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John W. Tull
Windsor Township.
Kansas 1875 Census, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth Where from
J. W. Tull 31 m w Illinois Illinois
N. Tull 27 f w Indiana Illinois
B. [?] Tull 3 m w Kansas
Windsor Township.
1873: Tull, J. W., 28. Spouse: N. J., 25.
1874: Tull, J. W., 31. Spouse: N., 27.
1876: Tull, J. W., 32. Spouse: N., 28.
1878: Tull, John W. Spouse: None listed.
1879: Tull, John W. Spouse: N., 30
1879: Tull, J. T., age 24. Spouse: None listed.
1880: Tull, Jno., 36. Spouse: N., 32. [P. O. Address: Cambridge.]
JOHN W. TULL.
File Pertaining to John W. Tull.
The following was transcribed by Samuel L. Pickens in 1991 from a hand written file (Envelope 57) located in the Cowley County Museum. It was signed “W. E.,” and dated February 28, 1938.
“JOHN W. TULL (1843 - 1919) was born in Shelby County, Illinois. He was reared and educated in Illinois, and during the Civil War served in Co. K, 126th Reg. Illinois, Vol. Inf. In 1866 he was married to Miss Nancy Simpson (born 1847 and died July 1887), and they were parents of two sons—Braz. D.(born July 9, 1871) and Bruce (born March 23, 1879) Tull, both of whom were reared in Windsor Township. In March 1869 Mr. Tull and his wife came to Kansas stopping at Eureka where he planted a crop, after which he came on a tour of inspection to Cowley County. In 1869 he located on a claim on Grouse Creek and after building a house brought his wife from Eureka, which was fifty miles distant, and the nearest market and post office. They were accompanied by Ephraim Simpson and Joseph Sweet and his wife who were relatives of Mrs. Tull.”
“All settlers who located prior to July 15, 1870, were expected to pay head money to Chetopah, Chief of the Osages. Mr. Tull possessed a receipt for the payment of $5.00 to the chief which was supposed to insure him against molestation. Mr. Tull was a man of prominence during the constructive period of the county. He was the first clerk of Windsor Township and the first teacher in the valley (Lazette) and is remembered as a man who was active in the organization of many local groups for the betterment of his neighborhood. He served as Republican Central Committeeman and held various offices. Mrs. Tull died in 1887 and later he married Miss Laura Truitt of Shelby County, Illinois.”
First Settlement of John W. Tull.
The story of John Tull indicates that he came first to near Arkansas City. There he staked off a claim (The southwest quarter of section 32, Township 34, Range 4 east.) This is where the city canal joined the Walnut river. He returned to Eureka in July of 1869 to help in the harvest. After the harvest he returned to Arkansas City to find the Osage Indians were forcing the settlers to leave. His hay and unfinished house were burned and Tull, after some searching, located another homestead in October of 1869. He located in Windsor Township in Northern Cowley, on Grouse Creek—the Southeast quarter of Section 21, Township 31 of Range 7 east.
James Hughes, who came to Arkansas City in November 1869, told his son that the men found hay put up in stacks but the Indians would allow no one to use it except themselves for their horses and bedding. It may have been hay put up by the John Tull group who had been forced by the Indians to withdraw.
The Federal census of 1870 lists John W. Tull, age 25, and Nancy Tull, age 21. Next entry is of Joseph Sweet, age 22, and Rhoda, age 17, and John E., age 4/12 of a year. On the same page E. Simpson is 56, Elizabeth Simpson age 36, Guy P. Simpson age 15, Samuel Simpson age 14, and James Simpson age 12.
The town of Lazette, which was first named Gazette, was laid out in 1871 by Samuel Fall and Henry Wilkins. This town was on the claim directly east of John. W. Tull’s. This is where John W. Tull taught the first school.
Windsor Township was organized April 11, 1871, and John W. Tull was the first clerk.
Windsor Township was fifteen miles square, and had a population of seventy-nine people. John W. Tull named the township in compliment to Windsor, Illinois, where he had formerly resided.
J. W. Tull was a candidate for Register of Deeds at the Republican County Convention October 21, 1871. He did not win.
Lazette, first named Gazette, was the metropolis and earliest pioneer town of northeastern Cowley County. It was laid out in 1871 by Samuel M. Fall, Henry D. Wilkins, and Wm. R. Wilkins, but was never incorporated. In October 1869 John W. Tull had preempted a claim that joined the village on the west and built the first house in Grouse Valley.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS.
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.
CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION:
Register of Deeds: John Irwin, F. A. Hunt, G. C. Swasey, and J. W. Tull.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS, JANUARY 6, 1874.]
