CHARLES R. SIPES.

The following are notes from RKW and different newspapers that he had on his file pertaining to people...MAW March 28, 2001.

I found myself questioning some of the information given in the beginning.

Charles R. Sipes.

Charles R. Sipes was one of the first settlers in Arkansas City. He was born January 4, 1849, in Lockport, New York. As a young man he went to Michigan where he learned the tinners trade. He moved to Kansas City and then to Emporia. He arrived here in April of 1870 with Prof. H. B. Norton’s company at the age of 21. He was to hold down a claim for Norton until the latter could finish his teaching term in Emporia. Sipes was to protect the claim, which at that time was just north of the proposed townsite.

While waiting for Norton to return, Sipes prepared logs to build a hardware store, but later sold them. After Norton returned, Sipes hauled lumber from Leavenworth and built a 14 by 16, some say it was 16 by 20, foot hardware store on lot 2, 102 South Summit, of the original townsite. This was the first building on Summit street and was operating by June 3, 1870.

[Note: 102 South Summit Street is current address of Bryant Hardware Co.]

C. R. Sipes owned and operated this hardware business.

My big hang-up! Was the first store erected by Sipes located at 102 South Summit?

[Note: C. R. Sipes purchased the site for his hardware store from John Strain.]

On January 1, 1870, T. A. Wilkinson, John Brown, Capt. Gould Hyde Norton, John Strain, and Silas A. Moore staked out their claim and laid the rude log foundations of the town they then called “Delphi.” Professor Henry Brace Norton took a claim adjoining the townsite on the north, and Hiram D. Kellogg took a claim south of the townsite.

[Note: Many of the early historians goofed. They only named four people. Silas A. Moore was left out of this list.]

C. R. Sipes put in a stock of hardware and tinware in April or May 1870. Mr. Sipes came from El Dorado. He bought John Strain’s claim.

More about John Strain...

Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1879.

We received a pleasant call from Mr. John Strain, of Emporia, last Saturday. Mr. Strain was one of the original town company of Arkansas City, but sold his shares to C. R. Sipes, and for the past eight years has been farming at his present home, some three miles from Emporia. He still owns a number of lots in this city, however, and the coming of the railroad caused him to pay us a visit in order to look up his interests at this place.

Arkansas City Republican, October 4, 1884.

John Strain came down from Emporia Monday to pay a visit to his former home. When Mr. Strain first came into Cowley County, but two log huts stood on the site of Winfield. He helped to erect the first hut built in Arkansas City. Mr. Strain lived here a number of years and then moved up near Emporia, where he now resides.

How Sipes got his supplies...

In November of 1870, Edward R. Chapin, his brother, Frank A. Chapin, and Joe Bonghner started work for Mr. Sipes. Sipes wanted supplies hauled from Emporia. The trip to Emporia and back usually took a month and the job paid two dollars per 100 pounds. Items such as groceries, iron bars, kegs of horse shoes, shelf hardware and stoves were hauled.

Gradually Sipes put in additions to his store...

C. R. Sipes next traded a pony for enough lumber to build a 20 foot addition to the store. It was then 16 ft. by 40 ft. He then began to manufacture his own tinware instead of buying it.

In the spring of 1871, he built another 16 foot addition on his store.

The original town company from Emporia was replaced in 1871 by citizens of Arkansas City. It appears that many of the original town company lost interest.

Sipes became the Secretary for the second town company...

Please note that this charter was filed for record in 1907.

1871

COPY OF CHARTER.

Arkansas City Town Company

State of Kansas, Cowley County, s.s.

Filed for record Oct. 5^th, 1907, at 2:30 P.M., Recorded in book I of Journal, Page 99.

Hopkins Shivvers, Register of Deeds.

State of Kansas, Department of State, C. E. Denton, Secretary of State.

To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:

I, C. E. Denton, Secretary of State of the State of Kansas, do hereby certify that the following and hereto attached is a true copy of Charter of the “Arkansas City Town Company”, filed for record in this office on the 15^th day of July, A.D. 1871, the original of which is now on file and a matter of record in this office.

In Testimony Whereof, I hereto set my hand and cause to be affixed my official seal.

Done at the City of Topeka, this 3^rd day of October A.D. 1907.

C. E. Denton, Secretary of State. By J. T. Botkin Ass’t Secretary of State.

The following named persons residents of Cowley County, Kansas, have associated themselves together in conformity to the laws of the State of Kansas, for the purposes herein specified to-wit: C. R. Sipes, M. R. Leonard, H. B. Norton, G. H. Norton, W. M. Sleath [Sleeth], H. O. Meigs, Daniel Beedy, L. B. Kellogg and A. A. Newman.

1^st. The name of this corporation is the “Arkansas City Town Company.”

2^nd. It is formed for the purpose of selecting, laying out and platting a town site into lots, blocks, streets, alleys and parks and for the occupation, sale and disposal of the same upon the west half of section (30) thirty in township (34) thirty-four of range (4) Four east and the South-east quarter of section twenty-five of town thirty-four (34) of range three (3) east of the 6^th Principal meridian.

3^rd. Its place of business is at Arkansas City in Cowley County, Kansas.

4^th. The term of its existence shall be ten years.

5^th. The number of its directors are five of which the following are the names and place of residence of those chosen for the first year: H. B. Norton, H. O. Meigs, W. M. Sleath [Sleeth], C. R. Sipes and G. H. Norton of Arkansas City.

6^th. The amount of its capital stock is fifteen thousand dollars which is divided into three hundred shares of fifty dollars each.

State of Kansas, Butler County, ss.

Before me a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared W. M. Sleath [Sleeth], G. H. Norton, C. R. Sipes, M. R. Leonard and A. A. Newman, known to me to be the persons whose names are herein mentioned and acknowledged the within instrument to be their own act and deed for the purposes therein specified. [Listed names shown above.]

Witness my hand and official seal this 13^th day of July A.D. 1871.

G. H. Lafetra, Notary Public.

(SEAL)

(Filed for record July 15, 1871.)

Filed July 28^th, 1871

Book A Page 26

Consideration: $581.70

Thomas B. Ross, Probate Judge

Receipts in full for the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 34 South of Range 3 East, and the West fractional half of Section 30, Township 34 South of Range 4 East of the 6^th P.M., for the use and benefits of the occupants of the townsite of Arkansas City.

By W. A. Shannon, Receiver.

No. 3

United States of America

to

Thomas B. Ross, Probate Judge

PATENT

Dated May 1^st, 1873

Filed January 28^th, 1874

Book C Page 50

Consideration: Full Payment

Gives and grants the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 34 South of Range 3 East, and the West fractional half of Section 30, Township 34 South of Range 4 East of the 6^th P.M., for the use and benefit of the occupants of the townsite of Arkansas City.

By U. S. Grant, President. (Seal)

[There were some more documents, which I skipped. MAW]

Back to notes by RKW...

In 1871, C. R. Sipes became a member of the Arkansas City Town Company. On Tuesday, September 17, 1871, he married Helen Ogden in Saginaw, Michigan. She was the first bride brought to Arkansas City. Their children were George Ogden Sipes and Helen E. (Mrs. Forrest) Howard. After the death of his first wife, Charles Sipes married Mrs. George Sweet in October of 1882. They were divorced in 1897.

More confusing entries by RKW...

The Arkansas City Traveler of August 11, 1896, states that Mrs. C. R. Sipes died at the age of 90 and was buried in the Riverview mausoleum. It also stated that she was the mother of Mrs. Bethany Ogden.

Mr. C. R. Sipes died in 1898 and his son, George Sipes, continued the business.

George Sipes died in 1903 and the widow leased the building to Mr. S. J. Gilbert, who bought the business. He then took in a partner by the name of Sturtz. Mr. Sturtz later bought out Mr. Gilbert and the store was known as Sturtz Hardware in 1908.

The first Mrs. Sipes died November 21, 1916. [???]

RKW had the following statement, which I am not sure is correct...

Business was thriving and C. R. Sipes was selling four times as much as expected. The small building was moved to another part of town and a larger hardware store was built on the site of 102 South Summit. It was replaced later by a stone building.

Now I am going to start in with early newspapers...MAW

Emporia News, August 28, 1868.

$5 REWARD.

STRAYED from the subscriber August 10, 1868, a sorrel horse, about three years old; round face; small white spot in center of forehead; shoes on fore feet. The above reward will be paid to anyone delivering the horse to me in Emporia, or for information of his whereabouts. C. R. SIPES.

Emporia News, September 18, 1868.

Billiard Saloon for Sale. Consisting of one table and fixtures necessary in a first-class establishment. Price $1,000. C. R. SIPES, Emporia, Kansas.

Emporia News, July 23, 1869. Charley Sipes, as a velocipedestrian, is a success.

Walnut Valley Times, Friday, April 8, 1870.

Charley Sipes owns a share in Creswell and has gone down to see after it. He intends to put in a stock of hardware and tinware there soon. Of course he stopped and subscribed for the TIMES as he went through.

Walnut Valley Times, April 22, 1870.

Mr. Charley R. Sipes passed through town this week going East for a stock of hardware for his new store in Creswell.

Emporia News, April 22, 1870.

Charlie Sipes, having set his stakes at Creswell, on the Arkansas, is here to ship the lumber, which will go this week, for a storehouse, in which, when completed, he will open a stock of hardware, agricultural implements, etc. He reports the prospects for the rapid settlement of that section and the town as the most encouraging, the grass six inches high, prairie flowers in full bloom, and all things lovely. We congratulate the town company of Creswell in securing Charlie for one of its citizens. He has our best wishes.

Walnut Valley Times, June 3, 1870.

Letters from Creswell.

Mr. Sipes has just opened his new hardware store on Summit street, and presents a fine display of goods in his line.

Emporia News, June 3, 1870.

LETTER FROM CRESWELL.

[The following letter was accidentally misplaced by the person taking it from the office, hence the delay in its appearance in our columns.]

CRESWELL, May 11, 1870.

EDITORS NEWS: Pursuant to notice the people of Cowley County met in convention at Creswell on Tuesday, May 11th, inst., to consider the questions connected with the pending occupancy of the Osage Lands.

After some discussion the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.

WHEREAS, We, the citizens of Cowley County, in mass convention assembled, believe that the time has fully come in which the interests of civilization demand the extinction of the Indian title to the Osage lands, and

WHEREAS, We regard with regret and distrust the inactivity of our Senators upon the question, therefore,

Resolved, That we urge upon Senators Pomeroy and Ross, and Representative Clarke, immediate and definite action looking toward the removal of the Osage Indians from these lands, and opening them to actual settlers.

Resolved, That while we are opposed to all great land monopolies like those contemplated in the “Sturges Treaty,” we favor the policy of aiding the construction of Railroads, by granting to them alternate sections of lands now unclaimed, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, to the amount of ten sections to the mile, reserving to immigrants upon said lands the right of pre-emption and ultimate purchase at a fixed maximum price, not to succeed two dollars and fifty cents per acre.

Resolved, That we regard immediate action upon this subject as of paramount importance, and that we earnestly urge that the question be finally settled before the close of the present session of Congress.

Resolved, That copies of the above preamble and resolutions be forwarded to each member of our congressional delegation, and to the EMPORIA NEWS, Walnut Valley Times, Topeka Commonwealth, and Lawrence Tribune for publication.

H. B. NORTON, President.

C. R. SIPES, Secretary.

Excerpt...

[LETTER FROM M. F. (MAX FAWCETT).]

Emporia News, June 24, 1870.

ARKANSAS CITY, June 14th, 1870.

EDITORS NEWS: We are having frequent and terrific rains here now. Our town is improving rapidly, forty more houses are under contract, and are being built as fast as lumber can be obtained to build them with. Mr. W. H. Speers, of Peoria, Illinois, has a new thirty horse power stationary steam saw mill on the way, which will be here in a day or two. Mr. Speers has had a number of years of experience in the mill business, having run mills in Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Illinois. When his mill arrives we will have two mills. Mr. Wolsey [Woolsey] has his shingle machine in operation and is turning out six or eight thousand first class shingles a day.

Our four merchants are doing a staying business. C. R. Sipes tells me that he sells four times as much as he expected when he commenced, and our other merchants, Norton, Bowen, and Goodrich, are not behind him in sales, and all sell at reasonable rates, nearly or quite, and sometimes below, El Dorado prices. Our carpenters are all busy. Messrs. Channell, Smith, and Thomson, carpenters, have just finished a neat, roomy cabinet shop, and are running a lumber yard in connection with their other business. Channell starts for Emporia tomorrow for the purpose of bringing back his better half.

Excerpt...

[LETTER FROM T. A. WILKINSON.]

Emporia News, September 2, 1870.

FROM ARKANSAS CITY.

Arkansas City, July 31, 1870.

Our principal hotel, Mr. Woolsey, proprietor, is doing a flourishing business. We also have a good-sized boarding house with daily increasing patronage; a hardware store by Mr. C. R. Sipes, a young gentleman noted for promptness in business, and whose general address is candid and right to the point. Mr. Bowen has a very good stock of groceries and provisions; and bids fair to come out a successful merchant as the town advances. Mr. Goodrich has a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, and ready made clothing, and no one who goes there to trade comes away dissatisfied with either price or quality of goods. Capt. Norton and brother still hold forth at their old stand, but soon intend to move into a large and commodious building on Summit street. The increase in the number of stores has not diminished their custom, because the influx of immigration more than keeps up the demand, and their sales, which have been heavy from the first, are constantly on the increase. Jacob Stotler was editor of the Emporia News. He wrote a lengthy article after his visit to Arkansas City in 1871, mentioning a number of people who had gone from Emporia to Arkansas City. The following is excerpted from his long article...

Emporia News, August 25, 1871.

ARKANSAS CITY.

We [Stotler] spent a few days in this beautiful and thriving young town, which sets upon an elevation at the junction of the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers. We were perfectly delighted with the town and surrounding country. If we were going to change our location in this State, we would go to Arkansas City as quick as we could get there. Its location is good for at least two railroads, one down the Walnut and one through the Arkansas valley. The Arkansas valley is much broader and more fertile than we had expected to find it. We firmly believe the Arkansas Valley soil will excel every section in the State in corn and vegetable crops.

In Cowley and Sumner Counties nearly every quarter section has upon it a bona fide settler. Fortunately the speculators were not allowed to get their clutches on an acre of it. On account of this heavy settlement, Arkansas City is bound to have a good trade. She will also receive a share of the Texas trade.

This town has over 100 buildings. Among the rest, and about the largest and best, is the city hotel, kept by our friend, H. O. Meigs. It is the best kept hotel in the Walnut Valley. The table is supplied with good, substantial food, and what is not the case with all tables, it is clean and well cooked; altogether, this is the cleanest, best ventilated, and most homelike public house we have found in our travels lately.

We found here a large number of old Emporia men in business, among whom we may mention O. P. Houghton, Judge McIntire and sons, the Mortons, Charley Sipes, Mr. Page, Mr. Beck, and others. They are all doing well, and have unlimited faith in their town and county.

Beedy & Newman are building a large water mill near the town. They have already expended $8,000 in the enterprise, and will soon be ready for sawing.

Close to the town we found Max Fawcett upon a beautiful piece of land amid grape vines, trees, shrubs, and flowers. He is testing the capabilities of the soil for all kinds of fruits, and has so far the best encouragement. Wherever he is, Max. will be a public benefactor.

[MARRIED: C. R. SIPES, ARKANSAS CITY.]

Emporia News, September 29, 1871.

MARRIED. Our old townsman and friend, C. R. Sipes, passed through here from the east on Monday, taking with him to his home in Arkansas City, Mrs. Sipes. He was married in Saginaw, Michigan, on Sunday, September 17, 1871, to Miss Ellen Ogden. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Sipes a long, useful, and happy life.

