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A. A. Jackson
Winfield.
WINFIELD 1874:
A. A. Jackson, 38; spouse, Nevis, 24.
Kansas 1875 Census, Winfield Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth Where from
A. A. Jackson 40 m w New York Tennessee
Nevis Jackson 25 f w Wisconsin Pennsylvania
Louis [?] Jackson 9 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Emma [?] Jackson 2 f w Kansas
NOTES BY RKW.
Capt. Addison A. Jackson was born in New York State in 1834. The family moved to Illinois, where Jackson enlisted in the 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on the day Fort Sumpter was fired upon. He served three and one-half years, being severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh. He was mustered out with the rank of Captain.
After the war he engaged in cotton planting in Tennessee for a few years. In 1869 he came to Kansas, locating in Winfield. He took the 160 acre claim immediately east of E. C. Manning’s claim. He soon sold his squatters rights to J. C. Fuller and D. A. Millington., and took another claim where he established the town of Seeley, Kansas.
The February 10, 1870, special census of Cowley County lists A. Jackson.
A. A. Jackson married Nevis A. Kelsey, age 20, on September 4, 1870. They had four children: Emma V., William A., Howard H., and Mabel A. They had one adopted son, Lewis T. Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson’s marriage license was the first issued in Cowley County. It was shown as License #1 in Book A.
Note: There is a discrepancy relative to the first name of Mrs. (Kelsey) Jackson. See item below taken from December 18, 1884, issue of Winfield Courier.
Note: There appears to be some discrepancy relative to the first name of Mrs. (Kelsey) Jackson. See item below taken from December 18, 1884, Winfield Courier.
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1884.
The A. C. Democrat gets the following historical information from the first biennial report of the state board of agriculture. It will be read with interest by all identified with Cowley’s pioneer days.
First marriage:
Winfield Township, A. A. Jackson and G. A. Kelsey, September 4, 1870.
A. A. Jackson was elected the first County Clerk and re-elected for a second term.
A. A. Jackson established and operated the first furniture store in Winfield during October of 1870. The streets at that time were named Wall street and Broadway street. He took an active part in securing the Santa Fe Railroad, and later served as right-of-way agent for them.
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Excerpt from a lengthy article...
Walnut Valley Times, March 4, 1870.
About 18 miles below Douglas we come to Winfield at the mouth of Lagonda Creek, formerly called Dutch Creek. Here we found A. A. Jackson running the store of Baker & Manning during the absence of Col. Manning, who has gone to Manhattan after his family. We counted several new houses going up at Winfield.
Walnut Valley Times, October 21, 1870.
COWLEY COUNTY.
From the Winfield Censor of last week we take the following.
Mr. A. A. Jackson is making preparations to erect a commodious furniture store on Wall street. A store of this kind is needed here, and we have no doubt that Mr. Jackson will meet with unbounded success. Let the good work go on.
Cowley County Censor, March 18, 1871.
FURNITURE: A. A. JACKSON FURNITURE.
No. 41 Broadway, Winfield, Kansas.
Cowley County Censor, March 18, 1871.
Announcements by political candidates:
A. A. JACKSON, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, running for the office of Justice of the Peace in Winfield.
A. A. Jackson, County Clerk...
Cowley County Censor, July 1, 1871.
Board of County Commissioners met in special session at the County Clerk’s office in Winfield, June 27th, 1871.
Present: T. A. Blanchard, G. H. Norton, and E. Simpson.
T. A. BLANCHARD, Chairman.
A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Cowley County Censor, July 1, 1871.
FURNITURE - A. A. JACKSON - NO. 41 BROADWAY, WINFIELD.
Walnut Valley Times, October 20, 1871. Front Page.
PEOPLES’ CONVENTION.
The delegates from the several precincts to the Peoples’ Convention met at Winfield on Saturday, Sept. 30th, at 2 o’clock, P. M., and nominated the following officers:
For County Clerk, A. A. Jackson, of Winfield.
The ballots were as follows:
For County Clerk, A. A. Jackson was elected by acclamation.
Winfield Messenger, June 28, 1872.
DIED. A child of A. A. Jackson and lady, died yesterday, June 27th, 1872. Funeral services took place this afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have the sympathy of many friends.
Winfield Messenger, July 12, 1872.
Board of County Commissioners met in Co. Clerk’s office in Winfield July 1st, 1872. Present: Frank Cox, O. C. Smith, and J. D. Maurer.
The following bids were allowed. One in favor of A. A. Jackson for expressage on Co. books $25.75, and County Clerk $1.50, one for J. D. Maurer, Co. Commissioners, $17.30; one for O. C. Smith $16.50; one for Frank Cox, $16.70.
Adjourned until July 15th, 1872. FRANK COX, Chairman,
A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Winfield Messenger, July 19, 1872.
Board of County Commissioners met in the County Clerk’s office, July 15, 1872.
Present: Frank Cox, O. C. Smith, and J. D. Maurer.
The following bills were allowed.
One of Jackson & Myers for coffin for Pauper, $25.
Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.
County Commissioners Proceedings.
The following bills were allowed.
One in favor of Jackson and Myers for Co. Desk, $40.50
FRANK COX, Chairman.
Attest, A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Winfield Messenger, August 30, 1872.
The firm of Jackson & Myers has dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be conducted by Myers & Johnson, at the old stand where they keep at all times a large assortment of furniture, and will manufacture to order anything in their line.
[MASS CONVENTION OF THE SUPPORTERS OF GREELEY AND BROWN.]
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
Meeting organized by the selection of R. B. Saffold for chairman, and A. Walton as secretary. Mr. Saffold made an interesting speech in favor of the Cincinnati Platform and the nominees; Mr. Jackson made a motion that a committee of five be appointed on organization, seconded and carried; also moved that a committee of five be appointed on resolutions; carried.
Recommended by T. A. Blanchard, Chairman, that a Central Committee be elected, consisting of two members from each township, and that they be requested to meet at Winfield, Saturday, the 9th day of September, 1872, for the purpose of organization of said Committee and apportioning to each township its number of delegates for a County Convention Sept. 18, named as the day for a Greeley Mass meeting at Winfield.
A. A. Jackson, Secretary.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED: DIFFERENT TOWNSHIPS.
WINFIELD: A. A. JACKSON, S. E. BERGER.
Nominations were then made for delegates to the two Conventions to be held in Topeka September 11th, 1872. A. A. Jackson and R. B. Saffold, with S. D. Oaks and T. B. Ross as alternates were nominated to one Convention, and A. Walton, T. McIntire with H. N. Deming and T. A. Blanchard, alternates to the other, for the purpose of nominating State officers, Electors, and Congressmen.
[PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Messenger, September 20, 1872.
The following bills were acted upon:
A. A. Jackson, County Clerk and abstract from U. S. Land Office, $354.70.
Board adjourned to meet in regular session October 7th, 1872. FRANK COX, Chairman.
Attest, A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Winfield Messenger, September 20, 1872.
County Clerk Jackson returned from Topeka last Saturday, where he was attending the democratic state convention.
Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.
THE CAMPAIGN OPENED.
There will be a joint discussion of the political questions of the day between the candidates on the Republican and Liberal County tickets . . . .
By order of the County Central Committee.
JAMES KELLY, Chairman, Republican Committee.
A. A. JACKSON, Chairman of Liberal Committee.
Mrs. A. A. Jackson...
Winfield Messenger, October 4, 1872.
THE FAIR—LIST OF PREMIUMS AWARDED.
Class R—Millinery, etc.—Sixty-five Entries.
Premiums to Mrs. W. Q. Mansfield, Miss Mary Deming, Mrs. A. McClellan, Mrs. M. Fitch, Mrs. C. M. Wood, Mrs. Hiram Fisk, Miss Maggie Harper, Miss M. Stewart, Mrs. L. Lowry, Mrs. E. C. Manning, Mrs. A. A. Jackson, Mrs. Luella Blandin, Mrs. E. Maris, Miss E. Davis.
[LIBERAL NOMINATING CONVENTION - WINFIELD.]
Winfield Messenger, Friday, October 11, 1872. Front Page.
PROBATE JUDGE: Formal ballot, T. J. Johnson received 24, A. A. Jackson 5, Boutwell 2. Johnson was declared the nominee.
After the election of R. B. Saffold, J. F. Paul, and A. A. Jackson, as County Executive Committee, the convention adjourned. W. M. ALLISON, Secretary.
Winfield Messenger, November 1, 1872. Front Page.
A. A. JACKSON, COUNTY CLERK AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Will attend to collections, and file on claims at the U. S. Land Office at Wichita.
Claims bought and sold, and deeds made out with neatness and dispatch.
Office upstairs in Walnut Valley House, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Messenger, November 1, 1872. Front Page.
SOCIETIES.
ADELPHI LODGE, U. D. A. F. and A. M., Winfield, Kansas, holds its regular communications on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. A. A. JACKSON, Secretary.
J. S. HUNT, W. M.
[BOARD OF COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 11, 1873.
The following bills were presented and rejected.
Jackson & Myers, coffin for R. M. Boyer.
A. A. Jackson, service Co. Clerk, one quarter: $75.00
FRANK COX, Chairman.
Attest: A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 11, 1873.
Notice for Sealed Proposals.
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received at this office up to Jan. 21st, 1873, for the building of a temporary jail for Cowley County to be built from plans and specifications to be seen at my office, contract to be let to the lowest responsible bidder on the 21st day of January 1873, at 1 p.m. The county reserves the right to reject all bids if necessary. A. A. JACKSON, County Clerk.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Judge 13th Judicial District: W. P. Campbell.
Board of County Commissioners: Frank Cox, Chairman; O. C. Smith, J. D. Maurer.
County Clerk: A. A. Jackson.
County Treasurer: E. B. Kager.
Probate Judge: T. H. Johnson.
Register of Deeds: J. F. Paul.
Deputy Register: Jno. W. Curns.
Sheriff: James Parker.
Deputy Sheriff: W. E. Dowd.
Coroner: G. P. Waggoner.
County Attorney: E. S. Torrance.
Clerk District Court: James Kelly.
County Surveyor: Manley Hemenway.
Deputy: W. W. Walton.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.
Removal. A. A. Jackson succeeded in moving the gallery building from the north end of town on the lot south of the livery stable.
The lower room will soon be occupied by Geo. Tapley as a saloon and billiard hall. The upper room will be used as a public hall.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 18, 1873.
Furniture. In passing by the old stand of Jackson & Myers we noticed a large load of Household Furniture being unloaded. Upon inquiry we found that Capt. Greer, who has formerly been selling school furniture in company with Mr. Boyer, has connected with his former business household and kitchen furniture, under the firm name of Close & Greer; where will be found a large and well selected assortment of Household and School House Furniture. Charts, globes, maps, books, and stationery are always kept on hand.
He is the sole agent in this county for the publishers of the Text Books, recommended to be used in our schools by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. School boards and others interested will do well to give him a call.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 25, 1873.
Notice. Persons knowing themselves indebted to the firm of Myers & Johnson or Jackson & Myers, will save costs by calling upon Mr. Myers at their old stand and making settlement before the 1st day of February.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 25, 1873.
Legal Notice.
The order of the County Commissioners in regard to the extension of the time for adding the ten percent being not in accordance with the law, and the state Treasurer refusing to allow the time to be extended; therefore all taxpayers will take notice that the ten percent penalty will be placed on the tax roll on and after Feb. 1st, 1873. A. A. JACKSON, County Clerk.
Winfield Courier, February 1, 1873.
TO TAXPAYERS.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Jan. 28th, 1873.
I have seen a number of statements in regard to the taxes of our county and in justice to taxpayers I would make the following statements:
Amount of tax levied for all purposes $32,277.19
Amount outstanding Co. warrant to date 20,026.77
Amount state tax 8,343.45
Amount county tax 11,778.99
Amount township tax for the county 1,002.46
Amount school district tax for county 11,557.70
I would say in regard to the amount of county orders that the County Commissioners levied a tax last September to meet all outstanding county orders at that time, since which time a large amount of county warrants have been issued.
A. A. JACKSON, County Clerk.
Winfield Courier, February 15, 1873.
Election Proclamation.
STATE OF KANSAS, COWLEY COUNTY.
At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of the county aforesaid, on the 4th day of February, A. D. 1873, the following order was made by the said Board:
The County Clerk of Cowley County, Kansas, is hereby ordered and required to cause to be published for three consecutive weeks, in each newspaper published in said county the following election notice:
The qualified electors of Cowley County, Kansas, are hereby notified to meet at the usual places of holding elections in said county, on the 1st day of March, A. D. 1873, to vote for or against the proposition of said county taking and subscribing for fifteen hundred (1,500) shares of the capital stock of the Kansas and Nebraska Railway Com0any, of one hundred dollars ($100) each, such subscription to be payable in the bonds of said county, said bonds to be payable thirty (30) years from their date, and to bear date of the day of their issuance, and said bonds to bear interest at the rate of seven (7) percent, per annum, payable semi-annually. Principal and interest to be payable at such place in the city of New York as may be designated by the Board of County Commissioners of said Cowley County. Said bonds to become due and deliverable to said Railway Company under the existing laws of the State of Kansas, upon compliance by said Railway Company with the following conditions, to-wit—time being the essence thereof:
That said Kansas and Nebraska Railway Company shall construct, or cause to be constructed, and have in full operation within twenty-one months from the date of said subscription being authorized by a majority of the legal voters of said county, voting at an election to be duly called and held for that purpose, a railway of the ordinary gauge of four feet eight and one-half inches, and of a class equal to the average of Kansas railways, from the north line of said county, by way of the town of Winfield, to “the city of Arkansas City,” in said county, and shall establish two depots between the north line of said county and the town of Winfield, one depot at the town of Winfield, said depot to be within one hundred and twenty rods (120) of the crossing of Main Street and Ninth Avenue, one depot between the said town of Winfield and “The City of Arkansas City,” and one depot at the City of Arkansas City, said depot to be within one hundred and eighty (180) rods of the crossing of Summit Street and Central Avenue in the said City of Arkansas City, said depot to be permanently located, and adapted to the business of the said road.
That when the said railroad from the north line of said county in the direction of the town of Winfield is completed and in full operation to the said town of Winfield and the rolling stock placed thereon, one-half of said bonds shall be due and deliverable to said Kansas and Nebraska Railway Company, that when the said railroad is completed and in full operation to the City of Arkansas City, in said county, the residue of said bonds shall be due and deliverable to said Kansas and Nebraska Railway Company. The said Railway Company giving to said county in exchange for its bonds as delivered as aforesaid, an equal amount in valuation of the full paid up Capital Stock of the said Kansas and Nebraska Railway Company. . . .
SIGNED BY FRANK COX, CHAIRMAN/A. A. JACKSON, COUNTY CLERK.
NEXT PAPER PRINTED SHOWS “THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1873"—PRIOR TO THIS PAPER HAD ALWAYS SHOWN “SATURDAY” ON EACH ISSUE.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 20, 1873.
