TELL WALTON.

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

Name age sex color Place/birth Where from

W. W. Walton 24 m w Ohio Missouri

Tell Walton 21 m w Ohio Missouri

Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 15, 1873.

Oxford Items.

Mr. Tell W. Walton of this place started for Stevenson, Barbour County, last Saturday. He has been appointed Surveyor of that county.

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

De Bois’ surveying party left Wichita yesterday en route for the Indian Territory. Their work lies southwest of Ft. Sill. Several citizens of this county go with them, among whom is Tell Walton, taking the chances on losing their scalps for forty dollars per month.

[CORRESPONDENCE FROM TELL W. WALTON - FT. SILL, INDIAN TER.]

Winfield Courier, October 29, 1874.

FT. SILL, INDIAN TERRITORY, Oct. 21st, 1874.

DEAR BECKETT: After a long and tedious trip our party arrived here last night.

We saw plenty of Indians at a distance but lost no scalps however, and in consequence the Cowley boys are in good spirits. Part of our outfit leave for the “field” today. Gen. Sheridan arrived here last Saturday and took command of the forces and immediately dispatched nine companies to reinforce Gen. Miles on the Staked Plains. A lively time may now be anticipated.

Satanta, Big Tree, Lone Wolf, and ten or twelve other chiefs are here in the guard house, all heavily ironed. Kicking Bird, chief of the Kiowas, also wears the same kind of “jewels.”

This is a beautiful country, well timbered, plenty of water, and an abundance of stone. The Wichita Mountain range, fifteen miles wide by fifty in length, a very rough broken plateau, treads in a northwesterly direction from here. From the U. S. Signal station on their summit, a distance of sixty miles can be seen in any direction.

We are all well armed with Remington rifles, but since Sheridan’s appearance at the front, we apprehend no immediate danger from the Indians.

When we reach the field of work, I may write to you again; till then, I am

Very Respectfully, TELL W. WALTON.

Winfield Courier, December 31, 1874.

We have received, through private source, news of a sad accident which befell our friend, Tell W. Walton, who it will be remembered, joined a government surveying party, which has been at work in the Territory several months. The accident, as we learned it, happened thus: Sometime between the 7th and 9th inst., while Tell was handling a gun, it was either carelessly or accidentally discharged. The first barrel carried away part of his left forefinger, while the contents of the other barrel struck him fairly in the eyes, but fortunately, it contained nothing but powder and wadding. His sight is despaired of.

Winfield Courier, January 14, 1875.

News has been received from the Surveying Corps in the Territory, of which Tell Walton is a member, contradictory of the report which we published a few weeks since. According to the last report, being from Tell himself, he is well and his eyesight all right.

Winfield Courier, June 17, 1875.

Peter T. Walton, of Parsons, passed through here last Saturday, en route for Fort Sill and Western Texas, where he expects to buy up a herd of match ponies, and ship them East this fall. Tell Walton, his brother, went from here with him. Hope they will have success and return to the State with their “top hair” in due course of time.

Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.

Tell W. and Peter Walton passed through town yesterday with a herd of match ponies. They had some very fine ones. Tell amused the boys awhile by lassoing and riding the wildest.

Winfield Courier, August 12, 1875.

And now we learn that Tell W. Walton has been struck by lightning. What with shooting himself, being thrown from Comanche ponies, arrested by the U. S. soldiers, writing for the Plow and Anvil and now being struck by lightning, all within six months, we begin to think that boy can stand anything. He was a brother of ours before he wrote for the above mentioned machine shop.

[Note: The following item concerns a sister of Tell and Wirt W. Walton. The parents of Tell and Wirt were Mr. and Mrs. George T. Walton of Oxford.]

Winfield Courier, September 23, 1875.

WALTON. At Oxford, on Wednesday, September 15th, 1875, of typhus fever, Annie G., youngest daughter of George T. and Mrs. V. J. Walton, aged 11 years.

The deceased was a sister of the local editor of the COURIER [WIRT W. WALTON]. To their many friends of Oxford and vicinity for their uniform kindness and Christian sympathy in their bereavement, Mr. and Mrs. George T. Walton desire to express their heartfelt thanks.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 2, 1876.

The courthouse came near being destroyed by fire Sunday morning. Mr. Tell Walton had taken up the ashes in a nail keg, which he placed in a corner of one of the offices, and then left the room. Returning some time after, he discovered the keg to be all ablaze, and the flames already making rapid progress upon the wooden structure of the building. The alarm was given, water procured, and in a few minutes the would-be conflagration was extinguished. This little accident should serve as a lesson to all who are in the habit of taking up ashes in wooden vessels and not emptying the same immediately. Ashes often contain fire when it is supposed they are entirely free from it, and our advice to one and all is, never habituate yourself to leaving ashes setting in vessels of any kind inside of any building. Wellington Press.

[BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876. Front Page.

COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, WINFIELD, KANSAS, April 10, 1876.

Board met in regular session. Present, R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, Commissioners; A. J. Pyburn, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Journal of last regular session read and adopted.

Bills were presented and disposed of as follows.

Tell W. Walton, Road Surveyor: $14.00

Tell W. Walton, Dept. Co. Surveyor: $36.64

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876.

IN TOWN. Judge Gans, Tell Walton, Amos Walton, James Kelly and wife, and two other Winfield people were in town last Monday.

Winfield Courier, May 11, 1876.

Deputy Surveyor Tell Walton is busily engaged surveying roads over about Dexter.

[CORRESPONDENCE RE SURVEYS IN COWLEY COUNTY.]

Winfield Courier, June 22, 1876.

The following letter explains itself. It is the opinion of the ablest young lawyer in the State, on a question that has sorely vexed the surveyor of this and adjoining counties. The fact that the original survey was so poorly made and the corners and lines so indefinitely established, has been the cause of much trouble among the people of this county. The County Surveyor is not to blame for these crooked lines. In many cases the corner stones have been moved and kicked about by the old “claim jumpers” who infested this country in an early day. In our opinion it is the duty of the Surveyor to determine the proper location of such corners in the manner described as follows.

TOPEKA, KANSAS, May 18, 1876.

TELL W. WALTON, Esq., Dep. Surveyor,

Oxford, Sumner Co., Kansas.

DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of the 20th inst., containing the following interrogatories:

“1st. Should I not, in determining the true location of effaced, destroyed, or doubtful government corners, be governed wholly by well authenticated lines and corners properly identified by the original plats and notes and re-establish them to correspond therewith, as near as ordinary professional skill admit?

“2nd. In such cases are not the original field notes and plats, or certified copies thereof, my only guide in determining the true location of such lines and corners?

“3rd. Should a stone or other monument found near the point designated as the original location of a corner be considered as prima facie evidence of its having been thus established by the Dep. U. S. Surveyor, or should the field notes, coupled with properly identified lines and corners, be equally considered in the matter?”

In reply to the first interrogatory, I am of the opinion that the true location of effaced, destroyed, missing, and doubtful corners must be determined by the original plats and notes and well authenticated monuments.

To the second interrogatory I answer, yes, qualified by an observance of the above mentioned rule.

To the third interrogatory I reply, always bearing in mind, as a governing rule, that course and distances must yield to undoubted monuments. That much depends upon the circum-stances. If the stone or monument is of such type and permanency as to indicate that it was placed there as a monument, it should be regarded as prima facia evidence of having been so established by competent authority, especially if it be near the point designated as the original location of a corner. But if such stone or possible monument is of a movable, uncertain, and doubtful character, the field notes, coupled with clearly identified lines and corners, should be consulted. Very Respectfully, GEO. R. PECK, U. S. Attorney.

Winfield Courier, July 27, 1876.

TELL WALTON was over from Sumner yesterday. He reports politics as warming up. He thinks the Sumner County delegation will be divided between Campbell and Webb for the Judgeship. Sumner claims to have the votes that will elect.

Note: Father and brother of Tell Walton were historians...

Winfield Courier, July 27, 1876.

We publish a history of Oxford Township, hastily prepared for the 4th of July by Judge Geo. T. Walton. The Winfield Courier also publishes the history of Cowley County, written by his son, Wirt W. Walton. The Irenton Commercial, of Irenton, Ohio, publishes a synopsis of the history of Lawrence County, Ohio, by his brother, Thos. A. Walton. Each were selected by the different committees of their respective localities in the same week, as Local Historians, without their knowledge of the honor until after their selection for the position. It is quite a compliment to the family, and rather a peculiar coincident. Oxford Independent.

Winfield Courier, September 14, 1876.

TELL WALTON, accompanied by his brother, of Parsons, started for the Indian country last week to buy ponies. They go via the Osage Agency to the Chickasaw Nation, and will be gone some weeks.

Winfield Courier, October 19, 1876.

Tell Walton has returned from an extended trip through the Indian Territory and will once more resume his tripod and “stick, stuck” in Sumner and Cowley counties. The boys sold their ponies in St. Louis after which they “took in the sights.”

Arkansas City Traveler, November 15, 1876.

“TELL” WALTON is surveying the Woodyard road today.

Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.

Tell Walton, deputy surveyor, is at work in the Grouse Valley this winter.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1877.

TELL WALTON, Deputy County surveyor, called yesterday.

[Next Article does not state which Walton, but it appears it was “Tell Walton.”]

Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1877. Front Page.

Scalp Raising.

PAWNEE AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY, July 20th, 1877.

Dr. W. McKay Dougan:

I found so much work awaiting me here, that it has been impossible to fulfill my promise sooner. However, the facts connected with the meeting of Alexander, Broome, and Walton, with a party of Osages, on Gray Horse Creek, June 19th, are as follows.

Upon approaching the creek, they were startled by yells and running horses from the rear, and were at once surrounded by a dozen Indians, who were mounted, armed, and painted.

They produced a trade dollar of Dunlap & Florer’s, and from signs made the whites understood that they wanted to trade it for hair. It was thought best to comply, under the circumstances, and Harry Broome, for and in consideration of the dollar check, allowed them to cut from his head a lock of hair.

The Indians were now satisfied and left while the whites crossed the creek and stopped for dinner. While in camp they discovered an Indian on a bluff in the distance, who seemed to be signaling someone on the opposite side of the stream, and as they were about resuming their journey, they were again approached by Indians; this time three in number. This party was unarmed, and one of the number spoke tolerable good English. They were talkative and said a large party of Osages were mourning the death of a chief. They also stated that they were poor and had no money, but that they, too, wanted some hair, so that they could have a dance that evening. Broome was asked to furnish the article.

