[Effective June 16, 1871, Williams leaves News...appears to start a rivalpaper in a short time...and Stotler resumes ownership...KEEPS STATUS OFEDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.]
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
The county commissioners of Atchison County concluded negotiations daybefore yesterday for the transfer of the stock of the county to the A. T.& S. F. railroad company, provided that company commence work on theirroad between Atchison and Topeka by the first of April next, and completethe road between the two places by the first of May, 1872.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
Mr. Welch, of the Indian commission who has been in Washington examiningthe records of the Indian office, says Mr. Lang discovered greater fraudsin the Southern Indian territory than he (Welch) did in the Northern. Hecited one instance where Lang saw $90,000 was paid to Arapaho Indians, ofwhich amount $30,000 was taken by Gen. Blunt on the plea that he had performedlegislation at much cost of time and money. Also mentions a voucher foundto a rich contractor for $155,000, where the profit must have been overone hundred and twenty-five percent.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
The report of the officers in charge of the National cemeteries showthat the remains of deceased Union soldiers are interred in seventy-threeNational cemeteries, and in three hundred and sixteen local, private, orpost cemeteries. The total number of bodies of Union soldiers interred inthe United States is 215,555, of which number 152,109 can be identified,while 143,446 remain unknown. It is estimated that 463 scattered bodiesremain yet to be interred in National cemeteries. The expenditure in establishingand keeping National cemeteries up to June 30, 1869, was reported at $3,266,370.The amount required for the next fiscal year was estimated at $3,100,000.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
A dispatch from San Francisco states that the Apaches are committingmany depredationscommitting murders, running off large herds of cattle,etc. A freight train, fully armed, en route to Fort Goodwin, was attacked30 miles east of Tucson by a large number of Indians, and after a sharpfight, in which one man was killed and two wounded, the Indians got awaywith some oxen.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.
Prof. Kellogg having resigned the editorship of the Educational Journal,to take effect with the end of the present volume, which closes withthe April number, the Association which met in Leavenworth this week, elected,as editors for the coming year, Professors Banfield, of Topeka, and Dilworth,of Emporia. The Journal will continue to be printed at THE NEWS office.. . .
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
W. A. Patrick, of the Cowley County Censor was in the city Thursday.The Censor is paying so well as to enable him to take a holiday touramong his friends east, and he is just returning. He says Winfield is growingwonderfully. Forty houses were under contract when he left.
Emporia News, January 6, 1871.
PERSONAL. We had a call from F. Young, dealer in books and stationery,at Winfield. He had been purchasing stock in this city, and finds he cando as well here as at more northern points. He also keeps a news depot,and among other papers sells the EMPORIA NEWS. He is doing a good business.All kinds of trade is good at Winfield.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler comes to us, under the new administrationof Prof. Kellogg, one of the neatest, brightest sheets in the southwest.Who is doing the writing and superintending of the office, it does not say.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
Hank Lowe has made quite a change in the appearance of the stage office,in the NEWS building, since he took charge of the business of the combinedKansas and Southern Kansas companies. He will be happy to furnish stageroom for all parties who desire to visit any points in the south and west.He will there receive orders and cash and furnish the most comfortable transportationwithout grumbling.
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
Mr. Freeman starts with his stock for the Arkansas on Monday. He is anenthusiast for that region. His family will follow him soon. [???]
[FROM ARKANSAS CITY.]
Emporia News, January 13, 1871.
DEAR NEWS: We are pained to hear that you have been suffering a littletouch of the arctichave been mourning over nearly a foot of snow.
Well, we are sorry for you. Here in our warm, tropical Arkansas Valley,we have had no snow at all, except a few scattering flakes, that meltedas they fell. Roads and weather are lovely.
Arkansas City is growing faster than ever, our seventy-seventh buildingwas raised on the 6th. It is our new schoolhouse, built by subscription,25 x 40 feet. We have already an excellent school, in two departments. Ina few weeks more, this will be the great staging center of Kansas. The consolidatedline of the two great companies are to be at once extended from Parker andEureka to this point; the former line to be pushed on up to Wichita, andanother line will speedily be extended to Fort Sill.
Prof. Norton has for several weeks been lying severely ill, unable tosit up or move much of the time. The disease is acute hepatitis. He is slowlygaining, but will not be able to move for some weeks. This is a great disappointmentto all who desired him to claim his seat in the Legislature.
Our big new mills are being rapidly built. The immigration is remarkable.The survey of the lands is in progress, and we are beginning to know whereour claims are. A. G. O. A. C.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
The Cherokee Indians want Grant's treaty ratified. It agrees to pay them$2,500,000 for some 20,000,000 acres of land they vacated in southern Kansas.Their friends at Washington, just now, are numerous.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Red Cloud says his tribe is starving, and wants Government rations. TheCrows have stolen sixty horses from them, and two hundred from the Cheyennes.The latter recovered their stock after a fight in which seven Crows andone Cheyenne expired.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
BIG AD. [LOTS OF WHITE SPACE!]
GREAT SLAUGHTER OF DRY GOODS, FURS, DRESS GOODS, FLANNELS, SHAWLS, QUILTS,AND ALL WINTER GOODS! WILL BE SOLD FOR THE NEXT SIXTY DAYS AT AN IMMENSESACRIFICE!! To Give Room for Our Spring Stock.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Prof. Kellogg is making arrangements to enlarge the Arkansas CityTraveler to an eight column paper.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
There is not a handsomer or better kept stock of dry goods in anybody'stown than can be seen in Newman Bros.' establishment, this city.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
Enoch Hoag, superintendent of Indian affairs, advertises in this paperfor proposals for the transportation of government stores from Emporia andFort Harker, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Upwards of three hundredtons are to be delivered in each of the five succeeding months. See advertisem*nt.
WILL be received at the office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs,Lawrence, for the transportation of Government stores from Emporia and FortHarker, Kansas, to the Cheyenne, Wichita, and Kiowa Indian Agencies, overthe most direct road from the town of Wichita, Kansas, to Fort Sill, IndianTerritory. Amount of freight, three hundred tons and upwards, to be deliveredin good condition, at said Agencies, in nearly equal amounts, each, forthe five succeeding months. Proposals to state amount per hundred poundsper hundred miles. ENOCH HOAG, Sup't Indian Affairs.
Emporia News, January 20, 1871.
The Kaws have been out on the plains hunting, and were caught by thelate cold snap away from shelter and feed for their ponies. It is reportedthat several Indians froze to death. They lost some of their ponies.
Considerable quantities of timber are being taken off the reserve bywhite men. The Kaws are selling it to them at a mere nominal price. Whereis the honest agent who attends to Uncle Sam's business up there?
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
EDS. EMPORIA NEWS: Your readers may feel some interest in a few linessent you from this new and rapidly settling region of our State. This City,or rather an enterprising settler, built the first house last April. Havingto wagon all the lumber from Emporia, 120 miles, until a saw could be startedon the ground, one would infer that building must progress slowly. But fromvarious causes, chiefly the favorable climate, soil, water, and timber,emigrants rushed in at such a rate, and demanded so much lumber as scarcelyto appreciate the quantity sawed out by that one mill. Of course, the drawingcontinued, indeed increased, from Emporia. At length a second mill was putto work, and now a third is on the way, and still Emporia sells lumber toour people. There are now near 80 houses inhabited, and 8 or 10 building.The country is fast coming up to the city in the cheerful work of settling.A good woman five miles northeast told me lately that when they built theirhouse, six weeks before, she could see but two more houses, and she couldnow count fifteen. Even the inhospitable weather of this unusually hardwinter stops neither the tide of emigration nor the erection of houses.
The corps of surveyors now in this vicinity will rather facilitate allthis progress, since men would rather settle by the lines than risk guessingout their claims. Besides there is now a vigorous movement on foot, andindeed before our Legislature, to open up a great highway from this pointthrough the Indian Territory to Texas for stages, wagons, horsem*n, cattle,and a railroad. Congress will be asked to neutralize a strip 10 miles inwidth, more especially for the accommodation of Texas herds. The distancewill be shortened as compared to the old trail, while the annoyance of Indianswill be much less, if not entirely avoided. Besides the Atchison, Topeka& Santa Fe Railroad will be completed to Florence at the mouth of Doyle,and ready to transport beeves to the Eastern markets decidedly cheaper thanthey have been going over the Abilene route. There being a strip of highunsettled land between this place and Florence, an act will be passed byour Legislature allowing herds to be drive along it. All this must makeArkansas City the largest town in Southwestern Kansas.
One week ago 16 or 18 men with 8 teams started in the mildest weatherWest for buffalo. On Tuesday the wind stormed down from the North and continuedtill Saturday night. Travelers, and teamsters of all kinds, were driveninto the best attainable shelter. The Woolsey House and stable were mademore than full. The new City Hotel is warm, neat, and luxurious in all itsappointments. A more cozy or better conducted house is not found in Kansas.Mr. and Mrs. Meigs, proprietors, leave nothing undone to promote the comfortof their guests, even their neat bed chambers are so arranged as to be warmedfrom the fires below. Two schools and two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian,are doing much to aid to the happiness of the people, and soon will allthis region, as I am fully persuaded, be behind none in all that makes lifedesirable. W. P.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Friday, on motion of Mr. Pomeroy, the U. S. Senate passed a resolutionextending, for one year, the time at which settlers on public lands in Kansasand other places are required to make payment therefor. The House will doubtlessagree, and the resolution will prove a great relief to thousands of honestpioneers.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
THE SENATORSHIP.
TOPEKA, Jan. 24.
The first vote on United States Senator has just been taken. Before thevote a resolution was passed by the House, requiring the members to takean oath that they were not influenced by offers of bribery. This resolutioncaused a bitter and excited debate. Several members refused to swear. Thehalls and galleries were densely packed with people and much cheering wasengaged in.
The vote in the Senate was as follows: Caldwell 8, Clarke 6, Crawford5, Ross 1; 5 scattering.
In the House the vote was as follows: Caldwell 30, Crawford 22, Clarke21, Ross 7, Snoddy 13; the balance were scattered on some eight or ten candidates.
Clarke has had a big lobby here, mostly office holders and bummers. Hewent in this morning blowing that he had thirty-seven votes. He is badlybeaten and there is no help for him. Caldwell makes a good showing, butas about fifty members have agreed to go against him, it is now doubtfulif he succeeds. Crawford's friends have great confidence. Atchison willnot support a Leavenworth man. The border tier is mostly in the same fix,and it is now thought they can both be brought to the support of Crawford.
A few hang to the idea of bringing out a new man, but it is believedto be too late for this movement to succeed. Crawford's friends will stickto him as long as there is a hope. The Neosho Valley is united upon himsolidly except three votes below.
LATER. CALDWELL ELECTED.
TOPEKA, Jan. 25.
In the Joint Convention of the two Houses today, at one o'clock p.m.,Alexander Caldwell, of Leavenworth, was elected United States Senator fromthe State of Kansas. The vote stoodCaldwell 87; Crawford 34. This resultwas brought about by the failure of those opposed to Caldwell to unite ona man. The fact of this failure became known last night at 12 o'clock, anddozens of men who were "on the fence" went over to him. Thereis very little enthusiasm over the election. Caldwell is principally indebtedto Ex-Gov. Carney and his friends for his success. S.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
The Senate is debating the bill to abolish the income tax. It had betterabolish the franking swindle.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Much suffering is felt by the Indians, north of the Pacific railroad.They are arriving at Forts Laramie and Fetleman nearly starved and frozen,and are given food and shelter by the military.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Last week, at a point 84 miles from Prescott, Arizona, 150 noble redmen surprised a company of U. S. Cavalry, wounded 6 men and two officers,and ran off with 24 horses. Another company pursued the aborigines, andovertook and killed quite a number. [Name of tribe not given.]
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
By order of the President, Red Cloud's Indians are to be fed this winteron government rations, and 1,000 head of cattle are to be bought and sentto them. The Indians at Fort Laramie are also to be fed, and supplied withenough ammunition to hunt all game except white folks. If the Indians wereonly allowed their natural rights to scalp and rob the whites, they wouldnot be thus reduced to the deplorable necessity of accepting governmentbeef and hard tack. We look for a sympathetic editorial from the NewYork Tribune.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Our war news today is very important. Paris offers to capitulate withthe honors of war, but the Germans demand unconditional surrender and acessation of the war. The Emperor and Empress Napoleon have offered theseterms on condition that they be restored to reign over what may be leftof France, and if the present government does not come to the same terms,the Germans will try to reinstate the Emperor. It is evident that "thiscruel war is nearly over," and that it will leave the French the mostthoroughly whipped nation of modern Europe, and the new Empire of Germanythe leading power of the old world.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Alexander Caldwell, our new United States Senator, is almost wholly astranger in the world of politics. He is a citizen of Leavenworth, has heretoforedevoted his attention to matters of a purely business nature, and has thusacquired a handsome fortune. He is connected with several railroad companies.He was formerly a resident of Pennsylvania. He is said to be a gentlemanof liberal culture. We hope he will prove an honest, faithful, and ableSenator. No matter how greatly we regret the defeat of Gov. Crawford, weare as heartily rejoiced at that of Sidney Clarke. It will be a long time,will require many wonderful changes in Sidney's conduct, and much improvementin numerous respects, before he can again be sent to Washington to legislatefor the people.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
We have received a document which bears the following title: "Journalof the General Council of the Indian Territory, composed of delegates, dulyelected from the Indian tribes, legally resident thereof. Assembled in councilat Okmulgee, in the Indian Territory, under the provisions of the twelftharticle of the treaty made and concluded at the city of Washington, in theyear 1866, between the United States and the Coctan [? Choctaw?] and Chickasaw,Muskogee, and Seminole tribes of the same date."
The council met on the 27th of September, but did not proceed to businessuntil the 29th, as a quorum was not present until that day. Thirty-six delegates,representing eleven nations or tribes, were present when the organizationof the council was completed. Six standing committees were appointed, thetitles of which indicate a becoming appreciation of their own wants, whilethey are endeavoring to assume the habits and conditions that belong toan enlightened people. These committees were constituted as follows.
1. A committee on relations with the United States.
2. On International relations.
3. On Judiciary.
4. On Finance.
5. On Education and Agriculture.
6. On enrolled bills.
That these people have a just appreciation of the value of education,may be inferred from the first resolution they adopted, which was as follows.
"Resolved, That the committee on education be instructedto report in writing, as near as may be practicable, the population of thenations and tribes represented in the general council, the amount of theirrespective school funds, the number of schools in operation among them,the system under which they are managed, and the general state of educationin the Indian Territory."
The second Resolution instructed the Judiciary committee to reporta bill, or bills, which should provide for the execution of criminals andoffenders escaping from one tribe to another tribe, and for the administrationof justice between members of different tribes of the Indian Territory,and persons other than Indians and members of other tribes and nations.
Among their acts was also the following:
"Resolved, That the committee on Education and Agriculturebe instructed to report fully, as may be practicable, on the condition ofa*griculture in the Indian Territory, including the area of land in cultivation,the crops produced, the different plants and cereals adapted to the climateand soil, and the best methods for cultivating such crops, and of increasingthe industry of the people in agricultural pursuits."
The Council adjourned on the 30th of September and reassembled on the6th of December and remained in session until the 20th, when they againadjourned until the first Monday in June, 1871. While the work of the committeeon education and agriculture was by no means complete, they entered upontheir labors with such zeal and intelligence as to give a fair promise thatmuch will be accomplished for the promotion of these interests in mattersthat relate to education and the industrial pursuits.
The expression of the Council was such, however, as to indicate thatthey have no intention to cease to remain an independent people, so faras their government and their independent mode of life is concerned.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
The consolidated Stage company, now known as the Southwestern Stage company,are erecting large stables here, and intend making this their future headquartersfor Southwestern Kansas. They are now running a daily line from this pointto Arkansas City, and will establish other lines as the demands of the publicseem to require. There are no class of men in the universe whose servicesare less appreciated then the stage men; they make their daily trip throughrain and storm without a murmur or word of complaint, and seldom receivethanks from those they serve. Let us "render unto Caesar the thingsthat are Caesar's," and give to these faithful and untiring publicservants the meed of praise that is their just due.
Emporia News, January 27, 1871.
Mr. Eskridge and Prof. Kellogg went to Topeka Tuesday to look after theinterests of the Normal school.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
[SKIPPED BIG ARTICLE RE SURRENDER OF PARIS.]
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
A company has been organized under the above name, having for its objectthe construction of a railroad commencing at Council Grove, Morris County,Kansas, and thence by way of Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Chelsea, ElDorado, Augusta and Douglass, Butler County, Winfield and Arkansas City,Cowley County, and thence on the most direct and practicable route to Florence,near the mouth of the Little Wichita, on Red River, Texas.
The capital stock of said company to be one million dollars.
A meeting of the directors of said company was held at Cottonwood Falls,Chase County, Kansas, January 4th, A. D. 1871.
The proceedings of the meeting were as follows.
In the absence of Hon. T. H. Baker, President, Vice President C. A. Brittontook the chair. After a lengthy discussion of the project by Messrs. Wood,Baker, Stover, and others, the meeting proceeded with the following action:At the request and recommendation of
G. M. Simco*ck, treasurer by the charter, William Shamleffer was electedto fill vacancy as director and treasurer. H. L. Hunt was also elected tofill vacancy of director.
S. N. Wood, superintendent, was authorized to cause books to be openedin the Indian Territory and in Texas for subscriptions to the capital stockof the company. Hon. E. S. Stover was authorized to open books in CouncilGrove, Morris County; H. L. Hunt in Chase County; T. H. Baker in Augusta;H. T. Sumner in El Dorado, Butler County; E. C. Manning in Winfield; andH. B. Norton in Arkansas City, in Cowley County, Kansas.
On motion Hon. E. S. Stover, Hon. James Finney, Hon. S. M. Wood, Hon.L. S. Friend, Hon. T. H. Baker, and Hon. E. C. Manning were appointed acommittee to ask the Legislature of the State of Kansas for the passageof a memorial asking Congress to grant the right of way to the above railroadcompany through the government lands in the south of Kansas and the IndianTerritory to Texas.
It was moved and adopted that S. N. Wood, H. P. Dumas, and A. Eldridgebe a committee to procure action and the influence of the Legislature ofTexas in favor of obtaining the right of way through the Indian Territoryand also obtaining a grant of land from the State to the company. The saidcommittee were also authorized to present to the proper authorities thequestion of getting a transfer of the Atchison branch road as required byact of Congress, running from where said Atchison road crosses the NeoshoRiver to where the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston road crosses thesame, to run from Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, by way of the Walnut Valleyin Butler and Cowley Counties, to the south line of the State of Kansas.
Moved and adopted that the Superintendent cause a preliminary surveyof the road to be made, if the same can be done without involving the companyin debt. Moved and adopted that the proper officer, as soon as local subscriptionsare sufficient, cause to be let under contract any portion of said roadand, also, to negotiate with any other railroad company to construct anypart or the whole of said road. It was also resolved that the secretarycorrespond with the secretary of St. Joseph, Wamego and Council Grove R.R. Co., in relation to the probability or possibility of forming a continuousline of the two roads. It was moved that subscriptions to capital stockof the company be received, payable in county and township bonds, lands,or town lots at their cash value, and that certificates of paid up stockbe issued therefor as well as the ordinary subscriptions of stock in money.Ordered that the secretary furnish a copy of the proceedings of this meetingto the newspapers of Morris, Chase, Butler, and Cowley Counties. Moved andadopted that the meeting adjourn subject to call by the secretary. C. A.BRITTON, Vice-Pres't.
W. S. ROMIGH, Secretary.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
Over a week has passed since an opportunity has presented itself forus to forward an account of our wanderings to the NEWS. Within that timewe have traveled through the Walnut Valley from El Dorado to Arkansas City,near the mouth of the stream, and returned to this point; a distance ofalmost 60 miles.
South of Augusta, a distance of 12 miles, is located the village of Douglass.It is situated on the Big Walnut, at a point almost three miles below thejunction of the Little Walnut. The town site is an excellent one, beingon a gentle rise in the prairie, and gives it drainage that will, in a greatmeasure, protect it from the mud incident to towns built on the tenacioussoil of Kansas.
The storm clouds that covered this youthful village, and enveloped itin gloom a few weeks ago, have all dispersed, giving place to the more genialsunshine of prosperity, and leaving the atmosphere much purer and healthierthan before. Unless the stranger asks questions, he would never suspectthat such a thing as hanging men by fours was ever resorted to bythe quiet working people of this little frontier neighborhood. But the factthat eight men were shot and hung in this vicinity not long ago, can't bedenied; as a consequence, the citizens from Augusta to Arkansas City claimthat they have no need of watching stock, but wake from peaceful slumbersto find their horses where they left them the previous night. They go towork in the morning thankfully, remembering long days in the past spentin fruitless search for missing horses.
Douglass contains about twenty houses, with all the stores, shops, etc.,usually found in such places. In the town there are three general countrystores. L. Shamleffer & Bro., brothers of our enterprising friend, BillyShamleffer, at Council Grove, are carrying on an extensive trade here indry goods, groceries, etc. They are young men of large business capacity,and are working hard to advance the interest of the town and country. Huffman& Brown are engaged in the grocery and provision business. The DouglassHouse is one of the best hotels in the valley. C. H. Lamb is the proprietor.Here the traveler finds good beds, good hash, and an accommodating landlord.Mr. Lamb is postmaster and is also dealing in blank books and stationery.The country around Douglass is well settled and supports a good trade. Theyare in need of a drug store and a shoemaker here; anyone starting a businessin either of the above will be liberally supported.
From the mouth of the Little Walnut, the timber becomes heavier the furtherone travels down the valley.
Ten miles below Douglass we arrive at a trading point called "Polk'sstore." This store is owned by A. V. Polk, a native of Pennsylvania.He has a good location for his stock of goods. The post office here is called"Lone Tree." This will make a good trading point, and we ratherwonder that a town has not been laid off here.
After crossing Big Dutch Creek, a large stream, we found ourself at Winfield,county seat of Cowley County. This town presents an extremely new appearance.In fact, it has been built, with the exception of a very few houses, withinthe last three months. Some good wooden buildings are being erected. Onour road to the mouth of the Walnut, we stopped at the Walnut Valley Houseat this place. That night was a new experience to us. We have heard of thehair of one's head being turned gray in one night. Heretofore we were incredulous,but its truth has been demonstrated and we believe it. This house needs"ventilation," but we will leave that for the citizens of Winfieldto do. We found some enterprising men here, and with their excellent locationand rich surrounding country, they will have a city of no mean dimensionat some future time. Among some of the principal businessmen of Winfieldare Maris & Hunt, dealers in groceries; and Deloss Palmer, formerlyof Emporia, dealer in hardware and tinware. W. C. Orr is proprietor of theIndiana House; his table is always loaded with the best the market affordsand he spares no pains to make his guests comfortable. The present termof the school here is taught by Miss Mellville. [?Melville?]. A. J. Patrickis publishing the "Censor" here. This is a good paper andis becoming extremely popular in Cowley and Butler Counties.
Arkansas City has one of the finest locations for a town to be foundany place in Kansas, but as this has been written of so often and so extensively,we will pass it for the present. The city contains about eighty houses,some of them are very good buildings. H. O. Meigs has recently erected alarge building, in which he has opened the City Hotel, one of the best hotelsin the valley; G. H. Hamilton & Co. are doing an extensive businessin groceries and provisions; they have a large stock. Charley Sipes is engagedin hardware, etc. Keith & Eddy, a Leavenworth firm, are selling drugs.E. A. Rennin and M. C. McIntire are dealing flour, feed, and groceries.Norton & Bro. are trading extensively with the Indians. The ArkansasTraveler, the property of L. B. Kellogg, of Emporia, published here,is superintended by C. M. Scott, the local editor. Mr. Scott is a firstclass printer and gets up one of the neatest little papers in the State.
Owing to the bad condition of the roads, our return trip was not as pleasantas dry soil and fine weather would have made it. G. G. PATTERSON BRIX.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871. TELEGRAPHIC.
BORDEAUX, Jan. 30. Dispatches forwarded from Versailles, of the 28th,by Jules Favre to the Government at Bordeaux, says a treaty was signed today.There is to be an armistice of 21 days. The national assembly is to be convenedat Bordeaux February 15th. The election takes place on the 8th of February.A member of the Paris Government leaves at once for Bordeaux. No personis allowed to enter or leave Paris without a permit from the German authorities.The revictualing of the city will proceed under German supervision. Confidenceis expressed at German headquarters that peace has been secured. Germansoldiers are chagrined at being prohibited from entering Paris.
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
Two gentlemen were in our office Tuesday at 12 m. directly from Douglassand Augusta, and inform us that the rumors in circulation here in referenceto hanging horse-thieves, etc., are all false.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
The Indians in New Mexico have just run off 3,000 sheep from Belden,and lately attacked a party of 15 gold hunters, killed 2, and are now besiegingthe rest. A few Quakers ought to be sent there with sugar and ammunitionto distribute among these excited red men, and read they sympathetic editorialsfrom the New York Tribune in order to calm their perturbed spirits.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
Fun alive. At William's Fork, Colorado River, a few days ago, a greatfight took place between the Chinamen and the Monhave [?Mojave?] Indians,and the Indians were defeated with a loss of 36 braves. The Chinese lost21, among whom was their leader, one of the ablest thieves ever born inChina, or elsewhere. Now for an epic from Bret Harte, descriptive of thisoriginal aboriginal oriental combat.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
FROM TOPEKA.
