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SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE
[Started by Winfield Enterprise Association.]
WINFIELD COURIER.
FRANK H. GREER, Local Editor.
AN IMPORTANT MEETING.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 19, 1885.
Let every man who has the interests of our City and County at heart be present at the meeting of the Winfield Enterprise Association at the Court House tonight. Matters will be sprung of great importance to every citizen.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 19, 1885.
Our citizens will not lack for places of entertainment tonight. The revival meetings at the Baptist and Methodist churches, the meeting of the Winfield Enterprise Association at the Court House, the Jolly Pathfinders at the Opera House, the masquerade skate at the Rink, and the hop at McDougall Hall will make things lively indeed.
UNITED WE STAND!
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OF CITIZENS
IN THE INTERESTS OF WINFIELD.
The Queen City of Southern Kansas to Make Still Greater Strides
in Material Advancement—The D. M. & A. and K. C. & S. Are Coming.
Other New Enterprises.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 19, 1885.
That Winfield and Cowley County are bound to march onward and upward during 1886, and even outdistance her former successes, was splendidly evidence in the rousing meeting of prominent businessmen at the Court House Thursday evening last. It showed that our citizens are on the alert and ready to embrace anything that will conduce to the prosperity of our city, and make her the metropolis that situation and natural advantages insure, if concerted action is brought to bear. The Court House was "chock full" and an interest shown in harmony with the energetic, rustling character of our businessmen.
Judge T. H. Soward called the meeting to order in a brief outline of its import—to stimulate immigration and public improvements, and to formulate plans for the general advancement of the Queen City and Cowley County.
D. L. Kretsinger, always prominent on such occasions, was made chairman, and George C. Rembaugh, the fat man of the Telegram, was chosen secretary. J. C. Long, A. T. Spotswood, H. B. Schuler, M. L. Robinson, and Col. Whiting were appointed a committee on plan of action, and after consideration they recommended that a permanent organization be formed to be known as the "Winfield Enterprise Association," and that a committee of seven be appointed to draft by-laws, rules, etc., and report to a meeting at the Court House on this (Thursday) evening. The gentlemen composing the temporary committee were continued, with the addition of J. B. Lynn and M. G. Troup.
Chas. C. Black, secretary of the Denver, Memphis & Atlantic Railway Company, then addressed the meeting on the prospects of that line. He explained that the road would have reached Winfield ere this if the financial panic, beginning with May last, hadn't made progress impossible. With the loosening of the money market, he said the road would be pushed right through. The company have decided to make it a broad gauge, connecting at Baxter Springs with the Fort Scott & Gulf railroad. The contract for twenty-five miles of track has been let to John Fitzgerald, of Lincoln, Nebraska, a contractor of reliability and capital of half a million, who will begin to throw dirt as soon as the frost is out of the ground. With the twenty-five miles begun on the east end, the company will re-solicit aid along the proposed line (the bonds formerly voted being all void, owing to the road's procrastination). The proposition having carried by so small a majority before in this county, Mr. Black thought it likely that aid would be asked by townships, Winfield being solicited for $40,000. M. L. Robinson also spoke flattering of the prospects for the D. M. & A., as well as the Kansas City and Southwestern, together with other projects conducive to Winfield's prosperity. There seems no doubt that both these roads will be traversing the fair fields of Cowley before this year is ended. The officers of the K. C. & S. have everything arranged to commence operations as soon as the money market will permit. The meeting, by a unanimous vote, signified its willingness to vote forty thousand dollars to the D. M. & A., and, if needs be, vote the same amount again to the K. C. & W.
John C. Long, Col. Whiting, and others spoke enthusiastically of Winfield's prospects, and urged the necessity for concerted action. Mr. Long said that the Street Railway Company would build its line, and not a dollar's worth of aid would be asked. Our street railway will make us metropolitan indeed.
Spencer Bliss suggested the feasibility and possibility of offering sufficient inducements to the A., T. & S. F. and S. K. railroads to build a union depot and joint shops in this city, and stated that the prospect of navigating the Arkansas river, and other influences, pointed forcibly to the necessity of the Santa Fe moving through the Territory soon, to a southern market, in which case they must have shops about this location. Winfield being ninety-five miles from Cherryvale and about the same distance from Newton, offers a very advantageous situation for joint shops and a round house, and if our businessmen push the feasibility of the matter, there seems no doubt that this result can be obtained. When the D. M. & A. and K. C. & S. strike us, now anticipated before the summer rolls by, this scheme will be all the more probable. With four railroads radiating from Winfield, with their shops here, we will have a town that will lay all others in Kansas in the shade—hardly excepting the State Capital.
