A. T. Stewart

                                                  Winfield and Kansas City.
NOTE: There was another “A. T. Stewart” not connected to this family.
[Items pertaining to A. T. Stewart of New York in Winfield papers follow next.]
                                           A. T. STEWART OF NEW YORK.
Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.
Fred Hunt is clerking at Black’s. Wilber Dever at Green’s. Robert Deming at Myton’s, and Billy Hudson at Yerger’s. That’s right, boys; stick to it and it will make men of you. A. T. Stewart and old man Vanderbilt used to be clerks.
Winfield Courier, April 11, 1878. Front Page.
                                                          RESUMPTION.
It can now be assumed as certain that specie payments will be resumed at the time fixed—January 1st, 1879. The accumulation of specie in the treasury is already large, and constantly increasing. The premium on gold is small, and the houses of A. T. Stewart and others have commenced paying out specie and paper indiscriminately. Everywhere the bottom seems to have been reached, and, in a great many localities, times are steadily improving. Manhattan Nationalist.
[LETTER FROM H. P. MANSFIELD WRITTEN AT BROOKLYN.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 5, 1880. Front Page.
The day we passed in Saratoga was too hot and the night too intensely brilliant to be passed without comment.
The height of the fashionable season has arrived, and it would seem that all the wealth and show of the world was there. Since the fire which destroyed the U. S. Hotel, another of more huge dimensions has been erected, as well as the Grand Central, the latter being an item of the estate of A. T. Stewart, and fur­nished in the most elegant manner, costing 1½ millions. The grounds and building use the electric light, which is certainly a marvel of improvement, and reduces gas light to that of a tallow candle; its rays being very similar to the sun. The only strange thing, and to some people, unpleasant, is the peculiar blue cast it gives to surrounding objects.
The court is filled with fountains and lovely flowers, green lawns, trees, and fine music, so you see one can spend a day very pleasantly.
Aside from these two hotels, and the springs and lake, there is little to interest one.
Coney Island at the present day must not be left out to the tourist, as it is the fashionable New Yorker’s resort. The briny surf has been familiar to me in years gone by, but to renew the acquaintance now is not as agreeable as it is with the good friends living near.
The hotels at Manhattan beach, Coney Island, etc., are not to be compared with Saratoga, yet the guests are far more numer­ous.
An elevator 300 feet high gives me an extensive view of New York harbor, Rockaway, and its hotels, ¼ of a mile long, Long Branch (where I go tomorrow), Staten Island with its forts, etc.
Among the 1,000 curiosities was an automatic machine for hatching eggs, the first successful one ever invented, showing chickens in all stages of hatching, and was very interesting.

Perhaps no band in the world can compete with those at these hotels. Levy, now playing at the Manhattan Beach hotel, is said to be the finest cornet performer; his instrument is solid gold, a present of course. Arbuckle plays at Coney Island Hotel, and lest “familiarity breeds contempt,” he gives only two or three pieces.
Electric lights here too add greatly to the beauty of the evening promenades and the sandy beach, with its white surf rolling up to your very path.
Display, excitement, bewilderment, from weeks end to weeks end, almost seeming to crowd years into days, until life itself is hurried through, cutting off the hours at either end, which makes it short enough. Even the forced quiet of city life here finds you up at 12 at night, and breakfasting at 10 in the morning.
I have just returned from Hempstead Island, where I have had a delightful visit with friends, in the quiet of a charming household, whose head (the mother), I knew as a beautiful girl of 16, long years ago. Time has set her seal; lovely children have grown to be a blessing, but the mother is beautiful still.
Garden City, built by A. T. Stewart in his life time, for the purpose it is said of lessening rents for the men of moderate means, is a handsome place; most of the buildings corresponding to the same architecture, that of two-stories and basement, with French roof, lawns with fountains playing on the commons, orna­mental trees, shrubs, and flowers. Since his death his wife is erecting an Episcopal Cathedral to his memory, and believes that the remains of her stolen husband have been recovered and depos­ited in the vault built for the purpose within the church. The Crypt is of the finest Italian marble, and the most elaborate carving in America. A lover of art could pass a week admiring the columns and caps of the building.
[NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS.]
Winfield Courier, August 26, 1880.
The executors of A. T. Stewart’s will, Judge Hilton and Mrs. A. T. Stewart, have decided to erect male and female colleges in the immediate vicinity of Stewart’s Episcopal cathedral, now nearly finished, in Garden City, Long Island. The estimated cost of the institutions and their endowments will reach the sum of $4,000,000. The colleges will be three in number, and one of them is already in course of construction. The intention is the establishment of an institution that will equal the best of the European universities.
Winfield Courier, June 22, 1882.
                                                      THAT THIRD PARTY.
                                       CEDAR VALE, KANSAS, June 17, 1882.
D. A. Millington, Esq., Editor Courier:
DEAR SIR: In your speech of June 15th, as published in your paper of that date, I take it you are in the humor to hear reason, or a new idea, and in the shortest possible form I will present what some of us at least believe to be a vital principle.
               A BILL TO PREVENT INTERESTED AND SPECIAL LEGISLATION.

Be it enacted, That no person belonging to or owning stock in any corporation, railroading, mining, banking, or otherwise, shall act as a member of Congress, or of any State legislature during the pendency of any measure relating to or affecting the interests of such corporation; nor shall any such person be eligible to the Cabinet offices of the United States, or to the office of governor of any of the states or territories, or to any appointive office either State or National.
Now for the reasons: There is not a case where a claim is made against the United States, where the witnesses are not required to swear that they are not related to the claimant, or interested in the claim. No man wishes to submit to the decision of an interested judge or jury; and the power that makes laws or executes them ought to be equally disinterested.
A. T. Stewart could not be Secretary of the Treasury under Grant, because he was barred by law, being an importer, and upon the records of Congress will be found an old resolution which passed the 3rd Congress and was signed by Washington, excluding holders of United States bonds or securities, from the offices of congressman or senator. Why? To prevent interested legislation. And the prediction of the Historian Allison, that “the United States would retain a Republican form of government only so long as wealth did not influence and control legislation.”
With these few reasons I submit this question, hoping that we may all be ready to work for the right, whatever party we adhere to. Yours respectfully, LEMUEL HAWTHORNE.
[All correct. We are with you and believe it will be indorsed by the republican party of this state if duly presented to them in a manner to lead to inquiry and examination of the subject. We commend Mr. Hawthorne for his concise and clear statement of the measure he proposes. ED.]
Winfield Courier, December 14, 1882.
                                                           MONOPOLIES.
The postal service of the country is self sustaining for the first time in thirty years. This has been brought about by wise legislation and wise economy. Postage on letters and newspapers should now be reduced, or rather, on the latter it should be abolished altogether. Republican members of congress can score a big point by attending to this. K. C. Journal.
Yes, the abolition of postage on newspapers altogether would be a fine ticket for a Republican congress to go before the people with. As it is, the letter writers pay many millions of dollars annually in postage on their letters to support the department in carrying newspapers at one-tenth of the actual cost of carrying them to the department. Letters pay an average postage of more than one dollar per pound. Newspapers are carried, say, one half of them at two cents per pound and the other half free, making an average of about one cent per pound. The actual cost to the department for carrying newspapers is much greater than for carrying letters, yet the revenue from letters is perhaps one hundred times as much as for carrying newspapers. The only claim which is put forth for free newspaper carriage is that newspapers are educators and government should carry them free, to promote education and intelligence among the people. If true, is that any reason that the letter writers should be compelled to educate the people at their sole expense? Is not letter writing a means of education too? On the same plea, why should not the government carry all letters free? Why should this means of education be taxed five or ten times its cost to the government to pay for carrying the other means of education free?