1872

Arkansas City Traveler, Thursday, June 16, 1921.

ARKANSAS CITY IN 1872

An Interesting Record of the Old Time City Government.

Capt. M. N. Sinnott, city clerk, has dug up a very interesting record of city affairs which dates back many years, at the beginning of the city administration of the now famous Arkansas City, Kansas, and which is being kept for future use in the matter of looking up affairs that may be needed for various purposes.

This book dates back to the beginning of time in this city, which was in the year 1872. The record shows that the city was incorporated as a city of the third class on June 10, 1872; and the papers were signed by W. P. Campbell, judge of the 13th judicial district of Kansas. The first election held for the naming of city officials was on July first of that year. The canvass of the vote showed the following:

1872:

Mayor, A. D. Keith, 39 votes.

Police Judge, Amos Walton, 74 votes.

Councilmen, W. T. Benedict, I. S. Mitchell, Henry Endicott, T. H. McLaughlin, and G. H. McIntire.

(The latter is still here and is a justice of the peace.)

C. R. Sipes was appointed first city treasurer.

L. B. Carrier was the first city marshal.

The first meeting of the council was held on July 5, 1872. [Then the record goes on down the years of time and to the year 1908.]

A look through the book shows many changes and there are now but a few of the old timers, who were prominent in city affairs many years ago, here at the present time.

On one of the leaves of the book and dated away back in the 1880s, is the notation, “City marshal requested to notify the Indians not to shoot arrows on the main street of the town.” Indians and buffalo were very prominent here at that time.

Another interesting feature of the former city government noted in this book is the fact that the Arkansas river was at one time considered navigable here. And it was navigable too, it is said, the same as it is today, though today the water in the river stands 8 feet above the low water mark.

This notation appears on the record dated August 9, 1875:

“Petition congress to make appropriation to make the Arkansas river navigable. Town company to deed 150 lots to the A. C. Navigation Co. to aid in purchase of boat to cost not less than $2,000 to navigate the Arkansas river.”

Another notation that appears in the book:

“May 25, 1877: to appropriate $150 to establish a ferry across the Arkansas river west of the town.”

There are many other just as interesting matters in connection with the former city affairs, as those given above, recorded in the old book, and the Traveler will some time in the near future give another chapter of the records in this regard.

1873

Arkansas City Traveler, Friday, June 17, 1921.

CHAPTER TO CITY RECORDS

Some of the Old Timers Are Still in the Ring Here.

On April 9, 1873, the second election of the city was held and on this date, the following were elected:

Mayor, A. D. Keith.

Councilmen: A. N. Dennis, E. D. Eddy, C. R. Mitchell, W. A. Hulit.

Police judge, Timothy McIntire.

[He was the father of G. H. and C. M. McIntire, who are still residents of the city.]

City treasurer, C. R. Sipes.

City Marshal, L. W. Currier.

Assistant Marshal, H. C. Mowry.

City Clerk, R. J. Pond.

Street commissioner, David Thompson.

On April 4, 1874, the third annual election was held and H. O. Meigs was elected mayor.

On April 7, 1875, S. P. Channell was elected mayor.

In April, 1876, Mr. Channell was again elected mayor.

“Uncle” Billy Gray was the city marshall in 1876. He is still a resident of the city and is now serving as constable. He has held nearly all the peace offices in the city and county, with the exception of sheriff, and for many years past he has been elected to the office of constable at each succeeding election.

1877: Dr. H. D. Kellogg was elected mayor.

1878: James Benedict, mayor.

1879: James I. Mitchell, mayor.

1880: Dr. A. J. Chapell, mayor.

1881: Dr. H. D. Kellogg, mayor.

1882: F. P. Schiffbauer, mayor.

1883: James L. Huey, mayor.

In the year 1884 the city was made a second class city. In December that year the city was divided into four wards. There were then eight councilmen elected, two from each of the four wards.

C. T. Atkinson, now a resident of the city, was the city attorney in the year 1887.

Dan Bunnell, now deceased, and Frank L. Thompson, still here, were on the police force in 1888.

1891: S. J. Gilbert, mayor.

1893: On April 1, 1893, A. A. Newman, still a resident of this city, was elected mayor. In this year W. J. Gray was the constable, T. B. Oldroyd was on the city council, J. C. Topliff was city treasurer, O. Ingersoll (now a resident of Topeka) was city clerk, and Frank Perryman, the well known “chin scraper,” was the chief of the volunteer fire department.

1895: Geo. W. Cunningham was the mayor at that time. He is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri.

[In the election that year F. P. Schiffbauer, a candidate for mayor, demanded a recount of the votes cast at the election on May 2. The city attorney, C. T. Atkinson, ruled that the city council had no authority to order a recount.]

1895: On May 21, 1895, the fire department was reorganized and the fire chief with four men, was to answer all alarms. Volunteers were to come out at the second call.

Sleepers at the fire station at that time were Jason Williams, Jay Fairclo, Ed Hoyt, and Oscar Bennett.

1895: Judge F. W. Miller, now of this city, was the city assessor.

[NOW WE BACKTRACK TO 1873. MAW]

Excerpts...

[ITEMS FROM THE TRAVELER.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 2, 1873.

The Arkansas River Bridge was made free last Saturday.

C. R. Sipes’ cotton wedding took place at his pleasant home on last Wednesday evening. A few friends gathered in and a pleasant evening was spent.

Excerpts...

[EDITORIAL PAGE: THE NEW COURTHOUSE.]

Winfield Courier, December 12, 1873.

JAMES KELLY, EDITOR.

The Courthouse is now completed, and the county officers assigned to their respective places. We think that a description of this beautiful structure will not be altogether uninteresting, at least, to the tax payers of the county; although we may say right here, that no pen picture can give more than a crude idea of this splendid building.

The main building is 40 x 50 ft. The foundation is of stone, rubbleworked, cut-stone water-table, door, and window sills. The walls are 16 in. thick, and are of the best quality of brick. The first story is 11 ft. high, and the second 15 ft. The roof is what is commonly denominated double gable truss and heavily iron strapped, and bolted, with a tower 22 ft. high, the foundation posts of which are 12 x 12 inch oak timbers extending clear across the entire width of the building, the whole surmounted by a beautiful weather-vane, constructed by Mr. C. R. Sipes of Arkansas City, and we believe, a present to the county. A hall 8 ft. wide runs through the building, from South to North, with heavy double panel doors at each end. The offices are arranged on each side of the hall, six in number, and are 13 x 15 ft. sq. with two large 10 light windows in each room. The Courtroom proper is on the second floor, and is 37 x 38 ft. in the clear. On the north end, and on either side of the stair landing, are two jury rooms each 12 ft. square, which open into the courtroom by folding doors. The inside is painted both inside, and out, with three coats, and has three coats of plaster, the last a plaster paris finish; and is, on the whole, one of the best, prettiest, and most substantial buildings, of the kind—and certainly the best for the money—in the state.

Winfield Courier, Friday, December 19, 1873.

In our description of the Courthouse last week, we made a misstatement in regard to the weathervane which embellishes the cupola of said building. We had understood and so stated that C. R. Sipes, of Arkansas City, made and presented the weather indicator to the county. We have since been informed that the aforementioned article was purchased of Mr. Sipes by T. A. Rice, who made the donation.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.

Stoves and Tinware.

E. R. SIPES, Arkansas City, Kansas.

St. Louis & Leavenworth Stoves.

Fine stock of pressed Japanned and Porcelain Ware.

Iron pumps and lead pipe.

Sewing Machines, Door Locks, and Guns Repaired.

Stencil Plates Cut to Order.

Roofing, Guttering, and all kinds of Job Work done on short notice and warranted.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.

The Beethoven Singing Society met at the frame church last Friday evening, and elected the following officers.

President, E. D. Bowen.

Vice President, C. R. Sipes.

Treasurer, Miss Eva Swarts.

Secretary, Mrs. A. A. Newman.

Organist, Mrs. R. C. Haywood.

Director, Prof. E. W. Hulse.

A concert will be given within three weeks.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.

GEORGE ALLEN, PAINTER.

All kinds of House Painting, Graining, Marbling, Varnishing, Sign Painting and Paper Hanging. Shop with C. R. Sipes.

Satisfaction warranted.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876.

SCALES. Houghton & McLaughlin have purchased C. R. Sipes’ hay scales, and moved them on the corner near their store.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 16, 1876.

The Beethoven Society gave one of their musical feasts at the schoolhouse, last Saturday evening, at which many were present. The exercises consisted of vocal and instrumental music of the highest order, and were exquisitely rendered and duly appreciated. PROGRAM LISTED. #15 WAS “HARK! APOLLO STRIKES THE LYRE.” PARTICIPANTS: C. R. SIPES, WILL MOWRY, PROF. HULSE, MRS. C. R. MITCHELL, E. D. BOWEN, E. R. THOMPSON, MISS SHERBURNE, MRS. NEWMAN, MRS. R. A. HOUGHTON, MRS. R. C. HAYWOOD. The receipts of the evening were $18.90, a portion of which will be given to the school bell fund.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 7, 1876.

C. R. SIPES makes a tasty flower pot out of oyster cans, for the reasonable recompense of ten cents each.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 23, 1876.

Sealing wax for fruit cans at Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 23, 1876.

Sipes keeps Singer, Wheeler & Wilson, Remington, Grover & Baker machine needles; also machine oil.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 30, 1876.

New coffee mills, granite ware, cooking stoves, etc., at C. R. Sipes this week.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1876.

WHO wants to trade wood for a stove. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 20, 1876.

The Presbyterian Society will hold a package social at the residence of Mr. C. R. Sipes, on Wednesday evening, for the benefit of Rev. Fleming and family. All are invited. By order of society. MRS. NEWTON, Secretary.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 4, 1876.

A building is going up on Charley Sipes’ corner, to be used by Mrs. Hartsock as a millinery store. It is a good location.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.

SIPES has stable room to rent, for one horse.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 20, 1876.

MASONIC OFFICERS.

The following persons were elected and appointed officers of Crescent Lodge, No. 138, at their last regular meeting, held at the Lodge room in Benedict’s Hall, Saturday evening, December 16, 1876.

Worshipful Master: Clinton Robert Mitchell.

Senior Warden: Kendall Frank Smith.

Junior Warden: James Benedict.

Treasurer: Charles Raymond Sipes.

Secretary: Harry Pearce Farrar.

Tyler: Rudolph Theodore Hoffmaster.

Senior Deacon: Cyrus McNeely Scott.

Junior Deacon: James Irvin Mitchell.

Senior Stewart: Sewell Peasley Channell.

Junior Stewart: Henry Bear Pruden.

Public installation will be conferred on the parties elected, at the First Presbyterian Church, on St. John’s Day, (Wednesday, December 27th), at 7 o’clock p.m. Members of the order are especially invited to be present. After installation, refreshments will be served. Tickets to supper, 75 cents each.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1877.

CHARLEY SIPES makes the best stove pipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 7, 1877.

If you have any of my tools, bring them back to C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877.

BUB has opened a gunsmith’s shop in with C. R. Sipes, and will repair all the shooting irons left with him.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877.

GUNSMITH. You will find me at C. R. Sipes’ store ready at all times to repair guns, sewing machines, door locks, file saws, and will do all kinds of machine work. Have had thirty years experience. JOHN R. BUB.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 21, 1877.

TWENTY-SIX BUILDINGS UNDER WAY.

A BUILDING ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED A FEW WEEKS AGO, and entered into by twelve parties, agreeing to build a house each. Since then fourteen more have declared their intention to build. The original twelve were:

S. P. Channell, W. M. Sleeth, A. A. Newman, L. H. Gardner, O. P. Houghton, Gardner Mott, H. P. Farrar, Silas Parker, J. L. Huey, C. R. Sipes, R. C. Haywood, James Wilson. The additional fourteen are: J. C. McMullen, Thomas Baird, J. Dodwell, Mrs. Dean, C. C. Wolf, E. J. Fitch, Mr. Ray, Wm. Speers, T. A. Gaskill, D. Logan, J. T. Shepard, Kendall Smith, Jas. Benedict, David Finney.

Mr. Gaskill has his house almost enclosed, and the foundations and preparations are being made for several others.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 19, 1877.

MASONIC.

The following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year, of Crescent Lodge No. 133, A. F. and A. M., at their hall in Newman’s block, on Saturday evening, Dec. 15.

Worshipful Master: Clinton Robert Mitchell.

Senior Warden: Orin C. Smith.

Junior Warden: Sewell Peasley Channell.

Treasurer: Charles R. Sipes.

Secretary: Isaac H. Bonsall.

Tyler: Steven C. Wintin.

The following officers were appointed by the Worshipful Master, on Tuesday evening following.

Senior Deacon: James Benedict.

Junior Deacon: Harry Pearce Farrar.

Senior Stewart: Henry Bear Pruden.

Junior Stewart: William J. Stewart.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 9, 1878.

Last Friday was the 29th birthday of C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 16, 1878.

SOCIAL DANCE.

One of the most pleasant parties of the winter was held at Newman’s hall on Monday evening, under the direction of two or three good citizens of this place. Music was furnished by C. R. Sipes, James Steiner, and Ret Berkey, and the floor managed by I. H. Bonsall and S. P. Channell. A good number were present, and the company enjoyed themselves exceedingly. It was the best selected audience we have seen in Arkansas City since the good old days of long ago, and the secret of it was there was no distinction made on account of surrounding circumstances. A similar party once every two weeks would add greatly to the social enjoyment of the place.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 23, 1878.

Take your guns and pistols to Sipes and have them repaired.

Who wants to trade cord wood for a heating stove? C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 13, 1878.

WHO WANTS TO TRADE a No. 1 saddle pony or horse for a brand new sewing machine—Singer or Domestic? C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 13, 1878.

STOVES & TINWARE.

C. R. SIPES,

ARKANSAS CITY, KAS.

St. Louis and Leavenworth Stoves,

Fine stock of pressed Japanned and Porcelain ware. Sewing machines, door locks and guns repaired. Stencil plates cut to order.

IRON PUMPS AND LEAD PIPE.

Roofing and all kinds of

JOB WORK

Done on short notice and warranted.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 20, 1878.

C. R. SIPES will have one of Walter A. Wood’s self-binding harvesters here this week. It’s a novelty. Costs $310.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1878.

READ C. R. Sipes’ advertisement if you want to know what that machine is in front of his store.

AD: THE WALTER A. WOOD SELF-BINDING HARVESTER.

Manufactured by the Walter A. Wood Mowing & Reaping Machine Co., Hoosick Falls, N. Y. / J. E. Haner & Co., General Southwestern Agents, Saint Louis, Mo.

The Walter A. Wood Self-Binding Harvester is the accredited head of the whole Harvesting Machine family, and its superior strength, durability, ease of management, style of finish, and capacity for harvesting and binding grain, in a superior manner, is acknowledged.

AD LISTS FOUR MORE WALTER A. WOOD SELF-BINDING HARVESTER ITEMS PLAYING UP ALL THE MACHINE CAN DO!

FOR SALE BY C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 3, 1878.

The election of city officers took place last Monday with the following result.

MAYOR: JAMES BENEDICT, 61; W. M. SLEETH, 37.

COUNCILMEN: J. T. SHEPARD, 63; WM. SPEERS, 59; THOS. BERRY, 63; C. R. SIPES, 58; I. H. BONSALL, 61; S. P. CHANNELL, 40; A. A. NEWMAN, 37; H. P. FARRAR, 37; E. D. EDDY, 37; T. H. McLAUGHLIN, 40.

POLICE JUDGE: JAMES CHRISTIAN, 84; TIMOTHY McINTIRE, 12.

