COWLEY COUNTY, KANSAS
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
GRASS OF FLINT HILL COUNTY KNOW NO FAILURE
Winfield, Kan., March 7---The wheat fields of Kansas may sometimes fail to be influenced by the plague in India, but the grass in the Flint Hill country knows no such word as fail, and therein lies a story of prosperity and wealth which even the rich prairies of the west have failed to discount. Cowley county is fortunate in the possession of both, the always reliable grazing lands of the hills and the rich, deep prairie soil along the Walnut and Arkansas rivers. And it is hard to tell to which one of these the county is most indebted for the wonderful properity now enjoyed by Cowley county people generally.
In the good old days, when eastern capital was falling over itself seeking Kansas investments, it is said a gang of shrewd rascals formed no association for the purpose of defrauding eastern tenderfoot, and they chose the Flint Hill country as their base of operations. These green hills were then considered comparatively worthless, but the man in the east, with money to loan, was not aware that such a country as on the map. It was sufficient for him that the lands described by sections, townships and ranges was in Kansas, and he was in the same position with his money that Lincoln was with the wild hog: he could not let it go fast enough. The result was that the entire Flint Hill country, or at least the western slope of the hills, was mortgaged for about four times its actual cash value. Foreclosure followed quickly the discovery of the fraud, and the bona fide residents who understood and recognized the value of the land were thus enabled to secure homes and ranches at bargain prices.
Their brothers on the fertile plains on the west who were amassing fortunes easily and quickly raising wheat commiserated these people, and congratulated themselves that their lots were cast in more pleasant places. But three partial failures of crops and the then prevailing low price of wheat changed the condition of affairs, adn the Flint Hill farmer put money in the bank while his neighbor, who risked his all on what, put a mortgage on his farm and voted the Populist ticket.
But with last year's big crops and good prices another change was rung in, and now prosperity knows no geography. Now the Flint Hill farmer, with his cattle scattered over the hills and valleys of his finely improved ranch, meets his wheat-growing brother, whose bins and pockets are bulging out, and the world contains nothing too good for either.
This diversity, with its natural advantages in climate, soil and water, has made Cowley county conspicuous in her prosperity during the long period of depression succeeding 1897. At no time did her people lose courage or confidence, and adversity proved a blessing, by teaching them to make the most of the advantages given them by Nature. Stockmen learned that for grazing purposes no country on earth excelled the well watered hills and valleys of eastern Cowley county. They also learned that while it was above the lines of danger from infectious diseases, it was also south of the long, cold winters further north, which, with the abundance of feed always produced, make it an ideal place to prepare cattle for market. As a result, this line of industry has been steadily growing, until this winter, the number of cattle fed in this country is something enormous. The winter, which is seldom severe, has been mild, and stock of all kinds has come through the cold weather in splendid shape. The soil also is in prime condition and the fertile valleys along the two rivers on the west side of the county are putting on a mantle of green, the growing wheat giving promises of another good crop. The acreage is much larger this year than last, and it could not be in better condition at this time of the year.
Viewed in any light, and from any side, the Cowley
county farmers have naught but reason for self-congratulation. With last year's crop a great many mortgages were
paid, and the mortgage indebtedness of the county was greatly reduced. Merchants and business men generally have
enjoyed an unusual busines during the last year, and the price of real state, following that of livestock and all
other farm produce, is rapidly increasing in value, with a steadily increasing demand.
(Topeka Weekly Capital ~ 8 March 1898)
Kansas city, Jan. 24 - The Times' Wichita, Kansas,
special says: Reports are received here to the effect that Sheriff Shenneman was shot while arresting Charles Cobb,
alias Smith, a desperado, near Udell station yesterday afternoon and died last night. By the aid of neighbors Smith
was held at a farm house where he was captured to await assistance from Winfield. Upon receipt of the intelligence
at Winfield twenty-five armed men proceeded to the scene of the tragedy and hung Cobb to the nearest tree. Cobb
also killed a constable in Butler county a few days before. (Las Vegas Daily gazette, January 25, 1883)
A DESPERATE UNDERTAKING
Wichita, Kansas, Jan. 30 - Sheriff Watt of this county, assisted by his deputy attempted to remove Cobb the murderer
of Sheriff Shenneman to jail at Winfield but the people getting the news of his intention, paraded the town all
night, forcing Watt to hold the prisoner in the woods until he finally abandoned the attempt and brought Cobb back
to this city. (Las Vegas Daily Gazette, January 31, 1883)
Sheriff Shenneman Killed
Our exchanges of the Kansas border towns, announce the killing of the Sheriff of Cowley County by a criminal named
Cobb, for whom the Sheriff had a writ, and who resisted arrest - firing two fatal shots into the body of the officer
- from the effects of which he died in a short time. The man Cobb was finally arrested by the people of the vicinity
- who placed a rope around his neck and hanged him on the highest suitable limb. Sheriff Shenneman is spoken of
as having been a brave and efficient officer and a good citizen. (Cherokee Advocate, February 2, 1883)
Cobb who killed Sheriff Shenneman was not lynched as first reported - but stands a good chance to be. (Cherkoee
Adovcate, February 2, 1883)
Young Cobb who shot and mortally wounded Sheriff Shenneman some days ago, was taken out jail at Winfield, Kansas,
yesterday by a party of masked men and hanged to a railroad bridge on the outskirts of the town. He confessed to
Mrs. Shenneman the widow of the dead Sheriff that he was Charles Cobb, and gave her his revolver. Subsequently
he stated to Sheriff McIntyre that he had been influenced by reading of the exploits of Jesse James and other desperadoes.