This was the most enthusiastic meeting our city has witnessed in many a day, and shows a determination on the part of everybody to make the Queen City "git up and dust." With the advent of spring, immigration will pour in from the panic-stricken east—immigration of a substantial character, men seeking profitable investment for capital, and with unison of effort, the extensive advertisement we are getting, etc., Winfield and Cowley County will get a large share. This organization is what is needed. New enterprises will be sprung and an era of prosperity dawn that will surprise "old-timers." With the prettiest city, the best county, and the best people on the globe, Winfield's beacon light will be followed by many an easterner in quest of a pleasant home and safe investment. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and keep our city in the first ranks of leading, prosperous cities—where her natural advantages entitle her. Every businessman in the city should give the meeting tonight his presence. What we need is a hard pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.
THE SECOND MEETING OF THE WINFIELD ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION.
UNITY AND ENTHUSIASM.
By-Laws Adopted for a Permanent Organization.
The Queen City's Prospective College.
Machine Shops And Foundry.
Startling Figures From Judge Soward in Favor of More Railroads.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 26, 1885.
When such rustling, wide-awake businessmen as those of Winfield pull together for the advancement of any cause, it is bound to win. What has been needed in the past was unity of action, and no greater evidence could be given that this has been accomplished than was shown in the second rousing meeting of the Winfield Enterprise Association, Thursday evening last. The attendance was even larger than at the first meeting and the interest and harmony exhibited means that the Queen City and Cowley County will develop more magically during the next year than ever before—not a wild boom, to be followed by a collapse; but a solid, substantial development that will stand "the wreck of matter and the crash of worlds."
M. G. Troup was called to the chair. J. C. Long and H. B. Schuler, chairman and secretary of the committee on organization, submitted a report which was discussed and adopted, as follows.
At a meeting of the citizens of Winfield and Cowley County, Kansas, held in the Court House, in Winfield, Feb. 12th, 1885, for the purpose of considering what action should be taken to encourage enterprises for the general good and benefit of Winfield and Cowley County, it was
Resolved, That the citizens of Winfield and Cowley County be associated together for the purpose above stated, and that such Association be called the Winfield Enterprise Association.
A committee of seven was appointed to draft such by-laws as in their judgment are necessary. The said Committee reported as follows.
First. The officers of the Association shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Board of Directors.
Second. The Board of Directors shall consist of thirteen members.
Third. The President, Vice-President, and Secretary shall be members of the Board of Directors.
Fourth. The Board of Directors to appoint from their number the President, Vice-President, and Secretary.
Fifth. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Board.
Sixth. The duties of the Vice-President shall be the same as the President, when, from any cause, the President shall be absent.
Seventh. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a full record of all meetings, and by direction of the Board, to answer all correspondence and communications that may come up for consideration. He may also act as Treasurer, and as such shall account to the Board, with vouchers, for all disbursements, from time to time as they may direct.
Eighth. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business.
Ninth. The meetings of the Board shall be called by the President or Vice-President, and in their absence, any three members of the Board may call a meeting, naming the time and place of such meeting.
Tenth. The annual meeting for the election of directors of this Association shall be held annually at seven p.m. on the first Thursday in March.
Eleventh. The officers and Board of directors to hold their positions for the term of one year, or until their successors are elected and enter upon the discharge of their duties.
Twelfth. Any vacancy occurring in the Board, the remaining members to fill same by appointment for the unexpired term of the retiring member or members. And the secretary to notify such person or persons of their appointment.
Thirteenth. All business matters or action of the Board shall be for the public good and not in any way or manner directly or indirectly for private or personal gain.
Fourteenth. No member of the Board shall use in any manner the Association to subserve or further his private affairs.
Fifteenth. These by-laws may be added to, amended, or altered by the Board of Directors at any meeting called by the Board for such purpose.
Sixteenth. Citizens of Winfield and Cowley County may become members of this Association by subscribing their names to these by-laws and paying a membership fee of two dollars.
Seventeenth. It shall be the duty of the Board at all times to take action and to make every effort to induce settlers of Cowley County, giving so far as they can such information as may be required by strangers and those seeking homes in the glorious great west. And to encourage enterprises that will add to the prosperity of Winfield, its surroundings, and its social advancements.
J. P. Baden, A. T. Spotswood, J. C. Long, Col. Whiting, J. A. McGuire, C. A. Bliss, M. L. Robinson, H. B. Schuler, and John A. Eaton were appointed a committee to solicit memberships to the Association.
Judge T. H. Soward presented some startling and convincing facts and figures in favor of the D. M. & A. and K. C. & S. railroads, which we give below. Their truth is self-evident and no man who gives them a careful perusal will ever again sit down on his little tail and howl against the city and county "burdening" themselves by aiding railroad corporations to build their lines. Here are the Judge's figures.