Total number of votes cast: 98.

It is generally supposed that the officers elected will favor granting a saloon license on a proper petition.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 1, 1878.

The harvest of wheat will begin in three weeks. Already Channell, Benedict, and Sipes are sending the machines on to do the work.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 8, 1878.

New City Council.

The new City Council met on Monday, April 29th, and organized by appointing the following committees and officers.

Committee on Finance:

J. T. Shepard, Chairman.

I. H. Bonsall.

T. E. Berry.

Committee on Ways and Means:

C. R. Sipes, Chairman.

W. H. Speers.

T. E. Berry.

Committee on Public Improvements:

J. T. Shepard, Chairman.

C. R. Sipes.

W. H. Speers.

Committee on Ordinances:

I. H. Bonsall, Chairman.

J. T. Shepard.

T. E. Berry.

James Morgan was appointed marshal and street commissioner, and I. H. Bonsall, city clerk.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 14, 1878.

FOR SALE. One gray mare, 4 years old, will work double or single; also a buggy and single harness. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 11, 1878.

Peach and Apple Parers.

C. R. Sipes has another lot of R. P. Scott’s Rotary Peach Parers, that will pare a peach as fast as two persons can seed them. Price, $1.50.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 5, 1879.

If you are in want of a new cook stove, come to Arkansas City to purchase it. Benedict Bros. and C. R. Sipes have stoves with all the modern improvements that will please the eye of the house-wife, while their fuel consuming properties have some compassion for a man’s pocketbook.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 2, 1879.

BORN. At Arkansas City, March 31st, to C. R. Sipes and wife, a son. Charley set up the cigars all around.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 9, 1879.

Charter Oak and other Stoves—More of them, and cheaper than ever before sold in Cowley County, at C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 9, 1879.

Lieutenant Cushman’s Dance.

The finest gathering of people witnessed for many years assembled at the grove on the Walnut last night, in response to a general invitation from Lieut. Cushman to enjoy the hospitalities of the soldiers in a moonlight hop.

Owing to the disturbance in the morning, by which a decrepit Indian was sent to the happy hunting grounds, the Lieutenant feared the people would be backward about turning out, and, for a while, almost abandoned the scheme, but our citizens were in a humor to dance, and before 9 o’clock some 200 of them were on the ground.

A platform seventy feet in length had been built, with seats on three sides, and a raised platform for the musicians. Overhead hung three rows of Chinese lanterns, furnishing ample light, and a dressing room had been provided for the convenience of the ladies.

The dancing commenced at 9 o’clock, and for seven hours over one hundred of the lovers of the mazy kept time to the best of music, furnished by Messrs. Sipes, Speers, Steiner, and Balcom, refreshing themselves with ice cream, cake, and lemonade, supplied by Mr. Maricle. The sum of fifty cents a number was charged, merely to help defray the expenses.

It was a decided success, and all join in pronouncing it the most enjoyable affair of the year, and in returning thanks to the Lieutenant and detachment for the perfect order maintained throughout. Those who failed to attend can only regret their action, and hold themselves in readiness to attend the next one, which will probably be given in two weeks time, and to which we invite our Winfield friends.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 27, 1879.

We received a pleasant call from Mr. John Strain, of Emporia, last Saturday. Mr. Strain was one of the original town company of Arkansas City, but sold his shares to C. R. Sipes, and for the past eight years has been farming at his present home, some three miles from Emporia. He still owns a number of lots in this city, however, and the coming of the railroad caused him to pay us a visit in order to look up his interests at this place.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 1, 1879.

Charles Sipes is manufacturing tinware for the Kaw trader. His work, everywhere, gives satisfaction.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 12, 1879.

Bankrupt Stock of Stoves.

I can sell you a heating stove cheaper than any stove dealer in Cowley County for cash or will trade for wood. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 3, 1879.

A new bakery is being erected on Fifth Avenue by parties from Newton. They leased a lot from Charles Sipes, and the situation is a good one.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, December 24, 1879.

The officers elected for the coming year of Cresswell Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 133, are:

W. M.: James Benedict.

Senior Warden: James Ridenour.

Junior Warden: Charles Parker.

Senior Deacon: James I. Mitchell.

Junior Deacon: Edwin R. Thompson.

Treasurer: Harry P. Farrar.

Secretary: Isaac H. Bonsall.

Tyler: Cyrus M. Scott.

Senior Stewart: Charles R. Sipes.

Junior Stewart: James C. Topliff.

Organist: William D. Mowry.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 21, 1880.

Mr. O’Harrow, of Albion, New York, cousin of C. R. Sipes, is here on a visit of inspection, and expresses himself as well pleased with the new West.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 7, 1880.

Mr. Sipes has the foundation laid for an addition to his residence on the east side of town.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 14, 1880.

Mr. Sipes’ little son is quite sick with measles.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 12, 1880.

OLD IRON wanted at C. R. Sipes’s.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 26, 1880.

Eddy’s old building is on its road to occupy the site of the millinery store just north of C. R. Sipes’ stove and tinware establishment.

Eddy’s drug store, in his new brick building, is one of the best looking and well appointed drug establishments to be met with in the west.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 26, 1880.

Boon Hartsock has now his appliances for moving buildings in good shape, and inaugurated his new departure last Thursday by moving his house on C. R. Sipes’ corner, one block north to the west side of Summit street.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 23, 1880.

The building on the corner opposite the Central Avenue Hotel is being fitted up in good shape, and will soon be occupied by C. R. Sipes as a stove and tinware store with workshops in the rear.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 14, 1880.

Please Return the tape lines and tools you have borrowed from me. C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 21, 1880.

Mr. T. C. Warren has opened a harness and saddlery store in the building formerly occupied by C. R. Sipes, and is prepared to do all kinds of work in his line. Mr. Warren is a number one workman, and intends to make a specialty of manufacturing fine work himself, as well as having in stock everything usually kept in a first-class harness store. His advertisement will be found in another column. If you need anything in the strap line, call and see him.

AD. T. C. WARREN, Manufacturer of and dealer in HARNESS, SADDLES, ETC.

A full line of bridles, whips, halters, horse covers, fly nets, brushes, combs, etc., always on hand.

Fine work of every description furnished, and special attention given to repairing. All work warranted. Shop in C. R. Sipes’ old stand.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 21, 1880.

A petition was circulated and signed by nearly every businessman and taxpayer of Arkansas City last week, praying that the mayor and council allow no more wooden sidewalks put down, but that stone shall be used instead. At the meeting last Friday the question came up as to whether Mr. Sipes should have the privilege of putting down wooden sidewalks on his lots on Summit street and Fourth avenue. It would seem that the council had granted him the privilege of using wood, on condition that it be done within a specified time, which time had gone by.

When put to a vote, there was a tie: Messrs. Benedict and Kellogg voting for wood, and Messrs. Matlack and Rexford for stone, which left it to the mayor, who decided in favor of stone. Though stone costs more, it is the right kind of a sidewalk to have, and should be used. The action of the mayor in this matter has given general satisfaction.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 22, 1880.

Miss Ogden, of Saginaw, Michigan, is staying in the city upon a visit to her sister, Mrs. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 22, 1880.

A social gathering of a few of the old settlers was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Sipes, on last Friday evening, to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the marriage of the host and hostess. Quite a jolly time was had in discussing the days and doings of “auld lang syne,” and the changes wrought by the hand of Father Time. Congratulations, of course, were in order, and although unable to be present at the time, we take this opportunity of wishing them a continuance of that joy which has shed its influence upon their united lives for the past nine years.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 22, 1880.

Number One Milk cow for sale by C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 22, 1880.

FOR SALE CHEAP. A good work horse and buggy by C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 8, 1880.

Our Presbyterian ladies deserve great credit for the delightful social held at the residence of Mrs. C. R. Sipes on Tuesday evening of last week. There was a larger turn-out than heretofore, which we hope to see repeated at least every two weeks during the winter season.

Excerpt...

Arkansas City Traveler, May 25, 1881.

IT IS TOWN TALK

That for Hardware, Tinware, Stoves, etc., Howard Bros. and C. R. Sipes keep the lead.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 22, 1881.

Mr. W. H. Griffith, with C. R. Sipes, we understand has received a proposition to work in Winfield, but has refused the same, preferring to perfect himself in his trade under his present employer. We would be sorry to lose Will, who is one of our model young men, as well as a jolly fellow generally.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 27, 1881.

C. R. Sipes has four pear trees, upon his residence here, which are now laden with luscious fruit.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 3, 1881.

C. R. Sipes is putting up a large water tank for Searing & Mead, of the Walnut mills.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 10, 1881.

The Democrat office removed to its new quarters in the building next to C. R. Sipes, on Summit Street, last Monday.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 10, 1881.

C. R. Sipes has just completed a large water tank for Messrs. Searing & Mead, of the Walnut Mills. It is 7-1/2 by 8-1/2 feet and 3 feet in height, and its holding capacity is about 40 barrels.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 7, 1881.

A dance was held at the Central Avenue Hotel last Friday evening in honor of Miss Julia Deming, of Wichita, who is now in the city, a guest of Miss Mattie Mitchell. Among the happy throng we noticed the following ladies and gentlemen.

Misses Julia Deming, Mattie Mitchell, Kate Hawkins, Lucy Walton, Mary Parker, Belle Cassell, Lizzie Wyckoff, Susey Hunt, Alma Dixon, Lilly Chamberlain, Ella Bowers, ____ Wouzo, Effie Tate, Mrs. R. A. Houghton, Mrs. C. R. Sipes, Messrs. S. D. Longsdorff, W. Cline, R. P. Hutchins, Chas. Hutchins, C. Swarts, ____ Ellis, A. H. Fitch, M. B. Vawter, C. C. France, C. Holland, C. M. Swarts, Chas. Swarts, C. R. Sipes, R. A. Houghton, J. Vawter, Ollie Stevenson, F. Farrar, and J. Kroenert, who merrily chased old Father Time till past the midnight hour.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 14, 1881.

Mr. C. R. Sipes is absent at Topeka, taking in the State Fair.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 28, 1881.

Our State Fair.

The State Fair held at Topeka was a complete success, and the crowds of people that gathered there was wonderful—the number on the grounds being estimated at near sixty thousand. They had the finest showing of horses, cattle, swine, etc., ever exhibited in the State. Horses valued at $10,000 and more were frequently to be seen, and cattle, brought in from Illinois and other States, were such as were never before seen in Kansas. Sheep, hogs, and all kinds of poultry filled the stalls made for them, making the sight a rare one. It seemed as though the whole State turned out, every section being represented. Shortly after our arrival we were introduced to Capt. Nipp, passed in the gates as a reporter of the TRAVELER, walking arm in arm with Marshal Sinnott, representing the Democrat. As neither of the two publishers of the two papers knew they were represented, we were led to remark: “How’s this?” Capt. Ed. Haight, with the Winfield Battery and two large cannons, made themselves heard, and shook the glass of the Capitol, while Capt. Steuven of the Infantry Company, from the same place, made an excellent display in the parade. Among the crowd we met Rev. Fleming, always on hand when there is anything going on, and Capt. Bird, A. A. Davis, Chas. Sipes, and many others.

Twenty-six Cheyenne and Arapahos represented the Indian Territory, under charge of Mr. O. J. Woodard, of Cheyenne Agency, and Capt. C. M. Scott, of this place. It was a treat for the wild tribes, if their actions indicated anything, for they made the night air ring with their war hoops and “Ki-yes,” much to the amusement of the many spectators who flocked every day to see them.

Were we to attempt a detailed account of the exhibition, it would prove tedious, as it had to be seen to be appreciated. Every available sleeping place was taken before half the crowd got there, and many had to camp on the grounds. The sham battle, Old Soldiers’ Reunion, and the twenty mile race, by Miss Curtis and Miss Pinneo, were probably the main attractions.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 12, 1881.

New stoves at C. R. Sipes’. He has received a large lot, but first come first served, you know.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 8, 1882.

A. O. U. W.

A Lodge of A. O. U. W., consisting of forty members, was organized last week in this city by J. F. McMullen and B. M. Legg, of Winfield. The following officers were elected.

Past M. W.: James Benedict.

M. N.: Capt. O. S. Rarick.

Foreman: Archie Dunn.

Overseer: J. G. Sheldon.

Financier: W. M. Blakeney.

Receiver: W. E. Chenoweth.

Recorder: B. W. Matlack.

O. G.: H. R. Robinson.

I. G.: G. H. McIntire.

Guide: A. W. Patterson.

Trustees: A. A. Davis, J. C. Pickering, and C. R. Sipes.

Medical Examiners: H. D. Kellogg, J. T. Shepard.

Meets every Friday evening, at the Masonic Hall, until further arrangements.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1882.

We call attention to the new “ad” of Messrs. Wolfe & Harnly, who have just opened out a large and well assorted stock of parlor, kitchen, and office furniture in the building just south of C. R. Sipes’s tin shop. These gentlemen are practical mechanics and will we doubt not make a success of their undertaking.

AD: WOLFE & HARNLY’S

NEW FURNITURE STORE,

ONE DOOR SOUTH OF C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1882.

Wanted a Horse, not over 7 years old, to drive single by C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1882.

One of the latest improvements upon Summit St. is the awning that now adorns C. R. Sipes’ stove and tin-ware establishment.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1882.

There will be a cake and coffee social held at the residence of Mr. C. R. Sipes this evening. Strangers are specially invited to attend. Come one and all.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1882.

Fire Backs for all kinds and sizes of Cook Stoves at C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1882.

Cooking on an oil stove will be practically demonstrated at C. R. Sipes’ store this afternoon. Ladies, call and see for yourselves.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1882.

Judging from the appearance of C. R. Sipes’ and G. W. Miller’s store rooms, the old fashioned stoves will take a back seat this summer and give place to oil and gasoline stoves. A decided change for the better.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1882.

At the meeting of the Highland Hall Company, last Wednesday, the matter of location came before the meeting, and the votes were largely in favor of having the building located on the two lots between the meat market and L. Small’s grocery on East Summit St. One of the lots is now occupied by Stedman Bro’s. Hardware Store. We understand some desire has been manifested to make a trade of the site selected, in favor of the two corner lots in the same block, now occupied by C. R. Sipes’ building, but nothing of this matter has, as yet, been officially brought before the stockholders of the Highland Hall Company.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 12, 1882.

SAY!

Before buying any patent tin washing machines, come and see what kind I have. You can save money by so doing. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 19, 1882.

Miss Mary Parker, who, for several months past, has been visiting with Mrs. C. R. Sipes, in this city, leaves today for her home in Michigan. Miss Parker by her amiability and true womanliness has gained the esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who while sorry to lose her from the social circle yet hope that prosperity and happiness may ever attend her. She will be accompanied on the journey by Mrs. C. R. Sipes, who with her two children intend visiting relatives and former friends at Saginaw, Michigan.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 26, 1882.

We understand that C. R. Sipes intends putting in a stock of general hardware.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 27, 1882.

Charlie Sipes has sold during the past canning season 108 gross of fruit cans representing a total of 13,552 [? 15,552 ?] cans.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1882.

Mrs. C. R. Sipes with her son and daughter returned to their home in this city last Friday. They have been spending the summer with relations in the East.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1882.

The display of heating stoves are the most prominent feature of C. R. Sipes’ and Geo. W. Miller’s stores these days.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 11, 1882.

HEATING STOVES.

Fine Base Burners.

Fancy Coal Heaters.

Elegant Stoves for Wood or Coal.

In fact, a first-class of assortment generally. Come and see my stock.

C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 25, 1882.

