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Millington Family
Daniel Azro Millington.
Daniel Azro Millington was born in Hubbardton, Vt., May 17, 1823. He received an education in the common and higher schools of the state, and became proficient in mathematics and the sciences. He taught in the common schools five winters. In 1844, at the age of 21, he moved to Illinois and located in Will County. He married Miss Mary A. Smith on May 16, 1848, at the home of her father, John Smith, near Chelsea Post office in Will County. They had three daughters.
He wrote in his diary “Having come to the conclusion that I could not make money fast enough in Illinois, my adopted (home), I concluded to start for the famous land of gold, California. I made preparation for the journey and started on Monday morning March 4th, 1850, on horseback.” He left behind his wife and a daughter. He went by way of St. Louis, St. Joseph, and Salt Lake City. He reached Sacramento on July 19th, 1850.
He met with some success in gold mining. On September 1, 1851, he boarded a steamship to return home. On September 19th he disembarked to walk, or ride a mule, across the isthmus of Panama. On September 25th he boarded another steamship in the Atlantic. Upon his return he went into the lumber business at Joliet, Ill. In 1856, he moved to Iowa City, Iowa, and went into the general mercantile business. In the fall of 1862, he relocated to Leavenworth, Kansas, and there continued in the mercantile business, which was very successful during the war.
In January of 1866, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and continued in the mercantile business, meeting with heavy losses. In 1868, he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, and continued in the mercantile business.
In 1870 he closed out his business and came to Cowley County, arriving August 16, where he immediately entered into the plan to build up a city later called Winfield. At the time the land belonged to the Osage Indians, who were present in great numbers, and the land had not been surveyed. Several men were holding claims of 160 acres each in the vicinity. The claims of E. C. Manning and A. A. Jackson occupied what is now the most central portion of Winfield, and were surrounded by the claims of A. Meanor (Menor), J. C. Loomis, A. Howland, A. J. Thomas, A. D. Speed, P. Knowles, and G. W. Green, all or parts of which claims were later incorporated into the city of Winfield.
Mr. Millington came in company with J. C. Fuller and bought the claim of A. A. Jackson, then associated themselves with E. C. Manning, laid out the half of the two claims into a town site, and invited settlers who would improve lots.
The town site was surveyed and platted by Mr. Millington, and completed in January 1871, after the government survey of these lands had been made. The town site was entered at the United States land office July 10, 1871, [July 9, 1871] and was the first entry made of lands in this county. By that time there were seventy-two buildings erected on the town site by as many different settlers.
Cowley County Censor, May 13, 1871.
Messrs. Millington and Manning spent three days this week in viewing a good road from here to Howard County and report a very favorable route.
Cowley County Censor, May 13, 1871.
LAND OFFICE -AT- WINFIELD, KANSAS. D. A. MILLINGTON is prepared to receive for the U. S. Land Office (as soon as the Plats are filed) DECLARATORY STATEMENTS of pre-emption, and will attend the entrees and titles of settlers on the Osage Diminished Reserve. Settlers will find it to their interest to consult with him. He will also attend to the purchase and sale of improvements on claims, the renting of buildings and farms, and all matters connected with a GENERAL LAND AGENCY!
Office of the Winfield Town Company at the BANK, Winfield, Kansas.
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.
Petition for the sale of the northeast quarter of Sections 36, 7, 32, Range 3, east of school lands. The following gentlemen were approved as appraisers: D. A. Millington, J. D. Cochran, and E. C. Manning.
Emporia News, July 21, 1871.
OSAGE, NEOSHO AND WALNUT VALLEY RAILROAD.
The papers have been filed for the organization of a company to build a railroad from Ottawa (the present western terminus of the Kansas City and Santa Fe railroad, and soon to be the western terminus of the Holden road) up the Marais des Cygnes River Valley, thence to the Neosho, up the Cottonwood and South Fork to the Walnut Valley, and down that magnificent stream to its mouth, at Arkansas City. This, today, is the most important railroad project on foot in this State, as it traverses five of the best valleys in the western country.
The following gentlemen, who are incorporators of this great enterprise, are men well known for their sagacity, enterprise, and devotion to the interests of Kansas: S. T. Kelsey, Franklin County; J. Mather Jones, Osage County; F. R. Page, C. V. Eskridge, S. J. Crawford, E. P. Bancroft, E. P. Peyton, Lyon County; T. B. Murdock, M. Vaught, J. D. Conner, T. H. Baker, Butler County; D. A. Millington, H. B. Norton, Cowley County.
The length of this road is about 180 miles, and the capital stock is $4,000,000.
Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.
D. A. Millington has been away a few days attending the District Convention at Independence.
Cowley County Censor, October 21, 1871.
Last Saturday the Republican Delegate Convention met at this place and, notwithstanding the day was stormy and disagreeable, all the townships were represented except Creswell. The following named gentlemen were the delegates.
Richland Township: James Kelly and Frank Cox.
Windsor Township: S. Wilkins, B. H. Clover, and John Dudley.
Vernon Township: Geo. Easterly, T. A. Blanchard, and F. A. Schwantes.
Beaver Township: T. W. Morris, B. Y. Hunt, and L. M. Kennedy.
Tisdale Township: G. W. Foughty and A. B. Lemmon.
Pleasant Valley Township: W. E. Cook, D. Hostetter, and S. W. Greer.
Rock Township: John Irwin, A. V. Polk, W. H. Grow, and J. Funk.
Dexter Township: Jas. McDermott, J. H. Reynolds, and G. P. Wagner.
Winfield: E. S. Torrance, I. H. Coon, J. W. Hornbeak, C. A. Bliss, J. A. Myton, Capt. Tansey, D. A. Millington, and Jno. Stannard.
The convention was called to order by J. McDermott, Chairman of the Central Committee.
E. S. Torrance was chosen temporary Chairman and L. H. Coon, Secretary.
[COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
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.
Proceeded to act on the following Road Petitions.
One of S. C. Smith, granted with J. H. Land, D. A. Millington, and P. M. Wait, as viewers. Survey July 15th, 1872.
Resignation of F. A. Hunt as clerk, and J. S. Hunt as Treasurer of Winfield Tp. was accepted, and J. D. Cochran was appointed Treasurer, and D. A. Millington as Clerk of said Tp.
[EDITORIAL: RAILROAD MEETING.]
Winfield Messenger, September 6, 1872.
RAILROAD MEETING.
According to a previous announcement, quite a number of citizens from different parts of the county assembled together in Winfield on the evening of the 31st of August, for the purpose of discussing the railroad interest of Cowley County.
On motion Mr. C. M. Wood was called to the chair, and R. B. Saffold appointed Secretary of the meeting. Col. E. C. Manning being requested by the chair explained the object of the meeting. Gen. McBratney, being introduced, spoke ably and fluently of the advantages the citizens of this section would derive from the Nebraska & Kansas Railroad. This road commencing at Omaha, Nebraska, would cross the Kansas Pacific at Junction City, and from there south, crossing the A. T. & S. F. Railroad at Peabody. Work being already commenced, with a large force in Marion County, the road between Junction City and Peabody is to be completed and cars running over the same within a very short time.
The purpose of the company then will be to extend the road from Peabody down the Whitewater and thence down the Walnut River to Winfield, and through the county to Arkansas City, and eventually penetration in the Indian country. The bonds have already been voted for the road to the north line of Butler County.
The meeting was also addressed by Eugene Akin of Butler County, who accompanied Gen. McBratney, Col. Manning, Mr. Lacy, and others. A committee was then appointed, consisting of Col. E. C. Manning, R. B. Saffold, A. T. Stewart, J. B. Fairbanks, H. B. Lacy, M. M. Jewett, C. A. Bliss, C. M. Wood, and D. A. Millington for the purpose of working up the enterprise of Cowley County, and for ascertaining whether our citizens were ready to extend the necessary aid in building said road. C. M. WOOD, Chairman.
R. B. SAFFOLD, Secretary.
Winfield 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.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Trustee: J. P. Short.
Treasurer: J. D. Cochran.
Clerk: D. A. Millington.
Winfield Courier, Saturday, January 25, 1873.
D. A. Millington, E. B. Kager, and “Biny” [?] Anderson returned from Topeka this week.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 20, 1873.
D. A. Millington is fencing his home place.
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, April 10, 1873.
Mr. D. A. Millington will lecture before the teachers of the Institute on Wednesday evening next on the subject of “Astronomy.”
Millington: Justice of the Peace...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 22, 1873.
A Bloody “Mill” was fought one day last week between two of our most prominent attorneys, while conducting a “case” before his Honor, D. A. Millington. First, the lie was given—then the d__n lie, and so on ad infinitum. That style of fight was dropped, and books were gently handed from one to the other. Tiring of books, as many do, they took not to their heels, but to their fists. The “big un” let fly his left “manly,” when it was handsomely stopped, and the “little un” handed him one on the left peeper. This seemed to demoralize the “giant” some, but he came up smilingly for round No. 2. This round was something like the first, except that it put a “head” on the fight. Unfortunately we were not present, and of course have to draw a little on our imagination, however, it is in the main correct.
[SPECIAL ELECTION: WINFIELD TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 7, 1873.
Recap: Election Tuesday, August 26, 1873, to vote for or against the issuing of bonds of said township in the amount of $2,500 for the purpose of building a bridge across Dutch or Timber Creek at the point where the county road petitioned for by A. S. Williams and others crosses said creek in the southwest quarter of Section Twenty-one in township thirty-two south of Range Four East in said township. Said bonds to be issued in sums of $500 each with interest payable semi-annually at 10% with coupons attached. Bonds to mature in not less than 12 nor more than 20 years....Ballots: “For the bridge and bonds” or “Against the bridge and bonds.” J. P. SHORT, Trustee.
D. A. MILLINGTON, Clerk.
Winfield, July 29th, 1873.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 4, 1873.
The directors of the Agricultural Society will meet at the Fair Grounds, Saturday, Sept. 6th, 1873, at 2 o’clock P. M. They earnestly desire that the Superintendents of all the departments meet with them to acquaint themselves with their duties. The following are the names of the various Superintendents.
Capt. E. Davis; A. Walton; J. H. Churchill; J. P. Short; John R. Smith; E. B. Johnson; W. K. Davis; A. S. Williams; Will S. Voris; S. H. Myton; Samuel Darrah; James Stewart; Jas. H. Land; T. B. Myers; Geo. W. Martin; W. M. Boyer; Max Shoeb; John Swain; S. C. Smith, Mrs. L. H. Howard; Mrs. J. D. Cochran; Mrs. E. Davis; Mrs. J. C. Fuller; Mrs. C. A. Bliss; Mrs. Fitch; Max Fawcett; J. O. Matthewson; H. B. Norton; D. A. Millington; E. B. Kager, C. M. Wood; T. A. Wilkinson.
The Superintendents are desired to study carefully the rules and regulations of the society so they may be able to render assistance to exhibitors.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 13, 1873.
Mr. Allison, the editor of the Telegram, was arrested last week, on complaint of J. W. Hamilton, upon the charge of disturbing the peace (hearty peace). Upon a hearing before Squire Millington, he was acquitted.
Winfield Courier, Friday, December 26, 1873.
Last Tuesday evening a party of the very elite of the city met at the residence of Squire Millington to the number of about fifteen couples and until sometime after midnight made the Squire’s splendid double parlor floor ring with the heel and toe. A splendid impromptu supper was served at 12 o’clock to which the guests did ample justice, especially those hungry spongers Allison, of the Telegram, and the Editor of the celebrated COURIER. No better place than Squire Millington’s can be found to chase a few hours with flying feet. As hostess Mrs. Millington and her four charming daughters cannot be surpassed. Everyone who had the good fortune to be present came away highly pleased with the evening’s past time.
[GEORGE W. FOUGHTY VS. PERRY CHANCE BEFORE D. A. MILLINGTON.]
Winfield Courier, February 6, 1874.
In Justice’s Court before D. A. Millington, J. P., in Winfield Township, Cowley County, Kansas.
George W. Foughty plaintiff.
vs.
Perry Chance, defendant.
On the 10th day of January A. D. 1874, said justice issued an order of attachment in the above entitled action for the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) which has been returned served and on the 15th day of January, A. D. 1874, continued said cause for further hearing until the 14th day of February, A. D. 1874.
PRYOR & KAGER, Plaintiff’s Attorneys.
Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.
David Slater and James W. Bryant, the two men who were arrested a short time ago on the charge of assisting Rucker to break jail, were up before Justices Millington and Boyer last Saturday, for a hearing. Judge T. H. Johnson appeared for Slater, and asked a continuance, which was denied. He then waived an examination for his client, and Slater accordingly gave bail in the amount of $1,500.00, to appear at the next term of the District Court. County Attorney E. S. Torrance dismissed the charge against Bryant, in order to make him a witness in the case. The bail for his appearance as a witness was fixed at $1,000.00, which he has so far been unable to give, and is yet in the custody of the sheriff.
[TWENTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: MR. AND MRS. PARMELEE.]
Winfield Courier, March 13, 1874.
CHINA WEDDING.
Last Monday evening, the most brilliant assemblage of “fair women and brave men” was gathered together at the residence of the Rev. J. B. Parmelee, that has ever assembled in the Walnut Valley. The occasion was the twentieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee, what the knowing ones call the “china wedding.” J. C. Blandin, with malice aforethought, enticed the unsuspecting couple to town and there kept them, not altogether unwilling, prisoners at his house. Taking advantage of the absence of the Rev. gentleman and his estimable lady, the “company” to the number of about one hundred and fifty persons gathered in with buckets, baskets, sacks, etc., each containing something calculated to gladden the inner man.
At the proper time Mr. and Mrs. Parmelee having arrived, were peremptorily ordered to prepare for the trying ordeal, which they calmly and resignedly proceeded to do. When all was ready the bride and groom were led into the parlor. Enoch Maris, D. A. Millington, Esq., and T. A. Wilkinson acted as Groomsmen, and Mrs. Enoch Maris, Mrs. ____ Johnson, and Mrs. T. A. Wilkinson as Bridesmaids. Rev. James E. Platter, of the Presbyterian Church, then proceeded to “lecture” the happy pair substantially as follows. . . .
Rev. N. L. Rigby then pronounced them “man and wife,” and offered up a short prayer. $103.00 in greenbacks was made up, enclosed in a soap dish, and presented to Mr. Parmelee by Maj. J. B. Fairbanks, on behalf of the company. . . .
A splendid supper was served and everybody felt that it was “good to be there.” The party broke up about 12 o’clock M., everyone boasting that it was the most enjoyable affair ever got up in the romantic Walnut Valley.
Messrs. E. C. Manning, S. H. Myton, J. B. Fairbanks, and A. T. Stewart, as far as we can learn, were the originators of the plot. We hope these liberal minded gentlemen will give another such at no distant day.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.
Through the agency of the Real Estate firm of Curns & Manser, D. A. Millington, Esq., sold half of the block upon which his house stands, to Rev. James E. Platter. Mr. Platter intends to erect a fine residence upon his new purchase this spring.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.
D. A. Millington, Esq., was examined by lawyers McDermott, Mitchell, and Adams, and admitted to the bar by Judge Campbell at this term of Court.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.
The following are the Attorneys attending at the District Court: Hon. Wm. P. Hackney, Wellington; Hon. Jas. McDermott, Dexter; C. R. Mitchell, A. J. Pyburn, L. B. Kellogg, Arkansas City; Gen. Rogers, Eureka; M. S. Adams, Wichita; Fairbanks, Torrance & Green, L. J. Webb, Manning & Johnson, Judge R. B. Saffold, Lewis T. Michener, Esq., Suits & Wood, D. A. Millington, Winfield.
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1874.
We would call the attention of our readers to the new law firm of Webb & Millington, formed by the co-partnership of L. J. Webb and D. A. Millington. These gentlemen are too well known in this city to need any recommendation from us, but we will say for the benefit of strangers that they are both energetic businessmen, and can be depended upon.
Winfield Courier, April 3, 1874.
D. A. Millington, Esq., having been admitted to the Bar of this county as a practicing attorney, has resigned his office of Justice of the Peace, so that there will be two Justices to elect in this township instead of one.
Winfield Courier, April 3, 1874.
The Congregational social at the residence of D. A. Millington last Wednesday eve was a very enjoyable affair, but on account of the mud, there were not so many out as otherwise would have been. The receipts were about $5.00.
[PROCEEDINGS OF MEETING HELD RE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION.]
Winfield Courier, June 19, 1874.
Citizens met Monday evening, June 15th, at Curns & Manser’s office, pursuant to adjournment.
Finance committee reported that the committee had received subscriptions to the amount of $180.50.
Committee on invitations reported that they have extended invitations to the several granges of the county and to the soldier’s society, and that the latter had accepted the invitation.
Committee to procure speakers reported progress.
Same report from committees on grounds and music. Prof. Wilkinson, of the latter, requested to be excused from serving on the committee on account of a previous engagement, and was excused.
L. J. Webb, L. T. Michener, J. B. Fairbanks, W. M. Allison, and J. E. Allen were appointed committee on Toasts.
G. S. Manser, C. M. Wood, and J. P. McMillen were appointed committee on programme.
Mayor Smith, Dr. Mansfield, and D. A. Millington were appointed reception committee.
T. K. Johnson, H. S. Silver, and W. W. Andrews were appointed committee on fireworks.
On motion of H. B. Lacy, resolved that the ladies be invited to attend the next meeting.
Adjourned to meet Monday evening, June 22, at 8 o’clock p.m.
G. S. MANSER, Chairman.
L. J. Webb, Secretary.
[THIRD EXHIBITION: COWLEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.]
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874. Front Page.
Note: Skipped details re exhibition September 1, 2, 3, 1874.
Officers of Cowley County Agricultural Society: A. T. Stewart, President; C. M. Wood, Vice President; J. D. Cochran, Treasurer; J. B. Fairbanks, Secretary.
Directors: A. T. Stewart, W. Q. Mansfield, H. S. Silver, J. P. Short, F. W. Schwantes,
W. H. Grow, D. A. Millington, Amos Walton, W. K. Davis, C. M. Wood. J. D. Cochran, J. R. Smith, J. B. Fairbanks.
Chief Marshal: H. S. Silver.
Chief of Police: R. L. Walker.
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1874.
Real Estate Transfers.
The following are the transfers of real estate, as handed us by Curns and Manser of this city.
Mary A. Millington and husband to Allen Carlson, Lot 3, B 9, city of Winfield. $65.00.
Mary A. Millington & husband to John M. Read, lot 1, block 89, city of Winfield. $80.
Winfield Courier, August 14, 1874.
At the election for school board, the following were elected: D. A. Millington for director, G. S. Manser for clerk, and M. L. Robinson for treasurer. Very good.
Winfield Courier, August 28, 1874.
Bar Meeting.
The members of the Winfield Bar met at the office of Fairbanks, Torrance & Green, on Saturday, August 22nd, 1874, to take some action in regard to the intended departure of one of their members, M. L. T. Michener.
On motion J. M. Alexander was called to the chair, and T. H. Johnston, was elected secretary.
On motion J. B. Fairbanks, D. A. Millington, and N. H. Wood, were appointed a committee on resolutions; after mature deliberation reported the . . . .
On motion the meeting adjourned. J. M. ALEXANDER, Chairman.
T. H. JOHNSON, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.
Webb & Millington have moved their law office into Fuller’s bank building.
Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.
We, the undersigned citizens of Winfield, agree to attend a public meeting to be held in this city, to take into consideration the desirability of organizing a Literary and Scientific Association, having in view the establishment of a Library and Reading-Room, the employment of public lecturers, the encouragement of literature, and otherwise promoting moral and intellectual improvement. Said meeting to be held at the Courthouse, at 7 o’clock p.m., on Tuesday, September 22, 1874.
(Signed) D. A. Millington, W. Q. Mansfield, E. S. Torrance, V. B. Beckett, M. L. Robinson, John E. Allen, James E. Platter, E. C. Manning, T. H. Johnson, A. H. Green, Wm. Bartlow, A. H. Hane, J. B. Fairbanks, J. W. Curns, G. S. Manser, and M. L. Read.
[THE DISTRICT COURT: SEPTEMBER TERM.]
Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.
The following is a list of cases that will stand for trial at the September term of the District Court, Cowley County, Kansas, to be held on and from the 28th, inst., and have been placed upon the Trial Docket in the following order.
CIVIL DOCKET. SIXTH DAY.
Mary A. Millington vs. S. Darrah, Admn.
Winfield Courier, October 2, 1874.
Court convened last Monday, the following lawyers in attendance: Webb & Millington, Pryor & Kager, Fairbanks, Torrance & Green, Alexander & Saffold, Suits & Wood, E. C. Manning, W. P. Hackney, T. H. Johnson, and John E. Allen, of Winfield. J. Wade McDonald, of Wellington. M. S. Adams and Chas. Hatton, of Wichita. James McDermott, of Dexter; and C. R. Mitchell and L. B. Kellogg, of Arkansas City.
Winfield Courier, December 10, 1874.
A meeting of the members of the Winfield Institute will be held at the courthouse on Monday evening next for the purpose of electing the directors and transacting other business.
D. A. MILLINGTON, Chairman.
[WINFIELD INSTITUTE.]
Winfield Courier, December 10, 1874.
The opening lecture of the winter course in connection with the Winfield Institute will be delivered at the courthouse on Thursday evening next, Dec. 17th, by Rev. J. E. Platter. Subject, Good Society. A cordial invitation is hereby extended to all citizens, and their cooperation solicited. Lecture free. D. A. MILLINGTON, Chairman.
Winfield Courier, December 17, 1874.
The Winfield Institute.
The members of the Winfield Institute met at the courthouse last Monday evening and elected a board of directors, consisting of W. Q. Mansfield, T. E. Johnston, D. A. Millington, Rev. J. E. Platter, J. C. Fuller, Rev. N. L. Rigby, J. B. Fairbanks, Chas. C. Black, and E. B. Kager. According to arrangement they met last evening and elected from the number a president, secretary, and treasurer, to-wit: D. A. Millington, president; W. Q. Mansfield, secretary, and T. K. Johnston, treasurer.
Among the objects sought to be accomplished by this movement is the establishment of a public library and reading room, and it is the intention of the directors to make all necessary effort to insure success. To this end, therefore, donations of books are solicited from all who are friendly to the enterprise, and of those desirous of becoming members of the Institute. Books will be taken in payment of dues, if desired. Standard works in good condition, on history, theology, science, travel, fiction, and miscellaneous literature will constitute the library; and it is intended to furnish the reading room with a selection of the leading publications, periodicals, and magazines of the day.
Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.
D. A. Millington delivers a lecture the 6th of January before the Winfield Institute. The Winfield Institute is making arrangements to give an entertainment some time about the 15th of next month.
[BAR MEETING: RESOLUTION HONORING E. S. TORRANCE.]
Winfield Courier, January 14, 1875.
Bar Meeting.
At a meeting of the Winfield bar held at the office of J. E. Allen, Jan. 12th, 1875, D. A. Millington, Esq., was chosen chairman, and J. E. Allen, Secy. Col. E. C. Manning, S. D. Pryor, and A. J. Pyburn were appointed a committee on resolutions, who reported the following which were unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, E. S. Torrance is about to leave us to establish for himself a more eastern home, therefore, we the members of the bar of Cowley County, state of Kansas, being duly assembled, adopt, as the voice of this meeting the following resolutions.
Resolved, That it is with deep regret that we part with a brother attorney so able and eminent in his profession, so urbane and gentlemanly in his deportment, so noble and generous in his instincts, so honorable in his transactions, so incorruptible in his integrity as is E. S. Torrance.
Resolved, That we lose by his departure one of the brightest ornaments of the Bar, one of the most promising of the rising young men of our district, true and energetic as an advocate and counselor and faithful as a friend.