(Las Vegas Daily Gazette)
Winfield, Kan., Dec. 10---George Walker, a well
to do pioneer of Cowley county, hung himself at his farm in the north part of the county. He was an old soldier
and leaves a wife and four children. He was a spiritualist and had been mentally unbalanced for some time.
(Topeka Weekly Capital ~ December 13, 1898)
DENIED MARRIAGE - GIRL KILLS SELF
Wealthy Kansas Miss Could Not Face Seven Years of Waiting
Wichita, Kan., Feb. 18---Catherine Haines, 18 years old, committed suicide on the Haines ranch near Udall, Cowley county, this morning because her father, at this death, provided in his will that she could not marry until she was 25 without losing her share of his $50,000 estate. She shot herself through the heart.
D. S. Haines, her father, died a few months ago.
Miss Haines had been going with young men of thie neighborhood and her father drew up his will to prevent her from
marrying for seven years.
(Daily Oklahoman ~ February 14, 1911)
Woodruff Implicated in a Kansas Murder Mystery Similar to the Cronin case
Wichita, Kans., June 21, Informer Woodruff who has figured so prominently in the Cronin mystery, was a hack driver here and went under the names of both Woodruff and Black, his real name, however being Frank Bellman, the name Black being borrowed from his stepfather.
Before coming here he was mixed up in a murder mystery at Winfield, which has never been unraveled and which at the time was conjectured to be a "removal" of an obnoxious individual by some secret society. One night in April 1887, Mr. William B. Van Cleare, a carpenter of Winfield was heard calling for help. It was found he had been shot through the body and he died in a few days. Before his decease however he made a statement to the effect that on the night on which the shooting occurred he was alone in the house and answered a call at his door, when he was immediately shot by a man he could not recognize.
The inquest lasted a week and among the witnesses was a detective who asserted that this man Black or Woodruff was implicated and that secret society troubles caused the murder. Black was brought before the jury and through the guilt could not be fastened up on him it was generally believed that he knew about the affair. (Wheeling Register, June 22, 1889, Page 1)
The Mayor of Arkansas City
charged with Embezzlement
Arkansas City, Kansas, September 3. - This afternoon Frank P. Schifbauer, mayor of this city, was arrested by the
sheriff, charged with embezzlement of over $9,000. It is claimed that the money received from the sale of certain
bonds had been deposited in the American National Bank, from which he drew it out to pay personal accounts.
He has never turned the money overt to the city treasurer, although he replaced the shortage at the bank.
He gave bond for his appearance for trial. (Times Picayune - September 4, 1890 Transcribed and contributed by:
Frances Cooley)
IN FIT JEALOUS RAGE, A FARMER TAKES 2 LIVES
Young Cambridge Tiller Slays His Sweetheart and Then Kills Self
Follows Fight
Mother of Dead Girl Also Shot at, But Bullet Failed to Take Effect
Winfield, Kans., Jan. 8 - In a fit of jealous rage, Leo Wilson, aged 23 years, a farmer living near Cambridge, 16 miles east of here, last night, shot and instantly killed his sweetheart, Hallie Fromm, shot at her mother, Mrs. Earl C. Fromm, but missed her, and then turned the gun on himself, dying within ten minutes. The double tragedy occurred at the Fromm home north of Cambridge.
Wilson, who had been forbidden to see the girl, entered the house with her. A quarrel ensued. Wilson jerked the pistol from his pocket, pressed it against Miss Fromm's head and fired. She died instantly.