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.
Resignation of J. W. Tull, of Windsor Township received and accepted and Wm. Fritch appointed to fill the vacancy.
Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.
The following are the names of those drawn to serve as petit jurors for the March term of the District Court.
JOHN W. TULL, WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.
Winfield Courier, March 13, 1874.
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT LAZETTE!
One Man Killed and Ten Seriously Wounded.
An accident occurred last Saturday at the saw and grist mills of Lacy & Roberts on the Grouse Creek. One man was killed and ten seriously wounded, besides a large number slightly wounded. Below we give our correspondence on the subject, which will give the details.
LAZETTE, March 8th, 1874.
ED. COURIER. A terrible accident occurred at the mill of Lacy & Roberts on Saturday about 12 o’clock M. by which one man was killed, ten wounded. The mill was running at its usual speed, grinding corn, the steam gauge standing at forty pounds. Everything seemed to be in perfect order; the mill house was full of men waiting for their grinding, when by some unknown means the iron band that held the stone together bursted and runner flew into atoms knocking people down and tearing the mill house to pieces, throwing fragments some twenty or thirty yards.
Freeman Wedding was struck by a large stone, which crushed his hips to a jelly and dislocated his back. The poor sufferer lingered for an hour and then expired. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn his loss.
Among the wounded were Samuel Sherman, Gear Dawson, Wm. Gintes, Wm. Gubbond, Hezis. Hodgkiss, Delfunt Sutton, My Kimble, Messrs. Lacy and Roberts, and two others, names unknown. It is thought by the physicians in attendance that all the wounded will recover.
The mill is situated on the Grouse Creek four miles above Lazette, and has been doing a prosperous business for some two years. The proprietors are deeply grieved at the disaster, and they have the sympathy of the entire community.
Yours respectfully, COLUMBUS SPRAGUE.
We, the undersigned, who were present at the mill of Roberts & Lacy at the time the burr burst, by which one man was killed and others wounded, take this method of exonerating the proprietors and employees of the mill from all blame, It was in our opinion, an unavoidable accident.
One of those who signed as witness to accident: J. W. Tull.
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874.
Commissioner’s Proceeding.
COWLEY CLERK’S OFFICE,
Cowley County, Kan., April 16th, 1874.
The following is a list of bills allowed by the Board of County Commissioners at their last regular meeting, showing the amount to whom allowed, and for what purpose.
J. W. Tull, guarding prisoner: $11.80
Juror: J. W. Tull, $26.60.
Winfield Courier, August 21, 1874.
John W. Tull, Esq., of Lazette, gave us a pleasant call today. John has forgiven us the hard things we said about him last fall and says that he would not be a candidate under any
circumstances.
[LAZETTE NEWS.]
Winfield Courier, November 12, 1874.
During the temporary absence of Rev. Mr. Wingar and family, a party of our citizens visited the parsonage last Saturday and under the leadership of Messrs. Tull and Walsh, put the same in condition for comfortable occupancy this winter.
J. W. Tull. Editor of Lazette Bugle.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 6, 1876.
LAZETTE NEWS.
On Christmas the Lazette Bugle blew its first notes. It is small but quite lively. J. W. Tull is bugler in chief.
[LAZETTE NEWS.]
Winfield Courier, February 17, 1876.
J. W. Tull has blown another blast upon his bugle horn—a great improvement on the first. He is preparing for a large issue again this month.
[LAZETTE NEWS.]
Winfield Courier, March 2, 1876.
The railroad meeting which was held here last Saturday was well attended by parties from all quarters in this side of the county. John Clover, Esq., was called to the chair, and J. W. Tull was made secretary. R. C. Story, L. N. McCracken, and Ab. Peebler were appointed as a committee to draft resolutions. The report of this committee was discussed by parties on all sides, and a number of resolutions were amended and modified. The assembly was a unit in desiring a railroad east and west through the county, though very much divided as to the best means of getting the same. The resolutions were considered and adopted one at a time, and some of them were carried only by a small majority. Part of the speakers wanted an unconditional endorsement of railroad enterprise, others were in favor of voting bonds for a road from the east, while others were opposed totally to increasing our taxes for any railroad whatever. Some said “wait two or three years and the road will come without the bonds.” The meeting was largely attended by the farmers and businessmen from Cedar and Grouse valleys, and the country west, and it demonstrated the fact that the people on the eastern side of the county are not sleeping over this question.
In regard to the gauge, most of those present said, “Give us more light in regard to cost and convenience of the narrow gauge.” A number of our leading men express the opinion that a good big bonus could be voted, even without a change in the law, for a railroad connecting Winfield and Arkansas City directly with the east.