But this is not the real reason why there is a clamor for free transportation of newspapers. The clamor originates with great monopolies in the east and is intended to secure a still greater monopoly. The great metropolitan journals have all the advantage as it is, over the journals of the smaller cities and towns throughout the country, in the fact that the government carries their paper in the mails at the rate of two cents a pound for any distance because it is printed before shipment from the headquarters of supplies to the publishers in the other towns throughout the Union for less than sixteen cents a pound and then it is limited to four pound packages while the monopolists can ship their wares by the ton. Thus these great monopolies can compete with the lesser journals of the country with an advantage of fourteen cents a pound, given them by the government, and the government collects this vast bonus to the monopolists from the letter writers.
But the monopolies would say: The country journals need not ship by mail, for they can buy their paper nearer home and ship by railroad when their freight need not cost them more than two cents per pound. We answer that wherever we buy, the cost will not be less laid down at our door than if we should buy in New York, and to most of the country the lowest freights from New York on printing paper is much over two cents a pound; but, if it were not, it affords no excuse for asking the government to carry for monopolists free. Again they tell us that the newspapers published in small towns now circulate through the mails free in their own counties. True, and so do the great metropolitan journals, and these latter get many times more benefit from their free county circulation than the former.
Some of these great monopolies are supposed to make half a million or more of dollars a year out of their newspapers. The New York Herald, for instance, probably makes considerable more than that. It pays perhaps a hundred thousand dollars a year postage on its circulation or rather as freight through the mails at the extremely low rate of two cents a pound. Why should the government give that paper a bonus of a hundred thousand dollars a year in addition to the bonus it already gives it by carrying its circulation for half a million less than it costs the government?
How would it do for government to carry dry goods free for A. T. Stewart & Co., or other New York monopolists to customers in Winfield in order to give them an advantage over Baird, Lynn, Baden, McDonald, and Hahn in this market?
The newspapers all over the country ought to raise their voices, write their members of congress, and frown this thing down.
Winfield Courier, June 14, 1883.
Mrs. A. T. Stewart has donated four millions of dollars for the erection and support, in New York City, of the largest college in the United States. It will furnish free tuition, and be strictly non-sectarian. The building, work upon which is to be begun immediately, will be the largest and finest collegiate edifice on this side of the Atlantic, if not in the world.
[EXCHANGES.]
Winfield Courier, October 16, 1884.

A neighboring exchange hits Truth square in the eye in the following: “Because a merchant cannot afford to insert a half column advertisement in a newspaper is no reason why he should not advertise. All heavy advertisers began with small announcements. The great merchant princes, like A. T. Stewart, spent at the beginning only small sums each year—a certain percent of their income. It is a mistake to suppose small advertisements are not seen. They are not only seen, but as a rule read by all who see them because their contents can be taken at a glance. Merchants who do not advertise should try the experiment, especially in the dull season. The public will not seek the businessman. He must interest the public and make it seek him.”
A. T. Stewart of Winfield and Kansas City...
[A. T. Stewart was a brother of Lenora Stewart, who married a “Mr. Bryant” and later Capt. John Lowry, a riverboat captain.
The Winfield census of 1878 lists: John Lowry, 63, and Lenora Lowry, 50.
NOTE: There was much confusion over last name.
Early census and newspapers showed “Lowery” rather than Lowry.
Kansas 1875 Census, Winfield Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name                                 age sex color    Place/birth                    Where from
John Lowery [Lowry]         60 m     w      Washington City, D.C.        Illinois
Lenora Lowery [Lowry]     49   f      w      Pennsylvania                             Illinois
A. T. Stewart                     42 m     w      Pennsylvania                             Illinois
M. R. Stewart                    30   f      w      Pennsylvania                             Illinois
Virginia Stewart                  28   f      w      Pennsylvania                             Illinois
Mary Bryant                       22   f     w       Pennsylvania                             Illinois
Thomas Lowry             16 m    w       Pennsylvania                             Illinois
Virginia Lowry              15   f     w       Pennsylvania                             Illinois
WINFIELD DIRECTORY 1885:
Stewart, Lora, student, boards John Lowry.
Stewart, Mary R., boards John Lowry.
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
A. T. Stewart...
Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.
                               COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Owing to the unfavor­able state of the weather during the late fair which prevented a proper exhibition of the articles entered for display, there will be an Exposition of all articles relating to the following classes: farm and domestic products, fruits, flowers, fine arts, textile fabrics, natural history, etc., on Saturday afternoon and evening, October 28th, 1871, in Rodocker’s Hall, Winfield. . . .
                                                      SUPERINTENDENTS.
Farm Products: A. T. Stewart.
Domestic Products: Mr. Clingman.
Fruits and Flowers: H. Hawkins.
Fine Arts: Prof. Palmer.
Textile Fabrics: W. W. Andrews.
Natural History: Prof. Hickok.
                                                   D. N. EGBERT, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.
                                      COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL.
The Cowley County Agricultural Society was fully organized by representatives from all parts of the county August 17th, 1871, with the following offices.

President, M. M. Jewett; Vice Presidents, A. T. Stewart and B. C. Swarts, Secretary, D. N. Egbert, Jr.; Assistant Secretary, A. B. Lemmon; Corresponding Secretary, J. B. Fairbank; Treasur­er, J. D. Cochran; General Superintendent, C. M. Wood; Assistant General Superintendent, A. D. Speed; and with a Board of thirteen Directors.
Its first annual fair commenced October 12th, 1871, though late in the season and attended with very inclement weather, was a very creditable affair, and attested the fact that the Society was a success.
[CITIZEN’S MEETING.]
Winfield Messenger, June 28, 1872.
Agreeable to appointment a number of citizens met at the courthouse in Winfield to take measures for holding a celebra­tion. After considerable discussion it was decided not to celebrate at Winfield, whereupon a committee, consisting of Messrs. Walton, Boyle, and Bryant, was appointed to procure teams for the accommodation of persons wishing to attend celebrations elsewhere.
A sufficient quality of powder was donated for the national salute, to be given at daybreak on the morning of the fourth, and a committee was appointed to superintend the firing.
The meeting then took into consideration the subject of
                                              INCORPORATING WINFIELD,
in which much interest was manifested by all present. On motion, J. B. Fairbank, S. H. Myton, and A. T. Stewart were appointed as a committee to draft petitions and circulate them.
On motion the meeting adjourned. J. D. COCHRAN, Chairman.
ALBERT YALE, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, June 28, 1872.
Mr. A. T. Stewart went to Wichita yesterday on business for the Agricultural Society.
[COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.]
Winfield Messenger, July 12, 1872.
Mr. A. T. Stewart and Mr. Wood of Winfield were in town last week on their way to Wichita in the interests of the Cowley County Agricultural Society.
These gentlemen talk very encouragingly of the prospect of their praiseworthy enterprise, and we doubt not but their fall Fair will be a grand success. The managers of the affair are men of experience in such matters and the people of the county seem to be thoroughly awakened to the importance of making the Agri­cultural Society a permanent success. The Society have secured a donation of twenty acres of beautiful land adjoining the city of Winfield and lying in the valley of Walnut, as permanent location of their Fair grounds. The society starts out with a capital stock of $2,000. If there ever was an Agricultural society established under favorable circumstances that of our neighbor county is certainly the one.

