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Sol Burkhalter

                                                                 Winfield.
Winfield 1880: Sol Burkhalter, 30; spouse, Emma, 21.
Winfield Directory 1880.
Boulby, R., hostler, boards Sol Burkhalter.
Burkhalter, S., livery stable, 8th Avenue, north side, between Main and Millington; residence, 7th Avenue, north side, between Loomis and Fuller.
LIVERY STABLES.
BURKHALTER, S., 10th avenue, corner Manning.
SPEED & MOFFITT, Main, e. s. between 8th and 9th avenues.
TERRILL & FERGUSON, 9th avenue, n. s. between Main and Millington.
VANCE & DAVIS, 9th avenue, n. s. between Main and Manning.
Winfield Directory 1885.
Pierce C C, 10th Avenue Livery Stable, 121 w 10th, res 411 w Riverside.
[Question: Did Pierce take over Burkhalter’s livery stable???]
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Winfield Courier, June 16, 1881.
The party consisting of F. S. Jennings, Ed. P. Greer, L. H. Webb, James Kelly, Will Stivers, T. H. Soward, Sol Burkhalter, Will Whitney, and W. H. Albro went last week to the Territory for fun, fish, and foolishness. All returned Tuesday evening except Ed., who returned the night before. They report lots of fun, fish, and squirrels. Grizzly’s and other large game were neglected. Most of them returned with their hair on.
[REPORT ON TRIP TO THE TERRITORY.]
Winfield Courier, June 23, 1881, and June 30, 1881.
ED. COURIER: It is now customary, I believe, when a party makes a trip anywhere, especially to the Indian Territory, for someone of the number to furnish an account of the same to the newspapers. As one of a squad of nine, who recently made a pilgrimage to the land of the Kaw, I will try to inform your readers of some of the matters and things connected therewith.
The party consisted of F. S. Jennings, Judge Tom Soward, W. R. Stivers, W. H. Albro, Will Whitney, L. H. Webb, E. P. Greer, James Kelly, and last but by no means least, Sol Burkhalter. The latter gentleman furnished the rigs and was of course wagon-master.
Grouse Creek was reached by noon of the first day, said day being, curiously enough, Thursday, June 9th, 1881, which should have been mentioned sooner.
Here a halt was called for dinner, and here also the verdancy of the party began to crop out. The temporary camp was made in a dense jungle on the lee side of a hill with a perpendicular front some twenty or thirty feet high. Underbrush, weeds, nettles, vines: pooh [?], but wasn’t it hot! Not a breath of air stirred a leaf in that miserable forest. Yes, it was hot, and some of us thought that spot would compare favorably with a modified hades according to the new version. But we had the shade.

While some of us built a fire and got dinner, Mr. Jennings, Judge Soward, and Will Stivers went in quest of game. Soon word was sent to send another gun and more ammunition, which request being speedily complied with, such a roar of musketing opened out as I’ll wager, the waters of the Grouse had not heard for many a day. Presently the mighty nimrods returned.
“Where’s your game?” chorused we of the bread and butter stay-at-home brigade.
“It crumbled in a hole,” mourned the Judge, “but I think it’s certainly wounded.”
“By the bones of my grandfather,” howled Webb (he never swears), “if those three big stout men with two double barreled shotguns and a rifle, haven’t been banging away at a poor little squirrel.”
After dinner the company was formally organized by electing Jim Kelly to the office of           . Brother Greer made the point that this being a civil company, the title should be “president.” This however was promptly rejected. “What?” said the Judge  “Suppose we have trouble with the redskins, which is more than likely, how would it sound to say our President marched us up the hill and then marched us down again. I move it be Captain.” But here the beneficiary declared that he would be no miserable captain and unless he be at once made Colonel, he would resign and leave the company to its fate. This settled it and the train moved out after dinner in the following order.
1. The elegant three-seated barouche containing the colo­nel, the major, the judge, Dr. Webb, Sergeant Whitney, and wagon-master Burkhalter, followed by the baggage wagon in which on the seat were Captain Albro and Chaplain Greer, with Will Stivers behind to look after things generally. Brother Greer drove the team, that is he drove it to the foot of the first hill, when the team stopped and would not be driven any further. We all got round the wagon, however, and pushed it up the hill notwithstand­ing the remonstrance of the team.
This Grouse Creek, I verily believe, is enchanted, or at least this company was, for all at once we couldn’t agree as to which side of the stream we were on. Of course, it made no difference, only it depended on a proper solution of this con­founding mystery whether we were going up or down, towards or away from the Territory. Finally we came to a standstill and waited for two gentlemen who were plowing in a field to come to the end of their rows, which were headed off by the road, or more properly cow-path, we were then on. But our consternation was only increased when on inquiring, we found those gentlemen seemed to be as much at a loss as we were ourselves. One said we were on this side of the Grouse and would have to cross over to arrive at our destination; the other said as he had been in the country but a short time and was, unfortunately, from Missouri, really knew nothing about it. Just here a bright intelligent looking girl with a hoe in her hand, cut the miserable knot, not with the hoe, however. She explained by saying that dame nature had, right there, succeeded in reversing the old order, and made the bed so crooked that for a full half mile the water actually ran up stream. But I think if we could have told these good people where we wanted to go lucidly and plainly, they could have told us how to get there. But we couldn’t.

