W. M. Berkey

                                   Creswell Township, Arkansas City, and Salt City.
Creswell Township 1874: Wm. Berkey, 30; spouse, Elizabeth, age not given.
Note: Am repeating next an item from the August 24, 1881, issue of the Arkansas City Traveler which shows that Henry Berkey was the father of William M. Berkey and the grandfather of A. W. Berkey (separate file). Mrs. “Grandma Brown” was the mother of William M. Berkey and the grandmothers of A. W. Berkey of Winfield.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 24, 1881.
An Old Pioneer Gone. DIED. At Salt City, at the residence of her son, William M. Berkey, on Saturday, August 20th, 1881, Margaret Brown, well known all over the county as Grandma Brown, in the 79th year of her age. Few persons in Kansas are better entitled to the name of pioneer than Grandma Brown. She was born in Ohio, in the year 1802, when that country was but a wilderness. Her parents having moved from Pennsylvania, were of the stock called the Pennsylva­nia Dutch. Her maiden name was, I think, Jesenmyer. At an early age, I think she went to Indiana. Here it was that, I think, she was wooed and won by Henry Berkey, the father of William M. Berkey and grandfather of A. W. Berkey, of Winfield; by whom she had a large family. After the death of her first husband, Henry Berkey, she was married to a Mr. Brown, whose name she still bears. In many respects Grandma Brown was a remarkable woman, with little education or refinement, as it is termed. She bore a conspicuous part in the settlement of the western states. Born in Ohio, she lived there a number of years, then in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and, I think, in Iowa before she came to Kansas, eleven years ago. During all the period of her varied life, which had many ups and downs, she bore the character of an honest, hard-working, industrious woman, and died in the hope and faith of a blessed immortality. For many years she has been a constant member of the Christian church. Peace be to her ashes. C.
J. H. BERKEY is also mentioned in this file. I do not know if he was a brother or a son of W. M. Berkey. He was a “temperance” preacher and later editor of an erly newspaper in Geuda Springs called the “Crank.” MAW
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[SOLDIERS’ REUNION.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 2, 1873.
A CALL. We, the undersigned, late Soldiers of the Union Army, take this method of calling a meeting of the Soldiers of Cowley and adjoining counties to meet at Winfield, October 18th, 1873, for the purpose of getting acquainted and having a good social time.
W. M. Berkey, 23 Iowa Vol. Infantry.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 23, 1873.
Meeting of the Veterans. At half past 2 o’clock the soldiers, to the number of about 150, fell into line at the tap of the drum, and preceded by the Winfield Martial band, marched to the Methodist Church, which had been kindly tendered for their use. The meeting was called to order by T. A. Blanchard. L. J. Webb was chosen Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary.
The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be to organize a permanent Soldiers’ Union.


On motion a committee consisting of A. A. Jackson, A. D. Keith, Capt. Wm. H. H. McArthur, Capt. Henry Barker, and Col. E. C. Manning were appointed on permanent organization. During the absence of the committee, D. C. Scull entertained the meeting with a few appropriate remarks.
The committee on permanent organization reported as follows.
Mr. Chairman: Your committee on permanent organization, recommend the following as a permanent organization for Cowley County, of the Union Soldiers of the late war.
1st. The association of all soldiers into an organization to be known as the Cowley County Soldiers’ Association.
2nd. That said association elect a president, 3 vice presidents, secretary, and assistant secretary, and treasurer, and adopt a constitution.
3rd. That said association request its members to subscribe the constitution as an evidence of membership, giving the re­quired company or battalion to which each belonged, and to attend the meetings of the association.
4th. That said association meet semi-annually for celebra­tions, and as much oftener as business requires. A. A. JACKSON, Chairman.
IOWA. W. M. Berkey, 23 Iowa Vol. Inf.
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874. Commissioner’s Proceeding.
COWLEY CLERK’S OFFICE, Cowley County, Kan., April 16th, 1874.
The following is a list of bills allowed by the Board of County Commissioners at their last regular meeting, showing the amount to whom allowed, and for what purpose.
Juror: Wm. Berkey, $24.80.
[TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS.]
Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.
The township assessors met pursuant to previous notice, to agree upon a basis of valuation of property. The house being called to order, W. A. Freeman was chosen Chairman and W. M. Berkey, Secretary.
W. M. Berkey, Creswell Township.
Moved that land be valued at $1.25, $2, $2,50, $3, $4, $5, $6, $8, and $10.00 per acre. Motion carried.
Moved that the trustees of Winfield and Creswell townships be allowed to use their discretion in valuing lands within two miles of Winfield and Arkansas City. Carried.
Moved that horses be valued at $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, and $75 each. Carried.
Moved that stallions be valued at one hundred dollars and upwards. Carried.
Moved that work cattle be valued at $30 to $60 per yoke. Carried.
Moved that one year old neat cattle be valued at three to five dollars. Two year olds five to eight dollars. Three years old eight to fifteen dollars. Cows ten to twenty-five dollars. Beef cattle twenty to thirty-five dollars. Carried.
Moved to deduct twenty percent for Texas stock. Carried.
Moved that mules be valued at $15, $25, $35, $45, $60, $70, and $100. each. Carried.
Moved that jacks be valued at $100.00 and upwards. Carried.
Moved that sheep be valued at one, two, and three dollars. Carried.
Moved that hogs be valued at fifty cents to ten dollars. Carried.
Moved that farming implements be left to the discretion of the assessor. Carried.
Moved that wagons be valued at from five to sixty dollars. Carried.


Moved that pleasure carriages be valued at from ten to one hundred and fifty dollars. Carried.
Moved that gold watches be valued at from twenty-five to one hundred and fifty dollars. Carried.
Moved that silver watches be valued at from three to forty dollars. Carried.
Moved that the balance be left to the discretion of the assessors. Carried.
Moved that the Secretary furnish a copy of these proceedings to the papers for publication. Carried.
Moved that we adjourn. Carried. W. M. BERKEY, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, July 29, 1875.
Indian Affairs.
By request of Mr. Berkey, of Arkansas City, on the 14th of this month we wrote Mr. Enoch Hoag, inquiring whether it would be any violation to existing government regulations of Indian Affairs to sell flour or wheat at the intermediate points along the Arkansas River in the territory should flat boating prove successful down said river. The following letter is an answer to ours.
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, CENTRAL SUPERINTENDENCY,
LAWRENCE, KAN., July 22, 1875.
T. A. WILKINSON, Supt. Pub. Instruction, Winfield, Kansas.
I am in receipt of the communication of 14th instant, inquiring whether the sale of wheat and flour along the Arkansas River, in the Indian Territory at points where the demand and price would be sufficient to induce such sale, would be any violation of Government regulations, etc.
In reply I have to call thy attention to the 2nd section of the “Intercourse Law,” the first clause of which I quote, to-wit:
“That no person shall be permitted to trade with any of the Indians (in the Indian country), without a license therefor from a Superintendent of Indian Affairs, or Indian Agent, or Sub Agent,” etc.
Section 4 says: “And be it further enacted, That any person, other than an Indian, who shall attempt to reside in the Indian country as a trader, or to introduce goods, or to trade therein without such license, shall forfeit all merchandise offered for sale to the Indians or found in his possession, and shall moreover forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars.”
I am of the opinion that the traffic proposed would be a violation of the foregoing, and perhaps other clauses of the “Intercourse Law.” Very Respectfully, ENOCH HOAG, Supt.
Winfield Courier, September 2, 1875.
Bowen & Berkey, of the flat-boat expedition, have re­turned to the City. They report the “Arkansaw” navigable 80 miles, as far as they went, and now say if Arkansas City will raise them $1,000 they will put a steamboat on the river in running order. They stopped their boat at the Pawnee Agency, as there they learned that flour in Little Rock, Arkansas, was selling at $2 per cwt. and wheat at 60 cents per bushel. They will probably attempt to turn the river “end for end,” and ship wheat and flour down here next.
[ANNOUNCEMENT: FRANK GALLOTTI FOR COUNTY TREASURER.]
Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.


TO THE VOTERS OF COWLEY COUNTY. This is to certify that we, whose names are hereto sub­scribed, do most heartily recommend for our next County Treasurer, FRANK GALLOTTI, who has for the last year and a half faithfully and satisfactorily performed the duties of said office while acting in the capacity of Deputy; and we do hereby further certify that his character during that time has been such as to fully entitle him to the recommendation. The records of said office kept by him, bears ample testimony of his capability and efficiency. We consider him well qualified to fulfill the duties of said office, and therefore cheerfully recommend him to the voters of Cowley County as well worth of their cordial support, and who, if elected, will most faithfully and systematically perform the duties of said office.
W. M. Berkey signed above recommendation.
Winfield Courier, November 25, 1875.     
William Berkey has on his farm, three miles northwest of Arkansas City, on the Arkansas, thousands of volunteer cotton plants that anyone can have by going after them. Heretofore they have been sold.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 26, 1876.
J. W. Hutchinson will build a frame house east of Berkey’s.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876.
The brick are being hauled for Mr. Hutchinson’s new dwell­ing, near Berkey’s brick; L. H. Gardner has the contract.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876.
RETURNED. Wm. Berkey and S. C. Wintin [Winton] returned last Satur­day. Mr. Berkey has been visiting California, and Mr. Winton, Colorado. They are satisfied that Southern Kansas is good enough.
[CRESWELL TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 22, 1876.
Trustee: Wm. Berkey.
Clerk: A. C. Endicott. [Note: There was no “A. C. Endicott.” Has to be C. C. or H. C.]
Justices of the Peace: T. McIntire and I. H. Bonsall.
Road Overseer: A. A. Davis.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 29, 1876.
BLACK HILLS. Wm. Berkey, Joseph Rickels, Will. Berkey, Jr., John Purdy, and O. C. Skinner start for the Black Hills this morning.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “CHARLIE”—ONE OF THE BLACK HILLS BOYS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 10, 1876. Front Page.
SIDNEY, April 29, 1876.


