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Saline County, Kansas

1869

REPORTED HANGING OF A KANSAS OUTLAW
The Marshall (Saline County) Democrat learns that Dr. Judson G. Stewart, who was tried by a court of inquiry in Johnson County for the murder of Miles Carry, not long since, and acquitted of the charge was seen, a few days after his release, hanging dead to a tree, near Rose Hill, Cass Conty. The same paper learns also on good authority, that this Stewart was no less a personage than the notorious Dr. Jennison, the Kansas outlaw, who figured in the Missouri border raid last November. (The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 6, 1861)

Salina, our far-western town, is said to be going ahead rapidly. Many buildings are going up, among them schoolhouses and churches. (Freedoms Champion, November 22, 1866)

A Mr. Thorp, of Ohio, is organizing a colony in and near Cleveland for the purpose of locating upon lands in Saline County, Kansas, about one hundred and seventy miles west of the Missouri border. (The Daily Memphis Avalanche, March 25, 1869)

1871


OUR BROOKVILLE TRIP.
Tuesday last, a lovely day, in company with Mr. D.F. Donegan and Mr. Carlin, an intelligent gentleman from Canada, we journeyed to Brookville and beyond. As we passed along we notice the fine farms of Col. and Maj. Norton's. They are under good cultivation, with good dwelling houses and fine barns. We passed by the magnificent farm of Evander Light, Esq. this farm comprises several thousand acres of land under fence. Four hundred acres are sowed in rye. Van has put up a fine depot near his farm, on the railroad, at his own expense and for his own convenience. He has also, recently put up a fine building as an addition to his residence. One of the finest springs in the country is found in the picturesque bluffs back of his house. Mr. Light intends laying pipes about the farm to conduct the crystal waters from this perennial spring to his buildings and crops. There are few farms in our State that equal this in size and high state of improvement. As we rode rapidly by, we noticed the fine new school house building, nearly completed, at Bavaria. It is two stores high, surmounted by a cupola, and erected at a cost probably, of about $3,500. Hon. I.F. Clarke, Salien's most eloquent and persistent Democrat, was one of the prime movers in this school building enterprise. We noticed the fine store of Mr. Hamilton, and the elegant residence of D.E. Fuller, Esq., as we passed; also a splendid new bridge, lately built by the railroad company, across Spring Creek. It would be almost impossible for an accident to happen on that bridge, such is the construction thereof. Between Bavaria and Brookville at least fifty new houses have been built during the last eighteen months. What a wonderful change has taken place in this country ! We saw the cozy little place of commissioner Slocum on the hill side. About one o'clock P.M. we arrived at Brookville. We drove up to McDonald's restaurant and had a luxurious dinner. Mr. McDonald is well and favorably known in the country. We shall remember with pleasure the pleasant evening our party spent with Mr. McDonald and his agreeable sisters. Here we met good natured Barney Bolan, the champion prize fighter, of the west, Hon. E.N. Stearns, formerly speaker of the House of Representatives of Colorado, our old friend Combs and many other acquaintances who were glad to see us.
Brookville has quite a fine appearance as you come down from the hill-top that surrounds her. She has a fine location and will make a good town. The railroad company has spent a great amount of money in the buildings there. The round house is a grand structure, though only a fourth of it is yet built. Brookville has already a town organization and is now asking for a newspaper. They are making great efforts for the cattle trade this summer and probably will get their share of it. From this place we passed down the lovely valley of Spring Creek south to the Smoky Hill river and from thence by way of Dry Creek to Salina. We were more than delighted with our pleasant and rapid trip and are willing to take another of the same kind.
THE SALINE COUNTY JOURNAL, March 2, 1871

1883

Last Thursday afternoon Mr. W.C. Tuthill's little daughter was wheeling the baby close to the river bank, when the little girl lost control of the carriage and it ran into the river. The little girl rushing to the top of the bank gave the alarm and Mr. Chas. Tuthill ran to the rescue. He found the carriage turned upside down and the baby clinging to the side of the buggy nearly drowned. After some effort the baby was restored and now is as vigorous as ever. A most fortunate escape. - Saline County Journal (From The Abilene Reflector, September 6, 1883