A concurrent resolution memorializing Congress for the opening up ofthe Indian Territory, and naming it Lincoln, passed the House and came tothe Senate today. It created an animated debate, which was engaged in byCol. Snoddy, Mr. Moore, Mr. Stover, Mr. Prescott, and others. The Senatedefeated the resolution, and thereby endorsed the Indian policy of the administration.
The Record of yesterday says it was reported in Olathe that onthe day after Senator Ross left Washington, a joint resolution was proposedand rushed through to the House of Congress, confirming the patents issuedto the Black Bob Indians. If true, the speculators get these lands and thesettlers will have to leave their farms, and if true, does it not account,in part, for the intense anxiety manifested by "Old Beans" tosecure Sidney Clarke's return to Congress or his election to the UnitedStates Senate.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
We clip the following notice of Prof. Norton from the Schoolmaster,an educational periodical published at Chicago.
"Hon. H. B. Norton, late Associate Principal of the Kansas StateNormal School, has left, we suspect, forever. When the prospect of wealthappears, most of us kindly accept the situation. His ability and energyto select a spot in Cowley County, Kansas, at the junction of the Walnutand Arkansas Rivers, upon which to build a city. He and his brother, GouldHyde, put up the first log house in June. Today there are nearly one hundredbuildings, including mills, etc. A large trade is already opened with theOsages and Texan drovers. Capt. Norton will handle $30,000 in furs and robesthis winter. As the Norton boys have a large share of the land, and as tworailroads are sure to pass through their town, we, on the whole, are notdisposed to blame the `Sage' for leaving the school room."
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
EXCERPTS:
Ex-Gov. Eskridge favored the application of the teachers of the NormalSchool, and also an increase of their salaries.
Mr. Overstreet opposed any increase in the number of teachers or theirsalaries.
Mr. Kellogg spoke in explanation of the former action of the board.
Superintendent McCarty urged that we pay the principal of the NormalSchool a respectable salary and then demand that the money shall be fullyearned.
Mr. Eskridge moved that the estimates submitted by him be passed uponby items, and the motion was carried.
The following estimates were then adopted:
Salary of Principal: $2,500.00. [Skipped the rest.]
Mr. Overstreet moved that an itemized account of expenses for fencingbe filed with the Secretary of the board, which motion was carried.
[SOUNDS LIKE OVERSTREET IS AGAINST KELLOGG.]
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
More aboriginal exploits. On Jan. 14th, near Musale, Montana, a partyof Tribune Indians killed Chas. McKnight, and J. K. Ross, shot them fullof arrows, and then carved them up with knives.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
FROM TOPEKA.
More About the Normal School.
[Skipping article...seems that Eskridge and Stotler were furnished salaryincrease figures by Kellogg...Overstreet only heard of meeting after ithad started...ended up making Kellogg's salary $2,000. Many questions raised!]
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
LANDS FOR SOLDIERS.
The Topeka Record of the 5th publishes the bill recently passedby the House of Representatives, granting lands to union soldiers. The billpromises that every soldier and officer who has served in the army of theUnited States during the recent rebellion for ninety days, and who has remainedloyal to the government, shall be entitled to 160 acres of the public landssubject to entry under the homestead laws.
The soldier is allowed twelve months after locating his homestead inwhich to commence settlement and improvement; second, the time which thesoldier was in military service is to be deducted from the five years' timenow required to perfect a homestead title; third, the soldier may assignhis homestead certificate to any person entitled to avail himself of theprovisions of the present homestead law; fourth, the widow or minor orphanchildren of a deceased soldier are to succeed to all his rights as aforesaid;and fifth, any soldier who is now drawing a pension on account of woundsor disabilities, may enter upon and receive a patent for a quarter sectionof land by an agent or attorney.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 184 to 2the negative votes beingcast by Gibson, of West Virginia, and Smith, of Oregonboth Democrats, ofcourse. What the fate of the measure will be in the Senate cannot safelybe predicted; but Washington correspondents assure us that the indicationsare favorable to its passage.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Congress has passed a bill to pension revolutionary and war of 1812 officers,soldiers, militia, or volunteers, or their widows or orphans, at the rateof eight dollars per month.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Gen. Parker, Indian bureau commissioner, now claims that he has convincedthe House committee of investigation that he has properly managed his department.If he and pet Babco*ck happened to get scalped, the country would possiblysurvive.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The joint Congressional committee to organize a government for the Indianterritory, has agreed upon a bill which is claimed to be superior to theOckmulgee [Okmulgee] plan, and this adoption will be submitted to a voteof the Indians themselves.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL AGAIN.
A Word from Mr. Kellogg.
EDITOR OF NEWS: Permit me to say a few words in regard to Honorable JacobStotler's small controversy with the Board of Directors of the State NormalSchool. I deprecate the necessity for thus taking part in a public discussion,which up to this time has had but one participant. However, judgments mightdiffer in regard to the pest policy to be pursued in the management of theNormal School, previous to this time the custom has been for all partiesto abide the decision of the Board of Directors, the ultimate authorityas provided by law. Mr. Stotler's ideas suffered a severe defeat by theBoard, the vote being four to one against them.
He now takes exception to the deliberate action of a meeting of the Boardcalled expressly to consider the very thing in regard to which he has mostindustriously endeavored to create adverse public sentiment.
Not only does Mr. Stotler object to this final and authoritative action,but he seems to say that he and Mr. Overstreet will entirely repudiate thedecision of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE GRINDS ON AND ON....MAIN THING: SALARIES! Stotler cut them. Readingbetween the lines, it looks like L. B. Kellogg is not long for the academicworld.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
A bill passed in committee of whole in the House yesterday, providingfor the appointment of three commissioners to audit claims of losses byIndians between the 1st of January, 1861, and 1871. The Board is to meeton the 1st of June, and make its report to the Governor by the 10th of August.Record.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
H. O. Meigs, of Arkansas City, is in town today. Mr. Meigs is the proprietorof the City Hotel and an active member of the town company.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler reports the death of many cattle inthat vicinity from the cold weather. Out of a herd of 2,000, a Mr. Oakeslost 600.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Thirteen singers met Wednesday night at the residence of Mr. A. A. Newman,to rehearse the cantata of "The Haymakers," with a view of givinga concert some evening.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
The last sensation in the way of a city is that of the new town of Caldwell,recently laid off in Sumner County.
It is located near Fall River at the crossing of the Texas cattle trail.The town company is principally composed of Southwestern Kansas men. Wm.Baldwin is president, C. F. Gilbert treasurer, and G. H. Smith, secretary.The location is an excellent one, the valley being extremely wide in thisvicinity. There will be three stores opened immediately, also one hoteland a livery stable. Liberal inducements are offered to a first-class blacksmith.For information address G. H. Smith, Wichita.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Col. J. C. McMullen, an attorney at law of Clarksville, Tennessee, andJudge Cunning- ham intended to start Saturday morning on a tour throughSumner County, the promised land in which some of their possessions lie,but when the stage-driver called for them they concluded they would notstart that daythere being twelve passengers inside of the vehicle and threeon the outside. We understand that Col. McMullen is making arrangementsto locate in Kansas, and we hope he will.
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
GOOD FOR A YEARLING. The Traveler says of Arkansas City:
"There are now eight dry goods and grocery stores, one drug store,one hardware store, one bakery, two hotels, three boarding houses, one billiardhall, one blacksmith, two shoemakers, two land agencies, two milliners,two saw mills, two meat markets, three physicians, ten carpenters, two tinners,one stone cutter, two masons, and lumber yard, in Arkansas City. Besidesthese, there are two religious denominations (Methodist and Presbyterian),one primary school, Good Templars Lodge, Literary Society, Anti-TobaccoSociety, Singing School, Dancing Club, and various other societies and institutions."
Emporia News, February 17, 1871.
Kaw Reserve.
EDITORS NEWS: It is to be feared that your correspondent, "U. Bette,"forgot the Tenth Commandment when he reached the beautiful lands of theKaw Reserve, on his recent visit, and looked with such longing eyes at therich soil. When he became so pathetic over the waste of good land therewhy did he not think of the millions of acres of equally productive landsheld by speculators in a state of nature? The Kaw Indian has just as gooda title to the soil of his reserve as Uncle Sam can give to any white man.The Government has no more right to annul the title it has given the Kawsto their lands, and remove them without their consent, than it has to annulthe patents by which white speculators hold their "beautiful prairies."What if the Indians don't choose to cultivate their reserve? Whose businessis it? When white people get their titles to land they use their own pleasureabout improving it, and thank no one for meddling with their affairs. IfUncle Samuel agreed to feed these Indians, he should live up to his agreement.And we see no necessity for so much growling about a few acres, owned bythe poor, degraded, despised Indians, not being improved, when there areso many millions owned by white men, in the same condition. NEOSHO.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
A CARD.
As Mr. L. B. Kellogg, in his strictures upon Hon. Jacob Stotler, in theDAILY NEWS of February 13th, has seen fit to place me in a false positionbefore the public, I take this method of saying that the figures which Isubmitted to the Board of Directors of the State Normal School, at theirlate annual meeting in Topeka, January 18th, cutting down the estimatesof salaries for Principal teachers, etc., as reported by the Executive Committeein their annual report for estimates for the year 1871, "was put intomy hands and mouth by Mr. Stotler," (as Mr. Kellogg declares), isa base falsehood. And further, that what I advocated in the open Board,"as my own convictions of duty," being merely the carrying outof Mr. Stotler's instructions and advice (as Mr. Kellogg unjustly imputesto me), is also false, as well as unbecoming any man making the slightestpretensions to be a gentleman. I leave the public to decide from thepatent facts in the premises, as to whether Mr. Kellogg's assault upon myselfwithout any provocation, is not to be explained solely upon his own pecuniaryinterest in the matter or perverted moral sense. . . .
LONG ARTICLE...SKIPPED THE REST!
R. M. OVERSTREET.
Topeka, Feb. 15th, 1871.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
OUR PERSONAL WRANGLE.
Another Word from Mr. Kellogg.
EDITOR OF NEWS: Craving your indulgence and that of the public for thisfurther intrusion, I submit an additional word on the little controversywhich has so rapidly degenerated to the rank of an ordinary newspaper quarrel.
I am sorry that the Rev. Mr. Overstreet's violent ebullition of anger,and uncourteous expressions were of so gross a nature as to prevent anydesire on my part for a continuance of the discussion with him. With thepermission of the "generous public," I will, accordingly, usinga schoolmaster's term, dismiss Mr. Overstreet; or, leaving him standing,will excuse myself. I do this without malice, regretfully rather than otherwise,trusting that, should he deem it advisable to publish a second card, hewill not so hedge it in by the use of vituperative language as to make itunwelcome handling.
Those of us who have lived in Emporia five or six years are familiarwith Mr. Stotler's plan of conducting a newspaper controversy. If I am notin error, the first articles are composed of ridicule, more or less pointed,as in his communication published yesterday. After one or two of these,he endeavors to bring on a crisis by using foul adjectives, "smutty"expressions; school children would speak of it as "calling names."There is always danger of his winding up one of these articles by the statementthat no further discussion of this subject will be permitted in his paper.Having entered upon this controversy somewhat deliberately, I feel as thoughI should like "to fight it out on this line," letting it takeas much of the coming spring and summer as may be necessary. Presuming onMr. Stotler's good nature, I beg leave to request that he will not shutme off from making a courteous reply, should he deem it of sufficient interestto his readers to continue the discussion, and also that he will not descendfrom "making fun" to "throwing dirt." I will endeavornot to be burdensome to his paper, and being a "little man," willcontent myself with one column to his two, or if this should seem egoismand effrontery, I will endeavor to use two columns to his one.
Recurring now to his communication, I desire to say this: in regard tothe general questions at issue, I am willing to rest the case upon the meritsof my former article, after correcting one error, notwithstanding Mr. Stotlerpronounces it "wild, illogical, and unsystematic." Facts constitutestrong logic. I fear he uses these words to ward off a conviction to thecontrary, though far be it for me to claim any merit for the article, saveits rigid adherence to what I deem truth. I would gladly have the publicput the two articles, Stotler's and mine, side by side, and read them together.
The error I would correct is the following: He says I am defeated. Ithink he is defeated. The Board of Directors voted four to one against him.He now attempts to carry the impression that the action of the Board isnot worth anything. Here are his words: "All the Board attempts isto recommend the estimates. I suppose there is nothing legally binding inthe mere recommendation of sums for salaries, etc., and that the legislatureis at liberty to fix the amounts."
Here is the law governing the case:
"General Statutes of Kansas, edition of 1868, page 590, Section5. Said Board of Directors shall have power to appoint a principal and assistant,to take charge of said school, without expense to the State, and such otherteachers and officers as may be required in said school, and fix thesalary of each, and prescribe their several duties. They shall alsohave power to remove either principal, assistant, or teacher, and to appointothers in their stead. * * * *"
POSTSCRIPT. Let me now mention one or two personal items, and I willwait until my turn comes round again.
Mr. Stotler speaks freely of my avarice, my desire for $500, my selfishness.I tried to say in my article that the chief cause of grievance was Mr. Stotler'scutting away the entire amount recommended by the Executive Committee forthe additional assistant. The salary of the Preceptress was the next pointupon which I desired a reconsideration. Finally, in regard to that of thePrincipal, knowing that in case of a vacancy in the office, by reason ofmy expulsion, resignation, or death, that at least $2,500 would be neededby the Board to secure such a Principal as the school ought to have, andbelieving that if this institution paid less for similar services than eitherof the other State institutions, it would be likely to give occasion forindividious comparisons, damaging to the rank of this school, I came tothe conclusion that no injustice would be done, no extravagance committed,if the salary of that office was placed at $2,500.
It so chances that for the present, I am filling the office. If done,it would give me an additional $500; because of this fact, it becomes easyfor Mr. Stotler to raise the cry that I am seeking my own personal aggrandizement.I will not say that I don't care for the $500. It is worth as much to me,although I may not make as good use of it, as to any other ordinary businessmanor laborer in Emporia, and no more. I mentioned that the President of theIllinois Normal receives $4,000. Let me now mention that when that institutionbegan, in 1858, when it had 40 students, the Principal was paid $2,500.When this school began in 1865, a dollar then did go as far as in 1858thesalary of the Principal was $1,200. But I do not care to multiply words.
Mr. Stotler ought not to assume the injured air, and raise the cry of"fire in the rear." If he is a martyr, in danger of being immolated,he should remember whose hand it was that gathered the fa*ggots and threwthe first burning brand; or, replying to him as school children do, I shallfind it necessary to say, "You began it." L. B. KELLOGG.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
[SKIPPED STOTLER'S LONG ARTICLE RE "fire in the rear." He reallydid get "down and dirty," so to speak. AS I SAID EARLIER, FIGUREKELLOGG WILL GO!]
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
FORT SILL. Mr. H. Simpson, who brought a load of hides, furs, etc., throughfrom Fort Sill, Indian Territory, for M. G. Mead, called at the office,last Friday, and reports that the Comanches and Kiowas have buried the tomahawk,and are desirous to remove to a new reservation, and that these tribes haveborne the blame for many outrages that were committed by other tribes. Hesays that Indian Agent Tatum is one of the most reliable and efficient employeesin the Indian Department, that Wm. Mathison is doing a good business downthere, etc. He is going to take a load of goods back with him for Mr. Mathison.
Emporia News, February 24, 1871.
ANOTHER CHANGE. The Emporia Tribune again changes hands. Messrs.Randall & Miller [who bought out Mains] sell out to E. W. Cunningham,of the firm of Buck & Cunningham, attorneys at law, and E. E. Rowland,who for more than a year past has had charge of the job department of theNEWS office. The Tribune, during the six weeks it was published byRandall & Miller, was very materially improved, a fact that was appreciatedby the people, as shown by their enlarged and increasing list of subscribers.. . .
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
Washington specials say the Indian bureau investigation committee willmake a report showing immense frauds in that department. Contractors haveswindled the government enormously, and the new Quaker-Indian ring is quiteas bad as the old one.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
[STOTLER, FROM TOPEKA, AGAIN ATTACKS KELLOGG. MORE OR LESS CALLS KELLOGGA LIAR! SKIPPED ARTICLE.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
HORSE THIEVES CAPTURED.
Office Harper came down on the road yesterday morning from Fort Wallace,in company with another officer from that place, having in charge two notorioushorse thieves named Black and Legate. They were captured at Wallace. Abouta year ago these two men were suspected of having stolen a large numberof government horses in that vicinity, and were pursued into Texas, whenthey escaped capture. The returned to their old haunts a short time ago,and were immediately "spotted" and their capture effected as statedabove. They were taken to Leavenworth and lodged in jail to await trial.Commonwealth.
This Black is one of the gang who have been figuring rather largely inthe Walnut Valley recently, but after the hanging in that vicinity suddenlydisappeared. It seems he stopped in the wrong place; he should have gonewhere he was not known. "One by one they are passing away."
[NOTE: FIRST TIME NEWS REALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THERE WAS A HANGING.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
[Skipped Obituary of David Williams, father of the Junior Editor of NEWS.]
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
A great deal of embarrassment and trouble has been occasioned among thesettlers on the Osage lands by the survey recently made by the engineercorps. They find that their original lines did not fall in the correct places,however pleasant they may have or would have been if properly located. Somefind that their improvements are in one section, and the larger part oftheir original claim in another. The idea prevails that they must take aparticular quarter of one section, and in order to adjust matters by thisrule, they have been trading off, buying up, jumping, and quarreling. Toget information in regard to the matter, our townsman, Mr. C. E. Kelsey,addressed Commissioner Drummond a letter, in reply to which he receivedthe following letter.
Mr. E. C. KELSEY, Emporia, Kansas. SIR: I am in receipt of your letterof the 3rd inst., relative to the form of claims made upon Osage Indianlands.
In reply I say that a claim of 160 acres may be made in one section,or in different sections making 160 acres provided they are contiguous toeach other, but not with other lands intervening. Very Respectfully,
WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner.
From the above it will be seen that a man who has made improvements uponhis claim does not necessarily lose them if the section or quarter lineshappen to divide them from the larger part of the claim. He can retain aforty of one quarter and three forties of another; if it so happens thathis claim is divided by the newly established lines; or he can hold hisclaim if one forty should be in one section and three forties in another,provided, in all cases, that his 160 acres are in one body.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
There is a general feeling of regret for the loss of the Atlantic cables.The French cable is the only reliance for telegraphic communications nowwith the old world.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, February 21st, 1871.
EMPORIA NEWS: On last Thursday noon I left your beautiful city in a nicecoach, good team, good driver, and good company, Adjutant Morgan and lady,from Cincinnati, for Cottonwood Falls, to establish a journal. In this casethe old adagethe third time breaks the charmwill, I trust, be verified.The Banner and Index having "played out," Mr. Morgan'senterprise will probably play in, as he has much experience and is a liveprogressive man.
At Bazaar, seven miles south of the Falls, passengers get from a neatwidow a number one dinner. Thence under the care of an excellent reinsman,Mr. Harmon, we moved on through mud and water, till dark overtook us 18miles north of Chelsea. Finally, in a heavy storm, we lost the road anda passenger got out and found it after quite a search, as he said, withhis foot, feeling the ruts. Again the wind and rain drove our horses fromthe way and our pilot got us back as before with his foot. Finally we reachedMcCabe's, and got into Chelsea the next morning for breakfast. Unsightlyas this village seemed, travelers are cheered in two ways. The drinkingclass find at hand a supply, and the sober, literary class, a schoolhouseusefully occupied by some 50 scholars taught by a lady. The streams beingtoo high to cross, we had to lie over till Saturday, when an agent of thestage line took us safely on to El Dorado. This village, some two milesbefore it is reached from the north, looms into view splendidly; nor doesit depreciate as one enters its handsome streets, bordered by neat wellbuilt houses. Nature and substantial business enterprise have left El Doradosecond to no town in the Walnut Valley.
From a high point a few paces west of Rev. Gordon's cottage, I enjoyedthe most enchanting view seen in Kansas. Being constrained to remain overSabbath, I attended a school meeting Saturday evening to consider the size,cost, location, etc., of a new school edifice the citizens are about toerect. Comprehending their true interest in this direction, they will builda fine commodious house.
The next day I had the satisfaction of addressing, morning and evening,attentive and intelligent audiences. For more than one hour I was listenedto with almost breathless attention, on total abstinence, and then a unanimousvote from a packed house to continue, for several evenings, the discussion.Nor more than I can regret that a note from my son made it my duty to disappointtheir wishes, much as I am sorry to learn their need of temperance in ElDorado, no one can truly say, henceforth, that they are unwilling to haveit. They stand ready and waiting to hear any good speaker on this reform,and also, as I believe, to adopt any reasonable measures to carry it out.In a few weeks it will be my pleasure to return, and, as Mr. Lincoln saidabout the peace he desired, to stay until all attainable sobriety is accomplishedat El Dorado. Let industry, economy, sobriety, integrity, and purity becherished in that community, and with its unsurpassed natural advantages,it will be the Eden of the most lively valley in Kansas.
Augusta has made a good start and is running a good race. As it was saidof old, "He who begins aright is half done," so may it be of thisthriving village. Its citizens are second to none in Southern Kansas inculture and progress. Their school edifice is the largest in the WalnutValley, and is being furnished in the most approved modern style. All nowdepends on securing the services of an able principal and a corps of efficientteachers.
I cannot, in closing my brief notice of Augusta, omit to say that sincethe Land Office has been located in this town, it should remain undisturbed.Nothing, as I believe, is more detrimental to the growth of the West thana restless disposition to change county sites, county lines, offices, andofficers are all as nothing before the restless maneuvers of unstable men.In the name of common sense, let us permit things to stand at least longenough to see if they will do well, stase decises is an importantlaw maxim. The people of Augusta, as I think, can be better employed thanin trifling for the removal of the county site from El Dorado, and the peopleof this town could do better than unite with those of Wichita to get theLand Office away from Augusta. Let generous magnanimity take the place ofnarrow- minded selfishness.
At Douglass, all is now quiet, nor is there reason to apprehend any moretrouble.
Winfield goes right on. Its situation is handsome; the surroundings allthat could be desired, and the emigration rapid.
In the morning I am going to start for Sumner County, west, where tworival towns are starting up, and all about which, and Arkansas City, I willsoon write. W. P.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
Teams are wanted to transport 150,000 pounds of freight to the southand west. For further particulars call at the A. T. & S. F. depot.
Emporia News, March 3, 1871.
THE INDIANS. We received a call last evening from Ezra Rich, who is directfrom Cheyenne Indian Agency. He says the roads in that direction are almostimpassable, the worst part being between here and Wichita. It seems theIndians are beginning to feel their "oats" and openly avow theirdetermination to take white scalps the coming summer. These threats theyhave been in the habit of making every year for the past twelve years inorder to compel the government to hire them to keep peace by presents oflarge sums of money, arms, ammunition, etc., and every year they have succeeded.They receive those presents only to use them in taking the lives and propertyof white people. Only those who are acquainted with all the sickening detailsof Indian war can realize the extreme treachery and craftiness of the Indiancharacter. However well the government officials may know their objectsin making these bloody threats, they invariably recommend the payment tothe red devils of all they demand, which mostly proves to be the price ofthe blood of women and children, and the Government civil service with theIndians' pockets the profits.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Congress has agreed that hereafter no new treaties can be made betweenthe government and any Indian tribe or nation. Present treaties stand goodthatis, as good as they have ever done.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Indians in Arizona are more outrageous now than they were before.Within two weeks they have killed or captured three different parties ofwhites, within twenty miles of Florence. The government should not relaxits efforts to keep them supplied with sugar, gunpowder, and the NewYork Tribune.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The committee of the whole Senate having under consideration House bill171, "An act in relation to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railwaycompany," Mr. Stotler said:
MR. CHAIRMAN:
It seems to devolve upon me to at least call the attention of the Senatorsto the provisions of the measure now under consideration. I can say truthfullythat I wish some gentleman better able to perform the task had undertakenit. But I cannot remain silent and allow it to pass without a word of opposition.
This bill is one containing such extraordinary provisions that I cannot,although a firm friend of railroads, support it. I have been especiallya friend of the road seeking the passage of this act. It traverses the NeoshoValley, that portion of the State in whose development I feel a specialinterestwhere I have resided for fourteen years, and where all my interestslie. If there is one section of the State dearer to me than all others,it is the country which is traversed and developed by the main line of thisroad, and there is nothing I could do, which would be fair and honorable,that I would not do to further its interests.
I have looked at this bill carefully. I have compared it with the constitutionand existing laws, and have consulted some of the best lawyers of the Stateas to its leading provisions, and I am now prepared to give some of thereasons, briefly, why I oppose it.
This is an act in relation to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway,late the Union Pacific, Southern Branch, and the objections to it are manifoldand multiform. They may be viewed in two aspects: First, as to its beingin conflict with section one of article twelve of the Constitution of theState of Kansas, and therefore being unconstitutional and void; Second,admitting the bill, if passed, to be a valid enactment, then as to the tenor,scope, and effect of its provisions. Let us consider the constitutionalpoint of the bill. Section one of article twelve of the Constitution isas follows:
"The Legislature shall pass no special act conferring corporatepowers. Corporations may be created under general laws, but all such lawsmay be amended or repealed."