We regret to state that C. R. Sipes was precipitated from the roof of G. Mott’s new house last Monday by the breaking of a rafter. In the fall the unfortunate gentleman was badly bruised, but we hope not permanently injured.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 22, 1882.

It was good to be There.

We have never looked upon a more cheerful, elegant, or inspiring a tableau than was presented to our vision at the Central Avenue House last Friday evening, at the social given by the ladies of the First Presbyterian church.

The tables were most charmingly decorated with flowers and vines of every description, through the luxuriant foliage of which the snowy whiteness of innumerable cakes, piles upon piles of turkey, and other delicacies too numerous to even think about, shone in bewildering profusion added to which the bevy of fair ladies flitting from table to table, dispensing the steaming oysters, formed a picture calculated to stir the soul of the veriest epicure living. It was a glorious affair, the oysters especially being first-class, and under the deft manipulation of Mrs. H. T. Stewart and Mrs. C. R. Sipes were cooked to perfection and could not have been put upon the table in better shape by Delmonico himself. Everything was lovely, a beautiful evening, a large attendance, and consequently a splendid time was had. The supplies had been so liberally provided and so much remained at the close of the social that it was decided to give a dinner at the same place the following day, and due notice having been given, a repast fit for a king was the result, to which simple justice was done by our people who attended in force. Great credit is due the ladies for their arduous work, which was the means of netting ninety dollars for their church.

Of the social and dinner we can safely say, “It was good to be there,” and think all who participated will endorse this statement.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 27, 1882.

I will sell you a heating stove cheaper than those who advertise to sell at cost.

C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 10, 1883.

Arkansas City Lodge, No. 89 [?], A. O. U. W.

Archie Dunn, Master Workman; W. J. Gamel, Foreman; I. H. Bonsall, Overseer; M. N. Sinnott, Recorder; Wm. Blakeney, Financier; C. R. Sipes, Treas.; H. D. Kellogg, Med. Ex.; H. S. Ford, Guide; A. A. Davis, I. W.; Gardener Mott, O. W.; A. A. Davis, Trustee; O. S. Rarick, Rep. G. L.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1883.

Sipes says he has the best Gasoline stove in town.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1883.

LOOK HERE!! If you want any of the following cheap you will find them at my store: Refrigerators, Ice Cream Freezers, Gasoline and Coal Oil Stoves. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 30, 1883.

The party that was to be a surprise to someone last week, and for which several ladies were making preparations, fell upon Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Sipes, on Friday evening in the form of a social gathering of young folks and party dance. The surprise was complete as well as the party, which was said to be one of the very best of the season.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 1, 1883.

BIDS WANTED. Persons wishing to put in bids for all or part of my store building can see the plans at my store after Thursday of this week. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1883.

The bill of lumber for C. R. Sipes’ new store room is now being put on the ground. It is furnished by the Chicago lumber yard.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1883.

We received an appreciated call from our stove and tinware man, C. R. Sipes, last week. Mr. Sipes said business was so brisk he couldn’t spare time to write letters, so ordered the TRAVELER sent to some of his Eastern friends.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 5, 1883.

The Ball.

The dance last evening at the Perry house was one of the grandest affairs of the season, and reflects great credit upon Mrs. C. R. Sipes and the Misses Chamberlain, Wright, and Gardiner, by whose energy and enterprise it was gotten up and carried to a successful issue. We hope that the dance of last evening and the general turnout of our people was but the first of a series of gatherings which will go far to enliven and render attractive the coming winter season, and certainly the lesson taught by the young ladies should be taken to heart by our young men, whom we hope will repay them in kind in the near future.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 17, 1883.

The little son of Mr. C. R. Sipes met with a very serious fall in Messrs. A. A. Newman & Co.’s store one day last week by falling on the stairs. The child’s nose was badly broken, but under the care of Dr. Chapel, the wound was sewn up and no permanent disfigurement we hope will result.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 12, 1883.

C. R. Sipes’ new store building is rapidly nearing completion.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 26, 1883.

C. R. Sipes is now occupying his new store room, and we congratulate him upon the appearance of the same.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 9, 1884.

Mr. Frank Austin has rented the rooms over C. R. Sipes’ store and as soon as they are completed, will occupy the same as a residence. We are glad to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Austin to our city and hope their stay with us may be full of social pleasure and business prosperity.

[NEW BUILDING: C. R. SIPES.]

Arkansas City Traveler, January 16, 1884.

Mr. C. R. Sipes, our enterprising stove and tinware merchant, is now comfortably fixed in his commodious new building, furnished on the most approved metropolitan plan. His new building is two stories high, 25 x 35 feet, with a warehouse in the rear, 40 feet long. Through the handsome plate glass front the passerby can see a countless number of stoves of all makes and designs, and a closer inspection would disclose a complete stock of stoves, tinware, coal oil and gasoline stoves, all sorts of house furnishing goods, bird cages, refrigerators, pumps of all kinds, and articles too numerous to mention. Mr. Sipes manufactures all kinds of tin, sheet iron, and copperware, and to give a general idea of the magnitude of his business we will state that he employs five men, who with himself are kept busy as bees turning out the orders for work. The second story of this building is divided into five compartments for offices, all desirable rooms. Charley has been with the town from the start, and by close attention to business has built up a trade requiring this change into larger quarters, whereat his many friends will rejoice and wish him continued prosperity.

Excerpt from a very long article...

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, February 16, 1884.

ARKANSAS CITY AND SURROUNDINGS.

Her Facilities for Manufactures and Inducements to Capitalists.

Her Live Businessmen.

STOVES AND TINWARE.

C. R. Sipes is one of the two merchants who first commenced business in Arkansas City. That was thirteen years ago, and he occupied his present site in a small room 16 x 20, in which he kept stoves, tinware, hardware, and agricultural implements. He now is situated differently, having erected within the past year a magnificent stone storeroom, brick front, two stories, 25 x 85 feet, in which he keeps the finest stock of stoves and tinware in the county. The means invested in tinware alone more than exceeds the funds invested in all four of his branches thirteen years ago. Even this structure is inadequate to meet his wants, and he is compelled to furnish himself with a warehouse in the rear of 40 feet in depth. He has gained success by earning it. His storeroom was built at a cost of $4,200, and is an elegant structure. He is a man upon whom you can rely thoroughly.

Arkansas City Republican, February 16, 1884.

C. R. SIPES, The Only Exclusive Store and Tin Shop in Cowley County. I keep the largest stock of stoves and the greatest variety.

In their season Gasoline and Coal Oil Stoves.

Also, Tin, Copper, Sheet-Iron, and Graniteware, Cistern pumps, Bird Cages, and everything usually found in a Stove and Tin store. I employ more tinners than any similar institution in the county, and am prepared to do any and ALL KINDS OF JOB WORK.

Special attention given COUNTRY WORK, such as Guttering, etc.

Please call if you have any work to do.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 12, 1884.

C. R. Sipes started last Monday for the East to lay in a new stock of hardware, which he proposes to put in with his already handsome stock of stoves and tinware.

Arkansas City Republican, March 29, 1884.

Our popular merchant, C. R. Sipes, returned last Monday from an extended trip east.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 9, 1884.

Ad. SAY! If you want to buy any Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Gasoline or Oil stoves, or anything in the House Furnishing line, or if you have any Tin Work to do, come and see me before placing your order. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 16, 1884.

C. R. Sipes’ new “ad” this week will be of incalculable benefit to parties in need of anything in his line.

AD. C. R. SIPES, -DEALER IN- HARDWARE. I keep the largest stock and greatest variety of Stoves and Ranges in the city. Cistern Pumps, Lead Pipe, Bird Cages, Refrigerators, Coal Oil Stoves, Gasoline Stoves, Dinner Pails, and Lunch Boxes—nine different styles. I employ more tinners than any shop in the county, and would like to do your work.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 16, 1884.

The new city council have appointed the following gentlemen to official positions for the ensuing year. City treasurer, C. R. Sipes; city clerk, James Benedict; street commissioner, ____ Stroup; marshal, Wm. Gray; water works commissioner, Ed. Malone.

[RAILROAD MEETING CONCERNING KANSAS CITY & SOUTHWESTERN.]

Arkansas City Republican, April 19, 1884.

A large number of the citizens of this township assembled at Highland Hall in this city last Tuesday evening to take action upon the proposition of the directors of the Kansas City and Southwestern railroad to run their road to this city, upon Creswell Township’s voting bonds for $35,000 of the capital stock of said road. Judge T. McIntire was elected chairman, and S. W. Duncan, secretary. Upon being requested James Hill stated the object of the meeting, and, with convincing arguments, he dwelt at length upon the advantages of the road to the township and the city. James N. Young, president of the railroad company, then read the proposition, and a motion was made to adopt it, upon which considerable argument was produced. Pending the discussion, C. R. Sipes offered as a substitute for the motion that Judge A. J. Pyburn, T. H. McLaughlin, Dr. H. D. Kellogg, M. N. Sinnott, G. W. Cunningham, and James Benedict be appointed a committee to confer with the directors of the railroad present, and examine the proposition submitted and report whether it was suitable to the wants of the township, and just, and legally binding. The substitute was adopted and the committee, after making some small changes in the proposition, reported favorably, whereupon the house on motion adopted the report of the committee, and passed the motion to adopt the proposition as amended by the committee.

On motion of James Hill the chair appointed T. H. McLaughlin, G. W. Cunningham, and J. L. Huey a committee to have the petitions printed and circulated for signers. The meeting then adjourned.

Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1884.

Friends. Please return the following you borrowed: 1 extension bit, 1 square, 1 shovel, 1 spade. C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Republican, May 17, 1884.

Charley Sipes means well, no doubt, but when he sent down the other day a whole oven of buns, he rather overdid the matter. All the parties about the house—except the editor—overfed themselves, and were inert for hours. We could probably have undergone this, had it not been for the fact that the lady who presides over our culinary department immediately demanded the price of one of those gasoline stoves upon which the dainties had been baked. We shall bravely withstand the demand, but a man’s appetite and a woman, generally get the better of him, and we suppose we shall have to succumb.

Arkansas City Republican, May 24, 1884.

Have you seen the mammoth sign painted by Ed. Ferguson, on the side of the second story of Charles Sipes’ new store?

Excerpt...

Arkansas City Republican, May 31, 1884.

The Baptist society of our city are building a new and commodious church on Central Avenue. The foundation and basement walls are nearly completed. The size of the building entire is 50 x 54 ft. Plans and specifications were furnished by Wm. Galt, architect, who is now residing in the city, and has an office in C. R. Sipes’ building. The society have three lots on the avenue, giving them eighty-four feet front. The cost of the building is $3,000, and when completed will be an ornament to our city, and offers another attraction to induce Baptists seeking homes in Kansas to settle here where they may enjoy the religious privileges they are accustomed to.

Excerpted from article pertaining to city council meeting...

Arkansas City Traveler, June 18, 1884.

Council Proceedings.

The council held an adjourned meeting last Monday night, Mayor Schiffbauer in the chair, and Councilmen Thompson, Fairclo, and Davis present.

The matter of C. R. Sipes, with reference to grading Fifth Street, was referred to the committee on streets and alleys.

Arkansas City Republican, June 21, 1884.

A new awning graces the front of C. R. Sipes’ building.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 25, 1884.

Sealed Proposals.

Sealed proposals will be received for a two story stone building 20 x 47 feet, either for the whole building or in part. Plans can be seen at my store. All bids must be in on or before June 28, 1884. C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 25, 1884.

For Sale.

A building one story 16 x 40. Will make a good shop. C. R. SIPES.

Excerpted from City Council meeting...

Arkansas City Traveler, July 9, 1884.

Council Proceedings.

TREASURER’S REPORT RECAP:

Total Receipts: $1,980.41

Disbursements: $ 992.69

BALANCE IN TREASURY: $1,006.72

C. R. SIPES, TREASURER.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 23, 1884.

For Sale. We call attention to the list of city lots offered for sale by C. R. Sipes, which will be found in another column. Many of them are quite desirable and parties desiring to purchase will do well to see Mr. Sipes without delay.

City Lots for Sale.

For sale cheap, the following lots in Arkansas City, title perfect:

Lots 17-18, block 2.

Lots 27-28, block 3.

Lots 19-20, block 6.

Lot 6, block 18.

Lots 29-30, block 25.

Lot 5, block 29.

Lot 16, block 30.

Lot 10, block 36.

Lot 26, block 60.

Lots 25-26, block 61.

Lot 25, block 62.

Lots 17, 18, 19, and 20, block 147.

Lot 12, block 73.

Lot 21, block 70.

Lot 17, block 77.

Lots 10-11, block 90.

Lot 5, block 97.

Lot 20, block 104.

Lots 9-10, block 105.

Lot 14, block 115.

Lot 11, block 128.

Lot 6, block 129.

Lots 23-24, block 136.

For further particulars, prices, etc., call on C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Republican, July 26, 1884.

C. R. Sipes has a fine new sign painted by G. M. Keller.

Excerpted from City Council meeting...

Arkansas City Traveler, August 6, 1884.

Council Proceedings.

Council met in regular session last Monday, August 4. Present: F. P. Schiffbauer, mayor; C. G. Thompson, T. Fairclo, and A. A. Davis.

CITY TREASURER’S REPORT. TOTAL: $2,227.55

To balance report of July 8: $1,006.72

Cash received from tax fund: $370.00

From sidewalk fund: $495.71

Occupation tax and water rent: $485.12

Old scrip redeemed: $882.35

New scrip redeemed: 345.61

Balance: $999.59

Cash paid by Co. Treasurer (balance forwarded) $480.00

Same sinking fund: $1.35

BALANCE IN MY HANDS: $1,480.94

C. R. SIPES, Treasurer.

Arkansas City Republican, August 9, 1884.

Charley Sipes is building again. When he was on the corner, he imagined that a new stone building would exactly accommodate his wants, and so he built one. Lo! He was crowded worse than ever, and now he is compelled to erect a large brick addition to his stone storeroom. We believe the part building is about 20 feet wide by 30 feet long and will be two stories in height. The lower story will be used for a workshop and the upper for a storage room. We would almost warrant that when the new portion is finished, that his stock will fill it as completely as heretofore.

Arkansas City Republican, August 30, 1884.

Geo. Baugh will take a position in C. R. Sipes’ hardware store, commencing September 1st.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 3, 1884.

Charley Sipes, the veteran store and tinware man, is still booming. He is now putting up; in fact, has nearly completed, a handsome brick workshop at the rear of his store. Good.

Arkansas City Republican, September 13, 1884.

C. R. Sipes has sold 60 gross of fruit cans so far this season.

Arkansas City Republican, September 13, 1884.

FROM OLD “KAINTUCK!”

202 Excursionists Arrive in the Gates City on Thursday’s Train

from Hustonville, Kentucky.

They Fill Our Three Large Hotels Full, and Some are Compelled

to Seek Lodging at Private Houses.

A Gala Day for the Real Estate Firm of Kellogg, Matlack & Howard.

—-

THE SIGHT-SEERS AND HOME SEEKERS.

Several weeks ago the real estate firm of Kellogg, Matlack & Howard decided to run an excursion train from Hustonville, Kentucky, to Arkansas City. Accordingly about the 12th of last month J. L. Howard took his departure for the point named above, and after three weeks of hard labor succeeded in inducing in the neighborhood of 420 excursionists to come to the sunny land of Kansas. Some dropped off at different points along the road, but will in all probability come on to Arkansas City in a few days. The excursion train started from Hustonville Tuesday noon, and arrived here Thursday noon, a distance of 1,200 miles. No accident occurred along the way by which the pleasure of the excursionists was marred, and when they arrived in Arkansas City, they were as jovial a body of visitors as we have ever seen. Tired and dusty, the 202 excursionists came marching up from the Santa Fe depot with Mr. Howard heading the van. The procession extended from the corner of the Leland Hotel to C. R. Sipes’ residence. The denizens of Arkansas City were so surprised at the large number of the excursionists that they turned out en masse to behold them. The landlords of the respective hotels were awe-stricken, but nevertheless they all wore smiles of satisfaction. The first afternoon and evening were spent in looking over Arkansas City. On Friday a large number visited the much talked of Indian Territory on a hunting expedition, but several who were more anxious to become settled in their new quarters, kept Kellogg, Matlack & Howard busy fitting them out with houses. The price of the excursion ticket ranged from $5 to $9, round trip. The low rate was due to other railway lines competing with the O. & M.

