Billy Hands

                                               Winfield. [Had Livery Stable.]
Note: His name was W. L. Hands, but most people in Winfield thought of him as “Billy” Hands.
Spring Creek Township 1873: W. L. Hands, 25; spouse, Catharine, 23.
Spring Creek Township 1878: W. L. Hands, 30; spouse, Kate, 27. P. O.: Dexter.
Spring Creek Township 1881: Wm. L. Hands, ___; spouse, Kate, 30.
Winfield Directory 1885.
Hands & Gary, livery and feed stable, 204 e 9th
Hands W L, res 202 e 6th
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, January 24, 1878.
Witness: W. L. Hands, $3.80, $7.50.
[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]
Cowley County Courant, April 20, 1882.
Bill of W. L. Hands, for use of team, for burial of pauper, $3.00, was approved and recommended to the County Commissioners for payment.
Winfield Courier, December 7, 1882.
About Horse Medicine. T. H. Jackson, the famous horse-medicine man and proprietor of “Jackson’s Common Sense Liniment,” has been in the city several days—not for his health, as many might suppose, but to push his Liniment and to introduce his new “Common Sense Renovating Powder,” for pink-eye, coughs, colds, and worms in horses. The powders are not put up for chickens, goats, dogs, and to cure the ills of the whole animal kingdom, but are exclusively and emphatically for the purposes set forth above. We have interviewed several of our liverymen on the subject. W. L. Hands says: “Jackson’s Liniment is indispensable in my barn. It saves me hundreds of dollars a year, and never fails of a quick and permanent cure. If the powders do as well as the liniment, they will be of greatest benefit to horsemen.” Jas. H. Vance, of Major & Vance livery stable, says: “There is no use of talking, Jackson’s liniment is the best thing out. It cures sprains and bruises on a horse every time. The renovating powders, if they are equally as effective, will do wonders for horse flesh.” J. N. Harter says that the sale of Jackson’s Liniment is greater and gives better satisfaction than all the other liniments in the market. Druggist Brown also recommends it highly. It is for sale by them and all druggists.
Winfield Courier, December 14, 1882.
It is rumored that Messrs. Hands & Collins will build a new livery stable on Ninth Avenue next to the old Shoeb blacksmith shop.
Winfield Courier, December 28, 1882.
Billy Hands has sold his livery outfit to a gentleman by the name of Gray, from Illinois.
Winfield Courier, February 1, 1883.
The following petition was circulated last week by Frank Manny, taken to Topeka, and presented by him to Senator Hackney.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, January 23, 1883.

HON. W. P. HACKNEY, State Senator, Topeka, Kansas.
Inasmuch as the Prohibition Amendment, as enforced, has always resulted in injury to the material development of our town—it having signally failed to accomplish the object sought, the suppression of the sale and use of intoxicating drinks—we would respectfully urge upon you the necessity of so providing for the enforcement of the law that its application shall be uniform throughout the State. If this is impossible, don’t sacrifice our town on the altar of inordinate devotion to an impracticable principle.
W. L. Hands was one of those who signed the above petition.
Winfield Courier, February 22, 1883.
Billy Hands is having the old Stout blacksmith shop torn down preparatory to putting in his new livery stable.
Winfield Courier, March 1, 1883.
Around Town. Billy Hands’ new livery barn on East Ninth Avenue is going up rapidly.
[EDITORIAL CONVENTION HELD AT WINFIELD.]
Winfield Courier, May 17, 1883.
Where the Money Came From. The following are the cash contributions to the general editorial entertainment fund. More was raised than was used and those who subscribed first took more than their share, so that others had to be somewhat limited in their contributions to give others a chance.
W L. Hands gave $2.00.
[NOTICE.]
Winfield Courier, July 19, 1883.
Recap: Receiver’s Sale. William L. Hands, Plaintiff, against Calvin Ferguson, Defendant, James B. Scofield, Receiver. Selling at Public Auction August 4, 1883, at the hour of 1 o’clock P.M., at the crossing of Main Street and Ninth Avenue, One Merts & Riddle Hearse, Nearly New.
Winfield Courier, March 20, 1884.
The Winfield Carriage Works turned out a splendid two seated carriage last week for Billy Hands livery stable. It was as finely finished as any carriage we have seen on our streets. The carriage works are getting out an excellent line of work lately.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1884.