The citizens of Winfield, and, indeed, of the entire county, are characteristic of energy and enterprise and will reserve none of that very necessary element on such a question as this. The soil of Cowley is rich and productive and consequently her citizens are prosperous, and encouraged to go on in their labor for the development of their great resources. The valley of the Walnut is as rich a country as can be found anywhere, and numer­ous creeks and rivulets are a great advantage to the county. We are glad to see our friends in Cowley making a successful attempt to advance the interests of our farming and stock raising communi­ties and trust their efforts will be duly appreciated and the gratitude of the people be manifested by a general patronage at the Fair this fall. Other counties and other states are invited to bring in any article or animal which they may wish to exhibit. Success to the work.
Belle Plaine Herald.
Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.
Election day was one of the liveliest that Winfield ever saw. The streets were full of people all day. Everybody turned out and lent a hand to the good work. Every business firm but one spared one or more members, and twenty teams were employed in bringing in voters. Where everyone done so nobly, it is diffi­cult to particularize. Yet we cannot forbear to mention the committee for this precinct. Mr. A. T. Stewart and J. P. Short, who were in the saddle from “early morning till dewey eve” here, there, and everywhere; helping to roll up one of the heaviest votes ever polled in this township.
Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.
NOTICE: To Stock Holders in the Cowley County Agricultural Society. An assessment has been made for the full amount of the shares and is now due. All persons having taken stock to be paid in cash will please call at the office of J. B. Fairbank, Secre­tary, and pay up as the funds must be had to purchase material for the completion of the fence and buildings of the Grounds. By order of Directors, A. T. STEWART, Pres.
J. B. FAIRBANK, Sec.               
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
                                                   RAILROAD MEETING.
According to a previous announcement, quite a number of citizens from different parts of the county assembled together in Winfield on the evening of the 31st of August, for the purpose of discussing the railroad interest of Cowley County.
On motion Mr. C. M. Wood was called to the chair, and R. B. Saffold appointed Secretary of the meeting. Col. E. C. Manning being requested by the chair explained the object of the meeting. Gen. McBratney, being introduced, spoke ably and fluently of the advantages the citizens of this section would derive from the Nebraska & Kansas Railroad. This road commencing at Omaha, Nebraska, would cross the Kansas Pacific at Junction City, and from there south, crossing the A. T. & S. F. Railroad at Peabody. Work being already commenced, with a large force in Marion County, the road between Junction City and Peabody is to be completed and cars running over the same within a very short time.
The purpose of the company then will be to extend the road from Peabody down the Whitewater and thence down the Walnut River to Winfield, and through the county to Arkansas City, and eventually penetration in the Indian country. The bonds have already been voted for the road to the north line of Butler County.
The meeting was also addressed by Eugene Akin of Butler County, who accompanied Gen. McBratney, Col. Manning, Mr. Lacy, and others. A committee was then appointed, consisting of Col. E. C. Manning, R. B. Saffold, A. T. Stewart, J. B. Fairbank, H. B. Lacy, M. M. Jewett, C. A. Bliss, C. M. Wood, and D. A. Millington for the purpose of working up the enterprise of Cowley County, and for ascertaining whether our citizens were ready to extend the necessary aid in building said road. C. M. WOOD, Chairman.

R. B. SAFFOLD, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
Mr. A. T. Stewart, our genial friend, refreshes us by leaving a piece of ice as he passes by.
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
NOTICE. The refreshments brought on the Fair Grounds will be sold at auction on Saturday, Sept. 7th, 1872, at 4 o’clock. A. T. STEWART, President.
J. B. FAIRBANK, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
                                                        Directors Meeting.
There will be a meeting of the Directors of the Cowley County Agricultural Society Saturday, Sept. 7th, at 2 o’clock p.m. to transact some important business.
                                                  A. T. STEWART, President.
J. B. FAIRBANK, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, September 20, 1872.
Mr. A. T. Stewart has our thanks for some ice very kindly given us during our days of fever.
Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.
                              THE FAIR—LIST OF PREMIUMS AWARDED.
                                  Class C—Lot 1—Blooded Stock—Three Entries.
                            Premiums to W. J. Snodgrass, H. C. Fisher, A. T. Stewart.
Virginia Stewart...
                                        Class V—Painting, etc.—Eighteen Entries.
Premiums to J. C. Monforte, Graining; J. M. Reed, three styles penmanship; I. H. Bonsall, lot of photographs; Miss Virginia Stewart, oil paintings and pencil sketches; Miss Kate Millington, photographs; Mrs. N. T. Tucker, crystal painting.
A. T. Stewart...
                                                         500 YARD DASH.
                                                      Six Entries—$50 Purse.
                       First Premium, A. T. Stewart; second premium, W. J. Snodgrass.
Winfield Messenger, October 18, 1872.
                                                   The National Horse Fair.
                                                             FIRST DAY.
                                          RUNNING RACE—FIVE ENTRIES.
“Fannie Stewart,” owned by A. T. Stewart; “Frog Leg,” owned by J. Anderson; “Bloody Nathan,” owned by Charles Meech; “As­pire,” owned by Jas. Reynolds; “Dollie Lynch,” owned by Wm. H. McCullom. Race—half mile heats, best two in three.
Winfield Messenger, Friday, October 25, 1872.
                                                               Fine Stock.

On Saturday morning last we accepted an invitation through Mr. Stewart, from Mr. Reynolds and others to visit the fair ground and make a close examination of their stock exhibited during the fair. Mr. Reynolds brought out two beautiful thor­oughbred mares, Aspire and Soothing Syrup. Aspire is five years old, from Escape and Lexington. Soothing Syrup is six years old, from imported Australian and Lexington. These mares for purity of blood, beauty, speed, and style cannot be excelled in the State. Mr. Reynolds has a large farm—over 800 acres, all under fence—one mile from Longton in Howard County well stocked with thoroughbred stock from Alexander’s farm in Kentucky, embracing the following breeds: Hambletonian, Bellfounder, Patchen, and Bashaw. He has a fine lot of thoroughbred short horned cattle from Myers’ farm, Racine, Wisconsin; Sheldon’s farm in New York; and some from J. P. Roe, importer of thoroughbred stock. Also a large number of thoroughbred swine. Mr. Reynolds’ stock farm cannot be beaten in the State and will do much for the improve­ment of stock and the increase of fine blood. Such stock and such enterprise is worthy of the highest encouragement.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 6, 1873.
The first named is the “City Ticket:”
For Mayor. J. B. Fairbank.
For Police Judge. Wallis M. Boyer.
For Councilmen: Owen F. Boyle, Alonzo T. Stewart, Jas. P. Short, James D. Cochran, and James M. Dever.
The other is as follows:
For Mayor. W. H. H. Maris.
For Police Judge. Add. A. Jackson.
For Councilmen: Owen F. Boyle, Samuel C. Smith, Jas. D. Cochran, Hiram S. Silver, Chas. A. Bliss.
It behooves the people of Winfield to examine into the standing of these opposing candidates, and weigh their qualifica­tions for the different offices judiciously before entrusting to their care the welfare of our town.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 6, 1873.
                                                          Notice of Election.
In the matter of the application of the majority of the electors of the unincorporated town of Winfield, in the county of Cowley, and state of Kansas, to be incorporated into a city of the third class, under the laws in such case made and provided.
Whereas, a petition to me presented, duly signed by a majority of the electors of said town of Winfield, setting forth:
1. The metes and bounds of said town to be as follows, to-wit: Beginning at a point 80 rods east of the n w corner of the n w qr of sec 23 t 32, south of r 4 east, thence s to the n line of the s w qr of said sec, thence s 1 deg, e 1900 feet, thence e 1309 ft. to the center line, thence n on said center line 1884 feet to the n e corner of the s w qr of said section, thence e 80 rods, thence n to the n line of said qr, to a point 1 chain and 10½ links e of the n w cor of said qr, thence n 1 deg w 19 Chains., thence w 1 chain and 21 links, thence s along the line between s e and s w qr sections of 21, 19 Chains to the s e corner of the s e qr of sec 21, thence w 80 rods to the place of beginning.
2. That said town contains a population of about six hundred inhabitants.

