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Chapin Family

                                               Ed, Frank, and James Chapin.
                                                       Edward Roe Chapin.
Edward Roe Chapin was one of the first settlers of Arkansas City. He was born May 22, 1836 in Keen, New Hampshire, and died at Winfield in June of 1918. He was buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery. He was a civil war veteran having served in Co. B. of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry.
His ancestry goes back to Deacon Samuel Chapin, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635.
After living in Illinois and Indiana, he took a trip to southern Kansas and came to the area where Arkansas City is now located. Mr. Chapin purchased the first straight razor sold in Arkansas City and it is now on display in the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum.
The February 10, 1870, special census of Cowley County lists E. R. Chapin.
During 1871, Ed and his brother, Frank, planted perhaps the first corn raised near the city. This was planted near where the Frisco Depot is now located. With the money from this crop they paid for their claim, $255, each getting 80 acres. That fall Mr. Chapin went back to Illinois and married Amy Larkin. Ed then sold his claim near the city and moved south of Hackney.
The 1875 Kansas census lists Edward R. Chapin, age 36, his wife Amy, age 25, and a child, Charley Chapin, age 14.
Another child, Muriel, was born later.
Mr. Chapin’s health had been impaired while a soldier in the Civil War so when he was no longer able to farm he moved to Winfield and died there in June of 1918 at the age of 82.
                                               Francis (Frank) Albert Chapin.
His brother Francis (Frank) Albert Chapin arrived in Arkansas City May 2, 1870. He was born September 20, 1845, and died August 16, 1936, and was buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery. He married Phoebe Salome Livertoon [?] on November 10, 1875, and brought his bride back to Cowley County. For 60 years Mr. Chapin lived on the present Chapin farm known as the “half-way” point between Arkansas City and Winfield. In the early days of the county he was a school teacher in the rural schools of the southern districts, Wright Canyon, Victor, South Bend, and Springside. He died August 16, 1936, at the age of 90 years, 10 months, and three weeks.
T. A. Wilkinson wrote the following for publication in the Walnut Valley Times on June 3, 1870. “Before many months we shall have a brass band connected with our settlement. We have now three players, Messrs. Baker, Chapin, and Max Fawcett.”
During the summer of 1870 Ed Chapin and John W. Brown, who were stonemasons, had all they could do laying foundations for store buildings along Summit Street. They hauled stone from the bluff one and one-half miles north of town for these foundations. (This stone quarry is now just north of the V F W building and is where golf carts are stored.)
In November of 1870 Edward Roe Chapin, his brother, Francis Albert Chapin, and Joe Bonghner started work for Mr. Sipes. Sipes wanted supplies hauled from Emporia. The trip to Emporia and back usually took a month and the job paid two dollars per 100 pounds. Items such as groceries, iron bars, kegs of horse shoes, shelf hardware and stoves were hauled.

                                                     James Rawson Chapin.
A third brother, James Rawson Chapin, came to Arkansas City about 1880.
James R. Chapin was the eldest of the Chapin brothers and came to Cowley County a few years after them, probably around 1880. James was an engineer and worked in the old flour mill in Arkansas City. He moved to Michigan and it was there that his wife died. After her death, he returned to Cowley County and spent his last few years at the home of his brother, Frank. After an accident in which he slipped on some ice and received a head wound, he died on January 13, 1918, at the age of 84.

