WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL 1885.

Winfield City Councilmen at time K. C. & S. W. Railroad built road...

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 8, 1885.

Four Wards and Eight Councilmen.

At a special session of the city council Tuesday evening, an ordinance was passed dividing the city into four wards. The division was made from Main Street and Tenth Avenue. The ward east of Main and north of 10^th Avenue is the first ward. That south of 10^th and east of Main Street, the second ward. That west of Main and south of 10^th, the third ward. That north of 10^th and west of Main, the fourth ward. This will necessitate the election, in the spring, of four additional councilmen and the same number of additional school board members. This will give us a city government commensurate with our proportions. It will also do away with the present liability of a lack of a quorum at council meetings. With our present number of councilmen, it has periodically occurred that business had to be postponed from time to time owing to the absence from the city of two of our councilmen. We think the division has been equitably made and will result in general satisfaction.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 19, 1885.

CITY ELECTION. In three weeks we will be called upon to elect a Mayor and eight Councilmen to govern the affairs of our city for two years to come. It will be a serious matter to make a mistake in the selection of these men—serious because the very life of its residents depends upon a thorough cleaning up of our vile and filth-polluted alleys and cesspools before the coming of warm weather, and a strong and effective city government alone can do it. Then we are now at a most critical point in our history. New enterprises are knocking at our doors. We need men at the head of our municipal government who will properly encourage them—men of broad and comprehensive views who have the nerve and ability to foster everything for the upbuilding of our city.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 2, 1885.

CITY ELECTION. The City election will be held next Tuesday, and as yet no tickets are in the field. For mayor the names of D. L. Kretsinger, Dr. Graham, W. R. McDonald, and Mr. Ordway are prominently mentioned. Any one of these gentlemen are thoroughly competent, and would give the city an active and energetic administration. James Connor is mentioned for the council in the First ward. He is one of our best men, and should go in without opposition. Among others mentioned for the council in their respective wards are Arthur Bangs, Ed. Bedilion, A. H. Doane, J. B. Lynn, H. Brotherton, and W. A. Smith. All are good men, and would give us a clean and effective government. Let every citizen without regard to party or creed make himself a committee of one to go to any and all meetings or caucuses for the nomination of tickets, and see that first class men only are put on ground. There is much of weal or woe, depending on the class of persons selected to govern the city during the next two years.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.

The City Council meets Friday at four o’clock to canvas Tuesday’s vote and declare the winners.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.

TUESDAY’S ELECTION. Winfield never experienced an election day like Tuesday. But one candidate had opposition—Capt. H. H. Siverd. Every man on the ticket was such as would honor the position for which he was nominated—representative men selected from the tried and trusted of the city by a non-partisan caucus—a caucus the like of which Winfield never had before and will probably never have again. There was nothing to draw out a full vote. Everything was as tranquil as a May morning. The only riffle was caused by the feeble attempt of a certain element to down the irrepressible Capt. H. H. Siverd. But the Captain didn’t down worth a cent. The colored voters of the city made a mistake in allowing the whiskey mugwumps to cajole them into running their candidate after this honest defeat in the people’s convention. Following is the vote of the several wards.

FIRST WARD. Graham, 212; M. G. Troup, 1; W. H. Turner, 234; W. A. Tipton, 1; John D. Pryor, 223; Geo. W. Robinson, 226; H. H. Siverd, 176; T. H. Herrod, 199; Archie Brown, 51; James Connor, 224; A. G. Wilson, 224; W. O. Johnson, 218. TOTAL: 231.

SECOND WARD. W. G. Graham, 127; Mollie Burke, 1; W. H. Turner, 131; John D. Pryor, 128; H. H. Siverd, 105; T. H. Herrod, 103; Archie Brown, 35; A. H. Jennings, 130; T. B. Myers, 132; G. W. Robinson, 131; J. S. Mann, 128; H. E. Silliman, 25; Archie Brown, 5. TOTAL: 133.

THIRD WARD. W. G. Graham, Mayor, 142; W. H. Turner, Police Judge, 151; John D. Pryor, City Treasurer, 153; G. W. Robinson, Treasurer, Board of Education, 152; H. H. Siverd, Constable, 112; T. H. Herrod, Constable, 129; Archie Brown, Constable, 55; G. H. Crippen, Councilman, 153; J. H. Bullen, Member, Board of Education, 153. TOTAL: 157.