Resolved, That as County Attorney of this county for two terms, covering a period of four years last past, he has been ever faithful to the interests of the public, allowing no personal or political considerations to swerve him from the strict line of duty, and has ever discharged his official labors with distinguished ability and scrupulous integrity.
Resolved, That we heartily commend him to all with whom his lot may be cast and that we earnestly hope and believe that he is yet destined to make a bright record in the history of our county.
Resolved, That the secretary be directed to furnish each of the county papers with a copy of these resolutions, requesting their publication. D. A. MILLINGTON, Chairman.
J. E. ALLEN, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.
DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.
All last week, rumors were rife to the effect that an attempt was being made to divide Butler County on the twenty mile strip, take six miles off the north end of Cowley, and out of said territory, form a new county. Several gentlemen living at the north side of our county came into this office during the week and informed us of the fact, but at the same time we could not believe that the report had any well grounded foundation. Saturday, however, D. A. Millington, Esq., received a letter from Captain Shannon, of Augusta, Butler County, warning him that such a move was on foot, and asking our cooperation in frustrating the measure.
Mr. Millington circulated a remonstrance against any attempt to change the boundary lines of Cowley County, which remonstrance received three hundred signatures in a very little while.
A meeting was called the same evening at the courthouse, which was numerously attended notwithstanding the fact that only a few hours notice had been given. The meeting was organized with D. A. Millington as Chairman, and James Kelly, Secretary. A resolution was unanimously passed, opposing the giving away of any part of Cowley County. Speeches were made by A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and others.
The meeting resolved unanimously to send Col. E. C. Manning to Topeka to watch our interests. Nearly enough money was subscribed on the spot to pay his expenses. A committee consisting of A. T. Stewart, Wm. Bartlow, and Wm. Rogers were appointed to canvass the town to raise the balance needed. These gentlemen, acting with their usual zeal and energy, did their work before they slept that night, and the result was that Col. Manning was in Topeka Tuesday noon. Now we defy any committee to best that time. The meeting acted wisely in sending Col. Manning. He has brains and experience and is perfectly able to cope with all the divisionists they may send from Butler County. We have not heard from Col. Manning, but expect to before going to press.
Winfield Courier, January 28, 1875.
Winfield Institute.
Dr. W. Q. Mansfield will lecture before this Institute at the courthouse on next Wednesday evening, Feb. 3rd, at 7 o’clock. Subject: Physiology.
Exercises will open and close with vocal and instrumental music.
As is well known the science of Physiology is a specialty with the Doctor, in which he is fully posted up in all the latest discoveries, and in which he has ideas. Therefore, this lecture cannot fail to be of great practical value to his hearers. All are invited to attend.
Tickets of admission for sale at the Post Office, and at Mansfield’s drug store.
Single tickets 15 cents, 2 for 25 cents, 10 for $1.00, admitting to any of the regular exercises of the Institute. D. A. MILLINGTON, Pres.
Winfield Courier, February 25, 1875.
ADMINISTRATRIX NOTICE.
STATE OF KANSAS, COWLEY COUNTY.
In the Probate Court in and for said county.
In the matter of the estate of Joseph Foos, deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given that letters of administration have been granted to the undersigned on the estate of Joseph Foos, late of said county, deceased, by the honorable the Probate court of the county and state aforesaid, dated the 25th day of February A. D. 1875. Now all persons having claims against the said estate are hereby notified that they must present the same to the undersigned for allowance within one year from the date of said letters, or they may be precluded from any benefit of such estate, and that if such claims be not exhibited within three years after the date of said letters, they shall be forever barred.
REBECCA FOOS.
Administratrix of the Estate of Joseph Foos, Deceased.
BY WEBB & MILLINGTON, her Attorneys, Winfield, Kansas, February 25, 1875.
Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.
The District Court is in full blast, Hon. W. P. Campbell presiding. The following attorneys are in attendance: Webb & Millington, Hackney & McDonald, E. C. Manning, J. B. Fairbanks, Pryor & Kager, T. H. Suits, John E. Allen, A. H. Green, Alexander & Saffold, T. H. Johnson, M. S. Adams of Wichita, C. R. Mitchell and L. B. Kellogg of Arkansas City, James McDermott of Dexter, and A. J. Pyburn, County Attorney.
[BILL UNPAID: T. B. MURDOCK, ELDORADO, KANSAS.]
Winfield Courier, March 25, 1875.
ELDORADO, KAN., Mar. 19, 1875.
ED. COURIER. Dear Sir: On the 9th of August, 1870, I printed and sent to your county 1,500 personal property statements (Assessors blanks) on the order of your county clerk. I sent down the bill with the blanks ($17.50). I have repeatedly made out my bill, sworn to it, and sent it to your county clerk, but your commissioners have never allowed the bill. Last year I sent the account to L. J. Webb, and asked him to see to it for me. He wrote back to me that it was outlawed, and that the commissioners refused to pay it.
I wish to ask your people a question or two through your columns:
In the first place, I printed the blanks in good faith for your county before you had a printing office to do it for you in your own county.
I have made no fuss about the bill, believing your commissioners would pay it.
I write to ask some gentleman in the county to appear before the commissioners at their next meeting and ask them if they will pay it, and inform me through your columns what they say.
The bill is just and right, and ought to be paid. I cannot afford to lose it.
My bill, $17.50, with interest at ten percent for four and a half years, will be $26.85.
The question arises, does your county pay its honest debts, or does it take advantage of the statute of limitations, and stand its creditors off from time to eternity? Will Mr. Kelly, Col. Manning, D. A. Millington, Mr. Webb, or some other gentleman present my claim to the commissioners? Yours for Justice. T. B. MURDOCK.
The bill mentioned in the above letter ought to have been paid long ago. Surely our county has no intention of pleading the statutes of limitations, the baby act, or anything else to avoid paying its honest debts. It strikes us that the bill is a reasonable one, at least, for those early days, and our county, instead of taking advantage of the lapse of time, ought to be thankful to Mr. Murdock for his leniency. Cowley County can’t afford to defraud her creditors in such a way.
Winfield Courier, April 8, 1875.
At the city election held here last Monday, the following city officers were elected.
Mayor: D. A. Millington.
Police Judge: W. M. Boyer.
Councilmen: Charles C. Black, James M. Dever, Jonathan Newman, N. H. Powers, and M. G. Troup.
The contest was very close, there being a tie for Mayor, which was decided by lot for Millington.
Winfield Courier, April 15, 1875.
[Published April 15th, 1875.]
Ordinance No. 50.
An Ordinance prescribing the time of holding the regular meetings of the City Council.
Be it Ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Winfield.
SEC. 1. All regular meetings of the City Council, of the city of Winfield, shall hereafter be held on the first and third Mondays of each month, commencing at 7 o’clock, p.m.
SEC. 2. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved April 12, A. D., 1875. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
Attest: J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 15, 1875.
City Council Proceedings.
The City Council met at the office of Curns & Manser, April 12th, 1875, at 7½ o’clock, in pursuance of a call. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; Jonathan Newman, James M. Dever, M. G. Troup, Chas. C. Black, Councilmen; J. W. Curns, City Clerk.
The call was read as follows:
STATE OF KANSAS, County of Cowley, City of Winfield,
To D. A. Millington, Mayor of the City of Winfield, greeting:
The undersigned members of the Council of said city would respectfully request that you call a special meeting of the Council of said city to be held on Monday, the 12th day of April, 1875, at 7½ o’clock, p.m., at the office of Curns & Manser, in said city, for the object and purpose of prescribing, by Ordinance, the times for holding the regular meetings of the Council of said city.
Councilmen, JONATHAN NEWMAN,
JAMES M. DEVER,
CHARLES C. BLACK.
In pursuance of the above request, I hereby call a meeting of the Council of the said city of Winfield, to be held at the time and place, and for the object and purpose in said request specified. D. A. MILLINGTON,
Mayor of the City of Winfield.
Ordinance No. 50, fixing the times of holding the regular meetings of the Council was read, and on motion adopted by section as read.
The vote on the final passage of said Ordinance resulted as follows: Yeas—Chas. C. Black, Jonathan Newman, James M. Dever, M. G. Troup—total 4. Nays—none.
On motion Council adjourned. J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.
Council Proceedings.
April 19th, 1875.
The Council met at Curns & Manser’s office at the usual hour. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, James M. Dever, Councilmen.
The minutes of the called meeting of April 12th were read and approved. M. G. Troup was placed in nomination and duly elected as president of the Council for the ensuing year.
It was moved and carried that the Mayor be empowered to appoint a finance committee for the ensuing year. M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, and James M. Dever were appointed as said finance committee.
It was moved and seconded that the council agree to pay four dollars per month for the use of the upper room of the building situate on lot 6, in block 102, from this date until April 1st, 1876, to be used as a council room. Motion carried.
The following bills were presented and referred to the finance committee and reported favorably thereon and allowed.
Bill of J. M. Reed, clerk of election: $2.00
Bill of John Austin, removing dead dogs: $.50
An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal, and City Attorney for the city of Winfield, and defining the duties and pay of the same, and providing for bonds of city officers was presented and read. On motion said ordinance was referred to a committee of the whole.
J. C. Fuller filed his consent and petition as the occupying resident owner of out lots No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, in said city, and of the territory adjacent thereto on the east, and outside of the city, to have added from said adjacent territory to the city so much land as will make said out lots 150 feet wide east and west, and make the eastern limit of said city 150 feet east of the east line of Andrews street, in said city.
An ordinance in relation to extending the city limits on the east was presented and read. On motion said ordinance was duly adopted by sections. The vote on the final passage of said ordinance was as follows:
Yeas—M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, James M. Dever. Nays—none.
On motion the ordinance in relation to liquor license and the subject of general license was referred to a committee of the whole.
On motion adjourned to meet Monday, April 26th, 1875, at 7½ o’clock p.m.
J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
[ORDINANCE NO. 51: PUBLISHED APRIL 22, 1875.]
Winfield Courier, April 22, 1875.
[Published April 22d, 1875.]
Ordinance No. 51.
In relation to extending the city limits on the east.
Be it Ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Winfield.
SECTION 1. That so much of the territory in the east ½ of the northeast ¼ of section 23, in township 32, south of range 4 east, adjacent to the eastern limit of this city, and out lots No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, as will make said out lots 150 feet wide east and west, be added to this city, and to the said out lots, and that the eastern limit shall be a line parallel to, and 150 feet east of the east line of Andrews street, in this city.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect, and be in force, from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved April 19th, 1875. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 29, 1875.
City Council Proceedings.
The Council met at Council room, April 26th, 1875. A quorum being present, and there being no fire in said room, on motion adjourned to meet immediately at the office of Curns & Manser.
The Council met at the office of Curns & Manser in pursuance of adjournment.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; J. M. Dever, M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, N. M. Powers, Councilmen; J. W. Curns, Clerk.
The minutes of last meeting were read and approved.
It was moved and carried that the City Clerk be authorized to procure a warrant record for this city.
Joseph Likowski and Reinhardt Ehret made application by petition for a dram shop license. Said petitions were read and on motion were referred to a special committee of three, appointed by the Mayor, to report on said petition to this Council at an adjourned meeting to be held on Friday evening next. J. M. Dever, M. G. Troup, and N. M. Powers were appointed on said committee.
W. M. Allison presented a bill of $4.60 for printing; Z. T. Swigart presented a bill of $40.00 for marshal; John Austin presented a bill of $1.50 for removing dead dogs; all of which were referred to the finance committee.
It was moved and seconded that the Council go into the committee of the whole to consider the Ordinances in relation to license. A motion was made to amend by inserting the words “with the Mayor in the chair,” which carried. The question recurring on the original motion with the amendment was carried.
After duly considering the subject of licenses, the committee prepared an Ordinance in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquors, and one in relation to the appointment, duties, and pay of city officers, which were recommended for passage by the committee.
On motion the committee arose from a committee of the whole, and the Council proceeded to pass on an Ordinance in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquors. On motion said Ordinance was read and duly passed by sections. The vote on the final passage resulted as follows: Yeas—J. M. Dever, M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, C. C. Black. Nays—none.
On motion adjourned to meet Friday evening next. J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.
City Council Proceedings.
The Council met at council room, May 1st, in pursuance of adjournment. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, Councilmen; J. W. Curns, City Clerk.
The minutes of the last meeting read and approved.
The bill of John Austin of $1.50 for removing dead dogs, bill of Z. T. Swigart of $40.00, services as Marshal for the month ending April 24th, 1875, bill of W. M. Allison of $4.60 for publishing election proclamation, were reported favorably on by the finance committee and duly allowed and ordered paid.
The special committee to whom was referred the petitions of Joseph Likowski and Reinhardt Ehret for draft shop license, reported that after examining said petitions that they were of the opinion that the petitions contained a majority of the bonafide residents of lawful age. On motion report of the committee was received.
Moved and seconded that a license be granted to both petitions. Motion carried.
On motion adjourned. J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Council met May 3rd. Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, C. C. Black, and J. M. Dever, Councilmen. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.
An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a clerk, treasurer, marshal, and city attorney, and defining the duties and pay of the same, was read and duly passed. The vote on the final passage was as follows: Yeas, Dever, Black, Powers, Troup. Nays, none.
The mayor with the consent of the council appointed J. C. Fuller, treasurer, and J. E. Allen, city attorney, in and for the city of Winfield.
An ordinance in relation to riding or driving upon sidewalks, was read and duly passed. Vote on final passage as follows: Yeas—Dever, Troup, Black, Powers. Nays—none.
On motion adjourned. J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, May 6, 1875.
[Published May 6th, 1875.]
Ordinance Number 53.
An ordinance to provide for the appointment of a clerk, treasurer, marshal, and city attorney for the city of Winfield, and defining the duties and pay of the same, and providing for bonds of city officers.
Be it Ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Winfield.
SECTION 1. The mayor with the consent of the council shall appoint the following city officers, to-wit: A clerk, a treasurer, a marshal, and a city attorney, whose terms of office shall each respectively be one year, but shall expire on the first day of May next ensuing after he shall enter upon the duties of his office.
SECTION 2. Before any person appointed as provided in the preceding section, shall enter upon the duties of his office, he shall take and subscribe an oath to be filed with the clerk to the effect that he will support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Kansas, and perform the duties of his office (naming it) to the best of his ability.
SECTION 3. Before the entering upon the duties of his office the following named officers shall each file with the clerk, a bond to the city of Winfield, with security approved by the council, to the effect that he will faithfully perform the duties of his office (naming it) and will deliver to his successor in office all moneys, books, papers, and other property pertaining to his office, in amount as follows, to-wit: The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of $2,000. The marshal shall give bond in the sum of $800. The police judge shall give bond in the sum of $500.
SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the city, and give duplicate receipts for each sum paid to him, describing on what account, purpose, and object such sum was paid, to pay out the moneys of the city in his hands on the orders of the mayor, attested by the clerk, to keep an account of such receipt and payments in a book provided for that purpose, to make to the mayor and council a statement of said account in writing on the first day of each month, and to perform any other duties usually pertaining to such office, without pay by either fee, salary, or percentage; provided that no receipt for money given by the treasurer as provided in this section shall be of any validity as against the city, unless the clerk shall certify thereon that he has filed in his office a duplicate thereof. Provided further that after the clerk shall have furnished him a list of outstanding orders, the treasurer shall not pay any such order, unless he have sufficient funds of the city to pay all orders outstanding of earlier date and number, which shall have been presented for payment.
SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of the clerk to receive and file in his office the duplicates of receipts of the treasurer, contemplated in the preceding section, and certify that he has done so on the original to be held by the payer, and to charge the treasurer therewith in a book to be provided for the purpose. To attest and keep an account and record of all orders drawn on the treasurer, and to furnish the treasurer with abstracts of the same, to file and keep in his office all oaths, bonds, and other instruments of writing belonging to the city, to attend all the meetings of the council and keep a record of the proceedings thereof, in books provided for that purpose; to keep a record of the ordinances of the city, in a book provided for that purpose; to furnish copies of papers, ordinances, and proceedings, in his office, when required by the Mayor, Council, or Police Judge; and to perform any other duties which usually pertain to such office.
SECTION 6. The pay of the clerk shall be a salary of $100.00 per year, payable monthly, which shall be in lieu of all fees chargeable to the city. When required to furnish copies by others than the city and its officers, he may collect and receive a fee of such persons of 25 cents for first folio, or fraction thereof, and 15 cents for each additional folio.
SECTION 7. It shall be the duty of the marshal to serve all processes issued by the police judge, to attend the police court at its sittings, to arrest persons found disturbing the peace, or violating any of the city ordinances, bring them before the police judge, and make complaint against them, to keep a vigilant watch to prevent violations of the city ordinances, and guard the interests of the city, to collect fines, costs, and taxes, when required by the Mayor, Council, or police judge, and pay the same over to the city treasurer without delay, to perform the duties of fire warder, of pound keeper, of street commissioner, and of road overseer, and to perform any duties which usually pertain to the office of city marshal and policeman.
SECTION 8. The pay of the marshal shall be a salary of $25.00 per month, which shall be in lieu of all fees, costs, and other claims, for services chargeable to the city, and shall be entitled to the following fees to be charged as cost.
For arresting each person, bringing him before the police judge, and making complaint: $1.00.
For attending police court in contested trial, each day: $1.00
For each commitment: $.25
For bringing prisoner again into court: $.25
For serving each subpoena, first person: $.25
Each additional person: $.25
For impounding first animal: $.75
For impounding each additional animal, in same lot, owned by same person: $.25
SECTION 9. It shall be the duty of the City Attorney to attend and conduct trials in the police and other courts, held within the city, on behalf of the city, when it is a party interested, to draw complaints, ordinances, contracts, and other instruments of writing for the city, when required, and to give legal advice to the council and officers of the city when required.
SECTION 10. The pay of the attorney shall be a salary of $50.00 per year, which shall be in lieu of all fees, costs, and other claims for services chargeable to the city. He shall also be entitled to a fee of $3.00 for each conviction before the police judge, to be charged as cost and collected of the defendant, and in cases of conviction of any person in the district court, the attorney shall be entitled to a fee of not less than $10.00, nor more than $25.00, at the discretion of the court, to be taxed as costs against the defendant.
SECTION 11. All ordinances, and parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith, or in any way inconsistent with this ordinance, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 12. This ordinance shall take effect, and be in force, from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved May 3d, 1875. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
[Note: The following issues of Courier not microfilmed—May 6, May 13, May 20.]
Winfield Courier, June 10, 1875.
Winfield Institute Library.
Members of the above Institute and the public are informed that the Library is now open to all readers who desire to avail themselves of its advantages. Terms and rules, relating to the loaning of books to members and others, may be had of the Secretary. The Library will be open every Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m., and for the present, located at the law office of Mr. Millington, the President of the Institute, who will act as the Librarian.
W. Q. MANSFIELD, Sec.
[ORDINANCES 55, 56, AND 57 - JUNE 10, 1875.]
Winfield Courier, June 10, 1875.
[Published June 10th, 1875.]
Ordinance No. 55.
An ordinance regulating the running at large of dogs and bitches, and taxing the owners or harborers thereof.
RECAP:
SECTION 1. An annual tax of one dollar shall be levied and collected for each dog over six months old, owned, harbored, or running at large in the city of Winfield.
SECTION 2. An annual tax of three dollars shall be levied and collected for each bitch over six months old, owned, harbored, or running at large in the city of Winfield.
SECTION 3. Taxes due and payable on or before the first day of July, A. D., 1875, for the present year, etc.
SECTION 4. Covered issuance of metal tag stamped “T. P.,” which was to be attached to the neck of such dog or bitch by means of a collar or otherwise.
SECTION 5. Called for shooting dogs running at large without tag.
SECTION 6. Called for fining lawbreakers in a sum not to exceed $10.
SEVERAL MORE SECTIONS...NOT IMPORTANT.
Ordinance No. 56.
An ordinance to provide for special taxes and licenses.
SECTION 1. Before any person or association of persons shall within the corporate limits of the city of Winfield, exhibit for pay, any animal, menagerie, circus, curiosity, painting, performance, or other show, any musical, literary, dramatic, jugglers, slight of hand, clairvoyance, lecture or other performance, he or they shall first procure a license which shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the Clerk, shall state the nature and kind of exhibition or performance licensed, and the dates and number of days such person or persons are licensed to exhibit. Such license shall not issue until there shall be paid to the city Treasurer the sum of money as license tax, which the Mayor in his discretion shall require, not less than $1. nor more than $100.00 for each days exhibition. Provided that for literary and scientific lectures and entertainments, and for concerts and musical or other entertainments, given exclusively by the citizens of Winfield, no tax shall be levied or license required.
SECTION 2. Any person violating the provisions of the preceding section shall on conviction, be fined in any sum not less than $5. nor more than $100. for each day’s violation.
SECTION 3. Each person or firm who shall within the limits of the city of Winfield, engage in either of the following named occupations, shall be taxed as follows:
Auctioneer: $10.00
Billiard table keeper, first table: $10.00
Each additional table: $ 5.00
Pedlar or Hawker: $10.00
Provided that no person shall be taxed as pedlar or hawker for selling without outcry his own productions of any kind, grain, fruit, vegetables, fresh meats, game or fish, or to dealers.
MORE SECTIONS...I SKIPPED.
Ordinance No. 57.
An Ordinance for the preservation of order, peace, and quiet in the city of Winfield.
SECTION 1. Each and every person who shall within the limits of the city of Winfield, curse or swear, or use any threatening language, or make a great noise so as to disturb the peace and quiet of any person, upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding ten dollars.
SECTION 2. Each and every person who shall, within the city of Winfield, quarrel or fight, or make any indecent exposure of his or her person, or discharge any gun or pistol or other fire arm without the consent of the Mayor of said city, shall upon conviction be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
SECTION 3. If any person or persons shall, within the limits of the city of Winfield, ride or drive any horse or other animal at any immoderate speed, or leave any horse or other animal, attached to a vehicle, upon any road, street, alley, or avenue of said city, without being securely tied or fastened to some firmly fixed object, upon conviction, shall be fined in a sum not exceeding ten dollars.
SECTION 4. Any person, within the limits of the city of Winfield, who shall bet any money, property, or valuable thing whatever, upon any horse racing, or game of faro, roulette, billiards, cards, or upon any other game, shall upon conviction, be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
SECTION 5. Every keeper or exhibitor, within the city of Winfield, of any of the tables commonly called A B C or E O tables, or faro bank, or keno, or any other gaming table of the same kind or like, under any denomination whatsoever, or whether the same be played with cards or dice, or in any other manner whatsoever, shall upon conviction, be fined in any sum not exceeding fifty dollars.
SECTION 6. Every person, within the limits of the city of Winfield, who shall set up or keep a gaming house or place where games of chance or skill are played for money or other valuable thing, or a disorderly house, or a bawdy-house or brothel, upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
SECTION 7. If within the limits of the city of Winfield, three or more persons shall assemble or meet together upon a common cause or quarrel, to do an unlawful act, and make any advances towards it, they shall be deemed guilty of a riot, and on conviction, shall be severally fined in a sum not exceeding fifty dollars.
SECTION 8. If within the limits of the city of Winfield, three or more persons shall do an unlawful act, with force or violence, either with or without a common cause, or quarrel, or even do a lawful act in a violent and tumultuous manner, the persons so offending shall be deemed guilty of a riot, and on conviction, shall severally be fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
SECTION 9. In all prosecutions under this ordinance, it shall be a sufficient designation of the offense to charge it substantially in the language of the ordinance.
SECTION 10. Ordinance No. 1, and all ordinances or parts of ordinances, inconsistent with this ordinance, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 11. This ordinance shall take effect, and be in force, from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved June 7th, A. D., 1875. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
J. W. CURNS, City Clerk.
NOTE: ALL THREE ORDINANCES ENDED UP LIKE SECTION 11 ABOVE. ALL WERE APPROVED JUNE 7TH; AND WENT INTO EFFECT JUNE 10, 1875.