The caravan here parted in the middle, Chaplain Greer believing as he could successively steer the local columns of the COURIER, he certainly ought to be able to steer a two-horse wagon to the mouth of Grouse Creek. So he left us and drove out of sight into the wilderness. We, that is the other rig, took the opposite course. We drove into a pasture fenced with brush; out of that into a cornfield fenced with stone, and traveled down a row of corn about two miles—so we thought—let down a pair of bars and brought up in a cowpen. We were, however, more fortu­nate here for we found a man who could and would not only tell us where to go, but could actually tell us where we at that moment ought to be, instead of driving over his corn and garden patch, as we had done. Will Whitney, however, very adroitly mentioned “that those were the finest hogs he had seen in a long time,” which somewhat mollified the old man, who then told us how to get out. Thus, you see, kind words never die; and a little taffy, which Mr. Whitney after told us, was cheap, applied to the slab sides and ungainly snouts of the old man’s hogs, and got us out of an embarrassing dilemma.
In a short time after bidding good bye to the old man of the good hogs, we arrived at the house of Drury Warren, a gentleman well and favorably known to some of our crowd. Mr. Warren, however, was absent in the territory at the big “round up,” he having some six hundred head of cattle on the range on Black Bear Creek.
Having heard Mr. Warren speak favorably of some of us, and representing ourselves as “some of our best citizens of Winfield,” we soon got into the good graces of kindly Mrs. Warren: to about half a bushel of onions, and permission to drive through the field, thus cutting off some three miles of long, hilly road. Let me here remark that Mr. Warren has one of the most valuable farms in Cowley County, or I might say, in the state. He has 520 acres in a body. Two-thirds of it lies in the rich bottom at the very mouth of Grouse Creek, which is in corn, and such corn! The like of which is duly seen on the Illinois and Sangamon river bottoms, and there but seldom.
Here we passed out at the south gate of the state and entered the Territory when Messrs. Greer, Albro, and Stivers caught up with us and when your correspondent shot a squirrel, found a nice spring of water, and where we camped for the first night.
Nothing of any importance happened to us except the bites of some huge mosquitos, which happened rather often.
The next morning we tried fishing in the raging Arkansas with but poor success. An old blood-thirsty villain of a fisher­man, who I have no doubt now was anxious to get us away from there, told us of a good place where he said we would find bass in abundance, well on toward the Kaw agency. Here trouble commenced. Some wanted to pull up stakes and go at once, some wanted to send a scouting party first to spy out the land and report. But the goers-at-once being in the majority, carried the point, so strike the tent, hitch up, and pull out was the order.
Sometime that afternoon we overtook an Indian afoot, leading a dog. Someone of our party asked him some questions, which he wouldn’t answer. Then someone asked him what he intended doing with the dog. He then very politely told us to go to hades, saying, however, the old version pronunciation of that word.
We pitched our tents on the banks of the Arkansas River that night. Another meeting was held at noon to determine whether or not we would move again. The colonel, by virtue of his office, of course, presided. The debate was long, learned, and digni­fied. Greer, Webb, Stivers, Whitney, and Albro, for the move, ably presented their side of the case.
“You see, gentlemen,” said Webb, “that we are on the very verge of starvation. No water, nothing to eat.”

