Thomas J. Royal

                                                Salt City and Geuda Springs.
From Margaret Russell Stallard book entitled Remembering Geuda Springs.
Geuda Springs Area 1882-1882.
Township 33 S R 2E
Thomas Royal, Salt City, Proprietor, Salt City, 1876. From Ohio.
Geuda Springs Directory 1883.
Thomas Royal. Proprietor of Salt City and Livery, feed, and sale stable.
Stallard: Page 7.
SALT CITY, KANSAS —Plat Recorded, 20 July 1879.
I hereby certify that the above is a correct plat of the town of Salt City situated on the NE ¼ of Section 12 in Township 34 S of Range 2E in the County of Sumner and State of Kansas:
That Block No. 161 is 126-10/12 ft. wide by 200 ft. long and each of the lots in said block is 50 ft. wide by 127-10/12 ft. long;
That blocks No. 162, 163, and 164 are each 127-10/12 wide by 300 ft. long;
That block 141 and 121 are each 300 ft. long by 200 ft. wide;
That each lot in said block 141 and in the South half of said block No. 121 is 55 ft. wide by 140 ft. long;
And each block in the South half of said block No. 121 is 25 ft. wide by 140 ft. long;
That Blocks No. 122, 123, 124, 142, 143, and 144 are each 300 feet square;
That each lot in said blocks 142, 143, and 144 and in the North half of said Block No. 122, 123, & 124 is 50 ft. wide by 140 ft. long;
That each lot in the South half of said block No. 122, 123, & 124 is 25 ft. wide by 150 ft. long;
That block No. 101 is 200 ft. east and west by 183½ ft. (more or less) north and south and that each lot in the north half of said block 101 is 25 ft. wide by 135 ft. long; That each lot in the south half of block No. 101 is 50 ft. east and west by 48½ ft. north and south (more or less);
That each lot in the north half of block No. 102 is 135 ft. long and 25 ft. wide; That each lot in the south half of block No. 102 is 50 ft. east and west and 75-5/6 ft. (more or less) north and south;
That block No. 103 is 300 ft. east and west by 244-5/6 ft. (more or less) north & south; That each lot in the North half of said block No. 103 is 25 ft. wide and 135 ft. long; That each lot in the South half of No. 103 is 50 ft. wide by 89-5/6 ft. (more or less) long;
That block No. 104 is 300 ft. east and west and 269½ ft. (more or less) long; That each lot in the north half of said block No. 104 is 25 ft. and 135 ft. long; That each lot in the south half of said block No. 104 is 50 ft. wide by 114½ ft. (more or less) long;
That each lot in blocks No. 162, 163, & 164 is 50 ft. wide by 127-11/12 ft. long;
That Main Street, Sumner Street, and Second Street are each 60 ft. wide;
That Royal Street and First Street are each 70 ft. wide, and that all alleys are 20 ft. wide.
In Witness Whereof I have herein to set my hand at Salt City, Kansas, this 20th day of July A. D. 1879. (Signed) Rebecca Royal.

STATE OF KANSAS SUMNER COUNTY—Be it remembered that on this 29th day of July 1879 afore said cause Rebecca Royal who is personally known to me to be the same person who executed the within instrument of writing and such person duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In witness whereof I have herein to set my hand and affix my seal the day and year last above written. (Signed) Abraham A. Acton, Justice of the Peace.
This instrument was filed for record on the 12 day of February A. D. 1880 at 10 o’clock A.M. (Signed) J. A. Hubbard, Register of Deeds.
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, March 23,1876.
CIVIL DOCKET. THIRD DAY. Todd & Royal vs. Chas. Keesler.
Todd and Royal from Wichita...
[HAVE WE STONE COAL? ARTICLE FROM WICHITA EAGLE.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 31, 1876.
There is no material question of more importance to the people of this valley than that of cheap fuel. “Have you discov­ered coal yet?” is the stereotyped question of a majority of prospectors. Upon the satisfactory settlement of this question depends much. Without cheap fuel the manufacturing interest of this valley will never attain to that importance that they other­wise would. Our water powers, for the most part, remain undevel­oped and untested.
But two or three systematic efforts have ever been made in this vicinity to settle the question. One of them was abandoned when the drill had reached only 150 feet. Another, the McCampbell shaft, which we have often noticed, and which is being sunk five miles east of town [Wichita], is still being put down. Messrs. Todd & Royal, formerly merchants of this city, both of whom yet reside and do business here, and who are the proprietors of Salt City, Sumner County, have been boring for coal at the latter point for over a year back. Word was received here the other day that the “black diamonds” had been struck sure enough, at a depth of four hundred feet. The shaft is within a few rods of the famous salt springs and the deposit found only varied four feet in depth from the estimate made by the geologist. It is supposed to be the same vein discovered on the Canadian River in the Indian Territory, which has over four feet of a workable face. The Commonwealth in speaking of it says, truly, that “every month seems to open up something new and rich for Southwestern Kansas.” We talked with Mr. Todd the other day about the matter and he assured us that as soon as he could he would give us a reliable data connected with this important discovery, when we will gladly lay the facts before our readers. There is one thing certain, if a paying vein of coal exists at Salt City, it exists here also, for the geological formations are identical. If such vein is the Canadian vein, and it does not dip at a greater angle to the north between this point and that, then it is just as certain that we can reach it at Wichita at a depth of from 600 to 700 feet. Upon the other hand, if the dip should be to the south, that is, if the deposit should rise faster than the surface of the country, then less than 400 feet would reach the same vein here. We shall await, anxiously, further developments touching the Salt City vein. . . . Wichita Eagle.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 21, 1877.
MR. LETTS received a letter from Todd & Royal of Wichita, that they would resume boring for coal at Salt City in a few days. The gentlemen surely have pluck.