Winfield Courier, January 6, 1876.
On January 1st, 1870, T. A. Wilkinson, John Brown, G. H. Norton, and John Strain staked out and claimed the four claims upon which Arkansas City now stands, as the location of the new town. H. B. Norton took a claim adjoining the town site on the north, H. D. Kellogg took a claim south of the town site. When this party arrived at the mouth of the Walnut, they found the bottom and timber claims taken by H. Endicott and his son, Pad, and G. Harmon, Ed. Chapin, Pat Summers, Mr. Carr, Mr. Hughes, and one or two others.
In March, April, and May, 1869, H. C. Endicott, Senior, Geo. Harmon, W. Johnson, Ed Chapin, Pad Endicott, Pat Somers, and J.(Z) K. Rogers took claims along the Walnut in the vicinity of the present town.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “C. C. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY ITEMS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 15, 1876.
                                                           March 13, 1876.
We expect an extensive area of prairie will be broken this summer, as J. L. Hon, E. Chapin, W. Hawkins, and W. G. Holland have already commenced to turn the sod.
Mr. Frank Chapin has organized, and is successfully teaching a singing school in the Holland schoolhouse. Mr. Chapin is a well qualified and an experienced teacher, and we therefore expect nothing but complete success.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “C. C. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 26, 1876.
                                          PLEASANT VALLEY, April 24, 1876.
The Union Sabbath School was reorganized at the Holland schoolhouse Sunday, April 16. Rev. Mason was chosen to act in the capacity of Superintendent; Mr. Al. Hon was elected
librari­an, and Mrs. Amy Chapin, treasurer.
Mr. Frank Chapin is building a very good residence one mile south of Holland schoolhouse. It is to be 16 x 20 feet, and made of pine lumber.
[CORRESPONDENCE FROM “C. C. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 7, 1876. Front Page.         
Mr. Frank Chapin has moved into his new residence on the Winfield and Arkansas City road, and is enrolled among many others as a “bull whacker.”
A party of youngsters met at Mr. Ed. Chapin’s last Sunday evening for a social sing.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 9, 1876.

OLD MR. CHAPIN met with a serious accident, a few days since, while trying to lead a heifer. The animal became unman­ageable, and Mr. Chapin was entangled in the rope in such a manner as to break one of his limbs.
[CORRESPONDENCE FROM “C. C. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 6, 1876.
                                             PLEASANT VALLEY, August 30.
Plowing, harrowing, making hay and threshing are the daily vocations of our farmers now, the two former receiving the most attention at present, as the farmers are determined to do their seeding early this fall.
At the annual school meeting of district No. 10 there was no change of officers made, Mr. Ed. Chapin being unanimously elected to the clerkship of the district.
[TEACHERS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 27, 1876.
                                               Arkansas City. Frank A. Chapin.
TEACHERS’ CERTIFICATES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 4, 1876.
List of those receiving certificates at the examination held at Winfield, September 15 and 16, 1876.
“A” Grades: Xina Cowles, Ella Wickersham, Mary A. Bryant, Geo. W. Robinson.
“1st” Grades: H. M. Bacon, H. W. Holloway, Miss Mall. Roberts.
“2nd” Grades: Emery I. Johnson, J. H. Edwards, Wm. E. Ketchum, J. C. Armstrong, Oscar J. Holroyd, C. I. Record, T. B. Kidney, Porter Wilson, R. B. Carson, M. L. Smith, J. T. Tarbet, Charles H. Eagin, E. W. Snow, M. D. Snow, Byron A. Snow, C. W. Dover, George Lee, J. K. Beckner, Frank A. Chapin, J. M. Haw­thorne, T. P. Stevenson, Mrs. Bell Seibert, Mrs. A. R. Hauser, Fannie Skinner, Sarah Hollingsworth, Sarah E. Davis, Stella Burnett, Laura Turner, Anna O. Wright, Veva Walton, Georgia Christian, Gertrude Davis, Adelia DeMott, Lizzie Conklin, Sallie Rea, Miss M. J. Huff, Miss M. E. Lynn, Miss C. A. Winslow, Lusetta Pyburn, Helen Wright, Anna Buck, Mary E. Buck, Ludy Pedell, Kate L. Ward, Emma Saint, Mina C. Johnson, Maggie Stansbury, Kate Gilliland, Rachel E. Nawman, Kate Fitzgerald, Mary I. Byard, W. E. Merydith, Ioa Roberts, Lizzie Landis, Amy Robertson, Kate T. Hawkins, Anna Mark.
“A” grades are valid two years, “1st” grades one year, and “2nd” grades six months. There were four “A” grades, three “1st” grades, and fifty-seven “2nd” grades.
[TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 8, 1876.
The following officers were nominated in the different townships, and most of them are probably elected.
Pleasant Valley Township. For Trustees of the Peace, Henry Forbes, T. H. Henderson; for Constables, Samuel Waugh, L. Birdzell; for Township Trustee, S. H. Tolles; for Township Clerk, C. J. Brane; for Road Overseers: Dist. No. 1, Frank Chapin; Dist. No. 2, W. J. Keffer; Dist. No. 3, Joe Hill.
[COMMUNICATION/”OLD GROWLER”—PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 7, 1877. Front Page.