They objected to Alexander’s hair upon the ground that it bore too close a resemblance to the hair of the horse and Walton was in no trouble as his hair was too short to admit of a close cut. I have written a faithful account of the affair as detailed to me by one of the party, in whose word I place implicit confidence. Very cordially, S. MATLACK.

Winfield Courier, September 27, 1877.

Tell W. Walton is a candidate for the office of county surveyor in Sumner County.

Winfield Courier, November 8, 1877.

For U. S. circuit court convening at Topeka Nov. 26th the following named persons were drawn as jurors [LISTING ONLY TWO]: Tell W. Walton, D. A. Millington.

Winfield Courier, January 3, 1878.

Mr. Tell Walton, of Oxford, called on us last week.

Winfield Courier, January 24, 1878.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Claims allowed Jan. 10.

Road viewers: A. S. Williams, $2; J. Stansbury, $2; J. S. Chase, $2; R. Bowers, $4; W. Turner, $4; K. A. Henthorn, $2; R. S. Strother, $2; A. F. Smith, $2; H. L. Barker, $4; B. E. Murphy, $4; F. W. Schwantes, $1.50; S. D. Groom, $4; J. Stalter, $2; R. Boothe, $2; J. R. Owings, $1.50; T. W. Walton, $18.

Winfield Courier, May 16, 1878.

Tell W. Walton called on us yesterday. He is running the surveying business of Sumner County this year.

Winfield Courier, April 17, 1879.

We congratulate our friend Tell W. Walton on his position on the engineer corps of the C. S. & F. S. railroad. He will be close to home and among old friends and acquaintances.

[MARRIED: TELL W. WALTON/ALICE M. HUTCHINSON.]

Winfield Courier, September 25, 1879.

At Wellington, on the 22nd, by Rev. F. P. Berry, Tell W. Walton and Miss Alice M. Hutchinson.

Everybody around Winfield knows Tell. Few of his friends thought, when he was over last week shaking hands all around, that in a few short days he would be bound hand and foot with hymeneal chains.

Winfield Courier, January 15, 1880.

Tell W. Walton came over from Sumner last Tuesday and gave us a call. These Waltons naturally gravitate towards a printing office.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 18, 1880

Tell Walton is thinking of starting a paper at Grouse City.

Winfield Courier, March 11, 1880.

The Mulvane Herald is a new paper to be started at Mulvane by Tell W. Walton. Tell is the right kind of a “feller” to make a good paper, and we wish him unlimited success.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 31, 1880.

No. 1 of Vol. 1 of the Mulvane Herald, Tell W. Walton, editor and proprietor, is on our table. This makes the fifth paper for Sumner County and still others are talked of. Go in Tell and win your laurels; you have a broad field before you, but give us some more positive evidence of the political complexion of the Herald.

Winfield Courier, June 3, 1880.

Tell W. Walton, the Mulvane Herald man, was in town last Saturday. The Herald is one of the spiciest little papers in the state.

Winfield Courier, December 2, 1880.

Among the COURIER graduates who have made their mark as editors are Vinnie Beckett, of the Norton Advance; Wirt W. Walton, of the Clay Center Dispatch; Tell W. Walton, late of the Mulvane Herald; Tom C. Copeland, of the Elk Falls Signal; Abe Steinberger, of the Howard Courant; and Frank W. Frye, of the Labette County Democrat.

Winfield Courier, January 20, 1881.

Tell Walton has gone to Clay Center to take charge of the local columns of the Dispatch during Wirt’s labors at the capital. Tell is a “chip off the old block,” and consequently a lively paragraphist. By the way, he is one of “Our Boys” too, but we were ashamed to own him while he was in the Oklahoma business.

[THE MONITOR’S LOCALS.]

Winfield Courier, January 27, 1881.

With the absence of the Oklahoma boom, Tell Walton packed his other shirt and toothbrush and lit out for Clay Center, where he goes to take charge of the local columns of the Dispatch during the absence of Wirt at Topeka.

Winfield Courier, April 7, 1881.

Tell W. Walton has purchased the Caldwell Post. Tell is a boss journalist, and will make the “Post” as lively as the town.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 13, 1881.

Tell Walton, founder of the Mulvane Herald, and an irrepressible newspaper man, this week assumes the control of the Caldwell Post, having purchased the same of Mr. J. H. Sain.

[BRUTALITY IN CONDUCTORS.]

Winfield Courier, June 30, 1881.

Tell W. Walton makes in the last number of his paper, the Caldwell Post, the following statement.

“Last Saturday night, while en route to Oxford from this city, we were compelled to patronize the K. C. L. & S. road from Winfield to Oxford. We applied at the ticket office for two tickets to Oxford, and tendered our money, a ten dollar bill. After marking the tickets and passing them over the counter, he found he could not make the change; so he said to get on the train and pay the conductor, or get the tickets after we had arrived at Oxford.

“Thinking it would be all right, and having his assurance that it would be, we boarded the train, and after we got out three-fourths of a mile from the station, the conductor came through the car collecting tickets. We tendered our money a second time, but he refused to even look at it or hear an explanation of any kind, but stopped the train and compelled us to get off where we were, causing us, with our wife and child, to walk nearly a mile over the rough roads and cross the prairie back to the depot. We had some baggage with us, which we were obliged to carry too, or leave on the prairie. . . .

“This * * on the same evening beat a poor, lone woman out of the last cent she had, in making change for a ticket. She gave him a silver dollar, the last she had, and in return got a ticket for Oxford, costing forty cents, and ten cents in money. He claimed that she only gave him a half dollar, but the bystanders would swear that she gave him a dollar.”

John R. McGuire, of Tisdale, says that the other day he applied to the ticket office at Cherryvale for a ticket to Independence, the price of which was forty cents, and offered a half dollar piece, which was refused as not being the exact change. A feeble woman with two small children just then applied for a ticket to Independence, but failed for the same reason. Just then the train for Independence came along and McGuire and the woman got on board. The conductor came along and demanded tickets. The half dollars were offered and refused on the ground that the conductor would not take money but must have tickets. No amount would do. The only alternative was tickets or get off. The train was stopped and McGuire and the woman and her children were put out on the prairie two miles from Cherryvale, to which place they had to walk back. The woman could scarcely walk and her exertions would have been fatal had not McGuire been there to carry her small children.

The conductor of this train was not the same man with whom Tell Walton had to deal; but both are brutes, if these statements are true, which we cannot doubt, being made by men of undoubted veracity. We do not now give the names of these conductors because we wish to give them an opportunity to tell their versions of these stories. It is no excuse for them that they were ordered at headquarters not to take money but only tickets for fare, no more than it would excuse them for assassinating a man because he had been ordered to do so. If these conductors believe that such acting is required of them by the company, they are venal hirelings or they would not work for such a company.

We do not believe the managers of this road desire such brutality on the part of their employees. We believe they are accommodating and obliging gentlemen who require their employees to be reasonable and obliging in carrying out such rules as are deemed necessary for the protection of the company and would discharge such brutes as these are alleged to be. Here were civil persons able and anxious to pay their fare and making due efforts to comply with all known rules of the company, and were treated worse than these same conductors would have dared to treat a party of Thugs who had attempted to rob the whole crowd. We do not blame the company for not daring to trust such men to solicit money, but we do blame them if they keep such in their employ knowing what they were.

We think that if the outraged parties should apply to Gen. Nettleton, stating the facts, the cases would be righted as far as possible.

Winfield Courier, August 4, 1881.

Tell Walton and many other admiring friends will regret to learn that Jim Shannon has been given the “grand bounce” by the K. C. L. & S. company and that his vinegar visage will no longer haunt travelers over that road.

Winfield Courier, October 6, 1881.

Tell Walton came over among us last Thursday.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 9, 1881.

Tell Walton, of the Caldwell Post, accompanied by his wife and child, spent Sunday in our city visiting their relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler. Tell, of course, found time to call upon the TRAVELER, and helped us to pass a couple of hours very pleasantly, but unfortunately made us too late for church, for which he has our forgiveness, however, `till we get a chance to serve him the same way.

Winfield Courier, December 8, 1881.

Tell Walton dropped in Monday morning fresh from the seat of war at Caldwell. Having deposited all his money in Danford’s Bank, it is fair to presume that he walked over. The conductor wouldn’t accept a certificate of deposit as legal tender.

Winfield Courier, December 29, 1881.

Jim Talbot, who shot Meagher at Caldwell, also threatened to “fix” Tell Walton, of the Post.

Cowley County Courant, December 29, 1881.

It seems that Tell Walton, of the Caldwell Post, was slightly mixed up in the Caldwell trouble. Friday night before the affray, during the rendering of the play of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Jim Talbot, the man who shot Meagher, indulged in obscene remarks, and was requested by Walton to desist. Talbot cursed and threatened to “fix” him next day.

Winfield Courier, December 29, 1881.

Will give twenty-five cents for authentic information as to the whereabouts of one Tell W. Walton while the cowboy fight was raging in Caldwell.

Cowley County Courant, January 19, 1882.

Tell Walton, among others, has been sued by Danford for $10,000. As Tell lost some money in the bank failure, he is sitting up nights trying to figure the thing out. Can’t you do it, Tell?

Winfield Courier, January 26, 1882.

We are told that Tell W. Walton, the bright editor of the Post, is one of the defendants in Danford’s suit for damage in the sum of $100,000. If in addition to the loss of his $180 deposit, he should have the whole $100,000 to pay, it would cut down his profits for 1881 at least one half.

Cowley County Courant, March 2, 1882.

Tell Walton, of the Caldwell Post, is the most unlucky publisher we know of. During the past ten days one pair of twins and six other children have been born in the same block Tell lives in, and now Mrs. Tell is having a three-strand barb wire fence put up around their home to keep Tell in at night. Tell went through this city today, making a little trip to Arkansas City.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1882.

The meeting of the Stockmen on the Cherokee Strip, held at Caldwell last week, was largely attended, and most of the stock owners were represented. They decided to have a brand book published, and will set the time for the spring “round-up.” The following newspapermen were present:

W. P. Brush, of the Kansas City Indicator; Tell W. Walton, Caldwell Post; W. B. Hutchison, Caldwell Commercial; T. A. McNeal, Medicine Lodge Cresset; Will Eaton, Cheyenne Transporter; J. H. Carter, Hunnewell Independent; W. M. Allison, Wellingtonian; J. C. Richards, Wellington Press; W. P. Tomlinson, Topeka Commonwealth; Tom Richardson, correspondent, Leavenworth Times; and Halsey Lane, correspondent, Texas Live Stock Journal.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, November 23, 1882.