An estimate on the reasonable effects of the proposed lines of railroad when built upon values and taxation in Cowley County.
Bonds asked for the D. M. & A. R. R. 50 miles of road bed will be about $180,000.00
Interest on $180,000 at 6 percent: $10,800.00
Average value of Southern Kansas railroad through Cowley per mile is $6,217.75
Average Wichita and Southwestern per mile is $7,090.25
Average of both roads: $6,602.50
Take this as a basis for the D. M. & A., and it will give 50 miles of road bed $6,602.50
Total: $330,125.00
Bonds asked for the Southwestern R. R.: $130,000.00
Miles of road bed 44, value of Road in county: $290,510.00
Interest on $130,000 at 6 percent: $7,800.00
County tax independent of State tax on valuation of 50 miles of road bed D. M. & A.:
$830,123 at .0355: $11,719.44
County tax independent of State tax on valuation of 44 miles of road bed Kansas
Southern $290,510 at .0355: $9,313.10
Total bonds to be asked for both roads: $310,000.00
Total miles of road bed 94, total value of road bed, etc.: $620,635,00
Total annual interest on bonds: $18,600.00
Total annual tax paid into County treasury independent of State tax: $21,032.54
Excess of tax over annual interest on bonds: $2,432.54
I think it safe to assert that the building of these railroads would add 3 cents per bushel to all grain raised in the county. They will open up a new market and put us 40 miles closer to the ones we now have, but say it adds two cents per bushel:
Winter wheat, 1,000,000 bu. at 2 cents: $20,000
Corn, 4,500,000 bu. at 2 cents: $90,000
Rye, oats, barley, and spring wheat, 1,000,000 bu. at 2 cents: $20,000
All other products: $5,000
Cattle: $10,000
Hogs: $10,000
Horses and mules: $5,000
Sheep: $5,000
Coal: $20,000
Lumber: $20,000
Add Dry Goods, groceries, hardware: [No price given]
Grand Total: $205,000
Now you who can estimate the amount of additional capital and population that would follow these enterprises, the additional amount of increase in tillage of soil and proportionate increase of yield it is simply wonderful and yet it is all practicable and can and will be done if we but do our simple duty.
The total taxation of Cowley County for all purposes for the year 1884 is $186,000 in round numbers. The increase in price of our products and our decrease in articles consumed would pay our taxes and leave a large balance in the hands of our producers. Every dollar of this money would stay in the pocket that earned it.
A. H. Jennings made an interesting address and sprung the matter of a college in Winfield. He cited the great advantages derived by his former home, Delaware, Ohio, through such an institution and allowed the feasibility of a college here. In all Southern Kansas there is not an institution of higher learning; no better field can be found. This would be an adjunct that would not only give one town a standing in the State, but greatly increase our population, our business patronage, and our educational conveniences. Cowley County is now sending abroad an average of fifty students annually at a cost of several hundred dollars each. And a great many more would seek classical education if the facilities were at home and the expense reduced. This college would also draw from a large territory surrounding us. It was proposed to organize a stock company, every man putting in one hundred or two hundred dollars being entitled to a twenty-year scholarship. Mr. Jennings' scheme met with great favor, and now that the ball is rolling there is no doubt that fifty thousand dollars can be raised to boost the enterprise. Like every institution of the kind, it will have to grow from a small beginning. A. H. Jennings, Prof. Gridley, County Superintendent Limerick, Dr. Graham, Rev. Reider, and Dr. Kirkwood were appointed a committee to devise plans for the establishment of this college. The committee has been wisely selected and we have no doubt that they will put this important matter on foot and that it will reach an early fruition.
M. G. Troup also addressed the meeting at length, urging the establishment of this proposed institution of learning and showed its feasibility and importance to the Queen City. He spoke of the vast resources of Cowley County. Though she has advanced magically in her short existence, her domain is as yet but half developed. She has room and maintenance for sixty thousand people, which number she will soon have if her citizens show enterprise and grit. She not only wants more tillers of the soil, but more mechanics, manufacturers, and tradesmen. These must come if our advantages are properly shown up and the requisite encouragement shown.
J. E. Conklin introduced, with commendatory remarks, his old friend, J. M. Stayman, of Champaign City, Illinois, who is an experienced machinist and a man of ability and capital. Mr. Stayman stated that he was here on a prospecting tour and after being shown around the city and county by Mr. Conklin, had determined to locate with a foundry and machine shops in the stone building on north Main. James Ostrander, a machinist of equal experience will accompany him from the East soon and together they will establish this enterprise. Mr. Conklin gives these men the highest recommendation and Winfield will no doubt have reason to congratulate herself on their advent.