3. That said petition contains a prayer to be incorporated as a city of the third class. And, if appearing to my satisfac­tion that a majority of the taxable inhabitants of said town are in favor of such incorporation, and that the number of the inhabitants of said town exceeds two hundred and fifty, and does not exceed two thousand, therefore:
I, W. P. Campbell, Judge of the 13th Judicial District of the State of Kansas, being further satisfied that the prayer of the petitioners, in said petition, is reasonable, do hereby order and declare said town incorporated as a City of the Third Class, by the name and style of THE CITY OF WINFIELD, according to the metes and bounds aforesaid, and according to the law in such case made and provided:
And it is by me further ordered that, the first election in said City, for City officers, shall be held at the LAW OFFICE OF SUITS & WOOD, in said City, on the 7th day of March, A. D., 1873. And I hereby designate W. M. Boyer, D. A. Millington, and J. P. Short, to act as judges of said election, and J. W. Curns and J. M. Dever to act as Clerks of said election, and also, A. A. Jackson, A. T. Stewart, and O. F. Boyle to act as a Board of Canvassers.
It is further by me ordered, that the Clerk of the District Court in the county of Cowley, in said Judicial District, shall forthwith enter this order at length on the journal of proceed­ings of the District Court of said county of Cowley, and shall make publication of the same in some newspaper published in said City, at least one week before the said City election.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at El Dorado, Kansas, in chambers this 22nd day of February, A. D. 1873. W. P. CAMPBELL, Judge.
[PROCEEDINGS OF THE COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873.
The annual meeting of the stock holders of the Cowley County Agricultural society was held on Saturday last, at the office of the Secretary.
228 shares were represented, and voted upon.
The reports of the former Board of Directors were heard, and accepted.
The following persons were chosen directors for the ensuing year.
J. D. Cochran, W. W. Limbocker, W. K. Davis, H. Silver, E. Davis, J. B. Fairbank, Amos Walton, S. C. Winton, F. M. Schwantes, C. M. Wood, A. S. Williams, and J. R. Smith.
A. T. Stewart was chosen President, C. M. Wood, Vice Presi­dent, J. B. Fairbank, Secretary, and J. D. Cochran, Treasurer.
Two committees were appointed to prepare and submit premium lists to the board of directors.
One, of the ladies; consisting of Mrs. Dr. Mansfield, Mrs. C. M. Wood, Mrs. J. S. Towsey, Mrs. A. A. Jackson, and Mrs. John Lowry, to submit a list for the ladies department.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 19, 1873.
The County Agricultural Society have their premium list completed. The time for holding the exhibition has been fixed for Sept. 16, 17, and 18. No effort will be spared to make the fair a complete success. The premiums are liberal and cover every department of industry. The president of the society, Mr. A. T. Stewart, would like to make some arrangement with some person or persons to repair the fence around the grounds.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 17, 1873.
Our ice wagon has changed hands. Our former driver has given out. Mr. Stewart now holds the reins, and is prepared to deliver ice to any part of the city every morning, as will be seen by his advertisement in another column.

AD: ICE! Keep cool. From and after this date MR. STEWART will deliver ice every morning in any part of the city.
Winfield Courier, August 28, 1873. Editorial Page.
THE EDITOR REALLY BLASTED THE TELEGRAM EDITOR AND JAMES F. PAUL, PRESENT REGISTER OF DEEDS, RE FARMERS’ MASS MEETING HELD IN WINFIELD ON THE PREVIOUS SATURDAY.
“They had their posters printed at St. Louis, and announced in flaming type the most noted speakers of our state to be present, without, to our certain knowledge, previously inviting them. They held a meeting composed almost entirely of Copper­heads and Liberal Republicans. A few straight Republicans being in the meeting secured for C. M. Scott, of the Traveler and the Editor of this paper, a place on the committee on Resolutions.
“There was not a single person present at that meeting engaged in agricultural pursuits for a livelihood that we can think of just now, with one solitary exception. We know of a good many substantial farmers in and about town who were not there. We enumerate: J. D. Cochran, A. T. Stewart, John Lowry; C. M. Wood, A. Meanor, J. H. Land, Mr. Roberts, and several others whose names we cannot now recall, farmers in about town, of all political groups, that were not present and had no voice in the meeting at all.
“Who did manage it? Farmer Allison and Farmer Paul, gentlemen who perhaps never turned an acre of ground in all their lives, and who are certainly not now for years past been engaged in agriculture. . . .”
[EDITORIAL PAGE.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 4, 1873.
MORE ITEMS RE FARMERS’ MASS MEETING & TELEGRAM EDITOR....
ONLY GOING TO GIVE RECAP ON ONE ARTICLE.
On Saturday morning we went to Winfield expecting to meet our brother farmers and spend the day socially with them, compar­ing notes of crops, profits, losses, experiments, etc. We hoped to take by the hand our friend, Renfro, and inquire after his horses and colts; to ask Mr. Cochran as to his corn crops in the valley and on the uplands; to congratulate Mr. Stewart and Capt. Lowry on their fine improvements and wish them much happiness in their new residences; to obtain from Mr. Clingman some valuable information in regard to growing hedge; to inquire of Mr. Andrews of his brick making enterprise, and learn whether brick can be furnished so as to take the place of wood as a building material thus saving money in the county rather than sending it to the lumber men of Wisconsin and Michigan; to ask Mr. Davis and Mr. Holcomb of their fine Swine; to obtain some valuable information from Mr. Foos in regard to the management of the dairy, etc.
We reached the place of meeting through clouds of dust, and found about three hundred people present, but not our friends: Cochran, Renfro, Stewart, Lowry, Clingman, Andrews, Foos, Holcomb, etc. A few farmers were present, but they wore either a dissatisfied look, as though they had been sold, or a hungry look as though they would give their farms for a county office.
A. T. Stewart, Miss Jennie Stewart, Miss Mary Stewart...
Winfield Courier, December 12, 1873.
                                            GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL!