Winfield Courier, July 22, 1875.
City Council Proceedings, July 19, 1875.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, M. G. Troup, and C. C. Black, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
The following bills were presented, referred to the finance Committee, and reported favorably on by them, and duly approved and ordered paid.
Bill of Z. T. Swigart, services as Marshal, 7 days, ending June 7th: $5.90.
Bill of E. R. Evans, services as Marshal, 23 days, ending July 1st: $19.10.
Bill of S. H. Myton, fixtures for public well: $2.70.
Bill of Ge. Gray; removing dead dogs: $1.00.
Bill of Burt Covert, boarding prisoners, referred to the finance committee at a previous meeting, reported favorably and ordered paid: $5.55.
Bills of W. M. Boyer, fees as Police Judge in two cases of City of Winfield vs. W. Q. Mansfield, and one City of Winfield vs. Seymour Tarrant, were referred to finance committee.
Bond of E. R. Evans, as Marshal of the City of Winfield, was duly approved by the Council.
On motion Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, September 9, 1875.
Mayor Millington left us the brag tomato of the season Monday. It is 16 inches in circumference and weighs 22 ounces.
Winfield Courier, September 16, 1875.
Proceedings of the City Council Sept. 9th, 1875.
City Council met pursuant to adjournment Thursday, September 9th, 1875.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; Mayor M. G. Troup, J. M. Dever, C. C. Black, and W. M. Powers, councilmen; B. E. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of two previous meetings read and adopted.
Bills of W. M. Boyer, Police Judge, referred to finance committee, were reported favorably on by said committee, and on motion of N. M. Powers were ordered paid if approved by the City Attorney.
The following bills were presented to the Council, allowed, and ordered paid.
E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal, month of July: $25.00.
E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal, month of August: $25.00.
Cash paid to Geo. Grey, moving stove and table into council room: $.20.00.
E. R. Evans, nails for public wells, sharpening plows, etc.: $3.63.
C. H. Kingsberry, repairing public well: $1.50.
On motion adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, September 23, 1875.
Several of our town folk visited Wichita last week, among whom were Mayor Millington and lady.
Winfield Courier, October 28, 1875.
Railroad Meeting.
Railroad meeting at the Courthouse Tuesday night, Oct. 26th, 1875.
Meeting called to order for the purpose of discussing the railroad question; organized by electing Dr. Mansfield chairman, and Amos Walton secretary. Col. Alexander stated the object of the meeting to be to work up correspondence with different parties on the railroad question.
Mayor Millington spoke at some length of the necessity of such an enterprise and that action should be taken immediately in order to cooperate with the counties north of us at once. On motion D. A. Millington, J. E. Platter, M. L. Robinson, and J. C. Fuller were appointed as a committee to carry out the intention of said meeting. On motion, adjourned.
W. Q. MANSFIELD, Chairman.
A. WALTON, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, November 18, 1875.
THE RAILROAD MEETING AT ELDORADO.
Last Friday, Nov. 14th, a large and earnest railroad meeting was held at Eldorado. Messrs. Meigs, Channell, McMullen, and Christian, from Arkansas City; Millington and Manning of Winfield, and Holmes and Lee, of Rock Township, were the representatives from Cowley County.
A large turn-out of active men of Butler County were present, and C. V. Eskridge, P. B. Plumb, E. P. Bancroft, and others from Emporia, and Messrs. Danford and Schenk of Osage City, and C. K. Holliday and Lakin, of Topeka, were present.
The meeting organized at 2 p.m. by choosing Neil Wilkie, of Douglass, as chairman. Mr. Bancroft, of Emporia, in a clear and comprehensive manner, presented statistics showing the advantage to the people and company of constructing a narrow gauge railroad in comparison to a wide gauge road.
Gov. Eskridge then spoke at some length demonstrating the ability of the people along the line to build and own a road from Emporia into the Walnut Valley.
Interesting speeches were made by Col. Plumb, D. A. Millington, and others.
Finally the citizens of Butler County present selected eight persons to cooperate with the representatives of Cowley in drafting articles of incorporation for a railroad company. After several hours of conference the two counties by their representatives agreed upon a charter form road beginning at Emporia, and run by the Walnut Valley to the south line of the State below Arkansas City.
The following named gentlemen were chosen directors.
P. B. Plumb, H. C. Cross, and A. A. Baker: Emporia.
J. C. Becker: Chelsie.
T. B. Murdock and A. L. Redden: Eldorado.
E. L. Akin: Augusta.
A. Cox: Walnut City.
Neil Wilkie: Douglass.
J. E. Platter and J. C. Fuller: Winfield.
J. C. McMullen and S. P. Channell: Arkansas City.
The corporation is named the Walnut Valley R. R. Company.
The directors are to meet in Emporia on 23rd inst., to put the enterprise in motion. Of their action, we shall keep our readers posted. If possible, we shall attend the meeting.
Winfield Courier, November 25, 1875.
Mayor Millington is attending the Winfield Bank during Mr. Fuller’s temporary absence.
[MARRIED: ALLEN B. LEMMON TO CLARA M. FLINT.]
Winfield Courier, November 25, 1875.
MARRIED.
LEMMON - FLINT. At the residence of the bride’s father, D. A. Millington, on Wednesday evening, the 24th inst., by Rev. J. E. Platter, Allen B. Lemmon to Clara M. Flint, all of this city. Attendants: Mr. J. Ex Saint and Miss Ada Millington.
A pleasant little party assembled in the home of our Mayor last evening, to witness the nuptials of the happy pair. The groom, Prof. Lemmon, Principal of our Winfield city schools, though having been with us but a short time, is well known and highly respected by the entire community. Of the fair bride we need say nothing. She is one of the few noble women “whom to know is to love.”
Her friends resign her to the care of one who has promised to “love, cherish, and protect” her through all the trials of coming years. The union is indeed a happy one. May peace, prosperity, and unalloyed happiness attend them through life, is the wish of the writer and their many friends.
Topeka, Fort Scott, and Independence papers please copy.
Winfield Courier, December 2, 1875.
Notice of Final Settlement.
In the Probate Court of Cowley County, State of Kansas.
In the matter of the estate of Cyrus L. Flint.
NOTICE is hereby given to all creditors and others interested in said estate that the undersigned will apply to the Judge of said Court on Monday, the 3rd day of January, 1876, at 1 o’clock P.M., for final settlement of said estate. D. A. MILLINGTON, Administrator.
Winfield, Nov. 24th, 1875.
NOTE: MILLINGTON’S OLDEST DAUGHTER, THE FORMER MRS. CYRUS L. FLINT, RECENTLY MARRIED LEMMON.
Winfield Courier, December 23, 1875.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., Dec. 20, 1875.
City Council met December 20th, 1875, at 7 o’clock P. M.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, C. C. Black, Councilmen, and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meetings were read and approved.
The following bills were presented and, on motion, were approved and ordered paid.
E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal for month of November, $25.00.
Joseph Requa, one pair blankets furnished the city, $3.00.
B. F. Baldwin, services as City Clerk from June 7th, 1875, until December 7th, 1875, $50.60.
A bill of E. R. Evans, for services as road overseer, fifteen days, $22.50, was presented and, on motion, was rejected by Council.
Report of E. R. Evans as road overseer was read and, on motion, was referred back to him with the request that he make an itemized report, giving the name of all persons paying money instead of work, and the disbursement of all such monies by him thus collected.
The following resolution was read, and on motion, was adopted by Council.
Resolved, That the City Council hereby instruct the City Marshal to patrol the streets until 12 o’clock at night, to see that saloons, billiard halls, etc., be closed promptly at the time prescribed by ordinance; to see that there is no danger of fire from hot ashes and fire thrown out doors, or in any other careless handling of fire, and to strictly enforce all ordinances regulating order and quietude in the City of Winfield.
The Council then adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, December 30, 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. Buell, of Carroll City, Iowa, relatives of Mayor Millington, are stopping with him. Mr. Buell expressed surprise at finding the weather here so mild that a fire had not been necessary for ten days, when they were harvesting ten-inch ice when he left the Hawk-eye State.
THE WINFIELD COURIER.
CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
SURVEYORS.
H. L. BARKER Nov. 8, 1870; resigned July 1, 1871.
D. A. MILLINGTON July 1, 1871. Jan. 8, 1872.
M. HEMINGWAY Nov. 7, 1871. Jan. 11, 1874.
W. W. WALTON Nov. 4, 1873. Jan. 11, 1876.
W. W. WALTON Nov. 2, 1875.
Excerpts...
1870:
Norton and Manning both attended the State Convention at Topeka, but that body accepted Norton as the regular delegate and gave him the seat therein.
Shortly after the Sept. 3rd convention, the chairman of the Central Committee, appointed at Dexter, issued a call for a Republican convention to be held at Winfield, Oct. 3rd, to nominate a candidate for representative and candidates for county offices. The ticket then nominated can be found in the “Annals.”
Oct. 8th, a call for a “People’s Convention” was issued, signed by W. Q. Mansfield, T. H. Johnson, T. A. Blanchard, James Renfro, James Land, D. A. Millington, Wm. Craig, F. A. Hunt, A. Menor, J. Mentch, T. B. Ross, and H. Wolf.
Under the call this convention met at Winfield, Oct. 20th, and nominated a full ticket, which will be found in the “Annals.” The tickets nominated at the two conventions last mentioned, though called Republican and People’s, really were composed of partisans to a strife that had been engendered between Winfield and Arkansas City for political and business supremacy in the county. The canvass preceding the election, which transpired Nov. 8th, was very spirited, almost bitter; the principal interest centering upon the candidates for representative—H. B. Norton and E. C. Manning. At that election 504 votes were cast, of which H. B. Norton received 256 and E. C. Manning 248. The remaining candidates upon the “People’s” ticket received a small majority except the candidate for Register of Deeds and County Attorney.
When the Commissioners met to canvass the votes after the election, they found the returns to be in a crude and some of them in an unintelligible condition. In the language of G. H. Norton, one of the Commissioners, and a brother of H. B. Norton, “The next returns opened were objected to by Mr. Blanchard (another member of the board of canvassers) on the ground that he did not know where it came from. Upon examination I found there was nothing on them to indicate where they came from. I suggested to the board that perhaps they knew some of the names on the poll book and could tell from them what precinct the returns came from. The other members both stated they did not know any of the names and as I did not, I voted with them to reject the returns.”
The rejection of the unintelligible returns gave the “People’s” ticket a large majority except in the offices of County Attorney and Register of Deeds. The election of T. B. Ross was contested before T. H. Johnson, County Attorney, presiding as judge, with J. C. Fuller and E. S. Torrance, the incoming County Attorney, then a resident of Arkansas City, as associate judges. The “Court” decided that Ross was entitled to the certificate. Some steps were taken to contest Mr. Manning’s seat in the legislature but the idea was finally abandoned.
Up to the 13th day of June, 1870, there were no mail routes in the county. At that time the first mail coach arrived, Parker & Tisdale, proprietors. Previously all mail matter for the settlers in the county came to Douglass, and was brought from there by private hands and distributed among the settlers.
In January, 1871, a U. S. surveying party, under O. F. Short, began the survey of the county. They were followed very industriously by claim hunters, who hoped the survey would develop unoccupied tracts. On the other hand, the settlers were on the alert and many lines were run just in advance of the compassmen of the surveying party, and when a little deviation would leave a squatter on the claim that he wanted, the deviation was sure to be made. As a consequence, the section lines in this county are very crooked.
1870:
August 20th, 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.
1870-1871:
Though this country was practically open for settlement on the passage of the act of Congress of July 15th, 1870, in relation thereto; yet no one knew where his claim lines would run, because there had been no government survey. This survey did not occur until January, 1871. Immediately after the survey D. A. Millington, who was the first engineer and surveyor, surveyed and laid out into town lots and blocks, all the west half of Fuller’s claim and east half of Manning’s claim (not already laid out), and platted the whole as the town site of Winfield. Settlers continued to locate in Winfield until on the 10th day of July, 1871, there were 72 lots improved with 80 buildings. On that day the town site was entered by the Probate Judge, T. B. Ross.
[Note: Millington was the second surveyor in Cowley County.]
1873:
The city of Winfield was incorporated Feb. 22nd, 1873. The first city election was held March 7th, 1873, at which W. H. H. Maris was elected Mayor.
1875:
The third annual election was held April 5th, 1875. D. A. Millington was elected Mayor; W. M. Boyer, Police Judge; and M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, J. Newman, J. M. Dever, and C. C. Black, Councilmen.
The Mayor and Council appointed B. F. Baldwin, Clerk; E. R. Evans, Marshal; J. E. Allen, Attorney; J. C. Fuller, Treasurer; and M. G. Troup, President of Council.
The present population of the city of Winfield is about 800 on an area of 200 acres. It has 221 buildings among which the most prominent are the Courthouse, built in 1873 at a cost of $12,000, of brick with a showy belfry and cupola, probably the best courthouse in Kansas, costing no more than it did. The residence of J. E. Platter ranks next in value but first in beauty, built in 1874 of brick, ornamented cut stone, costing $8,000. The banking house of M. L. Read is a fine brick structure costing $6,000, and the hardware store of S. H. Myton is larger and equally imposing of brick, costing $6,000. The schoolhouse is a substantial stone structure costing $6,000. The residence of Dr. Mansfield, M. L. Read, C. A. Bliss, D. A. Millington, J. P. McMillen, W. G. Graham, W. W. Andrews, S. H. Myton, and many others are good substantial structures and ornaments to the city.
MILLINGTON, D. A., co-proprietor of the town; one of its strongest helps in its hours of need and now its mayor, is one of the leading lawyers in the city; invested his capital; brought his family; risked his all in an early day; he now begins to “reap the harvest.” We most heartily wish those old pioneers, pater families of this town, of which he is one, unlimited success.
Winfield Courier, January 13, 1876.
D. A. MILLINGTON has been appointed U. S. Commissioner for this section of Kansas vice Kellogg, resigned.
Winfield Courier, January 20, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., Jan. 17, 1876.
City Council met January 17th, 1876, at 7 o’clock P. M.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, C. C. Black, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney, and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meetings were read and approved.
The report of J. C. Fuller, City Treasurer, referred to the Finance Committee at last regular meeting of the Council, was reported favorably on by said committee, and on motion of N. M. Powers, was duly received.
On motion of N. M. Powers, the Council ordered the City Treasurer to deliver to the City Clerk a certain journal and ledger now in his possession, and that the Clerk open up an account with the Treasurer of all orders drawn on the Treasurer and all receipts received from the Treasurer by him.
On motion the City Clerk was instructed to make and publish a financial statement, beginning May 1st, 1875, and ending December 31st, 1875, showing the amount of all monies collected by the city, from what source derived, and the disbursement of the same by the city.
Report of E. R. Evans as road overseer was read and, on motion, received.
The following bills were presented and acted upon.
E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal for month of December, $25.00, was reported favorable by the Finance Committee and, on motion, was ordered paid.
Bill of E. R. Evans, services as City Marshal from January 1st to January 13th, $12.50, and 25 cents for removing nuisances, total $12.75, was read, and after report of Finance Committee, was allowed $11.08 by the Council and ordered paid.
On motion of M. G. Troup the resignation of E. R. Evans as City Marshal, and the acceptance of the same by the Mayor, was approved by the Council.
The Council then adjourned to meet January 25th, at 7 o’clock P. M.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
[RAILROAD MEETING: RESIDENTS OF COWLEY COUNTY.]
Winfield Courier, January 27, 1876.
The undersigned, residents of Cowley County, cordially unite in inviting the citizens of said county to meet in mass meeting at Winfield, on Saturday at 2 P. M.,
FEBRUARY 5TH,
to take such action as shall seem advisable upon consultation to secure the construction of a railroad into Cowley County. We desire each paper in said county to publish this call, and we hope that every township will be fully represented at said meeting.
Dated January 25, 1876.
ROCK TOWNSHIP: John M. Harcourt, Robert F. Bailey, Andrew Dawson, John Foster, J. L. Foster, Jess. J. Tribby, H. D. Lee, W. B. Wimer.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP: William D. Lester, B. W. Jenkins, John A. McCulloch, W. A. Freeman.
VERNON TOWNSHIP: Wm. Martin, C. M. Denkin, R. L. Walker.
SPRING CREEK TOWNSHIP: R. P. Goodrich, Cyrus Wilson, F. W. Vance.
TISDALE TOWNSHIP: E. P. Young, D. H. Southworth.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP: Chas. W. Frith, J. L. H. Darnall.
NENNESCAH TOWNSHIP: Elmore Ansen.
PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP: B. W. Sitter, T. J. Harris.
OTTER TOWNSHIP: H. C. Fisher, R. R. Turner.
OMNIA TOWNSHIP: Elisha Harned.
DEXTER TOWNSHIP: T. W. Coats, J. D. Maurer, Mark Kenton Hull, Levi Quier, J. A. Bryan, George Bryan.
WINFIELD: M. L. Read, S. D. Pryor, N. M. Powers, N. W. Holmes, N. L. Rigby, Thomas McMillen, L. J. Webb, Charles C. Black, J. S. Hunt, W. M. Boyer, John W. Curns, G. S. Manser, B. F. Baldwin, J. H. Land, A. H. Green, W. Q. Mansfield, E. C. Manning, S. H. Myton, J. C. Fuller, A. B. Lemmon, James Kelly, W. H. H. Maris, T. H. Henderson, A. N. Deming, H. S. Silver, J. M. Alexander, Amos Walton, D. A. Millington, J. E. Platter, W. M. Allison, And one hundred others.
[EDITORIAL COLUMN: E. C. MANNING, EDITOR.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 3, 1876.
THE RAILROAD MEETING SATURDAY.
On Saturday of this week the people of Cowley County will assemble at Winfield to give expression to their wishes upon the question of securing the construction of a railroad into Cowley County. If the day is fair the gathering promises to be large. We hope the citizens of Winfield will endeavor to make the occasion as pleasant and harmonious as possible. The desire for a road into the county is almost universal among its people. Without reference to particular routes or gauge let that desire be expressed in earnest and unequivocal terms.
[RAILROAD MASS MEETING: WINFIELD.]
Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876.
WINFIELD, February 5, 1876.
On motion of C. M. Scott, Mr. D. A. Millington, of Winfield, was elected Chairman. On motion of A. N. Deming, C. R. Mitchell, of Arkansas City, was elected Secretary. On motion of Prof. A. B. Lemmon, the following committee of thirteen was appointed to draft resolutions to express the feelings of this meeting.
A. B. Lemmon, of Winfield; C. M. Scott, of Arkansas City; Mr. Harbaugh, Pleasant Valley; W. R. Wilkins, of Liberty; H. L. Barker, of Richland; R. P. Goodrich, of Spring Creek; Enos Henthorn, of Omnia; S. S. Moore, of Tisdale; S. M. Fall, of Windsor; T. W. Morris, of Beaver; Amos Walton, of Winfield; J. B. Holmes, of Rock; S. B. Fleming, of Creswell.
C. R. Mitchell, being absent, on motion of A. B. Lemmon, Mr. I. H. Bonsall of Arkansas City was elected Secretary in his place. On motion of Mr. Fleming, the Arkansas City Silver Cornet Band was requested to give the meeting some music while the committee was absent drafting resolutions. After listening to some very good music by the band, Judge Ross, of Rock Township, was called on for a speech, and responded with an effective and pointed speech in favor of railroads, and convinced the convention that he was, as he said in commencing his speech, covered all over with the railroad fever, and must have convinced the most skeptical of the need of a railroad outlet for our crops.
J. B. Evans, of Vernon, responded to a call with a lukewarm speech favoring a road on conditions, but did not want to commit himself at the present time. Judge Christian of Arkansas City responded to a call with a few pointed remarks in favor of a railroad, when the Committee on Resolutions came in, ready to report, and Prof. A. B. Lemmon, Chairman of the Committee, read the following resolutions.
WHEREAS, We, the people and producers of Cowley County, unless we have a railroad in our county, will expend within the coming year, in time, labor, and money, half a million of dollars for transporting grain, lumber, and merchandise to and from the nearest railroad stations, and in losses by being compelled to sell in a distant town on a market temporarily unfavorable, thus leaving the producers utterly without any profits on their labor, which sum, if saved to the county, would yield to the producers an enormous profit; and
WHEREAS, The present financial condition of the country, and particularly of our and adjoining counties, and the history of railroad building in the West, proves that it impossible to get a railroad here without the aid of reasonably liberal county or other municipal franchises, which it is impossible to give under our present laws; and
WHEREAS, Though our county would probably vote such aid by a two thirds majority, as the law now requires, yet a failure by any other county along the line to give such majority would be fatal to the road; therefore, it is by the people of Cowley County, Kansas, in mass convention assembled,
Resolved, That we earnestly appeal to the Legislature of Kansas, now in session, to enact a law enabling counties and other municipalities to vote aid in bonds or cash sufficient to induce the construction of railroads where they are needed.
Resolved, That such law should allow such aid to be given by a majority vote.
Resolved, That our railroad law should be amended so as to allow the voting of a reasonable amount of bonds as aid in the construction of a railroad within our county.
Resolved, That such law should provide that all taxes collected from such railroads within any county or municipality shall, to the extent of the amount of principal and interest of the aid given, be paid pro rata to the counties and municipalities giving such aid, and applied to the payment of such interest and principal.
Resolved, That our Representatives and Senator at Topeka are hereby earnestly requested and instructed to labor to procure the enactment of such a law as is herein contemplated.
A. B. LEMMON, S. B. FLEMING, C. M. SCOTT, A. WALTON, E. H. HENTHORN,
J. B. HOLMES, S. M. FALL.
On motion the report was accepted, and committee discharged. Moved and seconded that the report be accepted as a whole. Moved by Mr. Allison that the motion be amended so that the report be considered by sections; amendment accepted and carried; motion as amended carried. On motion that the preamble be adopted, moved by Allison to amend by striking out the words, “WHEREAS. Though our county would probably vote such aid by a two thirds majority, as the law now requires, yet a failure by any other county along the line to give such majority would be fatal to the road; therefore, it is by the people of Cowley County, Kansas, in mass convention assembled.” Motion to strike out lost. On motion, the preamble was adopted.
On motion, the first resolution was adopted.
Moved to reject the second resolution by Mr. Allison; motion seconded; motion to amend by adopting the resolution as read, by Prof. A. B. Lemmon, and previous question called; amendment withdrawn; motion of Mr. Allison to reject lost; moved to adopt the resolution as read; carried.
On motion, the third resolution was adopted without opposition. On motion, the fourth resolution was adopted unanimously. On motion, the fifth resolution was adopted.
Rev. Mr. Platter read a letter from Peabody, asking for delegates to be appointed to attend a meeting there on the 23rd or 27th. A motion of Rev. Platter that the chair appoint delegates was carried, and Rev. J. E. Platter, of Winfield, C. M. Scott, Arkansas City, and Judge Ross, of Rock Township, were appointed delegates.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Allison.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention that Cowley County should not vote aid to a narrow gauge road until there is no probability of there being a standard gauge road constructed through the county.
Moved to lay it on the table; carried.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Manning.
Resolved, That the Topeka Commonwealth, all papers in Cowley County, and other State papers interested, be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.
Carried unanimously.
Moved by A. N. Deming that a vote of thanks be given to the Arkansas City Silver Cornet Band. Carried unanimously, and responded to by music from the band.
Moved and seconded that the convention do now adjourn.
D. A. MILLINGTON, Chairman.
I. H. BONSALL, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, February 10, 1876.
THAT RAILROAD MEETING.
The Farmers Speak!
And Demand Legislation.