Old Traveler: Here we are at last at the last railroad point. We have been expecting to leave the railroad at every point since leaving Plum Creek. Everything is lovely, “and the goose hangs high” in camp. Every day we meet Black Hillers on the return, and everyone “bested.” One man will call you aside and tell you of the trials and difficulties of life in the Hills—telling you not to go; while another will button-hole you, and with apparently as much sincerity tell you what he knows, and advise you to go on. It is needless to say we always take the latter advice, because it suits us. Indian stories are all the go here, but “we boys” have seen one or two “Injuns.”
From six men and one wagon, our crowd has grown to sixteen wagons and forty-eight men. We have had a very pleasant trip, with but two stormy days in all. It is 169 miles from this point to Custer City. Everything in the outfitting line is cheap here: flour, $2.90 for the best; bacon, 50 cents, etc. Our old friend Berkey has been elected Captain of this outfit. Joe Rickels shot himself through the hand, but is all O. K. now. In two weeks we will be in the Hills, there to try for ourselves if there is any gold.
The boys all bid me say they are “mighty worse,” and bound for the Hills.
I am, truly, etc. CHARLIE.
[COMMUNICATION FROM W. M. BERKEY—WYOMING TERRITORY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 28, 1876. Front Page.
The Black Hills.
CASTLE CITY, WYOMING TERRITORY, May 31, 1876.
MY FAMILY: I write, this beautiful Sunday morn, to inform you of our safe arrival in the gold hills. Joe is up again from the measles, which makes us all well, hoping this may find you the same. There is no humbug about there being gold here, but what we find is fine, and on what is termed bars; all old miners say if we can strike bed rock, we can make our fortune.
Castle Creek is nearly as large as Grouse, and runs swifter, having a fall of 55 feet to the mile. It is about 25 feet to the bed rock, and in order to go down we will have to get pumps sufficient to keep the water out. I am inclined to the belief that there is a fortune here, but it will take time and money to get it. We met 200 men going back, calling the whole thing a humbug, but the most were scared out at Indian reports. We have not seen any, only at and near Red Cloud Agency; they are in the Hills, but will attack only small parties. The most of the returning miners never turned a shovel of dirt, and a good many turned back before reaching Buffalo Gap. We saw the bones of one man, who had been killed in the Gap by Indians. He smelled so badly when first discovered that he could not be buried, so they piled rocks upon him. It was a hard sight; but such is life.
Will. has just come in with a fine specimen of quartz, which is rich and will some day make someone rich. If a man had money to live upon for one year, and set down on some of those places, his fortune would be made, but such is not the disposition of most men: they want to go forward, and those who follow will make the money. I would advise all to stay at home for awhile unless they come heeled with one year’s provisions or money. Flour is worth $16 per hundred, bacon 35 cents per pound, corn meal 15 cents per pound, corn 13 cents per pound, etc.
One of the boys just killed a black tailed deer, which are plenty; also plenty of those black or brown bears, which are very large. I would like to give you a description of the Hills—it seems as though they were blown up by some terrible volcano, leaving deep gulches running in all directions, and having the finest streams of the coldest water. The mountains are covered with pitch pine and fir, with some poplar or quaking asp, which make the scenery the finest.


I have had but one letter from you, dated April 22. It costs twenty-five cents to get a letter from Cheyenne here, so when you write, write good long letters. We will probably look around before going to work. Gold is here, all over, and of the finest kind; sells for $21 per ounce.
We are going to work this morning, and will give you all particulars in a few days. Some of our men got ten cents at one pan yesterday. I was up in the mountain yesterday, and got so cold I had to come down. Plenty of snow and ice in the moun­tains. It is about such weather here as it is in March there, and the gooseberries are just leafing out. Direct letters to Custer City. W. M. BERKEY.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 19, 1876.
BLACK HILLS. W. B. SKINNER received a letter from his son, dated Sidney, Dakota Territory, July 4, in which he expressed his determination to start for Colorado as soon as possible, as times were none of the best there. Mr. Felton received a letter from Joe Rickels last Thursday evening, we think, stating that Mr. Berkey and his son, Will, started for home the day he wrote; that he and Uncle Richard Woolsey had traded their wagons, teams, and everything for a claim, and were working a lead paying from three to ten cents per pan; that Uncle Richard’s sight has improved wonderfully from the time he first saw “pay dirt;” that he was erecting a shop, and both were determined to “see her through.”  These letters, however, were written before the late Indian fights, and it is possible they may change their minds.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 26, 1876.
The nomadic Berkey and son, Will, returned from the Black Hills last Sunday, with their “scalp locks” still hanging to them.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 2, 1876.
CONSIDERABLE EXCITEMENT was created on our streets last Friday evening by the announcement that Uncle Dick Woolsey, late of this place, had struck a lead in the Black Hills country. The authority for the rumor was a special to the Inter-Ocean dated Bismarck, Dakota Territory, July 25, saying that assays were made of the quartz from the Woolsey lode, eight miles from Deadwood, yielding from $2,500 to $5,059 to the ton. Everyone was rejoiced to hear of Uncle Richard’s success, until informed by Berkey (who has “ben thar”) that it was another Woolsey, supposed to be a distant relative of our uncle. “‘Twas ever thus in childhood’s hour.”
Arkansas City Traveler, September 20, 1876.
The following persons were appointed last Saturday as delegates and alternates to the Democratic Convention, to be held at Winfield on Saturday, the 23rd.
Delegates: J. Benedict, A. Walton, T. McIntire, P. F. Endicott, A. J. Burrell, M. E. Welch.
Alternates: W. M. Berkey, Wm. Green, Jno. Harmon, S. Johnson, W. Dolby, Wm. Gray.
[LETTER FROM “RENEGADE” TO TELEGRAM EDITOR.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876. Front Page.
ARKANSAS CITY, Nov. 13, 1876.
Ed. Telegram:
“’Tis sweet to court, but oh! how bitter
       To court a gal and then not git ’er.”


It is a rare occasion where both political parties can rejoice over the result of the same election, but that happy occasion was celebrated here last Wednesday evening, with fire balls, bonfires, and anvils.
One enthusiastic Manningite was determined to fire one salute for the “Little Booby.” He applied the red hot iron to the extempore cannon, but alas! his zeal was only awarded by a “flash in the pan;” the second and third attempts resulted like the first, and nothing but a “rah for Pyburn,” would make the thing speak.
It is rather humiliating to a radical Republican to see a Democratic Senator elected in a strong Republican district, but if the recent defeat of the Republican candidate will teach the “manipulators” to build their platform first and then place their man upon it instead of setting up their man and trying to cover him up with a “buncombe” resolution, we are satisfied.
If, according to the Courier, we have “drawn an elephant” (which we have not), we have at least driven this political hyena back to his den for another four years.
There is not much “hollerin” here, either for Hayes or Tilden, but the post office is crowded every night, everybody on tiptoe for the latest news—one night it’s a Democrat who goes with a broad grin under his arm (the news is too uncertain to come out boldly with such things), and the next night it is a Republican.
Berkey says he shall “employ forty deputies and have a round stool in front of the hole,” but Scott can’t see the “hole.”
The TRAVELER’s allusion to “Tom Wilkinson and the other niggers” is causing considerable indignation here, and Scott will probably be compelled to apologize (to the niggers).
The Indians with the spotted narrative passed through this “sink hole of Infamy” the other day en route for the Territory, hunting claims. Here we take a more hopeful view of the case than that expressed in the Telegram—If, still we have no rail­road, Ingines are the next best thing.” ’Rah for Pyburn! RENEGADE. Telegram.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.
WILL BERKEY is visiting Iowa.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 29, 1876.      
The man who run his face for $52 at H. & Mc’s. under the promise to do freighting, sold all the property he could and started for Texas last week. Wm. Berkey started soon after and succeeded in having the proper papers served that will hold him until he pays the debt.
[Note: “H. & Mc’s” refers to Houghton and McLaughlin’s.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1877.
WILL BERKEY has returned from Iowa.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 14, 1877.
W. M. BERKEY advertises his farm and residence for sale in this issue, as he desires to make a change in his business. It is an excellent bargain for the purchaser.
AD: FOR SALE. The cheapest property in Cowley County for sale. Farm 1½ miles northwest of Arkansas City; 30 acres good timber, 50 acres under cultivation; hewed-log house, orchard, splendid running water through farm; in all, One Hundred Acres—for Thirteen Hundred Dollars. One-third cash, balance in one year with 12 percent interest.


Also, brick residence in Arkansas City, with four lots, cellar, and outbuildings; best well in Kansas—for Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars; terms as above. Change of business desired. This is undoubtedly the best bargain in Cowley County. This offer is only open for the next thirty days. W. M. BERKEY. February 14, 1877.
After selling his farm northwest of Arkansas City and his brick residence in Arkansas City, W. M. Berkey moved to Salt City (later Geuda Springs)...
Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1877.
BERKEY has a Post Office at last, at Salt City. That is, he has one in his store.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 28, 1877.
MR. BERKEY traded his farm to Houghton & McLaughlin for $2,200 worth of dry goods and will open a store in Salt City this week. His stock will be about a $3,000 one, and will be a great benefit to the residents of Salt City.
[Note: Next item shows “A. W. Berkey.” It should read “W. M. Berkey.” The paper did not correct item. MAW]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 14, 1877.
NEW STORE. In another column appears the advertisement of A. W. [W. M.] Berkey, who has recently opened a large stock of goods at Salt City. We have examined his stock and find it to be one of the best, and would suggest that the people of Salt City and vicinity give them a liberal patronage, as they propose to sell as cheap as any house south of Wichita.
AD: NEW GOODS! A. W. [W. M.] BERKEY. AT SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, KANSAS....DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS AND CAPS. ALSO A FULL LINE OF GROCERIES, NAILS, ETC. All we ask is an examination before buying elsewhere.
[COMMUNICATION RE STEAMBOAT FROM “W. M. BERKEY” - SALT CITY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 21, 1877. Front Page.
SALT CITY, March 15, 1877.
Editor Traveler: DEAR SIR: Shortly after the 7th of November last, we started up the Arkansas River on the steamer Gen. Wiles for Washington, to look after the post office at your city. After traveling for several weeks, with prospects the brightest, on nearing an island opposite Big Bend, we saw an armed force, and supposed they were friends, but afterwards found them to be enemies, strongly fortified. They ordered us not to attempt to pass. We finally laid siege, and after several weeks of most bitter struggling, they sent out a flag of truce with the follow­ing: “You can’t take an eight spot with a seven.” They went back and opened out on us with all vengeance, and we soon finding ourselves overpowered by numbers, dropped back, and off to the left to the mouth of Salt water. In order to save ourselves, we ran up Salt water some distance, and on examination found the water was getting hot. Fearing some evil ahead, we dropped back and made for land, and on nearing land we were met by friends, who welcomed us among them, even offering us the post office of this city. Now that the struggle is over, we feel safe, happy, and contented. The country is lovely, with good lands and cheap homes for all that may wish to come among us.
W. M. BERKEY.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 25, 1877.
Mr. Chamberlain traded for Mr. Berkey’s brick house this week.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877. Front Page.
SALT CITY, KAS., April 28, 1877.


Coal at Salt City. At a meeting called for the purpose of taking action with regard to the organization of a coal company at this place. On motion Mr. L. Small was elected Chairman and W. E. Chenoweth, Secretary.
A letter was read by Mr. Wm. Berkey, from Todd & Royal, with regard to their proposition, on the shaft already begun. Short speeches were made by the following named persons, concerning the past, present, and future goal prospects: Messrs. Foster, Broadbent, Acton, Mills, Ward, Berry, Chenoweth, Berkey, Reynolds, and Lewis. A lively time was had.
On motion of Mr. Wm. Berkey, an election of five directors for a coal company was ordered. This resulted in the selection of the following gentlemen: George Reynolds, J. H. Hudson, Robert Mills, L. Small, and Wm. Berkey.
Moved and seconded that H. B. Pruden be the Treasurer of the company. On motion, W. E. Chenoweth was chosen Secretary.
Messrs. Berkey and Mills were instructed to confer with Todd & Royal and make arrangements with them on a proposition to proceed with the old shaft.
Motion made by Mr. Lewis that the two men who confer with Todd & Royal meet the Board of Directors on Saturday, May 5th, 1877, at 10 o’clock a.m., and give their report of the result of the conference, and that they invite Todd & Royal to meet the board at that time in the schoolhouse at Salt City.
Motion carried that there be a meeting of the citizens of the vicinity, and all interested parties, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the same place, May 5th, 1877.
Moved and carried that the Arkansas City TRAVELER, Winfield Courier, and Oxford Independent be requested to publish these minutes.
On motion the meeting adjourned. L. SMALL, Chairman.
W. E. CHENOWETH, Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877.
Salt City was represented last Saturday by Wm. Berkey and H. B. Pruden.
[COAL COMPANY: SALT CITY.]
Winfield Courier, May 10, 1877. Back Page.
From Salt City. At a meeting called for the purpose of taking action with regard to the organization of a coal company at this place. On motion Mr. L. Small was elected Chairman and W. F. Chenoweth Secretary. A letter was read by Mr. W. Berkey, from Todd and Royal with regard to the proposition on the shaft already begun.
Short speeches were made by the following named persons, concerning the past prospects and future coal prospects: Messrs. Foster, Broadbent, Acton, Mills, Ward, Berry, Chenoweth, Berkey, Reynolds, and Lewis. A lively time was had. On motion of Mr. Berkey an election of five directors for a coal company was ordered.
Respectfully in the selection of the following gentlemen: George Reynolds, J. H. Hudson, Robert Mills, L. Small, and W. Berkey. Moved and carried that H. B. Pruden be the treasurer of the company.