To be given for the benefit of Adelphi Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at the Courtroom, Winfield, Kansas, Dec. 25th, 1873.
SOLICITING COMMITTEE. A. T. Stewart, S. H. Myton, I. Bing, A. T. Shenneman, J. A. Simpson, J. Swain, T. A. Blanchard, R. B. Saffold, John Rhodes; Mrs. Flint, Mrs. McMasters, Mrs. A. H. Green, Mrs. Brotherton, Mrs. Tousey, Mrs. Limbocker; Miss Jennie Stewart, Miss Lowry, W. W. Limbocker.
TABLE COMMITTEE. A. T. Stewart, J. F. Paul, T. A. Rice, W. M. Boyer, J. E. Saint, J. D. Cochran, J. C. Fuller, John Swain, J. A. Simpson, A. T. Shenneman, A. S. Williams, J. P. Short, Mrs. J. P. Short, Miss Read, Miss Mary Stewart, Mrs. Geo. Oakes, Mrs. J. F. Paul, Mrs. E. Maris, Mrs. J. C. Fuller, Mrs. W. M. Boyer, Mrs. L. R. Paul, Mrs. L. J. Webb, Mrs. J. C. Weathers, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Howland, Mrs. Hickok, Mrs. W. G. Graham, Mrs. J. D. Cochran, Mrs. C. A. Bliss, Miss Parmelee, Miss Lizzie Graham, Miss Yount.
A. T. Stewart...
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, Friday, December 19, 1873.
                                                  A. T. Stewart, ice bill: $6.00.
[WINFIELD GRANGE.]
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.
Last Saturday, Deputy Worden organized a Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry in Winfield. There were twenty-four charter members present, fourteen gentlemen and ten ladies. The officers so far as we could learn are: A. T. STEWART, MASTER; J. D. COCHRAN, OVERSEER; N. C. McCULLOCH, LECTURER; J. G. SERVICE, SECRETARY; JETHRO COCHRAN, CHAPLAIN; MRS. SERVICE, CERES; MRS. MARY A. McCULLOCH, POMONA; MISS BURGER, ASSISTANT STEWART.
The next meeting will be held at the Courthouse next Satur­day, the 17th.
Winfield Courier, January 23, 1874.
Messrs. Lacy and Newland have filled two ice houses with nice ice. Fisher & Ehret have filled one. Mr. Stewart has not put up any yet, he is waiting for a better freeze.
Excerpts: A. T. Stewart...
Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.
                                                           County Council.
                                   COUNCIL ROOST, WINFIELD, KANSAS,
                                              10 o’clock A. M., Feb. 3d, 1874.
Pursuant to a call of Deputy J. H. Worden, the delegates from the different subordinate granges throughout the county met at the Courtroom in Winfield. The meeting being called to order by the worthy Deputy, proceeded to temporary organization by electing brother A. S. Williams temporary Chairman, and N. C. McCulloch Secretary pro tem. Whereupon the Master appointed the following committees.
On Constitution and By-laws: J. H. Worden, Jos. Stansberry, and Frank Cox.
Committee on Credentials: W. H. Grow, H. H. Martin, and A. Walk.
Committee on Resolutions: T. A. Blanchard, John Irwin, J. C. Vanorsdal, C. G. Handy, and A. T. Stewart.

1:30 p.m.: Meeting called to order by the sound of the gavel, whereupon the committee on Credentials made the following report and declared the following members entitled to seats.
                       Winfield grange: A. T. Stewart, J. D. Cochran, N. C. McCulloch.
The Master appointed the following standing committees: On taxation, transportation, etc., A. T. Stewart, John Irwin, and T. A. Blanchard.
Winfield Courier, March 13, 1874.
                                                       CHINA WEDDING.
Last Monday evening, the most brilliant assemblage of “fair women and brave men” was gathered together at the residence of the Rev. J. B. Parmelee, that has ever assembled in the Walnut Valley. The occasion was the twentieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee, what the knowing ones call the “china wedding.” J. C. Blandin, with malice aforethought, enticed the unsuspecting couple to town and there kept them, not altogether unwilling, prisoners at his house. Taking advantage of the absence of the Rev. gentleman and his estimable lady, the “company” to the number of about one hundred and fifty persons gathered in with buckets, baskets, sacks, etc., each containing something calculated to gladden the inner man.
At the proper time Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee having arrived, were peremptorily ordered to prepare for the trying ordeal, which they calmly and resignedly proceeded to do. When all was ready the bride and groom were led into the parlor. Enoch Maris, D. A. Millington, Esq., and T. A. Wilkinson acted as Groomsmen, and Mrs. Enoch Maris, Mrs. ____ Johnson, and Mrs. T. A. Wilkinson as Bridesmaids. Rev. James E. Platter, of the Presbyterian Church, then proceeded to “lecture” the happy pair substantially as follows. . . .
Rev. N. L. Rigby then pronounced them “man and wife,” and offered up a short prayer. $103.00 in greenbacks was made up, enclosed in a soap dish, and presented to Mr. Parmelee by Maj. J. B. Fairbank, on behalf of the company. . . .
A splendid supper was served and everybody felt that it was “good to be there.” The party broke up about 12 o’clock M., everyone boasting that it was the most enjoyable affair ever got up in the romantic Walnut Valley.
Messrs. E. C. Manning, S. H. Myton, J. B. Fairbank, and A. T. Stewart, as far as we can learn, were the originators of the plot. We hope these liberal minded gentlemen will give another such at no distant day.
[THE CANTATA.]
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.
The cantata of Esther the beautiful Queen, which was ren­dered at the courthouse last Monday and Tuesday nights, was a splendid affair in every instance, and is universally pronounced to be the best home talent entertainment ever given in Winfield. The adaptability of each player to the particular part assigned them was a noticeable feature, and each performed their part so well that we dare not make “any invidious distinctions.”

We cannot however avoid mentioning those who took the more prominent parts. Mrs. M. A. Arnold as Queen, Rev. J. P. Parmelee as King, E. C. Manning as Haman, A. T. Stewart, Mordecai; Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Zeresh; Miss Kate Johnson and Miss Mary Braidwood as Maids of honor; Charles Black, Harbonah (the King’s Chamber­lain); Ed. Johnson, Hegei; A. A. Jackson, Hatach; W. L. Mullen, High Priest. They could not be surpassed in any city in the land. Miss Helen Parmelee as organist deserves special mention, as very much depended on her, always prompt, making no mistakes. The chorus was good, and taken as a whole, we venture to say that Winfield will not soon witness the like, and few towns in this country with their home talent could produce so splendid a spectacle. Too much cannot be said in praise of Prof. A. D. Battey, who drilled the class, and superintended the performance to its close.
A. T. Stewart, Miss Mary Stewart...
Winfield Courier, June 12, 1874.
                           Proceedings of the Meeting held Monday, June 8th, to
                                   Provide for the Celebration of the 4th of July.
Public meeting of the citizens of Winfield, was held last Monday evening at the office of Curns & Manser for the purpose of preparing for a celebration of the 4th of July at Winfield.
A. T. Stewart, Max Shoeb, and H. B. Lacy were appointed a committee on grounds.
J. T. Hall, T. A. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. John Swain, Miss Mary Stewart, and Miss Baldwin were appointed a committee on music.
Mr. (?) Stewart: Believe this refers to A. T. Stewart...
Winfield Courier, July 24, 1874.
                                                      Council Room P. of H.
                                                  WINFIELD, July 11, 1874.
Council called to order by the worthy Master, and corrected by the Overseer. After reading minutes of last meeting, etc., and under the suggestions for good of the order it was
Resolved, That the Patrons of Cowley County hold a grand social feast on the 22nd day of August, 1874, at Winfield, and the following committees were appointed:
Committee of 5 on general arrangements consisting of Broth­ers A. S. Williams, T. C. Bird, A. T. Gay, J. O. Vanorsdal, and P. Smith, and that Winfield Grange be requested to act in con­junction with said committee in procuring grounds. etc.
Committee to procure speakers consisting of Brothers Irwin, Deming, and Stewart.
A. T. Stewart...
[THIRD EXHIBITION: COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.]
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874. Front Page.
Officers of Cowley County Agricultural Society: A. T. Stewart, President; C. M. Wood, Vice President; J. D. Cochran, Treasurer; J. B. Fairbank, Secretary.
Directors: A. T. Stewart, W. Q. Mansfield, H. S. Silver, J. P. Short, F. W. Schwantes,
W. H. Grow, D. A. Millington, Amos Walton, W. K. Davis, C. M. Wood. J. D. Cochran, J. R. Smith, J. B. Fairbank.
Winfield Courier, August 14, 1874.
                                                      Patrons of Husbandry.
The following will be the programme for the grand social feast, August 22nd, 1874, to be held on the grounds of T. H. Johnson, C. M. Wood, and J. F. Graham, one-half mile north of the city of Winfield.
                                                           PROGRAMME.
1st. Each subordinate Grange will come in procession, accompanied by its Marshal, or his assistants, who will be at the courthouse.