A. A. Jackson is having his large business room plastered. It will be ready for occupancy in about one week.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 6, 1873.
The first named in the “City Ticket:”
For Mayor. J. B. Fairbanks.
For Police Judge. Wallis M. Boyer.
For Councilmen: Owen F. Boyle, Alonso [?] 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.
GATHER THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT SLATES FOR THIS ELECTION.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 6, 1873.
Removal. The furniture dealers, Close & Greer, are removing their large stock of school and household furniture to the magnificent room of A. A. Jackson, one door north of the old stand, where they will soon surprise the public agreeably with large invoices in addition to the full stock now on hand.
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.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 13, 1873.
MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY
OF COWLEY, STATE OF KANSAS, HELD AT WINFIELD,
MARCH 9TH, 1873.
Board met in county clerk’s office. Present: Frank Cox, O. C. Smith, and J. D. Maurer.
A. A. Jackson, service as Co. Clk.: $141.50
FRANK COX, Chairman.
Attest. A. A. JACKSON, Clerk.
[A CARD: W. M. BOYER.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 20, 1873.
An article appeared in the Telegram this morning reflecting not only on my official conduct but on my private character and business. I do not care for what may have been said of my official conduct, as I am not accountable to the Telegram, nor to any one person, but to the public. As for the statements concerning my allowing my brother’s funeral expenses to be charged to the county as expenses for burying a pauper, they are as false as they are malicious.
The public will excuse my making a statement of my private affairs when they consider the charge made against me. I did pay all the expenses attending my brother’s funeral except the coffin, and I stated to Messrs. Jackson and Myers that the bill would be paid by my father; that I would pay for it if he did not. They took his address and I believe they wrote him and sent the bill; not receiving an answer for some time, they presented their bill to the county for payment without my knowledge or consent. The bill was justly rejected. I have not asked the county to pay it, nor do I wish them to do so.
This is a true statement of the matter. I would not make it if the Telegram had not attempted to blacken and vilify my character by dragging before the public my private business. W. M. BOYER.
We have read the above statement and the same is true so far as our knowledge extends.
E. DAVIS, D. S. EGBERT, JR.
I sign the above to be correct as far as I know. A. A. JACKSON.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 24, 1873.
Judge Jackson has moved the county clerk’s office into the upper story of his building next door south of Davis’ livery stable.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 1, 1873.
The attention of contractors is called to the plan and specifications for a courthouse, advertised in another column.
SEALED Proposals will be received by the Board of County Commissioners of Cowley County, Kansas, at the County Clerk’s Office up to May 30th, 1873, at 1 o’clock P.M. for the construction of a Temporary Courthouse and county Office Rooms not to exceed in cost $10,000. Plans and specifications of the work and material to be seen at the County Clerk’s Office at Winfield, Kansas. The right to reject any and all proposals is reserved.
A. A. JACKSON, County Clerk.
Excerpts: Mrs. A. A. Jackson...
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.
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 Lowery, to submit a list for the ladies department.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 8, 1873.
New Photograph Gallery. Mr. T. M. Concannon has fitted up a Photograph gallery in Jackson’s building, and is prepared to take your face as natural as life.
Mr. Concannon is an old artist, and will give you entire satisfaction.
Rooms East side of Main street in Jackson’s building.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 15, 1873.
Dr. Black, hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, publishes his professional card in this issue.
AD: DR. BLACK (late of Des Moines, Iowa), PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON.
Office in Jackson’s Building.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 5, 1873.
At a meeting held last week in the Methodist church by a number of our citizens, it was resolved to have a celebration of the 4th of July at Winfield. A committee consisting of A. A. Jackson, E. S. Torrance, and James Kelly was appointed to correspond with Orators for the occasion. We want to meet our friends from the country, and unless we do something they will go—as many of them did last year—to Oxford, Lazette, and other places.
[COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS OF JUNE 10, 11.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 19, 1873.
In regard to the Courthouse award, it was ascertained that the county must pay its indebtedness in warrants, and that bids for cash could not be legally considered and the whole proceedings were set aside and an order made that sealed bids for erecting the Courthouse according to the plans and specification on file in the Clerk’s office would be received until 2 o’clock p.m., the 11th inst., and the County Attorney was directed to inform the former builders of the order made.
Adjourned until 11th inst.
11th inst. Board met as per adjournment.
All present: proceeded to open bids for Courthouse. Three bids were read, and the contract was awarded to Messrs. Stewart & Simpson, at $9,000 in scrip, their’s being the lowest bid to give bonds in double the amount of the bid, and the sureties to qualify in double the amount of the bond or for $36,000.
Messrs. Stewart & Simpson returned with their bond, and signed the contract. The sureties to the bond then qualified in the sum of $75,000. Bond approved.
Board adjourned until regular meeting of July 7th, 1873. FRANK COX, Chairman,
A. A. JACKSON, County Clerk, Per J. P. SHORT, Deputy Clerk.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 10, 1873.
The ball given at the Lagonda House on the night of the Fourth by Messrs. Webb & Jackson was a very brilliant affair. There were fifty or sixty couples present. The supper was furnished by Mr. Peyton, proprietor of the Lagonda.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 2, 1873.
A CALL.
Soldiers Reunion.
We, the undersigned, late Soldiers of the Union Army, take this method of calling a meeting of the Soldiers of Cowley and adjoining counties to meet at Winfield, October 18th, 1873, for the purpose of getting acquainted and having a good social time.
A. A. Jackson, 12 Ill. Vol. Infantry.
Excerpts from a lengthy article...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 23, 1873.
Meeting of the Veterans.
At half past 2 o’clock the soldiers, to the number of about 150, fell into line at the tap of the drum, and preceded by the Winfield Martial band, marched to the Methodist Church, which had been kindly tendered for their use. The meeting was called to order by T. A. Blanchard. L. J. Webb was chosen Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary.
The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be to organize a permanent Soldiers’ Union.
On motion a committee consisting of A. A. Jackson, A. D. Keith, Capt. Wm. H. H. McArthur, Capt. Henry Barker, and Col. E. C. Manning were appointed on permanent organization.
During the absence of the committee, D. C. Scull entertained the meeting with a few appropriate remarks.
The committee on permanent organization reported as follows.
Mr. Chairman: Your committee on permanent organization, recommend the following as a permanent organization for Cowley County, of the Union Soldiers of the late war.
1st. The association of all soldiers into an organization to be known as the Cowley County Soldiers’ Association.
2nd. That said association elect a president, 3 vice presidents, secretary, and assistant secretary, and treasurer, and adopt a constitution.
3rd. That said association request its members to subscribe the constitution as an evidence of membership, giving the required company or battalion to which each belonged, and to attend the meetings of the association.
4th. That said association meet semi-annually for celebrations, and as much oftener as business requires. A. A. JACKSON, Chairman.
The above was unanimously adopted.
The following were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the next meeting.
A. A. Jackson, L. J. Webb, J. P. Short, E. S. Torrance, and James Kelly.
“Rally Round the Flag Boys,” “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching,” and other old songs were splendidly rendered by Miss Emma Leffingwell, organist, Dr. Egbert, John Swain, A. A. Jackson, and Capt. McArthur; the entire assembly joining in the chorus.
[RAILROAD MEETING.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 13, 1873.
Last Wednesday evening (the 5th inst.) at an early hour, a large crowd of our wide-awake citizens gathered at Jackson’s Hall. The meeting organized by electing Col. E. C. Manning to the chair, who stated the object of the meeting and introduced to the audience Judge Wilkins, of Garnett, the energetic and able representative of the Paola, Garnett & Fall River Railroad.
“The road in whose interest I am here tonight is not a new thing, not a “paper” road, but a road that has already entered your state, is in running order to Garnett by December 1, 1873, and the contract let to Col. Hall, of St. Louis, who has a force of over 300 men at work upon the road to build the same to the Arkansas Valley by the 1st day of June, 1875. When I say that this road is a St. Louis project, you need not be surprised, for the very fact that it leaves the Missouri Pacific at Holden and then runs west in this direction should convince you that it is a branch of the aforesaid road, and purely a St. Louis measure. It is now, however, under the direct management of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad and supervision of Tom Scott, the railroad King.”
All this road wants is 30 year 7 percent bonds, or about $5,000 for each mile of road laid in our county, which would amount, probably, to $125,000 in bonds. After asking for an expression from some of the businessmen in regard to the project, he then thanked the audience and took his seat.
Mr. Fairbanks being called upon, said:
“We need, we want, we must have railroad connection with the outside world! We have no lakes, canals, or navigable rivers, and we, as an agricultural people, must have some other means besides our farm wagons to send our surplus grain to market.
“Owing to a kind providence, we, this year, have a surplus of corn in our county. What can we do with it? Ship it east, you say. Very well, but it will cost four bushels to get one to market, by the means of carrying we now have. Four sevenths of the cost of shipping an article from Bangor, Maine, to this place, accrues between here and Wichita, our nearest railroad point.
“The farmers of this county can grow rich in a few years, if they will go to work at once, and secure a railroad by which they can send their products direct to market. . . .
“In conclusion, I would say, as our ability to purchase increases, our wants increase, and it is of vital importance to our country, our county, and our town, that we have a railroad immediately, even though we have to procure it at a sacrifice.”
Mr. Manning being called upon, said that he was in favor of an East and West road, and would do all he could to help the road that would first show signs of helping us. He wants a road through the Territory to Galveston, Texas, and then good bye St. Louis, or any other eastern market. Galveston is to be our future market.
Judge Hilton, of Lincoln, Nebraska, being present, was loudly called on for a “speech.” He responded by giving us, for about an hour, one of the most lively, vivacious, and original speeches we ever listened to. His theme, Labor Saving Machinery, and its application in Europe, Asia, America, and the Indian Territory, was good, very good.
The audience was convulsed in laughter at Mr. Hilton’s peculiar, and attractive way of handling the Indian question, and his bits of poetry, quotations, and the like, will long be remembered, when the railroad meetings and speeches will be a thing of the past. Long may the Judge wave!
An expression of the meeting was had, which resulted unanimously in favor of the Paola, Garnett & Fall River Railroad. E. C. MANNING, President.
NOT A FARMER, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 13, 1873.
The Presbyterian church (Rev. Mr. Platter, pastor) will hold service next Sabbath in Mr. Jackson’s building three doors south of Lagonda House.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 13, 1873.
Bill of A. A. Jackson, County Clerk’s fee, allowed $218.20.
Board adjourned. FRANK COX, Chairman.
A. A. Jackson, Clerk.
Winfield Courier, November 20, 1873.
GRAND ANNUAL RE-UNION OF THE SOLDIERS OF COWLEY COUNTY,
ON THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 27, 1873.
A CORDIAL INVITATION To participate in the festivities of the day is hereby extended to all the soldiers residing in the county. The following PROGRAMME will be observed.
AT 10, A.M. THE Reception Committee will commence to make up the Roster and distribute tickets for DINNER To all whose names are entered thereon.
AT 11, A.M. SOLDIERS will fall into line, in marching order, on Main Street, the right resting on Ninth Avenue, under the direction of the officer of the day, CAPT. McARTHUR, And march to the COURTHOUSE Where an address of welcome will be delivered by Captain S. C. Smith, The Mayor of Winfield, and the organization of the Soldiers’ Union completed.
AT 1, P.M. SOLDIERS will fall in for dinner.
AT 3, P.M. THERE will be a meeting in the Courthouse, and addresses will be delivered by the following soldiers: Chaplain E. P. Hickok, Maj. J. B. Fairbanks, Capt. James McDermott, A. D. Keith, S. M. Fall, Maj. T. B. Ross, Rev. N. L. Rigby, J. C. Bigger, Esq., and other soldiers present.
AT 7, P.M. THERE WILL BE A GRAND BALL! And dancing will be in order, to conclude the festivities of the day.
The proceedings of the day will be enlivened with appropriate music by the Winfield and Arkansas City Cornet Bands. A. A. JACKSON, Chairman Committee on Arrangements.
J. P. SHORT, Secretary.
Committee on Music. T. A. Wilkinson, Chairman, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Miss Emma Leffingwell, L. J. Webb and John Kirby.
Winfield Courier, December 4, 1873.
Ex-farmer Jackson is preparing for the expiration of his term of office. He is fitting up his rooms preparatory to going into the restaurant business.
Winfield Courier, December 4, 1873.
The Soldiers’ ball Thursday evening was well attended, about 90 couples being present, and was acknowledged by all as being the finest affair of the season. The courtroom makes a splendid dancing-hall, and everybody seemed to appreciate it. Messrs. Webb and Jackson deserve praise for the interest manifested by them to make the ball pleasant and enjoyable.
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.
PROGRAMME.
There will be a public installation of officers of the Lodge at the Baptist church at one o’clock P.M. After the Installation there will be a few short addresses by members of the order.
Dinner will take place at the courtroom at five o’clock P.M.
A cordial invitation is extended to the public.
After dinner a grand ball will be given at the courtroom. Good music will be in attendance. A cordial invitation is extended to the fraternity to be present. Special invitations will be given by the Committee to those not members of the order.
The following is the list of the committees appointed for the occasion.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. A. A. Jackson, T. A. Rice, J. E. Saint, W. M. Boyer, L. J. Webb, J. C. Fuller.
FLOOR MANAGERS. A. A. Jackson, L. J. Webb.
Winfield Courier, Friday, December 19, 1873.
A. A. Jackson and Geo. Miller have formed a co-partnership to engage in the restaurant business. A. A. Jackson has, for the past two years, been the County Clerk of this county, is a kind, sociable gentleman, and with Geo. Miller for an associate, will make the restaurant business—what it has failed to be so far in Winfield—a success. Everybody in need of a good square meal, or fresh oysters any way they wish them served, should call on Jackson & Miller.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, Friday, December 19, 1873.
The following bills were audited and allowed.
A. A. Jackson, Co. clerk’s fees: $449.00
A. A. JACKSON, Clerk., Per J. P. SHORT, Deputy.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.
A. A. Jackson, Co. Clerk [claimed $290]: $190.00.
Board adjourned. A. A. JACKSON, Co. Clerk.
By J. P. SHORT, Deputy.
[Note: Some records show “John Manly” rather than “John Manley” as a member of new Board of County Commissioners. I am not certain which is correct. MAW]
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.
The new Board of County Commissioners met in the clerk’s office.
Present: R. F. Burden, M. S. Roseberry, John Manley, who had been duly elected and qualified.
The county clerk was authorized to advertise for responsible bids for 20 cords of wood.
Ordered that the county clerk have the sheriff hunt up all the county property that can be found, and invoice the same to said sheriff who shall receipt for said county property.
The county clerk was also instructed to have bolts put on jury-room doors, and sash stops put on all the windows of the courthouse.
The following bills were presented and allowed.