Wilson then fired at Mrs. Fromm, but missed her. She fell in a faint, however, Wilson, believing her dead, then sent a bullet through his own head.
Earl Fromm the girl's father was asleep in the house when the shooting occurred.
Cambridge is about forty miles southeast of El
Dorado. According to a telephone communication to The Times this afternoon from Cambridge, the Fromm family is
well known in the country north of that place. Young Wilson also was favorably known. The double killing has created
much excitement at Cambridge. (El Dorado Times, Tuesday, January 8, 1924)
PAIR BEING
HELD FOR ROCK ROBBERY
Cowley County Officers Searching Today for Another Who Stole $1,850.
Winfield, Kans., Jan. 8 - Officers today are scouring the county east of Winfield for trace of another bandit, who is believed to be implicated in the robbery late yesterday afternoon of the Rock State Bank at Rock, north of there, in which $1,850 in case was stolen.
Two suspects a man and a woman are being held today in connection with the robbery. A satchel containing a large amount of money which is believed to be the stolen loot, has been recovered.
A man and woman whose names had not been made public at an early hour this afternoon are being held in the Cowley County jail at Winfield today on charges of having robbed the Rock State Bank, at Rock, about thirty miles southwest of El Dorado, short before 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Another man, who is believed to have assisted the one in jail at Winfield with the robbery is being sought, it was announced at the sheriff's office at Winfield at noon. His arrest is expected hourly. It is believed he is in hiding near Winfield.
The two bandits secured about $1,850 from the Rock
Bank. The money was recovered last evening near Dexter, southeast of Rock by Cowley County officers. Near the place
where the money was found was a deserted Ford car. The man and woman who are in jail at Winfield were apprehended
near the place.
A Studebaker car which was used by the Rock bandits was found about six miles north of Winfield last night. (El
Dorado Times, January 8, 1924, Tuesday)
W. H. Pottle, the merchant of Arkansas City, is
being commended for his charity in the case of Ray Reed, who was killed by a train. Formerly Reed had worked for
Pottle, but business relations between them had ceased. When Reed was killed none of his relatives could be found
and Mr. Pottle attended to the funeral and bore the expense of the rites. The dead boy cannot thank him, but it
raises him high in the estimation of his living employes.
(Sedan Lance ~ July 29, 1897)
The Body of a Murdered Man Found in a Straw Stack
Arkansas City, Kas., Oct. 13---The body of an unknown
may was found in a straw stack at the edge of the city limits Sunday by two little girls who were playing in the
straw. The city officers were notified at once and an inquest was held yesterday. The body was badly decomposed
and it is believed had been concealed in the straw over two weeks. There was a large bullet hole in the right temple
and there is no doubt but that the man was murdered. Nothing was found on his person to identify him. He was about
six feet tall, wore a seven and three-eighths hat and was well dressed.
(Kansas City Star ~ October 19, 1897)
HIS SON PROBABLY MURDERED IN KANSAS
Arkansas City, Kas., Oct. 25---Albert Emmons of
Keokuk county, Ia., arrived in town last night looking for his son. It is supposed that his son is the man whose
body was found in a straw stack near town two years ago. The man had evidently been murdered, as a bullet hole
was discovered in his skull. Detectives were employed, but found no clew to either the man's identity or the murderers.
(Kansas City Star ~ October 25, 1899)
TWO KANSAS MURDERERS HANGED IN 18 HOURS
LANSING, Kan., April 15---With his last wish for soda pop and a candy bar satisfied, Clark B. Knox, 26-year-old Kansas City, Kan., Negro murderer of a popular police officer, walked steadily to the gallows trap in the state prison tonight.
Know, kiler of Ed Nugent, Kansas City, Kan., officer last August, had no final word to say as Warden Robert H. Hudspeth spoke to him at the foot of the 13 steps. He merely shook his head, then continued up the stairs to become the third man hanged on the new gallows here in five weeks and the second in 18 hours.
Knox followed Fred L. Brady, murderer of Joe Williams,
Arkansas City Negro, to the gallows today.
(Seattle Daily Times ~ April 16, 1944)
KANSAS MAN FOLLOWS SWEETHEART TO GRAVE
Udall, Kan., Feb. 17---William McQuitty killed
himself here today following the suicide of his fiancee, Katherine Hainer, 18 years old, last Monday (She killed
herself because her father, who died a month ago, provided in his Will that she would lose her share of his $100,000
estate if she married McQuitty before she was 25 years old.) Both died by shooting.