1894

LEFT SUDDENLY: Salina's City Attorney Creates a Sensation

March 1 - City Attorney Hutchinson created quite a sensation here by leaving the city very suddenly last night, taking with him his 3 year-old-baby. His wife was prevailed upon to attend an entertainment, and while she was absent he packed up his clothes and taking the child, departed for climes unknown. Before going Hutchinson filed divorce proceedings, charging his wife with cruelty and neglect of duty. Mrs. Hutchinson was wholly unprepared for the action of her husband and is deeply affected by the loss of her child. (Kansas Weekly Capital and Farm Journal, March 3, 1894)

1897


Stole a Rolling Mill: Brookville Father and Son Accused of Taking Most Everything
Salina, Kan., Jan. 27. - Last evening John Warner sr., and John Warner, jun., were arrested at Brookville by Constable Bishop upon a warrant issued from Justice Tuttle's court, charging them with grand larceny. If the charges are true grand larceny is certainly an appropriate name for their crime, as it was on a grand scale - the indictment including in their suspicious holdings a lengthened array of indiscriminate articles, including "one rolling mill." Many of the articles are alleged to have been stolen from the Union Pacific Railroad company. The defendants, who reside near Brookville, were committed to jail in default of bail.
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, January 29, 1897)

1897

FATE PURSUED HIM

Peer S. Swanberg, who lives two miles east of Falun, is one of the most unfortunate of men. At the time of the tornado in that neighborhood a few years ago his place was swept by the storm. Later he lost his wife and daughter. Then he had his farm foreclosed by a mortgage company. On last Saturday the climax was capped by the destruction of his home and all his household goods by fire.

Mr. Swanberg lost everything he had even to his and the children's clothing. Sheriff Forsse was circulating a paper this morning soliciting aid for him. (Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital; 7/13/1897)

1898

KANSAS SOLDIER VOTE
Saline County Citizens Object to It s Being Counted

Republic Special
Topeka, Kas., Dec. 12 - T. L. Bond and H. N. Gaines of Saline County appeared before the State Canvassing Board today and protested against the counting of the vote of the Twenty-third Kansas Regiment, now at Santiago. The law says that the vote of absent soldiers must be forwarded to the Secretary of State by mail. The returns were carried from Santiago by the Rev. G. D. Olden, a messenger appointed by the Governor.

This technical objection is raised because the vote from the Twenty-third elects J. C. Short, Republican, Superintendent of Schools of Saline County, by two votes, while, if it is thrown out, Miss Mabel Marlin, Populist, will get the office by five majority. If counted, the soldier vote will elect F. B. Hawes, a Republican, member of the Legislature from Leavenworth by five majority, and if thrown out it leaves Dawes and his Democratic opponent tied. (The St. Louis Republic, December 13, 1898)

1900


BIG WHEAT YIELD
One Saline County Farmer has Nearly 43 Bushels Per Acre

Salina, Kan. - July 30 - Saline County has knocked the persimmon with one of the biggest yields of wheat per acre of any county in Kansas.

Pleasant Valley township has the distinguished honor, and W. E. Boggs the pecuniary profits of raising 42.85 bushels per acre of 62 pound wheat. This was the field that was reported a few days ago to have yielded 41 bushels to the acre, but that was an estimate, and careful weight and measurement gives nearly two bushels more than that figure.

This is without doubt the best wheat harvested in Saline County. It only proves that Kansas soil is ready to give returns in proportion to the labor and care put upon it.

A half bushel of this wheat has been selected by the Salina Mill and Elevator company to be preserved for the Kansas Semi-Centennial exposition to be held in 1904. It may be beaten before that time but it will take mighty good farming to do it. A sample is also on exhibition at the Farmer's National bank. (The Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, July 31, 1900)

1901

Kansas Semi - Weekly Capital, February 5, 1901
SALINA AS A FRONTIER POST
By M.D.Sampson, Salina Republican