Winfield Courier, July 13, 1876.
THROUGH the solicitation of friends we publish on our first page this week our Centennial History of the county. For the facts concerning Cowley’s early history, we are indebted to the “old settlers,” among whom we might mention Col. Manning, C. M. Wood, Jas. Renfro, Judge Ross, Dr. Graham, and others, of this neighborhood; Judge McIntire, H. C. Endicott, and T. A. Wilkinson, of Arkansas City; Capt. Jas. McDermott, of Dexter; S. S. Moore, of Tisdale; and J. W. Tull, through R. C. Story, Esq., of Lazette. For the courtesy of county, township, and city officers in placing at our disposal, books, records, etc., we are particularly grateful.
Cowley County Democrat, Winfield, Kansas, Thursday, July 13, 1876.
Read at the Centennial Celebration, July 4th, 1876, at Winfield, Kansas.
BY WIRT W. WALTON
LAZETTE.
The first settler in this part of Grouse Valley was John W. Tull, who laid the foundation of the first house. He came in November, 1869.
J. W. Tull raised the first crop of corn in 1870.
The first school in the valley was taught by J. W. Tull in 1870.
The first printing press put in operation was brought in by J. W. Tull, from whose office the Bugle, the first paper, was published in 1875.
Cowley County Democrat, Winfield, Kansas, Thursday, July 13, 1876.
HISTORY OF COWLEY COUNTY.
Read at the Centennial Celebration, July 4th, 1876, at Winfield, Kansas.
BY WIRT W. WALTON
LAZETTE.
The first settler in this part of the county was J. W. Tull, who built the first house (in November, 1869), raised the first crop, and taught the first school (in 1870) in the valley.
Winfield Courier, August 17, 1876. Editorial Page.
COUNTY CONVENTION.
The Republican county convention convened at the Courthouse, in Winfield, on Saturday, August 12th, at 1 o’clock p.m., and was called to order by A. B. Lemmon, chairman of the Republican county central committee. R. C. Story was elected temporary chairman and James Kelly secretary. A committee on credentials was appointed, consisting of Messrs. E. S. Torrance, J. W. Tull, A. B. Odell, T. R. Bryan, and S. M. Jarvis. The committee reported the following persons as having been duly elected as delegates and alternates to the convention.
Windsor: Delegates, C. W. Jones, D. Elliott, and J. W. Tull.
Winfield Courier, August 17, 1876.
Eighty-Eighth District Convention.
Pursuant to call the delegates of the 88th Representative District met in Republican convention at the courthouse, in Winfield, at 10 o’clock a.m., Saturday, August 12, 1876.
R. C. Story, of Harvey Township, was elected temporary chairman, and C. H. Eagin, of Rock Township, temporary secretary.
On motion a committee on credentials was appointed, consisting of one delegate from each township present, to be named by the delegates themselves. The following named gentlemen composed the committee: E. S. Torrance, of Winfield; Alex. Kelly, Richland; J. W. Tull, Windsor; J. S. Woolley, Vernon; A. B. Odell, Ninnescah; and A. V. Polk, of Rock. Pending the report of the committee, Capt. James McDermott being called, came forward and made a brief speech, which was enthusiastically received, after which, a few remarks, in response to a call, were made by the temporary chairman.
The committee on credentials then submitted the following report.
“Your committee on credentials beg leave to report the following named persons entitled to seats as delegates in the convention.
Windsor: C. W. Jones, D. Elliott, and J. W. Tull.
Winfield Courier, September 14, 1876.
Township Conventions.
WINDSOR.
The Republicans of Windsor Township met in convention at Lazette, Sept. 9th, 1876, and elected the following delegates to attend the county convention at Winfield, Sept. 16th, 1876: S. M. Fall, C. J. Phenis, and I. N. McCracken, delegates. The following delegates were chosen to attend the district convention at Dexter, Sept. 23, 1876: C. W. Jones, J. W. Tull, and R. W. Jackson. The following named gentlemen were chosen to fill the township offices: Justices of Peace, C. W. Jones and A. J. Pickering; Trustee, John Brooks; Constables, Wm. Fritch and J. W. Tull; Township Clerk, S. Tylor; Township Treasurer, Joseph Sweet; Road Overseers—District No. 1, E. Rockewell; No. 2, Pike Evretts; No. 3, E. M. Freeman; No. 4, T. B. Washam; No. 5, J. W. Hiatt.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “J. W. C.”—WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, October 12, 1876.
It is thought that John St. Tull will run ahead of his ticket for constable in Windsor this fall.