NOTES.

The Kentucky excursionists were handsomely entertained at the Chilocco school yesterday.

B. W. Matlack came down from Winfield Thursday to assist in entertaining the excursionists.

Col. Dry and family came with the excursion party. Col. Dry, it will be remembered, was here several weeks ago, prospecting and purchasing land.

A number of our bourbon visitors brought their families along with them. The politeness of the unmarried partners of the real estate firm of Kellogg, Matlack & Howard toward the ladies is seemingly wonderful.

Kroenert & Austin showed a delegation of the Kentuckian excursionists through the Diamond Front. They compared prices with those in the corn cracker state and found Kansas prices lower on a great many kinds of groceries. They are all very much pleased with the courtesies extended to them by our citizens and especially our merchants.

Arkansas City Republican, September 13, 1884.

Thursday we called on C. R. Sipes. We found Mr. Sipes astride of a box leaning over a grindstone sharpening a butcher’s knife. His workshop is nearly completed, and he is now moving into it. The basement and upper story will be used as storage rooms. His main room is now more tastily arranged than ever. We enjoyed a ride from basement to roof on the new elevator put in the workshop by Park & Lewis. It works like a charm.

Arkansas City Republican, October 4, 1884.

C. R. Sipes and T. Jerome were in the territory the first of the week looking up cattle ranges.

Arkansas City Republican, October 11, 1884.

A jolly part of eleven, consisting of Mrs. C. R. Sipes, Miss May Hendricks, Mrs. Frank Beall, Mrs. Wm. Benedict, Mrs. E. Wineder, the little Misses Hattie Sipes and Cora Wineder, Henry Mowry, T. Jerome, J. H. Hilliard, and dog, Carlo, visited the territory Friday and Saturday on a pleasure trip. Mrs. Sipes says she killed an innumerable number of prairie chickens. She must indeed be a mighty nimrod.

Arkansas City Republican, November 22, 1884.

We doubt if there is such another merry crowd as Mrs. C. R. Sipes, Mrs. J. W. Heck, Mrs. Geo. Heitkam, Miss Jennie Lowry, Miss Edith Heitkam, and Miss Lizzie Gatwood, when all together, in Arkansas City. Saturday evening they secured the Border Band and called on the many new married couples of our town, treating them to a splendid serenade. The junior editor of the REPUBLICAN and his wife acknowledge a visit from them and enjoyed the sweet music discoursed by the band hugely, as well as the warm congratulations from the above ladies. Although arriving at the door of our palatial mansion at about the time we were preparing to dispense with the services of our tallow candle, our latch string was still on the outside. We hope they will come again, for wherever that jolly crowd goes, there will always be found golden gleams of sunshine. The residences of C. C. Sollitt and Calvin Dean were also visited. [JUNIOR EDITOR: R. C. HOWARD.]

Arkansas City Traveler, November 19, 1884.

C. R. Sipes has just finished a large contract for the Ohio Live Stock Association at Maple City.

Arkansas City Republican, December 6, 1884.

C. R. Sipes returned thanks Thursday of last week by erecting a neat newly painted sign telling of his whereabouts.

Arkansas City Republican, December 27, 1884.

HARDWARE.

Stoves, Tinware! And everything usually kept in a first-class store.

Gasoline Stoves!

FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS.

I have the only perfect Gasoline Stove made. I employ more tinners than any similar institution in the county, and if you have any tin work to do and want it done quick, call on me. I keep a HORSE AND WAGON Especially for country work. Respectfully,

C. R. SIPES.

Arkansas City Republican, January 3, 1885.

A private circulating library is being formed by ten of Arkansas City’s literary people. The members of the society subscribe for different magazines and have headquarters at Eddy’s drug store. From there the magazines will be taken by the members desiring to read, and returned. Dr. Sparks, T. H. McLaughlin, E. D. Eddy, Dr. J. A. Mitchell, C. R. Sipes, T. J. Sweeney, J. L. Huey, Mrs. H. P. Farrar, Rev. J. O. Campbell, C. H. Searing, and others have already joined this literary band.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 7, 1885.

The Episcopal ladies were overrun, New Year’s afternoon, with visitors, who came to enjoy their hospitality—which is renowned in Arkansas City. The names of the ladies who received were:

Mrs. W. E. Gooch, Mrs. R. E. Grubbs, Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. M. S. Hasie, Mrs. Frank Beall, Mrs. John Landes, Mrs. J. H. Hilliard, Mrs. A. J. Chapel, Miss Jennie Peterson, Misses Hasie, Etta Barnett, Mame Stineman, Minnie Stewart.

The names of the principal callers we append below.

Maj. M. S. Hasie, Mr. Nicholson, I. H. Bonsall, Dr. H. D. Kellogg, T. S. Moorhead, Dr. J. A. Mitchell, A. D. Hawk, Rev. J. O. Campbell, J. H. Hilliard, Chas. Chapel, Phil. L. Snyder, Ed. L. Kingsbury, Lute V. Coombs, Leavitt Coburn, Frank M. Grosscup, Richard L. Howard, B. E. Grubbs, S. Matlack, C. Mead, John Kroenert, Sam P. Gould, Dr. A. J. Chapel, Wyard E. Gooch, Dr. G. H. J. Hart, C. H. Searing, G. W. Cunningham, F. P. Schiffbauer, Charles Schiffbauer, O. Ingersoll, Sam Wile, Al. Levy, Frank Beall, C. R. Sipes, R. C. Multer.

The ladies received royally, and a royal attendance was the result.

Excerpted from meeting of city council...

Arkansas City Traveler, January 7, 1885.

Our City Dads.

COUNCIL ROOM, January 5, 1885.

Present: F. P. Schiffbauer, Mayor, and O. S. Rarick, T. Fairclo, A. A. Davis, councilmen.

The following bills were allowed.

A. A. Newman & Co.: $1.40

W. L. Aldridge & Co.: $13.60

Benedict & Owen: $8.35

James Moore: $12.75

James Hill: $18.39

C. R. Sipes: $2.35

James Hill was found indebted for boat and cable $40, and paid the balance $21.01 to Judge Kreamer.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 14, 1885.

C. R. Sipes is always up to the times. This time he has placed in his store, and connecting with the work shop in the rear, a speaking tube. We stopped in and called the bashful foreman, Will Griffith, the other morning and listened to his feeble voice for a few minutes. This is quite an improvement, and saves a good many steps in the course of a month.

Excerpted from an article pertaining to Arkansas City growth...

Arkansas City Traveler, January 14, 1885.

THE CANAL CITY AS SHE WAS.

A Marvel of Growth, Energy, Enterprise, and Stick-to-itive-ness.

The first building put up on Summit street was erected for C. R. Sipes. It was 16 x 20, and on the site he now occupies. He put in a stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, iron, and agricultural implements. The store boasted of a proprietor, a salesman, a tinner, and man of all work. Charles was all of them. He put in a stock worth about $1,500, hauled from Emporia, 125 miles, and paid $1.50 per hundred pounds, or about 20 percent, for getting them here. He next traded a pony for enough lumber to make an addition of 20 feet more, making his store room 16 x 40 ft., a truly mammoth structure. This was in the fall of 1870. He now began to manufacture his own tinware instead of buying it. In the spring he put on another addition of 16 feet, and the citizens “pointed with pride” to its metropolitan proportions. Charles sold the first year he was in business about $3,000 worth of goods.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 21, 1885.

We see some of our neighboring towns making loud brags about the amount of improvements made in their respective localities. We are candid in saying that it is impossible to ascertain the amount of improvements made here in the last year. The number of dwellings amounted at the very least to 250. We will put them at a very low estimate, $500 each. This makes $125,000. Then we have the Commercial and Hasie Blocks, $75,000; the Cowley County Bank, $25,000, the new schoolhouse, $10,000; the Houghton Block, $7,500; the Mason building, $2,000; Sipes’ block, $7,500; H. P. Farrar, $5,000; addition to the building occupied by Wyckoff & Son, $2,000; Baptist Church, $3,000; Christian Church, $2,500; Free Methodist Church, $1,000; Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, repairs, $1,500; W. M. Blakeney, $1,500; Leland Hotel, $4,000; Newman, building block 69, $1,000; Arkansas City Building Association, $5,000; Skating Rink, $1,500; J. H. Punshon, $1,000; D. W. Stevens and L. Eldridge, $1,000; Beecher & Co. and McLaughlin Bros., $1,500; J. H. Hilliard, $1,000; Thompson & Woodin, $1,000; Chambers, $1,000; J. Alexander, $1,500; Ayres’ Mill and Landes, Beall & Co., improvements, $1,000; DeBruce, $1,000; Park & Lewis and W. M. Rose, $1,000; Kroenert & Austin and Stedman Bros., $1,000; A. Harly, $1,000.

These, which we recall on the spur of the moment, foot up nearly three hundred thousand dollars. We are confident that we are not exaggerating when we place the amount above five hundred thousand dollars, which shows a fair gain for our thriving little city.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 21, 1885.

Ye local, while calmly promenading on the streets last Monday evening was suddenly and rudely awakened “from a small dream of peace,” by an unearthly racket, a confusing commotion.

Making up his mind to trace up the unwonted confusion, he traversed the alley and located it in the rear of C. R. Sipes’ hardware store. Stuffing his ears with cotton, he slowly neared the place of an apparently deadly conflict between a muley cow with four bells and a hornet’s nest. Suddenly opening the door, he courageously leaped into the midst of the melee. He discovered Will Griffith, with eyes distended, blowing for dear life in a tin thing; Joe Hoyt making a similar tin arrangement squeal in agony; Ollie Stevenson, with cheeks distended as though he had a mouthful of hot mush, was trying to roust the whole crowd at one blast; Mike Kitchen, too, putting in his little horn, while Anderson, Grimes, Willett, Breene, and Speers were making futile attempts to fly by blowing their insides out; and last, but, or horrors! By no means the least, Horace McConn was expending his jaybird strength in pounding a tough beefsteak and threatened to route the whole caboodle.

Having expended all their strength in the first attack, they paused long enough to inform the astonished local that it was the Border Band practicing. He immediately proceeded in search of the night watch, which, as yet, he has been unable to find.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 21, 1885.

Councilmen.

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

FIRST WARD.

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

SECOND WARD.

T. H. McLaughlin, C. R. Sipes, L. E. Woodin, A. V. Alexander, Ira Barnett.

THIRD WARD.

A. D. Prescott, C. G. Thompson, J. B. Hilliard, C. H. Searing, S. Matlack, G. W. Cunningham, James Benedict.

FOURTH WARD.

A. A. Davis, John Daniels, J. W. Oldham, G. W. Miller, T. A. Gaskill.

It is of course unnecessary to say that this is an office that will seek the man; not the man the office. What we need is a council composed of such men as will devote some of their time and ability, without any hope of reward, except an approving conscience. We need men of ability and business integrity, who have made a success for themselves and are thus qualified to legislate for the good of the community. Our citizens will doubtless make a wise choice.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 28, 1885.

AFTER MANY DAYS.

This is a parable.

A way in the dim past about A. D. 1875 Wellington wanted to have a way up Fourth of July celebration, and imaging that Home musical talent was not the thing, applied for the Arkansas City band to discourse sweet music for them.

All arrangements were made for ten pieces, and the gentlemen who went to Wellington were as follows.

Messrs. E. B. And W. S. Thompson, Lyman Herrick, Rob and Tom Baird, C. R. Sipes, Frank Speers, Rit Berkey, C. Balcom, and Al. Wells. Several members of the band, proper, were absent, but after much skirmishing around nine musicians were found and the tenth piece was a dummy; or in other words, a make believe player with a silent horn. Everything went off serene, they got their pay and all was lovely.

Here comes the turn of the tune. Arkansas City wanted a way-up dance, tip top imported music, no home talent, you know, but something immense, and Wichita’s Italian Band kindly responded and agreed to ravish our souls with the thrilling strains of four pieces. They came, they played. It was good and everybody was pleased, but nevertheless we had our own medicine to take for the dummy was there sure enough with his little horn. History repeats itself and the moral of this is, patronize home institutions.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 11, 1885.

C. R. Sipes last week put into working order an incubator for C. C. Sollitt and John B. Walker. The lamp to this incubator is said to be the best used. It was presented to Mr. Sollitt by a friend of his. The lamp is made of copper, with a wick about three-fourths of an inch in length. Elevated above the lamp is a reservoir connected with the lamp by a tube. The manner of operating the lamp is to fill it with oil and the reservoir with water. The pressure of the water keeps the oil crowded to the top and thus makes the even heat so necessary to the artificial hatching of eggs. Above the lamp is a pan of water and it is from the heat of this water that the eggs are hatched. This is the improvement over the old way. It is necessary that the eggs should be more or less damp all the time and this water keeps them so, without having to remove the eggs to wet them, as was necessary by the old machines. We look for chickens to make a tumble now that Kit and Johnny are playing settin’ hops.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 18, 1885.

MAMMA HUBBARD.

The most successful of the season’s social events occurred last night at Highland Hall under the auspices of the Favorite Social Club. A large and select party of maskers were they, who glided about the hall in the many intricacies of the dance. A feast for the eyes was the many colors as they glided in and out in serpentine movements or moved along stately in massed colors. The beautiful costumes of the ladies, the grotesque and glaring ones of the gentlemen, called up scenes of oriental splendor and was soothing and calming while yet exciting to the lookers on. The names of those who were invited to the Ma Hubbard, were, so near as we could learn as follows.

C. H. Searing and wife, S. Matlack and wife, H. P. Farrar and wife, F. W. Farrar and wife, E. L. McDowell, W. D. Mowry and wife, C. C. Sollitt and wife, J. V. Hull, Frank Austin and wife, John Kroenert and wife, Al Heitkam, C. O. Harris, Dr. Westfall and wife, John B. Walker and wife, Matt Aldridge and wife, C. R. Sipes and wife, John Ingliss, Will Griffith, A. A. Newman and wife, Wyard Gooch and wife, L. N. Coburn, A. V. Alexander and wife, Dr. J. Vawter and wife, Geo. Schmidt, J. Landes and wife, Frank Beall and wife, C. G. Thompson and wife, J. H. Hilliard and wife, Joe Finkleburg, J. A. McIntyre and wife, E. L. Kingsbury, F. K. Grosscup, A. D. Ayres and wife, Thos. Kimmel and wife, Will Moore and wife, Ivan Robinson, J. C. Topliff, Will Thompson, R. E. Grubbs and wife, Chas. Schiffbauer and wife, L. H. Northey, O. Ingersoll and wife, Chas. Chapel, Lute Coombs, P. L. Snyder, J. W. Heck and wife, Frank Thompson, Sherman Tompson, W. A. Daniels, F. B. Willitts, Jerry Adams, Sept. Andrews, Will L. Aldridge, A. J. Pyburn, S. B. Reed, Dr. S. B. Parsons, Dr. M. B. Vawter, Dr. J. A. Mitchell, Isaac Ochs and wife, H. Nicholson, Frank Hutchison, R. P. Hutchison and wife, Herman Wyckoff, F. J. Sweeny and wife, J. L. Huey and wife, R. B. Norton, Chas. Hutchins and wife, Cal. Dean and wife, C. M. Scott and wife, Frank J. Hess and wife, R. U. Hess, R. L. Howard and wife, Dr. H. D. Kellogg and wife, H. P. Standley and wife, E. O. Stevenson and wife, H. H. Perry and wife, G. W. Cunningham and wife, J. G. Shelden and wife, Sam Wyle, Maj. M. S. Hasie and wife, Charles Hilliard, Tillie Crawford, J. W. Duncan, O. H. Fitch, James Ridenour and wife, J. R. Rogers and wife, Tip Davenport and wife, E. W. Weston, of Wellington, Kansas, Ed. Cole and wife, Lafe Tomlin and wife, Ed. McMullen, of Winfield.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 18, 1885.