Thirty-four years in retrospect, so far as the life of the state, a nation or the world is concerned, is a long span in history. What potent events may have occurred in that time; but in no country under the sun has the transformation scene been more marked or startling than that which has taken place in KANSAS. That long ago, the writer a mere boy, fresh from service in the army and the subsequent finishing touches of college life, came to Leavenworth and on to the soil of Kansas and beheld for the first time this vast domain practically in its virgin wildness, with the haunts and abodes of men confined almost wholly to the territory east of the Republican river. Samuel J. Crawford was then Governor. James H. Lane, soon to take his own life, and Samuel C. Pomeroy, were Senators. Sidney Clarke was the sole Representative in Congress, Thomas P. Fenlon, the brilliant young Irish attorney, was county attorney of the county of Leavenworth, which is recalled by the fact that the writer was present in court one day and was greatly impressed with the argument Tom was making for his client. Solon O. Thacher was judge of the district court of Lawrence and John Hutchins a leading member of the Douglas county bar. The classic Mount Oread at Lawrence was crowned only by an unfinished wing of the present principal structure of the State university. Wild strawberries grew abundantly upon the hill and the drowsy note of cowbells was the common music in that vicinity, like the tinkling of the mule bells down the mountain paths of Spain. Topeka was a frowsly, unkept village, to which the Kansas Pacific railway was just finished. Here the overland stage route commenced and meandered across the balance of the continent.
The writer, with ne'er a shilling in his pocket, commenced his western pilgrimage on foot (not unlike the modern hobo, although there was no railroad train to carry him.)
At the town now known as Silver Lake he spent the first night of his travels in the log house of a half - breed Indian, where squaws, papooses, dogs, cats and the snores of sleepers were mixed up inextricable confusion in the sole sleeping room of the house. With his eye fixed on the "Star of Empire" which was then making its way westward, the writer arose unrefreshed by his night's "catnaps" and he plodded on early the next morning. The fresh pure air and genial sunshine; the flower bedecked prairies, the singing of our melodious Kansas birds; the castellated little hills bordering the river valley - then likened to the scenery of the Nile - all these serve to freshen the human being and make the heart light of a young man blossoming into manhood, with high hopes and ambition and all the world before him.
It was not long before he came upon the train of a Mr. Angel of Leavenworth, who had been awarded the government survey in the west half of Kansas, then a complete wilderness. The writer was kindly received and made part and parcel of the surveying party, which in the course of a day or two arrived at Manhattan. Here the writer remained about six months following his trade. Here he formed acquaintances which became lifelong friends very dear to his heart. Judge James Humphrey had just entered upon the practice of his profession, having but a few years before given up his avocation as a hod ? carrier and entered upon that study and application which subsequently made him famous as a Kansas lawyer. Ristine and Spilman, two young lawyers from Crawfordsville, Ind., had just located at Manhattan. Spilman subsequently became judge of the district court - one of the best judges in the state, and in high mindedness in his profession stood sans peur et sans reproche. Nehemiah Green, subsequently Lieutenant Governor and finally succeeding Crawford as Governor, who became colonel of the Nineteenth Kansas regiment during the Indian war of 1868, was then pastor of the M. E. church at Manhattan.
J.H. Pillbury, a good and well intentioned man, was editor of the Manhattan Independent, and Colonel E. C. Manning editor of the Kansas Radical. "The college on the hill" was then a struggling Methodist institution under the presidency of the Rev. Joseph Denison. It subsequently became the property of the state and the nucleus of the State Agricultural college.
While in Manhattan the writer met Bayard Taylor, who was then taking the stage route west to Denver as correspondent of the New York Tribune. He also met the late Colonel W. A. Phillips, dressed in a shabby suit of black surmounted by a rusty silk tile, who expatiated with earnestness and enthusiasm upon the prospects and location of the smart town of Salina, which he founded near the junctionof the Saline and Smoky Hill forks of the Kansas river. The writer's attention was then first called to the possibility of Salina becoming the chief city of central Kansas by one who had already won fame as a correspondent of the New York Tribune during the territory's troublesome times and as a colonel in the army. At the time the writer met the colonel in the Manhattan hotel expatiating as aforesaid he was unconscious of the advocate's distinguished career; and from his peculiar attire, mode of speech and manner of praising the town he had founded, he mistook the colonel for what would be known in these days as a "professional boomer" and was a little shy in pulling up stakes for the westward. Subsequently, when the writer learned who the man was and what he represented, prejudice was removed and his continuous thought was turned towards the young and growing town in the west.
One cold morning in February 1867, the writer found himself with three others embarked in a stage coach for the west. Arriving at Ogden the stage coach hauled up at a brewery, where the passengers were allowed a chance to fill up on stuff which might have been anything else but beer and would answer any other cognomen. Ogden was a thriving town then.
At Junction City a long stop was made. Junction was then becoming a Sodom and Gomorrah in wickedness, and about the only good man in the place by common report was Deacon George W. Martin, famous as a courageous, wideawake newspaper man, who was battling against the toughs who then walked about town carrying white handled revolvers and using them very carelessly.
Westward from there a wilderness of untilled and yet fertile soil was seen on every hand. And at what is known as Detroit the Lamb Brothers boarded the coach, to do a job of fiddling at a dance in Salina. At Mud creek, where Abilene is now located, Tim Hersey kept a hostelry. The structure was a dugout and game and biscuit and coffee were served to the stage passengers. This was a relay station. And somewhere about there was the railroad terminus, the road being operated only by construction trains.