FOURTH WARD. W. G. Graham, 93; W. H. Turner, 91; John D. Pryor, 93; Geo. W. Robinson, 94; H. H. Siverd, 74; T. H. Herrod, 84; Archie Brown, 23; J. P. Baden, 91; J. N. Harter, 92; B. F. Wood, 91; W. H. Smith, 90. TOTAL: 92.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.

THE NEW CITY ADMINISTRATION. Last evening the new city council met for the first time presided over by the new Mayor, Dr. W. G. Graham, who delivered an address to the members of the Council which had the ring of pure gold. He said that the members of the new city government had been elected practically unanimously without their solicitation, which was a high compliment as an expression of the confidence of the people of this city that they would attend to the interests of the city honestly, efficiently, energetically, and with watchful care. These offices were not lucrative, and none of those elected were compelled to accept, but the acceptance was the acceptance of a sacred trust, and a contract of honor with our city to do their whole duty with constant vigilance, and any neglect to do this would be dishonorable. That Winfield is in the most important era of its history as bearing upon its future greatness and prosperity which very largely depends upon the wisdom and efficiency of this city government. New enterprises are to be undertaken and encouraged, new institutions, new works of improvement, new railroads, new factories. The city government has to do with all these, to afford to all such reasonable assistance and encouragement as will secure them and render them successful. It has to reach out after and secure new benefits to the city and at the same time to keep down expenses to reasonable limits, and avoid all extravagance and prodigality. It has to husband its means with such economy as to make it do the greatest possible good. The health and good order of the city must be strictly attended to, and the city kept clean in more ways than one.

The above are not the words of the Mayor, but a condensation of their general effect, and we feel confident that they will be crystallized into actions under this administration. He is, to our mind, the right man in the right place. We have an able Council, too, which will second these views with energetic and judicious action.

The nominations made by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council show that they mean business.

The selection of G. H. Buckman for City Clerk was no surprise for it was expected and approved by all as the right thing to do. But the appointment of W. P. Hackney for City Attorney and of Ben F. McFadden for Marshal were real surprises to most people for neither of their names seem to have been mentioned in relation thereto, while other names had been prominently mentioned and urged by their friends.

But as the Mayor remarked, these officers were to be the trusted employees of the city, and the city should use business sagacity in selecting them by choosing those whose ability and energy would make them most valuable to the city and not because the appointee needed the office or had warm friends. These appointments are hailed with delight and show that the Mayor can practice as well as preach. With Graham for Mayor, Hackney for attorney, McFadden for marshal, and energetic businessmen for council, we have high anticipations for Winfield.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 30, 1885.

QUERY. EDITOR COURIER: I believe you are rated as one learned in the ways of the City Fathers. THE DAILY COURIER Wednesday reports the Council as prohibiting the two new railroads from crossing any street or alley in the city. The city proposition to the K. C. & S. W. binds them to erect a depot within the city limits, and three-quarters of a mile from the crossing of Main and Ninth avenue. Will you please inform an anxious and suffering public how the railroad can put a depot in the city limits without crossing a street or alleys.

CITIZEN.

[Note: The editor did not reply to the above query.]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 30, 1885.

The city rulers held a special commune yesterday afternoon regarding the railroad right of way matter, to reconsider their determination to keep the new lines from running through the city across streets and alleys. After much talk nothing was arrived at, and an adjournment to this evening was had, when a lively time is looked for.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 13, 1885.