Mrs. Walton, of Oxford, is here on a visit to her son, Tell W. Walton, editor of the Post.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, December 7, 1882.

Last week, Tell W. Walton went to Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, on business and will be absent till the latter part of this week. Halsey Lane will make the paper sparkle during his absence with local and editorial items.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, February 1, 1883.

SPECIAL STOCKMEN’S MEETING.

Official Report of Proceedings.

A special meeting of the Cherokee Strip Stock Association was held in Caldwell, Kansas, January 27, 1883.

The meeting was called to order by W. E. Campbell, vice-president of the association; John A. Blair, Secretary.

The object of the meeting was stated by the chair and letters were read by Mr. Walton from E. M. Hewins concerning matters pertaining to the vital interests of the association.

On motion a committee of five was appointed by the chair to draft resolutions. Messrs. M. H. Bennett, A. McClain, S. Tuttle, Marion Blair, and O. Ewell were appointed as such committee.

On motion, a committee of five was appointed on reception of Major John Q. Tufts upon his arrival in this city, February 7th, 1883. E. M. Hewins, I. S. Ballinger, S. Tuttle, J. W. Hamilton, and M. H. Bennett were appointed as such committee. On motion the committee was increased to eight and A. McClain, Ben S. Miller, and A. M. Colson were appointed as such additional committeemen.

The following resolution was adopted.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to make a draft of the Cherokee Strip, showing the quarantine grounds, trails, fencing, etc., and report the same to the annual meeting of the Association on March 6th, 1883, together with such recommendations as they may deem best for the interests of the association.

Messrs. A. M. Colson, M. H. Bennett, J. A. Blair, H. Hodgson, and S. Tuttle were appointed as such committee.

The committee on resolutions submitted, through its chairman, the following report, which was adopted.

WHEREAS, It is to the interest of every person, company, or corporation grazing cattle on the Cherokee Strip, that that scope of country known as the quarantine grounds be left open for the use of Texas cattle drovers and local shippers, and that the trails across said Cherokee Strip used by Texas cattle drovers and local ranchmen be left open and free from all barriers of any kind. Therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that all the trails across the Cherokee Strip, leading to all shipping points in Kansas and the northwest be left open and free from all barrier, such as wire fences, board fences, or any kind of fences whatever.

Resolved, That we, as an association and as individuals, deprecate and discountenance the actions of any person, company, or corporation in building any wire fences or other barriers upon the ground set apart as quarantine grounds for through Texas cattle or for shipment of Territory cattle, and that we will use our individual efforts to discourage any further occupancy of the said grounds for ranch purposes by local stockmen.

Resolved, That this association recognizes the rights of the Cherokee Nation in collecting a grazing tax upon cattle grazed on Cherokee lands in the Indian Territory, and that under the permits issued by the Cherokee Nation is our only legal right in said Cherokee country.

Resolved, That it is the earnest wish of this association that the title and control of the said Cherokee Strip be definitely settled and the unquestionable legal control of it be determined that we may be the better enabled to conform to all the laws governing it.

Resolved, That this association fully endorses the action of the official meeting of the association held at Topeka, Kansas, on January 8, 1883, and that we re-affirm the resolutions there adopted as the sense of this meeting.

Resolved, That the thanks of this association are due and are hereby tendered Hon. E. M. Hewins and Major A. Drumm, for the able and efficient manner in which they represented our interests before the Secretary of the Interior, and that we full endorse their actions and statements in the matter; and that the association is entirely satisfied with the action of the Secretary of the Interior Department in appointing a special agent to investigate fencing matters on the Cherokee lands, and will give said agent all the assistance in our power to arrive at an equitable conclusion in the matter. M. H. BENNETT, Chairman.

There being no further business before the meeting, a motion to adjourn prevailed.

W. E. CAMPBELL, President.

J. A. BLAIR, Secretary.

Winfield Courier, February 15, 1883.

Tell W. Walton, of the Caldwell Post, and Marion Blair, a jolly cattle man, left their autographs on our table Monday, together with one of the most wretched-looking, ungainly conglomerations of curved lines we have ever seen. The boys said it was a pencil sketch of a range-fed Texas steer. It looked as if it had been subsisting on a cockleburr and barbed wire during the winter, and that the melancholy days of its existence were fast drawing to a close.

Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1883.

Tell Walton, editor of the Caldwell Post, and Marion Blair were over last week as a committee of the Stock Association to confer with our stockmen here, regarding wire fences.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 8, 1883.

THIRD ANNUAL ROUND-UP

-OF THE-

CHEROKEE STRIP STOCKMEN.

NEW ORGANIZATION MADE.

No Show for Monopolists.

The third annual meeting of the Cherokee Strip Stockmen’s Association met in the Opera House on Tuesday, March 6, 1883, at 11 a.m., and was called to order by the president, Ben S. Miller, who made the following remarks.

It becomes my painful duty to call this Association to order again. Painful, because it will be a rehash of what we have done, the past year, some of which has come to light, and some of which may never show up. On looking to my right, I miss the face of one who, in life, was one of the best supporters the chair had, and whose council and suggestions were always so timely. I refer with sorrow to our friend and brother, A. H. Johnson, who was stricken down in the prime of life last summer, without a moment’s warning, by the Power that controls the elements. He has gone to a place where “scattering,” “gatherings,” and “round-ups” are no more. Whether to a range that is fenced or open, we know not; but we do know that if it is fenced, no Congress, Secretary of the Interior, or Indian Commission can tear it down at their pleasure.

The roll was called and the following officers reported.

Ben S. Miller, president.

John A. Blair, secretary.

M. H. Bennett, treasurer.

The reading of the minutes of the previous meetings was on motion dispensed with.

M. H. Bennett, treasurer of the Association, presented his report, showing the receipts to be $3,645.16; expenditures, $1,537.12, leaving a balance in the treasury of $2,108.04. Report accepted.

On motion, Messrs. W. E. Bridge, T. F. Pryor, P. Carnagie, J. W. Carter, and Cid. Eldridge were appointed as committee on membership.

On motion, Messrs. Hodson, Eldridge, Drumm, Hewins, and Tuttle were appointed a committee on permanent organization.

On motion the president appointed W. S. Snow, James Hamilton, and Ed. Hewins a committee on constitution and by-laws.

Mr. Hewins moved that the president appoint a sergeant at arms, whose duty it shall be to see that bonafide members of the Association are seated together and apart from spectators. Carried.

The Association then adjourned to meet at 2 p.m.

On re-assembling at 2 p.m., the committee on credentials reported the following list of new members, which report was accepted.

D. R. Streeter, Northup & Stephens, C. W. Blaine, F. M. Stewart, R. B. Clark, R. H. Campbell, W. J. Hodges, G. A. Thompson, S. A. Garth, W. H. Harrelston, W. M. Dunn, G. B. Mote, Crutchfield & Carpenter, Walworth, Walton & Rhodes, W. B. Lee, W. W. Wicks, J. A. Emmerson, John Myrtle, J. H. Hill, A. J. Snider, A. G. Evans, R. W. Phillips, E. W. Payne, Tomlin & Webb, H. W. Roberts, E. P. Fouts, W. W. Stephens, A. Mills, C. M. Scott, H. P. Standley, Lafe Merritt, J. N. Florer, D. W. Roberts, C. H. Dye, M. W. Brand, Drury Warren, W. P. Herring, S. T. Tuttle, E. W. Rannols, N. J. Thompson, W. H. Dunn, E. A. Hereford, J. Love, Johnston & Housner, S. T. Mayor, D. A. Streeter, M. H. Snyder, P. S. Burress, C. C. Clark, K. C. Weathers, G. V. Collins, and H. H. Campbell.

The committee on permanent organization reported the following officers.

President, Ben S. Miller.

Secretary, John A. Blair.

Assistant Secretary, Tell W. Walton.

Treasurer, M. H. Bennett.

Report adopted.

Mr. Hamilton from committee on constitution and by-laws, asked for further time. Granted.

The committee on membership reported names received as temporary members until the constitution and by-laws were adopted. Report accepted.

On motion of Mr. Cooper, the report of committee on permanent organization was adopted. Whereupon Mr. Ben S. Miller thanked the convention for their united confidence in him as a presiding officer, and without any flourish, announced that the next order of business would be the appointment of a sergeant-at-arms, and therefore appointed Marion Blair.

On motion, the Association resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and on motion of Major Drumm, the following committee on round-ups was appointed.

A. Drumm, W. E. Campbell, Marion Blair, H. W. Timberlake, Syl. Fitch, J. W. Carter, Tony Day, M. K. Krider, Oliver Ewell, Pat Carnegie, and E. W. Payne.

On motion, W. B. Hutchison, Caldwell COMMERCIAL; H. P. Standley, Arkansas City Traveler; T. A. McNeal, Cresset; E. W. Payne, Index, Medicine Lodge; H. A. Heath, Kansas Farmer, Topeka; J. J. Jewett, Kansas City Indicator; H. H. Heath, Kansas City Price Current; R. L. Owen, Indian Chieftain, Vinita, Indian Territory; Lafe Merritt, Transporter, Cheyenne, Indian Territory; J. C. Richards, Press; C. T. Hickman, Democrat, Wellington; were elected assistant secretaries of the convention.

Report of H. B. Johnson, inspector at Kansas City, was read and accepted. The report sets forth that Mr. Johnson has caught 207 cattle wrongfully shipped, valued at $75.00. [Wonder if they meant $75.00 each???]

A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Johnson, and various other inspectors, for their efficient work on behalf of the Association.

On motion the following gentlemen were appointed as a committee on programme for tomorrow’s work: Ben. Miller, Carnegie, Bridge, Hodgson, Hamilton, and John Blair.

Messrs. John Reese and John Volz were instructed to furnish the Association with an exhibit of expenses incurred in pursuing cattle thieves.

A telegram dated Kansas City, March 6, to W. B. Hutchison, from Agent Miles, was read as follows: “Agent Tufts recommends that fences be permitted to remain and others with the consent of the Cherokees.”