(Jonesboro Evening Sun ~ February 20, 1911)
A Wealthy Kansas Farmer Probably Commits a Double Crime
ARKANSAS CITY, KAN., Aug. 3---At 11:30 o'clock this morning, J. H. Donnelly and wife, among the most prominent and wealthy couples of this section, were found murdered in their residence three miles west of this city.
About 7 o'clock this morning, their son, Henry, about 20 years of age, went to a neighbor's, three or four miles distant on an errand for his father who, with his mother, was left at home attending to such household duties as are common on a farm.
When the young man returned, he opened the door leading into the kitchen and found his mother dead in a pool of blood. In an adjoining room he found his father's lifeless body with a revolver by his side.
Mrs. Donnelly was shot twice in the breast and beaten over the head with some blunt instrument. Mr. Donnelly was shot through the heart.
It is said by those who have been intimte with the family that the couple had not lived happily for years and the impression is quite prevalent that Donnelly murdered his wife and then committed suicide.
The couple were universally respected here and
had scores of friends near Spring Hill, in Johnson county, where they formerly resided.
(Kansas City Times ~ August 4, 1891)
NOTE: Anna and Harry Donnelly are buried in Hope Cemetery, Arkansas City, Kansas.
C. S. CALHOUN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY TWO OUTLAWS
Winfield, Kan., July 12 - C. S. Calhoun of Kansas City, an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad detective, was shot and instantly killed today by two outlaws, who were shot later by a posse of citizens, at Hewins, seven miles from Cedarville, close to the Oklahoma state line. One of the outlaws, Ed Madigan of Ponca City, Okla., was instantly killed by the posse. The other, William Chadburn of this city, was fatally wounded.
Madigan and Chadburn held up and robbed six traveling men at the Britton hotel at Winfield on Sunday night last and escaped. At Cederville last night Detective Calhoun encountered both of the outlaws on the street. Not being positive of their identity, Calhoun secured the city marshal and one of the traveling men who were robbed and the three started in a carriage in search of the two men. Early they drove past the men in a side street today. The traveling man identified them and the trio in the carriage were just in the act of making a stand when either Madigan or Chadburn opened fire. Calhoun was shot through the heart and the outlaws made their escape temporarily. The town was aroused and the outlaws stole two horses and started for Hewins.
Close in Firing
While a posse was gathering at Cedarville word was wired ahead to Hewins, where the deputy sheriff quickly gathered a score of armed men about him. Within two hours the outlaws rode up to a hardware store at Hewins, secured a rifle and a revolver and started out of town on a gallop. Just as Madigan and Chadburn were leaving the main street the posse opened fire from the protection of a store. The robbers returned the fire and a lively fusillade ensued. Finally Madigan fell from his horse, dying almost instantly. Another bullet soon brought Chadburn to the ground, shot through the bowels. During the exchange of shots J. M. Pope, a member of the posse received a slight wound in the foot and a Mrs. Malone who had been attracted to the scene by the firing was shot in the leg. Her wound is not serious. Madigan's body was taken to Cedarville and Chadburn was placed in the hospital where it is said he cannot live. Madigan and Chadburn were each under 20 years of age. Chadburn had served time in the Kansas penitentiary for robbery. Nothing is known of Madigan. Calhoun was 40 years old. (Anaconda Standard, July 13, 1905, page 2)
Story of the Murderous Shooting Into a Crowd as Told a Register Man Afterward
A Register man was in Winfield Monday on business and says that the whole town is wrapped in gloom over the terrible calamity of last week. The ninth victim of the insane man's fury has died and three more are in a critical condition. Crepe adorns scores of homes and the business section of town is draped in mourning. Men stand on the street and talk in low tones of the affair, and the quiet and awful disaster hangs over the city.
Gilbert Twigg, who did the shooting, served as a soldier in Cuba and afterward in the volunteer service in the Philippines. While there he suffered an attack of fever which is believed to have left its effect on him. He resumed his residence at Winfield and at one time was engaged to two women and one of them had her trosseau prepared. Three days before the wedding Twigg disappeared and was gone six months Another time he went to Pennsylvania and visited a brother, returning with a story of being ill treated by his relatives. He was known to be erratic but not considered dangerous.
A few days before the shooting he bought fifty shells loaded with buckshot at a hardware store. Asked what he was going to hunt he said he didn't know exactly. The dealer wondered at the purchase but unwisel kept the matter to himself.