“That shows,” said Jennings, “that you do not know what you are talking about. Here we are on one of the most delightful spots the sun ever shone upon. Look at that mighty river and tell me that there is no water. Look at the countless turkey tracks, and tell me there is no game, nothing to eat. Why, we are here in the very bowels of plenty, and I, for one, won’t move a peg.”
The motion was, however, put and carried, so move it was. That same evening the company arrived at the mouth of Otter Creek, where it empties into the Grouse, and once more the tent was pitched. The next morning, it being Sunday, it was agreed that no fishing, hunting, or euchre be indulged in but that this Sabbath be spent quietly and reverently as became our best citizens.
After breakfast some of the boys thought they would have some fun at the expense of the others. Word was accordingly passed along that a meeting would be held to consider the propri­ety of returning to the camp vacated the day before. The presi­dent being in the seat of course, proclaimed and made known that a meeting would be held at once. Every member being present the trouble began.
“Now, may the devil take me,” said Chaplain Greer, “if this move don’t beat all the moves I ever heard of.”
“I opposed coming here in the first place, but now that we are here, I propose to stay,” said Jennings.
“Me too,” said Judge Soward, “let go who will, I shan’t.”
“Question! Question!” shouted the mob.
The motion being put, the chair declared it carried unani­mously. That was a straw too much.
“Give me my blanket,” groaned Greer, “I can hire a farmer to take me home.”
“Give me my things,” howled Jennings, “I can walk.”
“Don’t take my gun,” yellowed Judge Soward, “I won’t budge an inch.”
Seeing that the joke had gone far enough, the boys were informed of the “sell” and soon all was again serene.
Monday morning, Mr. Greer, having been really in bad health when he started, was found to be much worse. It was accordingly decided to send him home. He was taken by Mr. Burkhalter to Arkansas City, put aboard the train, and we saw him no more.
And, now to conclude, for every good writer must conclude, I have endeavored to chronicle events just as they transpired. If perchance there may be a few little things that didn’t happen exactly as I have said, I certainly cannot be held responsible.
ONE OF THE NINE.
(?) Burkhalter: contractor, to carry mail from Winfield to Salt City. Had partner: (?) Newcomb...
Winfield Courier, July 28, 1881.
The mail will hereafter be carried regularly from Winfield to Salt City by way of Tannehill. Messrs. Burkhalter & Newcomb are the contractors. It leaves Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
(?) Burkhalter...
[A CARD FROM TAYLOR FITZGERALD.]
Winfield Courier, July 28, 1881.

WASHINGTON, D. C. July 18, 1881. EDS. COURIER: The miserable, cowardly assault made on me through the medium of the Telegram of recent date and copied in your issue of the 14th inst. is the result and outgrowth of jealousy and petty spite of a Mr. Kretsinger, who occupies the position of a subaltern on said paper.
The purport of the article referred to is that I left the city of Winfield, leaving behind numerous creditors with the intention of defrauding them and also that I took with me many valuable papers belonging to my clients. Both of these contempt­ible statements have no foundation in truth, and to exonerate myself from the guilt implied by this libel, I herewith apprehend a list of all those to whom I am indebted, and confidently refer my friends and enemies alike to them for corroboration. A. T. Spotswood & Co., not exceeding $ 6.00; The Telegram $30.00; McDonald & Walton $10.00; Mr. Burkhalter $14.00. I called the day before leaving Winfield on Mr. Blair, Manager of the Telegram, and a perfect gentleman, informing him of my prospective removal and stated I would pay balance due Telegram if I could before I left. I also notified each of the other above named gentlemen, requesting as a favor their leniency in extending me time in consequence of expenses entailed in moving.
As to the second charge, my bringing away valuable papers belonging to clients, I answer that the charge shows his pitiable ignorance of the law in reference to an Attorney’s rights in such matters.
My object in locating at the seat of government is that I may be able to better represent the interests of those whose business was entrusted to my care, and the papers in each case were brought to further enable me to do so. Instead of my removal to Washington resulting unfavorably to my clients, it will facilitate action on their claims necessary to settlement, as I will be adjacent to all the departments and can give person­al attention to business.
With these explanations I will rest my case and am willing to abide by the verdict rendered by the people of Cowley County, and your readers generally.
TAYLOR FITZGERALD.
Winfield Courier, November 10, 1881.
The Grand Hunt proved a grand success. Several catastrophes are reported. Jake Nixon burst a barrel of his fine breech-loading gun, Tom Soward lost a “plunger,” and Deacon Harris got soaking wet. The score was a very fair one!
J. N. Harter: 830                                        A. D. Speed: 170
J. M. Keck: 1,000                                      B. F. Cox: 290
G. A. Rhodes: 975                               C. C. Black: 90
T. H. Soward: 335                               G. L. Eastman: 2,375
S. Burkhalter: 480                                Dr. Davis: 450
Jacob Nixon: 80                                         E. Meech, Jr.: 285
Fred Whitney: 765                                Q. A. Glass: 180
____ Chapman: 980                                   Deacon Harris: 500
Total: 5,445                                                Total: 4,360
The defeated party gave a big banquet at the Brettun Friday evening and the tired and hungry sportsmen fed their friends and told of the hair breadth escapes of “mud-hen” and turtle-dove. Skunks counted fifty, but none were brought in.
Winfield Courier, April 6, 1882.
Ed Burk had a runway Tuesday in which Col. Burkhalter’s gray team did the running.

