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Captain Gould Hyde Norton
[Brother of Professor Henry Brace Norton.]
Much of the information on Captain Gould Hyde Norton is in the file I gathered together some time ago relative to the “Norton Brothers.”
On December 8, 2002, Dr. Sam Dicks, historian at Emporia State University, sent me a copy of an e-mail that he received from Gregory Norton Garcia, Ed.D., whose great grandfather was Capt. Gould Hyde Norton and whose great uncle was Professor Henry Brace Norton. I have contacted Dr. Garcia in order to share with him the information that I had on the Norton Brothers and hopefully to bring into focus Captain Gould Hyde Norton inasmuch as Dr. Garcia furnished me with data concerning Capt. Norton which I did not have.
Most of the information on Capt. Norton is in the “Norton Brothers” file, but I have uncovered some additional information since the time that file was started relative to Capt. Norton and now I have the data sent to me by Dr. Garcia.
Updated Information on Captain Gould Hyde Norton.
From Dr. Gregory Norton Garcia:
The ascendants of the Norton family arrived from England around 1630 at the New Haven Colony. Around 1800 the family moved to upstate New York (where Captain Gould Hyde Norton was born). In the 1840s the Norton family moved to Stillman Valley, Ogle County, Illinois.
Gould Hyde Norton was a Captain in the 33rd Illinois Infantry, wounded by a ball in the chest at Vicksburg. (The 33rd was called the “Normal Regiment” because it was comprised of the students and faculty of an Illinois university or college.)
After the war Gould Hyde Norton married Annis J. Wilder of Vicksburg. Three of their five children were born in Kansas. The oldest was born in Illinois and the youngest, the grandfather of Dr. Gregory Norton Garcia, was born in Eustis, Florida.
After their Kansas days, Professor Henry Brace Norton went to California, where he was quite influential in the early days of a university there.
Captain Gould Hyde Norton went to Florida and helped found Eustis, Florida, where his impressive home is still standing. He was a citrus nurseryman.
When the Spanish American War broke out, three of Captain Gould Hyde Norton’s sons (Edward, Oliver, and Gould Gregory Norton) joined Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. Oliver Norton died in battle in the arms of his brother, Edward Norton, on “San Juan Hill” next to Teddy Roosevelt. After the war was over, Edward Norton and Gould Gregory Norton established agricultural interests in Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Captain Gould Hyde Norton died in Puerto Rico on June 9, 1903, one month after the birth of Dr. Garcia’s father on May 9, 1903. Captain Norton was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
From the book Blaze Marks On The Border, The Story of Arkansas City, Kansas, Founded 1870-1871, written for the centennial years 1970-1971 by Mrs. Bennett Rinehart and Others, copyright 1970 Violet Rinehart, printed by the Mennonite Press, North Newton, Kansas, I found the following information.
“Prof. Henry Brace Norton was born in Gaines County, New York.” [No date is given.]
“Capt. G. H. Norton worked in close cooperation with his brother, Henry.
“The practical matters of security and transportation fell under his jurisdiction. He guided several groups of prospective settlers here, returning again to Emporia for necessary supplies.
“Until establishment of regular stage and freight lines, such items as plowshares, nails, glass, grocery staples and mail were dispensed from Norton Brothers General Store on Central Ave. and B. St.
“It was said that tallow to be made into candles, and which was received in payment for goods, mounted into a high stack behind the store.
“In April of 1870, G. H. Norton was appointed the first postmaster in Cowley County, E. C. Manning of Winfield being appointed the second postmaster in May. In the special county election of May, 1870, G. H. was elected the first county commissioner for our district.
“In response to a so-called threatened Indian uprising in 1874, a company of about 75 local men, Company A, Cowley County Militia, was created to patrol the border as far south as Caldwell. G. H. Norton was appointed Colonel of this group. The uprising failed to materialize.
“In 1873 Henry Norton returned to Emporia while his brother remained here. . . .”
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Emporia News, December 3, 1869.
Mr. G. H. Norton, of Illinois, brother to our Prof. Norton, was in our office this week. He comes to Kansas, we believe, to make it his permanent home, and will probably “stick his stake” in Cowley County.
Emporia News, December 3, 1869.
Mr. G. H. Norton, who arrived here this week, left about 18 inches of snow in Ogle County, Illinois. We have not yet had much more than a heavy frost here.
Emporia News, February 25, 1870.
CRESSWELL.
This new town (formerly called Delphi) at the mouth of the Walnut seems to promise good things. The town company consists of Messrs. Plumb, Stotler, Norton, Eskridge, and Kellogg, of Emporia; Judge Brown and H. L. Hunt, of Cottonwood Falls; Kellogg & Bronson, of El Dorado; Baker & Manning, of Augusta; and Messrs. G. H. Norton, Strain, Brown, Moore, and Wilkinson on the site.
Below are excerpts from an article written by an unnamed correspondent of the Walnut Valley Times.
(Note: Started trip on Monday, February 14, 1870.)
Walnut Valley Times, Friday, March 4, 1870.
[Correspondence of the Times.]
TRIP TO DELPHI.
On Monday, the 14th inst., a party of three of us started for the lower country. The day was pleasant, and the roads excellent. . . .
[Winfield/Manning.]
Walnut Valley Times, March 4, 1870. [continuation of article.]
About 18 miles below Douglas we come to Winfield at the mouth of Lagonda Creek, formerly called Dutch Creek. Here we found A. A. Jackson running the store of Baker & Manning during the absence of Col. Manning, who has gone to Manhattan after his family. We counted several new houses going up at Winfield.
KICKAPOO CORRAL/DELPHI.
Just below the town we crossed to the west side of the Walnut, at what is known as the Kickapoo Corral. We ascended the divide through a defile with large rocks on either side; and from there south ten miles to Delphi is the most beautiful stretch of lands that I have seen in Kansas.
The Arkansas, about six miles west of the road, is visible to the eye all the way down from the divide to the mouth of the Walnut. About the middle of the afternoon of the second day, we reached Delphi, which is a new site just laid out for a future town. The site has every natural advantage to be found in Kansas. The site selected for the town is a smooth, swelling ridge sloping off towards the Walnut on the east and the Arkansas on the south and west, making one of the most pleasant sites for a town that can be found anywhere in Kansas.
The Arkansas at this place is about the size of the Kaw River at Lawrence. Fish are very abundant in the rivers at this place. On the evening of the first day after our arrival, we formed a party and went on a fishing excursion. The evening was most delightful, being very warm and clear; the moon being full, of course, made it almost as light as day. During the short time we were fishing, we succeeded in securing some very nice fish, which we feasted upon during our stay.
A day or two prior to our arrival, Capt. Norton caught a large cat fish weighing some 70 pounds, and a short time before, one weighing 60 pounds.
The second day of our sojourn at Delphi about noon, while surveying claims, etc., getting somewhat tired and dry, we stopped to take a drink—not of the “over joyful,” but out of the pure and sparking waters of the Walnut, and while so doing, our horses became frightened, and ran off. We immediately started after them. The horses after running through the woods came out leaving the wagon a wreck, scattered in different parts of the woods. After running a couple of miles, our horses were secured by a friend, and in an hour we had picked up the pieces, and returning to our camp, we went to work, and before night we had everything mended up, and ready to start home next day. . . .
Walnut Valley Times, March 11, 1870.
We publish on the first page of this issue a communication by Mr. T. A. Wilkinson, of Creswell. His letter is of much importance to the many who are interested there.
Walnut Valley Times, March 11, 1870.
[Correspondence of the Times.]
A TRIP DOWN THE WALNUT.
A Description of Delphi and Vicinity.
MESSRS. EDITORS: As I have been requested by many to give you an impartial description of the country near the mouth of the Walnut River, where we are now executing the plan of establishing a thriving town, I know of no better way to meet the wants of all who are now looking in that direction than through the columns of your paper.
The incidents of our trip from Emporia to this point were only such as one might expect on a pioneering trip like ours. But for the benefit of those who will read your paper in Wisconsin and other States of a more northern climate, I will say here that pioneering in Kansas does not signify hardships; and if we may take the present winter as a type by which to judge the climate during that season, Kansas is truly a most delightful country to live and dwell in.
Our party carried tools with which to build our houses, as well as provision for man and beast. So it became necessary for us to walk most of the time. The roads, however, were quite dry all the way down, which made that part of the performance rather more pleasant than otherwise.
Captain Norton, our worthy leader, blistered one heel, but being of the plucky sort, he sat down by the wayside, and with a pin “took the conceit out of it,” and then came on rejoicing to think that brass instruments could make heels shed tears as well as play Hail Columbia; i.e., by simply modifying them to suit the performance.
Our town site is blessed as is your own Eldorado, by being situated in one of the finest river valleys in the State. It is about sixty miles south of Eldorado, and one hundred and twenty from Emporia. It is about two miles from the mouth of the Walnut, and one-half mile from the banks of that and the Arkansas River. The natural local advantages for a town here, aside from its commercial importance, are actually unlimited. Everything that nature can do for the happiness or prosperity of man has been profusely done here.
The undeveloped resources which are crowded together at the junction of the Walnut and Arkansas have no equal in this State. The Walnut Valley increases in size and beauty from its source to its mouth, and the timber and bottom lands increase in the same proportion until they spread out near the mouth and join the bottoms of the Arkansas, forming a vast tract of rich, deep soiled arable land.
This tract is skirted on every side except the northwest by heavy belts of all kinds of timber, and terminates at its southern extremity by a beautiful mound like Watershed nearly four miles in circumference, and upon this our party, under the supervision of Prof. Norton, has surveyed out one mile square for a town site.
One mile from the northeast corner of said site, we have discovered an excellent water power on the Walnut. A good ford immediately opposite the east side we have nicely improved, which leads to a splendid body of limestone, where we have just this evening completed a kiln which we will fire tomorrow.
The Walnut affords every variety of timber, many trees large enough for four cuts of saw logs four feet in diameter. The principal growth on the Arkansas is cottonwood, but very tall and straight, affording the best material for log house building.
Both rivers abound in fish, and Captain Norton’s heel affording him the opportunity of laying up the afternoon we arrived here, he improved the time by hauling in a large catfish, weighing nearly seventy pounds. Since then we have caught any quantity, and for once, we must admit, that we have had a genteel sufficiency of fish.
All along the lower Walnut, the action of the current in high water has thrown upon curves of the banks immense beds of gravel, which are beautiful to behold, and will be valuable for many purposes, as they can be readily reached with teams and wagons.
The different kinds of game which have come under my notice are deer, antelope, wild turkeys, ducks, prairie chickens, quails, wild cats, and beaver. The first two and last, judging from their tracks and work upon trees, are very numerous. Many cottonwood trees along the banks of both streams have been gnawed down by the beavers. They don’t always choose the smallest, for we have found many cut off measuring ten inches in diameter. The deer tracks along the Arkansas are as thick as sheep’s tracks in a pasture. We have seen a great many, but have had no time to spare in organizing a systematic hunt for them.
Opposite the town on the west, and about one-half mile distant, there is a fine sandstone ledge, and the sand bars of the Arkansas afford as good sand for building purposes as one needs to ask for. There are also clay beds which offer every facility for making brick.
The chances for water on the town site are very promising, and as soon as the six buildings now in process of erection are completed, we intend digging a well.
Speaking of water reminds me of a ludicrous accident which occurred to your humble servant this evening. Our boys had been at work across the Walnut getting out shingles for our houses. In the morning our team had crossed us over the ford, but Capt. Norton had gone to Winfield after some supplies, and it became necessary for us to cross in some manner the most agreeable to ourselves. The rest of the party had tight boots, and as the river is not more than one foot deep, they crossed over very nicely; but mine being rather the worse for wear, I thought it would be quite romantic to cross on stilts, as I used to be quite an expert with them when a boy, but I soon found that instead of being romantic, it was more antic than anything else, for in the center of the stream my stilts stuck in the gravel, and I being very obedient to the laws of gravitation, just then made a splashification, and came out somewhat liquified, if not liquidated.
I meant to have said something about the Indians, but I have said too much already. In my next, I will commence where I now leave off. Suffice it to say that the Indians have all gone to the Mission from here, and have taken their dogs (of which they have many), with them. Why I mention their dogs, is because of their peculiar individual characteristics as dogs. They are a very poor, long, lean, snapping, grinning kind of dogs; reminding me very much of a piece of rope with one end frizzled for a tail, with a knot in the other for a head, and four small sticks stuck anywhere in the rest of the rope for legs. In fact, I think they would look better roped up to a tree than any other way.
And now, dear editor, as it is 11 o’clock, P. M., while you “press” on with the labor of the press, I will press my overcoat for a pillow, and dream of the future greatness of Delphi.
T. A. WILKINSON.
Walnut Valley Times, March 11, 1870.
OFF FOR CRESWELL.
Captain Norton passed through town today moving to Creswell, and was joined here by Prof. Wilson, who is also moving there, and Mr. Frazier, of the firm of Betts & Frazier, who will open a branch store there. Creswell is getting lively.
Emporia News, March 11, 1870.
FROM CRESSWELL.
Capt. G. H. Norton lately arrived from this new settlement on the Arkansas. He reports buffalo abundant within one day’s ride; deer, antelope, and wild turkeys daily visible. Several parties from Illinois and elsewhere have passed through town within a few days, on their way to this point. Coal has been discovered within two miles of Cresswell; in how large quantities is not yet known. It is in the bed of a stream, and nearly covered with sand. The fragments taken out are clean, brittle, and burn with a brilliant flame. Cresswell has a beautiful site and a capital location for business. The Osages are not in that vicinity now. They are perfectly quiet and peaceable, being powerless in the presence of so great a number of settlers as are now pouring into this region.
No town in Kansas has a better prospect for the great trade of the border. The company have reserved some 400 lots to give away as bounties to those who shall make improvements on the town site. This offer is unprecedentally liberal. For the production of livestock, fruit, and hoed crops, this Arkansas Valley leads Kansas. We can scarcely doubt that the Osage title will be extinguished before the end of the present session of Congress. Here is a field for enterprise. Capt. Norton returned with a considerable party last Monday.
Beautiful mill sites, any number of excellent farms, ledges of the finest magnesian limestone, excellent commercial advantages await the settler at and near Cresswell.
Emporia News, March 25, 1870.
The directors of the Creswell Town Company met in this place on Monday last and effected a permanent organization as follows.
President, H. B. Norton.
Vice President, C. V. Eskridge.
Secretary, W. R. Brown.
Treasurer: L. B. Kellogg.
Executive Committee: C. V. Eskridge, H. D. Kellogg, and Capt. Norton.
Walnut Valley Times, March 25, 1870.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
We have just returned from Emporia, and regret to find it too late for a full report of our trip in this issue. Suffice it to say, however, that Emporia is improving beyond all former precedent. As we entered the city, we could not but contrast the village of Emporia as we found it last spring with the city we see it today, with its broad and busy thoroughfares, lined with costly structures. Of course, we stopped at the Robinson House, for it is the only first class hotel in Emporia. The gentlemanly proprietors, L. N. Robinson & Son, received us kindly and treated us cordially. We observed that a large number of the bon ton of the city board at the Robinson House. We also noticed a large number of wholesale drummers and railroad officials, besides Alf. Burnett and his troupe at the Robinson House. . . .
We attended a meeting of the Creswell Town Company, which, besides transacting other important business, elected the following officers.
Prof. Norton, President.
Judge Brown, Secretary.
Gov. Eskridge, Vice President.
Prof. L. B. Kellogg, Treasurer.
Dr. H. D. Kellogg, Capt. Norton, and Gov. Eskridge, Executive Committee.
Adjourned to meet May 5th, on the town site of Creswell. From the interest manifested by the stockholders, and the natural advantages surrounding Creswell, we predict for it the most brilliant future, believing it to be the very best point in Southwestern Kansas. . . .
Emporia News, April 1, 1870.
FROM CRESWELL. [Header had only one “s”.]
MESSRS. EDITORS: For the benefit of those of your readers who are interested in hearing from Cresswell, I give you what items of interest I have from that very modern city. Inquiries are constantly being made as to the chance of obtaining good claims in the vicinity of Cresswell. To all such anxious inquirers I would say that within a radius of eight miles from the town site there are still a large number of excellent claims remaining untouched, composed of choice bottom and timbered lands, lying on the Arkansas and Grouse, and a nameless creek on the south side of the former. The distance from Cresswell to the State line, measuring down the Arkansas River, is from twelve to thirteen miles, the river leaving the State two and three-fourths miles below the mouth of the Grouse. Not more than four or five claims are taken in this whole distance. A large number of fine claims can be found here on both sides of the river, many of them being well timbered, especially those in the vicinity of the mouth of the Grouse, and from there down to the State line. Up the Arkansas excellent bottom claims can be found on both sides of the river, but no timber is to be had except Cottonwood and Black Jack. South of the Arkansas, about five miles from the mouth of Walnut, is a fine creek, whose name we do not know, running nearly parallel with the Arkansas in a southeasterly direction, and entering it near the State line, probably a little below. This is a beautiful stream, timbered with hard timber, mostly Oak and Walnut. The land, judging from its appearance, is of the very best quality and is virgin soil indeed: not a claim has yet been taken on the stream to my knowledge. It runs a distance of at least fifteen or twenty miles in the State, affording room for thirty or forty good claims at the lowest calculation. Many beautiful springs rise in the hills and flow down to the stream, and all things considered, I think it one of the most desirable locations in Cowley County.
Much uncertainty has heretofore been felt as to the exact location of the State line, and certain interested parties above us on the Walnut have been in the habit of informing all those emigrating to our locality that Cresswell was in the Indian Territory, the State line passing some two miles to the north of us. These reports we have been unable to contradict, not knowing ourselves exactly where the State line was; but within the last week the Cresswell Town Company have obtained from the Hon. Sidney Clarke a copy of the field notes of Johnston’s survey of the State line, which settles the matter beyond dispute, and locates the State line as crossing the Arkansas two and three-fourths miles below the mouth of Grouse, and passing from six to eight miles south of Cresswell. Within the next four weeks the entire southern line of the county will be hunted out.
Cresswell is just beginning to assume the form of a town. The following are some of the latest sensations: Major Sleeth [they had Sleath] & Co. will move their new steam saw mill from El Dorado to Cresswell by the middle of May, and propose to add a shingle machine at once.
Daniel Beedy, of Emporia, will put in a water saw mill, shingle machine, and planing mill this summer and add a flouring mill as soon as there is a prospect of having anything to grind. This will be on the Walnut one mile northeast of town.
Two stores will be opened at once, one a grocery and provision store, the other a general assortment. A hardware and tinware and a drug store will be opened by June 1st.
Negotiations are now in progress which will undoubtedly give us a weekly newspaper and one of the best job offices in southern Kansas, within the next sixty days.
A solid rock-bottomed ford has lately been discovered across the Arkansas River, one half mile below the mouth of the Walnut. This we think will when improved make one of the best water-powers in the State; and now it gives us a good ford in low water and an opportunity to a ferry boat in high water, or perhaps in any stage.
The State Legislature at its last session ordered that a State road be opened from Emporia to Cresswell by the most direct route by the first of August next.
These are only a portion of the enterprises now on foot, but will serve to give you some idea of our progress and prospects. The weather has been fine most of the spring, and building, plowing, etc., is being vigorously pushed. Three buffalo were seen from Cresswell last week feeding on the bluffs south of the Arkansas. But enough for this time.
Respectfully, G. HYDE NORTON.
Emporia News, April 8, 1870.
[Written for THE NEWS.]
FROM CRESWELL.
This town is situated on the Arkansas River, twelve miles above its intersection by the State line; said intersection being two and three-fourths miles below the mouth of the Grouse. The Walnut enters the Arkansas at Creswell, and the valleys of other streams on the south side of the Arkansas converge at this point, making it the natural center of business and population for Cowley County.
Creswell is named as a point upon four chartered lines of railroad, viz: The Walnut Valley Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road; the Preston, Salina & Denver road; the Emporia & Holden road; and the Arkansas Valley, or Fort Smith & Hays City road. It is also confidently expected that this will be the point of crossing for the Fort Scott & Santa Fe road. The Legislature, at its recent session, ordered the immediate survey of a State road, by the most direct route, from Emporia to Creswell.
The company have determined to spare no expense or effort to make Creswell the metropolis of the Arkansas Valley. The following are among the enterprises already inaugurated.
Sleeth & Co., of El Dorado, have contracted to put their steam saw-mill and a shingle-machine in operation at Creswell by the 15th of May.
Daniel Beedy, now resident at Emporia, has contracted to build a grist-mill, saw-mill, and planing-mill upon the Creswell water-power; work to commence by July 1st, 1870.