Our friend, C. R. Sipes, this week appeals to the people through the medium of a new “ad.,” in which is stated some valuable information to all.

This space is reserved for C. R. SIPES,

-DEALER IN HARDWARE, STOVES, AND TINWARE.-

Until he returns from the East, where he will have something to say that will interest you.

In the meantime, he will do business on the nimble six-pence plan, and say that he has something new and complete in the way of BARBED WIRE AND STEEL NAILS.

It will pay you to investigate.

Arkansas City Republican, February 21, 1885.

Chas. Sipes will go to New Orleans the first of next week. He will start about Tuesday.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 25, 1885.

C. R. Sipes will attend the meeting of the Grand Lodge, of A. O. U. W., at Leavenworth this week, on his way to New Orleans.

Arkansas City Republican, February 28, 1885.

C. R. Sipes left for Chicago Monday last. From there he will go to visit the Crescent City.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 7, 1885.

The following is a list of transfers for the months of January and February, 1885, as taken from the transfer books of Frank J. Hess, Real Estate Agent.

JANUARY

Chas. R. Sipes to Jonathan Godfrey, 1 lot: $100

FEBRUARY.

F. J. Hess to C. R. Sipes, 1 lot: $15

Reference made to “old Sipes corner” in next article...

Arkansas City Traveler, March 11, 1885.

AN IMPORTANT HAUL.

The Agility of our Limbs of the Law Again Illustrated.

About a month ago, in Wayne County, Ohio, a man was murdered by a Bob Doty, a neighbor. The murderer fled. As is customary, the description of the fugitive was circulated all over the country, and one came here. The peculiar descriptive mark on the man wanted, was a scar on the outer corner of the left eye.

Saturday last Billy Gray obtained information that the man was in this vicinity, and consequently kept a sharp look out for him. Monday he was discovered on the old Sipes corner, and Billy Gray, O. S. Rarick, and G. H. McIntire quietly arrested him. He was completely surprised, thinking himself safe when he got this far away, and broke down after arrest, confessing that he was the man they were after. He was armed and meant fight, but he had no opportunity to use his arms. The sheriff, after handcuffing and shackling him, took him to Winfield, in a buggy, Monday morning. A reward was offered for his arrest.

Arkansas City Republican, March 14, 1885.

Jas. Jerome and Arthur Hill, of Saginaw, Michigan, arrived in the city Tuesday. They are visiting at the residence of Chas. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 18, 1885.

C. R. Sipes returned to the city yesterday, after a three weeks trip to New Orleans, St. Louis, and Chicago.

Arkansas City Republican, March 21, 1885.

Jas. Jerome and Arthur Hill, the gentlemen who were visiting at the residence of C. R. Sipes, are at Las Vegas, New Mexico, prospecting. They will probably return here next week.

Arkansas City Republican, March 21, 1885.

C. R. Sipes came home Tuesday from New Orleans. Three weeks ago Mr. Sipes went to Chicago. Remaining there a few days, he took the Illinois Central for the Exposition. He passed through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The country of these states through which he passed was very poor compared with Kansas soil. In Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana no cattle adorned the pasture land. Only now and then an occasional hog, milch cow, or mule could be seen. Negroes and dogs were plentiful. The exposition, Mr. Sipes informs us, is a grand success. Kansas was well represented. Nebraska was ahead in display, but our state ranked among the first. Mr. Sipes met several acquaintances in the Crescent City. Among them were Charley Harter, of Winfield, J. C. Baldridge, who formerly resided in Arkansas City, but now lives in New Mexico, and several old eastern acquaintances. Anyone can make the trip for $75 and see all there is to be seen. Mr. Sipes arrived there on Sunday and came away on Tuesday.

Excerpt...

Arkansas City Traveler, April 1, 1885.

Citizen’s Meeting.

C. R. Sipes was nominated and by acclamation, without a single dissenting voice, elected as the nominee of the convention for City Treasurer.

Arkansas City Republican, Wednesday, April 4, 1885.

“HOT TIMES.”

The Squirt-Gun Ordinance the Cause.

Thursday the businessmen and taxpayers held a meeting to place in nomination a ticket for the city officers to be filled next Tuesday. The following was the result.

FOR MAYOR: A. J. PYBURN.

FOR POLICE JUDGE: CHARLES BRYANT.

FOR CITY TREASURER: CHARLES R. SIPES.

FOR TREASURER OF SCHOOL BOARD: JAMES L. HUEY.

FOR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE: S. C. LINDSAY.

FOR CONSTABLES: FRANK THOMPSON, J. J. BREENE.

FIRST WARD:

Councilmen: Jacob Hight; A. C. Gould.

School Board: S. B. Adams; T. D. Richardson.

SECOND WARD:

Councilmen: Archie Dunn; Calvin Dean.

School Board: J. P. Witt; John Landes.

THIRD WARD:

Councilmen: J. P. Johnson; M. C. Copple.

School Board: A. D. Prescott; L. E. Woodin.

FOURTH WARD:

Councilmen: John M. Ware; W. P. Wolf.

School Board: A. P. Hutchinson; T. R. Houghton.

Arkansas City Republican, April 4, 1885.

Ten little misses, not to be behind their mammas in society organization, met last week and organized what is known as the “Bantam Hen Society.” Miss Pearl Newman was elected president; Miss Hattie Sipes, vice president; Miss Edith Ochs, secretary; Miss Grace Love, treasurer. The society meets on Saturdays of each week. None of the little misses are above 11 years of age.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 8, 1885.

CITY ELECTION.

The Citizens Elect Their Ticket and the Reformers Get Scooped.

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

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

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

CITY OFFICERS.

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

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

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

Police Judge, Chas. Bryant [R] 35.

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

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

FIRST WARD.

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

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

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

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

SECOND WARD.

For council: Calvin Dean [R] long term, 2.

Archie Dunn [C & R] short term, 134.

For school board: Rev. J. P. Witt, 68; John Landes, 68.

THIRD WARD.

For Council: O. S. Rarick [C] long term, 1; M. C. Copple [R] 66;

C. G. Thompson [C] 66. [A tie between the two latter.]

For school board: H. D. Kellogg [C], long term, 1.

John Love [C], short term, 1.

FOURTH WARD.

For Council: A. N. Davis [C], long term, 44.

H. George Bailey [C], short term, 45.

For school board: Alex. Wilson [C], long term, 67.

J. C. Duncan [C], short term, 58.

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

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 11, 1885.

The City Election.

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

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

In the second ward, the race of councilmen was very close. It resulted in the election of Archie Dunn, long term; and Calvin Dean, short term. J. P. Witt and John Landes were put in the school board.

In the third ward Capt. Rarick and C. G. Thompson were elected councilmen; the school board is John Love and Dr. H. D. Kellogg.

In the fourth ward A. A. Davis and George Bailey were made councilmen; J. C. Duncan and Alex. Wilson were elected to serve on the school board.

Chas. Bryant was elected police judge.

C. R. Sipes was elected city treasurer.

J. L. Huey was elected treasurer, board of education.

Constables elected were J. J. Breene and Frank Thompson.

Justice of the Peace elected is S. C. Lindsay.

No fights occurred during the day, and no drunkenness occurred until after the returns came in. The returns were not canvassed until last night; therefore, the REPUBLICAN is unable to give the vote of each candidate.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 29, 1885.

My dear friends, will you please return the three saws that I loaned you. C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 13, 1885.

ARKANSAS CITY

Determined to Celebrate the Glorious Fourth of July.

Preparations Being Made to Entertain 25,000 People by the Committee of Arrangements.

Last Monday evening a citizen’s meeting was held in Highland Opera House to take steps toward preparing for the Fourth of July. A committee was appointed to solicit funds and the meeting adjourned. Thursday evening the adjourned meeting convened with Judge Sumner presiding, and Judge Kreamer as scribe. The soliciting committee reported they had received subscriptions to the amount of over $500. The report was accepted and the committee instructed to solicit more funds in order that Arkansas City may have the celebration of the Southwest.

A general arrangement committee of fifteen persons was appointed, consisting of Archie Dunn, R. E. Grubbs, C. R. Sipes, W. D. Kreamer, Capt. C. G. Thompson, W. D. Mowry, John Daniels, W. J. Gray, Ed. Pentecost, J. L. Howard, Al. Daniels, W. M. Blakeney, Robt. Hutchison, Col. Sumner, and Mayor Schiffbauer.

This committee was empowered to attend to everything pertaining to the celebration. After the appointment of this committee, Mayor Schiffbauer arose and told the audience that he had been requested by Messrs. Searing & Mead to announce that they were in receipt of a dispatch from T. S. Moorhead saying that the steamer, The Kansas Millers, sailed out of St. Louis June 10 for Arkansas City and that it would be here positively by July 4th, or burst a boiler.

This speech created a great deal of enthusiasm and right then and there the meeting determined that Arkansas City should have the biggest celebration ever known to the southwest. Other speeches were delivered by citizens present after which the meeting adjourned with instructions to the committee on general arrangements to meet in the council chamber last evening to determine who shall be the orator of the day. It is intended to try and secure Robt. T. Lincoln, secretary of war under Arthur, for this purpose. Music will be plentiful that day. In all probability the four bands of southern Cowley, consisting of the Buckskin Border Band, Mechanics’ Independent Silver Cornet Band, The Cyclone Band, and the cornet band of Bolton Township, will furnish the delightful strains. A rip-roaring good old time will be had and don’t you forget it. The amusements of the day will consist of a slow mule race; sack races; greased pole climbing; dancing; speeches; fireworks at night; drilling by the Arkansas Valley Guards; and riding on the Kansas Millers. Everybody from far and near are invited to come and celebrate Independence day.

[Note: The “Kansas Millers” did not arrive in time for celebration.]

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 20, 1885.

STRAYED. From Arkansas City one black mare pony, three years old. Two white hind feet. White strip in face and thick mane, very kind and gentle, and had on a new leather halter. A reward will be paid for the return or information that will lead to the recovery of the pony. C. R. SIPES, Arkansas City, Kansas.

Arkansas City Republican, June 27, 1885.

C. R. Sipes, after advertising in the last issue of the REPUBLICAN, had his lost pony returned to him.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 4, 1885.

Fourth of July.

PROGRAM, JULY 4TH.

1. Winfield Band.

2. City officials and speakers.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

3. Masons.

4. Odd Fellows.

5. Knights of Pythias.

6. Knights of Labor.

7. Ancient Order of United Workmen.

8. G. A. R.

9. Fire Departments.

10. Buckskin Border Brass Band.

11. States represented by 38 little girls in appropriate costume.

12. Woman’s Relief Corps.

13. Gents on Horse back.

14. Ragamuffins.

15. Indians.

16. Trade representatives.

17. Citizens Generally.

PROCESSION.

The procession will form on Eighth street, the right resting on Third avenue and forming northward. The parade will move at 10 a.m., right in front, and march east on Third avenue to Summit street, along Summit to Sixth avenue, and thence to the grove, where the exercises will be conducted by the committee of arrangements.

Marshals will be designated by scarlet sashes, and all organizations will be expected to obey their orders.

EXERCISES AT THE GROUNDS.

1. Prayer by Rev. Witt.

2. Singing by Glee Club.

3. Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Rev. Fleming.

4. Oration by Col. H. T. Sumner.

5. Music.

6. Go to Dinner.

7. 1 o’clock sharp, Singing and Music.

8. 2 o’clock. Tub race. $5.00 purse. C. R. Sipes and W. D. Mowry, Committee.

9. 2:30 o’clock. Greased pig race, $2.00. A. Daniels, Committee.

10. Music.

11. 3 o’clock. Greased pole, $5.00 purse. A. Daniels, Committee.

12. Music.

13. Excursion.

14. Music.

15. 5 o’clock p.m. Indian War Dance.

16. Music.

17. 4 o’clock p.m. Match Game Base Ball for $50.

18. Foot race, $3.00 1st, and $2.00 2nd best.

19. Mule race, $2.00.

20. Sack race, $1.00.

21. 9 o’clock p.m. Grand display of fire works, Balloon ascension, etc.

GOOD NIGHT.

C. G. THOMPSON, Grand Marshal.

P. S.: Grand Ball at the Opera House at night.

Arkansas City Republican, July 18, 1885.

Wilbur Hill and Bert Van Pane, of Saginaw, Michigan, have been visiting at the residence of C. R. Sipes this week. These gentlemen are cattlemen and were on their way to their ranches near the Sac & Fox agency in the Territory. The company of which these gentlemen are members have 8,000 head of cattle.

Arkansas City Traveler, July 22, 1885.

Lawn Festival.

The young ladies of class No. 5, of the First Presbyterian Sabbath school, will give a lawn social and festival at the residence of Mrs. C. R. Sipes, this evening (Wednesday). An interesting program has been prepared in addition to the supper. All are invited to attend.

Arkansas City Republican, July 25, 1885.

The Lawn social at the residence of C. R. Sipes last Wednesday evening was an enjoyable affair. It was given by the young ladies of Class No. 5 of the Presbyterian Sunday school. The young ladies spared no effort to make the evening pleasant and entertaining for those who attended. Early in the evening those present were entertained by music and a recitation by Miss Mary Theaker. Excellent music was furnished by the serenading band, after which ice cream was served to all who desired it. A goodly number was present and each one spent a most pleasant evening.

Excerpts from a very bad fire in Arkansas City...

Arkansas City Republican, July 25, 1885.

THE FIRE.

Arkansas City Visited Once Again by the Devouring Flames.

Last Monday night between 11 and 12 o’clock the cry of “fire” rang out upon the still night, and the gentle Kansas zephyrs wafted the sound to the ponderous ears of the REPUBLICAN reporter. Springing from our bed, of down—on the floor—we hastily donned the first article we placed our hands on and started on a dead run for the scene of the conflagration. We were among the first to arrive and we found the St. Louis Restaurant and Grimes & Son’s Drug Store almost enveloped in flames. The fire had gained so much headway that it was impossible to put it out.

The fire spread in both directions and in 20 minutes after the origin of the fire, the St. Louis Restaurant, Grimes & Son’s Drug Store, Chas. Bundrem’s Meat Shop, D. L. Means’ Implement House, and O. F. Lang’s Restaurant were in ashes.

By the time the fire had got a good hold on Heitkam’s Tailor Shop, the Diamond Front building had been torn out and the brick drug store was saved.

The nine buildings were burned in about one hour and a quarter. After once getting a start, they went as if they had been saturated with coal oil. They were so dry and old that it is a wonder that the fire was not conveyed across the street by the great heat. The wind hardly stirred and by persistent efforts of everyone, the fire did not get into the brick buildings.