R. R. TRACK THROUGH THE CITY. MESSRS. EDITORS: As a citizen I have actively opposed the occupation of any of the streets through the residence portion of our city by either of the railroads now approaching us. But after looking over the ground carefully, I can see, and everyone who is interested will see, that there is a line of passage which could be given them with little detriment to public and private convenience, and with advantages more than commensurate with the injuries sustained. I refer to the occupation of Loomis street, from the Kansas R. R. southward to between 11^th and 12^th avenues, and then following the course of the ravine by the Walnut river. By so doing, we could secure, First—the proper filling and grading of that “valley of dry bones” and catch all of the debris of the city—between 9^th and 12^th avenues. Second—the opening of a complete drainage for the low grounds on the east and south sides of our city. There is no denying the fact, that if we would avoid the future devastation of our homes by disease and pestilence, we will soon have to inaugurate a complete system of drainage, and the expense attending it will amount to more than the appropriations already made by the city to the roads. If the railroad companies will provide and keep up a sufficient drainage outlet, the city could well afford to contribute to pay for some of the consequential damages for occupation of the street. In footing the interest of the roads, we can demand reciprocal benefits in this and other matters. I will not enlarge upon this subject; I wish only to call the attention of the City Council and citizens to this matter and to advise a candid and thorough examination of the subject before action is taken in deciding the course to be pursued. C. PERRY.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 20, 1885.

THE RAILROAD MATTER SETTLED. After a long and tough wrestle, the city “dads” have fixed railroad matters up. Council met in special session Thursday night. The room was crowded with interested property owners. Everything passed off smoothly. The following is a copy of sec. 1 of the ordinance passed last evening. “There is hereby granted to the Kansas City & Southwestern railroad company the right of way to construct and operate and maintain the main line of their road and all necessary side tracks, across the following streets, avenues, and alleys in said city, to-wit: Loomis street, north of Fourth avenue, and Millington street, north of Fifth avenue; Fourth avenue, west of Loomis street; Main street, north of Fifth avenue; Fifth avenue, west of Main street; Manning and Menor streets, north of Sixth avenue; Sixth avenue, west of Menor street; Eighth and Ninth avenues, west of Walton street and through the alleys in blocks 105, 85, 65, and 8 in said city.” As far as we have heard, this gives a general satisfaction to the public. The following is about the projected line as near as we are able to ascertain: Crossing Timber creek north of Andrews’ addition, through this addition just north of Mrs. Andrews’ house, thence running along the line of the S. K. railroad through R. B. Waite and J. B. Lynn’s six acre tract, northwest of Sam Myton’s residence, through the Water Company’s grounds near the pump house, across the west end of Mrs. Manning’s lots just north of J. C. McMullen, and thence west of south in the direction of the Kickapoo corral. We are glad this matter is settled and we hope, satisfactory to all.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.

The city council held an adjourned meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The issue of the $20,000 in bonds to the K. C. & S. W. was ordered.

Arkansas City Republican, October 17, 1885.

Railroad Meeting. The citizens of Arkansas City have just awakened to the fact that they are about to be left out in the cold in the matter of the K. C. & S. W. Railroad. It has now become known that the Geuda Springs branch is only another name for the K. C. & S. W., and that while the company will fulfill their agreement to the letter, and build the road through Arkansas City to the state line, they have intentions of making the junction at least three miles north of here and thus make the Geuda Springs & Caldwell branch the main line, while this will be only a stub with not sufficient length to justify a separate service. The effect will be that when the road is in operation that only such trains as are absolutely necessary will ever be run down here, a local freight perhaps. This is a direct stab at Arkansas City from the Winfield element in the company headed by the road’s attorney, Henry E. Asp, our present county attorney. To devise some means to have the junction here or south of here, provided a western branch is built, was the object of a meeting held in the office of Meigs & Nelson Thursday evening.

The meeting was called to order by N. T. Snyder, Judge Kreamer being called to the chair and N. T. Snyder, secretary. George Cunningham stated the object of the meeting, which was to devise some way to prevent the junction from being north of Arkansas City, and asked Mr. Hill to make a statement of what the company intended to do.

Mr. Hill said that the company intended to build the road through Arkansas City to the state line, and that the Caldwell branch would also undoubtedly be built, and that it would be to his interest, and to the company’s interest, to have the branch start from here, as it would require but one bridge. He also stated that the company, outside of the Winfield element, was favorable to Arkansas City. He acknowledged that the company was morally, if not legally bound, to make the junction here, because it was upon these express promises that they had obtained the aid of Arkansas City in voting the bonds.

