USA > Kansas > Cowley County > History of Cowley County, Kansas > Part 4
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Was laid out at the time of the building ATLANTA of the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad through Cowley eonnty. It has about two hundred population, excellent stores and is an important trading point. It is in Omina township.
In November, 1869, J. W. Tull built the LAZETTE first house at the place, since called Lazette. He raised the first erop, and in 1870 he taught the first school in the Grouse Valley. Elder William Gans preached the first sermon there. The town of Lazette was laid ont in 1871, by S. M. Fall
and H. D. Wilkins. H. D. Gans was proprietor of the first hotel. B. II. Clover was proprietor of a steam saw mill, and Edward Sutton of a flonring mill, in the immediate vicinity. The town filled up by active citi- zens, and flourished until the fall of 1879, when the K. C. L. & S. K. railroad was being built past the town, at a distance of two miles to the south, and a station being established at the nearest point, called Cambridge, the people of Lazette moved most of their buildings to Cam bridge, and abandoned Lazette as a town.
This town is located on the Frisco railway in Richland township. It has a population WILMOT of about one hundred and fifty, good stores and ships a large amount of stock. Capt. Adam Stuber was one of its founders.
Was als > laid out during the construction of
FLORAL the Friseo railway in 1889, by Capt Steph- ens, J. R. Cole and others. It is located in the rien Timber creek valley in Richland township.
Is an important trading point on the Flor-
ROCK ence branch of the Santa Fe in the township which bears its name. Mr. Geo. H. Will. iams has kept store there and been postmaster since the early pioneer days.
In the general history of the county is given TISDALE an account of the founding of the town of Tisdale. It had three stores and other buildings, and did a flourishing trade with the surround- ing country, until the spring of 1880, since which time its business has been confined to merely neighborhood trade.
Is located in the Walnut valley eight miles AKRON north of Winfield, on the Florence braneh of the Santa Fe. It is the trading place for a well settled and exceptionally rich territory.
MAPLE
CITY
It is a pleasant village, well located, and doing an excellent trade. The capital of Spring Creek township should and will be a town of some importance.
Was laid out in 1879 by citizens along
TORRANCE Grouse creek, who did not like to climb the hills to get to the town. It was named for E. S. Torrance, once judge of the 13th Judicial district.
This is the largest cattle shipping GRAND SUMMIT point in Cowley county and each year receives and dispatches sev- eral thousand ears of cattle. It is on the summit of the "Flint Hills" in Windsor township.
This town is third in population and wealth BURDEN in the county. It was founded in 1879. by R. F. Burden and other citizens of that vicinity, with Major Gunn and others interested in the railroad construction. It has large stone buildings, large stores and heavy stocks of goods, lumber and in- plements, an enterprising newspaper, a Hlouring mill and all the accessories of progress.
Is located on the Southern Kansas NEW SALEM railroad between Winfield and Burden, has a good local trade and is the een- ter of a thrifty and well-to-do community.
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
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COMPOSING 1100M.
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POTRIERS
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COURIER
The first newspaper published in the Newspaper History county was the Cowley County Censor, the first two numbers of which, August 13th and 20th, 1870, were printed at Augusta, and after that it was printed at Winfield. A. J. Patrick was the editor and pro- prietor. He negotiated with Col. Sam. N. Woods of Cottonwood Falls, for the famous and historic Meeker press, the first printing press that was ever brought to Kansas. This press was sufficient to print a four page, six column sheet like the Censor. Patrick kept this press as long as he did the Censor. On June 3d, 1871, he transferred the office to Leland J. Webb, who con- tinted the publication, and on August 5th, 1871, asso- ciated W. E. Dond with him as a partner. Ou August 26th, E. G. Nichols succeeded Doud, as the partner of Webb. On January 6th, 1872, W. II. Kearns bought the concern, and the Censor died at the age of nearly seventeen months. It was always republican.