Thursday night the band concert took place. The situation was about the same as if the band were playing in front of Coutant's hardware and the murderer had taken his position in the alley back of the New York store. The band played in the middle of the street and a large crowd stood about. Twigg crouched in the dark alley. With his gun loaded he stepped into the street, knelt down and fired both barrels at the band leader, Harry Caman, a very popular man whom Twigg seemed to dislike. Back into the alley dodged the murderer, quickly reloaded and again fired. This he kept up until he had fired ten shells into the crowd. At first the source of the shots could not be located and people ran wildly about, women fainted, children screamed. Twenty or thirty people fell in the street wounded and a fearful panic ensued, with horses plunging through the crowd.
The maniac was finally located and a colored policeman sneaked up the alley behind him. The murderer was found dead, either by his own hand or that of the policeman.
The shooting stopped, people returned to the awful scene and care was given the wounded. Three lay dead in the street. It was a scene of wildest alarm and horror.
An effect, easily appreciated, of the shooting
occurred at Wichita. A widely advertised band concert was to take place down town, Saturday night. The band appeared
ready to play but there were not a dozen people present.
(Iola Daily Regiter ~ August 18, 1903 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler )
ONE KILLED 8 HURT IN A BUS CRASH
Arkansas City Woman Is Burned to Death In Accident Early This Morning
THINK MAN HAS A BROKEN NECK
Mishap Occurs When Driver Of Machine Swerves To Avoid Hitting Parked Car
OVERTURNS IN SMALL CREEK
Arkansas City, Kansas, Nov. 8---One person, who has been identified as Miss Mildred Beal, aged 35 years, of Arkansas City, was burned to death and eight others were injured, one seriously, early today when a Southern Kansas Stages Lines bus left the highway, overturned and burst into flames 19 miles east of here.
The body was burned beyond recognition, but it was identified as that of Miss Beal because she was the only one not accounted for.
Jones Robertson, aged 26 years, of Boonville, Ark., farmer, suffered a possible broken neck. His condition is serious.
The accident occurred about 4:30 o'clock this morning
when the west-bound bus swerved to avoid striking a car, which was parked in the road. The bus traveled on the
shoulder of the road 150 yards before it struck a small creek and overturned.
(El Dorado Times ~ Friday ~ November 8, 1935 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
ROCK MUSCIAN FROM ARK CITY DIES
Arkansas City native Jim "Motorhead" Sherwood, a rock muscian who performed with the renowned Frank Zappa in the Mothers of Invention, died Christmas Day.
Sherwood died at the age 69 at home with his wife, Linda "Lynn" Sherwood; son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Corrina Regan; and beloved pets, "the kids," Little Bear and Sierra Too, at his bedside, according to an obituary published in The Lodi (Calif.) New-Stentinel.
The Travel was notified of Sherwood's death by his cousin, Curtis Sherwood, of Gruendau, Germany.
Curtis Sherwood submitted an obituary for his famed cousin from The Guardian, which can be accessed at: www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/dec/27/jim-sherwood.
Jim played and toured across the United States and Europe with Zappa in the Mothers of Invention and Ruben and the Jets during his youth, the Lodi News-Sentinel said.
Sherwood and Zappa met in high school in 1956, according to Wikipedia.
Sherwood was in a class with Zappa's brother, Bobby, who introduced the two after learning that Sherwood was a collector of blues records.
He was a rock musician notable for playing soprano, tenor and baritone saxophone, tambourine, vocals and vocal sound effects in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, according to Wikipedia.
According to the Guardian:
"Sherwood would regularly jam with Zappa in a string of different groups, and eventually, in 1964, the Mothers.
"The following year, the band signed a recording contract with MGM records, and set about the lengthy process of recording their first album, 'Freak Out!' with producer Tom Wilson.
"At the time, Sherwood was not a fully fledged member of the bank, which changed its name to the Mothers of Invention. He described his role on 'Freak Out!' as 'just making sound effects on some of the songs.'
"After the album's release in June 1966 on MGM's Verve label, the band went on tour, then in November that year took up a six-month residency at the Garrick Theatre in New York, during which they , played 14 shows a week.
"Sherwood was working for the band as equipment manager and roadie, and sometimes operated the lighting during the Garrick shows. These were a bizarre mix of music and performance art, featuring puppet shows and interludes when the band would pelt the audience with fruit.
"It was when the Mothers made their first trip to England, in mid-1967, that Sherwood was finally hired as a full-time musician."
The band's vocalist and percussionist, Ray Collins, gave Sherwood the nickname "Motorhead," through his love of working on cars, trucks and motorcycles, the Gurdian said.
"It sounds like you've got a little motor
in your head," said Sherwood, quoting Collins, "so they just called me Motorhead and that seemed to stick,"
according to the Guardian.
(The Arkansas City Traveler ~ Tuesday ~ January 10, 2012 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
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