Rev. Fleming made a forcible speech, charging it as conspiracy on the part of Winfield to leave Arkansas City out in the cold and a violation of the promises made by Asp and others when they obtained our aid. Amos Walton said that it was a conspiracy that was entered into at the time the company approached Winfield. Every opposition was made to Mr. Hill’s efforts to get the road through the east part of the city and east of the Santa Fe. The city council was even in the conspiracy, as shown by the fact that they would not grant the right of way of street crossings unless the road went west of the city. The road going west, he estimated, cost $25,000 more than the east route. “Winfield voted $20,000 bonds to get them in there and charged them $25,000 to get out.”

A. A. Newman moved that a committee of five be appointed to confer with Mr. Hill as regards the best means of attaining the object of the meeting. The chair appointed A. A. Newman, Geo. W. Cunningham, Amos Walton, Rev. Fleming, and S. Matlack as that committee.

The following resolution was passed. Resolved, That the K. C. & S. W. Railroad Company is not treating the city of Arkansas City fairly, and in the same generous spirit which the citizens treated them in the inception of the road in the matter of building a road diverging from their line north of this city. In support of this proposition, would say that it was promised and agreed by Mr. Asp, attorney for the road, in order to obtain our aid, that the line of road should come down east of the A. T. & S. F., and yet the leading citizens of Winfield antagonized the road sufficient to prevent its coming through Winfield on a line to accomplish that object and to the injury of the company forced it upon the west side of the city of Winfield, and then as a part of the scheme for the injury of Arkansas City proposed and looked up a line leading west only three miles north of the city of Arkansas City. Feeling that it is a violation of the good faith pledged to the city, we would respectfully state that the said line should be left open until the line to the territory on the south of us is built. We would further state as to the matter of expense that in case the company will make a survey and establish the cost of the road from the point in Beaver Township, to the west line of Walton Township, Sumner Co., and a corresponding survey from Arkansas City or south of it, west through Walton Township, Sumner County, that we will willingly make the difference in case it should be favorable to the first mentioned line.

W. D. KREAMER, Chairman. N. T. SNYDER, Secretary.

The next item is very important!...

Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 19, 1885.

HINDSIGHT VS. FORESIGHT. The Caldwell branch of the K. C. & S. W. railroad will run from Arkansas City. The question was settled last week. The propositions which had been submitted to townships in Sumner County stipulating that the branch should leave the main line at Winfield or a point north of the center of Beaver township, are withdrawn and others submitted stipulating that it shall branch from Arkansas City. While but few of the citizens of Winfield seem to realize it, the fight over this question has been most fierce and bitter. The Winfield members of the company bent their energies from the first to secure this branch for Winfield, and of course expected and counted upon the hearty cooperation of our citizens and municipal authorities. They early presented the matter to the company, took pains to ascertain from the citizens of Sumner County what aid could be secured, and formulated a proposition which embraced four thousand dollars per mile for every mile constructed in Sumner, and pledged to the company hearty and liberal encouragement from Winfield in the right of way through the city, land, and money for machine shops, etc. The propositions were considered and determined upon and the matter was fixed before the road reached our city on the most feasible route and branch from Winfield. But when the Winfield members were called upon for the right of way through the city, they could not deliver the goods. The route selected by the engineer as being the most feasible, was through the eastern part of town. Mr. Asp approached the city council and suggested that they allay this road to occupy some street in the east part of the City. As a precedent for this request, he cited Wichita, which had given like privileges to two railroads, El Dorado the same, Emporia the same, Topeka, Leavenworth, Atchison, Ottawa, and many others. Immediately there arose a howl the like of which we have rarely heard. Members of the council seemed to care more for the sanctity of their back yards than for the future welfare of the city whose interests they were especially selected to protect. Mr. Asp argued with them individually and collectively, early and late, but it was of no use. They said, some of them, that he was “personally interested.” This was in a measure true, but they failed to observe that his position enabled him to see more clearly the benefits which might be reaped for Winfield by a judicious and liberal public policy, and, laying aside the contemptible insinuation that he would betray his own people for a mess of pottage, his greatest “personal interest” lay in the permanent and enduring prosperity of Winfield. Mr. Asp made one of the ablest speeches and strongest personal appeals to the council in public session, but he was unanimously set down upon. The council had got it into their heads that the proper place for the road was out by Bliss & Wood’s mill and up a canyon, despite the protest of the chief engineer that such a route was impracticable. Then the road tried to get the council’s consent to buy their way through the east part. This was refused. Then they asked permission to climb the hill and cross Ninth avenue a mile east of Main street. The councilmen were taken in carriages to view the route and agreed verbally to let the road go there. A special meeting was called that evening only to result in their going back on what they had agreed to in the morning. Then the road asked that they might follow the Santa Fe around the town and get out in decent order. But another councilman’s back yard was endangered and even this was refused. The company was dismayed. Instead of finding Winfield friendly to the road, they found her council ready to throttle it, to disembowel it, to scatter its fragments over the whole surrounding territory rather than that the “beauty” of the east part of town should be forever marred by the presence of a railroad track, although the company offered to plank the track, inside and out, and making a continual crossing from limit to limit of the city. In this the council was ably seconded by citizens whose back yards with that of the writer, were seriously threatened. Every new move only seemed to increase the bloodthirsty disposition of our valiant city fathers, until the road ordered its Chief Engineer to locate the line in accordance with the dictation of the city council of Winfield. The Chief Engineer did so. The road is now built and we advise every citizen and will furnish carriages for the city council, to go out and view it. It ruins the fair grounds. It damages the Park for public purposes. It practically vacates the only road over which the people of Vernon, Beaver, and part of Pleasant Valley can get into Winfield—and two miles of it costs the company forty-six thousand dollars more than they receive from Winfield in aid, leaving them with one of the most dangerous and expensive pieces of road to maintain and operate forever that there is in Kansas outside of the Flint Hills, which were for years a practical barrier to railroad building in the Southwest.