[WINFIELD CITY COUNCIL.]
Winfield Courier, July 13, 1882.
Bill of S. Burkhalter for $2.00 for team to funeral of Mrs. Sanborn was approved and recommended to the County Commissioners for payment.
Winfield Courier, August 3, 1882.
Anyone who has a good buggy or phaeton for sale cheap can find a buyer at Sol. Burkhalter’s stable.
Winfield Courier, August 3, 1882.
Anyone who has a first-class family horse can trade for a fine brood mare at Sol. Burkhalter’s. A young horse of quiet disposition and good carriage is what is wanted.
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, August 10, 1882.
Delegates entitled to seats. Winfield 2nd Ward: T. H. Soward, C. Trump, H. Brotherton, Frank Finch, Sol. Burkhalter, I. W. Randall.
Winfield Courier, August 17, 1882.
BIRTH. Sol Burkhalter is the father of a bouncing boy, which arrived last Friday. He smiles as broad as an omnibus.
Winfield Courier, August 24, 1882.
Sol Burkhalter the other day saw a couple of suspicious looking individuals in town and concluded they were horse thieves, because, as he said, “Their countenances gave them away.” Sol hunted up Sheriff Shenneman and led him to the place where the hard looking customers were sitting when Shenneman recognized them as a prominent Presbyterian clergyman of Wichita and a prominent bank cashier of the same town. They were not arrested.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, September 28, 1882.
In the department for horses, mules, etc., “Class A,” there were one hundred and fifteen entries and thirty premiums awarded.
Best Stallion 4 years and over, D. P. Hurst 1st; Sol Burkhalter 2nd.
Winfield Courier, November 9, 1882.
Sporting News. The Grand Annual hunt of the Winfield Sportsmen’s Club took place last Thursday. The club met at the Brettun House Monday evening and elected J. N. Harter and Fred Whitney captains. Each hunter, with the advice of his captain, selected his route, and most of them went out to the field the evening before. The following is the score.
J. N. Harter, Capt., 2,700; Jas. Vance, 1,400; Frank Clark, 1,140; Frank Manny, 200; Jacob Nixon, 1,780; Ezra Meech, 620; Sol Burkhalter, 610; Dr. Davis, 310; C. Trump, 150; Ed. P. Greer, 160; E. C. Stewart, 120; G. L. Rinker, 360. TOTAL: 9,550.
Fred Whitney, Capt., 110; G. W. Prater, 290; J. S. Hunt, 1,130; C. C. Black, 1,070; Jas. McLain, 1,000; A. S. Davis, 100; H. Saunders, 130; Q. A. Glass, 240; A. D. Speed, 240; Dr. Emerson, 190; J. S. Mann, 100; J. B. Lynn, 000. TOTAL: 4,660.
The gold medal was won by Mr. Harter. The tin medal will be won by J. B. Lynn. On next Wednesday evening the nimrods will banquet at the Brettun, at the expense of the losing side. The score made by Mr. Harter has never been equaled in this county.