A. A. Jackson, County Clerk: $110.10.
Winfield Courier, January 23, 1874.
An Explanation.
Mr. Ed.: I rise to explain. I saw in the COURIER of last week that some person wants to know why the mortgages were not put on for taxation. The statement is true that the County Commissioners authorized the County Clerk to put them on for taxation. Accordingly, I hired a man to take an abstract from the recorder’s office of all mortgages on record the first of March, thinking I should notify the parties to appear before the County Board on their first meeting in January, and when I got the abstract the last of December, I found that a mistake had been made and that instead of showing the mortgages on the first of March, it showed all on record from the first of March to the present time which were not taxable. I then ordered a new abstract and owing to the great press of business in taxpaying, and the time necessary to get up the abstract, my term of office ran out before I could get them.
There have been some decisions in the Supreme Court that decides that any property subject to taxation and not listed can be put on the tax roll anytime before the settlement with the County treasurer in July. Therefore, I presume it will be attended to. Hoping that the above explanation will be satisfactory, I am
A. A. JACKSON, ex-County Clerk.
LATER. Since the item concerning the County Clerk’s office was put in type, Mr. Jackson sent in what he calls an explanation.
Winfield Courier, January 30, 1874.
The Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting yesterday for the purpose of examining the condition of the County Clerk’s books as left by A. A. Jackson. Although no order was made against Mr. Jackson, yet the Board was unanimously of the opinion that a worse kept set of books would be hard to find within the limits of the state of Kansas. Their examination corroborated the statements made by the COURIER of last week in regard to the matter. The Commissioners decided that the trouble was due more to carelessness and ignorance than to wilful dishonesty, although of course that doesn’t exonerate Mr. Jackson from blame. The Commissioners will appoint a special committee to help Mr. Troup, the present Clerk, put the books in shape.
Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874. Editorial Page.
THE COUNTY RECORDS.
The readers of the COURIER will remember that we published sometime ago an intimation that the county records, as left by Mr. Jackson, were in a bad condition, and should be thoroughly investigated.
The County Board, no doubt acting on the COURIER’s suggestion, met at the County Clerk’s office, and after careful deliberation, concluded to appoint a committee of three to straighten out the records and give the new County Clerk a fair start with the world. They accordingly selected S. M. Fall, of Lazette; Lucius Walton, of Pleasant Valley; and Wm. H. Grow, of Rock; three as good men as the county affords, men of integrity and ability.
The committee met last Monday and began their labors. They had not proceeded far, however, until they came to the conclusion that they had an elephant on their hands—seeing that to go over the records from the time the county was first organized would be a summer’s job. They very wisely asked the Board to meet and advise them as to their duties in the matter before proceeding any further. The Board of County Commissioners have not met at this writing, so we are unable to tell what they will do. We hope, however, that now that the matter has been commenced, it will be probed to the bottom. The people of this county have a right and they demand to know how their affairs stand. We believe that the COURIER has never yet accused anyone of “defalcation,” “corruption,” or anything of the kind, and we hope that the gentlemen who have made the records will be able to clear themselves of any corrupt intention. But should such turn out to be the case, the guilty one, be he friend or foe, need expect no mercy from the COURIER.
LATER. Since the above was put in type, the Board of County Commissioners met, and yesterday were in secret session with the committee. The cauldron is boiling. It has been ascertained that Devore, our former county treasurer, is a defaulter to a considerable amount—how much, cannot at this writing be ascertained. J. P. Short, Mr. Devore’s deputy, has turned over to Mr. Kager, as near as we can come at it, some $680.00, which he should have turned over with the office in July, 1872. There is also found to be a large amount of scrip afloat which Mr. Jackson’s books show to have been canceled, rumor variously estimating the amount of such extra scrip, all the way from $5,000 to $10,000.
Let us look into this matter. Here is say, to strike an average, $5,000 in scrip taken in as county tax by Mr. Short, while deputy for Devore; he presents it to Mr. Jackson for cancellation. Jackson takes the No. and amount and marks canceled on his book, hands them back to the treasurer, who may sell it, thus putting it afloat once more to be taken up at some future time.
Now follows a few pertinent queries: What right had Mr. Short to present these orders to Mr. Jackson to be canceled, until he had marked them “paid” across the face, in red ink, as the law requires?
Then, why did Mr. Jackson cancel these orders if they were not marked “paid?” Then naturally follows another most painful query: was this whole transaction a big steal? Or was it simply negligence and want of knowledge of the law?
We most sincerely hope the latter is the correct conjecture. [We could not get at the exact figures as the committee of investigation together with the County Board sat with closed doors so that we could not get in.]
We hope these gentlemen will think better of this matter, and allow at least the accredited representatives of the press to know what is transpiring. The people who read the papers are the taxpayers of the county and they have a right to know all about it, and will know, let it cost what it may, so long as we run a paper.
Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.
IRON POINT.
Iron Point, in his items to the Traveler, alludes to the “side editor” of the COURIER. For what we will say to you here, sir, Iron Point, you need not go around the bush to find the “side editor” to lay the blame upon. What appeared in the COURIER last week, in reference to the records of the county, seemed to us then (and we have nothing to take back) to be justified by the facts.
We think so still. There is nothing in that article that could compromise you, if you could make a satisfactory explanation (which you had better have done than occupy your time attacking an imaginary “side editor” of this paper.). While the defunct Allison talked the way you do, we had nothing to say. But when such chat comes from an official of the county, a person from whom we might expect, at least, fair dealing, the matter changes; hence this article.
Your “pooh, pooh! Manning wrote it,” is of the same piece as your items to the Traveler a year ago. Your cry of “stop thief,” at the Probate Judge and County Attorney was to divert attention from yourself, by making the people believe they were the thieves and scoundrels, and now you would fain have people think that it was Manning who was after you, and that he was actuated by personal spite toward yourself and Mr. Jackson, on account of the town site difficulty.
Now we wish it distinctly understood that this article is not written because we object to having Col. Manning’s name associated with the COURIER. By no means, we only wish that we could induce him to take editorial control. As a newspaper writer we know he has few equals, and as to his honesty, much as has been said, and written about him, certain it is, he has never been accused of stealing. You, however, had better busy yourself in clearing up those dark suspicions which permeate the air and hover as a dark cloud just now over the Courthouse, and which seem to be inclined to centre upon you, who were one of the main instigators in the senseless howl raised against honest county officials a year ago. After fair consulting with the committee of investigation, we have concluded to suspend our account of these dark transactions, but a few more insults like the above may compel us in self-defense to tell the public what we already know, and should you be struck by a barbed arrow in a tender spot, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you yourself invited the attack.
[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.
[COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS: APRIL 16, 1874.]
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874.
Witness Fee: A. A. Jackson, $7.50.
Winfield Courier, May 8, 1874.
City Council Proceedings.
Bill of A. A. Jackson was referred back to finance committee.
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1874. Editorial Page.
THE REPORT.
We publish in another place the report of the committee of investigation. It will be seen that the report brings Mr. Short and Mr. Kager several thousand dollars behind. Mr. Short claims that he holds receipts to, nearly or quite, cover the amount charged against him, and we have Mr. Kager’s word for it, that he has in his hands, even more money than the committee found against him. However this may be, we have no comments or criticisms to make until these gentlemen have had an opportunity to settle with the county board. We cannot however close this article without saying a word for the committee. They, we believe, have discharged their duty faithfully and conscientiously, and their report shows with what ability that work was done. We will have more to say of this when we have looked the field all over. Let this suffice for the present.
REPORT OF THE COWLEY COUNTY
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
WE, your Committee appointed to examine the books and accounts of the County Clerk and County Treasurer, beg leave to submit the following report as the result of our investigation. In instituting the examination, we first took the books and accounts from the organization of the County up to the 16th day of July, 1872, at which time J. P. Short, Deputy County Treasurer, turned the office over to E. B. Kager, the present incumbent of the office. On examination of the books and accounts of A. A. Jackson as County Clerk, and John Devore as Treasurer, under the management and control of J. P. Short, Deputy, we found the books and accounts in a very confused and tangled condition, the Treasurer not having made a settlement of his accounts during his term of office, and turned the office over to his successor without paying over moneys in his possession.
After due deliberation as to the best method of instituting the examination, we concluded to take the Tax-roll as it was furnished the Treasurer, by the County Clerk for collection, as a basis for our settlement and hold the Treasurer for all moneys coming into his possession by virtue of his office.
In making up the roll we found many mistakes for and against, but these, we consider merely the result of incompetency and inexperience on the part of the County Clerk.
In our report, $3,075.47 stands charged to Mr. Short, on account of the County which in reality is covered by county warrants which have been canceled on account of Short, but have not been destroyed or ordered applied on his account by the County Commissioners.
The tax-roll of 1872 is the greatest complication of figures and erasures that we ever saw, and we regard it as a matter of impossibility to arrive at just conclusions in every particular in making up the accounts, but we have made our figures from the most reasonable conclusions in the premises always giving Mr. Kager the benefit of the doubts. Mr. Kager has not made a settlement of his accounts since he came in possession of the office of County Treasurer, and reference to our report reveals the fact that he had a large sum of money in his possession on the first day of July, 1873, at which time the law requires him to make his annual settlement, and at which time most of the funds in his possession should have been paid out.
The accounts in both the County Clerk’s and County Treasurer’s ledgers, in most instances show clearly to our minds that the original charges have been erased and figures changed. In making up the account of School Land Sales, we took the County Clerk’s and Treasurer’s accounts in connection, from which to base a settlement; even then there may be, and doubtless is, discrepancies. We are informed that persons have made payments on school lands and have taken the Treasurer’s receipt therefor but failed to have it countersigned by the County Clerk and charged to the Treasurer as the law requires, and in other instances parties have made payments on School Lands for which neither Treasurer nor Clerk have given the proper credit.
We would recommend that notice be given through the papers of the County to parties who have purchased School Lands to examine the records and see if any such irregularities exist.
On comparing our School Land sales account with an abstract of school land sales received from the Auditor of State, we found Mr. A. A. Jackson had made an error in addition of the school land sales reported on account of Mr. Short in favor of the County Treasurer to the amount of $400.00, and $1,252.26 remained unreported. The same error occurs in his report to the Auditor of State of school land sales on account of E. B. Kager to amount of $2,260.20, and $97.80 remained unreported.
Mr. Kager says he has money in his possession that he does not know where to apply, but when he finds the proper place for it he is ready to pay the same over. This admission of the County Treasurer seriously involves his competency, in our opinion, for the faithful and efficient discharge of the duties of the office.
In justice to ourselves we must say that we have prosecuted the investigation under very unfavorable circumstances. There has been a continual disposition on the part of those directly interested in the settlement, and our County Clerk, M. G. Troup, to cover up and withhold information that would lead to a solution of the complications connected with the work, hence it has been very tedious and discouraging to the Committee.
We found many irregularities in the accounts, particularly in the manner of making them up, and entering the same on their books. We have brought the best order out of the confused mess that we could and feel safe in saying that we have arrived at a good state of perfection in making up our accounts, and now submit the following figures as the result of our investigation, showing the amount collected on each fund, the amount paid out on the same, and the amount remaining in the hands of the Treasurer, up to the date of each settlement as the exhibit will show. LUCIUS WALTON, W. H. GROW, S. M. FALL. COMMITTEE.
Winfield, Kansas, May 30th, 1874.
Report of the Committee of the financial condition of the County; Showing the gross amount collected on each fund and the amount paid out on the same; also the amount due the different funds at the expiration of the official term of J. P. Short as deputy County Treasurer, up to the time (July 16, 1872) E. B. Kager took possession of the office.
RECAP OF TOTALS:
Amount collected: $14,658.81
Amount Paid out: $ 8,903.80
Remains Unpaid: $ 5,759.08
Overpaid: $ 4.07
Report of the Committee on the financial condition of the County from the 15th day of July, 1872, at which time J. P. Short, Deputy County Treasurer, turned the office over to E. B. Kager, County Treasurer, to July 1st, 1873; showing the net gross amount due each fund, the amount paid out on the same, and the amount remaining in the treasury on the first day of July 1873.
RECAP OF TOTALS:
Due Fund: $44,572.70
Paid out: $34,066.12
Remaining in Treasury: $10,604.11
Overpaid: $ 97.53
Winfield Courier, June 12, 1874.
John Nichols has removed his barber shop to A. A. Jackson’s building east side of Main St., where his friends will find him ready to give them a shave or hair cut at a moment’s notice.
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874.
A. A. Jackson and family have returned from their late visit.
Winfield Courier, August 14, 1874.
A. A. Jackson is now the proprietor of the St. Nicholas restaurant, he having taken Geo. Miller’s place in the business. George now has nothing to attend to but his meat market.
Winfield Courier, August 21, 1874.
A. A. Jackson keeps the Red Seal cigar, the best in the market; also fine Topeka Grapes.
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
A. A. Jackson has sold his restaurant to a gentleman from Wellington, who intends to start a bakery and lunch room. The new proprietor takes possession next Monday.
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
A new store is being started in Jackson’s building next door to Miller’s Meat Market. They keep harness and a stock of general miscellany. The goods are being brought from Peoria, Illinois, and is a branch of the establishment of Ford, of Wichita. A harness repair shop will be run in connection.
[THE DISTRICT COURT: SEPTEMBER TERM.]
Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.
CIVIL DOCKET. FIFTH DAY.
A. A. Jackson vs. Zephania Silver.
Excerpts from a lengthy article...
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.
For the second act A. A. Jackson, a Democrat, elected on the “people’s” ticket, is responsible. He was familiar with the wants of the various county officers, and ordered books and blanks at pleasure. He obtained the confidence of the board and either recommended all the books and blanks that were ordered or else ordered them himself, and afterwards obtained the sanction of the board by stating that they were necessary. Jackson made a certain percent on all the books and blanks ordered by him by special arrangement with the various firms from which he ordered them. Jackson was one of the Telegram’s pets at that time and a howler against the Republican party, and of course that paper had no word of censure for him. By this arrangement the county lost several thousand dollars.
An examination of County Clerk Jackson’s books, which was demanded by the COURIER and Mr. Troup, the Republican County Clerk, who succeeded Mr. Jackson, developed the fact that Jackson’s books, through incompetency, criminality, or both, were in a scandalously incorrect condition, and that J. P. Short, Deputy County Treasurer, had embezzled several thousand dollars of public money. Short was not a Republican elect, but was a member of the P. O. “Ring,” a pet of the Telegram, and a howler against the Republican party.
A. A. Jackson: hog raiser...
Winfield Courier, October 15, 1874.
A. A. Jackson is in the hog business. He has two hundred head of the finest hogs that we have seen for some time. He is putting the fat on them at the rate of two and a half pounds a day each.
A. A. Jackson and W. L. Mullen...
[PORK PACKING HOUSE.]
Winfield Plow and Anvil, Thursday, November 19, 1874.