That the bill under consideration is a special act, there can be no doubt.The only remaining question in order to determine its constitutionalityis, is the bill one "conferring corporate powers"; because, ifit is such an one, being a special act, it is in conflict with the clauseof the constitution just read, and is therefore void. It is either suchan act or it is nothing. If it does not confer corporate powers, why isthe railroad company clamoring for its passage. So anxious are they thatit should pass that their general manager and his employees have spent dayshere to engineer it through the House.
The first fifteen lines of the first section of the bill, as originallyintroduced, purports to contain, by way of recitals, certain rights, privileges,and franchises that the company has acquired under and by virtue of, andin accordance with the laws of this State, and in accordance with law, withoutstating what law of what state. They also purport to contain franchisesand privileges under and by virtue of acts of Congress through the IndianTerritory; and certain franchises under acts of the Legislature of the Stateof Texas. We are therefore asked in the next four lines of the same section,to enact that the company shall have the same rights over its whole linethat it now enjoys over any part or portion of the same, "includingthe right to increase its capital stock"; that is, that the companyshall have the same rights over that portion of its line that is situatedin the State of Kansas, that it has over that portion of its line that issituated in the State of Missouri, as granted to it by the Legislature ofthat State; that it shall have the same rights over that portion of itsline situated in the State of Kansas that it has over that portion thatis, or will be located in the state of Texas, "including the rightto increase its capital stock," as may have been provided by the Stteof Missouri, by an act of Congress, or by the State of Texas. The last fourlines of section one of this bill mean just that if they mean anything,and it is but fair to presume that the company knew what it was about whenit had this bill drafted and introduced. Do not these provisions confercorporate powers on the company by special act? I submit that they do, andnot only singly but in grossby wholesale.
I am glad to be informed that the committee to whom this bill was referredconsiders it important to propose an amendment in the eighteenth line byinserting the words, "within the State of Kansas" after the word"thereof." But this amendment makes no difference with my oppositionto the measure. There are other and worse provisions in it.
The second section, in substance, provides that the company may haveits place of business outside of the limits of the State, and may hold itsmeetings and elections of stockholders and directors outside of the Stte,and in short, perform all its corporate business outside of the limits ofthe sovereignty that created itthe State of Kansas. It is, as I am informedby some of the most eminent lawyers in the State, a fundamental principleof the law in relation to corporations, that they must dwell and have theirplace of business in the place of their creation, and it was so decided,I believe, by our Supreme Court, last summer, in the case of the Land Grant,Railway and Trust Company, against the Board of County Commissioners ofCoffee County. I have searched in vain through the act of 1865 in relationto corporations, under which this company was incorporated, and throughthe act of 1868, in relation to the subject, to find any statutory variationof the principle of the law of corporations which I have just stated. Icannot find in any act of the Legislature of the Stte of Kansas, eithergeneral or special, any provision authorizing the Missouri, Kansas &Texas Railway, or the Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch, to hold theirmeetings for the election of Directors or for any other purpose, outsideof the limits of the State of Kansas. It seems to me conclusive, as an argument,that the company did not and do not possess this power under or by virtueof any provision of the law now in existence. If they do, why ask us toconfer the power upon them by this special act? I cannot find the chapter,section and page where this right is given by any statutory provision, andit is plain to me that it does not exist independent of statute. I challengethe supports of this monstrous billlearned attorneys though they beto pointto the provision in the laws of the State of Kansas where authority is givento this company to hold their meetings and transact their corporate businessoutside of the limits of the State of Kansas. They cannot. There are nosuch provisions. This bill will give the company such authoritya corporatepower not before possessed by itor section two is meaningless. It does,then, confer additional "corporate powers" on the company, andbeing a special act, is in contravention of section one of article twelveof the constitution of the State of Kansas, and if passed would be void.We have hd many eloquent appeals from Senators on the floor, during thesession, in behalf of the sacredness of our fundamental law, and I warnmembers of this body who have made such appeals not to turn their backsupon the constitution at this late day, by voting for this bill. Let thembe true to the record they have made as expounders of that document. LetSenators who have defended the rights of the people so ably on this floor,as against corporations and monopolies, look well to the provisions of thisact before the conclude to vote for it. Many able speeches have been madewithin the past few days against the bill for taxing railroad property.Here is one whose provisions are ten fold worse in their consequences uponthe rights of the people, and as a precedent, than that was in its worstphase. I ask those who were ready to defend the rights of the people then,to be true to those rights now. The unconstitutionality of this bill seemsto me to be as conclusive as a demonstration in mathematics.
The third and last section proposes to authorize the company to classifyits directors, and to rescind such classification; also to classify itsstock by the issue of "preferred shares." I cannot find in anystatute of the State of Kansas any authority given to the company to performthese corporate acts, and I am informed that such authority does not existindependent of statue; and again I say, that the fact of the company askingus to confer such power upon them by this act is conclusive to me that suchcorporate power does now exist, else why ask us to give them, by this bill,what they have already? This section will confer corporative powers notbefore possessed by the company. This cannot be denied, successfully. Beinga special act, and conferring corporate powers in this section, it is unconstitutionaland void, as violating the section of the constitution of the State I havealready quoted. If anything more were needed to make the argument conclusive,I will refer members to the case of the city of Atchison against Bartholowas reported in the fourth volume of Kansas reports, page 124, and particularlyto that portion of the opinion of the court as delivered by Chief JusticeCrozier, on ages 141 to 147, inclusive, where our Supreme Court has passedupon the precise question, and held such legislation as is contained inthis bill to be void. I suppose this decision will settle the characterof such legislation. It certainly ought to. But it may be contended thatthis bill does not confer corporate powers, but only regulates those alreadyconferred; or that it does not create a new corporation, but only regulatesone already in existence. These precise points were considered by the Supremecourt of the State in the case above referred to on page 146 of the fourthKansas report, and it is there determined that no additional corporate powerscould be conferred by special act. Thus much as to the constitutionalityof this bill.
I now propose to consider, briefly, the tenor, scope, and object of otherprovisions of this bill, admitting, for the sake of this argument (whichI deny as a fact) that the bill would be a valid enactment if placed onthe statute book. The first section contains numerous recitals to whichI have before adverted as to certain proceedings had, or attempted to behad, consolidating other companies with it, extending its line, etc., which,we are told in those recitals, was all done "according to law."Now the object of these recitals is perfectly plain, I am told, to lawyers,and it is this: to obtain a legislative recognition of the validity of allthese proceedings, and so far as such recognition can, to heal any defectthat may exist in such proceedings. In the courts of the Stte of New York,it has been decided (in the absence of all constitutional provision prohibitingthe conferring of corporate powers by special act) that a subsequent legislativerecognition of a corporate body, cured all defects in its organization,no matter how great such defects were, nor how wide a departure there hadbeen from the law, or whether the law had been observed at all or not; or,in other words, that the legislative recognition operated as a creationof the corporation. This is what is intended by the recitals in the firstsection, and also to estop the Stte in any future proceeding from denyingthe validity of the corporate organization of the company, and the validityof its various proceedings of consolidation, extension of its line, etc.Of course, I am not arguing that such would be the legal effect of the actbecause I believe the whole act would be utterly void, even if passed, asI have before endeavored to show; but for the purpose of the argument onthis branch of the subject, I am assuming it to be a valid enactment, ifpassed. But treating it as a valid act, these recitals will have the preciseeffect I have indicated, and I, for one, am opposed to all such left-handed,back-door legislation.
The second section of the bill, as I have before stated, provides thatthe company may holds its meetings and transact all its corporate businessoutside of the limits of the State. Now, it seems to me that this would,in effect, be a simple surrender, by the State, of all control over thiscorporation which was created under its laws, and still permit it to exerciseall its corporate powers and functions in the State. Suppose it should becomenecessary, either at the suit of the State, or of an individual, to investigatethe corporate acts of the company, to ascertain whether some of its assumedcorporate acts were not void, as being beyond the corporate authority conferredon it, or whether certain attempted proceedings on the part of the companywere not in violation of its charter, and whether, by such attempted violationsof its charter, the charter itself had not been forfeited, how would itbe possible by the process of the courts of this State to obtain possessionof the corporate records for such investigation. Again: at least two ofthe counties of this StateMorris and Lyonare large stockholders in thisroad, the first to the amount of $165,000, and the latter to the extentof $200,000. Suppose the courts shall decide the bonds issued to pay forsuch stock valid, and the counties held as stockholders, and it should atsome future time become necessary, by reason of the mismanagement of thecompany, or a misapplication of its funds, for those counties to vindicatetheir rights as stockholders in the company, by investigating the acts anddoings of the corporation, as shown by their corporate records, how couldthose corporate records be obtained for the purposes of such an investigationby the use of any process of the courts of the State? For the purposes ofsuch investigation, the second section will compel the parties desiringit to resort to the courts of New York City or State, or such other placeas the company may remove their corporate records to, under the extraordinaryprovisions of this extraordinary act. Nor is the contingency I have lastsupposed very unlikely to occur. Speaking for Lyon County, which I havethe honor to represent here, I know that if the courts shall decide thatshe is a stockholder and is legally liable to pay the bonds which have beenissued in payment of $200,000 stock; she will vindicate her rights as astock-holder of the company, and I do not propose, by my vote, to forceher to go to the courts of some foreign jurisdiction. I am perfectly wellaware that this bill provides for an office in the State where process onthe company may be served. But the cases I have supposed are those in whichit would be necessary to get hold of the corporate records of the company.And I assert that it would be utterly impossible, in the event this billshall be passed, for any party to a suit against the company in a Statecourt to compel the production of the corporate records. Perhaps some ofthe gentlemen may recollect that Daniel Drew, in the Erie Railroad war,set at defiance the whole power and process of the State of New York byquietly taking the corporate records of the company into the State of NewJersey. I only use this as an illustration that in a certain class of casesit is absolutely necessary that the court should obtain possession of thecorporate records of a company. Neither do I forget that probably, in pointof fact, the corporate records of this company are continually kept outsideof the limits of this State. I answer that this is done in direct violationof law, and for the doing of which, in my opinion, a court of competentjurisdiction might, in a proper proceeding, declare the corporate rightsof the company forfeited.
Upon the principle, I suppose, of reserving the best to the last, thethird and last section of this bill opens up richer than either of the twopreceding ones. It provides that the company may classify its directorsand rescind such classification, and classify its stock by the issue of"preferred shares." This is the Jim Fisk-Jay Gould doge pureand simple. If some of the directors are not pliable enough to suit thepurposes of those who manipulate the affairs of this company, straightwaya classification of directors will be made and capital stock increased,if necessary for that purpose, so that the obnoxious directors become restivethat classification is rescinded and a new one made, and so on indefinitely.The provision amounts to a perpetual lease of power to those heavy stockholderswho control large quantities of stock. This provision allowing the companyto classify their stock by the issue of "preferred shares" simplyamounts to a license to the big fish to swallow the little fish at theirpleasure. If enacted, it will enable the persons who manipulate the affairsof the company to "freeze out": and "gobble up" thecounties of Lyon and Morris, and the other smaller stockholders, so faras their stock is concerned. For a full and complete history of the workingof such a scheme, I would refer to the history of the Erie railroad controversy,as managed by Jim Fisk and Jay Gould.
I believe the only reason why this bill has any support is that it mayresult in some local benefit. I submit that localities had better do withoutrailroads for a while than to inaugurate, in the management of railroadsin this State, the provisions of this act. I have no sympathy whatever withthe "howl" that is often raised against railroads as "soullesscorporations," but I do not propose to support any measure which will,in effect, if it has any effect at all, pass the people over to the railroads,body, soul, and all. It is argued by some that the stock owned by countiesin these railroads is of no value. The Legislature of the people is thelast body in the world that ought to encourage that sentiment. The peoplelook to the Legislature for protection. They ask that we shall not discriminateunfairly and to the injury of their interests in favor of railroads. Itis urged, also, that this company has done much in a short time for thedevelopment of the State. This is true, and for this the company shouldhave and do have all praise. They shall always have my vote for anythingthey want that is reasonable and just. They ought to be encouraged in everyreasonable way, by the people, but they ought not to ask the passage ofsuch an unfair, unreasonable, and dishonest measure as this. They are agrowing power. Their interests are managed with as much shrewdness as anyother interest in this State and I do not propose to give them the advantageover the people which this bill seeks to give them. I do not propose, bymy vote, to re-enact the history of the Erie railroad in Kansas. Nor isit to the interest of railroads themselves, to enact such laws as this.As a friend of railroads, I vote against it. If the railroad interests commencethe fight to get possession of this State, as they did of Illinois, theywill soon find the people of the State clamoring for a new constitution,in which document, when adopted by the people, their "death warrant"will be inserted, as it was in the new constitution of Illinois. I warnthem not to bring on such a fight in Kansas, as they will inevitably bethe "chief mourners" after the conflict is over.
These considerations, crude and imperfect though they be, are some ofthe reasons why I oppose this bill. I consider it the greatest "railroadswindle," so to speak, that was ever sought to be enacted in Kansas,and therefore I shall vote against it.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The appropriations so far reported, and agreed to by one or both of theHouses, are as follows.
Postage: $600.00
Legislative Expenses: $32,000.00
Safe: $4,000.00
Normal School: $8,675.00
Executive and Judicial Department: $50,055.00
Insane Asylum, current expenses: $13,631.00
Blind Asylum: $8,403.36
Penitentiary: $35,000.00
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, current expenses: $14,800.00
Miscellaneous: $13,204.66
Insane Asylum: $40,000.00
State Normal School: $8,966.70
Expenses of Committee of Investigation to Deaf and Dumb Asylum: $256.75
Printing: $35,000.00
Newspapers: $6,000.00
Indian Commission: $500.00
State Agricultural and State Horticultural Society: $2,000.00
Seed Wheat: $6,000.00
State University, current expenses: $17,664.00
TOTAL: $296,165.46
The appropriations yet co come in will not, it is thought, increase theaggregate to much beyond $300,000.
The tax levy agreed upon by the committee of ways and means for the ensuingyear is as follows: three and five-sixth mills for current expense; onemill for interest on public debt; one mill for school purposes; one-sixthof one mill for sinking fund; total, six mills. The amount of the levy listlast year was seven and three-fourths millsone and three-fourth mills morethan this year. The estimated valuation of property in the State for 1871is $15,000,000, which, at the rate of levy agreed upon, will yield a revenueof $690,000.
The cutting down of the appropriations and lowering of the tax levy forthe current year is largely due to the efforts of Hon. Elijah Sells, chairmanof the ways and means committee. Mr. Sells is one of the best financiersand practical legislators in Kansas, and his services this winter entitlehim to the thanks of the people throughout the State. Record.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
NINTH CENSUS OF THE UNION...
Kansas 1860: 107,206
Kansas 1870: 362,872
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The heathen Chinee in San Francisco had a grand free fight Sunday, withknives, bars of iron, etc. Both sides were finally dispersed by a showerof brickbats thrown by their mutual friends from adjacent roofs. A numberof the rampant Johns were badly injured, but no pig-tails were lost.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The 7th cavalry, Gen. Sturgis commanding, which has been doing frontierservice for five years, is ordered to go to the south. The companies atFort Leavenworth will go by river to Louisville, and those on the plainswill follow as soon as possible. The 6th cavalry from Texas will relievethe 7th.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The bill passed by the late Congress to incorporate a southern Pacificrailroad, has been signed by the President. The title of the company is,"The Texas Pacific Railroad." The main line is to run from ElPaso, in Texas, to San Diego, California, with branches to New Orleans andSan Francisco. There is no money subsidy, but land grants amounting to about16,000,000 acres. The State of Texas also grants a liberal amount of land.The track is to be built of American iron. The time is not reported, orthe names of the charter members, but there is no doubt but what the roadwill be speedily begun, and completed within a few years. The race willbe between it and the Northern Pacific road, engineered by Jay Cooke &Co. By 1880 at fartherest we may count upon three grand trunk railways fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Leavenworth Commercial has passed into the sole proprietorshipof Geo. F. Prescott. Although of bad politics, it is nevertheless a goodpaper, and we wish it well under its new management.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Both of the Topeka dailies come to us materially reduced in size. TheCommonwealth is now an eight column and the Record a sevencolumn paper. The latter has made another change also, viz: from a morningto an evening paper. The reasons that have induced the publishers to makethese changes are of a pecuniary nature entirely. Their patronage in thematter of advertising has greatly diminished with the past few months, andretrenchment in some shape became a necessity. Both of the Topeka Dailiesare ably managed in their editorial departments, and we hope that such prosperousdays may soon come to them again as shall compel them once more to enlargetheir dimensions.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.
The failure of the bill for an appropriation for the enlargement of theNormal School building at Emporia has given disappointed aspirants for legislativehonors an excellent opportunity to criticize the course of our representativesin the Legislature this winter. And the facile manner in which misrepresentations(which in this case is but a mild term for falsehoods) are made to constitutethe principle part of these criticisms, is not a little remarkable consideringthe high character of the critics. It is alleged that while our own membershad failed to secure appropriations, others had succeeded; while the realfacts are that no appropriations were allowed for any educationalinstitution, except for current expenses. The committee recommended $50,000for the State University and $25,000 for the Normal. The legislature thoughtit best to trample upon both.
The spirit of that body seemed to be to grant just as few appropriationsas possible, and therefore no educational institution received any pecuniaryassistance further than what was absolutely necessary to meet current expenses,and the estimates of the committee in this regard were materially curtailedin every instance. When, therefore, it is intimated that our members failedto secure the passage of measures which would have greatly benefitted ourtown and portion of the State; while at the same time the passage of likemeasures for the benefit of other localities was secured, it is plainlyto be seen that the facts are willfully misrepresented. In fact, this isonly one of the many ways of blowing one's own horn. It is saying, in substance:"This thing ought not to have been; and if the dear, but deluded peoplehad only sent me up there, it would not have been. I wouldhave got that bill throughI who am so familiar with all those undercurrents that lie beneath the mere surface of politics, and whose depthsso short a man as Stotler and so good a man as Overstreet are not supposedto be able to explore. I would have got even a larger sum for theNormal School than $25,000, and the Principal should have had his salaryraised to $2,500, and the salaries of the other teachers appropriately increased."
[IT IS APPARENT THAT STOTLER IS ONE NASTY MAN WHEN CROSSED!]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
THE SIGNAL FLAG.
Major Whittle relates this incident, upon which a beautiful song is founded.
During October, 1861, just before General Sherman began his famous marchto the sea, while his army lay encamped near Atlanta, the army of Hood passedthe right flank of Sherman's army, gaining his rear, commenced the destructionof the railroad leading north, burning blockhouses and capturing the smallgarrisons along the line. Sherman's army rapidly followed Hood, to savethe supplies and post at Altoona pass, a defile in the Altoona mountains.
General Corse was stationed there with a brigade of troops, in all about1,500 men. A million and a half of rations were stored there, and it washighly important that the pass should be held.
Six thousand men were detailed by Hood to take the position. The workswere completely surrounded, and summoned to surrender. Corse refused, anda sharp fight commenced. The defenders were slowly driven into a small fortupon the crest of the hill. Many had fallen, and the fight was becominghopeless. At this movement one officer sighted far across the valley, uponthe top of a high mountain fifteen miles distant, the fluttering of a whitesignal flag. The signal was answered, and the message was waved across frommountain to mountain. "Hold the fortI am coming. W. T. Sherman."The news was at once given to the soldiers, cheers went up, every man rallied,each nerved with the strength of three men, and under a murderous fire,with half the men in the fort killed or wounded
Corse himself shot three times through the head, and Colonel Tourstelatte,the second in command, badly woundedthey held the fort for three long hours,until Sherman's advance guard came up and the enemy retreated.
No incident of the war better illustrates the inspiration imparted bythe knowledge of a commander's presence, and his cognizance of our position,and his readiness to succor the weakness in which we struggle.
[KAY...ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF WHAT HACKNEY WENT THROUGH...Article said AltoonaPass...article also said Colonel Tourstelatte...which differs from Hackneystory.]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The Normal School building appropriation bill was defeated in the HouseWednesday, the vote standing 37 to 33.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Of Mr. Woodard, of the Kaw Agency, we learn that several of the Cincinnatiexcursionists have taken claims on the Kaw Reserve with the avowed intentionof making their homes there. This is pretty cool. Today the agent will gentlysend them off of the land of the noble Lo.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
We were informed this morning that two parties, each composed of a smallcompany of men, start today for Texas, for the purpose of purchasing Texancattle. One of these parties has been fitted out by Messrs. Black &Kelsey, Cowan and others, and the other by Messrs. Hanna Bros. Each partywill bring back a herd of 1500 cattle.
[Note: Before this it was apparent there was a movement against any Texascattle in or near Emporia. Wonder what happened?]
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
Newman's Bro.'s sidewalk was piled high with boxes, the other day, fromwhich people said they had received new goods. They keep the neatest storein Kansas, and if they do not have the best of goods, good taste goes fornaught in purchasing, and everybody!well, everybody says they do keep goodgoods.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
ARAPAHOES AND CHEYENNES. A letter from Enoch Hoag, Superintendent ofIndian affairs, dated yesterday at Lawrence, says the following telegramhad just been received from the Commissioner of Indian affairs at Washington,D. C.
"A party of Arapahoes and Cheyennes have left Laramie for SouthernCheyenne Agency. They will be in northwestern Kansas very soon. Send KawAgent to meet them without delay and accompany them to said Agency. Alsogive as much notice as possible through papers that these Indians desireto pass peaceably to said Agency."
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
A fresh lot of squatters have taken possession of the Kaw Reserve, mostlymembers of the excursion party that came to Council Grove from Ohio lastweek. Delegations with petitions have gone to Washington to try to inducethe department to open these lands to actual settlers. We sincerely hopethey may succeed. It is high time something was done with this Reservation.The Indians are ready and willing to go away and give them up, and the retainingof them in their present condition is doing nobody any good. If opened tosettlement early this spring, hundreds of farms would be commenced and improvedthis year. We understand the marshal has ordered the settlers off, but thething will have to come to a head before long.
Emporia News, March 10, 1871.
The "set of war" is now on the Kaw Reserve. The settlers commencedbuilding houses, and showed signs of permanency that called for the assistanceof troops again. Yesterday, or the day before, the troops were promisedby the agent and other officials; but they did not put in an appearance,and the settlers begin to suspect thee is "more talk than cider."A big meeting was held on the reserve on Monday, and resolutions for mutualprotection adopted. We hear there are three hundred more squatters on theway hither from Cincinnati, and the numbers already "upon the line"are daily augmenting. "The war is already upon us," and the mottoof the squatters appears to be, "let it come." If this movementshould result in opening up the Reserve to actual settlers, it will be agreat blessing to the country. At any rate, it has the sympathy of the peoplein its favor.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Senator Caldwell has introduced a bill to allow the Kansas Pacific railroadto build a branch to the Arkansas River.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
The board of Indian commissioners is to meet in Washington on the 15thto accept the new powers conferred upon it by the recent action of Congress.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
KANSAS ITEMS.
Eighty-six newspapers are published in Kansas.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
General Sherman has news from Camp Supply, in the Indian Territory, whichindicate a renewal of the Indian war this spring.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
[Local editor, H. W. McCune, ended his employment with the NEWS withthis issue.]
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
A large number of wagons filled with immigrants passed through town Mondaymorning, bound for Cowley County, Kansas. Most of them intend to locatenear Arkansas City. There were probably thirty or forty teams.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Immigration to the west and southwest was never larger than at present.Long lines of immigrant wagons may be seen passing through town every houror two. Some of these newcomers stop with us, but the majority are boundfor the valley of the Arkansas.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
Mr. James A. Hadley, for some time past employed as traveling agent forthis paper, has ceased his connection with us and intends going to Wichitaor Elgin for the purpose of carrying on the lumber business.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
FOR THE NEWS.
The following are the names of some of the students in the "preparatorydepartment" of the "Kaw College" on their reserve: Oshunga,Sinjalo, Moshoyolla, Sinjoshingah, Hewahkahgah, Cihegahche, Ladohoja, Kawnsayolla,Wahgahma, Ischaga, Tahtunggah, Gahskahchid, Dodale, Wyissa, Wahshonkiah,Bahahgheah.
Emporia News, March 17, 1871.
On Tuesday, 7th, a party in the interest of the K. P. railroad, fromLawrence, passed through Park City en route for the southern line of theIndian Territory. Their object is to straighten and shorten, as far as possible,the Texas cattle trail from the point it enters to Abilene. They have withthem a full supply of sign-boards and such other things as are necessaryto plainly indicate the changed and shortened route to the drovers. Theparty assured those interested in the matter in Park City that the bendof some fifteen miles, caused by the old trail passing through Wichita,would be cut off, and that their proposed route would cross the Big ArkansasRiver at Park City and the Little Arkansas at the mouth of Emmet's Creek,about four miles above Sedgwick City. The new route will be almost an airline and will save about eight days drive.
Emporia News, March 24, 1871.
GOV. ESKRIDGE'S TIRADE.
Mr. Eskridge chooses to take advantage of the temporary absence of Mr.Stotler to ridicule his course as a member of the last Legislature, andto assail by cowardly innuendo, rather than by open manly charges, his privatecharacter. He also deals Mr. Overstreet a left handed blow as often as hecan find it convenient, and lastlyso great is the personal malignity ofthis disappointed politicianhe goes out of his way to pay his complimentsto the Daily NEWS, stigmatizing it as "Jake's $12 per annum imposition,"insinuating that the proprietors are a set of swindlers, having endeavoredto filch from the taxpayers by colluding with the publishers of the Tribunein order to obtain exorbitant prices for doing work for the City andCounty. To give vent to all this personal animosity his eminence occupiesthree columns of solid brevier in the last number of the Tribune.. . .