Winfield Courier, November 16, 1882.
DIED. Mr. and Mrs. Sol Burkhalter had the misfortune to lose their baby boy. It died Monday evening and was buried Tuesday.
Winfield Courier, December 14, 1882.
Sol. Burkhalter traded his livery outfit, comprising eleven head of horses, buggies, and harness, to W. A. Freeman for an eighty acre farm in Beaver Township. He still owns the barn, which he has leased to Mr. Freeman for one year.
Winfield Courier, January 4, 1883.
For sale or trade. A number one Jack of good pedigree and four years old. Inquire of Sol Burkhalter.
Winfield Courier, February 1, 1883.
The following petition was circulated last week by Frank Manny, taken to Topeka, and presented by him to Senator Hackney.
WINFIELD, KANSAS, January 23, 1883.
HON. W. P. HACKNEY, State Senator, Topeka, Kansas.
Inasmuch as the Prohibition Amendment, as enforced, has always resulted in injury to the material development of our town—it having signally failed to accomplish the object sought, the suppression of the sale and use of intoxicating drinks—we would respectfully urge upon you the necessity of so providing for the enforcement of the law that its application shall be uniform throughout the State. If this is impossible, don’t sacrifice our town on the altar of inordinate devotion to an impracticable principle.
Sol Burkhalter was one of those who signed the petition.
Winfield Courier, March 1, 1883.
Sol Burkhalter has bought a lot of fine farm horses and is holding them for sale.
Winfield Courier, April 5, 1883.
Sol. Burkhalter is lying very low with bilious fever.
Winfield Courier, July 12, 1883.
The Fourth. The one hundred and seventh anniversary of the Nation’s independence was celebrated in grand style last Wednesday. The people commenced gathering before sunrise, and from that time on until eleven o’clock every road leading into Winfield was crowded with teams, pedestrians, and horsemen.
The races were the most interesting feature. In the mixed trotting and pacing race, there were six entries. The race was won by Ed. Reed’s “Blanche Belle,” in 3:09 and 3:05; P. T. Walton’s “Mollie,” second; S. W. Phoenix’ “Lilac,” third; Sol. Burkhalter’s “Jumbo,” fourth; Dorley’s “Dan,” fifth; Rez Stephens’ “Tinker,” sixth.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, September 13, 1883.
The following superintendents of their respective departments will please meet with the secretary at his office as early as possible on the first day of the Fair, Sept. 25th. The duties of the superintendents will be to have charge, under the general superintendent, of the departments to which they are assigned, and to select judges to award the different premiums. Those who find it impossible to serve will notify the secretary as early as possible that others may be appointed in their stead.

Horses, James B. Schofield.
Mules, Sol Burkhalter.
Cattle, J. O. Taylor.
Sheep, S. S. Linn.
Hogs, W. J. Hodges.
Poultry, H. T. Shivvers.
Grain, grasses, etc., Henry Harbaugh.
Fruit, Jacob Nixon.
Vegetables, J. W. Millspaugh.
Farm and household, Mrs. J. F. Martin.
Flowers and shrubs, Mrs. J. L. Horning.
Fine arts, Miss Kate Millington.
Fancy work, Mrs. D. L. Kretsinger.
Household fabrics, Kansas manufacture, W. R. McDonald.
Jellies, etc., Mrs. S. S. Linn.
Preserves, Mrs. N. S. Perry.
Speed ring, J. L. Horning.
Agricultural implements, H. Brotherton.
Mechanic arts, T. B. Myers.
Winfield Courier, September 20, 1883.
MARRIED. Wm. D. Byers and Emma L. Garris were married the 13th inst., at the residence of Sol. Burkhalter, by Rev. P. F. Jones.
Winfield Courier, December 6, 1883.
Sol Burkhalter and Ivan Robinson started overland for Missouri Wednesday. They are going to investigate the mule market.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR AND DRIVING PARK ASSOCIATION.]
Winfield Courier, January 17, 1884.
On Monday afternoon the stockholders of the Cowley County Fair and Driving Park Association met in the Opera House for the purpose of re-organizing the Board of Directors for the year 1884, and receiving reports of the condition and doings of the Association for the year. About seventy-five stockholders, representing nearly all of the subscribed stock, were present.
Sol Burkhalter owned two shares of stock in the Association.
[WINFIELD BOOMS.]
Winfield Courier, April 10, 1884.
Mr. Marsh Sidle, on Loomis Street south, has put an addition to his house, set out trees, fenced his property, and is making a very neat home, while just across the street Sol Burkhalter is building a two story addition and showing characteristic enterprise.
Winfield Courier, August 7, 1884.
Sol. Burkhalter disposed of sixty-one Texas and Indian ponies last week at an average of twenty-one dollars apiece. Sol. has sold over a hundred and sixty head of ponies since spring.
Winfield Courier, October 23, 1884.