The fire originated in the rear of the St. Louis Restaurant. T. S. Moorhead, who rooms over C. R. Sipes’ Hardware Store across the street, was sitting in the window of his room and saw the flames burst forth from that establishment. Some say the fire originated in the New York Restaurant, but it is a mistake, for when the REPUBLICAN representative arrived on the scene, this building had not caught fire. No one knows positively how the fire started, but the most probable theory advanced is that a tallow candle had been left burning in the St. Louis Restaurant, sitting on a board; and that the candle burned down to the board, setting it on fire. The flames were spread by the melted tallow on the board until they got a good start, and by the time it was discovered, they were past subjection. C. A. Burnett, the proprietor of the restaurant, had gone home, but we are informed that one of the employees was sitting in the business room asleep in a chair.

Ad by C. R. Sipes...

Arkansas City Traveler, July 29, 1885.

ESTABLISHED 1870. C. R. SIPES, -DEALER IN- HARDWARE, CUTLERY, BARBED WIRE, AND STEEL NAILS. You will never use Iron Nails after using Steel.

GUNS AND PISTOLS. I Keep all kinds of Ammunition.

STEEL SINKS. They are simply perfect.

GREAT WESTERN STOVES. The most popular Stove sold in Kansas.

TINWARE. My own manufacture, and sold very cheap.

CLOTHES RINGERS. You will save money by buying of me.

BIRD CAGES. Best assortment in town.

My facilities for the manufacture of anything you need out of Tin, Sheet Iron, Copper, etc., are not excelled in Cowley County. Work of any nature in these metals solicited.

Arkansas City Republican, August 1, 1885.

Fourteen ladies took advantage of the beautiful moonlight Monday evening to go buggy-riding. The party was composed of Mrs. J. H. Hilliard, Miss Grace Bridwell, Mrs. John Kroenert, Mrs. H. O. Nicholson, Mrs. H. P. Farrar, Mrs. Wm. Benedict, Mrs. C. R. Sipes, Mrs. Chas. Schiffbauer, Mrs. Lilian Carney, Mrs. R. E. Grubbs, Mrs. H. H. Perry, Mrs. A. J. Chapel, Mrs. J. Landes, Mrs. Isaac Ochs, and Mrs. J. O. Campbell. These jovial ladies drove some six miles up the Winfield road, returning at about 9:30 p.m. On arriving in the city, they came up Summit Street in one grand procession as far as Hamilton & Pentecost’s Restaurant, where the command was given to halt and refreshments were served. They departed for home after fulfilling the maxim of “eating, drinking, and being merry.”

Arkansas City Republican, August 8, 1885.

Mrs. J. W. Heck and Mrs. C. R. Sipes, while passing along the street in front of Highland Opera House Thursday, received a deluge of slop water. It was thrown out of the opera house on the awning and ran through a crevice. Mrs. Heck had a cashmere shawl almost ruined and Mrs. Sipes her dress. Attendants of public buildings should be more careful about where they throw slop water.

Arkansas City Republican, September 5, 1885.

C. R. Sipes is building an addition to his residence preparing for a host of visitors from Michigan this fall.

Arkansas City Republican, September 12, 1885.

S. S. Parker, of New York, was visiting in the city the first of the week. He is an old time friend of C. R. Sipes, who have not seen each other since they pounded tin together 20 years ago at Kansas City.

Below are 2 entries...Give you a good indication as to the way the “Republican” quite often messed up! [They say Massachusetts. “Traveler” says Mississippi.]

Arkansas City Republican, September 12, 1885.

F. A. Neilson, of Oxford, Massachusetts, is the new clerk in C. R. Sipes hardware establishment. Mr. Neilson is very gentlemanly and understands his occupation thoroughly.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 16, 1885.

C. R. Sipes has engaged a new assistant, F. A. Neilson, from Oxford, Mississippi. This gentleman has courteous manners and business experience, and we gladly welcome him to our city population.

Excerpts...

Arkansas City Traveler, October 7, 1885.

The city council met in regular session on Monday evening, at 7:30 o’clock; Councilman Thompson presiding, Mayor Schiffbauer being detained at home owing to the sickness of his wife. All the members were present except Bailey and Hill.

One of the bills presented: C. R. Sipes, $5.50; referred.

Arkansas City Traveler, October 21, 1885.

The City Council met in regular session on Monday evening, all the members present, acting Mayor Thompson in the chair.

One of the bills presented: C. R. Sipes, $5.50; allowed.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 24, 1885.

On Saturday evening, Oct. 17th, Rev. and Mrs. J. P. Witt were completely and pleasantly surprised by some of their friends, who brought with them some very valuable and useful presents, Judge Bryant and wife constituting the van guard. Then followed Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt, Mr. and Mrs. Pile, Mr. and Mrs. Craig, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Lewis, Mrs. Grimes, Mrs. Ed. Pentecost, Mrs. J. M. Ware, Mrs. Strong, Mrs. Theo. Fairclo, Mrs. Frank Speers, Mrs. Wm. Gray, Mrs. Franey, Mrs. Chapel, Mrs. Blubaugh, Mrs. Pickard, Mrs. Mansfield, Mrs. Murphy, Misses Sadie and Mary Thomas, Clara Bryant, Nina Pickering, Fannie Harding, Lou Murphy, Mr. E. Baldwin, Mr. Walter S. Pickering, and Mrs. C. R. Sipes. The evening was spent sociably, enlivened with vocal and instrumental music. All seemed in love with life and will long remember the very pleasant hours spent together on that occasion.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 31, 1885.

ALMOST ONE MILLION

Dollars Worth of Improvements Made to Arkansas City This Building Season.

The following is a partial list of the improvements made in Arkansas City since March 1, 1885. [Believe this refers to his residence. MAW]

C. R. Sipes, addition: $250

Both the Republican and Traveler covered organization of the following...

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 31, 1885.

A Citizens Committee.

Last Monday evening several of our leading citizens met in the office of Judge Pyburn, for the purpose of organizing a citizens committee, its object to be to protect and promote the interest of Arkansas City, in any way that would tend to help and sustain the rapid growth of the Border City. A. J. Pyburn was called to the chair, and M. N. Sinnott was elected secretary. A temporary organization was made and an adjournment was taken until Tuesday evening at the same place, when a permanent organization was made by electing A. J. Pyburn, president; H. D. Kellogg, vice president; M. N. Sinnott, secretary; N. T. Snyder, assistant secretary; W. D. Mowry, treasurer. A finance committee was also appointed consisting of the following: A. A. Newman, H. O. Meigs, and W. D. Kreamer. Also an executive committee as follows: G. W. Cunningham, Wm. Sleeth, Amos Walton, H. D. Kellogg, N. T. Snyder, T. H. McLaughlin, W. D. Mowry, A. D. Prescott, and F. P. Schiffbauer. Committee made an assessment of $5.00 on all members and it was also decided that any citizen of good standing could become a member by paying the same fee.

The following are the charter members.

Names selected by the committee: Chas. Sipes, Geo. Howard, Geo. Cunningham, Wm. Mowry, Rev. Fleming, F. P. Schiffbauer, A. J. Pyburn, H. O. Meigs, Jas. L. Huey, Wm. Sleeth, W. D. Kreamer, A. A. Newman, A. D. Prescott, Jacob Hight, T. H. McLaughlin, O. S. Rarick, Jamison Vawter, J. P. Johnson, H. D. Kellogg, Ed. Grady, O. P. Houghton, M. N. Sinnott, Geo. W. Miller, N. T. Snyder, Amos Walton, Jas. Ridenour.

Arkansas City Republican, November 7, 1885.

C. R. Sipes came near having a serious conflagration at his store Tuesday. One of the employees of the establishment took a lighted lamp into the basement to see to get out some barb wire. He placed the lamp on the pile of wire, and in removing a spool, it was knocked over into the center of the pile and exploded. For a few minutes there was some lively work done. The fire was finally extinguished by the use of some patent extinguisher Mr. Sipes keeps in his establishment.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 4, 1885.

CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE.

A Popular Movement to Advance the City’s Interests.

On Monday evening of last week, about a score of our prominent citizens held a meeting in Judge Pyburn’s office to consider the most practicable means of advancing the interests of this city. The views expressed were that in a rapidly growing country, where incoming population is apt to seek new channels, and business interests are created by the changing tide of affairs, it is necessary for every city that seeks growth and prosperity to be on the alert and lend its hand in shaping matters to its own advantage. It was agreed that to put the forces of a community to the best avail, it is necessary to have some organization to depute some number of men of good judgment and business acumen to watch the changes in the kaleidoscope of social life, and suggest means for turning them to proper advantage; to perform the duty of a picket guard in the army. In fact, holding themselves in an advanced position, and watching every movement that comes under their notice. As an initial step to the organization sought after, the meeting chose of the persons present, Messrs. A. A. Newman, A. D. Prescott, G. W. Miller, N. T. Snyder, and Amos Walton as an executive committee, with power to add to their number, and report to a public meeting to be held in the Opera house the following evening.

On Tuesday the Buckskin Border Band stationed outside that popular place of amusement, gave notice to the public that business was to be done by playing several choice airs in their usual artistic style. Several score of people gave heed to the summons, and by 8 o’clock there were about a hundred assembled. The meeting was called to order, Mayor Schiffbauer was chosen chairman, and our new postmaster, M. N. Sinnott, appointed secretary. Amos Walton, on behalf of the originators of the movement, was called on to explain the object of the meeting. He told what had been done the evening before, and handed to the secretary a list of names selected by the committee to add to their number, and said he would then ask the sense of the meeting on the choice made. The secretary read the following names.

C. R. Sipes; G. W. Cunningham; Rev. S. B. Fleming; A. J. Pyburn; H. O. Meigs; W. M. Sleeth; Jacob Hight; O. S. Rarick; J. P. Johnson; Ed Grady; Geo. Howard; D. Mowry; F. P. Schiffbauer; James Ridenour; Jas. L. Huey; W. D. Kreamer; T. H. McLaughlin; Dr. Jamison Vawter; Dr. H. D. Kellogg; O. P. Houghton; M. N. Sinnott.

Mr. Walton said he commended the object of the proposed organization because it gave our citizens the benefit of the counsel and services of two dozen of our most experienced citizens (He wished to exclude himself from self commendation.) who would be on the lookout for opportunities to turn to the public good. The plan as he sketched it was for those two dozen sagacious men to mature among themselves whatever movements would advance the public good, and then call a public meeting to whom their plans could be unfolded and action taken on them. On motion the list of names read by the secretary was approved.

Several other speakers followed in like strain.

Frank Austin preferred to have the organization placed on a broader basis. It had been called a board of trade by some speakers, and he wanted it made one in fact. He wanted membership thrown open to all eligible persons, and stated times of meeting. To create a fund for any sudden use he would have an initiation fee and an annual subscription.

But this proposition was generally opposed on the ground that it was taking the organization out of the hands of those who framed it. The meeting having nothing further before it, adjourned.

At a subsequent meeting of the executive committee, on the 29th, an organization was effected by electing A. J. Pyburn, president; H. D. Kellogg, vice president; M. N. Sinnott, secretary; N. T. Snyder, assistant secretary; W. D. Mowry, treasurer. It was also decided to increase the membership by admitting any fitting person on payment of $5 initiation fee. The following committees were appointed.

Finance Committee: A. A. Newman, H. O. Meigs, W. D. Kreamer.

Executive Committee: G. W. Cunningham, W. M. Sleeth, Amos Walton, H. D. Kellogg, N. T. Snyder, T. H. McLaughlin, W. D. Mowry, A. D. Prescott, F. P. Schiffbauer.

Excerpts...

Arkansas City Traveler, November 4, 1885.

City Council met at 7:30 on Monday evening, Mayor Schiffbauer presiding. Councilmen Bailey and Hill absent.

Action taken on the following bill: C. R. Sipes, $21.13; referred.

Arkansas City Republican, November 21, 1885.

The Episcopal Social.

Last Tuesday evening the ladies of the Episcopal Church gave one of their inimitable entertainments. It occurred in the upper rooms of the Chapel-Bishop block. Dancing, card-playing, and other games afforded the past-time of the evening. As early as 7:30 o’clock the guests began to assemble, and an hour from that time 75 couples had arrived to participate in the festivities of the evening. The visitors were received in the parlors of Mrs. Dr. A. J. Chapel and then allowed to roam through all the rooms of the entire block, which were brilliantly lighted up. Hospitable Mrs. E. L. Kingsbury threw open the doors of the rooms of her home and allowed the many guests the privilege of using them. Mr. Kingsbury extended his gymnasium to the enjoyment of the occasion, which was quite a treat to the ladies as well as gentlemen. Mrs. H. O. Meigs proved, by the handling of the 25 pound dumbbells, that she possessed more strength than any other lady present. Mrs. W. E. Gooch also proved that she possessed a well developed muscle. Supper was served between 10 and 11 o’clock and everything that was good was given to the guests to eat. Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. Sipes, and other ladies allowed no one to go away without eating their fill. Three large and well-lighted rooms were utilized by the terpsichorean disciples; three to serve the supper in, and three for social converse.

Everyone present had a grand time, and all expressed the opinion that the sociable was the best that has been held in Arkansas City for any age. Prudishness was done away with, and sociability was substituted. The ladies of the Episcopal Church understand the art of entertaining, beyond a doubt.

The proceeds netted from the evening’s entertainment was $30.

Arkansas City Republican, November 21, 1885.

Some of the stockholders of Riverview Cemetery Association met in Meigs & Nelson’s office last Tuesday evening as per call. C. R. Sipes was chosen chairman, and O. P. Houghton secretary pro tem. There were not enough stockholders present to go into the election of officers, so the meeting was adjourned one week—Tuesday evening, November 24, at 7 p.m. sharp. All the stockholders are once more requested to be present.

Arkansas City Republican, December 5, 1885.

DIED. Wes. Williams died last week from lung fever. For some two years he was an employee of C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment. He leaves a wife and two children, who reside in the First Ward. The remains were interred in Riverview Cemetery.

Arkansas City Republican, December 5, 1885.

Last Thursday noon Will Griffith left the employ of Chas. R. Sipes. For seven years he labored in the tin shop of Mr. Sipes, and it was with a sad heart that he bid farewell to the scenes and faces he had grown accustomed to see in his daily walk of life. Mr. Sipes has found Will to be a faithful and conscientious workman and no doubt the hearts of both gentlemen were moved when their final settlement came. Will and wife will move to Higley, Florida, next Tuesday.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, December 19, 1885.

Established 1870. C. R. SIPES, Dealer in General Hardware, GREAT WESTERN STOVES. The most popular stove sold in Kansas and I keep the largest stock and best assortment in the city. TINWARE! Our own manufacture; and sold very cheap.

BARB WIRE AND STEEL NAILS. You will never use iron nails after using steel.

GASOLINE STOVES. See ours before buying.

CLOTHES WRINGERS! All kinds kept in stock and sold cheap.

STEEL SINKS! Neatest thing out for the kitchen.

Bird Cages, Water Coolers, Step Ladders, Lanterns, Cartridges, Powder, Shot, etc.

I would like to do your Guttering, Spouting, Roofing, etc., and you will find that I am doing this class of work very cheap.

Arkansas City Republican, December 19, 1885.

Last week a traveling jewelry agent in his rounds in the city visited the residence of Mrs. C. R. Sipes. The lady of the house informed the peddler that she wished nothing in his line. He grew indignant and impudent at the same time when told this, and it was only upon the threat of calling for aid that the itinerant jewelry man was expelled. Such audacity as this alone should cause any journal as well as the community to be down on such shysters.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 16, 1886.

REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

Statement of the amount of orders issued, to whom issued, and for what purpose issued, on the bond funds for the building of the Central or Stone School Building, between June 24, 1884, and December 19, 1884; and orders issued to teachers from October 1, 1884, to June 3, 1885. Also, amount orders issued on the Incidental fund from July 10, 1884, to June 3, 1885. This is the best the present board can do. Not having any receipts recorded on the district clerk books, drawn from the county treasurer, we can give nothing but the one side.