One of the most laudable enterprises of our town is the establishment of an extensive pork packing house, by our enterprising citizens, Messrs. Mullen and Jackson. They have on hand 500 head of fine porkers to slaughter, and will buy and pack all the winter. There cannot be too much said in favor of this new enterprise and the gentlemen who have invested their means in it, as it is a fact that hundreds of larger and more favored localities than this have no packing house. We desire to see Messrs. Mullen & Jackson succeed beyond their expectation.
[COMMUNICATION FROM “A TAXPAYER.”]
Winfield Courier, February 4, 1875.
Communicated.
ED. COURIER. This being an era of investigation, reformation, etc., I would most respectfully suggest to the Mayor and City Council that they inform themselves and the citizens generally as to the actual receipts and disbursements of money received from fines, taxes, and all other sources of revenue. The merchants and businessmen of this city are forced to pay a heavy special tax, and it certainly behooves our worthy solons to lighten our burdens as much as possible.
I find by reference to the Police Justices Docket, that during A. A. Jackson’s term of office, which expired in April 1874, there was collected by him in fines, and accounted for by him on the Docket, $128.50, and a large number of cases the Docket does not show whether any fine has been paid or not. By referring to the City Treasurer’s books, I find that the aforesaid Jackson paid into the City Treasury $64.00.
This is too much of a difference for these hard times, and I think it is certainly the duty of some to see what has become of the balance. Will our worthy ex judge please explain. It is now nearly a year since he turned his office over to his successor, Mr. Wood, and he has had ample time surely to place this money where it properly belongs. It may be possible that he has forgotten all about it. If such should be the case, I will refer him or anyone to the Police Docket.
In closing I would suggest to our worthy City Fathers that in the making and passing of Ordinances to remember that they are not legislating for their own personal benefit, but are supposed to do it for the general benefit of the citizens, and not for individuals.
More anon, A TAXPAYER.
Winfield Courier, February 11, 1875.
H. Brotherton and A. A. Jackson have opened a general feed store in one of Jackson’s buildings on Main street.
Winfield Courier, March 4, 1875.
Brown & Markwort have dissolved partnership, and have sold their stock of goods to A. A. Jackson and Jim Hill, who will continue the business under the firm name of Jackson & Hill.
Winfield Courier, March 18, 1875.
Messrs. Jackson & Hill now keep on hand at their restaurant such luxuries as oranges and lemons.
[WINFIELD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.]
Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.
Notice.
There will be a meeting of the stockholders of the Winfield Cemetery Association on Wednesday, March 31, 1875, at W. H. H. Maris’ store. All persons owning a lot in the Winfield Cemetery are stockholders, and entitled to vote at the meeting. A full attendance is requested. The following is a list of the said stockholders.
JOHN B. FAIRBANKS, Secretary.
John Lowrey, C. A. Bliss, Mrs. Clara Flint, Robert Hudson, W. L. Fortner, W. H. Dunn, Mallard, Dr. D. N. Egbert, J. H. Land, W. M. Boyer, A. Menor, S. J. Swanson, Mrs. Eliza Davis, M. L. Read. S. C. Smith, Kenton, Marshall, Henry Martin, W. H. H. Maris, Mrs. K. Maris, E. Maris, J. Newman, L. J. Webb, J. W. Smiley, George W. Brown, John Rhoads, H. H. Lacy, L. T. Michner, George Gray, N. H. Holmes, John Mentch, M. Steward, J. J. Barrett, J. W. Johnson, J. Evans, Cutting, W. G. Graham, S. W. Greer, Dr. W. Q. Mansfield, J. D. Cochran, C. C. Stephens, W. H. South, J. C. Weathers, Mrs. Joseph Foos, G. S. Manser, Mrs. Southworth, A. A. Jackson, J. F. Graham, Mrs. H. McMasters, S. H. Myton, S. H. Darrah, M. L. Robinson, D. H. Rodocker, R. H. Tucker, James Kelly, W. Dibble, D. F. Best, Z. T. Swigart, R. Rogers.
Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.
OSAGE ORANGE seed at 30 cts. per pound or 10 pounds for $2.50, at Brotherton & Jackson’s.
Winfield Courier, May 27, 1875.
Jackson & Hill have just received a bran splinter new Soda Fountain, from which gushes forth the best Soda Water you ever had the pleasure of drinking. Boys, don’t be afraid, your girls will never refuse to take a glass with you.
Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.
Wanted Every One to Know
That Jackson & Hill have the largest stock of candies in Winfield, and that they keep the best Five Cent Cigars in town. You can get a good glass of Soda for a Nickel, or a glass of Lemonade that will make you feel good all over for a dime. They keep their Ice Cream parlor open every night, and always keep plenty of Lemons on hand, with which to make Lemonade with. Remember the St. Nicholas is still kept by
JACKSON & HILL.
Winfield Courier, September 9, 1875.
Jim Hill has bought A. A. Jackson out, and he will now run the St. Nicholas after the old California style. Jim “has been there.”
Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.
A. A. Jackson has gone to Wichita to buy wheat for some Eastern firm during the wheat selling season.
Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.
Cowley County District Court.
The following is a list of cases that will stand for trial at the September term of the District Court, to be holden on and from the 27th, and have been placed on the Trial Docket in the following order.
CIVIL DOCKET. FIFTH DAY.
Charles C. Black vs. A. A. Jackson, et al.
CIVIL DOCKET. SIXTH DAY.
Francis Black vs. Addison A. Jackson, Administrator.
Winfield Courier, September 23, 1875.
Dissolution Notice.
Notice is hereby given that the copartnership heretofore existing under the firm name of Jackson & Brotherton, has been dissolved by mutual consent. H. Brotherton will collect and pay all the debts of the late firm. A. A. JACKSON, H. BROTHERTON.
[STATE NEWS.]
Winfield Courier, September 30, 1875.
A Mr. Jackson of Winfield is here and just now busily engaged in building a warehouse, store, and grain commission house, near the depot. His building is already under way and is thirty by fifty feet and will be two stories high. Wichita Beacon.
Winfield Courier, November 25, 1875.
County Warrants to be Paid.
COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE, WINFIELD, Nov. 1, 1875.
By virtue of authority given by an Act of the Legislature of the State of Kansas, approved February 10th, 1875, entitled “An Act to amend Section Sixty-nine of Chapter Twenty-five, General Statutes of Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-eight,” I hereby give notice that the principal and accrued interest of County Warrants herein below described will be paid at the County Treasurer’s Office, in Winfield, on and after the 1st day of November, 1875, and that the interest on said warrants will cease on that day. E. B. KAGER, County Treasurer.
By F. GALLOTTI, Deputy.
Names of parties to whom warrants are payable:
JACKSON & HILL: 1 WARRANT - $25.00.
[BILLS ALLOWED BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, December 23, 1875.
Witness Fee: A. A. Jackson.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876.
GEORGE MELVILLE is in company with A. A. Jackson, in the grain trade at Wichita. They are doing a good business.
One firm in Wichita bought 163,000 bushels of wheat from Cowley and Sumner counties, during the winter, for the Eastern market.
-Early History.-
THE WINFIELD COURIER.
CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
1870.
About January 10th, 1870, the preliminary steps were taken for organizing a town company and starting a town upon the claim of E. C. Manning. A. A. Jackson owned the claim adjoining Manning’s on the east, W. W. Andrews, H. C. Loomis, A. Menor, and P. Knowles held claims adjoining and upon which they still reside. The farm owned by John Lowrey to the west was held by one G. Green.
The Winfield enterprise took form in January of 1870, as did that of Arkansas City. From the start the parties interested in the two prospective towns were shaping events to secure the county seat of Cowley County whenever it should be organized. In February of 1870 a bill was introduced in the Senate of Kansas entitled, “An act to organize the county of Cowley,” and making Creswell the county seat. As soon as the news arrived at Winfield, James H. Land, A. A. Jackson, and C. M. Wood traversed the county in three days and took the census of over six hundred population, and reported at Douglass, in Butler County (the nearest place where an officer could be found to administer an oath), on the 23d of February. At that time the necessary papers were made out and E. C. Manning took them to Topeka and presented them to the Governor, who, thereupon issued the order organizing Cowley County and designating Winfield as the temporary county seat. The bill organizing the county got through the Senate but failed in the House.
COUNTY CLERKS.
ELECTED. EXPIRED.
A. A. JACKSON Nov. 8, 1870. Jan. 8, 1872.
A. A. JACKSON Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.
Winfield.
The following is a short history of the town.
August 20, 1870, A. A. Jackson sold out his claim to J. C. Fuller and D. A. Millington, who, with Manning, made arrangements to lay out more territory as town site and induce persons to settle rapidly on the town site—giving them the lots they should improve. During the fall of 1870 many persons settled upon the town site and made improvements. We cannot from this on, name all the persons that settled in Winfield in order, as that would be too voluminous, but will name the first in kind, business, or profession.
The Winfield Town Company was organized Jan. 13th, 1872, with E. C. Manning, president; W. W. Andrews, vice president; C. M. Wood, treasurer; W. G. Graham, secretary; E. C. Manning, J. H. Land, A. A. Jackson, W. G. Graham, and J. C. Monforte, directors, and the foregoing named persons with T. H. Baker, S. S. Prouty, Thos. Moonlight, and H. C. Loomis, corporators; and that the object of this corporation was “to lay out a town site on the rolling prairie east of the Walnut River and south of Dutch Creek, the same being in Cowley County and embracing the particular forty acres of land on which the residence of E. C. Manning is situated, with the privilege of increasing the area of the town site as soon as practicable.”
MASONIC.
On the 29th day of October, 1870, a dispensation was granted to J. S. Hunt, A. H. Green, Enoch Maris, and eight others for a lodge at Winfield. J. S. Hunt was appointed W. M.; A. H. Green, S. W.; and Enoch Maris, J. W. On the 17th day of October, 1872, the lodge obtained a charter under the name of Adelphi, No. 119, with the following charter members: J. S. Hunt, A. H. Green, Enoch Maris, C. A. Bliss, A. A. Jackson, W. M. Boyer, H. Shaughness, I. L. Comfort, E. Adams, Thomas Hart, W. S. Huff, S. H. Revis, T. A. Rice, and J. Traxler.
The city of Winfield was incorporated February 22, 1873. The first city election was held March 7, 1873, at which W. H. H. Maris was elected Mayor; A. A. Jackson, police judge; and O. F. Boyle, C. A. Bliss, J. D. Cochran, H. S. Silver and S. C. Smith as councilmen.
-End of Early History References to A. A. Jackson by Winfield Courier.-
Winfield Courier, February 10, 1876.
County Clerk Troup returned from Topeka the first of the week. A comparison of the books in his office showing the school land sales in Cowley County with those of the State Auditor revealed the fact that during Jackson’s term of office $824.63 worth of sales had been made that had never been reported to the Auditor, and the money had been laying idle in the county treasury. It also showed that the county had been overcharged $43.20 on the sales of other tracts.
Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.
A. A. JACKSON’s dwelling house, in this city, was sold by the Sheriff for debt this week.
[COWLEY COUNTY TRIAL DOCKET.]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 9, 1877. Front Page.
The following is a list of cases that will stand for trial at the May term of the District Court, of Cowley County, to be begun and held on the first Monday, 7th day of May, A. D. 1877, and have been placed on the Trial docket in the following order.
CIVIL DOCKET. FIFTH DAY.
R. B. Waite vs. A. A. Jackson et al.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 16, 1877.
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
The total number of marriage licenses issued in Cowley County since August 16, 1870, is 553; the first being to John D. Brown and Malinda Wainscott, and the next to A. A. Jackson. The old docket is nearly worn out, but the Judge has a new one ready, so that there need be no delay.
[Note: I question the above entry by Arkansas City Traveler. It does not agree with earlier records which indicate that a marriage license was issued to John [?] Brown and Eva Woolsey (not Malinda Wainscott) on October 30, 1870, and that a marriage license was issued to A. A. Jackson and G. A. Kelsey on September 4, 1870. The above implies that the first one issued in Cowley County was to John Brown and not A. A. Jackson. Perhaps the person looking at old docket could not read it clearly. MAW]
[A., T. & S. F. CO. PROPOSITION TO WINFIELD RAILWAY COMMITTEE]
Arkansas City Traveler, May 30, 1877.
The following letter to the Winfield Railway Committee by the President of the A., T. & S. F. Company is what is claimed to be the proposition for a road into this county. Inasmuch as it asks $4,000 per mile in county bonds from Butler County, in place of the $3,000 per mile in township bonds already voted, we do not think Butler County will accept it. And as no depots are specified in Rock and Pleasant Valley Townships, the people thereof will not consider it very favorably. The whole matter rests with El Dorado and the townships of Butler County, and as many of the citizens thereof have already declared their intentions to hold the terminus at the county seat of Butler, we cannot expect much from the present enterprise.
Copy of the Letter.
TOPEKA, May 18, 1877.
Messrs. A. A. Jackson, J. E. Platter, A. B. Lemmon, Committee:
GENTLEMEN: Referring to our conversation this morning, I will say that if you can induce Butler and Cowley counties to cooperate in the following plan, we will build immediately to Winfield, and later to the State line. The conditions are as follows:
The road to be built under the existing charter of the A., T. & S. F. R. R. Co., or under the general law, as we may prefer. Butler County to grant bonds to the extent of $4,000 per mile, instead of the township bonds hitherto voted in said county, amounting to $60,000. Said bonds to run twenty years, to bear interest at the rate of eight percent, and the bonds and coupons to be receivable in payment of all taxes. Cowley County to grant bonds to the extent of $4,000 per mile, similar in character to the above. Said bonds to be delivered to the railroad company in each county, in sections of not less than five miles, as soon as said sections are completed. The railroad company to receive right of way and depot grounds free of charge. The railroad is to be left free to establish its depots wherever in its opinion the business calls for them. The road to Winfield to be finished inside of eight months, and that to Arkansas City inside of eighteen months. We propose to finish to Winfield in time for this year’s crops, but cannot run the risk of losing the bonds in case we are impeded by strikes, or other unforeseen accidents. But we will agree, in case we are behindhand in finishing the road to Winfield, to pay any forfeit named by you for each week of delay, provided you now agree to pay us the same forfeit for each week in case we finish it ahead of the time agreed, and we will make the same agreement regarding Arkansas City.
You understand that this requires the assent of the townships in Butler County that have voted us bonds, as we do not propose to change our bargain with them without their consent.
Very truly yours, THOS. NICKERSON, President.
Winfield Courier, July 19, 1877.
A. A. Jackson’s brother, Frank, and wife are on a visit to Winfield.
Winfield Courier, August 2, 1877.
A. A. Jackson accompanied Nickerson (A. T. & S. F.) on his trip from Wichita via Winfield to Eldorado, and returned Saturday last.
Winfield Courier, September 6, 1877.