On motion W. E. Chenoweth, was chosen secretary, Messrs. Berkey and Mills were instructed to confer with Todd and Royal, and make arrangements with them on a proposition to proceed with the old shaft. Motion made by Mr. Lewis that these two men who confer with Todd and Royal, meet the board of directors on Saturday, May 12th, 1877, at ten o’clock a.m., and give their report of the result of the conference and that they invite Todd and Royal to meet the board at that time in the schoolhouse in Salt City. Motion carried that there be a meeting of the citizens of the vicinity and all interested parties, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the same place May 5th, 1877. Moved and carried that the Arkansas City Traveler, Winfield Courier, and Oxford Independent be requested to publish these minutes. On motion the meeting adjourned. L. SMALL, Chairman.
W. E. CHENOWETH, Secretary. April 28th, 1877.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1877.
One of the monkeys of the side show jumped upon Wm. Berkey as he was passing it, and left the print of its teeth in his arm.
Winfield Courier, June 21, 1877.
From Salt City. SALT CITY, KAN., June 15, 1877.
EDITOR COURIER—Dear Sir: I send you a list of city officers for this city, who were duly elected yesterday: Mayor: Robert Mills; Marshal: W. E. Berry; Council: Daniel Roof, O. J. Ward, D. T. Baker, Dr. W. T. Arnold, and Thos. Mills.
Trade good; two more stores came in here yesterday. W. M. BERKEY.
[SALT CITY ITEMS: “ANTI BONDS.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 25, 1877.
SALT CITY, July 17, 1877.
Mr. Berkey is at Wichita, as usual, purchasing goods for his store at this place. He has had a rich harvest this summer as his numerous trips to the railroad indicates.
Mr. Thos. J. Royal, formerly of the firm of Todd and Royal, Wichita, Kansas, has located at this place. He is going to remain with us permanently. He is going to continue the coal prospecting at this place, commencing immediately. All parties interested in the discovery of coal at Salt City should inquire or address Thos. J. Royal, Salt City, Kansas.
A bakery and restaurant, blacksmith and wood worker, and drug store would do well at this place. Parties desiring a good location address Wm. Berkey, Salt City, Kansas.
ANTI BONDS.
Again, the Reporter for paper goofed. Next item refers to “W. M. Berkey.”...
Arkansas City Traveler, August 8, 1877.
SALT CITY will have a drug store within the next ten days. It will be added to A. W. [W. M.] Berkey’s stock of goods. It has been long needed.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 8, 1877.
MARRIED. MR. WILL BERKEY and MISS BESSIE REEVES were married last week at Salt City, in the presence of several persons from this place and a number from the adjoining neighbor­hood. The fair bride did not forget the hungry printers during the feast of plenty, but sent in a supply of good things calcu­lated to make the inner man happy.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 8, 1877.


SHOOTING SCRAPE. We learn that the blacksmith at Salt City and Wm. Berkey came very near having a shooting scrape last week. The blacksmith becomes very quarrelsome when he is intoxicated and has attempted to pick a quarrel with Mr. Berkey on several occasions, during which he has not only threatened his life, but said “he would shoot the first Berkey he could get his eyes on.” That’s pretty strong language in a country like this, especially when it is made against a peaceable citizen.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 29, 1877.
A ferry boat is to be placed on the Arkansas east of Salt City. Wm. Berkey has the contract for constructing it.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 12, 1877.
WM. BERKEY, the Salt City merchant, was in town last week to see his friends. He reports travel across the new ferry is increasing.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1877.
SALT CITY. Tom Mills, Baker the blacksmith, and Lewis left Salt City last week for Arkansas. The blacksmith made $710 at that place in five months.
Mr. Berkey started to Kansas City after a new lot of goods yesterday.
The ferry is well patronized and meets the favor of everyone.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “CHRISTMAS.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1877.
This town is prospering finely. Mr. Thomas Royal, formerly of the firm of Todd and Royal, of Wichita, keeps the hotel in this place, and has ample accommodations for the trading public. He also has a large livery stable which he has been fitting up of late. Mr. Royal is also Superintendent of the Coal Company here, and expects to continue drilling. He has propositions from different parties to do the work.
Frank Waldo is going to move his goods into Royal’s store building, the present building being not large enough. Dr. Arnold will remove his office to the building that Frank occupies at present. He has been located here for the last seven months, and has established a good practice throughout the surrounding country.
Wm. Berkey is doing a good business in a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, drugs, etc., and probably the only merchant in Kansas that sells calico by the pound. His rates are one dollar and a half a pound. His motto is to sell cheap for cash.
Winfield Courier, November 1, 1877.
We got hold of the wrong Berkey last week as the democratic candidate for Register of Deeds. A. W. Berkey is a clerk for the bank of J. C. McMullen, of Arkansas City, not a merchant at Salt City. He will go up Salt River all the same.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “R. R.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, December 12, 1877.
We must announce the arrival of two young Axley’s last week, both Sam and John, are happy. Mr. Wm. Berkey shook the land from his number nines last week, and will halt in the vicinity of Independence. He reports good trade and money scarce.
Frank Waldo bids fair to make a success of the stock of dry goods and groceries he has on hand, judging from his prices and the way he is handling over the goods.
The majority of the wheat that is hauled to Wichita goes by the way of the Salt City ferry, since they can cross the Arkansas River at less ferryage than the proprietors of the Belle Plaine bridge charge for crossing the Ninnescah.
Thirty teams loaded with flour for Cheyenne and Wichita Agencies passed through here last week.


The constant inquiry is how is the K. C. E. & S. W. railroad getting along? We are getting anxious.
Mr. Royal still continues in the hotel business, and contem­plates building a new hotel soon. He is at Wichita making his arrangements. R. R.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 19, 1877.
SALT CITY ITEMS.
Mr. Berkey has returned.
The store of Frank Waldo was entered on Monday night of last week, by cutting a hole in the door and pulling back the bolt. Mr. Waldo was at church at the time, and had taken all the money out of the drawer except one cent, which the thief took.
A hog fell into one of the springs, and before it could be taken out, was transferred to pickled pork—the brine being so strong.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 13, 1878.
FRANK WALDO has closed his store at Salt City, and Wm. Berkey has the entire trade of that community.
Excerpts from a lengthy article telling about Berkey and Winton trip...
[BIG ARTICLE ABOUT “AUNT SALLY”]
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, July 3, 1878.
Nearly three years ago Messrs. Berkey, now of Salt City, and Winton built a pine flat boat at this place, loaded it with flour, and started for Little Rock. It was purely a venture, and a private one. Both parties were satisfied that a boat could go down the river with a good load, and they realized that the best way to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of everyone was to make the trip, or trial. It would furthermore serve to draw the attention of the people of Arkansas to the incalculable good to be drawn from the success of those engaged in the work. The boat started in low water, but after the first two or three days little or no trouble was experienced in making the trip.
Well can we remember the Sunday morning when they were adver­tised to start. The bridge over the Arkansas was crowded with spectators eager to see the first boat from Arkansas City start for the South, and the churches were mainly filled with empty benches.
News from that unassuming flat boat was watched for with as intense interest as though the lives of all on board were in peril. This enterprise was not a success financially, but it was the cause of sending Mr. Samuel Hoyt east the following summer—the Centennial Summer—with instructions to do all in his power to get a boat to come up to this point. Mr. Hoyt went to Ohio, where he purchased a light draught steamboat, and engaged a captain and crew to make the trip.
They steamed down the Ohio and into the Mississippi, the father of rivers, and thence down to the mouth of the Arkansas. Here they experienced considerable trouble with high water, as the engine was not powerful enough to work against the strong current of the Arkansas, but after a delay of several weeks they got as far up as Little Rock, where the boat was abandoned, it having become evident that it was not the right sort of a boat for this river.
The failure of this enterprise was a damper on the spirits of our people, and the enemies of the project crowed louder than ever over our loss. It was considerable of a loss, as the boat cost three thousand dollars, and only sold for three hundred—not to mention the expenses of Mr. Hoyt during the many weeks of his absence.


Not entirely discouraged, however, several parties in this vicinity have been constantly writing to prominent men in Little Rock, in the hopes of reviving the interest in this great pro­ject, and our representative in Congress, the Hon. Thomas Ryan, has taken the trouble to work up an appropriation of $30,000 for the purpose of a survey of the river from Little Rock to Wichi­ta—the result of which was, an enterprising and wealthy firm of that city, Messrs. Eisenmayer & Co., together with other gentlemen, exerted themselves in the cause, and chartered a steamboat to make the trip. To do this, quite a sum was made up to protect the boat from loss, and an agent of the firm, Mr. Charles Schierholz, was sent up here to buy old wheat for shipment.
The news that the steamboat “Aunt Sally” had started from Little Rock reached here Tuesday, the 25th of June, and from that time the topic of conversation has been nothing but steamboat. Even now there were many who openly laughed at the idea of a steamboat coming to our city, and considerately informed us that if we held our breath until that boat arrived, it would be a long while ere we breathed.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “BILLY BARLOW”—SALT CITY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 3, 1878.
SALT CITY, June 20, 1878.
Commodore Berkey made another successful voyage down the raging Arkansas, with less water than Columbus started to sail on. His boat was launched at the post called Oxford, and we are informed they took a load of fruit and lumber to Salt City. His enterprise and perseverance as a navigator is commendable to all. BILLY BARLOW.
[WEST BOLTON CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, March 28, 1878.
Mr. Berkey is making arrangements to build a residence in Salt City this summer. He has had a good trade during all the  hard times. RUDY.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, May 30, 1878.
SALT CITY, KANSAS, May 22, 1878.
Mr. Berkey has moved into his new residence.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, September 26, 1878.
SALT CITY, Sept. 18, 1878.
The mineral springs still continue to attract the afflicted. A. W. [W. M.] Berkey seems to continually increase his trade, and is bringing in new goods almost every day.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, February 6, 1879.
Berkey is still doing a good business, and all things considered, I presume we have no cause for complaint when we compare our condition with that of other sections.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, February 13, 1879.
SALT CITY, KS., Feb. 11, 1879.
Mr. Berkey, “our merchant,” has so far recovered from his illness as to be able to visit the metropolis today.