G. H. Norton & Co. have opened a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, which they pledge themselves to sell at El Dorado prices.
Betts & Fraser, of El Dorado, will at once open a stock of groceries, provisions, and campers’ supplies.
C. R. Sipes, of Emporia, has purchased an interest in the town, and is preparing to open at Creswell the largest stock of hardware, tinware, and agricultural implements ever offered south or west of Emporia.
A stock of drugs and medicines has been ordered by responsible parties, and a well-provided drug-store will speedily be established.
We are also happy to announce that the best job and newspaper office south of the Neosho will commence the publication of a newspaper at Creswell within the next ninety days.
Max Fawcett, recently of the Neosho Valley (Emporia) Nursery, has transferred his entire interest to Creswell, and is arranging to establish there the largest fruit and nursery concern in Kansas.
L. F. Goodrich, of Emporia, is now at work erecting a feed and livery stable.
A ferry has been chartered, and will be running upon the Arkansas by July 1st.
The above may all be regarded as certain and reliable.
NOTE: First article had Cresswell except for caption...this one stated Creswell.
[LETTER FROM MAX FAWCETT.]
Emporia News, April 22, 1870.
FROM CRESWELL.
CRESWELL, April 9th, 1870.
EDITORS NEWS: We arrived home on the 2nd and found things as we wanted them. Messrs. Smith, Thompson, Cain, and Gibson came down with us. Mr. Smith drove his stake on the south side of the Arkansas, on a first class claim within two miles of town; the others preferred claims on this side, but not having corn enough for their team, they were compelled to return to Emporia without having time to look them up. They say they like the country and are coming back again. We hope they will. They are just the kind of men we want here.
Charley Sipes is here. He has bought John Strain’s share in Creswell. He is wide awake and energetic, and will do more than a full share toward making Creswell the important place it is destined to be. He is building a house and will soon bring down a first class stock of hardware and tinware.
We have had plenty of rain during the past week, as much as is needed at present. Emigration is coming in fast, and our county is settling up with as good a class of people as can be found in any part of Kansas, and all seem perfectly satisfied. Many who were here from Emporia last winter and this spring will remember a lame man named Rogers. He died two weeks ago. He was a whole-souled and generous-hearted fellow; we all liked him.
On the east side of the Walnut, about a mile from town, in a rough, rocky ravine, there is a natural bridge; it is a perfect one, with not even the keystone lacking. The highest part of the arch is about ten feet above the bed of the ravine; it has about twenty feet span. The top of the bridge is level and just wide enough for teams to cross on; and if it had been made for that purpose, it could hardly have been made better than it is. The road to Grouse will probably pass over it.
A few feet above the bridge there is a round basin hollowed out of the solid rock; it is about twenty feet across and about three feet deep, and is filled with clear water that runs out of a little cave through a trough worn in the rock. On the side opposite the bridge the basin is half surrounded by a semi-circular rock ten or fifteen feet high, and a few rods further up the ravine there is a beautiful little cave, with a basin similar to the one I have tried to describe. It just fills the bottom of the cave. These were discovered by Captain Norton while looking for a route to the Grouse. Further up the ravine the geologist will find the book he likes to read.
On the third of this month I planted two weeping willow trees by my spring on the side of the hill by the river. I think I can safely claim the honor of planting the first tree in Cowley County. MAX FAWCETT.
Excerpts...
[LETTER FROM T. A. WILKINSON.]
Walnut Valley Times, June 3, 1870. Front Page.
[Correspondence of the Times.]
LETTER FROM CRESWELL.
MESSRS. EDITORS: In my last I promised to begin where I left off, but as events of that time are now in a fossil state compared with those of the present, I will merely state that since the Indians went to their mission east of here, we have seen nothing of them. Everything we once hoped for in regard to our town enterprise, is being reduced to practical tangibility.
Stores are being erected by parties who fully appreciate the importance of our location, and who mean business. Capt. Norton has a store well stocked with groceries, dry goods, and provisions, and is having a brisk trade.
More recently among us is Professor Norton, with his family, who is so well known that we need hardly repeat that he is a leading spirit and general favorite, because of his impartiality, his mild and unpresuming deportment, his unlimited generosity, uniform urbanity, and constant self-control and good nature, and greatest of all his eminent knowledge on all scientific as well as general topics, making him doubly important to us as a citizen, for the simple reason that we are always benefitted when we enjoy the privilege of associating with our superiors.
Capt. Norton, the Professor’s brother, of whom we have spoken before, is noted for his energy and perseverance, and is doing much for the enterprise by imparting to others considerable of that go-ahead spirit which characterizes his general movements, and which is so necessary to give vitality to any great project when in an embryo state.
[LETTER FROM M. F. (MAX FAWCETT).]
Emporia News, June 24, 1870.
ARKANSAS CITY, June 14th, 1870.
EDITORS NEWS: We are having frequent and terrific rains here now. Our town is improving rapidly, forty more houses are under contract, and are being built as fast as lumber can be obtained to build them with. Mr. W. H. Speers, of Peoria, Illinois, has a new thirty horse power stationary steam saw mill on the way, which will be here in a day or two. Mr. Speers has had a number of years of experience in the mill business, having run mills in Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Illinois. When his mill arrives we will have two mills. Mr. Wolsey [Woolsey] has his shingle machine in operation and is turning out six or eight thousand first class shingles a day.
Our four merchants are doing a staying business. C. R. Sipes tells me that he sells four times as much as he expected when he commenced, and our other merchants, Norton, Bowen, and Goodrich, are not behind him in sales, and all sell at reasonable rates, nearly or quite, and sometimes below, El Dorado prices. Our carpenters are all busy. Messrs. Channell, Smith, and Thomson [Thompson], carpenters, have just finished a neat, roomy cabinet shop, and are running a lumber yard in connection with their other business. Channell starts for Emporia tomorrow for the purpose of bringing back his better half.
Tomorrow we are going to commence tracing the southern boundary of Kansas from where it crosses the Arkansas River to a point directly south of Arkansas City, and then measure the distance from Arkansas City to the line. There are a great many first-class claims vacant down there. I will write you a description of that part of our county when we return.
We are preparing for a grand time on the Fourth, and expect to see a number of familiar and welcome faces from the North on that day. M. F. [Max Fawcett]
Excerpts...
[LETTER FROM PROF. NORTON.]
The Commonwealth, June 24, 1870.
FROM COWLEY COUNTY.
A Correction—Growth of Creswell—Crops, Improvements, Etc.
[Correspondence of the Commonwealth.]
ARKANSAS CITY, (CRESWELL) Ks., June 15th, 1870.
Your recent correspondence from this county is hardly complete or correct in its statements. The letter from Winfield stating that that town was chosen county seat by “a vote of two to one over its ambitious little rival, Cresswell,” is certainly wonderfully cool in its suppressions and mis-statements.
In the first place as to the “little.” Arkansas City has now the following places of business in actual operation: Norton & Co.’s store, general stock; L. P. Goodrich’s store, groceries and clothing; E. D. Bowen’s, general assortment; C. Sipes, a fine and complete stock of hardware; four stores in all. In addition, J. C. Eskridge, a brother to the lieutenant governor, has completed a building for a boot and shoe store, and his stock will probably be opened before this reaches you.
The buildings for Page’s meat market and Woolsey & Beck’s bakery and restaurant, are also nearly completed. Smith, Channell, & Thompson’s lumber yard is in operation, doing a good business. Sleath [Sleeth] & Bro.’s steam saw mill is now in operation, overworked. Mr. Spears [Speers] has just arrived with another steam saw-mill, of fifty horse power, which will also be running in another week. Woolsey’s shingle mill has more orders than it can fill. Some forty buildings, including a large drug store, a clothing store, a livery stable, and a variety of shops and residences, are now under contract or partially completed. Beedy & Newman, of Emporia, have contracted to build and have running by October of next year, a first class water, grist, and sawmill upon the Walnut here, where they have a water-power hardly equaled by any other in southern Kansas. Tisdale & Parker have just commenced running a tri-weekly stage from Eldorado to this point, which is the southern terminus of the line. They will at once erect extensive stables here. The Woolsey House is so far completed that it will be open to the public by July 4th. It has a front of fifty feet on Summit street, our main business thoroughfare. When the buildings now going up are completed—certainly within thirty days—we shall have the largest town in the Walnut Valley, Eldorado alone excepted. I should add that the buildings described above are almost all good frame structures finished with pine. Mr. Truman, of Americus, is now here, at work upon his ferry, which will speedily be running across the Arkansas.
The buildings at Winfield are as follows: One log house, used as a store by Col. Manning and Dr. Mansfield; the upper story which is the “town hall” and “Court House” of which so much has been said; one small frame residence; one empty log house, intended to be used as a hardware store; one stable. That is positively all. There is no hotel, no sawmill nearer than Arkansas City, nor any other building of any sort on the town site, although it is some six months older than Arkansas City. The “water-mill” proposed to be built on Dutch Creek is to be a sawmill. As to the election of May 2nd, it was notoriously a most illegal farce. The Winfield precinct reported more votes than all the rest of the county. J. E. Brown, who went up from Creswell to challenge illegal votes, was set upon by a lawless mob, who threatened his life and drove him into the woods, where he remained till the following morning. Large numbers of illegal votes were cast, his challenges being totally unheeded by the judges, during the time he was allowed to remain at the polls.
The other precincts of the county cast a vote of nearly three to one for Cresswell, but Winfield reported more votes than all the rest.
This election was an epitome of all the villainies ever practiced at county-seat elections on the border. The question will come up again in November.
Business is brisk; everything looks prosperous; settlers are pouring in—the Arkansas valley and the creeks on the south side of it offering the best openings.
This region will soon be known as the garden of the state. Rains have been abundant throughout the season. Let settlers who desire cheap lands, having an unequaled adaptation to corn, fruit, and live stock, take a look at the rich alluvial bottoms of the Arkansas valley.
We are to have a big time here on the Fourth of July. Hon. J. Stotler, Lieutenant-Governor Eskridge, Professors Kelly and Norton, of Emporia, Gen. Ellet, and others, will be heard from. A grand ball at the Woolsey house will wind up the festivities.
One word as to the names of our town. It was first called Cresswell, after our postmaster-general, but it so happened that a post-office in Labette County was recognized under that name a few day’s ahead of us; hence the change, and Arkansas City, which was made by Senator Ross.
I ask for the publication of this, simply because, wrong and one-sided statements have been allowed a place in your columns. We are perfectly willing that our neighbors should glorify their town to their heart’s content, providing that they avoid misrepresenting us.
If I am late in my explanations, please attribute it to the fact that we have heretofore had no mail service, and the handsome and welcome face of the COMMONWEALTH was very slow and uncertain in its visits. N.
[Professor Norton often used “N” to designate messages he sent.]
Emporia News, July 8, 1870.
THE EMPORIA & SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD.
Articles of incorporation have been filed for the organization of a company to build a railroad from here to the Southwest. The names of the incorporators are as follows: C. V. Eskridge, S. B. Riggs, L. N. Robinson, E. Borton, E. B. Peyton, T. J. Peter, E. B. Crocker, M. G. Mains, Jacob Stotler, T. B. Murdock, and G. H. Norton. The road is to run from here via South Fork and Walnut valleys to Arkansas City, touching at the principal towns along the route, and thence to Fort Belknap, Texas. It is intended as an extension of the Kansas City & Santa Fe road, which will probably be built to this point at an early day.
Walnut Valley Times, July 15, 1870.
EMPORIA & SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD.
The people of Emporia are alive to the importance of an immediate railroad connection with the Southwest. They are making strenuous efforts to secure the Kansas City & Santa Fe Railroad, and have formed a company for the extension of the road on Southwest. The Emporia News says that articles of incorporation have been filed for the organization of a company to build a railroad from there to the Southwest.
The names of the incorporators are as follows:
C. V. ESKRIDGE, S. B. RIGGS, L. N. ROBINSON, E. BORTON, E. B. PEYTON, T. J. PETER, E. B. CROCKER, M. G. MANES, [MAINS], JACOB STOTLER, T. B. MURDOCK, AND G. H. NORTON.
The road is to run from there via South Fork and Walnut Valleys to Arkansas City, touching at the principal towns along the route, and thence to Fort Belknap, Texas. It is intended as an extension of the Kansas City & Santa Fe road, which will probably be built to that point at an early day.
[LETTER FROM MAX FAWCETT.]
Emporia News, July 15, 1870.
ARKANSAS CITY ITEMS.
ARKANSAS CITY, COWLEY CO., KANSAS, July 6th, 1870.
Our celebration on the Fourth was a success; weather cool, no mosquitos, large attendance, and much applauded; instructive and entertaining orations, delivered by Prof. Norton, of Arkansas City, and Mr. Cunningham, of Emporia. A number of Emporians were present. The programme was carried out to the letter, and all were “gay and happy.” In the evening a large number repaired to Col. Woolsey’s commodious hotel, where many feet kept time to enchanting music till late in the evening, when supper was announced by Col. Woolsey, and all sat down to one of the best suppers ever gotten up in Southern Kansas. The Colonel is one of our most enterprising and accommodating men.
Prof. Norton (who is the mainspring of Arkansas City’s prosperity) and lady arrived home on the 2nd.
Mrs. Slocum and daughter, Mrs. F. B. Smith, and a number of others came down with them. Mrs. Slocum has a claim near Arkansas City, and intends making it her future home, and judging from what she has already done, we believe that in a few years she will have one of the finest places in Kansas. She went to Emporia in 1858, and immediately commenced planting fruit and forest trees, small fruits, shrubs, and flowers. She now has one of the most beautiful places near Emporia. Very few men have done as much.
Mr. Mains, of the Emporia Tribune, will commence the building for a printing office next week, and as soon as it is finished he will commence the publication of a first-class paper, worthy of the patronage of an intelligent people like ours of Southern Kansas. It should and will be supported. Suppose it will be called the Arkansas Traveler. The first number is to be out August 1st, 1870.
The following are among the more than fifty houses now being built, or under contract to be built in Arkansas City.
Norton & Co., a dry goods and grocery store.
Mr. Sleeth, one neat residence finished and another commenced.
Livingston & Gray, a clothing store, building 18 x 26.
S. P. Channell, a dry goods and grocery store.
H. O. Meigs, a building 20 x 32, two stories, with cellar under the whole building.
T. A. Wilkinson, building to rent.
Beck & Woolsey, restaurant and bakery.
E. I. Fitch, millinery and dressmaking establishment.
Mr. Walker, dry goods and grocery store.
D. Lewis, stone store building, 21 x 31 feet.
S. A. Moore, paint shop.
Mr. Johnson, carriage shop.
Harmon & Endicott, a building 20 x 50 feet, two stories, the lower for a store; and the upper for a hall.
Paul Beck, blacksmith shop.
C. E. Nye, harness and saddle shop.
A. D. Keith, drug store.
Dr. Alexander, office and drug store.
Mr. Groat, a restaurant. [Name was misspelled: Should be Grote.]
F. H. Denton, store 18 x 24.
Mr. Bridge, a hotel and bakery.
Pond &. Blackburn, of Emporia, have established a real estate agency here. Persons wanting to buy or look up claims will find it to their interest to call on them. They are accommodating, and are well posted as to the location and quality of nearly all the claims that are vacant, and those that are for sale. They are honest and upright young men. They are building a neat office.
The citizens of Allen, Wilson, Howard, and Cowley Counties will meet in general and mass convention at Fredonia, on Saturday the 16th of July, 1870, for the purpose of effecting a railroad organization and electing directors of the Humboldt, Fredonia & Arkansas City railroad. Eminent speakers from a distance will be present.
We had another splendid rain last evening, and the weather is now delightfully cool.
There is little or no sickness here now, not a case of ague in this vicinity. Our doctors and lawyers are the only men that look downcast and discouraged.
The Arkansas River is rising, and is nearly or quite past fording.
We were unsuccessful in finding the State line when we went to look for it a week or two ago. We are going down again this week to try to find the marks on the east side of the Arkansas. We found plenty of mounds while on our last trip, but they had “dead Ingins in ’em.” M. F. [MAX. FAWCETT, I am certain.]
Walnut Valley Times, July 22, 1870.
ARKANSAS CITY. Capt. Norton, T. R. Wilson, Dr. Kellogg, M. C. Baker, Miss Swarts, and several others from Arkansas City are in town this week.
[LETTER FROM PROF. H. B. NORTON.]
Emporia News, August 19, 1870.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
ARKANSAS CITY, August 2, 1870.
DEAR NEWS: The Osages have been enjoying very much of an unbender among us. Yesterday, according to previous arrangement, “Haul Robe” [Do they mean Hard Rope??] rode into town, at the head of his band, some one hundred and twenty in all, clad in all the splendor of beads, red blankets, paint, and every sort of fantastic Indian finery. Some of the party brought willow poles, from which, with the aid of blankets, they speedily constructed a long tent, large enough for the entire party. A subscription paper was passed around among the spectators, and after the contributions had reached a satisfactory figure, “He-wah-hug-gah,” the chief of the dancers, formed his cotillion. This consisted of about twenty of the young men arrayed in a style which is simply indescribable. Their faces were painted in red, green, blue, yellow, and every other color of the rainbow; their bodies streaked in a style somewhat resembling mahogany graining, their heads shaved to the scalp-lock, and adorned with plumes, beads, green boughs, horns, bears’ claws, and everything in the line of the grotesque which Osage land affords. Buffalo tails, turkey wings, and feathers, every possible device which the imagination could suggest, were hung to the dancers, and the general effect was like that of a pack of howling devils just let loose from the pit. The music consisted of a couple of drums formed of raw-hide stretched over a hoop; each drum being borne by two of the old men, and beaten by two more. There were also fifes, or whistles, formed of hollow reeds and cane-stalks. The general effect was soothing to weak nerves.
The procession moved from the tent to the shady side of Norton & Co.’s store, where a large ring was formed about the dancers, “Hard Robe” [Hard Rope] being seated in smiling dignity at one side. The band was in the middle of the ring, and the evolutions of the dancers were performed around it. The dancers carried bows, spears, queerly ornamented shields of raw-hide, a huge tomahawk (evidently a “theatrical property” of the tribe), and various other articles. Extravagance of gesture, unearthly noises, indescribable contortions, and very profuse perspiration, were incidents of the dance, which lasted for about half an hour. It fulfilled my most impossible anticipations. No picture or description ever yet made public could do justice to its demoniacal grotesqueness.
The Indians remained camped in town all night, entirely peaceable and quiet, except the strange ululation with which, at daybreak, they mourned their dead. The trade in jerked buffalo, rawhide lariats, sugar, coffee, flour, and calico was particularly lively.
Four tons of goods—the first installment of Keith & Eddy’s drug store—arrived today, meeting with a hearty welcome. The type and press for the Arkansas Traveler also arrived today. We hope to greet the first issue next week. Livingstone & Gray’s stock of ready made clothing is just open. Mr. Meigs has a stock on the road; he is planning a wholesale grocery business. His new store, now enclosed, is the best building south of El Dorado. Benedict Bros., of Dayton, Ohio, have arranged to put in a wholesale stock of hardware and goods for the Texan trade. Hamilton & Kinney [SHOULD THIS BE KINNE?], of Ottawa, have just sent in an order for the necessary lumber to erect a two-story building, some 20 x 50 feet. Pond & Blackburn, of Emporia, have just built and opened a real estate and claim office. Paul Beck, of Emporia, has just put up a good blacksmith shop, and has arrived with his tools and stock. Bridge & Lewis are hard at work on their three-story hotel. Over 200 people are now permanently located on our town site, and “still they come.” Some eighteen buildings devoted to business purposes are now up, and many more in progress. The country about here is rapidly filling up with an excellent class of citizens.
I forgot to mention that Mr. Silas Moore, of Emporia, has just erected a paint shop, and has already commenced work upon the store-fronts, and that Mr. Grote, also of Emporia, has just enclosed a two-story building for a bakery and restaurant.
The concentration of immigration and capital at this point it is truly remarkable. We are decidedly ahead of everything in this valley, El Dorado alone excepted, and we may even challenge comparison with her, if the work goes on six months longer.
Come and see us, Mr. Stotler, and “view the land where your possessions lie.” N.
The Commonwealth [Date Unknown: Latter part of August or early September 1870.]
COWLEY COUNTY.
Proceedings of the Mass Meeting of Republicans, Held at Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, August 25th, 1870, for the purpose of organizing the Republican Party in the county.