The Arkansas City Traveler was first issued Au- gust 24th, 1870, by M. G. Mains, editor, and C. M. Scott, local. Prof. L. B. Kellogg succeeded Mains, as
proprietor. December 15th, 1870 September 1st, 1871, C. M. Scott bought out Kellogg, and became sole proprietor and editor. Scott continued until March. 1878, when he sold out to Dr. Hughes, who published the paper until March, 1880, when he disposed of the concern to H. P. Standley and Ed. Gray, who together conducted the paper for a few months when it was acquired by H. P. Standley. He sold it to Rev. J. O. Campbell, who consolidated it with the Republican. This paper was afterward sold to Eckert, Nelson and Howard. In 1898 Mr. Nelson retired and the paper is now being published by Eckert & Howard
The Winfield Messenger was started in Winfield, on Jannary, 13th, 1872, by W. H. Kearns, on the remains of the old Censor. On July 4th, 1872, Kearns was succeeded by Yale Brothers, who continued the publication until December 5th, when the Messenger died at the age of 11 months and the effects of the office, except the Meeker press, were removed to McPherson. The historic press was sold into Missouri, and it has been heard from since in Texas. That press should be looked up, and gathered in, among the archives of state.
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
The Cowley County Telegram was started at Tis- dale. September 12th, 1872, by Will M. Allison, to fill the great want of a newspaper at the "geographical center." After issuing five weekly numbers at Tisdale, the office was moved to Winfield. In January, 1873, Allison associated Arthur H. Hane with him, in its pub- lication, and March 20th, Hane was succeeded by Abe B. Steinberger. Steinberger retired July 3d, 1873, and Allison continned the publication alone, until 1878. when Bret Crapster was associated with him, and a Daily Telegram was started in connection with the weekly. In 1880 Crapster retired. and Charles C. Black was associated with Allison. a few weeks after which. Black became the sole proprietor. He built a fine, large stone building. for the Telegram office, and
On Jan. 1st, 1884. the Daily Courier was issued. In May, 1887, Mr. Millington sold his interest to the Courier Printing Company. of which E. P. Greer was president and it has since been conducted by that com- pany under Mr. Greer's editorial management.
Mr. Greer began his apprenticeship in the Courier office on June 1st, 1874, under James Kelly and has remained with the paper continuously since-a period of over twenty-six years. During the editorship of D. A. Millington, the Courier gained wide influence and prestige. He was one of the ablest men of his time, of incorruptable integrity, wide information and excellent judgment. He died suddenly of heart failure while attending a reception at the home of his neighbor. Hon. W. P. Hackney. on the evening of May 7th. 1891. and
WINFIELD HOSPITAL
made the office one of the most complete in the state. On November 1st, 1881. the Telegram, daily and weekly, ceased to exist. The Telegram was in its first years independent or granger in politics, but in its last years it was democratic.
The Winfield Conrier was established at Winfield, Jan. 1st. 1873, by R. S. Waddell & Co., with R. S. Waddell, editor. The presses, type and material were entirely new, and in good condition. On March 27th following, it was sold to James Kelly, who became the editor. On Nov. 11th, 1875, E. C. Manning succeeded Kelly as editor. On Aug. 16th, 1877, the Courier went into the hands of D. A. Millington and A. B. Lemmon, with the former as principal editor. In Jan .. 1879, Lemmon retired; having sold his interest to Mr ._ Millington. May 1st, 1880, E. P. Greer purchased a one-third interest and in 1882 an additional one-sixth.
in the sixty-eighth year of his age.
The Arkansas City Enquirer is the successor to the Trader's Exchange, which was established in January, 1898, by C. M. McIntire. August 1st. 1900. it was purchased by W. W. VanPelt. It is republican in politics.
The Dexter Advocate was established in August, 1898, by W. L. Piatt. He was succeeded in June, 1899. by W. W. Van Pelt, who made the paper an excellent reputation. In August, 1900. Mr. VanPelt sold the Advocate to Messrs. Limerick & Kulp, and he assumed editorial charge of the Arkansas City Enquirer. Hou. A. II. Limerick is at present editor of the Advocate. Ile is an old resident of the county, having served sev- eral terms as county superintendent and one term in the legislature.
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
The Plow and Anvil was started in Winfield. Nov. 19th, 1874, by Col. John M. Alexander, as editor and proprietor. It was an industrial or granger paper, as its name implies, but independent in politics. On April 22nd. 1876. Amos Walton and C. M. MeIntire purchased the office and continned the publication until Feb. 24th, 1879, when its name was changed to the Cowley County Democrat, and its publication continued as a democratie sheet. May 17th. Walton retired, and McIntire remained sole editor until January, 1887. when it discontinued, and the material was sold out of the county.
The Arkansas Valley Democrat was started at Arkansas City, July. 1879. by Charles M. McIntire. In 1880, he associated with him as editor, Hon. Tim- othy MeIntire. In 1897 the MeIntires sold the paper to F. E. Hartley and the paper has flourished as a democratic organ up to the present time.