At the close of the meeting, a large number attached their signatures as members of the Association, and through the soliciting committee nearly every enterprising man has joined. A fund will be created that will enable the Association to send representatives in quest of any enterprise that may point in this direction. The members of the Association, in compliance with the by-laws, will meet the first Thursday in March for the election of officers and directors for the year, when many enterprises that are now developing will be presented.
[Note: They had "Stayman" and "Staymen" in article above.]
ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION TONIGHT.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 5, 1885.
The meeting of the Winfield Enterprise Association at the Court House tonight promises to be very interesting and develop many things that will conduce to the upbuilding of the Queen City and Cowley County. A report as to the feasibility of the canal scheme, a canning factory, our prospective college, a Farmers' Co-operative Milling Association, and many other matters will come up. Let every member of the Association be present.
THE WINFIELD ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 12, 1885.
The Winfield Enterprise Association is now thoroughly organized and is bringing its power to bear on various schemes whose success will set Winfield several rounds up the ladder of prosperity. Its third meeting was held on Thursday evening last, when the membership was found to have reached over two hundred of our prominent businessmen, most of whom were present and have since put two dollars each into a sinking fund. J. C. Long was chosen chairman and D. L. Kretsinger secretary. A committee consisting of G. H. Allen, T. H. Soward, Walter Denning, C. M. Leavitt, and Frank H. Greer was appointed to report a list of names for directors of the Association. The following were reported and unanimously elected: Wm. Whiting, J. B. Lynn, M. L. Robinson, J. C. Long. H. B. Schuler, J. L. Horning, D. A. Millington, T. H. Soward, A. H. Doane, W. P. Hackney, J. E. Conklin, J. P. Baden, and W. G. Graham. No better men could have been chosen as directors. They are all men of enterprise and energy: men who have the interests of our city and county at heart and the necessary nerve and ability to secure every enterprise possible for our advancement. The committee previously appointed to devise a plan for the establishment of a college in Winfield, composed of W. R. Kirkwood, J. H. Reider, A. H. Gridley, and A. H. Jennings, reported as follows.
Your committee, appointed to consider and report upon the subject of an educational institution of a higher grade, beg leave to present the following, viz:
1st. We believe it to be eminently desirable that such an institution should be located in Winfield, and at the same time entirely feasible.
2nd. We are informed that the South Western Kansas Conference, of the M. E. Church is about to locate a College in the southern central portion of the State.
3rd. We therefore recommend that a committee of businessmen be appointed who shall make a canvass of the city and county, soliciting subscriptions to a fund to be used for the purpose of securing the location of said College in Winfield; and we recommend that the work be done at once, inasmuch as the conference above named, meets on the 16th inst.
4th. Inasmuch as it is proposed at an early day to vote bonds to the amount of $15,000 for the purpose of erecting another school building, we beg to suggest whether it be possible legally to vote for the erection of such building—to build it on plans suitable for College purposes, and, if the College can be secured, to be turned over to the board of trustees of the College for their use, while the high school should be merged in the preparatory department of the College, it being understood that, in case the College is located here, it shall be properly endowed and equipped by the Conference.
The Directors held their first meeting on Friday evening last and permanently officered the Association as follows: President, H. B. Schuler; Vice-President, D. A. Millington; Secretary and Treasurer, T. H. Soward. Committees were appointed to sift and develop certain enterprises that have been sprung. This organization means much for Winfield and Cowley County. It is composed of the most harmonious and enterprising lot of businessmen that any city was ever blessed with—men who are determined to make Winfield the metropolis of Southern Kansas and Cowley the most populous, prosperous, and popular county in the State. With natural advantages unexcelled, citizens a unit for advancement, substantial immigration pouring in, and public and private improvements all around, the future of Cowley looks bright indeed.
OUR PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 2, 1885.
The Methodist Conference for this district, at its meeting at El Dorado last week, appointed a committee of seven to locate a college under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church at some point in this section. Winfield, Wichita, Wellington, and El Dorado are the places in competition for its location. The committee meets on the 12th of May, at Wichita, to receive and consider propositions from these towns. The conditions are that not less than twenty acres of land suitable for the college site and campus, and not less than fifteen thousand dollars for building fund be donated by the citizens or corporation of the community offering the best inducements and advantages for the location of such school. An eligible site, ample grounds, healthfulness of location, convenience of access as regards the population and territory of the conference, the amount contributed toward the buildings and equipments of the school and the local patronage and support, will be chief among advantages having weight with the committee, under the instruction of the conference. That Winfield offers superior advantages is evident—the prettiest city in the West, people whose morality, enterprise, and intelligence is unsurpassed, unexcelled building material, and a climate whose healthfulness is renowned. The Winfield Enterprise Association has the matter in hand and will see that Winfield's advantages are made prominent and that her pecuniary inducements are such as will secure this institution of learning.