                               PLEASANT VALLEY, KANS., February 26, 1877.
School District No. 10 has a base ball club. They have penalties attached to all swear talk, improper words, and to wallowing on Ed. Chapin’s hay stacks. They have just ordered a McNeale & Urban safe for the use of the treasurer. They also have a Lyceum, and will discuss female suffrage next Friday night at the Holland schoolhouse; after that they will correct matters at Washington, etc. OLD GROWLER.
[EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 13, 1878.
At the late examination, the following teachers were present.
ARKANSAS CITY.
Mrs. Amy Chapin; and Misses Mattie Mitchell, Albertine Maxwell, Flora Finley, Annie Norton, Mary Pickett, Lizzie Mar­shall, Stella Burnett, Isabella Birdzell, Dora Winslow, Rosa Sample, Jennie Scott.
Messrs. C. C. Holland, B. F. Maricle, H. M. Williams, C. M. Swarts, C. L. Swarts.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “A. E. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 27, 1878.
                                        PLEASANT VALLEY, March 20, 1878.
School commenced in District No. 10 the 11th inst. Mrs. Chapin acts as preceptress. Mrs. Chapin has taught several terms of school, and she will be very likely to give satisfaction.
[CORRESPONDENCE FROM “A. E. H.”—PLEASANT VALLEY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, April 24, 1878.
                                          PLEASANT VALLEY, April 19, 1878.
A concert was given at the Pleasant Valley schoolhouse last Friday night. Those who attended it were well pleased. A neck tie festival was given at the Odessa schoolhouse last Tuesday night. The evening being an unfavorable one, it was not so largely attended as it would have been had it been a nice eve­ning. The proceeds amounted to about $18.
A number of people assembled at the Pleasant Valley schoolhouse last Sabbath morning for the purpose of organizing a Sabbath school. Officers were elected as follows: Mr. Bott, Superintendent; Mr. Forbs, Assistant Superintendent; Miss Timmerman, Librarian; Mr. A. C. Holland, Secretary; and Mrs. Amy Chapin, Treasurer.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 21, 1878.
                                                    Teachers’ Examination.
The following persons attended the examination held at Winfield, August 2nd and 34d.
ARKANSAS CITY.
Misses Ella Grimes, Flora Finley, Albertine Maxwell, Mattie Mitchell, Lizzie Marshal, Anna O. Wright, and Dora Winslow; Mrs. L. M. H. Theaker, C. H. Sylvester, F. A. Chapin, C. M. Swarts, H. G. Blount, Charles Hutchings, A. E. Hon, and L. E. Norton.
[TEACHERS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 8, 1880.
                                                             TEACHERS.
At the recent examination, the following applicants were granted certificates.
                                              CONSTANT. F. A. Chapin (C).
Arkansas City Traveler, May 31, 1882.

Frank Chapin, of Pleasant Valley Township, was quite severely poisoned last week by inhaling poison from corn which he was planting, and had previously soaked in strychnine to prevent depredations by moles. He is recovering, but it was a close call. Courier.
CONSTANT CHIMES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 13, 1882.
Ed. Chapin, an old 1870 resident of Arkansas City, was in town last Friday.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 10, 1883.
Ed. Chapin, six miles north of this place, has two three-year-old steers advertised in the Kansas Farmer. One is a pale red and the other branded E on right hip.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 31, 1883.
Mr. Lard returned from his trip to Arkansas last Thursday, bringing with him to Harper 94 head of yearlings, which he and Mr. Chapin will feed through the winter. Mr. Lard reports cattle in Arkansas beyond reason, in the matter of price; yearlings being contracted at $10 and $12 per head. When we hear of knotty little Arkansaws being contracted in the brush at $12 per head, we begin to think that men are crazy on the cattle business, sure enough.
Cresset.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1883.
Reports come to us from various quarters of rabid dogs at large. In Pleasant Valley last week Ed. Chapin had a dog and Mr. Anderson a cow bitten by a strange dog and both the bitten animals gave signs of rabies and have been killed.
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, July 4, 1883.
                                                              The Normal.
The County Normal Institute opened last week with about sixty-five teachers in attendance. Prof. Davis, of the State Normal school, acts as conductor, and Profs. Gridley and Trimble as instructors. The work starts off nicely and promises a most prosperous session. The following is a list of those in attendance at present and their grades.
Grade A. Alice A. Aldrich, Mattie Berry, Leander C. Brown, Will C. Barnes, Frank A. Chapin, Laura Elliott, Rosa Frederick, Anna L. Hunt, D. W. Ramage, Lula Strong, Mary E. Hamill, Silas Overman, Allie Klingman, Fannie M. Mullinlay.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 26, 1884.
Ladies, do not fail to read the new “ad” of the South Side Millinery and Dressmaking establishment in another column.
AD. SOUTH SIDE MILLINERY. MISS L. MANN & CO. Large Stock. New Styles. Spring Goods. Dress-Making In all its branches by Mrs. JAS. CHAPIN and Miss B. TAYLOR, late of St. Louis. A full stock of ladies’ furnishing goods always on hand.
[BAPTIST SEWING CIRCLE, ARKANSAS CITY, ENTERTAINS WINFIELD.]
Arkansas City Republican, April 26, 1884.
The Baptist Sewing Circle of Arkansas City, this week, issued invitations to persons at Winfield and at home, to a social gathering to be held yesterday, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Snyder. Many, both from Winfield and at home, responded to the invitation.