In compliance with a call for a republican mass meeting, issued and signed by one hundred republican voters, a large number of the republican voters of Cowley County met at the court room, in Winfield, on the 25th day of August, 1870, at one o’clock P. M.; and organized the meeting by choosing W. W. Andrews chairman, and Wm. Orr secretary.
The object of the meeting being stated, on motion, a committee was appointed to report the names of persons to the convention to be selected as a republican central committee for Cowley County.
The committee retired a few minutes, and reported the following named persons, who were then unanimously elected the republican central committee of Cowley County, for the ensuing year, to wit: E. C. Manning, G. H. Norton, Wm. Hubbell, Wm. Orr, Thos. Blanchard.
The following resolutions were offered and adopted as an expression of the voice of the republicans of Cowley County.
Resolved, That the republican party of Cowley County, in mass convention assembled, cordially endorse the administration of Gen. Grant, and congratulate him and the country upon the successful manner in which the reconstruction of the country and the rapid restoration of its finances to a healthy and permanent condition, has been conducted.
Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge our obligations to congress for having passed the bill purchasing the Osage diminished reservation, upon the wise, equitable, and favorable terms provided, and that we are especially pleased with the members of our congressional delegation who contributed their efforts to the consummation of the purchase.
Resolved, That the authorities whose duty it is to remove the Indians from this reservation and cause the same to be surveyed, are respectfully requested to cause the same to be done at the earliest practical moment, to the end that the settlement and development of the same may be facilitated.
Resolved, That the Kansas COMMONWEALTH, The Cowley County Censor, and the Arkansas Traveller [Arkansas City Traveler] be requested to publish the proceedings of this convention.
W. W. ANDREWS, chairman.
WM. ORR, secretary.
[LETTER FROM T. A. WILKINSON.]
Emporia News, September 2, 1870.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
Arkansas City, July 31, 1870.
MESSRS. EDITORS: When we left Emporia in January last, I promised you that I would try to write frequently the progress of events connected with our town project; but as I passed through El Dorado, my good friend, Danford, took a potent grasp upon my sympathies by means of an excellent dinner, and I must needs have written for his paper, or incur the lasting displeasure of my lacteal system. So I “writ,” and my wants being all supplied (physically, I mean), I forgot my moral obligations to you, and to you I did not “writ,” hence the theorem, etc. And I now return as did the prodigal, full of repentance and literary husks, to eat the fatted calf which, of course (following the example of Scriptural injunction are in duty bound to kill for me), will have in readiness. If I should set out to write a fairy story, I could find no fitter subject for my plan than to describe a wild region of country, inhabited by savage beasts and a degraded and ignorant race of human beings, transformed in an inconceivably short time, as it were, by some mysterious hand, into a lively town of civilized people, bringing with them refinement, moral culture, and social advantages far superior to a great many towns of a number of years standing in the east.
Such it is the brief history of Arkansas City, as she now stands without a rival this side of Emporia. Many others, realizing the importance of this point, came here soon after our town company did, and on finding the ground occupied and themselves disappointed in their plans, instead of wisely taking claims nearby and cooperating with the company, they made the vain attempt to discourage our efforts, by various detrimental rumors and insinuations. Good judges of human nature would have known that such a course of conduct, if it had any effect whatever on enterprising men, would be to stimulate to greater achievements. But it has not had even that much effect. The town company have treated all of their blowing with silent contempt, not even giving it a passing remark. No more than does a train of cars notice the whiffit that comes on its track and barks in ignorant impudence, until the engine, wholly unconscious of its presence, crushes the insignificant creature out of existence. No trivial cause can retard or accelerate the growth of this place, for it is simply the unfolding or developing of a preconceived plan by men who have fully proven in a former enterprise that they well know when and how to make the most of a good opportunity. I refer to the rise and growth of Emporia. I have before mentioned that our project actually began on the 1st of January. But the principal work up to about March 1st was simply to hold the claims in the interest of the town company. Before the latter date the town project was all ideal, but since then it has actually sprung into existence, and when we consider the time since the first family (that of Capt. Norton) moved onto the town site, and behold the change that has been produced since then, we cannot but express our candid admiration of the genius and energy of the men who are operating the machinery so successfully in this great scheme. Nor do we think it detracts from their credit at all to say that they have every natural advantage in their favor, simply because it was their wise foresight which enabled them to discriminate in choosing from the many inviting points in the Walnut Valley the one having all these natural commercial advantages, which, when combined, enhance the importance of any location.
A mountain’s peaks catch the first gleam of the morning sunlight long before it reaches the valleys below. So great minds illumined by superior wisdom acquired by long experience, which enabled them to see the possibilities and advantages of this section long before it entered the minds of the great mass of immigration now pouring into the country, foretold the future greatness of this point, and are now simply fulfilling their own prediction, much more rapidly, however, than the most sanguine expected. Nor shall we be unmindful of the credit due to the many individual enterprises now in successful operation, each of which may be regarded as an important spoke in the wheel of town building.
Our principal hotel, Mr. Woolsey, proprietor, is doing a flourishing business. We also have a good-sized boarding house with daily increasing patronage; a hardware store by Mr. C. R. Sipes, a young gentleman noted for promptness in business, and whose general address is candid and right to the point. Mr. Bowen has a very good stock of groceries and provisions; and bids fair to come out a successful merchant as the town advances. Mr. Goodrich has a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, and ready made clothing, and no one who goes there to trade comes away dissatisfied with either price or quality of goods. Capt. Norton and brother still hold forth at their old stand, but soon intend to move into a large and commodious building on Summit street. The increase in the number of stores has not diminished their custom, because the influx of immigration more than keeps up the demand, and their sales, which have been heavy from the first, are constantly on the increase.
Several new buildings are now looming up, the most important of which is Mr. Meigs’s store, a fine two-story building, 20 x 32, with nicely finished paneled open front. Messrs. Gray and Livingstone have just opened their new store, inviting the public to invest in a new stock of ready made clothing. Their building is a fair-sized two story square front, with fine walnut finish. Mr. Freeman will soon commence the building of a ferry across the Arkansas, the timbers for which are now being sawed at the mill.
Our reliable blacksmith, Paul Beck, has commenced blowing his bellows for Southern Kansas, and one would think, from the manner in which he opened up his business a few nights ago, that he was obeying the divine commandment of “Let there be light.” And as it shone out into the street and flashed upon his sturdy figure, with his right arm raising the hammer to strike an additional blow for the advancement of Arkansas City, and
Our hearts kept time to the clinking sound,
And throbbed a welcome to him,
While a horse near by came up with a bound
And neighed for Paul to shoe him.
Thus man and beast, to say the least,
Were thankful for the favor
Bestowed upon our busy town
By this new branch of labor:
For labor is life, and life is joy
To man or beast, in season;
But the sluggard hangs back like a snail on his trek,
Or a drone devoid of reason.
Then to each branch of industry
A welcome we will give;
Our motto now, and e’er shall be,
“To labor is to live.”
Then hail to the sound of work and mirth,
May they ever be found together!
Fibres of life’s golden thread on earth
’Til death that thread doth sever.
For labor gives strength to head and heart,
To bone and brain and muscle,
And mirth chimes in her cheerful part,
Adding joy to toil and bustle.
Messrs. Channell and Thompson are still pushing the work they so nobly began, as architects and builders. To the three Thompson brothers, Channell, and Capt. Smith, belongs the credit and honor of building the first several buildings on the town site, and like the first volunteers who went into the army without bounty as an inducement, they should properly be regarded as the veterans of the cause.
Mr. Chamberlain [they had Chamberlin] expects soon to open a cabinet shop. He has shown himself to be a first-class workman in a general way, and fully competent to conduct his special business in a successful manner.
Pond & Blackburn are on the ground to act in the capacity of claim and insurance agents. They seem to have that peculiar tact that wins friends, and which is so essential to success in their peculiar department of business. They have erected a very neat building for an office, and are ready to accommodate newcomers in finding claims suited to their wishes.
A new hotel is about to be erected by the town company.
Our weekly newspaper will be out next Wednesday, August 24th.
There are still plenty of good prairie claims to be had for the taking.
One more item and I will cease for this time. I visited Mr. P. F. Endicott’s home not long since, and was very much pleased as well as surprised to find several large bunches of grapes on this year’s sets of the style Concord. This speaks well for this locality as a place for grape culture. T. A. WILKINSON.
The Commonwealth, November 15, 1870.
COWLEY.
The people’s ticket, with the exception of county attorney and register of deeds, is elected by about 50 majority. Col. E. C. Manning is elected representative by 64 majority. Stover’s majority in the county is 348. The following are the county officers elect: T. B. Ross, probate judge; J. M. Patterson [Pattison], sheriff; E. P. Hickok, district clerk; A. A. Jackson, county clerk; George B. Green, treasurer; E. S. Torrence [Torrance], county attorney; W. A. Smith, register of deeds; H. L. Barker, surveyor; Dr. H. B. Kellogg, coroner; L. B. Walmsley, school superintendent; E. Simpson, G. H. Norton and T. A. Blanchard, commissioners.
The Commonwealth, November 18, 1870.
COWLEY COUNTY.
ARKANSAS CITY, KAN., Nov. 14, 1870.
To the Editor of the Commonwealth:
The election of the 8th was favorable in its result. The entire republican ticket was elected: H. B. Norton, for representative, carrying four out of the six townships over E. C. Manning, “people’s” candidate.
However, the county commissioners have thrown out the vote of four townships—just two-thirds of the county—in order to give Manning and his compeers, themselves included, the certificates! Even Jim Lane and Sam Wood would have recoiled from such a trick. This was done on the plea of informality; a stale, played-out shyster’s dodge. It won’t hold water. The proceedings in the contest have already begun, and the lawyers are delighted.
Arkansas City has some sixty business houses and residences, and is fully five times as large as any other town in the county. Our streets are crowded, all sorts of business enterprises are in progress, and all things go ahead. Our people are very mad, but confident and happy. X.
The Commonwealth, November 26, 1870.
FROM COWLEY COUNTY.
WINFIELD, KAS., Nov. 20, 1870.
To the Editor of the Commonwealth:
In your daily issue of the 18th inst. appears a sensational article from Arkansas City, relative to the result of the election in this county, signed X. It contains some errors. Here are the main ones taken from the letter, the remainder of which is lost.
“The election of the 8th was favorable in its result. The entire republican ticket was elected—H. B. Norton, for representative, carrying four out of six townships over E. C. Manning, “people’s” candidate.
“However, the county commissioners have thrown out the vote of four townships—just two-thirds of the county—in order to give Manning and his compeers, themselves included, the certificates! Even Jim Lane and Sam Wood would have recoiled from such a trick. This was done on the plea of informality; a stale, played-out shyster’s dodge.”
The entire “people’s ticket” was elected except two. If every vote and pretended vote in the county had been counted, ten out of fourteen candidates on the people’s ticket were elected. Error No. 1 corrected. There are but three instead of six legally established townships in the county. Error No. 2 corrected. Two of those townships were counted and one rejected. Error No. 3 corrected. The vote of three precincts (97 votes in all) were not contested because the poll books did not state where the election was held. The returns from the localities were not taken cognizance of by the board of commissioners because no precincts had ever been established there. Capt. G. H. Norton, a brother of the candidate for the legislature, is one of the county commissioners and was the first member of the board to vote to throw out the first precinct that was rejected. Capt. G. H. Norton and T. A. Blanchard are two of the commissioners re-elected by the “people’s ticket,” and hence the Captain is one of Manning’s “compeers.”
There are eight precincts established in the county. The returns from three of them were rejected. Had the three rejected returns been counted, it would have made no difference in the result. Winfield cast 171 votes, Arkansas City 143. XX.
The Commonwealth, November 29, 1870.
COWLEY COUNTY AGAIN.
To the Editor of the Commonwealth:
In your issue of the 26th, “XX,” writing from Winfield, makes a statement that certainly “contains some errors.”
He says “there are but three instead of six legally established townships in the county.”
I find on file in the office of the secretary of state, a record in the hand and also the signature of E. P. Hickok, clerk of Cowley County, describing the organization of Rock Creek, Winfield, Creswell, Cedar, Grouse, and Dexter townships, by the county commissioners last May; accompanied with a full map of the same!
This record is not to be found in the office of the present (deputy) county clerk. What villain’s hand has abstracted and destroyed it?
I have also on file the poll books from the rejected precincts. The informalities are very slight; the clerks and judges were as well known to the county commissioners as their own brothers; the case will not hold one moment against the legality of the returns in any court of justice.
It is flatly false that Capt. G. H. Norton was the first to object to the returns. T. A. Blanchard did that, and Capt. Norton’s vote, in opposition to the entire iniquity, is on record.
Capt. G. H. Norton’s name was put upon the “people’s ticket” without his knowledge or consent, and voted for against his protest.
“XX” says “there are eight precincts established in the county.” I find in the Censor, of Oct. 8th, over the signature of W. Q. Mansfield, deputy county clerk, and T. A. Blanchard, county commissioner, the following statement:
“The precincts, as established by law, are as follows: Rock Creek precinct, Nenescah precinct, Floral precinct, Armstrong precinct, Dwyer precinct, Dexter precinct, Grouse precinct, South Bend precinct, Creswell precinct, Winfield precinct.”
Just ten precincts in six townships; of which four townships, or two-thirds of the county, were rejected.
“Arkansas City cast 143 votes,” almost every vote being challenged by Mr. Cook.
“Winfield cast 171 votes,” not a vote being challenged, upon the ruling that no person not residing in the township, had the right to challenge.
Winfield village has about one fifth the buildings, business, and population of Arkansas City. “Villainy somewhere; whose?”
The republican ticket has a legal majority of ninety votes, as will appear at the pending trial.
Notwithstanding the frauds, a counting of all the votes would give H. B. Norton eight majority. XXX. Topeka, Nov. 27, 1870.
Emporia News, December 30, 1870.
We learn from the Arkansas Traveler that Capt. Norton has just returned from a trip to the Little Osage’s camp, on Slate Creek, where he has been for some days trading with them. He informs us that about thirty of the hunters had just got in from a twenty day’s hunt, and brought with them over 400 robes. This was an unusually good hunt. The balance of the hunters, about 150 or 200, are expected to come in a few days. They state that they did not see any wild Indians on the plains, and think they are below the Cimarron. Big Hill Joe’s band killed over 300 buffaloes on their first day’s hunt on the Salt Fork. The Osages will get about 5,000 robes on their first hunt, this winter. Their second hunt will come off early in January. It is calculated, from the way the hunting has been going on this winter, that 200,000 buffaloes will be killed by next spring.
Walnut Valley Times, January 27, 1871.
The Traveler says that Norton Bros. Indian Trade this winter will amount to over $30,000.
Excerpts...
Emporia News, February 3, 1871.
ON THE WING.
Augusta, Kansas, January 29th, 1871.
Over a week has passed since an opportunity has presented itself for us to forward an account of our wanderings to the NEWS. Within that time we have traveled through the Walnut Valley from El Dorado to Arkansas City, near the mouth of the stream, and returned to this point; a distance of almost 60 miles.
Arkansas City has one of the finest locations for a town to be found any place in Kansas, but as this has been written of so often and so extensively, we will pass it for the present. The city contains about eighty houses, some of them are very good buildings.
H. O. Meigs has recently erected a large building, in which he has opened the City Hotel, one of the best hotels in the valley.
G. H. Hamilton & Co. are doing an extensive business in groceries and provisions; they have a large stock.
Charley Sipes is engaged in hardware, etc.
Keith & Eddy, a Leavenworth firm, are selling drugs.
E. A. Rennin and C. M. McIntire are dealing flour, feed, and groceries.
Norton & Bro. are trading extensively with the Indians.
The Arkansas Traveler, the property of L. B. Kellogg, of Emporia, published here, is superintended by C. M. Scott, the local editor. Mr. Scott is a first class printer and gets up one of the neatest little papers in the State.
Owing to the bad condition of the roads, our return trip was not as pleasant as dry soil and fine weather would have made it. G. G. PATTERSON BRIX.
Emporia News, February 10, 1871.
[Part of this item is missing...all chopped up.]
We clip the following notice of Prof. Norton from the Schoolmaster, an educational periodical published at Chicago.
“Hon. H. B. Norton, late Associate Principal of the Kansas State Normal School, has left, we suspect, forever. When the prospect of wealth appears, most of us kindly accept the situation. His ability and energy to select a spot in Cowley County, Kansas, at the junction of the Walnut and Arkansas Rivers, upon which to build a city. He and his brother, Gould Hyde, put up the first log house in June. Today there are nearly one hundred buildings, including mills, etc. A large trade is already opened with the Osages and Texan drovers. Capt. Norton will handle $30,000 in furs and robes this winter. As the Norton boys have a large share of the land, and as two railroads are sure to pass through their town, we, on the whole, are not disposed to blame the ‘Sage’ for leaving the school room.”
Emporia News, March 31, 1871.
H. B. Norton spent a few days here this week. He is as enthusiastic as ever for the Arkansas Valley, and Arkansas City in particular. He says there are now over ninety buildings in the City, and more going up. Shares are selling rapidly. Norton & Bro. are doing a large trade, as is every business house in the town.
[BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEET JUNE 27, 1871.]
Cowley County Censor, July 1, 1871.
Board of County Commissioners met in special session at the County Clerk’s office in Winfield, June 27th, 1871.
Present: T. A. Blanchard, G. H. Norton, and E. Simpson.
Proceeded to canvass the vote of Beaver Township, which resulted in declaring the following officers elected.
For Justice of the Peace, Alfred Jenkins and T. W. Morris; for constables, N. Wertman and J. L. Ritchie; for Trustee, L. M. Kennedy; for Treasurer, Isaac Beach; for Clerk E. J. Smalley; Road Overseer, H. Freeman.
Petition of M. S. Cobb was then presented, asking for a license to keep a dram shop in Arkansas City. Petition rejected on the ground that said Cobb failed to satisfy the Board that a majority of the citizens of the township were on said petition. There was also a large remonstrance filed and presented.
Petition of Gillmore and others for road was presented. Laid over until next for want of evidence of publication.
Petition of Jasper Trusty and others for a new township was granted, with the following boundary lines: Commencing on the west bank of the Walnut, at the crossing of the north line of Township 33, Range 4, thence west to northwest corner of township, thence south to southwest corner of township, thence east two miles, thence south two miles, then east five miles, thence north six miles, thence west to Walnut River, thence up the Walnut River, to place of beginning. Name of Township: “Pleasant Valley.” Election ordered July 25th, 1871.
Remonstrance against the State Road that runs from Eureka to Arkansas City, running through Pat Sumner’s [Somers’ ?] claim laid over for the report of the viewers.
Petition of A. Kelley and others for a new township granted, with the following boundaries: Commence northeast corner of Township 30, Range 6, running south nine miles, thence west one mile, thence south one mile, thence west one mile, thence south one mile, thence west eight miles, thence north six miles, thence east one mile, thence north one mile, thence east one mile, thence north one mile, thence east one mile, thence north three miles, then east to place of beginning. Name of township, “Richland.” Election ordered 25th day of July, 1871.
Petition for the sale of school section sixteen, 7, 31, Range 7, east. The following appraisers were approved by the Board: Joseph Trumbell, Henry Wilkins, and E. D. Sutton.
Petition for the sale of the southeast quarter of Section thirty-six, Township 21, Range 4, of school land. The following appraisers were appointed by the Board: J. C. Monforte, S. R. Richards, and W. J. Orr.
Petition for the sale of the northeast quarter of Sections 36, 7, 32, Range 3, east of school lands. The following gentlemen were approved as appraisers: D. A. Millington, J. D. Cochran, and E. C. Manning.
Petition of L. B. Goodrich and others for the sale of school lands was laid over until next meeting of the Board.
The following bills were allowed.
One in favor of T. H. B. Ross, services as Deputy Sheriff, $5.00; H. J. Keffer, as judge of election, $6.00; cost in case of State vs. Thomas Shippley, $52.15; E. Case as Deputy Constable in above case, $5. T. A. BLANCHARD, Chairman.
A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Emporia News, September 29, 1871.
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
Settlers Moving North—Railroad and Other Matters.
ARKANSAS CITY, September 24, 1871.
DEAR NEWS: As your readers have not had a letter from this section for some time, I thought one might prove interesting.
What seems to be agitating the minds of a great many of our people just now is the vexed question of the exact location of the State line. Emigrants came in last spring and settled up the country immediately south of here quite densely. In their eagerness to get good claims, many of them, I am afraid, got too far south, and settled in the Territory. Superintendent Hoag’s recent instructions, ordering intruders out of the Territory, has created quite a sensation. Many are moving their houses one, two, and three miles north, upon unoccupied claims. It is unfortunate for them because many of them have made improvements, such as breaking, etc., which they are compelled to abandon, thereby losing one season’s labor.