Last Saturday a large concourse of representative men from all parts of Cowley County assembled in Winfield to give expression to their views upon the railroad situation. The meeting was held in the Courthouse. The room was packed full and many were left outside that could not gain admittance for the jam.
Mayor D. A. Millington was chosen Chairman, and I. H. Bonsall, of Arkansas City, selected as secretary.
A committee on resolutions consisting of A. B. Lemmon, S. M. Fall, of Lazette; R. P. Goodrich, of Maple City; W. R. Watkins, of Liberty; S. S. Moore, of Tisdale; J. B. Holmes, of Rock; H. L. Barker, of Richland; Enos Henthorn, of Omnia; Mr. Harbaugh, of Pleasant Valley; T. M. Morris, of Beaver; L. Bonnewell, of Vernon; Amos Walton, of Bolton; and S. B. Fleming, of Creswell Townships was appointed.
The committee retired to prepare the resolutions, and during their absence speeches were made by several persons, the most notable of which were those of Judge Ross and Judge Christian. The resolutions reported by the committee were adopted.
Some opposition was manifested to the resolution asking that the proposed law should allow a majority to vote aid to railroads, but it was voted down by more than two to one. The opposition came principally from non-taxpayers around town. There were but a few of the town people out. The Winfield citizens preferred that the farmers should conduct the meeting. The Arkansas City band furnished music for the occasion. Intense interest in the proceedings were manifested and the meeting adjourned with three cheers for a railroad.
On motion three delegates to the Peabody convention, on the 27th inst., were appointed, to-wit: Rev. J. E. Platter, Judge T. B. Ross, and C. M. Scott.
A feeble effort to have the meeting declare against a narrow gauge railroad was promptly tabled. A vote of thanks was tendered the Arkansas City band.
We give the preamble and resolutions.
WHEREAS, We, the people and producers of Cowley County, unless we have a railroad in our county, will expend within the coming year, in time, labor, and money, half a million of dollars for transporting grain, lumber, and merchandise to and from the nearest railroad stations, and in losses by being compelled to sell in a distant town on a market temporarily unfavorable, thus leaving the producers utterly without any profits on their labor, which sum, if saved to the county, would yield to the producers an enormous profit; and
WHEREAS, Though our county would probably vote such aid by a two thirds majority, as the law now requires, yet a failure by any other county along the line to give such majority would be fatal to the road; therefore, it is by the people of Cowley County, Kansas, in mass convention assembled,
Resolved, That we earnestly appeal to the Legislature of Kansas, now in session, to enact a law enabling counties and other municipalities to vote aid in bonds or cash sufficient to induce the construction of railroads where they are needed.
Resolved, That such law should allow such aid to be given by a majority vote.
Resolved, That our railroad law should be amended so as to allow the voting of a reasonable amount of bonds as aid in the construction of a railroad within our county.
Resolved, That such law should provide that all taxes collected from such railroads, within any county or municipality, shall, to the extent of the amount of principal and interest of the aid given, be paid pro rata to the counties and municipalities giving such aid, and applied to the payment of such interest and principal.
Resolved, That our Representative and Senator at Topeka are hereby earnestly requested and instructed to labor to procure the enactment of such a law as is herein contemplated.
Resolved, That the Topeka Commonwealth, all papers in Cowley County, and other state papers interested, be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.
Winfield Courier, February 24, 1876.
Mayor Millington has planted early potatoes.
Winfield Courier, March 2, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., Feb. 28, 1876.
City Council met in regular session, February 28th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; C. C. Black, N. M. Powers, and M. G. Troup, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
On motion the Council proceeded to open the sealed bids, in the City Clerk’s office, for the sinking and walling of two public wells, as advertised.
On motion of C. C. Black, the further consideration of the bids was postponed until next regular meeting.
The Council then adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
[RAILROADS: D. A. MILLINGTON.]
Winfield Courier, March 16, 1876. Front Page.
The Railroad Law.
ED. COURIER: The Telegram is uproariously jubilant over the failure of our Legislature to enact a law allowing counties and other municipalities to vote aid to railroads by a majority vote.
I readily admit that the two thirds clause inserted in both laws lately passed practically defeats the friends of a railroad in this county, and while the Telegram is jubilant over a victory, I for one feel depressed and discouraged under our defeat.
Though I do not doubt that a proposition to aid some railroad might be placed upon the voters of this county so well guarded and of such a nature so generally satisfactory, that two-thirds of the voters would support it, yet, this would not be sufficient to give us a road.
Before reaching us the road must pass through other counties, Butler, Greenwood, Elk, Chautauqua, Sedgwick, or Sumner, in our immediate vicinity, and other counties more remote.
. . . “But,” says some imbecile, “some company will build a road to us anyway, whether we aid them or not.”
We have been waiting five years for “some company” to build us a road. We have held in our hands $150,000 in Cowley County bonds and offered them for a road. Cowley, Butler, Marion, Dickinson, and Davis have offered three-quarters of a million of dollars in subsidies for a road from Junction City down this valley 140 miles. Only one company has in five years had the grace to offer to build a road to us at any price, and when its offer was accepted, all along the line it failed to come to time because the subsidies were insufficient to induce them to build the road. . . .
The A. T. & S. F. road alone has continued to build up to the present time, but though its franchises are enormous in lands and bonds, yet it is evident that the day is not far distant when it will be in the hands of a receiver.
The writer and others have freely expended their energies, time, and money in the attempt to make it possible to get a R. R. to this county this year. It is not strange that we should feel sore over our defeat.
Yet we will not despair. Let every thinking man who wants a railroad put his best thoughts to work and be seen ready to cooperate on the plan which the majority of such men should determine is the best. Let us do what we can this year and if we fail, try the next Legislature for a change in the laws. D. A. M.
Winfield Courier, March 23, 1876.
Election Proclamation.
I, D. A. Millington, Mayor of the City of Winfield, in Cowley County and State of Kansas, do hereby proclaim that an election will be held at the office of W. H. H. Maris on lot 2 in block 108 in said City on
Monday, the 3rd day of April,
1876, for the purpose of electing
A Mayor,
A Police Judge, and
Five Councilmen
to serve said city for the ensuing year.
The polls of said election will be open at 8 o’clock a.m., and will close at 6 o’clock p.m., of that day.
M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, and C. C. Black are appointed judges, and B. F. Baldwin and J. M. Reed, clerks of said election.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said City this 21st day of March, 1876.
D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor. [SEAL.]
Attest, B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, March 23, 1876.
Note: Council met March 20th; adjourned until March 21st.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., March 21, 1876.
City Council met in adjourned session, March 21st, A. D. 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, C. C. Black, and M. G. Troup, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Ordinance No. 58 was read and passed by sections. Vote on final passage was as follows: Yeas—C. C. Black, M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers. Nays—none.
The Mayor, with the consent of the Council, appointed M. G. Troup, N. M. Powers, and C. C. Black as Judges of the City Election, to be held April third (3d), A. D. 1876.
On motion the Council designated J. M. Reed and B. F. Baldwin as clerks of said city election.
Bill of Burt Covert, twenty dollars, for services as City Marshal from January 15th, 1876, to March 18th, 1876, ten Saturdays, at two dollars per day, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of J. C. Fuller, forty-four dollars, for rent for City Council room, from April 10th, 1875, to March 10th, 1876, at four dollars a month, was read, and on motion, was approved for forty-two dollars and sixty-five cents, and Clerk ordered to draw a warrant on the Treasurer for the same.
The finance committee reported on the bill of James Kelly, for city printing, thirty-six dollars and ninety cents, and moved it be allowed by the Council, provided it balanced all claims due him from the city for printing up to this date. Motion carried, and the Clerk was ordered to draw a warrant on the treasurer for the same.
On motion of M. G. Troup, the Council recommended the County Commissioners to pay the two bills of W. L. Mullen, against Cowley County for rent of house occupied by Mrs. Bishop, a pauper of Winfield City, from November 1st, 1875, to March 1st, 1876, inclusive, at five dollars a month, total twenty dollars. Also recommended the payment of bill of Rilla McClung, for rent of house occupied by Mrs. Walters, a pauper of Winfield City. Also recommended the payment of bill of J. W. Johnston, for one coffin for pauper.
The Council then adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 6, 1876.
The following is the result of the vote cast at the city election held in Winfield last Monday.
REPUBLICAN TICKET.
For Mayor, D. A. Millington: 81 votes.
For Police Judge, Linus S. Webb: 75 votes.
For Councilman, A. B. Lemmon: 86 votes.
For Councilman, C. A. Bliss: 81 votes.
For Councilman, T. B. Myers: 84 votes.
For Councilman, H. Brotherton: 88 votes.
For Councilman, M. G. Troup: 91 votes.
DEMOCRAT TICKET.
For Mayor, H. S. Silver: 86 votes.
For Police Judge, J. W. Curns: 81 votes.
For Councilman, N. Roberson: 71 votes.
For Councilman, A. G. Wilson: 76 votes.
For Councilman, N. M. Powers: 70 votes.
For Councilman, W. L. Mullen: 57 votes.
For Councilman, Frank Williams: 76 votes.
SCATTERING: J. P. McMillen received 20 votes, C. C. Black 1; and J. P. Short 3, for Councilmen; and J. D. Pryor 5 votes for Police Judge.
Winfield Courier, April 13, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., April 5, 1876.
City Council met in adjourned session, March 21st, A. D. 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; N. M. Powers, C. C. Black, and M. G. Troup, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
The following bills were presented, read, and allowed, and on motion of M. G. Troup, the Clerk was ordered to draw a warrant on the Treasurer for the same.
J. M. Reed, clerk of city election, on April 3rd, A. D. 1876, $2.00; J. F. Miller, Judge of city election, $2.00; C. C. Black, Judge of city election, $2.00; M. Miller, padlock and nails for city, 85 cents; Simpson & Stewart, repairs on jail, $3.00.
Fee bill of W. M. Boyer, Police Judge, was read, and, on motion of C. C. Black, was laid over.
The Finance Committee made the following report on the cancellation of city warrants:
To the Honorable Mayor and Council of the city of Winfield, county of Cowley, and State of Kansas, we your Finance Committee beg leave to report that we have examined the enclosed package and find it to contain two hundred and forty-three vouchers of the value of $2,467.17, and that said vouchers have been duly canceled on the Winfield city warrant record, and recommend that they be destroyed.
M. G. Troup, ) Finance Committee.
Chas. C. Black. )
On motion of N. M. Powers the report was received and the vouchers destroyed.
On motion of N. M. Powers, the City Clerk was instructed to make out and present to the County Commissioners a bill of $8.00, amount paid to Simpson & Stewart for repairs on the jail.
The City Council proceeded to canvass the vote of Winfield city election, held on April 3rd, A. D., 1876, which resulted as follows:
Whole number of votes cast: 182.
For Mayor: D. A. Millington, 81; H. S. Silver, 80, E. S. Bedilion, 1.
For Police Judge: Linus S. Webb, 75; J. W. Curns, 81; J. D. Pryor, 5.
For Councilmen: A. B. Lemmon, 86; M. G. Troup, 91; C. A. Bliss, 81; T. B. Myers, 84; H. Brotherton, 88; N. Roberson, 71; Frank Williams, 76; N. M. Powers, 70; A. G. Wilson, 76; W. L. Mullen, 57; J. P. McMillen, 20; C. C. Black, 3; J. P. Short, 1.
D. A. Millington, having received the highest number of votes for Mayor, was declared elected. J. W. Curns, receiving the highest number of votes for Police Judge, was declared elected. A. B. Lemmon, M. G. Troup, T. B. Myers, C. A. Bliss, and H. Brotherton, receiving the highest number of votes for Councilmen, were declared elected.
On motion the Clerk was ordered to furnish each of the above named as elected with certificates of election.
On motion Council adjourned.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 20, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, April 17th, 1876.
City Council met at the City Clerk’s office April 17th, A. D. 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, and A. B. Lemmon, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
The Mayor read his annual inaugural address to the Council stating the financial condition of the city for the past year, its present condition, and making many suggestions as to its future.
On motion of A. B. Lemmon, M. G. Troup was elected President of the Council for the coming year.
On motion the Mayor appointed three standing committees of three members each, as follows:
Finance committee: M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers.
Committee on streets, alleys, and sidewalks: C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, and A. B. Lemmon.
Committee on fire: A. B. Lemmon, T. B. Myers, C. A. Bliss.
The official bond of John W. Curns, Police Judge, was read, and on motion of A. B. Lemmon was approved by the Council.
Bill of Wirt W. Walton, two dollars, for Clerk of City Election April 3rd, 1876, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of Burt Covert, services as City Marshal from March 25th, 1876, to April 17th, 1876, five Saturdays at two dollars a day, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of W. M. Boyer, six dollars and ten cents, Police Judge’s fees in case of city of Winfield vs. Wm. Hudson, was read, and on motion of M. G. Troup was approved for five dollars and sixty cents, being the amount of the bill except the witness fee of M. G. Troup, fifty cents.
Bill of E. C. Manning for city printing was read, and on motion was referred to finance committee.
On motion Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, May 4, 1876.
Published May 4th, 1876.
Ordinance No. 59.
An Ordinance to amend section 6 of Ordinance No. 55, entitled “An Ordinance to provide for the appointment of a Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal, and City Attorney for the city of Winfield, and defining the duties and pay of the same, and providing for bonds of city officers.
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Councilman of the City of Winfield.
SECTION 1. That section 6 of Ordinance No. 53 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 6. The pay of the Clerk shall be $60.00 per year, payable monthly, which shall be in lieu of all fees chargeable to the city. When required to furnish copies of any of the city records for other than the city or its officers, he may collect and receive a fee of 25 cents for first folio and fraction thereof, and 15 cents for each additional folio or fraction thereof.
SECTION 2. Original section 6, of Ordinance No. 53, is hereby repealed, and this Ordinance shall be in force and take effect from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved May 1st, 1876. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
Attest: B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, May 4, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., May 1st, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, May 1st, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, A. B. Lemmon, and T. B. Myers, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk; J. E. Allen, City Attorney.
Minutes of previous meeting was read and approved.
Finance Committee reported on bill of E. C. Manning, for city printing, and recommended it be allowed, for eleven dollars. On motion the bill was approved, for eleven dollars, as recommended, and ordered paid.
Bill of George Gray, seventy-five cents, for removing nuisances from the city, was read and on motion was approved and ordered paid.
Joseph Likowski and Rheinhart Ehret made application, by petition, through their attorney, A. H. Green, for dram shop license. The petitions being read and the Council believing them to contain a majority of all persons residing within the corporate limits of the city of Winfield, over the age of twenty-one years, on motion of M. G. Troup voted that dram shop license be granted to the said petitioners.
Ordinance No. 59 was read and passed by sections. Vote on final passage was as follows: Yes: A. B. Lemmon, H. Brotherton, M. G. Troup, T. B. Myers, and C. A. Bliss. Nays: None. Ordinance No. 59, as passed, was duly approved by the Mayor.
The Mayor, with the consent and unanimous vote of the Council, made the following appointments for the year ensuing: For City Clerk, B. F. Baldwin, for City Treasurer, J. C. Fuller, for City Attorney, J. E. Allen.
On motion of M. G. Troup the Council adjourned to meet May 2nd, 1875, at 5 o’clock p.m. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Excerpts...
Winfield Courier, May 11, 1876.
Republican Work.
The following townships have reported the proceedings of last Thursday’s conventions.
Winfield Township caucus met at the Courthouse at 2 o’clock p.m.; M. G. Troup was selected as chairman and E. C. Manning, secretary. Thirteen delegates to the 88th District Convention were elected as follows: D. A. Millington, J. C. Monforte, M. G. Troup, A. H. Green, T. J. Jones, T. B. Myers, Geo. Robertson, Sam. Burger, C. A. Bliss, E. P. Kinne, J. L. King, J. P. McMillen, and E. C. Manning.
After the usual formalities were disposed of, the delegates present proceeded to vote for two delegates and two alternates to represent this district in the State Convention, May 24, 1876. The choice fell upon D. A. Millington and E. P. Kinne, with respective alternates, as follows: Charles Eagen, of Rock, and J. M. Alexander, of Winfield.
All motions to adopt resolutions declaring for Presidential candidates were tabled, though the meeting was strongly Blaine in sentiment.
On motion the following District Republican central committee was chosen: L. J. Webb, B. Shriver, and W. B. Norman.
On motion the convention adjourned sine die.
[SANTA FE RAILROAD DEALINGS: WALNUT VALLEY.]
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1876. Editorial Page.
BUSTED.
The President and Directors of the A. T. & S. F. railroad led the people of the Walnut Valley to believe that they would, last Friday, at Wichita, state definitely the time and terms within and upon which they would build a railroad down the valley. They did not do it, however. M. G. Troup, D. A. Millington, W. P. Hackney, C. A. Bliss, and E. C. Manning went to Wichita to learn definitely what the purpose of the railroad company was. A delegation of citizens from each of the following places was there ahead of the directors to interview them: Emporia, Cottonwood Falls, Florence, Butler County, Sumner County, and Cowley County. The special train bearing the railroad authorities arrived about 6 p.m. About 8 p.m. the delegations from Butler and Cowley counties were granted an interview. The President, Mr. Nickerson, then informed the Walnut Valley party that their company was not prepared to say what they would do about building a road down the Valley, but that in thirty or sixty days they would be able to say whether they would or would not build the road, and upon what terms. Upon receiving this highly satisfactory (?) information, the W. V. delegation humbly took their hats and withdrew.
Each of our readers may guess what had possessed these fellows to say at Topeka the week before that they would state a definite proposition at Wichita, which might be accepted or rejected by the Walnut Valley people, and then when the appointed time came, to say they were not ready. We have a guess of our own, but as it is only a guess, we will not give it.
[EDITORIAL ABOUT RAILROADS: E. C. MANNING, EDITOR.]
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1876.
AND STILL WE HAVE NO RAILROAD.
The readers of the COURIER know that it earnestly desires a railroad. It has encouraged every step taken to promote the construction of a railroad into Cowley County. No matter who suggested the movement; no matter what direction the proposed road was to come from; no matter what gauge; no matter what price, the COURIER has been for a railroad. The people need it; the county needs it; every interest languishes for it, except the interest on money. The interest on money has no interest in a railroad.
Now that all projects to get a railroad into Cowley County have failed, let us look at the situation. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe company will not aid in the construction of a road into this valley for the very good reason that they already do the carrying business of this region. No road from the north can come into this county for the following reason: Emporia, Cottonwood Falls, Florence, and Peabody want to be each the starting point, and three of them will fight any enterprise that starts from the fourth. At Eldorado the A., T. & S. F. company has secret servants employed to defeat any project hostile to their interests. The people of Butler County cannot unite on any one enterprise. No road can be built without local aid. Owing to jealousies, traitors, local strifes, the Emporia disorganizers and the two-thirds vote, we must turn our backs upon everything to the north of us. What next?
Let us turn our eyes eastward. Humboldt is within one hundred miles of this place. The M., K. & T. railroad is to be built across to Ft. Scott from Humboldt. The L., L. & G. railroad already runs direct from Humboldt to Kansas City and Leavenworth. The people along the line can build a road from here to Humboldt if they but say they will. Will they say it? Yes, as soon as they realize that they must themselves take hold of the enterprise. And this is the truth. No one will build it for them. They can and they must build it themselves.
Winfield Courier, May 25, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., May 15th, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, May 15th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, A. B. Lemmon, and T. B. Myers, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting was read and approved.
The bond of R. Ehret as a dram shop keeper in the city of Winfield was read and approved as to its security.
The bond of Joseph Likowski as a dram shop keeper in the city of Winfield was read and approved by the council.
The bond of Walter Deming, as Marshal in and for the city of Winfield, was read and approved by the council.
A bill of E. R. Evans, of five dollars, for services as deputy city marshal, from 5 o’clock p.m., May 12th, to 4 o’clock a.m., May 14th, 1876, was read and on motion was laid on the table.
Bill of B. F. Baldwin, forty-two and forty one hundredth dollars, for services as city clerk and stationery for the city, was read and approved and ordered paid.
On motion of M. G. Troup the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
[FOURTH OF JULY PREPARATIONS.]
Winfield Courier, June 1, 1876.
Last Saturday, pursuant to call, the citizens of Winfield met at the Courthouse and organized a meeting by calling D. A. Millington to the chair and electing C. M. McIntire secretary.
After deliberation as to what steps should be taken to appropriately celebrate the 4th of July of the Centennial year, the following committee was appointed to draft a plan of procedure and report to a meeting of citizens last night: James Kelly, J. P. Short, C. M. McIntire, W. B. Gibbs, and W. C. Robinson.
At the appointed hour, Wednesday evening, the meeting assembled at the Courthouse and organized by selecting C. A. Bliss, chairman, and J. E. Allen as secretary. The committee made a report which, after some amendments made by the meeting, was finally adopted.
General Superintendent: Prof. A. B. Lemmon.
County Historian: W. W. Walton.
Committee of Arrangements: C. M. Wood, M. L. Bangs, B. B. Vandeventer, John Lowry, J. D. Cochran.
Committee on Programme: H. D. Gans, E. P. Kinne, James Kelly, B. F. Baldwin, W. M. Allison.
Committee on Speakers: E. C. Manning, L. J. Webb, Chas. McIntire.
Committee on Finance: W. C. Robinson, W. P. Hackney, O. F. Boyle, M. G. Troup, J. C. Fuller.
Committee on Music: J. D. Pryor, Mrs. W. D. Roberts, Miss Mollie Bryant.
Committee on Toasts: A. J. Pyburn, J. E. Allen, J. P. Short, Dr. J. Hedrick.
Committee on Stand: W. E. Tansey, T. B. Myers, W. B. Gibbs.
Committee on Decoration: Frank Gallotti, John Swain, I. Randall, Mary Stewart, Jennie Greenlee, Ada Millington, Mrs. Rigby, Mrs. Mansfield.
Committee on Invitation: D. A. Millington, L. C. Harter, J. B. Lynn, C. A. Bliss, J. P. McMillen, H. S. Silver, A. H. Green, S. S. Majors, C. M. Scott, T. B. McIntire, R. C. Haywood, J. L. Abbott, John Blevins, T. R. Bryan, H. C. McDorman, Mc. D. Stapleton, S. M. Fall, J. Stalter, Wm. White, S. S. Moore, Jno. McGuire, H. P. Heath, J. O. Van Orsdol, G. B. Green, W. B. Skinner, J. W. Millspaugh.
Committee on Fireworks: G. S. Manser, T. K. Johnson, C. C. Haskins.
Meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the General Superintendent.
Winfield Courier, June 8, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., June 5th, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, May 15th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, and T. B. Myers, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk, J. E. Allen, City Attorney.
Minutes of previous meeting was read and approved.
The bill of C. A. Bliss, $1.75, for rope for public well, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of George Gray, 75 cents, for removing nuisance, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of W. L. Mullen, $10, for rent of room for pauper, was read, and on motion it was recommended that the Board of County Commissioners pay the same.
On motion of T. B. Myers the council resolved to notify Mr. Mullen that in the future it would not approve for more than $2.50 per month.
The bill of E. R. Evans, $5, for services as assistant marshal, was taken from the table and on motion was allowed in the sum $2.50, and that amount ordered to be paid.
On motion of M. G. Troup, the marshal was instructed to repair the pound, provided said repairs would be received in lieu of four months’ rent.
On motion of T. B. Myers, the Council ordered Mr. E. C. Manning to ascertain the feeling of the citizens of the city as to the propriety of appropriating $200 to $300 to be issued to assist in the preliminary work of securing a railroad into this valley, and report at the next meeting of the Council.
On motion of M. G. Troup, the Council instructed the marshal to notify the citizens of the city who own dogs, that unless the requirements of ordinance No. 55 are complied with on or before July 1st, 1876, the dogs will be dealt with as said ordinance provides.