The shades of night were falling fast when the stage coach drove up to the Salina tavern, which was then out a story and a half structure, with three sleeping rooms and as many beds in a room, which were expected to accommodate six or more sleepers. The beds were fair enough for pioneering days; so too was the fare, provided the guests were satisfied with an unvarying menu three times a day. The straggling village of four or five hundred people had a few of the comforts and luxuries of the east, but contained men of grit and enterprise who were determined to do their part in carving out a shapely empire from the howling wilderness of Kansas. The monotony of a pioneer village was varied by the startling incidents of the hunt and Indian warfare, which after this span of years at times overwhelm the memory with the glow which distance or the lapse of years lends to all adventure. The Indian forays became as common as shots on the firing line. Salina was never in actual danger from the visits of the red men who were on the warpath, and yet the warriors were so unpleasantly near that they were the cause of great alarm, especially to the feminine portion of the community. I believe the nearest approach was near Bavaria, a station seven miles west of Salina.
In 1868 Governor Crawford came to Salina, organized a volunteer company of 60 men and started in a bootless pursuit of the savages who had raided the valleys of the Saline, Solomon and Republican rivers, going as far to the northwest as Asherville, near Beloit, without overhauling the retreating friends. Numbers of Salina's old citizens were enrolled in this company. During the company's absence an alarm was sounded in Salina, and guards were put out on all the roads leading into town. At a given signal the women and children were to assemble for safety in what was then designated as the court house, a two story frame building standing opposite the National hotel building. The only "alarm" that ever came from the preparedness was the shot of a gun by a frightened guard at the crossing of the Smoky Hill river, where an iron bridge now stands, on Iron avenue. The result of the shot was a grunt and squeal of an innocent and unoffending hob that had plunged through the bushes to the riverside to obtain a drink.
Speaking of the court house reminds me that the dilapidated frame story and a half building still standing on East Iron avenue was first used in the primitive days - the lower story for a printing office and the upper story for the temple of justice. It was the practice in the era for attorneys as far east as Topeka to travel with the judges who were holding court in the various districts. The writer recalls that during the incumbency of the office of judge by Judges James Humphrey and Canfield in the old Eight district, to which Saline county then belonged, John Martin, A.L. Williams and A.H. Case of Topeka and J.R. McClure of Junction City were present at nearly every term of court in Salina. Judge J. P. Usher, Secretary of the Interior in Lincoln's cabinet, and then general attorney for the Kansas Pacific road, was often in court looking after the company's interest. I remember once seeing John J. Ingalls of Atchison in court. It is not probable that he then thought of being United States Senator from Kansas within six or eight years.
Salina being for a few months the terminus of the Kansas Pacific road became also the point of exit for the Santa Fe "bull trains" and the shipping point of a large Texas cattle business. "Mexican greasers" and cowboys from Texas jostled each other on the streets. Salina for a season became noted for its toughness, but at not time became the equal in wickedness of Ellsworth and the later town of Abilene. "Wild" Bill, Jack Harvey and other noted scouts were seen here occasionally. "Wild" Bill was in Salina when a party of Pennsylvanians, including Simon Cameron, General W.S. Hancock, George H. Brewster, et. al., who were traveling to the end of the road, took their dinner here. The ladies of the party made much of "Wild" Bill, who had suddenly bounded into notoriety by a lurid sketch of his career which had recently appeared in Harper's magazine.
While in reminiscent mood I can not overlook the delightful experience of a buffalo hunt which was carried in the writer's memory all the days of his subsequent life. It took place in October, 1867. The line of travel was along the Saline river to the northwest as far as Paradise creek. The country was almost an unbroken wilderness and the habitations of men were not found further west than in the eastern edge of Lincoln county. In the pure air and haze of the October day scattered herds of fleetfooted antelope were seen on either hand, all the way to the buffalo grounds Gray wolves frequently made their appearance. At night the howling of the wolf and the yelping of the coyotes sounded down the canyons. The night voices of nature's tenants were by no means perfect symphony, but they have lingered all these years in the memory like unto the sweetest melody. The buffalo grounds once reached, the hills and valleys were literally black with the animals, and the sharp crack of the guns of hunting parties were heard in nearby range in all directions. The party to which the writer was attached killed 24 buffalo, and loaded the wagons only with the hams, tongues and "humps." The balance of the carcasses was left as food for the wolves, and the clean picked bones bleached by many suns became a source of profit to the future settlers, who hauled them to neighboring railroad stations, where quite a traffic in bones existed for several years. Our party belated one night in reaching a stream camped on the "divide" and at early morning, just as the sun was rising, had reached highlands which overlooked the beautiful Paradise creek. Beyond it one of the hunters described a large herd of elks and it was the purpose of the party to stalk the herd and bring in "new trophies of the chase." But long before the hunters reached the creek itself the large herd was in motion and with their beautiful antlers thrown back on their shoulders were speeding away across the plain for dear life. It was a grand sight, not witnessed more than once in the most favored lifetime of a plainsman. It seems as if the children of this generation of Kansas people, in loss of the buffalo, the elk, the deer and antelope which were hunted by their fathers, are deprived of the most glorious privileges for which the substitution of the benefits of a more refined and comfortable civilization seem faulty indeed.
But to return to Salina.
Salina slumbered in mediocrity in its village proportions for more than a decade and a half of years. But her inhabitants had pinned their faith in her big future and hoped on. For years her growth was like that of the oak, slow but substantial. When the town was struck midships by the boom of 1887 the early prophets of her coming bigness were sure that her supreme hour had come. But alas! It was a "sickly growth not her own." Her greatness disolved like ropes of sand. It was simply a phantasmagoric effect, which a few brief months expunged as the wind would tear down a scaffolding. The builders were in the gloom of despondency and almost despaired of ever seeing again one ray of hope. But the foundations were deep and strong. The builders had builded stronger than they knew. Up rose in the fleeting years a fairer and better structure, welded with bands of iron, which are to endure for all time. The hub of widely encircled area of fertile soil, paying tribute more than Roman to her upbuilding, Salina, is destined to go on and on to a wider and more outreaching prosperity, keeping full pace in the years to come with the wideawake, progressive and enterprising communities of Kansas.