From the former were Rev. Cairns and wife; Mr. Johnson and wife; E. H. Bliss and wife; Mr. Hickock and wife; Mr. Gilbert and wife; Mr. Hunt and wife; Mr. Silliman and wife; Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Hendricks, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Brandon, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Wait, Mrs. Shearer, Mrs. Albright, Mrs. Herpick, Mrs. Capt. Whitings, Mrs. Will Whiting, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Dressy, Mrs. Phenix; Misses C. Bliss and Tyner.
The following were from this city: Mr. Stacy Matlack and wife; Mr. Geo. Cunningham and wife; Mr. Wyckoff and wife; Mr. Allen Ayers and wife; Mr. H. P. Standley and wife; Mr. C. W. Coombs and wife.
Mrs. Matlack, Mrs. Clevenger, Mrs. Klopf, Mrs. Landes, Mrs. C. T. Atkinson, Mrs. Loveland, Mrs. Hilliard, Mrs. T. C. Bird, Mrs. C. C. Hollister, Mrs. B. Goff, Mrs. Cypher, Mrs. H. W. Stewart, Mrs. Taylor, Miss Taylor, Miss Chapin, Miss Blaine, Miss Fitch, Miss Anna Hunt, Miss Jennie Upton, Mrs. Lent, Rev. J. O. Campbell, Rev. Wood and wife.            Twelve came from Winfield, in the bus, and the remainder in carriages. They expressed themselves as very much pleased with the appearance of our city. At one o’clock, a delicious “lap-a-mince,” consisting of dessert, cake, and ice cream was served. The guests are under obligations to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder for a very enjoyable time. The receipts were about $25.00, which will be placed in the general fund for building the new Baptist Church in this city.
The editor of this paper regrets that school duties forbade his attendance, but trusts that dame fortune may yet be kind enough to grant him the acquaintance of so many clever and cultured people.
Arkansas City Republican, June 21, 1884.
                                                      County Normal Institute.
The County Normal Institute opened Monday with flattering prospects for a successful season. The enrollment is unusually large, and a real live interest is manifested in the work. It is conducted by Prof. B. T. Davis of the State Normal school, one of the best educators of the state, ably assisted by Prof. A. Gridley and County Superintendent Limerick. The Model Department, under the management of Miss Stretch, is a very attractive feature of this session. The arrangement of the work was for a session of eight weeks, but should the weather become hot, and the teachers wearied, the work may close at the end of the sixth week.
Following are the names of those in attendance.
                                                     GRADE B. Amy Chapin.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 3, 1884.
BIRTHS. Frank A. Chapin, of Pleasant Valley, is the happy father of twin boys. His brother, Jim, says one has red and the other black hair; but then he is such an infernal ______ gentleman, we don’t know whether to believe him or not.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 3, 1884.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. W. H. Chapin, of Piatt County, Illinois, last week. The gentleman was out west to look at the country and to visit his little brother, James, and other relatives.
Arkansas City Republican, January 24, 1885.
                                                           Hackney Squibs.
Ed. Chapin on the sick list this week, also Miss Emma Fisher.
Arkansas City Republican, February 14, 1885.

