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GRAHAM COUNTY, KANSAS NEWS ARTICLES JAY S. PARKER 1ST ASS'T ATTY. GEN'L ASKS PROMOTION Parker is one of the best-known attorneys in Western Kansas, and he can boast that he has friends in every county in Kansas. He was born at the little town of Morland, in Graham county. He attended rural primary schools, the high school at Hill City, and the University of Kansas. After receiving his law degree from the university he returned to Hill City where he entered the private practice of law. He served Graham County ten years as county attorney, an unusually long record and an indication of his popularity in his home community. Parker entered the attorney general's office shortly after Clarence V. Beck became attorney general. He was promoted to the first assistantship because of the excellent manner in which he handled legal matters that came to his desk. He has handled many of the important legal questions submitted to the attorney general in the past four years. He is the state's chief legal adviser on social security questions. He always has been an active worker in the Republican ranks, not only in his home county but thruout the Sixth District and the state. (Kansas Whip, May 20, 1938, page 1) MRS. M. J. SMITH & SON MOVING NEAR HILL CITY Mrs. M. J. Smith and son started Saturday for their new home, near Hill City, Graham county. Her son-in-law, Mr. Lawliss, arrived with his team on Friday evening and they returned with him. May all her bright anticipations be realized. (Western Kansas World, August 27, 1887) N.B. MILLER AND FAMILY COMING TO GRAHAM COUNTY N. B. Miller and family of Wa-Keeney, inform us that they expect to take a trip to Graham county this week to visit friends and relatives and attend a communion meeting. (Western Kansas World, September 10, 1887) W. S. McGinnis stayed in C. L. Vaughan's office while the latter was up in Graham County. (Western Kansas World, December 3, 1887) C. L. VAUGHAN GOES TO GRAHAM COUNTY Mr. C. L. Vaughan went to Graham county Tuesday afternoon, to spend a day or two with his family. (Western Kansas World, December 3, 1887) F. G. Bower of Hill City, Graham county, stopped off Saturday to visit his brother Will. he intends to go on west. (Western Kansas World, May 26, 1888) SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH DEDICATION The dedication of the Second Baptist church of Wa-Keeney took place last Sunday at 3 o'clock p.m. Elder Lee, of Graham county, assisted by Mr. Jones of Wa-keeney, preached the dedication sermon. A record of all money and labor subscribed toward the erection of this church is in the hands of the clerk, John T. Brown, of this city to whom any one desirous of investigating the data is respectfully referred. Thanks are tendered to all who have contributed toward the erection of the church. (Western Kansas World, May 26, 1888) Thursday morning Homer Jobes, 17 years old, who was working for Geo. McVey, eight miles northwest of Wa-Keeney, was started to C. F. Schwanback's on an errand.He never reached there. The horse which he was riding threw him while crossing a rocky draw, resulting in his death. The lifeless body was found about 8 o'clock in the forenoon. Coroner Groft was notified.He called a jury, composed of W. R. Holmes, S. K. Starlain, H. E. Jackson, A. Heaston, C. F. Fisher and James E. Best. The jury found substantially as we have indicated. Young Jobe's home was in Graham County. (Western Kansas World, June 9, 1888) SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 RUNS NICELY The school in district No. 7 Graham county, taught by Miss Ida M. Flynn, is running nicely. (Western Kansas World, November 8, 1890) KILLED BY LIGHTNING - JESSE BEECHER Jesse Beecher, an old and respected citizen of the south part of Graham county was killed by lightning yesterday at 6 o'clock p.m. Mr. Beecher it appears was out at his grain stacks when the fatal bolt struck him. (Western Kansas World, July 14, 1888) A man by the name of Wm. Stout, who was on his way east and had stopped over night in Wa-Keeney was arrested on Franklin street Thursday morning by Sheriff Hogan. Stout had stolen a valuable bird dog at Fairmont, Graham County, and had been followed here by a constable of that place who had a warrant for his arrest. Upon Stout's arrival here, he sold the dog to Jos. marks for $5.00. The Graham county constable turned his papers over to Sheriff Hogan, who found his man on Franklin street, getting ready to leave town. The matter was compromised by Stout's returning Jos. Marks the five dollars for the dog and paying the expenses of the arrest, which amounted to about $25. (Western Kansas World, October 20, 1888) C. H. Moseley of the south part of Graham county was in town Monday and Tuesday. (Western Kansas World, November 3, 1888) CLAIM JUMPERS - THEY WAKE UP A NEIGHBORHOOD Last Wednesday evening a meeting was held at Happy Hollow school house in the south edge of Graham county to take steps for mutual protection against the illegal jumping of claims which is becoming so prevalent in that locality. Nearly all the men in that region were in attendance. Mr. Geo. Mosely presided. F. W. Wallace was elected secretary. It was decided that at a meeting to be held Wednesday evening of next week an organization should be perfected for the protection of the legal holders of land and for the benefit of legitimate land seekers. People