The convention adjourned until ten o’clock Wednesday morning.

SECOND DAY.

Convention called to order at 11 a.m., on Wednesday morning by President Miller.

Mr. Hamilton, chairman from committee on constitution and by-laws reported progress.

The following report of committee on round-ups was presented by its chairman and on motion of Mr. Hodgson was adopted.

REPORT.

We, the assigned committee on round-ups, appointed by the Convention of the Cherokee Strip Stock Association, held in Caldwell on March 6th, 1883, herewith submit the following report.

Division No. 1. To be composed of what is known as Red Rock and Salt Fork country, including the territory of, and then to the south line of Kansas, and thence west, including all tributaries of the Salt Fork, in the west line of the Comanche County Pool. Said division to meet at the Red Rock crossing of the Arkansas City road, and Thomas Wilson to be appointed as Captain of said division.

Division No. 2. To be composed of the country lying south of division No. 1, and extend as far south as the division between the Cimarron and the North Fork of the Canadian, and to commence work at McClellen’s pasture, and, if necessary, to work on the North Fork, east of the crossing of the Chisholm trail, and work west as far as the west line of the Comanche County Pool. This division to meet where the Arkansas City wagon road crosses the Skeleton Creek, and Howard Capper to be appointed captain of said division.

Division No. 3. To be composed of the country lying south of division No. 2, and as far south as the Washita River; and to extend as far west as A. J. Day’s range. Said division to meet at the Chisholm trail crossing of the North Fork of the Canadian, and H. W. Timberlake to be appointed captain.

We also recommend that the captains of the several divisions be empowered to discharge all parties not doing their duty or refusing to obey orders, and that the said captains be authorized to employ other men to fill vacancies, at the expense of the parties who were represented by the parties discharged.

We also recommend that Marion Blair, A. J. Day, W. E. Campbell, J. W. Carter, H. W. Timberlake, and J. W. Hamilton be appointed as a committee to confer with the round-up committee appointed by the stock meeting to be held at Medicine Lodge on the 28th and 29th of the present month, and that the joint communities then decide upon a date for the beginning of the spring round-up, together with such other recommendations as they may desire to proffer; and that the report be published in the Caldwell, Anthony, and Medicine Lodge papers. A. DRUMM, Chairman.

The President read a communication from W. W. Cook, chairman of the Barbour County Stockmen’s Association, inviting the stockmen of the Cherokee Strip, and all others, to attend their meeting to be held at Medicine Lodge, March 28 and 29, 1883.

The committee on credentials reported several new names for membership, which report was received and the members admitted.

Mr. H. S. Lane, inspector at St. Louis, reported 105 head picked up, which sold at an average of $75 per head.

The bill of Stoller & Reese, amounting to $213.00, and of John Volz for $216.00, for expenses in recovering stolen stock and prosecuting thieves, were referred to committee on finance.

The questions of continuing the reward offered by the inspection committee for the conviction of stock thieves was discussed by Messrs. Buzard, Snow, Heran, McDowell, and others—the general feeling being that the reward ought to be increased.

Mr. Hodges asked leave to file paper for consideration of the convention at the proper time concerning Oil Company troubles. Paper was read and discussed.

Mr. Gore, representing the Company, supposed to be the Pennsylvania Oil Company, stated that it was not a part of said company, but was a private enterprise, and that they were willing to agree to anything reasonable concerning the ranges.

Mr. Hewins thought the paper should go to the committee on arbitration.

The following resolution was read and adopted.

Resolved, That as the Kansas Legislature has adopted a railroad bill providing for commissioners, the stockmen of Southwestern Kansas request that in the appointment of said commissioners, the stock interests of the State shall be taken into consideration; we, therefore, request that Hon. A. B. Mayhew, of Sumner County, be appointed as a member of said commission.

THIRD DAY.

The convention was called to order at 11 o’clock a.m.

James W. Hamilton from the committee on organization, reported that articles of incorporation had been adopted and filed with the secretary of state as the Cherokee Live Stock Association, that the board of directors for the first year were Ben S. Miller, A. Drumm, John A. Blair, S. Tuttle of Caldwell; W. Payne of Medicine Lodge; and Charles H. Eldred, of Carrolton, Illinois; and others. The committee also reported a code of by-laws.

The report was read at length, and after a warm discussion, adopted; and the convention adjourned until three o’clock p.m.

At the three o’clock session seventy-three stock men came forward and paid their membership fee of $10, after which a meeting of the board of directors was called, the names passed upon, and then adjourned until Friday morning.

Just at this point, we desire to say that the new organization is a move in the right direction. Through it, the rights of the smallest stockman in the Territory will be as fully protected as those of the powerful combinations. In fact, it makes of all parties one complete organization, wherein the weak will have a show for the capital they may have invested.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 8, 1883.

The stockmen did a wise thing in re-electing Ben S. Miller president of their Association. Mr. Miller thoroughly understands parliamentary rules, and while he is positive, at the same time he has a manner which permits of no encroachments upon the rights of the chair without tramping upon other folk’s corns, and at the same time he advances business. The convention just closed is the biggest thing of the kind ever held in Kansas, and composed as it was of men of intelligence with diverse interests and yet having much in common, it required excellent tact to manage them so as to prevent any outbreak. Ben S. Miller filled the bill to the entire satisfaction of everybody, and on all sides, we have heard nothing but praise for him as a presiding officer.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 15, 1883.

THE CHEROKEE STRIP LIVE STOCK ASSOCIATION.

LAST DAY’S PROCEEDINGS.

Charter and By-Laws.

FOURTH DAY—MORNING SESSION.

The meeting was called to order by President Miller at 9 o’clock a.m.

President Miller announced the appointment of the following committees as having been appointed by the Board of Directors on the evening previous at its meeting.

BRAND BOOKS. M. H. Bennett and W. E. Bridge.

FINANCE. M. H. Bennett, S. Tuttle, and J. W. Hamilton.

ARBITRATION. H. W. Timberlake, W. M. Corzine, and D. R. Streeter.

TRAILS, POST ROAD, AND QUARANTINE GROUNDS. H. Hodgson, W. B. Helm, O. Ewell, W. J. Hodges, and John A. Blair.

INSPECTION. A. M. Colson, J. Will Carter, and Marion Blair.

ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION. M. H. Bennett, A. M. Colson, W. P. Herring, A. Drumm, and E. W. Payne.

CLAIMS. S. Tuttle, Ben Garland, and Charles H. Moore.

Mr. Payne offered the following resolution, which was adopted and upon motion of Mr. Hewins, second by Mr. Hamilton, was ordered telegraphed to Governor Glick at the Association’s expense, which was done.

CALDWELL, KANSAS, March 3, 1883.

To the Honorable George W. Glick and the Executive Council, Topeka, Kansas.

SIR: We the cattlemen of Southwestern Kansas and the Territory, now in convention assembled, considering the vast importance of our shipping interests, do respectfully request that by the way of recognition, you do appoint as one of the Board of Railroad Commissioners, the Hon. A. B. Mayhew of Wellington, Kansas, a man in every way suited and fully competent to fill that position, and for which we will ever pray.

[Signed] BEN S. MILLER, President. JOHN A. BLAIR, Secretary.

Mr. Payne offered a resolution tending a vote of thanks to the citizens of Caldwell for kind treatment while in the city, for the use of the hall, elegant banquet, and pleasant entertainments provided for the stockmen. Adopted.

Mr. Collins offered the following resolution, which was adopted and ordered spread upon the journals.

Resolved, That this convention tender their thanks to Messrs. Plumb and Ryan for the able manner in which they defended the rights of the cattle men on the Cherokee strip, and sat down on the Pennsylvania Oil Co., and all other monopolies.

Mr. Hamilton read a telegram concerning telephone connection between this city and Wellington. A few resolutions were offered upon the subject, which were adopted.

On motion of Mr. Hewins, a vote of thanks was tendered the members of the press present for courtesies shown the Association and interest manifested in the same by the newspaper men of the state.

On motion of Mr. Herring, a vote of thanks was tendered Messrs. Bennett, Drumm, Hewins, Hamilton, and others for work done in the interests of the Association.

Mr. Hamilton offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That this Association offer a standing reward of two thousand dollars for the arrest and conviction of any person or persons stealing any animals belonging to any member of this Association.

Mr. Hewins moved that hand bills printed on muslin be issued offering the reward of $2,000 as provided for in resolution. Carried.

The convention having completed its labors, on motion of Mr. Payne, adjourned to meet in Caldwell on the 13th day of November, 1883, thereupon President Miller declared the convention adjourned to the date named. J. A. BLAIR, Secretary.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 15, 1883.

CHARTER OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP LIVE STOCK ASSOCIATION.

We, the undersigned persons of competent age, do hereby associate ourselves together for the purpose of forming a private corporation under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Kansas, the purpose of which is and shall be “the improvement of the breed of domestic animals,” by the importation, grazing, breeding, sale, barter, and exchange thereof.

The name of such corporation shall be “The Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association.”

SECOND. The purpose for which the corporation is formed is the improvement of the breed of domestic animals by the importation, grazing, breeding, sale, barter, and exchange thereof.

THREE. The principal office and place of business of the corporation shall be at the city of Caldwell, in Sumner County, Kansas, but its place or places of and for holding, breeding, grazing, selling, bartering, and exchanging the domestic animals for the improvement of the breed of which the corporation is as aforesaid organized shall be wherever the same can be in the opinion of the directors or such other body of the stockholders or members of such corporation as may be authorized to act for the corporation most advantageously located.

FOURTH. The terms for which the corporation is to exist shall be for forty years.

FIFTH. The number of the directors of the corporation shall be nine, and the following named stockholders are appointed directors for the first year, viz:

E. M. Hewins, whose residence is Cedarvale, Kansas.

J. W. Hamilton, whose residence is Wellington, Kansas.

A. J. Day, whose residence is Caldwell, Kansas.

S. Tuttle, whose residence is Caldwell, Kansas.

M. H. Bennett, whose residence is Caldwell, Kansas.

Andrew Drumm, whose residence is Caldwell, Kansas.

Ben S. Miller, whose residence is Caldwell, Kansas.

E. W. Payne, whose residence is Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Chas. H. Eldred, whose residence is Carrollton, Illinois.