THE METHODIST COLLEGE.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
What is being done in Wellington to secure the location of the Methodist college? We made note some days ago that it had been decided at the session of the Southwest Conference at El Dorado last month to locate such an institution at an early day. The competing points will probably be El Dorado, Wichita, Winfield, and Wellington. We understand the other points are at work, and it is now time for Wellington to be up and doing. It seems useless to urge the importance and benefit this college would be to our city. The remarkable thing about all the institutions of learning in Kansas is the surprising rapidity with which they have grown. Baldwin City today has about 500 students, notwithstanding all difficulties, and notwithstanding it is located in a small and out-of-the-way village. The State Normal school at Emporia, fighting for years against many obstacles, has over 500 students. The fact is, you cannot hinder the growth of a well conducted institution of learning in Kansas. The proposed college would have the patronage and help of a million people who are rapidly growing wealthy. In two years it would certainly have 200 students. At the lowest possible estimate, those would spend in Wellington $40,000 a year. This is making no calculation for the families who would be brought here directly in connection with the school. Neither is the incalculable moral benefit taken into the consideration. The fact is that the benefits to result can hardly be estimated.
Now we want to say that this college cannot be had without work and money. We can make up our minds to do this. If we succeed in securing the prize, we shall be repaid for all effort. The question for our citizens to decide is shall we have the college?
Wellington Press.
Wellington is a nice town and ought to have the college; but Wellington can't get it. In the first place the preachers would not encourage Methodism in such an un-Godly town. In the next place your people want to run the whole Methodist church, including the Bishop. They kick when the cream of the conference is given them, and elevate their noses at an ex P. E. This does not tend to warm the heart of the average itinerant Methodist minister. They are brave and spirited men, but their itinerancy breeds with them a love for open-hearted hospitality and tolerant brethrenship, and a hatred for the snobbery and selfishness which brooks nothing less than a fulfillment of its own demands. No, the Methodist College will not go to Wellington.
GIVE US AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 14, 1885. Front Page.
The writer located in Winfield some few months past, and has come to stay. There is no subject before the public mind dealing with the future of this city which more deeply impresses nor should receive the serious attention of the people so much as the matter of establishing an Educational Institution in our midst at this time. While it is true that most of the citizens of this country have not located here for their health entirely, but have come for the purpose of satisfying their natural and legitimate desires for wealth and competence, yet the man who lives for the mere accumulation of "precious bane," or the community which irrationally worships at the shrine of gold, will ultimately suffer the moral doom of the most despicable thing on earth—the miser. Our object in writing this article is to fan and encourage the idea of planting a college here which we think will prove of more permanent value to our county, which will shed more lustre over our community and enwreathe it with brighter laurels than all the railroads or spasmodic and financial schemes the most sagacious speculator can set forth; schemes which by reason of their uncertainty and the necessary evils they carry with them make their event doubtful, and sometimes very undesirable. A college in the city of Winfield, well endowed, sustained by a healthy growth, and as our wealthy men grow more wealthy, supported by their liberal contributions, would be a memorial worthy of this generation aside from the constant financial benefit which would accrue to our merchants, tailors, liverymen, grocers, and those engaged in all other lines of business. We want a college for the object of a college, viz: to develop the brain of this county and to keep apace with the spirit of the age, not to be dragged by it, but to guide. The object of education is the full and symmetrical development of all our faculties. That is the best education which approaches the nearest to this. The college course gives this training. It not only furnishes knowledge but it does something better: it brings out, it develops, it trains, it educates the man himself. It not only gives facts but shows how to reason upon these facts, and how to use them. A man's mind, it has been well said, is a logic-engine. Education teaches how to run this engine—knowledge furnishes the material. The great aim of mechanics is to obtain the greatest power with the least expenditure of force, and so the aim of education is to do the hardest and best thinking with the least exertion. A college course affords this training, therefore we want the college. A second reason why we desire such an institution is because it gives culture. A college is not the place to get a merely practical education—a