[COAL AT SALT CITY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877. Front Page.
SALT CITY, KAS., April 28, 1877.
At a meeting called for the purpose of taking action with regard to the organization of a coal company at this place. On motion Mr. L. Small was elected Chairman and W. E. Chenoweth, Secretary.
A letter was read by Mr. Wm. Berkey, from Todd & Royal, with regard to their proposition, on the shaft already begun. Short speeches were made by the following named persons, concerning the past, present, and future goal prospects: Messrs. Foster, Broadbent, Acton, Mills, Ward, Berry, Chenoweth, Berkey, Reynolds, and Lewis. A lively time was had.
On motion of Mr. Wm. Berkey, an election of five directors for a coal company was ordered. This resulted in the selection of the following gentlemen: George Reynolds, J. H. Hudson, Robert Mills, L. Small, and Wm. Berkey.
Moved and seconded that H. B. Pruden be the Treasurer of the company. On motion, W. E. Chenoweth was chosen Secretary.
Messrs. Berkey and Mills were instructed to confer with Todd & Royal and make arrangements with them on a proposition to proceed with the old shaft.
Motion made by Mr. Lewis that the two men who confer with Todd & Royal meet the Board of Directors on Saturday, May 5th, 1877, at 10 o’clock a.m., and give their report of the result of the conference, and that they invite Todd & Royal to meet the board at that time in the schoolhouse at Salt City.
Motion carried that there be a meeting of the citizens of the vicinity, and all interested parties, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the same place, May 5th, 1877.
Moved and carried that the Arkansas City Traveler, Winfield Courier, and Oxford Independent be requested to publish these minutes.
On motion the meeting adjourned. L. SMALL, Chairman.
W. E. CHENOWETH, Secretary.
[SALT CITY CORRESPONDENT: “ANTI BONDS.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 25, 1877.
SALT CITY, July 17, 1877.
Mr. Thos. J. Royal, formerly of the firm of Todd and Royal, Wichita, Kansas, has located at this place. He is going to remain with us permanently. He is going to continue the coal prospecting at this place, commencing immediately. All parties interested in the discovery of coal at Salt City should inquire or address Thos. J. Royal, Salt City, Kansas.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “CHRISTMAS.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 31, 1877.
This town is prospering finely. Mr. Thomas Royal, formerly of the firm of Todd and Royal, of Wichita, keeps the hotel in this place, and has ample accommodations for the trading public. He also has a large livery stable which he has been fitting up of late. Mr. Royal is also Superintendent of the Coal Company here, and expects to continue drilling. He has propositions from different parties to do the work.