2nd. The grand procession will form on the courthouse commons, at 11 o’clock a.m. sharp, and march through the princi­pal streets of the city, thence to the picnic grounds in the following order.
Winfield Cornet Band, Patrons of Husbandry in regalia.
Arkansas City Cornet Band, Patrons of Husbandry in full regalia.
                                               EXERCISES AT THE GROVE.
Music by the Winfield band.
Song by Supt. T. A. Wilkinson.
Prayer.
Music by the Arkansas City Band.
Oration.
Instrumental String Band, Supt. T. A. Wilkinson.
Dinner.
Music by both bands.
Toasts, responses, and songs.
Suggestions for the good of the order.
Music, Home Sweet Home, by the Arkansas City Silver Cornet Band.
                                    A. T. STEWART, Committee of Arrangements.
Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.
The other night some thieves entered the ice house of A. T. Stewart and took what little ice he had left which he had been keeping for cases of sickness, amounting to ten large cakes, leaving only about seventeen pounds.
A. T. Stewart’s brother arrives, may stay...
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.     
A brother of Mr. A. T. Stewart arrived here this week with the intention of settling. He is a man of means and experience, and we hope he will find something to suit him.
A. T. Stewart...
[FARMERS’ INDEPENDENT COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE.]
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
Six townships were represented at the Farmers’, alias, Independent County Central Committee, meeting which was held in this city last Saturday. Including the spectators there were twenty-five persons present at one time but that number in a short time dwindled down to being from fifteen to eighteen.
The committee, after some talking, found that there was not enough brains among the members to carry on the convention, so the views of the spectators were solicited, whereupon the said spectators took things into their own hands and ran matters to suit themselves.
In the delegates to the Congressional and Senatorial Conven­tions, the farmer element is sadly lacking, and the members of the committee are anything but satisfied with the results of Saturday’s meeting.
The following persons were chosen delegates to the Congressional Convention that met at Emporia on the 4th inst.: Amos Walton and W. M. Allison; R. B. Saffold, alternate. To the Senatorial Convention: A. T. Stewart, T. H. Henderson, C. A. McClung, H. D. Gans, E. Millard.

[THE DISTRICT COURT: SEPTEMBER TERM.]
Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.
The following is a list of cases that will stand for trial at the September term of the District Court, Cowley County, Kansas, to be held on and from the 28th, inst., and have been placed upon the Trial Docket in the following order.
                                          CRIMINAL DOCKET—First Day.
                                           The State of Kansas vs. A. T. Stewart.
Excerpt: A. T. Stewart...
Winfield Courier, September 25, 1874. [Editorial by James Kelly.]
                                               THE POST OFFICE “RING.”
                                        WHAT IT DID, AND TRIED TO DO!
                                     HOW TO KEEP A RASCAL IN OFFICE.
                                        The Men Who Control the Opposition.
                                                  Chapter of Sound Reading.
As to the fourth charge, “war on the business prosperity of Winfield.”
The P. O. ring, and the Telegram, in order to divert atten­tion from their real designs, must abuse and malign someone, and these are generally the best men in town and county. A. T. Stewart, J. B. Fairbank, C. M. Wood, Rev. Parmelee, C. A. Bliss, W. M. Boyer, and others, together with all the county officers it could not control, have suffered calumny at its hand. The people of the county are taught that the citizens of Winfield are thieves and cutthroats. This drives people away from the town. This divides our people among themselves. It prevents a coopera­tion among the citizens of the place in any laudable endeavor, either charitable, educational, religious, moral, or social, or for the general prosperity of the place. No one can deny this.
A. T. Stewart’s brother, William, does not stay in Winfield...
Winfield Courier, October 29, 1874.
Mr. William Stewart, who has been visiting his brother, A. T. Stewart, of this place, for several weeks past, returned to his home in Illinois yesterday morning.
A. T. Stewart...
[WINFIELD GRANGE, NO. 865, P. OF H., PROGRAMME.]
Winfield Courier, November 26, 1874.
                                                               Programme
of the open session of Winfield Grange, No. 865 P. of H., to be held at the Courthouse Thursday evening, Dec. 8th, 1874.
                                         COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS:
            T. A. Wilkinson, J. F. Graham, R. H. Tucker, A. T. Stewart, N. C. McCulloch.
A. T. Stewart...
Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.
                                                             A Good Time.

The Winfield Grange held an open session last Monday night, but owing to the inclemency of the weather was not so well attended as it otherwise would have been. We were somewhat surprised that there were so few of the citizens of Winfield out to witness the delightful exercises of the occasion. The house was called to order by A. T. Stewart, the worthy master, who stated the object of the open session. Prayer was offered by the Chaplain, R. H. Tucker. An essay on “Fruit Growing in Kansas,” was read by N. C. McCulloch. A paper by Mrs. Wilkinson was then read; next an essay on the private debt of Cowley County, by Mr. Wilkinson, after which a short recess was in order. After recess a lecture was read by J. B. Evans of Vernon, after which several who did not belong to the grange were called out among whom was Col. E. C. Manning, who made a few remarks as to his preconceived notions of the grange and how he obtained them. Remarks were also made by A. S. Williams on the duty of the grange. Where there is so much to commend, we dare not make any distinction. All did well. The performance was interspersed with music both vocal and instrumental by the Winfield Glee Club, led by Prof. Wilkinson. Everybody, so far as we know, was well pleased with the whole affair.
Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.
At a regular meeting of the Winfield Grange No. 866 P. of H., held at the Courthouse on the evening of December 22nd, A. D. 1874, the following officers were duly elected for the ensuing year: Brother A. T. Stewart, Worthy Master; brother A. N. Deming, Overseer; T. A. Wilkinson, Lecturer; H. N. Banner, Steward; J. F. Graham, Asst. Steward; W. R. Land, Chaplain; N. C. McCulloch, Treasurer; S. E. Burger, Secretary; Marshal Land, Gate keeper; Sister T. A. Wilkinson, Ceres; Mrs. McCulloch, Flora; Pearly Burger, Pomona; Bertha Land, Lady Asst. Steward. A. T. STEWART, W. M.
Winfield Courier, January 7, 1875.
The icemen are in their element now, and they are packing away the frigid article at a lively rate. A. T. Stewart, A. N. Deming, and Joe Likowski are among the packers. The ice is clear and nice and eight inches thick, being thicker than it ever was before in this county, within the memory of the oldest inhabitants.
Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.
                                              DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.
All last week, rumors were rife to the effect that an attempt was being made to divide Butler County on the twenty mile strip, take six miles off the north end of Cowley, and out of said territory, form a new county. Several gentlemen living at the north side of our county came into this office during the week and informed us of the fact, but at the same time we could not believe that the report had any well grounded foundation. Saturday, however, D. A. Millington, Esq., received a letter from Captain Shannon, of Augusta, Butler County, warning him that such a move was on foot, and asking our cooperation in frustrating the measure.
Mr. Millington circulated a remonstrance against any attempt to change the boundary lines of Cowley County, which remonstrance received three hundred signatures in a very little while.
A meeting was called the same evening at the courthouse, which was numerously attended notwithstanding the fact that only a few hours notice had been given. The meeting was organized with D. A. Millington as Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary. A resolu­tion was unanimously passed, opposing the giving away of any part of Cowley County. Speeches were made by A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and others.