This is Winfield’s attitude toward this company; now for Arkansas City:

She wanted the road. She was willing that Winfield might have two roads to her one, and voted solidly for the D., M. & A., redeeming her pledges faithfully. She also wanted the Caldwell branch. She asked the company to simply notify her of what it thought necessary to be done and they would do it. The company suggested that they give the road a street, free of cost, from limit to limit of their city. The suggestion was embodied in an ordinance and passed unanimously, leaving the company its option to select which street it wanted, and even holding the company harmless for any damages that might arise from its occupancy.

We believe that the action of our city council toward this road has been the most unfortunate move in the history of Winfield. Had it accorded the company any kind of fair and decent treatment, we would have the Caldwell branch, the permanent division, machine shops, and general headquarters, all of which the company had offered, which would place Winfield far in the lead of any city in Southern Kansas. These things were within our grasp. The fight had been made and these points gained before the road reached town. It only needed the sanction of the Council to settle it.

We believe they all acted for what they thought to be best, and a minority would have saved us the prize if they had only had the power.

Broad-gauge men will make a live, enterprising, flourishing town—close-fisted and short-sighted ones will kill it if given enough rope. We have the former if they will only wake up and help to take in the slack on the latter. Winfield’s future is grand and promising, but no city can afford to make many such costly mistakes—especially after being fully informed and with their eyes opened.

We may yet secure some of the advantages which seem to have drifted away from us, but the fight has to be made over again. The Winfield members of the company will work for Winfield to the extent of their ability and means, but the measure of their success will depend upon the attitude of Winfield and her Council and men of influence.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, November 25, 1885.

THE SORROWS OF WINFIELD. There is a heavy washing of dirty linen being done in Winfield. The jealousy of the people there is aroused at the advantages likely to accrue to this city from the Kansas City and Southwestern railroad being built through our boundaries and then carried to the state line.

The Courier, in an article over a column long, charges hostility to the enterprise on a number of the city council, who were solicitous for the safety of their backyards, and this solicitude also cropped out from the doings and sayings of several private citizens whose property was likely to be invaded. The Courier thus states the treatment visited on the railway managers.

“The council had got it into their heads that the proper place for the road was out by Bliss & Wood’s mill and up a canyon, despite the protest of the chief engineer that such a route was impracticable. Then the road tried to get the council’s consent to buy their way through the east part. This was refused. Then they asked permission to climb the hill and cross Ninth Avenue 4 miles east of Main Street. The councilmen were taken in carriages to view the route and agreed verbally to let the road go there. A special meeting was called that evening only to result in their going back on what they had agreed to in the morning. Then the road asked that they might follow the Santa Fe around the town, and get out in decent order. But another councilman’s backyard was endangered and even this was refused. The company was dismayed. Instead of finding Winfield friendly to the road, they found her council ready to throttle it, to disembowel it, to scatter its fragments over the whole surrounding territory, rather than that the ‘beauty of the east part of town’ should be forever marred by the presence of a railroad track.”