The sectioning of the Territory is under rapid headway. Col. E. N. Darling has four hundred men employed on the work. His aim is to get it completed in January next. Quite a good many men have gone from here to engage in the work. The survey headquarters have been established on Deer Creek, twelve miles south of here. Major A. N. Deming, of New York, is in charge. This being their basis of supplies, our merchants are wearing smiling countenances.
Touching railroad matters, Cowley congratulates Lyon County for her work on the 13th inst. This county is alive to her interests, and when called upon she will follow your noble example.
The Nortons are down in the Territory among their Wausasha friends. All miss the graceful Professor and the fair haired Captain.
The drawing of lots due on certificates is announced to come off on the 30th inst. Everything bids fair that the drawing will be conducted in an honorable manner. M. J. M.
Excerpts...
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.
Last Saturday the Republican Delegate Convention met at this place and, notwithstanding the day was stormy and disagreeable, all the townships were represented except Creswell.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR ENSUING YEAR:
Dexter township, James McDermott.
Creswell township, G. H. Norton.
Beaver township, L. M. Kennedy.
Rock township, John Irwin.
Winfield township, L. J. Webb.
The following item refers to “Capt. Norton’s ranch, on Mule creek”...
[Note: Volume II, The Indians, History of Cowley County, Kansas, covers the murder of Edgar N. Deming and his party of surveyors. The following items concern this massacre. His name was not spelled correctly in either article. The first article refers to him as “E. M. Deming” and the second article refers to him as “E. M. Denning.” I have not corrected these articles with respect to his name. I did change one of them to show “Capt. Darling,” instead of “Dorling.” In the book the Walnut Valley Times mentioned “Mr. Reffer.” The second article below refers to “Jake Keffer, an old scout.” I believe that “Keffer” is correct. MAW]
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
Cheyennes on the War Path!
Three Men Killed and Scalped!
The Commonwealth, Saturday, April 2, 1873.
ARKANSAS CITY, March 28, 1873.
Special Correspondence of Leavenworth Times.
I send you the following news just as I received it from M. F. Short, belonging to one of Capt. Darling’s U. S. surveying parties, which you are at liberty to publish over my signature, as I will vouch for it. Mr. Short says: “On the 10th of March E. M. Deming, compassman with C. H. Davis, (of Cream Ridge, near Chillicothe, Mo.,) Robert Pool, (an Englishman) and my brother, Daniel Short, started out of camp to meander the Cimmaron [Cimarron], or Red Fork. Not returning at night, we felt anxious about them, so we started next morning to find them. After going some ten miles we found their trail and followed it for about three miles when we discovered an Indian trail of some 25 or 30 ponies, and the Indians seemed to have followed the surveyors until they closed their work on a corner, range 18. About two rods from the corner we found the graves, or rather the bodies covered up with sand about six inches deep, which we scratched off enough to be sure they were our friends, and recognized E. M. Deming, compassman, (of Arkansas City;) and as we were poorly armed, and only three in number, we could do nothing but get back to camp as soon as possible, as there was some eight hundred Cheyennes only one and a half miles from there, and we did not know but what they might be all around us. We returned to camp as soon as possible and kept guard all night, and started for Arkansas City next morning, 150 miles distant—did not see any Indians on our return.
Whirlwind’s band of Cheyennes were the ones we supposed committed the murders, as they had been to Capt. Norton’s ranch, on Mule creek, trading, and were returning southwest about that time. Davis and Fielder were with me when we found the graves. There are two more parties out at this time, and several messengers and teams. One party was compelled to quit work and come in a few days ago, and one tem with four men left here on the 19th for E. M. Deming’s party to take supplies to them, but went a different road from the one the train came in on, and are supposed to be about where the murder was committed at this time. Henry Medley, the driver, Jack Crane, Dr. Colby, and Wm. Gough, of Washington City, are along. A party of men composed of surveyors and citizens are organizing to start and warn them of their danger and escort them in safe. Mr. Deming is a relative of Capt. Darling; Mr. Stoptery was flagman of the party, and prevented by a trifle from going out with them that morning, so he is safe here by my side telling me of his narrow escape.
A party of thirty men on foot and mounted, with two teams, and feed for horses and rations for twenty days, started this afternoon at two o’clock to go to the rescue of the parties still in the field. Dick Ketner, of Leavenworth, and Richards, of Lawrence, are of this party; they expect to be gone two weeks or more, are all well armed, and quite a number of the men are old scouts and plainsmen, and know to take care of themselves.
The excitement is at fever heat on this frontier, and curses both loud and deep are heard on all sides against sending men to survey the Indian lands and not furnishing them protection; and against the Indian policy generally.
A common remark is “Oh, the government will give them fresh ammunition and more rifles, feed them all winter, and let them murder white men at will.” Mr. Deming was the son of one of our best citizens, and a very fine young man, respected by all.
ISAAC H. BOURSALL.
The following article involved sale of property owned by both Norton brothers...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873.
Sheriff’s Sale.
W. T. Soden, et al ) In the District court for Lyon County,
vs. ) Kansas.
H. B. Norton, et al. )
By virtue of an order of sale issued out of the District court, for Lyon county, Kansas, and to me directed, wherein W. T. Soden, E. R. Holderman, I. E. Perley, and J. S. McMillen are plaintiffs, and H. B. Norton and G. H. Norton are defendants, I will, on the 24th day of May, 1873, at one o’clock p.m., in front of the court house door, in the city of Winfield, Cowley county, Kansas, offer for sale, to the highest bidder for cash in hand for not less than two thirds of the appraised value thereof, all the right, title, and interest of the Defendants, H. B. Norton and G. H. Norton, in and to the following described real property, as follows to-wit:
Lot 19, block 44, lot 17, block 109, lot 14 in block 17, lot 11 in block 116, lot 25 in block 53, lot 7 in block 9, lot 15, block 120, lot 21, block 110, lot 2, block 95, lot 30, block 136, lot 14, block 133, lot 5, block 124, lot 16, block 82, lot 15, block 51, lot 25, block 19, lot 26, block 151, lot 10, block 30, lot 15, block 39, lot 17, block 150, lot 18, block 86, lot 11, block 39, lot 13, block 17, lot 23, block 94, lot 10, block 116, lot 19, block 93, lot 15, block 131, lot 8, block 9, lot 16, block 120, lot 14, block 32, lot 1, block 95, lot 29, block 136, lot 14, block 76, lot 18, block 104, lot 7, block 30, lot 8, block 124, lot 3, block 54, lot 24, block 19, lot 25, block 151, lot 21, block 82, lot 7, block 50, lot 16, block 39, lot 18, block 150, lot 7, block 73, lot 20, block 138, lot 21, block 138, lot 14, block 113, lot 10, block 32, lot 3, block 35, lot 9, block 101, lot 19, block 52, lot 13, block 113, lot 6, block 39, lot 4, block 25, lot 10, block 101, lot 20, block 52, lot 6, block 30.
All of said real estate being in the city of Arkansas City, county of Cowley, State of Kansas.
Said real property will be sold in obedience to said order of sale.
Given under my hand at my office, in the city of Winfield, this 15th day of April, 1873.
JAMES PARKER, Sheriff, Cowley County, Kansas.
[SHERIFF’S SALE: JAMES PARKER, SHERIFF OF COWLEY COUNTY]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 10, 1873.
W. T. SODDEN, E. R. HOLDERMAN, J. S. McMillen, AND I. E. PERLEY, PLAINTIFFS, VERSUS H. B. NORTON, G. H. NORTON, ALICE J. NORTON, AND MARIAN G. NORTON, DEFENDANTS. SHERIFF PARKER SOLD LOT 14, BLOCK 79, TOGETHER WITH HEREDITAMENTS AND TENEMENTS THEREUNTO BELONGING, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF ARKANSAS CITY.
Note: The following item was submitted by “N.” This was written either by Professor Henry Brace Norton or his brother, Captain Gould Hyde Norton. MAW]
ON THE PLAINS.
The Funeral War Parties of the Osage Indians.
The Commonwealth, Wednesday Morning, April 15, 1874.
From a Regular Correspondent.
ARKANSAS CITY, KAN., April 8, 1874.
During the month of April, 1873, I spent some time at Chetopa’s camp on the Shawkaska river. While there I observed a man in mourning on the outside of the camp. He had long, matted hair, and was fearfully dirty, shabby, and emaciated. He had lost his wife in the fall, and had spent the winter in fasting and mourning, prolonging it much beyond the usual time, which is thirty days. During this period of mourning, no food is taken during the day till sunset, and then barely enough to sustain life; there is no washing, combing, or painting, and the face is smeared with clay and soot. The mourner described above was the son-in-law of White Swan, Chetopa’s chief counselor.
After the dance around the Pawnee scalp described in my last, the mourner announced to his people that he had been in grief long enough. He now wished to send out the war party.
The organization of this was placed in the hands of two men: Wasashe-Watainka, of the Big Hills, and Ah-humkemi, or the Sentinel, of the Little Osages. About forty men enlisted, and the party started toward the southwest.
They traveled nearly ten days before they found any individual or group convenient to kill. The went down to the north fork of the Canadian, crossed the Chisholm trail, struck northwesterly across the Cimarron at the Red Hills, and finally camped in a little ravine near the “Eagle Chief” creek.
Upon the following morning, a scout announced that some person, a strange Indian, was coming toward the camp. The party instantly mounted, and drew up in line in front of the stranger, hidden from his view by a little rise of ground. He rode quietly along, unsuspicious of danger, till fairly within their power. His little boy was riding a quarter of a mile behind him.
At the proper moment the Osage chiefs gave the signal, and the whole party then charged at full speed, yelling and firing. The stranger halted and faced them passively, seeing that he could not escape. When the assailants reached him, the blood was pouring from several wounds, but he still sat straight up on his horse, and gave his name, ISADAWA. He was instantly pulled to the ground, beheaded, and scalped. The boy escaped, though fiercely pursued. Isadawa was one of the most intellectual and well disposed of all the Indians in the territory. He was head chief of the Wichitas, and had done much in behalf of the civilization of his people. There was no cause for war between the two tribes.
The Osages were pursued, but reached their reserve after a terrible journey, in which several horses were ridden to death. A prodigious scalp-dance followed.
Salt Creek is a small stream flowing into the Arkansas on its east side. Here are the permanent camps of the Little Osage, Big Hill, and White Hair bands.
Shortly after the scalp-dance, scouts came in with a false alarm—that a large party of Wichitas and Cheyennes had been seen approaching. The result was a wild alarm and a midnight stampede across the reserve and into the Cherokee nation.
When the murder was announced at the Osage agency, a special agent, R. Wetherell, was at once dispatched to the Wichita agency, and speedily returned with a party of forty-five Wichitas. There were United States troops at the Osage agency to preserve order. The Wichitas came in just before the payment, and at once demanded that the murderers be delivered up. This the Osages refused, offering a thousand dollars instead.
But the Wichitas wouldn’t accept the money. They wanted the murderers, and nothing less. “You are fools,” said Ah-humkemi, “We would sell any chief we have for less money than that!” But the Wichitas were obstinate.
The Osages declare, that if once in the hands of the Wichitas, they would have been tortured to death out on the plains.
Finally some hundreds of the Osages armed and gathered around the council. The Wichitas, frightened, compromised, accepted fifteen hundred dollars, and went home unmolested.
“Cheap enough,” said Ah-humkemi, “that’s only two dollars per lodge of us; we’ll give that for a scalp dance any time!”
So the Little Osages and Big Hills were covered with glory. Two war parties had been sent out, and each party had succeeded in murdering a solitary and unsuspecting wayfarer. The heart of the Black Dog Osage was moved with envy.
In June the band of Osages last mentioned sent out a war party. They found three white men in camp, on the new Abilene trail, just west of Sewell’s ranch on Salt For, One of the Indians was sent out to reconnoiter. He approached the camp and shot Chambers, the well-known cattle dealer. The two companions of Chambers returned the fire and killed the Osage. The other Osages then came to the rescue, and the white men fled. Chambers was instantly scalped, beheaded, and otherwise mutilated.
The Osage authorities smoothed over the matter by saying that the murderer had been killed and no one else was to blame. The fact is, that the men who formed the war party, and who scalped and beheaded Chambers, were all murderers. And it would seem that every man of the Osage nation has been, or is expecting soon to be, engaged in some similar tragedy.
Chambers was murdered about the middle of June, 1873, and that month the Black Dogs danced around his scalp.
The agents of the other tribes complain bitterly about this habit of sending out funeral war parties. They say that it is peculiar to the Osages, and that thereby a constant state of warfare is kept up. These people are better armed than any other tribe, and the war spirit seems to be growing among them.
Ah-humkemi speaks good English, and is the best interpreter in the Osage nation. Soon after the murder of Isadawa, he came to my house, very sick. His Osage neighbors had assisted him to ride some fifty miles. He was quite broken down by his ride for life from the Cimarron to the Osage agency.
“Professor,” said he, “I’m a-going to pass in my checks. I’ve brought my horses along for I think you can spend ’em better’n these d d Indians; and I wish you’d take care of me.”
I took care of him, and he did not “pass in his checks.” He went home with his horses in about two weeks, greatly improved in health.
The grass is beginning to start on the plains. It will soon be time to hear of more “funeral war parties” of Osages. N.
[Note: It is believed that Professor Norton wrote the following article.]
ON THE PLAINS.
The Funeral War Parties of the Osage Indians.
The Commonwealth, Wednesday Morning, April 15, 1874.
From a Regular Correspondent.
ARKANSAS CITY, KAN., April 8, 1874.
During the month of April, 1873, I spent some time at Chetopa’s camp on the Shawkaska river. While there I observed a man in mourning on the outside of the camp. He had long, matted hair, and was fearfully dirty, shabby, and emaciated. He had lost his wife in the fall, and had spent the winter in fasting and mourning, prolonging it much beyond the usual time, which is thirty days. During this period of mourning, no food is taken during the day till sunset, and then barely enough to sustain life; there is no washing, combing, or painting, and the face is smeared with clay and soot. The mourner described above was the son-in-law of White Swan, Chetopa’s chief counselor.
After the dance around the Pawnee scalp described in my last, the mourner announced to his people that he had been in grief long enough. He now wished to send out the war party.
The organization of this was placed in the hands of two men: Wasashe-Watainka, of the Big Hills, and Ah-humkemi, or the Sentinel, of the Little Osages. About forty men enlisted, and the party started toward the southwest.
They traveled nearly ten days before they found any individual or group convenient to kill. The went down to the north fork of the Canadian, crossed the Chisholm trail, struck northwesterly across the Cimarron at the Red Hills, and finally camped in a little ravine near the “Eagle Chief” creek.
Upon the following morning, a scout announced that some person, a strange Indian, was coming toward the camp. The party instantly mounted, and drew up in line in front of the stranger, hidden from his view by a little rise of ground. He rode quietly along, unsuspicious of danger, till fairly within their power. His little boy was riding a quarter of a mile behind him.
At the proper moment the Osage chiefs gave the signal, and the whole party then charged at full speed, yelling and firing. The stranger halted and faced them passively, seeing that he could not escape. When the assailants reached him, the blood was pouring from several wounds, but he still sat straight up on his horse, and gave his name, ISADAWA. He was instantly pulled to the ground, beheaded, and scalped. The boy escaped, though fiercely pursued. Isadawa was one of the most intellectual and well disposed of all the Indians in the territory. He was head chief of the Wichitas, and had done much in behalf of the civilization of his people. There was no cause for war between the two tribes.
The Osages were pursued, but reached their reserve after a terrible journey, in which several horses were ridden to death. A prodigious scalp-dance followed.
Salt Creek is a small stream flowing into the Arkansas on its east side. Here are the permanent camps of the Little Osage, Big Hill, and White Hair bands.
Shortly after the scalp-dance, scouts came in with a false alarm—that a large party of Wichitas and Cheyennes had been seen approaching. The result was a wild alarm and a midnight stampede across the reserve and into the Cherokee nation.
When the murder was announced at the Osage agency, a special agent, R. Wetherell, was at once dispatched to the Wichita agency, and speedily returned with a party of forty-five Wichitas. There were United States troops at the Osage agency to preserve order. The Wichitas came in just before the payment, and at once demanded that the murderers be delivered up. This the Osages refused, offering a thousand dollars instead.
But the Wichitas wouldn’t accept the money. They wanted the murderers, and nothing less. “You are fools,” said Ah-humkemi, “We would sell any chief we have for less money than that!” But the Wichitas were obstinate.
The Osages declare, that if once in the hands of the Wichitas, they would have been tortured to death out on the plains.
Finally some hundreds of the Osages armed and gathered around the council. The Wichitas, frightened, compromised, accepted fifteen hundred dollars, and went home unmolested.
“Cheap enough,” said Ah-humkemi, “that’s only two dollars per lodge of us; we’ll give that for a scalp dance any time!”
So the Little Osages and Big Hills were covered with glory. Two war parties had been sent out, and each party had succeeded in murdering a solitary and unsuspecting wayfarer. The heart of the Black Dog Osage was moved with envy.
In June the band of Osages last mentioned sent out a war party. They found three white men in camp, on the new Abilene trail, just west of Sewell’s ranch on Salt For, One of the Indians was sent out to reconnoiter. He approached the camp and shot Chambers, the well-known cattle dealer. The two companions of Chambers returned the fire and killed the Osage. The other Osages then came to the rescue, and the white men fled. Chambers was instantly scalped, beheaded, and otherwise mutilated.
The Osage authorities smoothed over the matter by saying that the murderer had been killed and no one else was to blame. The fact is, that the men who formed the war party, and who scalped and beheaded Chambers, were all murderers. And it would seem that every man of the Osage nation has been, or is expecting soon to be, engaged in some similar tragedy.
Chambers was murdered about the middle of June, 1873, and that month the Black Dogs danced around his scalp.
The agents of the other tribes complain bitterly about this habit of sending out funeral war parties. They say that it is peculiar to the Osages, and that thereby a constant state of warfare is kept up. These people are better armed than any other tribe, and the war spirit seems to be growing among them.
Ah-humkemi speaks good English, and is the best interpreter in the Osage nation. Soon after the murder of Isadawa, he came to my house, very sick. His Osage neighbors had assisted him to ride some fifty miles. He was quite broken down by his ride for life from the Cimarron to the Osage agency.
“Professor,” said he, “I’m a-going to pass in my checks. I’ve brought my horses along for I think you can spend ’em better’n these d d Indians; and I wish you’d take care of me.”
I took care of him, and he did not “pass in his checks.” He went home with his horses in about two weeks, greatly improved in health.
The grass is beginning to start on the plains. It will soon be time to hear of more “funeral war parties” of Osages. N.
[Note: In Volume II, The Indians, from the newspaper accounts given, particularly the Winfield Courier, it appeared that Bill Conner was a full blood Osage. Thanks to Professor Norton, it is now clear that he was a half-breed. Norton used the Indian name of “Ah-humkemi” for Bill Conner. C. M. Scott called him “Ah-hun-ke-mi,” and considered him a close friend during the later events covered by Scott. MAW]
Reference is made in the following article re “Mrs. G. H. Norton”...
[ITEMS FROM THE “TRAVELER.”]
Winfield Courier, April 17, 1874.
Ordination and Dedication.
The exercises at the liberal church last Sunday were interesting and well attended. Prof. Norton was ordained according to the Congregational order in the forenoon. In the evening, Rev. Mr. Platter conducted the dedication exercises.
Prof. Kellogg gave an interesting history of the origin, nature, and progress of the enterprise, announcing that the church had been built without foreign aid, had but a small debt, and was in a prosperous and hopeful state. Mr. Platter preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion. The church is a neat and tasteful edifice, finely and completely finished, and is in all respects an honor to its founders.
Butler County has but one newspaper, while Cowley and Sumner have three each. There is hardly enough enterprise in that county, outside of El Dorado, to run a saw mill.
Forty-two beds were made at the City Hotel on the night of the circus. This Hotel has been compelled to put on another addition in order to make room for the traveling public. H. O. Meigs is well known as a landlord, and his many friends are glad to hear of his resuming control of this most estimable house.
The city council met at Meigs & Kinne’s office last Monday evening, and after being sworn in, appointed R. C. Haywood, City Treasurer, and H. P. Standley, Clerk. The Council consists of H. O. Meigs, Mayor; and A. K. Melton, W. S. Packard, Dr. Shepard, E. P. Kinne, and I. H. Bonsall, councilmen.