A. A. Jackson succeeds Jim Hill in the restaurant business. Jackson knows how to run the biz.
Winfield Courier, September 20, 1877.
A. A. Jackson is running the Jim Hill restaurant.
Winfield Courier, October 11, 1877.
Go to A. A. Jackson, at Jim Hill’s old stand, to get a good square meal for 25 cents.
Winfield Courier, October 25, 1877.
A. A. JACKSON.
RESTAURANT.
DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF FRUITS, CONFECTIONERIES,
AND CIGARS.
Lodging connected with the House.
WINFIELD, KANSAS.
Winfield Courier, November 22, 1877.
Mayor Hope, of Wichita, has been in Winfield for a few days past, and has bought 450 head of cattle in this vicinity. He has leased the lot on Main street between A. A. Jackson’s and Jim Hill’s buildings and will build a store for a jewelry shop. His sons will occupy the building before Christmas with $4,000 worth of jewelry stock. They are experienced workmen in their business.
Winfield Courier, December 13, 1877.
L. H. Hope has completed his new store building, adjoining Jackson’s restaurant, in which he puts the largest stock of jewelry, watches, clocks, and silverware this side of Kansas City or Leavenworth. Their stock is well selected, consisting of both solid and plated goods, and is neatly and tastefully arranged in the show window and cases. Mr. Hope is recommended to us, by parties who have known him for years, as being a first-class watchmaker, jeweler, engraver, and stencil cutter. We bespeak his success. See his “ad.”
AD: L. H. HOPE,
Watchmaker, Jeweler, Engraver, and Stencil Cutter.
I am now opening the Largest Jewelry establishment, outside of Kansas City or Leavenworth, in the State, and am located in Winfield to stay.
Watches, Clocks, Jewelry,
Solid Silver and Plated Ware,
Spectacles and Table Cutlery,
all in large Stock and Great Variety.
Watch, Clock, and Jewelry Repairing a specialty, and all work warranted. Goods sold at Kansas City Prices. Goods bought of me will be engraved free of charge. A share of your patronage is respectfully solicited.
Store Next Door to Jackson’s Restaurant,
L. H. HOPE. WINFIELD, KANSAS.
Winfield Courier, January 24, 1878.
A. A. Jackson, the restaurant man of Winfield, has been for some time confined to his bed by rheumatism.
Winfield Courier, February 21, 1878.
A. A. Jackson is recovering from a severe attack of the rheumatism.
Winfield Courier, April 11, 1878.
Bran new awnings in front of Jackson’s, Hope’s, et al.
Mrs. A. A. Jackson [G. A. Jackson]...
Arkansas City Traveler, April 17, 1878.
District Court.
Mr. E. S. Bedilion, District Clerk, furnishes us with the following list of cases which will probably be for trial at the next term of the District Court, commencing on Monday, May 6, 1878.
CIVIL DOCKET.
J. H. Hill v. G. A. Jackson et al.
Winfield, the Best Town of Its Size in the State.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 25, 1878.
[Special Correspondence Kansas City Times.]
BUSINESS.
A. A. Jackson is keeping an excellent restaurant.
Winfield Courier, April 25, 1878.
Jackson has started a bread delivery wagon.
Winfield Courier, April 25, 1878.
Jackson has connected a first class bakery with his restaurant. He has a number one baker.
Winfield Courier, May 9, 1878.
District Court Proceedings.
The following cases stand on demurrer: J. H. Hill vs. Geneva Jackson et al.
The Daily Winfield Courier, Saturday Morning, May 11, 1878.
District Court Proceedings.
J. H. Hill vs. Geneva Jackson et al. Set for Monday next.
Winfield Courier, May 16, 1878.
Some three weeks ago Mr. Lilburn Smith, of Harvey Township, accidentally cut his left hand with a knife, the blade cutting the arch of the arteries, cutting it to the palm of the hand. The bleeding was stopped at the time and it was supposed that the cut had healed. On Wednesday night, however, the wound began to bleed, compelling Mr. Smith to come to Winfield for treatment. On Friday, in Dr. Emerson’s office, Dr. Mendenhall, assisted by Drs. Black and Mansfield, opened the forearm in two places taking out the arteries and tying them. The operation was a severe and a delicate one. At this time the patient seems as well as could be expected. He is at A. A. Jackson’s.
District Court Proceedings.
Winfield Courier, May 16, 1878.
J. H. Hill vs. Jackson et al. Continued to next term.
Winfield Courier, May 23, 1878.
There is a glittering dollar store south of Jackson’s restaurant. It is run on the principle that you pay a quarter for the privilege of paying a dollar for seventy-five cents’ worth of goods.
Homicide.
Winfield Courier, June 6, 1878.
On last Saturday, June 1st, about four o’clock p.m., Jay Page, saloon keeper of this place, was shot and killed by L. J. Webb, attorney, and member of the House of Representatives of the State. Crowds of men immediately assembled around the scene of the transaction and great excitement prevailed. At the time of the shooting Mr. Page was standing against the counter of his saloon in conversation with Frank Manny, when Mr. Webb entered from the back room; and walking up to within about twelve feet of Mr. Page, drew a revolver from his pocket and fired—the ball entering Page’s left breast about five inches above the nipple. Page ran out the front door, blood gushing from his mouth and nostrils, crying that Webb had killed him. He ran along the sidewalk perhaps 100 feet and fell. He was taken up, bleeding from the mouth profusely. He expired immediately. No word was spoken in the saloon by either Webb or Page. After firing the shot Webb turned to the counter, where he handed his pistol to J. L. M. Hill, deputy sheriff, and went out in custody of Hill.
Coroner W. G. Graham caused to be summoned before him by J. H. Finch, deputy sheriff, a coroner’s jury, composed of W. Q. Mansfield, B. F. Baldwin, A. A. Jackson, H. Brotherton, A. E. Baird, and W. Gillelen. Frank Manny, Newton Ball, and Jesse Herndon, eye-witnesses to the transaction, were sworn and testified to the facts as above stated.
The jury returned a verdict to the effect that Jay Page came to his death by a shot from a pistol fired in the hands of L. J. Webb.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 12, 1878.
Railroad Matters.
WINFIELD, JUNE 8, 1878.
The necessity for a railroad has again pressed itself upon our people. Some time ago a few of our leading businessmen opened communication with the officials of the A., T. & S. F. railroad company at Topeka, with reference to their extending a branch of their road into Cowley County, and this afternoon a rather informal meeting was held at the courthouse for a more permanent organization and the appointment of a regular committee to further correspond with the A., T. & S. F. officials in reference to the matter. A resolution was carried unanimously that our county would vote $4,000 per mile in bonds (not to exceed $140,00 in all) for the construction and equipment of a road from the northern to the southern line of our county, either from El Dorado or Wichita. A new committee was selected, composed of Judge Coldwell of Winfield, Judge Christian of Arkansas City, John B. Holmes of Rock, and Messrs. Jackson, Lynn, and Wood of our city, whose duty it will be to bring matters to a focus, pro or con. Let us have the road by all means. FARMER.
[MORE ON THE KILLING AT WINFIELD: WEBB SHOOTING OF PAGE.]
Arkansas City Traveler, June 12, 1878.
Homicide.
[From the Winfield Courier.]
On last Saturday, June 1st, about four o’clock p.m., Jay Page, saloon keeper of this place, was shot and killed by L. J. Webb, attorney, and member of the House of Representatives of the State. Crowds of men immediately assembled around the scene of the transaction and great excitement prevailed. At the time of the shooting Mr. Page was standing against the counter of his saloon in conversation with Frank Manny, when Webb entered from the back room and walking up to within about twelve feet of Mr. Page, drew a revolver from his pocket and fired, the ball entering Page’s left breast about five inches above the nipple.
Page ran out the front door, blood gushing from his mouth and nostrils, crying that Webb had killed him. He ran along the sidewalk perhaps 100 feet and fell. He was taken up, bleeding from the mouth profusely. He expired immediately. No word was spoken in the saloon by either Webb or Page. After firing the shot Webb turned to the counter, where he handed his pistol to J. L. M. Hill, deputy sheriff, and went out in custody of Hill.
Coroner W. G. Graham caused to be summoned before him by J. H. Finch, deputy sheriff, a coroner’s jury, composed of W. Q. Mansfield, B. F. Baldwin, A. A. Jackson, H. Brotherton, A. E. Baird, and W. Gillelen.
Railroad Meeting.
Winfield Courier, June 13, 1878.
The meeting last Saturday at the Courthouse was attended by Judge Coldwell, C. M. Wood, and A. A. Jackson, of the Winfield committee, and by gentlemen from several other townships in the county.
Judge Coldwell was chosen chairman, and C. M. Wood, secretary. The chairman explained the action of the Winfield committee, stating that the A. T. & S. F. railroad company had indicated a desire to build a railroad through this county, either from El Dorado or Wichita; and if they could get sufficient aid and encouragement, would agree to complete it as far as Winfield by August 1, 1879. The company desired a proposition from the citizens of this county in relation to the matter, which they would consider, and suggest such changes as they would require.
It was voted that the Winfield committee, consisting of Messrs. Coldwell, Wood, Jackson, M. L. Robinson, and J. B. Lynn, be members of a general county committee to which was added Judge James Christian, of Creswell, and John B. Holmes, of Rock Township.
Resolutions were adopted to propose to vote to the railroad company $4,000 per mile, limited to $140,000 in the aggregate, if the company would build within one year from August 1st next, through Cowley County via Winfield and Arkansas City. The committee were to confer with the company on this basis.
The meeting adjourned to meet at call of the chairman.
The committee have since sent their proposition to the company and expect a reply in a reasonable time, which they will communicate through the newspapers.
Winfield Courier, June 13, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
A. A. Jackson and wife to Winfield Town Company, lots 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, block 86, Winfield, $25.
A. A. Jackson and wife to Winfield Town Association, lots 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, block 88, Winfield, $25.
Winfield Courier, August 22, 1878.
Trial List.
The following is a list of cases that will stand for trial at the August A. D. 1878 term of the District Court of Cowley County, and have been placed on the Trial Docket in the following order.
SECOND DAY - CIVIL DOCKET.
J. H. Hill et al. vs. Geneva Jackson et al. [Hackney & McDonald; Coldwell & Coldwell and A. J. Pyburn.]
FIFTH DAY.
A. A. Jackson vs. The Winfield Town Company. [Coldwell & Coldwell and A. J. Pyburn.]
[DISTRICT COURT OF COWLEY COUNTY: TRIAL LIST.]
Arkansas City Traveler, August 28, 1878.
CIVIL DOCKET. FIFTH DAY.
A. A. Jackson vs. The Winfield Town Co.
Winfield Courier, August 29, 1878.
To The People Of Cowley County.
The committee appointed in this city at a railroad meeting held on the 8th of June, 1878, to conduct all correspondence with the President of the A. T. & S. F. Co. in relation to the extension of a branch road through this county, in obedience to their instructions respectfully submit the following report.
Under date of Aug. 20th the president of the Santa Fe Co. writes us that his company are now engaged in negotiation with the people of Sedgwick County for an extension of that branch down the Arkansas Valley to this point and thence on to the southern boundary of this county via Arkansas City. The Santa Fe Co. also contemplate at no distant day to form a connection with the Fort Smith & Little Rock Co., and thus give us a southern connection. If the pending negotiations with Sedgwick County fail, then the Santa Fe Co. propose to extend the El Dorado branch of their road down the Walnut Valley, and on south as before indicated. In either event the people of this county will be benefitted by the extension. We must bear in mind, however, that our present efforts depend largely upon the success of President Nickerson’s negotiations with the people of Sedgwick or Butler counties, and if they should obstinately refuse to cooperate and furnish the requisite aid, our failure to secure a branch road can in no wise be attributed to the disinclination of the Santa Fe Co. to help us.
Pres. Nickerson is of the opinion, that if his present efforts are crowned with success, he will be able to complete the road to this point during the coming year; nevertheless, he calls our attention to some obstacles which he can neither foresee or control. Among these are “strikes,” stringency of the money markets, difficulties of obtaining “ties.”
We felt authorized to assure Pres. Nickerson that our people would cordially cooperate with his company, whether the extension came from Wichita or El Dorado; that you would subscribe to the extent of $4,000 per mile for each mile of completed road; and as to time, interest on bonds, and all matters of mere detail that you would deal with a liberal and considerate spirit.
We deem it not improper to add that the Santa Fe Co. is now building a western extension to the Rio Grande, at or near Albuquerque, and so soon as the Southern Pacific is extended east from Yuma, they propose to form a junction, and thus give to the people of Kansas an outlet to the Pacific and the rapidly developing great west for their surplus.
The most casual observer, therefore, cannot fail to realize that if the national objects of the Santa Fe Co. can be carried out the people of this county, by a subscription to one road, will secure three outlets east, west, and south.
Trusting that our action thus far may meet your approbation, we respectfully suggest that each of the township trustees, and other representative men of the county, will meet in this city on Thursday, the 5th of September, 1878, and take such further action as may be deemed requisite.
COMMITTEE: J. B. HOLMES, JAS. CHRISTIAN, J. B. LYNN, A. A. JACKSON, C. M. WOOD, C. COLDWELL.
[RAILROAD MEETING WITH SANTA FE: COMMITTEE REPORTS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 4, 1878.
To the People of Cowley County.
The Committee appointed in this city at a railroad meeting, held on the 10th of June, 1878, to conduct all the correspondence with the president of the A., T. & S. F. Co., in relation to the extension of a branch road through this county, in observance to their instructions respectfully submit the following report.
Under date of Aug. 20th, the President of the Santa Fe Co. writes us that his company are now engaged in negotiations with the people of Sedgwick County for an extension of that branch down the Arkansas Valley to this point, and thence to the southern boundary of this county via Arkansas City. The Santa Fe Co. also contemplate at no distant day to form a connection with the Fort Smith and Little Rock Co., and thus give us a southern connection. If the pending negotiations with Sedgwick County fail, then the Santa Fe Co. propose to extend the El Dorado branch of their road down the Walnut Valley, and on South as far as above indicated. In either event the people of this county will be benefitted by the extension. We must bear in mind, however, that our present efforts depend largely upon the success of President Nickerson’s negotiations with the people of Sedgwick or Butler counties, and if they should obstinately refuse to co-operate and furnish the requisite aid, our failure to secure a branch road can in no wise be attributed to the disinclination of the Santa Fe Co. to help us.
President Nickerson is of the opinion that if his present efforts are crowned with success, he will be able to complete the road to this point during the ensuing year! Nevertheless, he calls our attention to some obstacles which may interpose, which he can neither foresee nor control. Among these are “strikes,” stringency of the money markets, and the difficulty of obtaining “ties.”
We felt authorized to assure President Nickerson that our people would certain co-operate with his company whether the extension came from Wichita or El Dorado, that you would subscribe to the extent of $4,000 per mile for each mile of completed road, and as to time, interest on bonds, and all matters of mere detail, that you would deal with a liberal and considerate spirit.