bread and butter education. He who estimates the value of his college course by the number of dollars and cents he makes from it had better stay at home. Education is culture. It recognizes a higher aim than money. If money is all that is desired, the common school is the best possible. The three "R's" are of more importance to the businessman than the whole Latin or Greek language or all the scientific principles known. The studies of a college course are chiefly of two kinds, classical and scientific, and the particular advantage which these afford in the matter of culture cannot be overlooked by a discreet people. In this age and country there is a good deal of human nature in the rough. Classical studies refine and polish. They inspire a love for literature and that which is best among men, exhibiting incomparable models of style and at the same time calling into play and improvement memory, judgment, reflection, patience, taste, and imagination. The analytic and synthetic faculties, too, are constantly exercised and strengthened by the studies of the ancient languages. Scientific education is also one of great value. The scientist of today is one of the great benefactors of the human race. Our knowledge is so intimately connected with the universe that knowledge of the latter implies happiness in the former. A knowledge of natural forces is the foundation of invention, and the inventor is the true benefactor. A thousand years ago Latin was the language of business and science, but now men no longer dive for knowledge in the misty records of the past. They shy into the future. The old motto, "Recovery," has been replaced by the "Discovery." Therefore give us a college. If we are to have an imbecile asylum, for the sake of humanity give us something to counteract and parry off its grosh upon any of our citizens. Unite the two courses of training and the deficiencies of the one, which some men complain of and object to, will be supplied by the excellences of the other, and then we shall have greater strength, more refinement, broader comprehension in the intellectual faculties, and as a people prudent and powerful in all the relations and offices of life. Upon the education of your youth depends much. Let it be hoped that our citizens will work upon the true principle that they will plant and foster an institution of learning which, though it may not prove a successful financial speculation, will yet redound to the honor of this city. Give your children something which will nourish their youth, delight their old age, adorn their fortunes, and elevate their society; and you will do an act which will fall in blessings from the lips of a high-hearted and generous people and bloom in the memory of your children for many years. P. S. H.
[Note: Article had the word "grosh." There is no such word.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 14, 1885.
The Board on the location of the Methodist College met at Wichita last evening, and after consulting, decided to visit the different towns, get their propositions in writing, and meet again at Wichita on June 9th. We will publish their proceedings in full tomorrow.
METHODIST COLLEGE.
Meeting at Wichita.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 21, 1885.
The board of conference college location of the Southwest Kansas Conference met yesterday in the new Methodist church. About fifty visiting ministers and leading laymen were present. The following were the members present belonging to the board: D. D. Akin, N. Asher, N. S. Buckner, W. H. Cline, A. P. George, and H. Waitt. The meeting was called to order by N. S. Buckner, who was elected permanent chairman. A. P. George was chosen secretary. After a friendly interchange of opinion in regard to the subject before the board, the following resolutions were adopted.
Resolved, That any locality preparing to make a responsible bid, in harmony with the resolutions of the annual conference by which this committee is appointed, (not less than twenty acres of land and $15,000 in money) will be visited by this committee for the purpose of examining sites and hearing representations; Provided, that the expenses of the committee be paid by the visited community.
Resolved, That this committee will meet at Wichita, Kansas, on June 9, 1885, to receive and open bids and to decide on the place of location of the Southwest Kansas college.
Resolved, That each bid shall state the number of acres of land and the amount of money, notes, and securities to be subscribed; and to be accompanied by sufficient guarantee of payment and that the money shall be available to the trustees of said college as follows: One- third sixty days after location; one-third when the building is enclosed, and one-third when the building is completed or one year from the date of location.
Resolved, That the committee will commence its tour of visitation on Tuesday next, and all communities desiring visitations shall notify the secretary at once.
Invitations were received from El Dorado, by Judge Redden; Newton, by Judge Peters; Winfield, by M. L. Robinson; Wichita, by J. C. Rutan; Harper, by L. J. Van Landingham; Peabody, by Dr. Buck.
Rev. A. P. George, the secretary of the committee on college location, may be addressed by any one interested at Nickerson, Kansas.
COLLEGE MEETING.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 21, 1885.