Which said charter was on said date duly transmitted, postage pre-paid to the Honorable Secretary of State at Topeka, Kansas, and on said date the by-laws for the regulation of the business of said corporation were by your said committee formulated, and that thereafter to-wit: On the 8th day of March, 1883, the board of directors of said corporation, met in pursuance of the provisions of said charter and in conformity of law elected Ben S. Miller, one of said board of directors, president of said corporation, and at the same time appointed John A. Blair as secretary and M. H. Bennett as treasurer thereof, and duly ratified and accepted the by-laws herein before referred to, wherefore we respectfully suggest that our action in and about the matter aforesaid, be approved and accepted as the fulfillment of the duties by you imposed upon us as your committee for the purposes aforesaid, and that we be now discharged from further duty.

BY-LAWS OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP LIVE STOCK ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION 1. The name and style of the corporation shall be “The Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association.”

SECTION 2. The object of the Association is to provide for and promote the improvement of the breed of domestic animals by all lawful means, such as providing for the purchase, importation, barter, sale, and exchange thereof, at such place or places, within or without the territorial limits of this State, as shall be or seem to be, most conducive to the advancement of the interests of the Association; in pursuance of the purpose and object of which the same has been and is as aforesaid organized inclusive of the right by which and on behalf, of said Association to purchase any and all of whatsoever kind of domestic animals it, the said Association, may see fit or desire to purchase, or in any lawful manner acquire, together with the right to purchase or lease any or all parcels or tracts of land, where-soever situated, as may be necessary for the holding, keeping, grazing, breeding, handling, selling, bartering, or in any lawful manner whatsoever exchanging any or all of any or all kinds of domestic animals so as aforesaid purchased, imported, handled, bred, grazed, obtained by barter or exchange by or on behalf of said Association.

All persons, corporations, or companies who now occupy undisputed range in the Cherokee Strip, and who agree to pay the assessments to which may be hereinafter levied upon them by authority of persons empowered by the Association to make levies for any and all purposes, may be eligible to membership in this Association upon the payment of the membership fees, as hereinafter provided.

All corporations, stock associations, or companies becoming members of this Association, shall do so in the name of the corporation, stock association, or company by which they are known, and in all elections or business which is to or may be decided by votes of members of this Association, such member or representative of any and all other corporations, stock associations, or companies being members of this Association shall be entitled to one vote, and no more.

Any party holding an undisputed and prescribed range, whether of one person, a company, corporation, or pool, shall be entitled to one membership; that is to say, if one person holds a certain prescribed range alone, he shall be entitled to one membership, and the same rule as to corporations and companies if, for convenience, two or more individuals hold each a prescribed range, and hold such range in common, each of such ranges shall be entitled to one membership, and each membership shall be entitled to one vote. Any person possessing the qualifications hereinbefore mentioned, and desiring to become a member of this Association, shall first pay to the treasurer the sum of ten dollars ($10), and take said treasurer’s receipt therefor, and upon presentation of said receipt to the secretary of this Association, and subscribing to the by-laws, shall be entitled to a certificate of membership, which said certificate shall thereupon be issued in the name of this Association; provided that persons owning ranges or holding cattle contiguous to the range occupied by the members of this Association in the Indian Territory, may be elected honorary members of this Association upon the recommendation of the board of directors.

All transfer of ranges by purchase or otherwise shall be recorded by the Secretary of this Association in a book to be by him kept for that purpose.

All members of this Association are required within thirty days from their admission to membership to furnish to the secretary a plain and accurate description of the “marks and brands” of all domestic animals owned or held by such member; which said description of said marks and brands shall be plainly and fully recorded by said secretary in a book to be by him kept for such purpose.

BOARD OF ARBITRATION.

A board of arbitration shall be appointed, to consist of three members of the Association, such board to be appointed by the directors and to hold their office during the pleasure of said board of directors, who shall have power to settle all questions in dispute between members of this Association, and from the decision of such board of arbitration either party in interest may appeal to the board of directors by giving, upon the rendition of said decision, immediate notice of his intention to so appeal, and by entering into and undertaking to the opposite party in such sum as said board of arbitrators shall deem sufficient credentials for the payment of all costs and expenses necessarily incurred by reason of such appeal. In the event of the decision of said arbitrators being affirmed by said board of directors, thereupon the chairman of said board of arbitrators shall immediately notify the board of directors of the pendency of such appeal and state the time and place when and where said board of directors shall meet to hear and determine the same; which time shall not be less than ten nor more than sixty days from the time of taking such appeal, and the time and place of sitting of said board of directors to hear said matter shall be at such point as said board of arbitrators may direct; provided, always, that in no event except by consent of parties shall the place of the sitting of said board of directors for such purpose be other than at the city of Caldwell, in Sumner County, Kansas, or at some well-known and convenient ranch upon the grazing lands of the Association; and the chairman of the board of arbitrators upon the giving an acceptance of the appeal bond hereinbefore provided for, immediately notify the parties in interest of the time when, and the place where, the board of directors shall be called to meet to hear and determine and appeal; and the decision of said board of directors shall be final.

The following are the names of members of the Association so far as we have been able to obtain them.

Blair, Battin & Cooper

E. W. Payne, for Comanche County Pool

T. F. Pryor & Co.

S. T. Tuttle, S & Z Tuttle

R. B. Clark

W. H. Harrelston

H. Hodgson & Co.

John Myrtle

McClellen Cattle Company

Johnstone & Horsmer

G. A. Thompson

C. M. Crocker

Robert Eatock

Wm. Corzine

M. J. Lane

Hammers Clark & Co.

McGredy & Harlen

Walworth, Walton & Rhodes

D. P. Robinson & Northrup

Windsor Bros.

H. A. Todd

Wicks, Corbin & Streeter

W. B. Helm

N. J. Thompson

Bates & Payne

E. W. Rannells

P. S. Burres

W. W. Wicks

Dean & Broderick

Shattuck Bros. & Co.

H. H. Campbell

Briggs & Wilson

John Love & Son

J. C. Weathers & Sons

Ewell & Justis

A. M. Colson

W. S. & T. Snow

Dominion Cattle Company

Theo Horsley & Co.

Southern Kansas Border Live Stock Company, J. W. Hamilton, manager.

G. W. Miller (W. M. Vanhook in charge)

B. H. Campbell

Drury Warren

L. Musgrove

A. A. Wiley

Tomlin & Webb

Geo. V. Collins

J. F. Conner & Co.

Cobb & Hutton

A. J. & C. P. Day

Moore & Rohrer

Carnegie & Fraser

M. K. Krider

Texas Land and Cattle Company (limited)

W. C. Quinlon

Ben Garland

Ballenger & Schlupp

A. T. & T. P. Wilson

A. Mills

H. W. Timberlake & Hall

Stewart & Hodges

Drumm & Snider

Williamson Blair & Co.

Charles Collins

Ben S. Miller

Gregory, Eldred & Co.

W. R. Terwilliger

M. H. Bennett

Barfoot & Santer

Hewins & Tims

Sylvester Flitch

D. A. Greever

Stoller & Rees

Crane & Larimer

Dickey Bros.

McClain & Foss

E. M. Ford & Co.

Dornblazer & Dole

J. C. Pryor & Co.

HONORARY MEMBERS: W. E. Campbell, L. C. Bidwell.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 15, 1883.

Messrs. Hays and Fouts have sold the Willow Springs Ranch to Roberts & Co. The latter firm will run the stage station at the Springs, and in addition build a bridge across the stream at that point for the accommodation of travel. Willow Springs is out of our bailiwick, being directly south of Arkansas City, still we are glad of the change because it will make travel more convenient in the eastern portion of the Strip.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 15, 1883.

THE WIRE FENCES.

Agent Tufts’ Report to Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

UNION AGENCY, MUSKOGEE, INDIAN TERRITORY, March 1, 1883.

SIR: Referring to cattle letter dated January 6, 1883, I have the honor to report that I have visited the lands known as Cherokee land, west of 96 degrees, and find there a large number of cattle, estimated to be 300,000, ranging on the Strip. About 200,000 are there by and with the consent of the Cherokees, and on which there was paid a grazing tax to the Cherokee authorities of about $41,000 during the year. About 100,000 cattle on these lands belong to citizens of Kansas, who turn them loose on these lands and pay no tax.

After a careful investigation, I have to answer the questions submitted in the above official letter as follows.

1. How much fencing has been done?

Answer: 950 miles.

2. To whom do the fences belong?

Answer: To citizens of the United States and a few citizens of the Cherokee Nation.

3. Name each and all companies or organizations claiming to own fences and the quantity of wire in each.

Answer:

Comanche pool, 55 miles.

Bollinger & Schlupp, 60 miles.

Drumm & Snyder, 50 miles.

Miller & Pryor, 45 miles.

B. H. Campbell, 30 miles.

George Thompson, 40 miles.

S. & Z. Tuttle, 58 miles.

Bridge & Wilson, 45 miles.

Bates & Co., 33 miles.

Hewins & Titus, 60 miles.

Cobb & Hutton, 56 miles.

C. H. Moore, 24 miles.

George Miller, 72 miles.

H. Hodgson, 35 miles.

Dean Bros., 40 miles.

E. M. Ford, 87 miles.

C. H. McClellan, 72 miles.

G. Greever, 60 miles.

T. Mayhew, 37 miles.

4. How long since fencing was commenced?

Answer: During the spring of 1882.

5. What effect has such fencing had upon legitimate travel and upon mail routes?

Answer: There are but two mail routes through the land in question: from Caldwell, Kansas, to Ft. Reno and points beyond; from Arkansas City to Nez Perces Agency. There are no fences within two miles of either road. There are no other roads for legitimate travel across these lands. Pastures are supplied with gates for the use of parties traveling through. The fences do not interfere in any manner with legitimate travel or mail routes.

6. What effect has the wire fences on the reservation of destruction of timber on said lands?

Answer: Timber extended only along the water courses, and for miles into the Territory along the state line of Kansas, has been destroyed by parties from Kansas, who have used it for fuel and fencing. Much of this valuable lumber has been taken from the Cimarron River, a distance of sixty miles from the Nation line. Unless this wholesale destruction of timber is stopped, it is safe to state that all timber on these lands will be destroyed within three years.

While the value of this timber to those who steal it is not great, its value to the country can hardly be estimated, and whatever disposition is made of these lands ultimately; the supply of water will determine its value for any purpose.