from other localities, who are interested are invited to be present and participate in the proceedings. (Western Kansas World, March 20, 1886) MRS. H. C. MOSELEY HAS BEEN ILL Mrs. H. C. Moseley, of the southern part of Graham county has been quite ill during the week. (Western Kansas World, March 20, 1886) MESSRS. STEVENSON RECEIVED CAR GOODS Messrs. Stevenson received their car of goods on Saturday and have located in the southern part of Graham County. (Western Kansas World, March 21, 1885) A HAIL STORM LAYS WASTE THE CROPS OF QUITE AN AREA About 7 o'clock Tuesday afternoon the fiercest hail storm known to this section of country since its settlement came down from slightly west of north. We do not claim to know the place of origin, but reports indicate that it was in the latitude of Millbrook and several miles west of that place. It is said to have done considerable damage at Nathaniel Crank's almost west of Millbrook. It entirely ruined the corn and other crops of Mr. Lahman, in the south part of Graham county. It must have injured all his neighbors in the same manner. Coming on to the Saline, J. P. Smith reports that he has nothing left in the crop line. His neighbors generally we infer, were similarly damaged. We estimate the average width of the destructive hail belt at from two to three miles. In the immediate vicinity of Wa-Keeney, crops were not entirely beaten into the ground. Timber was not seriously injured, though some small limbs and many leaves were harvested. From Sheriff Baker's west for two or three miles the damage in the Big Creek valley was especially severe. Mr. Baker report that his crops are all beaten into the ground and his timber injured seriously. Chalk, Hewitt, Wolf and others lost all their crops. We have not learned where hail storm took a halt to the south. State Superintendent Lawhead informed a World reported that some hail fell at Grainfield but that it did not harm. (Western Kansas World, June 20, 1885) NATHANIEL CRANK CANDIDATE FOR SHERIFF Nathaniel Crank, who is well known to many of our citizens is an independent candidate for sheriff of Graham county. (Western Kansas World, October 10, 1885) H. J. HARWI GOING TO PENNSYLVANIA H.J. Harwi, clerk of Graham county is about to go to Pennsylvania on a visit. (Western Kansas World, November 21, 1885) GRAHAM COUNTY MILLBROOK TIMES FEB. 26 The case of the State vs. John Ferris for cruelty to animals was tried before Justice Graves on Tuesday, County Attorney Turck appearing for plaintiff and H. J. Harwi for defendant. The defendant was found guilty and fined $10.00 and costs, and the case was appealed to the district court. Ed. Atkins reports a good prospect for a big boom at Fremont this spring. Col. Green and Maj. Prout are the pioneers and have already commenced improvements. The Millbrookers who performed in Wa-Keeney last week had a good house and a good time generally and are highly pleased at the generous reception and good treatment extended them by the citizens of our sister city. (Western Kansas World, March 6, 1886) HAPPY HOLLOW HAPPENINGS - SOUTH GRAHAM COUNTY MAY 4 A. J. Dorman is making improvements on his ranch. W. O. Beardwell has enclosed quite a strip of pasture - another wise improvement. J. H. Dorman has struck "ike," or rather, water, on his farm, after five years' perseverances. Miss N. c. Lahman has been visiting with her uncle and friends, on Brush and Jackson creeks, the past week. The Happy Hollow Union Sunday School meets every Sunday at the school house at 2 p.m. All are cordially invited to attend. S. L. Shorthill is superintendent and A. T. Lahman, secretary. (Western Kansas World, May 8, 1886) ANNIE SCHWENDENER HEADED BACK HOME Miss Annie Schwendener started yesterday to her home in Republic county. During her stay in Graham county she has made many friends who regret to part with her, and hope she will make it convenient in the near future, to visit Graham county again. (Western Kansas World, May 8, 1886) GRAHAM COUNTY REPUBLICANS - SEPTEMBER 17 Hill City, Kan., Sept. 17 - The Republican county convention was held here Saturday and the following nominations were made: Representative, Alvin law; county attorney, H. J. Harwi; county superintendent, Miss Floy Hardman; probate judge, James Justus; clerk of the court, Slyvester Carey; commissioner, A. E. Kerns. (Kansas Semi Weekly Capital, September 18, 1900, page 7) GEORGE JONES ASKING TO BE PRESIDENTAL ELECTOR George W. Jones a colored lawyer of Graham county is asking to be a Presidential elector upon the Republican ticket. (Afro-American Advocate, March 4, 1892, page 4) HILL CITY MURDER DEFENSE ATTORNEY PLEADS INSANITY Dennis G. Sanders, who is charged in the beating death of a young high school art teacher, was insane at the time of her death and is in an "acute psychotic state" now his lawyer said in his opening statement Tuesday. Ken Havner, the defense lawyer, told the Graham county District Court jury that the state was relying on emotion in the case and he sought to have pictures of the dead woman's body ruled unadmissible as evidence. Judge C. E. B?rney ruled the pictures were germane to the case and admitted them as evidence. He also overruled Havner's motion for a change of venue and said he felt a fair trial was possible in Graham county. Sanders, 21, of Hill City, charged with first-degree murder in the beating death in April of Linda Leebrick, 23, who was in her