Winfield Courier, November 16, 1876. Editorial Page.
Township Officers.
Windsor Township:
Mc. D. Stapleton, Trustee; A. Tyler, Clerk; J. H. Sweet, Treasurer; A. J. Pickering, J. P.; W. Fritch and J. W. Tull, Constables.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 6, 1876.
JOHN W. TULL, of Lazette, came down to see some of his old friends at this place. Mr. Tull is a model farmer himself, and knows a good farm when he sees it. He says there are some of the finest farms about here he ever saw.
Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.
J. W. TULL, the editor, publisher, manager, and correspondent of the Lazette Bugle, honored the COURIER with a visit last Saturday. He is the only fat editor we’ve seen in Kansas. The Bugle is a “give-a-way” paper and is the cause of much merriment on the Grouse.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, May 31, 1877.
Board of County Commissioners met in special session. All the board present, with James McDermott, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Among other proceedings had the following jury and election fees were presented and allowed.
Election Fee: J. W. Tull, $2.00.
Winfield Courier, October 18, 1877.
J. W. Tull, of Lazette, made us a call last Friday. He says trade is good at that place, and that Stapleton has a new stock of goods and a new wife.
Winfield Courier, November 22, 1877.
Claims Presented for Election Services.
J. W. Tull.
Winfield Courier, May 9, 1878.
On the Wing.
John Tull, of the Bugle, seemed to have lost no flesh from the arduous labor of the editorial sanctumer from the more profitable calling of plow-shaking.
Winfield Courier, March 6, 1879.
John W. Tull has been appointed postmaster at Lazette.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 13, 1879.
J. W. Tull and Dr. Wilkins, of Lazette, called on us last Monday. The latter gentleman is a candidate for the office of Register of Deeds, and is canvassing the county in his interests. He is an old resident of Cowley, warmly supported by his many friends, and no doubt would fill the office acceptably if nominated. Mr. Tull is well known by the old settlers of Cowley, and is just running around for the fun of it. He has been in the habit of occasionally printing a few copies of the Lazette Bugle, but his railroad edition of that journal consigned it to the grave for awhile. His forcible illustration of how Lazette got a railroad, and his location of the depot, were too much for the natives, and he suspended publication.
Winfield Courier, September 23, 1880.
John W. Tull, of Cambridge, has bought the farm formerly owned by W. Titsworth, a few miles north of Cambridge.
JOHN W. TULL. WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.
Winfield Courier, December 22, 1881.
John W. Tull, the ancient mariner from Windsor Township, called in last week. This was his yearly visit to the metropolis.
Excerpts from long article...
[CORRESPONDENT: “HORATIUS.]
Winfield Courier, January 26, 1882.
Notes by the Way Side.
EDS. COURIER: After a cessation of hostilities for two weeks in Dist. No. 75, trouble again began this week. Ye pedagogue made a tour, during the holidays, of Elk, Chautauqua, and western and northern Cowley counties, ostensibly in search of the picturesque, but more especially for rest and recreation, and the recuperation of wasted energies. The former he found in unstinting attendance, the latter he enjoyed beyond his most sanguine anticipation, and finally returned with three pounds additional avoirdupois. It would be a pleasure to give a detailed description of his festive rambles and the mirth, jollity, and hilarity that were crowded into these brief two weeks with friends, acquaintances, and old school companions. Particularly is he indebted to Messrs. Zerger of Grenola. Aley of Cedar Vale, Hargrove of Cloverdale, J. J. Johnson of New Salem, Hall; and J. W. Tull of Grouse Valley, and Rev. Thompson of Baltimore, for their kind treatment, generous hospitality, and excellent entertainment.
J. W. Tull, ex-editor of the Lazette Eagle, is as jolly as ever, and is the telegraph operator of the Grouse Valley.
JOHN W. TULL. WINDSOR.
Winfield Courier, May 10, 1883.
John W. Tull was over from Windsor Monday—the first time for a year.
JOHN W. TULL. CAMBRIDGE.
Winfield Courier, November 22, 1883.
ROLL OF HONOR.
We publish below the roll of old soldiers in this county drawing pensions from the government for injuries sustained on account of service, with monthly rate of allowance. It shows that there are one hundred and forty-six soldiers in the county drawing pensions, and that the government pays to them monthly the aggregate sum of $1,509.66-3/4. This is a record that no county but ours can show. It is certainly one that “Cares for him who has born the brunt of battle and for his widows and orphans.”
LIST OF PENSIONERS, COWLEY COUNTY.
[John W. Tull, post office address—Cambridge. Cause for which pensioned: loss of index and mid finger on left hand. Monthly pension rate: $8.00. Tull held Certificate No. 121,714.]