On motion the matter of O. F. Boyle was referred to the committee on streets and alleys with instruction to comply with the request, if it can be done at a reasonable expense.
On motion the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, June 29, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., June 19, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, June 19th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers, and C. A. Bliss, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney, B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
The Marshal reported the proposition made by the Council at its last meeting to M. S. Bangs for the use of the pound as accepted by him, and that the repairs had been made.
Committee on streets and alleys reported the matter of O. F. Boyle, referred to at last meeting, as settled without cost to the city.
In pursuance to the request made by the City Council to Mr. E. C. Manning at its last meeting, he presented to the Council a petition containing sixty-six names of the citizens and taxpayers of the city, praying for the appropriation as mentioned in the minutes of last regular meeting.
Mr. T. K. Johnston presented a remonstrance containing the names of twenty-five remonstrating against the appropriation mentioned.
Mr. H. S. Silver handed a letter to the Council in regard to the same, and all being read, on motion of Councilman Lemmon, the petition, remonstrance, and letter were received by the council and ordered filed with the City Clerk.
On motion of councilman Lemmon, the matter of the above appropriation was laid on the table.
The bills of J. E. Allen, $25, for services as city attorney, from Nov. 1st, 1875, to May 1st, 1876, and Walter Denning, $25, for services as city marshal, May 8th, to June 8th, 1870, were read, approved, and ordered paid.
On motion of councilman Lemmon, the council ordered the city clerk to publish in the official city paper Ordinance No. 40 once before the coming 4th of July, that all parties may know the requirements of the same.
On motion of councilman Troup, the city attorney was instructed to prepare an ordinance for the protection of trees growing on the commons and in the streets and alleys of the city, and present the same to the council Monday evening, June 26, 1876.
On motion the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, July 6, 1876.
Ordinance No. 60.
An ordinance to protect public trees and shrubs in the City of Winfield.
SEC. 1. Any person who shall in any way injure or destroy any live tree or shrub standing or growing upon any street, sidewalk, avenue, alley, park, or public grounds within the corporate limits of the City of Winfield, shall, upon conviction, be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
SEC. 2. Any person having in charge or under his control or care, whether he be the owner or not, any cattle or stock of any kind who shall suffer or permit the same, or if the same shall injure or destroy, any live tree or shrub standing or growing upon any grounds within the corporate limits of the City of Winfield, shall, upon conviction, be fined in any sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars.
SEC. 3. This ordinance shall be in force and take effect after its publication in the Winfield COURIER.
Approved July 6th, 1876. D. A. MILLINGTON, Mayor.
Attest: B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, August 10, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Aug. 7, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, Aug. 7th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers, and M. G. Troup, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Bill of E. S. Bedilion, Clerk of District Court, $3.00, fees in case of city of Winfield versus S. Tarrant, that was referred to finance committee at last meeting, was reported favorably, and on motion was ordered paid.
Bill of J. W. Curns, police judge, fees in case of city of Winfield versus Joseph Likowski, $8.95, was read, and on motion of Councilman Troup, was referred back to him for an itemized account in full.
Bill of Burt Covert, fees as marshal, $4.00, boarding prisoner, $1.50, total $5.50, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of Geo. Grey, $3.25, for removing nuisance from the city, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of Walter Denning, $25.00, services as city marshal from June 8th to July 8th, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
On motion of M. G. Troup, the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, August 31, 1876.
Millington, Fuller, Kelly, and Buckman are the champion croquet players.
Winfield Courier, September 7, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., Sept. 4, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, Sept. 4th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; H. Brotherton, C. A. Bliss, and M. G. Troup, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Bills of George Grey, one for 40 cents and one for 50 cents, total 90 cents, for removing nuisances from the city, were read, and on motion, approved and ordered paid.
Bill of C. A. Bliss & Co., for well rope, 90 cents; bill of Walter Denning, for services as city marshal, $25.00; bill of B. F. Baldwin, for services as city clerk, $20.00; and bill of J. W. Curns, Police Judge, fee bill, in case of City of Winfield vs. Joseph Likowski, for $9.45, were all read, approved and ordered paid.
Bill of R. A. Burns, $4.00, for care of one Hudson, a pauper, was read and, on motion, the council recommended that the county commissioners pay the same.
The councils committee on fire department submitted the following report:
To the Mayor and City Council, Winfield, Kansas.
Gentlemen:
Your committee on fire department beg leave to submit the following recommendations:
1st. That the City Council take immediate steps to procure, for the use of the city, one “Little Giant” chemical engine, two dozen rubber buckets, one two-wheel truck for ladders, and the necessary equipage for a hook and ladder company.
2nd. That a convenient and safe place be secured, in which to keep the engine and other apparatus belonging to the fire department.
3rd. That a fire company be organized which shall become familiar with the management of the engine, and in case of a fire shall have entire control of all the machinery of the department and shall use the same as the officers of said company shall direct.
4th. It shall be the duty of the city marshal to see that the equipments for fighting fire be kept safe in their proper place and ready for use at any time. Respectfully submitted,
A. B. LEMMON, C. A. BLISS, Committee.
The report being read, on motion, was received by the council.
On motion of M. G. Troup, the fire committee were instructed to purchase one “Little Giant” chemical engine, No. 3, also one dozen rubber buckets for the use of the city.
On motion, the committee were also instructed to ascertain the cost of a truck, with hooks, axes, ladders, and all necessary equipage, to be gotten up and purchased here at home; were also instructed to find a suitable room, and probable cost of a room, where an engine and equipage can be kept safe, and to report on each at the next meeting of the council.
On motion, the council instructed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance providing for the organizing of a fire company in the city, and present the same to the council at its next regular meeting.
On motion of H. Brotherton, Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, October 5, 1876.
After the “office boys” had succeeded in sausaging that immense plate of wedding cake the Mayor brought over, one of them was heard to remark that he wished that a wedding would occur every week, until all the girls in town became angels or Saints. The boys wish the newly married couple a long and prosperous life.
MARRIED.
SAINT - MILLINGTON. On Wednesday evening, October 4th, at the residence of the bride’s father, by Rev. J. E. Platter, Mr. J. Ex. Saint and Miss Ada Millington. All of this city.
No cards.
At an early hour last evening a few intimate “friends of the family” assembled at the home of our Mayor to witness the nuptials of the happy pair and to see the unusual and unprecedented ceremonies attendant upon canonizing one of Winfield’s loveliest daughters, thereby placing her in the catalogue of Saints. It might be presumptive in us to say that nee Ada Millington has been the “guardian angel” of the family in which she has lived for a score of years, but we will be forgiven the prediction that she will become the “patron Saint” of the house in which she will henceforth abide. After the ceremonies the company repaired to the dining room and partook of a supper, such as only a Presbyterian minister, and occasionally an editor, is permitted to enjoy. The evening passed off pleasantly and the happy party, after expressing the wish that the lives of “the twain made one” would always be as roseate hued as their honey-moon, bade them a respectful good night and repaired to their homes thinking that “it was good to have been there.”
Winfield Courier, October 5, 1876.
The following attorneys are in attendance at the present term of court: M. S. Adams, of Wichita; L. B. Kellogg, of Emporia; C. R. Mitchell, A. Walton, and James Christian, of Arkansas City; James McDermott, Dexter; Webb & Torrance, Hackney & McDonald, Pyburn & Seward, D. A. Millington, J. M. Alexander, Jennings & Buckman, A. H. Green,
Pryor, Kager & Pryor, A. B. Lemmon, and John E. Allen, of Winfield.
Winfield Courier, October 5, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Oct. 3, 1876.
City Council met in regular session at the Clerk’s office, Oct. 3rd, 1876.
Present: M. G. Troup, chairman of the council; A. B. Lemmon, H. Brotherton, C. A. Bliss, and T. B. Myers, councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Committee on fire department reported they could secure a room for the safe-keeping of an engine, and that, in their opinion, a truck and equipage could be built at home for less money than could be bought of A. F. Spawn & Co., of New York. Reports were received, and on motion of H. Brotherton, the committee were instructed to have a truck built and furnish the same with axes, poles, and necessary equipage.
The following bills were presented to the council, read, approved, and ordered paid.
Walter Denning, services as city marshal from Aug. 8th to Sept. 8th: $25.00.
John Reynolds, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.
R. B. Pratt, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.
Jerry Evans, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.
Robert White, police, Sept. 16th: $1.00.
Bill of B. F. Baldwin, $13.10, against Cowley County, medicine for one W. Hudson, a pauper of Winfield Township and City, was read, and on motion the council recommended the county commissioners to pay the same.
Bill of W. L. Mullen, $20, house rent for Mrs. Bishop, a pauper of Winfield Township and City, was read and on motion the council recommended the county commissioners to allow the same to the amount of ten dollars.
Bill of J. E. Searl, $20, attention and care of same W. Hudson, a pauper, was read and on motion the council recommended the commissioners to pay the same.
D. A. Millington, mayor, taking the chair, the bill of Dr. W. R. Davis, $64.50, was read and council recommended the bill be allowed for $43, medical attendance on same Hudson, a pauper.
Bill of Robt. Hudson, $50, for board of same Hudson, a pauper, and attendance on same was read and council recommended the same to be allowed for $40.
A motion was made by Councilman Bliss that $30 be paid out of the city treasury to the Chicago Journal of Commerce for one cut of courthouse and for the advertising of the city of Winfield in said paper; vote being taken, stood as follows: Ayes, C. A. Bliss, M. G. Troup, and H. Brotherton. Nays, A. B. Lemmon and T. B. Myers. The motion being carried, the city clerk was instructed to credit the treasury with the same.
On motion council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, November 9, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KAN., Nov. 7, 1876.
City Council met at Clerk’s office, Nov. 6, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; A. B. Lemmon, C. A. Bliss, M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, and T. B. Myers, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
On motion the council appointed T. B. Myers, J. P. Short, and R. B. Pratt a committee to test the new fire engine and to report to the council the best manner to organize and conduct a fire company in the city of Winfield.
On motion the fire committee were instructed to procure a place for the safekeeping of the fire department.
On motion the City Clerk was instructed to draw a warrant on the Treasurer for $20.58 freight paid on the fire engine.
A bill presented to the Council by S. S. Majors for $41.50, care and board of one Hudson, a pauper, was read and on motion referred to the finance committee.
Bill of Sarah A. Fox, for $15.00, against Cowley County for care of Wm. Martin, a pauper, was read and on motion the council recommended the commissioners to pay the same.
Bill of George Brown, 75 cents, repairing city ladders, was read and ordered paid.
Bill of W. Denning, $50.00, for services as city marshal from Sept. 8th to Nov. 8th, 1876, was read, allowed, and ordered paid.
On motion the council adjourned to meet Saturday, Nov. 11, 1876, at 7 o’clock.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.
Thanksgiving.
This day was quite generally observed by our citizens. There was union service at the Courthouse in the morning which was quite generally attended. In the evening, service was conducted by Rev. Platter at the courthouse and Rev. Rushbridge at the stone church. Several dinners were gotten up for the purpose of entertaining special friends, and we believe nearly everybody in town tasted turkey during the day. The tables of Messrs. Mansfield, Millington, Greenlee, Bedilion, Black, Manning, and many others were spread for many more than the total number, while excellent dinners were served at the hotels and restaurants for regular boarders and their invited guests. There was but little business done in town and our streets wore a Sunday-like appearance.
[ORDINANCE NO. 61: ORGANIZING A FIRE DEPARTMENT.]
Winfield Courier, December 14, 1876.
Ordinance No. 61.
An Ordinance to organize and govern a Fire Department.
Be it Ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Winfield,
SECTION 1. That a Fire Department be organized for the city of Winfield, the officers of which shall be a Chief, an Engineer, a First Assistant Engineer, a second Assistant Engineer, a Captain, a First Lieutenant and a Second Lieutenant. The Chief, the Engineer, and the Captain shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the council, and shall hold their respective offices during the pleasure of the Mayor and council.
SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of the Chief at all times, to see that the inferior officers and the companies of the department perform their duties, and to report any deficiencies to the Mayor and council, to be instantly present at all fires and take full command of the fire department and of all persons who approach the fire and of all property in the vicinity, and to control and direct the means and expedients to be used to extinguish the fire, prevent its spread, and protect persons and property. He shall have power to enforce his orders by using such force as is necessary.
SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of the Engineer to enroll and to keep on the rolls, of such suitable persons as will volunteer, at least twelve persons, who shall, with himself, constitute an Engine Company, of which company he shall be the commanding officer, which company shall elect the First Assistant Engineer and the Second Assistant Engineer, and shall make such by-laws for their government, conduct, inferior officers, special duties and the tenure of office of the officers they elect, as they may deem expedient, consistent with the city ordinances and the laws of the State. It shall be the duty of the Engineer to see, at all times, that the members of his company do their duty, to see that the engine, hose, buckets, chemicals, and other equipments connected with the apparatus for extinguishing fires, are at all times in proper order and ready for action, to call his company together as often as needed and drill them in their respective duties, to be instantly present with his company, hose, buckets, and other equipments at all fires, and to supervise the operations of his company. In case of the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer shall be Acting Chief, with the full powers and duties of Chief.
SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of the Captain to enroll, and keep on the rolls, of such suitable persons as shall volunteer, at least twelve persons, who shall, with himself, constitute a Hook and Ladder Company, of which company he shall be the commanding officer, which company shall elect the First Lieutenant and the Second Lieutenant, and shall make such by-laws for their government, conduct, inferior officers, special duties and the tenure of office of the officers elected by them, as they may deem expedient, consistent with the city ordinances and State laws. It shall be the duty of the Captain to see, at all times, that the members of his company do their duty, to see that the truck, ladders, hooks, ropes, axes, and other implements and equipments connected with the scaling or demolition of buildings are at all times in proper order and ready for action, to call his company together as often as needed and drill them in their respective duties; to be instantly present with his company, truck, ladders, hooks, ropes, axes, and other implements, at all fires, and to supervise the operations of his company. In case of the absence or disability of the Chief and the Engineer, the Captain shall be Acting Chief, with the full powers and duties of Chief.
SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of the First Assistant Engineer to perform the duties of the Engineer when that officer is absent, disabled, or acting as Chief. In the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer, and the Captain, he shall act as Chief with the full powers and duties of Chief.
SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of the First Lieutenant to perform the duties of Captain when that officer is absent, disabled, or acting as Chief. In the absence or disability of the Chief, the Engineer, the Captain, and the First Assistant Engineer, he shall act as Chief with the full powers and duties of Chief.
SECTION 7. The Second Assistant Engineer, in the absence of disability of the First Assistant Engineer and the Engineer, shall perform the duties of the Engineer; and in case of the absence or disability of all the officers mentioned in Section 6, he shall be Acting Chief.
SECTION 8. The Second Lieutenant in the absence or disability of the Captain and First Lieutenant shall be acting Captain, and in case of the absence or disability of all the officers mentioned in the two preceding sections shall be acting Chief.
SECTION 9. It shall be the duty of each member of each company to become familiar with his duties by drill and practice as soon as practicable, to be instantly present at all fires, and to obey promptly the orders of the officers of the fire department.
SECTION 10. It shall be the duty of all persons who approach the vicinity of a fire to observe order and obey the orders of the officers of the fire department, and assist in the work of the department promptly and faithfully, when called on by the officers so to do.
SECTION 11. Any person who shall disturb the operations of the department at a fire by making noise, or hindering or interfering with its work, or who shall disobey the lawful orders of its officers, shall be punished by fine not exceeding fifty dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding ten days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 12. It shall, at all times, be the duty of the Marshal to keep the property of the fire department in its proper place when not in use, to put the apparatus in proper order for work and so keep it at all times. to attend all fires and act as police under the direction of the Chief.
SECTION 13. The city of Winfield is divided into four fire districts by lines drawn through the city along the center of Main street and along the center of Ninth Avenue. The southeast district is numbered one (1), the northeast district is numbered two (2), the northwest district is numbered three (3), and the southwest district is numbered four (4).
SECTION 14. It shall be the duty of all persons knowing of a fire in progress to cry the alarm “Fire,” and the numeral indicating the number of the district in which the fire is located. Also to immediately cause the bells to be rung, the alarm and the number indicating the district of the fire, in the order as follows, to-wit: Alarm, short pause, number, short pause; repeat, indefinitely. The bell alarm shall be six to eight rapid strokes, and the bell numbering of the district shall be one toll for district 1, two tolls for district 2, etc. It shall be the special duty of such persons as are regularly employed by any authority to ring the bell at the Courthouse, on hearing the alarm of fire, to repair at once to the Courthouse and ring the bell in accordance with the above directions, superseding any other person he or they may find ringing the bell.
SECTION 15. Any person who shall ring any bell in the manner described in section 14 at any time, except as in that section authorized, or specially authorized by the Mayor for practice, and any person who shall ring the Courthouse bell in any manner after 9 o’clock in the evening or before 5 o’clock in the morning, without special permit from the Mayor, or shall raise a false alarm of fire in any manner, shall pay to the city a fine not exceeding $25 and not less than $3.00, or be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding ten days, or both such fine and imprisonment for each such offense.
SECTION 16. The Clerk is authorized to procure 200 printed cards, on which shall be described the several fire districts and the manner of cry and bell alarms herein prescribed, and the regulations herein concerning the ringing of bells, which cards shall be distributed to the citizens of Winfield for their information.
SECTION 17. The sum of $85 is hereby appropriated from the city treasury to pay for building an engine house on the west end of lot 1, block 109, and to pay for the use of the ground on which it stands for two years in advance; and the property of the city connected with the fire department shall be housed, stored, and properly secured in said building, which building shall be the property of the city.
SECTION 18. The engine house shall be secured by a lock having 8 keys only, and the Chief, the Engineer, the Captain, the 1st assistant engineer, the 1st Lieutenant, the 2nd assistant engineer, the 2nd Lieutenant, and the Marshal shall each have charge of one of the keys, and shall always have it with him.
SECTION 19. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication once in the Winfield COURIER. D. A. MILLINGTON, MAYOR.
Attest: B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Approved Dec. 8, 1876.
Winfield Courier, December 21, 1876.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, Dec. 4, 1876.
City Council met at Clerk’s office, Dec. 4, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; A. B. Lemmon, C. A. Bliss, H. Brotherton, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney; and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Bill of James Kirk, $37.00, for ladder trucks for the City, and repairing ladder, 50 cents, total $37.50, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
On motion the council adjourned to meet Dec. 6th at 6 o’clock, p.m.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
The City Council met in adjourned session.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; Lemmon, Bliss, Brotherton, and Myers, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney; and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
The committee appointed to report on place of organization of fire department made their report, which was read by the clerk, and on motion the report was received, placed on file, and the committee discharged.
The Mayor, with the consent of the Council, appointed T. B. Myers to procure names preparatory to organizing a fire company and H. S. Silvers to procure names for the organization of a Hook and Ladder Company to report at the next adjourned meeting of the Council.
On motion the Council adjourned to meet on Dec. 8th, 1876.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
City Council met in adjourned session Dec. 8th, 1876.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; Myers, Brotherton, Lemmon, Troup, and C. A. Bliss, Councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney; and B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Bill of W. Denning, $25, for services as City Marshal, Nov. 8th to Dec. 8th, 1876 was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Bill of E. C. Manning, $11, for City printing, was read, approved, and ordered paid.
Ordinance No. 61 was read and passed by sections. Vote on final passage was, ayes: Lemmon, Troup, Bliss, Brotherton, and Myers. Nays: none.
Ordinance No. 61 was duly approved by the Mayor. In accordance with ordinance No. 61, the Mayor with the consent and recommendation of the Council, appointed R. L. Walker as Chief of the fire department of the city of Winfield, T. B. Myers, Engineer, and H. S. Silvers as Captain, of said fire department.
On motion the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1877.
MR. D. A. MILLINGTON, one of Winfield’s most prominent and successful attorneys, thinks Cowley County must and will have a railroad within the next eighteen months.
Winfield Courier, January 25, 1877. Editorial Page.
E. C. MANNING, EDITOR.
[ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MILLINGTON.]
RAILROADS.
The writer does not imagine that the readers of the COURIER are very eager to learn his opinions on the subject of railroads, but as some persons of sufficient consequence to circulate incorrect statements concerning them—statements which he conceives will tend to divert public attention from the facts and prevent from arriving harmoniously at a practical plan to procure the construction of a railroad into this county in the shortest possible time, he will here state some of his opinions on the subject as concisely as possible.
We have been waiting for six years for some company operating a railroad in this State, or some Eastern company, or some company of capitalists, to make us a proposition. We have been hoping that some company having immense capital at their command would see the great advantages they could gain by investing their money in a railroad in this county.
We have indeed received many propositions, but always from companies having no money at command which they would or could put into such a road. One of these propositions we have accepted and voted conditionally $150,000 in the bonds of our county, or at the rate of $5,000 per mile. Other counties also voted aid, and thus $5,000 per mile was secured for the whole line from Junction City to Arkansas City, and some grading was done.
The company then went to work to enlist capitalists in the undertaking, and though they were men of influence in financial circles and labored faithfully for many months, they utterly failed to convince any company of capitalists that the franchise of $5,000 per mile was sufficient to make the road worth the balance of its cost when completed. No capitalists would accept of the franchises as a gift and build the road, and the result was an entire failure.
This and other experiences, whether we saw it or not, showed conclusively that capitalists would not invest in the capital stock of any road to our county.
We then hoped that the A., T. & S. F., the M., K. & T., the L., L. & G., or some other road already built would see that they would make great sums of money by building a branch to us, but our experience for the last year shows, whether we see it or not, that no such thing is ever likely to occur until we are first sure of some other road.
We have now spent more than one year in making inquiries and collecting information about railroad building in the West, the cost, mode of raising the means, earnings, market value of capital stock and of mortgage bonds, condition of companies which propose to build, and other matters bearing on the subject.
We have had interviews with the officers of about twenty railroad companies which propose to build in this direction, and now we ought to understand the subject much better than we did eighteen months ago.
We have found that the stock of Western railroads is worth nothing, or next to nothing in the market. Even the Hannibal and St. Jo, and the Ohio and Mississippi, both on through routes, and doing exceptionally good business, are not much better, the stock of the former selling at 13, of the latter at 6 cents on the dollar, while even the land grant roads in this State, the L., L. & G. stock, is unsalable at any price; the M., K. & T. is but little better, the K. P. next, and the A., T. & S. F., best, selling for 12 to 17 cents on the dollar; and we have not been able to find that any road in Kansas is doing business enough to pay a fair interest on the total cost of construction, or even to pay up the interest on its mortgage bonds.
We have found that very few roads in the West, and none in Kansas, other than two or three having large land grants, not excepting the Wichita branch, have ever been built either in whole or in part with Eastern capital, or the capital of any other company.
We have found that no company even proposes to build any kind of road in this direction in any other way and with any other means than those that the citizens, counties, and other municipalities along the line of the road raise cash enough by private subscriptions and voting bonds, to procure the right of way, grade, bridge, and tie the road ready for the rails, which road bed is to be mortgaged for money enough to iron and equip the road; and we concluded that this is the only way we shall ever get a road.
We have found that on the most favorable route, that down the Walnut Valley, it will cost $3,500 per mile to make the road bed through Butler and Cowley, and that in an eastern or northern direction from Winfield, it will cost about $6,000 per mile cash to make such bed for a standard gauge.
We have found that there is no hope of such road down the valley, at least until we get another, and that there is no hope of being able to raise $6,000, or even $4,000 a mile in cash along the line of the road to the east.