AMOUNT OF ORDERS ISSUED JANUARY 8, 1886.

MO. DA. YR. TO WHOM ISSUED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE ISSUED. AMOUNTS.

April 4, 1885 C. R. Sipes merchandise $31.75

Excerpts from lengthy coverage of city council meeting...

Arkansas City Traveler, February 10, 1886.

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The petition of property holders on Thirteenth Street was again read.

PETITION.

To the Honorable Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Arkansas City, Kansas, in Common Council Assembled.

GENTLEMEN: We property holders on Thirteenth street of said city beg and petition your Honorable body to immediately take such legal steps as may lay in your power to procure for us damages done to our property abutting on said street, caused by the building of the Kansas City and Southwestern R. R. on the said street.

The right of way being granted to said R. R. Co. by your Honorable body, we deem it only right and proper that you procure for us the damages claimed by us, to our property.

Signed. Amount Claimed.

C. R. Sipes 100.00

Mr. Hill being called on in behalf of the railroad company, to explain, said the late severe weather had temporarily suspended all outside work, and the contractors had not yet been able to finish their work. Until the slopes were smoothed off and the cross walks properly laid, it would not be easy to determine what damage to the abutting property had actually been done. The claims set forth in the petition just read were equal to the entire value of the property; and he supposed the petitioners acted on the principle, which governs in all such cases of getting all they could. He did not admit that any real harm had been done to Thirteenth street lot owners. Free access was given to their houses by all vehicles, the grade at all places admitting of safe and easy turning. The fact of the railroad track being there might be assumed as a constructive damage; but to prove in court that real and tangible injury had been done would be a difficult undertaking.

Mr. Bailey asked whether the railroad company at any time intended to pay damages to the people of Thirteenth street.

This question brought a lengthy explanation from the gentleman interrogated, the object of which was to prove that no injury had been done. He was confident that not a man on Thirteenth street would sell his property for one dollar less price than before the railroad was built through that thoroughfare. He had asked the parties interested to wait till the work on the street is finished, but if they insisted on pressing their claims, now was as good a time as any. The city or the council, he would remind the gentleman, was not responsible for a dollar of the damages; the claims lay solely against the railroad company.

Mr. Bailey said he knew such to be the case.

After some further talk the petition was laid on the table.

[Note: The largest claim was by J. T. Shepard for $1,800.00. MAW]

Sipes was on committee involved with the old A. C. stand-pipe...

Arkansas City Republican, March 20, 1886.

The Stand-Pipe.

Mr. Plate, the president of the Inter-State Gas Company, is in town this week in answer to a notification from the city clerk that the council desired to reconsider the location of the stand-pipe. There was a called meeting of the council Wednesday evening, all members present. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman and discussion invited. Mr. Plate endeavored to show that the stand-pipe at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Summit Street would be no obstruction, as there would be room enough for two wagons to pass on either side; that it would be built on the best foundation making it perfectly safe, and that, as his drawings showed, it would be artistically built. He also stated that the pumping would be easier if there was no turn in the feed-pipe. He asked that a remonstrance be read or that some arguments be advanced proving that it should not go where located.

After some discussion, Mr. Hill’s motion was carried that a committee of seven citizens be appointed to meet Mr. Plate the next day and try and determine the best location for the pipe. The committee consisted of C. R. Sipes, Maj. Hasie, Geo. Frick, H. Godehard, J. L. Huey, H. P. Farrar, and C. D. Burroughs.

Thursday was spent by the committee and Mr. Plate in a fruitless attempt to have the location of the stand-pipe changed, but nothing was accomplished, only to condemn its present location.

In the evening the council met as adjourned. Mr. Plate opened the discussion by stating his failure to accomplish anything with the committee. They simply did not want it on its present site, but did not suggest any other. Although he did not want to antagonize the citizens, he had taken legal advice and claimed he could, under the circumstances, hold the present site. He would consent, however, to either of the intersections directly west or would purchase a vacant lot if insured from injunction and damages by private individuals in the vicinity.

Mr. Davis thought the company was persecuted and would aid in purchasing a site. Mr. Hill offered the company $50 toward buying a location and $2,000 for their franchise. Mr. Hight spoke in favor of the present site. Mr. Dunn said he had voted for the present site, but that he had found great opposition from his constituents, which was reason enough that he was wrong, but did not want to vote to reconsider, preferring to let the matter rest without further action, believing that the company could not afford to antagonize the citizens and would purchase a location.

After several irregular motions were withdrawn, a motion to reconsider was made and under the roll call stood: Ayes—Hill, Dunn, Prescott, and Dean; Nays—Thompson, Bailey, Hight, and Davis. The mayor declared the motion just and the matter now stands as it was.

Arkansas City Republican, March 20, 1886.

Chas. Sipes returned from his St. Louis business trip Friday evening inst.

Arkansas City Republican, April 17, 1886.

C. R. Sipes has just added to his already large and well assorted stock of hardware, a complete line of wagon wood, iron and steel, blacksmith’s and wagon maker’s supplies, and in fact everything you may want in the hardware line, making his stock second to none in the county. Call and examine and get prices.

Arkansas City Republican, April 17, 1886.

Iron.

I have added a complete line of bar-iron, tool and plow steel, wagon wood work, wagon and carriage hardware to my business and invite those in need of goods of that character to call and get prices. My stock of general hardware, stoves, and tinware, etc., is second to none in the county. Respectfully, C. R. SIPES.

Excerpts from lengthy article...

Arkansas City Republican, May 8, 1886.

[ILLUSTRATION OF CROWING ROOSTER...LOOKS LIKE!]

Almost $100,000

Worth of Property Change Ownership in Arkansas City

Since Monday, May 3, 1886.

Farms Adjoining the Townsite Selling for $150 per Acre.

Resident and Business Lots Selling to Capitalists

As Rapidly As a Price Can Be Fixed Upon them.

HOW WE BOOM!!

Since the bonds have been voted in the border townships for the Kansas State Line road, real estate has changed hands at an astonishing rate and at exceedingly good prices. Our town has been alive this week with capitalists seeking purchases.

Miss Rena Dix purchased two lots of C. R. Sipes and two in Gilstrap addition in the 4th ward. The consideration was $300.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, May 29, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.

C. F. Wolters, who came into our city the first of the week prospecting, from Lebanon, Missouri, has located with us. He has accepted a position in C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment in the tin department. Mr. Wolters will remove his family here shortly.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 5, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.

Mrs. Frank Carnes, of Lockport, New York, is visiting in the city. Mrs. Carnes is the sister of C. R. Sipes.

Excerpt...

Arkansas City Republican, June 12, 1886.

Council Proceedings.

The council met in regular session Monday evening. Present: Mayor Schiffbauer, Councilmen Prescott, Hight, Thompson, and Thurston. The following bills were allowed.

Bill of C. R. Sipes, $13,85 for sundries; allowed.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 12, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.

Last evening Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Sipes entertained a few of their friends in honor of Mrs. Carnes, a sister of Mr. Sipes.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 26, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.

Saturday night the black pony mare of C. R. Sipes was stolen from his stable in this city. He offers a reward of $15 for its return. Cowley County gives a reward of $50 for the conviction of the thief.

Arkansas City Republican, June 26, 1886.

Established 1870.

C. R. SIPES,

Dealer in Hardware. Gasoline and oil stoves. Bar Iron. Tool and plow steel. Bird Cages.

Wagon wood stock. Clothes Wringers. Log chains. Cable chains. Stone sledges.

Great western stoves. Cutlery. Fine sheet iron and copper ware. Ice cream freezers.

Wagon hardware. Steel Nails. Camp stoves. Rope. Steel crow bars. Well Chains.

My facilities for manufacturing anything you need out of Tin, Sheet Iron, or Copper are complete. Please get our prices before placing orders.

Arkansas City Traveler, August 11, 1886.

ESTABLISHED 1870.

C. R. SIPES, -DEALER IN- HARDWARE, CUTLERY, IRON, AND STEEL.

My stock of wagon wood work is complete. I sell only the GREAT WESTERN STOVES, The most popular stoves ever sold in Kansas. TINWARE, My own manufacture, and sold cheap. GASOLINE STOVES. CALL AND SEE IT, AND HOW IT WORKS. I claim it to be the best vapor stove in the market. CLOTHES RINGERS, WASHING MACHINES, BIRD CAGES, ICE CREAM FREEZERS, CISTERN PUMPS, ETC. My facilities for the manufacture of anything you need out of Tin, Sheet Iron, Copper, etc., are not excelled in Cowley County. Work of any nature in these metals solicited.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 14, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.

Chas. Sipes is in Chicago.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 21, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.

Madame Jeffries and daughter have rented front rooms over C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment, and have been holding forth there for some weeks. Friday night they had a big racket. Jim Thompson, a man who abides with the aforesaid women as their protector, went in and found a traveler by the name of Webb. Thompson ordered him to “get out,” but for some reason Webb did not go as rapidly as was desired and the consequence was he was knocked down the stairway by Thompson. He gathered himself together as soon as he regained his senses and sought his hotel. Saturday Thompson, Webb, the madame, and her daughter were arrested. Thompson was fined $25 and costs, total $36.00, for the part he took in the fracas; and Webb $17. The two women plead guilty to running a house of prostitution and were each fined $10 and costs; total each $14. The entire party paid all the assessments in full.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 21, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.

C. R. Sipes came home today from his eastern visit.

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

Mrs. C. R. Sipes left this morning for Alma, Kansas, where she has gone to visit friends.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 25, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.

Mrs. C. F. Wolter, who has been in the city for the past month, will return to her home in Lebanon, Missouri, Monday. Her husband will remain here, being in the employ of C. R. Sipes.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 2, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.

Mrs. C. R. Sipes has returned home from her visit to Alma.

Excerpt...

Arkansas City Traveler, October 13, 1886.

Business Notes.

C. R. Sipes offers his new stock of stoves for sale, with shelf and heavy hardware, and tinware till you can’t rest.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 16, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.

C. F. Wolters left this morning for Lebanon, Missouri, his former home. Mr. Wolters has been a salesman in C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 23, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.

DIED. The remains of E. M. Alter were expressed to Parnassus, Pennsylvania, Saturday evening. Mr. Alter died Saturday morning of typhoid-malaria at the residence of S. Artley. He was about 38 years of age and had been until his death employed as tinner in C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment. The deceased was taken sick about 21 days ago. He was a friend of the real estate firm of Artley, Andrews & Anderson.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 30, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.

Noble Winton, for some time past in the employ of Ware & Pickering, has taken a situation in C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment. Noble is a worker and will do his employer justice.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, February 19, 1887.

The Canal City Improvement Company.

The above company has just been organized in this city. The purpose of the organization is to contract buildings in Arkansas City. The capital stock is $50,000. A charter has been sent for and is expected to arrive daily. The following directors were chosen for the first year: A. D. Prescott, J. W. Hoyt, F. W. Farrar, T. H. McLaughlin, H. O. Meigs, Jas. Hill, and Geo. Westfall. The building committee is composed of Frank J. Hess, C. R. Sipes, T. H. McLaughlin, and E. D. Eddy. The first building this company proposes to erect will be on lot 1, block 61, corner of 9th avenue and Summit street. It will be built of brick, two stories high, 100 feet deep and 25 wide. Dr. J. T. Shepard owns the adjacent lot and will most likely put up a building at the same time the above company does.

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

Between 3 and 4 o’clock this morning someone stole a $15 revolver and scabbard from the front show window of C. R. Sipes’ hardware establishment. Whoever the party was walked up to the large plate glass on the south side of the rooms and struck it with a hammer or stone, breaking a piece of glass there from 24 x 12 inches. Reaching through the opening he took the revolver and walked off unmolested. A family residing upstairs heard the noise, but the thief got away before anything was done.

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

C. R. Sipes is increasing the capacity of his hardware store. He is raising the shelving to the ceiling.

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

Chas. Griswell, of Decatur, Illinois, is visiting in the city. He is a guest of Chas. R. Sipes. He is well pleased with Arkansas City and will most likely invest in city property.

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

A $50,000 OPERA HOUSE.

To be Erected Immediately in Arkansas City—The Building Boom.

Arkansas City is to have a new opera house. It is to be as fine as there exists in the state and is to be built and in use by 1888.

Saturday the scheme to build a magnificent opera house was originated and interested parties in the afternoon started out to make the rounds to solicit subscription of stock to the amount of $50,000. This morning at 10 o’clock the full amount of stock was reported subscribed and Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock a meeting of the shareholders in the stock company will be held in the rooms of the Business Men’s Club to make the necessary preliminary steps toward perfecting the organization.

The site for the building will be at the corner of 5th Avenue and 5th Street on C. R. Sipes’ lots. The building will have 100 feet frontage on 5th Avenue and 125 on Fifth Street and will be three stories high. The two upper stories will be utilized for the opera house; the first floor will consist of four store rooms. As soon as the charter can be obtained, work is to begin. Fifth Avenue is booming.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 2, 1887. From Tuesday’s Daily.

Ward Convention.

Last evening the voters of the four wards of the city held their convention for the purpose of making nominations. The following is the result.

FIRST WARD.

About 100 voters assembled at the brick school building, several ladies being among the number. The meeting was called to order by Jas. Hill. Geo. Sudborough was elected chairman and Prof. Weir secretary.

Five delegates (Jas. Hill, Frank Austin, J. C. Weir, Dr. Westfall, and F. M. Peak) were elected to attend the city delegate convention when held. They were instructed for Jas. L. Huey for mayor, for Jacob Haight for police judge, for D. Baxter for justice of peace, for Johnnie Breene for constable, for Chas. Sipes for city treasurer, and for Wyard Gooch for treasurer of school board. Maj. L. Miles was nominated for councilman and R. B. Norton for member of school board. On motion meeting adjourned.

SECOND WARD.

The meeting was held in the new brick schoolhouse building. T. V. McConn was chosen chairman and D. G. Carder secretary. Calvin Dean was nominated for councilman and H. B. Keeler, member of school board. Uriah Spray, John Landes, and Ira Barnett were chosen delegates to attend the delegate convention; they were uninstructed.

THIRD WARD.

The voters assembled in Wm. M. Jenkins’ law office. Rev. Cline was made chairman and Rev. S. B. Fleming secretary. J. P. Johnson was nominated for councilman and J. F. Hoffman for school director. G. W. Cunningham, Thos. Van Fleet, and O. P. Houghton were elected delegates and were instructed for Huey for mayor.

FOURTH WARD.

The voters convened in the Fourth Ward school building. T. J. Mitts was chosen chairman and J. W. Heck secretary. D. L. Weir was nominated unanimously for councilman and Alex Wilson for school board. The following delegates were chosen: C. T. Atkinson, J. W. Heck, S. S. McDowell, T. R. Houghton, D. L. Means, Mrs. Alex Wilson, Mrs. T. R. Houghton, Mrs. M. H. Kreamer, Mrs. H. M. Provost, and Mrs. E. M. Lockley. They were uninstructed.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, April 2, 1887. From Wednesday’s Daily.

The delegates chosen from the wards Monday night met last evening in Wm. Jenkins’ office and nominated the following ticket: for Mayor, J. L. Huey; for Police Judge, Jacob Haight; City Treasurer, C. R. Sipes; Treasurer of School Board, Wyard Gooch; Justice of the Peace, Geo. Sudborough; and for constable, A. Provost. The number of delegates was reduced to three from each ward, so all would be entitled to the same number of votes.

[THIS ENDS MY COVERAGE OF SIPES AT THE MOMENT. MAW]