Winfield Courier, February 27, 1879.
W. A. Berkey was called away very suddenly last week to attend the bedside of his father, who was taken dangerously ill at Salt City.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “BAZ.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 26, 1879.
March 21st, 1879. Mr. Wm. Berkey, our merchant, has been sick for some time. BAZ.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 26, 1879.
We understand that Wm. Berkey, of Salt City, proposes to put in a windmill at that point for the purpose of grinding grain. It will certainly be a great advantage to that place.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 16, 1879
Salt City is improving. A new drug store and heavy prepara­tions for manufacturing salt and one or two new dwellings. Mr. Wm. Berkey after a serious illness is able to get out and says he is bound to make a smashing trade this season. (We don’t mean a smash up.)
The confusion over A. W. Berkey and W. M. Berkey persisted as shown in the next article wherein I have shown proper initials after the wrong ones were given...
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1879.
NAVIGATION OF THE UPPER ARKANSAS RIVER. The question of utilizing the vast, though ever-changing current of water, known as the Upper Arkansas River, flowing through our State from west to south-east, and making it the highway to a southern market, has been a living subject with the enterprising agricultural people of Cowley, Sumner, Sedgwick, and those counties lying along and contiguous thereto, ever since the first settlement of that fertile valley in 1870. Owing to their remote distance from a railroad or a market, and the consequent cost of transporting the vast surplus of wheat raised in Cowley and Sumner, this matter has been of vital interest to the people living within their borders. The subject has been discussed in the field and in the grange; has been the slogan of the country politician and the shibboleth of the farmers. It has been resolved upon by conventions, petitioned for by representatives and memorialized by our State Legislature until Congress has taken the matter under consideration, and appointed a commission of competent engineers to personally visit, examine, and report on the feasibility of opening up the stream for navigation, from some point near the terminus of the Wichita branch of the Santa Fe railroad to Little Rock, Arkansas.
In view of these facts, a brief account of the local and individual efforts to solve the problem will doubtless be of interest. During the fall of 1872, A. W. [W. M.] Berkey and S. C. Winton, of Cowley County, built a small flatboat at Arkansas City, loaded it with flour, and started down the river, bound for Little Rock. While they may not have had the “unexplored wild­ness” that lay between De Soto and the dream of his ambition or the dangers that beset Coronado in his march of disappointment through undiscovered Kansas to encounter, yet four hundred and fifty miles of an unknown river, guarded by a semi-barbarous people who have no particular good feeling towards a frontiers­man, lay between them and civilization, presented anything but a cheerful outlook for this pioneer voyage. The trip was made, however, without adventure, and in a reasonable length of time. The produce disposed of, the navigators returned overland to Arkansas City, and reported a fair depth of water and a lively current from the State line to Fort Gibson.


On the strength of this report, a joint stock company was immediately organized, and an agent appointed to proceed at once to the Ohio River and purchase a suitable steamer to ply between the points named. A light draught wharf packet was procured, and a point known as Webbers’ Falls, between Little Rock and Fort Gibson, reached on her upward trip. Here it was found that her engines were of insufficient power to stem the current, so she was taken back to Little Rock, and there sold at a loss to her owners of twenty-five hundred dollars.
This failure temporarily dampened the ardor of even the enthusiastic commercial path-finders, and nothing further was attempted until the summer of 1878, when Messrs. W. H. Speers and Amos Walton, two leading public spirited citizens of the county, equipped a “ferry-flat” with a 10 horse-power threshing machine engine, and by several trips up and down the river for a distance of 60 miles from Arkansas City, demonstrated beyond a doubt that a steamer could be successfully propelled on the Arkansas River at any season of the year. The flat was fifty feet long, sixteen feet wide, and drew ten inches of water. This novel little craft visited Grouse Creek, the Walnut River, Salt City, the Kaw Indian Agency, Oxford, and other points along the river, and attracted crowds of people wherever it went. At Oxford a public reception was tendered its officers and crew! These experimental trips were all made while the river was at its lowest stage, and prior to the annual “June rise.”
Soon after this and while the “ferry-flat” was still promi­nently before the public, Mr. I. H. Bonsall, an experienced engineer and prominent citizen of Arkansas City, corresponded with the businessmen of Little Rock, and induced them to send a boat on a trial trip to the upper country.
The little steamer, “Aunt Sally,” (see engraving) a tug built for the deep sluggish bayous of Arkansas, and used in the local cotton trade there, was selected and manned for the pur­pose. Though not designed for swift water, this crude little steamer made the complete voyage, and, in command of Captains Lewis and Baker, with Mr. Chapman as pilot, landed safely at Arkansas City, and was moored there, in the Walnut River, Sunday morning, June 30th, 1878. The officers reported sufficient water and a safe current for light draught steamers for the entire distance, and expressed themselves of the opinion that a boat built especially for the purpose could run regularly between the two States every day in the year.
Soon after the “Aunt Sally” returned South, Henry and Albert Pruden and O. J. Palmer, of Salt City, Sumner County, started for Little Rock with a “ferry-flat” loaded with seven hundred bushels of wheat. The wheat was sold at a good round figure, and the gentlemen returned, reporting a successful trip and a good stage of water.
On their return, the businessmen of Arkansas City, finding that steamboat owners in the lower country were not disposed to adventure up so far with their boats, resolved to build a steamer themselves, and with it make regular trips between their city and the Indian agencies in the Territory. After several attempts to find men of experience to take the matter in charge, McCloskey Seymour secured the services of Mr. Cyrus Wilson, who began the building of a boat for the purposes named.
Wednesday afternoon, November 6, 1878, the “Cherokee,” the first steamboat ever built in Kansas, was successfully launched at Arkansas City.


The hull of this boat is 83 feet long, 16 feet wide on the bottom, and 85 feet long and 18 feet wide on the boiler deck; beam, 22 feet, with guards extending 2 feet around a model bow. She carries two twenty-horse power engines, and with all her machinery, draws less than eight inches of water; and, when loaded to the guards, will not draw over sixteen inches. The shallowest water found on the bars between Arkansas City and Little Rock during the lowest stage of the river was eighteen inches. From this it will be seen that the “Cherokee” will answer the purposes for which it was built, and be of great service in transporting the supplies from these counties to the Indian Agencies lying south and east of Arkansas City.
With the Arkansas River opened for navigation, and a good line of boats and barges making regular trips between the points named in this article, business of all kinds will receive a fresh impetus in Southern Kansas. There will be no railroad monopo­lies, no “pooling of earnings,” and no forming of combinations to affect the interest of the producers. The farmers of this locality will then have a highway of their own by which they can exchange their surplus wheat, flour, and corn for the coal and lumber of the Lower Arkansas. The advantages of this proposed line of commerce are apparent, and need not be repeated here. The attention of Congress has been called to them, and we pa­tiently await the official report of its Commission on the subject of navigating the Upper Arkansas River.
—[State Agricultural report.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 23, 1879
On Thursday last, we made a visit to Salt City; and in company with Mr. Wm. Berkey, went down to the renowned springs just north of the town, and there saw one of the grandest foun­tains of mineral water that exists on this continent. Within a small space, covering less than fifty square yards of surface, flow four strong veins of water such as sulphur, magnesia, iron, and salt. These springs have been brought into notice within the last year, and we predict that within a short period their reputation for health giving qualities will be renowned through­out the west. In conversation the other day with one of the Santa Fe R. R. officials, we were told that these springs, if properly advertised and improved, together with good accommoda­tions for the public, would become of more value than anything of the same character in Colorado. About three hundred yards from the springs, across the county line, salt is now manufactured and a large volume of very strong saline water runs to waste. Near the latter place, springs of a high temperature exist, too hot for human endurance. We are informed that persons who have suffered with skin diseases have found almost immediate relief, while diseases of the kidneys, and the organs of digestion, have been restored to health in a miraculously short time. If steps are taken to improve this property, the public will have cause to rejoice while the owners will be richly remunerated for their outlay.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: NAME NOT GIVEN.]
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1879.
SALT CITY, MAY 27, 1879. Capt. J. B. Nipp and Wm. Berkey have a herd of 250 ponies here, just up from Texas, and are meeting with good success in sales.
Winfield Courier, June 26, 1879 - Front Page.
[Item written by Topeka Commonwealth Correspondent.]
                                          SALT CITY, KANS., JUNE 10, 1879.


This is the famous salt region of Sumner County. It was laid out by Messrs. Mills and Foster in 1874. It is situated in the southeastern part of the county near the Arkansas River. It is surrounded by some of the best lands of the valley. The farms show that their owners understand their business, as they are well improved and cultivated. The population at the present time is only about fifty. It has a weekly mail, which arrives on Friday. It is very unjust to the people, as it arrives just at the right time to prevent them from receiving the weekly papers until they are at least ten days old. If the date of arrival was on Monday or Tuesday, it would be a vast advantage to them. Something ought to be done for them by the postmaster officials.
The town contains one business house, a drug store, a large blacksmith shop, and two hotels. The great future of the town is in their salt and mineral springs. The salt marsh, as it is called, covers an area of at least ten acres. Salt Creek runs through this marsh, and is fed by hundreds of small springs. The banks of the streams are as white as snow, from salt which covers the ground from one to four or five inches, all along its banks.
The water contains a large percent of salt. A test of four gallons yielded four pounds of salt, and the method of testing was very crude.
D. H. Prouty & Co., have organized themselves into a company for the purpose of developing the springs and establishing works. Another company has been formed to prospect for coal. It is believed that a coal formation underlays the whole section of the country. The funds for the prospecting are being raised by subscription. The company have agreed to sink a shaft 600 feet for $800. If coal is found, the future of the salt company is assured. It is assured any way as soon as the railroad penetrates this county.
The large thing for this place is its mineral springs. There are a great many of them, and they are already known to contain medicinal properties of the highest order. I met Dr. S. A. Allen, of Rhode Island, late of Cincinnati, who was severely afflicted with diabetes. He has been troubled with it for four years in its most aggravated form. He has traveled far and wide, visiting in his tours nearly all localities in the United States for relief, but failed to find any until he came here, 4th of last April. At that time he was almost helpless. Now he is strong, and able to do more than for years before. He says that it is the first time that he has ever received any benefit in doctoring, and knows that it is the water that does it.
As nearly as he can judge, the properties of the water are chloride of potash, soda, zinc, sulphur, and iron. He is confi­dent that their medicinal properties will be vastly beneficial for ulcers, catarrh, kidney diseases, and all skin diseases. He could not be hired to leave here.
Messrs. Hackney & McDonald, of Winfield, own the largest of the springs. They have sent water out of the springs to two or three different parties for analysis. If I mistake not, these springs will become a favorite resort in the near future, for all who are suffering from any of the above named difficulties. Just so soon as they are known, the future of Salt City is assured.
It will only be a few miles from the railroad, just far enough to make it a pleasant drive. It is my sober opinion that it will only be a short time, till that event will occur. Dr. Allen is an educated gentleman, and knows whereof he speaks in stating the above. He is also a gentleman of considerable means, and means business in his statement.
I send you a specimen of the salt with this article, so that you may see that it is fine, and that these springs are no illusion.
I am under obligations to Drs. Allen and Arnold, and Messrs. Berkey, Resch, and Mills, for courtesies shown, for which I thank them.—W. G. H. in Commonwealth.