As to Mr. Eskridge's strictures upon Mr. Stotler's course in the Legislature,we shall have nothing to say, preferring that Mr. Stotler, who is abundantlyable to defend himself, should make, with his own pen, whatever reply hemay deem best. Neither do we deem ourselves called upon to say anythingin Mr. Overstreet's defense, as that gentleman, having proved himself morethan an equal match for the Governor in the contest for Representative lastfall, will undoubtedly be able, if he should choose so to do, to vindicatehis course as our Representative, and to prove to the same constituentswho put him up, and Eskridge down, that so much of this lengthy criticismas is devoted to Mr. Overstreet is incited by a feeling of hatred and chagrinthat still lingers as a puerile consequence of a humiliating defeat.
[ARTICLE GOES ON AND ON FOR TWO WHOLE COLUMNS] It is followed by anotherarticle re Eskridge espousing the cause of L. B. Kellogg, and resuming thesmall controversy about the Normal School, where the Prof. broke down. Articlewritten by R. M. Overstreet.
Emporia News, March 24, 1871.
[Skipped a big article re Park City getting A. T. & S. F. R. R.,making it a railroad center. They are to have a road: Ft. Scott, Park City& Santa Fe Railroad. If we were really concentrating on railroads, theideas put to citizens of Park City would be worth printing. They talk aboutthe Arkansas Valley & Rocky Mountain Railroad...it will start at Napoleon,Arkansas, on the west bank of the Mississippi, and south bank of the ArkansasValley to Little Rock, thence to Fort Smith, thence to Fort Gibson, in theIndian Territory, thence to Park City, traversing the entire length of thevalley on to the Rocky Mountains. Talks about the largest ocean steamerthat visits the port of New Orleans running up the Mississippi, at all seasonsof the year, as far as the mouth of the Arkansas to Napoleon, at the mouthof the Arkansas River.]
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Says the Arkansas City Traveler: "One week ago there werebut two houses on the south side of the Arkansas River. Seven can be countednow."
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
At the time of the township election on the 4th, the counties of Cowley,Marshall, Republic, Dickinson, Butler, Sedgwick, Neosho, Wilson, Allen,Mitchell, and Mason, in this State are to vote on the herd law passed forthem last winter. Several counties in the State already have a herd law,adopted by a vote of the people.
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
Hear the local of the sprightly Arkansas City Traveler:
GOING AHEAD. Over 90 buildings up40 more in progressheep buffalo robesonionssprouting, hens cackling over their silver fruitbig catfish walking uptownfivestage linesbig, new millstown crowded with teamshogs are becoming abundanthowis that for the Queen of the Arkansas?
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
[An attack is made by Stotler on Eskridge...or else the junior editor...butthe wording is more that of Stotler...very nasty...very sarcastic as usual.SKIPPED.]
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
H. B. Norton spent a few days here this week. He is as enthusiastic asever for the Arkansas Valley, and Arkansas City in particular. He says thereare now over ninety buildings in the City, and more going up. Shares areselling rapidly. Norton & Bro. are doing a large trade, as is everybusiness house in the town.
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
[Noticed change in ad...It is now McMillan & Cochran, wholesale andretail grocers. Evidently the ex-preacher found a new line of work as alegislator.]
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
On the 4th, Gen. Sherman will start on a tour of inspection throughoutthe frontier in Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas, and Nebraska. He will goout via St. Louis and New Orleans to San Antonio; thence west and northup to Nebraska, and back to Washington. Col. R. B. Marcy, inspector generalof the army, and Col. J. C. McCoy will accompany him.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
The Washington correspondent of the Lawrence Journal writes tothat paper saying that Senator Pomeroy informed him that the Commissionerof the General Land Office has made a decision, of which, if it be actedupon, the settlers on the Osage diminished reserve will be glad to hear.This decision as furnished by the Journal correspondent is as follows.
1. All settlers upon the Osage diminished reserve and trust lands, whohave settled upon these lands previous to the passage of the act for thedisposal of these lands, will not be required to make payment on the 10thof April, but will be required to make payment on the 15th of July, 1871.In other words, payment is postponed from April to July.
2.All who settled upon the lands subsequent to the passage of the actJuly15th, 1870
will have until one year from July, 1871, to make payment, or until July1872.
3. The department construes the provision for re-entry in square formto mean as follows: Entries can be made in legal subdivisions. A settlercan take four forties in a row, if there is no settlement on either of theforties. The quarter-section cannot be entered in ell shape, but can inthe form of a parallelogram, or, of course, in square form, as providedby the act.
4. Actual settlement is a condition precedent to entry. Actual settlementis to be construed to mean six months continuous occupation and residence,and actual improvement of the lands to be entered.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
Register and Receiver, Humboldt, Kansas:
GENTLEMEN: By the twelfth section of the act approved July 15th, 1870,making appropriations for the expenses of the Interior Department (pamphletlaws, page 363), provision is made to continue the disposal of the Osagetrust lands upon the same terms as the "diminished reserve," thereinprovided for. By these terms payment is to be made within one year fromthe date of act, or one year from date of settlement where made subsequentto the act.
By this extension, settlers on the "trust lands" need not makepayment for their claims prior to the 10th of April next, the time whenthe resolution of the 10th of April, 1869, expires.
You will, therefore, allow no claims after the 10th of April, unlessyou shall have received definite instructions under the act of July 15th,1870, which instructions are for the present delayed, in anticipation ofadditional action by Congress amending said act.
The "Osage lands" (first article treaty 1865) are not coveredby said act of July, 1870, consequently the settlers upon said lands mustmake proof and payment prior to the 10th of April next. Very respectfully,WILLIS DRUMMOND, Commissioner.
Humboldt Union.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
It is no secret that Prof. Kellogg intends to resign his position inthe Normal School at the end of the term to commence next Monday. He hasreceived several offers of more remunerative positions lately. But it ishis intention, we believe, to go to Arkansas City.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
The April number of the Kansas Educational Journal has just beenissued from this office. With this number the management and editorshipof this excellent monthly pass from the control of L. B. Kellogg to thatof Messrs. Banfield & Dilworth. Prof. Kellogg has had charge of theJournal for about four years, and that it has prospered, grown betterand better with each succeeding year, its numerous readers will all agree.[Paper did not say who would print the Journal after Kellogg departs.]
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
RECAP: Meeting held re devising means to prevent the introduction ofTexan cattle into the Emporia locality contrary to law. Committee formed.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
City Election Results.
Mayor: Wm. Jay.
Police Judge: E. W. Cunningham.
City Marshal: Wm. Gilchriest.
City Treasurer: Noyes Spicer.
Constables: Evan Davis and T. Johnson.
R. M. Overstreet was elected to the School Board in the Second ward,long term.
Emporia News, April 7, 1871.
AMERICUS.
The report having reached us that the large body of lands in Lyon andMorris counties known as the Kaw Trust Lands will be in market for actualsettlers inside of thirty days, people are rushing upon them to take claims,and cabins are going up like mushrooms all over the tract. There are upwardsof 200,000 acres in this body, and a good deal of good land, approachingwithin one mile of Americus. The whole tract will doubtless be claimed andoccupied within sixty days. There is now no prohibition from settling onthese Trust lands, and if the present report is true, the settlers willget them at Government price. The Kaw Reserve, it is now supposed, willhave to stand over another season.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Sioux Indians have just massacred two parties, comprising 15 white men,on the divide between the Yellowstone and Muscleshell River, Montana.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Max Fawcett left upon our table a specimen of hydraulic cement, takenfrom his claim near Arkansas City. He has a ledge on his place that cropsout above the surface for a distance of one hundred rods. Being in doubtas to what it really was, he took a specimen to Prof. H. B. Norton, of ArkansasCity, who pronounced it hydraulic cement. In order to feel yet more certain,he took it to a Professor in the Normal School at Bloomington, Illinois,who is a first class geologist, and he pronounced it to be the same thatProf. Norton thought it was. This cement is a matter that being made ofhydraulic lime is very extensively used for cementing under water, but isnot abundantly found anywhere else in this country, we believe, except inMichigan. It may prove of no inconsiderable value to Max. We hope it may.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
Read the splendid large advertisem*nt of Messrs. Newman & Bro. Theyhave just received as fine a stock of dry goods as has ever been broughtto this market. Silks and poplins, prints and ginghams, broadcloths andcassimeres, doeskins and tweeds, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and carpetsof all kinds and qualities fill their fine storeroom on Sixth avenue asit has never been filled before. Their stock of millinery is also unsurpassed.It would take all the fine words in the dictionary to appropriately describethe beautiful things Mrs. Newman can show you if you will drop in to seethem. Their prices are most reasonable.
Emporia News, April 14, 1871.
We have received the following communication from G. M. Simco*ck relativeto the Kaw reserve. We give it a place in our columns with pleasure.
EDITORS NEWS: We think that the report that has reached the citizensof Americus that the Kaw Trust Lands will be in market for actual settlershas been somewhat misunderstood. We do not know where the report came from,but thinking it grew out of the information that we got in Washington Citywhile there in the interest of those lands being brought into market, wefeel that we had probably better say we got the promise from the Secretaryof the Interior, that as soon as the present Congress adjourned he wouldplace the Trust Lands in market. He had not given or did not give us hisprobable decision in what way he would sell the lands. The provisions ofthe treaty that was ratified on the 5th of October, 1850, will in all probabilitybe carried out. They do not appear to give him much discretion in the matter,but we think he is inclined to do all he can for men that have actual improvementson the lands, though we doubt very much whether he would recognize any settlerswho may go on the lands now, and such settlers might operate against thosethat had formerly settled on and made actual improvements on the Trust Lands.And we would suggest the propriety of being patient and of waiting for thedecision of the Secretary of the Interior. Respectfully,
G. M. SIMco*ck,
F. P. NICHOLS,
C. COLUMBIA.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
STATE ITEMS.
A large party of Indians crossed the railroad three miles west of Wallacea few days ago.
The headquarters of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad are tobe removed to Parsons.
Arkansas City rejoices in a millionaire in the person of Alonzo Cutlerof Laporte, Indiana, who has made investments there in salt springs.
The herd law was adopted by small majorities in Butler and Cowley Counties.Our opinion is they will find the law a good thing for those counties.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
EDS. UNION: Herewith we furnish you for publication such extracts froma letter of Instruction from Commissioner of the General Land Office, underdate of March 28th, 1871, for the disposal of the "Osage Indian Trustand Diminished Reserve lands," as will be of interest to the settlersupon those lands.
[PER ORDERS FROM YOU, DID NOT TYPE UP THIS LONG, LENGTHY ARTICLE. HOWEVER,THE TIME MAY COME WHEN WE WILL WANT TO GO BACK AND STUDY IT THOROUGHLY.]
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
BIG AD. NEW GOODS!! NEW GOODS!!
Wholesale and Retail.
Have just received from the Importers and Manufacturers the largest lineof Spring and Summer DRESS GOODS Ever brought to Emporia, and will sellat LOWER PRICES than ever.
Black Silks, All Qualities.
Japanese Silks and Poplins, Striped and Checked.
Plain and Fancy SILKS.
Silk Warp Pongees,
Silk Warp Diagonals,
Silk Warp SERGES,
Silk Warp Epinglines,
French Figured Grenadines,
BLACK HERNANI,
Swiss Mulls,
JACKONETS,
STRIPES,
MAMSOOKS,
French Welts, White and Buff.
French and English Prints, French Lawns, Buff Linen Lawns, Buff Linenfor suits.
Percales, Marsailes, Peques, French, Scotch, and Chambray Ginghams.
MARL POPLINS, MOHAIR MISTINES, MILLINERY, At Wholesale and Retail,
BOOTS, SHOES, HATS, CAPS, Broadcloths, Cassimeres, Diagonals, Doeskins,Tweeds, Cottanades, Denims, Etc.
Prints and Muslin by the case, bolt or yard.
LIBERAL DISCOUNTS MADE TO DEALERS.
[Note: No mention of the lady who had been running Millinery Department.Looks as if Mrs. Newman was running the department.]
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
We are reliably informed that there will be a general council of allthe southwestern tribes of Indians at the Wichita Agency on the Wash*taRiver, on the 24th of April. This council, our informant says, will decidethe weal or woe of the whites now living in the Indian Territory.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
The New Chicago Transcript says the Educational Journal willbe published at Topeka hereafter. We had not heard of this before, and fromthe way work is progressing on the April No. in this office, we concludeit is still to be published here. At least the new editors have said nothingto us about moving it. Guess you're mistaken, Georgy.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
H. B. LOWE, agent of the Stage Co., has moved his office from under THENEWS to the office of the Express Co., on the north end of the same block.He is now located with Hurd.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
INDIAN SUPPLIES. Our old friend, Moses Neal, of Humboldt, has been spendingmost of his time here for some weeks. He has the contract for deliveringIndian supplies for the Government at Fort Sill, and is having them broughthere over the A. T. & S. F. railroad. He has already sent down 100,000lbs. of freight, and will load another 100,000 lbs. tomorrow; 150,000 morewill be loaded about the first of next month. Mr. Neal is one of the oldsettlers of Kansas, and we hope he will make a good thing on this contract.He has had much trouble in getting teams to haul the goods to Fort Sill.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
To the Editor of the Emporia Tribune:
The relation between the teacher and pupil, while it calls for obedienceon the part of the latter, implies none the less the duty of protectionon the part of the former. Attempting, as far as I can, to discharge thisduty, I am led to notice your allusion to the Normal students in your lastissue. I do not now raise any question as to facts. Improprieties may havecome to your knowledge of which the Faculty is ignorant. But why such asweeping charge as is implied in your words, "houses of assignationfor Normal Students?" Suppose one observes that many young personsattend divine service because of the presence of the opposite sex. May hedeclare that the churches are simply conveniences for love-making? How absurdthe conclusion from such a partial observation. Or if one suspects (as Ido suspect) that you wish to cripple the Normal School, may he charge thatthe town of Emporia is working to accomplish the same purpose? How imbecilesuch an inference! Yet either of these charges is mild and soothing comparedwith the stinging term with which your pen was defiled.
You may say that your words are interpreted as you did not intend. ButI have heard that you are a lawyer, and you ought to know that maxim oflaw that every man is supposed to intend the result of his own acts. Now,Worcester's Dictionary says, "House of assignation; a house at whichmeetings for purposes of illicit intercourse are appointed to take place."Sir, I hope you can plead ignorance, and I hope you will take it back.
You cannot have reflected on the suspicion of malignity whichmust arise when such words, so applied, are lugged into a simple local noticeabout a fire. In the press and hurry of your departure, surely you couldnot have thought what cowardice it was to fling such a brand andthen run away. A dozen or more young ladies, strangers in our midst, thewards of the State, and in some sense the guests of the city, are insulteden masse by the last term of reproach which our language affords,and you did it. If a boy on the street had named the nameless thingwhich your words imply in the presence of any woman, he would have beenkicked into the gutter. And you hiss it in the ears of every family in theState. Sir, I hope you can plead ignorance, and I hope you will take itback. You are the Superintendent of a Sabbath School and some of these Normalstudents attend it. Is it not your duty to guard the Christian familiesof the city from such contamination? How absurd such a view!
Do not weakly attempt to evade the issue by excepting all but a few.Come out like a man and acknowledge that you know nothing whichcan justify your words. But if this remonstrance should fail of its object;if you do not retract what you have written, then I brand your assertionas a lie, as false in matter as it is vile in form, and slanderousin intention. R. B. DILWORTH.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
Some paper states that Pomeroy wants to go into the cabinet. From longpractice and observation, he would make a first rate Secretary of the Interior.
Emporia News, April 21, 1871.
Last week post offices were established at Arcola, Cowley County, andat Bill's Creek, Chase County. Knott C. Randall is postmaster at the firstnamed office, Imbia Young at Bill's Creek. Benjamin F. Leveridge was appointedpostmaster at Holden, Butler County, and Daniel W. Friend at Walnut, inthe same county.
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
STATE ITEMS.
Sedgwick County adopted the herd law by a large majority.
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
Governor Harvey has written a letter to the President protesting againstallowing Red Cloud, the Sioux, and other Indians to hunt on our frontier.
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
L. J. Perry, who has just returned from the southwest, informs the TopekaRecord that El Dorado retains the county seat of Butler County. It had31 majority in a vote of nearly 1500. In Augusta 19 votes were cast forEl Dorado, and in the latter place 3 for Augusta. Mr. Perry thinks it isprobable that the Land Office will remain at Augusta. He says that thereis great excitement in the southwest about the new town of Newton. Everyonewants a lot in that prospective town. Mr. Perry says that the emigrationinto the southwestern part of the State is beyond anything ever before witnessed.
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
Robert Armstrong, Deputy U. S. Surveyor, has finished his portion ofthe work on the Osage Reservation. Last Monday he paid off his hands, someforty in number. The boys were not long, after receiving their currency,in laying in good clothes and other little tricks for human comfort andappearance. We are pleased to state that we did not see or hear of one ofthem getting under the influence of benzine. As a general thing they purchasedwhat they were compelled to have and then put for home. Wichita Vidette.
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
Read the card of Mrs. Newman and Mrs. Kidder in another column, and thengo and examine their stock of millinery.
[Could not find card...above item does confirm that Mrs. Kidder stillat Newman store.]
Emporia News, April 28, 1871.
The government, through its officers at Fort Leavenworth, has just completeda contract with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway company for thetransportation of a very large amount of supplies and stores to the fortsin the Indian Territory and to Forts Richardson and Griffin in Texas, thesupplies to be taken from Fort Leavenworth and St. Louis, Mo. The suppliesfor Fort Sill, Indian Territory, will consist of Indian goods and storesfor troops stationed at that post. At this post there will be shipped betweenthree and four thousand tons, and to the other forts probably an equal supply.The contract was made with the M., K. & T. company in consequence ofthe superior advantages afforded by them for the shipment of supplies toposts. The goods will be transported by this road to the end of the track,and will thence be conveyed in wagons to the fort named, requiring an overlandtransportation to Forts Richardson and Griffin of about 400 miles, and ofonly about 250 miles to Fort Sill. Messrs. Maurice & Graham, of St.Louis, have charge of the overland transportation, and their high characteras reliable businessmen and excellent reputation for promptness and efficiencyin the transaction of this kind give every assurance that the work willbe done in a manner creditable to themselves and satisfactory to all parties.
The M. K. & T. company have information that large quantities ofcotton in northern Texas are awaiting shipment over their line. The rapidconstruction of the road through the Indian Territory and its substantialequipment, give promise of a large business in this line at an early day.We congratulate our Texas friends and the shippers of that great State uponhaving at an early day such excellent facilities for shipment by rail tonorthern and eastern cities. The completion of the road cannot fail to openup a very large trade between Texas and our own state.
The road will be completed across the Arkansas by July 1st, and by September1st will be on the south of the Canadian. This will enable the M., K. &T. company to afford extra inducements for the shipment of Texas cattle.Texas cattle drovers estimate the losses arising from the difficulties incrossing the Arkansas River, one of the most treacherous of our westernrivers, at from one to three percent. At this rate the loss in each droveof from three to five thousand, the usual size of the droves, would be from$600 to $1,000. It is estimated that there will be not less than half amillion steers driven from Texas to Kansas this season. Upon this estimatethe loss of from one to three percent, in crossing the Arkansas foots up,it will be seen, to no inconsiderable sum. Provided as the road is withample equipments, for shipment, the M., K. & T. company cannot failto do a very large business this season in the Texas cattle trade. LawrenceTribune.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
ARKANSAS CITY. Mr. W. S. Cobb, a former resident of Humboldt, but nowof Arkansas City, was in town a few days this week, mingling with old friends,and buying a stock of goods. He gives a glowing account of the country roundabout Arkansas City, and the growth of that new aspirant for city honors.Its population is now about 300, and immigrants coming in every day. ArkansasCity is not a year old yet, but has three dry goods stores, 2 hotels, 1drug store, 1 hardware store, 1 newspaper, 4 grocery and provision stores,while the trades and professions are well represented. Two saw mills arein successful operation, and a good grist mill under way. Two shingle machinesare kept busy, and a good livery stable supplies the means of getting aroundthe country. A ferry has been established over the Arkansas River, a shortdistance south of Arkansas City, which just now is paying a big percenton the investment. Mr. Cobb thinks Arkansas City is the city, andthat part of Kansas the garden spot of the world. Humboldt Statesman.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
Gen. Crook succeeds Gen. Stoneman as commander of the department at Arizona.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
Mr. fa*gan, Assistant Superintendent of the A., T. & S. F. railroad,furnishes the Topeka Commonwealth with a few figures, which givean idea of the business the road did in the year 1870.
During the year there were transported over the road 3,758 car loadsof coal (1,125,900 bushels), 94 of sand, 1,146 of lumber, 973 of merchandise,2,617 of company materials, 89 of grain, and 593 of stock. Total car loadstransported: 9,270. Total tonnage: 98,917.
The number of passengers is put down as 33,598. We are inclined to thinkthis is a typographical error, as the number seems to us too large. In this,however, we may be mistaken. During the year the road consumed 70,000 bushelsof coal. There were only two accidents on the road in the time, and no onewas seriously hut. The total number of miles run by locomotives on the roadwas 87,679. We are of the opinion that the business of the road thus farduring the present year is more than double that of the corresponding monthsof last year.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
THE TEXAS CATTLE TRADE.
RECAP. It is estimated there are 4,000,000 head of cattle in Texas atpresent, one-fourth of which are ready for market and have already beenstarted across the country for Kansas and Nebraska, for shipment east andto California.
Some ranchmen.
Richard King, on Santa Catrutes river, 84,132 acres--keeps 65,000 cattle,20,000 horses, 7,000 sheep, 8,000 goats. Employs 300 Mexicans to attendthem. He sells 10,000 beeves annually.
Mr. O'Connor, on San Antonio River, grazes 40,000 head of cattle, sells75,000 each year. He commenced the business in 1852 with 1,500 head, andhis present enormous herd are the result of natural increase.
Robeaux, has a ranch of 142,840 acres near the mouth of the Rio Grande.It is surrounded on three sides by water, and to enclose the fourth, required31 miles of fence. He has 30,000 head of cattle, besides an immense amountof other stock.
John Hitson, on the Brazos River, 50,000 cattle, drives to market 10,000annually.
Ten years ago he had a beautiful little blue clay farm in Tennessee andrashly sold it all to get money enough to take him to Texas. He is now fortyyears old, and besides his Brazos property, he owns a stock-farm nearlyas extensive on the South Platte, in Nebraska.
It is a significant fact that it required 111 cars per day during theshipping season last year to remove the Texas cattle from Abilene, Kansas,and that a single bank in Kansas City handled during the short season, over$3,000,000 of cattle money. . . .
Milwaukee Sentinel.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
The telegraph office has been moved to the A. T. & S. F. depot.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
FREIGHTING. A train of wagons and oxen arrived here Friday morning tobe loaded for Fort Sill, Wash*ta, and other points, with goods for the Indians.The train consisted of some twenty-five wagons and three hundred and fiftycattle. They belong to Bernard, Irwin & Co., of Westport, and are underthe charge of Mr. Irwin. This firm have a contract to take to the Indiancountry, from this place, 500,000 lbs. of freight. Over 1,000,000 lbs. ofIndian goods have already been delivered here destined for the Indian country.the purchase of outfits here will be quite a little item for our businessmen.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
Five large wagon loads of furs and six of buffalo robes came in fromthe west Monday.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
MEMBERS OF EMPORIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Life member: L. B. Kellogg.
LIST OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE FAILED TO RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTION.
A. A. Newman
T. H. McLaughlin.
O. P. Houghton.
Emporia News, May 5, 1871.
AMERICUS.
It is again rumored that the Kaw lands are about to be sold, this timeto a colony from Ashtabula County, Ohio.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
.We understand from good authority that the land office is to be movedfrom Augusta to Wichita about the first of August.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
The Topeka Commonwealth says that the Atchison, Topeka & SantaFe Railroad Company are attaching automatic brakes to all trains. This roadis said by those who know to be one of the best constructed of any westof the Mississippi, and for sterling enterprise the company can't be beat.Lawrence Journal.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
The Topeka Commonwealth criticizes severely the policy of theMissouri Pacific toward the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. It saysthat the Missouri Pacific has, in all its actions, so far as possible, completedignored the extension of the Sedalia and Fort Scott branch of the Missouri,Kansas & Texas Railway, and has acted as though no such road existed.It will not pro-rate with it in freight or passenger tariffs, and frequentlycarries freight, carefully marked for this line expressly, and bound forpoints in Southern Kansas, by its own route and connecting lines throughKansas City. The result of this, says the Commonwealth, will be thatthe Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway will be extended from Sedalia acrossthe Missouri River at Boonville, and thence to the Mississippi, where itwill make connections with the Chicago & Alton road, or some other linedirectly east and north, and leave St. Louis out in the cold.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
STATE ITEMS.
The Fort Scott Monitor says the survey of the Missouri, Kansas& Texas railroad line in Texas is completed from Preston, on Red River,where the line leaves the Indian Territory, to Austin, crossing the BrazosRiver at Waco.
Baxter Springs is to have another railroad. The Atlantic & Pacificfolks are to build a line across to that point. The contract has been madewith the Missouri Construction Company, who are competent to put the workthrough in sixty days.
Paola men have laid out a new town in Sumner County called Wellington.