It has been frequently talked on our streets that Winfield gave the K. C. & S. W. company $20,000 to go there, and charged it $25,000 to get out. But the Courier makes a still worse showing. After dwelling on the impracticable character of the route pursued, and bewailing the ruin wrought to the fair ground, the injury to the park, and the divergence of the track from the only road over which the people of Vernon, Beaver, and part of Pleasant Valley can get into Winfield, the writer sums up the adventitious cost of the road at “$46,000 more than it receives from Winfield in aid.” With this further disadvantage, that it leaves the company “one of the most dangerous and expensive pieces of road to maintain (and operate forever) that there is in Kansas, outside of the flint hills.”

With such unfair and inhospitable treatment, we can understand that the railroad company has not the kindest feeling toward that city, and must feel that such help as was bestowed on them costs more than it comes to.

But all this talk is apart from the real question. When the city and county bonds to aid in the construction of the K. C. & S. W. road were voted in this city, it was with the distinct understanding that its track was to be laid directly here and carried hence to the state line. Our people were informed that the road was to be built through into Texas, and the halt would be made on the border of the territory only until the right of way through the Indian country should be granted. The bonds were voted with that understanding and the faithful performance of the undertaking looked to. Our cotem, in strong antithesis, contrasts the conduct of this city toward the railway company with that of Winfield.

Here is how he puts it.

“She (Arkansas City) wanted the road. She was willing that Winfield might have two roads to her one, and voted solidly for the D. M. & A., redeeming her pledges faithfully. She also wanted the Caldwell branch. She asked the company to simply notify her of what it thought necessary to be done and they would do it. The company suggested that they give the road a street, free of cost, from limit to limit of their city. The suggestion was embodied in an ordinance and passed unanimously, leaving the company its option to select which street it wanted, and even holding the company harmless for any damages that might arise from its occupancy.”

This is in striking contrast with the conduct of Winfield toward the railroad company (as detailed by our sprightly cotemporary), but it moved no feeling of gratitude. Ever since the ordinance was passed by our city council, granting the road its choice of the right of way, there have been schemes proposed and combinations entered into, to deprive this city of the benefit of the road, and put us off on a stub. But these sharp tricks were defeated by the prompt, and energetic, action of our businessmen. On two occasions, when they learned that the road was to be diverted from its proposed course and good faith violated, they summoned Messrs. Young, Latham, Asp, and other managers of the road, and informed those gentlemen that if the engagement with this city was not honestly fulfilled, no bonds would issue.

This was argumentum ad hominem. It has been forcibly said: “The man who carries the bag has many forces at his back; an empty sack will not stand upright.” This threat to cut off supplies brought the road managers to terms, and the track was graded to our city without further flouncing.

What threat may be contained in the significant passage with which the Courier editor winds up his arraignment, we do not clearly comprehend. He says: “We may yet secure some of the advantages which seem to have drifted away from us, but the fight has to be made over again. The Winfield members of the company will work for Winfield to the extent of their ability and means, but the measure of their success will depend on the attitude of Winfield and her council and men of influence.” If this means that when the bonds of this city are issued and hypothecated, an effort will be made by “the Winfield members” to have the track removed from this city, it is clear that an act of perfidy is contemplated which will bring confusion on the heads of its promoters. But we borrow no trouble over this intangible avowal. The road will be completed to this city in a few days, and the necessary depot buildings started upon, and possession is nine points of the law. Good faith has been observed by the railway company in spite of the machinations of “the Winfield members;” and as they have lost their opportunity to divert the road, they will now find it a fruitless task to attempt to undo a work that has already been accomplished.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1886.

REPAIR THE ROADS. A petition has been circulated requesting the city council to compel the K. C. & S. W. railroad company to make a good road from the southwest bridge to the fair ground entrance, alleging that the company had destroyed that wagon road, or words to that effect.