We deem it not improper to add that the Santa Fe Co. is now building a western extension to the Rio Grande, at or near Albuquerque; and so soon as the Southern Pacific is extended east from Yuma, they propose to form a junction, and thus give to the people of Kansas an outlet to the Pacific and the rapidly developing great west for their surplus.
The most casual observer, therefore, cannot fail to realize that if the national objects of the Santa Fe Co. can be carried out, the people of this county, by a subscription to one road, will secure three outlets, East, West, and South.
Trusting that our action thus far may meet your approbation, we respectfully suggest that each of the township trustees, and other representative men of the county will meet in this city on Thursday, the 5th of September, 1878, and take such further action as may be deemed requisite. COMMITTEE: J. B. HOLMES, JAS. CHRISTIAN, J. B. LYNN, A. A. JACKSON, C. M. WOOD, N. C. COLDWELL.
Winfield Courier, September 5, 1878.
District Court.
A. A. Jackson vs. Winfield Town Company. Continued for service.
J. H. Hill et al vs. Geneva Jackson et al. Judgment for plaintiff for recovery of real estate.
[DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 11, 1878.
The following cases were tried before Judge Campbell during the term of court, up to September 5, 1878.
A. A. Jackson vs. Winfield Town Company. Continued for service.
Winfield Courier, September 12, 1878.
District Court.
MONDAY, September 2, 1878.
J. H. Hill et al vs. Geneva Jackson et al. New trial granted. Continued.
Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.
THE NATIONAL GREENBACK LABOR CONVENTION.
Sold Out by a Ring—The Way It Was Done.
During Thursday and Friday of last week, Allison, A. A. Jackson, J. E. Allen, and two or three other greenbackers of this city were apparently very industrious and busy with the Democrats fixing up something. It seems that they arranged who should be chairman of the greenback convention, what he should do, who should be the committees, what they should do, who should be nominated by the convention, and how it should be done. They had their tickets printed and everything well cut and dried. At least the developments of Saturday show such a state of facts.
The National Greenback Labor Convention met on Saturday at 11 o’clock a.m. J. B. Callison was chosen chairman and A. J. Pickering secretary. A committee on credentials and permanent organization was appointed and then Allison moved that a committee be appointed by the chair to confer with a similar committee to be appointed by the Democratic convention, then in session, to agree upon terms, and candidates for a fusion of the two parties. This motion was opposed by several delegates. When one of them commenced to speak against the motion, Allison would boisterously call him to order and the chairman would help choke the speaker down. Then Allison would make a speech for the motion abusing the opposers. In this way they choked down several delegates and finally crowded the motion to a vote taken standing. Fourteen delegates voted for and sixteen against the motion. The chairman looked beat and at a loss what to do, but Allison was equal to the occasion. He said, “It is carried, Mr. Chairman,” and then the chairman said, “it is carried,” and took up a paper from his table and read from it the names of the pre-arranged committee, of which Allison was made chairman. The convention then adjourned to 2 o’clock p.m.
At the hour named the convention again met and the committee on credentials and permanent organization reported the names of delegates entitled to vote, and in favor of J. B. Callison for chairman, A. J. Pickering for secretary, and T. J. Floyd for assistant secretary. The report was accepted but was not adopted or otherwise disposed of.
Allison then sprang to the floor and in a loud, hurried, and excited manner read without leave the report of his fusion committee nominating M. G. Troup for representative 88th district, M. R. Leonard for 89th district, H. D. Gans for Probate Judge, John E. Allen for County Attorney, J. S. Allen for District Clerk, J. S. Baker for Superintendent, and A. G. Wilson for commissioner first district. He said that the Democrats would nominate this ticket and moved that his report be accepted. This immediately raised a storm. The anti-fusionists were in a majority and a number of speakers arose to oppose, among whom were Douglas and Tansey and Crum, who would not be choked down, as their speakers had been in the morning. A standing vote was taken on the motion to accept, which resulted 17 for and 20 against. This did not trouble Allison much. He pronounced his motion carried and so did the chairman, but Tansey demanded in a motion a call for the ayes and noes. Allison made several speeches and Alexander and Jackson spoke. Seeing they were in a minority they changed their tactics to entreaty, said a vote to accept was not a vote to adopt, that it was necessary to vote to accept in order that the convention might get to work, that after they had voted to accept, they could kill the report by laying it on the table or in any other way they chose and that it would be a terrible insult to the committee to refuse to accept. After an hour of choking down speakers who opposed, of entreaty, bulldozing and confusion that would have put Babel or the gold room into the shade, some of the anti-fusionists yielded and the vote to accept was carried. A part of the anti-fusionists announced their withdrawal from the convention. Allison then decided that the report was adopted so far that the convention must vote for or against the nominees of the report. The anti-fusionists not having the matter cut and dried as had the fusionists, were taken at a disadvantage and were caught and beaten by the trick. In order to make the trick sure to win a motion was made that the candidates having the highest number of votes should be the nominees and was carried before the anti-fusionists had time to see the drift of it. The balloting then commenced and of course the fusion nominees got a plurality and were declared the nominees of the convention. By some blunder some of the fusionists voted for Millard instead of Baker which was the only flaw in the execution of the program.
A cold deck had been prepared, the cards were stocked carefully, the deal and cut were in the hands of the fusionists and the moment a few anti-fusionists consented to play with them they were beaten. It was perfectly clear to any unprejudiced observer that the anti-fusionists were in a majority but were beaten by the cut and dried tactics of Allison and his ring. This ring had completely sold out the convention to the Democrats. They did not even adopt a platform but adjourned hastily. This omission of the platform was evidently not accidental, but was probably a part of the pre-arranged program. The Democrats furnish the platform as they dictate the candidates for the new fusion party. The Democratic snake has swallowed the tail end of the National party but we imagine that the head end will separate and go for principles rather than for fusion with the democrats. After the adjournment of the Nationals the Democrats accepted their blunder and nominated Millard, Allison, Jackson, Allen, and perhaps a few others composing the ring that has done the business.
Winfield Courier, October 17, 1878.
Democratic Ticket for 1879.
FOR SHERIFF: M. G. TROUP.
FOR REGISTER OF DEEDS: M. G. TROUP.
FOR COUNTY CLERK: M. G. TROUP.
FOR TREASURER: M. G. TROUP & J. E. ALLEN.
FOR CORONER: M. G. TROUP & J. E. ALLEN.
FOR COMMISSIONER 2ND DIST.: M. G. TROUP & J. E. ALLEN.
FOR WET NURSES: W. M. ALLISON & A. A. JACKSON.
STEALING THE TOWN SITE.
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
Winfield Courier, October 24, 1878.
Allison and other speakers in the interest of Troup, in their violent efforts to charge some evil against E. C. Manning, are making the statement that Manning stole the townsite of Winfield, and that it is from the money that he got for lots belonging to others, which has erected his magnificent building.
Now, some of the men who most strenuously insisted on Manning’s candidacy at this time, and who are among his most earnest supporters, are men who fought him all through this townsite contest and know, if anyone does, of any wrong that he did in relation to that matter. If they do not know of any, no one does.
But when such a charge is made, it is not against Manning alone, but becomes a personal charge against the senior editor of this paper and others associated with Manning in the town site enterprise, and we now propose to answer it by stating the facts which all who are familiar with the past history of this city know to be true, for the information of such voters as were not here, and know these matters only by hearsay.
The settlement of this county commenced in 1869, before the treaty for the removal of the Indians was made; before there was any survey of the lands or any steps taken to open these lands up for settlement, by settlers coming in and making claims of 160 acres each and improving them, which claims were afterward secured to these settlers by law. Among these claimants were E. C. Manning and A. A. Jackson, who made claims on what is now the north half of section 28. A. Menor and H. C. Loomis laid claims on the south half of same section, and C. M. Wood and W. W. Andrews claimed the half section next north of this section. Each of these claimants proceeded to occupy and improve his claim, and had as good a right to his claim as any man had on this reserve. Each had the undisputed right to prove up and enter his claim when the land should be ready to be offered.
In 1870 these several parties and others formed the project of making a town site. A town company was formed and Manning was to give the town company a certain 40 acres of his claim when he had entered it, for which the company was to pay one-half of the expense of building the old log store. Jackson, Wood, Andrews, Loomis, and Menor were all to sell portions of their claims to the town company at about seven dollars per acre, so that in the aggregate the town site should be 160 acres.
In August, 1870, we, in company with J. C. Fuller, came here. Jackson was then “off the track,” denying having agreed to sell any part of his claim and stating that he never would sell any of it to the town company. We bought Jackson’s claim for J. C. Fuller, paying Jackson $1,000 in cash for it.
It was found that neither of the other parties would sell any part of their claims to the town company, but Manning turned over his 40 acres to the town company as it had been agreed, and this was all the land that the town company could get out of the original arrangement.
No one then doubted the right of E. C. Manning to the remaining 120 acres of his claim, or of J. C. Fuller to his 160 acre claim bought of Jackson. In the meantime, through the efforts of Manning exclusively, the county seat had been located at Winfield, at which time Manning was the only occupant, and, deeming it necessary to move ahead in building up the town in order to retain the county seat and other advantages, and as there was not land enough belonging to the town company, the Winfield Town Association was formed by Manning, Fuller, and others, including ourself, to handle another 40 acres of Manning’s claim with the west 80 acres of Fuller’s claim, which, with the town company’s 40 acres, made a town site of 160 acres in square form. This was surveyed and platted, and the two companies proceeded to give away lots to persons who would improve and occupy them, to other persons who would work for the benefit of the town in any way, and for other purposes to benefit the town. More than one-third, and nearly one-half of the lots in value, have been given to occupants, to stage companies to induce stage service to Winfield, for services in and outside of Winfield, for churches, schools, courthouse and jail, and for other public purposes.
The two companies with Manning, Fuller, and ourself, have paid out in the aggregate more than five thousand dollars in cash for the general benefit of the town site in various ways, aside from buildings for personal use. These expenses are too various for enumeration, and perhaps some of these expenditures were not judicious. One hundred dollars to procure early railroad surveys to this place, for instance, also ninety dollars for printing and circulating posters and papers to advertise the town, two hundred dollars to enter the town site, expenses in traveling to railroad director’s meetings, making a ferry across the Walnut, running roads, surveying the town site, employing legal counsel, etc. Each of us have expended a great deal of time in various ways intended to benefit the town.
The parties who were induced to occupy and improve lots on the town site before the survey and before the entry, did so under an express agreement, generally in writing, as to what their individual interests in the town site should be and what should be the interests of the town companies. The government survey took place in January, 1871, and on the 10th day of July, 1871, the land became subject to entry at the land office at Augusta.
In nearly all the other town sites of the state made before entry, the original claimants entered the land and then deeded to the occupants, town companies, and others, according to previous agreement, and that was originally the intention with regard to this town site, but the commissioner of the general land office had made a ruling in the case of this reserve, that the claimant must, before entering, subscribe an oath, that he had not sold or agreed to sell or otherwise dispose of, any part of the claim he proposed to enter, and though this ruling was clearly outside of law and the oath if taken would not be an oath at all in fact (as afterwards decided by the courts) yet Manning and Fuller did not like to conform to it as others were doing. They, therefore, procured the probate judge of the county to enter the town site under the town site laws, and then each entered the other 80 acres of his claim in his own name.
About this time became manifest a disposition of some of the occupants to claim more of the town site than the lots they had improved and quite an excitement sprung up. In order to avoid litigation and make an equitable settlement, Manning called a public meeting in which he offered for the two companies to submit all the matters of difference to arbitration, the companies naming one arbitrator, the dissatisfied occupants the second, and the two thus appointed to select the third, who should hear the evidence of all parties and determine their interests and rights in the town site and their decision should be final, which proposition was voted down and rejected by the dissatisfied occupants. It has since frequently been offered to individuals.
The probate judge, under the law, appointed three commissioners to set off the lots to the several occupants according to their respective interests, and they made their award in accordance with the previous agreement between the occupants and companies as to what those interests should be as above stated and the probate judge executed the deeds accordingly.
The larger number of the occupants expressed themselves satisfied, and to quiet the titles made quit claim deeds to the companies of their interests in the unimproved lots. A few would not be satisfied, but commenced an action to set aside the deeds made by the probate judge. This action was in the courts some time and was finally beaten in the Supreme court on demurrer.
Another action was commenced having the same final object in view, which was finally beaten in the Supreme court. The companies in order to try to get the people to work in harmony for the general benefit of the city, made a great many concessions to pacify these litigants.
During the pendency of the first action, a settlement was made with A. A. Jackson, a leading disturber and plaintiff in that action, by which, in addition to the $1,000 and the two valuable lots that had already been given him, the companies gave him two other valuable lots for any remaining or supposed interest he had in the balance of the town site and the nominal sum of $25, and he withdrew from the suit.
Others were compromised with in various ways, and made quit claims, quiet was restored and all seemed united to promote the general prosperity. These litigations had been very expensive and damaging to the prosperity of the town and had stirred up much bad blood, making Manning many bitter opposers, but in the few years since, the bitterness has mostly died away.
Jackson concluded to grab another valuable lot and Hill & Christie brought suit for possession. Jackson defended on the ground that the deed of the probate judge to the Winfield town company on which Hill & Christie’s title was founded was illegal and void. Jackson employed Hon. A. J. Pyburn and two other attorneys to defend, but was beaten in the trial. As the law provides for a second trial in a case of this nature, this action is now pending in the district court for a new trial.
Two attorneys whom Jackson employed were newcomers and had not gained a practice in the courts. They attempted to start a practice and make a reputation by stirring up a grand litigation on this old town site matter, assured parties that they could burst up the whole thing, get the deeds of the probate judge set aside and a new deal of the town lots. They offered to take the job for one-third of the spoils and urged upon the city council to commence litigation at the public expense.
They finally got A. A. Jackson to go in as plaintiff and a suit was commenced against the Town Company, Manning and Fuller, with a great flourish of trumpets about their ponderous papers and pleadings, but no notice was taken of their summons until court time and they demanded judgment for default, when they learned that they did not know how to get a case into court. They now seemed to conclude that the reason they got beat each time was the fault of the law, and set themselves to manipulate politics so as to get a law passed that would help them beat in these cases, and in another case in which they have succeeded in getting an elderly woman, who had a lot given her, and a slab shanty on it at the time of the entry, to start another suit for a rip up of titles and a new deal.
Pyburn, one of Jackson’s attorneys, is a member of the State Senate and it is thought he can be depended upon to get the new law through the Senate, and, if they can get Troup elected to the House, they feel confident they can pass a law that will beat Hill & Christie, town company, et al., in their pending suits and everybody else that holds title under either of the town companies.