Judge Lawrence, of Ohio, who has been engaged by the Settlers' ProtectiveAssociation on the Osage Ceded Lands to conduct the contest of title tothese lands against the railroad companies, addressed the people of NewChicago on Saturday last.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
EDITOR NEWS: About one week since, a strong working force stated fromthis point for Fort Sill, accompanying a train sent out by Neal & Co.,of Humboldt, to the Cheyenne and Wichita Agencies. Col. O. P. Johnson commandsthe party.
The object is to completely open a road to a point near the crossingof Red Fork, just above where the "Jackson Trail" diverges. Thiswill give us an air line to Fort Sill, through a most magnificent country,and over a road made as perfect as a strong working force can make it inone season.
We have an excellent ferry at this point. Only 50 cents ferriage acrossthe Arkansas, and freighters from Emporia will save 50 to 75 miles by takingthis instead of the Wichita route.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
Brick Pomeroy declares in a card published at New York that the divorceand alimony of $20,000 give to his wife by the Milwaukee court, was solelyon the ground of incompatibility of temper, without any imputation of unchasteconduct on either side. The parties were married in 1853, and separatedby mutual agreement in 1860; since then, Mrs. Pomeroy has lived in Milwaukee,having custody of their only child. Recently both parties desired to havethe separation legalized.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
Arrangements have been made for the immediate building of the A. T. &S. F. railroad between Atchison and Topeka. The President of the road andDirectors were in Atchison last week. The road is to be running to the southline of Atchison County by October and to Topeka by October of next year.The company have advertised for proposals for the grading and masoning forthirty-three miles of the road. We are glad this important enterprise isnow assured.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
A Washington dispatch to the New York Times says the Secretaryof the Interior has directed the Indian office to advertise the Kaw Indianlands in Kansas for sale immediately. The plan is to advertise for sealedproposals, each bid to be for a tract of land not containing more than 100acres, and award each of such tracts to the highest bidder. This will preventany large quantity of those lands falling into the hands of one companyor individual, because they are very valuable, and a great many people areready to settle on them, and have already decided on the sections they desire,or have them already under improvement, and they can of course bid higherfor those sections which they particularly desire than a person biding forlarge tracts for the sake of speculation could afford. The conditions aresuch that the competition must be very great. There are about 100,000 acreswhich will be sold, there being reserved in accordance with the treaty aquantity sufficient for the head rightsthat is, for heads of families andIndians over twenty-one years old which have been determined and set off.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Arkansas City is to have a new grist and saw mill.
The town of Douglass is going to have a newspaper.
Texas cattle have begun to arrive in Wichita. Over 3,000 head came lastweek.
I. S. Kalloch has sold his famous trotting ponies to Senator Caldwell,who is to exhibit them to admiring crowds on Pennsylvania Avenue. [Kallochan Emporia man.]
The Emporia men who stopped at the City Hotel during their stay in ourtown, last week, all declared the City Hotel was the best house they hadstopped at since they left Emporia.
Arkansas City Traveler.
[STATE NEWS.]
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
BEEDY & NEWMAN'S MILL. Without any noise or ostentation, a greatwork is going on in our midst. Mr. Beedy, with a strong force, is steadilypushing ahead. The dam is almost completed; the machinery for the sawmillhas been ordered; the whole establishment will be in running order by October1st.
A careful estimate gives, at the lowest stage of water, an availableforce of 270 horse power. Three powerful turbines will at once be put inposition; a grist mill, having three run of stones, a sawmill, a lath andshingle mill, will all be speedily running at this point.
The sawmill is about ready to raise. It is thirty-five by fifty-fivefeet. The flouring mill is 35 x 40 feet, four stories high.
The water power is amply sufficient to run the above mentioned machinery,leaving a large power available for other purposes; of which, more anon.
We cannot too strongly thank, or highly compliment, the business energywhich has thus dared to push out into the wilderness, and rear such costlybuildings in advance of all productive industry. It will bring its own reward.The people of Cowley county will certainly owe much to Messrs. Beedy andNewman for the good work in which they are engaged.
Arkansas City Traveler.
[ABOUT THE INDIANS.]
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
Mahlon Stubbs, agent of the Kaws, has just returned from a visit to someof the Southwestern tribes of Indians, where he was sent by the Government.Frequent rumors having reached Washington of hostile intentions on the partof the Cheyennes, Arapahos, Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, and other Indians,the Government thought it would be wise to induce some of the chiefs tovisit Washington to have a consultation, in order to prevent, if possible,an outbreak. Mr. Stubbs was sent to deliver the invitation of the Governmentto the chiefs. No better selection could have been made to perform thisduty. After considerable persuasion, he induced six chiefs to make the journeyto see the "great father." Two of these are Cheyennes, three areArapahos, and one is a Wichita. The Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches refusedto go. Mr. Stubbs says all the Indians assured him that they did not intendto make any trouble, and he believes the reports from time to time senteast, that certain tribes intended to "take the war path" is unfounded.He thinks if there is any trouble at all, it will be made by the Kiowason the borders of Texas.
The chiefs who accompany Mr. Stubbs were never in Washington; in fact,never visited any white settlements before. They came through Wichita, andthat was the largest town they had ever seen. They were a good deal annoyedat the way they were looked at by the whites. It was with much reluctancethat they undertook the trip, and after they started some of them wantedto go back.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
"Since it has been definitely settled that the U. S. Land Officeis to be removed to this city, transactions in real estate are increasingrapidly. We venture to say that not less than $10,000 worth of city propertychanged hands during the past week." Wichita Vidette.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
There is talk of one or two more papers in Emporia.
Prof. Dilworth is called the best geographer in the State.
Our Mr. Williams has gone out in the country to stay a few days.
The first installment of cattle went up on the A. T. & S. F. roadyesterday, consisting of twelve car loads, which were shipped from here.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL. The new editors, Canfield [?] & Dilworth, areenlarging this Monthly, and making many changes, which necessarily delayits issue. Just as we were getting the first form to press, some two weeksago, a change of the pages was made which rendered it necessary to sendto Cincinnati for materials for the enlargement. These delays could notbe helped. The Journal will hereafter appear in double column pagesand be printed on tinted paper.
Emporia News, May 12, 1871.
CHASE COUNTY. [EXCERPTS ONLY]
We clip the following Chase County items from Monday's Topeka Record.
Cottonwood Falls now contains 700 inhabitants and is improving very fast.A company has been organized and charter procured to build a railroad fromCottonwood Falls south down the Walnut via Chelsea, El Dorado, Augusta,Winfield, Arkansas City, thence to Red River, Texas, to connect with a Texasroad from Red River across western Texas to the Rio Grande.
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road is now completed to Cedar Point,a live town on the west line of this county.
Toledo is to vote on the 19th, on the proposition to issue bonds andsubscribe $10,000 stock in the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad,on condition of a depot at Toledo. Toledo is half way between CottonwoodFalls and Emporia, and in time will be a good town.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Three excellent Salt quarries have been discovered on the south sideof the Arkansas River, within two miles of Arkansas City. So the Travelersays.
Gen. Custer has received from Mr. Graves, M. P. and Commodore of theRoyal Mersey Yacht Club, a present of a full-bred Scotch staghound. Mr.Graves, who was a guest of the General's on the Plains last summer, sentthe animal over by the last Liverpool steamer. So says the Atchison Champion.
We published a short time since a notice of the intention of Hon. EzraCornell, of Ithaca, New York, and founder of Cornell University, to engagein stock raising in this State The Abilene Chronicle informs us thathe has purchased a large ranche south of that place, and that his herd ofthoroughbreds have already arrived. He is also negotiating for more land,which he intends to devote exclusively to agricultural purposes.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
We find the following in the Humboldt Union.
WASHINGTON, April 26, 1871.
Register and Receiver, Humboldt, Kansas.
GENTLEMEN: It has been represented to this office that parties endeavorto speculate in the Osage lands by making claims, and then selling out andtaking others. It is also represented that during the temporary absenceof bona fide settlers, either for the purpose of bringing their families,or while engaged in their calling of "herdsmen," their claimsare "jumped" by other parties, etc.
With a view to protect the interests and rights of bona fide claimants,you will, therefore:
First, Require of all parties an affidavit, when filing, that they havenot, since the passage of the act of July 15, 1870, for the dispositionof said lands, sold their rights, or voluntarily abandoned any tract ofsaid Osage lands, or settled upon, improved, or filed for any other tractof said lands than the one designated in said filing. This affidavit youwill also require when the proof is made.
Second. Where, in contests between adverse claimants, it is shown bythe first settler that he made a bona fide settlement, and that an absencefrom the claim was due to the reasons herein alluded to, you will give himthe preference, provided he has in other respects complied with the requirementsof our former instructions, giving of course, to the adverse claimant theright to appeal to this office.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
MESSRS. EDITORS: To those unacquainted with the rapid growth of thispart of the State, and with the enterprising spirit which characterizesthe greater part of the people now immigrating, the changes which have takenplace may seem incredible, but they are nevertheless facts. Newcomers expectto find a wilderness, but find a garden. Men of ability and sagacity, whocame down here in advance of spring immigration, have traveled this stripover thoroughly, and have become familiar with all the best land, and pointswhere soil, timber, water, building material, and commercial advantageswere centered; they have located and surveyed out town sites, and are keepingpace with the tide of immigration, building up places of business as fastas the country settles up around them. And it now bids fair to be a livelyrace between the town and country to see which shall grow the fastest.
After examining the whole county of Sumner, a party of men have organizeda town company, and chosen the most favorable location in that county fora town site. This enterprise I am told started sometime during the pastwinter, and since then few towns have grown so fast as Belle Plain. It issituated in the richest and most fertile part of the county between theArkansas and the Ninescah Rivers, about ten miles from the mouth of thelatter, and surrounded by a vast tract of bottom land extending from riverto river. They are quite sure of the county seat, and bid fair, judgingfrom their present progress, to rival any town in the Arkansas valley. Themain current of emigration into this strip seems to be heading in that direction,and inasmuch as I judge from a disinterested standpoint, I must say theirpart of the country is getting more than its proportion. Businessmen ofmoderate capital will find there an opening not to be found in older townswhere the requirements for building call for too much expense.
There are a great many who come into this State with capital just sufficientto put up an inexpensive building, and have enough left to go into trade;but many of our western towns, when donating a lot, place the conditionsupon which the lot is given beyond the reach of men with ordinary means.For the present this is not the case at Belle Plain. The town company haveappropriated a large number of lots to be given to men wishing to startin any honorable business, and those who wish to make a sure investment,and a large percentage on their money, whether the amount be great or small,cannot do better now than either to go and see or write to the proprietorsof the Belle Plain townsite. The country adapted to general farming or stockraising is so extensive in their vicinity that trade cannot be overdonefor the next year at least. Business houses are going up quite fast, andtrade is thriving.
The following buildings are either filled with goods, or expecting tobe in running order soon: Town Hall, Thurman and Richards, 20 x 40; Lamberson,livery stable, 40 x 60; Hotel, Barton and Son, main building, 30 x 30, twostories high with an ell 16 x 24; J. Hamilton's store, 16 x 20, generalassortment of groceries; George Hamilton, 16 x 20, dry goods; J. Kellogg,18 x 30, drugs; Deavenport, first class stock of hardware, 20 x 40; Miller,16 x 20, flour and feed; Kinne, 16 x 20, groceries; Chamberlin, 16 x 20,land office. A good ferry crosses the Arkansas near the town.
A mail route has been established from Wichita to Arkansas City, andstages will soon be running. A stage route from Thayer, via Winfield, toBelle Plain has been surveyed out, and it is expected that stages will berunning on that route also soon.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
The big chiefs who passed through town Saturday on their way to Washingtoncreated a considerable furornearly as much as Robinson's show will. Theybought several hundred dollars' worth of fine clothes of Perley & Bearce.They were accompanied by Enoch Hoag, the Indian Superintendent, and MahlonStubbs, agent of the Kaws.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
We learn that there are twenty-five thousand Texas cattle on the wayto Abilene, Salina, and Brookville by the way of Park City, and will passthe latter place within eight or ten days. It is expected that three hundredthousand cattle will pass over this new trail this summer. Park City canwell compliment herself on securing this Texas cattle trail. It will domuch toward building up their town and put thousands of dollars in the pocketsof their merchants. It is expected that there will be two hundred housesput up within the next four months. Thus it seems that Park city will bethe big town of Sedgwick County.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
RAILROAD EXCURSION. A party of thirty-eight persons, railroad men andothers, passed through here last Friday to the Southwest. The leading personswere the directors of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, whoare going Southwest to look at the route of the road. They assembled atAtchison several days ago, and came down the line of the road. Among theparty were Hon. G. Twitchell, the president of the road; Thos. Shirlock,of Cincinnati; Aldin Spear, Thos. Nickerson, and J. T. Burr, of Boston,Directors; D. L. Lakin, of Topeka, Land Commissioner; W. B. Peabody &Brother, and Mr. Hart, of Cincinnati, and T. C. Hill, of Cambridge City,Indiana. The party was accompanied by Col. L. N. Robinson, of the Robinsonhouse, in this city, who furnished the outfit and provisions for the trip.We know the party will fare well in Col. Robinson's hands. They will goto the Arkansas River, and from thence to Fort Dodge, and if the weatheris favorable will also visit Fort Sill. The visit of these distinguishedrailroad men and capitalists to the Southwest will result in the favorabledevelopment of railroad interests for that country. The party expects toreturn in about two weeks.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
A train of thirteen large government wagons came in Monday night fromEllsworth, and loaded here with goods for the Cheyenne agency.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
A gentleman who returned from the Southwest a day or two ago, gives thefollowing description of the new town of Newton, which is to be a pointon the A. T. & S. F. railroad. He says there are two buildings completedand four under way. In the two that are completed, whiskey is sold. Twoof those that are under way are to be used for whiskey shops. There aretwo tents in the town in which whiskey is sold. At Florence he met a mangoing out to put up a building in which he was going to start a saloon.From the indications so far Newton will be a right lively little place.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
We met Friend Mahlon Stubbs, Agent of the Kaws, yesterday. He was returninghome from a four weeks trip to Fort Sill. He was present at the grand Indiancouncil near Fort Sill, and had conferred with delegations of all tribesof the Plains Indians nearby. He reports all peaceful in that direction.Having been absent so long he of course had not received any official informationin relation to the sale of the Kaw lands, and knew nothing concerning suchsale save what he had gathered from the newspapers. His interpretation ofthat is, that the Trust Land only is to be sold. The allotments spoken ofin the published dispatches, he says, will consume nearly all of the diminishedreserve.
Emporia News, May 19, 1871.
Agent Stubbs, of the Kaws, accompanied Superintendent Hoag to Washington,and upon his return the people will doubtless learn the status of the Kawlands.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
SETTLEMENT OF THE SPEER CASES.
The U. S. Circuit court met at Topeka Monday. Among the first cases calledwere those against John Speer, late Collector of Internal Revenue. Mr. Speerhad made a proposition to compromise the cases by the payment of $11,000,and the District Attorney offered an order from the Commissioner of InternalRevenue accepting the proposition. Mr. Speer appeared in court and paidthe money, whereupon the cases were dismissed.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
A telegram from Chetopa informs us that Vice President Dennison, Ex-MayorOpdyke of New York City, Francis Skiddy, and other directors and stockholdersof the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, together with prominent menfrom other railroads, have just returned from the end of the track, thirty-fivemiles from Ft. Gibson. They occupied a train of Pullman Palace cars. Thetrack is progressing south at the rate of a mile per day. The cars willbe running to Ft. Gibson by the 1st of July.
The bridge over the Arkansas River will be done the 1st of September.
Manager Stevens has been directed to complete the grading, bridging,and masonry to the South side of the Arkansas River by the 1st of October,and to have the cars running to that point by the 1st of November. All areunited in the opinion that it is the smoothest and best new road they evertraveled upon.
At Big Cobbin [?Cabin?] Creek in the Indian Territory cattle yards andample facilities have been provided for the shipment of cattle and all kindsof freight.
The next station will be established on Pryor's Creek, twenty-five milesbelow Cabin Creek, at which point the road will be open for business withinthe next two weeks.
The contract for the transportation of U. S. Military supplies for Ft.Gibson and forts in Texas has been awarded to this road. Already vast herdsof cattle and large quantities of cotton are en route to the Southern terminusof the road. No company ever opened with indications more flattering fora heavy freight and passenger traffic.
The party will pass over the Holden & Emporia branch as far as Paola.The plans of this company are very comprehensive, and when the road is completed,all the principal points in the State will be connected by its main line,through the Indian Territory, with the gulf. The directors are determinedthat the road shall be completed to Red River by the 1st of January 1872.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Mrs. General Lane has sold her residence in Lawrence for $13,000.
A nolle prosequi was entered in the U. S. circuit court, at Topeka,in the case against C. C. Hutchinson for embezzlement of Ottawa Indian funds.
The Abilene Chronicle says that satisfactory arrangements havebeen effected between the farmers and cattlemen and the citizens of Abilene,so that the cattle trade will be continued at Abilene without molestationor hindrance. Certain regulations and restrictions have been agreed uponby the committees representing the two interests. We learn that the agreementis substantially as follows. All unsettled claims for cattle lost by theSpanish fever will be presented to a board of arbitration, for considerationand allowance. Cattle are to be herded upon certain defined portions ofthe country, and be restricted to a prescribed trail or route, and all expensesof herding by citizens to be paid out of a fund raised by the citizens ofAbilene. The Chronicle is gratified with the action of the citizensin securing an arrangement by which so large a business is to be continuedthere, and especially with their promptness in raising a fund of five thousanddollars out of which to remunerate farmers for their losses.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
A party of Indians stole a lot of cattle from near North Platte, Nebraska.They were followed and all but six of the cattle recovered. One of the herdsmenwas wounded by the Indians.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
An extended council has been held in Washington between the Indian delegationnow there and Secretary of Interior and Commissioner Parker, on behalf ofthe government. Commissioner Parker called the attention of the Indiansto the fact that they were promised annuities for only ten years, four ofwhich have passed, and in the time yet remaining they should try and takecare of themselves, as they could live by hunting but a few years longer.When the Indians go home, said the commissioner, it will please the Presidentif they stop on their way in the Indian Territory and attend the generalcouncil of Indians to be held thee in the Creek country, the object of whichis simply and solely for the good of themselves, and to establish peaceand harmony and one general government among all the tribes of that country.
At the conclusion of the Commissioner's remarks, Little Raven said hispeople were anxious to get together by themselves, and he was anxious tohave a dividing line between white and Indian blood. The whites are approachingthem constantly, and the Indians do not know what country they own. He saidpeace existed, but our soldiers were stationed among them, and asked thatthey be withdrawn. The Wichita chief thought nearly all lands given otherIndians was the property of the Wichitas. This was his principal complaint,and what he particularly desired was pay for it. "Here I am,"said Buffalo Good, "with white man's coat and pantaloons on, but thereare no greenbacks in my pockets, and now I hope the government will giveme some to carry around so as to show something for the lands that havebeen taken."
Secretary Delano made a short speech, advising the Indians to learn habitsof civilization as soon as possible, and form a government of their own,and they would be furnished with clothes and agricultural implements, andschools and churches established among them. Little Raven was anxious toknow if he would be authorized in getting his people in the north to thesouth. This was one thing about which he was very anxious. The commissionersaid he would let him know tomorrow. The Indians have been greatly impressedwith what they have seen in the country of civilization. Some of them aredisposed to repel the idea that the capital buildings and paintings in therotunda are the work of man.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
INDIAN CLAIMS.
The following circular from the Adjutant-General of the State, datedat Topeka, the 15th of May, explains itself.
It is hereby announced for the information and guidance of all concerned,that, by virtue of an act entitled "An act to provide for the settlementof the losses sustained between the years 1861 and 1871, by the settlerson the western frontier, from Indian depredations," approved February28th, 1871, the following named commissioners have been appointed by theGovernor of the State of Kansas, viz: D. D. Colley, Leavenworth; David Heller,Clyde, Clyde County; Thomas w. Brown, Marion Center, Marion County.
They will meet at Topeka, Kansas, on the 6th day of June, 1871, for thepurpose of taking the necessary oaths and entering upon the performanceof their duties, which will be "to examine in all particulars intothe claims of the citizens of this State, residing on the frontier adjacentto the country roamed over by the Indians of the plains, which claims arefor the loss of stock and other property stolen, destroyed and gone to wasteby reason of the depredations of the Indians of any tribe that frequentlyhave passed through that region of country, and also any claimant that maybe compelled to abandon his claim or farm or home by reason of said Indianhostilities or raids."
The Commissioners will make a report to the Governor, on or before the10th day of August next.
Claimants will, if known, give the name or tribe of Indians that committedthe depredations.
The forms of proof will be the affidavit of the claimant, supported byat least two disinterested witnesses, and such other evidence as the Commissionmay require.
Citizens of the State having sustained losses as above set forth, maysend claims to Topeka, Kansas, directed in care of this office until June6th, 1871, after which time claims will be forwarded to such places as theBoard of Commissioners may design.
DAVID WHITTAKER, Adjutant General.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
BUFFALO. This is the name of a new town which has just been located onthe west bank of the Arkansas River, in Sumner County, fifteen miles northwestof Arkansas City. E. R. Trask is one of the founders and will soon starta paper there. Trask has considerable reputation as a builder of towns.He has not undertaken a job of this kind yet that failed. This new townis on the site of Buffalo Bill's old camping ground.
Emporia News, May 26, 1871.
ADVERTISING. Emporia businessmen believe in printer's ink. They use itliberally. There is not a town of its size in this or any other State thatpays more for advertising. Besides supporting two papers here, one of thema daily, we find Emporia advertisem*nts in the following Southern Kansaspapers: Cottonwood Falls Leader, Florence Pioneer, Marion Center Giant,El Dorado Times, Augusta Crescent, Winfield Censor, Arkansas City Traveler,Wichita Vidette and Tribune, Eureka Herald, and Neodesha Citizen.Emporia has done not a little to aid in establishing and maintainingthe press of Southwestern Kansas.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
The people of Cottonwood Falls and the towns in the Walnut Valley areagitating a project to build a railroad from a connection with the Atchison,Topeka & Santa Fe road, at Cottonwood Falls, down the Walnut valleyto Arkansas City. Several meetings have already been held. It is expectedthat the A. T. & S. F. Co. will take hold of the enterprise and buildthe road.
The Walnut valley is unsurpassed by any section in the State for fertility,extent of arable land, quantity and quality of timber, water power, andall that goes to constitute the elements of a rich and populous country,and no one can doubt, for a moment, who has seen that section of the State,but that a railroad running its entire length would soon be a paying investmentto those who would build it.
We shall be pleased to hear of arrangements being made which will insurethe speedy construction of this road.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
A new Catholic church is to be built at Osage Mission. It will be sixtyby one hundred and fifty feet, and is to cost $75,000.
The following named gentlemen were elected Directors of the Atchison,Topeka and Santa Fe road on Thursday: Ginery Twitchell, E. Raymond, F. H.Peabody, Joseph Nickerson, Alden Speare, Thomas Nickerson, Isaac T. Burr,of Boston, Massachusetts; George Opdyke and Henry Blood, of New York; ThomasSherlock, of Cincinnati; T. J. Peter, D. L. Lakin, C. K. Holliday, of Topeka.
The board of directors elected Ginery Twitchell, president; Isaac T.Burr, vice-president; C. W. Pierce, secretary and treasurer; T. J. Peter,general manager, and D. L. Lakin, land commissioner.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
CHASE COUNTY ITEMS.
A large meeting was held at Cottonwood Falls last Friday night, at whichsix delegates were appointed to attend the railroad meeting at El Dorado.Much enthusiasm prevailed, and a determination manifested to commence atonce the railroad from Cottonwood Falls to the south line of the State.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
The following is extracted from an official letter received at the officeof the superintendent of Indian affairs, giving an account of the attackrecently made in the Indian Territory upon a party of Osages by white men,on the 13th inst.
No-pa-walla, chief of the Little Osages, and some of his head men, tenin number, started in the morning from their little village, which is abouteight miles south of the Kansas line, to trade robes and furs of one ofthe border towns of the State. They were met when about two miles on theirway, by seventeen border white men, armed with guns and revolvers, who demandedthe return of a horse which they alleged had been stolen by some of theOsages. The chief assured them that his braves at the camp would find thehorse for them if he was in their herds. The white men after consultationpresented their arms and ordered the Indians to dismount, which some ofthem did; and others attempted to escape. The whites commenced firing atthe Osages, and pursued them, the Indians making no resistance whatever,as they were unarmed. The chief was wounded slightly in the shoulder. Twoof his men, inoffensive and peaceable like himself were badly, if not fatallywounded, and another was pursued to the river and killed. Another savedhis life by diving into a lake.
Some of the Indians escaped to the village, and amidst great excitementabout seventy- five warriors left in pursuit of the whites, and overtookthem before they reached the state line, and as they refused to stop anddeliver the ponies and robes which they had taken, they were fired uponby the Osages. One white man was killed, and two were taken prisoners; fivehorses were captured. The remainder of the marauders made their escape andspread the report that the Indians were perpetrating a general massacreof the women and children of the border.
The Indians released the two prisoners whom they captured, and also havegiven up the horses taken by them in the fight.