first year of teaching at Hill City High School at the time of her death. Miss Leebrick's body was found in a wooded area east of Hill City. Sanders has pleaded innocent by reason of insanity. County Atty Randall Weller told the jury in his opening remarks Tuesday that Sanders kidnaped Miss Leebrick from her basement apartment, dragged her up a flight of stairs and took her in his car to the spot where her body was found. Weller told the jury that tire tracks at the scene matched the tires on Sanders' car. He said pieces of alfalfa found stuck in the undercarriage of Sanders' car matched alfalfa found at the scene. (Great Bend Tribune, October 27, 1976, page 10) Harlie Mitchem has resigned from the Hill City police force to lease a service station at the intersection of highways US?24 and 283 (Western Kansas Press, October 13, 1962, page 2) SEARCH FOR FATHER IN HILL CITY DEATHS The three childrens' bodies found Nov. 11 near Hill City have tentatively been identified as three missing children from Marquette. The children are Beth and Berry Betts, 5 year old twins and Elsie Betts, 7 year old. Graham Co. Atty. Allen Shelton released the names Thursday morning after conferring with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and current news reports. KBI agents have interviewed the mother of the three children, Mrs. Johnny Meyers, and their stepfather. The children were last seen in McPherson county approximately Aug. 1 in the company of their father, Emmet Ray Betts. Betts was last known to be driving a 1965 volkswagen bus, white over green with Kansas license plate No. MP B 996. He is described as a white male, age 27, 5 feet, 10 inches tall weighing about 225 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Shelton said he would not use the word "suspect" to describe Betts. The cause of death has not been determined, according to Shelton and KBI agent Don Burns. News reports have stated that kidnapping charges are being considered against Betts. Shelton had no comment. Burns said KBI agents have been ivestigating leads in several Kansas towns and out-of-state. The news release said cooperation of federal authorities have been sought in the investigation. News reports have stated Betts usually picked up the three children each summer and took them to his parents in Illinois. They usually returned in time for school but haven't been seen since Betts picked them up about Aug. 1. The news release stated information leading to the present investigation was provided by the McPherson atty. Ward P. Ferguson. Ferguson and McPherson county sheriff Ellis Musselwhite had no comment Thursday morning. Ferguson was reportedly "in conference for the day." The release also stated that the KBI and co. atty. Shelton wish to emphasize that the identification of the three children is tentative only. The KBI is continuing to investigate other possibilities." (Great Bend Tribune, November 21, 1974, page 1) Mikie Walts, five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Walts is seriously ill at Children's Hospital in Denver. His illness was first diagnosed as polio, but later as possibly encephalitis. The Walts are in Denver with their son. (Salina Journal, September 22, 1955, page 13) The will of a wealthy Hill City man who sought to promote "natural" healing arts was attacked Monday in federal district court. Involved is an amount in excess of $300,000. The will was made by A. J. Rice who died in 1928. Efforts to set it aside are being made by five nephews and nieces. The petition filed by Rice's relatives said he had left 9000 acres of land in Graham county, 200 in Atchison county and 240 in Rooks county. At the time of his death the estate was appraised at $200,000 but the petition states it now is worth in excess of $300,000. The will provided trustrees of the estate were to set up $10,000 trust funds each for high schools at Hill City and Effingham on condition they teach course in physiology, electrical massage, hygiene, hydropathy and other subjects. A third trust fund was to be used to install certain courses at Kansas Wesleyan college and the University of Kansas. The will said those courses were to teach the natural laws of health, the natural food for man and similar subjects. Rice, in his will said if the universities failed to accept his proposals the funds were to be spent in building and operating a sanatorium at or near Topeka where his medical doctrines were to be taught and practiced. The petition seeking to avoid the will said the trust funds were contrary to public policy, legally void and that trustees of the estate had found it impossible to estabilsh them. (Hutchinson News Herald, November 30, 1948, page 16) FLAMES FATAL TO TWO AT HILL CITY Two men who suffered burns Friday in the flaming cab of their gasoline transport died today in the Graham County Hospital. They were Marshall H. Taylor, 46, Sedan and Elmer Earl Grover, 25, Wichita. Authorities said the men jumped from the cab just before the semi trailer plunged over a cliff 10 miles west of Hill City. Only sketchy details of the accident were available, but it was believed the transport either caught fire or exploded. It was demolished in the out of control plunge. Taylor and Grover, drivers for a Wichita trucking concern, were critcially burned before they could escape. (Salina Journal, July 8, 1956, page 22)
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