There is no law in the statutes of the United States to punish for stealing timber from the reservations of any of these five civilized tribes, and it is very evident there never will be any, and these people from the states will continue to destroy this timber as they are now doing until it is all gone.

Where ranges have been fenced, the cattle men neither cut timber themselves nor do they permit anyone else to do so; and in my judgment, if the fences now on these lands are permitted to remain, and others are permitted to fence under proper instruction, it will put an effective stop to the destruction of the timber on these lands, and as these cattlemen place fire-guards around their ranches, the young growth of timber will add much to the value of the lands.

I respectfully recommend that the fences now on these lands be permitted to remain, and that others desiring to fence their range have permission to do so.

1st. Permission from the Cherokee Nation must be obtained.

2nd. That no fences shall be erected within two miles of any post road.

3rd. If any parties fencing their range cut or permit any timber to be cut within their pastures, they shall be subject to removal from the Territory and the fences destroyed.

4th. All fences shall be removed at once from the Territory whenever those in possession shall be notified to do so by the department.

The effect of a settlement of this matter in this way will be that the Indian office will not be called upon every few months to remove from the Territory cattlemen who refuse to pay tax. The Cherokee National will collect double the tax; the destruction of the timber will be effectually stopped, and the young timber protected from fire.

The only opposition I found to this fencing was from those who claimed that the timber on these lands belonged to anybody that got it, and from those who live in the states and own large herds of cattle on these lands and refuse to pay tax.

The Pennsylvania Oil Company, who attempted to fence without permission from the Cherokee authorities and enclose the ranges and owners of small herds of cattle on which they had paid Cherokee tax, have agreed to settle with those whose ranges they had intended to enclose in their pasture, and obtain permission of the Cherokee authorities, or go elsewhere for their range.

This arrangement satisfies Mr. Scott and others, who complained to the Department of the action of the Oil Company; and if permitted to do so, will fence their ranges during the coming summer.

Very respectfully, JOHN Q. TUFTS, U. S. Indian Agent.

To Hon H. Price, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 22, 1883.

RAISE CORN.

The experience of many stockmen on the Cherokee Strip has demonstrated the fact that it pays to feed sufficient, at least, to keep stock in good condition. And now that all matters relating to the occupancy of the Strip have been satisfactorily settled, whatever the weather may be next winter, the majority of the stockmen on the Strip will make an effort to feed, if for no other purpose than to keep their stock in good heart during the hard season. Some will feed to supply beef cattle for the early spring demand, and as all must buy at the nearest home market, it is plain that the farmer on the border who raises corn this year, and plenty of it, will strike a bonanza. Stock raising and stock feeding must be the future policy for this country, and it can only be made so by raising grain for home consumption instead of for shipment.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 22, 1883.

A BIG CATTLE TRADE.

M. H. Bennett and H. W. Timberlake sold their cattle and ranges last week to Messrs. Cragin & Marston, who, we understand, are organized under the firm name of the Philadelphia Cattle Company. The price paid was $95,000 to Bennett and $65,000 to Timberlake. This is one of the largest transactions of the kind which has occurred on the Cherokee Strip for some time.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 29, 1883.

FENCING ON THE STRIP.

The following is published in the Cherokee Advocate of the 23rd inst. The letter bears date of March 16th, and it is somewhat singular that it never found its way into print until the 23rd. It reads very much as if the Honorable Secretary was making an effort to carry water on both shoulders.

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, March 16, 1883.

To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs: SIR: I have considered your letter of the 15th inst., submitting with other papers the report of Agent Tufts on the subject of fences put up by cattle men on the lands in the Indian Territory west of 96 degrees west longitude, of which the Cherokee Indians have jurisdiction under the provisions of the treaty of 1868, between the United States and those Indians.

The Agent’s statement, that “where ranges have been fenced, the cattlemen neither cut timber themselves nor do they permit anyone to do so,” is not sustained by what appears to be the facts in the case, since the large quantity of posts required for nearly 1,000 miles of fencing already constructed, have nearly, if not all, been cut from those lands without authority and without payment therefor. No further fences will be permitted to remain except with the consent of and under proper and satisfactory arrangement with the Cherokee National authorities, to be secured within reasonable time to be fixed by you; failing in which, the order heretofore given for the removal of the fences will be at once enforced. Any person found cutting timber from these lands will be removed therefrom at once.

Very respectfully, H. M. TELLER, Secretary.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, March 29, 1883.

It would seem, if the letters of Major Lipe, Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation, are any criterion, that the so-called Pennsylvania Oil Company are not the only parties endeavoring to get the best of previous occupants on the Cherokee Strip. The St. Joseph Cattle Company, an organization of capitalists who went on the Strip last year, attempted to run out Peter Stewart, who held a range and had paid his taxes in a scope of country which the St. Joseph Cattle Company desired to take in. At first, the company sang low and soft to Mr. Stewart, and he was lulled into fancied security by their sweet music, until one fine morning they informed Stewart that his room was better than his company, and that the St. Joseph Cattle Company wanted all the range within the bounds of their fence.

Mr. Stewart, being one of those hard headed Scotchmen, would not submit to the imposition, stood upon his rights, and communicated at once with the Cherokee authorities. The result was a letter to Mr. Stewart stating that he had the first right, and would be upheld in maintaining his range. The St. Joseph Cattle Company will therefore have to let Mr. Stewart severely alone, or fare worse.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, April 5, 1883.

THE FENCES.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,

WASHINGTON, March 21, 1883.

SIR: Referring to the subject of wire fences on the Cherokee lands west of 96 degrees, I have to say that your report of the 2nd inst., was duly received and submitted by this office to the Department.

I now enclose for your information a copy of the Hon. Secretary’s reply, dated the 16th inst., from which you will perceive that all further fencing on these lands is strictly prohibited, and that those constructed will not be permitted to remain except with consent of, and under proper and satisfactory arrangements, with the Cherokee national authorities, to be secured within a reasonable time, and to be fixed by this office, failing in which, the order heretofore given for the removal of the fences will be at once enforced.

In an interview had here with Chief Bushyhead yesterday, he promises to call an early session of the National Council to consider the subject and to report the same to this office. Upon hearing from him the time within which arrangements are to be made with the Cherokees will be at once fixed, and you will be advised thereof. In the meantime the existing status will not be disturbed, but you will take such measures as you may deem necessary to prevent the construction of any more fences on the lands. The 47th congress closed without action by the house upon the bill which has already passed the senate to prevent timber depredations on these lands, hence the only remedy at present consists in the continued removal of trespassers. Very Respectfully, H. PRICE, Com.

To John H. Tufts, U. S. Indian Agent, Union Agency, Indian Territory.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, April 26, 1883.

The Barbed Wire Fence Law.

The following is the law, passed by the last legislature, prescribing how a barbed wire fence must be constructed to constitute a legal fence.

SECTION 1. That in addition to the fence now declared by law to be a legal fence, the following shall be a legal fence: A barbed wire fence, of not less than three wires, with third wire from the ground not less than forty-four inches, nor more than forty-eight inches, from the ground, and bottom wire not more than twenty-four inches nor less than eighteen inches from the ground, with center wire equi-distant, or nearly so, between upper and lower wires; said wires to be well stretched and barbed; barbs to average not more than nine inches apart; said barbed wire to be composed of two wires not smaller than No. 13, or one wire not smaller than No. 9 wire, to be securely fastened to posts, which shall not be more than two rods apart, and not less than twenty inches in the ground, and set in a workmanlike manner; or the posts may be not more than forty-eight feet apart, with slats placed perpendicularly, not more than twelve feet apart, between the posts, and fastened to the wires by staples, or with holes in the slats: Provided, That in townships or counties where hogs are allowed to run at large, there shall be three additional barbed wires, the lower one of which shall not be more than four inches from the ground, the other two to be placed an equal distance apart, or nearly so, between this and the lower wire as required above.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, April 26, 1883.

Another Cattle Deal.

A private dispatch from Topeka informs us that on the 20th inst., Peter Stewart, of Wellington, bought the McKnight, Albro & Spaulding cattle, paying therefor the sum of $40,500. If Mr. Stewart keeps on at the rate which he has started in, he will soon own sufficient cattle to satisfy the ambition of any man.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, April 26, 1883.

Agent John D. Miles came up last Friday and went on to Kansas City, to look after lumber for a new school building for the Indians under his charge. The department has adopted the policy of establishing schools of an industrial nature right among the tribes in the Territory, but owing to a failure on the part of congress to make the necessary appropriation, only one school house will be built this year.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, May 3, 1883.

A NEW DEPARTURE.

With this number the existence of the Caldwell Post and THE Caldwell COMMERCIAL ends, and THE CALDWELL JOURNAL takes their place, making its first appearance next week.

It is unnecessary to detail how this change has been brought about. This much can be said, however, that the various interests in and about Caldwell deem it the best policy to have one substantial newspaper, and with that object in view the two papers have been united under the control of the “Caldwell Printing and Publishing Company.”

The officers of the company are Ben S. Miller, President; and John W. Nyce, Secretary and Treasurer.

W. B. Hutchison has been selected as editor, and Halsey S. Lane as Business Manager. Of the former little need be said. His editorial ability can only be judged by the manner in which he has conducted the COMMERCIAL for the past three years. Aided by men interested in the enterprise, he will give his best efforts and such talents as he may possess, to making the JOURNAL a paper useful to every interest which it seeks to represent and an honor to Southwestern Kansas. Of Mr. Lane it can be said, that in addition to his practical knowledge of printing, he has a thorough business education, an experience and a reputation which will guarantee a successful financial management of the JOURNAL. He will have entire charge of all matters relating to the business of the office, and the time will be when he will be recognized as one of the best businessmen in this city.

The Post and the COMMERCIAL served their purpose. They were excellent papers, above the average of country journals, and while their names will be no more used in connection with the Caldwell of the future, yet they will be remembered for the singleness of purpose with which they labored for its advancement against many adverse circumstances. They did their work well, and only the varied interests of the community made it necessary that they should give way to one journal that should fill the place of both.

We ask for the new enterprise the united support of the stockman, the farmer, the mechanic, the laborer, and the businessman. With this support the JOURNAL can be made one of the best papers in the Southwest, and, as a representative of all our interests, do a work of which the benefits will be far reaching to this portion of Kansas.

BEN S. MILLER, President. JNO. W. NYCE, Secretary.

Caldwell Commercial, Thursday, May 3, 1883.