We have found also that even if said sum of $6,000 per mile should be raised for such road and the road bed be made, yet it would require the issue of at least $10,000 per mile of the mortgage bonds of the road to iron it and put it in operation; that the mortgage bonds of such roads are very low in the market, nominally at 10 to 50 cents on the dollar, but really unsalable, owing to the fact that such roads have failed to pay the interest on the bonds, and some of them have been foreclosed, and we conclude the bonds could not be sold and the iron and equipments could not be procured. We know of one road in this State that is in precisely that condition.
The best Kansas railroad mortgage bonds are the L., L. & G., 18 cents, the M. K. & T., 60 cents, the K. P., 40 to 65 cents, and the A. T. & S. F., 82 cents, all land grant roads, and all have failed to pay their interest for the last three years.
We therefore conclude that it is utterly impossible for us to get a standard gauge road, and that the sooner we adopt and act upon the conclusion unitedly, the sooner we shall take hold of something that is possible and push it to success.
The writer is in favor of any road we can get, but is not in favor of fooling away year after year upon absurdities, and in being cajoled by railroad companies, which only desire to keep us from getting a road at all.
It is high time that the leaders of public opinion in this county should inform themselves and act rationally and unitedly instead of lying back on their prejudices and howling at those who are taking the trouble and expense of collecting the facts.
MILLINGTON.
Winfield Courier, February 15, 1877.
The first regular meeting of the Philomatic society of Winfield, will be held at the Courthouse on Tuesday evening, Feb. 20, 1877.
PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING.
1. Miscellaneous Business.
2. Regular Business.
3. Music.
4. Essay—By D. A. Millington.
5. Music.
6. Discussion of the question:
Resolved, That the right of suffrage should be restricted by property and educational qualifications.
Affirmative, Rev. J. L. Rushbridge.
Negative, W. P. Hackney.
7. Music.
8. Scientific and Historical questions by the audience, to be answered by some persons appointed at the next meeting.
9. Report of Committee on programme.
Exercises to begin at 7 o’clock, p.m. All are invited to attend.
J. F. JENNINGS, Pres.
O. M. SEWARD, Secy.
Winfield Courier, February 15, 1877.
RAILROAD MEETING.
The taxpayers of Winfield Township are requested to meet at the Courthouse in Winfield on Saturday, February 17th, at 2 o’clock, p.m., to discuss and vote upon the following resolution.
Resolved, That the taxpayers of Winfield Township who are in the meeting assembled, request the members of the State Legislature from this county to use all honorable means to so amend Section 5, of Chapter 107, of the laws of 1876, that counties having no railroad indebtedness may avail themselves of the provisions of that act by a majority vote.
Also, to take such other action to promote the railroad interests of this county as the meeting shall deem advisable.
JAS. E. PLATTER, D. A. MILLINGTON, J. WADE McDONALD, J. B. LYNN.
Members of Railroad Committee.
WHO ARE DISAPPOINTED.
Winfield Courier, February 22, 1877. Editorial Page.
The taxpayers and farmers of Winfield Township are grievously disappointed at the action of Saturday’s meeting. They are no more so than the same class of men all over the county. It is a common cause. That our readers may see that our conclusions are justified, we give the names of the following heaviest taxpayers in town, who were in favor of a change of the law, and who have so expressed themselves: C. A. Bliss, C. C. Black, Dr. W. R. Davis, Col. J. M. Alexander, J. C. Fuller, J. B. Lynn, Dr. W. Q. Mansfield, B. F. Baldwin, D. A. Millington, Rev. J. E. Platter, J. P. Short, S. H. Myton, E. C. Manning, R. Hudson, W. L. Mullen, Wm. Rodgers, Max Shoeb, Ira Moore, J. P. McMillen, J. M. Bair, J. S. Hunt.
Besides these gentlemen there is a large class of smaller taxpayers in town of the same mind. Outside of the city limits four-fifths of the farmers are in favor of a change in the law.
A DEMAGOGUE’S DODGE.
Winfield Courier, February 22, 1877. Editorial Page.
Last Saturday Bill Hackney said in his speech at the railroad meeting that the Legislature would adjourn on last Monday, the 19th inst., and that it would do no good to ask the Legislature to change the bond law, for the proceedings of that meeting could not get to Topeka before adjournment day. When he made that statement, he knew it was not true. The Legislature will not adjourn before the 1st of March.
Winfield Courier, March 1, 1877.
The Telegram is mistaken. D. A. Millington knew nothing of the letter over the signature of “Stranger” until it appeared in the COURIER.
Winfield Courier, March 15, 1877.
City Council Proceedings.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, March 5, 1877.
City Council met at City Clerk’s office, March 5th, 1877.
Present: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers, and C. A. Bliss, councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of all previous meetings not approved were read and approved.
Report of W. Denning, road overseer, was read and, on motion, referred to Council’s committee on streets and alleys.
Bill of S. S. Major, $41.50, for care of Hudson, pauper, was reported on by finance committee, and, on motion, the bill was rejected.
Bill of H. Jochems, for hardware for city, was reported on by the finance committee and, on motion, the same was allowed and ordered paid. Amount of bill $2.42.
The following bills were read, allowed, and ordered paid: Bliss, Earnest & Co., merchandise for city, $4.50; Geo. W. Crane, 1,000 city receipts and 1,000 city warrants, bound, $16.20; B. F. Baldwin, city clerk and merchandise, $32.90; W. Denning, city marshal, $50.00; R. B. Pratt, use of pound, $4.00; J. E. Allen, city attorney, $37.50.
On motion of Councilman Troup the city attorney was instructed to prepare and submit to the council, at its next meeting, an ordinance in relation to transient auctioneers, also an ordinance authorizing the calling of a city election to be held in April next.
On motion the Council adjourned.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, March 29, 1877. Editorial Page.
THE MEMPHIS, PARSONS & ELLSWORTH R. R.,
WESTERN BRANCH.
Last Saturday Messrs. Millington and Manning returned from a nine days visit to the eastern part of the State in search of a railroad. They visited Fredonia and interviewed the company which is building a railroad from Chanute to Fredonia. From thence they visited Oswego and learned the prospects of an extension from that point, and then to Parsons and learned the situation there. After fully advising themselves upon all the projects that point in this direction, every consideration prompted them to report in favor of the Parsons line.
We give the principle reasons for this conclusion, to-wit: The company can build the road to Winfield within the next eighteen months; the line from Cherokee to Parsons is now in process of construction (28 miles). The parties, Messrs. R. B. Kimbell, G. H. Power, and W. H. Balt, of New York, who have the contract for bridging, ironing, and equipping that twenty-eight miles, were in Parsons at the time Messrs. Millington and Manning were there and wanted to close the contract to build to Winfield, but at the suggestion of Millington and Manning, the Parsons company left the matter open for future and better negotiations; elections have been called in the townships west of Parsons for township bonds as far as the east line of Elk County; Elk County will vote county bonds to the company within the next fifty days; (township petitions in Elk County have already been signed up, but since the bond law is changed to a majority vote, they have concluded to vote county bonds.).
Besides these reasons, this Parsons line connects with three roads already built and will ultimately connect with the fourth, to-wit: The L. L. & G., the M. K. & T.; the Mo. R. Ft. S. & Gulf and the A. & P. Added to this are the facts that a direct narrow gauge road from Cherokee to St. Louis is now being worked up through the counties of Missouri, also a direct line from Cherokee to Memphis, both of which in all probability will be built within three years.
The Parsons company asked Messrs. Millington and Manning to at once call an election in this county to vote aid to their line and desired to send its general manager over here with them to agree upon terms, amount, etc., but the company was told that such a step would be premature, because the people of Cowley County did not want to vote aid to any railroad enterprise until the bonds therefor had been voted along the railroad line up to the Cowley County line.
Had this answer not been given them, the company would now have petitions in circulation in this county. However, since public sentiment seems to demand that a vote be taken at once on the proposition, petitions to vote aid to this line will be put in circulation within one week.
If Cowley County is to have but one road, it much prefers one from the east.
Winfield Courier, April 12, 1877.
WINFIELD, KAN., April 4, 1877.
City council met at the city clerk’s office, April 4th, 1877.
PRESENT: D. A. Millington, Mayor; M. G. Troup, H. Brotherton, T. B. Myers, and C. A. Bliss, councilmen; J. E. Allen, City Attorney, B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
Minutes of all previous meetings not approved were read and approved.
The following bills were read, approved, and ordered paid.
Judges of City election—C. A. Bliss, $2.00; T. B. Myers, $2.00; H. Brotherton, $2.00.
W. O. Lipscomb, Clerk of City election: $2.00
O. S. Record, Clerk of City election: $2.00
T. J. Jones, painting engine house: $12.00
Finance committee reported favorably on bill of Mr. Frank Williams, referred to them at last regular meeting of the council, and on motion the bill was allowed and ordered paid.
Committee on streets and alleys reported on the report of the road overseer and stated that so far as they could ascertain the report was correct, and that they had seen all the delinquents who promised to work or pay the money when called on.
On motion of councilman Troup, the report was received and the marshal instructed to notify all who were delinquent on road work, and that any who did not work, when notified, or pay the same to the marshal within twenty-four hours thereafter, that he make complaint before the police judge against such persons.
The committee reported unfavorable on the petitions of Mr. R. B. Wait, asking the vacating of certain streets and alleys in the city. Councilman Troup moved that the report of the committee be received and that no action further be taken in the matter by the present acting council. After considerable discussion on both sides of the question, the motion was carried.
The yearly report of the city treasurer, filed with the city clerk, was read and on motion received, and the city clerk instructed to have the same published in the Winfield COURIER, and to file the original in his office, to be delivered, together with the vouchers accompanying the same to the next city council.
The council then proceeded to canvass the vote held on April 2, 1877, for the election of city officers, resulting as follows.
R. L. Walker, having received the highest number of votes for Mayor, was declared duly elected.
John W. Curns, having received the highest number of votes for Police Judge, was declared duly elected.
A. G. Wilson, A. E. Baird, H. Jochems, C. M. Wood, and S. C. Smith, having received the highest number of votes for councilmen, were declared duly elected, and the city clerk instructed to furnish each of the above named persons with a certificate of election.
On motion the Council adjourned sine die.
B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 12, 1877.
WINFIELD, KAN., April 6, 1877.
City Council met at the Mayor’s office pursuant to a special call of the Council April 6th, 1877.
Present: R. L. Walker, Mayor; A. G. Wilson, H. Jochems, A. E. Baird, C. M. Wood, and S. C. Smith, Councilmen; B. F. Baldwin, City Clerk.
The Clerk read the call for the special meeting and the Council proceeded with the special business by electing S. C. Smith President of the Council.
The Clerk read the following appointments made by the Mayor for the subordinate city offices for the year: City Attorney, J. E. Allen; City Clerk, B. F. Baldwin; City Treasurer, J. C. Fuller; City Marshal, J. D. Cochran.
B. F. Baldwin thanked the Mayor for the appointment of City Clerk, but owing to business of his that employed all his spare time, withdrew his name and suggested the name of Henry E. Asp to the Mayor, who was appointed.
On motion of Councilman Wood, the council proceeded to vote on the confirmation of appointments by ballot, resulting in the unanimous confirmation of the appointments except that of Henry E. Asp, as clerk, which stood three for and two against. A majority having voted for all the appointments, they were declared duly appointed.
The Mayor appointed three standing committees for the year, as follows, to-wit:
Finance Committee. S. C. Smith, H. Jochems, and A. G. Wilson.
Committee on Streets and Alleys. A. E. Baird, H. Jochems, and C. M. Wood.
Fire Committee. C. M. Wood, S. C. Smith, and A. G. Wilson.
There being no other business for which the meeting was called, on motion the Council adjourned. B. F. BALDWIN, City Clerk.
Winfield Courier, April 26, 1877. Editorial Page.
STATEMENT OF THE R. R. COMMITTEE.
The undersigned, a railroad committee chosen by the citizens of Winfield, having learned that certain persons opposed to the projected road from Parsons to Winfield and advocates of a road from Emporia to Arkansas City, via Nennescah, have circulated reports that Messrs. Eskridge and Young, at a conference with the committee holden a few weeks since, offered to so modify their proposition, that county bonds voted in aid of the Emporia road via Winfield should not be issued until a certain part of the road should be built in Cowley County, we positively deny that any such offer has ever been made to us by Messrs. Eskridge, Young, or any other person authorized by them.
They insisted that bonds should be issued and placed in escrow.
We further affirm that this committee never refused to entertain a proposition from the Emporia road, but on the contrary at the very first conference with the representatives of this company, we offered to support $100,000 in county bonds for their road (allowing townships chiefly interested to make up the $20,000 additional), providing the objectionable conditions were withdrawn.
We made this offer in good faith and in no way contingent upon any east and west proposition.
This is much better than the terms they are now pretending to accept from the townships to which they are now making propositions and shows that if bad faith exists anywhere, it is on the part of this company and indicates a deliberate purpose to discriminate against Winfield.
The committee never have withdrawn this offer and the only difference between this committee and the representatives of this road is that we would not give the $20,000 additional and they would not consent to the withdrawal of the escrow and litigation clauses.
Messrs. Eskridge and Young never asked for a public meeting to be held in the interest of this road.
S. C. SMITH; W. Q. MANSFIELD; FRANK WILLIAMS; J. E. ALLEN; D. A. MILLINGTON, acting for E. C. MANNING; M. L. ROBINSON, acting for J. E. PLATTER.
run also hope the present bond proposition will fail.
Winfield Courier, May 10, 1877.
The following are the attorneys in attendance at the Cowley County district court now in session: L. J. Webb, J. E. Allen, D. A. Millington, Jennings & Buckman, E. S. Torrance, Hackney & McDonald, James McDermott, A. H. Green, Pyburn & Seward, J. M. Alexander, Pryor & Pryor, Henry E. Asp, Linus S. Webb, of Winfield; C. R. Mitchell, E. B. Kager, James Christian, of Arkansas City; A. L. Redden, of Eldorado; M. S. Adams, of Wichita; J. D. McBrian, of Sedan, Chautauqua County; J. M. White, of Howard City, Elk County.
Winfield Courier, May 24, 1877.
The lightning killed a mule belonging to Mr. Slemmons, at the Vernon schoolhouse Saturday night. Messrs. Millington, Jennings, Kelly, Seward, and railroad speakers from Arkansas City and Emporia were there. It’s kind of funny that the lightning selected that mule.
EDITORS: MILLINGTON AND LEMMON.
Winfield Courier, July 12, 1877.
Winfield Courier, July 19, 1877.
A Lawn Party will be held at the residence of D. A. Millington, Esq., on Tuesday evening July 26th, 1877.
Winfield Courier, July 19, 1877.
Addresses, upon topics of special and general interest, will be given by Rev. Rushbridge, Fleming, Platter, Wingar, and by D. A. Millington on the 13th of August. Doctor C. E. Pomeroy, President of the Emporia Normal School, will address the teachers and citizens. An examination of teachers on the 30th and 31st will close the labors of the Normal.
Winfield Courier, July 26, 1877.
The lawn social at the grounds of D. A. Millington on Tuesday evening was the finest affair of the season.
[Note: The only acknowledgment by Manning that Millington has taken over the control of the COURIER appears in “Personals” in August 23, 1877, edition.]
[PERSONALS.]
Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877.
To Courier Readers.
All subscribers to the COURIER who are in arrears for subscription will please settle the same up to September 1st, 1877, on my account. Mr. D. A. Millington, at the COURIER office, will receive the same for me for the next thirty days. Accounts not paid at that time will be left with an attorney for collection. E. C. MANNING.
Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877.
Mr. D. A. Millington will lecture before the teachers and citizens at the Courthouse on Friday evening next. Subject: Prairie and Forest Fires.
NOTE: Now we get the answer to who is handling paper...
Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877.
THE COURIER COMPANY is composed of D. A. Millington, James Kelly, and A. B. Lemmon, who will jointly edit and conduct the business of the COURIER. Job work, subscriptions and advertisements are respectfully solicited.
Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877.
Farm for Sale.
400 acres of choice upland, in Sheridan Township, 12 miles east of Winfield. Inquire at this office, of D. A. MILLINGTON.
Winfield Courier, August 30, 1877.
The District Court commenced its session on Monday with a light docket, and it is to be hoped that it will be cleared up this week. The following members of the bar present: Hon. W. P. Campbell, Judge; E. S. Bedilion, Clerk; R. L. Walker, Sheriff; M. S. Adams, of Wichita, C. R. Mitchell, E. B. Kager, and A. Walton, of Arkansas City; J. McDermott, County Attorney, J. E. Allen, A. J. Pyburn, O. M. Seward, W. M. Boyer, L. J. Webb, W. P. Hackney, J. W. McDonald, E. S. Torrance, H. E. Asp, D. A. Millington, S. D. Pryor, J. D. Pryor, F. S. Jennings, G. H. Buckman, and A. H. Green, of Winfield, attorneys.
Winfield Courier, August 30, 1877.
Town Lots For Sale cheap. Inquire of D. A. Millington, at the COURIER office.
Winfield Courier, September 6, 1877.
DIED. Mrs. Mary Smith, mother of Mrs. Millington, of this city, died at Belle Plaine, Iowa, on the 28th of August, at the advanced age of 84 years. Hers has been a very eventful life, in many scenes of which she has manifested heroic fortitude, as well as the more tender graces and virtues of womanhood, and she has ever enjoyed the love, respect, and admiration of all her acquaintances. She was an enthusiastic and consistent member of the M. E. church.
Excerpts...
Winfield Courier, September 13, 1877.
The Normal Institute.
In addition to the regular exercises, a course of lectures was given by some of the most eminent men of the State and county on moral, educational, and scientific subjects. These lectures were well attended and very highly appreciated. Dr. Pomeroy, Prof. Kellogg, D. A. Millington, Esq., Rev. J. E. Platter, Rev. J. L. Rushbridge, and Rev. C. J. Adams filled the different appointments in this course.
Beginning with this issue:
THE WINFIELD COURIER PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY BY MILLINGTON & LEMMON.
Winfield Courier, September 20, 1877.
D. A. MILLINGTON AND A. B. LEMMON, Editors.
Winfield Courier, September 27, 1877.
Mr. Millington, editor of this paper, has gone to Eldorado and Wichita, accompanied by Mrs. Millington. They will attend the Wichita exposition.
Winfield Courier, November 8, 1877.
For U. S. circuit court convening at Topeka Nov. 26th the following named persons were drawn as jurors [LISTING ONLY TWO]: Tell W. Walton, D. A. Millington.
Winfield Courier, November 29, 1877.
MILLINGTON & LEMMON, EDITORS.
Butler County.
ELDORADO, Nov. 23, 1877.
I found the people here excited about the coal discoveries. The oil company claim that they have drilled through more than three feet of coal at the depth of seventy-three feet. Bent Murdock showed me a sample of superior coal, not anthracite, but better than any Kansas coal I ever saw—compact and hard. He said he knew it came out of the bore. I judge that he is not fully satisfied that it is a bona fide affair. I regard it possible that the company or some interested person may have procured the coal from some other source and repeatedly placed some of it in the bore of the drills. One reason for suggesting this idea is that the coal is so different from anything I should expect to find here. The citizens have the consent of the company to sink a well; have an offer of well-diggers to sink a well four feet in diameter to the depth of eighty feet for $285, and propose to raise the money at once, sink the well, and test the matter, so there shall be no doubt about the matter. If such a vein as is claimed has
been reached, it will be of inestimable value to Butler County, and even to Cowley.
D. A. M. [MILLINGTON]
Winfield Courier, November 29, 1877.
C. H. LAMB.
As I passed through Douglass today (Nov. 23rd) C. H. Lamb was dying. He was one of the first settlers of Douglass and a prominent and highly respected citizen, well known to many people of Cowley. He has always been quite delicate in health and physical strength, but of a fine mental organization. He was incapable of much physical labor, but was an excellent penman, and was nominated by the Republican convention before the late election as candidate for Register of Deeds of Butler County.
Some candidates who were defeated in that convention had the meanness to put up a candidate in opposition and canvass the county thoroughly against Lamb, circulating false reports about his getting drunk, with other charges, and succeeded in beating him by an overwhelming majority. The exertions and excitement of the canvass, the terrible disappointment of the defeat, and, probably a cold, were too much for one so constituted, and he fell a victim to the treachery of men who should have supported him.
When a man shoots down another in cold blood, or steals a horse, the law takes hold of and punishes him, but when one is killed by treachery and carefully guarded, cowardly slander, there is no law that can reach the case. Even public sentiment is lenient and excuses the offender.
Our political atmosphere is foul with such crimes. If a man is a candidate for office, then it is that stories of vice and fraud are circulated against him by persons who otherwise are considered respectable, and who excuse themselves with the plea that all is fair in politics. It is one of the mysteries that anyone will believe stories circulated at such a time, but the result always shows that they are believed, that the poison always work, and sometimes fatally. D. A. M.
Winfield Courier, November 29, 1877.
D. A. Millington and wife, father and mother of Mrs. A. B. Lemmon, arrived in town yesterday. Mr. Millington is Mr. Lemmon’s partner in the Winfield COURIER. They will remain about two weeks. Commonwealth of Nov. 24th.
Winfield Courier, November 29, 1877.
The editor, Mr. Millington, accompanied by his wife and Master Bertie Flint, started for Topeka last Friday morning. Mr. Millington will be gone something over a week, while Mrs. Millington will remain at the capital about four weeks visiting her daughters, Mrs. Lemmon and Miss Jessie.
Winfield Courier, December 13, 1877.
Winfield Socially.
The coming winter bids fair to be the most pleasant, socially, that Winfieldians have ever experienced. Many changes have taken place in the circle of young folks since the good old frontier days. New and attractive young ladies and gentlemen have settled amongst us, giving to Winfield an air of city life and gaiety when they meet “in convention assembled.” The recent Thanksgiving ball was followed so closely by Miss Kate Millington’s “dancing party,” and both so largely attended, that the indications are that those “who look for pleasure can hope to find it here” this winter. The last mentioned party, to use a stereotyped expression, was a “brilliant success.” Probably of all the gay and charming gatherings that have “tripped the fantastic,” etc., in our city, this was the most pleasant. The music was excellent, the refreshments good, and the polite and attentive demeanor of the fair hostess most agreeable.
The following persons were fortunate enough to be present at this party: Judge W. P. Campbell, of Wichita; W. W. Walton, of Topeka; Herman Kiper, of Atchison; Fred C. Hunt, W. C. Walker, Bert Crapster, Ed. P. Greer, Charley Harter, J. C. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. J. Holloway, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Harter, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Baird, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Earnest, Mr. and Mrs. James Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Thompson, Miss Ina Daniels, S. Suss, Josephine E. Mansfield, G. E. Walker, Mary McGaughy, M. B. Wallis, Fannie Wallis, Wilbur Dever, Maggie J. Dever, W. C. Root, Jennie Hahn, W. Gillelen, Mattie Coldwell, J. N. Harter, Carrie Olds, T. C. Copeland, Katie McGaughy, O. M. Seward, Nora Coldwell, Dr. Strong, Amie Bartlett.
Of course, they one and all enjoyed themselves; wished the occasion might be often repeated, and voted (in their minds at least) Miss Kate to be the most “social campaign organizer” in the city.
Winfield Courier, January 10, 1878.
Mrs. Millington returned on last Friday from her long visit to Topeka.
Winfield Courier, February 14, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
D. A. Millington and wife to M. L. Bangs, lot 15, blk. 88, Winfield.
D. A. Millington and wife to D. T. Long, lot 12, blk. 166, Winfield.
Winfield Courier, February 28, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
D. A. Millington and wife to Geo. Bergdorf, lot 4, block 187, Winfield.
Winfield Courier, March 7, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
M. G. Troup, county clerk, furnishes the following report.
Mary A. Millington and husband to Henry Rowland, Winfield, lot 4, block 146, $50.