[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT “RUDY”.]
Winfield Courier, August 14, 1879.
W. M. Berkey having gone east with his ponies, the business here has been run for some time by “Will,” who has been over-tasked and is not on the list of complainers.
Mr. J. N. Notestine, of Sumner County, is getting material on the ground on Royal’s addition to the city, to erect a building for the accommodation of part of those health seekers who are flocking in so numerously to the springs.
The vicinity of the springs for some time has presented quite a war-like appearance, being dotted over with tents occu­pied by parties from all directions. Quite a crowd from the vicinity of Independence. All unite in testifying to the benefi­cial results from the use of the water, and we are just as well satisfied of the fact as we ever were that there is a fortune in it for those who will put in means to develop it, and that there is health to those who will use the water. Quite a delegation visited this place on last Sabbath from Winfield and Wellington and parties from other points beside.
The next item, I believe, has an error in it. It has the following sentences: “Mr. W. M. Berkey will also build a brick building, 25 x 75, on North Main street. It looks as if things are inclined to go northward.” Mr. W. M. Berkey resided in Salt City and was about to construct a stone building in that city.” Article might have really pertained to 
Col. J. C. McMullen building a brick building. A. W. Berkey worked for McMullen at the Citizens Bank in Winfield. MAW
Winfield Courier, October 23, 1879.
North Main street has the “boom” bad since the location of the east and west depot. In addition to the building already commenced by Manning, Kinne, and Curns, which will be of brick, 75 x 60, Messrs. T. R. Bryan, W. L. Mullen, and J. C. McMullen will soon begin the erection of a block of buildings on the vacant land just north of the American House and south of the foundry. The buildings will be of uniform size, each 25 x 100 feet and of brick. Mr. W. M. Berkey will also build a brick building, 25 x 75, on North Main street. It looks as if things are inclined to go northward.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, January 15, 1880.
Mr. Berkey has built a warehouse in the rear of his store, to make room for more goods. Still his room looks as full as ever, thus showing the increase in his trade.
Mr. Holloway has worked up a good trade and is selling good goods at fair prices.
Mr. Berkey has also put in a pair of hay and stock scales to accommodate those who visit the springs and gain in flesh so rapidly as to be unable to weigh on the ordinary kind.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 28, 1880.
Wm. Berkey gave the TRAVELER a call last week and reports everything lively at Salt City. The bath house is being erected and will be ready for service in a few weeks. A new hotel will be erected and every accommodation offered the public. We are glad to see these springs improved, and with the cars at Arkansas City, those in search of pleasure or health will find the springs readily reached and a visit to them will more than repay for the time and expense.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 5, 1880.


The wind-mill enterprise at Salt City, for some unknown reason (can’t be lack of wind), has fallen through and Mr. A. W. [W. M.] Berkey has converted the building into quite a cosy residence.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENTS: “MY WIFE AND I”]
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, May 12, 1880.
Salt City, May 9, 1880.
Salt City has improved wonderfully during the last six months. Several new buildings have been erected in that time. Berkey’s large stone is nearing completion, and Newman & Mitchell’s bath house would be an ornament to Saratoga. New people are seen on our streets daily, some investing, and others rusticating in the suburbs, where Mr. Hoffmaster, formerly of your city, ministers to their comfort.
[BOLTON DEBATE.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 12, 1880. Editorial Page.
THE BOLTON DEBATE. DISTRICT 96, May 8, 1880.
The challenge debate, as per previous announcement, took place in the Guthrie schoolhouse in Bolton township, Friday evening, May 7, 1880, with J. D. Guthrie as chairman. The question for discussion was: “Resolved, That the existence of vigilance committees is morally wrong and should be abolished.” The affirmative was opened by J. W. Brown, assisted by Mr. Clark. The opposing orators were Messrs. D. P. Marshall and W. J. Conaway. The honorable judges, S. J. Gilbert and P. H. Somers, after patiently listening to the able arguments on both sides, and witnessing many gymnastic feats in the way of gestures—not to mention the fact of the speakers, which tied themselves into all imaginable knots—decided that the knights of the affirmative had wrestled and twisted rather neatly, and gave their verdict accordingly. It will be remembered that this same question was argued about four weeks ago by the same parties, at which time the judges, Messrs. Linton, Watts, and Berkey, decided in favor of the negative. The debate was replete with rich and racy incidents, and those who were not present missed a rare treat. J. R. C.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 30, 1880.
SALT CITY’S FOURTH. A meeting to make arrangements for the due celebration of the nation’s birthday was held at Salt City, June 19, at which W. M. Berkey was elected president, F. L. Davis, secretary, and R. Hoffmaster, treasurer. On motion it was decided to hold a celebration in McLay’s grove near the ferry, on the 3rd inst. Messrs. Berkey and Hoffmaster were appointed a committee to procure a flag; Davis, Berkey, and Hoffmaster, to secure speakers for the occasion. W. M. Berkey was appointed marshal of the day, and J. F. Holloway president. Messrs. Holloway, Berkey, and Bixler were appointed to assist the secretary in drawing up a programme. Everybody in the neighborhood is requested to assist in furnishing lumber for conveniences on the ground. It was agreed that all stands for refreshments should be admitted free and no intoxicating liquors are to be allowed on the ground. The meeting then adjourned. The following is the programme for the day: Procession from bath house to grove, at 10 a.m. Prayer. Reading of Declaration. Music and Singing. Oration. Dinner.


In the afternoon: Music, Vocal and Instrumental; Toasts; Speech­es by Everybody; Singing of “Star Spangled Banner” by the Assem­bly. This will be followed by a tub race, wheelbarrow race, sack race, and climbing of the greased pole. Last of all, a terrible leap from the precipice that overhangs the treacherous Arkansas by Prof. John Smythe. There will be a free ’bus to and from the Springs.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 14, 1880.
Mr. Berkey, of Salt City, was in town last Friday. He purchased the counters and shelves in Mantor’s former store room for his store at the famed Geuda Springs.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “B.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 14, 1880.
Salt City, July 10, 1880.
Berkey will soon occupy his new store room in the stone building.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “BO.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 4, 1880. Editorial Page.
SALT CITY, August 2, 1880. Berkey is now in his new quarters, where he can be seen at all times, lord of all he surveys.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 13, 1880.
Wm. Berkey, Jr., called on us last Wednesday, and incidently informed us that his esteemed Senior was in Chicago, buying goods for the new stone store at Salt City. The old gentleman proposed taking in the St. Louis fair during his absence and seeing the sights generally.
P.S. The old man got home yesterday.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “B.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 12, 1881.
SALT CITY, Jan. 9, 1881.
Mr. Berkey made a sale of some town property—the remains of his windmill, which is put up in the shape of a house. It makes a good wind break.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “B.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 16, 1881.
SALT CITY, March 14, 1881. Will Berkey is on the sick list, but is getting better.
Winfield Courier, May 26, 1881.
Mr. W. M. Berkey, Salt City’s enterprising merchant, spent several days in the city.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 20, 1881.
Our old-time friend and whilom fellow-citizen, Mr. Berkey, of Salt City, favored our town with his genial smile last Friday. He reports everything as progressing tip top in the sanatorium of the Southwest.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 4, 1881.
A. W. [W. M.] Berkey, of Salt City, was in town Friday.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “GOLD DUST.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 20, 1881.
W. M. Berkey says if you want to smell tar on his har, you can smell till you get tired, for he doesn’t give a tarnal cent nohow.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “OBSERVER.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 3, 1881. Editorial Page.
SALT CITY, JULY 25TH, 1881.


Ed. Traveler: Allow me through the columns of your valuable paper, to inform the reading public of the events that are transpiring in the vicinity of the city of Chloride of Sodium.
We came very near having a little excitement in the way of a team running away, on Sunday evening last. While Mr. Jessie Reeves’ team was being driven to the springs, the neck yoke came down, throwing Mr. Berkey and Julius Royal from the buggy. The ponies were stopped, and no damage done further than soiling Mr. Royal’s good clothes; but since Q. M.’s girl wouldn’t go pluming with him, he says he don’t care for that. Q. M. tends to the knitting closer than he used to.
Note: The next item about “Grandma Brown” reveals that A. W. Berkey was a son of William M. Berkey of Salt City.
Henry Berkey was the father of William M. Berkey and the grandfather of A. W. Berkey of Winfield. Mrs. “Grandma Brown” was the mother of William M. Berkey and grandmother of A. W. Berkey of Winfield...
Arkansas City Traveler, August 24, 1881.
An Old Pioneer Gone. DIED. At Salt City, at the residence of her son, William M. Berkey, on Saturday, August 20th, 1881, Margaret Brown, well known all over the county as Grandma Brown, in the 79th year of her age. Few persons in Kansas are better entitled to the name of pioneer than Grandma Brown. She was born in Ohio, in the year 1802, when that country was but a wilderness. Her parents having moved from Pennsylvania, were of the stock called the Pennsylva­nia Dutch. Her maiden name was, I think, Jesenmyer. At an early age, I think she went to Indiana. Here it was that, I think, she was wooed and won by Henry Berkey, the father of William M. Berkey and grandfather of A. W. Berkey, of Winfield; by whom she had a large family. After the death of her first husband, Henry Berkey, she was married to a Mr. Brown, whose name she still bears. In many respects Grandma Brown was a remarkable woman, with little education or refinement, as it is termed. She bore a conspicuous part in the settlement of the western states. Born in Ohio, she lived there a number of years, then in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and, I think, in Iowa before she came to Kansas, eleven years ago. During all the period of her varied life, which had many ups and downs, she bore the character of an honest, hard-working, industrious woman, and died in the hope and faith of a blessed immortality. For many years she has been a constant member of the Christian church. Peace be to her ashes. C.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 31, 1881.
GEUDA. Geuda Springs have had no Western boom yet to force them to notoriety; but, by their actual merits as curative agents in all bilious, skin, and chronic diseases, they are steadily and surely coming to the front rank among the mineral waters of the West. And the time is not far distant when, in the opinion of your humble servant, they will outrank them all.
Among the wonderful cures to be noted this season, I may mention a case of dropsy which had been given up by the attending physicians, several cases of rheumatism, and four or five cases of venereal diseases in their worst form, and scores of cases of debility, dyspepsia, liver complaint, etc., in all of their complicated forms, each giving away and decidedly benefitted and cured by the use of these waters alone.


Through the kindness of Mr. Berkey, one of Salt City’s best merchants, I learned that a fine hotel will soon be completed and located south of Mr. Berkey’s store building in Salt City, to be three stories high, and contain one hundred rooms. The means are to be furnished by a young lady now residing in Salt City, a guest of Mr. Berkey.
Salt City Correspondence to Wellington Press.
Relationship of “Bettie Berkey” to Berkey family not given...
[GEUDA SPRINGS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 7, 1881.
TESTIMONIALS. The following named persons have been cured of the ailments mentioned:
Bettie Berkey, Salt City, Kansas, testified that she had been cured of Erysipelas.
Winfield Courier, November 3, 1881.
A railroad company has been organized to build a road from Arkansas City to Geuda Springs and westward. The directors are H. B. Pruden of Ohio, J. W. Devoire, of Indiana, W. P. Hackney, James Huey, Maj. O’Gradey, C. R. Mitchell, and W. M. Berkey, of Cowley County. The capital stock is $250,000 in shares of $100 each.
Cowley County Courant, January 12, 1882.
We clip the following from the Salt City correspondent to the Arkansas Valley Democrat, which is good.
And in those days came Warner, the “Jockey” saying unto the “Moss-backs and Hoosiers,” (the citizens of Salt City). Bet ye! bet ye! for the race is now at hand, and the “Moss-backs” did hear, and many wondered at the words spake by the man of the turf, and they did get sore afraid, except Samuel, of Salt City, who is a descendant of the house of Axley, a man of much knowl­edge. He sayeth unto the stranger, “I’m your huckleberry.”
There also came John, of the house of Berkey, whom the people round about call the wise, and he calls unto them that he had shekels of gold and of silver, and also greenbacks, even five dollars, to bet on the horse; and then there came unto John a Moss-back saying unto him,  “Beware ye, you will lose your substance.” Straightway did John, the wise, make answer, saying “The court knows herself,” and John did bet his money on the horse, and forthwith the race came off, and the horse got left. Then did John go down to the city saying, “Woe unto Warner, he played me false.” I bet my money for a sham, and the disciple of the turf refuses to give me my ducats,” and then he straightway took a deadly weapon, and every Mossback was struck with fear, even so much they dare not hinder “John the wise” from his deadly intent, and they did follow from afar off with fear and trem­bling, lest in his wrath he would tear things to a fuzz.
John did go down unto the camp of the wicked man of the turf, and he then did discover the man of the turf armed with bows and spears and swords, and there came a great fear over John the wise, yea, even so much that his knees smote together, and then says he unto him, “Give me back my hard earned shekels, yea, my greenbacks, which I did earn by the sweat of my brow, my hard earned ducats which I had saved for my poor widowed mother.” Then spoke the man of the turf, “Depart, ye worker of shams, go and get it out of the Moss-backs;” and John did return to the city much cast down, and with mourning, and refuses to be comforted.