A delegation from the settlers on the border have brought down to theagency the pony which the thieves and murderers took with them, and seemeddesirous of doing all they could to restore friendly relations with theIndians. Lawrence Tribune.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
Chicago, May 24. General Phil Sheridan and J. W. Forsyth arrived herethis morning.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
SANTA FE, New Mexico, May 24. News was received at the military headquartersof this district, tonight, by the express messenger from Camp Apoche [?Apache?],Arizona, that the whole nation of the Apaches have declared open war againstthe whites; supposed to have been caused by the killing of a hundred Indiansat Camp Grant. An urgent request was made for military assistance from thisdistrict.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
SUMMARY OF TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Apaches at Camp Apache, on the reservation in Arizona, have treacherouslycaptured the government stock, and robbed the mail. A detachment of troopsattacked the savages, but were forced to retreat, with the loss of one man.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
We are reliable informed that the A. T. & S. F. railroad is to bepushed to the big Arkansas at once.
A large number of Texas cattle are grazing on the prairies near Newton,awaiting shipment by the A. T. & S. F. railroad.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
NEUTRAL LAND QUESTION DECIDED.
The test case of James F. Joy vs. P. T. Holden, involving the neutrallands, was decided by the United States Court at Topeka yesterday morning,on every point in favor of Mr. Joy. Justice Miller delivered the decision.He held that the President and Senate had full power to dispose of the publiclands by treaty; that they had done so time out of mind, and that, in thiscase, after the government had received the plaintiff's money, under thetreaty, in purchase of the lands, and had paid it over to the Indians, todecide that the Government had no power to alienate the lands would be tocommit a gross fraud. The opinion was full, clear, and unequivocal on allthe points raised. Lawrence Journal.
Emporia News, June 2, 1871.
RAILROAD MEETING AT AMERICUS.
AMERICUS, KANSAS, May 31st, 1871.
Having been notified that a delegation from Cottonwood Falls, consistingof Col. S. N. Wood, Judge W. R. Brown, W. A. Morgan, Esq., W. S. Smith,and C. A. Britton would visit Americus today to consult with her citizensin relation to a railroad from Americus, on the M., K. & T. railroad,via Toledo and Cottonwood Falls, to the Walnut Valley, and thence via ArkansasCity to Texas, a meeting convened at the schoolhouse, comprising nearlyall the businessmen and other citizens of the town, and a considerable numberfrom the country.
J. W. Adair was called to the chair, and R. W. Randall chosen secretary.
The object of the meeting being stated, Col. S. N. Wood was called for,who stated that at a meeting held at Cottonwood Falls, Friday night, thecommittee of gentlemen who now accompanied him, had been delegated to meetand talk with the people of Americus on the subject of railroad as aboveoutlined. The Colonel then proceeded to illustrate the practicability ofits route, showing the connections that could be made, and also the franchisesthat could be secured to build the road. Col. Wood's remarks were clearand practical, and were attentively listened to by the gentlemen composingthe meeting.
Judge W. R. Brown, of Cottonwood Falls, was next called out. He statedthat the people of the Falls, and of the Walnut Valley, were unanimouslyin favor of this route, and would aid, by township and county bonds, tothe extent of their means, to build this road. He believed a proper effortnow along the line would result in the immediate construction of this road.
Hon. J. W. Loy was next called for, and expressed his belief that thepeople of Americus and vicinity would willingly aid all in their power tobuild this road. He considered this route eminently practicable, and theroad one of the utmost importance to this locality; would lend every effortin his power to help it along.
Rev. F. D. Loy, R. W. Randall, Watson Grinell, Esq., J. W. Adair, andothers followed, expressing entire confidence in the ability of the peopleto get this enterprise under way, and eventually secure the building ofthe road. They thought the people of Americus township would do their share.
A committee of five, consisting of R. W. Randall, J. W. Loy, J. W. Adair,L. A. Wood, and J. D. Gibson were appointed to meet the delegation presenttomorrow, for the purpose of organizing a company to start this road, andalso to appoint a committee to visit Hon. R. S. Stevens, General Managerof the M. K. & T. R. R., and endeavor to get that company interestedin the building of this road.
On motion, the Secretary was instructed to furnish copies of the proceedingsof this meeting to the publishers of the Cottonwood Falls, Emporia, Topeka,and Walnut Valley papers for publication. The meeting then adjourned. J.W. ADAIR, Chairman.
R. W. RANDALL, Secretary.
Emporia News, June 9, 1871.
Official intelligence has been communicated to the War Department, atWashington, that an Indian war will ensue during the summer, and the Generalcommanding in Arizona has been instructed to make every exertion to maintainpeace.
Emporia News, June 9, 1871.
The official notice of the sale of a portion of the land popularly knownas the "Kaw Reserve," has been duly issued, and we give belowsuch of the regulations as are of interest to the general public. The landsare to be sold through the acceptance of sealed proposals, under the followingrules.
Such proposals must be for parcels or tracts not exceeding in any caseone hundred and sixty (160) acres each. Should any proposal be for any tracthaving on it improvements of any kind which were made by or for the Indiansor for Government purposes, the proposals therefor must state the pricebid for the land and for the improvements separately.
These lands comprise the unsold portion of what are known as Kansas IndianTrust Lands, and also all that portion of the Kansas Indian Diminished Reservationlying outside of the exterior boundary line of the lands assigned in severaltyto members of the tribe under the provision of the aforesaid treaty.
All bids must be accompanied by the deposit of a sum equal to a sum often per centum of the amount of each bid, which sum, in case the land isawarded and the balance not paid, will be forfeited by the bidder. Shouldany bid be rejected, the sum deposited will be returned to the proper party.
Patents will be issued and transmitted to purchasers as soon after fullpayment as practicable. Payments must be made in cash, or such certificatesof indebtedness of the Kansas tribe of Indians, issued by the Commissionerof Indian Affairs for the debts of said Indians, as are made receivableas cash by the provisions of the amended second (2nd) article of the treatyof March 13, 1862, to the amount for which they were issued, in paymentfor lands that may be purchased out of that portion of said reservation,commonly known as "Trust Lands."
All lands purchased from that portion of the "Diminished Reservation,"herein offered for sale, must be paid for in cash. The right to reject anyand all bids is expressly reserved.
All bids must be sealed and addressed to the Commissioner of Indian Affairsand endorsed "Bids for Kansas Indian Trust Lands," or "Bidsfor Kansas Diminished Reserve Lands," as the case may be.
Persons or parties whose bids are accepted will be notified of such acceptanceas soon thereafter as practicable.
If within forty days after such notice has been duly mailed, paymentis not made to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the amount bid, theland for which such bids was made will be again subject to sale.
Deposits to accompany bids may be made in any public depository of theUnited States or solvent National Bank, evidenced by a certificate of deposittransferred to J. S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington,D. C.
Bids will be received until the 25th day of July next, after which, assoon as practicable, they will be opened, examined, and acted upon. H. R.CLUM, Acting Commissioner.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 18, 1871.
Emporia News, June 9, 1871.
The Cowley County Censor says that two questions of general interestto the people of the State have been decided by the district court of thatcounty; one, that the herd law so called is null and of no effect, it beingcontrary to the Constitution of the State. The other, that the State courtshave power and will upon proper grounds, to interfere by injunction to restrainthe removal of timber from disputed claims until the rights of the claimantsshall be settled at the land office.
Emporia News, June 9, 1871.
AMERICUS.
People are beginning to come to look after the Kaw lands. A large amountof those to be sold are in this township, and Americus rejoiceth at theprospect of their soon being occupied by settlers.
Emporia News, June 9, 1871.
PLYMOUTH.
The Toledo folks feel very sore over the defeat of their bonds, and theLeader editor makes a few sweeping assertions by way of soothingthem. If it had not been for Emporia, Plymouth, and Elinor, they think theywould have carried the bonds; or, if they had polled votes enough they wouldhave carried them anyhow. But the fizzled on it. Such a combination againstthem was too much for their success. But the Leader man pats themon the back, and says they "fought nobly," and that they shouldbe rewarded by having the depot located there. I suppose the result of theelection was anxiously waited for in Emporia, if there were any there whowere cognizant of the fact that such an election was coming off. The greatand only excitement was in Toledo township, and they were over-confidentof success, but the "enemies" of the railroad company defeatedthem. One of the bondites was heard to say that if he had known that theSwedes were going to vote against the bonds, he would have had them arrestedand held until the election was over. How are you, honesty?
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
The supreme court has just decided the "herd law" to be unconstitutional,as being in conflict with the first clause of section 17, article 2, ofthe constitution, which provides that "all laws of a general natureshall have a uniform operation throughout the State."
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
EL DORADO, KANSAS, June 6, 1871.
EDITORS NEWS: Now that the county bond question is settled, all eyesin this portion of the Walnut Valley are turned to Emporia. As Emporia hasthe advantage of competing lines of railroad, and will soon have other easternconnections, it is all important to the people of southwestern Kansas thatthey have direct railroad connection with her. If Emporia expects to obtainpermanent commercial advantages over all other towns in this portion ofthe State, she must secure the Ottawa or Holden road, and must secureits construction to the mouth of the Walnut River. You have already votedbonds for two roads, and are deeply in debt. You claim that you can't voteany more bonds. If you allow the Kansas City and Santa Fe or the Holdenroad to be built to Burlington, or to Americus, a sheriff's sale of Emporiawould not pay ten percent on her indebtedness. There is no use in tryingto dodge the question. If you fail to get this outlet, you will fail toestablish yourself as a city of any commercial importance whatever. LyonCounty can well afford to vote $200,000 in bonds to secure the constructionof this road, diagonally across the county. Butler and Cowley Counties willgive $400,000 for its completion to the mouth of the Walnut. We of the WalnutValley expect the people of Lyon County will aid us in getting this road.Shall we be disappointed? WALNUT.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
I sever today my connection with THE EMPORIA NEWS. I have sold my interestto Mr. Stotler, with whom, as a partner, I have enjoyed the most pleasantrelations for the past eighteen months. From him, from the boys of the office,from THE NEWS itself, and most of all, from its numerous readers, I partwith feelings of the utmost regret. . . .
W. W. WILLIAMS.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
Arkansas City is making arrangements to celebrate the fourth of July."Brave boys are they."
Tisdale is the name of the last new town in Cowley County. It is locatedat the exact center, geographically, of the county, and the people downthat way have faith to believe that it will pay to take stock in it.
Arkansas City will soon be the leading town of the Walnut Valley. TheTraveler, in speaking of railroads in contemplation, says "unlessthe signs of the times are very deceptive, we shall hear the whistle withintwelve months."
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
We hope the Educational Journal will survive. The nasal protuberanceof the Tribune is severe on it.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
Saturday hand-bills were posted for a railroad meeting at the courthousein the evening. The notice was short, and not extensive. Not a great manypeople were in attendance. The following gentlemen were elected officersof the meeting: Chairman, C. V. Eskridge; Secretary, S. B. Riggs.
Mr. Eskridge stated that the object of the meeting was to talk over railroadand manufacturing interests, and to endorse the recent steps taken by thecity council in their direction.
Several brief and pointed speeches were made, in which immediate actionwas urged in the matter of securing a railroad connection with the eastvia Kansas City or Holden. The sentiment is unanimous on this matter. .. .
A committee was appointed consisting of H. C. Cross, M. H. Bates, andF. R. Page, to work with the committee appointed by the Council to lookafter railroad interests.
Editors of the three papers were appointed to circulate notice of nextmeeting.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
Patrick, of the Cowley County Censor, was in town last Friday.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
NEW TOWN. We understand parties in Cowley County have laid out a newtown near the center of that county, which they call Tisdale, after thestagist. There are already six or eight houses up, and the town is onlyten days old. It is expected it will be made the county seat of Cowley.Petitions are already in circulation for a new vote on the question.
Emporia News, June 16, 1871.
Bear in mind the public Railroad meeting next Monday night. Every citizenought to be there.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
The Indian Bureau hopes to avert an Indian war this summer. By adviceof Sherman, no supplies will be given to Indians not actually on their reservations.Officers can go to the reservations to make arrests. All Indians guiltyof murder or robbery are to be turned over to the governor of Texas fortrial.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
The tribes of the Indian Territory met in grand council by delegatesat Okmulgee the first week of the present month. Last fall SuperintendentHoag called the tribes together for a council at the same place, by virtueof a provision of the treaty of 1866. That council framed a constitutionintended by them as a means of confederation of the civilized tribes. Itwas to be ratified by each tribe in council or by election. The events ofthe succeeding months developed a scheme to force the nations into a territorialgovernment with officers appointed by the President of the United States.The Indians became alarmed and have consequently neglected or refused totake action separately upon the constitution. This meeting of the generalcouncil was to have taken final action upon the result of the action ofthe separate tribes. Enoch Hoag presided, and Gen. Sherman made a speech.Hoag made a speech. Then a hocus pocus operation was gone through to excludecertain delegates on the grounds of being "informally appointed orelected." The Seminole, Chickasaw, and Cherokee delegates, each thenreported no action by their respective nations. The further action of thiscouncil will be watched with great interest.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
Confusing! Third paper started in Emporia...Democratic...Started by R.M. Ruggles and others...Ruggles stated he would not be its editor in firstissue. Not clear who editor is.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
Terrible tornado in the Southwest...paper not sure which localities weredamaged by it except for news from an El Dorado Times extra. Alsoheard from Peabody, where a railroad bridge and about a mile of the trackof the A. T. & S. F. road were washed away and 12,000 feet of lumberbelonging to the firm of C. F. Pierce & Co. was carried off.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
The Land office of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad is to remainat Neosho Falls instead of being removed to Parsons as reported.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
GALVESTON, Texas, June 19. L. F. Friend, agent Kiowa Indians, writesa letter to Governor Davis, of this state, saying it is evident that duringthe coming summer there will be witnessed the most extensive ravages offrontier Texas. Almost all Indians of this agency and Cheyennes have left,and are now on the war path. We learn from Indians coming in frequentlythat the Comanches are also alive, and the plains are black with Apaches.Increasing depredations corroborate their reports. Apaches have been comingfrom the Colorado and further south, and it is most likely depredationscommitted on the far south were by them. We learn also that their rendezvouswest of reservation is what is called Rum Island, Texas, where traders fromNew Mexico meet Indians and furnish them arms and ammunition in exchangefor horses and cattle.
In an interview between Gens. Sherman, Marcy, Grierson, and agent atthe Tatum reservation, it was shown to be an indisputable fact that Indiansbelonging to that reservation are hostile to the whites, and on the warpath. Gen. Sherman said that Indians having so frequently broken their treatiesshould be declared outlaws, and government should cease to care for them,but sequestrate their lands and punish them as their enormities deserve,and that he should so recommend.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
THE MEETING MONDAY NIGHT.
RECAP. Large audience present. Much interest manifested in securing adirect eastern connection by railroad. Railroad committee instructed toat once visit the authorities of the Kansas City & Santa Fe road andMr. Stevens, to see what propositions they have to make to build one ofthe roads named to Emporia. Whitaker favored the Holden road, and said OsageCounty had voted $125,000 for a road up the Marais des Cygnes. The committeeto visit the railroad people: E. P. Bancroft and S. J. Crawford, appointedon the part of the city council, and M. H. Bates and F. R. Page on the partof the citizens. City council to pay the necessary expenses of the committee.
Skipped the part re manufactories, etc., for Emporia.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
Rev. R. M. Overstreet is to deliver the fourth of July oration at BellePlaine, Sumner County.
Emporia News, June 23, 1871.
From an Extra, printed by the Walnut Valley Times, the news camere vast destruction there due to tornado: over 100 houses demolished; $60,000worth of property destroyed. [We may have this already.]
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
Indians are troublesome again on the upper Missouri.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
The Indian claim commission will meet at Marion Centre Monday and willbe in session there one week.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
A charter for the Wichita & Southwestern Railroad Company, was filedyesterday in the office of the secretary of State. The directors are asfollows: C. K. Holliday, T. J. Peter, Topeka; J. R. Mead, C. F. Gilbert,J. M. Steel, Wm. Griffinstein, H. C. Sluss, Sol. H. Kohn, S. C. Johnston,Geo. Schlichter, G. H. Smith, Wichita; Frank Fulton, Sedgwick City; R. P.Juse, Newton. This road is to begin at some point on the A. T. & S.F. R. R., between Peabody and Newton, and to run to the south line of theState through Wichita. The distance
is ninety miles. Arrangements have been perfected to secure the immediatebuilding of the road to Wichita. . . . Topeka Commonwealth.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC.
SIOUX CITY, June 21. We learn from the second clerk of the steamer Kioutz,who has just arrived up the river, that Indians in the vicinity of FortsBerthold and Buford are very troublesome. A herder had been badly woundeda mile from Fort Berthold and 25 cattle run off with. A party of soldiersand wood-choppers were attacked 3 miles from Stephenson; a soldier was fatallywounded. The government cattle have been run off with at Sulley. The Indiansdeclare that the Northern Pacific R. R. shall not run through their country,and much trouble is expected.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 23. The following contracts for the transportationof Indian supplies were awarded, by the Indian Bureau, to Chick, Brown &Co., of Kit Carson; from Kit Carson, Cal., to Forts Defiance and Wingate,Losperous agency, one dollar per cwt. per one hundred miles. John H. Coad,Omaha, from Fort D. A. Russell to the Red Cloud agency, one dollar and forty-fivecents per cwt. per one hundred miles. D. J. McCaun, Nebraska City, fromFort D. A. Russell to the Whitestone agency, one dollar and seventy-fivecents per cwt. per one hundred miles.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
Kansas City has raised one thousand dollars in cash for the El Doradosufferers.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
The Indian Territory is sending out cotton this year, two hundred balesin one lot having been recently consigned to J. O. Ford & Co., St. Louis.Ten thousand dollars in premiums will be distributed among cotton growersat the St. Louis Fair, next fall.
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. It has been a standing inquiry where themoney used by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in the constructionof their extended lines comes from. Perhaps the following little item whichwe clip from a commercial exchange, may afford some light on the topic.
"A marvelous event in financiering took place in London two weekssince. Bonds of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company were putin market on Tuesday morning. Before the Stock Exchange closed that day,every dollar was taken up, and the bonds rose to three percent premium.On the same day about two millions of bonds were offered in Amsterdam, andnot only taken but two millions more asked for. The results are said tobe unprecedented."
Emporia News, June 30, 1871.
NORMAL BOARD. The Board of Directors of the State Normal School met onthe 23rd. There were present Governor Harvey, State Superintendent McCarty,Major Stover, of Council Grove; Col. Horner, of Chetopa; E. P. Bancroft,Harvey Bancroft, and S. B. Riggs, of Emporia. The members resident herewere made the Executive committee. The resignation of L. B. Kellogg as Principal,and Mrs. Gorham, as Preceptress, were accepted, to take effect immediately.
Mr. J. C. Greenough, of Westfield, Massachusetts, Normal School, wasselected as Principal of the school to succeed Mr. Kellogg.
Emporia News, July 7, 1871.
Lawrence is very jubilant over the prospect of an immediate connectionwith the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, at Carbondale, and thinkson account of the easy grades that Carbondale cut off will become the mainline. At any rate it will give Lawrence direct connection with all the Southwest,and is really the best thing for that city that has taken place for manyyears.
Emporia News, July 7, 1871.
RECAP. NEWS finally admitted they erred with respect to so-called resignationof Normal School Preceptress, Mrs. J. H. Gorham. She was fired because sherefused to work at a salary smaller than that paid to the Professor of NaturalScience.
Emporia News, July 7, 1871.
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS...July 3, 1871.
Col. J. M. Steele declining to serve as an appraiser of the lots frontingon Commercial street between 3rd and 7th avenue for the purpose of assessingagainst them the curbing, guttering, and macadamizing of the street, Mr.A. A. Newman was appointed instead.
Emporia News, July 14, 1871.
THE EL DORADO TRAGEDY.
On Monday last, in the absence of Mr. Stotler, the news of the terriblecalamity that darkened the house of his brother-in-law, T. B. Murdock, theeditor of the Walnut Valley Times, was received in Emporia. As themessenger who brought the intelligence had been dispatched very hastily,we refrained from publishing the facts in full, hoping that the dreadfulstory might not be sustained I its most saddening aspect by a more maturereport. But the news within an hour or two had reached nearly every familyin town, from the messenger having told it on the street, and on every sideeager questioners sought information as to its truth, and as we could onlytell it partially, from every heart arose the anxious, sorrow-laden query:"Can it be" can it be?" A large portion of the community,to whom Mrs. Murdock was personally known, was oppressed most painfullyby the news. Her sweet disposition and manners had won the love of everyonewho knew her, and she was universally admired for her intelligence and accomplishmentsand esteemed for her piety. It was natural therefore that the terrible truthshould not gain full credence among her acquaintances here, and that thesoul should struggle against a realizing sense of the character of the witnessesto suggest a chance of escape from a conviction fraught with so much pain.
Alas! No subsequent developments relieved the first report of its mostdistressing significance. It is too sad for comment. Below, we give thefacts as published by a brother of our deeply afflicted friend in the WalnutValley Times of the 6th inst. We can only pray that, in the wisdom ofHim who notes the sparrow's fall, the future of the sufferers may in someway be relieved of the burden of a terrible thought. ED. pro. tem.
In behalf our afflicted brother, the editor of the Times, whosemind in this dark hour of his life is illy fitted to the task, and in behalfof his suffering wife, we will give a short statement of the sorrowful tragedywhich so startled the citizens of El Dorado, and so shocked and prostratedthose that are near and dear to us by the ties of nature. This statementis published to the end that unwise conjectures and surmises may be obviated,and that the people of Butler County, to whom he is so intimately connectedas editor and publisher, may not be compelled to give ear to rumor. Ourwords will be fewthe duty a sad one.
At Emporia, on last Monday morning, as we were leaving the bedside ofa sick father, preparatory to returning to our own home and duties, a telegramwas handed us which contained the painful intelligence that our brother'sbabe was deadhis wife in a dying condition. There being just time for usto catch the morning train west, we, in company with a younger brother,started, reaching El Dorado at sunset, when from eye witnesses all the detailsof the previous day's sad history was given us, and which are briefly these:
The family of our brother consisted of himself, his wife, a little nieceof 11 years whom they were raising, a little daughter between three andfour years of age, the babe about fourteen months old, and a young man employedin the Times office, J. W. Hart by name. They hd temporarily movedinto a small house opposite the Courthouse about a square from the mainpart of the town. Upon the arrival of the mail between the hours of 12 and1 o'clock, on Sunday, the father and husband stepped down to the post office,on the main street, for his mail. In returning he met Hon. Sidney Clarkeand Governor Sharp, who were on the corner near the hotel in full view ofhis house, with whom he stopped and conversed for a short time, then startedfor home, which he had almost reached when he heard his little girl andniece scream. Just as he got to the corner of the house, the bloody formof his dying child on the ground near the other corner of the house caughthis gaze. Flying to it, where he could see the back part of the house, hiswife, prostrate and bleeding, but alive, was next seen. Taking her in hisarms he carried her to near the front door where he laid her down and calledfor help. Dr. McClaran was called at once, who sewed up and dressed thewound in a few minutes. Mrs. Murdock had, with a razor, first cut her child'sthroat and then her own. The arteries of the child's neck had been severedcompletely and it died without a struggle. In the attempt upon her own life,she had horribly mangled her throat, almost severing the windpipe but failedto sever the important blood vessels, cutting too high, although an arterywas grazed. As soon as the deed was done, her powers of reason returned,and while the doctor was sewing up the gash she signaled for pencil andpaper with which she told her distracted husband what to do with the littledaughter, together with other things of minor importance, winding up withthe charge or prayer to him to lead a Christian life. This she wrote underthe conviction that she was dying.
Without dwelling further upon the details of this doubly sad tragedy,we will give the causes that led her aberration of mind, and the committingof the deed, as told by herself and corroborated by the family. And in thecontemplation of the principal cause of this dark cloud which so suddenlydestroyed hope, happiness, and life, comes to our breast the emotion ofindignation. The next morning, it being Monday, our afflicted and sufferingsister's mind was as clear as it ever had been and then she told her agonizedhusband all. Upon the heads of the fiends, at best unprincipled villains,who wrote that letter dated Douglass, but mailed at Augusta, and signed"Committee," rests the blood of that sweet, promising boy, whosebright form we helped to lay away on last Tuesday upon the mound that overlooksEl Dorado, and the valley of the Walnut. From the date and reception ofthat letter, she says her life has been a constant dread of "vigilanters."[The letter spoken of ordered the editor of the Times to take backwhat he had said in his paper or leave the county within ten days.] Sleepfled from her eyes and all desire for food left her. Hourly she was expectingthat the ones who had threatened to take her husband's life would executetheir threat. Nights she sat by the window, a sentinel and guard over himshe loved better than her own life, momentarily expecting to see him draggedby murderers from her presence, until reason topped and reeled from itsseat.
Of all this her husband had not the least suspicion, as he had on severaloccasions, in answer to her questions, endeavored to satisfy her that heapprehended no personal danger, until last week, Wednesday, upon his returnfrom Leavenworth when from the manner of his reception and from the unrestof her eye, the dreadful reality of the condition of her mind flashed uponhim. Immediately communicating his fears by letter to his parents and friendsin Emporia, he assiduously by every power of his love and mind endeavoredto soothe and comfort her, not leaving her day nor night, but for a fewminutes at any time thereafter. Unfortunately, the letter to his parentswas not received until too late. Of course, the late political and county-seatcontest in which his paper took a prominent part, together with the fearfulstorm, the terrible effects of which we now see upon every hand about thisbeautiful town, all went to intensify the fear of that poor mother's andwife's heartthat fear, which she says herself counseled her to hide therazor wit which she intended to save herself and boy from all trouble. Manylittle things and actions now are plain that were not understood previousto the calamity. She says the last incident which immediately drove herto the desperate act was the fact of her husband stopping to talk with thegentlemen heretofore mentioned. She asked Mr. Hart who was in the house,what men they were, and how many there were of them; at the same momentshe saw a man walking up the street with a rope in his hand. Thinking thatthe fatal hour had arrived, she picked up the baby, slipped the razor intoher pocket, rushed to the back part of the house, and our readers know therest.