Mrs. G. H. Norton writes from Vicksburg bitter complaints of the weather there; rain and mud all the time. We have about the right latitude and climate. Let us try and make the most of it.
The peach trees are in full bloom this week, and the weather is warm, showery, and beautiful.
Bound to Win.
We learn from Senator Ingalls that the “Trail Bill” will become a law, which will not only be of great advantage to the state but make a rush for claims on the border. A project is on foot to have the right of way granted for a railroad through the Indian Territory, which will open the pine forest of Arkansas, and build large commercial cities on the banks of the Arkansas River.
With these and many other projects, the future of Arkansas City is preferable to any young town in Kansas. Both the measures alluded to will not fail, and if more than one is carried through, our prospects are flattering.
What We Claim.
The various cities of Kansas are each in the habit of claiming special merit, and especially in some particular direction. Thus Lawrence is the Fast Horse Centre, Fort Scott the Manufacturing Centre, and Emporia the Gooseberry Centre.
Arkansas City proudly claims pre-eminence in the most important of all human industries. Arkansas City is surely and emphatically the Baby Centre.
We speak according to the facts. There is surely no other portion of Kansas where babies are so numerous, and have such healthy lungs. It never rains but it pours in this country, and the babies come in showers, and warble in unison. It is enough to strike envy into every bachelor’s soul to waken at midnight and hear the dulcet notes that resound from every house. The cooing of cats is forgotten; the voice of the nightingale is no more attractive. We lie awake and listen and envy the married men their happiness.
We say to our people, go on! You are doing well. The Centennial comes in 1876, and the Census in 1880. We believe that all will render a good account of themselves. We have faith in corn-culture, tree-culture, mental culture, and especially in Stirpiculture.
Meanwhile we want our brethren of the press to distinctly understand that Arkansas City is the Baby Centre of Kansas.
[Note: In Volume II, The Indians, from the newspaper accounts given, particularly the Winfield Courier, it appeared that Bill Conner was a full blood Osage. Thanks to Professor Norton, it is now clear that he was a half-breed. Norton used the Indian name of “Ah-humkemi” for Bill Conner. C. M. Scott called him “Ah-hun-ke-mi,” and considered him a close friend during the later events covered by Scott. MAW]
[Note: A very important communication from Prof. Kellogg is given below. He and Professor Norton were responsible for many events that assisted Arkansas City and Cowley County in its early development. Kellogg ran the Arkansas City Traveler in its infancy before returning to Emporia, where he later became President. Thanks to Dr. Sam Dicks, these early events are now possible to tell. It must be remembered that there is no microfilm record of the Arkansas City Traveler before 1876. MAW]
KANSAS MATTERS IN CONGRESS.
The Commonwealth, Saturday Morning, May 9, 1874.
Prof. L. B. Kellogg writes as follows to the Arkansas City Traveler, from Washington, concerning legislative matters in which Kansas is specially interested.
Those who have lived on the frontier, in proximity to the Indians, have often been led to wonder that the average New England mind is utterly unable to understand that in any of the frequent collisions between Indians and whites, on any portion of our country’s frontier, that the Indians are in any other situation than that of exercising the inalienable right of self-defense from the depredations of marauding white aggressors. The same sentimentality had an illustration in the United States the other day. The question was on a proposition to distribute arms and ammunition to the settlers on the extreme western frontier of Nebraska and Kansas, to protect themselves from the barbarities of Indian incursions. Pending the discussion, Senator Buckingham, of Connecticut, chairman of the senate committee on Indian affairs, introduced an amendment to the bill to the effect that an equal amount of arms and ammunition should also be distributed to enable them to protect themselves from the whites! Senator Ingalls, of Kansas, replied to this in a deservedly sharp and cutting five minutes’ speech, that occasioned the withdrawal of the amendment.
CHEROKEE STRIP.
I have written you that the bill for the relief of the settlers on the Cherokee strip was by the earnest work of Senators Ingalls and Harvey brought up by unanimous consent and passed far in advance of its regular time and place on the calendar. As soon as it is signed by the president, I will procure an official copy of the bill and send you for publication. It is substantially as published by you last winter shortly after its introduction in the house of representatives by Mr. Lowe.
OSAGE LAND.
The bill to extend the time of payment on the Osage lands another year passed the house, but has not yet been introduced in the senate. It will have to take its place on the calendar and cannot be reached for some little time.
CATTLE TRAIL BILL.
The cattle trail bill has been introduced in both the senate and house, and has in each been referred to the standing committee on Indian affairs. Senator Ingalls, who is a member of the senate committee, says that his committee have agreed to report the bill favorably.
Note: Annis J. Wilder Hyde was the name of the wife of Capt. Gould Hyde Norton. I do not know if the following item refers to her or not. MAW
[REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.]
Winfield Courier, June 12, 1874.
We are indebted to Curns & Manser, real estate agents and proprietors of Abstracts of Titles to all lands in Cowley County, for the following transfers of real estate.
Annie J. Norton and husband to Lyman C. Norton s w qr sec 9 tp 35 s r 3 e $750.
[Lyman C. Norton was a cousin of the Norton brothers. MAW]
FROM THE BORDER.
The Kansas Militia March Into the Indian Territory.
An Indian Pow-Wow on Pond Creek.
Organizing Companies For the Protection of the Border.
The Commonwealth, July 23, 1874.
Editorial Correspondence of the Commonwealth.
With a view to completing the military history of Kansas to the latest date we continue our recital of the marches and adventures of the mounted militia along the southern border with the notes of a short scout into the interior of the Indian Territory with all other happenings of interest in the brief but important campaign. My last letter left the militia in camp at Caldwell, and contained some account of the origin and scope of the Indian troubles, and made cursory mention of a grand council of all the nomadic tribes of the Territory in the region of the Red Hills, which supposedly resulted in decisions on the part of the Indians of the highest importance to the white settlers on the border and to the government. It is my purpose in this letter to continue the relation of the occurrences of the campaign up to the return of the militia to Wichita and the stacking of arms at that place, for a time at least. I may then conclude the series by a brief general consideration of the Indian question, as I had opportunity to study and learn it during my sojourn in the southwest.
On Tuesday, the 14th, Agent Miles, of the Cheyenne and Arapahos, the gentleman who has since become famous as the martyr to the Quaker policy of concealing the truth concerning the Indians, came into Major Upham’s cavalry camp, on Bluff creek, to inquire as to the intentions of the military department respecting escorts for Laflin’s and other transportation trains containing Indian supplies going down the Fort Sill cattle trail. Major Upham informed Mr. Miles that he had ordered Capt. Carter with a company of infantry to march to Sewell’s ranch, where the train was then lying waiting for safe conduct, and to escort it to the agencies where the goods were destined. In that connection, the Major said that he was going to take a scout into the Territory the next day and would visit Sewell’s Ranch and consult with Mr. Laflin and find out what apprehensions caused his delay. As to other trains Mr. Miles was informed that if he would mass them into large trains, he would furnish escorts, but could not spare the men to take two or three wagon loads at a time. Mr. Miles promised to bring his wagons all together at Caldwell for a large quantity of supplies that were then being shipped from Kansas City, and then took his leave, returning to Lawrence to attend the yearly meeting of the Society of Friends. From our brief conversation with him, we judged him to be a man of superior intelligence, of practical notions and sound judgment, and by far the most creditable representative of the Quaker policy in the Territory.
Learning of Major Upham’s intention to scout down the trail, Adjutant General Morris expressed a desire to accompany him, which was readily acceded to, and the militia were ordered to improvise pack-saddles and prepare three days’ rations to be packed on mules. Rising early the cavalry column, supplemented and fortified by the mounted militia, who barring the uniform, looked and bore themselves like old soldiers, was got under motion and marched into the Territory just as the sun was rising. The only accident that happened to enliven and diversify the day’s march was the breaking away of one of the mules belonging to the militia. His hind foot caught in a prairie dog’s hole, and in recovering himself, he started full speed across the prairie, kicking at imaginary dash boards and barn doors every ten feet. He finally succeeded in relieving himself of his pack, in doing which his heels came in contact with a box of hard tack, which he turned into kindling in the shortest possible order, scattering the bread over an area of an acre or more.
We marched about eight miles west of the cattle trail in a southerly direction, expecting that we might encounter a rendezvous of horse thieves supposed to be in that direction. Maj. Upham sent out two flankers to reconnoiter on the right, and Capt. Tucker, of the militia, sent out two to prospect the left horizon for moving and suspicious objects. In this order we marched all day over a dry, arid prairie, covered with short brown grass, seeing antelope now and then in the distance, and buffalo once or twice, but apart from these no moving object or sign of habitation. We rested at noon on Osage creek, whose banks were of red clay, and whose tepid water was tinged with the same hue. Hard by were a few old poles and the debris of a tepee, where Osage Indians had been jerking buffalo meat. We passed the mouth of the Pole Cat about two miles and a half, to our left, crossed another branch of the Osage, and reached camp at the confluence of Osage and Pond creek, about a mile from Sewell’s Ranch, at half-past four in the afternoon, having marched about thirty-five miles. Shortly after our arrival in camp, we heard that the flankers to the right sent out by Major Upham from his troop, Sergeant Marshall and Corporal Desch by name, had captured an Indian riding alone over the prairie and were bringing him into camp. Shortly afterwards they arrived, bringing in a large, square-built, stolid specimen of the Osage, tricked out in red blanket and ear-rings, carrying an old muzzle-loading rifle and wearing a military hat. He answered to the name of Buffalo John, spoke English with tolerable fluency, and no doubt understood it much better than he spoke it. While Major Upham was endeavoring to get some talk out of him, a small man with thin face covered with a thick beard, coatless but otherwise habited as to color in drab even to his hat, and wearing a standing collar of said cut, stepped officiously forward, and took up the thread of aboriginal conversation. When Buffalo John betrayed an intention of saying something, this newcomer would take the words out of his mouth and pervert what he had said or prevent him from saying anything at all. We found out that this personage was a Quaker by the name of Witherill, who held the office of trail agent of the Osages, a well paid sinecure. His duties as far as we could learn about them were for the most part to act as quasi arbitrator with the Osages in all cases where petitions for damages are filed against the tribe, in such a matter, for instance, as the “cutting out” of twenty head of Texas cattle and the killing of a cowboy in performing the maneuver. In all cases, Mr. Witherill finds it not only to his pecuniary interest but largely subservient to his personal safety to stand in with the Indians, which he is universally charged with doing by people on the trail. He was sent out some days before to call in the Osages, who were off their reservation killing buffalo, but knowing them as well as he did and setting high store by his fine head of hair, got no farther than Sewell’s Ranche, fearing that even his valuable services as special attorney might not be proof against the temptation offered by his scalp.
Before this colloquy had gone far, it was interrupted by an announcement that a number of Indians were coming from the direction of the ranch towards the camp. A detail of cavalry was sent out to bring them in, and presently there rode towards the officers’ camp “Sassy (Saucy?) Chief,” a chieftain of the Osages, followed by a number of his band. Alighting from their ponies, they passed around the circle, offering their hands to shake to each in turn. Major Upham refused to perform this ceremony after he had shaken hands with three, and the savages seated themselves cross-legged, a la grand seigneur, on the grass. Major Upham looked around for an interpreter, when Mr. Witherill stepped forward with the air of one who proposed to boss the job. Major Upham firmly and plainly intimated to the trail agent that he proposed talking with these Indians himself, and in his own way, and invited Mr. Witherill to adorn the remote background with his person and hold his tongue. Buffalo John was then brought into requisition as an interpreter, and something like the following big talk ensued in due and ample form. “Tell Sassy Chief,” said Upham, “that the white man has grown tired shaking hands.”
This was conveyed to Sassy Chief, and produced a slight glimmer of sensation on the stolid countenances of the Osages. “Tell him that the great chief at Washington is angry because the Indians have killed his white children on the frontier, and that the great chief of Kansas is very angry and has sent his second chief down here with warriors to find out who killed his white friends and punish them.” This was duly translated by Buffalo John into the halting gutturals of the Osage tongue. In reply to a question why he was off his reservation, Sassy Chief said that they had been out hunting and jerking buffalo, but had been called in, and they were on their way to their agency. Forty lodges of Osages were encamped on the Salt Fork a few miles away.
Major Upham in a few well chosen words adapted to the aboriginal vocabulary and understanding, told them that the young men of the Osages had been out on the war parties with the Kiowas and Comanches and other wild Indians; that the murder of the four teamsters near Baker’s Ranche was committed in part by Osages; and that a mourning party of nineteen Osages had murdered three white settlers at Medicine Lodge. Of all this Sassy Chief avowed his ignorance. Major Upham asked Sassy Chief if he did not know that a council of all the wild tribes had been held in the Red Hills? (No answer.) Major Upham asked if Sassy Chief was not aware that Chetopah’s band, Black Dog’s band, and Big Hill’s band of Little Osages were represented in this council? (No answer.) Major Upham asked Sassy Chief if he did not know that young braves of the Osages had gone in with these other Indians to raid transportation trains bound for the lower agencies for sugar and coffee? (No answer.) All these question were duly interpreted to Sassy Chief, who made no response. “If I were to ask the Kiowa, the Cheyenne, or the Comanche the same questions,” said Major Upham, “I would receive the same reply.” Sassy Chief was offended; he threw himself on the grass with an air of inexpressible hauteur and said nothing, but looked the picture of wounded dignity. Major Upham continued: “Tell Sassy Chief that the white man is on the warpath, and that when he goes out, he won’t know an Osage from a Cheyenne if he finds him off his reservation. The Indians have had plenty of time to jerk their buffalo and dry their plums; and if they do not at once go on their reservations, the white man will deem them hostile Indians and treat them as such.” This he emphasized, telling the Osages present that the white men were not hunting for friendly Indians and the only way they could tell an unfriendly one was to find him off his reservation. He turned to Witherill, who listened skeptically, and told him he meant it, and impressed upon that worthy the necessity of making it plain, and pointed to the Indians. Witherill began his excuses for the Osages, which were cut short, and he promised to see that they all moved without delay. The next day a large band of Indians, with squaws, ponies, and other impediments, moved across the prairie on their way to their sanctuary, showing that the big talk was as Sassy Chief said at its conclusion, “Good,” and had taken early and active effect. At the conclusion of the pow-wow, an Indian advanced with a present of choice jerked buffalo for Adjutant General Morris, to whom the Osages paid the greatest deference. The compliment was returned in the shape of a small quantity of coffee, sugar, and cigars; which were received with all dignity, and duly bestowed in that omnium gatherum of all aboriginal portable property, the blanket. After a brief interchange of courtesies with Delany, Upham’s Italian chef de cuisine, they mounted their ponies with a farewell, “How,” and rode out of camp. Laflin came into camp towards evening and announced his train ready to move whenever an escort should be furnished him. He said that “four long-haired” Indians, supposed to be Cheyennes, had been seen lurking in the vicinity the day before, evidently employed in reconnoitering the movements of the train. Major Upham told him of the coming of the infantry company and told him to be ready to start as soon as arrived on Sunday morning.
The cavalry and militia slept on their arms that night in readiness for an attack. About 3 o’clock in the morning the camp was aroused by a brisk fall of rain. Everyone crawled out of his moist blanket, shook himself into his clothing, prepared a hasty cup of coffee, and began the return march up the cattle trail. On the way up, and about six miles out, we met Capt. Carter’s company marching towards Sewell’s Ranch.
Major Upham had devised an ambuscade, which he gave Capt. Carter verbal orders to carry out. He was to conceal his men in the wagons, which could be easily done, and to keep them as much concealed as possible. The Cheyennes, Kiowas, and the rest may catch a tartar if they should attempt to molest this train. Camp was reached at nightfall, and the next day was given to rest. The militia were ordered to break camp at about 4 o’clock and marched ten miles out towards Arkansas City, and encamped. In the morning we bid farewell to Major Upham and his associate officers of Company E, Lieutenants J. B. Kerr and Sebree Smith. They placed us under infinite obligations by their generous hospitality and courtesy. In this connection we cannot refrain a few words more in reference to the admirable system of signal stations devised by Major Upham, and which the topography of the country marvelously favors. By this means he has perfect reconnaissance of twenty miles on either side of the cattle trail along the border, covering in point of fact all settlements that are in any sort of danger of molestation. The country west in Harper County is utterly uninhabited, the nearest settlements westward being on Medicine Lodge in Barbour County, a district which will soon be well protected by military, as it is by militia organizations. Major Upham proposes to extend his pickets further out shortly, placing at the outposts gatling guns, which will enable a handful of men to protect the signal station against a legion of savages. Two of these gatling guns passed through Wichita on the day of our return. On Monday last Major Upham went on a scout up through Harper County to Medicine Lodge. In this connection we would strongly suggest that another company of cavalry is necessary on this line to scout up through the Medicine Lodge in connection with Major Upham’s company, which has enough to do to police the cattle trail and scout through the Territory.
I forgot to mention that before leaving Caldwell, Adjutant General Morris organized a picked company of men, enrolled and armed them with Sharp’s improved carbines.
We arrived at South Haven at 10 o’clock on Saturday, where we were met by Mr. J. R. Musgrove and Col. Hunter, who had organized a company of seventy-five men. These were enrolled by Capt. Morris, and they were promised arms at the earliest moment. At Arkansas City, where we camped that evening, we were met by Prof. H. B. Norton and Captain Norton, his brother, the latter a thorough frontiersman. Here another company of picked men was organized and enrolled. Everywhere on our march we saw the signs of the panic and conversed with scores of settlers. We informed them all of the preparations for defense that had been made, and left confidence restored in great measure behind us. The next day we marched by way of the towns of Belle Plaine and Oxford to Bitter Creek, where we encamped, twenty-three miles from Wichita, and a brisk march the next day brought us into Wichita, none the worse “even in the estimation of a hair.” The expedition was in the largest sense an important one. It had the most salutary effect on the settlers of the border, impressing them with the comforting assurance that the state of their adoption was concerned for their well-being and safety, and would use every means at its command to protect their lives and property. It resulted in saving at least one thousand settlers to the state of Kansas who, disturbed by constant rumors all the more alarming by reason of their vagueness, were impelled to seek safety in removal. It was by no means a causeless scare, nor has the danger of a general Indian outbreak at all subsided. The Quaker agents of the Territory and their associates are sleeping on a volcano. We will, in a subsequent letter, tell what we learned from old frontiersmen, residents on the cattle trail, and from Major Upham, who, though used to Indian fighting, shares their apprehensions for good reasons of his own. Suffice it in this to say that Capt. Tucker’s company of militia, as good a body of men as ever sat astride a horse, may yet be called upon to make forced marches to the border to find the fight they missed on this trip. Capt. Morris issued a special order at Wichita highly complimenting Capt. Tucker and Lieutenants Mike Meagher and Cash Henderson and the men under them for their services to the state. We were out ten days from Wichita during which time we marched 249 miles, an average of over twenty-four miles per day, which is much better than the regular cavalry are accustomed to do. W. H. R.
BY TELEGRAPH.
AN INDIAN OUTBREAK.
The Osage Indians Declare War.
The Frontier in Imminent Danger.
They Can Muster Fifteen Hundred Men.
The Commonwealth, Thursday Morning, August 20, 1874.
ARKANSAS CITY (by way of Wichita), August 17th, 1874.
Special Dispatch to the Commonwealth.
We have just received information from the Osage agent that the whole Osage Nation has declared war, and that this frontier is in imminent danger. The news was brought up by Stubbs, late agent of the Kaws. The facts as Mr. Stubbs gives them are these. When the Osages heard of the killing of five of their men on Medicine Lodge, they immediately held a council and decided for immediate war. Agent Gibson did all he could to quiet them, but in vain. They finally promised to wait until Mr. Stubbs could get to Medicine Lodge and investigate the affair, but Stubbs fears they will not keep their promise, and says we are undoubtedly in much danger. I think he is about as much in earnest as Agent Miles was a short time ago. Stubbs thinks they can muster near 1,500 men, including boys twelve years old, and upwards, but I presume he overestimates them. The militia at present organized are not well or fully armed, although Governor Osborn has sent a number of arms and considerable ammunition to this border. I am to muster a company at Thomasville, ten miles up the Arkansas river from here, tomorrow morning, and Thursday we will organize a battalion of six mounted companies. We have communicated these facts to Governor Osborn, and promise, if he can arm our battalion, that we will take the job of cleaning out the Osages.
G. H. NORTON, Captain Militia.
THE OSAGES.
The Commonwealth, Thursday Morning, August 20, 1874.