Mary A. Millington and husband to Mary Morris, Winfield, lot 1 and e. ½ of 2 block 150, $90.
Winfield Courier, April 4, 1878.
THE GREENBACK QUESTION.
Last Thursday night a greenback meeting was held at the Brane schoolhouse in Pleasant Valley Township. The speakers were all from Winfield. Mr. Payson read a well composed and considered paper advocating greenbacks in general. Mr. Coldwell next spoke in a stirring speech, treating thoroughly on the greenback theory. Mr. Hamilton, the canvassing agent for the Winfield COURIER, followed with some fervent remarks favoring the greenback doctrine to its fullest extent. He then made a motion that Mr. Payson’s paper be published in the Winfield COURIER. This brought Mr. Coldwell to his feet with the question, “Is the COURIER a greenback paper?” In reply Mr. Hamilton said, “It is, and Mr. Millington is in favor of an unlimited amount of greenbacks worth one hundred cents on the dollar.”
Pleasant Valley Correspondence of the Traveler.
Mr. Hamilton, of course, could only give his opinion of the position of the COURIER or its editors as any other man might do, but he hit the nail very nearly on the head when he said, “Mr. Millington is in favor of an unlimited amount of greenbacks worth one hundred cents on the dollar.”
We are in favor of greenbacks to any amount needed by the business of the country and consistent with the idea that they shall not be depreciated below the value of the new silver coin. We favor currency expansion as fast as the wants of the country require it and believe that the expansion should be mainly in greenbacks. We think that so much of the resumption law as provides for a further retirement of greenbacks should be repealed, that the greenbacks which have been already retired should be reissued, and new greenbacks should be issued as fast as the best interests of the country shall require. We do not pretend to say how many are wanted immediately, but presume the idea in the resolutions passed by the state convention of the national party of Illinois, which met at Springfield to nominate a state ticket on the 27th ult., give a reasonable view of this matter. The resolutions to which we refer are:
“Resolved, That we demand an immediate issue of full legal-tender paper currency by the government to the full limit of at least four hundred millions of legal tender U. S. treasury notes.
“Resolved, That the credit of the government can best be strengthened and preserved by its first paying off its interest-bearing debt, before calling in any part of its non-interest bearing obligations for redemption.”
We favor the latter resolution also, and would not pay off the greenbacks except as they might be brought in for redemption and immediately reissued.
We did desire that they should be as good as gold, but since we are to have an issue of silver dollars as fast as the mints can coin them, we ask only that they shall be as good as silver dollars. We desire that silver shall be as good as gold, but we apprehend that when silver dollars have become abundant, gold will be at a premium again. Should that be the case, our country will again be cursed by the disgraceful gold gambling of past years and the silver dollar will be the standard of value, provided the greenback shall be kept equal to silver coin.
As the law now stands, the government promises to pay coin for greenbacks on demand on and after the first of next January, and if that promise is not withdrawn, greenbacks will be as good as silver before that time—in fact, that time is so near that they are substantially so now. We do not believe that the promise will be withdrawn, but consider resumption as an accomplished fact.
We believe that no considerable amount of greenbacks will ever be presented for redemption; that but a comparatively small amount of coin in the treasury will suffice for the purposes of redemption; that all will prefer to use greenbacks to silver for all ordinary purposes of money, so long as they are interchangeable for coin. The fact that they will produce the coin at any time is all that is needed. They are much more convenient than coin and holders will not want them redeemed.
It was because of the apprehension that gold would be at a premium over silver dollars that we did not favor remonetization.
Greenbacks were approaching a par value with gold and on or before the first of next January would have been as good as gold, and $180,000,000 in gold coin which has been but a commodity like stocks and bonds to gamble on, would have been added to the currency of the country, making an expansion of the currency to that extent. The currency was about $330,000,000 in national bank notes, $350,000,000 in greenbacks, and about $40,000,000 of silver, making all told about $720,000.000. With this gold coin taken out of the vaults of the government and of the speculators and added to the circulation, the volume of the currency would have been raised to $900,000,000 on the first of January next or soon thereafter. Under the silver bill not more than $35,000,000 of silver can possibly be coined, and added to the circulation by that time, and if that amount should make silver coin so plenty as to cause it to fall to near the value of silver bullion, so that gold coin should be three to seven percent premium, the volume of the currency will be only $755,000,000, or $145,000,000 less than it would otherwise have been.
As the case is, let us hope that these apprehensions were not well founded, that the gold coin will be then added to the circulation, and thus raise the volume of currency to $935,000,000. But to be provided for the worst, congress should at once stop the retirement of greenbacks, provide for the re-issue of those retired, and the further issue of greenbacks to such amount as may be required.
What we expect from this expansion of the currency is the revival of business, manufacturing, and improvements; a new demand and better prices for labor and produce; and a new vigor and activity in all the industries of the country. But to effect this there must be some stability in the finances of the country, something that can be relied upon, or money will not seek investment and business will not revive.
Now we do not pretend to understand this matter. In fact, we do not think our opinion of what currency policy is best for the country, the laborer, the debtor, and the farmer of Kansas is of any practical value; but we do believe that we understand this matter as well as many others who are making a great deal of noise on both sides of this question.
The republican members of congress, particularly those from Kansas, are greenback men, and, whether right or wrong, are doing what can be done in favor of greenbacks. If anything can be done to meet the demands of the people for more greenbacks, they will have done it before their present terms shall expire. You gain nothing by forming national or greenback parties to oppose them. A party with only one idea never does any good. The republican party is a party of many ideas, and as we want several ideas besides the greenback idea, we shall stick to that party.
Winfield Courier, May 9, 1878.
District Court Proceedings.
Monday, May 6th, 10 o’clock a.m. His Honor, W. P. Campbell, on the bench. Present: C. L. Harter, sheriff; E. S. Bedilion, clerk; Jas. McDermott, prosecuting attorney; attorneys C. Coldwell, W. F. Hackney, Henry E. Asp, J. E. Allen, D. C. Beach, E. S. Torrance, J. M. Alexander, A. J. Pyburn, N. C. Coldwell, Jas. Christian, G. H. Buckman, S. D. Pryor, J. Wade McDonald, C. R. Mitchell, J. D. Pryor, C. C. Black, R. C. Story, L. J. Webb, W. M. Boyer, F. S. Jennings, and D. A. Millington.
Winfield Courier, July 4, 1878.
A Threatened Famine.
C. A. Bliss, G. S. Manser, A. B. Lemmon, E. P. Kinne, J. C. Fuller, M. L. Read, T. R. Bryan, W. M. Allison, J. W. Curns, C. C. Black, D. A. Millington, E. S. Bliss, E. S. Torrance, A. E. Baird, J. B. Lynn, M. G. Troup, M. L. Robinson, J. C. McMullen, E. C. Manning, and probably many others, all with their wives, will make a raid upon Arkansas City, the steam boats, and Newman’s dam on the Fourth. They will seize all the provisions they can find in the city, capture both the “Aunt Sally” and the—the—well, Amos’ steamship, will rip out Newman’s dam, and steam up the Walnut to Winfield, driving a large herd of catfish. Bliss and Harter & Harris will load the steamers with flour at their mills. The party will start at about 9 o’clock a.m.
Winfield Courier, July 25, 1878.
Mr. I. L. Millington, brother of the editor, and his lady, from St. Louis, are visiting in Winfield.
Winfield Courier, August 1, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
Mary A. Millington and husband to George Hudson, lot 15, block 127, Winfield; $45.00.
Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
Mary A. Millington and husband to D. T. Reynold, lot 5, block 131, Winfield; $90.00.
Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.
Primary Convention.
WINFIELD, August 3, 1878.
Convention met at the courthouse in pursuance to call of County Central Committee.
The meeting was called to order by W. Q. Mansfield, and D. A. Millington was elected as chairman and G. H. Buckman secretary.
The meeting was called to order by W. Q. Mansfield, and D. A. Millington was elected as chairman and G. H. Buckman secretary.
On motion the chair appointed a committee of three to report names of delegates and alternates. S. M. Jarvis, E. P. Kinne, and W. M. Boyer appointed on such committee.
The committee reported the following named persons as delegates and alternates.
Delegates: R. L. Walker, W. P. Hackney, E. S. Torrance, F. S. Jennings, L. W. Spack, O. M. Seward, James Kelley, E. C. Manning, D. A. Millington.
Alternates: E. P. Kinne, W. M. Boyer, W. Q. Mansfield, G. H. Buckman, S. M. Jarvis, John Mentch, Sampson Johnson, Henry E. Asp, T. B. Myers.
On motion the report of the committee was adopted by the convention. Thereupon the convention adjourned. D. A. MILLINGTON, President. G. H. BUCKMAN, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, August 22, 1878.
To Druggists.
A small stock of drugs, well assorted, clean and in excellent condition, with no unsalable goods and nothing in overstock, will be closed out at very favorable prices to settle an estate. Inquire of D. A. Millington, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, September 12, 1878. Editorial Page.
THE BURLINGTON ROAD.
The magnates of the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe railroad arrived sooner than was expected. They came in on Wednesday evening of last week. The party consisted of Mr. Joseph P. Hale, capitalist of New York, Gen. Wm. H. Schofield, of Burlington, president of the road, James Hueston, engineer, and Orson Kent, treasurer. Messrs. Schofield and Kent were accompanied by their wives. The next morning the citizens of Winfield procured teams and took the gentlemen of the party and the gentlemen from Sedan out to several surrounding elevations to view the broad and beautiful valleys of the Walnut and Arkansas. The citizens then met in Manning’s new building, chose R. F. Burden, chairman, and W. M. Allison, Secretary, and were addressed at length by Gen. Schofield. He recounted the many difficulties that he had encountered and overcome in his struggles to build the road, succeeding in completing and putting in operation 44 miles and putting the company in such a condition in which it can now move the work along rapidly. He said they had now arrived at a point that they could promise to build the road to us within a reasonable short time if we shall secure to them the necessary aid, and desired an expression from our citizens.
E. C. Manning, J. E. Platter, D. A. Millington, S. P. Strong, C. Coldwell, J. B. Holmes, and A. B. Lemmon being called upon made short addresses, and the meeting appointed a committee of nine persons consisting of R. F. Burden, of Windsor, E. C. Manning, J. E. Platter, D. A. Millington, of Winfield, S. P. Strong, of Rock, C. R. Mitchell, of Arkansas City, O. P. Darst, of Dexter, W. A. Metcalf, of Cedar, and C. W. Roseberry, of Beaver, to confer with the officers of the railroad in relation to the terms which will be required of this county to secure the building of the road. The meeting adjourned, and committee met and organized by the election of D. A. Millington, chairman, and J. E. Platter, secretary. Gen. Schofield promises to return here within two weeks ready to submit a proposition and will notify the chairman of the committee of the exact time a few days beforehand, when the chairman will notify the balance of the committee by postal card. The distinguished visitors left in the afternoon to return; Messrs. Hale, Schofield, and Hueston went with Mr. Lemmon via Wichita. Anything further that may be developed in relation to this road will be given to our readers as early as possible. We need a railroad and want this if we can get it on reasonable terms in a reasonably short time.
Winfield Courier, September 19, 1878.
BURLINGTON ROAD.
Gen. W. H. Schofield, president of the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe railroad, with Major Orson Kent, treasurer, Major Gunn, engineer, and Hon. T. L. Davis, attorney of Eureka, were in town Tuesday and in conferences with R. F. Burden, E. C. Manning, Rev. J. E. Platter, and D. A. Millington, members of the committee appointed to confer with them in relation to building their road into and through Cowley County.
Gen. Schofield says that the money is now secured to build the road as fast as men and money can rush it along; that the aid required from Greenwood County will soon be forthcoming, and that they will be able in all probability to be running trains to Winfield before the first of September next if Cowley County responds with the required aid; that the company desires to build in a direct line from Burlington via Eureka to Winfield and thence to the state line either at Arkansas City or Caldwell with a view of eventually running through the Indian Territory, and that a million of dollars is ready to invest in the stock and mortgage bonds of the road and in the municipal bonds that may be obtained along the line. He requires that this county soon call an election and vote his company bonds to the amount of $4,000 a mile to be exchanged for the capital stock of the road and that the bonds be executed and placed in escrow with the State treasurer to be forfeited, canceled, and returned if the road fails to be in operation to Winfield by Jan. 15, 1880, thus giving them six months to cover unexpected contingencies.
The committee insisted upon several modifications to the proposition to make it similar to those carried last year for the Parsons and Emporia roads, and that Cowley should not vote until the franchises were secured or the road under contract up to our county line. Some slight concessions were made, but after discussing the subject in its various bearings without coming to an agreement, the gentlemen of the railroad departed to visit Wellington but promising to call for another conference on their return Wednesday evening, where the questions at issue will be further discussed. As we go to press Wednesday we shall not be able to report the result this week.
D. A. Millington’s brother: I. L. Millington and John Buell go into business...
Winfield Courier, November 14, 1878.
I. L. Millington, a brother of ours, and John Buell have fitted up the building lately occupied by the post office for a feed store and will soon be ready to buy corn, oats, and other produce from the farmers.
Winfield Courier, December 5, 1878.
The stage, a hack, and a buggy, all well loaded with passengers, made a race of the trip from Wichita to Winfield last Thursday. They left Wichita about 8 o’clock in the morning and until they passed Bushnell it was doubtful which would win. Soon after passing that place a wheel ran off and let the stage down. Not long after that the buggy horses began to wilt. The hack, which was one of Terrell & Ferguson’s rigs, got in before three o’clock p.m., loaded with M. L. Robinson & wife, Mrs. Millington, an Alton gentleman, and the driver, with the team in excellent condition; the stage mended up and got in two hours later, and the buggy got in a little later still, but one of its horses died before morning and the other was not much better off.
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 ARRANGEMENTS: E. P. KINNE, JOHN HOENSCHEIDT, R. L. WALKER, J. W. McDONALD, W. M. ALLISON.
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.
COMMITTEE ON TABLE: MRS. A. J. THOMPSON, MRS. P. STUMP, MRS. C. A. BLISS, MRS. J. M. PEED, MRS. J. OLDS.
DECORATING COMMITTEE: MRS. W. Q. MANSFIELD, C. E. STEUVEN, J. M. REED.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: ROBERTS, WILKINSON, AND CRIPPEN.
VOCAL MUSIC: PROF. C. FARRINGER, MRS. JOHN SWAIN, G. H. BUCKMAN, MISS JENNY HANE, MISS MAGGIE DEVER.
COMMITTEE ON TOASTS: D. A. MILLINGTON, GEORGE W. ROBINSON, F. S. JENNINGS.
RECEPTION COMMITTEE:
Winfield—J. B. Lynn and O. M. Seward.
Arkansas City—C. M. Scott.
Dexter—Dr. Wagner.
Lazette—Mc. D. Stapleton.
Douglas—Neil Wilkie.
Oxford—Dr. Maggard.
FLOOR MANAGERS: W. GILLELEN, A. H. GREEN, AND L. S. COOK.
PROGRAMME.
Doors thrown open at 7 o’clock.
Opening overture (orchestra) 7:30.
Social intercourse and vocal and instrumental music from 7:30 to 8:30.
Address (welcome and congratulatory), J. W. McDonald, 8:30.
Banquet and Toasts, 9 o’clock.
Dancing to commence promptly at 10:30.
Tickets to social entertainment and supper, per couple, $1.50.
Dance, per couple, $1.50.
Tickets sold separately, so that only those who wish to remain and take part in the dancing need purchase dancing tickets.
A general invitation is extended to the public to participate in this entertainment.
E. P. KINNE, Chairman, Committee of General Arrangements.
Postmaster Millington...
Winfield Courier, February 6, 1879.
D. A. Millington received his commission and assumed the office of postmaster at this place on February 1st.
Winfield Courier, February 13, 1879.
FROM “ED.” AT RED BUD: TO D. A. MILLINGTON.
RED BUD, KANS., Feb. 7, 1879.
D. A. MILLINGTON, ESQ.—Dear sir: To settle a dispute, will you please solve and publish in the columns of the COURIER the following problem:
If 3 cats will catch 8 rats in 3 minutes, how many cats will it take to catch 100 rats in 100 minutes at the same ratio?
[This is not so simple a problem as it looks on its face, yet it is readily solved as follows: If three cats can catch 8 rats in 3 minutes, then three cats can catch a rat a minute and 100 rats in 100 minutes. ANS.—Three cats. Give us something hard. ED.]
Winfield Courier, February 20, 1879.
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
WINFIELD, KANS., Feb. 16, 1879.
Council met at the usual place and hour. Mayor Lynn in chair; Councilmen Gully, Jochems, and Wood, and J. P. Short, clerk, present.
Petition of D. A. Millington et al. for sidewalk on Ninth avenue presented and read; and on motion, same was granted and ordinance ordered drawn.
Winfield Courier, March 6, 1879.
Mrs. I. L. Millington leaves this morning for St. Louis, en route for Toronto, Canada, where she goes for her health.
I. L. Millington: brother of D. A. Millington...
[WINFIELD BUSINESS.]
Winfield Courier, March 27, 1879.
The following is a list of the principal business firms of Winfield.
FEED STORE. Millington & Buell.
Winfield Courier, April 10, 1879.
Last Friday the Citizens’ Bank and the Winfield Bank consolidated, under the head of the Winfield Bank, with a capital of $50,000. J. C. McMullen was elected president, B. F. Baldwin, vice-president, J. C. Fuller, cashier, and D. A. Millington, secretary. They will immediately begin the erection of a brick building, 25 x 140, on the lot now occupied by the Winfield Bank. The first floor will be occupied by the bank, the second story for offices, and the basement by the COURIER. This organization makes one of the strongest banking institutions in the country.
[SUNDAY MAIL.]
Winfield Courier, April 17, 1879.
On and after May 1st mails will leave Winfield for Wichita Sunday mornings at 8 o’clock; and mails will arrive at Winfield from Wichita and be distributed here at about 5 ½ o’clock p.m., after which the Winfield post office will be open one hour for delivery.
D. A. MILLINGTON, P. M.
[WINFIELD COURTHOUSE.]
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1879.
THE COURT HOUSE.
Under this head the Semi-Weekly dishes up a column and a half editorial to prove that the county ought at once to go to a large expense in building additions to, and in remodeling the courthouse.
It says that “whoever is responsible for building the courthouse where it is, with a swamp between it and the business portion of the town, demonstrates his unfitness to be entrusted with public interests, and has a small soul; that “Winfield has in days gone by been cursed by incapacity and cupidity;” that the courthouse, the schoolhouse, and the lost bridge “are the ear marks that indicate jobbery and rascality, “the indubitable evidences of “gigantic fraud” in those responsible for their construction.
About three months ago the editors of the Semi-Weekly came to this place utter strangers to the people of this city and county and found the city so prosperous and promising, the result of the labor and exertions of its earlier citizens, that they concluded to establish themselves here and reap a part of the harvest these earlier citizens had sown. Finding that in their gleanings they did not at first accumulate sheaves very rapidly, they concluded that the fault must be in the rascality and incapacity of those whose labor sowed the seed, and hence, we have this wholesale attack upon our best and most valued citizens.
The persons who projected and carried out the building of the courthouse and jail were W. H. H. Maris, then Mayor; S. C. Smith, R. B. Saffold, C. A. Bliss, H. S. Silver, J. D. Cochran, S. Darrah, then councilmen; J. M. Alexander, city attorney; Frank Cox, of Richland, John D. Maurer of Dexter, and O. C. Smith, of Cresswell, county commissioners.
Fifty-eight leading men of Winfield were most active in this matter and guaranteed the title to the courthouse ground and many prominent men of the county approved the measure.
The persons who projected and carried out the building of the schoolhouse were John B. Fairbanks, District Clerk, J. D. Cochran, Director, S. H. Myton, Treasurer, and some others.
J. P. Short was the trustee and O. F. Boyle the treasurer by whom the contract to build the bridge was let, and during most of its construction, and H. S. Silver, E. S. Bedilion, and B. F. Baldwin were the township officers who made the final settlement with the contractors.
Here we have an array of names honored in this community, names of men never before charged with rascality and incapacity, men in whom we older settlers believe and trust and yet the sages of Mt. Pulaski in three short months have seen through all these men and found them guilty of incapacity, unfitness, jobbery, rascality, and gigantic fraud.
It may be that these gushing freshmen meant to attach these pet words to other than those mentioned above, to the members of the “Old Town Company, or rather Town Association,” for instance. If that is the case, the records are open to inspection and we state distinctly that no member of the Winfield Town Association had any connection whatever with the building of the courthouse except to give a deed of the half block of land on which it stands to the county, and two lots on which the jail stands to the city, (all they ever agreed or were ever expected to give) in compliance with the bargain between the city council and county commissioners, that the county should build a courthouse and the city a jail in which the county should have a right to keep prisoners. One of them protested against the building of the courthouse.
One member of that Association, Fuller, was district treasurer when the contract for building the schoolhouse was let, but Myton succeeded him before the work commenced.
The original plan of the schoolhouse was made by John B. Fairbanks, District Clerk, who requested Millington to help him in drafting and making specifications and estimates, which he did, but that plan was finally widely departed from in the construction, and therefore Millington is not entitled to a particle of the credit of that structure.
Millington only, of that Association, had anything to do with the letting of the contract and building of the bridge. He was temporarily the township clerk at that time and claims his share of the credit with his colleagues, Short and Boyle, and with other leading men of the town.
We challenge Mr. Conklin or anyone else to show that any member of the Town Association had any connection whatever with the building of either of these three structures except as above specified.
Now as relates to these three structures, built at that early day when there were no civil engineers or architects within reach and to procure such would cost such large sums, when everything was high and hard to get and when our citizens were beset by every kind of hardship and discouragement, we think these structures, though not beautiful nor even sufficiently substantial, were very creditable monuments to their enterprise and energy, the terrible denunciations of our neighbors notwithstanding.
Now, Mr. Semi-Weekly man, we expect you, we challenge you to state precisely what were the “gigantic frauds,” the jobberies and rascalities, which you charge in such sweeping and general terms, as to stigmatize the whole community at that time. Be specific and give the names of those who perpetrated them. If either of the gentlemen we have named, or any other citizen is guilty, give us the name and make specific charges against him that he may have a chance to defend himself. Then no longer make assassin and cowardly attacks in the dark, calculated to bring odium upon almost every man of note in the city without giving anyone an excuse for defending himself.
It is a very poor way to secure the desired additions to the courthouse to endeavor by misrepresentations and charges of fraud against the entire business population of Winfield and thereby making Winfield odious to the people of the county.
If you really desire the improvement you advocate, we would suggest that you examine the records of the past and give the facts.
D. A. Millington becomes sole editor and publisher of Winfield Courier.
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1879.
Mr. Lemmon has sold his interest in the COURIER office, and this week Mr. Millington becomes sole editor and publisher of the paper.
Arkansas City Traveler, April 30, 1879.
Hon. A. B. Lemmon has sold his interest in the Winfield Courier to his father-in-law, D. A. Millington, who will continue the publication of the Courier, as formerly.
[COURT HOUSE NOTES.]
Winfield Courier, May 8, 1879.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.
D. A. Millington as guardian, to J. L. M. Hill, lots 1 to 12, blk 71, Winfield. $835.
Winfield Courier, May 15, 1879.
Prof. A. B. Lemmon, of Topeka, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has sold his interest in the Winfield COURIER to Mr. D. A. Millington, the editor and former senior member of the firm. Mr. Millington will as heretofore run the COURIER upon the same old principles, and no doubt continue to make it rank among the best and most able weekly papers in the State. —Howard Journal.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 28, 1879.
Real Estate Transfers.
M. A. Millington and husband to J. M. Wallis, lot 9, blk. 111, Winfield.
Winfield Courier, May 22, 1879.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS [IN THE CITY]
M. A. Millington to M. J. Wallis, lot 9, blk 111, Winfield. $275.00.
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1879.