The New Enterprise was established at Burden, by D. O. MeCray. in December. 1879, as a republican paper. In 1881, it passed into the hands of Enos A. Henthorn, who associated J. Floyd with him in the editorial management. In September, 1881, Floyd retired. Later the name was changed to the Burden Eagle, and it is now a flourishing county paper, edited by W. L. Hutton.
The Cambridge Commercial was started at Cam- bridge. July, 1880, by R. E. Hicks. In February 1881, Hicks was succeeded by C. A. Hicks. In September. 1881. it expired. It was republican in politics.
The Cowley County Courant, daily and weekly, was first issued November 1st, 1881, by A. B. Stein- berger, who made both editions of the largest and most beautiful appearance and workmanship. It succeeded the Daily and Weekly Telegram, and was published in the same office, as a republican paper, but it was too expensive to live, and, in the first week of July, 1882, it expired.
The Cowley County Telegram was revived July 10th, 1882, as a democratic weekly organ, on the ruins of the Courant, by Sam E. Davis and George C. Rembaugh. It was a four page. 9 column sheet, well edited and finely printed. Davis soon retired and the paper was conducted by Mr. Rembaugh until after his appointment as postmaster in 1889, when it went into other hands and soon expired. The material was purchased by the Courier Co., and was used in the early publications of the State Capital, at Guthrie.
In 1888 three brothers known as the "Vincent boys" moved the "American Nonconformist" from Iowa to Winfield. They were radical in the extreme, opposed to the established order of things and started out to organize a new political party. They first espoused the cause of the union labor party and organ- ized a secret revolutionary society to assist them. This had a large membership in the state but was exposed by the Courier and died. They next took up the cause of the "People's Party, " an ontgrowth of the Alliance movement, and in Cowley county that party, which has since figured largely in national polities, was
born. The Nonconformist attained a very large circu- lation, but in 1891 it was removed to Indianapolis, Ind.
The Winfield Tribune was founded by Bnel T. Davis in 1884, as a republican paper. After passing through several hands it was purchased by E. B. Buck. in 1886. He conducted it for three years as a repub- liean paper when its polities were changed to demo- cratic, which party it has ably supported. Its editor, E. B. Buck, is one of the ablest newspaper men in the state and he has made the Tribune one of the most influential democratic papers of the state.
The Industrial Free Press is the organ of the people's party. It was founded in 1888 by W. F. Craig, who conducted it for three years, when it was sold to J. E. Riley. He was succeeded by J. C. Bradshaw, who is its present editor. The paper is a well printed six colnmm quarto, and fills an excellent field. The editor is a young man of ability and possesses the full confidence of his party.
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILT IN WINFIELD
The western one-third of the county lies Lay of the land principally in the valleys of the Arkan- sas and Walnut rivers, and is largely rich valley land. with some blnffs and rolling land, and is mainly free from rocks at the surface. The eastern one-third has higher hills, more surface rock, and is more rolling, while its valleys are narrower but extremely rich. The middle one-third is about a mean between the two extremes in all these respects. There are streams of water and springs in all parts, of the county. These springs and branches make a full supply of water for stock and other purposes. The soil in the valleys is very rich and deep, and on the nplands it is less deep, but almost equally fertile. Ledges crop out of the soil along the bluffs in various parts of the county, affording excellent quarries of stone for building and fencing.
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
The principal streams are the Walnut and Arkan- sas rivers, Grouse creek. Silver creek, Rock creek. Timber creek, Dutch creek, Little Dutch creek, Muddy creek. Beaver creek. Badger creek. Otter creek, Cedar creek and Stewart creek. Along these streams are skirts or bodies of timber of much value. The average width of the timber belt along the Arkansas is one- eighth mile; along the Walnut. one-fourth mile; along Grouse. Timber and Rock ereeks, one-eighth mile, and along the other ereeks something less than the average one eighth mile.
The varieties of timber are walnut, oak, locust, cottonwood, pecan, hackberry, sycamore, mulberry, ash, elm hickory, maple, etc. Large walnut trees are found and much used in the manufacture of furniture. Much timber is used for building lumber and fencing. Cord wood sells in towns at from: $4.00 to $5.00.