Pursuant to call the citizens met in mass meeting at the Court House Tuesday evening, with J. C. Long presiding and Ed. P. Greer as secretary, for the purpose of considering the question of securing the Methodist College. Senator Hackney, of the visiting committee, explained the situation. M. L. Robinson then proposed a plan whereby the twenty acres and fifteen thousand dollars necessary might be raised. He proposed to be one of eight to organize the College Hill Addition Company, secure land in some available location, set aside twenty acres thereof for the college site and guarantee ten thousand dollars to the fund. This suggestion was immediately adopted, and the following gentlemen subscribed to the shares at once: M. L. Robinson, W. P. Hackney, Chas. F. Bahntge, John W. Curns, W. R. McDonald, T. H. Soward, A. J. Thompson, and S. H. Myton. After some further discussion on the matter by Judge Gans, Mayor Graham, J. E. Conklin, and others, the meeting adjourned to meet again this evening. Messrs. Baden, Millington, Spotswood, Wallis, Conklin, F. S. Jennings, Bedilion, and Whiting were appointed as a committee to confer with the members of the College Hill and Highland Park Association and report proceedings. Mayor Graham, H. B. Schuler, and Senator Hackney were appointed to attend to the reception and entertainment of the College Commission. The railroad questions was also discussed at some length, and a committee of seven consisting of Messrs. Farnsworth, Bowen, M. M. Scott, Siverd, Chas. Schmidt, and J. E. Conklin were appointed to see that the registration was fully made. An assessment of $1.00 was levied upon the members of the Enterprise Association to defray the expenses of the railroad canvass. The solution of the college problem seems to be at hand. If this association furnishes the twenty acres and ten thousand dollars, certainly our citizens will furnish the other five thousand. Now is the time to act in this matter, and when the committee calls, be ready to put down liberally.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 28, 1885.
From information received from McPherson, we learn that the people of that city are making a determined effort to secure the location at that place of the proposed Methodist college. It is a laudable ambition. Such colleges not only tend to give a more refined atmosphere and a higher scale of civilization to the place where located, but they also increase the value of property, so much so, as to make an investment to secure them, a paying one. Commonwealth.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 28, 1885.
The company organized to purchase the land west of town for a college site has been continued. They will lay off the land into lots and proceed to sell them at very low rates.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 28, 1885.
The Eagle says: "As a pointer for the gentlemen composing the locating committee of the Methodist college, it might be well to take into consideration the relative growth of the competing points for the institution. They are all as old and some older than Wichita, yet this city is as large as any three of them, which fact ought to weigh, looking to the prominence and success of the college."
Yes, a great many cankerous things grow very fast. A mushroom will spring up in a barn lot in one night, but what earthly good does it do? Thistles, if given a chance, will soon hold undisputed reign over t he best field that ever adorned the world, but the effect is only loathsome and disastrous to human prosperity and that of better things. The great and good develop gradually, throwing out all the benign influences that point onward and upward to a prosperity elevating and enduring. Wichita must sit long and tearfully on the stool of repentance—get a thorough regeneration and exhibit some good fruits before it can stand any show for recognition from our Methodist brethren.
THE PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, May 28, 1885.
The weather has been an unruly thing recently. It does about as it pleases—grows cold, wet, dry, medium, or lovely in doses greatly mixed. But the weather takes too big a job on its hands when it undertakes, in an unsettled way, to interfere with a Presbyterian social. The one given by the ladies of the Presbyterian church last night was a splendid success. The room was crowded with a jolly throng of "youth and beauty" subdued by a nice sprinkling of age and reason. The tables were beautifully spread, and the floral decorations very artistic. Creams, ices, cakes, etc., with vivacious, pretty ladies and handsome gentlemen were the very attractive attractions. As entertainers, the ladies of the Presbyterian church have no superiors, a fact attested by their every festival. The clergymen comprising the College Committee were present, forming the acquaintance of many of our people.
BRIEF OF THE CITIZENS OF WINFIELD.
To the Reverend Gentlemen of the Commission to Locate and Build the College
of the Kansas Southwestern Conference of the M. E. Church.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 11, 1885.
The citizens of Winfield would respectfully call your attention to some of the advantages favoring the location of your college on the site proposed at Winfield.
1. SAVINGS IN COST OF BUILDING.
It will cost many thousand dollars less to construct the required buildings on this site than on any other site that will be proposed, for within one-half to three-fourths of a mile are several of the finest stone quarries in the State, those from which the government ordered the stone for constructing the government building at Topeka, after having subjected them to the most rigid tests. The proprietors donate to you the best of these quarries to the extent of all the stone wanted for your buildings on this site, and the Winfield Water Company donates to you all the water wanted for the construction. Sand and lime are close by, abundant and cheap, and the rock is easily and rapidly cut and shaped with the saw and chisel.
2. A BEACON LIGHT.
The site proposed is an eminence one hundred feet above the surrounding valleys and a building thereon will be seen from afar, from the city of Burden 16 miles east, from Arkansas City 15 miles south, from Wellington 24 miles west, from the Flint Hills 30 to 40 miles away, from points near Wichita and El Dorado and possibly from points near all the other competitors for the college location.
3. EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
The A. T. & S. F. railroad passes through Winfield and Cowley County from the north to the south, the Kansas Southern railroad passes through from the east to the west, the Kansas City and Southwestern railroad, now in process of construction within the county will pass through from the northeast to the southwest, and the Denver Memphis and Atlantic railroad now in process of construction, will pass through from the northwest to the southeast.