The meeting to devise ways and means for celebrating the “Glorious Fourth,” met at the office of Chas. Payson and organized by electing J. Conklin, chairman, and E. P. Greer, secretary. The following committees were appointed.
Arrangements: Messrs. Rogers, Manning, and Wm. Robinson.
Programme: Messrs. Kinne, Troup, and Jennings.
Invitations: Messrs. Allison, Conklin, and Millington.
Music: Messrs. Buckman, Crippen, and Wilkinson.
Let the different committees go to work and let us have a grand, old-fashioned time.
[LEGAL NOTICE: D. A. MILLINGTON, ADM., ESTATE W. Q. MANSFIELD]
Winfield Courier, June 5, 1879.
All parties interested will hereby take notice that D. A. Millington, administrator of the estate of W. Q. Mansfield, deceased, on the 4th day of June, A. D., 1879, filed his petition in the Probate Court within and for the County of Cowley, and State of Kansas, alleging that the personal estate of said decedent is insufficient to pay his debts and the charges of administering his estate; that he died seized in fee simple of the following described real estate situated in said county, to-wit: The S. W. ¼ of Section 33, in Township 32, south of Range 4 East.
The prayer of said petition is for a sale of said premises for the payment of the debts and charges aforesaid.
The said Court has set for the hearing of said petition, Monday, the 7th day of July, 1879, at 10 o’clock a.m., at his office in the Courthouse at Winfield in said county.
D. A. MILLINGTON, ETC., ETC.
[EDITOR MILLINGTON TELLS ABOUT COLORADO TRIP.]
Winfield Courier, July 24, 1879.
RECAP: Millington started on a three week junketing excursion of the mountains of Colorado...returned in less than three weeks.
Started July 5th, went to Topeka, Kansas City, and then stopped at Colorado Springs, Colorado. After spending eight or ten days in that vicinity visiting Cheyenne Canon, Ute Pass, Garden of the Gods, Glen Eyrie, Monument Park, Pike’s Peak, etc., the party went south and west, visiting the Veta Pass and the Rio Grande, returning home from there.
While at Colorado Springs, he and his wife were in the company of M. L. Robinson and family, J. C. Fuller and wife, John Stalter, J. L. Robinson, and others. He commented that J. L. Robinson had a jovial wit and sparkling imagination; J. C. Fuller had a dry humor and quick repartee. J. L. Robinson and J. C. Fuller contributed extensively to the pleasure of their various excursions, carriage rides, rambles, walks, climbs, and picnics among the canons, gorges, glens, parks, mountains, and rocks of that wonderful region.
Millington stated that they saw J. P. McMillen, a former Winfield resident, and found him rugged and hearty with no trace of the asthma with which he was near his end when he started for Colorado. He found his son, Harry McMillen, a full grown, fine looking, intelligent, social young man; and the daughter of McMillen had turned into a beautiful and accomplished young lady. McMillen was keeping a hotel at Colorado Springs called the “Central,” and was doing a good business. Millington said that “Everleth is there and celebrated as the best salesman in the place. Walt Smith, our early Register of Deeds, is there and is the revenue officer of the place.”
When at Topeka just starting for Pike’s Peak, Lemmon asked the Millingtons who they were going with. Millington answered, “M. L. Robinson and J. C. Fuller.” Lemmon rejoined: “Correct. Never think of going to Colorado with less than two bankers with you.”
Millington commented: “This illustrates the fact that Colorado is an expensive place to visit. The hotels, livery men, almost everyone you have to deal with, are there to make money off from the wants of visitors. Persons who are ‘well heeled’ may go and enjoy themselves and become reinvigorated without minding the expense, but for others it wants some care and experience to keep expenses within a moderate figure. After we had ‘learned the ropes’ and settled down to business, we made our expenses quite reasonable. We would suggest to others wanting to take the trip that they can get half fare tickets on the railroads by first writing to the general ticket agent of the A., T. & S. F. at Topeka for an order to that effect. We would advise them then to go directly to Colorado Springs and stop at the Central Hotel (McMillen’s) at $2 per day until they have time to look around, then if you are two or more in a family or party, hire a furnished room in a private house at from $3 to $5 per week, buy a twenty-one meal ticket at a restaurant for $5 and you will have a center to radiate from, with quiet, comfortable quarters at moderate expense, without paying from $4 to $5 per day for hotel fare. You can then hire a team, carriage, and driver at $4 to $5 per day (instead of $10, which you may pay if you do not shop around) that will carry four to five persons comfortably and will not cost you more than a dollar a day apiece, and you can ride out to view the sights every day.
“The hotels both here and at Manitou are crowded with visitors and invalids, many small houses built for the purpose are all rented to families, and the canons and ravines are lined with tents and covered wagons occupied by campers. These facts indicate that there are still cheaper modes of living here.”
At Colorado Springs Mr. and Mrs. Millington joined Frank and M. L. Robinson, who had been riding about in that vicinity two or three days.
“Frank Robinson informed us that the water there ‘runs up hill.’ We were at first inclined to be skeptical on this point; but our own observation soon showed us that Frank had good grounds for his conclusions. We started out for the foot of the mountains, about six miles, and it looked to us to be downhill all the way. Colorado Springs is located on a bench of land above a bluff which rises from a creek valley lying just west of town. Along the streets of the town on both sides are streams of water running south in ditches. We followed north and northwest along one of these streams down into the creek valley to where the ditch was fed from the creek, and we could not make it appear to us otherwise than that the water was running uphill all the way from that creek through the irrigating ditch, winding up the bluff into town. Other ditches bringing water from the foot of the mountain presented a similar appearance.
“Our explanation is that the mountains beyond loom up so incredibly steep and high that in comparison a moderate rise toward them looks like a descent.”
Millington told about his trip to Pike’s Peak with M. L. Robinson. “We started from Colorado Springs before six o’clock in the morning and rode in a buggy six miles, up to Manitou Springs at the entrance of the canon at the foot of the trail. Here we mounted hardy and sure-footed ponies and entered upon the trail at about seven o’clock. Our route was steep uphill, winding around mountain peaks and precipices, up a stupendous gorge or canon; past numerous water falls—many of them covered by enormous granite rocks which had tumbled down from thousands of feet above; winding along in a narrow mule path in the steep sides of fine debris, which had tumbled down from the heights above; hugging overhanging rocks to keep from falling into the stupendous chasm below; crossing over the gorge back and forth to avoid impassible precipices; and finally at the end of four and a half miles, and having risen 3,000 feet, we emerged from the canon into a wider valley, in which there was much vegetation, and which was crowded with splendid quaking aspen trees and many firs; along which valley we passed westward toward the peak, still rising rapidly and winding between lofty peaks. Following this valley a mile and a half we turned to the left, directly south, and went up along the backbone of a very steep ridge for two miles, which brought us up to the Lake House, a log hotel on the margin of a beautiful lake lying in an ancient crater at an elevation of 9,700 feet.
“From this point we went west and southwest, climbing diagonally up the steep side of a spur or ridge, running down southwest from the peak. A mile and a half of the steepest kind of climbing brought us around the point of the ridge. A storm was raging above us, and we rode into it, winding up the west slope of the peak. The storm was rain, snow, and hail with the sharp reports of lightning and thunder reverberating among the crags around us. One discharge splintered a granite rock to pieces but two or three hundred feet from us. But we were well wrapped and comfortable and kept climbing and winding up spirally from the west side of the peak around the north and east sides to the south side, where we emerged above the storm, and still climbing up toward the north, arrived at the signal station on the very summit, having risen above the lake nearly 5,000 feet, about 2,000 up to the storm, 2,000 through the storm, and 1,000 above it.
“We arrived at the summit at about a quarter past three o’clock in the afternoon. The storm was still raging below us. Far down the sides of the peak, all around from 1,000 to 5,000 feet below us, rolled the dark clouds, the lightning flashed incessantly, and the thunder crashed and reverberated; but we looked over the storm down to the east and saw the city of Colorado Springs, eighteen miles distant, lying apparently immediately below us, and many other objects stretching away in the distance. But the storm though still far below us was widening toward the east and soon shut off our vision from the lower world. Sometimes a little fraction of the cloud would roll up from below on one side of the top and plunge down on the other side, but otherwise it was fair on the top.
“The situation forcibly reminded us of the lines of the poet:
’As some tall cliff uprears his awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the storm,
Though ’round his breast the falling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on his head.’
“At four o’clock p.m. we commenced our descent. Before we had proceeded a mile down the trail we found ourselves entering the upper side of the storm, and by the time we had descended another mile, we found ourselves surrounded by a war of the elements which cannot be described. The rain, snow, and hail were in themselves terrible, but the lightning and thunder were too frightful to contemplate. The air was filled with rapid flashes, and reports sharp, loud, and incessant, crashed and reverberated among the crags about us. We heard the splintered and exploded rocks rattling and jingling all about us, but could not see them for the darkness and density of the storm.
“My companion, M. L. Robinson, got down from his pony and by the light of the lurid flashes, I thought he looked rather pale. There were several strangers on their ponies along, and not only men but ponies seemed almost paralyzed by fright. There was one woman, strong and courageous as she went up, now entirely demoralized. She and her husband had dismounted when we overtook them coming down. He was standing pale and speechless by the side of the trail. She was on her knees, her face deformed by her fears and distress, large tears rolling down her face, moaning, praying, begging for life. She prayed and promised the Lord that if he would save her from this terrible danger, she would never go to Pike’s Peak again the longest day she ever lived. M. L. tried to soothe and quiet her, but he might as well have attempted to quiet the storm that was crashing around us. We told them that that was no place to stop, to get on their ponies and ride down out of the storm. We proceeded to follow our own advice and were soon below the worst of the storm; and when we reached the Lake House, the storm was all above us toward the top of the peak. We arrived at Manitou from the top of the peak in four hours. It had taken us eight hours to go up. We arrived at Colorado Springs at nine o’clock p.m.”
Mr. Millington commented that the plains of the western part of Kansas and Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains had little or no rain during the period of his vacation. He said it appeared to be a desert. “There is a grass on a part of this vast area, but it is the short buffalo grass in scattered, dried up blades three to four inches long, and the ground is practically bare so that the sun heats the surface intolerably hot and this hot surface heats the air so that it seems to come up from an oven. In riding across these barren plains in both night and day, one gets pretty well cooked. The hot air constantly rising up into the vapor of the upper air prevents that vapor from condensing and it cannot rain.
“Amongst the mountains it is raining daily, but there is a belt more than three hundred miles wide from the base of the mountains eastward that is now practically desert. East of this is the Kansas of to-day, groaning with the burden of vegetation. The country for two hundred miles west of Newton to Lyken we passed over both ways in the night and we could see nothing, but the contrast between the surroundings of Lyken in the evening and of Newton the next morning can hardly be imagined. How far west the enormous growth of vegetation about Newton extends we cannot tell, but it does not reach two hundred miles. Nevertheless, in crossing the 300 miles’ belt, we saw many herds of cattle and sheep all appearing to be doing well. All along up the Arkansas and the hills, valleys, slopes, and mesa outlying the mountains to the east are to be seen cattle scattered around and frequently in immense herds.
“The soil of the eastern part of this belt only lacks rain to make it excellent and fertile, but nearer the mountains the terrain consists of hard packed sharp sand and gravel. There is seen less of the buffalo grass and more of a short, scattered, dried up looking brush called wild sage.
“Many are farming to a considerable extent in this region, rendering their fields some-what fertile by irrigation. Long irrigating ditches are seen winding along the slopes and bluffs carrying water from the creeks and mountain canons. We saw some very good fields of wheat thus irrigated and some fields of timothy that were fair. The corn is a small kind and looks small and spindling. The people up there claim that their wheat yields better than in any other place in the world. It is not yet ready for the harvest. The best business seems to be herding; particularly south and southwest of Pueblo, where the herders live in small adobe houses, sometimes in considerable settlements.
“We believe the time is coming when these hot plains will be kept cool by a covering of vegetation, where rains will fall in reasonable abundance, and the country will become a garden spot instead of a desert.
“In the meantime, while it is commendable in men to help reclaim these waste places and push this salubrious climate westward, we cannot but say that it is better for the individual to drop down into Cowley County, which is already a garden spot, where rains are abundant, where the corn grows larger than anywhere else, and where is everything that could be wished.”
Mr. Millington concluded his article of July 24, 1879, by telling of his involvement with another event.
“On Wednesday of last week Judge Hallett delivered in the U. S. Court his decision dismissing the Receiver appointed by the state court of Colorado, in whose hands was placed the Denver and Rio Grande railroad. The Receiver immediately turned the property over to the D. & R. G. company and that company, being in contempt of court for not having turned the property over to the A., T. & S. F., in compliance with an order of Judge Hallett in June, turned over the road to the latter company at noon of the day. There was great rejoicing among the friends of the A., T. & S. F. Guns were fired, bonfires, illuminations, and speeches were made.
“We were among those who heartily rejoiced at the result and we congratulate Manager W. B. Strong and his friends on the able and glorious fight they have made and on this fair measure of success. We were then at Colorado Springs and took the first train under the new management to go south to the Rio Grande.
“Arriving at Pueblo, a large number of the discharged employees of the former management with their friends numbering two or three hundred, assembled around the train and made an attack on the employees of the A., T. & S. F.
“An extensive fight ensued. Some three hundred pairs of fists were hitting around in a lively manner and the Santa Fe forces were whipped out. The engineer and conductor whose lives were threatened skipped out and disappeared. The train was detained two and a half hours until the Santa Fe authorities accepted an engineer, conductor, and hands that were dictated by the mob. The civil authorities pretended to be trying to keep the peace and preserve order, but were evidently in sympathy with the mob.
“Nevertheless we went on with the train to Alamosa on the Rio Grande and returned to Pueblo the next day.
“At Alamosa no friends of the Santa Fe company dared to appear. At El Moro the Rio Grande roughs bought all the fire arms and ammunition that could be had and held the ground. The whole southern part of the road was in the hands of the mob and what the result will be it is hard to guess. Doubtless blood will be spilt and the U. S. Marshals with posse will be called to quell the mob and completely carry out the orders of the court.
“At seven o’clock on the morning of last Friday, we were at Alamosa on the west side of the Rio Grande in Colorado. At the same hour on the next morning we were at Newton, Kansas, having traveled 576 miles in 24 hours, including stoppages, one of which was two hours at Pueblo. The narrow gauge train carried us up the Sangre De Christo range, down the frightful gorges and windings of the Veta Pass, and over the high mesa skirting the mountain ranges, 136 miles to Pueblo; then the A., T. & S. F. train slid smoothly down the Arkansas at the rate of 35 miles per hour, 440 miles to Newton.
“As we came down from Wichita last Saturday evening, we found that the railroad track was laid as far as the creek a mile this side of El Paso and the grading completed several miles farther; in fact, as far as we could see it from the wagon road.
“Work appeared to be progressing vigorously. We saw a construction train loaded with railroad material about 13 miles this side of Wichita.”
[I quit after the item given above taking information from papers.]
From RKW: additional material...
Mr. Millington became prominent in all the plans and schemes for the building up of Winfield and Cowley County, as well as the politics of the county and the state. Mr. Millington was for several years editor of the Courier, was mayor of the city for two years, and was postmaster of Winfield for five years. He retired from active business in 1886, but was still connected in an official capacity with the Winfield Gas Company.
D. A. Millington died May 6, 1891, of heart failure. He was survived by his wife, of the home, and his daughters: Mrs. W. J. Wilson of Albuquerque, New Mexico: Mrs. Ezra Nixon, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; Mrs. J. Ex-Saint, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Mrs. A. B. (Clara) Lemmon, of Santa Rosa, California.
The original 1850/51 diary of D. A. Millington is on microfilm in the Bancroft Library of the University of California in Berkeley. The Cowley County Historical Society has a transcript of this diary that was donated by ‘Nick’ Nixon of Florida.
RKW put in an article about Mr. and Mrs. J. Ex Saint...
Winfield Courier, April 17, 1884.
A BIG THING.
The Grocery Firm of Saint & Cleland, the Lucky Possessors,
A Thirty Years’ Lease of the Acoma Indian Reservation.
“One of the most important land transactions, which has ever taken place in the Territory, was concluded yesterday, by which Messrs. Saint & Cleland, of this city, became the lessees of the entire Acoma Indian reservation or grant. This reservation is some eighty miles west of Albuquerque on the line of the Atlantic & Pacific railroad and consists of somewhat over 95,700 acres of as fine grazing land as there is west of the Rockies, watered by the San Jose River and several small lakes. The terms of the lease secured to them the sole right and possession to these lands for a term of thirty years. The lands on either side of the grant being very poorly watered, the leasing of the grant practically secures to them the grazing lands for miles around, which will equal as many acres as the grant proper. The lease also secures to them the sole right to work a three-foot vein of coal on the grant, while being so much nearer the city than any other coal field, will, of itself, be worth thousands of dollars to them. In the transaction, in addition to becoming the lessees of this grant, they secure a full title to eight hundred acres of fine land adjoining the grant, through which the San Jose River also runs.
“This is certainly the biggest transaction, so far as the amount and value of the land is concerned, that has taken place in New Mexico for many a month. The gentlemen who have become the fortunate possessors of this property, have not as yet fully decided on the course that will be pursued regarding it, but they are both live, wide-awake businessmen, and our readers will hear from them later.
“The Journal congratulates Messrs. Saint & Cleland on their good luck in securing these lands. A thirty-years’ lease is almost as good as owning the lands, and if this lease does not make the gentlemen a princely fortune, it will be their own fault.”
We cut the above from the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Journal of April 10. Our Winfield boy, J. Ex-Saint, is the senior of the said firm of Saint & Cleland. He writes his wife, who is now with us, confirming all that the Journal says, and thinks he has a bonanza sure.
RKW also found the obituary on Daniel Azro Millington...
MILLINGTON.
SUDDEN DEATH.
D. A. Millington, One of the Most Prominent Citizens of Winfield,
Drops Dead While Surrounded by Friends at a Party.
Winfield Daily Courier, May 7, 1891.
Winfield was terribly shocked to learn of the sudden death of Mr. D. A. Millington, which occurred at 10 o’clock last night at the residence of W. P. Hackney. The facts are as follows.
Mrs. W. J. Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Millington, contemplated starting this morning to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to join her husband, who occupies a position in a bank at that place. Mrs. Ezra Nixon, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Millington, came over from Medicine Lodge yesterday, and in honor of Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Hackney invited a number of friends to her residence. Mr. Millington was among them and exhibited his usual good humor and appreciation of the gathering. About 10 o’clock, just after Mr. Millington had made a pleasant remark to Mrs. Harry Sickafoose, who was sitting at his right, he suddenly looked straight at Addison Brown, who was sitting at his left, as though he desired to say something. Mr. Brown, who was aware of Mr. Millington’s peculiarity of speech, consisting of a deliberate manner, seemed to anticipate what he was going to say, looked away for a moment and when he looked again he saw Mr. Millington totter on his chair, then fall to the floor, his head and shoulders going under a table sitting in the corner of the room. Mr. Brown hurried to him and was joined by Drs. Emerson and Wiles, who were in the room. They turned him upon his back, placed a pillow under his head, and began rubbing his limbs. At the suggestion of Dr. Emerson, Mr. Brown hurried down to the drugstore and procured remedies; but when he returned in less than five minutes, the soul of D. A. Millington had left its tenement of clay. After falling to the floor, Mr. Millington gasped four or five times, but Dr. Emerson says his heart did not beat after falling from the chair. Dr. Emerson pronounced it heart failure.
Daniel Azro Millington was born in Hubbardton, Vermont, May 17, 1823. Received an education in the common and higher schools of the state, and became proficient in mathematics and the sciences. Taught in the common schools five winters. In 1844, at the age of 21, he removed to Illinois and located in Will County. There he married a Miss Mary A. Smith, May 16, 1848. In 1850, he went overland to California, where he met with some success in gold mining. Returned to Will County, Illinois, in 1852, and went into the lumber business at Joliet. In 1856, he went to Iowa City, Iowa, and went into the general mercantile business. In the fall of 1862, he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, and there continued in the mercantile business, which was very successful during the war. In January 1866, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and continued mercantile business, meeting with heavy losses. In 1868, he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, and continued in the mercantile business. In 1870 he closed out the business and came to Cowley County, arriving August 16, where he immediately entered into a plan to build up a city to be called Winfield. At the time the land belonged to the Osage Indians, who were present in great numbers, and the land had not been surveyed. Several men were holding claims of 160 acres each in the vicinity. The claims of E. C. Manning and A. A. Jackson occupied what is now the most central portion of Winfield, and were surrounded by the claims of A. Meanor, J. C. Loomis, A. Howland, A. J. Thomas, A. D. Speed, P. Knowles, and G. W. Green, all or parts of which claims were corporated into the city of Winfield. Mr. Millington came in company with J. C. Fuller and bought the claim of A. A. Jackson, then associated themselves with E. C. Manning, laid out the half of the two claims into a town site, and invited settlers who would improve lots.
The town site was surveyed and platted by Mr. Millington, and completed in January 1871, after the government survey of these lands had been made. The town site was entered at the United States Land Office July 10, 1871, and was the first entry made of lands in this county. At the time there were seventy-two buildings erected on the town site by as many different settlers. Since that time the subject of this sketch has been prominent in all the plans and schemes for the upbuilding of Winfield and Cowley County, and the politics of the county and the state. Mr. Millington was for several years editor of the Courier, was mayor of the City for two years, and was postmaster of this city for five years. He retired from active business some four or five years ago, but at the time of his death was connected in an official capacity with the Winfield Gas Company.
Mr. Millington was a careful and conservative businessman and leaves his finances in good condition. He leaves a wife and the following daughters: Mrs. W. J. Wilson of this city; Mrs. Ezra Nixon, of Medicine Lodge; Mrs. J. Ex Saint, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mrs. A. B. Lemmon, of Santa Rosa, California.
The funeral will be held from the late residence, 420 East Tenth Avenue, Sunday at 2 o’clock p.m., Rev. J. C. Miller officiating. The following gentlemen will act as pallbearers: S. C. Smith, E. P. Hickok, J. B. Lynn, J. E. Conklin, H. C. Loomis, and W. P. Hackney.
DEATH OF MR. MILLINGTON.
Editorial by Ed P. Greer.
Winfield Daily Courier, May 7, 1891.
The sudden and unexpected death of Mr. D. A. Millington comes upon this community as a personal bereavement. He was in many senses the father of Winfield. He, with others, laid out the town. After the initiatory steps he was among the very first to bring his family and established his home here, and upon the plot of ground then selected he continued to live until his death last evening. In all the varied steps of the progress and growth of Winfield, he was a leader, and one whose judgment and conclusions were accepted without question. His unswerving fidelity to right and justice, his stalwart integrity, coupled with a mind of unusual breadth and culture, established for him an influence among his fellow men more pronounced than the writer has ever noted in any other instance. He was never known to act from prejudice or malice. He sought to do right and to influence others to do right. He was in every action and in every thought as unselfish as it is given human mind to be. He never learned to “bend the pliant hinges of the knee” to wealth or power. With him integrity, honesty, and uprightness of purpose made along the standard by which he measured others or desired himself to be considered. Truth was his guiding star and justice and right his invariable purpose.
To the writer his death is a personal bereavement, much greater than can be expressed. He has been in turn benefactor, counselor, adviser, and truest friend. None but the devoted wife, who for forty-three years has shared his sorrows and joys, and the daughters, who lose so kind and considerate a parent, can feel more keenly than the writer the great bereavement that has fallen so suddenly that was so familiar to us all will be laid away to rest forever. But the good deeds he did and the influence impressed upon this community by his master mind and his splendid example will endure forever.