More Incendiarism. Another fire bug was loose on a small scale last Saturday night. About eleven o’clock the people were brought out by the ringing of the fire bell to find that a hay stack just back of Caton’s Marble Works had been mysteriously fired. The blaze was discovered before it got much of a start and the alarm given. In a short time hose company No. One was on the ground pouring a heavy stream on the burning hay, and quickly extinguished the fire. It was in a few feet of several livery stables and much combustible matter, and had it not been for our waterworks and the prompt appearance of the fire company, it would certainly have proved disastrous. Because of the non-appearance of fire company Number Two, some pretty severe joking was indulged in at the expense of the more active company, intimating that the members of Number One had set the fire to give themselves an opportunity to display their activity. Some of the company took this a little to heart, and it did seem unfair when they acquitted themselves so nobly. A tramp was allowed a bunk in Billy Hands livery stable that night and about ten o’clock he slid the back door open and went out. Soon after the fire blazed up, and he is supposed to be the incendiary—at least earnest efforts failed to find him. Two or three of these lazy whelps have been lounging around the town lately. Every able-bodied man who wants a meal without paying for it in money or work during these busy times ought to be shoved in the cooler or given a load of shot. He is a danger to the community.
Billy Hands takes on a partner: S. G. Gary...
Winfield Courier, April 17, 1884.
S. G. Gary has bought a half interest in the livery barn of Billy Hands. The building has been enlarged and more stock put in.
[FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.]
Winfield Courier, July 10, 1884.
               RECAP. Fourth of July Celebration: Fully Fifteen Thousand People Present.
On the evening of the 3rd the old soldiers gathered in large numbers at the G. A. R. headquarters and marched to the tune of “Old John Brown” to the beautiful Fair Ground Park. Here they found tents already pitched and everything in readiness for them to chase the festive bean around the camp fire and retell the thrilling stories which will never grow old to the comrades-in-arms. Regular old-fashioned “hard-tack” had been supplied in abundance and a happy reunion was had that night by the boys who wore the blue. After supper, headed by the Burden, Courier, and Juvenile bands, a torchlight procession marched into town. By sunrise Friday morning people from all sections began to pour in. . . .
As we watched the old pioneers as they came into town in their handsome turnouts, we noticed on their countenances pictures of gladness and independence which can’t be beaten anywhere in this broad Union. . . .
Then came the amusements. The trotting race, mile heats, best three in five, purse $90, was won by “Basham,” owned by Mr. Wells of Burden over Billy Hands’ “Nellie H.” The running race, quarter mile heat, between the Blenden mare and a lately arrived horse, was won easily by the former, purse $60.
[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1884.
The following bills were allowed and ordered paid.
Hands & Gary, team and carriage, $3.00.
Cal. Ferguson, team and carriage, $2.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
A. J. LYON Wishes to call the attention of the public to his Two Highly Bred, General Purpose and Trotting Stallions, that will make the Season of 1885. One at Hands & Gary’s Livery Barn, Winfield, Kansas; the other at the Fair Grounds near Winfield, Kansas.
A. J. LYON, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 7, 1885.
KING OF THE VALLEY. The Imported English Draft Stallion “King of the Valley,” will make the season of 1885 at Magnolia Farm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, and Friday and Saturday at Hands & Gary’s stable, Winfield, Kansas. VERMILYE BROTHERS.
[AUDITOR’S REPORT.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 18, 1885.
Pauper Claim: Hands & Gary, $2.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 3, 1885.
H. C. WEAVER. J. P. KELLER. Ninth Avenue Blacksmith -AND- WAGON SHOP.

All kinds of blacksmithing and wood-work done to order and satisfaction guaranteed. Horse-shoeing a specialty. Give us a call. Shop on corner next to Hands & Gary’s livery stable.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 1, 1885.
This is Winfield and Arkansas City Day at the Fair and decidedly the biggest day of all. Prettier weather couldn’t be asked for than has been given the Cowley County Fair & Driving Park Association for their grand exhibition this week. Every day has been clear and balmy. Today was experienced the first terror—the dust, which a high breeze and the immense crowd stirred up in huge gobs that slapped a fellow in the face like hail stones. Uncle Wesley Paris, with his street sprinkler, kept the dust down as far as the Santa Fe depot. The wealth to send him clear through should have been raised. The first reinforcement this morning came in at 8 o’clock from Arkansas City, six coaches, jammed full, and accompanied by the Buckskin Border Band, in their Noble Red man uniforms. Their music is first class and one of the most acceptable sources of pleasure on the Fair Grounds today. The Arkansas City crowd was followed by delegations from everywhere, a big majority of Cowley’s population and a fine representation from every joining county. Winfield was out in full force and the business houses were closed this afternoon from 12 to 5 o’clock.
The Roadster Show. The show of roadsters was very fine. Jim Vance, Joe Harter, Capt. Nipp, Gene Wilber, Billy Hands, Arthur Bangs, Joe Moore, and Judge McDonald were in the ring with their steeds. The driving was very fine and resulted in Joe Harter capturing the blue ribbon and Gene Wilber the red. In double roadster teams, Billy Hands, Gene Wilber, C. C. Pierce, and John Hahn competed. The teams were as fine as any one could wish to see. Billy Hands took first premium and Gene Wilber second. The teams were very evenly matched and the decision hard to make. In the roadster stallion class, Capt. Lyon captured first premium for 4 year-olds. For 3 year-olds, Judge McDonald’s “Malcomb Spray” took first.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.
Hands & Gary took the blue ribbon on their bay team at Wichita. There were ten competitors. They were offered five hundred dollars for the pair before leaving.
[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 17, 1885.
Pauper claims of A. B. Arment, $10, coffin for Grissom, and Hands & Gary, removing Albert Carlo to poor house, $2, were sent to County Commissioners for payment.