[Above article most confusing! Could have been intended as an Inside Joke!]
Cowley County Courant, April 6, 1882.
A Geuda correspondent of the Arkansas City Democrat ventilates himself to no small extent, and winds up his letter with the information
That Wm. Berkey has a new awning in front of his store. Take notice ye loafers.
Winfield Courier, May 4, 1882.
GEUDA SPRINGS, April 27th.
A Praise-worthy Movement.
EDS. COURIER: Pursuant to the notice given after Divine service on Sunday last, a meeting was held at Odd Fellows’ Hall, Geuda Springs, on the 24th inst., to take steps toward building a large Booth or Tabernacle near the Springs, for religious worship. The object of the meeting was explained by Rev. Mr. Post and Dr. Cutler, after which the meeting was organized by electing Rev. McCamey president, and Dr. Cutler, secretary. After full discussion a committee of seven, consisting of Messrs. Cutler, Rice, Berkey, Snider, Acton, Mills, and Notenstien were appointed an executive committee, to have the management of the building and the control of the same after being built.
On motion it was resolved to build Booth or Tabernacle with a seating capacity of two or three thousand.
On motion Bros. Post, McCamey, and Broadbent were appointed a committee whose duty it shall be to invite prominent ministers of all denominations to hold divine services in the tabernacle.
On motion the 3rd Sunday in May was fixed upon as the time for holding the first religious worship in the tabernacle, at 10 o’clock a.m. The committee was instructed to advertise the fact in the state papers.
On motion the meeting adjourned. J. W. McCAMEY, President.
GEO. A. CUTLER, Secretary.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1882.
Wm. Berkey, Salt City’s live merchant, was in the city yesterday.
J. H. Berkey. Son of W. M. Berkey???...
[LAW ENFORCEMENT CLUB: GEUDA SPRINGS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 4, 1883.
Communicated. Editor Traveler: DEAR SIR: You will confer a favor by giving publicity to the accompanying preamble and resolutions adopted by the “Law Enforcement Club” of this place, consisting of some fifty or sixty members, including a majority of the leading citizens in the community.
These resolutions were presented to the editor of the Geuda Springs Herald, with a request for publication, by the Club, and were not published, for reasons which he has not explained, and which he is not asked to explain.
The resolutions will fully explain themselves.
Up to last week the saloons were running in Geuda, in open violation of law, but they are both closed now, and will remain closed. This result has been brought about by the influence of the “Law Enforcement Club,” and that without a single prosecution.


The saloon keepers comprehended the fact that the “Club” meant business, and hence, very wisely, made up their minds that the risks to be taken in running their business were too great for the profits which they would probably receive.
They have both closed with a promise never to engage in the business again, and Mr. M. David has opened a meat market, and will, no doubt, receive a liberal patronage.
I firmly believe that if a similar course would be pursued, that there is not a place in the State of Kansas where the liquor law cannot be enforced.
Moral and legal suasion must go hand in hand in order to make prohibition a success. Very Respectfully, J. H. BERKEY.
   LAW ENFORCEMENT CLUB OF GEUDA SPRINGS, SALT CITY, AND VICINITY.
                                                              PREAMBLE.
1st. The fundamental principle of American Institutions is, “equal and exact justice to all.”
2nd. Every true American citizen will abide by the laws of his country.
3rd. Any person who refuses to obey the laws of this country becomes an outlaw and forfeits his rights as an American citizen.
4th. There is at the present time in the State of Kansas and in this vicinity a class of individuals which is receiving the benefits and protection of her laws and at the same time defying and trampling under its feet certain of her laws, thus endangering the rights, peace, and prosperity of the law abiding citizens of this State and vicinity.
                                                          RESOLUTIONS.
Therefore, be it resolved that, in view of the above facts, we the undersigned do hereby form ourselves into an association to be called the “Law Enforcement Club,” of Geuda Springs, Salt City, and vicinity, and do solemnly pledge our sacred honor as men and American citizens to use every lawful and honorable means to apprehend and bring to justice every violator of local, State, or National law. This organization earnestly solicits the cooperation of all law abiding citizens, and will deem it a favor at any time to receive reliable information in regard to any person who may be violating the laws of this country.
The adoption of the above resolutions have been prompted by no other motive than a desire to promote the best interests of society and establish such a reputation as a community as will have a tendency to draw into our midst an honorable and respectable class of people.
However, if the present system of outlawry and debauchery is permitted to exist in our vicinity, the reputation of this community will be such as will repel all respectable people, and attach to it the most degraded, worthless, brutal, and dangerous elements of society.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 11, 1883.
Communicated from Geuda Springs.
The TRAVELER publishes a communication this week from J. H. Berkey in regard to the law enforcement club and also some resolutions adopted by the club. In his communication he says: “These resolutions were presented to the editor of the Geuda Springs Herald, with a request for publication; for reasons which he has not explained, and which he is not asked to explain.”


If J. H. Berkey would like to know why these resolutions were not published, he can easily find out by calling on us. Our idea of the club was that it was gotten up more for the purpose of benefitting the originator of the scheme, than for the benefit of the community, and, although the club has certainly done some good, we still hold the same opinion. It would not at all surprise us to hear of him as a candidate for some office in the near future. Geuda Springs Herald.
I am very glad that the editor of the Herald has explained why he did not publish the resolutions referred to, and I sincerely hope he was prompted by no other motive than a holy fear that I would in some mysterious way become a candidate for office, and thus spread desolation and terror among the helpless and innocent women and children throughout the United States, and perhaps Texas.
I must acknowledge that I have been thwarted in my deep laid scheme by the “Great Mind Reader of the West,” whose ponderous intellect enabled him with his mental microscope to analyze my motives, which the entire membership of the “Law Enforcement Club” had failed to discern.
For a number of years, I have been an earnest and somewhat enthusiastic adherent to the great cause of temperance, using my limited means and talents at all times and under all circumstances, for the emancipation of my fellowman from the curse of drunkenness. In pursuing such a course, I have had the same silly and unwarrantable charges made by the editor of the Herald thrown at me by liquor dealers and their hirelings from time to time, but never before from a professed temperance man. However, I have never allowed myself to be diverted by any senseless personal thrusts from doing what little I could in the cause of right, and thus some good has been accomplished, as has been the case in this vicinity—not by myself but by placing my shoulder to the wheel with my friends and neighbors working in unison for the same purpose.
Had the editor of the Herald been imbued with a desire to work for the best interests of his community, he would never have been deterred from uniting with his neighbors simply from the fact that he supposed there was one designing person in their number.
As I have neither the time nor inclination to engage in an uninteresting, unnecessary personal controversy, the editor of the Herald will not be referred to by myself in the future.
The good which has been accomplished in this community by organization demonstrates what may be done all over the country, and if the newspapers throughout the State will call the attention of the people to the fact, it will only be a short time before prohibition, in Kansas, as far as tippling houses are concerned, will be an entire success.
The liquor dealer follows his business for the profit there is in it and just as soon as you make it unprofitable, he will go out of the business.
The temperance people in Kansas have the power by organizing to make the illicit and damnable business of every liquor dealer in this State unprofitable by persistently following them up. Very respectfully, J. H. BERKEY.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 18, 1883.
William Berkey, Jr., of Salt City, was in town on Saturday last.
Mrs. J. H. Berkey??? Related to W. M. Berkey???...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 12, 1883.


From the Geuda Herald, we learn that Mrs. J. H. Berkey met with a serious accident last week by falling into a well from which, in the absence of other assistance, the lady by dint of great presence of mind succeeded in extricating herself, notwithstanding the well being thirty-five feet deep, fifteen of which was water. We are truly glad of the lady’s lucky escape.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 26, 1883.
We were glad to see the smiling face of our old time friend, Will Berkey, behind the counters of our new dry goods and clothing man, J. C. Lusky & Co. Will is a jolly good fellow and his hosts of friends will be glad to see him once more with us.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 26, 1883.
J. C. Lusky & Co., the new dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes men, can be found in the north room under the Highland Hall, where they invite the public to call and examine their large and well selected stock, embracing everything new in the above lines. This firm has secured the services as salesman of Mr. Wm. Berkey, who will be glad to welcome his old friends.
Next item refers to Will, son of W. M. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, January 23, 1884.
We call attention to the new “ad” of J. O. Caldwell in this week’s issue. Mr. Caldwell has opened out a large and well selected stock of dry goods and clothing in the north room of the opera house block, where all who need anything in his line are invited to call. Mr. W. M. Berkey still continues with Mr. Caldwell, which is a guarantee of a gentlemanly and courteous attention being given to the patrons of the establishment.
AD. J. O. CALDWELL begs leave to inform the citizens of Arkansas City and vicinity that he has opened a large stock of Dry Goods, Notions, Furnishing Goods, Clothing, -And- BOOTS AND SHOES in the north store under Highland Hall. He has secured the services of Mr. Wm. Berkey, one of the best known and most popular salesmen in the city, which he trusts will be a sufficient guaranty that customers will be honestly and courteously treated.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 6, 1884.
All parties indebted to the late firm of Nassauer & Hipsh will do well to read their notice in another column.
Notice. All persons indebted to the late firm of Nassauer & Hipsh will please call and settle with our Mr. W. M. Berkey at the store of J. O. Caldwell and save costs. Respectfully,
NASSAUER & HIPSH. Arkansas City, Kansas, February 1, 1884.
Arkansas City Republican, February 16, 1884.
AD. J. O. CALDWELL Begs leave to inform the citizens of Arkansas City and vicinity that he has opened a large stock of DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, FURNISHING GOODS, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS AND SHOES, in the north store under Highland Hall. He has secured the services of Mr. Wm. Berkey, one of the best known and most popular salesmen in the city, which he trusts will be a sufficient guarantee that customers will be honestly and courteously treated.
J. H. Berkey???...
Arkansas City Republican, April 5, 1884.
We are under obligations to J. O. Caldwell for an introduction to J. H. Berkey. We found that Mr. Berkey had been connected with a Colorado newspaper, and fully understood his business. Both gentlemen are thorough temperance advocates, and are thoroughly enlisted in the cause.
[GEUDA SPRINGS CORRESPONDENT: “SCHOOL BOY.”]


Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, May 31, 1884.
J. H. Berkey gave a very interesting temperance lecture to a large audience at the hall last Friday evening.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 21, 1884.
By invitation of a large number of citizens J. H. Berkey has consented to address the people on the question of temperance at Geuda Springs on Friday evening May 23. The lecture will be given under the auspices of the Good Templars’ Lodge of this place, and a cordial invitation is extended to everybody. The subject of the lecture will be the “FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.”
George Berkey???...
Arkansas City Republican, July 26, 1884.
Fatal Accident. DIED. Thursday afternoon, George Bristow, and his nephew, _____ Crank, persons residing about one mile from Geuda, determined to clean out an old well, about 40 feet in depth. Mr. Crank was first lowered, but complaining of suffocation, was hoisted from the well by Mr. Bristow, who then requested that he be let down. When he reached the bottom, the same sensation was experienced by him, and at his request his nephew attempted to draw him from the well, but was unable to do so. Mr. Bristow then attempted to ascend the rope, hand over hand, but his strength failing him when he had nearly reached the top, he fell backward. His nephew then descended on the curbing in order to rescue his uncle, but was overcome by the fatal gas. A young man who chanced to arrive at this time, hurried to Geuda Springs and gave the alarm. Mr. Geo. Berkey rapidly rode a horse to the place and found the men still alive, but was unable to rescue them. He started for the town for additional aid, but when the force returned, and the men taken out, life was extinct. The deceased parties were highly respected and the mourning friends and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community.
Arkansas City Republican, August 9, 1884.
Wm. Berkey was in town Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wm. M. Berkey, J. H. Berkey...
[GEUDA SPRINGS CORRESPONDENT: “MYRTLE.”]
Arkansas City Republican, October 11, 1884.
Wm. M. Berkey has purchased the fixtures of the late City Drug Store and will restock it and will open out soon in the old stand.
J. H. Berkey has gone on a visit to friends in Wisconsin.
In 1884 they were still giving the wrong Berkey relative to trip years earlier...
Arkansas City Republican, December 6, 1884.


Navigation of the Upper Arkansas River. The question of utilizing that vast, though ever-changing current of water known as the Upper Arkansas River, flowing through our state from northwest to southeast, and making it the highway to a southern market, has been a living project with the enterprising agricultural people of Cowley, Sumner, Sedgwick, and those counties lying along and contiguous thereto, ever since the first settlement of that fertile valley in 1870. Owing to their remote distance from a railroad or a market, and the consequent cost of transporting the vast surplus of wheat raised in Cowley and Sumner, has this matter been of vital interest to the people living within their borders. The subject has been discussed in the field and in the grange, has been the slogan of the country politician and the shibboleth of the farmers. It has been resolved upon by the conscientious, petitioned for by representatives, and memorialized by our state legislature until congress has taken the matter under consideration, and appointed a commission of competent engineers to personally visit, examine, and report on the feasibility of opening up the stream for navigation, from some point near the terminus of the Wichita branch of the Santa Fe railroad to Little Rock, Arkansas.
In view of these facts, a brief account of the local and individual efforts to solve the problem will doubtless be of interest. During the fall of 1875, A. W. [W. M.] Berkey and S. C. Winton, of Cowley County, built a small flat-boat at Arkansas City, loaded it with flour, and started town the river, bound for Little Rock. While they may not have seen the “unexplored wilderness” that lay between De Soto and the dream of his ambition or the dangers that beset Coronado in his march of disappointment through undiscovered Kansas, to encounter yet four hundred and fifty miles of an unknown river, guarded by semi-barbarous people who had no particular good feeling towards a frontiersman, laying between them and civilization, presented anything but a cheerful outlook for this pioneer voyage. The trip was made, however, without misadventure, and in a reasonable length of time. The produce disposed of, the navigators returned overland to Arkansas City, and reported a fair depth of water and a lively current from the state line to Fort Gibson.
On the strength of this report, a joint stock company was immediately organized, and an agent appointed to proceed at once to the Ohio river and purchase a suitable steamer to ply between the points named. A light draught wharf packet was procured, and a point known as Webber’ Falls, between Little Rock and Fort Gibson reached on her upward trip. Here it was found that her engines were of insufficient power to stem the current, so she was taken back to Little Rock, and there sold at a loss to her owners of twenty-five hundred dollars.
This failure temporarily dampened the ardor of even the enthusiastic pathfinders, and nothing further was attempted until the summer of 1878, when Messrs. W. H. Speers and Amos Walton, two leading public spirited citizens of the county, equipped a “ferry flat” with a 10 horsepower threshing machine engine, and by several trips up and down the river for a distance of 60 miles from Arkansas City, demonstrated beyond a doubt that a steamer could be successfully propelled on the Arkansas River at any season of the year. The flat was fifty feet long, sixteen feet wide, and drew ten inches of water. This novel little craft visited Grouse Creek, the Walnut River, Salt City, the Kaw Indian Agency, Oxford, and other points along the river, and attracted crowds of people wherever it went. At Oxford a public reception was tendered its officers and crew. These experimental trips were all made while the river was at its lowest stage, and prior to the annual “June rise.”


Soon after this, and while the “ferry flat” was still prominently before the public, Mr. I. H. Bonsall, an experienced engineer and prominent citizen of Arkansas City, corresponded with the businessmen of Little Rock, and induced them to send a boat on a trial trip to the upper country. The little steamer, “Aunt Sally,” a tug built for the deep, sluggish bayous of Arkansas, and used in the local cotton trade there, was selected and manned for the purpose. Though not designed for swift water, this crude little steamer made the complete voyage, and, in command of Captains Lewis and Baker, with Mr. Chapman as pilot, landed safely at Arkansas City, and was moored there, in the Walnut River, Sunday morning, June 30th, 1878. The officers reported sufficient water and a safe current for light draught steamers for the entire distance, and expressed themselves of the opinion that a boat built especially for the purpose could run regularly between the two states every day in the year.
Soon after the “Aunt Sally” returned south, Henry and Albert Pruden, and O. J. Palmer, of Salt City, Sumner County, started for Little Rock with a “ferry flat” loaded with seven hundred bushels of wheat. The wheat was sold at a good round figure, and the gentlemen returned, reporting a successful trip and a good stage of water.
On their return, the businessmen of Arkansas City, finding that steamboat owners in the lower country were not disposed to adventure up so far with their boats, resolved to build a steamer themselves, and with it make regular trips between their city and the Indian agencies in the Territory. After several attempts to find men of experience to take the matter in charge, McCloskey Seymore secured the service of Mr. Cyrus Wilson, who began the building of a boat for the purposes named.
Wednesday afternoon, November 6, 1878, the “Cherokee,” the first steamboat ever built in Kansas, was successfully launched at Arkansas City. The hull of this boat is 83 feet long, 18 feet wide on the bottom, and 85 feet long, and 18 feet wide on the boiler deck; beam, 22 feet, with guards extending 2 feet around a model bow. She carries two twenty horsepower engines, and with all her machinery draws less than eight inches of water, and, when loaded to the guards, will not draw over sixteen inches. The shallowest water found on the bars between Wichita and Little Rock during the lowest stage of the river was eighteen inches. From this it will be seen that the “Cherokee” will answer the purposes for which it was built, and be of great service in transporting the supplies from these counties to the Indian agencies lying south and east of Arkansas City.
With the Arkansas River open for navigation, and a good line of boats and barges making regular trips from Arkansas City, business of all kinds will receive a fresh impetus in Southern Kansas. There will be no railroad monopolies, no “pooling of earnings,” and no forming of combinations to affect the interest of the producers. The farmers of this locality will then have a highway of their own by which they can exchange their surplus wheat, flour, and corn for the coal and lumber of the Lower Arkansas.
                                                                      —
We furnish this bit of navigation reminiscence to our readers to show what has been done to make the Arkansas navigable. It is taken from the biennial report of the state board of Agriculture. The scheme which has now been made practicable by our millers was contemplated and experimented on as early as 1875. It will be seen that “Aunt Sally” made a successful voyage and her officers pronounced sufficient water and a safe current for light draught steamers for the entire distance, such as our millers are now building. Mr. Moorehead will remain in Arkansas City for a short time and then go east to pay a visit. His next trip will be up the Arkansas on the millers boat, which is now being constructed. He has no doubts whatever but what we will be shipping merchandise down the river within 60 days. It will be a great day when that occurs. The failure of the “Cherokee” and others to make a successful trip was because they were not constructed properly. They were not built for such shallow water.


Arkansas City Traveler, January 7, 1885.
Will Berkey was over from Salt City Monday.
W. S. Berkey??? Wonder if this should be “W. M. Berkey”...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 5, 1885.
Mr. N. A. Haight received an appointment recently as deputy United States surveyor, to survey certain islands in the Arkansas river, this county. An island has been applied for by W. S. Berkey, located in the river just below the Geuda ferry. The river being a boundary line, of course these islands are still government lands.
J. H. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, April 1, 1885.
J. O. Caldwell and J. H. Berkey, of Geuda Springs, called on the Canal City Friday.
W. M. Berkey: again becomes involved in steamboat project...
Arkansas City Traveler, April 29, 1885.
Steamboat Enterprise. In Geuda Springs a stock company has been formed to run a steamboat between that place and Arkansas City. The directors chosen are George Ferris, J. H. Noble, Will M. Berkey, and B. F. Hall, of that city, and C. L. Swarts, Amos Walton, and A. V. Alexander, of Arkansas City. An investigation of the Arkansas River between the two points named, shows a course in no place less than fifteen inches deep, the shallowest place being found just south of the large island below the ferry. A boat 20 by 75 feet is to be built, with a draft of 12 inches. It is expected the boat will be ready to make trips two months from date.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 30, 1885.
The Saratoga of the West is bound to have some kind of a transportation line. The Geuda Springs News says that “a company was organized recently for the purpose of building a steam boat to ply on the river between that point and Arkansas City. The boat is to cost about three thousand dollars, and be capable of carrying seventy-five or a hundred passengers, and will make two trips daily. Messrs. Berkey, Noble, and Ferris made a trip down the river to examine the depth of the water, and they reported favorably. The building of the boat will commence soon.”
James Berkey, Salem, Indiana, cousin of Wm. Berkey...
Arkansas City Republican, August 15, 1885.
James Berkey, of Salem, Indiana, cousin of Wm. Berkey of Geuda Springs, is visiting in his vicinity.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 17, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Geo A Cutler et ux to William M Berkey, lot 5, blk 1, Geuda: $100.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 31, 1885.


W. M. Berkey, of Geuda Springs, was in the city yesterday. The citizens of Geuda, he says, are with Arkansas City now heart and soul, since the Geuda Springs and Caldwell branch propositions have been withdrawn. They now recognize the fact that their only show for getting a railroad is to work in conjunction with Arkansas City. Thursday evening a railroad meeting was held in that thriving town. Jas. Hill addressed the assembly. He showed up the impracticability of a line going west north of Arkansas City to the satisfaction of all, and stated that the most feasible route was to run the branch of the K. C. & S. W. west from Arkansas City via Geuda. The citizens of Geuda want a railroad and want it bad. They have combined with Arkansas City go get it. “So mote it be.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 5, 1885.
Wm. M. Berkey, L. W. B. Lory, W. P. Elliott, J. A. Leichmann, and H. T. Simmons were over Tuesday from the western Saratoga, on railroad business.
J. H. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, February 10, 1886.
Mr. J. H. Berkey will lecture on temperance next Friday and Saturday evenings, at 7:30 o’clock, in the Christian Church. All are invited to attend.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 6, 1886.
Disaster in Arkansas City.
Geuda Springs Herald. “J. H. Berkey had a crowded house at his lecture at Arkansas City last Saturday night. [Herald of last week.]
A Crowded House? The above does not convey the faintest idea of the colossal proportions of the crowd alluded to. Yes, I was present at that meeting; and have a vague recollection of that immense congregation which consisted, chiefly, of a deaf woman, two little helpless children, and six hundred empty seats.
It was an impressive occasion and has been a source of wonder to me ever since, that the house survived the incalculable amount of internal pressure brought to bear by that crowd—
and my eloquence.
Now, if there is anything in the world aside from a cyclone, that will rack and strain a house all out of shape, it is eloquence; and if the building in question has been seriously damaged, I can solemnly place my hand right over the seat of my conscience and affirm that it was not intentional.
Some cruel person with an unregenerated liver, has intimated that the greater part of the strain fell upon my conscience. This is a sad mistake, and my friends need not feel alarmed in regard to my personal condition, for I can assure them that my conscience is capable of bearing a great deal of strain owing to the severe tests to which it has been subjected in the past.
Of course, I cannot assume any responsibility for the disastrous effects of my eloquence, which is natural, and usually harmless, except at times when from an over accumulation of eloquence a gorge is formed, for when the general break-up takes place, there is very likely to be trouble.
Such was the state of affairs at the meeting alluded to. When I began to speak it was in a very placid, lucid, gentle, kitteny kind of a style; but the intelligent, sympathetic expression which glowed upon the countenances of those empty seats, sent a thrill of eloquence tingling through my immaculate shirt front, and the volcano burst!