Mrs. Murdock was born in Marietta, Ohio, was educated at Cincinnati,and possessed not only a good education but was highly accomplished. Herphysical organism was extremely delicate, illy calculated for the hardshipsand excitements of a frontier life. She lost her parents and only sisterwhen a girl. As a wife and mother she was wonderfully affectionate and apparentlyperfectly happy until the life and interests of her husband became, as shethought, jeopardized by the threats of irresponsible or inhuman wretches.
At this writing our poor unfortunate sister, under the care of Drs. McClaranand McKinsey, is doing as well as could be expected, and is at times infull possession of her faculties and affections, no doubt fully realizingher sorrowful situation. . . .
[She committed suicide within a day or two after murdering her child.]
M. M. MURDOCK, Editor of the Osage Chronicle.
Emporia News, July 14, 1871.
[Part of an article written by A. P. Miller, Esq., of the Toledo Blade.]
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad has adopted a sound andbusiness-like policy in regard to its lands. It has a grant of about 800,000acres, and the aim of the managers is to keep them out of the hands of speculatorsand get them into the hands of actual settlers, thus as the lands are soldthe business of the road is increased by bringing in the articles the settlerconsumes and carrying out those he produces. This business amounts on averageto one hundred dollars a year to every family of five persons, being twentydollars per capita. A population of 5,000 is worth $100,000 a year to thecompany that commands the business. How much better is this than runninga road through an uninhabited country, or one but scarcely settled. Someland-grant roads seem to regard their lands as a resource from which theymust realized as many dollars as possible, and every concession made infavor of actual settlers as so much money lost. . . .
Emporia News, July 14, 1871.
The Lawrence Journal says Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Hoag,paid on his recent visit to the Miami Indians, an annuity of forty-fivedollars to each member of that tribe. The whole amount thus paid was $7,500.
Emporia News, July 14, 1871.
[Portion of article re Belle Plaine.]
"We shall long remember with pleasure the attention and hospitalityshown us at Belle Plaine, and none more pleasantly than that of the accomplishedfamily of Mr. Wm. J. Hackney, the President of the town company My tripto Sumner and Cowley counties was rendered the more pleasant by the accompanimentof C. B. Chapman, who shared the honors and privileges of the Fourth ofJuly celebrations. . . . R. M. O."
[Wm. J. Hackney....do they mean Wm. P. Hackney????]
Emporia News, July 14, 1871.
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
CHEYENNE, W. T., July 11. A telegram was received here today from Attorney-GeneralAckerman, reinstating Church Howe as Marshal of Wyoming Territory.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler notices the arrival at that place ofseveral Emporia dogs since the new dog law went into force.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
The papers have been filed for the organization of a company to builda railroad from Ottawa (the present western terminus of the Kansas Cityand Santa Fe railroad, and soon to be the western terminus of the Holdenroad) up the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, thence to the Neosho, up theCottonwood and South Fork to the Walnut Valley, and down that magnificentstream to its mouth, at Arkansas City. This, today, is the most importantrailroad project on foot in this State, as it traverses five of the bestvalleys in the western country.
The following gentlemen, who are incorporators of this great enterprise,are men well known for their sagacity, enterprise, and devotion to the interestsof Kansas: S. T. Kelsey, Franklin County; J. Mather Jones, Osage County;F. R. Page, C. V. Eskridge, S. J. Crawford, E. P. Bancroft, E. P. Peyton,Lyon County; T. B. Murdock, M. Vaught, J. D. Conner, T. H. Baker, ButlerCounty; D. A. Millington, H. B. Norton, Cowley County.
The length of this road is about 180 miles, and the capital stock is$4,000,000.
Osage and Franklin Counties have already voted bonds to this road tothe amount of $175,000. It is supposed that on the balance of the road $600,000can be voted, making a total of $775,000. This will insure the speedy constructionof the entire line. . . .
It will be remembered that about a year ago companies were organizedto build over this same route. It has been thought best to consolidate theminto one company, and thus have a more united feeling.
We urge, in behalf of the people along this line, immediate action.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
THE WALNUT VALLEY.
PORTION ONLY...
Douglass, situated in the southeast corner of Butler County, has abouta dozen houses, a small business, and is not remarkable for anything inthe past, so much as being the seat of the vigilanters and their victims,the latter of whom have about all fled the country, except those who wereexecuted last fall.
Winfield, the county-seat of Cowley County, has a rival for this honor,in the newly laid out town of Tisdale, some miles to the east. The managersof this town have not pursued a very liberal policy, or been as faithfulin securing a good title to their town property as is wholesome to theirpermanent prosperity.
The Star town of this valley is Arkansas City. Situated on a beautifulsandy knoll, just about large enough and of sufficient elevation for a choicetown site, gradually sloping in every direction as if graded for the purpose.The timber of the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers at a distance of one to a halfmile, forms about two-thirds of the segment of a circle around the place;while here and there in the distance knots of timber are to be seen. Thethrift and future prosperity of the town and country, by the immigrant'shouse, and improvements on nearly every quarter section, for miles and milesas far as the eye can reach, or the footsteps lead you over a distance offifteen or twenty miles in some directions. And the same indeed is truein this whole valley, after reaching the Osage tract near Augusta now openedand actually taken by the settler. The crops are fine and quite abundantfrom Emporia to Arkansas City. . . .
This fertile and rapidly developing valley is to some extent a feederof Emporia. And as they are all alive and impatient for a railroad justnow, impulses which are certain to bring the great modern improvement totheir doors, it is to our interest as well as theirs to have our next railroadin some way or other tap this region. Let our railroad men see to this.. . .
R. M. O.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
Osage, Neosho & Walnut Valley is the name of the new railroad company,chartered for the purpose of building a road from Ottawa to Arkansas City.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
A daily mail route has been established from Florence to El Dorado, anddown the valley to Arkansas City. Concord coaches run daily over this route.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
A railroad meeting will be held at Douglass, Butler County, next Saturday,for the purpose of securing united action in the construction of a railroaddown the Walnut Valley.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
Wichita proposes to have a railroad in six months. They are voting bondsfor a road from Newton via Sedgwick City and Wichita to the south line ofthe State. Wichita, as a town, is not to be sneezed at.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
Prominent railroad men are expected here soon to examine the route fora railroad from Ottawa to Emporia and southwest to Arkansas City. This issaid to be the best projected route in the State. The Marais Des Cygnes,Neosho and Walnut Valleys are among the most thickly populated in the State.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
Franklin and Osage Counties have already voted one hundred and fiftythousand dollars to secure the construction of a railroad up the MaraisDes Cygnes Valley, in the direction of Emporia. Should Lyon County giveone hundred and fifty thousand, and Butler and Cowley each give two hundredthousand dollars in bonds, the immediate building of the road would be assured.The distance from Ottawa to Arkansas City via Emporia, Chelsea, El Dorado,and the Walnut Valley is about 165 miles. Bonds voted as above would amountto over four thousand dollars per mile. The route being through valleysthe entire distance, this amount would grade the road. Being through therichest portion of the State, capitalists would take hold and build theroad at once.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
DISTRICT COURT.
Eliza J. Bell vs. J. B. Bell; judgment against A. A. Newman, garnisheefor $21.39, and accruing costs.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
Atchison is going to have a railroad bridge. The estimate cost is $700,000.
It is reported that 50,000 head of Texas cattle are in the vicinity ofNewton, awaiting shipment.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
The Board of Directors of the State Normal School, at their meeting Wednesday,elected as Principal of the school, Prof. George W. Hoss, Professor of EnglishLiterature and Theory and Practice of teaching, in the University of Indiana.Prof. Hoss is well known to many of our citizens, who all speak of him inthe highest terms. Let us hope that under the charge of Prof. Hoss, andhis able assistants, the Normal school may start forward with fresh vigorin its sphere of usefulness. Prof. Dilworth remains in the same positionas before. Miss E. F. Brewer, a sister of Judge Brewer, enters the placeof Preceptress.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
NEWS CLIPPINGS.
Red Cloud and party are making ready for the war path.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
TELEGRAPH NEWS.
WASHINGTON, July 2. A letter from Fort Sill says that Kiowa Indians havemade efforts to induce the Cheyennes and Sioux to join them in a war againstthe whites, but thus far they have failed.
At three o'clock this morning an explosion occurred in the small magazinein the Washington arsenal, which is used in the preparation of rocket lightsand shells for the signal corps. . . . The flames spread to a frame housenearby, and thence was carried to what is known as storehouse number two,in which were stored all kinds of cavalry and artillery equipments, whichare a total loss. . . .
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
WASHINGTON, July 25. Reports received at the Indian bureau state thatthe agent who was dispatched to Mexico in order to induce the return ofthe Kickapoos, says these Indians are near Santa Rea in Coahuila, and mentionsas a singular fact that the Mexican commission had arrived at that place,but one week in advance of our agent and his party, and had been issuingcattle and corn to the Kickapoos. The Mexicans are anxious to retain theKickapoos. The object our government in desiring to retain this nation ofIndians and their location on the reservation, is to break up their depredationson the Texan frontier, in which they are encouraged by their Mexican friends.
General Parker today vacated his office as commissioner of Indian affairs.The clerks of the bureau took formal leave of him.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
LITTLE ROCK, July 25. A gentleman arrived at Fort Smith on the 24th fromthe Indian country, and says that the Osages were on the war path. On the19th a party started out on an expedition ostensibly for buffalo hunting,and returned in a couple of days after with three white scalps. Their horseswere loaded down with plunder. It is supposed that they attacked some trainand were successful in their raid.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
Meeting called for Saturday, July 29th, to organize a County Union opposedto the illegal driving through the Emporia section of Texas cattle. J. S.McWhorter, Chairman of Committee.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
A. A. Newman and wife left for the east Monday, where they will spendseveral weeks.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
J. K. Finley, Esq., and the editor of this paper went to Arkansas Citythis afternoon, to be gone till Monday.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
Gather from article that Stotler's old partner, Mr. Williams, has takenover the Emporia Tribune and enlarged it.
Emporia News, July 28, 1871.
PERSONAL. We learn by a note from Prof. Kellogg that he is at CentralCity, Colorado, enjoying himself well. He says: "We are all well, andgreatly enjoy the mountain air and scenery. . . . Central City is about35 miles northwest of Denver, in the heart of the Gregory mining district.It is a place somewhat larger than Emporia, and supports two daily papers.It has an elevation of near 8,000 feet above sea level. Will return aboutthe middle of August."
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
A threatening attitude is assumed by the Kiowas and Cheyennes in NewMexico.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
On Friday last the Apaches murdered a stage-driver between Santa Fe andMessila.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
The Commonwealth says the work of opening bids for the Kaw landsbegan on Wednesday. They number about four hundred, and no elections inthe matter will probably be had within ten days or two weeks.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
The Arkansas Traveler says that 400 calves were shot out of oneherd, during the drive from Texas to Kansas, last month. All young calvesare shot as fast as they are born, so as to be rid of and allow the cowsto be driven.
Emporia News, August 4, 1871.
The El Dorado Times says that a brother of the celebrated Indianwarrior, Black Hawk, is buried near that town.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
A number-one truss bridge is to be built at once at Arkansas City.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
The Arkansas City Traveler says that driving on the trail wasslacked up very suddenly. Last week thousands of cattle were passing alongthe route every day. This week not one herd has passed, and it is said thatthe driving is about over for this season.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
Gen. Parker, ex-Indian Commissioner, is to return to his former professionof civil engineer.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
OSAGE, NEOSHO AND WALNUT VALLEY RAILROAD.
RECAP. Company was incorporated from several companies. Surveyors nowat work, especially from Emporia down the Walnut Valley. There is no moreimportant route under consideration in the State. Were it built, WalnutValley people would have from Emporia, two routes to Chicago, one by wayof Lawrence and Leavenworth; the other via Topeka and Atchison.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
ORGANIZATION OF THE OSAGE, NEOSHO & WALNUT VALLEY R. R. CO.
RECAP. Incorporators met in Emporia at the office of E. P. Bancroft,who was elected chairman of the meeting, and T. B. Murdock, of El Dorado,Secretary. J. C. Lambdin of Butler County acted as proxy for J. D. Conner,who resigned. W. J. Cameron was duly elected in his stead. Officers:
President, S. J. Crawford, Emporia.
Vice President, W. J. Cameron, El Dorado.
Secretary, E. P. Bancroft, Emporia.
Treasurer, J. Mather Jones, Arvonia.
Attorney, E. B. Peyton, Emporia.
Emporia News, August 11, 1871.
SUSPENSION.
This is the last of The Daily Emporia News for the present.
We shall stop for two months, at the end of which time we shall renewagain, if the people desire us to do so, and are ready to foot the bills.. . .
We trust all will continue to take the Weekly, as we intend to spareno efforts to continue to make it in the future, as it has been in the past,the best paper in Southern Kansas.
Daily News 22nd.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
The M. K. & T. road is within twelve miles of Fort Gibson. Some delayhas occurred on account of waiting for the bridges over the Verdigris andthe Arkansas.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
ARKANSAS CITY, August 14, 1870.
To the Editor of the Emporia News:
"Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise." We neverfully realized the truth of this aphorism till very recently, and in orderthat you may understand why its verity has so forcibly impressed us of late,we will herewith proceed to explain.
Your correspondent, in company with several others, left the metropolisof this State, some two weeks ago, with the intention of visiting that,to us, hitherto unknown region generally denominated "Southern Kansas."Of course, we had frequently heard of this portion of the State, and hadknown many who had left their homes in the east and north to build up newones on its free, vast prairie, but it must be confessed that we lookedupon these individuals with feelings of the deepest pity, and regarded themin the light of martyrs, who had renounced all the comforts and pleasuresof life, to delve out a miserable existence in a new, and as we, in ourignorance deemed it, barren country. But finally circ*mstances so happenedthat we ourselves were obliged to come, for a time at least, to this landof poverty and desolation.
We came, we saw, and were conquered. We found a glorious country, where,instead of poverty reigning, we saw prosperity and plenty on every side.Rich plains of waving harvests gladden the eye, while in place of desolation,we discovered, springing up everywhere, bright, comfortable little homes.We wondered how it were possible we had remained so long a time in our cityhomes, where care and strife are ever warring with our ambitions, whileclose beside us was lying this beautiful country offering the very bestadvantages and privileges to those who are willing to locate therein.
We might write page after page extolling this beautiful portion of ourState, had we the time or ability. Having neither, we must rest satisfiedwith simply describing a very small part of it. In our ride over the rollingplains from Newton to Arkansas City, we had plenty of time to notice andadmire the many beauties in nature so constantly spread out before us. Ourlove for the beautiful was continually gratified by enchanting views ofboundless distances stretching far away into infinite space, while occasionally,through the intervening trees, would we catch glimpses of quietly flowingrivers brightly sparking under the dazzling rays of the sun. Our feelingsfound vent in little rapturous expressions and interjections, till whenwe came within the limits of Cowley County, our emotions became too intensefor words, and would fain sit quietly drinking in the loveliness of thesurrounding landscape, content to let eloquent silence proclaim our appreciationof the scene. But oh, when we reached our destination, Arkansas City, andstanding upon an elevated knoll just north of the town, gazed down intothe beautiful valley before us, lighted by the last shimmering rays of sunset,we cried aloud:
"There is not in this wide world, a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet."
The meeting of "bright waters" here necessarily refers to thejunction of the Arkansas and Walnut Rivers, which unite about a half a milebelow this point.
We had formed the very erroneous idea that this county was very thinlysettled. Actual observation, however, soon convinced us of the contrary.We found Cowley County as well, if not better settled, than any other newcounty in the State. The inhabitants are almost all of a superior classof people, intelligent, cultivated, refined, prudent, and industrious. Especiallyhave we found them so in this little town of Arkansas City. The wonderfulgrowth and improvement of this place bears witness to the courage, energy,and untiring perseverance of its citizens.
A little over a year and a half ago the town site was the home of thebuffalo and prairie wolf, over which they roamed at their own free will.Today stands a town of nearly five hundred inhabitants. Over a hundred goodlybuildings raise their aspiring fronts, while several others are in processof erection.
Arkansas City has every facility to make a large and flourishing town.A splendid geographical position, the finest natural resources, and thebest commercial and manufacturing advantages all contribute to its successfuldevelopment. Railroad connections are speedily anticipated, which, whencompleted, will draw yet more strongly the tide of emigration hither.
Looking across the golden bridge of the present into the depths of theshadowy future beyond, we see bright and radiant prospects for this faircity of the plains. M. L. C.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
A TRIP TO THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
Having had but little knowledge of the southern portion of Kansas, alongthe line of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad, or of the IndianTerritory, which lies south of Kansas, I have just returned from a journeyto those localities, and now offer you the results of my observations.
It is possible that some of your readers are not fully informed withregard to the present extent of the M. K. & T. R. R., as I was not,before my attention was more fully attracted to it during this trip. Itseems that this corporation is now operating about three hundred and seventyfive miles of road, without including the Osage division, and a considerableextension beyond its present terminus is almost ready for the iron. Theextent of the Neosho division is one hundred and fifty six, the Sedaliaone hundred and fifty nine, and the Cherokee division eighty five miles.The cars are expected to run to the Arkansas River, at a point near FortGibson, in about two weeks, and thence to the Red River by the coming spring,and to the Mexican Gulf at Galveston at no distant day. The branch to Austinand Comago, and finally to the Mexican capital will be pushed forward asrapidly as the work can be accomplished. It cannot be denied that Mr. R.S. Stevens had found his fort [?forte?], when he engaged in railroad operations.
The road is already carrying considerable quantities of freight in bothdirections for the people of Texas. Considerable heaps of cotton bales werepiled at Choteau awaiting shipment to the eastern market. There was alsoa large amount of merchandise and other freights ready for wagon transportationto the towns along the frontier of Texas and for the military posts in theIndian Territory. Among these were some fine carriages from a Chicago manufactory,destined for Sherman, Texas.
Choteau, the present temporary terminus of the road, contains no valuableimprovements, except it be the ample railway station, which is providedwith comfortable offices, including one for the use of the telegraph. Althoughthere is no hotel building, all of the necessary comforts that are usuallyfurnished at a good hotel are provided by the use of two railway cars, anda supply of tents. One of the cars is arranged as a dining room, the otheras a kitchen, and the tents are mostly used as lodging places. We foundtheir table as amply supplied as at almost any western hotel.
The strict rule of the government with regard to trade with the peoplebelonging to the Indian Nations retains most of this business in the handsof the Indians, or their representatives. The small number of persons whoobtain the proper permits for traffic with them enables such persons torealize very large profits from their investments.
Choteau has been the terminus of this road for about two weeks, and itmay thus remain for some two or three weeks longer. The very transient natureof the business at these successive terminations of the road, has led therailroad managers and others to exercise some caution in the matter of improvements.
A line of stages, provided with first class Concord coaches leave Choteauon the arrival of the trains. This line passes Fort Gibson twenty-five miles;Okmulgee, the proposed capital of the Indian confederation, seventy-eightmiles; and Sherman, Texas, two hundred miles.
It seems a great waste of lands to leave so vast a country in the handsof the Indian tribes, who can make no use of all of them, even as huntinggrounds. This will be inferred from the fact that the present Indian populationnow occupying the territory is about as follows.
Cherokees: 15,000.
Choctaws: 15,000.
Creeks: 13,000.
Seminoles: 2,500.
There are other small tribes or bands which may swell the whole numberin the territory to about seventy thousand.
As the railroads are confined to the use of but one hundred feet on eitherside of the track, all improvements belonging to citizens must thereforebe confined within these limits.
It is to be hoped that our government will ere long obtain, by propertreaties, such portions of this country as do not contribute to the interestsof the red men, in order that they may be more properly occupied. C.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
STATE NEWS.
The M. K. and T. R. R. will build from Parsons to Parker, and perhapsto Independence, Kansas. The track was completed last week, says the ParsonsSun, to within 18 miles of the crossing of the Arkansas River, six milesfrom Fort Gibson. Passenger cars will run to the Arkansas by the 20th ofAugust. The company have 3,000 men at work in the Territory. The gradingto Red River will be completed by early spring; to South Canadian in 60days.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
Newman & Bro. opened a huge pile of boxes yesterday, and "newgoods" is their battle cry. They are selling at prices low enough todraw money out of anybody's pocket, even in these tight times.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
DEFEATED. The proposition to vote the bonds of Americus township to theamount of $25,000, to the Chicago, Kansas & Texas railroad, was defeated,on Tuesday, by a majority of four votes.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
The Cowley County Censor has changed hands, Patrick having soldout to Messrs. Webb & Doud.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
Building is going on very rapidly just now. Goff & Melton's new blockis being finished up in splendid style; several residences are in progress,and we have good reason for saying that some fine, number one blocks ofbuildings will be erected this year. Arkansas City Traveler.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
The Augusta Crescent says the following statement shows the businesstransactions at the U. S. Land office at that place for the month of July.The filings upon the Osage Lands were 743, the largest number being in CowleyCounty, but many in Sumner and Howard.
Also the largest number of proofs and payments in any one county havebeen in Cowley. The fees and commissions on homestead entries amounted to$2,049.95. Homestead entries, 17,011.61 acres; Osage entries, 26,898.76acres; Pre-emption and private entries, 2,587.45 acres. Total: 46,977.82.Cash receipts: $36,767.57.
Emporia News, August 18, 1871.
BIG THINGS. Arkansas City, says the Traveler, is to become theheadquarters of the southwestern transportation. All goods for Fort Silland the agencies will henceforth be carried in two-horse wagons hither fromThayer, and stored in a warehouse; and will thence be re-shipped on "bull-trains."All the hands will be paid off here.
As we predicted, Arkansas City is to be the big town of the border. Immensequantities of freight for the Territory are now passing through, and stillgreater quantities are yet to come.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
IMPORTANT LAND DECISION.
The land was won in contest between the Kansas Pacific and Missouri,Kansas & Texas Railway companies, involving claimed rights to certainlands granted by acts of Congress to aid in the construction of, and withinthe conflicting limits of the two roads. The amount was 125,000 acres.
This case was brought before the commissioner of the general land office,May 14th, 1869, by Col. N. S. Goss, land attorney for the M. K. & T.R. W. Co., and decided in favor of the said company, April 14, 1870. Thisdecision, on appeal, was affirmed by the Secretary of the Interior, withmodifications, which give to the M. K. & T. R. W. Co. all the landsin dispute lying west of Fort Riley and south of the line of route of theK. P. railway. The decision is final, the Secretary of the Interior basinghis action on the opinion of the assistant attorney general, of the 21stult., to whom the case was referred. Neosho Falls Advertiser.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
[KAY, A VERY INTERESTING STORY ENTITLED "THE RICHEST WIDOW IN AMERICA,"RE Widow Samuel Colt, the man who reaped the profit from the revolving firearm.In 1870 her income amounted to $440,000. She lived at Hartford, Connecticut.
I skipped due to time element.]
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
A horse thief was hung yesterday at Newton.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
The meeting at Augusta the other day (where Toledo and Bazaar were pledgedto vote $25,000 each in township bonds) to organize a "Walnut ValleyRailroad Company," in the interest of Emporia, refused to organize,and resolved to vote $200,000 in bonds and take stock in the road from CottonwoodFalls. The Walnut Valley takes no stock in Emporia promises. Sam. Wood.
We find the above in the Walnut Valley Times and publish it tocall attention to the falsehoods it contains. We happened to be presentat the meeting as a looker on. Toledo and Bazaar were not pledged for asingle cent of township bonds. Sam Wood has been trying to pledge them andrun them for all sorts of moonshine railroads. There were just three votesin favor of giving $200,000 to Sam Wood, and the meeting was packed forthat purpose. The voters were mostly newcomers, and did not know Sam Wood,or they would not have carried the proposition even by three votes in theaffirmative and none in the negative. Perhaps the Walnut Valley takes stockin Sam Wood's newspaper roads instead of "Emporia promises." Inthe last five years Sam has built at least 15,000,000 miles of railroadon paper, but he has never caused to be thrown a shovel full of earth inactual railroad building. The road that Cottonwood Falls now has he succeededin running two miles from town. By the way, what has become of Sam's "UpperCross Timbers" railroad moonshine? Ungrateful Sam! To go back on "UpperCross Timbers!" Hast thou forsaken "Upper Cross Timbers,"Samuel?! Have you washed your face, Sam, since you got out of jail?
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
THE NEWTON TRAGEDY.
Elsewhere we give the particulars of the latest Newton tragedy. Thisaffair is a disgrace to Kansas and to humanity. If nothing else can be done,is it not time for the interference of the Governor? We do not hesitateto express that public sentiment will entirely justify him in putting aquietus upon murder and outlawry in that town.