Present Condition
the condition of the towns, but little has been said of the condition of the country. Though one-third of the land in this county is vet en- tirely unimproved and remains in the state of nature, yet this portion of the land is unlike what it was thirty years ago. Then it was but sparsely covered with grass and the annual fires passed over it. Now it is thickly covered with grass and the fires are bet- ter guarded against. Then the coyote, the timid deer and herds of antelope could be occasionally seen on these rolling plains, now large flocks of sheep and many large herds and groups of cattle graze there instead.
But it is the improved two-thirds or less, which shows the wonderful change. Good farm houses and farm buildings, surrounded by groves of culti- vated timber, or ornamented by fine shade trees are seen in every direction. Great orchards heavily laden with the finest fruits of apples, peaches, pears, cherries and other fruits, appear on every farmi. Gardens rich with all kinds of small fruits are seen at almost every home. Vegetable gardens are lux- uriant with every kind of useful vegetable in won- derful growth. Miles upon miles of luxuriant Osage orange hedges line the roads and subdivide the farms into convenient lots. Beautiful colonades of shade trees line the highways. Large fields of golden
wheat, that will yield 20 to 30 bushels per acre, of the very best quality, is being shelled out with steam threshers. Immense fields of corn standing from ten to thirteen feet high and heavily laden with ears of corn are seen on every hand. Fields of oats. millet and other grains are already secured. Fields of the finest potatoes and other root crops in the world greet the eye. Meadows laden with three tons of hay to the aere are seen interspersed with the fields. Altogether the scene is one of surpassing magnificenee and loveliness. Men are proud and sat- isfied; women are happy and joyous;children in their sports stop to enjoy the enchanting picture.
Cowley did not suffer much from fires in the fall and winter of 1874-5. There was not much to burn, fires did not run well, and the people took pains to prevent them. The grass, which had grown, remained and served as a slight covering to the ground, and rains fell to a moderate extent. The grasshopper eggs, which had been deposited in untold quadrillions, hatched out and the young hoppers made the air murkey, as they left the country, without doing any damage. Twenty-seven years have passed sinee and still no more hoppers. The crops of 1875 were fair, and the general growth of vegetation increased. In 1876 more rain fell, and better crops were produced. The increase of rain- fall and the improvement in the crops continued through 1877, 1878 and 1879, and the county had a large inflow of population and wealth. All the material interests were prospering, as will be seen by an examination of tables below.
In 1880, this eounty experienced another year of drouth and disaster. The crops were less than the average generally, and some crops were entire fail- utres. Both the corn and wheat crops were partial failures, and some held that the season was dryer and worse than in 1874. But we had no grasshop- pers as in 1874. In the first five years of the settle- STREET SCENE ment of this county, 1869 to 1873, inclusive, the Enough has already been said of . seasons were good and the crops were excellent, and
the population went up to 10,000. Then came the disastrous vear of 1874, and the population declined nearly 2,000 in the next year. Then we had another five years of recuperation and increasing produc- tions, 1875 to 1879 inclusive, and the population increased 13,000 np to 21,549. Then came the dis- astrous year of 1880, and the population again declined nearly 2,000. In 1881, the recuperation began, but the causes of the dronth were only par- tially removed, and the crops were below the average.
Since 1882 the county has shown a constant and substantial gain. Farming has become more diversified. On most every farm one now finds herds of cattle and swine. The raising of hogs has been largely stimulated by the introduction of alfalfa, upon which they feed and which has prov- ed to be fattening and healthy. There have been no severe droughts nor pests during the late1 years, and Cowley county is today one of the most fertile and prosperous spots in the world.
VIEW ON WALNUT RIVER
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
Among the Educational institutions of Winfield Chautauqua Assembly Winfield probably none has exerted a broader influence or is better or more widely known than Winfield Chantanqua Assembly. Among the institutions that our city has originated and fostered none has brought it into more favorable notice or given it a more enviable name among the cities of Kansas.
In 1886 when the whole south west was passing into that sporadic period known as the boom a charter was secured for the Winfield Assembly. Dr. M. L. Gates, now of Elizabeth. N. I .. was the active spirit in the movement, but he was en- thusiastically seconded by nearly every prominent business man in town among the names appearing on the charter are as directors: J. C. McMullen, H. E. Silliman. J. C. Fuller. J. E. Conklin. M. L. Gates. P. B. Lee. T. H. Soward. A. H. Limerick. 1. A. Lyon. J. W. Curtis. John A. Eaton. Sam Phoenix, A. C. Miller, I. Van DeWater. E. T. Johnson. N. C. St.Clair. .. H. Snyder and B. F. Wood.