Frank Waldo is going to move his goods into Royal’s store building, the present building being not large enough. Dr. Arnold will remove his office to the building that Frank occupies at present. He has been located here for the last seven months, and has established a good practice throughout the surrounding country.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “R. R.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, December 12, 1877.
Mr. Royal still continues in the hotel business, and contem­plates building a new hotel soon. He is at Wichita making his arrangements. R. R.
Thomas Royal, owner of town site of Salt City, selling lots...
Winfield Courier, December 5, 1878.
Mr. Thomas Royal, of Salt City, called on us last Saturday, having just arrived. He owns the town site of Salt City and has had it surveyed and platted. He is prepared to sell lots on advantageous terms to settlers. Mr. Royal informs us that large numbers of invalids are coming to Salt City to use the waters of the medicinal springs which are near Salt City, and that the water is proving highly beneficial. Messrs. Hackney & McDonald, of Winfield, who are the proprietors of the Springs, propose putting in tubing for the conveyance of the water to baths and drinking reservoirs. This may yet be a popular resort not only for invalids but for the fashionable world. Wichita Beacon.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 29, 1879.
A valuable saddle was stolen from the barn of Thomas Royal, of Salt City, last week.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, May 1, 1879.
SALT CITY, April 25, 1879.
N. A. Haight has re-surveyed and corrected Mr. Royal’s town plat, and everything is now ready for business.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1879.
SALT CITY, MAY 27, 1879.
Mrs. Royal has almost recovered from her injuries received several weeks ago by being thrown from a spring wagon while making a trip to Arkansas City.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT “RUDY”.]
Winfield Courier, August 14, 1879.
Mr. J. N. Notestine, of Sumner County, is getting material on the ground on Royal’s addition to the city, to erect a building for the accommodation of part of those health seekers who are flocking in so numerously to the springs.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, September 25, 1879 - Front Page.
SALT CITY, KANSAS, September 15, 1879.
One of Winfield’s men is to be a fixture in our town within a few days, as Mr. Royal is getting his house ready for Mr. Holloway’s groceries. RUDY.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “RUDY.”]
Winfield Courier, January 15, 1880.
Mr. Royal has returned from his trip to Indiana, where he has been for several weeks. He reports everything “booming.”
[NEWS FROM OUR EXCHANGES.]

Arkansas City Traveler, June 2, 1880.
Sumner County Democrat..
Thomas Royal, of Salt City, has taken up a stray horse, 16 hands high, gray, Norman stock. Owner can have property by calling and proving same.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “B.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, July 14, 1880.
Salt City, July 10, 1880.
ED. TRAVELER: There is quite a stir in our little city. Notestine has rented the Salt City Hotel to Royal of this place, he having got the Hunnewell fever. J. C. Mills has rented the Travelers’ Home to F. L. Davis, who will minister to the wants of the traveling public, and will furnish private rooms to those visiting the Geuda Springs for health.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “BO.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 4, 1880. Editorial Page.
SALT CITY, August 2, 1880.
There are two hotels now in Salt City—the Royal House and the Travelers’ Home, the latter conducted by that smiling host, Frank Davis. They will both try and make it comfortable for their guests. Call and see them. We are glad to see the travel­er come in. We mean the Arkansas City Traveler. BO.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “B.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, October 6, 1880.
SALT CITY, Oct. 2, 1880.
MARRIED. A young fellow from Wichita took a Royal prize from our community a short time since, in the person of Miss Royal. May good fortune attend them.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “OBSERVER.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 3, 1881. Editorial Page.
SALT CITY, July 25, 1881.
We came very near having a little excitement in the way of a team running away, on Sunday evening last. While Mr. Jessie Reeves’ team was being driven to the springs, the neck yoke came down, throwing Mr. Berkey and Julius Royal from the buggy. The ponies were stopped, and no damage done further than soiling Mr. Royal’s good clothes; but since Q. M.’s girl wouldn’t go pluming with him, he says he don’t care for that. Q. M. tends to the knitting closer than he used to.
[SALT CITY, SUMNER COUNTY, CORRESPONDENT: “GEUDA.”]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 10, 1881.
SALT CITY, AUGUST 7TH, 1881.
Q. M. Bixler and his father returned from a trip to Chautauqua County yesterday evening. They report the discovery of a mineral spring in that locality, also of rich lead mines. Q. M. hastened home lest Julius, “the son of Thomas of the House of Royal,” should prevail with Ida “of the house of the Amalekites,” and she should hearken unto him.
Cowley County Courant, April 6, 1882.
A Geuda correspondent of the Arkansas City Democrat ventilates himself to no small extent, and winds up his letter with the information

That Miss Una Royal and Lina Snyder are going to attend the Manhattan College another three months.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 3, 1884.
G. W. Cunningham put in an Eclipse Wind Mill for Mr. Royal, of Salt City, last week.
Arkansas City Republican, January 2, 1886.
Thomas Royal, of Salt City, while in the city Monday had a mouse-colored yearling colt to follow him home.
[The above item was the last one found relative to Thomas Royal. MAW]