Winfield Courier, December 27, 1883.
The Old Settlers of Windsor Township had a big dinner and a “pow-wow” at Dr. Wilkins, On Christmas. Grand Sachems Shaw, Clover, Dwyer, Sweet, Tull, Fall, Walch, and others were present, including Judge Gans. The Judge says he never had such a time in his life.
Winfield Courier, January 3, 1884.
Ben Clover was over from Windsor, Monday. Ben’s wrestle with Dr. Wilkins’ Christmas dinner has not seriously impaired his activity. It will take years of economy in Mr. Wilkins’ family to repair his larder, after Gans, Clover, Fall, and Tull got through with it.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING.]
Winfield Courier, April 17, 1884.
Joseph Shaw, J. W. Tull, and Henry Wilkins appointed viewers on E. James road.
JAMES TULL OF CAMBRIDGE.
Winfield Courier, May 22, 1884.
Mr. James Tull, of Cambridge, one of the brightest young men of eastern Cowley, was in the metropolis Monday and Tuesday.
[BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 19, 1884.
J. W. Tull, Joseph Shaw, and Henry Wilkins appointed viewers on A. J. Fowler county road.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, July 17, 1884.
J. W. Tull, Joseph Shaw, and Henry Wilkins appointed viewers on A. J. Fowler county road.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY FATHERS.
What Has Been Done to Date at its Present Session,
Beginning on January 5th.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 15, 1885.
Petition of H. S. Brock et al, for county road granted and John Tull, Joseph Shaw, and Henry Wilkins appointed viewers.
Road petition of A. A. Bowers et al, Windsor township, granted and Joseph Shaw, John Tull, and Henry Wilkins appointed viewers.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 15, 1885.
Dr. S. Wilkins, vice-president of the second district of the county temperance union, according to the Cambridge News, has appointed a committeeman for each of his townships as follows: J. W. Tull, Windsor; Wm. R. Stolp, Omnia; E. I. Johnson, Sheridan; Nathan Brooks, Silver Creek; Robert Strothers, Harvey.
COUNTY ROAD NOTICES.
Petitions Granted at the Last Meeting of the Commissioners.
Descriptions, Time of Survey, etc.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 29, 1885.
Petition of A. A. Bowen and others, of Windsor township, commencing at ne cor nw of nw section 33, township 31, range 8; thence s one mile; thence e to e line of county road to be 40 ft. wide. Viewers, Joseph Shaw, John W. Tull, Henry Wilkins. Meet with county surveyor at beginning, March 6, at 10 a.m.
Petition of H. L. Brock and others, of Harvey and Windsor townships, commencing at nw cor lot 22, sec 18, tp. 30, r 8; thence down Grouse to Joel Rivers’ ford; thence e to se cor sec 19; thence so to se cor sec 31; thence e 3/4 mile to line of sec 5 in tp 31; thence e 360 feet; thence s to n end of 1st street, Grand Summit; Shrively’s hedge fence not to be removed. Viewers, Joseph Shaw, John W. Tull, Henry Wilkins. Meet with surveyor Feb. 26, at 10 a.m., at place of beginning.
THE COUNTY PARLIAMENT.
Grindings of the County Commissioners Since Our Last Report.
A New Jail and Poor House.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 30, 1885.
Road petition of J. M. Dawson granted and S. M. Fall, George Dwyer, and J. M. Tull appointed viewers.
COUNTY COURT.
What the County Fathers Have Done Since Our Last Report.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 16, 1885.
Road petitions of Joseph Jackson, Windsor, J. S. Rash, J. W. Tull, and Henry Wilkins, viewers.
N. E. Darling, with John W. Tull, Joseph Shaw, and Henry Wilkins, viewers.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 3, 1885.
J. W. Tull, of Cambridge, one of the early and prominent citizens of Cowley, was in Winfield Thursday. He has been in good feed evidently and is portly and handsome. Glad to see him again.
REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.
Everything Harmonious, With No Opposition to Speak of. A Ticket Unexcelled.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 24, 1885.
WINDSOR.
Delegates: S. M. Fall, J. W. Tull, W. B. Weimer, G. G. Barber, W. E. Dwyer, Ike Phenis, Shelton Morris.
Alternates: A. B. Booth, Ben Clover, N. E. Darling, Jessie Hiatt, C. Rheims, Will Branson, N. S. Crawford.
COUNTY FATHERS.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 15, 1885.
The county commissioners are grinding on road cases.
J. W. Parker road, with Jos. Shaw, H. Wilkins, and John W. Tull, viewers.