The following officers were elected at a meeting of the directors. held on June 16th. 1887: President, T. II. Soward: Vice Presidents. J. C. Miller and P. B. Lee: Secretary. J. H. Snyder: Executive Commit- tee. l. E. Conklin. JJ. C. Fuller. A. II. Limerick. and Jno. A. Eaton. and M. L. Gates Superintendent of Instruction.
The first session was held in Inne. 18st. at ls- land Park. which was then the property of the North Side Town Co . but which has since been purchased by the city of Winfield and has become the permanent home of the Chautauqua.
The annual sessions since 1887 have been held in the last days of June or first of July. and have ns- ually included from nine to sixteen days. The re- ceipts have varied from $2,500 to $5,200. and the attendance has reached 10 .- 000 in a single day. Since 1992 classes have been conducted in the arts and sciences. These have been well attended. the enrollment some seasons reaching up into the hun- dreds. The best talent that the country affords has been seenred for these classes,, they have become the strong feature of the ,Assembly work. This has brought to the class hall such instructors as Carl Betz in Physical culture. Prof. Blake in Electricity. Miss Emily Jekyll in Art. Leon H. Vincent in Literature and a host of others that have acquired fame as specialists.
A department that has at every session been a leading feature of every day work is Sacred Literature. Dean Wright of Boston. was the first director of this department and his able leadership had much to do with making it popular. Dr. Vincent. George Needham and many other distinguished leaders have been connected with the work. but for the last five years Prof. Herbert L. Willett of Chicago has been the director. Dr. Willett has not only been a popular and profi- table instructor but he has made sacred literature a most at- tractive feature of the Assembly. His class room bas for several years been the anditorum. as no other building on the grounds would accommodate his andiences. He will be with us again in 1901 and it is hoped, for many years to come.
TABERNACLE AT ISLAND PARK
The W. C. T. U. under the direction of its state officers has sustained a department as a school of methods and Mother's Congress. These have been well attended and have added much to the general interest. Last season. under the direction of Mrs. A. M. Hutchinson. state president. a colony was organized. for the entertainment of their guests, which proved a very attractive feature of their organization.
For many years a musical department was sustained with such directors as C. C. Case of Cleveland. Geo. F. Briesly of Denver. Prof. Mounts of Chicago. The platform at Winfield has been graced by the greatest orators of the country. Dr. Talmage. Sam Jones, General John B. Gordon. Dr. Melntire. Dr. Henson. J De Witt Miller. Dr. MeArthur and a host of other distinguished platform speakers. In 1899 Captain Cogh- lin.F. S. N. visited the Assembly and spent several days. The (. L. S. C. has always been a prominent feature of the Assem bly. Miss Kate Kimball the executive secretary visited the Assembly in 1996. and Bishop Vincent. the founder of the movement has addressed the Assembly several times. Mrs. 1 F. Piatt has had charge of the work siee 96 and has been very successful in interesting those who have been in attendance in the reading course. The enrollment for each season has been about a hundred. and about one hundred grad- mates have received di- plomas on the Winfield platform. For several years. Recognition day has closed with a banquet that has been a very enjoyable feature of the session. An Alumni Association of one hundred and fifty mem- bers, holding its annual 601 meeting at the Assembly is a potent factor in the (. L. S. C.
The fraternal orders have conceived the idea of having headquarters on the grounds. Each order has a furnished tent. where they keep "open house" for its members and friends during the session. making a comfort- able resting place for persons who have no tents on the grounds. The traveling men have for several years been taking great interest in the Assembly and their headquarters on the grounds have become one of the delightful resting places at Island Park.
Is the home of the Winfield Assembly. It is
Island situated in Winfield, and is the property of the city of Winfield. It contains twenty-two acres, Park. well covered with great forest trees and remark- ably free from under-growth. The entrance to the Park is two blocks from the Santa Fe depot. The drive- ways, rustie seats and shady nooks make Island Park a popu- lar resort for the citizens as well as for strangers.
The stream at the entrance of the Park is crossed by an elegant stone viaduct fifty feet wide. where two or three teams can easily pass, and making the park easily accessable for both carriage travel and street railway.
In the centre of the Park and at the head of the avenue leading from the city is the great Tabernacle, which, being open on all sides, is cool and comfortable. even when filled with people. Its seating capacity is 3,000 while the platform will accommodate abont 600 persons. Electric are lights illuminate the building at night. The acoustics are splendid and make it possible for every one in the vast audience to hear with ease.
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