The meeting resolved unanimously to send Col. E. C. Manning to Topeka to watch our interests. Nearly enough money was sub­scribed on the spot to pay his expens­es. A committee consisting of A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and Wm. Rogers were appointed to canvass the town to raise the balance needed. These gentlemen, acting with their usual zeal and energy, did their work before they slept that night, and the result was that Col. Manning was in Topeka Tuesday noon. Now we defy any committee to best that time. The meeting acted wisely in sending Col. Manning. He has brains and experience and is perfectly able to cope with all the divisionists they may send from Butler County. We have not heard from Col. Manning, but expect to before going to press.
Winfield Courier, February 11, 1875.
Judge Brown, Congressman elect, has sent the following names to the Commissioner of Agriculture, as proper persons in Cowley County to whom should be sent seeds for distribution. The usual amount of seeds annually distributed throughout the United States are to be sent principally to Kansas and Nebraska. This will give a large amount of seeds to the state.
Persons named: A. T. Stewart of Winfield; S. M. Fall, Lazette; T. R. Bryan, Dexter; Capt. Harrelson, Tisdale; H. L. Barker, Floral; John Stalter, Rock; David Hopkins, Vernon; Lucius Walton, Arkansas City; Wm. Norman, Maple; Wm. Nesmith, Thomasville; S. D. Klingman, Winfield.
If our friends in townships not represented in the above list will send the name of one of their citizens to the COURIER office, we will see that he also receives seeds for distribution. Send in the names at once as time is precious.
Winfield Courier, February 18, 1875.
A. T. Stewart went to Topeka this week as the Cowley County delegate to the State Grange.
Winfield Courier, February 25, 1875.
Mr. A. T. Stewart of this place is a member of the State Executive Committee of Patrons of Husbandry.
Winfield Courier, March 4, 1875.
A. T. Stewart, Esq., is detained at Topeka by his duties as one of the State Grange Executive Committee.
Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.
                                          Notice to the Patrons of Husbandry.
The meeting which was to have been held at the Eagle Hall, Wichita, on Saturday, the 8th day of May next, has been postponed until Saturday, the 22nd of May. Will the newspapers in the counties of Cowley, Butler, Sedgwick, Sumner, Harvey, and Reno please copy this notice. A. T. STEWART.
Winfield Courier, June 24, 1875.
                                                      Patrons of Husbandry.
National Lecturer Thompson will be in Winfield July 29th next. The programme will be announced after the next meeting of the District Grange. It is desired by the Executive Committee of the Kansas State Grange, that each Grange in the several counties send the Executive member of their District, the name and number of Grange, its post office address, name of Master and Secretary, and their post office address, by July 10th.

                                                          A. T. STEWART,
                                               Member Ex. Com. K. S. Grange.
A. T. Stewart...
[PATRON’S COLUMN: T. A. WILKINSON.]
Winfield Courier, August 12, 1875.
The prices of wheat quoted in St. Louis are such as should assure our farmers fair prices for their surplus. The best quality, which means a perfect berry, and perfectly cleaned, was quoted on the 14th at $1.56. The next grade, which corresponds to the most of what is called good wheat, was quoted at $1.31 and $1.32. These are good figures which should give our farmers more than a dollar a bushel for wheat.
Bro. A. T. Stewart, Director for Cowley County, in the Patrons Commercial Agency at Wichita, informs us that the Agency is ready to receive and ship wheat as soon as the farmers are satisfied it has passed through the sweat.
Those about to ship will make money by cleaning it, and putting it in a marketable condition. Brother Stewart also says Cowley County, the second largest producing county in the organi­zation, has subscribed the least amount of stock in the Associa­tion. This should not be so. It is to be hoped that each Subordinate Grange will subscribe to five shares of stock ($5.00 each), payable one dollar per month until paid, on each share.
Subscribe at once, and help the enterprise, and more espe­cially—yourselves, and prove your ability to do your own ship­ping and business.
Send subscription to Bro. A. T. Stewart, or T. A. Wilkinson, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, August 26, 1875.
Our friend, A. T. Stewart, received a premium on his splen­did sample of wheat sent to the board of Centennial Managers at Topeka.
[PORTION OF ARTICLE FROM “SPIRIT OF KANSAS.”]
Winfield Courier, September 2, 1875.
                                                         Grange Activities.
A correspondent of Spirit of Kansas, on leaving Bro. W. H. Pierce, Grange Master, Sumner County, reported:
“We crossed a large iron bridge in Bro. Pierce’s township, which charged us seventy-five cents toll, which passed into the hands of a company, yet the bridge was built by bonds voted by the township. This is a fair sample of the way things used to be managed in Kansas, and is a subject for the Patrons to deal with and correct such injustice.
“We soon reached A. T. Stewart’s fine villa just in the suburbs of Winfield. He is a prominent member of the executive committee. He belongs to that class who have had extensive business experience and are now engaged in farming, and always being successful, he is now a first class farmer, owning one of the finest farms in Kansas. His plans for the state Grange are so large that they are not always comprehended by the brethren of less experience, and perhaps his only fault is, that his policy is so liberal that like Fremont, he may get ahead of the people. Certainly he is a power in the southwest and the celebration in Cowley County was perhaps the finest one in Kansas.