RECAP of a long story. Five men killed and six wounded. The "LeadingMan" Not Arrested. The Jury ordered to Leave...Those three constitutedheader of article. SKIPPED DUE TO PRESSURE OF TIME AND IT REALLY ONLY INVOLVESNEWTON.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
We [Stotler] spent a few days in this beautiful and thriving young town,which sets upon an elevation at the junction of the Arkansas and WalnutRivers. We were perfectly delighted with the town and surrounding country.If we were going to change our location in this State, we would go to ArkansasCity as quick as we could get there. Its location is good for at least tworailroads, one down the Walnut and one through the Arkansas valley. TheArkansas valley is much broader and more fertile than we had expected tofind it. We firmly believe the Arkansas Valley soil will excel every sectionin the State in corn and vegetable crops.
In Cowley and Sumner Counties nearly every quarter section has upon ita bona fide settler. Fortunately the speculators were not allowedto get their clutches on an acre of it. On account of this heavy settlement,Arkansas City is bound to have a good trade. She will also receive a shareof the Texas trade.
This town has over 100 buildings. Among the rest, and about the largestand best, is the city hotel, kept by our friend, H. O. Meigs. It is thebest kept hotel in the Walnut Valley. The table is supplied with good, substantialfood, and what is not the case with all tables, it is clean and well cooked;altogether, this is the cleanest, best ventilated, and most homelike publichouse we have found in our travels lately.
We found here a large number of old Emporia men in business, among whomwe may mention O. P. Houghton, Judge McIntire and sons, the Mortons, CharleySipes, Mr. Page, Mr. Beck, and others. They are all doing well, and haveunlimited faith in their town and county.
Beedy & Newman are building a large water mill near the town. Theyhave already expended $8,000 in the enterprise, and will soon be ready forsawing.
Close to the town we found Max Fawcett upon a beautiful piece of landamid grape vines, trees, shrubs, and flowers. He is testing the capabilitiesof the soil for all kinds of fruits, and has so far the best encouragement.Wherever he is, Max. will be a public benefactor.
We shall go to Arkansas City again in two or three years on the cars.We shall ride up to Meigs' hotel in a comfortable bus from the depot, andsee a town of two thousand inhabitants. You see if we don't. Cowley is theprettiest, healthiest, and most fertile county we have seen in the State.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
THE RAILROAD SCRIBBLER.
We see that Sam Wood writes to the Commonwealth to the effectthat Emporiaor perhaps Lyon Countyopposed the bonds recently voted in ChaseCounty to some railroad (we don't remember the name). We hope the good peopleof Cottonwood Falls and Chase County will not believe any statement madeabout this county by that unmitigated liar and demagogue. We have deniedthese statements until forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We will venturethe assertion that there were not five men in Emporia that knew of the electionfor bonds in Chase county, and outside of Americus township there were nota dozen men in Lyon County that knew of it. Ever since this miserable shysterreturned from Texas he has been at his old game of trying to array the peopleof Lyon and Chase counties against each other. In former days he tried thissame game to boost himself into office. He failed, if we remember rightly!If this scribbling idiot had paid half as much attention to building uphis own town as he has to lying about this county and this city, he mighthave accomplished something for his own benefit. . . . [Goes on and on likethis.]
THIS IS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LONG ARTICLE IN WHICH HE ESPOUSES THE CAUSEOF THE OSAGE, NEOSHO & WALNUT VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
Prof. Kellogg and family returned from the mountains on Saturday last,after having enjoyed the mountain climate for several months, looking allthe better for the trip.
Emporia News, August 25, 1871.
PERSONAL. Maj. E. P. Bancroft, of Emporia, was in town last Saturdayand addressed the Railroad Convention on the Osage, Neosho and Walnut ValleyRailroad. The Major is confident that this road will be built soon. ElDorado Times.
Emporia News, September 1, 1871.
DIED. At the residence of his son, in Emporia, on Friday, August 25,1871, of cancer, James Stanley, in his 51st year.
Mr. Stanley was well known as an Indian missionary, and late U. S. agentfor the Miami Indians. He began his labors by assisting his brother, Thos.H. Stanley, of Americus, in 1846, and had devoted most of his time sincethen among the Shawnee, Sac, Fox, Miami, and other tribes.
Emporia News, September 1, 1871.
The Frontier base ball club of Winfield played a match game with the"Rackensacks" of Arkansas City, for the championship of CowleyCounty. The game resulted in favor of the "Rackensacks," the scorebeing 42 to 79.
Emporia News, September 1, 1871.
M. G. Mains, formerly the editor and proprietor of the Emporia Tribune,together with his family, left us on Friday last for Summerset, Ohio,where Mr. Mains goes to take charge of a large paper. We wish him abundantsuccess in his new field.
Emporia News, September 1, 1871.
Scott, of the Arkansas Traveler, is assisted in his local department,by two ladies. Go away, peaches and cream! We shall look for spice. Theyare already advocating more frequent social gatherings of the young ladiesand gentlemen. In fact, they are willing to be met at the "well orat the gate," and they would unquestionably not object to a "meetingby moonlight alone." We advise the young men of Arkansas City to meetthem, if they are good looking.
Emporia News, September 8, 1871.
[Issue full of appeals for people to vote for Osage, Neosho, Walnut Valleyrailroad.]
Emporia News, September 8, 1871.
THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL...Stotler has to admit that since the July numberwas issued, the Journal is now published in Topeka by Banfield &Fitch. He says: "We understand that Prof. Banfield proposes to giveit his entire time."
Emporia News, September 8, 1871.
[Previous issue had Rev. R. M. Overstreet attacking C. V. Eskridge. Thisissue comes back with an attack by S. B. Riggs, H. Bancroft, E. P. Bancroft,and other people attacking the lying reverend.]
Last statement re Normal School Board problems comes from C. V. Eskridge.
"Suppose I should prosecute this ex-rebel chaplainthis ex-temperancetipplerthis ex- slave holderthis ex-minister of the gospelthis ex-memberof the Normal School Boardthis ex-member of the LegislatureI say, supposeI should prosecute rev. R. M. Overstreet for libel, what evidencedo you think I would offer to prove his guilt? I would march him into thecourtroom and say: `Stand up, sir, and let the jury look at you. I wouldthen say: Gentlemen of the juryAll the evidence I will offer to prove thisman a liar, is his countenance.' I am satisfied the jury would takethe evidence as conclusive and not retire from the box to find a verdictof guilty. You can judge when you see him."
Emporia News, September 8, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
COWLEY COUNTY SOD CORN. The largest ears of corn we have seen this yearwee from a field of sod-corn in Cowley County. George McIntire, of ArkansasCity, brought them up. He says it is believed that some fields will turnoff as high as 80 bushels to the acre.
DIED. We learn from the Oxford Times that Homer Freeman, livingon the divide in Cowley County, about five miles from that place, went outon horseback one day last week to shoot prairie chickens. While loadinghis gun both barrels were accidentally discharged, both loads entering histemple, killing him instantly. He leaves a wife and five children.
The same paper is crowing over the arrival of the first rooster "westof the Arkansas River," and is reminded of the happy days "backin the States." We should think the editor capable of poetical effusions,and love yarns.
The Masonic fraternity have just put down a beautiful new carpet in theirhall at Winfield, and the Censor says the Lodge is flourishing.
Winfield received 247 majority for the county seat. What became of theTraveler's "three hundred majority for Tisdale?"
DIED. Rev. J. B. Johnson, pastor of the Congregational Church at Winfield,died in that town a few days ago.
The Times says that an effort will be made to make a new countyfrom the southern portion of Butler and the northern portion of Cowley counties.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
KANSAS ITEMS.
The Missouri, Kansas and Texas road will be finished to Paola by themiddle of September, and the contract for its extension to Ottawa will belet forthwith.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
The contract for the transportation of government stores to posts inthe Indian Territory was let at Fort Leavenworth on the 18th, to Graham& Co., of the M. K. & T. road, at the following figures: Leavenworthto Fort Sill, $4.10 per hundred; St. Louis to Fort Sill, $4.15 per hundred.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
It is stated that a large number of squatters have gone over into theIndian Territory and staked off and settled upon claims. Under what authoritythey went, we cannot ascertain. We are of the opinion that this territorywill soon have to be opened for improvement. It cannot lay idle many years.But until it is fairly and honorably treated for, or the consent of theIndians obtained, no white man ought to be allowed to go upon the land.It is reported that the government will immediately order the trespassersaway.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
GRANT'S INDIAN POLICY.
Much has been said against President Grant's Indian policy. It is notthe custom of our Western people to look with any degree of favor on anythingthat does not tend to the extermination of the Indians, or at least, tothe driving of them to the confines of the Western wilds. That the countrymust be given up by them to the advancing army of progress, no one doubts.They must die out or become civilized. It may soon be said that the redman, in his native condition, "hath not where" to shoot the buffaloor chase the antelope.
When the President proposed to practically turn the management of theIndians over to the Quakers, there was a general expression of dissatisfaction,and manifestations of derision, at least in the West. We had been havingyears of border war. Our Western prairies had been drenched with blood.The exposed settlements were unsafe places, and it was but natural that"war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt," should be the popularcry among us. When it was proposed to send the Quakers out among them withthe olive branch, the idea was scouted. The general and speedy failure ofthe new President's Indian policy was predicted. The President went ahead,however, with characteristic persistency, determined to give the Quakersa fair trial.
The result is before us, and every candid man must admit that there isa better feeling today on the part of the Indians toward the whites thanhas been exhibited for ten years. The grass for two summers has come andgone, and the Indians have remained comparatively peaceable. With the exceptionof a few instances in the extreme Southwest and Northwest, there has beenno disturbances more than would naturally occur in the most peaceable time.In the early spring of the last season the air was filled with rumors ofIndian wars that would take place this year. To the South and Northwestgeneral trouble was anticipated. But lately reports reached us of a severefight in Lower California. This proved to be entirely false. Recent reportsfrom different sections of the country inhabited by the red skins showsthat the Quaker agents are ever on the alert to avert any "speck ofwar" that may arise. Instead of loafing about the agencies, and engagingin schemes to swindle the Indians, as too many of the agents did under theold regime, they are constantly engaged among the Indians, in trying toturn their minds to the arts of peace, and in attempts to instil into theirrude and savage natures a desire for the pursuits of civilization. One factstands out in "bold relief," and that is that the Quakers do nothesitate to go singly among the wildest tribes. The Indians seem to havethe utmost confidence in the broad-brimmed hats, and we have no instanceof the betrayal of that confidence to record.
Pass what strictures we may please upon Grant's Indian policy, it seemsto us it is a gratifying success.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
We have thus far said little about our northern railroad connections.Cottonwood Falls and Emporia are quarreling over it, and our friend, SamWood, "strikes the hawgag" with accustomed energy. All in all,we prefer the Emporia road, if we cannot have both. This would give us avery direct connection with Kansas City, Junction City, Topeka, and thesouth. We can ship to or from Kansas City and beyond without change of cars.Lyon County is about to vote upon the sale of her stock in the A. T. &S. F. and M. K. & T., amounting to $400,000, to the K. C. & S. F.company. If this is done, the road will at once be built to the westernline of Lyon County. Then let Chase County stop howling, and build it toCottonwood Fallswe almost said Samwood Fallsand so on towards Chelsea. ThenButler and Cowley can do the rest. Let us have the Emporia connection anyhow.
Arkansas City Traveler.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
NEWS announced that the railroad election passed in Emporia and LyonCounty for the proposed railrod from Ottawa to Emporia, and thence on throughthe Southwestern counties of Kansas.
Emporia News, September 15, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
Shoo Fly City, on Shoo Fly Creek, in the southwest part of the county,we learn, is growing, and is bound to make a business point. Success toShoe Fly. Belle Plaine Herald.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
THE TRAVELER. Prof. L. B. Kellogg has taken editorial charge of the ArkansasCity Traveler. He proposes to give the paper his attention, and we knowit will be one of the first papers in Southern Kansas in point of ability.With Mr. Kellogg as editor and your young friend Scott in charge of thetypography, we believe the people of Cowley County will have a paper tobe proud of.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
WILLIAM CLAPP. We clip the following notice of one of our best businesshouses from the Arkansas City Traveler.
"One of the most reliable business house in Emporia is that of Wm.Clapp, whose advertisem*nt appears in this issue. He deals largely, bothat wholesale and retail, in boots and shoes, clothing, hats and caps, etc.Mr. Clapp began doing business in Emporia at an early day. By strict attentionto business, and upright conduct, he has built up a large trade. Williamhas hosts of friends. Call upon him when you go to Emporia next time ifyou stand in need of anything in his line."
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
RETURNED. We neglected last week to note the return of our popular andwide awake merchant, A. A. Newman, who had been in the east for severalweeks, where he bought an immense stock of goods, part of which has alreadyarrived, and the balance will be opened this week. Mrs. Newman accompaniedMr. Newman and purchased heavily for the millinery establishment connectedwith the store. These goods were expected last evening. This will undoubtedlybe good news for the ladies of Emporia.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
SHOOTING OF MR. DOUGLASS. From the Arkansas City Traveler, welearn the following particulars of the killing of Mr. Douglass, the founderof the town that bears his name, in Butler County.
On the night of the 8th inst., Mr. Douglass of the town of Douglass,heard his horses running and went out to ascertain the cause of the disturbance.After going a short distance from the house, he met a man with some chickenson his arm, and inquired of him where he got them. He told him he boughtthem. Mr. Douglass asked him where, when the man told him, "down atthat house." He then told the man to go down to the house with him,as he wanted to know if he did get them there. They went together to thehouse and found that the man had neither sold nor given him the chickens,when the thief said that was not the house, but that it was another housefarther down. Mr. Douglass then asked the man of the house to accompanyhim to the other house, which he did. On arriving at the second house thesame answer was given as before, "that he had not sold him the chickens."Mr. Douglass and his assistant then marched the thief to his own house,for the purpose of confining him. On arriving at the gate, he was orderedto go inside, when he stepped in, and immediately drew a revolver, wheeledaround and fired, the shot taking effect in Mr. Douglass' stomach. Mr. Douglassthen fired when the thief fired the second shot, the ball striking nearthe first one, and then fled. On the following morning a party started inpursuit, and arrested a man with a team, about ten miles from Douglass,going toward Muddy Creek. He was placed in Mr. Douglass' room along withseveral other strangers, for identification, when Mr. Douglass pointed himout as the assassin. On the evening previous he wore a white hat, and blueshirt, but at the time of his arrest, he had on a cap and a white shirtand carried two heavy Colt's revolvers, and a small four barreled pocketpistol, two barrels of which were empty, the other two pistols being allloaded. A trunk in the wagon was opened and a white hat found therein. Theevidence seems to be against the man arrested. It was only on the plea ofMr. Douglass's brother, that the thief was kept from being lynched by thecitizens. The physicians pronounce Mr. Douglass in a hopeless condition.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
A train of forty-six Government wagons passed through Arkansas City lastWednesday.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
"We," of the Arkansas City Traveler, regaled himself,the other day, on a luscious forty-two pound watermelon.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
McIntire & Son mean business. Nine tons of goods were brought inby them in July; ten tons in August; three tons already this month, andtomorrow they will send out six teams for more goods. Arkansas City Traveler.
The McIntire's formerly lived here, and their numerous friends will beglad to hear of their prosperity.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
Mr. Hobson, of Fort Scott, the contractor for building the bridge acrossthe Arkansas River, is in town. Arkansas City Traveler.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
We learn that the farmers hereabouts are making preparations to sow winterwheat largely this fall. It is the right thing to do. No one should neglectit.
Beedy and Newman will be ready to grind it as soon as harvested. By nextfall there will ge a heavy demand for flour coming up from the new settlersin the Indian country.
Arkansas City Traveler.
Arkansas City and Winfield are going to hug each other and make it up.The Traveler and Censor are ready to embrace.
Emporia News, September 22, 1871.
For Sale. Three shares of Arkansas City town property have been leftwith me for sale.
L. B. KELLOGG.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
ARKANSAS CITY, September 24, 1871.
DEAR NEWS: As your readers have not had a letter from this section forsome time, I thought one might prove interesting.
What seems to be agitating the minds of a great many of our people justnow is the vexed question of the exact location of the State line. Emigrantscame in last spring and settled up the country immediately south of herequite densely. In their eagerness to get good claims, many of them, I amafraid, got too far south, and settled in the Territory. SuperintendentHoag's recent instructions, ordering intruders out of the Territory, hascreated quite a sensation. Many are moving their houses one, two, and threemiles north, upon unoccupied claims. It is unfortunate for them becausemany of them have made improvements, such as breaking, etc., which theyare compelled to abandon, thereby losing one season's labor.
The sectioning of the Territory is under rapid headway. Col. E. N. Darlinghas four hundred men employed on the work. His aim is to get it completedin January next. Quite a good many men have gone from here to engage inthe work. The survey headquarters have been established on Deer Creek, twelvemiles south of here. Major A. N. Deming, of New York, is in charge. Thisbeing their basis of supplies, our merchants are wearing smiling countenances.
Touching railroad matters, Cowley congratulates Lyon County for her workon the 13th inst. This county is alive to her interests, and when calledupon she will follow your noble example.
The Nortons are down in the Territory among their Wausasha friends. Allmiss the graceful Professor and the fair haired Captain.
The drawing of lots due on certificates is announced to come off on the30th inst. Everything bids fair that the drawing will be conducted in anhonorable manner. M. J. M.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
ROMANTIC. The Chetopa Advance tells how "a wealthy and cultivatedMaiden" come it over Col. Downing, Chief of the Cherokees.
"Col. Downing, Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was married some twoweeks since to Miss Ayers, a wealthy and cultivated maiden lady of Philadelphia.The affair has a spicing of romance. The lady met the handsome Chief (then,and until recently, a married man) some years since in the Quaker city,and became deeply interested in him and his distant people. With the resolutionof devoting her life and wealth to the advancement of the Cherokees, sheremoved to Tahlequah, where she has since lived, and where she has beenmost active in promoting the religious and educational welfare of the nation.Some years ago she adopted young Lewis Downing, son of the Chief, a brightand promising boy, and has since watched over his training and educationwith more than motherly care. A year ago she built, ostensibly for him,an elegant residence overlooking the beautiful village, and furnished itwith artistic taste. A few months since occurred the death of Mrs. Downing,a full blood Cherokee. And now at the proper time, the Chief leads to thealtar his old admirer, and the course of true love does run smooth."
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
PERSONAL. MARRIED. Our old townsman and friend, C. B. Sipes, passed throughhere from the east on Monday, taking with him to his home in Arkansas City,Mrs. Sipes. He was married in Saginaw, Michigan, on Sunday, September 17,1871, to Miss Ellen Ogden. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Sipes a long, useful, andhappy life.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
HYDRAULIC CEMENT FROM ARKANSAS CITY. We have in our office a small blockof rock from Max Fawcett's place, near Arkansas City, which he says makesgood cement or building stone. We give Max's description of the stone.
"This block was cut with a coarse toothed cross-cut saw, and planedwith a carpenter's plane. When first taken from the quarry, it saws as easilyas green oak, and hardens by exposure. The quarry is on my land, 1-1/4 milesnorthwest of Arkansas City. The bed is about 8 feet thick. It may be takenout in blocks of from six inches to three feet in thickness. There is abed of brownish, yellow limestone three to five feet thick, overlaying it.It rests on shale and limestone. Besides its use as cement it makes a first-classbuilding material. The Arkansas River runs close along the ledge for 1/4of a mile, and will furnish any amount of power to saw the stone. The bottomof the bed is above high water mark."
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
A CASE IN POINT. A good friend of ours from ____ township, was in ouroffice the other day making complaints about the recent decision of thepeople to give their stock in our two railroads to secure another road throughthe county. He said this thing of aiding so many railroads was going toruin the country, especially the farmers. Well, let us see how it has ruinedhim, so far. He has one of the best farms in Lyon County. Before the M.K. & T. was built, he put it in the hands of an agent to be sold at$3,000. Shortly after that road was built, he refused eleven thousanddollars in cash for the same farm. He has lately built a couple of milesof plank fence. The lumber cost him $35 per 1,000 feet. Before the railroadswere built, the same lumber would have cost him at least $55 per 1,000 feet.By the construction of the roads, he made money to pay his taxes for a numberof years. We advise our friend to hold on. Money is scarce, but we willall come out ahead yet.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
Mr. Douglass of whose shooting we gave an account last week, died ofhis wounds on the Wednesday following the shooting.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
PERSONAL. General A. W. Ellet and wife arrived home last Wednesday evening.The General has many warm personal friends here who are glad to welcomehim home to El Dorado. Although he resides a portion of the time in Illinois,Philadelphia, and Washington, yet he is so attached to Kansas that he mustcertainly call it his home. The Ellets have been gradually coming to Kansasuntil they are all here. First came the oldest son, E. C. Ellet, in companywith A. D. Knowlton, who is considered "one of the family." Nextcame Mrs. Knowlton; fourth Will Ellet, the youngest son; fifth, came Mrs.E. C. Ellet nee Miss Van Doren, to cheer the heart and home of her lovinghusband. Time wore space and for months no transfers of the family weremade. Three remained in Illinois; the remaining three were here. At lastby a happy circ*mstance, the Kansas portion of the family was made to outnumberthe Illinois portion by the arrival of a son in the home of Mr. and Mrs.E. C. Ellet. Then came Miss Ellie E. Ellet, fresh from a summer's tour ofthe northern lakes, to make glad the hearts of her Kansas brothers and sisters.Last came the General and wife, who will no doubt enjoy a pleasant sojournwith their many friends here. El Dorado Times.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
The Winfield Censor comes to us enlarged and improved. It is agood paper.
Winfield is talking of a new $5,000 schoolhouse. It needs it, judgingfrom what the Censor says.
The Censor complains of the noise of drunken rowdies in that townwhen decent people are asleep. What else can it expect with licensed whiskeyshops?
Emporia News, October 6, 1871.
THE SOUTHWEST.
Arkansas City is soon to organize a Masonic lodge.
Emporia News, October 6, 1871.
J. W. Wilson has been arrested in Cowley county for horse stealing, andhas been lodged in jail in this place.
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
GOOD NEWS FROM BUTLER COUNTY.
We learn from reliable sources that the proposition to vote $200,000in the bonds of Butler County to aid in building the Walnut Valley road,was carried on the 10th inst. by a good majority. The Majority so far asheard from was 145, and it was thought that other townships would not decreaseit. We hope work on the road will be commenced at once.
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
The following is from the Pueblo (Colorado) Chieftain, of October5th. Mr. Hadley, as many of our citizens will remember, was for some monthsan employee of this office. He was quite extensively known to the townsof Southern Kansas. All will regret to learn of his death. Poor Jim! Hehad his faults, but with all, had many good qualities, and it is with asad heart we chronicle his untimely and cruel death.
"On the 12th inst., a party of herders composed of A. H. Haines,J. H. Hill, H. C. Moore, E. K. Womey, Charley, and another individual whor*sponded to the name of Whiskey Bill, while riding along Sand Creek, inBent County, stumbled upon the remains of a wagon and a few camp equipments,which were scattered about over the ground in much confusion. These indicationsled the party to suspect that some foul deed had been committed, and continuingtheir search for other evidences, they soon came upon the ghastly skeletonoff a man, who had probably been killed three or four weeks. Much of theflesh had been stripped from the bones by the wolves, but the ground aboutthe body was deeply indented in places, showing the deadly nature of thestruggle, while cartridge shells were scattered all around, showing thatthe victim had fought bravely, and probably against fearful odds, to thelast. The murder was no doubt committed by some of Red Cloud's braves. Allthe clothing was gone, but the scalp was untouched, and examination showedthat the left arm was broken, while the chest and legs of the unfortunateman were riddled with bullets, each producing a wound sufficient to causehis death. From the position in which the corpse was found, it was evidentthat the man, after having been left for dead by the Indians, had attemptedto crawl to a ravine nearby in search of water, and had died in the attempt.Near the mutilated corpse was found a large memorandum book, while the groundwas strewed with letters and photographs which the Indians had evidentlyexamined and thrown away as useless. The blood from the hands of the murderersis still visible on these letters, and from them we are enabled to establishthe identify of the victim. It seems that the name of the murdered man isJames A. Hadley, and his last place of residence, Emporia, Kansas.
"The family of the deceased belong, it seems, to the Society ofFriends, for the well known expressions peculiar to the order, "thee"and "thou," are common. First, we notice a letter from the father,who writes from Dublin, Indiana, bearing the date of June 27, 1871. Thisis well written, and contains some good, fatherly advice, among the resta hint to be careful about endorsing notes for other parties. And then wehave a note from Jame's sweetheart, a young girl who writes from Hesper,but gives no other clue by which we can ascertain the place. They are likeall love letters, interesting but for only two persons in the world, butthey breathe the spirit of chase maiden love and devotion. They are nowcrumpled, torn and stained with the life blood of the lover, who probablyfought to the last, incited by the memory of the maid who wrote them, butthey are none the less binding. The meeting which she so earnestly prayedfor will take place some time, but in a happier world than this.
:There are also other letters, one from his elder sister, Sarah, whoseems to reside at or near Lawrence, Kansas. The photographs, of course,embrace the relations of the deceased and are uninjured. These, togetherwith the letters and memorandum book, are in our possession, and will bedelivered when called for."
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
[BIG ARTICLE ABOUT CHICAGO MADE DESOLATE FROM FIRE OCTOBER 8TH.]
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
[Forgot to mention...Overstreet & Eskridge continue their attackson one another.]
Emporia News, October 13, 1871.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME...PHONE CALL FROM GRAVE'S FOR MORE BOOKS CAME IN.SO: WILL CEASE ON THIS DISK IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER 13, 1871.
MAW JANUARY 23, 1997.