This is the real attempt to steal the town site, but not by Manning. We have no apprehension that any law they can get passed, or any litigation under it, or under the present law, will ever void the titles to the town site, but we do apprehend that it might promote and cause a vast amount of expensive litigation which would be a great detriment to the city by throwing doubt upon titles; make much room for vicious lawyers to practice barratry and champerty, and stir up more bad blood without the least benefit to anyone except the lawyers employed in the matter.
By the way, the lots which Manning has been selling to help build his brick block are in the part of his original claim which he entered himself, and not in that part which was entered by the probate judge, if that makes any difference. Manning probably never got much, if anything, more for lots on the town site than he has expended for the general benefit of the town.
This way of commencing a suit in the courts and then getting a law passed by the legislature to rule and decide the case is a new invention in litigation which no Yankee lawyer would have ever thought of. Such are the facts about stealing the town site.
Winfield Courier, November 7, 1878. Editorial Page.
VICTORY!
BRING OUT THE BIG GUN
The Fusion Busted.
Manning Goes to Topeka!
The Allison Jackson Ring Split Wide Open—Torrance County Attorney!
Gale, Bedilion, and Story are to Continue to Serve the People!
The Republican State Ticket Gets a Large Majority Over all Opposition!
The Fiat Goose is Dead—Never to be Resurrected!
Returns have not come in as was expected and as we go to press we are only able to announce the vote of this county as stated in the accompanying table. [SKIPPED TABLE.] Manning is elected by 108 majority over the fusion candidate, and the whole Republican ticket, with the exception of Millspaugh, and possibly Wiley, are elected over the fusion nominees by good majorities. SKIPPED THE REST!
Winfield Courier, December 5, 1878.
District Court.
Jackson vs. Winfield Town Company. Demurrer sustained.
Winfield Courier, December 12, 1878.
MANNING’S OPERA HOUSE.
Opening Benefit.
The citizens of Winfield and vicinity purpose giving an entertainment benefit on
TUESDAY EVENING, DEC. 17, 1878
at Manning’s Opera House, to show their appreciation of the enterprise of a citizen who has erected a magnificent hall in our city.
COMMITTEE ON REFRESHMENTS: A. A. JACKSON, MRS. DR. BLACK, MISS MARY STEWART, FRANK WILLIAMS, MRS. JAMES KELLY, MRS. J. C. FULLER, MRS. T. A. WILKINSON.
Winfield Courier, January 16, 1879.
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session [January 6, 1879]. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and G. L. Gale, commissioners, James McDermott, county attorney, and M. G. Troup, county clerk.
Among other proceedings had, bills against the county were presented and passed upon by the board as follows.
Juror Fee: A. A. Jackson.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1879.
The following is a list of the principal business firms of Winfield.
BAKERIES AND RESTAURANTS.
J. C. Walters, J. M. Dever, Jas. Douglas & Co., A. A. Jackson.
Winfield Courier, June 26, 1879.
A. A. Jackson has moved his stairway from the side of his building to the rear.
George W. Rogers purchases Jackson’s building...
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1879.
Mr. G. W. Rogers has purchased the building of A. A. Jackson, on Main street, and will refit and refurnish it and run it as a restaurant.
A. A. Jackson to become station agent at Barstow...
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1879.
A. A. Jackson has sold out his restaurant to George W. Rogers, and will soon take charge as station agent at Barstow, eight miles and a half north of this place, on the railroad. Jackson is enterprising; and will make a good station agent. We wish him success.
Could the following item be about A. A. Jackson, station agent? Hog raiser???
[REPORT FROM “CITIZEN” AT HALL.]
Winfield Courier, February 12, 1880.
Mr. Jackson, our station agent, has purchased lumber to build thirteen large corn pens, with a view to buying up corn, as he expects to engage extensively in the hog business.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 7, 1880.
A. A. Jackson, formerly of Winfield, brought all his relatives down last Monday in order to let them see our city.
Winfield Courier, July 15, 1880.
All persons wanting the grass on the Drustle place northwest of Winfield will put in sealed bids for same before July 10th, 1880, or any information may be had of J. E. Allen.
A. A. JACKSON.
[REPUBLICAN CONVENTION HELD AT DEXTER.]
Winfield Courier, August 12, 1880.
At the Republican convention held in Dexter on last Saturday to nominate a candidate for the office of Representative of the Eighty-ninth district, there were present many Republicans from all parts of the county, with a full attendance of delegates from that district. The meeting was a large and enthusiastic one.
Hon. W. P. Hackney, being present, was called on to make a speech, and responded with a ringing speech in behalf of the principles of the Republican party, claiming that its organization was inspired by the great truths of the declaration of Independence, and that it was the first and only party that ever dared accept those truths as a party platform. That the Democratic party was the champion of slavery before the war and its apologist since; that the Republican party was the champion of free speech and an untrammeled press, the defender of the liberties of the people and the purity of the ballot box; that the Democracy was cemented together by the coalition of the Northern and Southern wings of that party, the former willing to submit to the dictation of the latter for the sake of the spoils, while the latter, actuated by the sole desire of regaining in peace what they lost in war, permitted their mouths to be hermetically sealed during the last session of Congress for fear some of their hopes and aspirations would be unwittingly promulgated and the Northern mind startled.
He referred to the fact that the Democratic party was the same today that it always had been, the foe of the black man; the apologist of oppression, and unrelenting opponent to all election laws to protect our ballot boxes.
He referred to the fact that he has always been a Republican, and that he helped organize the Republican party in Cowley County, was secretary of the first Republican convention ever held in Cowley County, which met in Dexter in August 1870; that he was secretary of the Republican convention that nominated a Republican ticket in September of that year; that the opposition nominated a ticket with E. C. Manning, Judge Ross, A. A. Jackson, and John Devore, all Democrats except the former; that his ticket was elected, but the returns were thrown out and Manning declared elected, although defeated.
Here someone called out: “Where were you four years ago?” Hackney retorted: “Fighting for the Republican county ticket, except as to the man he fought ten years ago;” and that he four years ago bolted the nomination of that man, Col. Manning, and that by that act (although he had spent his time and traveled over the county every fall since making speeches for the Republican ticket) he had placed a club in the hands of enemies that they had freely used ever since, and referred in bitter tones to the fact that the beneficiaries of that act had omitted no opportunity to assault him at every turn made by him since in favor of the straight ticket.
He warned the Republicans, that while the Democratic party will fawn upon them now, if they will help them, yet the first time that they are pleased with the ticket and want it elected, and attempt to secure that object, they will be set upon by the jackals and scorpions that infest that party, and nothing will be too low and mean for them to do or say.
And when he closed he was greeted with thunders of applause. It was a timely speech, and well received by all, and everybody went home happy and pledging themselves anew to the election of our gallant candidate for the State Senate.
Winfield Courier, November 11, 1880.
The following are the names of the enterprising citizens who brought in the returns from different townships on the night after the election.
Ninnescah: H. H. Martin; also Leonard Stout, A. A. Jackson.
[TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.]
Winfield Courier, February 17, 1881.
Below we give a list of township officers elected at the February election. In some of the townships the Justices hold over.
NINNESCAH: Trustee, G. S. Cole; treasurer, J. C. Drumm; clerk, L. Stout; Justice, A. A. Jackson.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 10, 1881.
SALT CITY ITEMS.
The following is a list of the visitors at the Geuda Springs Bath House for the week ending August 7, 1881: A. A. Jackson and family, Seeley.
[OLD SOLDIERS OF NINNESCAH TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, November 3, 1881.
SEELEY, KAS, Oct. 29, 1881.
We, the veterans and old soldiers of the late war, met at Seeley for the purpose of organizing a company to attend the Regimental Drill at Winfield Nov. 12th, 1881. The following officers were elected.
Captain: A. A. Jackson.
[REGIMENTAL DRILL.]
Winfield Courier, November 10, 1881.
As ordered by the Old Soldiers at their meeting held in Winfield October 21st, there will be a Regimental Drill on November 12th, commencing at 1 o’clock P. M. on that day. It is requested that all companies who have failed to report will do so at once, that their proper places may be assigned them in the regiment. The companies named below have been assigned their places in the regiment as follows, to wit:
Captain Sam Baird, company H, right of regiment;
Captain H. C. McDorman, company K, left of regiment;
Captain C. H. Bing, company D, color guard;
Captain T. H. Lorry, company B;
Captain N. Fitzgerald, company I;
Captain Wm. White, company C;
Captain Jackson, company E.
It is requested that all field, staff, and line officers report in full dress for duty at the time named. The Company Commanders will report to the Adjutant of the regiment the hour they expect to arrive in Winfield, so that suitable arrangements may be made to meet them.
SEELEY CORRESPONDENT: “MORE ANON.”]
Winfield Courier, March 9, 1882.
SEELEY.
EDS. COURIER: Our town has been doing well since W. H. James has opened up his stock of goods. I think Mr. James will make an excellent merchant.
Rev. Mr. Snyder has been holding a protracted meeting and has organized a church of some 40 or 50 members. Mr. Snyder is a very able minister, and has done a great deal of good here with his meetings.
One of the most pleasant events of the season occurred last night at the residence of N. J. Johnson. Mrs. L. C. Turner, who had just closed a term of four months’ school at this place, was invited to join her pupils at Mr. Johnson’s in a social union, and by 8 o’clock a more jolly crowd never was assembled under any roof, and it did one good to see the bright eyes and hear the joyous laugh of the little ones. At 9 o’clock order was maintained, and Mr. Jackson stepped forward and addressed Mrs. Turner as follows.
“You cannot but have been mindful of the friendship we as pupils have felt toward you as teacher in your earnest efforts in our behalf. I have the pleasure of representing the school in presenting this cup as a slight token of our friendship, and may it represent your cup of happiness in after life, and may it even be full to overflowing, is the wish of all your pupils.”
Mr. J. Lewis then presented Mrs. Turner with a very nice gold-lined silver cup with her name beautifully engraved thereon. Mrs. Turner was very much overcome, as it was wholly a surprise. She thanked the pupils for their kindness, and in a very appreciative manner. The affair was a grand success. MORE ANON.
It appears that A. A. Jackson was handling sheep by this time...
Cowley County Courant, May 4, 1882.
Farmer Jackson, of Seeley, is supplying our butchers with fine mutton.
Winfield Courier, May 4, 1882.
A. A. Jackson was in the city Monday and was somewhat dampened by the shower.
Winfield Courier, June 8, 1882.
Henry Goldsmith has bought the Captain Stevens’ house, which was built by A. A. Jackson in the winter of 1870-71. Henry and his brother Jake will soon move in and keep batch until their mother and sister arrive from Germany and take charge. The latter will leave for this place July 15th.
Cowley County Courant, June 29, 1882.
In obedience to the order issued from regimental headquarters Old Veteran regiment, of Cowley County, the following line officers were present: H. C. McDorman, Captain, Dexter company; A. A. Jackson, Captain, company at Seeley; Wm. White, Captain, company F. Rock; W. H. Bonnewell, first Lieutenant, Vernon company; Daniel Maher, representing company H; James Kelley, first Lieutenant company A. On motion Captain Wm. White was elected chairman and Lieutenant James Kelley Secretary. On motion Captain Charley Steuven was elected Colonel, T. H. Soward Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain James Vanorsdal Major. After a harmonious talk the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Colonel commanding.
Winfield Courier, June 29, 1882.
In obedience to the order issued from regimental headquarters, Old Veteran regiment, of Cowley County, the following line officers were present.
H. C. McDorman, Captain Dexter company.
A. A. Jackson, Captain company at Seeley.
Wm. White, Captain company F, Rock.
W. H. Bonnewell, First Lieutenant, Vernon company; Daniel Maher, representing company H; James Kelly, First Lieutenant, company A.
On motion Capt. Wm. White was elected chairman and Lieutenant James Kelly Secretary.
On motion Captain Charley Steuven was elected Colonel, T. H. Soward Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain James Vanorsdal Mayor.
After a harmonious talk the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Colonel commanding.
Cowley County Courant, July 6, 1882.
In obedience to the order issued from regimental headquarters, Old Veteran regiment, of Cowley County, the following line officers were present.
H. C. McDorman, Captain, Dexter company, A. A. Jackson, Captain, company at Seeley; Wm. White, Captain, company F, Rock; W. H. Bonnewell, first Lieutenant, Vernon company; Daniel Maher, representing company H; James Kelley, first Lieutenant company A. On motion Captain Wm. White was elected chairman and Lieutenant James Kelley Secretary. On motion Captain Charley Steuven was elected Colonel, T. H. Soward Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain James Vanorsdal Major. After a harmonious talk the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Colonel commanding.
Winfield Courier, August 17, 1882.
General Order No. 8.
AUGUST 16TH, 1882.
FELLOW SOLDIERS: I have been honored by being made the Colonel of the Cowley County Veterans on account of the resignation of your late Colonel, Chas. E. Steuven, and upon assuming command would urge upon all the old soldiers of Cowley County the importance and pleasure of at once enrolling your names in some one of the company organizations of the county to go to our grand reunion at Topeka.
The following companies are organized.
Capt. H. C. McDorman, Co. A, Dexter, Kansas.
Capt. R. Fitzgerald, Co. B, Burden, Kansas.
Capt. Wm. White, Co. C, Akron, Kansas.
Capt. J. W. Weimer, Co. D, Polo, Kansas.
Capt. J. B. Nipp, Co. E., Arkansas City, Kansas.
Capt. Thomas Cooley, Co. F, Red Bud, Kansas.
Capt. J. A. McGuire, Co. H, Winfield, Kansas.
Capt. A. A. Jackson, Co. I, Seeley, Kansas.
Report your names at once to someone of these company commanders if you wish to secure transportation at rates for old soldiers to Topeka. The cost of the round trip, with rations, will amount to about five dollars. To secure these rates, you must report at once, as your names cannot be put on the rolls after the first day of September.
All soldiers enrolled and all company commanders, with their companies, are ordered to report in Winfield early on the morning of September 11, 1882, to fill up the companies not full and organize two new companies, if there are enough soldiers.
We leave Winfield Monday evening, September 11th at 3 o’clock for Topeka. Each soldier will supply his own blankets and cooking utensils and one days rations. Each company commander will be expected to preserve such discipline in his company as will reflect additional honor upon our record as soldiers and upon the county of which we are citizens. By order of T. H. SOWARD, Commanding regiment.
H. L. WELLS, Adjutant.
Excerpts...
Winfield Courier, September 21, 1882.
Cowley at the Reunion.
EDS. COURIER: You have been very liberal in the use of the columns of your paper to the Old Veterans of Cowley County, and in their behalf we sincerely thank you while we ask the further indulgence, that we may tell the veterans and citizens who did not go, what we saw, and the part we took in the grandest reunion of veterans since the war.
On Monday, September 11th, we began to assemble in Winfield, and by Monday night over 200 old soldiers were on Main Street around a large camp fire, with drums and fife, singing and cheering as only soldiers can.