The dispatch which will be found in another column of our paper foreshadows a grave emergency. Misfortunes come not as single spies, but in battalions. The Indian panic of several weeks ago not only demoralized the settlers on our southern border, but acted to deter immigration, which was setting in with unprecedented volume. A continued drouth of six or seven weeks united with the chinch bugs is largely deteriorating our crop prospects, and the voracious grasshopper saved us the trouble of harvesting what seemed to be saved from the first two visitations by picking the meat off our misfortune and polishing the bones. And now on the heels of all comes an Indian war of first-class dimensions to oppose which will tax our crippled resources to the utmost and seriously protract the settlement and improvement of our southern border.
One streak of light illumines this dark prospect. The Osage tribe, Great and Little, have declared war against the United States, including the state of Kansas, and it fills us with unspeakable satisfaction to contemplate in our mind’s eye the thorough drubbing they are about to receive. If ever a set of sneaking cut-throats and chronic horse thieves deserved a lesson, it is this same tribe of Osages. The innate savageness of such tribes as the Cheyennes and Apaches pleads in palliation for their wrong doings, with those who reduce justice to an abstraction and hold to the view that the Indians are more sinned against than sinning. But the Osages are, despite their blankets and beads, to all intents a civilized tribe, and have a pretty accurate conception of the nature of the contract between them and the whites. They are the most cosseted and best fed of all the tribes, but behind the mask of peacefulness they wear the war-paint of treachery and deceit. They are constantly murdering defenseless white men, and now that the settlers have turned in their own protection, they propose to justify themselves in wholesale slaughter and rapine.
We are well prepared for them, or can be at twenty-four hours’ notice. As soon as Gov. Osborn received intelligence of the facts yesterday, he at once, through Adjutant General Morris, placed himself in communication with the border contiguous to the Osage reservation. There are organized along the border some 600 militia. Arms and munitions were forwarded by express yesterday, and within a day or two a battalion of four hundred and fifty effective men can be in readiness to march. Adjutant General Morris ordered all the militia captains to review their companies and to replace all poorly mounted men by other and efficient recruits. This battalion will be composed of picked men, and will be able to cope successfully with all the Osages that may be brought in the field. Let it be known that they declare war and an offensive campaign will be inaugurated at once. The militia will march upon their reservation, take possession of their squaw camps, and compel a fight. If the Osages do not then rue the day they declared war, we are sadly out in our reckoning. We are glad this tribe has at last shown its hand, and that the dangerous illusion that they were a peace loving community of savages is at last effectually dissipated by this overt and unmistakable act.
BY TELEGRAPH.
AN INDIAN OUTBREAK.
The Osage Indians Declare War.
The Frontier in Imminent Danger.
They Can Muster Fifteen Hundred Men.
The Commonwealth, Thursday Morning, August 20, 1874.
ARKANSAS CITY (by way of Wichita), August 17th, 1874.
Special Dispatch to the Commonwealth.
We have just received information from the Osage agent that the whole Osage Nation has declared war, and that this frontier is in imminent danger. The news was brought up by Stubbs, late agent of the Kaws. The facts as Mr. Stubbs gives them are these. When the Osages heard of the killing of five of their men on Medicine Lodge, they immediately held a council and decided for immediate war. Agent Gibson did all he could to quiet them, but in vain. They finally promised to wait until Mr. Stubbs could get to Medicine Lodge and investigate the affair, but Stubbs fears they will not keep their promise, and says we are undoubtedly in much danger. I think he is about as much in earnest as Agent Miles was a short time ago. Stubbs thinks they can muster near 1,500 men, including boys twelve years old, and upwards, but I presume he overestimates them. The militia at present organized are not well or fully armed, although Governor Osborn has sent a number of arms and considerable ammunition to this border. I am to muster a company at Thomasville, ten miles up the Arkansas river from here, tomorrow morning, and Thursday we will organize a battalion of six mounted companies. We have communicated these facts to Governor Osborn, and promise, if he can arm our battalion, that we will take the job of cleaning out the Osages.
G. H. NORTON, Captain Militia.
A WAR WITH THE OSAGES.
The Commonwealth, Saturday Morning, August 22, 1874.
From the Lawrence Journal.
The Topeka COMMONWEALTH publishes the following special dispatch from G. H. Norton, captain of the militia at Arkansas City.
We have just received information from the Osage agent that the whole Osage Nation has declared war, and that this frontier is in imminent danger. The news was brought up by Stubbs, late agent of the Kaws. The facts as Mr. Stubbs gives them are these: When the Osages heard of the killing of five of their men on Medicine Lodge, they immediately held a council and decided for immediate war. Agent Gibson did all he could to quiet them, but in vain. They finally promised to wait until Mr. Stubbs could get to Medicine Lodge to investigate the affair, but Stubbs fears that they will not keep their promise, and says we are undoubtedly in much danger.
We called upon Superintendent Hoag yesterday to learn if we could of any war-like demonstrations from the Osages. Mr. Hoag stated to us that the report, in his opinion, was not true, and was probably started by some malicious person who had not the welfare of either the settler or the Indian at heart. He seemed much annoyed at hearing of the report and handed us a letter received yesterday from Agent Gibson, a portion of which we give our readers.
OSAGE AGENCY, August 14, 1874.
ENOCH HOAG: Yesterday I was out to see Big Chief’s and Black Dog’s bands in reference to their recent bad treatment on the plains. They feel deeply wronged and hurt by these soldiers, but not so angry as I expected to find them. I comforted them the best I could and the worst of them came up today, and I believe the negotiations now pending will pacify them so that the war party they were getting up will be stopped.
I obtained description of the ponies and will send a man with Agent Stubbs to go out on the state line and try and recover the ponies as they are brought in. They may need thy assistance before they get through. Ozbun, just in from Big Hills, says they are quiet.
ISAAC T. GIBSON, Agent.
The ponies referred to are those lost during the skirmish at Red mounds, when the four Indians were killed.
[ORGANIZING A COMPANY OF STATE MILITIA: WINFIELD.]
Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.
Right Front in Line. March!
Pursuant to a call, the citizens of Winfield and vicinity met at the courthouse on Monday evening, the 24th, electing J. J. Williams as chairman, and W. W. Walton Secretary; E. B. Kager stated the object of the meeting to be the organization of a company of State Militia.
Capt. J. B. Nipp, being called upon, made some very good suggestions besides giving the latest news from the frontier. He thought that there was more danger of an invasion by the Indians now than there had ever been. The Osages demanded the return of the ponies and one thousand dollars each for the Indians killed in the recent engagement with the Militia. These terms will not be conceded by the Governor, and an open war on the extreme border this fall and winter is threatened.
A sufficient number having signed the necessary oath, they were sworn in by Capt. Nipp. They then proceeded to the election of officers, resulting as follows.
Capt., E. B. Kager; 1st Lieut., A. T. Shenneman; 2nd Lieut., L. J. Webb; Orderly Sergeant, W. W. Walton.
Recruiting has begun in earnest, and a large company will be formed here, the necessary arms and accouterments will be sent on immediately. Yesterday Capt. Kager received the following from Col. Norton which explains itself.
ARKANSAS CITY, August 26, 1874.
CAPTAIN KAGER: Please report to me the number of effective men in your company that you can count on to go, both mounted and unmounted. This is by order of the Adjutant General. He says: “Have all the companies carefully inspected and accept none but first-class men for service.” Yours, G. H. NORTON, Lieut. Col. Kansas Militia.
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
INDIAN NEWS.
Last week between Dodge City and Camp Supply, five farmers who lived in that vicinity, and were out hunting buffalo, were killed by Indians.
A. C. Williams, special agent of the Kickapoos, whose agency is about twenty-five miles below Arkansas City, sent in word to Capt. Norton a few days ago for assistance to protect himself and little band of Indians and the agency from the Osages. Mr. Osage had been making some hostile demonstrations. The Captain provided the required aid.
On the 17th ult., a party of six Indians fired upon the pickets at Medicine Lodge, it being promptly returned but without much effect, it being after dark and in brush.
On the morning of the 18th, a party of five Cheyennes made a descent upon the river eight miles above Medicine Lodge and captured five head of horses, at the same time firing seven shots at Dr. Bond.
The Wichita Beacon extra August 28th has the following.
Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, Darlington, Indian Territory, August 25. A courier reached this agency last night at midnight from the vicinity of the Wichita agency, and reports that the Kiowas and Comanches had attacked that agency on the 22nd. He reports that six employees at the agency had been killed on the first day. Black Bear’s son-in-law was also killed; also two colored soldiers, two Kiowas, and one Comanche. The Indians sacked Shirley’s store, packed his own goods on his own mules, and ran them off. Comanches and Kiowas are reported arriving from the plains, and the battle is still raging.
The troops were endeavoring to save the remaining employees, property, etc We have tried to get a courier through, but thus far have failed to get positive information of the exact state of affairs. General Neil, in command of the troops at this agency, thinks he can hold his position against any hostile bands. (Signed) JOHN MILES, U. S. Indian Agent.
The Indians about the same time attacked Col. Davidson, U. S. Commander at Ft. Sill, but at last accounts were repulsed.
O. F. Short, who did the government surveying in Cowley County, was killed by the Indians last week. He had a party of men doing government surveying in this state southwest of Fort Dodge, and the Indians killed and scalped him and five of his party. They were subsequently found and buried by another surveying party.
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
Item from the Traveler.
TO THE PUBLIC. Whereas unfounded rumors greatly exaggerating the present Indian difficulties have within the past few days been put in circulation, this is to give notice that any person caught in the act of originating and circulating falsehoods tending to disturb the peace and quiet of the community will be arrested and handed over to the proper authorities and dealt with according to law. G. H. NORTON, Capt. Militia.
[ITEMS FROM TRAVELER.]
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
PURE GRIT.
We saw a man between this place and Wichita mowing hay with a scythe, and raking it up with a rake made of poles, with a rope attached, hauled by two oxen. That man will provide for his stock, and will see that his family does not suffer. How many who are able to do much better are attempting to do nothing.
The Militia of Barbour County scalped the Indians whom they killed at Medicine Lodge recently.
The following dispatch was received by Captain Norton on Saturday evening.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, August 28th, 1874.
Capt. G. H. Norton—Arkansas City: Your company is ordered into active service, to commence from this date. Orders will be sent tomorrow. Supplies shipped to Wichita.
C. A. MORRIS, Adj. Genl.
The fifty ponies captured from the Osages by the Barbour County Militia, are herded at Medicine Lodge daily and brought within the stockade each night for safekeeping. They are held by Captain Ricker’s company subject to the order of Gov. Osborn. The Governor will not deliver them back to the Osages unless they can prove:
1st. That the Indians from whom they were taken were a hunting party without hostile intentions to the citizens of Kansas.
2nd. That the Indians had not learned the order of their Agent to return to their reservation.
3rd. That the Indians did not fire first upon the Militia.
The companies of Kansas state militia have been organized in this and Sumner County, and now await the order of the Governor to protect their own border from invasion by these “government pets.”
E. B. Kager is captain of the company from here, and G. H. Norton of the one at Arkansas City. The latter expect marching orders at any moment, as the Little Osages are making things lively along the line every day.
The political cauldron is beginning to boil. A part of the farmers’ county central committee met today and changed their name to “independent party,” as one explained “they could support the republican state ticket, but have a county ticket of their own.”
The ticket put in nomination last Wednesday by the republican convention at Topeka meets with hearty approval here, as will be shown by the votes at the November election.
It is recognized by all parties in this section as the strongest team that has ever been put in the field, and if my old friend, Tom Cavanaugh, don’t get a lift from Cowley this fall, then the story about straws indicating the direction of the wind is a lie and the man that composed it a fraud.
Several prisoners are now confined in the county jail on the charge of horse stealing. They will be tried at the October session of the district court.
The base ball fever has not entirely died out, as the Frontiers of this place are to play the Douglas Avenue nine of Wichita, at the Douglas fair on the 16th prox.
Geewhilikens P. Smith, of the reform party, passed through here last night on his “grand round” through the border counties. He was surprised to learn that the “farmers,” “reformers,” “independents,” etc., did not recognize in him a Moses, so he did not attempt to speak in Winfield, but passed on to his next appointment, probably repeating to himself Moore’s:
’Twas ever thus from childhood’s hours,
I’ve seen my fondest hopes decay.
At any rate I’ve not heard from him since and only give this as a supposition. Until I hear from him or some other subject that will interest you, I am MAGNET.
[Note: A letter was written by Capt. G. H. Norton to the Commonwealth before September 5, 1874. The following article refers to it. MAW]
THE QUAKER POLICY.
The Truth as to the Osages.
Rascality, Mendacity, and Secrecy.
A Band of Murderers and Horse Thieves Threatening Our Southern Border.
How Enoch Hoag and His Quaker Subordinates Conspire to Conceal the Truth.
A Solemn Protest by the Friends of Murdered Citizens Against the Quaker Policy.
The Commonwealth, Saturday Morning, September 5, 1874.
We approach a subject now that we are unable to handle without a burning sense of indignation that in some degree may prevent a just consideration of it; it is as the reader surmises from the head of this article the very present and grave question, of how to protect white settlers from butchery, and keep in proper subjection several thousand of treacherous and implacable savages. It is the policy inaugurated by the government in some hour of sentimental and highly poetized philanthropy, when the practical Yankee wit and judgment of our governors were abroad and replaced by a false, unreal, and illogical sense of justice to a wild, untutored people, who respect only power strenuously applied; and humanity to wretches who look upon a humane man as a milk-sop and a coward. Though, as we have said, our views on this subject may have the appearance of being over-wrought and tinged with prejudice, we are sure that our indignation will in some degree be shared by those whose patience will permit them to read through the array of facts subjoined and relating to a matter which has of late been in controversy between the governor of Kansas and certain members of the society of Friends, having charge of Indian affairs in this superintendency, to-wit: whether or not our southern border is threatened by an invasion of Osages.
Before entering into a consideration of this specific subject, we desire to say something in a general way on what is known as the Quaker policy, which are sure will merit and receive the endorsement of all fair minded men who are familiar with the facts. Whatever of genuine humanity and supposable justice and reason were present at the inauguration of the present Indian policy, it is now clearly devoid of. Experience has proven it not only impracticable, but calamitous, and the time has now come for a solemn and strenuous demand for its abolition and the substitution of a strong and practical policy that will not only confine the Indians to their reservations, but furnish absolute security to white settlements on the border.
We pointedly and emphatically charge:
1st. That it is not love of the well-being or hope for the civilization of the savages that actuate the Quakers in their persistent foisting themselves upon the government as the curators of the Indians, but mainly a sordid love of gain.
2nd. That a ring has been formed among the Indian agents, the cementing bond of which is mutual self-interest and the continuance of which in the control and fiduciary management of the affairs of the Indians mainly depends upon the maintenance of silence and secrecy as to all outrages against the whites committed by them.
3rd. That Mr. Mahlon Stubbs has in pursuance of this common policy wilfully prevaricated, or in plain Saxon lied, as to the warlike intentions of the Osages and that Mr. Enoch Hoag, the superintendent of Indian affairs of this department has, wittingly or unwittingly abetted him; thus by misrepresentations, and for the sake of preventing any detriment to the present Indian policy misleading the government, so that the lives and property of thousands of citizens of this state are endangered, and if the stories of these agents were to be believed, no military protection might be extended them.
4th. That when one of their number sent a dispatch to the commanding officer of this department, asking protection for his agency from hostile Cheyennes and Arapahos, Mr. Enoch Hoag secured the passage of a resolution through the yearly Quaker meeting at Lawrence, condemning his (John D. Miles) action and asking him to resign.
A dispatch from Capt. G. H. Norton, of Arkansas City, appeared in the COMMONWEALTH a number of days ago, stating that Mahlon Stubbs had told citizens of Arkansas City that owing to the killing of five Osages in Barbour County by Captain Ricker’s company, the entire Osage tribe had held a council and declared war, and were only restrained from going on the warpath by promises of Mr. Stubbs to secure pay for the dead Osages and the return of certain ponies captured from the Osages by Capt. Ricker’s men.
As soon as Mr. Stubbs arrived in Lawrence and had a consultation with his chief, he found that he had transgressed the role of silence imposed on all his class, and straightway came out with a denial that there was any truth in Capt. Norton’s dispatch as to the attitude of Osages, or that he ever said or intimated such to be the fact. This denial of Mr. Stubbs was sedulously circulated, and procured, published in the associated press dispatches. A few days afterwards, Mr. Hoag and Mr. Stubbs visited Gov. Osborn to treat for the return of the Indian ponies. The result of their visit was not encouraging. Gov. Osborn, in the course of a random talk, told them that if the murders of white men and American citizens that had been committed by this tribe had occurred in Hong Kong, they would stir the civilized world.
He offered to return the ponies on the condition that the Osages would prove that in their absence from the reservation and their presence within the borders of this state they had no knowledge of existing orders against Indians leaving their reservations, and that they had not fired upon the militia first, as claimed by Capt. Ricker. Hoag and Stubbs retired in good order, but crest-fallen, and as they went out, Stubbs intimated that he had to get home by a certain time, as his Indians had given him only that time to return. This in the face of a point-blank denial the day before that any fears were to be apprehended from the Osages.
But our evidence on this head is now conclusive, convicting Mr. Stubbs of willful lying, and Mr. Hoag of aiding him in circulating the lie and concealing the truth.
I see by the papers that Friend Stubbs through Mr. Hoag denies the statement made by me to Gov. Osborn some days ago in regard to the Osages.
Mr. Stubbs did make the statements as I gave them to the governor. I did not see him myself, but he told A. D. Keith, second lieutenant of my company, and postmaster at that place. I enclosed Mr. Keith’s affidavit. Mr. Stubbs the same day left a message for Agent Williams of the Kickapoos, warning him to abandon his agency and move to the state as he and his family were in danger. Agent Williams accordingly moved to this place and has been here ever since.
The condition of affairs on this frontier at present is most deplorable. The people are almost frightened out of their wits, but I hope we shall soon be able to quiet them.
LIEUTENANT KEITH’S AFFIDAVIT.
State of Kansas, )
Cowley County, ) ss.
I, Aylmer D. Keith, being first duly sworn, say that on the 17th day of August, 1874, in conversation with Mahlon Stubbs, late agent of the Kaws, said Stubbs used the following language in regard to the anticipated trouble with the Osage Indians, to-wit: “The Indians have held a council and declared for war. They are on the fight the biggest kind. In my opinion you are in ten times as much danger as you ever have been.” AYLMER D. KEITH.
Cowley County, )
State of Kansas ) ss.
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this 1st day of September, 1874.
JAMES L. HUEY, Notary Public.
In further corroboration of the evil designs of the Osages, we publish the following letter from Indian agent Williams, of the Kickapoo tribe, which tells its own story.
LETTER FROM AGENT WILLIAMS.
ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
SIR: I have the honor to report that this A. M., as I was proceeding from this place to my special agency on Shawkaska creek, I met two of my Kickapoo Indians, who informed me that a party of Little Osages came to the agency last night and inquired for me, and behaved in such a manner that most of the Kickapoos became alarmed and took to the woods. The Osages, however, said they would not injure any of the red people, but will kill any and all whites they may find in the territory.
The Kickapoos are alarmed and ask protection from the whites, or to be removed up to the state line. In order to supply my Indians with provisions, and to make some arrangements for their protection or removal, and for the temporary protection of government property, I would request an escort from your company of Kansas state militia.
A. C. WILLIAMS, Special Agent.
To Capt. G. H. NORTON, commanding company A, Cowley County Militia.
Agent Williams’ letter was forwarded to Gov. Osborn, who in order to comply with the request contained in it referred the matter to Gen. Pope, offering to furnish the escort requested if so desired. Gen. Pope replied to the effect that he had military in the vicinity which could furnish the escort when applied for by the agent, which had not yet been done.
In the same letter, Capt. Norton reports a slight brush with the Osages by some scouts sent out by him. Sergeant Berkey and Privates Patterson and Hoyt, of his company, left the picket line, and had gone as far as Deer creek, five miles from the state line, and finding no signs of Indians, concluded to return. They had gone but a short distance, when they were fired upon by a party of Indians, who immediately charged upon them with demoniac yells. They seemed to have been concealed in a ravine, and were not seen until they opened fire. The scouts spurred their horses into a run, and the Indians followed to within a mile and a half of the state line. Thirty six shots were fired on the run by the scouts, but owing to the approaching darkness and the speed at which they were going, none of them probably took effect. The next day Capt. Norton, with some eighteen men, proceeded to the vicinity of the encounter and found the Indian trail. They followed it to within three or four miles of the Big Hill Osage ford on the Arkansas. It pointed southeast towards the Osage reserve.