At the first eruption of eloquent lava that flowed from my vocal crater, nothing serious was apprehended, but when the house began to groan and creak under a pressure of fourteen thousand pounds of eloquence to the square inch and each particular shingle stood on end, like quills upon the fretful porcupine; when the seats trembled with emotion; and the nails burst up through the floor until it resembled a stubble field—the two little children went out.
The balance of the audience remained to the bitter end.
The people of Arkansas City have invited me to deliver another address, and in order to avoid all danger to property, the City Council have, for my special benefit, secured a vacant lot near the slaughter house, and the editor of the “Arkansas Valley Democrat” will be present with a steam gauge to make a full report of the disaster.
Eloquently thine, J. H. BERKEY.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 10, 1886. From Tuesday’s Daily.
The Geuda Springs Herald has changed editors. J. H. Berkey has made the purchase of that Journal.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 10, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.
J. H. Berkey of Geuda was in the city today en route for St. Louis, where he goes on business.
Wm. (W. M.) Berkey...
[GEUDA SPRINGS. FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 10, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
GEUDA’S GLORY!
The Grandest Event in the History of the Saratoga of the Southwest.
The 110th anniversary of Independence Day was duly celebrated at Geuda Springs Saturday. To say that the celebration was a grand success is but mildly putting it. It was a “boomer” and conferred honor upon the projectors of the scheme. From a village of 400 inhabitants in the morning, Geuda Springs was converted into a live, rustling city of nearly 4,000 people before high noon-tide. Visitors came in from a distance of 20 miles from all points of the compass and partook of the hospitality of the good citizens of Geuda. At 8:30 a.m., the first excursion train left this city with twelve carloads of our citizens. There were between 700 and 800 people on board. The train arrived at its destination at about 9 o’clock and the excursionists repaired to the celebration grounds, Mitchell’s grove, near the springs. The programme of the forenoon consisted of speaking. Rev. Brink, of Sterling, made the principal oration of the day; and those who heard him, pronounce his a happy effort. There was also a game of base ball between the Frisco nine and the Second nine of this city. Only three innings were played, the score standing 23 to 7 in favor of the Frisco’s. After dinner the second excursion train ran in from Arkansas City, bringing almost as many visitors as the train of the forenoon. The grove was now crowded to its utmost capacity with the throng of people. The main attraction of the afternoon was the base ball game between the Geuda nine and the Canal City Club. The latter came out victorious by a score of 23 to 21. The fire works came in the evening. The display was meagre, but was good as far as it went. After the pyrotechnic display, the major portion of the crowd participated in the dance until the last excursion train pulled out at 11:30 p.m. And thus wound up the greatest event in the history of Geuda.
NOTES.
Wm. Berkey, the marshal of the day, is deserving attention for the good care he took of the crowd and the prompt manner in which he saw the programme of the day executed.


But one drunken man was seen on the grounds and we are sorry to say that one was from Arkansas City.
Not an accident happened during the day; everyone was upon his good behavior.
McNulty and Wingate, of the Canal City Club, is the daisy battery of the Southwest. As base-ballists, they are unexcelled.
John Moore, of the Geuda Springs Club, did some excellent fielding. He was the right bower of the club.
Chas. Hilliard, of the Canal City Club, made two difficult “fly catches” out in left field.
A. B. Johnson tried the circular swing. When he stepped on the platform, there was cause for a great commotion. Ask him to relate his experience.
J. H. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, September 8, 1886.
C. G. Furry’s paper, the Geuda Herald, seems to have retired from active life, and it has been succeeded by the Crank, “the crankiest weekly newspaper in bloody Kansas,” as the editor describes it, with J. H. Berkey to turn the crank. A great deal of labor has been expended upon this issue, and the editor has succeeded in getting up a comic newspaper, but we question whether his al fresco style will suit the general reader, and we look to see him settle down to routine business. We heartily wish our irrepressible neighbor abundant success.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, September 11, 1886. From Monday’s Daily.


The Crank is the euphonious and high-sounding cognomen of a new paper just launched upon the billow waves of journalism at the Saratoga-Geuda Springs-of the southwest. J. H. Berkey is the name of the gentleman who propels the Crank. The motto of the sheet is “the elevation of public morals and horse-thieves.” The journal is gotten up on the Brick Pomeroy style besides containing local news. We hope the Crank will succeed as the initial number is creditable to its editor.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 15, 1886.
J. H. Berkey, the rustling editor of the Geuda Crank, was in town yesterday and favored the TRAVELER with a call.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 13, 1886.
J. H. Berkey, editor of the Crank, was in town yesterday looking up business.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 2, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.
Lean Editors. It is an undisputed fact that most all editors are possessed of a lean physique. Why they do not enjoy a large avoirdupois and a mammoth rotundity of the stomach has always been a mystery to the writer. Since our advent into newspaper circles, we have observed this proverbial leanness. We do not wonder at Democratic editors being lean, for have they not been without “government pap” for a quarter of a century. Prohibition editors are expected to be lean; but why Republican editors should be doomed to the same fate we cannot exactly understand the justice of it.
We are led into the above remarks principally by the anti-fat condition of the editors of the Arkansas Valley. Now, there is Murdock, of the Wichita Eagle; he is pretty lean, notwithstanding the “good” beer obtainable in Wichita and his re-submission ideas.
But coming nearer home, there are the long hungry Greer Bros., of the Winfield Courier. They are good illustrations of our subject. It was only last week that Frank Greer swallowed a pin and the head was so much larger than his body that an extra piece of cloth had to be put in the waistband of his trousers to admit of the bulging out of his stomach. The Hon. E. P. G. is almost as lean as his younger brother. They say he is capable of sliding between any two questions without creating a jar.
We thought the above personages were lean, and were just in the act of recommending them to Barnum as the walking, talking Tanners of Cowley County, when Berkey, of the Geuda Springs Crank, dropped into our sanctum. Oh, but he is lean. He can double himself into a V shape, slide down the neck of an ordinary beer bottle, absorb all the “malt” in it, return to his “observatory” at Geuda Springs without bumping his shinbones, or creating the usual gurgling sound.
But, Tom Richardson, of the Wellington Press, lays it over Berkey. His Wind-field girl tells us that he has become so emaciated lately that she is compelled to twine her arms around him seven times in order to discover his manly form in her embrace. We blush for poor Tom.
Henthorn, of the Burden Eagle, was in our city recently, in the interest of Miss Ella Kelly. He is personified leanness itself. His height is 7 feet from the top of his head to the tip of his toe-nails and 11 inches in circumference. His tailors say he is so lean that he still wears long dresses instead of trousers.


There are other lean editors in this valley, but we won’t mention them. Time is too precious and life too short. We feel sorry for their shortcomings, and console them with the remark that the editors of this journal are so lean that all the hound pups on the sandhill bow down their heads in deep contrition and weep as we pass them by.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 2, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.
Editor Berkey was over to see us today from Geuda Springs. He reports his town booming, but the sight of Arkansas City and her large business was a pleasure he could not refrain from enjoying.
[PROHIBITIONISTS.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 16, 1886. From Wednesday’s Daily.
The prohibitionists of the city had a rally last evening in the M. E. Church. J. W. Forrest, candidate for congress from the 6th district, happened to be in the city and delivered an address. He was followed by Editor Berkey, of Geuda Springs.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, November 13, 1886. From Saturday’s Daily.
J. H. Berkey has retired from the editorship of the Crank, at Geuda Springs. He has preserved the name of his paper, and will remove it to Kansas City in a box-car, carefully packed, where he hopes to gain both fame and fortune. The paper at Geuda will be used by the Geuda Springs Town Company, with Charles Southwell as editor.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, November 13, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
J. H. Berkey, the editor of the Crank, arrived at this city from Kansas City on the noon train. He had been to Kansas City to make arrangements for the removal of his Crank there.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 17, 1886.
The truth of Horace Greeley’s oft repeated saying, “You cannot publish a nonpareil newspaper in a long primer town,” is again illustrated in the experience of J. H. Berkey, at Geuda Springs. He started out to give the people of that health resort a live paper. He has a readiness at writing, a genuine vein of humor, and untiring industry. One railroad has been built to that town and another is expected shortly. This raised the expectations of property holders who thought they were about to be visited by a boom. The moment seemed auspicious for starting a live newspaper to help the town along. Our friend Burkey purchased material to furnish a good office, and he sent the Crank a turning. The necessary support not coming from home patrons, he dusted [?] around through the country in search of help; this expended his energies, and the necessary patronage was not secured. As a last resort he picked up and removed to Kansas City, where he certainly has a broad enough field to bustle in, and where we heartily hope he will achieve success.
W. M. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, November 24, 1886.
From Our Exchanges. GEUDA HERALD: W. M. Berkey has bought the old water works at Arkansas City and contemplates putting them here. This would be a good scheme to have water put at your door at very small cost.
J. H. Berkey...
Arkansas City Traveler, December 22, 1886.
From Our Exchanges. GEUDA HERALD: Dave Leahy of the Caldwell Times, A. M. Anderson of the Conway Star, and J. H. Berkey, representing the former Geuda Crank, met in this city Tuesday as a committee from the editors of Sumner County to appoint time and place for holding the county editorial convention. They decided to recommend January 11th and 12th as the time and Wellington as the place of meeting.


1922.
[TAYLOR PETITE, OLD TIME RESIDENT OF SUMNER COUNTY, VISITS A.C.]
Arkansas City Traveler, Saturday, April 22, 1922.
Taylor Petite, one of the old-time residents of Sumner County, but now living east of Ponca City, Okla., was in the city yesterday visiting the firm of Hoffman & Ward, the feed mill men. This was a social visit and it was enjoyed talking over old times. Mr. Petite said that when he first came to Sumner County, Geuda Springs was called “Salt City.” Mr. Hoffman, who is also an old-time settler, said he saw salt produced at “Salt City” in 1879. The water was put in salt vats and when it evaporated, the salt was taken out. Mr. Petite remarked that “they had to kill a man to start a graveyard at what is now Geuda Springs.” The man who did the killing was named Burkey, and he shot a man while in the act of trying to steal one of his mules. “The victim of this shot was the first man to be buried in Geuda Springs.” Mr. Hoffman stated.
[WONDER IF BURKEY SHOULD BE BERKEY? MAW]