West of 96—Leasing It Proposed.

[From April 27, 1883, Vinita Chieftain.]

We are reliably informed of offers being on hand for the leasing of the land lying west of 96, and it is quite likely the matter may be presented to Council at its called session to see what the opinion of the Cherokee people may be. It is understood the Secretary of the Interior will endorse leases for five years or under in case the Cherokees see fit to grant them. Now the question is, is it wise for the Cherokees to do so? Will they gain in any way? Will they lose in any way? If they lease the land they can get at least $75,000 a year instead of $42,000, the best figure ever obtained. They will financially gain at least $30,000 a year and lose the jealousy existing against those who have had the profits of collecting under the old law.

They will gain strong friends in the Western Cattlemen, friends the strongest of all, the friends of self-interest, who will labor to keep out the squatters and timber thieves for their cattle’s sake. Our interests are the same as the interests of the cattlemen and if the squatter and timber thief is kept out, we are greatly the gainers. We gain protection of our property.

The influence of the millions invested in cattle are strong enough in Washington to insure what seems to be already the policy of the U. S. Government, to-wit: the settlement of no more friendly Indians on these lands. If this can be done, the operation of the 16th Article of the Treaty of 1866 can be removed by act of congress and we can secure undisputed and absolute possession in fee of these lands. We can sell them for $5.00 an acre in that event instead of for 47 cents. We can get $30,000,000 instead of being refused $3,000,000, which would be a clear gain of over $1,000 a piece to every man, woman, and child in the Cherokee Nation. If it is deemed wise to sell it, this is the plan to secure a good price. If we wish to settle it ourselves, this is the only feasible way of getting it in our unconditional possession in order that we can do so. Leasing it will settle the pasture business and remove the jealousy existing against those who have made pastures there. Many people seriously think the pastures are wrong, although not forbidden by a law, and condemn them. It is well to remove this objection and restore good feeling by using the land so it will be of equal benefit to the whole people.

The points should be noted. What do we gain by leasing.

1st. We will be able to sell this land for $30,000,000 or, at least, a very much larger sum than we can now.

2nd. We will add at least $30,000 a year to our income.

3rd. We will offer a checkmate to the Oklahoma boomer.

4th. We will save our timber, etc., and starve the Kansas wood thief.

5th. We will remove the jealousy and ill feeling existing on account of the pastures and restore the harmonious feeling among our people.

6th. The people will then be equally benefitted by this country and no citizen will enjoy greater benefits from it than another.

If anyone sees a good reason why we should not lease, let him speak. We will publish it.

Tell Walton ceases to run his newspaper...

Arkansas City Traveler, May 2, 1883.

Tell W. Walton has severed his connection with the Caldwell Post, and the new proprietor, H. S. Lane, took charge of the office last Monday. We wish the retiring as well as the incoming editor success in the future.

Winfield Courier, May 3, 1883.

T. W. Walton has sold the Caldwell Post to H. S. Lane and will retire from the newspaper publishing business.

Tell Walton becomes a livestock broker at Caldwell...

Caldwell Journal, May 17, 1883.

BIG AD. TELL W. WALTON, LIVE STOCK BROKER, CALDWELL, KANSAS.

I have in hand for sale a few very desirable Ranch properties and range stocks.

One lot of wintered heifers.

One lot of wintered 2-year old steers.

One Cattle Ranch [deeded land] with 1900 cattle, 50 saddle horses and lots of good bulls on it. A full description furnished on application.

A fine stock range in the Indian Territory for sale.

126 head of stock horses for sale.

A 1600 acre stock ranch, title perfect, with 250 stock cattle for sale.

Caldwell Journal, May 31, 1883.

Tell Walton came up from the round-up Tuesday, and informed us that work on the first division would commence at Colson’s range yesterday.

Caldwell Journal, June 7, 1883.

Tell Walton has sold his bunch of mares and colts to parties who shipped them north.

Caldwell Journal, June 14, 1883.

J. S. Tate & Bro. sold the remainder of their horse herd—67 head—to Tell W. Walton last Friday, and left for Texas on Monday. Tell sold the stock to Mr. A. Dorsey on Friday evening.

Caldwell Journal, August 9, 1883.

Tell Walton returned last Sunday to take a little rest and renew his acquaintance with his wife and baby. In forty days, the time employed until he left the range, he has run over 400 miles in surveying the lines for pastures in the middle division of the Strip. He has considerable more work to do, and will return next week.

[TELL W. WALTON COMPLETES SURVEY.]

Caldwell Journal, September 13, 1883.

Tell W. Walton returned on Saturday, having completed his job of surveying the ranges in the middle division of the Cherokee Strip. Tell has done his work satisfactorily to the stockmen, and has only to make a plat of the country surveyed, in order that the Live Stock Association may know how much each one holding in that division will have to pay.

Caldwell Journal, October 4, 1883.

CHEROKEE STRIP LIVE STOCK ASSOCIATION.

Meeting of Board of Directors.

Pursuant to notice the Board of Directors of the C. S. L. S. Association met on Thursday of last week to receive the reports of the surveyors selected to run the lines of the pastures in each division, and to fix the amount to be assessed against such holder, and make a levy to raise the first semi-annual payment to the Cherokee Nation.

The report of S. T. Wood, surveyor of the eastern division, the survey being incomplete, showed 1,909,000 acres. Mr. Wood is still at work, but it will require a couple of weeks to finish the job; so as to obtain the exact number of acres in the division.

The middle division surveyed by Tell W. Walton, showed an area of 1,764,446.49 acres. The report also shows that there are 23 ranges in the division, running from 8,500 to 299,526 acres. All but three ranges are entirely enclosed with barbed wire fencing, and the three are fenced on each side.

Mr. C. H. Burgess had the east half of the western division, running west to the V range. West of that was under charge of Fred Erkhart, who has not completed his survey. The district surveyed by Mr. Burgess comprises 1,108,390 acres.

This makes a total of 4,781,865.49 acres surveyed and platted on the Strip. When the surveys are completed on the extreme eastern and western ends of the Strip, it is altogether likely the total acreage will exceed 6,000,000 acres.

From these reports, the Board levied an assessment of two cents an acre upon each occupant, in order to meet the first semi-annual payment to the Cherokee Nation, and to meet other expenses, and on Friday morning the Treasurer, M. H. Bennett, began the collection of the amounts due from each occupant. We did not learn the total sum paid in, but by Friday night there were sufficient funds in the Treasurer’s hands to meet all obligations due the Cherokees, and on Saturday morning he started for Tahlequah to make the first payment in accordance with the terms of the lease.

Since Thursday afternoon the Board has had under consideration cases appealed from the Board of Arbitration. In the case of Broadwell vs. The Eagle Chief Pool, the Board rendered a decision making Broadwell’s west line begin on the southwest corner and run north seven miles, leaving his west fence in a different shape from what he had it built.

In the case of Chase against Ewing, the Board affirmed the decision of the Board of Arbitration, giving Chase his range.

Wednesday morning the Board of Directors adopted the following resolution.

Resolved, That Caldwell Journal, be and is hereby adopted as the official organ of the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association.

Yesterday afternoon the case of the St. Joe Cattle Company vs. E. M. Ford was referred to the parties in contest, and settled by the Wyeth Cattle Co., purchasing all the interest of the St. Joe Company.

In the case of Peter Stewart vs. E. M. Ford, the decision of the Board of Arbitrators was affirmed, giving Stewart nearly all he asked.

The Board meets this morning at 9 o’clock, and will continue in session from day to day until all disputes regarding range are settled.

[PREPARING MAP: BURGESS & WALTON.]

Caldwell Journal, October 4, 1883.

Messrs. Burgess & Walton are preparing a map of the ranges on the Cherokee Strip, made up from surveys by the various parties recently engaged in that work. The map will be invaluable to every stock man on the Strip, and no time should be lost in making subscriptions, as no extra copies will be published. If the plats made and submitted to the Directors are any criterion, the map will not only be a beauty, but a necessary adjunct to every well governed ranch.

Caldwell Journal, November 1, 1883.

Tell W. Walton returned on Saturday, having completed the survey of the various pastures in the central division of the Strip. Tell had a hard time of it, owing to the beastly weather, as the English would say; still he looks none the worse for all his hard work.

Arkansas City Traveler, November 21, 1883.

Tell Walton was in the city yesterday. He is now surveying in the Indian Territory.

Caldwell Journal, November 29, 1883.

Tell Walton is surveying the cemetery, which has become the property of the city. The manner in which it was laid out makes it a difficult job to get the lines run in proper shape, but Tell will worry through, and make everything satisfactory.

Caldwell Journal, December 6, 1883.

Tell Walton has completed the survey of the cemetery, and made an excellent map of the same. The map can be seen in the council room.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 4, 1884.

The TRAVELER is indebted to Mr. Tell W. Walton for one of his new range maps of the Cherokee Strip. This map is a treasure in every respect to anyone desirous of keeping posted on cattle interests in the Territory. It should be in the hands of every stock man, or man interested in stock. It is as near correct as it is possible to make it. It is compiled from surveys made in 1883 by S. T. Wood, Tell Walton, Fred Eckert, and C. H. Burgess, and shows the location of about 100 ranges. We have two of the maps for sale at $6 each, the regular price. They are well worth the sum to anyone having occasion to use them.

Note: Peter Walton, who settled in Burden, was a brother of Tell and Wirt. Article reflects that their parents (Mr. and Mrs. George T. Walton) were not living in Burden.

Winfield Courier, June 12, 1884.

A Winfieldite at Burden.

The writer visited Burden on Wednesday, June 4th, for the first time, and was agreeably surprised with the general appearance of the place. Like all other young Kansas towns, it bustles with activity and holds forth abundant promises of future prosperity. We noticed several fine new residences and others under process of erection. Peter Walton is putting up a stone bank building, which will be a great improvement to Main Street. It is being built from stone, which is quarried about a mile and a half from Burden, and is, we judge, of about the same consistency as that found in the Winfield quarries.

We were pleasantly entertained at the home of Mr. Brooks during the dinner hour, and in the afternoon were greatly pleased to become the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Walton—parents of Tell and Wirt Walton, well known to Winfield people and Kansas newspaper men generally—at their new home. We have rarely had time pass more pleasantly. While waiting for the evening freight, through the courtesy of Mr. Walton, we were enabled to “Look over” the thriving little city, and we returned home with many pleasant memories of Burden and Burden people. JESSAMINE.

