of the way. At 5th Avenue he turned off and the runaway team went on up Summit Street. In front of the Commercial block, a farmer’s horse was struck by them, one of its legs being injured slightly. The runaways were caught and stopped near the Creswell block. Henry Green was driving Mr. Scott’s team and we are told the team got away from him when his attention was attracted elsewhere.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 8, 1886.
A. H. Reed, a carpenter, fell a distance of 25 feet from the top of one of C. M. Scott’s houses on the ranch, at Otter Creek, last week. He was considerably bruised, but no bones were broken. Mr. Scott took him to his own house and cared for him until he is now up and about.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 18, 1886. From Thursday’s Daily.
Mr. C. M. Scott, of Arkansas City, about the oldest settler in the valley, if we except Mead and Griffenstein, made us a call yesterday. He says the Santa Fe line will reach this week a flagging stone quarry in the Indian Territory, which quarry contains the finest paving flags he ever saw. He thinks that Wichita’s sidewalks would look very nice laid with fifteen-foot stones. Wichita Eagle.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 22, 1886.
S. F. Davis, residing west of the Arkansas River bridge, contracted a Hambletonian colt to C. M. Scott, as soon as it is weaned, for $75. It is a thoroughbred.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 29, 1886.
C. M. Scott furnishes us the following weather items.
October 21, 1885, a thin coating of ice appeared on still water.
A warm October brings a cold February.
On this date last year it was raining.
Ice in November forebodes sleet and bad weather during the winter.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 29, 1886.
The largest hay contract we have heard of this year is C. M. Scott’s. He has 1,500 tons put up in the stack and will bale 1,000 tons.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 6, 1886.
J. C. Topliff and wife took a vacation last week, spending their holiday on C. M. Scott’s ranch, twelve miles east of here.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 13, 1886.
C. M. Scott returned from Kansas City. Sunday night he started to Cadiz, Ohio, to attend the funeral of his father, J. W. Scott, but on account of the freight wreck at Kansas City, was unable to reach home in time. Many of our citizens will remember Mr. Scott, who has twice paid this place a visit, and made many friends. His age was 75 years, and his death very sudden.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 16, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott left today at 5 p.m., to be gone ten days to attend the funeral of his father, who died at Cadiz, Ohio, on the evening of October 8.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 16, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott, who started for Ohio last Saturday, did not get all the way back. He came home Sunday evening. A wreck on the road prevented him from going. Mr. Scott was called back to attend the funeral of his father.
Rev. James Wilson was uncle of Mrs. C. M. Scott...
Arkansas City Traveler, October 20, 1886.
Rev. James Wilson, formerly of this city, and now at Yates Center, Kansas, is visiting his niece, Mrs. C. M. Scott. He expresses astonishment at the growth of our city.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 20, 1886.
Baled Hay. I have one thousand tons of bright, well cured prairie hay, I will place on board the cars of the A. T. & S. F. or Frisco railroad at $8.00 per ton by the car-load.
C. M. SCOTT.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 20, 1886.
Miss Hattie Scott, niece to C. M. Scott, from Akron, Ohio, arrived in town on Monday evening, and will spend a few weeks visiting her uncle’s family.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 27, 1886.
C. M. Scott advertises 1,000 tons of baled hay for sale. He has put up a capacious shed in the fourth ward for the storage of a portion of this hay.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 27, 1886.
Dangerous Upset. On Sunday afternoon quite a number of our citizens drove out to the Gee farm to observe the progress making on C. M. Scott’s country residence. Stacy Matlack with his wife and family were among the number, who on driving home over a washout on the road, upset his vehicle, throwing all the occupants to the ground. The two children escaped uninjured, but Mrs. Matlack was badly shaken up, and her husband sustained a fracture of the collar bone. Dr. Chapel reduced the fracture and the injured man appears on the street, but in a somewhat damaged condition.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 24, 1886.
It now looms up that the Caldwell silver mine joins a hundred acre tract of C. M. Scott, of this place, who will be made rich if there is any rich in it. And Arkansas City takes a hand in it as she does in anything that pays.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, November 27, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott and family remove to their new home in Creswell Township this week.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 8, 1886.
C. M. Scott sold five head of fat hogs to Ira Barnett that averaged 392 pounds each. He received 8¼ cents. At the same time Mr. Scott shipped 25 head (one car) of fat steers to St. Louis, that averaged 1,155 pounds each here, and 1,086 in St. Louis. They brought 3¼ cents and netted him about $30 each. They were sent over the Frisco line.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, December 11, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott has finished moving to his suburban home. Last night he and family slept there for the first time.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 22, 1886.
Frank Patton, Hammond, and R. Z. Marshall, and county surveyor, W. H. Haight, viewed and surveyed the Gee road east of the Walnut last Friday. It is a one mile road from C. M. Scott’s house north.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 22, 1886.
C. M. Scott has been furnishing the railroad contractors with bailed hay.
Scott adds 320 acres more to Otter Creek Cattle Ranch...
Arkansas City Traveler, December 22, 1886.
C. M. Scott purchased 320 acres of Richard King, in Silverdale Township, last week for $4,000 cash down. The land joins Mr. Scott’s ranch on the north and will be used in connection with it. This gives C. M. Scott 4,000 acres all fenced and 300 acres in cultivation.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, December 25, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.
C. M. Scott informs us that he has discovered a lead mine on his land over in Silverdale Township.
[GROUSE
CREEK CORRESPONDENT: “JUMBO.”]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 15, 1887. From Friday’s Daily.
Still our workmen are at work in the mines. Still encouraged by discoveries. Lead discovered on the Scott ranch.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 19, 1887. From Monday’s Daily.
John Irons, of Silverdale township, owned the most valuable horse in the west in 1873. He traded a horse in that year to C. M. Scott for 10 lots and owns most of them today. He has sold a couple and for the remaining he has been offered $1,500. Should he sell them now, his horse would net him $2,000. He would have had 10 more lots for another horse, but unfortunately for him the man with whom he was trading attempted to ride the animal and was thrown. This caused the trade to be declared off.
[The last item covering C. M. Scott is given above. I have not gone any further with the old newspapers. Some of these items were covered in a separate file on Scott. MAW]