Sol. Burkhalter came in from Indiana Saturday, and says that Jas. B. Blaine will roll up a big majority in Hoosierdom.
Sol Burkhalter: Becomes a member of the Fowler Town Company...
Winfield Courier, December 11, 1884.
J. B. Lynn took in the western counties recently and came home with the fever. He has organized the Fowler Town Co., composed of himself, J. B. Fowler, John Keck, Sol. Burkhalter, T. F. Axtell, and others. The town is located in western Ford County. Winfield men agree with the idea that the star of empire shall continue to westward take its way and are doing much for the development of that new country.
Captain P. A. Huffman: rented Burkhalter property on Manning Street...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.
Captain P. A. Huffman, from Indiana, father-in-law of Charley Holmes, arrived last week, has rented the Burkhalter property on Manning street, and is permanently located.
Burkhalter: resident of Fowler...
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 24, 1885.
Sol Burkhalter came in from Fowler today.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 24, 1885.
Sol Burkhalter, wife, and baby came in from Fowler, Meade County, to see Cowley’s big show and visit friends. It seems mighty old times to hear that gentle laugh of Sol’s once more.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR & DRIVING PARK ASSOCIATION.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 1, 1885.
The speed ring runs along—the smoothest way under the superintendency of James Vance, and the judgeship of Capt. P. A. Huffman, Messrs. A. T. Spotswood, and Sol Burkhalter. They are old in turf experience and can readily tell every point in a race.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 5, 1885.
Sol Burkhalter is in from Fowler again, called by the illness of his wife.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 17, 1885.
The committees, appointed at the citizens’ meeting, to work up the submitting of propositions for the extension of the Florence El Dorado & Walnut railroad from Douglass to Winfield, met yesterday afternoon in McDougall’s hall to determine on the apportionment of the amount of aid asked. Judge T. H. Soward called the meeting to order. S. P. Strong was chosen chairman and W. J. Wilson, Secretary. M. L. Robinson then explained the object of the meeting, to get everything in readiness for aggressive work in submitting the propositions and securing this road.
Every movement must have money back of it to insure its success. This and other enterprises needing agitation take money. Contributions were called for to be placed in the hands of the Winfield Enterprise Association for use in submitting these railroad propositions and any other progressive enterprise for which the Association sees necessity. Over $500 was subscribed. Sol. Burkhalter gave $5.00.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, December 31, 1885.

Henry E. Asp was caned, silvered, and broomed last night. His services to the city of Winfield in securing the K. C. & S. W. railroad and in every public enterprise for the advancement of our splendid city have always been spontaneous, indomitable, and effective. This merry Christmas time was the occasion for a demonstration of appreciation. Accordingly an elegant silver tea set and water service, a beautiful gold-headed cane, and—a jump from the sublime to the ridiculous—a thirty-five cent broom, were secured as tokens by the following representative gentlemen of the city: Rev. B. Kelley, M. L. Robinson, W. C. Robinson, J. L. M. Hill, Senator Jennings, D. A. Millington, T. H. Soward, J. C. Long, Sol. Burkhalter, Judge Gans, Col. Whiting, Senator Hackney, H. H. Siverd, J. L. Horning, and Ed P. Greer.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 21, 1886.
Sol Burkhalter came in from Fowler, Meade County, Friday evening. He reports four men frozen to death at Dodge, but none near Fowler. He says the reports of great loss of life in that country are exaggerated. A large number of cattle perished. George Fowler lost 108 head of sheep. Sol thinks the storm in the “wild west” was less severe than here.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 4, 1886.
Sol Burkhalter, the facetious and big-hearted Sol, was out with his cutter Wednesday and gave our scribe a whirl around town. The snow drifted too much and fell mostly on ground too rough to make very good sleighing, though on some streets it goes first rate.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 25, 1886.
Sol Burkhalter has authentic word from Olathe that they have fifty cases of smallpox there. It was spread a week ago by a man from Texas, and has been kept pretty quiet so far in the hopes of an early dissipation, but it hangs on. The informant reported no deaths. Such reports must be given some allowance, however. Smallpox spreads as rapidly in the mouth as anywhere else.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 25, 1886.
Sol Burkhalter will go west tomorrow or next day.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 15, 1886.
Glass Ball Shoot. John A. Eaton, James McLain, Joe Harter, T. H. Soward, Jim Vance, A. H. Doane, and Sol Burkhalter girded their loins and went forth to the old fair grounds Thursday afternoon to knock the wadding out of glass balls—the first shoot of the season. Each shot at twenty balls. McLain broke 17, Vance 15, Burkhalter 14, Harter 13, Soward 13, Eaton 13, Doane 4. This was good shooting for the first practice. The Winfield Gun Club will shortly be reorganized, with the Peoria blackbird, a new invention, instead of the glass balls. ’Tis fine sport and the re-initiation of yesterday afternoon gave these shootists a bad dose of the old-time fever.
1891.
Daily Calamity Howler, Wednesday, October 7, 1891.
Sol Burkhalter has some friends visiting him from Dayton, Indiana. Sol and his friends will take a trip down through the Territory in a few days.

 

 

Cowley County Historical Society Museum