The following are the officers elected at the township elections, held last week in townships surrounding Creswell.
Pleasant Valley Township: D. S. Sherrard, trustee; F. A. Chapin, clerk; A. DeTurk, treasurer; A. H. Broadwell and West Holland, justices; A. Bookwalter and L. Brown, constables.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 25, 1885.
Quite a serious accident befell Jim Chapin yesterday. As he was working under the awning being erected in front of Cunningham’s building, a heavy ladder fell on him, mashing one foot badly. He will be laid up for three or four weeks in consequence.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 4, 1885.
      We were glad to see James Chapin out, although his gyrations were neither graceful nor pretty.
[Unknown: Whether the Mrs. Chapin referred to is part of Chapin family.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 10, 1885.
                                             CHILOCCO INDIAN SCHOOL.
                              How It is Conducted—Its Uses and Objects Described.
The assistant superintendent is Mr. Munson, who has charge of the buildings and supervision of the boys, and Dr. Minthorn speaks of this gentleman as a valuable aid. The ladies employed in the school, besides the teachers whom we have named, are Miss Hogan, the matron; Miss Hayes, assistant matron, who has care of 67 of the smallest boys; Mrs. Wind, the sewing mistress; Miss Quackenbush, the cook; and Mrs. Chapin, the laundress. Under Dr. Minthorn’s efficient superintendence, the entire machinery of this school and farm moves like clock work; the right persons have been fitted into the right places; and a contented, prosperous, and well ordered household is the result.
[CORRESPONDENTS.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, August 22, 1885.
                                                          Hackney Harpings.
Ed Chapin is harnessing the gentle zephyrs with a wind mill. This is a valuable investment as the writer can testify from practical experience.
Arkansas City Republican, October 3, 1885.
                                                       Teachers’ Association.
The second monthly meeting of the Cowley County Teachers’ Association will be held at Arkansas City on October 17, 1885, the programme to be as follows.
5th. The teachers preparation for assigning and conducting a recitation. Paper: Miss Sadie Pickering; discussion: Amy Chapin and L. H. Hart.
Arkansas City Republican, October 31, 1885.
                                                        Teachers Association.
Cowley County Teachers Association met at Arkansas City last Saturday. Opening exercises were conducted by Prof. Weir. After a few brief remarks by the president, the discussion was opened by Prof. Weir, followed by Miss Jessie Stretch.
Questions:
1. In what respect should recitations in primary classes differ from those in the advanced classes.
2. Importance of easy writing. The means to secure it.

Paper: Miss Campbell, discussion by Miss Florence Patterson, Prof. Wood, of the Winfield Normal school, Rev. Campbell, Alfred Wing, and Miss Jessie Stretch.
3. The teacher’s preparations for assigning and conducting a recitation.
Discussion by Mrs. Amy Chapin, Prof. Weir, Prof. Wood, Miss Jessie Stretch, J. W. Warren, and Miss Campbell.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 30, 1885.
The Women’s Relief Corps of this city held their annual election of officers on Saturday, the 26th. The following were elected.
President: Mrs. Ashton.
Senior Vice President: Mrs. Guthrie.
Junior Vice President: Mrs. Randall.
Chaplain: Mrs. Chapin.
Treasurer: Miss Sadie Pickering.
Conductor: Miss Nina Pickering.
Guard: Mrs. Bluebaugh.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 2, 1886.
The Woman’s Relief Corps of this city held their annual election of officers on Saturday, Dec. 29tth. The following were elected.
President, Mrs. Ashton.
Senior vice-president, Mrs. Guthrie.
Junior vice-president, Mrs. Randall.
Chaplain, Mrs. Chapin.
Treasurer, Miss S. L. Pickering.
Conductor, Mrs. J. F. Smith.
Assistant conductor, Miss Nina Pickering.
Guard, Mrs. Bluebaugh.
Arkansas City Republican, February 20, 1886.
The Y. M. C. A. made good use of the large amount of provision that remained after their supper last Friday night. They called in Mrs. Chapin, a member of the Relief Corps, who gave them the names of the needy poor, and assisted them in making a division of the spoils, which was sent out to the unfortunate ones of our city.
Arkansas City Republican, April 24, 1886.
DIED. WHEREAS, It has pleased the Great Ruler of the Universe to remove from her household the beloved daughter of our sister, Mrs. Jones, be it
Resolved, That we, the members of the W. R. C., of Arkansas City, sincerely condole with our sister and her family on this dispensation of Providence and we commend them for consolation to Him, who orders all things for the best and whose chastisements are sent in mercy.
Resolved, That these resolutions be transmitted to the afflicted family as a token of our heartfelt sympathy and to each of the papers of Arkansas City.
                     MRS. RUBY, MRS. CHAPIN, MRS. BLUEBAUGH, Committee.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, June 19, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.