Winfield Courier, September 11, 1884.

The COURIER acknowledges the receipt of tickets to the Caldwell Fair, which comes off on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of October. Tell Walton is Secretary. One of the features is a regular Mexican blood curdling bull fight. We think we will go over and see how Tell demeans himself as king of the arena.

Arkansas City Republican, September 13, 1884.

Tell. W. Walton, secretary of the Caldwell Driving Park and Agricultural Association, presented the REPUBLICAN with the premium list of the society. It was printed by the Caldwell Journal, and is one of the neatest specimens of typography in the premium list line we have seen this season.

Note: The following item contains a letter to “Friend Walton.” I believe this was a letter to Tell Walton in Caldwell at that time...

Arkansas City Traveler, October 29, 1884.

A Friendly Warning.

One day last week we received the following letter from a friend, who is in every way entirely reliable, and we believe speaks the truth touching the threats of the boomer Payne. Payne may mean what he intimates to his followers, and he may not, but it will be well for our stockmen to keep an eye on his movements, while loafing around the southern border of the state.

______, Kansas, Oct. 16, 1884.

FRIEND WALTON: I have got onto one of Payne’s infamous schemes and it is of vital interest to you (if you have cattle in the Territory, as he claims) and all cattlemen who have cattle there, to know what it is. Payne, while here, told or intimated as much to one of his followers (who happened to be an intimate friend of mine also) that as “soon as the grass gets dead and dry enough, and the wind is favorable, it is the intention to burn out the cattlemen from Red River to the Kansas line, in retaliation for the burning of Rock Falls.”

He further gives us some friendly advice as to precautionary means which is useless to publish, but such that if followed will most effectually settle that little “burning out” scheme of the great incendiary. The writer of the letter is a Democrat, but not such as Payne likes to tackle with his boomer scheme, and is not in any manner whatever connected with the live stock interests of the Territory. Caldwell Journal.

Father of Tell, Wirt, and Peter Walton now handling Burden newspaper...

Winfield Courier, December 4, 1884.

Judge George T. Walton, of Burden, Cowley County, father of Wirt and Tell Walton, has been selected as the editor of the Burden Enterprise.

Arkansas City Traveler, December 10, 1884.

The Burden Enterprise is now under the editorial management of Geo. T. Walton, instead of J. W. Henthorn. We are sorry to miss Mr. Henthorn from the editorial fraternity of Cowley County, yet sincerely hope the Enterprise under the new management may continue to prosper.

Winfield Courier, December 11, 1884.

There has been quite a change in newspaper circles at Burden. J. W. Henthorn, the popular young editor of the Enterprise, withdrew from that paper last week and will this week issue the first number of the Burden Eagle. His paper will be a boomer from the start. The Enterprise has been placed in charge of Geo. T. Walton.

Arkansas City Republican, December 13, 1884.

Geo. T. Walton has been selected to edit the Burden Enterprise instead of J. W. Henthorn, resigned. Mr. Henthorn will cause to be born the Burden Eagle.

Arkansas City Republican, December 13, 1884.

Judge George T. Walton, of Burden, Cowley County, Kansas, father of Wirt and Tell Walton, has been selected as the editor of the Burden Enterprise.

Arkansas City Republican, December 20, 1884.

At the last term of the U. S. Court, the Oklahoma boomers had Tell. W. Walton, of the Caldwell Journal, indicted for arson, claiming he assisted in the burning of the boomer buildings formerly located at Rock Falls. The warrant was placed in Captain O. S. Rarick’s hands last week and Saturday he went over and served it on Mr. Walton. He gave bond in the sum of $1,000 for his appearance at the next term of the U. S. Court at Wichita.

Winfield Courier, December 25, 1884.

Tell Walton, of the Caldwell Journal, has been arrested on the charge of arson preferred by the Oklahoma colonists who swear he burnt their printing office at Rock Falls at the time the boomers were driven out of there. Tell swears the charge is false and gave bond for his appearance before Judge Foster at Wichita next month.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 7, 1885.

[REPORT ON BOOMERS AT ROCK FALLS.]

Tell W. Walton, of the Caldwell Journal, was interviewed in Topeka the other day. He says that he was on the grounds when the settlement at Rock Falls was broken up, acting in the capacity of associated press reporter, and was some distance away from the War Chief building when it was fired. The man who filed the complaint is said to have been three-quarters of a mile away and under arrest. He said there were about 250 men in Oklahoma now, and that within ten days there will be from 1,000 to 1,200 of Uncle Sam’s soldiers on the ground. It is his opinion that the boomers will be removed from the Territory if they are peaceable, and will be shot down if they resist. Mr. Walton speaks well of the men who have gone to Oklahoma; but says it is a scheme to make money, and that it cannot be disguised into anything else. He is in favor of opening the Territory in a proper manner.

Father of Tell, Wirt, and Peter Walton retires from newspaper business...

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 30, 1885.

Judge Walton has retired from the editorship of the Burden Enterprise. He is succeeded by Mr. Mathews, whom the Enterprise says is a good man and an old Kansan.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 6, 1885.

The malady among the hogs in this vicinity has become very serious, says the Burden Enterprise. Quite a number have lost from half to all of their hogs. Judge Walton has lost five out of seven of his Poland Chinas and half of his others. He tells us that it is nothing like hog cholera, but entirely a lung disease—proven by a post mortem examination.

Note: F. A. Hunt of South Haven mentioned in next item. I have a hunch this was our first sheriff in Cowley County. Winfield Courier had him killed in Caldwell years before. Turned out item was incorrect. It was a different Hunt.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 29, 1885.

Tell W. Walton, the heavy man of the Caldwell Journal, A. M. Colson, a prominent businessman, and Mayor Bailey, of Caldwell, also F. A. Hunt, a prominent citizen of South Haven, were in the city Monday and paid THE COURIER a pleasant visit. Tell Walton was at one time one of the boys here and is known by many. They returned today.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 5, 1885.

Tell W. Walton, of the Caldwell Journal, Geo. W. Riley, Mayor of the city, and A. M. Coulson, city councilman, were over from Caldwell Tuesday to attend a railroad meeting with the Geuda Springs delegation.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 19, 1885.

Tell W. Walton, of the Caldwell Journal; A. M. Coulson and J. W. Ross, councilmen of Caldwell; Wm. Corzine, county commissioner of Sumner; Hon. C. R. Mitchell and J. A. Leichmann, of Geuda; Mayor Schiffbauer, Rev. Fleming, A. A. Newman, and Geo. W. Cunningham, of Arkansas City; met here Wednesday on business connected with the K. C. & S. W. branch to Geuda and Caldwell.

OVER OUR NEW ROAD!

Tell W. Walton, of the Caldwell Journal Goes Over the K. C. & S. W.

A Good Writeup.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.

The editor of the Caldwell Journal, Tell W. Walton, writes thusly of our new railroad.

“Last week while the local railroad committee was in Winfield, by special invitation of Superintendent Latham, Attorney Asp, and Vice President Young, they took a run over the above named road from Winfield to Beaumont, the junction with the Frisco. Messrs. William Corzine, A. M. Colson, and the writer availed themselves of the invitation and accompanied by Messrs. Latham and Asp, boarded the passenger train at 7 a.m. and pulled out for the north. On the route we passed the booming little cities of Atlanta and Latham besides several smaller villages in embryo. The writer had not been in that part of Cowley County since 1878, and many were the changes he noticed. Most of them, however, had been made since the building of the road through there last summer. Any description of the new road that we could give by the single trip over it would not do it justice, but such observations as we made will be given.

“The road up the Timber Creek valley is well built and no grade on it to the summit of flint hills at Beaumont is over 60 feet to the mile and no curve more than six degrees. The Southern Kansas road to get over the flint hills has many grades of over 90 ft. to the mile and curve as high as ten degrees. The ties are all either oak or cedar, the rails steel, and the bridges combination wood and iron set upon solid stone piers and abutments. The culverts are all stone and built in a substantial manner. The grading is well done and is sufficiently smooth now so that riding over the road at a thirty mile gait is attended with no more jostling than is on the Santa Fe and Southern Kansas. The coaches run on the passenger train are one combination coach and baggage, and a regular day coach, such as are run on all first-class roads. The day coach runs from Winfield direct to St. Louis, while the combination coach is used for local travel. A regular freight on the Frisco, from Wichita to St. Louis and from St. Louis to Wichita. The passenger train connects with the regular through passenger train on the Frisco from and to St. Louis. In conversation with men along the line of the road, we found none but the best words spoken of the management of the road and their honorable treatment of all with whom they have had dealings. The Kansas City and South Western is a good railroad and one that will revolutionize the freight rates of this part of the valley when completed to Caldwell, as it has already done at Winfield and will do at Arkansas City on December first, at which date it will be completed there. Our people are at work now circulating petitions to aid in the construction of the main line of this road, but under a different name from Arkansas City to this point.”

Death of Wirt Walton, Tell Walton’s brother...

Arkansas City Traveler, September 8, 1886.

[DEATH OF WIRT W. WALTON RECORDED.]

Fatal Railroad Accident.

Junction City, Kansas, September 6, 1886.

Yesterday a passenger train on the Fort Kearney branch of the Union Pacific jumped the track between Alida and Milford. Hon. Wirt W. Walton, of Clay Center, was on the engine with Engineer Mullis and Fireman Fries. The engine landed on its side. Mr. Walton was thrown out of the left side window and severely scalded. No other person hurt. Mr. Walton died at 6 p.m.

Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 11, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.

DIED. Hon. Wirt W. Walton, of Clay Center, died Monday evening. His death was caused by the severe scalding received in a railroad wreck near Junction City a few days ago. The deceased was a prominent Republican. His demise will be felt by his party.

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

The engineer of the engine on which Wirt Walton was killed has been discharged by the Union Pacific Company for having violated the rules of the company by permitting Mr. Walton to ride upon the engine.

[TELL WALTON FOUND NOT GUILTY.]

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

Tell Walton, of the Caldwell Journal, had his trial yesterday in the U. S. Court at Wichita. He was charged with burning a house containing a printing press, within the Oklahoma country, about two years ago. The judge heard the evidence of the witnesses for the state, and, as it was in no wise sufficient to sustain the charge, he ordered the jury to bring in a verdict of not guilty, which was immediately done.