“The heavy rains flooded their chosen grounds in the morn­ing, and their enterprising business agent, T. A. Wilkinson, immediately hired men and cleared another place and at dinner time they were carrying out a true Grange programme. Some counties don’t seem to know what to do. They either lack the talent, energy, or enterprise to carry out a programme of their own. Their lecturers have been but little better than a piece of statuary filling a chair, and never what the Order intended they should be, live men who have something to say and then say it.
“I will send you specimens of their work in order to encour­age others. Think of a lady stepping forward and presiding as toast master with great credit to herself and the assembly that chose her. Fine music, good singing, and the following are some of the toasts offered: Kansas in the past and present, Capital and Labor, One Brotherhood, Unity in the Grange, Women in the Grange, Old Bachelors. They met with prompt responses and the culture here exhibited, placed Cowley County in the front rank in the Grange movement.
Mary Bryant, Virginia Stewart...
Winfield Courier, December 30, 1875.
The newly elected officers of Winfield Grange are:
J. H. Land, W. M.; R. H. Tucker, O.; Anna Wilkinson, L.; J. F. Graham, S.; W. R. Land, Chaplain; Mary Bryant, Secretary; N. C. McCulloch, Treasurer; Bertha J. Land, Ceres; Perley Burger, Pom.; Alice Land, Flo.; Virginia Stewart, L. A. S.
A. T. Stewart...
                                               THE WINFIELD COURIER.
                                                     CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
                         WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
                                               PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
April 28, 1873, Vernon, the first subordinate Grange, was organized; A. S. Williams, master. In November following Silverdale and Bolton Grange were organized. We have not been able to learn who were the first masters.
The following Granges were organized by J. L. Worden, deputy.
                                     Jan. 10, 1874, Winfield, A. T. Stewart, master.
                                                AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Cowley County Agricultural Society was organized Aug. 19, 1871, and on Aug. 31 the directors elected the following officers: M. M. Jewett, president, A. T. Stewart, vice presi­dent; D. N. Egbert, secretary; A. B. Lemmon, assistant secretary; J. B. Fairbank, corresponding secretary; J. D. Cochran, treasurer, C. M. Wood, superintendent.
Some preliminary meetings were held for the organization prior to the first date given. On the 12th day of October, 1872, the first fair was held. The Society had purchased twelve acres of land south of town and constructed a high, tight, pine fence around it, and cleared an elegant race track thereon. This occurred in 1872, after the Society was incorporated under State law in May 7th and 8th.
At that time A. T. Stewart became President; C. M. Wood, Vice President; J. D. Cochran, Treasurer; D. N. Egbert, Secre­tary. The second Agricultural Fair, held under the Society, transpired 15th to 18th of September, 1872.
Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.

MAPLE GROVE GRANGE recently passed some resolutions repudi­ating the action of the district grange in endorsing the Southern Pacific enterprise and asking the Legislature to amend the bond law; also censured Bethel Grange for electing E. C. Manning master; also requesting the State Executive Committee to remove A. T. Stewart as State agent.
Winfield Courier, May 11, 1876.
The COURIER office shipped to A. T. Stewart, at Kansas City, this week, a box containing specimens of growing wheat and rye enveloped in fruit and forest leaves, and a splendid collection of garden flowers. The latter were clipped from the beautiful front yard of Max Shoeb, and the wheat and rye from the field of Col. Manning. The wheat measured fifty-four and the rye sixty inches in length. The specimens will be exhibited at the Board of Trade rooms in Kansas City and then forwarded to Philadelphia.
Winfield Courier, August 3, 1876.
The Misses Stewart, in company with their brother, A. T., expect to start for the Centennial next month.
Winfield Courier, January 4, 1877.
A. T. STEWART, of this place, has been again appointed State Agent for the Patrons of Husbandry. This is evidence that he has made a good officer, and we rejoice at this continued mark of confidence.
Virginia Stewart, sister of A. T. Stewart and Mrs. John [Bryant] Lowry, marries E. S. Torrance, later known as “Judge Torrance,” at residence of Capt. Lowry...
Winfield Courier, February 8, 1877.        
MARRIED. TORRANCE - STEWART. At the residence of the bride’s sister in Winfield, Kansas, Feb. 1st, at 9 p.m., by Rev. J. E. Platter, Mr. E. S. Torrance to Miss Virginia Stewart.
The wedding was a quiet affair, a few family friends only being present. A. T. Stewart, the bride’s brother, came down from Kansas City the day previous to attend the nuptials, loaded with presents for the bride. As a lawyer, gentleman, or compan­ion, Mr. Torrance is not surpassed. As a husband may he be so great a favorite. Miss Stewart has long occupied an important place in Winfield society and the many friends of the newly wedded couple are rejoiced to know that two as worthy as they have joined fortunes for weal and woe.
From different members of the family and friends in Kansas City, the bride and groom were the recipients of many costly presents consisting principally of elegantly carved silverware.
A. T. Stewart...
Winfield Courier, May 23, 1878.
A. T. Stewart, not the man that died, but the live, active, energetic A. T., has been in town a few days, and his smiling countenance makes us think of the times when Winfield was in her babyhood. He is doing business with Vaughn & Co., proprietors of “Elevator A,” Kansas City. He has, by his attention and kindness, been of great service to the people of this county who have had business in that city or have visited that place.
Winfield Courier, July 18, 1878.
Frank Gallotti has moved into the A. T. Stewart house.
Winfield Courier, December 26, 1878.

A. T. Stewart came down from Kansas City last Friday to advocate the railroad and spend Christmas among his relatives and old friends here. He is an able and ardent friend of Winfield and Cowley County; and it does us good to see him here.
Winfield Courier, July 8, 1880.
Mr. A. T. Stewart is at home for a few days visiting his sisters. His headquarters are at Kansas City.
Winfield Courier, May 12, 1881.
Our friend, Alonzo T. Stewart, formerly of Winfield, and one of the men who started this city on the road to glory, was recently married to Miss Jenny Smith, of Columbus, Kansas. The cards say: “At home in Kansas City, after June 10th.”
Winfield Courier, May 19, 1881.
A pleasant party gathered at the residence of Capt. Lowry, last Tuesday evening, to shake hands with A. T. Stewart and form the acquaintance of his bride. Most of the company were “old settlers,” persons who began here with Mr. Stewart ten to eleven years ago.
Next two entries about Laura Stewart do not make sense to me at all. Everything else indicates that Mrs. Lowry’s maiden name was Stewart.
Winfield Courier, January 25, 1883.
Among the prettiest costumes at the masquerade skate at the rink Monday evening was one worn by Miss Laura Stewart, constructed of COURIERS. It was a very unique representation and of course we think she “took the cake.”
Winfield Courier, February 1, 1883.
Miss Laura Stewart returned to her home in Sumner County Friday. She has been spending the winter with her grandmother, Mrs. Capt. Lowry.
Winfield Courier, July 26, 1883.
Mr. Lon [Alonzo T.] Stewart came in from Kansas City Saturday and will spend some time here visiting his sisters.
Winfield Courier, November 1, 1883.
Col. Alonzo T. Stewart was in town a few days last week visiting his friends and relatives. He was one of the earliest and widest awake citizens of Winfield, but has been in the commission business in Kansas City for years. He is now a member of Chanslor Bros. & Co., No. 522, Delaware street. His name is all that people in this section will want to give full confidence in the firm. Shippers of grain and stock will do well to consign to his firm, and to call on him when in Kansas City for he is ever ready to help his friends and customers in any way.
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1884.
Mr. Lon [Alonzo T.] Stewart, of Kansas City, one of the first settlers of Winfield, is here for a few days visit.
Mary Stewart marries F. E. Bryant of Illinois...
Winfield Courier, October 30, 1884.
MARRIED. Mr. F. E. Bryant, of Piatt County, Illinois, and Miss Mary Stewart were married at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the residence of Capt. Lowry, in this city, by Dr. W. R. Kirkwood. Miss Stewart is a lady of many good qualities and her marriage elicits hearty congratulations.
Winfield Courier, October 30, 1884.
                                                    MARRIAGE LICENSES.

Certificates of unalloyed bliss dispensed by the Probate Judge since our last:
F. E. Bryant and Mary R. Stewart.
Alonzo T. Stewart, Mary R. Stewart...
                                                           LAND SLIDES.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 27, 1885.
The following are the real estate transfers filed in the office of Register of Deeds since our last issue.
Alonzo T Stewart et ux to Wm S Houghton, 426 acres in sec 11, 13, and 14, 35-5e: $3,200.00.
Mary R Stewart to A T Stewart, 160 acres in 13-35-5e and 160 acres 14-35-5e and 106 acres 13-35-5e: $1.00.