The ladies of the Baptist Mite Society will give an Ice Cream Social at the Baptist Church Wednesday, June 23rd. All are invited. MRS. JAMES CHAPIN, Secretary.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 17, 1886.
                                                          Hackney Harpings.
The Augusta meeting of the horticulture society is announced to convene in this locality, at Ed Chapin’s grove.
Arkansas City Republican, August 14, 1886.
                                                          Hackney Harpings.
The County Horticultural Society met Thursday, the 5th inst., as per announcement, in Ed. Chapin’s grove. A goodly number were in attendance, considering the bad condition of the roads. President Martin, with characteristic promptness, was on hand. He is a thorough horticulturist, a fluent and forcible speaker, and always disseminates valuable knowledge through these meetings to the farmers.
[COWLEY COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.]
Arkansas City Republican, August 14, 1886.
                                            Cowley County Horticultural Society.
                                      CONSTANT, KANSAS, August 5th, 1886.
The Cowley County Horticultural Society met in E. R. Chapin’s grove in Pleasant Valley, and after partaking of a bountiful dinner, was called to order by the president. The secretary being absent, F. H. Brown was chosen to act pro tem. Mr. Allen opened the discussion or talk on small fruits. He would recommend the grape as one of the best, and the Warden as the best. He advanced the idea that it was beneficial in growing plumbs, that the pigs be pastured a part of the season in the orchard as a preventative of the curculio. The president recommended burning coal tar under trees. Geo. Robertson has tried that, but thinks it not much good. N. J. Larkin has tried jarring the trees with a sheet or blanket under them, then collect the curculio, and destroy them; he had a good crop of plumbs this season. Messrs. Allen, Beach, and Anderson were appointed a committee to examine and report on fruit on the table.
Committee reported a fine display of fruit on the table.
Apples exhibited by N. J. Parlin, 4 varieties, Letapsky, Lowell, Cadwalder’s Golden, Sweet Bliss.
Ed. Chapin, Lowell.
C. B. Summerville, Shenangs Strawberry.
Mr. Brain, Trenton Early, Autumn Strawberry, and Lowell.
D. M. Wolf, Lowell and one unknown.
Sixteen varieties of grapes.
C. J. Brain’s display was fine—Delaware, Diana, Concord, Elvira, Perkins, Dracutamber, Ionia, Pockington, Odessa, Seedling, No.’s 1, 2, and 3, and one variety unknown.
F. H. Brown, 5 varieties, Dianna, Ionia, Dracutamber, Concord, and Norton’s Virginia.
Ed. Chapin, 3 varieties, Hartford, Concord, and Dracutamber.
R. W. Anderson, 2 varieties, Dracutamber and Concord.
J. F. Martin, 2 varieties, Ionia and Concord.
Pears, one kind, Bartlett, by Mike Markcum.
Crabapples, 3 kinds, by J. N. Larkin.