4. LOCATION.
No point can be considered more central to the probable patrons of the school so far as the east and west are concerned and the probable early settlement of the Indian Territory will place Winfield in the center north and south of the large district which will be tributary to this institution.
5. BEAUTY OF LOCATION.
The site offered is considered the most beautiful in the State and will in itself be a valuable educator in the study of the beautiful in nature and art, opening before the student a wide chart of circling hills and green valleys, of gentle undulations and bold bluffs, of high and shapely mounds, of flowering meadows, of winding streams lined by forest belts, of woodland parks and groves, of orchards and fields of corn and waiving grain, while at your feet nestles the fairest city of our fair State. Situated near one hundred feet higher than the main part of the city in a notch of a line of bluffs which rise thirty feet higher, surrounded by a fine young grove, it combines many charms which may be seen and felt, but language fails to describe.
6. OBSERVATORY.
Into the northeast corner of the twenty acre tract designed for the college grounds and campus, extends a beautiful mound which rises some thirty-five feet above the campus, and presents a most commanding site for an observatory.
7. LOCAL ACCESSIBILITY.
The grounds are just outside of the present city limits, but inside of the proposed limits, and approached by a very easy grade. It is less than a mile from the present business center of the city, the corner of Main street and 9th avenue being about three fourths of a mile east and one-fourth of a mile north, and it is less than three-fourths of a mile from the center of population of the city. A street railroad system is organized and will be built and operated to the college grounds before the college is completed.
8. LOCAL POPULATION FOR SUPPORT.
According to the late official census, the city of Winfield has within its present limits 5,151 inhabitants, an increase of 1,234 for the past year. Its immediate suburbs contain about 1,000, which will soon be included within the city limits and the population of the city and immediate suburbs is over 6,000. Having just obtained three new and important elements of increase, viz: The State Institute for the feeble minded and the immediate prospect of two more railroads, it is safe to predict that the increase of population for the present year will be three times as great as that of the past year. Already the second city in population in your conference, it promises to rival the first in the future and to give a great number of students to a collegiate institution.
9. CONTINUOUS SUPPORT.
By the census just taken, Cowley County has a population of 30,790, an increase of 4,341 over last year. It is now the most populous county in your conference; and with the new elements of increase, bids fair to keep pace with the most populous county in the State and furnish collegiate students far in excess of other counties of the conference, for there is no county in the State whose population ranks higher in enterprise and love of learning.
10. FAVORABLE MORAL CONDITION.
The population of the city and county rank high not only in wealth, intelligence, and industry, but in moral and religious character. This was the banner prohibition county in 1880, giving 3,243 votes for the prohibitory amendment to 870 against, and it seems evident that the large increase of population since then is in sympathy with that majority, and that the prohibition sentiment has become the settled sentiment of the county. In the city of Winfield the laws and ordinances against dram selling, gambling, and prostitution are obeyed and strictly enforced, and it is probable that no other town in the State of Kansas presents so healthy a moral atmosphere with so little temptation to vicious and immoral practices and habits as the city of Winfield. Therefore parents all over Kansas can send their sons and daughters to your school at Winfield in full confidence that they will not be exposed to moral contagion.
11. OTHER CONVENIENCES.
Winfield has complete systems of water works and gas works in operation, and a system of street railroad in progress; it has large and commodious churches, a public library, telephone service, and many other conveniences usually found only in much larger cities.
12. PREPARATORY.
Educationally, Cowley County stands high. The district schools are well organized and have generally adopted a course of study and graduating system, and most of them are doing high grade preparatory work while the nine graded schools throughout the county will prepare an army of students for admission each year to a school of higher learning, so that Cowley alone would supply sufficient students to your college, if located in its midst, to make it a success. The estimate that two hundred a year will be prepared in this county to enter your school, does not seem extravagant. This county has 160 school districts, and ranks among the counties of the State, third in population of school age, first in average attendance at school, and second in average wages paid teachers.
These are some of the advantages which Winfield presents: advantages large in an economic point of view and in promise of future support and success of the institution, valuable in the aesthetic point of view and in its local conveniences, and inestimable in point of moral and religious influences. Winfield pledges you land sufficient and money sufficient to build and equip a most commodious and magnificent building, and sufficient for your purposes. And in the interested judgment of her citizens, adding this sufficient sum to the other advantages above enumerated, they should outweigh any sum, however great, that will be offered by her competitors; and commending these circumstances to your careful consideration, they leave their offer in your hands in full confidence that you will decide wisely and well.
D. A. MILLINGTON, GEO. C. REMBAUGH, BUELL T. DAVIS,
Citizens Committee.