1901

PEDRO ROMERO MEMBER OF BAND AT SALINA
Pedro Romero is a member of Prof. Packard's military band at Salina. His name sounds as though he is just the kind of a fellow who can stick a clarinet between his teeth or commence scratching away on a mandolin and play until the cows come home. (Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, April 5, 1901, page 4)

1901

HARRY ELLIOTT GOES TO CANADA FOR A BRIDE
The question that is attracting attention at Salina just now is this: Why did Harry Elliott of the Union Pacific go all the way up to Canada for the purpose of getting a bride? (Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, April 5, 1901, page 4)

1901


JOE BRISTOW HAS FIRM CINCH AS 4TH ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL
Kansas generally, but Salina and Ottawa in particular, are glad to note what a firm cinch Joe Bristow has on his position as Fourth Assistant Postmaster General. (Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, April 5, 1901, page 4)


1903

HOTEL FRONT BLOWN OUT

Gas Leak In Hotel At Salina Causes Explosion

SALINA, Kan., June 6----At gas leak at the National hotel last night caused an explosion that injured Adam Smith, the engineer, and a bell boy, and caused several thousand dollars damage. Nearly the entire front of the hotel was demolished and the barbershop and billiard room were destroyed. None of the guests was injured.
(The Wichita Daily Eagle ~ June 7, 1903)