Two kinds of tomatoes and several kinds of wild plumbs by Mrs. Anderson and Chapin.
[PICNIC: WOMAN’S RELIEF CORPS.]
Arkansas City Republican, August 27, 1886.
                                                               Gala Picnic.
The Woman’s Relief Corps, of Winfield, having invited their sister corps of Arkansas City to enjoy a festivity with them yesterday, the following ladies responded to the call.
Mesdames Ashton, Guthrie, Mansfield, Ruby, Taylor, Lewis, Chapin, Bluebaugh, Nelson, Neil Shields; and Miss Pickering.
Arriving at their destination, they were met by their entertainers, who conveyed their guests to Winfield’s beautiful park near the placid waters of the Walnut, where they were greeted by some 60 co-workers in that grand old regiment—Relief.
The sociability and encouragement of these ladies with each other was pleasant to behold. And when the hour for dinner arrived, quite a number of Winfield’s veterans of 61 and 65 came down to the happy throng to assist in doing away with that bountiful repast, which was spread upon a table rock, 12 x 20 feet, and which seated about forty persons. The dinner was simply immense and the ladies of Winfield with Mesdames Walton, Beach, and Thompson at the head, spared no pains to make this social gathering one to be long remembered by their guests. The quarter-master and chaplain of the Arkansas City post were also present to keep a protective eye on the ladies (as it were). And the ladies (oh my) didn’t they do themselves proud in catering to the wants of the inner man, a day long to be remembered by ONE WHO WAS PRESENT.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, October 2, 1886. From Friday’s Daily.
Mrs. Jas. Chapin left last evening for a visit back in Indiana and Ohio.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, November 13, 1886. From Thursday’s Daily.
Mrs. Jas. Chapin returned home on the noon train today from her visit up in Michigan. The REPUBLICAN acknowledges the receipt of a pound of fine Michigan honey for which she has our sincere thanks.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, December 25, 1886.
                                                Hackney Happenings, Dec. 22.
Mrs. Ed Chapin entertained a number of the young folks Wednesday evening. The affair was in honor of Edith Holland, who goes to Dakota Saturday, and was a decided success.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, January 15, 1887. From Wednesday’s Daily.
The following named ladies, Mrs. H. D. Keeler, Mrs. N. T. Snyder, Mrs. Jas. Chapin, Mrs. Wm. H. Henderson, Mrs. J. L. Huey, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. J. P. Smith, Mrs. A. A. Newman, Mrs. Halliway, Mrs. Pyle, and Mrs. L. J. Miles, composing the visiting committee of the King’s Daughters, are requested to meet at the home of Mrs. H. D. Keeler Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
[REAL ESTATE SALES.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, March 5, 1887. From Saturday’s Daily.
Lowe, Hoffman & Barron sold over $30,000 worth of property within the last five days. The following is a partial list.
Two lots in Oak Grove to James Chapin, $400.
Daily Calamity Howler, Wednesday, October 7, 1891.

                                                       HACKNEY ITEMS.
Miss Celina Bliss of Winfield, is visiting Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Chapin.
Mr. and Mrs. Cal Snyder, S. D. Fisher, and Ed Chapin attend­ed the fair at Wichita last week.
Daily Calamity Howler, Wednesday, October 7, 1891.
                                                           A Literary Day.
At R. W. Anderson’s on Saturday, Oct. 3rd, in response to notice given by the hostess, a number of friends assembled to enjoy and give enjoyment by an interchange of thoughts and sympathy.
The meeting was opened by scripture reading by Mrs. Mary Ann Roseberry. Prayer by Mrs. Greer of Winfield. Paper by Mrs. Clara Mason, which was discussed by Mrs. Greer, Mrs. McGlashin, Mrs. Hannah Brown, Mrs. Amy Chapin, and others.
Dinner was served to all, and a social time enjoyed for two hours when the work of the day was resumed by singing “While the Years are going by.”
Recitation by Miss Nettie Anderson; then Miss Bliss of Winfield, being called on to sing or play, replied by a short quotation from a poem by P. P. Bliss, written in his early days, which was so well received that Miss Celina was persuaded to recite the whole poem.
Then followed other recitations by Miss Muriel Chapin, an original poem by Mrs. Amy Chapin, Atha Muret, Mary Beaver, Cora Wooley, Mrs. Hannah Brown, Mrs. John Bower of Vernon, and Mrs. C. G. Bradbury of Vernon. A GUEST.
Daily Calamity Howler, Saturday, October 17, 1891.
Mrs. Amy Chapin and daughter, Muriel, of Constant, called at this office today.
Daily Calamity Howler, Saturday, October 17, 1891.
PARTICIPANTS IN DISTRICT ALLIANCE MEETING AT SOUTH VERNON SCHOOL HOUSE, THREE AND ONE-HALF MILES FROM WINFIELD, NOV. 1891.
H. C. Hawkins.
J. E. Coulter, of Bolton.
Mrs. Amy Chapin, of Summit.
Mr. Taft, of Bolton.
Miss Lottie Soule, of Vernon.
Z. T. Myres, of Pleasant Valley.
R. M. Turner, Sec. pro tem.

[NOTE: Mrs. Vollie Priest has seventeen volumes of the diaries belonging to her grandfather—Frank Chapin. The story of the Chapin brothers was told in the book Cowley County Heritage, which was published in 1990.]

 

Mrs. Vollie Priest has 17 volumes of her grandfathers (Frank Chapin) diaries.
The story of these brothers is in the book “Cowley County Heritage” which was published in 1990.

Her address in 1990 was Rt, 3, Box 82, Winfield, KS 67156-9429. Her full name was  “Doris J. (Hunt) Priest.”
Mrs. Priest is known as Mrs. Vollie J. Priest. Phone: (316) 221-4949

 

Cowley County Historical Society Museum