FROM COWLEY COUNTY.
The Indian Business.—The Militia Organization.—Politics.
The Farmers of Cowley County Will Support the Republican Ticket.
Base Ball, Etc.
The Commonwealth, Tuesday Morning, September 8, 1874.
WINFIELD, Cowley County, August 31.
To the Editor of the Commonwealth.
Knowing the interest you feel in matters pertaining to the southwest, I conclude to furnish a few items for the benefit of your readers who do not read the Courier, Traveler, or Telegram, the circulating literature of this county.
Our locality, like all others throughout the state, has suffered from the ravages of the grasshopper and the long continued dry weather. But now comes the Indian trouble, with its anticipated horrors, which to a less resolute and determined class of citizens would have been the metaphoric “feather” that caused the fracture of the camel’s spine. However, since the Melius-Cusick ticket came out, our people have made up their minds to be surprised at nothing, and I think they will prove to Supt. Hoag that with a little assistance from Gov. Osborn, they can manage the marauding red devils without much expense to the general government or reference to his “Quaker Indian policy.”
The companies of Kansas state militia have been organized in this and Sumner County, and now await the order of the Governor to protect their own border from invasion by these “government pets.”
E. B. Kager is captain of the company from here, and G. H. Norton of the one at Arkansas City. The latter expect marching orders at any moment, as the Little Osages are making things lively along the line every day.
The political cauldron is beginning to boil. A part of the farmers’ county central committee met today and changed their name to “independent party,” as one explained “they could support the republican state ticket, but have a county ticket of their own.”
The ticket put in nomination last Wednesday by the republican convention at Topeka meets with hearty approval here, as will be shown by the votes at the November election.
It is recognized by all parties in this section as the strongest team that has ever been put in the field, and if my old friend, Tom Cavanaugh, don’t get a lift from Cowley this fall, then the story about straws indicating the direction of the wind is a lie and the man that composed it a fraud.
Several prisoners are now confined in the county jail on the charge of horse stealing. They will be tried at the October session of the district court.
The base ball fever has not entirely died out, as the Frontiers of this place are to play the Douglas Avenue nine of Wichita, at the Douglas fair on the 16th prox.
Geewhilikens P. Smith, of the reform party, passed through here last night on his “grand round” through the border counties. He was surprised to learn that the “farmers,” “reformers,” “independents,” etc., did not recognize in him a Moses, so he did not attempt to speak in Winfield, but passed on to his next appointment, probably repeating to himself Moore’s:
’Twas ever thus from childhood’s hours,
I’ve seen my fondest hopes decay.
At any rate I’ve not heard from him since and only give this as a supposition. Until I hear from him or some other subject that will interest you, I am MAGNET.
[ITEMS FROM THE ARKANSAS CITY TRAVELER.]
Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874.
Prof. Norton will remove his family to Emporia next week.
Major Upham, of the U. S. Army, has been in town for several days, ascertaining the truth of reports concerning the late Indian depredations. He is under Gen. Pope and has charge of the U. S. troops between Caldwell and this place. Since his arrival here, he has been very energetic, and made every effort to secure all possible information.
Mail Matters.
The change of mail we spoke of a few weeks since has taken place. We receive a mail every day, but it is two days old, as it lays over one day at El Paso. Instead of the buckboard to this place, as we mentioned, the stage comes direct from Wichita, without going to Winfield at all. The connection for that place is Oxford, and from there it goes by buckboard to Winfield. As it is now, our Winfield mail comes via Oxford, and we have no direct communication with that place.
More Scalping Soon.
We learn from several reliable sources that from sixty to one hundred Osages left their Agency for the plains last Friday week—they said to hunt buffalo—but it is pretty well understood by all that it is for the killing of their two last comrades, in Barbour County. Mr. Gibson did all he could to persuade them not to go, but he could not. Killing and scalping will undoubtedly take place, but, of course, it will not be by Osages, as they are always on their reserve. Word should be sent to the Medicine Lodge country, and more militia called out at once, to send aid to the western counties if they prove too many for the white settlers. Capt. Norton is already in that vicinity, but with only twenty men.
We have received a letter from Bill Conner, an Osage, in which he states there need be no fear from Indians, entertained at this place, as the Osages and wild tribes are not on good terms, and would war on one another. William only speaks for a portion of the Little Osages, when he makes his assertion.
He also informs us that the 150 ponies seen by our scouts, on the Salt Fork, belong to the Little Osages, and are being herded there on account of the grass being destroyed on their reserve.
THREATENING INDIAN NEWS.
The Commonwealth, Friday Morning, October 2, 1874.
It is only a question of time when the Osage Indians will attempt to revenge the severe punishment they received at the hands of the citizen soldiery of Bourbon County, several weeks ago. Recent reports have been received, indicating that they were contemplating a foray. Captain Norton, of the mounted militia of Arkansas City, telegraphs that a party of about sixty-five young Big Hill Osage braves crossed the Arkansas river north of Salt Fork, Friday, the 18th, and crossed the Fort Sill trail on Sunday, the 27th, near Skeleton creek, going west, probably bound for the country between Mule creek and the Camp Supply road, to operate on the Medicine Lodge settlement.
Attorney General Morris ordered couriers along the line to apprize the Sun City and Medicine Lodge militia companies, under Captains Ricker and Collins, of the suspected invasion. It is believed that the young Osages are meditating an alliance with the small bands of Cheyennes and Comanches known to be in Clarke County and the region roundabout. These latter savages are the perpetrators of the recent outrages in the extreme southwest, the killing of Capt. Thrasher’s surveyors, and the five buffalo hunters from Reno County. Capt. Collins writes that he has just found the bodies of these hunters in the southwestern part of Clarke County. They were found scalped and mutilated, their horses shot, and their wagons rifled. Capt. Collins brought in one of the wagons. These men were killed on the 1st of September under the following circumstances: A party of ten hunters from Reno County went out southwest of Dodge in search of buffalo, in the vicinity of where the Lawrence surveyors were killed. They divided themselves into two hunting parties, of five each, and met with excellent success. Each party was provided with three wagons, and had them about filled. Two herds of buffalo came in sight on the 1st of September, and both parties started, intending to complete their loads of hides by that day’s hunt. One party never came in, and on returning to camp, the other five discovered evidence of their murder by Indians. They waited for their companions for a few days, and returned sorrowfully home. Captain Collins’ scouts discovered Indians fourteen miles away, but owing to their being short of ammunition and supplies, did not continue the pursuit. These Indians are still in the southwestern part of the state, and as the regular soldiers have all been taken away from the border to furnish escorts for supply trains, the militia must be relied on to protect our frontier settlements.
The obtaining of arms from the federal government by Gov. Osborn is, therefore, very opportune just now. As to the particular band of Osages above referred to, Gen. Pope sends word to Gov. Osborn that he has heard that they number but forty-three, and that efforts are being made to induce them to return to their reservation. The other band (of Cheyennes and Comanches) recently received a very severe lesson from Captain Collins, in an engagement which was graphically reported in the COMMONWEALTH at the time, which occurred shortly after the murder of the Reno County hunters, and in which five Indians bit the dust. If, however, the Osages succeed in joining their forces with the wild tribes now on the warpath, the Kansas militia may have some serious work to do.
Capt. Norton survives rattlesnake bite...
The Commonwealth, Saturday Morning, October 3, 1874.
Captain Norton, of Arkansas City, was recently bitten by a rattlesnake and had a narrow escape from death. He has entirely recovered.
Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.
The young “bloods,” who had made arrangements to visit Capt. Norton’s of Arkansas City, last week, changed their programme and had an oyster supper at Capt. Lowry’s.
The Commonwealth, March 7, 1875.
Col. G. H. Norton, of Arkansas City, talks of going to Oregon.
Next two items cover Capt. Norton’s investments in Florida...
Winfield Courier, December 30, 1875.
From the Traveler we learn that Captain Norton’s investments in Florida have proven very unsatisfactory, as he bought a large tract of land with a Spanish claim upon it and had to abandon it. He is now in Illinois.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876.
We learn that Capt. Norton did not lose anything in Florida, as he had not purchased the land spoken of. We say as much in behalf of our friend, Captain Norton.
Excerpts from the “Centennial Issue” in Courier...
THE WINFIELD COURIER.
[Covering Period January 6, 1876 - December 28, 1876.]
CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
VOL. 4, NO. 1.
PRODUCED EVERY THURSDAY BY E. C. MANNING.
FRONT PAGE: HISTORY, RESOURCES, AND STATISTICS OF COWLEY COUNTY FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO JANUARY 1ST, A. D. 1876.
About the last day of December, 1869, Judge W. R. Brown, H. B. Norton, T. A. Wilkinson, H. D. Kellogg, John Brown, [Silas] Moore, and G. H. Norton drove into camp near Wood’s residence as members and representatives of the Walnut City town company.
A few leading citizens of Emporia, among the number, C. V. Eskridge, P. B. Plumb, J. Stotler, L. B. Kellogg, H. B. Norton, and Judge Brown and H. L. Hunt, of Cottonwood Falls, had organized a town company and sent the party mentioned down into the Walnut Valley to locate a town at the junction of the Walnut River with the Arkansas River. The map of Kansas at that time showed that the junction was about the center of Cowley County. After some conference with the settlers, the newcomers took five claims adjoining Manning’s claim, east, southeast, and south, with the intention of making this the location of the proposed town. In a day or two upon an examination of the country below, the party decided to locate their town at the present town site of Arkansas City.
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 [Somers], Mr. Carr, Mr. Hughes, and one or two others.
The Walnut City town company consisted of fifteen members, and the four claim holders mentioned were of the number, and were to hold the claims and enter them for the company. On their way down the valley the party discovered a Walnut City in Butler County, and concluded to change the name of their company to Delphi. On their return to Emporia the name was again changed to Creswell, and by this name the town was known for some months. On applying for a post office, the Post Office department informed Senator Ross, who made the application, that there was a Creswell in Labette County, Kansas, and that no two offices of the same name would be located in the State, and at Ross’ suggestion, it was called Arkansas City. When the commission came to G. H. Norton, who was the postmaster named, the town was named Arkansas City. This was in April 1870.
On the 9th day of January, 1870, a party of fifteen men under the lead of Thomas Coats took claims along the Grouse Valley. Their names were John Coats, Wm. Coats, Joseph Reynolds, Gilbert Branson, Henry Branson, Newton Phenis, I. H. Phenis, H. Hayworth, L. B. Bullington, J. T. Raybell, D. T. Walters, S. S. Severson, John Nicholls, and C. J. Phenis.
The Winfield enterprise took form in January of 1870, as did that of Arkansas City. From the start the parties interested in the two prospective towns were shaping events to secure the county seat of Cowley County whenever it should be organized. In February of 1870 a bill was introduced in the Senate of Kansas entitled, “An act to organize the county of Cowley,” and making Creswell the county seat. As soon as the news arrived at Winfield, James H. Land, A. A. Jackson, and C. M. Wood traversed the county in three days and took the census of over six hundred population, and reported at Douglass, in Butler County (the nearest place where an officer could be found to administer an oath), on the 23d of February. At that time the necessary papers were made out and E. C. Manning took them to Topeka and presented them to the Governor, who, thereupon issued the order organizing Cowley County and designating Winfield as the temporary county seat. The bill organizing the county got through the Senate but failed in the House.
As specimens of “literature” of that day we produce the following circulars which were issued a short time previous to the first election held in the county, to-wit: May 2nd, 1870.
CRESWELL.
To the voters of Cowley County:
The Creswell Town Company ask leave to present to you the claims of Creswell as a location for the county seat.
This town is situated on the Arkansas River, twelve miles above its intersection by the State line; said intersection being two and three-fourth miles below the mouth of the Grouse. The Walnut enters the Arkansas at Creswell, and the valleys of other streams on the south side of the Arkansas converge at this point, making it the natural centre of business and population for Cowley County.
Creswell is named as a point upon four chartered lines of railroad, viz: The Walnut Valley Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road; the Preston, Salina & Denver road; the Emporia & Holden road; and the Arkansas Valley, or Fort Smith & Hays City road. It is also confidently expected that this will be the point of crossing for the Fort Scott & Santa Fe road. The Legislature at its recent session, ordered the immediate survey of a State road, by the most direct route, from Emporia to Creswell.
G. H. Norton & Co. have opened a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, which they pledge themselves to sell at Eldorado prices.
We, the Town Company of Creswell, furthermore pledge ourselves to erect a first-class stone or frame building not less than thirty feet square and two stories high, suitably arranged for a court-room and county offices; and to deed the same, with one entire block of not less than fourteen lots, centrally located, to the county, to be its property so long as the county-seat remains at Creswell; the building to be completed within six months after Creswell is chosen permanent county seat.
The question of taxation is one of great importance to the people of a young and undeveloped country. It is only at the cost of heavy taxes that the county will be able to erect a courthouse and other county buildings. This expense the Creswell town company propose to wholly assume.
The immediate vicinity of the Arkansas River is the natural location for the cities and towns which are to one day adorn this great valley. The natural centers of population and business will be there. Let us choose wisely, and make a choice which will not speedily be reversed.
We commend these facts and offers to the thoughtful consideration of the voters of Cowley County.
H. B. NORTON, Associate Principal State Normal School, President.
C. V. ESKRIDGE, Lieut. Governor, Vice President.
W. R. BROWN, Judge 9th Judicial District, Secretary.
L. B. KELLOGG, Principal State Normal School, Treasurer.
J. STOTLER, Director.
COL. P. B. PLUMB, Director.
CAPT. G. H. NORTON, Director.
H. L. HUNT, Director.
H. D. KELLOGG, M. D., Director.
J. S. DANFORD, Director.
ORGANIZATION.
Cowley County was organized Feb. 28, 1870, by the order of Gov. Harvey on petition, and Winfield was designated as the temporary county seat. W. W. Andrews, of Winfield, G. H. Norton, of Creswell, S. F. Graham, of Dexter, were appointed County Commissioners, Feb. 28, 1870, and E. P. Hickok was appointed County Clerk at the same time by the same authority.
The first meeting of the County Board was held March 23, 1870, at the house of W. W. Andrews, at which time W. W. Andrews was chosen chairman.
The following is the first action taken at that meeting, and is the first official record in Cowley County.
“County Commissioners, pursuant to a previous call, met at Winfield on the 23rd day of March, A. D. 1870, at Mr. Andrews’.
Present—Andrews and Norton. County Clerk proceeded to divide the county into three townships, numbered 1, 2, and 3.
No. 1 to include all that part of Cowley County laying north of a line running through the county east and west, touching the mouth of Little Dutch Creek, all north of Little Dutch to be included in said township.
No. 2 to include all south of the mouth of Little Dutch, extending south to include E. P. Hickok’s claim, and to within ten miles of the mouth of Grouse Creek.
No. 3 to include all south of E. P. Hickok’s claim on Walnut and the lower ten miles of the Grouse and the Arkansas to the State line.
Election in township No. 1 to be held at the house of Edward Phillips, at the mouth of Rock creek. No. 2 at Winfield. No. 3 at Creswell.”
This Board of Commissioners ordered an election to be held May 2nd, 1870; at which time the permanent location of the county seat was voted upon, and a full set of county officers were also elected. At that election there were two places voted upon for county seat, to-wit: Winfield and Arkansas City. The former received 108 votes and the latter 55 votes, and the following officers were elected.
Commissioners: T. A. Blanchard, Winfield; Morgan Willett, Rock Creek; G. H. Norton, Creswell; H. C. Loomis, Winfield, County Clerk; John Devore, Creswell, Treasurer; E. P. Hickok, Winfield, District Clerk; T. B. Ross, Winfield, Probate Judge; W. E. Cook, Creswell, Recorder; W. G. Graham, Winfield, Coroner; F. A. Hunt, Rock Creek, Sheriff; F. S. Graham, Grouse Creek, Surveyor.
There was but one ticket in the field, and 163 was the total number of votes polled.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
ELECTED. EXPIRED.
T. A. BLANCHARD Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
G. H. NORTON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
E. SIMPSON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
NOTICE!
To the Voters of Cowley County:
The members of the Republican party of Cowley County are invited to effect an organization at a delegate convention to be held at Dexter on Saturday, September 3rd, 1870, for the purpose of appointing a County Executive Committee, and electing a delegate to the State Republican Convention, which meets at Topeka, September 8th, 1870.
The Republican voters are requested to meet in primary conventions at 2 o’clock, on Saturday, August 27th, at the following places:
Rock Creek, at Phillips’.
Winfield, at the Court House.
Creswell, at Norton’s Store, Arkansas City.
Cedar, at ____________.
Dexter, at Cloud’s.
Grouse, at Silver Dale Store.
Ratio of representation, four delegates to each township.
By order of the State Executive Committee,
M. M. MURDOCK, Secretary.
Shortly after the Sept. 3rd convention, the chairman of the Central Committee, appointed at Dexter, issued a call for a Republican convention to be held at Winfield, Oct. 3rd, to nominate a candidate for representative and candidates for county offices. The ticket then nominated can be found in the “Annals.”
Oct. 8th, a call for a “People’s Convention” was issued, signed by W. Q. Mansfield, T. H. Johnson, T. A. Blanchard, James Renfro, James Land, D. A. Millington, Wm. Craig, F. A. Hunt, A. Menor, J. Mentch, T. B. Ross, and H. Wolf.
Under the call this convention met at Winfield, Oct. 20th, and nominated a full ticket, which will be found in the “Annals.” The tickets nominated at the two conventions last mentioned, though called Republican and People’s, really were composed of partisans to a strife that had been engendered between Winfield and Arkansas City for political and business supremacy in the county. The canvass preceding the election, which transpired Nov. 8th, was very spirited, almost bitter; the principal interest centering upon the candidates for representative—H. B. Norton and E. C. Manning. At that election 504 votes were cast, of which H. B. Norton received 256 and E. C. Manning 248. The remaining candidates upon the “People’s” ticket received a small majority except the candidate for Register of Deeds and County Attorney.
When the Commissioners met to canvass the votes after the election, they found the returns to be in a crude and some of them in an unintelligible condition. In the language of G. H. Norton, one of the Commissioners, and a brother of H. B. Norton, “The next returns opened were objected to by Mr. Blanchard (another member of the board of canvassers) on the ground that he did not know where it came from. Upon examination I found there was nothing on them to indicate where they came from. I suggested to the board that perhaps they knew some of the names on the poll book and could tell from them what precinct the returns came from. The other members both stated they did not know any of the names and as I did not, I voted with them to reject the returns.”
The rejection of the unintelligible returns gave the “People’s” ticket a large majority except in the offices of County Attorney and Register of Deeds. The election of T. B. Ross was contested before T. H. Johnson, County Attorney, presiding as judge, with J. C. Fuller and E. S. Torrance, the incoming County Attorney, then a resident of Arkansas City, as associate judges. The “Court” decided that Ross was entitled to the certificate. Some steps were taken to contest Mr. Manning’s seat in the legislature but the idea was finally abandoned.
On January 1st, 1870, the first stake was driven in the town site by the town company. On March 1st, 1870, G. H. Norton built the first house on the town site, which he occupied as a residence and store. It is now occupied by Mrs. Gray. G. H. Norton, appointed in April, 1870, was the first postmaster. The town site is one mile square. Its streets are laid out north and south and east and west. The main street traverses the summit of the mound upon which the town is located. During the summer of 1870, the town grew very fast and in the fall there were about forty buildings up. It soon became, and remains, the outfitting point for intercourse with the Indian Territory, and a very large and important trade centers there from this county, and from the Agencies and Government Surveying expeditions located and operating in the Territory below. Settled at the outset by an energetic and intelligent people, they soon brought about them the evidences of cultivation. The finest schoolhouse southeast of Emporia adorns the town site; constructed of brick with cut stone trimmings, designed by J. G. Haskell, the first architect in the State; its attractive and inviting form is a noble monument of the present, and promising prestige of the future.
A splendid brick church, the best edifice of the kind in the country, a substantial frame church, a cut stone bank (J. C. McMullen’s), the City Hotel, a three-story structure, kept by Mantor & Son, the Central Avenue, a commodious two-story building, Houghton & McLaughlin, immense dry goods store, J. H. Sherburne & Co.’s two-story business house, J. C. McMullen’s elegant private residence constructed of brick with cut stone trimmings, costing $6,000, are among the most prominent and expensive of the buildings upon the town site. It contains about 550 population.