1910

WILL ARRIVE TOMORROW
Mrs. Will Shotwell will arrive here tomorrow to visit with home-folks for a few days. Mrs. Shotwell has been in New York City for ten days buying goods for her department in Buckley Brother's store in Salina, Kans.
Ray County Missourian, (Ray County, Missouri newspaper) February 3, 1910

1910

111 at Salina, Kan. : The records of the government weather bureau at Salina, Kan., were broken Tuesday, when the thermomenter eached the 111 mark. This was the third consecutive day that the temperature has been up to and above 109 degrees. (The Farmville Hearld, Farmville, Va.) July 29, 1910

1915

A GOOD FACULTY AT K.W.B.C. ~ Twenty Three Teachers on the College Payroll -- Training Practical.

The old Kansas Wesleyan Business College, at Salina, Kan., has taken on new life in every respect since President Tucker took hold of the institution two years ago. He has been fortunate in the choice of his assistants. L.S. Weller, a University of Ohio man, is vice-president and business manager of the institution. He is helping to make the college an institution where a square deal is exemplified in all its business transactions.

Mrs. L.L. Tucker is secretary of the institution. She is a college woman, one of Ohio's pulbic school teachers, and a woman with the very highest ideals of life and character. She has established a branch of the Young Woman's Christian Association, and directs its work. She assists the girls in finding good Christian homes when they come to the college, and the students find her a sympathetic friend, who is ready and willing to go to any length to assist them and counsel with them.

There have been, this winter, twenty-three teachers on the pay-roll of the College. Only men and women of the highest character and efficiency are employed in this institution. All of the heads of each department have had, in addition to their teaching experience a business experience also. This practical office experience is one reason for the efficiency of the graduates of this college. Another very important factor is the employement department. After the students have completed their courses and passed their examinations, and would in other schools receive their diplomas, they are advanced to the Emplyment Department where for two or three weeks they take dictation, assist in filing the correspondence, in the care of mailing lists, in the use of the multigraph, and other appliances, with which the school is equipped. When they go out they are really experienced stenographers.

Most of the students prepare themselves in both bookkeeping and shorthand, or in bookkeeping and stenotype and are thus eligible for the best positions. (University Missourian, Columbia, MO, April 28, 1915 page 6 )

1919

NEW FEDERAL PRISON WARDEN
A. V. Anderson of Saline County, Kansas, to Get Leavenworth Place

WASHINGTON, April 6 - A. V. Anderson, state senator of Saline County, Kansas is to be the new warden of the federal prison at Leavenworth.

While the appointment hasn't been officially made, it is known that the new attorney general, A. Mitchell Palmer, has decided upon Mr. Anderson, and it is expected the announcement will be made some time next week. Representative Anthony of the Leavenworth district was given this information today and told that the matter was finally settled.

Anderson had the backing of Representative Guy Helvering, the retiring member of Congress from the Fifth district. Inside the Department of Justice, the section having charge of the management of the federal prisons, was backing Deputy Warden Fletcher for the position, on the ground that he deserved the promotion. (The Kansas City Star, April 6, 1919)

Transcribed by Peggy Thompson

1931


-H.G. Douglass succeeded William Baltersby to chairman of the board of county commissioners Monday.

-Stockholders and employee of the National Bank of America held a turkey dinner Monday night at the country club. More than 100 guests were present. The guests were led in singing by Margaret McAdams with Henry Eberhardt at the piano. Talks were by Frank Hageman, president, Ames Rogers, and H.W. Rohrer, Abilene, Charles L. Schwartz, Jess B. Smith and others.

-Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Burch, 219 West Prescott, have left for a trip which will take them to Honolulu for a two months stay.

-John Pyle and Larry F. Krell have completed plans for a warehouse at the corner of 9th and North.

-E.R. Nelson who retired as sheriff after four years will return to his former work with the Union Pacific. Joe Condit who filled the job while Nelson was sheriff will be transferred to the main line.
The Salina Journal, January 13, 1931

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