Adjourning to the Opera House we had music, dancing, songs, and speaking until near midnight, when we separated to meet at the A. T. & S. F. Depot at 5 o’clock a.m. The trip was pleasant until we reached Newton, when we were put on emigrant cars, and we can truly say we never had as disagreeable a ride on a railroad before. The cars were crowded, sultry, and dirty, and with the hot wind and blinding dust, will not soon be forgotten.
And now permit me to write of Cowley County. We were honored by being made the 1st veteran regiment, and while it took often 3 or 4 other counties to make a regiment, Cowley was a grand one of over 300 veterans by herself. The officers of the regiment, Lieut. Col. Vanorsdal, Maj. McDorman, and Capts. Magrady, McGuire, White, Weimer, Jackson, and Adjutant Wells, as well as the Lieutenants and Sergeants, added another honor to the laurels. They won battle fields by their conduct at the reunion. They performed their whole duty and did it well.
Next item indicates A. A. Jackson was Santa Fe station agent. At Seeley, I reckon.
Winfield Courier, October 26, 1882.
A. A. Jackson called to see us Tuesday. He has received his back pension for being shot at Shiloh and was feeling good. In fact, he always is in good spirits, just such a man as the Santa Fe company likes for a station agent.
Winfield Courier, February 15, 1883.
Township Elections.
The following township officers were declared elected by the Board of Commissioners at their canvass of the vote on Tuesday.
NINNESCAH: Wm. Senseney, trustee; J. Craven, clerk; G. S. Cole, treasurer; A. A. Jackson and W. B. Norman, J. P.’s; J. A. Copple and M. June, constables.
Winfield Courier, March 15, 1883.
Coroner’s Inquest.
DIED. The Coroner was called suddenly Tuesday morning to hold an inquest on the body of Mrs. Rachel Ann Cunningham, who dropped dead in her house in Ninnescah Township, Monday evening. The following jury was summoned: A. A. Jackson, E. H. Jones, Jesse Isenagle, John A. Hood, James Rothrock, D. W. Pierce. The investigation was careful and searching and the following facts were elicited. During the evening Mrs. Cunningham was very much excited and used abusive language toward her husband, who was trying to quiet her. About eight o’clock she went out doors and soon Mr. Cunningham heard someone moaning and heard a fall. He sent one of the children out to see what was the matter. The child returned and said her mother had fallen down. Mr. Cunningham then went out and found her lying on her face. He picked her up, brought her into the house, tried with camphor and water to restore her, and finding it was of no use, sent for the neighbors. A post mortem examination was made by Dr. Emerson, who ascertained that her death had been caused by heart disease, and the jury found a verdict in accordance therewith. Mrs. Cunningham was about forty years old and leaves five children.
Winfield Courier, March 22, 1883.
A. A. Jackson has been quite ill the past week with rheumatism of the heart. He is in Dr. Emerson’s care and is improving.
Winfield Courier, April 5, 1883.
A. A. Jackson and family left for Las Vegas hot springs Tuesday. Mr. Jackson’s going is necessitated by his severe and prolonged rheumatic affections, which have of late been attacking his heart. We hope that the change will be beneficial to him.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 4, 1883.
Our old-time friend, A. A. Jackson, station agent at Seeley, was in the city last week and favored us with a pleasant call.
Winfield Courier, June 7, 1883.
OLD SETTLERS’ REUNION.
At Riverside Park, Thursday, May 31, 1883.
The Old Settlers’ Association of Vernon Township was called to order by the President, J. W. Millspaugh. Minutes of the last meeting read by the Secretary, H. H. Martin, and approved.
On motion of J. H. Werden, the Association of Old Settlers of Vernon Township was dissolved, and an association of the Old Settlers of Cowley County organized.
Election of officers for the ensuing year are as follows.
E. S. Torrance, president.
J. W. Millspaugh, vice-president.
Jacob Nixon, secretary and treasurer.
Motion prevailed that the president appoint an executive committee of one from each township. The president appointed as such committee the following.
Ninnescah: A. A. Jackson.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 19, 1883.
Our old-time friend, A. A. Jackson, was in the city last week.
Winfield Courier, September 27, 1883.
A. A. Jackson was down from the hamlet of Seeley Monday.
LIST OF PENSIONERS, COWLEY COUNTY.
[NOTE: THEY GAVE THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE FOR EACH ONE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS HARD TO READ AND MANY ARE LONG, I HAVE SKIPPED.
LISTING “Number of Certificate.” MAW]
1. NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE.
2. NAME OF PENSIONER.
3. POST OFFICE ADDRESS.
4. CAUSE FOR WHICH PENSIONED [SOMETIMES ABBREVIATED].
5. MONTHLY RATE.
6. DATE OF ORIGINAL ALLOWANCE...NOT ALWAYS GIVEN.
Jackson, Addison A., Seeley, g s w lt thigh, $2.00, September 1882.
Winfield Courier, January 17, 1884.
The Masquerade.
The members of the Pleasant Hour Club have made the winter thus far very pleasant in a social way. Their hops have been well attended, and the utmost good feeling and harmony has prevailed. Their masquerade ball last Thursday evening was the happiest hit of the season. The floor was crowded with maskers and the raised platforms filled with spectators. At nine o’clock the “grand march” was called, and the mixture of grotesque, historical, mythological, and fairy figures was most attractive and amusing. Then, when the quadrilles were called, the effect of the clown dancing with a grave and sedate nun, and Romeo swinging a pop-corn girl, was, as one of the ladies expressed it, “just too cute.”
The following is the list of names of those in masque, together with a brief description of costume or character represented.
Mrs. A. A. Jackson, Mother Hubbard; A. A. Jackson, Yankee.
Winfield Courier, January 24, 1884.
At a meeting called by the Republican committee of Ninnescah township, January 19, 1884, at the usual voting place, to nominate township officers, G. S. Cole in chair, the following persons were nominated: G. S. Cole, Trustee; H. H. Buss, Treasurer; J. A. Hood, Clerk; A. A. Jackson, Justice at Seeley; E. T. Brown, Constable at Seeley; Wm. June, Constable at Udall; Frank Millspaugh, Road Overseer, district No. 4; Chas. Downing, Road Overseer, District No. 1.
Arkansas City Republican, May 31, 1884.
The county Democratic convention met at Winfield last Saturday. The following delegates were elected to the State convention.
S. L. Gilbert, C. C. Black, J. B. Lynn, T. McIntire, A. A. Jackson, H. S. Libby, and Dr. J. Vawter. They passed a strong resolution in favor of the “old ticket, Tilden, Hendricks, and Reform,” and also adopted a strong “tariff for revenue only” resolution.
Winfield Courier, May 29, 1884.
Democratic Convention.
The Democrats met in convention Saturday at the office of S. L. Gilbert, in this city. The delegates elected to the State convention were S. L. Gilbert, C. C. Black, J. B. Lynn, T. McIntire, A. A. Jackson, H. S. Libby, and J. Vawter. The sense of the meeting was that Gov. Glick should lead the delegation to Chicago. They also passed a strong resolution in favor of the “Old Ticket,” Tilden and Hendricks. The delegates were instructed to vote for and use all honorable means to secure the election of Chas. C. Black as a delegate to the National convention. A strong “Tariff for Revenue Only,” was passed.
[DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, September 25, 1884.
CIVIL DOCKET. THIRD DAY.
34. C. C. Black vs. A. A. Jackson.
Winfield Courier, December 18, 1884.
A. A. Jackson, now a resident of Seeley, was the first man united in the holy bonds of matrimony in the city of Winfield. He was married to Miss G. A. Kelsey, on the 4th day of September, 1870.
A. A. Jackson 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.
Viewers report in A. A. Jackson county road adopted and damages awarded: Justin Hollister $25, and James Bruington $100.
UDALL. “O.”
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 5, 1885.
A. A. Jackson, of Seeley, called on us the 3d.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 12, 1885.
School district No. 13 wants a good teacher for a four months school. Address A. A. Jackson, director, Seeley, Kansas.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Result of the Official Canvass of the Vote by the County Commissioners
Last Tuesday.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 12, 1885.
Ninnescah: J. L. Stewart, trustee; Jas. T. Dale, clerk; H. H. Buss, treasurer; A. J. Werden and A. A. Jackson, justices; Lot Senseney and S. H. Garrard, constables.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 18, 1885.
That old timer, A. A. Jackson, of Seeley, visited the Canal City yesterday.
DOINGS OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
Grindings of the Civil Mill of Justice During the Past Week.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 19, 1885.
C. C. Black vs. Addison A. Jackson. Dismissed with prejudice.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 26, 1885.
A. A. Jackson has transferred his services as station agent at Seeley to Las Vegas Springs, New Mexico, where he will remain in the employ of the Santa Fe and try to boil some of the rheumatism out of his frame. His family will remain in Seeley.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 10, 1885.
Recap. Jennings & Troup, Attorneys for Plaintiff, Amos Dressel, Elizabeth Bryant, and John Bryant, Plaintiffs, versus Charles Dressel, Lewis Dressel, and August Dressel, and A. A. Jackson, as guardian for Lewis Dressel and August Dressel, minors, Defendants. Petition to be answered by January 22, 1886, relative to one-fifth interest in property. Property must be sold and divided, one fifth each, to Defendants having an interest in property.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 17, 1885.
Charles Dressel, one of the defendants, notified re Amos Dressel, Elizabeth Bryant, and John Bryant, Plaintiffs vs. Charles Dressel, Lewis Dressel, and August Dressel, and A. A. Jackson as guardian for Lewis Dressel and August Dressel, minors, Defendants. Petition to be answered by January 22, 1886, and judgment rendered re property.
Excerpts concerning A. A. Jackson...
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY DAY SETTLERS.
C. M. Wood’s Story Continued.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 11, 1886.
Upon the arrival of Col. Manning in December 1869, Mr. A. A. Jackson, who came with him, proceeded at once to claim the piece of ground known as the Fuller addition. He built a foundation and then secured some lumber with which to build a frame house (the second frame house in the county). While at work on his material in front of Baker & Manning’s store, being employed by them to look after the store, sell goods, etc., and not being at work directly on the ground claimed by him, some parties hailing from Topeka took it into their heads to jump Mr. Jackson’s claim, and proceeded at once to haul logs on the claim and put them up for a house. The settlers were apprized of the fact and rallied as one man, called the “Protection Union” together, and notified the claim jumpers that they should appear and show cause for such a proceeding. A sufficient length of time was given them to appear; but they came not, when the meeting went into executive session, discussed the matter to its fullest extent, listened to Mr. Jackson, and decided that the claim jumpers’ case had gone by default. Talked some of arraigning them for contempt, but upon motion, a committee of five, of which I was chairman, was appointed to notify said defendants that they would be allowed until the next morning at 9 o’clock to vacate said claim. We proceeded to their camp by the side of the house they were building. Though it was very dark and quite late in the evening, we could see their camp-fire, so we had no trouble in finding them. They had not gone to bed yet but were sitting around the camp-fire. As we came up I said, “Good evening, gentlemen.” They responded by saying, “Yes, this is a good evening.” I said, “Gentlemen, we were appointed as a committee by the Protection Union to inform you that you must leave this claim by 9 o’clock tomorrow morning and not return again with the intent to hold and improve the same. This order you must obey or take such consequence as the Protection Union may deem best for the purpose of enforcing its mandates.
One of the party replied that he would go when he d d pleased, or not at all.
At this moment Em. Yeoman, one of the committee, whipped out his navy and said, “You will go now, and d quick too, if I hear any more of your insolence.”
I told Yeoman to put up his gun, that I hoped that nothing of that kind would be necessary to enforce our order, that these men had the appearance of gentlemen, and that I was sure that nothing further was necessary. They gave us assurance that they wished to do right and would give us no more trouble, so we bid them good night and retired.
Next morning the claim jumpers moved on down the river and took some good claims in what is known as South Bend. They never came here to make permanent homes, but finally sold out to pretty good advantage and since that time I have lost sight of them.
Mr. A. A. Jackson went on with his building and finally sold his claim to J. C. Fuller for $1,000 and thought, at that time, it was a big sale. Mr. Jackson and Miss Geneva Kelsey were married sometime in the summer of 1870 and were the first to get married in the county. They came and boarded with me until Mr. Jackson could finish his house, which was the first frame house built in Winfield, and was on the northeast corner of 8th avenue and Andrews street. When finished they set up housekeeping in pretty good style for those days.
I will close this for the present, hoping to be able to say more of these prominent characters in the settling of this county, at some future time.
Excerpts relative to A. A. Jackson...
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY DAY SETTLERS.
C. M. Wood’s Story Continued.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 8, 1886.
It was in the winter of 1869 and 1870 after Baker and Manning had got pretty well established in the little log store and were supplying the settlers and Indians with such goods as they desired that Col. Manning came to me and said that a delegation of Indians came to him from their chief, Hardrope, at the mouth of the Walnut river, asking him to come down to their camp with goods to trade and that they had just come in from a successful buffalo hunt and had a good many buffalo skins that they were then dressing and would “trade heap.”
[Wood goes after Manning at camp. They manage to leave.]
After a tedious drive during which the snow fell about three inches deep, and on a route that had no wagon road in those days, we arrived home feeling much better. We found my wife, A. A. Jackson, and others waiting for us with considerable anxiety for our safety.
I might say in conclusion of this incident that Mr. Manning and A. A. Jackson boarded at our house at that time—and a jolly lot we were. Nothing seemed to disturb our happiness and pleasure in the great future of this country except that Manning would frequently draw a long breath when meditating and say, “How I wish I was comfortably fixed and my family was here. I feel lonesome. I am going to bring them down soon, etc.” We had some good reading matter and would frequently pass the long evenings reading. Sometimes Manning would read and sometimes my wife did the reading. (I was not so much given to reading aloud as they.) Mr. Jackson was jolly and would often come in from the store and say, “I’ll tell you what is certain,” and then relate some amusing incident that had taken place during the day. At other times Mr. Jackson would predict the future, emphasizing in a good, positive way that made one feel that he was very certain he knew what he was talking about.
1891.
Daily Calamity Howler, Saturday, October 3, 1891.
Register of Deeds, A. A. Jackson, returned Thursday evening from a trip to Princeton, Illinois, where he had been to attend a re-union of his old regiment. He reports a pleasant time while gone, although but twenty-six of his old comrades answered to the call with himself.
Daily Calamity Howler, Tuesday, October 6, 1891.
Guy Sparks has resigned his position as deputy register of deeds under A. A. Jackson, and will soon move his family and effects to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he has accepted a position as bookkeeper for a manufacturing establishment. Guy has been deputy register for nearly two years and has given entire satisfaction to Mr. Jackson and to the public in general. While Winfield loses one of her best citizens and family, that loss will be a gain to Indianapolis. Success to Guy, may his future be a bright and lucrative one is the wish of this office.