The Walnut City Town Company consisted of fifteen members and the four claim holders mentioned were of the members, and were to hold the claims and enter them for the company. On their way down the valley, the party discovered a Walnut City in Butler County, and concluded to change the name of their company to Delphi. On their return to Emporia, the name was again changed to Creswell, and by this name the town was known for some months. On applying for a post office, the P M department informed Senator Ross, who made the application, that there was a Creswell in Labette County, Kansas, and that no two offices of the same name would be located in the same state, and at Ross’ suggestion, it was called Arkansas City. When the commission came to G. H. Norton, who was the postmaster named, the town was named Arkansas City. This was April 1870.
The Winfield enterprise took form in January of 1870, as did that of Arkansas City. From the start the two parties interested in the two prospective towns were shaping events to secure the county seat of Cowley County whenever it should be organized. In February of 1870 a bill was introduced in the Senate of Kansas entitled “An Act to Organize the County of Cowley,” and making Creswell the county seat. As soon as the news arrived at Winfield, James H. Land, A. A. Jackson, and C. M. Wood traversed the county in three days and took the census of over six hundred population, and reported at Douglass, in Butler County (the nearest place where any officer could be found to administer an oath), on the 23rd of February.
At that time the necessary papers were made out and E. C. Manning took them to Topeka and presented them to the Governor, who thereupon issued the order organizing Cowley County, designating Winfield as the temporary county seat, and W. W. Andrews of Winfield, G. H. Norton of Creswell, and S. F. Graham of Dexter as county commissioners. This was made February 28, 1870. E. P. Hickok was appointed county clerk at the same time by the same authority. The first meeting of the county board was held March 23, 1870, at the house of W. W. Andrews, at which time W. W. Andrews was chosen chairman.
Their first official acts were the division of the county into three townships, viz, Rock, Winfield, and Creswell, and their issuing a call for an election to be held on the second day of May, 1870. This election was held for the purpose of choosing a permanent county seat and to elect a complete set of county officers. The result of that election was as follows: For county seat Winfield 108 and Arkansas City 55 votes. The officers elected were commissioners T. A. Blanchard, Morgan Willett, and G. H. Norton; county clerk, H. C. Loomis; Treasurer, John Devore; district clerk, E. P. Hickok; probate judge, T. B. Ross; register of deeds, W. E. Cook; sheriff, Frank Hunt; coroner, W. G. Graham; and surveyor, F. S. Graham. This ticket was elected without any opposition. Such a millennium for office seekers never occurred before, nor is likely to occur in this county again. On the 5th of September, W. R. Brown, Judge of the 9th judicial district (of which Cowley was a part), appointed T. H. Johnson county attorney. On July 6th Loomis appointed W. Q. Mansfield his deputy county clerk, and John Devore appointed J. P. Short deputy treasurer. At the fall election G. B. Green was elected treasurer, but failing to give bond, Devore held the office till 1872. The officers succeeding them will be given in the order of their respective terms, some of whom have been appointed, but the greater majority have been elected.
County commissioners have been T. A. Blanchard, G. H. Norton, and E. Simpson, Frank Cox, O. C. Smith, and J. D. Maurer; R. F. Burden, M. S. Roseberry, and John Manly, and the present incumbents, R. F. Burden, Wm. White, and W. M. Sleeth.
The first political gathering in the county took place at the raising of the “old log store” (now the Winfield Courier and Post Office) on the 1st day of April, 1870. This was a citizen’s meeting and was held to nominate candidates to be voted for on the 2nd day of May.
On the 13th day of June, 1870, the first coach arrived with the United States mail at Winfield. Previous to that time all mail matter was brought by private hands from Douglass and distributed among the settlers. There were no mail routes, roads, nor bridges up to this time. The people in the various localities amused themselves by taking sides with Winfield and Arkansas City in their county seat, and “Manning and Norton war.” They had nothing else to do but brag about the county, eat beans and dried apples, and draw on their friends in the east for more money. The land was not surveyed, hence they did not know where to make their improvements. The bitter local feeling that was engendered in those days has long since been a theme of the past.
With the exception of a few would-be-leaders in the various towns of the county, who are continually kicking up strife in their own immediate neighborhood (simply because they are not able to kick up anything else), the citizens of Cowley County are to-day a unit on any measure or proposition that tends toward the general advancement of their interests as a people.
During the summer, fall, and winter of 1870, the tide of immigration kept flowing into the county. The valleys of the large streams were all settled upon and still they continued coming, until the settlement extended across the rich prairie into the smaller valleys beyond. There was a certain social, or equality, feeling that existed in those good old days among the settlers that would be termed improper and imprudent by the people here to-day. Away from home and friends, out on the verge of civilization almost within sound of the bloody war whoop, and always within hearing of the prowling coyote, it is no wonder that at times they overstepped the bounds of eastern etiquette. By the flickering light of some settler’s dip lamp, many fleeing hours were chased into merry morn, by the flying feet of Cowley’s pioneers. People would go miles and miles to join in such festivities. The violin always precedes the evidence of a better civilization. This era did not continue long; it soon gave way to school and church exercises, and the more refined and christian like enjoyments.
ARKANSAS CITY.
On January 1, 1870, the first stake was driven in the town of Arkansas City by the town company. On March 1st G. H. Norton built the first house on the town site. It was occupied as a residence and store. G. H. Norton, appointed in April, 1870, was the first postmaster.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 24, 1876.
JUDGE CHRISTIAN has rented the “Norton Store” building opposite the Central Avenue Hotel, and will remove his office thereto this week. He has improved the property considerably by putting in south doors and windows.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 11, 1877.
Kansas State Militia.
From the Military Signal published at Columbus, Ohio, we clip the following, which at this date is rather amusing:
Governor Anthony, Commander in Chief, Topeka.
H. T. Beman, Adjt. Gen., Topeka.
Maj. Gen. Sam’l Walker, Commanding Division, Lawrence.
Brig. Gen. F. H. Denning, Commanding 1st Brigade, Wathena.
Brig. Gen. T. T. Taylor, Commanding 2nd Brigade, Hutchinson.
Brig. Gen. Percy Daniels, Commanding 3rd Brigade, Girard.
Brig. Gen. H. C. Snyder, Commanding 4th Brigade, Glasco.
Col. G. H. Norton, Arkansas City.
Capt. A. D. Keith, Arkansas City.
Capt. J. R. Musgrove, South Haven.
Capt. R. Hoffmaster, Arkansas City.
Capt. E. R. Evans, Winfield.
Lieut. Geo. Wagstaff, Guelph.
Capt. E. B. Kager, Winfield.
Capt. T. J. Riley, Wellington.
Capt. W. S. Coburn, Arkansas City.
Capt. R. W. McNown, Maple City.
Capt. E. M. Hewins, Cedarvale.
Capt. C. W. Rambo, Elk Falls.
Capt. J. W. Vannoy, Elgin.
Lieut. Jno. Moseley, Medicine Lodge.
Lieut. H. E. Vantrees, Sun City.
Capt. L. C. Smith, Stockton.
Capt. Chas. Schaefer, Sedgwick.
Capt. Chas. Collins, Hutchinson.
Lieut. Jas. M. Worster, Langdon.
Capt. S. M. Tucker, Wichita.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 30, 1877.
MRS. GRAY, AT CAPTAIN NORTON’S FORMER RESIDENCE, has a number of beautiful flowers in full bloom.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 7, 1877.
Parties desiring blackberry roots can have them for the digging at the Capt. Norton place.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 8, 1878.
The stock men of the northern part of the Territory held a meeting at Norton’s old ranch, Saturday, April 27th, to talk over matters of general interest to themselves.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 18, 1879.
Capt. Norton, who formerly resided at this place, writes from Florida that he has oranges on trees planted by his own hand.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 10, 1879.
Parties desiring a good cooking stove or heater, cheap, can be accommodated by calling on Mrs. Gray, at the old Capt. Norton place. She has three stoves in first-rate order, and other household articles, which she wishes to sell before returning to the East.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 13, 1881.
The Arkansas City Post Office was established in 1870, with G. H. Norton as Postmaster, and the office was first opened in the log house now owned by Mrs. A. B. Gray.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 20, 1881.
Mrs. A. B. Gray offers the whole or part of her residence property in the city for sale, cheap. The place is stocked with some of the choicest fruits, and to anyone with a taste for horticultural pursuits, this would be a profitable investment.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 20, 1881.
AD: FOR SALE—CHEAP! Either one-half or the whole of block 13, in Arkansas City. Well stocked with choice fruits. Inquire on the premises of Mrs. A. B. Gray.
Winfield Courier, April 20, 1882. Front Page.
FLORIDA LETTER.
LAKE EUSTIS, MARCH, 1882.
EDS. COURIER: I met in the Florida hill lands an old acquaintance that I had not seen for years. I used to be well acquainted with him when a boy in the State of New York, and in those days of rural ignorance he had a bad character. When not amusing himself with driving oxen in a circle (it was always “haw” with him), he would steal the newly planted corn from the field, until he came to be regarded by the husband-man as a veritable thief. I was really pleased to see him, and felt glad that public sentiment concerning his reputation had changed in his behalf, and that he is now looked upon as the farmers’ friend and benefactor, in ridding the earth and air of destroying insects and worms. He looked as fine and sleek as fifty years ago; his voice only seemed to have changed. Instead of bidding his imaginary steers in the long, broad Yorkshire idiom to “haw,” he gave the vowel a short, flat sound, styled the Italian. Whether he thought this style of expression more fashionable or had learned it from some old short-winded plowman, I am unable to say, but do say heartily, long live Mr. Crow.
Another agreeable surprise met me in this lovely lakelet hill land of Florida. In the triangle, two sides of which are composed of the loveliest of lakes, Eustis and Dora, and for a few miles outside of the imaginary line constituting the hypotenuse, is an area of gentle hills and gradual slopes reaching down to clear soft-water lakes, and dotted all over with groves of the orange, lemon, lime, guava, le conte pear, peach, plum, mulberry, shaddock, citron, fig, patches of banana, pineapple, grape, and small fruits; and stately undulating forests of the tall yellow pine, with the elegant palmetto gracing the shore fronts; and this Elysian land is peopled by an educated literary and refined class of pioneers, from the northern states principally, but chiefly from the state of New York. The reader will not forget that the scene I have described is in Orange County. An officer from the land office at Gainesville informed me that while the counties of Sumter, Hillsboro, and Polk were settling up with a mixed immigration from both North and South, Orange County was receiving her population almost exclusively from the Northern states. And only see what a lake country it is! In this triangle and vicinity, bounded on the sides by the large lakes Eustis and Dora, and comprising an area of ten miles square, are lakes Saunders, Joanna, Gertrude, Trout, Eldorado, May, Swatara, Blue, Willie, Dot, Gracie, Morin, Alfred, Irma, Crooked Lake, Loch Seven, Katie, Woodward, Etowa, Juniata, Beauclaire, Olla, and Crown Lake. I may have omitted some. The land is measured only to the lakes, not to include them, and each home, however small, is generally accommodated with a “Lake Front.” How exceedingly pleasant this arrangement can be made. For instance, the charming little lake of Eldorado is bordered by the homes of several estimable families from Brooklyn, New York; among whom are A. J. Sembler, H. H. Key, H. W. Hore, and J. R. Blont, all first-class, princely gentlemen, having beautiful villa sites with flower lawns extending to the clear, deep waters of the lake well stored with excellent fish, and an alligator or two, or perhaps three, and each with a neat bath-house, and boat-house to shelter the elegant little skiff that takes the family on their evening pleasure ride. Can the imagination paint a more perfect paradise on earth than such a beauty-spot which it will surely become in a single decade?
In this favored locality I found Col. G. H. Norton and family, formerly residents of Arkansas City, Kansas. I know his old friends in Kansas will be glad to learn that the Colonel, by his industry, integrity, and good judgment, has accumulated a nice competence, and stands at the acme in the esteem and good will of all in his community. I found them delightfully located in the midst of a hill grove of tropical fruits, extending on one side to the waters of Crooked Lake, and on the other to Lake Gracie. I shall never cease to remember with keen pleasure my visits to their comfortable home, and the kind and generous hospitality extended by Mrs. Norton, whose amiable accomplishments and genial nature has endeared her to all her acquaintances and to the society in which she is a valuable ornament.
Fifteen years ago, an educated, talented young gentleman, a practical surveyor and civil engineer, left the State of New York to visit and study up the capabilities and resources of Florida. With no railroads, and the rivers poorly navigated, he procured him a mule and cart, and with his blankets and mess-box, he threaded the whole state, examining the lands and spotting the eligible locations. His foresight and judgment have been fully sustained, in his selection of Orange County, and this lake region, for his home. He returned to New York and became the editor of the Florida New Yorker, which has resulted in such an unprecedented “boom” for that State. This gentleman, Col. J. A. McDonald, having accomplished his mission, returned to Lake Eustis, where he now resides, owning large possessions, locating large numbers of immigrants, and ready at any moment to give more information to the stranger about Florida in one hour than he could obtain by books and travel in a year. Here is published the Semi-Tropical, by Benj. H. Vogt, formerly of New Jersey. It is a bright, newsy sheet, for $1.50 per year, and is devoted to the local interests of its section. In this vicinity resides, on an old plantation containing a fine bearing orange grove, Hon. J. M. Byran, a true Southern gentleman, and an honored citizens, serving a constituency in the Legislature, the most accomplished, intellectually, in the State. Here also, on the shores of the lovely Lake Joanna, resides with his family on his plantation stocked with tropical productions, Col. Alex. St. Clair Abrams, a true, generous, noble-hearted gentleman of Southern birth, a distinguished lawyer, and now District Attorney in the judicial district in which he resides; his practice is said to be worth $30,000 a year, and his abilities, indomitable energy, and perseverance have made him one of the most notable and, perhaps, the best known of anyone in the State. . . [Note: Mentions names of people from New York, Philadelphia, etc., that he considers being well known, who have settled in Florida. MAW]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 14, 1882.
Col. Alexander, R. H. True, G. A. Rhodes, Ed. Likowski, and W. J. Keffer are among the Cowley County people with Capt. Norton in Florida, raising oranges.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 22, 1883.
The old Capt. Norton place, for the past nine years the property of Mrs. A. Gray, was sold Monday to B. F. Childs, of Kansas City. Mrs. Gray will build in some other part of the city.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 10, 1883.
Mr. B. F. Childs, the gentleman who lately purchased Mrs. Gray’s property, arrived from Kansas City last week. It is his intention to build as soon as possible.
[Years ago RKW (Richard Kay Wortman) came up with the following item relative to the cabin owned by Capt. Gould Hyde Norton. I do not know the source he used. MAW]
Note: Many years later the cabin was moved to Paris Park. It was demolished by the flood of 1923. The stone chimney survived. It was torn down in the 1960s.
[HASIE BROTHERS: WILL ERECT BUSINESS, RESIDENCE HOMES.]
Arkansas City Traveler, February 13, 1884.
The Hasie brothers, late of Denver, arrived in the city last week, and will soon commence the erection of their business and residence houses. As is pretty generally known, these gentlemen purpose establishing a wholesale grocery house in Arkansas City, for which they have secured the lots south of Cunningham’s new building, and will erect thereon a hand-some fifty foot front building. They have also purchased the north half of the old Norton property of Mr. Childs, for residence purposes. The Messrs. Hasie are thorough business gentlemen, and we trust they will meet with an encouragement commensurate with their enterprise.
[LOTS PLATTED BY FRANK J. HESS SOUTH OF NORTON PROPERTY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, February 20, 1884.
There is no prettier part of the town site than the 20 acres recently platted into lots by F. J. Hess, and lying just south of the Norton property and extending west from Summit to Eleventh street. It will constitute one of the best residence portions of our city in the near future, and parties desiring locations for homes will do well to give this their attention. One great advantage to this locality is the ease with which good soft water is obtained, it rarely being necessary to go deeper than 18 to 25 feet.
B. F. Childs was one of the cattlemen that I have been looking up. He kept his home on the Capt. G. H. Norton site in Arkansas City and stayed there when he was in town. Most of the time he was busy handling cattle in Indian Territory. It appears that he made changes after Mrs. Gray moved out.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 14, 1884.
B. F. Childs has his cattle brand in this issue of the TRAVELER.
CANNOT MAKE OUT BRAND ON SIDE OF COW ILLUSTRATION.
B. F. CHILDS, Arkansas City, Kas. Range on Salt, Antelope, and Elm creeks. Ranch two miles below the forks, Osage Nation. Brand on either or both sides. Holes in both ears. Reward for return of strays. A. J. HENDERSON, Foreman.
News about Capt. Norton...
Arkansas City Republican, May 10, 1884.
Will Griffith returned a few days ago, from Florida, the land of flowers. He is well impressed with that country and brought some fine specimens of oranges home with him. Good Samaritan like, he filled our pockets, in order, we suppose, to chase away the Hungary expression which played over our countenance when he exhibited his beauties. He met the Nortons’, former residents of our city, while there. Mrs. Norton sent to Mrs. Griffith—not Will’s wife but his mother—some excellent guava jelly. By the courtesy of this excellent lady, we manipulated the spoon and the contents of the jelly glass and found the flavor superior. Mr. Griffith also procured some fine views of the old Spanish fort at St. Augustine and other places of great interest to a lover of American scenery.
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1884.
It is said that Captain G. H. Norton, Arkansas City’s first postmaster, is now one of the richest men in the orange growing districts of Florida.
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1884.
The A. C. Democrat gets the following historical information from the first biennial report of the state board of agriculture. It will be read with interest by all identified with Cowley’s pioneer days.
First post office:
Creswell Township, Arkansas City, G. H. Norton, postmaster.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 14, 1885.
THE CANAL CITY AS SHE WAS.
A Marvel of Growth, Energy, Enterprise, and Stick-to-itive-ness.
In the year 1870 a band of men formed the idea of starting a town where Arkansas City now is. To think was to act! Surveying was commenced in March and the plat recorded in April, a town company was organized and everything on a boom, all in the period of three months. Why this site was chosen, being as it was 125 miles from one place in one direction and 500 in the other, might seem a mystery to many who have never been here. To the founders of this city, it was not, however. The selection of the site was made on the exercise of their best judgment, assisted by solid horse sense. A comparison of this whole country, any part of which they could have chosen, satisfied them the site they selected was the best for health, for beauty of location, for safety, and for growth. Experience has justified their decision.
Capt. Norton, one of the town company, built the first house and established the first store on the block now occupied by the elegant residences of Messrs. Child’s, Kroenert, and Hasie. He had everything a man or woman could desire, from a dress button to a side of hog; the city was laid out to be built as it was built. Summit street was intended to be the business street, as it is.
For two years our people were compelled to haul their supplies of whatsoever kind from Emporia, 125 miles distant. Then for a little over a year from Florence, 85 miles away. And after that, until the railroad reached us, from Wichita, thus contributing her share toward the growth of each of these places.
It appears that the cattleman, Childs, built a new residence on the property he purchased from Mrs. Gray. Unknown what happened to the Norton cabin at this time.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 30, 1885.
B. F. Childs advertises a handsome base burner for sale.
Ad. An “Art Garland,” square, base heater—a beautiful stove cheap. Have furnace, therefore no use for it. B. F. CHILDS.
[THE FOLLOWING ARE NOTES BY RKW. SOURCE UNKNOWN.]
The special census of February 10,1870 lists only G. H. Norton.
Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas.
1870
The streets in Arkansas City were laid out north and south and east and west. The main street traversed the summit of the mound upon which the town was located.
The first structure built on the townsite was a log cabin, erected in the 100 block on North B Street. This house was later moved to the northeast corner of B Street and Central Avenue. It was first occupied on April 7, 1870, by Capt. Gould Hyde Norton as a residence and store. G. H. Norton & Co. opened a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes in this cabin. It also became the first post office. Captain Gould Hyde Norton was appointed as the first postmaster of Arkansas City on May 16, 1870.
Arkansas City Town Company.
On July 15, 1871, the Arkansas City Town Company Corporation was formed by Daniel Beedy, L. B. Kellogg, M. R. Leonard, H. O. Meigs, A. A. Newman, G. H. Norton, H. B. Norton, C. R. Sipes, and W. M. Sleeth. It was capitalized for 300 shares at Fifty dollars each or a total of $15,000. The life of the corporation was to be ten years.
In 1872 Arkansas City was declared incorporated as a third class city. The petition for incorporation had been signed by a majority of the town’s electors. The town contained more than 250 and less than 2,000 persons.
The city limits enclosed one square mile, starting at what is now the corner of Birch Avenue and F Street, and extending south to Madison Avenue, west to Eighth Street, north to Birch Avenue, and east to F Street.
